Iris New Orleans

“Iris adds style points after move to French Quarter”

benjamin — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 23:38:29 +0000

“The food of Schnoebelin is distinctive enough that Iris held onto enough local regulars, while visitors intrigued by the menu filled the other seats. That menu is unusual in paying little heed to the local cuisine. French, new American, Hawaiian and other influences mix into a coherent and distinctive collection of food.”

- Tom Fitzmorris

“Iris restaurant blooms in new French Quarter digs”

benjamin — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 20:47:42 +0000

“Imagine for a moment that Ian Schnoebelen was a chef working in a different city. If you’re familiar with his cooking at Iris, it is not such a struggle.

The daily changing menu at the French Quarter restaurant he operates with partner Laurie Casebonne bears no obvious trace of local influence. Iris might be alone among New Orleans’ go-getting, chef-driven restaurants you could visit three times in a row without seeing a single lump of blue crab. Raw oysters? Often they’re from Alaska.”

- Brett Anderson

Read the full Review at Times Picayune

“America’s top 10 best new chefs 2007″

benjamin — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 17:45:41 +0000

2007 Best New Chef Award Profile

Why he won Because he melds the influences of California cuisine and Michelin-starred restaurants in England to create a contemporary New Orleans menu.

Born Outside of Honolulu; 1970.

Experience Gidleigh Park, Devon, England; Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons, Oxford, England; Red Room and Lilette, New Orleans.

How he got into cooking “I was a prep cook at the Newporter Hotel in Newport Beach, California. I turned lots of vegetables and potatoes. It was the late ’80s, and they were really into turning vegetables. I spent many an hour with my little turning knife.”

Read the full review at Food And Wine Magazine

“Alan Walter, Bartender of the Year”

benjamin — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:01:25 +0000

“I am a child of the South, so telling stories is what I like to do. Crafting cocktails is an extension of those aspects of my life,” says bartender Alan Walter of Iris.

It is interesting, but not unexpected, that our Best New Restaurant of two years ago, 2006, continues to adhere to a standard where even the bar service attracts attention and praise. Chef Ian Schnoebelen and Maître d’ Laurie Casebonne, proprietors, have extended their commitment to innovation and quality all the way to the bar.”

– Tim McNally

Read the full Review at New Orleans Magazine