Arnaud's of New Orleans celebrates humble potato with an elegant five-course meal with wines

If you think New Orleans is only about the celebration of alcohol and food that makes you say “Bam!,” think again. Arnaud’s, one of the city’s classic restaurants dating back to 1918 in the heart of the French Quarter, plans to celebrate the humble potato. Yes, the potato.

            Arnaud’s will celebrate National Potato Month with a five-course dinner with the wines of Willamette Valley beginning with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at 6:45 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, followed by dinner promptly at 7:30 p.m. For $100 per person (inclusive of tax and gratuity), guests will enjoy each course featuring variations of the potato, paired with wines. The menu will also include specialty cocktails – the Raspberry Moscow Mule and Vodka with Small Batch Tonic, created by Chris Hannah of Arnaud’s elegant French 75 Bar.

            If you’ve never been to Arnaud’s, you’re missing one of the finest meals in the Crescent City, delicious cocktails in one of the best bars in the world (don’t take our word, GQ magazine named it one of the country’s best and may we suggest the French 75 cocktail), plus, of course, outstanding Creole cuisine.

            Sept. 17’s Potato Perfected Wine Dinner menu includes:

            Cocktails & Canapés

Arnaud’s signature Soufflé Potatoes

Potato Cake with Caviar

Gulf Shrimp and Andouille Croquettes with Goat Cheese and Rosemary Jelly

Sweet Potato Hash with Tasso Ham and Pepper Jelly

Raspberry Moscow Mule

Vodka with Small Batch Tonic

Dinner

Vichyssoise

A demi-tasse of cold potato soup

Elk Cove Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley 2014

Scallops

Pan-seared with new potatoes, baby greens and truffled honey vinaigrette

Elk Cove Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley 2014

Black Drum

Potato-encrusted and pan-seared with fennel and herbsaint butter

Soter North Valley Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2012

Deconstructed Shepherd’s Pie

Roasted beef tenderloin, Saint-Andre potato gratin, summer peas and Bordeaux jus

Willamette Valley Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2013

Dessert

Sweet Potato Cake

Caramel crunch ice cream

Warre’s Otima 10 Year Tawny Port

 Limited seating is available and reservations are required. To make reservations or view the entire menu, call (504) 523-5433 or visit www.arnaudsrestaurant.com.