New Orleans is a party town - walking down Bourbon St. will definitely take you back to your college years. Sure it’s fun to run around with your go-cup, gathering beads and singing till your hoarse, but sometimes you want to have a party that’s a bit more grown-up. Bayona is a classy establishment that has all the flavor you could want with a romantic atmosphere that will relax you in mere moments. The service here is top notch, and the staff treats you like an old friend (our waiter stopped us on the street to say hello a few days later!). Sit down, have a cocktail or a fine glass of wine, and get ready for a taste experience that you’ll never forget.

Chef Susan Spicer definitely understands that great cuisine is about balance, and her appetizers and entrees reflect a thorough knowledge of flavors and textures. The garlic soup is creamy, rich, but surprisingly mild. If you’d like something with a bit of tang, the goat cheese and mushroom toast. The fork tender sweetbreads are a wonderfully silky main course, but if you’d prefer something a bit less daring, the pork tops are juicy, well flavored, and cooked to perfection. The dessert menu is brimming with flavorful choices. If you MUST limit it to one, the chestnut crepes are just sweet enough to make a satisfying finish to your fabulous meal.

Bayona understands that you don’t need beads and a Styrofoam cup to party in New Orleans. Take your sweetheart out to a sophisticated party just for two. nvl.