Wow!! Can't believe this place has been here 2 yrs and we had not tried it or even knew it was there. Great Cajun/creole food and atmosphere! Service was friendly, quick, polite and helpful with menu and drink selections! Drinks- hurricane, grenade, ruby slipper and square (their take on an old fashion). Drinks were strong and great flavor. Appetizer- crawfish boudin balls were outstanding. Plenty to share. Entrees- blackened catfish and the Cajun pasta (both suggested by server). Large portions and superb!! Definitely will be back!! read more

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We stopped here before a show a Taft Theatre. Laveau offers a New Orleans dining experience and we decided to give it a try. I'm glad we did. We were here on a Tuesday and the restaurant was not hopping. Here's hoping it hops other days of the week. The place is cute and our booth was very cozy. Our waiter, Scott, was helpful and pleasant. I ordered a Iberville Hand Grenade to start. It was slightly sweet and strong. It was a nice start for our dining experience. We started with Fried Green Tomatoes. Scott explained there was currently a shortage of asparagus, so no asparagus on this appetizer, but I didn't miss them. We both thought flavor of this dish was completely satisfying. I ordered Pasta Laveau with Shrimp, which was delicious. Mark had the Gumbo, which he thoroughly enjoyed. I'm glad this place is close enough to stop in before a show. I think I'd bring friends back to give it a try. Overall, a good experience and a good meal. read more

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Slap ya mama food and drinks!! I'd been wanting to try them for a while, so I was really excited when we were finally able to make resies and get downtown for date night. I started with fried green tomatoes and a Ruby Slipper. Oh, gurl. Yum x 1000. The tomatoes were garnished with pimento cheese and you know I ate every last bite. Had a lovely salad and the shrimp pasta. When I say this was the best shrimp pasta I've had in my life...trust and believe!! The spices in this dish were phenomenal and danced all over my tastebuds. I should have taken some home (way too much food ) but I couldn't put my fork down. R had the blackened catfish with fries and slaw. He has declared this his new favorite place. read more

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New Orleans food restaurant. Not crowded. Fantastic food and great service. Our waiter was very knowledgeable and obviously worked there a while. We started off with boudin balls and french fries debris pouton with braised ribs on top. Very large portions. My son and I got the fried platter with catfish, crawfish and shrimp. It came with two sides. The sides were huge! I chose Gumbo and Jumbalaya. We ended up with leftovers. My wife got the tour of new orleans, jambalaya, gumbo and shrimp etouffe. For dessert we got the excellent bread pudding and biscuit shortcake with berries. This restaurant is part of the Cincinnati distillery. read more

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Location near Fountain Square and connected to March 1st brewery. Cajun style fair... atmosphere is purely NOLA. Fun place. Scott was our server and Gabe great suggestions for starters and main dish. Parking at Fountain Square or on the street. We'll be back! read more

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If you are looking for Cajun/ Louisiana inspired food, look no further! Laveau is the place to be. The ambiance is gorgeous and the service was amazing! Scott was our server and he took great care of our party of 10. We started with drinks and enjoyed the Ruby Slipper (not pictured) and the Hurricane. The hurricane reminds you of a rum punch but better and not citrusy. For dinner, I tried the fried green tomatoes which could've been fried a little longer as the tomatoes were fairly hard. However, the flavor was perfect. I also had the short rib which was cooked to a tender liking just falling apart. It comes with Brussel sprouts and mashed potatoes underneath which was a great combination. My friend tried the catfish and enjoyed the flavor but thought it should've been cooked longer as well. Overall, I will definitely return in the near future. read more

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Amazing Cajun cuisine! Had the fried green tomatoes to start and they were the best I have ever had! Shared the fried catfish, grits and brussels with my boyfriend and everything was fantastic. There's no way I could have eaten all of it alone! Our server, Sheena, was simply delightful and I enjoyed the music selection playing in the background. Great place! read more

Wanted to check out Laveau's ever since their spring 2023 entre into downtown Cincinnati. They are tucked away on the west side of Fountain Square. When you walk inside, the vibe is very cool, with lots of New Orleans artifacts like Mardi Gras beads, masks, skulls, and copious images of Marie Laveau, the infamous voodoo queen. It's cool and dark- perfect for a steamy hot June (thanks crazy heat wave!). Grab a booth vs. a table for an even cooler dining experience! There is a small bar and a section showcasing the many spirits from their distillery. I have been to New Orleans many times, and my family has lived there for hundreds of years, so I'm well acquainted with typical French Creole and Cajun dishes. Laveau has a unique spin on these classics with a flavor all its own. I started the meal with Crawfish Boudin Balls. They were lightly fried and had a tasty crunch before biting into the center. They were very mild in taste but assisted by their aioli which seemed to be more of a mustard-based vs. a more creole-style remoulade. While I enjoyed having a taste from the bayou country (boudin is more reminiscent of rural parts of Louisiana- "Cajun Country- St. Landry Parish, et al.), I would have liked to see more crawfish and less rice in the dish. Ironically, my dinner companion got the Crispy Fish Platter, which had an enormous bowl of crawfish accompanying shrimp, catfish, and two sides. So, crawfish is not in short supply at Laveus and must be an intentional way to create the yummy balls. I had the Tour of New Orleans which consisted of étouffée, gumbo, jambalaya in small bowls. I added shrimp to my étouffée- which came with several very large succulent shrimp. An overly generous scoop of rice sat atop this beautifully spicy entree as well as on top of the gumbo. It worked for the étouffée, but the flavor of the gumbo was wholly lost by being consumed by the starchy, absorbent rice. Would have loved to taste the rich flavor of the gumbo as a soup as it is traditionally served, with just a bit of rice added. I would have loved to try the specialty salads, but they came with pecans which I'm deathly allergic to, so I passed on this starter. All the more reason for alarm when I took a spoonful of the infamous bread pudding at the close of the meal, only to feel the crunch of some type of nuts between my teeth. Knowing that pecans are such a huge ingredient in NOLA dishes (and alone like in pralines), I immediately knew that I should not swallow this first bite. The menu description did not list any nuts at all. I asked our server if there were nuts and he had to check with the chef. Found out there were pecans in the bread pudding. Death averted! Our server did apologize profusely. I just hope that they make a change to their menu tout de suite so that someone does not go into anaphylactic shock. Our server was very good throughout, answering our questions, timing the food arrival, and immediately brought out another desert to replace the bread pudding. I would highly recommend this restaurant for a unique take on food from New Orleans. Note that the portions are huge! A few things that could make the restaurant stand out: More info on the history of NOLA and why Marie Laveau was such a presence then and now in the Crescent City. Offer French bread or sliced Po- Boy bread at every table to start the meal. The cocktails are very well done and have unique NOLA location names. Add a few lines in the description about these locations. For example, the Storyville Julep. Storyville had a very unique red light district history from 1897 to 1917. read more

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I have to say, this may have been some of the best creole food I've had anywhere. The are also a disterilly that makes there own liquor. Great atmosphere. Good service, they were busy, so little slow, but worth the wait. We had the Laveau Pasta, short rib poutine and the chicken etoufee. You can't go wrong with any of those choices. Definitely on my go to list when back in Cincinnati. read more

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Came here for the first time for Saturday night dinner. I had a friend visiting who used to live in Cincinnati but moved so I decided to take her to a new place. Laveau showed up as I wanted to check out the new Fountain District area. It's a New Orleans inspired restaurant and I was craving a good gumbo! I got the Iberville Hand Grenade cocktail to start. It was very strong! A little too sweet for me but overall good flavors. It could use some sparkling seltzer to make it less sweet. Definitely be careful with these in terms of alcohol amount as it's smooth enough to just sip quickly :) To start, we got fried green tomatoes for the table. The pimento is so flavorful and the entire dish felt fresh and a perfect way to start a meal. For my food I got the Gumbo and Cajun grits side. They went well together as the Cajun grits were a little plain and the stew from the gumbo worked so well with it. I wish they had added more Cajun flavor to the grits. The gumbo was just right with the flavors and textures. I really enjoy heart stews and so gumbo is a fav. I do want to come back and try their jambalaya though as my one friend got it and it looked huge and is a one pot dish that looks so flavorful. So the New Orleans version of fried rice vs a curry/stew. Everyone was filled with their food and the portions are very large and good for sharing a bit of others as well. The Cajun fries were very good. The atmosphere inside is very classy and the staff was so attentive and very helpful. I will come back to try some more of the dishes! read more

Laveau - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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What a nice place for a Friday spring evening with friends. We shared the fried green tomatoes and crawfish boudin balls. The tomatoes were outstanding! Definitely recommend -must try! Dinner was shrimp and grits for two of us; good choice. The third in our group had the braised short ribs -yum! Melt in your mouth. Jake took great care of us. His recommendations of the shrimp and grits was spot-on. I gad scoped it out earlier but still. Ended the meal with coffee and beignets. This might not have been NOLA but certainly a nice representation. read more

I am only unhappy because I haven't eaten here sooner! The ambiance is dark, romantic, but also fun. It's great to see Cincinnati Distillers being featured. The service is outstanding. The food...we have the crab cakes which were very meaty, and a little spicy. We also got shrimp n grits and crawfish étouffée. These were the creamiest grits I have ever had. They did not scrimp on the crawfish either. We really enjoyed our meal. read more

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We have been looking forward to this dinner since September 2024. My DD wanted to dine here for her birthday but the day we were planning, they were closed for a private party. The menu sounded DELICIOUS and we couldn't wait! There were four people in our party. Two of us drink alcohol and two don't. We started with drinks and ordered the Iberville Hand Grenade (Voltage Vodka, Red Sky Gin, Cooper Island White Rum, Midori, Pineapple Juice) and the Ruby Slipper (Voltage Vodka, Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice, Fresh Lemon, Simple Syrup, Rhubarb Bitters). The Hand Granade was a bit sour and tasty. The Ruby Slipper was sweet and I dont think it was mixed well as you couldn't discern the flavors. Ive had a few lovely RS drinks in the past and this one was meh. We ordered the Boudin Balls. I would skip these - very little flavor and they need some seasoning. Definitely lacks Boudin flavor. We then shared the Debris Poutine($16) - Cajun fries, short rib, giardiniera, cheese curds, lemon aioli, & green onion. These were Great! We loved them! On to the Entree! I ordered the Short Ribs - see photo. This was definitely the best dish, by far! We all loved it and it was completely gobbled up! My DD got the Pasta Laveau with chicken. This was pretty good but honestly not better than the Cajun Pasta at Chili's (sorry but I don't pull punches!). My son got the Tour of New Orleans. This was the worst dish we ordered. I seriously wanted to go into the kitchen and see if they took each of the three dishes out of a frozen pack and popped it into a microwave! The gumbo tasted like plastic. Very Bad. The jambalaya and etouffe were just ok. Basically do not waste your money on this. My hubby got Shrimp and Grits. This was also Great! It was so creamy and tasty and good. We all ate this up as well. For dessert we ordered the Beignets. The from frozen raspberry reduction was bitter and these were pretty meh as well. Wish we would have tried the bread pudding but oh well. Will I go back, probably not. Considering we were all hungry going in and this fact usually makes food taste even better than normal, I'm giving 3.5 stars for food. (3 good items, 3 poor items) Lastly, the service was bordering on rude! Our server was a smoker - totally gross when dining out as you don't want to smell old nicotine on someone. Smell is a HUGE part of taste. He also made some snide comments. Now I am pretty outspoken but will NOT make a scene with my kids in tow. So all snide / sideways comments got ignored. Do not engage. He also dropped his volume when speaking as the night went on and when a new tabe was seated, we all noticed the volume change. Was he messing with us??! I dont know. Again, another reason I probably won't return. Totally bill was a little over $200 and with a 20% tip (I'm nice to servers unless straight out A**hat!), dinner for four was around $255-ish. read more

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I was very excited for this one. I can only speak to the service and ambiance. Due to a mix-up, I ended up dining alone so I didn't have a meal. I had a drink, Ruby Slipper and Crawfish Boudin balls. The service was very good, kind, welcoming, and friendly. The ambiance is very cozy. Each booth has curtains pulled back, but if you think about them being closed, it's a bit alluring. I did not pick the right drink or starter for myself, and that's on me, not Laveau. I'll return for the full experience. read more

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We had dinner tonight here and we love Cajun food. The dishes were all tasty but the service was not good at all. Very slow and not attentive. I ordered a Diet Coke and it comes in a very small mason jar - I had three of them which might have been the equivalent of 1-1/2 normal size diet cokes at most. The bill came and we were charged $2.99 twice for the diet cokes - my husband mentioned it to the waiter thinking he accidentally pushed the button twice to charge us - nope, he said that since I had more than one refill, you're charged twice! He never mentioned that and it's not stated on the menu. We won't go back. read more

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This restaurant has been on my list to try for a while. We finally tried it, and we were disappointed. When we arrived on a Saturday night almost all of the tables were open, which was our first sign that something may be off. The server then informed us that they were out of grits, which is what I was leaning toward. Our server acted like he would rather be anywhere that did not involve serving customers. Overall, everything was just average. With all of the competition downtown I believe that your food, service, and atmosphere need to be above average. Kudos on having a few vegetarian options on the menu. But the experience was not enough to bring us back. read more

I would give this place 10 stars if I could. I went here after an event I attended because I was seriously missing New Orleans and creole food. Laveau did not disappoint! Not only is the ambiance straight out of the Voodoo Museum in NOLA, the food was EPIC. I wanted to each everything on the menu and then still have room for the raspberry drizzled beignets. The service was top notch, and I never felt rushed or ignored. I can not recommend this place enough! read more

We really stopped in for drinks and to check the place out. The one thing that you should know is that they basically only serve their own brand of liquor. Cincinnati Breweries. The front room and bar aren't all that impressive but the back dining room is so cool. We had appetizers of Gumbo and Maque Choux and a loaf of bread all were great! I thought the local whisky and the IPA were great. Next time we'll sit in the back room and have a little different experience. We meet the chef and he is a wonderful guy. You have to check it out. read more

A very pleasant surprise! Bold and tasty flavors coupled with cozy atmosphere! A tad slow but worth the delay!

Came here for a friends bday dinner yesterday and it was... an interesting experience! The ambiance was very chill with dim lighting and vibrant decorations. Our reservation was for 8:15pm but were told the kitchen closed at 9pm so it felt a bit rushed. I got the catfish meal and my partner got the chicken & sausage étouffée. We tried the fried green tomatoes as an app. To me, the food presentation was awesome, but the flavor was a little bland for this to be a Cajun style restaurant. My partner felt his dish was very spicy and flavorful but the rice was a bit dry. The highlight was definitely the fried green tomatoes - not too thick and not too thin. Also very flavorful. I don't eat beef/pork so my options were a little limited. We received feedback from the group and they enjoyed the jumbo shrimp appetizer the most. The drinks were the saving grace (though last call is at 10pm). We each got the absent drip, our friends got other drinks but we were all pleased. This is a fairly new restaurant so we hope to return in the future to see a more expansive menu and definitely grab a few drinks! read more

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Our pregame meal was good for early dining when they opened. The gumbo was passable and fried shrimp delicious.

My wife and I were heading to a show at Taft and came in for dinner at Laveau on a Saturday evening. It's located on 6th, between Walnut and Vine, so plenty of street parking and parking garages nearby. The décor is tasteful, with lots of New Orleans themed touches. It's not overly dim, but still intimate. It's not overly cramped, and doesn't get too loud. We had made reservations, and were seated promptly as we arrived. Our main server came quickly and got us water while we waited for the rest of our group to arrive. The server was very friendly, and helpful with the menu, but did kind of disappoint. We had to ask twice for lemons for our soda's, he forgot a soda to go we asked for, never refilled our water, we had to ask for plates for our appetizers, etc. The food was great. I enjoyed everything I tried. I want to come back and try what I didn't get a chance to try. For appetizers, I had the crawfish boudin balls, Cajun corn dip and the fried green tomatoes. I'd get all of those again. For my entree, I had the crawfish pasta Laveau, and also tried the braised short ribs and blackened catfish. I found the pasta to be decent, but really enjoyed the short ribs and catfish more. The Cajun fries were good, but the fried brussel sprouts were acceptable but I wouldn't order them again. read more

This was the best food in Cincinnati hands down! As an outsider of the Midwest that enjoys seasonings and flavors on their food and less of a mayonnaise based cuisine ....and whose family is from Louisiana it was so nice to have good food in this city! It was the most flavorful and delicious food I've had since I've been here. Does anyone know where this chef went?! I will literally follow him anywhere for that jambalaya! read more

Service was ok, nothing good just ok. He was not very attentive. Food is very salty and disappointing. Drinks were too strong, not good just too strong. Seems like there should have been some bread at the table. It was not quite complete. Not a place I would recommend, or go back to. read more

Dining at Laveau was an unforgettable experience, a true culinary adventure that felt like a trip to the heart of New Orleans. From the moment we stepped inside, we were captivated by the lively atmosphere, complete with vibrant decor and the soulful sounds of live jazz. The menu is a testament to authentic Creole cuisine, each dish a masterpiece of flavor and presentation. We began with the boudin balls, a delightful start that set high expectations for the evening. The gumbo was a symphony of rich, smoky flavors, perfectly balanced and brimming with tender pieces of seafood and sausage. The jambalaya was nothing short of spectacular, a harmonious blend of rice, shrimp, and andouille sausage, each bite a revelation of bold, complex flavors. The beignets for dessert were a heavenly conclusion, light, fluffy, and dusted with just the right amount of powdered sugar. Each dish was a testament to the chef's extraordinary skill and deep understanding of Creole flavors. Special acknowledgment must be given to Chef, whose culinary genius is evident in every bite, and to Manager Jason whose attentive service and warm hospitality made our meal truly special. The staff's passion for their craft shines through, ensuring that every guest feels like part of the family. In summary, Laveau is more than a restaurant; it's an experience that delights the senses and warms the soul. It's a must-visit for anyone looking to indulge in authentic Creole cuisine and create lasting memories. The staff have a care quality that is fading in America. Come here and tell me it wasn't perfect. read more

Alright look, people. You know that me, Boodan (phonics), and Roux don't mess when it comes to authentic NOLA vittles. Laveau is the real deal. (6rh street) I asked all the questions. Our server, Scott McLaren had all the answers. Ask for his section , they take reservations. The chef had all the food to back it up. We had mussels, crab cakes, crawfish pasta, Cajun fries with chive aioli, and ACTUAL REAL DEAL beignets. Like GOLDEN SQUARE POWDERED SUGAR beignets. When I asked about them before we even ordered dinner (so I could save room) he said of course they're square and puffy. If not they'd be munchkins. He was so much fun, and I can't wait to take my fella. Audrey thank you so much for bringing this up to all the gals today. Rhonda I am so glad you chose the best wine ever and now that's on my list to buy. (Plus thanks for sharing your Cajun fries/how bout that sauce!!??) I can't wait to go back for bread pudding. Audrey I'm holding you to the homemade bread pudding sooner than later. That counts as a cassarole for Saturday. Just sayin'. read more

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HANDS DOWN BEST FOOD, SERVICE, AND HOSPITALITY PERIOD!!! #1 must go and keep going restaurant in the city, plus they have Chef Bowling making masterpieces! If you're looking for the best Cajun cuisine or just food in general you have to do yourself a favor and try it out. I promise you will not be disappointed by any means. Also, they tequila ruby slipper is amazing, amongst all of their other cocktails. read more

Laveau - Not even on the menu yet but chef is handing out absolute gems! Best wings I've ever had!!! - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Went here tonight for a Ladies Christmas exchange. Now we had a large party of 12. Now for a large party they were able to accommodate but thankfully it was not on a busy night. The food was good (forgot to take a picture of my crab cakes). My crab cakes were amazing, spicy but all crab!! I didn't care for the mussels and the sauce but my pasta was good. Some of the noodles were clumped together making it where you can't eat those pieces. But its a good portion and i left full and happy!!! Will definitely be back! read more

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Loved the vibe, the food, the service. We were only there for happy hour but each food and drink item as ample and delicious. Can't wait to return for dinner. read more

Laveau - We had the mussels, shrimp, fries, corm dip and fried green tomatoes. All fresh and yummy. Half price apps at happy hour. - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Every now and again the influencers get me! I had high expectations , but it was just okay! The three stars are based solely on the food. The service was great , the food was just okay, and for the creole / New Orleans vibe this wasn't it . Food came out fast and hot , and the waiters were well versed on the menu. I would say visit again in like 6 months. The ski gator dish lacked flavor , it just taste like tomato sauce and rice . ( the bartender did take it off for me) The fried green tomatoes were good , but I had to add salt and pepper. Most dishes sounded good but I don't eat pork but the fish of the week wasn't available( so check prior). They have salad but I didn't come for that . So yeah , my partner had the jambalaya , he said it was good. It came with duck and andouille sausage and added large shrimp. It's worth a try , or wait like me until things tighten up a little more. It's downtown so there is ample paid parking. Let me know what you think. read more

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This restaurant is a gem in Cincinnati. The atmosphere is New Orleans mysterious. So moody and wonderful. The locally distilled whiskey and bourbon selections are extremely good. Try a flight sampler of four tastes. The food was off the chain! Shrimp and grits, jambalaya, and gumbo-YUM. The crawfish balls were an excellent appetizer and the beignets were a fantastic finisher. I highly recommend this restaurant. read more

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We had a great night? Great service from Scott and the band was amazing! Fun Mardi Gras celebration!

We loved the Tour of New Orleans! Fantastic service as well, by gracious, wise and knowledgeable Jacob. Can't wait for the next time I have enough money to go out instead of working! read more

Excellent food, drinks and ambiance. We arrived with a group of 15 for a birthday celebration and Laveau did not disappoint! Would highly recommend to anyone craving cajun seasoning and delicious mixed drinks read more

The meal was satisfactory and warranted a return visit. The staff was amiable and knowledgeable. The ambiance exuded a romantic atmosphere. I am assigning a rating of 4 because the cuisine deviated from authentic Creole cooking. The shrimp étouffée resembled shrimp Creole, which is tomato-based rather than roux-based. I would recommend this establishment to others, but it is important to note that the food is not authentic Creole. read more

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Excellent authentic NOLA food. Large portions and great flavor. Excellent bartender and the manager Jason made everyone feel like family. I'll be back! read more

Had the Daiquiri, it tastes like bourbon without the burn--absolutely wonderful! We had the Jambalya and Gumbo.. all the plates were cleaned--sooo good! Ambiance was perfect. Service was exceptional! read more

An hour after our 6:15 reservation time, which we arrived early for, we still had no food, and had to abandon the restaurant to get to our concert. Our server implied we needed to specify that we had a time limitation. Apparently otherwise one might reasonably expect to wait for several hours or that it was our fault we didn't ask for better service? At least two tables arriving after us were served while we waited. The cocktails we each had were well-crafted, and the only time out server stopped by was to suggest more cocktails. Dinner, please! At the last minute, ONE of our dinners arrived, but that was the last straw, so we left. With so many dining choices in the area, this one may not survive. We enjoyed a lovely dinner after the concert at Via Vite. read more

We tried Laveau last night before a comedy show at the Hard Rock Casino. Great service and good food with very large portions. We had the crawfish boudin balls (10/10,) shrimp pasta, and fried catfish. read more

The pasta Laveau and red fish were outstanding!! The pasta was better than a certain Italian restaurant down the street!! Scotty, our server, went above and beyond to make sure the service was exceptional. The value for you pay is well worth it. The chef is a native Louisianan and I will say that he's an artist!! Run, don't walk to Laveau. You won't regret it!! read more