New Orleans in New York

New Orleans has a long history as a gambling mecca. French, Spanish and uniquely American influences converged to create an atmosphere ideal for games of chance. In fact, card games like faro, brag, hazard, bluff (poker) and blackjack all evolved in New Orleans from popular French, English and other European games of skill and chance.

Stan’s Place* on Atlantic Avenue has always flown below my personal radar. I have walked by at least once per week for years, but never even looked in. All that changed a couple weeks ago, when fate and my feet thought that the time had come to take a chance on Stan’s. I had purchased very stylish sandals; which were apparently not designed for walking. As a result, I was making my way down Atlantic Avenue very slowly, and stopped in front of Stan’s Place when my feet could go no further. Even though my ultimate destination was only one block away, I decided to take a closer look at Stan’s, and give my feet a rest.

The French Quarter styling on the exterior is quaint and wonderfully continued inside. The rich dark wood tables, polished hardwood floors and skylight create a welcoming New Orleans atmosphere. The menu is replete with Cajun favorites like fried catfish, gumbo, po’boys, beignets and andouille sausage. The 1300 mile trip from Brooklyn to New Orleans was made with few steps into the doorway of Stan’s Place Restaurant.

I was warmly greeted with Southern hospitality, and my order was taken promptly. (Aching feet can do wonders for my appetite, so I ordered quite a bit.) I started with an andouille and shrimp appetizer. The shrimp, prepared in olive oil and garlic, was delectable. It sat on a foundation of sliced andouille sausage. (I have never had andouille that I did not like, so not much to say about that element, except YUMM!.) The whole delicious pile sat on a crisp bed of romaine lettuce, which magically did not wilt below the warm food. I would have called this dish a win-win for both the house and player; however, the shrimp had been topped with an inordinate amount of carmelized onions. The onions were very soggy and way too sweet. The onions only served to delay me as I scraped them off the dish. I would have to call this round a draw.

I followed the appetizer with a shrimp po’boy accompanied by brabants. The sandwich tasty, satisfying and definitely worth the trip; however, the brabants were made for heartier appetizers than mine. They were decently prepared, but I would be stuffed for a week if I ate the amount on my plate in addition to the po’boy. I rounded out the meal with scrumptious beignets.

Like any place where games of chance are played, Stan’s Place* can take you from delight to despair, you just have to take Lady Luck with you.

(Please note that credit cards are not accepted. Cash only.)

Stan’s Place* Restaurant

411 Atlantic Avenue, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn 718.596.3110 www.stansplacerestaurant.com

*(as of May 2010, the restaurant’s new name is Rothchild’s)