Casper boasts a fresh feel

I finally had the opportunity to dine at the trendy nouveau-Louisiana Casper Fry Public House & Eatery , which is located in the Perry District. And while my overall reaction was good, I did have some reservations.

First, the good. I like the atmosphere, which features tables set in the center of the room, providing the opportunity for a mixed-group-dining experience that not everybody is going to be comfortable with (but I don’t mind). I like the menu, which features a whole lot of updated southern-style dishes, from fried chicken to grits and shrimp, blackened pork chops to smoked pork belly. And I like the service, which was fast, friendly and competent.

My complaints? I didn’t like that no one on staff was willing to fillet the whole trout that my friend ordered. Really? No one knows how to debone a fish? My wife actually did a fairly decent, if messy, job, and she’s never had any chef training. And I didn’t like that my pour of a decent-tasting shiraz seemed little more than a thimble’s worth.

Those gripes, which really are minor, aside, the overall meal was good. My wife’s fried chicken tasted fresh and crispy, and my grits were superb. Loved every bite. And the overall bill for four people (though only two dwarf glasses of wine) was less than $100.

I’ll go back. I guess you can’t give a place much better recommendation than that.