Vessel NOLA

OMG just amazing! Truly a 5/5 experience.
My friend and I had dinner at Vessel and it was hands down one of the best dining experiences we have ever had in New Orleans.
We had originally read about Vessel in Architectural Digest and were so excited to experience it From start to finish, everything was just wonderful.
Both of us are foodies and have traveled to so many places in the world and have eaten in some of the most amazing restaurants.
We both agreed that Vessel is one of the best restaurants we have ever experienced anywhere.
My friend who was a former chef had worked in New York City in 2 top rated restaurants in the city and he was so impressed.
Everything we ate was so fresh and flavorful.
We stared the shrimp and grits to star and also split a pork belly which were so delicious.
For our entrees, we had scallops and the pork porterhouse.
Both were exceptional.
For dessert we shard the creme brute which was the best I ever had.
The craft cocktails were spectacular.
I would recommend the tipping point and forbidden fruit.
The bar is something to behold with the lighted shelves climbing up the large stained-glass window.
The server was also very friendly and attentive.
You really feel special dining in a gorgeous place like this.
The architecture of the church environment and the way they light the space is so special! Vessel should be on everyone's list of restaurants to come for their delicious food but for the experience.
We are looking forward to our next meal at Vessel and would recommend it to everyone!

I came across a reel on Instagram and I have had a few friends eat here and say nothing but good things, however that was not my experience last night.
My fiance is an internationally trained chef and has worked in a Michelin star restaurant in San Francisco, so he loves trying new places, as do I and we never like to eat at the same place twice, especially with all of the food options in New Orleans and every date night we choose a new place, most of the time based off reviews of others on our Instagram.
If I were to rate this place based on looks alone, the setting is absolutely beautiful.
Our hostess, she was amazing.
We had set a reservation for 7:30pm, we managed to get there 30 minutes earlier than anticipated and she gladly welcomed us and sat us right away.
Things were off to a good start.
They even had water on the table before the hostess walked away after explaining the "Holy Bible" (drink menu) but that is where the great service ended.
Now please keep in mind, the restaurant was not busy.
At best, I counted 30 people upon first glance and it would remain at about those numbers.
One bartender, two servers and one new server in training and what looked like two food runners and a manager, just to count the FOH.
It took our server 10 minutes to come to our table and take our drink order.
The "Mistakes Were Made" cocktail and one mocktail, we also placed our appetizers ( the calamari and smoked fish dip) at that time and let our server know that we would look over the limited menu and when our drinks would come that we would place our entree order.
About 10 minutes later my drink had finally made it to the table, five minutes following, the appetizers then came.
Our appetizers were gone and my fiance's mocktail had still never made it to the table and about that time the server finally came back to take our order.
We went on and ordered the shrimp salad and planned on eating the scallop risotto and seafood pasta, I also ordered another drink and jokingly made the comment that maybe it wouldn't take another 20 minutes to get my drink.
This is where things really started going bad.
The table next to us, who came in only 10 minutes behind us, had their appetizers and both drinks within minutes (same server as us).
They had also placed their entree order around the same time we did.
Around the 40 minute mark, my fiance's mocktail made it to the table with the apology that the bartender got swamped and the server apologized for the delay.
We sat there eating what should have been an amazing salad but I started losing interest.
My second drink had still not made it to the table but I could see it just sitting on the bar side as food runners and servers kept walking past them.
Right at the moment the table next to us who had ordered after we did, were receiving their food.
At the 50 minute mark, I looked at my fiance and asked if we could just leave.
He motioned for our server to come over, and at which point you could tell he was stressed and immediately said I am so sorry they served your food to another table, so the kitchen was trying to re-make it and it would be out soon.
I looked at my fiance and said absolutely not.
He asked that our server just cash out so we could leave.
Not a single person, manager or other, came to our table to explain the situation.
Needless to say the appetizers were decent, my salad left a lot to be desired and the drink was okay.
As we were walking out, the manager was sitting at the hostess stand and knew what had taken place because she made sure to tell us, that how we were treated was unacceptable.
I just smiled said It is what is it and left.
Not even close to the reviews I have seen and we will not be returning.
We will find another restaurant that lives up to it's reviews.
Very disappointed to say the least.
Thank you to the sweet hostess, your laugh and kindness were the best part of this whole experience.

I cannot say how much I enjoyed Vessel NOLA! We went to celebrate a friends birthday & had the best time! The food, drinks, & atmosphere was absolutely amazing.
I’m not sure what I liked more, the smoked fish dip or French 75! Just hope I remember to make more photos next time!