Located in the heart of the French Quarter, Green Goddess offers an eclectic dining experience with vegetarian and vegan options
| Location: | 307 Exchange Pl, New Orleans, LA 70130 |
| Hours: | 11 am – 9 pm Wed-Sun. Closed Sunday, Monday and Tuesday |
| Map: | Google Map |
| Type: | New American cuisine & cocktails tucked in a pocket of a space by a romantic alleyway. |
| Website: | Restaurant Website |
| Prices: | Moderately expensive food. The dinner menu is about $9 to $12 for the starters and $15 to $20 for the main course |
For my last night in New Orleans, I decided to try out a restaurant that had been recommended to me earlier in the week. The Green Goddess is located right in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter, only a block or two away from the gaudy and loud Bourbon Street. That said it is tucked away in a quiet alley so you could be a million miles away.
There is little to no indoor seating so the only way to really experience the Green Goddess is through the outside terrace on Exchange Street. I was not complaining! The setting, especially in the evening is quite romantic, and there is just enough passing foot traffic to make it interesting. This would be a great place to bring a loved one.
The restaurant claims it offers an eclectic range of dishes and one look at the menu got me agreeing with that assertion. After a bit of umming and ahhing, I decided to start with the beet hummus with bread, followed by the rolled uttapam, a south Indian lentil pancake, served with onion and pepper vegan curry, kimchi slaw, tamarind chutney and crunchy boondi. Of course, I had to continue my current run of drinking stouts, so I was delighted to find the St Peter Cream Stout on the menu, which at $10 was a little pricey.
When the food came it certainly looked scrumptious. I started with the beet hummus, which I sadly found a little bland – looks can deceive. I had higher hopes a- but I prefer hummus with a little kick of flavour to it. Despite the lack of intensity on the palate, it was a good portion and for once fitted well with the amount of bread and veggies that were served with it.
Next up was my rolled uttapam. The presentation was good – I think for the price I would have expected a more generous portion, but it had good flavour and texture. So, I was happy.
Oddly enough my favourite thing turned out to be the stout. I had worked up a bit of thirst walking to the restaurant – so it slipped down very well. Being the shallow individual that I am, I was most taken with the shape of the bottle which was not the usual round affair but a rather elegant oval shape – much like a small bottle of brandy. I wish I had taken it home with me now!
