“Cozy, hole-in-the-wall place for vegetarian-friendly West African fare, plus a BYOB policy.”
That’s the introduction that Google gives when you search for this restaurant.
Seems like a no-brainer, right? It got mixed reviews from my party, read more to find out why.
Vegetarian friendly? Check. Support local? Check. Ethnic variety cuisine? Check. So where did we go wrong?
For the most part, the Bennachin establishment was a very chill experience; when you walk in, the lighting is not overly bright, even though the warm colored walls are. There is a lovely incense aromatic hovering in the air, which I found out from our waitress/hostess/cashier in one is “Egyptian Musk” in large burning sticks, conveniently gotten from across the street and down a few stores. We chose a corner sitting area with a variety of window-bench seats, regular bench seats and over-sized recliner-esque chairs at the front which made it seem comfy and casual.
First off, as again we ARE in a seafood district and this is not a strictly plant-based establishment, I do admit 75% of the menu caters to beef, lamb, poultry, and seafood. HOWEVER, they make it easy to not totally hate them with a decent variety of deliberately set-aside vegetarian options, with 6 offered entrees for us veg heads, and 4 additional side dishes for the ravenous patron. To the left you’ll see one of their most popular dishes, called Kone Ni Makondo, which will run you an affordable $13.95 (compared with most New Orleans cuisine averaging $20 per meal) and comprised of “Black eyed peas in onion and tomato stew served with coconut rice and fried ripe plantains”, courtesy of the Bennachin menu.
As an appetizer, I decided I needed some protein if I was going to opt for something with lively vegetables instead of the entree featuring black eyed peas which would’ve easily filled me up. That’s how I settled on the “Black Eyed Pea Fritters” for a feasible $4.50. Needless to say, despite their beautiful and simple presentation, these tasted remarkably like a plainer version of corn hushpuppies. I did not get any black eyed pea flavor, and they seemed mostly puffed air and flour. Definitely not the protein appetizer I was looking for, but oh well. At least I could look forward to my meal? My friends both tried a dish with lightly seasoned cabbage over rice; one loved it, and one hated it saying the couscous was “watery and cabbage was flavorless”. I didn’t mind the dish myself when I tried a bite, though I wouldn’t necessarily call it exciting for the price since I could make it at home much cheaper.
Onto the entree! I ordered Baham, which was “Broccoli, cauliflower and carrots in a light ginger sauce, served with cous cous or rice”, and duh, no wheat for me, I ordered rice. Gave my roll away to my friend, because wheat equals intestinal death. So, lightly spiced, subtly sweet, I’d give my dish a 7/10 only because:
1) I could make something that simple at home (minus knowing the exact spices).
2) For $14, I understand this is vacation, but NO protein??
3) When asking for our checks as 3 separate per 3 girls, instead she took the sum total of all our bills and divided it into three equal portions… Um.
Summary? Not the most exciting nor flavorful place I’ve been, but I still give a loose thumbs up for trying to be vegan friendly, having more than a bland veggie burger on the menu, and at least giving nice portion sizes to be enjoyed in a relaxing (and good smelling) restaurant. Happy eating, NOLA travelers!
P.S. Curious about first ever taste of New Orleans? Check out my review HERE of the Original French Market Restaurant and perusal of the French Market in the quarter.
acheter mitigeur grohe says
Ou vivez vous pour boire l’eau du robinet mamaayaw? http://www.mytobago.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=robinet-cuisine.mitigeur-cascade.fr%2Fmitigeur-villemanoche
admin says
I’m sorry, I don’t speak French.