Executive Chef Michael Loupe, who studied and cooked in France and all across Louisiana, came to The Mansion Restaurant at Nottoway Plantation in White Castle, LA in the fall of 2014. His menu features classic Louisiana cuisine, but it changes seasonally, even day-to-day at times, in order to incorporate the freshest ingredients. My husband and I were there recently for an anniversary celebration dinner and breakfast the next morning. Both were sumptuous, and the setting was magical.
The front exterior of Nottoway Plantation House from across the road standing on top of the levee.
Sitting in the turn-of-the-century dining room of the mansion’s rotunda looking out the glass walls to perfectly-manicured grounds and giant live oak trees wrapped in white lights, you find yourself basking in a scene of elegance and serenity. We were even treated to the spectacular light display of a lightning and thunderstorm during our dinner which added to the other-worldly experience. Candles, fresh flowers and white tablecloths against the white wrought iron tables and chairs are indicative of the property’s AAA Four Diamond status. You truly feel as if you are dining where decades of visiting aristocrats have dined before. Nottoway does, after all, date back to the 1850’s.
Our server Patrick and the other members of the waitstaff did a superb job. They were friendly, helpful, and instinctive as they guided us through our dinner. When Patrick brought out warm, rosemary ciabatta bread with sugar cane honey butter, we knew we had chosen a great place to celebrate. The Mansion Restaurant has an extensive wine list, but on this night, we chose to focus on the food.
Rosemary ciabatta bread with sugar cane honey butter.
Our first course was crab and avocado remoulade with red grape tomatoes. All of the flavor combinations were fresh and delicious.
Appetizer of crab and avocado remoulade.
My husband chose the broiled seafood platter for his entree which consisted of catfish, shrimp, a crab cake, fish du jour and mixed vegetables.
Broiled seafood platter with mixed vegetables.
I chose the pork chateaubriand roti (sliced whole roasted tenderloin of pork with a veal dijonnaise honey, pepper and garlic sauce) with loaded mashed au gratin potatoes. The pork was roasted to provide both medium rare and well-done pieces and was fork-tender.
Pork chateaubriand roti with garlic mashed au gratin potatoes.
Several couples on that particular night were celebrating anniversaries, and we all received complimentary desserts. Some of the options were bourbon pecan pie, bananas foster cheesecake and ultimate chocolate cake. We, however, chose warm bread pudding, and the presentation created was one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. It was adorned with red rose petals, mint leaves, strawberries, blueberries and a chocolate swirl.
Gorgeous presentation of our anniversary dessert — warm bread pudding.
Just as we finished, the rainstorm subsided, and we walked contently back to our cottage for the evening.
The next morning we came back to the Mansion Restaurant and enjoyed the Plantation Breakfast Buffet which consisted of: scrambled eggs, grits, bacon, sausage, biscuits, pancakes, cereals, pastries, yogurt, fresh fruit (even plump blackberries), coffee, tea and juice. A little girl sitting with her family nearby was overheard to be hoping for Lucky Charms. And, that’s probably the only kind they did NOT have. According to her dad later, she found plenty to enjoy on the buffet.
Bountiful Plantation Breakfast Buffet.
Our server and hostess at breakfast shared that she had worked at Nottoway Plantation in this capacity for 22 years. To us, that meant she was a part of a great staff. The atmosphere reflected the enjoyment she has in her job.
Fresh fruit on the breakfast buffet.
The Mansion Restaurant is in a gorgeous setting. You are sure to enjoy the surroundings and the atmosphere, as well as the scrumptious food.
Immaculate tables all set to receive morning breakfast guests.