New York City’s Delmonico’s is America’s oldest fine-dining restaurant. But New Orleans’s Antoine’s is the country’s oldest continuously operating restaurant. Each is a restaurant legend. These are kitchens that created many of the dishes we call American classics.
Oysters Rockefeller were created at Antoine’s in 1899. Image: Courtesy of Antoine’s
It was a chef at Delmonico’s that created Eggs Benedict in 1860 for a loyal patron. It was the son of Antoine’s namesake that created Oysters Rockefeller in 1899. More than a century later today’s chefs at each restaurant continue to prepare those and more iconic dishes, and for a few days this year they’ll blend their Creole and steakhouse menus into one.
Video: Courtesy of Antoine’s
Antoine’s executive chef Michael Regua is cooking in the kitchen of Delmonico’s through Saturday, April 4, helping to bring a bit of Bourbon Street to Wall Street. In October Delmonico’s executive chef, Billy Oliva will cook at Antoine’s French Quarter block party, bringing Wall Street to Bourbon Street.
Drumfish Ponchartrain is at Delmonico’s at 56 Beaver Street until Saturday, April 4.
Some of dishes on the menu at Delmonico’s this week are:
Antoine’s Potage Alligator au Sherry, a seasoned sherry wine-laced alligator bisque.
Crevettes Remoulade, chilled Louisiana Gulf shrimp with Antoine’s signature remoulade.
Drumfish Ponchartrain, a grilled filet of drum fish, lump crabmeat, green onions, and Tabasco butter.
Delmonico’s Seared Diver Scallops with Apple Cider Glaze, Parsnip, Mushroom and Pomegranate.
Bayou complements to Delmonico’s juicy, boneless rib eye, seared diver scallops and dessert of Baked Alaskan with walnut cake, apricot jam, and banana gelato meringue. Hungry yet?
ntoine’s at 713 St Louis St., in New Orleans. Image: Courtesy of Antoine’s
The chef play date that anyone who stops by Delmonico’s this week gets to enjoy is all part of Antoine’s 175 year celebration. Throughout the year, Antoine’s is commemorating its anniversary with special events, special menus and special guests.
Delmonico’s became part of the celebration over a drink. Oliva was in New Orleans and stopped into Antoine’s bar where after a few drinks, a tour of the restaurant and listening to some history, Regua and him apparently came up with a delicious plan.
It’s a once-in-a-lifetime, ok, twice-in-a-lifetime if you make it to New Orleans in October, opportunity to sample 400 years of restaurant history combined.