Rating this based on other reviews and what I've seen of their great deals and atmosphere--I had heard about this place for weeks leading up to my long visit to New Orleans. Staying in Mid-City and having a craving for a casual neighborhood spot, I was excited to try this place out last night. I know a lot of places can be closed up on Mondays, though I was surprised to see a printed sign on the door saying they're closed for summer. Couldn't find any information about this anywhere else online and was a little taken aback to see them closed when they just celebrated a grand opening a month ago. Hope I'll get the chance to visit them on another trip.
Alexis C.
I liked this location as Agave but love it as The Banks Drinkery & Kitchen. The service is good. The food is good. The cocktails are good. And on top of that, the rooftop is a super cute place to chill and enjoy your drinks and/or meal. The owner was very helpful and accommodating at their grand opening despite all of the chaos. There was a lot of confusion going on and he handled it well. I tried to sample a little bit of everything. I had a few friends with me so we tried to get different things. The chargrilled oysters were very good as were the buffalo wings. The southwest rolls were okay. I ordered the blackened shrimp pasta for my entree but there was nothing blackened about the shrimp. Don't get me wrong, it was good but the shrimp were in no way blackened, quite pale. The pasta had good flavor though and I didn't need to add any salt. I also tried the blackened and fried crawfish pasta that my friend ordered. I didn't spot any fried crawfish on it but it was good as well. I tried a couple of their signature cocktails, all of which I enjoyed (the Crowley, the Elder Bull, & the Swamp Donkey). I also ordered a French 75 (my favorite cocktail) and it was made very well. I think this place has the potential to do very well and I really hope it does.
Sharett L.
The Banks is such a cute Mid City drinkery with indoor, rooftop, and outdoor patio seating. I was lucky enough to experience the Banks during one of their grand openings and had the privilege to taste some of their signature cocktails, apps, and entrees. The Banks boasts themselves as a Cajun-Creole eatery, but I wouldn't make this a dinner choice, or would highlight them as a Cajun or Creole restaurant. In my opinion I think it's a great neighborhood spot with great outdoor seating with good drinks and food that helps to sop up the liquor. Service was pretty fast even with the high demand put on the staff and everyone was super friendly and welcoming. I would definitely make this a weekday Summer spot specifically for the happy hour specials and rooftop!
Masia U.
Firstly I love restaurants with rooftop dining areas, so this was a win for me. I am very picky on portion size and presentation of dishes and The Banks Drinkery & Kitchen did not disappoint. There was more than enough food and the ambiance was so perfect. I recommend for dates and even just watching the game at the downstairs bar. I am here about once a week now and it is always perfection.
Chris W.
Upon arriving I noticed the address seemed familiar....Its the Agave House! My wife and I loved going here before the change so I would expect to get the same experience....not quite. The food prior was great and did cater to more people. We missed the vegetarian options from the previous menu. Typical red beans and seafood. The drinks were a little watered down but it was extremely busy. Over all it's a good place to meet for drinks but the menu has room for growth.
Kiersten L.
Please take this review with a grain of salt because I went on their opening night (featuring an open bar) because of an unofficial Yelp elite event. By the time I got there the place was very crowded between the main dining area, backyard, and patio there was no place to sit. Included in my Yelp event was a free dinner entree. My friend and I got some of their free cocktails and waited for a table to open inside (because it was grossly hot outside). we finally got a table and the waitress was very persistent (because of her manager) that we had to order the yelp entrees at the bar and we couldn't sit in the dining room because we weren't paying customers. Ok, so you expect us to stand and eat a plate of food? We ended up ordering off the regular menu just so we could sit down there. We had the southwest egg rolls which were pretty dang good and chargrilled oysters. I tried my first oyster and it wasn't bad so yay. After much back and forth and ordering our Yelp entrees at the bar (which mind you- the bartender never placed and the waitress had to check on it multiple times) our burger and pasta finally arrived. The pasta was filled with seafood so I wasn't about that, but the burger was also just ok. The bun was far too large for the what seemed frozen not fresh patty. Unfortunately we found an unnamed foreign object in our pasta and when we told the waitress her response was "well.. I think that was one of your free dishes anyways..." are you kidding me??!! We aren't telling you to get free dinner, we are telling you to make sure the kitchen staff doesn't let this happen again! The manager was much more apologetic than the waitress. I'm not saying don't come here, hence the grain of salt in the opening sentence. I think with the stress of opening night while also inviting Yelpers caused too much commotion for perfection.
Shercole K.
Let me just start with Jai (I hope I'm spelling this right) is the bartender we all need and deserve to have in our lives. Honestly, he is enough reason to go here. He is super cool, friendly, efficient, the man is HARDWORKING gets the job done and even make sure your food situation gets handled properly ever. I truly enjoyed sitting at the bar. I went out my norm with drinks and tried the Bellini, which was the right amount alcohol to the sweetness it may get you too right I must say. For food, I went with chargrilled oysters and the Treme pasta. My favorite was the oysters. I started with a Half- Dozen and proceeded to order yet ANOTHER half dozen because these oysters were seriously good. They were sizzling and great sized and very tasty oysters. The pasta was pretty good, they definitely give you your fill of pasta and plenty great sized crawfish and shrimp. The atmosphere is truly laid back. You can come here to relax with a friend or two and even a good spot for a first date. The inside portion is small but you can get a table of about 4 maybe 5 in there. The patio is really nice outside and can probably fit a few bigger groups in the area. The parking is no issues, it's street parking but you shouldn't have any issues getting something in a 1 to 2 block radius.
Erika O.
Thanks Tomas,yelp and the Staff for the invite to the Grand opening and glad to see what they do to this place (making a bet for this new one to be better). I loved the rooftop,the ambience of course next to fellow yelpers was perfect for the sunset. The music,the vibes,amazing .The bartenders were so nice and I LOVED the drinks I had,the makers mark drink and the makers by itself. Sweet in a good proportion and a really nice kick,perfect for the weather. So glad to see Oscar there (los jefes) and he was nice enough to take care of us despite the crowd. The oysters were out of this world, hands down. Just wao wao wao. We ordered the burgers (we always try to get different stuffs but we thought would be easier for the restaurant cause it was Packed. The fries were excellent but the first burger that came in the meat was super salty,had a slight line of dressing and even tho the meat was of good quality...extremely salty. The second one (we had to wait a lil bit) was ok but zero dressing,not out of this world BUT...we know it was crowded and still have a great time,good drinks and amazing oysters...and I saw everybody enjoying their meals so I wont judge at all this time. Thank you guys and I wish you nothing but the best!see you soon!!!
Chasity M.
I was bit sad when I first learned that beloved taco and marg spot Agave House was closing so abruptly. But I've got to say, The Banks Drinkery & Kitchen grand opening definitely showcased that this new spot will hold a special place in my heart. Shoutout to my Yelp Elite NOLA squad for hooking me up with the chance to try some items from the new menu! When I first walked in, the place was booming. You could tell a grand opening was going on and everyone was excited about trying all of the new food and drinks. I started off with some chargrilled oysters which were the absolute best I've had so far (O.K., this was only the second time I had them in my life, but they were so tasty!) They were only $1 each for a half dozen which was a great deal for the grand opening. Next it was time for an appetizer, and the Mid-City Buffalo wings did not disappoint. These were big, juicy chicken wings glazed with spicy buffalo sauce and creamy ranch on the side. An 8 piece was the perfect size, since many places I know only give about 5 wings for an appetizer. But by far my favorite part of this delicious food experience at The Banks was the Banks Street Burger. 8oz of pure C.A.B. ground chuck, short rib and brisket mixed together to create the best damn burger I've had in a while. It was fully dressed with lettuce, tomato and pickle, served on a brioche bun which pulled everything together so nicely. The french fries were seasoned to perfection. "Real french fries!" as my mother called them once she took a bite; us New Orleanians don't like fries unless they're bigger than shoestrings and seasoned more than Ronald McDonald ever could. These were indeed, "real fries". Aside from the food, the Summer Originals cocktails are what will have me coming back to this spot as well. I tried two of them, The Crowley: mezcal, lime juice, orange juice, passion fruit syrup, angostura bitters, coconut cream (pinkish in hue, sweet in flavor!) and the Elder Bull: Absolut vanilla, St. Germain, Regan's orange bitters, lemon juice, simple syrup, Red Bull⣠(light yellow, lightly sweet; the Absolut vanilla really shows out in this drink) I loved the cocktails!! Not only were they delish but they looked so cute and since they were complimentary with the grand opening, you could pick from a list of them to try. Overall, I love this spot and I can't wait to come back, lounge on the rooftop and sip more of these cocktails and order more oysters. Next time, I'm dying to try the Treme pasta and the Southwest Rolls!
Jordan L.
I want to start off by saying the chargrilled oysters were delicious. The bread brought with it was soft and made a great vessel to munch down on those bad boys with. I recommend dipping the bread in the butter under the oysters before inserting into face. Main course I got the red beans and rice. It was massive. They had the flavor and consistency of Popeyes. (Which is my favorite) It wasn't as spicy though. The sausage made of for it. The sausage had a bit of kick. Definitely will be back to try some of the other options on the menu.
Grand Opening, Happy Hour and a FULL house!! We met up with some friends for a total of 6 of us, including two kids. We sat inside because we arrived before the rush and once that happened there were too many of us to grab a seat outside. Inside was air conditioned, and the atmosphere was fun. Service was great and we enjoyed ourselves. Outside was fun as well with live music and rooftop access. We ordered drinks from the rooftop bar and the bartenders were fast and friendly. We sampled The Crowley, Swamp Donkey and The Elder Bull. Elder Bull was my favorite as the others were a bit too sweet for my taste. As soon as the place became full, it appeared as though staff was overwhelmed at the bar and it took awhile to get our order in. However, Kay stepped up and turned it all around. She definitely wanted customers to be happy and thanks to her, we were!! Also, Walter had set our table up with waters and appetizer when we arrived and kindly checked on us throughout the evening. The food was delish y'all!! Banks Street Burger: 10oz burger! Was big and tasty, fully dressed and the fries were crisp, fresh and seasoned perfectly. Drinkery Crawfish Queso dip: Great appetizer! The dip was full of crawfish and we loved it. We ordered a 2nd one but it never made it to the table, but understandable as it was crazy busy. Chargrilled Oysters: Sizzling hot and oh so yummy! Coming back for more of those. Red beans and rice: I didn't taste it but those who did said it was great, large portion and not skimpy on the sausage. The Tremé Pasta: This was the best pasta I've had in a restaurant. The flavor was delicious and the portion size was enough to fill you! There was shrimp and/or crawfish in every bite. Overall, cute little place with easy street parking, fabulous staff, and delicious food.
Meghan B.
Had the chance to attend the grand opening of The Banks Drinkery and Kitchen thanks to Yelp, and I enjoyed every second of the experience. I tried the Treme Pasta which was nothing short of flavorful, the Southwest Rolls were delectable and the chargrilled oysters would land a spot on my top 5 best chargrilled oysters. They also had an open patio and rooftop bar which was the perfect setting for a summer evening. And what's a summer evening without one of their Summer Original cocktails. I had the Crowley and The Elder Bull. Both had a kick but also a sweet flavor which was right up my alley. I'll definitely be spreading the word about this new spot and I'm anxious to go back!
Phuong N.
My date and I had a great time on their Grand Opening. We wanted to sit outside at the rooftop to enjoy the live band but it was a full house and no place for us to find a seat. We grabbed our cocktails and headed indoor instead. Our cocktails were The Crowley and Swamp Donkeys. Both were very strong but my date love it. We started out with the Drinkery Crawfish Queso Dip. It was delish with all those crawfish and cheese. I would have stick my finger inside the cup to get it all out if I was not with a date...lol. Next I had the Treme Pasta. I'm not big in pasta but the Treme has two of my favorite in it. Crawfish and shrimp! I was served a really good size of pasta with loads of crawfish and plump size shrimp. The cheese sauce was well season and delish. Best pasta so far for me. Next came the Chargrilled Oysters, they came to our table plump and juicy buttery hot from the grill. I would have ordered more but I was getting full. The only thing was missing was some bread to dip the juice from the oyster shell. Even though my date got the grill chicken, I can't rate it because it came out very late so we had it Togo. It looks very yummy with mash potatoes and grill veggies. I want to give a shout out to Kay for helping us with our food. It did took forever to get our food but Kay made sure we got it. It was a full house with it being their Grand Opening so I understand there will be some hiccup but Kay made our experience enjoyable.
Kimberly P.
I was a guest of Tomas who is the director of yelp NOLA! My husband and I arrived to this restaurant and when we stepped inside I was so surprised. Inside was so cozy and the vibe was nice! The staff was so friendly and we were told that the yelp elite was seated outside. We walked through this hallway and when I open the door it was a beautiful courtyard with a band playing some really good music. We decided to go upstairs which was a roof top bar where people were enjoying the awesome drinks.The rooftop had a vibe of its own! We started of with some buffalo wings which were seasoned and cooked to perfection. I'm very picky when it comes to the sauce on my wings and I was very pleased. Next I had a 1/2 dozen of chargrilled oysters. Omg, the oysters were seasoned and cooked to perfection. I ordered a dozen to take home. I met my daughter and 2 other friends there so we were trying each other's food. My daughter ordered the spinach dip which was really good. I also tried the fried crawfish pasta and this dish was sooooo delicious. Let's talk about the tremé pasta which consisted of shrimp and crawfish. Omg, everything on the menu was awesome. My friend had the crab cake pasta and I mean each dish was so good. I really enjoyed every dish. I would like to personally thank Kay who is the operations manager. Kay went above and beyond to make sure that we enjoyed ourselves and that our dining experience met all expectations. I would definitely dine here again and will definitely be bring more friends so we can enjoy the rooftop bar. Thank you again Tomas for a wonderful dining experience.
Larry P.
Yet start this review off by saying it was a great atmosphere tonight at the Banks Drinkery and Kitchen. There was a great crowd to welcome in the new local spot in Mid-City. The location has a great patio area and a rooftop bar in addition to the indoor seating area and the seating area outside if you would like to enjoy the weather in New Orleans. The menu has a nice balance of options to the point where everyone will be able to find a great dish or appetizer to meet there expectations. We had the buffalo wings, the crab cake pasta, the spinach dip and the fried crawfish pasta. And how can I forget the Treme pasta and the glazed pork chops and mashed potatoes and Grilled vegetables. The service we received from the Operation Manager Kay was outstanding. She ensured that my whole party was taking care of and that all of orders where correct. She had the perfect attitude and personality to ensure that this new restaurant will be around for a long time.
Rating this based on other reviews and what I've seen of their great deals and atmosphere--I had heard about this place for weeks leading up to my long visit to New Orleans. Staying in Mid-City and having a craving for a casual neighborhood spot, I was excited to try this place out last night. I know a lot of places can be closed up on Mondays, though I was surprised to see a printed sign on the door saying they're closed for summer. Couldn't find any information about this anywhere else online and was a little taken aback to see them closed when they just celebrated a grand opening a month ago. Hope I'll get the chance to visit them on another trip.
I liked this location as Agave but love it as The Banks Drinkery & Kitchen. The service is good. The food is good. The cocktails are good. And on top of that, the rooftop is a super cute place to chill and enjoy your drinks and/or meal. The owner was very helpful and accommodating at their grand opening despite all of the chaos. There was a lot of confusion going on and he handled it well. I tried to sample a little bit of everything. I had a few friends with me so we tried to get different things. The chargrilled oysters were very good as were the buffalo wings. The southwest rolls were okay. I ordered the blackened shrimp pasta for my entree but there was nothing blackened about the shrimp. Don't get me wrong, it was good but the shrimp were in no way blackened, quite pale. The pasta had good flavor though and I didn't need to add any salt. I also tried the blackened and fried crawfish pasta that my friend ordered. I didn't spot any fried crawfish on it but it was good as well. I tried a couple of their signature cocktails, all of which I enjoyed (the Crowley, the Elder Bull, & the Swamp Donkey). I also ordered a French 75 (my favorite cocktail) and it was made very well. I think this place has the potential to do very well and I really hope it does.
The Banks is such a cute Mid City drinkery with indoor, rooftop, and outdoor patio seating. I was lucky enough to experience the Banks during one of their grand openings and had the privilege to taste some of their signature cocktails, apps, and entrees. The Banks boasts themselves as a Cajun-Creole eatery, but I wouldn't make this a dinner choice, or would highlight them as a Cajun or Creole restaurant. In my opinion I think it's a great neighborhood spot with great outdoor seating with good drinks and food that helps to sop up the liquor. Service was pretty fast even with the high demand put on the staff and everyone was super friendly and welcoming. I would definitely make this a weekday Summer spot specifically for the happy hour specials and rooftop!
Firstly I love restaurants with rooftop dining areas, so this was a win for me. I am very picky on portion size and presentation of dishes and The Banks Drinkery & Kitchen did not disappoint. There was more than enough food and the ambiance was so perfect. I recommend for dates and even just watching the game at the downstairs bar. I am here about once a week now and it is always perfection.
Upon arriving I noticed the address seemed familiar....Its the Agave House! My wife and I loved going here before the change so I would expect to get the same experience....not quite. The food prior was great and did cater to more people. We missed the vegetarian options from the previous menu. Typical red beans and seafood. The drinks were a little watered down but it was extremely busy. Over all it's a good place to meet for drinks but the menu has room for growth.
Please take this review with a grain of salt because I went on their opening night (featuring an open bar) because of an unofficial Yelp elite event. By the time I got there the place was very crowded between the main dining area, backyard, and patio there was no place to sit. Included in my Yelp event was a free dinner entree. My friend and I got some of their free cocktails and waited for a table to open inside (because it was grossly hot outside). we finally got a table and the waitress was very persistent (because of her manager) that we had to order the yelp entrees at the bar and we couldn't sit in the dining room because we weren't paying customers. Ok, so you expect us to stand and eat a plate of food? We ended up ordering off the regular menu just so we could sit down there. We had the southwest egg rolls which were pretty dang good and chargrilled oysters. I tried my first oyster and it wasn't bad so yay. After much back and forth and ordering our Yelp entrees at the bar (which mind you- the bartender never placed and the waitress had to check on it multiple times) our burger and pasta finally arrived. The pasta was filled with seafood so I wasn't about that, but the burger was also just ok. The bun was far too large for the what seemed frozen not fresh patty. Unfortunately we found an unnamed foreign object in our pasta and when we told the waitress her response was "well.. I think that was one of your free dishes anyways..." are you kidding me??!! We aren't telling you to get free dinner, we are telling you to make sure the kitchen staff doesn't let this happen again! The manager was much more apologetic than the waitress. I'm not saying don't come here, hence the grain of salt in the opening sentence. I think with the stress of opening night while also inviting Yelpers caused too much commotion for perfection.
Let me just start with Jai (I hope I'm spelling this right) is the bartender we all need and deserve to have in our lives. Honestly, he is enough reason to go here. He is super cool, friendly, efficient, the man is HARDWORKING gets the job done and even make sure your food situation gets handled properly ever. I truly enjoyed sitting at the bar. I went out my norm with drinks and tried the Bellini, which was the right amount alcohol to the sweetness it may get you too right I must say. For food, I went with chargrilled oysters and the Treme pasta. My favorite was the oysters. I started with a Half- Dozen and proceeded to order yet ANOTHER half dozen because these oysters were seriously good. They were sizzling and great sized and very tasty oysters. The pasta was pretty good, they definitely give you your fill of pasta and plenty great sized crawfish and shrimp. The atmosphere is truly laid back. You can come here to relax with a friend or two and even a good spot for a first date. The inside portion is small but you can get a table of about 4 maybe 5 in there. The patio is really nice outside and can probably fit a few bigger groups in the area. The parking is no issues, it's street parking but you shouldn't have any issues getting something in a 1 to 2 block radius.
Thanks Tomas,yelp and the Staff for the invite to the Grand opening and glad to see what they do to this place (making a bet for this new one to be better). I loved the rooftop,the ambience of course next to fellow yelpers was perfect for the sunset. The music,the vibes,amazing .The bartenders were so nice and I LOVED the drinks I had,the makers mark drink and the makers by itself. Sweet in a good proportion and a really nice kick,perfect for the weather. So glad to see Oscar there (los jefes) and he was nice enough to take care of us despite the crowd. The oysters were out of this world, hands down. Just wao wao wao. We ordered the burgers (we always try to get different stuffs but we thought would be easier for the restaurant cause it was Packed. The fries were excellent but the first burger that came in the meat was super salty,had a slight line of dressing and even tho the meat was of good quality...extremely salty. The second one (we had to wait a lil bit) was ok but zero dressing,not out of this world BUT...we know it was crowded and still have a great time,good drinks and amazing oysters...and I saw everybody enjoying their meals so I wont judge at all this time. Thank you guys and I wish you nothing but the best!see you soon!!!
I was bit sad when I first learned that beloved taco and marg spot Agave House was closing so abruptly. But I've got to say, The Banks Drinkery & Kitchen grand opening definitely showcased that this new spot will hold a special place in my heart. Shoutout to my Yelp Elite NOLA squad for hooking me up with the chance to try some items from the new menu! When I first walked in, the place was booming. You could tell a grand opening was going on and everyone was excited about trying all of the new food and drinks. I started off with some chargrilled oysters which were the absolute best I've had so far (O.K., this was only the second time I had them in my life, but they were so tasty!) They were only $1 each for a half dozen which was a great deal for the grand opening. Next it was time for an appetizer, and the Mid-City Buffalo wings did not disappoint. These were big, juicy chicken wings glazed with spicy buffalo sauce and creamy ranch on the side. An 8 piece was the perfect size, since many places I know only give about 5 wings for an appetizer. But by far my favorite part of this delicious food experience at The Banks was the Banks Street Burger. 8oz of pure C.A.B. ground chuck, short rib and brisket mixed together to create the best damn burger I've had in a while. It was fully dressed with lettuce, tomato and pickle, served on a brioche bun which pulled everything together so nicely. The french fries were seasoned to perfection. "Real french fries!" as my mother called them once she took a bite; us New Orleanians don't like fries unless they're bigger than shoestrings and seasoned more than Ronald McDonald ever could. These were indeed, "real fries". Aside from the food, the Summer Originals cocktails are what will have me coming back to this spot as well. I tried two of them, The Crowley: mezcal, lime juice, orange juice, passion fruit syrup, angostura bitters, coconut cream (pinkish in hue, sweet in flavor!) and the Elder Bull: Absolut vanilla, St. Germain, Regan's orange bitters, lemon juice, simple syrup, Red Bull⣠(light yellow, lightly sweet; the Absolut vanilla really shows out in this drink) I loved the cocktails!! Not only were they delish but they looked so cute and since they were complimentary with the grand opening, you could pick from a list of them to try. Overall, I love this spot and I can't wait to come back, lounge on the rooftop and sip more of these cocktails and order more oysters. Next time, I'm dying to try the Treme pasta and the Southwest Rolls!
I want to start off by saying the chargrilled oysters were delicious. The bread brought with it was soft and made a great vessel to munch down on those bad boys with. I recommend dipping the bread in the butter under the oysters before inserting into face. Main course I got the red beans and rice. It was massive. They had the flavor and consistency of Popeyes. (Which is my favorite) It wasn't as spicy though. The sausage made of for it. The sausage had a bit of kick. Definitely will be back to try some of the other options on the menu.
Restaurantji Recommends
Grand Opening, Happy Hour and a FULL house!! We met up with some friends for a total of 6 of us, including two kids. We sat inside because we arrived before the rush and once that happened there were too many of us to grab a seat outside. Inside was air conditioned, and the atmosphere was fun. Service was great and we enjoyed ourselves. Outside was fun as well with live music and rooftop access. We ordered drinks from the rooftop bar and the bartenders were fast and friendly. We sampled The Crowley, Swamp Donkey and The Elder Bull. Elder Bull was my favorite as the others were a bit too sweet for my taste. As soon as the place became full, it appeared as though staff was overwhelmed at the bar and it took awhile to get our order in. However, Kay stepped up and turned it all around. She definitely wanted customers to be happy and thanks to her, we were!! Also, Walter had set our table up with waters and appetizer when we arrived and kindly checked on us throughout the evening. The food was delish y'all!! Banks Street Burger: 10oz burger! Was big and tasty, fully dressed and the fries were crisp, fresh and seasoned perfectly. Drinkery Crawfish Queso dip: Great appetizer! The dip was full of crawfish and we loved it. We ordered a 2nd one but it never made it to the table, but understandable as it was crazy busy. Chargrilled Oysters: Sizzling hot and oh so yummy! Coming back for more of those. Red beans and rice: I didn't taste it but those who did said it was great, large portion and not skimpy on the sausage. The Tremé Pasta: This was the best pasta I've had in a restaurant. The flavor was delicious and the portion size was enough to fill you! There was shrimp and/or crawfish in every bite. Overall, cute little place with easy street parking, fabulous staff, and delicious food.
Had the chance to attend the grand opening of The Banks Drinkery and Kitchen thanks to Yelp, and I enjoyed every second of the experience. I tried the Treme Pasta which was nothing short of flavorful, the Southwest Rolls were delectable and the chargrilled oysters would land a spot on my top 5 best chargrilled oysters. They also had an open patio and rooftop bar which was the perfect setting for a summer evening. And what's a summer evening without one of their Summer Original cocktails. I had the Crowley and The Elder Bull. Both had a kick but also a sweet flavor which was right up my alley. I'll definitely be spreading the word about this new spot and I'm anxious to go back!
My date and I had a great time on their Grand Opening. We wanted to sit outside at the rooftop to enjoy the live band but it was a full house and no place for us to find a seat. We grabbed our cocktails and headed indoor instead. Our cocktails were The Crowley and Swamp Donkeys. Both were very strong but my date love it. We started out with the Drinkery Crawfish Queso Dip. It was delish with all those crawfish and cheese. I would have stick my finger inside the cup to get it all out if I was not with a date...lol. Next I had the Treme Pasta. I'm not big in pasta but the Treme has two of my favorite in it. Crawfish and shrimp! I was served a really good size of pasta with loads of crawfish and plump size shrimp. The cheese sauce was well season and delish. Best pasta so far for me. Next came the Chargrilled Oysters, they came to our table plump and juicy buttery hot from the grill. I would have ordered more but I was getting full. The only thing was missing was some bread to dip the juice from the oyster shell. Even though my date got the grill chicken, I can't rate it because it came out very late so we had it Togo. It looks very yummy with mash potatoes and grill veggies. I want to give a shout out to Kay for helping us with our food. It did took forever to get our food but Kay made sure we got it. It was a full house with it being their Grand Opening so I understand there will be some hiccup but Kay made our experience enjoyable.
I was a guest of Tomas who is the director of yelp NOLA! My husband and I arrived to this restaurant and when we stepped inside I was so surprised. Inside was so cozy and the vibe was nice! The staff was so friendly and we were told that the yelp elite was seated outside. We walked through this hallway and when I open the door it was a beautiful courtyard with a band playing some really good music. We decided to go upstairs which was a roof top bar where people were enjoying the awesome drinks.The rooftop had a vibe of its own! We started of with some buffalo wings which were seasoned and cooked to perfection. I'm very picky when it comes to the sauce on my wings and I was very pleased. Next I had a 1/2 dozen of chargrilled oysters. Omg, the oysters were seasoned and cooked to perfection. I ordered a dozen to take home. I met my daughter and 2 other friends there so we were trying each other's food. My daughter ordered the spinach dip which was really good. I also tried the fried crawfish pasta and this dish was sooooo delicious. Let's talk about the tremé pasta which consisted of shrimp and crawfish. Omg, everything on the menu was awesome. My friend had the crab cake pasta and I mean each dish was so good. I really enjoyed every dish. I would like to personally thank Kay who is the operations manager. Kay went above and beyond to make sure that we enjoyed ourselves and that our dining experience met all expectations. I would definitely dine here again and will definitely be bring more friends so we can enjoy the rooftop bar. Thank you again Tomas for a wonderful dining experience.
Yet start this review off by saying it was a great atmosphere tonight at the Banks Drinkery and Kitchen. There was a great crowd to welcome in the new local spot in Mid-City. The location has a great patio area and a rooftop bar in addition to the indoor seating area and the seating area outside if you would like to enjoy the weather in New Orleans. The menu has a nice balance of options to the point where everyone will be able to find a great dish or appetizer to meet there expectations. We had the buffalo wings, the crab cake pasta, the spinach dip and the fried crawfish pasta. And how can I forget the Treme pasta and the glazed pork chops and mashed potatoes and Grilled vegetables. The service we received from the Operation Manager Kay was outstanding. She ensured that my whole party was taking care of and that all of orders where correct. She had the perfect attitude and personality to ensure that this new restaurant will be around for a long time.