Best Of New Orleans #31

Every day during the month of August, we're highlighting one restaurant from our recent ranking of the 31 Best Restaurants in New Orleans. Today's restaurant, Maurepas Fine Foods, is #31 on our list.

Owner and chef Michael Doyle's belief that Southern food is both inclusive and hip is demonstrated by Maurepas' often lengthy wait time for a table and the stellar reviews from locals and restaurant critics alike. The chef sources most of his ingredients from local farms and food purveyors, and therefore tends to make vegetables and other produce the stars of the menu — an uncommon occurrence in most Sothern eateries. The spotlight on produce shines bright in dishes such as the strawberry salad with crème fraiche, corn bread gremolata, and molasses vinaigrette, and the truly Southern wilted greens with pickled butter beans, oatmeal gnocchi, and a parmesan broth. As a sign that Doyle doesn't take himself too seriously, the name "Maurepas" itself is a play on words, as in French Cajun it can be translated to "bad food." However, judging by his strong local fan base and glowing reviews from out-of-towners, this could not be further from the truth.

Here's the full list: 

#31. Maurepas Fine Foods
#30. Boucherie
#29. Mother's
#28. Luke
#27. The Joint
#26. Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse
#25. Mahony's
#24. MiLa
#23. La Petite Grocery
#22. Gautreau's
#21. Coquette
#20. Parkway Bakery
#19. Clancy's
#18. Dooky Chase
#17. Drago's
#16. Emeril's
#15. Redfish Grill
#14. Jacques-Imo's
#13. Bayona
#12. Camellia Grill
#11. Domilese's
#10. Willie Mae's Scotch House
#9. SoBou
#8. Root
#7. Herbsaint
#6. Domenica
#5. Cochon
#4. Peche
#3. August
#2. Galatoire's
#1. Commander's Palace