Love, with a Little Lagniappe

lagniappe (pron.: /ˈlænjæp/ LAN-yap) is a small gift given to a customer by a merchant at the time of a purchase (such as a 13th doughnut when buying a dozen), or more broadly, “something given or obtained gratuitously or by way of good measure.”

Arnaud’s has been part of thousands of special moments over the years and we are often asked to help create one-of-a-kind proposals or gift presentations for our guests. In the 1980s, then proprietor Archie Casbarian handled one such request in an absolutely unforgettable way for a guest wanting to present his companion with a diamond bracelet during Thanksgiving dinner at the restaurant. She could not have been more surprised to see a live turkey waddle into the dining room, and to her table, wearing the bracelet like a collar!

We so love making special occasions into an exceptional events, we’ve turned our signature dessert into the proposal of a lifetime. By partnering with MS Rau Antiques in the French Quarter and elevating our Strawberries Arnaud, we’ve created the $9.85 million dessert.

The main ingredient? A 10.06 carat natural fancy royal blue diamond ring. This antique beauty shares the plate with the luxury upgraded Strawberries Arnaud, specially featuring Ceylon cinnamon, Tahitian vanilla, and topped with a rare ruby port sauce. And since it’s New Orleans, you can count on a little lagniappe – the ring and dessert are accompanied by an ultra-luxe version of the French 75. For this elevated recipe, we’ve included Hennessy Paradis, Grand Marnier 100, Cristal Champagne, and edible 24kt gold leaf flakes.

$9.85 million is a bit out of reach? The classic Strawberries Arnaud is always available for $9 and is perfectly sweet and sharable. Classic, romantic, unforgettable – make your Valentine’s Day reservations today.