If you live in the West Island and are looking for delicious food on a cute terrace just a stone’s throw away, I would highly recommend Bistro Nolah. This resto is not new to the West Island, but it definitely deserves to be dished on. Nolah serves up Southern/Soul- and they do it right. Their menu incorporates Creole-style dishes with what you might find on the menu at a French Bistro. No matter what you order, this is comfort food at its finest.

Enter the restaurant through a charming stone gate and immediately feel transported out of Dollard des Ormeaux (and the strip mall within which Nolah is located). Nestled amongst trees, the spacious terrace is perfect for a summer night. The interior of the restaurant itself is small and simple with warm accents, nothing to rave about, but the food and service will do all of the talking.

Restaurant Entrance

The food isn’t the only aspect that reminds you of the South- the staff really know how to treat customers with a special Southern hospitality.

Let’s talk dishes: Each table is provided with an amuse-bouche. Ours was a deep-fried cornbread with diced jalapeños. A tasty start to the meal! Don’t worry….that doesn’t replace bread…hot rolls followed (mmm). Ordering at Nolah is not an easy feat. With specials including shrimp in a bourbon sauce and ossobucco, as well as standard menu-items like gumbo, jambalaya, mac and cheese, grilled fish, meat, and chicken (all with a southern-flair)- deciding what to get is definitely a challenge.

Menu

Deep-fried Cornbread

After a lot of back and forth, I went with the fish of the day- a grilled catfish in a lime-butter sauce served with a sweet potato purée and seasonal vegetables. The others ordered a duck confit with blackberry BBQ sauce, and shrimp and grits.

Grilled Catfish in a Lime-Butter Sauce

Duck Confit with a Blackberry BBQ Sauce

Shrimp and Grits

The grilled catfish and duck were mouthwatering and were both presented beautifully

The shrimp and grits is the ultimate comfort food (don’t miss out on this dish).

For dessert, we opted for the bread pudding in a jack daniel’s syrup (heavy on the Jack Daniel’s), but could have also gotten the classic beignets, a chocolate torte, or a dessert trio of all three.

Bread Pudding in Jack Daniel’s Syrup

Even if it’s a bit of a trek out west, you should definitely pay this delightful Southern spot a visit!

Reservations: They only take reservations for inside- make one.
Date night: Not if he/she is only into salads…
Attire: Your most Southern Sundress. But in all seriousness, cute and casual.

Mind, Taste, Love.