View Full Version : Mike's American Grill: Great New Restaurant!
Zydekitten
01-03-2009, 11:26 AM
For the NOLA Local Yokels, or for folks visiting - there is an excellent new restaurant opening in Metry: Mike's American Grill on Veterans Blvd. (where Sal and Sam's was) . . .
The chef is Michael Uddo, formerly of G & E Courtyard Grill and they're in the middle of their "soft opening" period. So Mr. NOLA and I went there the night before last to be guinea pigs and try some appetizers - which were off the hook, crazy-good!
I had the yumtastic butternut squash soup and NOLA had the delectable flash-fried calamari. I haven't tasted such light and delicate calamari since moving from California! :D
They also have a great bar (granted, I'm a bit biased as my brother, Arden is a bartender there), excellent wine list and liquor selection. One of their trademarks is 3 for 1 martinis - you get a double in your martini glass and then the third in a wee carafe, chillin' like a villain on ice in a large snifter, waiting for when you're snarfed down the first round. ;)
If you have the means, I highly recommend trying it out - we're going back tomorrow to test out their brunch menu (which looks to be delish).
I had the yumtastic butternut squash soup and NOLA had the delectable flash-fried calamari. I haven't tasted such light and delicate calamari since moving from California! :D
- we're going back tomorrow to test out their brunch menu (which looks to be delish).
I have not had calamari prepared so nicely in a long time. This chef knows what he's doing in the kitchen. And my Grey Goose martini, dirty and up, was excellent.
We're looking forward to brunch tomorrow! I'll report back on the quality of the Bloody Mary's.... ;)
mwgirlonherown
01-03-2009, 04:00 PM
I have not had calamari prepared so nicely in a long time. This chef knows what he's doing in the kitchen. And my Grey Goose martini, dirty and up, was excellent.
We're looking forward to brunch tomorrow! I'll report back on the quality of the Bloody Mary's.... ;)
Is there calamari better than Carmelo's??? Best I've had.
Is there calamari better than Carmelo's??? Best I've had.
Never had it at Carmelo's. In fact, I don't think I've ever eaten at Carmelo's! But it was the best I've had in New Orleans, and I've lived here nearly 15 years...
If you have the means, I highly recommend ...
So, I take it this new place is on the pricey side?
jonnygospeltent
01-04-2009, 12:56 PM
How where the bloodys?
How long has your brother been in New Orleans, Lisa?
ibjamn
01-04-2009, 01:18 PM
How was brunch?
mwgirlonherown
01-04-2009, 01:27 PM
Never had it at Carmelo's. In fact, I don't think I've ever eaten at Carmelo's! But it was the best I've had in New Orleans, and I've lived here nearly 15 years...
Dinner is just okay at Carmelos and their service can be inconsistent. My friend Norb loves the place? It's worth a stop for their calamari. Thin, crisp; good marinara. Good people watching from the balcony.
Zydekitten
01-04-2009, 06:06 PM
So, I take it this new place is on the pricey side?
Not really - my meaning was more about those who are able to be here and get out to Metry (means of transportation), as well as my paraphrasing of a Ferris Bueller line . . . movie dork that I am.
:D
Zydekitten
01-04-2009, 06:09 PM
How where the bloodys?
How long has your brother been in New Orleans, Lisa?
The bloodys were excellent! My bro is in the right place, as he's always been a top-notch bloody creator (he even won a contest back out West for his bloodys) and is really loving NOLA - he gets it!
He's been here since Thanksgiving and is originally from your neck of the woods (being born in Chicago) and, sorry to say, is a HUGE Bears fan :p - I hope you can meet him when you're here. :D
How was brunch?
Brunch was very very good, especially considering they are still in their "soft opening" period. The Bloody Mary's, made by Lisa's brother Arden behind the bar, were excellent. I had the Crab Cake Benedict, which consisted of a very nice sized crab cake, mostly crab meat and not too much breading, topped with spinach, two poached eggs (perfectly done) and a very nice jalapeno hollandaise. Lisa had the Eggs Mia, which is poached eggs over a French bread baguette, flash fried zucchini, spinach, marinara sauce and mozzarella. We both had the hash browns which were crispy outside but soft inside - perfectly done.
The place is located on Vet's at Houma out near the Sears store at Clearview Mall. Give it a try sometime if you have a chance!
ibjamn
01-04-2009, 08:23 PM
Brunch was very very good, especially considering they are still in their "soft opening" period. The Bloody Mary's, made by Lisa's brother Arden behind the bar, were excellent. I had the Crab Cake Benedict, which consisted of a very nice sized crab cake, mostly crab meat and not too much breading, topped with spinach, two poached eggs (perfectly done) and a very nice jalapeno hollandaise. Lisa had the Eggs Mia, which is poached eggs over a French bread baguette, flash fried zucchini, spinach, marinara sauce and mozzarella. We both had the hash browns which were crispy outside but soft inside - perfectly done.
The place is located on Vet's at Houma out near the Sears store at Clearview Mall. Give it a try sometime if you have a chance!
Sounds wonderful! I bet we'll try it next weekend! :)
(psssst....can you get those 3 for 1 martinis for brunch?? Just checking.....) ;)
(psssst....can you get those 3 for 1 martinis for brunch?? Just checking.....) ;)
I believe that deal is good anytime.... :)
Zydekitten
01-05-2009, 10:49 AM
Sounds wonderful! I bet we'll try it next weekend! :)
(psssst....can you get those 3 for 1 martinis for brunch?? Just checking.....) ;)
We liked it so much, we'll be taking NOLA Mama and Sista there for dinner on Thursday (as a Frankfest warmup) . . . :D
I'm sitting here next to Arden and he says, "Yes!!! The 3 for 1 Martini deal is good at Mike's ANY time!" ;)
i wanna be in NOLA
01-05-2009, 10:58 AM
Brunch was very very good, especially considering they are still in their "soft opening" period. The Bloody Mary's, made by Lisa's brother Arden behind the bar, were excellent. I had the Crab Cake Benedict, which consisted of a very nice sized crab cake, mostly crab meat and not too much breading, topped with spinach, two poached eggs (perfectly done) and a very nice jalapeno hollandaise. Lisa had the Eggs Mia, which is poached eggs over a French bread baguette, flash fried zucchini, spinach, marinara sauce and mozzarella. We both had the hash browns which were crispy outside but soft inside - perfectly done.
The place is located on Vet's at Houma out near the Sears store at Clearview Mall. Give it a try sometime if you have a chance!
My mouth is watering!
jerseygirl67
01-05-2009, 11:02 AM
My mouth is watering!
I am salivating like Pavlov's dog over here......OMG
ozzie
01-05-2009, 11:09 AM
I am salivating like Pavlov's dog over here......OMG
Maybe they'll do weddings!
Zydekitten
01-22-2009, 04:49 PM
UPDATE: Okay, maybe not so much . . .
They canned Arden in favor of hiring some know-nothing blonde bimbo with big b00bs - grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
They even called him in on his day off to give him the heave-ho! :mad:
So, Mr. NOLA and I will no longer be patronizing Mike's, An American Grill.
Delta
01-22-2009, 05:10 PM
OMG, as friendly and personable as Arden is and they canned him for boobs over personality? Mike's won't be around for long is my guess.
Hi Arden!
Zydekitten
01-22-2009, 05:17 PM
Well, Arden (as well as Frank and I) was rather taken aback too. So, Arden's back on the NOLA job hunt . . . sigh.
Given what I saw and heard about their management - nope, I don't think they're destined to flourish. Maybe THAT'S what happened to the G & E Courtyard Grill . . . :p
Somewhat inconsistent on the food - some stellar dishes, but a brisket so tough you could have made a work boot out of it. Overbearing and discomforting front-of-house staff. Inexperienced wait staff. And now a bartender with big 'uns (b00bs, not brains).
They are fortunate to be right on the Metairie parade route, but I'll be spending my Mardi Gras uptown....
festivalgirl
01-22-2009, 05:39 PM
Somewhat inconsistent on the food - some stellar dishes, but a brisket so tough you could have made a work boot out of it. Overbearing and discomforting front-of-house staff. Inexperienced wait staff. And now a bartender with big 'uns (b00bs, not brains).
They are fortunate to be right on the Metairie parade route, but I'll be spending my Mardi Gras uptown....
My Grandmother is alive!! (the brisket not the boobs) :eek: