Bar Frances

Bar Frances Restaurant Review:

About the restaurant: Bar Frances is a sleek, contemporary wine bar and small plates destination on Freret Street’s increasingly crowded restaurant row. It was built from the ground up in a mixed-use building. The minimalist décor is focused on a monochrome palette and features a sleek, linear Carrera-marble-topped bar. Traditional bistro chairs cleverly offset the modern ambience. In balmy weather, grab a seat on the covered patio just outside the front door. At first glance, it is the antithesis of an old-style New Orleans restaurant, ironic since it is owned by Mark Latter, who also owns Tujague’s, one of the oldest establishments in town.

Likes: The menu offers various portion sizes to accommodate all appetites.
Dislikes: Hard, backless bar stools.

Food & Drinks: The menu is heavy on snacks and the aforementioned small plates (don’t miss the Prince Edward Island mussels), but also features a short list of entrées, including a standout lamb ragù with feta and ricotta ravioli. The mostly European wine list is smartly conceived, and manages to include just a few domestic labels that are not often found on many local lists. For dessert, cleanse the palate with an ever-changing sorbet selection, or go heavier with locally made gelato.