Luvi – I Love You! A Review of One of Uptown’s Most Unique Dining Spots

I found Luvi almost by accident. I was attempting to make a reservation at another restaurant my husband had told me about. But they didn’t have options available at the time I wanted to dine, so I scrolled the list of other recommendations given by Resy, and up popped Luvi. I knew right away it was our style of food when I read the description and scrolled the photos, and quickly made a reservation for the next evening (which was last night).

The vibe here is hip yet elegant. The aesthetics are quite stunning, and you know right away you’re in a special place. As soon as I walked in the door, I was smitten. It’s beautifully done—both playful and refined (like the food). Fabulous wallpaper adorns the interior, and Japanese lanterns hang from the ceiling. There is a stunning chef’s counter where you can opt to sit and be close to the cocktail and raw bar creation (which we did), as well as low-top tables with ornate chairs that punctuate the ambiance here.

Our server approaches us immediately from behind the bar with waters and we both order additional beverages. There’s a non-alcoholic Yuzu Ginger Spritz that I am immediately drawn to, and my husband orders white wine. We are both very satisfied with our choices. There’s a hint of salt in my mocktail, and I love the combination of it with the acid from the lemon and sweetness from the honey.

The Chef/Owner and his assistant have come out from the back and are now slicing and preparing the dishes for service. They work quickly and quietly with the ultimate precision. Our server kindly walks us through the menu since it’s our first visit, then gives us a moment to come up with a game plan. We had already looked at the menu, which is Asian fusion with roots in Japanese and Chinese cuisine, so we weren’t going in blind. The menu includes a Raw Bar, Starters, Medium Plates, and a Dumplings and Noodles section (be still my heart). There’s also a “Feed Me” menu where, for $60, you get a selection of plates by the chef in a tasting-style menu. It includes four all raw dishes, but we are both in the mood to try a few of the hot plates, so we go the a la carte route.

We opt for the Stoplight from the Raw Bar, Smashed Cucumbers and Mama’s Egg Cloud Soup from the Starters section, Bam Bam Chicken from the Medium Plates, and, finally, Hot Splash Noodles from the Dumplings and Noodles section. Our waitress confirms that these are good choices, and we sit back and sip our beverages, eagerly awaiting the meal that is about to unfold.

Since we’ve chosen the Chef’s Counter, we have the pleasure of watching Chef Hao Gong and his sous chef prepare all the raw dishes. Carefully slicing the different fish and putting plates together, they do so in such a calming and thoughtful way. You can tell that they are masters of their craft. I see them put up beautifully completed dishes one by one on the counter, and I am mesmerized both by their technique and how they work, as well as the stunning plates that they are producing. After a couple minutes of watching this beautiful dance, I cannot help myself—I politely ask if they mind if I take a photo of the dishes they’re setting out. The chef graciously tells me that I may. I smile and try to hide my giddiness, “They’re just so beautiful,” I say (and I mean it). He thanks me with a sincere tone that makes me feel comfortable bringing out my camera for a few shots.

One of the servers is passing when this happens—“Do you want a photo of this dish? It’s finished,” she says kindly, and sets down the Snap Crackle Pop on the end of the row of raw dishes being prepared. What a beauty! Salmon + Chinese Chili Crisp + Popcorn Sunflower Seeds. (It’s a dish we almost ordered, but opted for something similar on the raw menu. After seeing it up close and personal, I know it’s something we’ll try next time.)

Then our food starts to arrive—yay. First up is a refreshing cucumber salad with sesame and garlic sauce. It is light and delicious, and a perfect way to start the meal. It’s one of the many vegan dishes on the menu, and while neither of us are vegan, I still appreciate the options. (On that note, if you are vegan and like Asian food—Luvi is a can’t-miss for you.)

Then comes the raw dish we did order—the Stoplight. Five pieces of yellowtail, sliced jalapeño, and cilantro. Each bite is a little piece of heaven with the thinly sliced jalapeño and uber-fresh yellowtail. It’s perhaps the best raw fish or sushi I’ve had since arriving in New Orleans, and I will definitely be back for it again (only next time I’ll get a full order for myself so I don’t have to share).

Next up is Mama’s Egg Cloud Soup. The portion is on the small side, so we opt for one each, and it’s definitely the right move. The petite bowls with sides of crispy wonton strips are like a hug for your tummy. The soup is delicate with just the right amount of flavor. The eggs are silky and lovely, suspended in the light broth, and the crispy wontons are a little salty and kick the flavor (and texture) up a notch when sprinkled into the soup. We both finish the bowls quickly and are eager for the next plate to hit the table.

Now we’re moving out of the Starters into the Medium Plates—and the Bam Bam Chicken is a perfectly panko-crusted piece of chicken. It’s a simple dish, but balanced and exactly what it needs to be. This katsu-style chicken is crunchy but moist, and the sweet chili sauce on the side is the ideal dipping sauce. It takes me back to Seattle and all the amazing Japanese food I was spoiled with when we lived there. It tastes familiar and wonderful, and we finish every bite.

Our final savory dish of the meal is the Hot Splash Noodles—another vegan dish (though you’d never know it if it didn’t say so on the menu). This bowl is an absolute umami bomb, and we slurp up our noodles with big grins on our faces, stopping only to say how good they are. The noodles are dressed in sesame, Chinese dark vinegar, and Luvi chili powder spice, and the flavor is just absolutely stellar. It may be vegan, but it’s truly packed with flavor, and the noodles themselves are divine.

I’m pretty full at this point, but I know I’m still getting dessert. They have ice cream on the menu. They’re the chef’s recipe and made by a local shop down the street. We opt to try two: the black sesame coconut and the magnolia black tea. Both are delicious, with the black sesame coconut being especially creamy. It’s a sweet and utterly satisfying finish to a truly outstanding meal.

As we leave the restaurant to drive home, my husband and I revel in the absolutely fantastic meal we just had. Marcus and I both adore Asian food; we’ve both worked with and for some truly amazing Japanese restaurants in Seattle, and I myself traveled through Japan for about a month in 2018. It’s always been our favorite kind of cuisine, and finding Luvi feels like we unearthed a rare gem. Not only is the food spectacular, but the service is stellar, and the menu offers so many types of things we love, all at a very reasonable price.

Located in the West Riverbend neighborhood of Uptown, it’s less than a ten-minute drive from our house, which will definitely make it a regular dinner spot for us. We drive away happy, already talking about what we’re going to order the next time we visit.

LUVI Restaurant
5236 Tchoupitoulas Street
504-605-3340 | info@luvirestaurant.com
Make your reservation here.

Thanks for reading my dining adventures in New Orleans! Check out my previous piece on Vincent’s Italian Cuisine if you’re hankering for some bomb chicken parm (and all the other classics)!

Cheers,
Steph