Growing up in New Orleans, chef Dominick Lee was eager to expand the common understanding of Creole cooking beyond jambalaya and gumbo. He traveled to Europe to study French, Spanish, and other continental influences on the cuisine.
That dream became a reality with the July opening of Alligator Pear just a few blocks away from Madison Square Garden. There are plenty of New Orleans-inspired restaurants in the city, but it’s rare to see Alligator Pear’s ambitious, modern approach to Creole food. Think tempura alligator bites and beignets stuffed with blue crab. “We are offering a one-of-a-kind experience by serving New American food that’s inspired by New Orleans flavors,” Lee says.
New Orleans touches every aspect of the restaurant, whether it’s the dishes named after famed local chefs, drinks that embody the spirit of the Crescent City, or the warm hospitality. Read on for why this is one of the most unique debuts in the city in recent years.
Dishes are grounded in New Orleans, but Lee brings something personal to every creation. Gina’s potato salad, made with celery, eggs, and yellow mustard, is his mom’s recipe. “It can seem so simple, but it has to be done with love,” Lee says.
Blue crab beignets have been flying out the kitchen. Louisiana blue crab, mascarpone, and herbs are encased in beignet dough, deep fried, and drizzled with hot honey and sugar.
Meanwhile, Austin Leslie’s fried chicken with chimichurri and dill pickles is a nod to the late legendary chef, who is often considered one of the biggest global champions of Creole cooking.
“He was an amazing force who helped change the culinary landscape,” Lee says. “This is an homage for what he did for New Orleans.”
Sazeracs, hurricanes, and Abita beers—the drinks menu, likewise, is a celebration of all things New Orleans.
Lee is particularly drawn to the Cafe Olè Olè, a vodka and coffee liqueur cocktail that also has cold brew from New Orleans’s historic Café du Monde. The Abita beers are another Louisiana staple, and Alligator Pear has nearly half a dozen on draft with options such as the strawberry harvest lager and the purple haze raspberry lager.
“Our drinks menu is exactly how it should be: the drinks of New Orleans that are known best,” Lee says.
The Art Deco interiors at the spacious restaurant nod to various well-known parts of the Crescent City. The French Quarter lookout on the second floor seats 12 for drinks and small plates and references the bars along Bourbon Street. Also on the second floor is the Garden District space featuring two tables and three booths by a window.
What all these distinct spaces indicate, above all else, is that Alligator Pear is a restaurant for all kinds of nights out, whether it’s an elaborate Creole dinner or a casual post-work drink. “It’s not only about the food, but the space is designed for you to come and have a good time,” Lee says.
Alligator Pear is open from 4 pm to 1 am Monday to Saturday. Expanded hours with lunch and brunch will follow in September.
Tanay Warerkar is OpenTable’s NYC writer and a content marketing manager.
