The Cellar

Stopped by here with a friend after our rotation at Children’s. I’ve read about this place a while back, but never dined in until today! it was delciious! we just ordered the eggrolls and crawfish mac n cheese, I also had a glass of wine. I really love the crawfish mac n cheese. currently eating the left overs now. We came here at about 2:30pm today. I will be back!
FYI If you are paying with a credit card, you will not be able to leave a tip! So make sure you bring cash for the awesome server!

A five-​star restaurant in a grocery store?! Yes, it’s true. Hidden behind the wine section of Rouses’ on Tchoup, this little eatery is a pleasant surprise filled with a low-​priced, highly-​curated beer and wine list, as well as small plates than can compete with any high-​end tapas place. There are only a few tables here, but perhaps that is part of the charm. Our waiter on both of our visits was Henry, a jovial, knowledgeable and attentive server. Service was quick, and Henry brought out each plate immediately as we finished our previous dish. Wow! The menu changes regularly, and we enjoyed everything that we sampled. The pulled pork sandwich was excellent, as were the pirogies with caramelized onion and sour cream. Also delicious were the pork egg rolls, warm goat cheese with tomato sauce, the crunchy balsamic brussel sprouts and the turkey sandwich with apples and plum sauce.
Next time you go to Rouses’ for groceries, arrive hungry and eat here first.

***Update: Chef Melissa has left the Cellar and moved to Luke in the CBD. She opened the Cellar and was the head chef. I have not returned since she left, so the previous review may no longer be accurate

Looked forward to dining at The Cellar since friend recommended and was not disappointed. Very good food, excellent wine, excellent service. What a gem hidden behind the produce and alcohol. Well worth seeking out and will return.

Deep in the old warehouse district of New Orleans (not in the downtown area) on Tchoupitoulas street (about 4 miles from downtown), in the back of Rouse’s Supermarket, in back of the wine shelves and behind a curtain you will find the treasure you seek.
A café called The Cellar where some of the finest meals to be found in this city of fine dining are being prepared and served. I stumbled upon this find by seeing a menu online while searching local markets. It promised tasty dishes and since I was going to the market anyway I decided to try it out. Man, I was glad I did. My wife and I ordered several dishes. A salad of spring mix, roasted apples, aged celtic cheddar, candied pecan brittle and tabasco cane syrup vinaigrette; sweet potato gnocchi and carmelized brussel sprouts sauteed in a brown butter sauce; oysters Rockefeller stew with oysters perfectly poached in a bechamel sauce and topped with crispy capers, bacon and a herb spinach crust were served with a botlle of fine wine fresh from the nearby shelves. Finished with a creole cream cheese and candied bacon ice cream that was sweet, creamy and salty as any good dessert should be. I’ve been all over New Orleans over many years and this has been one of my most memorable meals while here. All under $ 40 total with wine.
I should also mention that the supermarket has all the maklings for any fine meal you choose to prepare at home and the prices are reasonable. There is even a selection of sweets from Sucre.
This is a local treasure worth seeking out. Good hunting.

Imagine eating dinner in a grocery store restaurant, then imagine eating dinner in a top notch restaurant. Boom! You are at The Cellar. I have been here three times, and each time the food was outstanding and the service was amazing. My favorites are the Beet Frites (potato chip-​style beets that have been smoked), the charcuterie plate, and the Shrimp and Grits. I don’t usually like shrimp and grits– but I crave the version here. There is almost always lagniappe (tastes of other amazing things– boudin balls, lasagna). My husband and 2 kids can eat for under $ 50, including two adult beverages (There are 25 wines from which to choose, in full glass or tasting combinations!). You need to eat here,

After many years of travel and dining out in some of the best and worst establishments around the world our lunch at The Cellar in Rouse’s hit our top 3 list immediately. The food was outstanding and served with classy southern hospitality. The ambiance was surprisingly comfortable and quiet while set in the back corner of a grocery store. It’s a bit hard to find in the store … just find the wine section and look behind the displays to find The Cellar tucked behind a curtain. With family in NOLA we will make The Cellar a «must do» on each trip. If we had a Rouse’s and The Cellar with Chef Melissa and team in Portland, OR we’d make it a regular experience … it’s that good.

I had read about The Cellar opening in the Rouse’s on Tchoup but had not had an occasion to stop in until today. And it was yummy. The concept is simple enough and maybe a little unprecedented for the New Orleans market, like an upscale lunch counter but better. You see, Rouse’s already has a prepared foods and deli area plus seating where you can quickly dine on whatever. This however is a transformed area behind the wine and liquor at the back of the store, a full scale kitchen and sit down menu unto its own. It was a perfect fit for my Thursday lunch date with my wife, especially as we needed to make groceries after. Which in and of itself was strange as we never shop together for anything just the two of us; juggling 4 kids today’s experience was so 10 years ago. But I digress.
The menu. A one pager, less is more. I would’ve eaten a salad too if we were to be more leisurely, but it was a midday chowdown so opted only for the Oysters Rockefeller. Highly recommended! Perfect dish for this time of year. My wife had some vegetable something I honestly can’t remember the name, but it was pretty. And tasty. She polished hers off quickly and little before me. She had coffee. I, water. The service was good and the set up just not what you might be used to. But try it. I’m telling you, it’s just like the new wave of eateries here on par with a pop up concept. Only this is permanent. After the meal Chef Melissa came over to ask us about the meal and how we’d heard about the spot, a really pleasant visit, making the experience that much more right.
So another big kudos to Rouse’s for once again stepping up the grocery game here in New Orleans!

This small restaurant just opened inside the Rouses on Tchoupitoulas. It is located by the wine section in the back of the grocery store. They used to teach cooking classes but now they opened it up into a restaurant with tables and chairs. They also plan on selling 24 different wines by the glass :)
My experience: I should start this off saying I only had their seasonal cannoli with white chocolate dipped tips and lemon custard filling (only $ 3!!). It surpassed my expectations in both quantity and quality. The staff was very receptive and the chef while working (its an open kitchen) happily answered my many questions. It was a short but great experience. Im really looking forward to exploring their small colorful menu.