You Say You Want A R'evolution

I've never been in a restaurant like R'evolution. Not. Ever. While doing my research on the place and it's award winning team of Chef John Folse and Chef Rick Tramonto something happened to me for the first time in awhile, I was intimidated. Put their resumes and achievements together and you'd have to schedule time out of your day to read them. I felt a little out of my league, this is a place that should be featured on the Travel Channel with some well versed know it all hosting, or where Brad and Angie feast with Hollywood friends, and I was getting my own private tour? This was just ridiculous. I felt like I had just snuck backstage at a concert without a meet and greet pass. Sooner or later they'd find me out. I learned quickly, that I had nothing to worry about. I expected fine dining snobbery, and got authentic New Orleans hospitality.
While I was waiting for Chef Folse I had the pleasure of getting the grand tour from Muhammad, general manager brought in from Chicago for this very project. R'evolution includes six dining rooms designed after mansions uptown. Gas light chandlers (made in New Orleans) hang over the bar, glassed in cased treasures from Chef Folse's personal collection line the wall, and something I've never seen before next to the tables... a purse stool. This made the high maintenance fashionista inside me ohh and ahh, "nooooo way" I cooed. Every table, chair, and painting, are a luxurious sight. Even down to the white plates branded with an "R" in the center scream luxury.The tour of the dining rooms and the private wine room (vino fans, your jaw will hit the floor) would have been enough for me. Then Muhammad asked, "Do you want to see the kitchen?" The place where the geniuses create? Of course I do. I had an "I'm not worthy" moment. Me? In Chef Folse and Chef Tramontos custom kitchen? The high heels I was wearing that were definitely not non-slip friendly weren't going to stop me.
I feel like no words can do this state of the art kitchen justice. Lets just say if James Bond had a professional kitchen in his house, this is what it would look like. Although, Bond wouldn't be able to get the "r'evolution red" color on the Viking kitchen line that is now retired, and only here. This place is no joke. When we were joined by Chef Folse in the kitchen he tipped his hat to The Royal Sonesta Hotel for working with them on this immaculate space saying, "the kitchen was designed after the menu." Gives the saying "made to order" a whole knew meaning. Equipped with one of the longest lines in the country, a fish filling cabinet, granite counter tops, humidity controlled cheese refrigerators, and the sickest walk-in freezers I've ever seen in my entire life working in the service industry world. James Bond would have it no other way. Anyone in the back of the house (which includes 35 chefs, some of which moved here just to work with these two) need not go more than four feet from their work space for anything they may need. At R'evolution, you're getting a meal that is prepared like no other.
Hungry yet? Lets talk about the menu. R'evolution serves up a "modern reinterpretation of classic cajun and creole cuisine". Say no more, right? Although a dream would be to have everything on the menu a few things that popped out at me were the beer-battered crab beignets, Oysterman's Spaghettini with creole tomatoes, cream and shaved Bottarga, creole cream cheese potatoes, braised pork shank with brussel sprouts, spiced pecans and root beer bubbles. Root beer bubbles? I don't even know what that means, but I'm sold. If you're like me you usually pass on dessert when you go out to eat, this is not the place to skimp. With dessert selections like coffee and beignets, creole cream cheesecake with strawberries, and white chocolate bread pudding creme brulee, passing on dessert would just be crazy. Open for dinner at 5:30, (I'd make reservations if I were you but walk-ins are welcome) you can look forward to them opening their doors for lunch and brunch by the end of summer. I joked with Chef Folse and Muhammad that I was going to have my next date take me there for dinner. I'm dying to indulge in their food, enjoy a fantastic glass of wine, all while my purse sits safely on it's very own stool. I still can't get over that one.
777 Bienville Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
504-553-2277
www.revolutionnola.com
www.facebook.com/RestaurantRevolution
www.twitter.com/RevolutionNOLA