"Bernadette’s amazes with details, cuisine"
by Lisa Tramontana
The Advocate (August, 2008)
For three hours, we were treated like royalty and actually felt as though we were on vacation in some little European village. Neither I nor my guest had ever had such a dining experience … one that was memorable for its outstanding French cuisine, its warm and comfortable ambiance, its attention to detail and incredible service.
Bernadette’s Restaurant in Burnside is a fine dining establishment located next to The Cabin. (According to our waiter, both are owned by the Robert family). The building dates to the 1840s and was originally part of the Home Place Plantation in Convent. Much of the original brick is still visible in the walls and fireplaces of this formal home, which features several tastefully appointed parlors around a small but comfortable dining room. At most, the restaurant can seat about 45, but most nights the guest list is much smaller. Simple and elegant, Bernadette’s was clearly designed to create an intimate atmosphere.
As soon as we arrived, we were greeted and taken into a small, cozy parlor, where we received a flute of champagne and two delicious appetizers. After about 10 minutes, our waiter led us to our table, one of only eight in the dining room. Rich burgundy walls are adorned with paintings and old photographs, including one of the restaurant’s namesake, Bernadette Trosclair. Every white-linen-topped table is graced with a variety of wine and water glasses assembled in such a way that they resemble sparkling chandelier-like centerpieces. Soft music plays in the background and a breeze moves the rocking chairs on the front porch just outside of the dining room, which faces an old-fashioned courtyard.
The first appetizer, carpaccio roll asparagus ($14), was unusual and beautifully presented. It featured fresh, young asparagus wrapped in paper-thin slices of rare filet mignon. The flavors blended nicely by themselves, but the plate also included a choice of sauces on the side.
The eggplant Vermillion ($16) was another treat. The deep-fried eggplant was topped with lump crabmeat, crawfish, Hollandaise and brown meuniere sauce. When our appetizers arrived, we immediately remarked that the dishes were almost too pretty to eat. Both were served on four-sided plates that were presented in a diamond shape rather than square. It was the little details like this that impressed us.
The Louisiana tomatoes Napoleon salad ($14) featured a stack of three thick slices of juicy red tomatoes topped with crabmeat. The menu states that it’s served with a remoulade sauce, but on this night, a guest noticed that it was also drizzled with a peanut-based sauce that was delicious. The spinach salad maison ($12) is simple, but outstanding. Fresh baby spinach leaves are tossed with a hot bourbon pecan and goat cheese dressing. It seemed incredible that something so simple could have so much flavor.
The Creole crab and sweet corn soup ($8.95) was thick, creamy and rich. The cassoulet ($6.95) was made mainly of white beans, but in a tomato-based broth. According to our waiter, the dish is flavored with duck fat, which gives it a unique and pleasant taste.
For an entrée, a guest sampled the Louisiana shrimp scampi ($30), which featured baked shrimp in lemon, butter and white wine. The dish was topped with bread crumbs and parmesan cheese.
The chicken Marsala ($28) was a chicken breast stuffed with Portobello mushroom, and flambéed with sweet Marsala wine cream demi-glace sauce.
By now, we were wondering how other Bernadette diners can complete their five- or seven-course meals, which are a specialty of the restaurant. And these are paired with an assortment of wines! Apparently, the pacing of the courses and the portion sizes are designed accordingly.
We were more than satisfied after appetizer, soup, salad and entrée. But for those with bigger appetites, Bernadette’s offers several desserts that sound scrumptious, including cheesecake, mixed berries with port wine, profiteroles au chocolat and sin cake raspberries couli. The desserts alone sound like a reason to return.
During our meal, both the owner and the French chef visited our table for friendly conversation. With each passing minute, we felt more and more like we had been transported to another place and time. More than a meal, Bernadette’s provided us with an unforgettable “experience.”
The appetizers in the parlor made us feel as though we were special guests visiting someone’s home. The way we were greeted and the attention we received made us feel as though the staff had been waiting all day for our arrival. When we got up to leave at the end of the night (having enjoyed a fantastic meal), we were escorted to our car.
