Bar 1865 in the Swoop-Duggins House New Orleans

The atmospheric downtown townhouse-turned-restaurant and cocktail spot @bar1865nola is home to one dish that feels like the ultimate drinking snack:

skewers of smoked oysters, pinned to juicy Castelvetrano olives and pickled pearl onions, covered in an almond garlic chili crisp.

Like a deluxe version of a Gilda, the Basque tapas bar standard, it’s a progression of briny, salty flavor and a match made in heaven with a martini .

Turns out they make a smashing one here too (but note the abbreviated hours, serving dinner Thursday to Saturday).

This is one from a bunch of top dish picks on my mind now in deep summer — link in my bio has the full read with all of them.

#wherenolaeats #igersneworleans #nolaeats #nolafoodie #downtownnola Less

This one from @bar1865nola needs special recognition as a drinking snack perfected:

Skewers of smoked oysters, pinned to juicy Castelvetrano olives and pickled pearl onions, covered in an almond garlic chili crisp.

Like a deluxe version of a Gilda, the Basque tapas bar standard (see also @dolfys_nola for a traditional take), it’s a progression of briny, salty flavor and a match made in heaven with a martini.

Make that the Mediterranean — braced with sherry and a bit of mastika, the piney liqueur, while dots of olive oil shimmer on the surface, all subtly herbal and refreshing.

Link in my bio has the full read on Bar 1865

#wherenolaeats #igersneworleans #nolaeats #nolafoodie #noladrinks Less

Visiting @bar1865nola , you arrive at a historic townhouse in downtown New Orleans that reveals an enchanting anachronism — a den of Old World elegance serving food and cocktails with a fresh, modern verve.

And it’s open only three nights a week.

The floor plan still resembles that of an old house, all steeped in a 40-watt glow against faded brickwork.

It’s as if the process of elegant decay was halted and the space refreshed, a mixture of patina and polish.

The ambience is so lush, it’s practically tactile.

The menu, from chef @thatcheflisa , is well-tuned for a self-guided tasting tour of small plates.

It’s a bit French, highly seasonal and creative and in sync with the cocktail focus at the bar.

Intensely flavorful and not heavy, these are dishes that glide in for smooth landings, paced out to have another round from the bar.

Here’s a look around, link in my bio has the story for the full read:

#wherenolaeats #igersneworleans #nolaeats #nolafoodie #downtownnola Less