New Orleans

Travelers' Takes

Rates and Deals

Irene's Cuisine

ashleyren
First Reviewer
3 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
4
Reviews
Sort by: Most Recent|Positive|Negative|Most Useful
1-4 of 4

Irene's

  • April 30, 2004
  • Rated 1 of 5 by Bobseesit from Wilmington, Massachusetts
What a disappointment. I'm coming to the conclusion that the only food that NO does not do well is Italian. We were a little disappointed last year with Cafe Giovanni and now with Irene's. This was one restaurant I was looking forward to, even with no reservation policy.

We got there at opening (5:30pm) and were seated immediately. The complimentary bruschetta was very good, but it went downhill from there. I don't even remember the appetiser. My wife had shrimp scampi over linguini and I had chicken parmesan (I thought I was ordering something else). Both were very ordinary and we have had much better in the smallest Italian restaurants in Massachusetts.

The service was very good, though.

From journal Second Visit to New Orleans

Editor Pick

Irene's Cuisine

  • July 11, 2003
  • Rated 5 of 5 by MissKitty from London, United Kingdom
Irene's has been called the best restaurant in the French Quarter, and I can't argue with that. The restaurant does not take reservations, and fills up quickly, so get there early if you don't like waiting. However, you may change your mind when you wait for a table in the little bar in the back, listening to a good jazz pianist and enjoying the ambiance. Everyone is steered directly into the bar for a drink, even if there are tables available. I found this annoying on my first visit, until I relaxed and enjoyed the music and the chance to slow down and prepare myself for a great meal. Complimentary bruscetta begins the meal, followed by your choice of luscious dishes -- rosemary chicken, roast duck, good steak (which can be difficult to find in New Orleans). Desserts are the usual Italian standbys, the best being the tiramisu. The tables are crowded close together, the place is noisy and chaotic at times, but I've never failed to have a fun, delicious and memorable meal there, and always include Irene's on my itinerary.

From journal Another Side of New Orleans

Irene's

  • July 18, 2002
  • Rated 3 of 5 by janet542 from Coppell, Texas
No Reservations You'll have to wait for a table like every other restaurant in the area, but here you progress from one waiting area to another. The first area is a garage like room where the restrooms are. The second room is a narrow room lined with tables and a piano player - It was December and he played the Charlie Brown Christmas song for me. Then dinner.

Dinner itself, I ate all of my vegetables. Literally. They served brocollini a brocolli kale hybrid I think. It tasted like sweet brocolli, looked like asparagus and was delicious. I also had the veal the sauce was a little overpowering. Baked Alaska is supposed to be their specialty but I was too full for dessert.

Space is very tight.

I wouldn't go there again. There are just too many restaurants to try in New Orleans, but I would recommend it to someone who'd never been there.

From journal New Orleans Weekend

Irene's Cuisine

  • September 6, 2000
  • Rated 4 of 5 by ashleyren from Pensacola, Florida
Irene's offers FABULOUS Italian food, in a wonderfully intimate setting. This is a restaurant that most tourists don't even know about. But go early on weekend nights--they don't take reservations and the wait can be long, as locals flock here. However, it's VERY worth it!

From journal New Orleans--A Native's View

Sort by: Most Recent|Positive|Negative|Most Useful
1-4 of 4

Compare New Orleans Rates

1. Enter travel information

City

2. Select websites to compare rates

Each selected website will open a new window.

Helpful New Orleans Links

New Orleans Travel Deals