I have eaten at many fine restaurants over the years. Le Cirque and Daniel in New York, Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Flagstaff House in Colorado, French Laundry in Napa... but I think I have found a new "best restaurant ever".

Stella! was truly stellar.

The restaurant itself is nicely tucked away on a quiet street in the French Quarter, well away from all of the party crowd, but easy to walk to from any Quarter hotel or inn.

The room is nice. Decor is fine, though my wife didn't love the palm frond thing that they had going on along one wall. :-). It was a very nice and comfortable place. It is very upscale but not pretentious. You could get away with jeans and a nice shirt but most patrons are in jackets. Lots of women were in nice jeans and heels, etc. The wait staff was well informed, prompt, attentive without in any way being over reaching. The sommelier was very sweet. Wine prices were about 2-1/2 times retail. Our 2004 Argyle Nuthouse Pinot Noir was $75.

The food was simply incredible.

I started with the Veal and Shrimp Dumpling appetizer with a peanut sauce. This unusual pairing of flavors was just incredible. Wonderful. My wife had a wonderful salad with a Balsamic Vinegar dressing that she loved.

The entrees were the highlight.

My wife's veal left her literally "mmm" ing after every bite. I had a taste and it was incredible. So tender it almost had the texture of warm butter. Melt in the mouth. The sauce was a Calvados Veal reduction sauce that was just devine. Sides were wonderful potatoes and baby vegetables.

My entree was equally fantastic. The scallops and shrimp in my meal were perfect but the reason I ordered it was the sweet potato hash with andoulle sausage and truffle oil. I have never put anything in my mouth that tasted so good. The combination of flavors between the sweetness of the potatoes, the gentle bite of the spicy sausage and the earthiness of the truffle oil... it was incredible. I wish I could have had a bowl of just this as my meal. No portion could be large enough. Truly inspired stuff!

We finished with the warm chocolate cake in a pink lemonade sauce. I loved it. Rich chocolate cake with a creamy gateau in a tart sauce. My wife was less impressed but still so stunned by her veal dish that it did not matter.

Oh... what a meal!!! $200 plus tip and worth every penny.

The tasting menu was tempting. I think it was $85 per person and another $75 for matched wines. There were a few items that were a bit too "out there" for my wife's tastes so we passed but I would encourage anyone to go for it. Looked great.

We shall return!