I'm going to New Orleans in a couple of weeks.
I would love any restaurant suggestions or places I should avoid.
We are staying near the Warehouse District and will not have a car.
My husband is attending a conference so, my days will be spent site
seeing, shopping, and sitting by the pool, weather permitting.

-Tracy

On May 11, 5:50*pm, Tracy > wrote:
> I'm going to New Orleans in a couple of weeks.
> I would love any restaurant suggestions or places I should avoid.
> We are staying near the Warehouse District and will not have a car.
> My husband is attending a conference so, my days will be spent site
> seeing, shopping, and sitting by the pool, weather permitting.
>
> -Tracy

I lived in New Orleans for many years. But I haven't been back since
Katrina. Here's a recent NY Times article.
I would suggest reading the comment section and taking the locals
advice about what is good there now.
The article is ok, but it talks about more 'touristy' places, the
comments from the locals give you the real deal.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/28/dining/28note.html

Tracy wrote:
> I'm going to New Orleans in a couple of weeks.
> I would love any restaurant suggestions or places I should avoid.
> We are staying near the Warehouse District and will not have a car.
> My husband is attending a conference so, my days will be spent site
> seeing, shopping, and sitting by the pool, weather permitting.
>
> -Tracy

The Warehouse area isn't far from the French Quarter, perhaps 6-8
blocks? I go there pretty often for conferences or during hurricanes.
Sadly, the convention center itself sucks. It is sooooo spread out and
you have to be prepared for a hike a few miles once *inside* the place.
For a cheaper, clean hotel directly across the street you can't beat the
Hampton Inn there though, and the Hilton is just down the road a bit.

Places I've enjoyed repeatedly are- Galatoires (put on a nice dress and
go wait in line..worth every minute); Tommy's; The Bourbon House as well
as Acme Oyster Bar; Central Grocery's Muffaletta; late night one has to
go to Cafe du Monde at least once for the beignets- I recommend bringing
along a couple moist towelettes for the sugar mess afterwards.

I wouldn't waste my time or calories on a miserable Hurricane street
drink. Ghastly nasty. Go to one of the *good* bars (many in the fancy
hotels) and get some of the cocktails that N'awlins is renowned for. A
friend and I sat in the bar at the Royal Sonesta one late morning where
the bartender introduced us to all sorts of wonderful spirits. Great fun!

Goomba wrote:
> Tracy wrote:
>> I'm going to New Orleans in a couple of weeks.
>> I would love any restaurant suggestions or places I should avoid.
>> We are staying near the Warehouse District and will not have a car.
>> My husband is attending a conference so, my days will be spent site
>> seeing, shopping, and sitting by the pool, weather permitting.
>>
>> -Tracy
>
> The Warehouse area isn't far from the French Quarter, perhaps 6-8
> blocks? I go there pretty often for conferences or during hurricanes.
> Sadly, the convention center itself sucks. It is sooooo spread out and
> you have to be prepared for a hike a few miles once *inside* the place.
> For a cheaper, clean hotel directly across the street you can't beat the
> Hampton Inn there though, and the Hilton is just down the road a bit.
>
> Places I've enjoyed repeatedly are- Galatoires (put on a nice dress and
> go wait in line..worth every minute); Tommy's; The Bourbon House as well
> as Acme Oyster Bar; Central Grocery's Muffaletta; late night one has to
> go to Cafe du Monde at least once for the beignets- I recommend bringing
> along a couple moist towelettes for the sugar mess afterwards.
>
> I wouldn't waste my time or calories on a miserable Hurricane street
> drink. Ghastly nasty. Go to one of the *good* bars (many in the fancy
> hotels) and get some of the cocktails that N'awlins is renowned for. A
> friend and I sat in the bar at the Royal Sonesta one late morning where
> the bartender introduced us to all sorts of wonderful spirits. Great fun!

Thanks for the suggestions.

Luckily for me, I won't have to traverse the convention center.

I do plan a visit to Cafe du Monde, for sure and looking forward to
lots of interesting cocktails.

-Tracy

l, not -l wrote:
> On 11-May-2010, Tracy > wrote:
>
>> I'm going to New Orleans in a couple of weeks.
>> I would love any restaurant suggestions or places I should avoid.
>> We are staying near the Warehouse District and will not have a car.
>> My husband is attending a conference so, my days will be spent site
>> seeing, shopping, and sitting by the pool, weather permitting.
>>
>> -Tracy
>
> I haven't been to NO since Katrina; so, so places may not be as good as I
> remember. If you want food locals eat, I suggest the roast beef po'boy
> from Parasol's and red beans and rice (with andouille) at The Pearl
> Restaurant and Oyster Bar. Most places that are famous are, IMHO, simply
> tourist traps trading on reputations earned long ago, but may no longer be
> deserved. The one exception may be Paul Prudhomme's K-Paul's Louisiana
> Kitchen; I have been there twice and enjoyed the food emmensely; but, don't
> go expecting fancy decor, just great food.


I agree that the "famous" places are most likely traps.
We are just looking for good food. Nothing necessarily fancy.

-Tracy

ImStillMags wrote:
> On May 11, 5:50 pm, Tracy > wrote:
>> I'm going to New Orleans in a couple of weeks.
>> I would love any restaurant suggestions or places I should avoid.
>> We are staying near the Warehouse District and will not have a car.
>> My husband is attending a conference so, my days will be spent site
>> seeing, shopping, and sitting by the pool, weather permitting.
>>
>> -Tracy
>
> I lived in New Orleans for many years. But I haven't been back since
> Katrina. Here's a recent NY Times article.
> I would suggest reading the comment section and taking the locals
> advice about what is good there now.
> The article is ok, but it talks about more 'touristy' places, the
> comments from the locals give you the real deal.
>
> http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/28/dining/28note.html


Thanks!

On 2010-05-12 06:33:46 -0700, Tracy said:

> I agree that the "famous" places are most likely traps.
> We are just looking for good food. Nothing necessarily fancy.

Does "fancy" mean expensive? Or table clothes? Or tie-mandatory for gentlemen?

Commander's Palace is quite famous and it is certainly no trap. Men
must wear jackets and "no jeans" if memory serves, making it "fancy",
I'd guess. Every trip starts with a run to Acme Oyster House. I
certainly hope they still have product for sale. It's good food, and
fancy by no estimation.

Especially in the French quarter, the funny thing about "traps" is that
without good food they can't make it three months. Without significant
local business such places go under. And this was the case pre-Katrina.
Bad joints die in New Orleans and pretty quickly.

Though they are likely expensive, I've heard good things about:

Brigtsen's
Dante's Kitchen
Clancy's
August
Cafe Amelie
Bayona

Somewhere in the French quarter, for lunches I go through as many po'
boys as I can, with soft-shell crab always the most memorable.

You might want to check yelp.com. I am impressed with what they have
grown into in socal over the past couple of years. It's true you have
to use some logic. If a place has eared 4.5 stars but with only 3
reviews, it's meaningless.

I find myself reading almost nothing but the negative reviews. If a
place has 8 or 10 of them but they are all fussy or vague (e.g. "I
thought the food was bad but my boyfriend loved it." Or "Who wants to
eat anyplace that doesn't have pizza by the slice?") you can easily
disregard.

I find that short negative reviews might as well not be there, but the
long detailed negative reviews means danger!
--
If you limit your actions in life to things that nobody can possibly
find fault with, you will not do much. -- Lewis Carroll

gtr wrote:
> On 2010-05-12 06:33:46 -0700, Tracy said:
>
>> I agree that the "famous" places are most likely traps.
>> We are just looking for good food. Nothing necessarily fancy.
>
> Does "fancy" mean expensive? Or table clothes? Or tie-mandatory for
> gentlemen?
>
> Commander's Palace is quite famous and it is certainly no trap. Men must
> wear jackets and "no jeans" if memory serves, making it "fancy", I'd
> guess. Every trip starts with a run to Acme Oyster House. I certainly
> hope they still have product for sale. It's good food, and fancy by no
> estimation.
>
> Especially in the French quarter, the funny thing about "traps" is that
> without good food they can't make it three months. Without significant
> local business such places go under. And this was the case pre-Katrina.
> Bad joints die in New Orleans and pretty quickly.
>
> Though they are likely expensive, I've heard good things about:
>
> Brigtsen's
> Dante's Kitchen
> Clancy's
> August
> Cafe Amelie
> Bayona
>
> Somewhere in the French quarter, for lunches I go through as many po'
> boys as I can, with soft-shell crab always the most memorable.
>
> You might want to check yelp.com. I am impressed with what they have
> grown into in socal over the past couple of years. It's true you have to
> use some logic. If a place has eared 4.5 stars but with only 3 reviews,
> it's meaningless.
>
> I find myself reading almost nothing but the negative reviews. If a
> place has 8 or 10 of them but they are all fussy or vague (e.g. "I
> thought the food was bad but my boyfriend loved it." Or "Who wants to
> eat anyplace that doesn't have pizza by the slice?") you can easily
> disregard.
>
> I find that short negative reviews might as well not be there, but the
> long detailed negative reviews means danger!

Fancy for me is overly fussy. I just want to relax and enjoy a good
meal. Expense is an issue, but not a huge issue. I will pay for a
good experience.

I totally agree with what you say about yelp and the comments.

Thanks for the suggestions. My list is certainly growing!

Tracy

On 2010-05-12 08:41:29 -0700, Tracy said:

> Fancy for me is overly fussy.

I assume you mean fussy setting/decor. That is, having to dress up so
your waiter will give you the dismissive once-over as if you're wearing
over-alls.

I've eaten at a number of places in New Orleans that were certainly
elegant in this way, but curiously I was very relaxed anyway. Maybe it
comes from starting most evening meals with a martini, or maybe it's
about New Orleans. I was assumed the latter.

> I just want to relax and enjoy a good meal. Expense is an issue, but
> not a huge issue. I will pay for a good experience.
>
> I totally agree with what you say about yelp and the comments.

I forgot my one-size-fits-all consideration: There are a few freebie
rags you can find at the airport on the way in to town. PIck them all
up. You can peruse them online for the most up-to-date word on food or
music, even before you go:

Offbeat:
http://www.offbeat.com

New Orleans Magazine:
http://www.myneworleans.com/New-Orleans-Magazine/

Where Y'at?
http://www.whereyat.net/

There are likely many others, including web-only listings and such.
Google on NO and dining or magazine or whatever.
--
If you limit your actions in life to things that nobody can possibly
find fault with, you will not do much. -- Lewis Carroll

gtr wrote:
> On 2010-05-12 08:41:29 -0700, Tracy said:
>
>
> Fancy for me is overly fussy.
>
>
> I assume you mean fussy setting/decor. That is, having to dress up so
> your waiter will give you the dismissive once-over as if you're wearing
> over-alls.
>

Exactly.
>
> I've eaten at a number of places in New Orleans that were certainly
> elegant in this way, but curiously I was very relaxed anyway. Maybe it
> comes from starting most evening meals with a martini, or maybe it's
> about New Orleans. I was assumed the latter.

You are probably right.
>
>
> I just want to relax and enjoy a good meal. Expense is an issue, but not
> a huge issue. I will pay for a good experience.
>
>
> I totally agree with what you say about yelp and the comments.
>
>
> I forgot my one-size-fits-all consideration: There are a few freebie
> rags you can find at the airport on the way in to town. PIck them all
> up. You can peruse them online for the most up-to-date word on food or
> music, even before you go:
>
My husband is obsessed with these types of newspapers. I know they
are good resource.

Thanks again for the comments and suggestions!

Tracy

Tracy wrote:
>
> I'm going to New Orleans in a couple of weeks.
> I would love any restaurant suggestions or places I should avoid.
> We are staying near the Warehouse District and will not have a car.
> My husband is attending a conference so, my days will be spent site
> seeing, shopping, and sitting by the pool, weather permitting.
>
> -Tracy

For some really good New Orleans food, try Mandina's Restaurant --
http://www.mandinasrestaurant.com/ They have some fantastic seafood
- the trout almondine or trout munierre (sp???) - either is delicious!

It's on Canal Street, so there probably is a 'trolley' route that will
get you there ?? It's grand the restaurant re-opened a few years after
Katrina hit. Mandina's is a place where the "locals" go.

Sky

--
Ultra Ultimate Kitchen Rule - Use the Timer!
Ultimate Kitchen Rule -- Cook's Choice!!

Sky wrote:
> Tracy wrote:
>> I'm going to New Orleans in a couple of weeks.
>> I would love any restaurant suggestions or places I should avoid.
>> We are staying near the Warehouse District and will not have a car.
>> My husband is attending a conference so, my days will be spent site
>> seeing, shopping, and sitting by the pool, weather permitting.
>>
>> -Tracy
>
> For some really good New Orleans food, try Mandina's Restaurant --
> http://www.mandinasrestaurant.com/ They have some fantastic seafood
> - the trout almondine or trout munierre (sp???) - either is delicious!
>
> It's on Canal Street, so there probably is a 'trolley' route that will
> get you there ?? It's grand the restaurant re-opened a few years after
> Katrina hit. Mandina's is a place where the "locals" go.
>
> Sky
>
Thanks Sky. Adding it to the list!

Tracy

Everyone should do the "traditionals" -- Commander's Palace, Galatoire's, etc.
-- once, but to us, they're worth no more than once.

For us, the top places worthy of repeat visits are Bayona (more formal) and
Brigtsen's (out at the end of the St. Charles trolley line, a fun trip).

As someone else mentioned, K-Paul's is always excellent and a lot of fun.

If you're an Emeril addict, skip his eponymous restaurant (dull, dull, dull) and
head to Nola.

Two mostly non-tourist places we love, with preparations other than the often
repetitive food you can't escape in NO, are La Crepe Nanou (Garden District) and
Martinique Bistro (east on Magazine St.) It's probably best to take a cab to
either one.

Enjoy your visit!

-- Larry

Larry wrote:

> If you're an Emeril addict, skip his eponymous restaurant (dull, dull,
> dull) and head to Nola.

The best meal I had in New Orleans was at Emeril's Delmonico. Brennan's for
brunch is also a fantastic experience. Commander's Palace is very, very
good, and the decor is appealing to me. I thought the Court of Two Sisters
was a notch below Brennan's, but still worthwhile. The short rib appetizer
at Herbsainte was incredible. I was underwhelmed by the Central Market
muffaletta and Mother's po'-boys. Cafe du Monde is pleasant enough, but more
of a cultural landmark than a culinary one.

For drinks, I liked the Cobalt Bar's hurricanes. Pat O'Brien's is a ****ing
waste.

One place I still intend to try is August.

Bob

On 2010-05-13 19:02:30 -0700, Bob Terwilliger said:

> Commander's Palace is very, very good, and the decor is appealing to me.

We had a stunning meal.

By the way there is a two-top in the kitchen that can be surprisingly
easy to snag. Certainly not weekends/holidays. But if you call in
advance I understand you can get the seating in mid-week.

Bob Terwilliger wrote:
> Larry wrote:
>
>> If you're an Emeril addict, skip his eponymous restaurant (dull, dull,
>> dull) and head to Nola.
>
> The best meal I had in New Orleans was at Emeril's Delmonico. Brennan's
> for brunch is also a fantastic experience. Commander's Palace is very,
> very good, and the decor is appealing to me. I thought the Court of Two
> Sisters was a notch below Brennan's, but still worthwhile. The short rib
> appetizer at Herbsainte was incredible. I was underwhelmed by the
> Central Market muffaletta and Mother's po'-boys. Cafe du Monde is
> pleasant enough, but more of a cultural landmark than a culinary one.
>
> For drinks, I liked the Cobalt Bar's hurricanes. Pat O'Brien's is a
> ****ing waste.
>
> One place I still intend to try is August.
>
> Bob

Added to my list. Thanks.

I can't imagine going to New Orleans and not having a hurricane or a
beignet. I plan to have both.

Tracy

Tracy wrote:
>
>I can't imagine going to New Orleans and not having a hurricane and flashing my tits for beads.

brooklyn1 wrote:
> Tracy wrote:
>> I can't imagine going to New Orleans and not having a hurricane and flashing my tits for beads.
>
>
>
>


Well, you never know. It depends on how many hurricanes I drink.

Tracy

l, not -l wrote to Tracy:

> I think you haven't really flashed 'em and are just going for the shock
> effect; it worked, you left Sheldon speachless.

Not exactly *speechless* per se; it's just that clueless AOL newbie Sheldon
"Pussy" Katz's hands were too busy to type.

Bob

Tracy wrote:
>brooklyn1 wrote:
>> Tracy wrote:
>>> I can't imagine going to New Orleans and not having a hurricane and flashing my tits for beads.
>>
>Well, you never know. It depends on how many hurricanes I drink.

I knew it!