When new restaurants open in town, it’s fair to greet them with a degree of both optimism and apprehension until you’ve tried the food.
After eating at newly opened Eliza Restaurant & Bar, I’m not even sure what the word “apprehension” means.
Eliza is a quaint and casual neighborhood restaurant serving local Louisiana food in a shopping center off Jefferson Highway.
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I arrived for lunch and was welcomed with smiling faces and quick service by the staff. I pored over the menu, which features some mouth-watering entree and sandwich options, from massive crab cakes with corn maque choux to a grilled chicken bruschetta sandwich on ciabatta. The “For Sharing” section of the menu includes cochon sliders and barbecued oysters. Ultimately, I decided to order the grilled Gulf fish—black drum cooked plancha-style to seal in natural juices and lathered in lemon butter sauce. It also came with two sides.
As a seafood lover and frequent fish consumer, I have to say, the black drum was immaculate. The tender meat practically jumped onto my fork, and the lemon butter sauce added that much-loved kick. For my sides, I chose shoestring fries and a salad. The shoestring fries were well-seasoned, up to par with the best of the best Cajun fries. They were so good that I had to eat five at a time, which to me, constituted a bite. Bonus: The lemon butter sauce created an excellent dip for the fries.
And let’s talk about the salad. Full disclosure: I am one of those people who orders salad as a side at a restaurant and never finishes it. It’s mostly because, frankly, I’d rather be eating the fries, but also because side salads often just consist of a few boring ingredients and dressing.
However, at Eliza, it was a different story. The green salad featured spring mix, tomatoes, red onions and a zesty balsamic vinaigrette dressing. I ate every last bit. Even the server was surprised when she returned after delivering the food to refill drinks and saw that my salad had been eaten in minutes.
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“That was amazing,” she said, looking at my plate.
It’s safe to say that I enjoyed everything I tried. The place is beautiful with a great down-home but slightly upscale atmosphere for lunch or dinner with cocktails. If you’re looking for lunch, Eliza is highly recommended. You might just eat everything this time.
Eliza Restaurant & Bar is at 7970 Jefferson Highway, Suite J, and is open Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
