At the elegant M, inside The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans, you’ll find a seasonal Southern-inspired menu that is a draw, even in a city as renowned for its culinary fortitude as New Orleans. A dining experience here feels like a regal dinner party at one of the Garden District mansions nearby — only jackets are not required. The dress code is, in fact, more along the lines of country club casual, in keeping with the city’s relaxed, bons temps vibe.
Located on the third floor of the hotel, the French Quarter restaurant is just steps past the beloved Davenport Lounge, an especially swell spot during evenings, when you can take in the tunes from headliner Jeremy Davenport from your dinner table.
Located on the third floor of the hotel, the French Quarter restaurant is just steps past the beloved Davenport Lounge, an especially swell spot during evenings, when you can take in the tunes from headliner Jeremy Davenport from your dinner table.
Our Inspector's Highlights
- The handsome space feels like a place where you might find gentlemen smoking pipes or playing a raucous game of poker — it’s both refined and playful thanks to the chandeliers that drip from the ceiling and George Rodrigue’s blue dog art that adorns the walls.
- For the ultimate discreet dining option, three velvet-draped “cheater booths” line the back wall, or there’s a completely private wine room where small groups can take in a meal or meeting.
- In a city that’s so heavily influenced by the French, it’s only appropriate that executive chef Thierry Connault takes a nod from his native Normandy to create the Southern-style farm-to-table dishes with ingredients sourced from farmers in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and Alabama.
Things to Know
- Enjoy M's NOLA cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.
- Reservations are not required, but you won’t want to miss the Southern-inspired cuisine at this New Orleans restaurant. Book your spot at online.
- Jackets are not required at M, but you’ll still want to look stylish. Ladies will want to don a skirt or slacks, and gents will feel comfortable in khakis and a button down.
The Food
- You can wake up to healthy breakfast options, but when in New Orleans, you’d be remiss not to sample the NOLA breakfast made with andouille sausage, farm-fresh eggs, dressed grits and airy beignets.
- Come lunchtime, nattily dressed business folks and well-heeled hotel guests tuck into chopped seafood salads or crabmeat- and crawfish-drenched gumbo.
- Evening hours often start with charbroiled oysters or barbecue shrimp and grits, then progress to a house-made pappardelle with jumbo lump crab, oyster mushrooms and corn butter sauce, or a filet mignon served alongside hand-cut truffle fries, sautéed zucchini and cauliflower puree.
- And you can never underestimate the power of an excellent burger — M's is served with aged cheddar, pecan-smoked bacon and comeback sauce.
The Drinks
- The New Orleans restaurant shares a sophisticated bar with Davenport Lounge — situated between each space — where a full cocktail menu is served. It’s here that you’d want to pop in for the requisite pre-dinner Sazerac.
- At M, though, it’s the wine list that shines. Boasting a 2015 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, the list is extensive, but not overwhelming.
- There’s a terrific selection of wines by the glass and bottle, and the “Bin Adieu” section. The cheeky name pays homage to the limited quantities of varietals that are sold only for a short amount of time before they’re bid adieu, forever.
Amenities
Bar
Breakfast
Business casual
Dinner
Gluten-free options
Kid friendly
Lunch
Private dining
Reservations recommended 
Valet parking
Vegetarian options
Getting There
M bistro
