For an authentic New Orleans experience, you no longer have to get on a plane to Louisiana. Simply take the subway down to the West Village and check out Blackwood Hospitality's new restaurant Gentilly Kitchen + Bar. 

New Orleans native and Owner of Gentilly, Andre Neyrey and his team have infused the space with the celebratory spirit of the Crescent City. Between the jazz music playing and the inventive list of custom cocktails if you close your eyes you just might forget you're in Manhattan.

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The menu at Gentilly reflects creative spins on many NOLA staples. Seafood lovers will certainly enjoy the Low Country Boil which features red fish, clams, mussels, and shrimp prepared with potato and corn in a deliciously spicy broth and The Po' Boys and Classic Muffuletta are the best you will find north of Louisiana. I got to try a taste of the menu at their Grand Opening party and I can promise you one thing, you will not be disappointed. Everything was so full of flavor and just a few bites of their Torchio Mac + Cheese already has it rivaling some of my favorites in the city.

Whether you're a southerner looking for a slice of home or a New Yorker hoping to experience a taste of the bayou, Gentilly Kitchen + Bar has you covered. 

This burger might change the way you look at burgers. Yes, seriously. Chris and I discovered the Bondurants' Pimento Burger and let's just say our burger game has changed a little. Bondurants is an awesome neighborhood spot that features small batch bourbons, local distilleries, a draft list the rotates and some banging food.

Meet our new favorite burger on the Upper East Side in all of its pimento cheese, lettuce, pickled green tomato, hot sauce (this is key) and pretzel bun goodness.

The key things that set this burger apart with some southern flair are 3 things -- the hot sauce, pimento cheese and pickled green tomato. Combined together they give a nice kick to your mouth that compliments the burger perfectly. Add in the pretzel bun and you've got a seriously delicious burger. Just try it. You need to.

That's not all though. They make these tots.. that are unlike any tots you have had before. They are handcrafted and all sorts of delicious. They're bigger than what you are used to and once you take one bite dipped in their spicy ranch or ketchup you'll be hooked. We've been here a couple of times by now and vowed to try some of the other options on their shares menu, but we just can't get away from them! So tasty.

If you're a burger lover like I am it's worth the trip uptown (or down the street for me) to check them out. Eat up!