Restaurant Reviews Part IV (Jacques-Imo's, Kim Son, Nine Roses. Juan's Flying Burrito)

1) Jacques-Imo's (Uptown)
Stats: Genre - Cajun/Creole, Price - $$-$$$, Ranking - 4 stars

Jacques-Imo's is a quintessential New Orleans favorite, among locals and tourists alike, so it's no surprise that the restaurant ranks among my personal favorites for New Orleans cuisine. I recently went there with a large group (10+ people), and we had made reservations well in advance. The restaurant only accepts reservations for groups of 5 or more, so you should expect to wait for a table, especially Friday and Saturday nights. Oak St. can get pretty lively, and since it's mostly frequented by locals and college students, it has a more authentic flare.

The homestyle atmosphere and great food of Jacques-Imo's are its two best selling points. The colorful tablecloths, funky decor and down to earth staff make the culinary experience even more enjoyable. As for the food, you can't go wrong with seafood, especially in New Orleans. For appetizers, we had the stuffed shrimp and fried calamari, both excellent choices. My friends had the shrimp and alligator sausage cheesecake, which they claim was the best appetizer of the night. As for the main entrees, as a group, we ordered almost every one on the menu, so we all got to sample what Jacques-Imo's had to offer. The Stuffed Catfish Des Allemands and Cajun Bouillibaisse were my two favorite entrees, since they had such great flavor, and you could tell the seafood was fresh aka no fishy taste. The blackened redfish was also very nice. Since, we were a lively and appreciative group, Jacques-Imo's even threw in dessert for FREE! Truly a wonderful experience that must be repeated!

2) Kim Son (Westbank)
Stats: Genre - Vietnamese/Chinese, Price - $$, Ranking - 2.5 stars

Though it may come as a surprise for some, New Orleans is a premier destination for authentic Vietnamese food, thanks to its large Vietnamese population. And the Westbank is one of the best places to find great Vietnamese food. Kim Son is one of the more popular restaurants and has a more mainstream Chinese as well as authentic Vietnamese menu. The Chinese food is ordinary at best, but the real pleasure lies in the Vietnamese selections. My favorites are the Vietnamese spring rolls for appetizers - the cilantro and other fresh vegetables are very refreshing - and the salt braised crab and charcoal shrimp over vermicelli as entrees. In fact, any of the salt braised or clay pot options are winners. The prices are kept reasonable with seafood entrees under $15. Additionally, the lunch specials are quite popular. Parking is not a problem as there is a parking lot in front of the restaurant, easily accessible from the Westbank expressway.

3) Nine Roses (Westbank)
Stats: Genre - Vietnamese/Chinese, Price - $$, Ranking - 3 stars

Nine Roses is one of the best Vietnamese restaurants in the New Orleans area. Although not the best location for pho, Nine Roses, nevertheless, has tasty entrees and is a great option for family dinners and other get-togethers. The staff is friendly and accessible and is was willing to make changes to the menu to suit our needs. For example, with many of the dishes that included pork, the kitchen substituted another ingredient in its place. Many local restaurants are unwillingness to do this, so it was a refreshing change. Again, I went with a large group and we were able to sample many dishes, but my favorite was the catfish clay pot; the fish was so tender, and the sauce was just fabulous. This restaurant is also pretty easy to find, right off the Westbank expressway, and there is a large parking lot right in front of the main entrance.

4) Juan's Flying Burrito (Garden District)
Stats: Genre - Mexican fusion, Price - $-$$, Ranking - 2.5 star

Juan's Flying Burrito is a fun, grungy locale on Magazine St. that serves good burritos at an even better price. I recently went there with friends for drinks and a quick bite to eat, and we ended up spending less than $10 per person, including tips. What's great about the place is that the menu is really amenable to change. In fact, it's hard to find that many Vegan options in the New Orleans area. The super burritos are quite tasty and large; I had a shrimp one, and it was very filling. The staff is also courteous, friendly and down to earth. Parking can be a hassle, depending on the time of day, but there's usually always side street parking. Good times, good times.