Bernadette's Reservations

Executive Chef Gerard Hemery, a native of Brittany, France, was born and raised in the quarters above his family's restaurant. He brings to the restaurant a breadth of experience from a lifelong career in the culinary arts. A graduate of the Culinary Institute in Switzerland, Chef Hemery's extensive industry background includes experience in some of the finest restaurants in both Paris and New York City. Chef Hemery brings with him a committment to using only the freshest available produce and seasonal ingredients to be procured as locally as possible.

Joel Robert, son of Al and Theresa who own The Cabin Restaurant, with the help of his folks founded Bernadette’s, a one of a kind experience. Robert grew up in The Cabin engraining the restaurant business in his blood. He cooked, washed dishes, waited tables, and managed from a young boy to a college graduate. After graduation Joel became involved with the fine dining business when approached by Kevin Kelly, owner of Houmas House.

The experience was ambition altering in his career. It was an experience he fell in love with. Supplementing his love for food and the service industry with this experience became a time of clarity. He realized this was for him, this was something he wanted to build.

Kevin gave Joel the opportunity to get his feet wet in the fine dining business by asking him to help design, build, and open Kevin’s restaurant, Latils Landing. This set in the realization that Robert could not compromise the vision and expectations that he had for his ideal fine dining restaurant.

“Fine dining is more than a fancy place where you are served great food. It is an experience. It is an experience that recreates that child like awe. An experience that creates an atmosphere of elegance, sophistication, and prestige in an elegant atmosphere with food second to none."

With this revelation, Joel realized that he could not alter his ideas and expectations to meet Kevin’s. This breaking business relationship was the birth of Bernadette's.

Bernadette's is the epitomy of fine dining. It is a place that is second to none, a place that redefines “fine dining.” Bernadette's is an old plantation home that Al Robert moved and restored and Theresa Robert decorated. It is made of only the finest antique furniture, drapes, and fixtures.

The restaurant was named Bernadette's as a omage to Al Robert’s godfather's mother, Bernadette Troxclair. She was the greatest gourmet cook Joel has ever known. When he was young, his family gravitated to her. Every Sunday, holiday, or excuse for good food and cherry bounce, scores of family and friends were surrounding her. Her creations were andiginous creole Cajun cuisine brought to a new level. She was a wonderful woman obviously ahead of her time in the culinary world.