Peche Seafood Grill

Peche Seafood Grill is a Gulf seafood restaurant at 800 Magazine Street in the Warehouse District of New Orleans, Louisiana. It comes from the team behind Cochon and Herbsaint, with chef Donald Link as the partner associated with the group and chef Ryan Prewitt leading the kitchen, and it earned national recognition from the James Beard Foundation soon after opening, including a best new restaurant honour. The cooking is built around a wood-fired hearth and grill, with Gulf of Mexico fish treated simply and served with a rustic Louisiana sensibility.

Signature dishes include whole fish from the wood grill, which arrives at the table for sharing, fried alligator with chili-garlic mayonnaise, Gulf shrimp and raw and grilled oysters. Smaller plates such as crudo, smoked or pickled fish preparations and seasonal vegetables fill out the menu, and the shareable format encourages ordering several dishes across the table. The fried alligator is one of the best-known starters and has become emblematic of the restaurant.

The dining room is a large, industrial-rustic hall with exposed brick, high ceilings, an open kitchen and a long bar. It is lively and moderately loud, with a casual, welcoming service style rather than a formal one, and there is no strict dress code. The beverage programme includes a cocktail list, regional beer and a wine list chosen to pair with shellfish and grilled fish; oysters at the bar are a popular way to start.

Prices fall around US$40-70 per person, and lunch is typically a more economical way to try the kitchen than dinner. The restaurant is popular with locals and visitors alike, so reservations are recommended, particularly for Friday and Saturday evenings and during Jazz Fest or Carnival; the phone number is (504) 522-1744. Bar and some counter seating can be easier to secure on short notice. For travellers who want Gulf seafood prepared with real technique in a casual Warehouse District setting, Peche is among the most consistent choices in New Orleans.