NOLA on the Square

Nola on the Square

Pittsburgh may be the last place you would expect to find Cajun and Creole food but French-born Yves Carreau had a vision for a Market Square landmark that would ultimately become NOLA on the Square. If you are looking for the different flavors of New Orleans combined with a classic jazz atmosphere, NOLA on the Square is definitely for you.

Carreau and his partner, corporate executive chef Andrew Hebson, took one look at the old 1902 Landmark Tavern in Market Square and instantly felt that the location screamed New Orleans. If you have ever eaten at Sonoma Grille or Seviche, then you are familiar with what Carreau and Hebson can bring in regards to culinary experiences.

The interior of the restaurant was done by a team of chefs and local interior designer Charles Stern to design the restaurant. The interior has a remarkably restored tin ceiling as well as a bar with rich woodwork and some creatively tiled floors. The interior makes you feel like you were transported to Burbon Street in New Orleans.

Frogs Legs

Seafood Gumbo

In regards to the food, the Nouveau Creole menu was created by Hebson and is as diverse as New Orleans itself. Start off with Red Beans & Rice, Crispy Fried Alligator, or even Frog Legs. From there you could try some of their Gumbo Ya-Ya, Crab Bisque, or even Oyster Stew. Personally, we tried the Frog Legs for our appetizer. They were perfectly sauteed in a lemon-smoked bacon butter sauce.

For the main course, we tried the Seafood Jambalaya and the Grilled Catfish. The Jambalaya was an great mix of cajun rice, chicken, sea scallops, wild caught shrimp, and andouille. The portions were large so we really did not try any dessert but I heard from a couple of regulars that the creamy bananas-foster bread pudding is an excellent choice.

Something that sets NOLA on the Square apart from typical “New Orleans themed” restaurants is that they try to keep the spirit of New Orleans alive with live blues and jazz music at the venue at least a couple of times a week.

Live Jazz at Nola

Whether you love Cajun and Creole food or just want to try a new and unique culinary experience, you should give NOLA on the Square a try. You may soon discover that you don’t have to travel all the way to Louisiana to experience the best of New Orleans.