New Orleans Dining: Drago’s (Hilton)

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Drago’s at Hilton New Orleans Riverside
2 Poydras Street, New Orleans LA

Every time I visit New Orleans, Drago’s restaurant in nearby Metairie is always on the top of my to-go list. Their charbroiled oysters are my absolute favorite and you can make a meal of them just by themselves. We had tried to eat there on our first night back, but had discovered the restaurant was closed on Sunday.

Later on in the week we discovered that Drago’s owner Tommy Cvitanovich had opened a brand new location in the downtown Hilton hotel, near the Riverwalk shopping center. As we were across the street at Grand Isle checking out their happy hour, I absolutely had to try the new place and see if it lived up to the original.

The new Drago’s location at the downtown Hilton Riverside.

If it looks like Drago’s, if it smells like Drago’s, It is Drago’s. Click on the “Read the rest of this entry” link below for more.

Tommy was filming a TV show when we got there.

The setup looks exactly like what they have at the Metairie location.

And of course, they cook the oysters the exact same way.

To repeat myself from a previous post:

Drago’s takes big, juicy, freshly shucked Louisiana oysters, throws them on huge fiery charcoal grill, and after cooking them for a bit in their own juices, they ladle a pecorino romano cheese/butter/parsley/garlic sauce on top of them, which becomes sort of like a crust after it cooks. The oysters are juicy, charcoal smoky, garlicky, cheesy, herbal, all at the same time, and the “sauce” that they render on the plate which you sop up with Louisiana french bread is simply mind blowingly good.

They have the same great taste, too. If it weren’t for the fact we had to eat at Cochon later on that evening, I’d probably have ordered a couple more plates of these.

Drago’s shuckers are some of the most experienced and skilled anywhere in the country. This guy in particular has been doing it for 30 years.

Although the main attraction is those charbroiled oysters, Drago’s has some excellent seafood as well. This shrimp and pasta stuffed lobster was destined for the TV show host who was interviewing Tommy.

Stuffed Lobster closeup

These shrimp decorated in New Orleans colors looked absolutely fabulous. I’m definitely heading to this restaurant for dinner next time we’re in town.