Prime Grille

We visited this new 'casual fine dining' spot (where Bywater BBQ used to be) on their first day during their 'soft opening'. They didn't even have a sign hung up, just a few chalkboards on the sidewalk inviting us in.

I love the renovation that the new owners put into the place. They created a warm, comfortable dining area with lots of cool little details. The front door situation is configured differently than it was before which was slightly confusing, but it allows more tables in the dining room, so I get it. AND, there is still that great back patio.

For lunch we split the Goat Cheese Salad and Bison Burger with fresh cut french fries (I thought the lamb burger sounded yummy, but my partner said no, next time!). The salad was a large bowl of mixed baby greens topped with granny smith apples and glazed walnuts and crumbles of herb goat cheese. The burger was nice and juicy although slightly more cooked that I ordered (first shift ever, so I am not judging harshly).

The service was good considering it was the very first shift. The staff was friendly and efficient.
I can't wait to come back and have a nice fall dinner out on that patio and see how the menu evolves!

A new place in the Bywater in the former site of the Bywater BarBQue, its a nice renovation with two patios and a big foot print. In my group we had three starters (the Lamb Lollys the standout), all good and four mains of which I three were excellent and one good (the good enough was the pecan encrusted catfish-the stand out for me was the sirloin tips). The deserts however where outstanding and a chocolate lovers dream, we have three of them and all were great. I thought the service was good and the place very well kept.

The food is delicious and the service is attentive. Although worthy, the place's only fault is that it's price point is still too ambitious for the neighborhood. I have no doubt that this restaurant would be packed if it were in any other main drag in the city. However, on a Friday night at 9pm my party filled one of two occupied tables. If the owners can afford to keep it open long enough (can they afford it?) this restaurant could eventually become popular.

(For my sake though, I hope it's not too soon because I enjoy the Bywater as is - it's hardly been affordable without all of these new Uptowny restaurants!)

Ps. This would be a great place for last minute reservations if you can't get a table elsewhere or if you need a reservation during graduation/jazz fest etc.

I live in the Bywater and was anticipating this new restaurant. They did a great job in the renovations (maybe get nicer signage outside though - doesn't seem to fit the interior decor?)

We went for dinner and it was so - so. We ordered the coconut shrimp for an appetizer and there was literally no coconut on the shrimp!? Seems like something that should of been tested before putting it on the menu. If I were the chef I never would of served that to a customer.

Another critique - when we went there were maybe 6 customers total. And the place was QUIET. Pump some fun music in there if its slow so customers don't feel like they have to whisper.

I did like the wine list and they have great prices on wine. I'm rooting for this restaurant which is why I'm throwing out some suggestions! I'll try it again in a few weeks.

My weekly favorite....impeccable food . Perfect service And an amazingly comfortable environment

The renovated space looks great!......5 people working in the restaurant and only 3 of us eating dinner at 7pm?...Hopefully people will give it a try....

Having 3 menus(lunch, brunch, and dinner) seems like overkill when you are trying to build a new customer base...maybe one all day menu with different specials for lunch and dinner.

I would have enjoyed the Prime Rib sandwich for dinner...but all they had was the dinner portion....a pre-cut slice cooked to your request. The sandwich is lunch only. They have a lamb burger for lunch sometimes but only lamb medallions as an appetizer for dinner.

I had a Caesar salad(stale romaine) for $9.00 and Iced Tea $2.00 and left hungry. My friends both had the Prime Rib for $28.00 and said it was ok...large portion.......but not a repeat anytime soon.

We loved the location and the staff....but we will be watching for changes to the menu before we go back.

We had dinner here about 7pm on Sat night. We were the only customers, strange for a place that's been open two months. But we got great service, talked with the owners and really enjoyed the experience.

We had the gumbo and the lamb for appetizers, they were both good but the lamb was amazing! We wanted a filet, but strangely early on Sat night they were out. We settled on the prime rib which was really good and a lot of food. I'm not a big fan of veggies, but their grilled veggies were really good.

We decided on wine of course, they have a good wine list from the inexpensive to the high dollar stuff. Some wines you can get by the glass. Our waitress let us try a sip of the Shiraz that is avail by the glass, it was really great and we enjoyed a bottle of that with dinner.

Of course the owners also own Decadence Cake shop on Rampart in the French Quarter so you know desert is to die for, but we were way too stuffed to try. We have had desert at their other place several times so this might be a good place for an awesome desert and expresso.

Our bill came to about $120, average for this caliber of place and that included our $44 bottle of wine, two appetizers and two of the most expensive entrees.

I live a few blocks from this place, and finally tried it for the first time last night. It was surprisingly good -- I say "surprisingly" because it was near-empty on a Saturday night. It may suffer from being across the street from Booty's (also excellent) and may be a little pricey for the neighborhood (although so is Booty's to be fair). I would point out that the posted price range of $$$ is too high -- its definitely in the $$ range.

Everything we had, though, was top notch -- the meatloaf sandwich is not to be missed. Raves all around as well for the prime rib sandwich and bison burger. Fries were amazing, as were the housemade chips.

All in all, I'd say this place deserves a lot more business than they're getting at the moment. As others have mentioned, they really could end up popular, assuming the owners can hang in there long enough. Here's hoping they can.

I loved everything about this place! Decor fantastic and romantic, wine delicious and well priced, attentive service and amazing food. I will be back for the comfy chairs and cherry cobler w/ homemade icecream! love love love!

Dinner food very good, service attitude poor.

Brunch service excellent, food cold and burnt