restaurantREVIEW
Lagarde American Eatery New Orleans Influence in Chamblee By Noreen Lewis Cochran
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the restaurant, which opened in November 2019, gets its moniker amie Adams and Leonardo Moura, who in 2015 opened il Giallo from both Adams’ middle name and his grandmother’s maiden name. Osteria & Bar, a popular Italian restaurant in Sandy Springs, have The dining room has an open floor plan with wooden tables and rafbrought a new concept, Lagarde American Eatery, to Chamblee. ters. New Orleans’ vibrant music scene comes to mind upon viewing a While succulent seafood such as oysters dominates first impressions custom-made guitar, beneath a panel of brightly painted cartoon figures. at the New Orleans-influenced restaurant—Adams said Lagarde has a great oyster program, rendering the delicacies delicious whether grilled, on the half-shell or fried—the menu includes a variety of options. It includes a mix of hearty and light options like deviled eggs, barbecue shrimp and green goddess salad, and distinguishes itself by drawing from multiple American cities. Philly cheese steaks and Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches with pork belly, a favorite in Houston, join the treats Adams enjoyed during childhood trips to the Big Easy. “We have a lot of different things and the cool thing is that we’re not tied down to any specific genre,” he said. “Yes, we’re New Orleans inspired—you got gumbo, red beans and rice and po boys—but there’s lots of other stuff on the menu.” It even includes three varieties of totchos, or tater tot nachos. Other appetizers include Cajun fish bites and deviled eggs. Also, poultry pops up as an option worth the scratch, with Adams calling Lagarde’s chicken sandwich, made with dark-meat chicken perched on homemade bread “the best in the known universe.” Entrees include garlic and herb-roasted salmon, shrimp and grits and daube, which is slow-braised beef brisket with crispy onions. Lagarde also serves brunch on the weekends, with crowd pleasers such as shrimp and grits, French toast and includes Moura’s go-to favorite, the croque madame, which has ham Above: Lagarde American Eatery’s interior includes a colorful and whimsical décor. and Gruyere cheese on brioche topped with a fried egg. It also includes Left: The barbecue shrimp is a popular appetizer that pays tribute to Lagarde’s New bottomless mimosas, part of a beverage program that also pays tribute Orleans-inspired roots. to New Orleans with its bourbon selection. Adams’ credits include being a featured chef at The James Beard House Customers can also choose adult milkshakes or cocktails like Maude’s 75, a gin and Champagne blend, or the Lagarde Mule, made with vodka in New York and appearing on television shows like the Food Network’s “Chopped.” and ginger beer. He and Moura met at the Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, which Brunch or dinner bar and dining patrons can enjoy the environment inspired their cooking and whetted as well as their selections. THE DETAILS their appetite for giving back to the Families and friends gather near sparAttire: Come as you are Hours: Tue-Thur: 4-10 p.m.; Fri: 4-11 p.m.; community. They have over 50 years kling windows or cluster together on the Atmosphere: Casual Sat: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun: 11 a.m.-9 p.m of restaurant experience combined. patio, where during the holidays a Big Green Recommendations: Grilled oysters, Location: 5090 Peachtree Blvd., With a plethora of options highEgg will offer roasted turkey delights. shrimp po boy, croque madame Chamblee, GA 30341 lighted by a New Orleans kick, Lagarde In keeping with the atmosphere, which Reservations: Recommended Contact: 470-385-3533, Parking: Free parking at the restaurant lagardeatl.com has something for everyone to let the Moura calls “fun, neighborhood driven, afgood times roll. N fordable, irreverent, edgy and family friendly,” newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 33
