GW Fins debuts new dishes with seasonal flair and Fins Feast Offering this summer

Share |
Written by Kendall Gensler Thursday, 23 July 2009 13:09

Get the Delicious Dish

tennygarysmall.jpgTo say that there have been some menu changes at GW Fins is not a fair assessment.

GW Fins has always changed its menu daily – dependent on the most fresh and interesting fin and shell fish available in the “land”. Chef/Partner Tenney Flynn works the phones every morning talking to purveyors “hither and yon” to put together the evenings offerings.

“One of the most enjoyable aspects of developing the menu at GW Fins has been learning which type of seafood that each of our sources specialize in, and of those, who sends me the the finest products available” explains Chef Flynn. “ Every day I work with dozens of suppliers, because I know that one might have the best crab from Australia, another might have the highest quality shrimp and oysters from the Gulf and another brings me the best quality Alaskan Halibut. To take advantage of these opportunities and to ensure everything is served at its seasonal peak, the menu at GW Fins is printed daily.”

gwfinssoftshell.jpgOver the course of a year, the restaurant serves over 80 varieties of fish and shellfish with varying methods of preparations and cooking techniques that simply enhance the inherent, natural flavors of the seafood.  Many of these preparations have become beloved menu staples that will remain present when available: Delicious drop biscuits on arrival; Lobster Dumplings; Sizzlin’ Smoked Oysters with lemon-butter sauce Crispy Fried Maine Lobster Tail with Remoulade Slaw; Peppercorn-Crusted Swordfish; Wood-Grilled Sea Scallops; Sides of Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Bourbon, vanilla bean and bananas and Louisiana Crawfish Hush Puppies and Tenney’s signature Apple Pie with Cheese Straw Crust with vanilla Ice Cream for two and Frozen Fruit Souffles.

New Preparations making their debut this season that I have sampled are:

Fresh Alaskan Norton Bay King Crab Legs served chilled with Blue Crab Slaw and Creole Mustard Cream – Enjoy this special treat while available. The fresh aspect of the crab makes all the difference to the flavor and textue of the meat.

Blue Crab Potstickers with Chanterelles, Fresh Peas and Pea Shoot Butter – A personal favorite—closer to ravioli than a pot sticker the sweet crab and sweet pea flavor meld beautifully and are set off by the herbaceous quality of the silky pea shoot butter and fresh pea shoots. The chanterelles simply gild the lily.

pompano.jpgCrispy Soft Shell Crab with Creamed Corn and Smithfield Ham – Plump, crispy soft shells are enhanced by the sweet, cream of the corn ( a classic combination braced by the salty and decidedly southern Smithfield ham.

Mache Salad with Tart Apple, Tempura Brie and a Pernod Vinaigrette – I have never been a mache fan – but, perhaps I have never had mache (also known as lamb’s lettuce) this fresh. On past occasions, I have always sensed a bruised apple flavor to the greens. But, not in this case. Perhaps the  “apple” on my palate is the reason why Chef Tenney uses tart apple to complement the mache as well as the delicately fried brie.

Wood-Grilled Pompano with a Five Melon Slaw, Crisp Plantains and Chili Oil –
This pompano dish is a light and refreshing departure from the many tired pompano preparations out there. I loved the assortment of melons flecked with cilantro and mint, the addition of the crispy plantain for a bit of texture and the chili oil for a kick of heat.

reservations.jpgSauteed Mangrove Snapper with a Rice Noodle Cake, Thai Curry Broth, Clams, Uni, Green Coconut and Golden Enoki Mushrooms – An obviously asian inspired preparation, but pairing the snapper with the noodle cake is  a unique surprise.  The Uni is a rich and flavorful addition to the broth, while the golden enoki mushrooms mimic the noodles in the cake, whilst providing their unique flavor to round out the dish.

Fins Garlic Potatoes – A decadent side offered with the Beef offerings on the menu—a center cut filet and a Prime Ribeye. The potatoes are part soufflé, part bread pudding – made with a custard and redolent with garlic and Parmigianno Reggiano. The Potatoes are served atop a pool of rich veal glace. Leave your diet at home.

Flourless Chocolate Cake with Raspberries and a White Chocolate Truffle –
Tenney says this dish hase made a comeback form the 80’s – a molten flourless chocolate cake with raspberry. Classic and delicious for choco-philes. The twist—a white chocolate truffle tucked into the top.

Fresh Fig Ice Cream – Sweet and delicate with a nougaty, floral quality.  A must have.

Beginning Monday, July 27th, GW Fins will be offering its Three Week Long Fins Feast Menu - a Three Course menu for only $30.00 (plus tax and gratuity) This seafood-centric menu will only be offered until Saturday, August 15

FIRST COURSE (Choice of)

Blue Hill Bay Mussels
Served in a Thai curry broth with Chinese sausage

Shrimp Remoulade
With Fried Green Tomatoes

Jumbo Lump Crab Potstickers
Shiitake mushrooms and crab butter

SECOND COURSE (Choice of )

New Bedford Sea Scallops
Sticky rice, Asian vegetables, sweet soy butter

Louisiana Barbeque Shrimp
Abita deglaze and stone ground grits

Sautéed Redfish Meuniere
Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, crispy capers, Meyer lemons


THIRD COURSE (Choice of)

Strawberry Shortcake
Fresh strawberries and whipped cream

Flourless Chocolate Cake
Raspberry coulis and fresh berries

Frozen Fruit Soufflé

GW Fins
808 Bienville Street
Reservations Recommended
504.581.3467 ( FINS)
www.gwfins.com

Reservations are highly recommended and can be made by calling 504-581-3467(FINS).  GW Fins is proud to offer complimentary validated parking at Central Garage, located on the corner of Iberville and Dauphine Streets.

Comments (1)Add Comment
0
...
written by Alex Holmes This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , September 15, 2009
WOW !!!!!!!!!!!! What G.W Fins ''' The'' food is the best in the city!

Write comment

busy
Kendall Gensler
ns85-kendell.jpgKendall Collins Gensler is a seasoned culinary professional, who received a diplome from the famous Le Cordon Bleu Cooking School and attended Johnson and Wales University for continuing culinary education.  Gensler is a native New Orleanian, who has worked many facets of the culinary industry over the past twenty years-- in both the local and national markets to include the fast paced food cities of New York, San Francisco and Houston.

As an ambassador of the “culinary current”, Gensler founded Culinary Concierge Magazine in the Spring of 2000 as a platform for local food journalists to share bits of history, ingredients, recipes, people and pleasures that culminate to create the cuisine and the dining experience in an ever-evolving culinary city.

cc1.jpg
vcbv
NewOrleans.Com Media L.L.C. 839 St. Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130 PH: 504.309.1004 or 504.273.5240- FX: 504.309.1630
No information contained within this site may be reproduced or used without the express written consent of NewOrleans.Com Media, L.L.C
©2009 All Rights Reserved.
Using this site you agree to our Terms And Conditions
ATLANTA.COM | CHICAGO.COM | DALLAS.COM | DAYTONA.COM | DENVER.COM | HOUSTON.COM | MEMPHIS.COM | MYRTLE BEACH.COM RICHMOND.COM | SAN DIEGO.COM | SAN FRANCISCO.COM |ST LOUIS.COM | TORONTO.COM | WEST PALM BEACH.COM | More Cities...