Reviews For Johnny Sánchez, 1000 Figs, & NOLA

This week Ian McNulty reviews celeb-chef collaboration Johnny Sánchez in the CBD: "The kitchen, overseen by chef de cuisine Miles Landrem, breaks from ardently traditional renderings" and McNulty notes that Mexican flavors here are treated with reverence, as opposed to other taquerias in town. That being said, McNulty prefers the happy hour tacos to the specialty tacos on the menu, as they "tend to overreach." Stick with the "dishes you won't find anywhere else in town" like the lamb enchiladas, skirt steak and tostadas including a version topped with steak tartare and quail egg. [Advocate]

Sarah Baird visits 1000 Figs, the newly opened Faubourg St. John brick-and-mortar from the Fat Falafel team: "The restaurant serves what is unequivocally the city's best falafel," which can be ordered in sandwich or 'falafel feast' platter form (for sharing). They also make a killer baba ghanoush, and the brussels sprouts reach beyond trendy side-item territory with an "unmatched brightness and balsamic-inspired depth." [Gambit]

[Photo: Brasted]

Tom Fitzmorris doles out FOUR STARS to Creole tourist fave NOLA this week, but pines for the long lost days of smoldering cedar-plank roasted fish. While this member of the Emeril empire was once "a fun place to be," it's "turned into a different animal" post-Katrina and that animal is known as "Emeril Light." But "there's nothing wrong with that" especially when "white tablecloths reign,"  though the place is rather "heavy with visitors" asking for Emeril. Miss Hay's stuffed chicken wings are the #1 essential dish, though T-Fitz twice mentions that the plank-roasted fish is overdue to return. +2 hipness points means the "edgy decor" is working. [CityBusiness, sub req]

[Photo: Facebook]