Compère Lapin

A new restaurant that exceeded my expectations in the hallowed New Orleans restaurant scene. The Caribbean flair across the
menu provides something unique in New Orleans. The
atmosphete is casual bistro, with a vibrant bar. Thete is
energy hete, but not do
much as to block
an intimate conversation with guests. The service is knowledgeable and attentive without being overbearing or obsequious. overall an outstanding dining experience. I hold five stars for mind-​blowing cases, but this place is a contender! I would recommend this place for a romantic date night. It is capable of handling groups if they aten’t too rowdy. Kudos for unique menu, convivial atmosphere and service. An
up and comer to keep an eye on!

My friend and I went to dinner last night at the lovely Compere Lapin in New Orleans. Wow it’s chic inside, but that does not compare to the food or the service. We had the roasted beet salad with Kale and pistachio it was Devine. The entrée was Cici Pasta with Lobster, pistachio, zucchini with fresh herbs. However it was too spicy for my palate. Larry stopped by to see how we were enjoying dinner. I mentioned while I liked the dish it was too spicy for me. Larry immediately removed our entrée’s, and in just a few moments we had fresh plates with an exquisite lobster Cici pasta! The dish was delicious and the service was first rate! If you are in New Orleans you must try it!

I was blown away by this place. The dress code was a bit more upscale than casual but nothing very fancy. The portions and the taste of everything was absolutely divine. I would definitely come back here again in a heartbeat.
The service was impeccable too. This is definitely the restaurant worth visiting when traveling to New Orleans.

My favorite meal of all in NOLA. Better than the recommendations we had received for Cochon and a few other spots. The atmosphere is hip, and appears to be quite upbeat from the number of celebratory dinners that we were surrounded by. Service is thoughtful and sweet.
Our drinks were on point. True cocktails.
Our food had depth and beautiful plays on textures and flavors. From the dreamy biscuits to the amazing hazelnut chocolate dessert… Nina Compton has ensured that every detail creates a memorable sensory experience.

Totally didn’t realize that Top Chef alumnus Nina Compton opened her restaurant recently, and within walking distance of our hotel no less!
To start, the crispy pig ears were nicely fried and mad crunchy. Next, the Caribbean seafood pepper pot blew me away with it combination of delicate texture and smooth spiciness… like a curry brought up to the next level. The curried goat had great flavor and worked well with its accompanying gnocchi. And finally, the pici pasta with lobster knocked my socks off with its freshness and exquisite al dente texture.
Our server, Morgan, did an excellent job throughout the meal despite being very new to her position there. Taken together with the dark, modern and inviting atmosphere, Compere Lapin ended up being of the best dining experiences during my NOLA trip.

Compère Lapin was the scene for dinner for the wife and I on our second night in town. We arrived a few minutes early for our 6:30 reservations on a Sunday night. The crowd was relatively light in the dining room when we arrived, but built up steadily to a full house during our meal. Truth be told, a big reason why we picked it over other equally deserving, quality restaurants in town was our name recognition of its chef, Nina Compton. We’re both regular viewers of Top Chef and were impressed by her performance on the show.
We started off with drinks while we looked over the menu. I had the Mayor Rock ($ 10). I can’t recall what was in it, but I do remember that it was a tasty cocktail, especially for the price. For our food, we shared orders of the Conch Croquette ($ 6) served with a pickled pineapple tartar sauce; the Caribbean Seafood Pepper Pot ($ 21); the Curried Goat with sweet potato gnocchi and cashews ($ 24); and the Grouper in a beurre blanc sauce with potato pearls and caviar ($ 26). We finished our meal off with an order of Roasted Banana Zeppole ($ 9). All of our dishes were nicely executed with a delicious combination of flavors. I enjoyed them and recommend them all. However, if I had to pick one dish out of our five choices that I would leave out if I could only pick four of them, it would be the Conch Croquette. It was good, but possessed the least «wow» factor for me. Service throughout our meal was friendly and attentive.
Compère Lapin was everything I hoped it would be. The food and drinks were excellent at a very fair price. If I was a local, I’d be a regular. I highly recommend. 4.25 stars.

From the hand poured cocktails to the unique brunch experience! I savored every bite, every drink, shared an excellent meal with my husband and best friend. We did a few small plates of avocado toast, curried shrimp with tostones, zucchini fritters in a green bean remoulade, and a sticky bun! Everything had such flavor! Based on the servers recommendation I tried the Chicken Hash with 2 poached eggs in a green sauce which was divine. I know I am doing zero justice to the perfection of this food. It was an experience I shall never forget!

This place is trying to do some ambitious food innovation things in a fun way, with a Caribe-​Creole palate which crosses together nicely. It is worth a go. I don’t think the very creative chef at the wheel has hit his or her fullest stride in totally nailing everything, but we had some exciting things that we enjoyed. One thing left a lasting impression for me: the shrimp which was almost ceviche poached, in a delicious jalapeño jus. That. Was. Magical. Very sweet staff, too.
The place itself is in bottom hotel floor, very chic exposed elements refurbished historical building meets modern cool. Crazy loud volume, with all the brick and glass and metal elements. Looks like they had a sweet bar scene going for the young N.O. professionals getting out of work and grabbing craft cocktails and creative plate before heading out or heading home.

Excellent restaurant! Food was amazing… If you can… please order the conch crouquettes all the food was great and I loved the portion sizes. The cocktails were a bit strong but again that’s just the bartender with a heavy hand perhaps. I was hoping to meet Nina Compton… But didn’t get the chance to… Which I understood given it was a holiday weekend. Totally proud of my fellow Saint Lucian Lady!

I was at a conference in NOLA for a week, and Compère Lapin was one of the restaurants I planned to visit. I came in and I was seated right away.
I did my typical thing by ordering an entrée, a cocktail, and a dessert.
Entrée: Pici Pasta/​Lobster/​Squash
Cocktail: TCB Sour
Dessert: Toasted Coconut Tres Leches
It was all very good. I will totally go back the next time I’m in NOLA!

As promised, I gave this place 6+ months & came back.
The atmosphere & location of this place are still A+!!!
One of my chief complaints at my last visit was the service. I am pleased to report that the service was exceptional. The cocktails & dishes were appropriately described & done so with passion and enthusiasm. The andromeda is my new favorite cocktail in town. With that being said, this is a place I will come to regularly for cocktails, not the food.
To their credit, the food was much better this time. Again, appropriately described & portions were reasonable. I simply did not like the pig ears (aoli was nice though) & the curried goat was particularly lackluster. I understood the sweet potatoes to be a «gnocchi» but I did not like the texture/​density. However, sweet potato gnocchi is about the only original or «creative» item on the entire menu. Each item that we tried, we enjoyed just fine… but they exist at restaurants throughout the city where they are simply doing it better.
Overall I’m still underwhelmed with the menu and execution but the service, ambiance & cocktails are on point. Well done.

NO PLACE IN TOWN DOES VEGGIES BETTER
I now regularly do take-​out: those sublime carrots, their spinach in that delicious fontina cheese fondue, or if lucky those amazing brussels sprouts. And I always ask about the vegetable of the day because without fail it is stellar.
ALL GENEROUS SIDE PORTIONS ARE $ 7
Between here, Balise and Carmo it seems that the WHD has become a pantry for the savvy vegetarian.

A really beautiful space and so bright during the day. I wanted to try the goat here and was able to fit in a brunch. The curry goat though is only served during dinner, so I had the GOAT BOLOGNESE, CAVATELLI AND RICOTTA. I loved it! The texture of the pasta was great and the bolognese was fantastic. I also wanted to try one of their biscuits. I didn’t see it as a side on the menu so I asked and got one for $ 1.50. Totally worth it. Will definitely return.

I came here for a midweek lunch to celebrate a friend’s birthday. It was an early lunch during a workday, 11:30AM. We joked that we rented the place out for our party of three, but, seriously the place was nearly empty. Actually, we were treated like we rented the place out, but I am sure they treat all guests that way, even when they are busy!
We shared the Spinach Cavatelli/​Fontina Fondue at the recommendation of the birthday boy. His recommendation did not disappoint. The green color of it scared me a little bit at first (I got pooped on by a pelican just a week before and it was this color, triggering some PTSD from the incident). When I finally overcame my fears, I wished I ordered a big ol’ bowl of it! A bowl of the Cavatelli, not Pelican guano. Now, that I have ruined your appetite, let me try to redeem it. We also shared the Roasted Potatoes/​Herbs, which were perfectly prepared with just the right amount of salt, oil and herbs! For our main dishes, we went with the Jerk Shrimp Roll/​Pineapple Tartar Sauce/​Chip, Corn Grits/​Shrimp and Sausage Gravy/​Fried Egg, Spaghetti/​Butternut Squash/​Vadouvan Spices. Mine was the Spaghetti dish! It was smooth, nutty, and citrusy all at the same time. The portion size was perfect! It didn’t weigh me down which is great for this lunch, seeing as I had to go back to work (no naps allowed!), and I felt it was a healthy choice, carbs and all (nuts and squash=healthy in my book). The birthday boy ordered the shrimp roll and when it made its appearance I was really impressed. I’m not sure what I expected it to be – maybe a sushi «roll», but it was the shrimp version of a fancy lobster roll you would find in New England, with the appropriate bread bun! Now, having spent many a summer in New Hampshire and Maine, and consuming many a lobstah roll, I need to come back and try this shrimp roll. I love New Orleans food, I do, but I do get homesick for some Yankee food. Speaking of New Orleans food, my not-​the-​birthday boy friend ordered the Shrimp and Grits with sausage gravy, which was absolutely perfect for our early lunch because it was breakfast food! He’s Louisiana born and raised and cleared his plate within minutes. Must have been legit!
Everything was very well done, and the staff was very professional. Our waiter even surprised us by bringing out a birthday treat for the birthday boy at the mere mention of his birthday. We thought it was cheesecake ice cream, but I believe it was the lime cheesecake. AMAZING! It was refreshing and satisfying!
We each paid about $ 25, but that was without cocktails since we had to go back to work. Still, for the culinary perfection we experienced, I was more than pleased with the cost! I will certainly be back and would love to try out the cocktails on my next visit!

I came here to celebrate my anniversary with my boyfriend after my sister, a frequent NOLA visitor recommended it. Needless to say, I am not disappointed. We started with the pigs ears and broiled shrimp and they were both phenomenal. The pigs ears were the showstopper though. Simply amazing. So smokey and such a lovey texture. For our entrée we had the curried goat and the black drum and everything was perfection. The layers of flavor and the sheer quality of the ingredients shine bright. Lastly, we had the chocolate cake in the spiced chocolate soup with passion fruit. If it’s on the menu, get it. You won’t regret it.
Long story short, the place was a bit loud, but the very attentive but not smothering staff are quick to put you at ease and answer your questions. The food is exquisite. That’s the most important thing. If you’re in it for an upscale dinner and have some time to relax and enjoy, this is your place.

Very happy to have had the opportunity to try out Compere Lapin with a group since I was able to try a handful of appetizers as well as their delicious entrees.
The space is pretty large compared to new restaurants, but still feels intimate at your table. I can see that they’ve incorporated some sound proofing elements since their opening and it helps to be able to hear the folks at your table. I love that James Michalopoulos’ work adorns the walls, and it’s mostly some of his lesser known work including landscapes that he did while vacationing in France. It all fits very well in the space.
We were seated at a wide table making it easier for us all to share/​see one another’s dishes and great lighting (how’d they know we were going to be those pic-​snapping guests? ;)).
The menu is broken down by Small Bites, First, Second, and Extras. I love that this restaurant doesn’t cater to the traveler’s need for «authentic New Orleans cuisine». It genuinely feels like 100% what the Chef wants on the menu. I also love that it’s pseudo-​Caribbean without succumbing to the tiki theme. Everything I ordered or enjoyed a bite of was wonderful.
Dishes —
Cold Smoked Tuna Tartare/​Avocado/​Crispy Bananas $ 14
Great starter dish. Light and fresh with no fishy smells. You can appreciate the tuna’s natural flavors without being overpowered by seasoning or lime juice. If you need texture, the banana chips add a great crunch. Be selfish and order this one for yourself if you really enjoy tuna.
Brussels Sprouts/​Buttermilk/​Crispy Chicken Skin $ 13
I really have to stop saying I hate Brussels sprouts. I’ve managed to enjoy Brussels sprouts at a few places around town including 1000 Figs and Brown Butter. The sprouts at Compere Lapin may take the cake. I think the winning factor is the crispness. Nothing mushy or sour about these morsels of heavenly goodness, and again… maybe just order these for yourself if you’re feeling exceptionally greedy.
Caribbean Seafood Pepper Pot $ 21
I ordered this as my entrée. This dish falls under the First section so it’s not going to be as large as a dish in the Second section but I wouldn’t have had my entrée any other way. First off, the dish is beautiful. After a short photo shoot of bright greens from the fresh dill and basil, hues of pink from various seafood and the watermelon radish, and the orange of the broth that bathed all this deliciousness, I dove in. I really can’t tell you what spices were mixed into the broth, nor can I identify every type of seafood in this pot of heaven. It wasn’t overly spicy and the broth didn’t cloak the flavors of the seafood.
My best way to describe this dish is that it transported me to an open air restaurant atop an island overlooking the ocean watching the sunset with a cool breeze passing through.
Duo of Beef/​Cauliflower/​Foie Gras $ 32
While I was experiencing nirvana with the Pepper Pot, I did do a bite barter with my neighbor who was enjoying the duo of beef. He was kind enough to let me enjoy both meat options that were perfectly cooked, melt-​in-​your-​mouth delicious.
I will absolutely be back, and will venture into the Second menu section for a taste of this Curried Goat that is wildly popular in other reviews.

This is absolutely one of my favorite restaurants I’ve been to. It’s better than some James Beard places I’ve been, and right up there with even Michelin star restaurants. I came here right after I got engaged, and it was absolutely the perfect place to celebrate. Definitely going on our list of places to come back to in New Orleans every year.
ATMOSPHERE:
So much fun. Lively and upbeat, laid back, and slightly rustic — while still very classy. The exposed brick is the perfect touch.
SERVICE:
Best service we’ve ever had. Our server Kennon (sp?) was absolutely great. He described even the smallest details of each dish with incredible knowledge and obvious pride in the restaurant and the chef. His recommendations were spot-​on, and his attitude and attentiveness made this dinner just that much better.
FOOD:
I’m pretty sure you can’t go wrong here. The steak tartare was amazing, as was the Caribbean Seafood Pepper Pot. And I’ve never tasted anything like the hamachi/​melon combination. For your main, I don’t even know whether to recommend the Black Drum (one of the best fish dished I’ve ever had) or the Curried Goat (one of the best meat/​stew dishes I’ve ever had).
DRINKS:
The wine list here is great. You really can’t go wrong.

Food is excellent. And the menu is incredible. 5 stars start to finish.
However, I didn’t love our waitress. She a bit curt at times (telling me to «hold on» when I politely requested a drink refill) and not bringing us the basics like napkins after dessert. However, the overall experience, based solely on food, was very memorable.
We started with a spread of tuna tartare, brussel sprouts covered in buttermilk dressing and chicken skin. They were plentiful, generously portioned and packed with intense bold flavors. Curried goat & sweet potato gnocchi was nothing short of sensational. Fragrant bowl loaded with tender meat, crunchy peanuts and sweet potato, and refreshing cilantro… it was such a complex that had all the texture and tons of flavor!

Brother Rabbit you are young, hip, and tasty!
Met friends for drinks and an early dinner. I was the first to arrive so I sat at the bar and ordered the house cider which is great and I followed that with the Oban 18 which is phenomenal so try it while you’re there.
Our dinner kicked off with the most amazing house biscuits and butter that will have you begging for the recipe.
The rest of our dinner was comprised of several selections from the First course menu. We had the daily oysters which were great. Followed by the Brussels sprouts, delicious but the crispy chicken skins were a bit of a let down, they needed more flavor.
The smoked tuna tartar is great but the sweet chips can overwhelm the dish. Definitely get the marinated shrimp and jalapeño jus it is a wonderfully fresh and bright dish.
To close thing up we had the dobeger cake with lemon curd and chocolate ice cream, as if that wasn’t enough they pour this amazing chocolate sauce on it when it arrives that will have you just dying as you wait to dig in.
Overall Compere Lapin is a great addition to the New Orleans food scene, great for groups or date night with your significant other.

Came here one morning during Mardi Gras. Reserved a table for two for 11am and it was pretty empty, but it exploded at about 12noon so I would recommend reserving a table if you’re going for lunch.
I ordered the Avocado toast and the goat gnocchi.
The avocado toast was absolutely delicious — fresh thick cut granary piled high with awesome quality smashed avocado. Definitely would recommend this. My friend had the fried zucchini balls which sounded healthy but absolutely were not haha. Still really good though. Comes with a (very) spicy mayo dip.
The goat gnocchi was so-​so. I was expecting something a little more flavourful and rich. The sauce was quite watery which was disappointing — I wouldn’t order that entrée again.
Service was wonderful — no fault at all.

Went here for brunch a couple of weeks ago and I was very pleased with my meal. After following Chef Nina Compton on Top Chef I was very happy to see that she had a restaurant here in New Orleans.
The first thing that I noticed when I walked in was the atmosphere of the restaurant. It fits right in with the rest of Warehouse. It’s dark and rustic and screams that you are about to enjoy a nice rustic meal.
I ended up having the ricotta pancakes with cane syrup and fruit. They were honestly some of the best pancakes I have ever had a restaurant. The pancakes were light and had a nice texture to them, wish a little crunch. The fruit was an added bonus giving the dish a nice bright taste to each bite.
I am looking forward to going here again to taste more of the menu. Especially dinner.

Nina Compton should’ve won Top Chef. Any other opinion on this matter is wrong.
The biscuits they start you off with are so delicious that you don’t need the two kinds of butter. I wasn’t particularly hungry so I got an entrée with a side but now I wish I got an appetizer too. The grouper was cooked well and the potato pearls on the side really stole the show. There was a slight fishiness due to the caviar but the potato pearls had a great amount of acidity that balanced everything out. And the whole dish was a party of textures. I would totally ask for the recipe of the potato pearls but they probably take forever to make. The side of carrots was also tender and flavorful. For the first time I actually liked «something almondine»…
Service was really really good. But I thought there were too many waiters just hanging out in the rather empty dining room.