Prepare for a luxurious meal at The Grill Room. The fine-dining restaurant is known for its fabulous contemporary American cuisine with New Orleans influences and an expert waitstaff who is ready with recommendations that hit the spot.
Like its home, The Windsor Court, The Grill Room adheres to a refined aesthetic. White linens cover the tables and art from the hotel’s more than $10 million collection hangs on the walls. Three grand murals from local artist Auseklis Ozols depict New Orleans at the turn of the century with a countryside picnic, Jackson Square and the French Market. Prominent figures in the city’s history and local celebrities (everyone from Tennessee Williams to Louis Armstrong to Kathleen Blanco, Louisiana’s first woman governor) make appearances in the wall-length, hand-painted murals.
The French Market piece sits in a jewel box of a room with a mirrored coffered ceiling and an ornate chandelier. But the main dining room offers a special view: it overlooks the leafy courtyard entrance with a sculpture of St. George the dragon slayer (though in these parts, he’s called the alligator slayer) standing guard with his sword.
- Everyone at The Grill Room is very friendly, and whether you visit for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, servers are always happy to answer any questions you might have about the menu, the day’s seasonal specials, what kind of classic concoctions the bartender can mix up for you or even how your amuse bouche was prepared.
- The bay windows at The Grill Room offer prime views of the hotel’s lovely courtyard.
- Chances are your eyes will be turned to the live entertainment, which may showcase a pianist tickling the ivories of a grand piano, a jazz trio hitting its groove or a soulful blues singer backed up by a brass band.
- The light, velvety foie gras is a prime first-course selection served over a circle of brioche. Ringed in sesame seeds, it gets some sweetness from the accompanying strawberries.
- One of the most popular dishes is the duck. The tender seared breast arrives with wild mushrooms, a butternut squash puree, spinach and pomegranate reduction.
- The New Orleans restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. A special jazz brunch pops up on Sundays.
- The Grill Room calls its dress code “casual elegant,” fitting with the sophisticated English style of the Four-Star The Windsor Court. Jeans are accepted at the restaurant, but shorts aren't permitted.
- Try New Orleans-born drinks such as the Sazerac or unique creations like the Velvet Mambo (with Still Austin gin, Velvet Falernum, pomegranate, beet juice, ginger and lemon). If you visit The Grill Room for breakfast, order a morning libation such as the brandy milk punch or a bloody mary. And if you want a nightcap, head to the handsome adjacent bar The Polo Club.
- Start the meal on a flavorful note with the seared sea scallops, which come slathered in a slightly spicy crawfish cream with compressed apple and micro greens.
- Order the poulet rouge entrée. While the roulade changes seasonally (we enjoyed it rolled in roasted pumpkin pesto with apricot chutney on the side), it always features a chicken from France.
- Choose your preferred steak: wagyu from Hokkaido, Japan; filet mignon; New York strip or ribeye.
- Save room for dessert. The caramel pecan mousse is a decadent diner favorite, while the artful strawberry pavlova (with meringue, basil panna cotta, strawberry gel and a quenelle of strawberry sorbet) offers a light, refreshing alternative.
At breakfast, you’ll find NOLA dishes like a crawfish and andouille omelet and beignets, alongside classics like a Florentine Benedict and honey-ricotta-stuffed croissant French toast. If you’re with a group, opt for the Breakfast Fun Board, a charcuterie board with Belgian waffles, ham, Nueske’s bacon, silver dollar pancakes, beignets, deviled eggs and potato hash.
Bar
Breakfast
Brunch
Dinner
Lunch
Private dining
Valet parking
Vegetarian options
