We Review La Roux Bistro

I started covering local food news right around the time a construction crew unexpectedly unearthed the hidden Civil War-era structure at 300 E. Commercial Street. This was 2017, and the project was set to be the future home of Ophelia’s. This discovery altered the course of the building’s future, transforming it into a significantly larger project than most culinary entrepreneurs would be willing to undertake.

After Ophelia’s backed out, I knew it would take a very uniquely qualified person to see anything in the now three-story historic space to fruition. That person definitely had to be Joseph Gidman, who is no stranger to C-Street. La Roux Bistro is now his fourth concept in the historic business district, and he owns it alongside Joe Hosmer and Rodrigo Cabrejos-Ramos.

Gidman invited my husband, Chandler, and me to the soft opening of the restaurant. We split the Bayou Board, which was a great foray into the menu with a medley of blue crab beignets, alligator bites, boudin balls, andouille and a bit of spicy caraway slaw. My favorite component on the board was actually the alligator bites, which were cornbreaded and played extremely well with the remoulade sauce that had a great zing. 

For our mains, I went with the shrimp and grits, and Chandler ordered the burgundy pork. I tried a bite of the bone-in pork off Chandler’s plate. While it certainly was seared to perfection and showed off the perfect amount of Dijon Burgundy sauce, I actually didn’t have food envy for once.

That’s all thanks to the cheddar polenta on my dish. I had no trouble cleaning my plate. The Gulf shrimp was incredibly fresh, and the green pepper roux added an herbaceous component.

If I had to pick a favorite thing I had that evening, it would actually be my cocktail, the Garden District Punch.

We didn’t get to dine in the hidden underground room (the Phenix Vault), but I highly suggest at least taking a peek on your visit. The arched ceiling is lined with Phenix limestone.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a Francophile, so I’ve had several people ask me if I have tried the “new French restaurant.” La Roux Bistro really isn’t a classic French restaurant, and it’s not trying to be. I would describe its menu as primarily Cajun-inspired with a strong emphasis on the French influence. Regardless, the La Roux crew preps each dish with the same care that a French chef would. They mix their own spices, whip the mayonnaise for the sauces and bake their own bread.