On a crisp fall Saturday after an intense volleyball and lifting session, I was craving some comfort food with a spicy twist and, after a quick Google search, decided to visit Nola in downtown Palo Alto. Despite the fact that around 57% of Palo Alto restaurants close down after three years and around 70% close down after ten years, Nola has been in business since June of 1996.
This New Orleans-themed restaurant serves classic comfort foods with Cajun twists, along with Creole staples like gumbo, jambalaya, crawfish boil, and po’boys. Upon entering the restaurant, the customer is transported to the streets of New Orleans: wraparound porches with wrought iron rails overlook a central courtyard, with Mardi Gras beads and festive lights adorning the seating area. This set up contributes to the overall atmosphere of the restaurant as festive and lively, while also being cozy and casual.
The menu caters to a variety of tastes. It includes traditional comfort foods from macaroni and cheese to French toast and burritos, along with specialty items including warm beignets which are a nod to New Orleans and Creole heritage. The restaurant also provides vegan, vegetarian, and, upon request, gluten-free options. All options were reasonably priced between $15 and $25.
We arrived at the restaurant at 1:50 P.M. and were seated almost immediately. We were lucky, as the restaurant does not accept reservations. In order to enjoy the beautiful day, we chose the outdoor seating. Our server greeted us shortly after sitting and we quickly received the water and lemonade we requested. We ordered a few classics like the macaroni and cheese and some Nola specialties including the gumbo, chicken and waffles, and chicken wings. The food arrived promptly and everything tasted really good. I enjoyed the complex flavors of the gumbo and the familiarity of the macaroni and cheese. The fried chicken and waffles with the hot honey sauce were the perfect balance of spicy and sweet, making the dish a high point of the meal. However, the chicken wings with the sweet mango habanero sauce were on the blander side. Overall, we enjoyed the meal and the portions were perfect for the pricing with swift and efficient service.
Nola is open from late morning to late evening six days of the week and is closed on Mondays. Brunch is also available Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 A.M to 2:30 P.M. There is no onsite parking, but there are multiple parking garages that are just a quick walk away.
If you are open to a little adventure for your palate and are looking for a fun and lively place to hang out with friends and family, I would highly recommend a visit to Nola. It’s an excellent place to experience a little bit of New Orleans magic and the Mardi Gras spirit right here in the heart of Silicon Valley.
