Although this dinner-only restaurant is just a few hundred yards from the heart of Uptown, McNinch House makes you feel like you’ve be transported to an episode of Downton Abbey.
The Victorian house was built in 1892 and owner Ellen Davis (who personally greeted each table) lives upstairs. There are 10 fireplaces and even though I’m not a china, silver and linens guy — I couldn’t help but marvel at the details of dining in the old house.
McNinch House is a one-of-a-kind option for a romantic anniversary or birthday dinner.
Side note: The ornate and massive men’s restroom was incredible. 8-foot red carpet runway to the toilet, scented candles, cloth washrags and decorative books.
I could have spent an hour in here with a cocktail, but that’s weird, so I didn’t.
How does ordering work?
The McNinch House features dishes with French influence and a Southern twist. You choose between three different options:
- Premier Menu – 5 courses ($89): Choice of two appetizers, sorbet, entree and dessert.
- Grand Menu – 7 courses ($109): Choice of three appetizers, sorbet, entree, cheese and dessert.
- Chef’s Tasting – 6 courses ($185): Six Chef’s choice courses and wine pairings.
I recommend the Premier Menu (plenty of food) unless you’re super rich or a big cheese and wine person.
A pleasant surprise in the McNinch House dining experience was meeting their wine guy, Anthony “Wes” Wesley. Wes had great chatter and perfect timing. My wife is pregnant (baby girl in 6 weeks!) and I didn’t want to get hammered, so she ordered a glass of wine ($16) and I ordered a dirtmartiniti on the rocks ($14).
I’ve been high maintenance with my martinis recently (I sound like an old grump), but this is honestly the best I’ve had in the past 6 months – even though McNinch house is not known for their cocktails.
Here’s a walkthrough of the perfect order at the McNinch House (full menu):
Order the Jumbo Lump Crab Cake. Crunchy on the outside and tender crab meat on the inside, made complete with Louisiana-Style Remoulade.
Order the Tuna Tartar. Cute and tasty quail egg on top, and the Sriracha Mayo mixed in perfectly.
Clean the palate with McNinch House’s homemade sorbet served with a little piece of mint.
Fancy spoon.
Order the Red Wine Braised Beef Shank. Comes with a tasty serving of Smoked Gouda Macaroni and Cheese.
Order the Carrot Cake. The candied walnuts and cream cheese ice cream will force you to clean your plate.
I thought I was full, but then I ate it all.
Romantic, good looking, intelligent Agenda readers ask for the front window table, save $30 bucks on a Groupon and cuddle on the porch with a view of Uptown after the meal.
