Inside The Cigar Box? Smoked. Scallops. And That Little Jar Of Amazingness.

One of our top two or three places to have lunch is Root on Julia Street in New Orleans.

I love sharing — and so for my lunch, I knew I would want everything on this platter (all of the pickled okra, strawberries, the relish, etc) minus the charcuterie Av picked: the juniper cured duck prosciutto and one other — but I did add one protein, the truffle-scented chicken liver parfait there in the little jar, which I decided was the *single best thing eaten all year*.  Yes.  Yes.

Av had the Cohiba smoked scallops (all done inside this cigar box) with chorizo dust, caramelized cauliflower, pimenton patatas bravas, black garlic fennel choucroute:

Next? Root’s sister, Square Root.  12-15 course tasting menu.  Oooooh yes.  This, from Phillip Lopez’s Instagram on a dish there:

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Miso and Black Peppercorn Charred Louisiana Wagyu, Hazlenut Pomace, Bone Marrow Soubise, Summer Squash and 80 Year Old Balsamic Vinegar. @squarerootnola #eatdrinkrepeat

A post shared by Phillip L. Lopez (@chefphilliplopez) on May 29, 2014 at 4:23pm PDT

Phillip Lopez on Root, and how New Orleans is more than one or two traditional cuisines:
http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isSlim=1