Seconds NOLA was my first vacation meal in a trip that included many a munch in New Orleans and New York City. I went instead for the Commander's salad of greens, shaved Gruyere cheese, smoked bacon and chopped egg. And in New Orleans, lunchtime is always best at Central Grocery where they simply make the best muffaletto sandwich anywhere, washed down with a Dixie beer. What a scene. Crowded with the trendiest NYC types, and so noisy it makes Campo de Fiori sound like the library.
Food is fairly reasonable pricewise and mostly good.
The drinks and wine are very expensive, however, so your bill will grow like a hungry teen if you don't pay attention. This is the place for the city's Bright Young Things, as they are called - and you'll be reading much about it. The meal started with chopped sushi-grade tuna marinated with toasted almond remoulade with young ginger. This course was followed with risotto of escargot with sweet garlic and black truffles. On the side you can have Chef Fernando Zapata's signature soba buckwheat pilaf, cooked with duck fat.