Paula Deen's Christmas

Classic Dining

Ralph's on the Park is the perfect place for a relaxing brunch, lunch or dinner inspired by New Orleans classics with their own special twist.

Ralph Brennan knows about good food. In fact, he was raised on authentic New Orleans cuisine and is a third-generation restaurateur. He's owner and operator of Red Fish Grill, BACCO, Mr. B's Bistro, and Commander's Palace in New Orleans, as well as Jazz Kitchen in Disneyland and Brennan's of Houston. One that's getting a lot of buzz today is Ralph's on the Park in Mid-city New Orleans.

This charming restaurant is located in City Park, a bright and happy neighborhood full of colorful clapboard houses and big oak trees. It's housed in a beautiful building that has been there since the 1860s, and when Ralph renovated in 2003 before opening the restaurant, he made sure to keep its quintessential New Orleans style and Old-World appeal down to every little detail.

In 2008, Ralph hired renowned chef Chip Flanagan to make sure the restaurant remained grounded in traditional comfort cuisine while offering its own unique tastes. Chef Chip was raised in New Orleans, so he and Ralph agreed to serve local traditional favorites like crispy fried frog legs, baked oysters, turtle soup, and gumbo, along with some of the chef's own creations.

A favorite and rave of the restaurant right now is the Cajun Scotch Egg, a soft-boiled egg wrapped in boudin sausage (Cajun pork-and-rice sausage) and deep-fried. Chef Chip's version is served over a salad with pepper-jelly vinaigrette and spicy mustard sauce. But it's only one of many delicious entrees you'll want to try and then top off with a mouthwatering dessert.

The gracious and attentive servers are well versed in all the restaurant offers, adding to the joyous experience of dining at Ralph's.

For more information, call 504-488-1000 or visit www.ralphsonthepark.com.