Super Fancy, Super Local, Super Delicious. The perfect place for a fancy Birthday.
The Spot
Get yer duds on and call the babysitter! This place is legendary. One of the triumvirate of truly great restaurants in Moncton, Little Louis' is a perfect mix of safe favourites, done with creative flair, excellent wine, and an option for a tasting menu that comes from a combination of their a la carte, and daily specials. She ain't cheap, but if you are in Moncton with wads of dough, this oyster bar has something to please everyone and truly shows off the local produce!
We walked in with the intention of ordering their tasting menu. What follows is a 7-course showcase of fairly familiar New Brunswick favorites created in very unique and high-end ways.
Heavy-Hitting Light Weights
Oysters Rockefeller: The baked oysters were covered in herbs, spinach, bacon, absinthe, and local cheese. Though the oysters were excellent, the cheese was the star. It was almost like each one was a little oyster lasagna. They were served on a bed of rock salt, and adding a few grains to the oysters added an element of crunch which was very nice. Wine: Prosecco
Bequerones: Marinated smelt from Neguac, with potatoes. Sounds like some kind of nostalgic fishing shack meal that's only good because it's 50 below outside and your grandfather cooked it. But this was SO MUCH MORE. The green leaves you see and from brussels sprouts. each one was filled with an herb emulsion. Lemon zest was sprinkled throughout the dish giving these fish a much-needed brightness. the menu lists "fresh herbs" and the use of dill was very evident. This was a breath of fresh air compared to the traditional fried smelts we all know. The flavour was great but the twist in preparation was key.
Wine: Reisling
Smoked Salmon: One of the days specials was filled with classic flavors. The salmon was served on top of a carrot latke and topped with a sweet, crunchy tuile. The sweetness from the latke and the tuile really complimented the salty salmon. The latke base was great, especially the inclusion of carrot.
Wine: Sauvignon Blanc
Prehistoric-style Heavy Weights
Lamb: The first of two very different ribs. A pistachio-crusted lamb rib that was topped with the crispiest matchstick fries imaginable. Served with house-made sauerkraut and portabello ketchup. This would be a crowd-pleaser. You can already taste this. The ketchup was a very interesting way to present mushrooms. A safe option that will make your tum-tum happy.
Wine: Rosso Toscana
Chilean Sea Bass: If the dish sounds familiar, that means you watched Jurassic Park. In the movie the dish was followed by carnage, here it was followed by smiles and adoration. Little Louis' traditionally served their pappardelle pasta with scallop wine sauce and lobster. Today we were presented with Sea Bass instead of Lobster. It was amazing. The skin on the bass was unbelievably crisp, the meat tender and juicy. The sauce rich, creamy, and very strongly flavored with scallops. This to top it off: a foam. The foam was made from sunchokes, and somehow, the foam was salty. Incredible
Wine: Chardonnay
Beef: Rib #2. A pulled beef short-rib "poutine" with downhome sauce, potatoes, and parsnip fries. Cheese curds a-plenty and little white dots of sauce. These dots were the star. It was an onion sauce and the onion was POTENT.
Wine: Merlot
Ice Cold Knockout
Semi- Fredo: Finally, my sweet-tooth rejoiced in a blueberry semi-fredo. Just cold enough to be refreshing. Paired with crunchy raspberry meringues and little sea salt chocolate pearls. sweet and salty with a little crunch.
Wine: Ice Wine
TL;DR
Overall rating: 9/10 Little Louis' rivals The Rossmount Inn and Clos as New Brunswicks Best Restaurant. Ultra local ingredients, amazing flavours, understated atmosphere.
Why you should go there: This is for Fancy Foodies and Special Events. Anniversaries and Birthdays that end with a zero. Impress out-of-town clients like it is the 1980s. Propose to someone. This is THAT place.
Price Point: $$$ This is the most expensive restaurant I have been to in New Brunswick. Small plates 17-25, Big Plates 41-61, Desserts 10-12, Tasting menu 85, wine pairing 45
Atmosphere: Fancy and relaxed. This is not a restaurant where the atmosphere or decor will awe you. The food and your dining partners are the stars here.
Food Style: Maritime-French. This food is in the style of a true French restaurant serving multi-course dinners, but the food is maritime. local cheeses, produce, game, and seafood.