sylvain

lots of curb appeal, but doesn't deliver the goods. this is one of the rare new frenchquarterplaces with a promising looking menu, but is reaching for something that it can't seem to grasp. it really registered with me how much i disliked it when i found out it was the chosen spot for a recent dinner obligation. there's so many classic dishes in new orleans, i can't see exploring the menu at sylvain any more.

the failures are quite heinous, the pappardelle bolognese being the worst offender from thought to execution. they went to the trouble to make a homemade pasta, and can't figure out how to cook it properly without it clumping into gummy blobs, and then there is the flat boring sauce. on my second someone at my table ordered this dish, she swore it was good, but i could see the same lumpy mess that i had tried. given the fact that domenica consistently makes some of the best pasta and sauces known to mankind, the kitchen at sylvain should take a page from their book on quality before getting so ambitious with pasta.

if there's one thing on a menu i can't resist next to pasta with a meaty ragu, it's sweetbreads. sylvain advertises them as buffalo-style, and that's exactly what i got, and their texture was actually delightful. so why am i bitching? because while buffalo wings are an ultimately decadent comfort food, the sauce just isn't suited—think of putting supermarket steak sauce on a properly cooked prime steak—for sophisticated food. in my mind's eye, i see a more subtle take on elements of a buffalo sauce that would work, but that would take some intuition and imagination.

even the nicely cooked beef cheeks on the first visit weren't stellar in the flavor department. the best dish of the first night was my friend's fried chicken sandwich.

to be fair, i love the atmosphere, and was really seduced by the selection on the menu. on my second visit the hamburger seemed to be the best idea because it was half the price of the other main courses. it was nicely cooked, flavorful, and an upside surprise. the cocktails are hit and miss, but there are too many other good places to explore.

tucked away off chartres street near jackson square. must walk to back courtyard to enter. lighting is too dark and music too loud. but this is a decent place for fairly casual meal in the french quarter. the food is not on par with the city's better restaurants but i don't think it pretends to be. this is good, solid food in a place that has a definite new orleans frenchquarterfeel to it.

enamored!. sick of watered down vodka crans, i've been on a search for the best cocktail in nola. i've hit uncommon, 12 mile limit, cure and loa...they've got nothin' on sylvain. sylvain is a place for grown folks who like cocktails...cool, dimly lit, nicely decorated, vintage inspired glassware, house made bitters, hand-squeezed juices, tinctures from eyedropppers, inventive and attentive bartenders.

lucy, our bartender for the evening, invited us to go off-menu and challange her. we gave the parameters - whiskey/bourbon drink with no spices or tequila drink where i can taste the tequila - and received the best cocktails ever! i got a whiskey smash...they put the ice cubes in a fabric bag and pound it with a pestel, put it in a stainless glass, mound the ice on top and pour over the ice. lordy, a whiskey flavored snow cone...official drink of the summer! we also got the beet bruschetta which was suprisingly good and pairs well with the drinks.

finally a place in thequarteroff the tourist path with amazing drinks...i will be back often.

the food here is great. i have no idea what the guy who calls a place like this a "tourist trap" is talking about! it's anything but that. from the delicately balanced dishes like salads, daily soups and seafood, to the rich charcuterie and veal cheeks, the food offers fresh ingredients. there's not a cliche frenchquartertourist trap staple anywhere to be found. robust specialty cocktails compliment the gastro pub style fare. and i can't think of anywhere else i've ever been that serves both schlitz and veuve. i've been here with dates and with friends; the combo of soft warm ambiance and laid back staff make it a great place to head with any company. the chocolate pot du creme is terrific with red wine.

tourist trap. what's to say other than that this is yet another overpriced tourist trap addition to the french quarter. the food was extremely overpriced. the space was cramped and the overall experience was poor. your best bet for a quality new orleans dining experience (food and ambiance) is still outside of the frenchquarteras these tourist traps continue to pop up with inflated prices and deflated experiences.

this spot way exceeded all expectations of casualquarterdining. a gem of a courtyard tucked away on chartres right off jackson square. friendly, helpful staff & fantastic bartenders. a must do.