Every year my sister (Renee) and I attend Essence Festival in New Orleans.  The trip started out as an opportunity for us and several girlfriends to hangout and party with a purpose every year, and has morphed into a networking, celebration of our passions.

Every year we have at least one nice dinner, to feed my passion for food.  We have dined at Emeril’s New Orleans, NOLA, John Besh’s Borgne and American Sector (when it was managed by his company), Cochon, and several others throughout our 9 or 10 year traditional visit.

This year day one we had reservations at another Emeril Legasse restaurant.  We dined at Emeril’s Delmonico this visit.  Emeril’s Delmonico is the only restaurant in New Orleans that dry ages their own steak.  My sister had the New York Strip and it was very tasty.

My favorite dishes were the barbecued shrimp and grit cake and the pork cheeks over dirty rice, both were appetizers.  The non stop supply of fresh cornbread didn’t hurt either.

For my entree I had the paneéd swordfish over risotto, it was so light and had a great crunch with the fennel salad on top.  I am absolutely a texture gal.

If you are looking to be wined and dined, enjoy a great night out at Emeril’s Delmonico.  Ladies…they even escort you to the restroom (offering their arm to lead you).