Poke Loa New Orleans
Finally, I had a chance to pop into Poke Loa New Orleans and check out what the buzz has been all about. The only poke restaurant in New Orleans, it’s something new, something fresh, and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it.
What’s poke?
Poke is a raw fish salad served as an appetizer in Hawaiian cuisine, and sometimes as an entree.
My description of poke? Deconstructed sushi.
What’s the scoop?
Set up in the fashion of other build-your-own places, you start by choosing the base of your bowl. White or brown rice or mixed greens serve as the anchor, before you decide on proteins and toppings. Or, you can choose from one of their signature bowls, a great choice for a newbie like me.
I opted for the signature Tuna Poke Bowl and wasn’t disappointed. Tossed in ponzu sauce (tamari, chili paste, and sesame oil are the other choices), I went down the line, choosing toppings. The seaweed salad was especially good and I’ll be sure to ask for more of that the next time. A dollop of crab salad, some veggies, pickled ginger…there’s so much to chose from that one visit was definitely not enough.
Toss in a lovely, breezy spring day that was perfect for dining at one of the outdoor tables, and I was in heaven.
Signature Tuna Bowl
Where is Poke Loa?
Poke Loa is located at 3341 Magazine Street, on the corner of Louisiana, in the Garden District of New Orleans. They’re open 7 days a week, from 11am to 9pm. BYOB with no corkage fee.
