I too just got back from a quick run through New Orleans. Two nights, two fine meals. On Saturday we went to Pampy's. I wanted to order a whole fried cornish hen, but alas they were out. I fell back to barbecue shrimp and had a taste of the fried chicken one of my friends ordered. I liked the shrimp, but the cornish hen sounded really good. Pampy's was not very crowded, despite the fact that this Jazzfest drew the most visitors since 2003.

On Sunday night, my friends introduced me to Dante's Kitchen, which is one of their favorite spots for a special dinner. I ordered a corn and blue crab soup which was very nice, and the trois mignons, simply steak three ways, one of the ways being topped with "pork debris." I liked that. The whole meal was very good, but the standouts were the delicious molasses spoon bread that they bring to each table, still warm with butter melting on top, and the sweet potatoes prepared in some way with Barq's root beer -- I can't recall the full name, but they appeared more or less as any mashed sweet potatoes, but they had a great sweetness and depth of flavor.

I would have liked to have even more good meals, but I can never eat that much at the fairgrounds and that's where I was about as much as I could be. I did have a fine cochon de lait poboy right when we got there on Saturday.

New Orleans is a national treasure.

According to the Times-Picayune, Chef Donald Link (Herbsaint, Cochon) was named Best Chef - South by the James Beard Foundation on Monday.

While I like both of his places, I'd give the nod to Cochon.....

ChiNOLA wrote:According to the Times-Picayune, Chef Donald Link (Herbsaint, Cochon) was named Best Chef - South by the James Beard Foundation on Monday.

While I like both of his places, I'd give the nod to Cochon.....

Yep- we were there when it happened- the staff seemed perked up but a little down about not winning best restaurant. How I pity them, only one Beard award

I love New Orleans, the last time I was there (pre Katrina) my husband & I dined at one of Emeril's Restaurants named Nola it's smaller than Emerils and Delmonico's and I found both food and service to be exceptional. Also, try the Gumbo Shop-it's in one of the oldest buildings in New Orleans. Great food, affordable.

For true southern service there's always Commander's Palace my secret is I go there for lunch instead of dinner-you can really save on the bill without compromising on the experience!


I agree with all of you who wrote about Central Grocery-if you decide to carry out your muffaletta make sure to grab extra napkins or you will be wearing the olive salad all day. You can even get your sandwich packed for the plane ride home!


NOLA
534 St. Louis St., New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It]
(504) 522-6652
www.emerils.com
Neighborhood: French Quarter
Restaurant/Cuisine Type(s): Cajun/Creole/Louisiana, Contemporary
Attire: Casual
Price Range: $12-$18
Open For: Dinner (Call ahead for hours)
Description: NOLA features Chef Emeril Lagasse's unique style of New New Orleans Cuisine -- a light version of Creole Cuisine with occasional ethnic twists rustic cajun cooking featuring Louisiana products. Located in a renovated French Quarter warehouse with a bright yellow stucco facade and second floor balcony. Private dining rooms are available on NOLA's third floor.


Gumbo Shop (The)
630 St. Peter St., New Orleans, LA 70116 [Map It]
(504) 525-1486, (800) 554-8626
www.gumboshop.com
Neighborhood: French Quarter
Restaurant/Cuisine Type(s): Cajun/Creole/Louisiana
Attire: Business Casual
Price Range: $12-$18
Open For: Lunch, Dinner (Call ahead for hours)
Description: Enjoy traditional and contemporary creole cuisine in the casual elegance of a restored 1794 cottage with muraled dining room walls and a lovely garden patio. Full menu, salads, sandwiches, large wine list with all selections by the glass, and menus in Spanish, French, Japanese & braille. Cocktails, local beers, daily specials and fresh fish.

Commander's Palace
1403 Washington Ave., New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It]
(504) 899-8221
www.commanderspalace.com
Neighborhood: Uptown/Garden District
Restaurant/Cuisine Type(s): Cajun/Creole/Louisiana, French
Attire: Dressy (Jacket May Be Required)
Price Range: $18-$24
Open For: Lunch, Dinner, Sunday Brunch (Call ahead for hours)
Description: New Orleans Magazine 1996 Chef of the Year. New Orleans Magazine 1995 Favorite Overall Restaurant. GQ's Golden Dish Award for Eggs Sardou. Located in the historic Garden District. You can walk through the kitchen to the bar and patio. Rated five stars. Original Jazz brunch, patio dining - Commander's Palace - that's what living in New Orleans is all about!

pammyt wrote:
Commander's Palace
1403 Washington Ave., New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It]
(504) 899-8221
www.commanderspalace.com
Neighborhood: Uptown/Garden District
Restaurant/Cuisine Type(s): Cajun/Creole/Louisiana, French
Attire: Dressy (Jacket May Be Required)
Price Range: $18-$24
Open For: Lunch, Dinner, Sunday Brunch (Call ahead for hours)
Description: New Orleans Magazine 1996 Chef of the Year. New Orleans Magazine 1995 Favorite Overall Restaurant. GQ's Golden Dish Award for Eggs Sardou. Located in the historic Garden District. You can walk through the kitchen to the bar and patio. Rated five stars. Original Jazz brunch, patio dining - Commander's Palace - that's what living in New Orleans is all about!

Has anyone been since the reopen? Curious to hear how the old lady looks/tastes.

I just got back about a week ago
from my first NOLA trip. We had
spent several days in the panhandle
of FL, then just decided to drive to
New Orleans just to check it out,
with no real research. We kept
kicking ourselves, wishing we had
spent all of our time there! Just
loved the feel of the place. Our
first night's meal set the tone.
We wandered into Hillary's
and had some incredible
rich, dark gumbo followed
up with a great blackened
redfish with an etouffee-
like sauce, and smokey/
porky greens. I had about
four more samplings of gumbo
in the next 24 hours, and settled
on The Chartres House Cafe
as our all-around favorite
place. I think we were mostly
sold on it's tucked-away courtyard,
but the Gumbo was the best I
tried, and every dish I saw
pass the table looked great.
Haven't been able to stop thinking
about plans for a return trip since.

I'll be in New Orleans in about a month. I have a 7pm flight out of the airport and my last meeting gets over at 2pm so I have plenty of time to get to a restaurant near the airport for one last meal before I fly out.

any recommendations for restaurants near MSY (New Orleans airport) ?

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When I lived in New Orleans we used to ALWAYS hit the Louisiana Seafood Exchange on the way to and from the airport. The Exchange is basically a counter attached to a fishmongering operation. They also have a great selection of seafood to take home and cook yourself.

The Shrimp Po'Boy, Oyster Po'Boy and the Combo are not to be missed. I havent been in a few years but the place is a perennial new orleans favorite. Apparently the Exchange was taken over recently by the guy who owns the uptown restaurant called Jacques-Imos which locals either love or hate. My friends who still live in new orleans swear that the quality hasnt channged a bit.

Crabby Jack's
428 Jefferson Hwy
504-833-CRAB

I found a link to a post on another site that has pictures that confirm, at least to me, that the place is still the same.

http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?s=b ... ntry933822

Crabby Jack's would be OK if you're pressed for time, but if you've got the time to sit down for a nicer meal, I'd highly recommend Drago's in Metairie (the suburb between New Orleans & the airport).

Drago's is famous for their charbroiled oysters, cooked on the half-shell & drenched in a rich, buttery sauce. I could easily polish off a couple dozen of those bad boys, and have on many occasions.

Check out Drago's Web Site for pictures of these delicious treats.


Drago's
3232 North Arnoult
Metairie, LA 70002
504-888-9254

iblock9 wrote:When I lived in New Orleans we used to ALWAYS hit the Louisiana Seafood Exchange on the way to and from the airport.

The Shrimp Po'Boy, Oyster Po'Boy and the Combo are not to be missed.

Crabby Jack's
428 Jefferson Hwy
504-833-CRAB

Thanks iblock9, you had me until I read the following:

ChiNOLA wrote:Drago's is famous for their charbroiled oysters, cooked on the half-shell & drenched in a rich, buttery sauce. I could easily polish off a couple dozen of those bad boys, and have on many occasions.

I'll see your couple dozen and raise you a dozen

ChiNOLA wrote:Dick & Jenny's most definitely retains its standing near the top of my list. I just wish they'd start taking reservations so I could eat there more often.

Dick & Jenny's doesn't seem to be that far away from the CBD/French Quarter.

Dick & Jenny's
4501 Tchoupitoulas St
New Orleans, LA 70115
(504) 894-9880
www.dickandjennys.com

couldn't tell from the website, is Dick & Jenny's open for lunch (I'd be going on Sunday)?

--

Sweet Willie wrote:Dick & Jenny's doesn't seem to be that far away from the CBD/French Quarter.

Loooong walk, short cab ride (the St. Charles Ave. streetcars are still not running as I can confirm by looking out my window....)

Sweet Willie wrote:couldn't tell from the website, is Dick & Jenny's open for lunch (I'd be going on Sunday)?

I don't think they are open for lunch, or at all on Sundays for that matter, but I will confirm tomorrow, as I will be dining there....

OK, OK... I know it's poor form to follow your own post, but I wanted to let Sweet Willie know that his Sunday spot should be Parasol's, where I so feverishly wolfed down my most excellent roast beef poboy & gravy fries this evening that I broke off & swallowed a temporary crown on one of my molars (it was supposed to last another week) and was reminded afterwards of my mistake at the bar in the Columns Hotel (where I had a really good Ketel One Citron Press or three) when it became abundantly clear that exposed nerves and ice-cold vodka do NOT mix well... Nice problem to have I guess.... I'll deal.

ChiNOLA wrote: his Sunday spot should be Parasol's, .

Irish Channel Parasols? Fond memories of several St. Paddy's days there but wasnt a particularly memorable po'boy for me.

Hey ChiNola, is Martins Wine Cellar still open? They had the best selection of non-new orleans traditional sandwiches (wouldnt call them po'boys) in town. Actually google is my friend, here is a link to the menu.

http://www.martinwine.com/mwc-deli-page01b.htm

iblock9 wrote:Irish Channel Parasols? Fond memories of several St. Paddy's days there but wasnt a particularly memorable po'boy for me.

Well, not on St. Paddy's, when they make them all in advance, but normally that's the best Roast Beef around, IMHO.

iblock9 wrote:Hey ChiNola, is Martins Wine Cellar still open? They had the best selection of non-new orleans traditional sandwiches (wouldnt call them po'boys) in town. Actually google is my friend, here is a link to the menu.

Not the one on Barrone as far as I know - they demolished the building & started over from scratch after Katrina. There are a couple of new locations, though.

Thanks a bunch ChiNOLA for recommending Drago’s and Couchon!!!


Couchon

Oyster Roll: wood fired oysters with butter, onions, garlic and lemon citrus added. Excellent

Pickled Pig Tongue and Crispy Pig Ear Salad – good but not as good as the name gave me the impression it would be.

Couchon – pulled roasted pork formed into a crab cake like thick patty. Served in a bowl with sautéed fruits/cabbage along with pork drippings. Terrific.

Details, location: http://www.cochonrestaurant.com/


Drago’s

Dined with an associate at the Metairie location which is very convienient when headed to the airport as it is right off of I-10. They are open through the afternoon so it is very easy to dine here prior to getting to the airport. If this location does not work for you, Drago’s also has a location in the Hilton New Orleans which is very close to the French Quarter and the Casino.

Started out with two oyster appetizers: The Fleur de Lis Oysters and of course Drago’s famous charbroiled oysters.

The Fleur de Lis Oysters are fried oysters that are then stirfried with a peanuts and a spicy red pepper aioli. Only issue for me was that the aioli was not spicy, very tame, still good though.

Even though I had psyched myself up for the charbroiled oysters after viewing a mouth watering photo of them on Drago’s website, they still well surpassed my delicious expectations. Terrific. Do not miss trying these.

Quite frankly I was a bit leery about trying lunch and was seriously considering simply ordering another dozen (or so) of the charbroiled oysters. Our waiter Jeremy (great, attentive waiter) proceeded to mention the specials, one of which caught my attention. Soft shell crabs, which I thought were out of season but Jeremy assured me they were fresh and Drago’s does not serve frozen seafood, so I ordered the soft shell crabs. They came flash fried so still very crisp, with a lump of crabmeat in the center of my bowl, about 6 halves of the soft shell crabs arranged around this large lump of crabmeat, with a seafood roux/cream sauce completing the dish. Fantastic, so glad Jeremy urged me to try this after I expressed concern about them being frozen/out of season.

My associate was really in the mood for a pasta dish, so Jeremy suggested a serving of angel hair pasta with the Herradura Shrimp which are shrimp sautéed with sun dried tomatoes, pine nuts and onions, pan is then deglazed with tequila and sauce poured over and served with a Portobello mushroom. I’m sure this is a good dish but it could not come close to the dish I was having.

Details, menu, hours at Drago’s website: www.dragosrestaurant.com

Also stopped by my favorite oyster bar in the French Quarter, Felix’s. Right across the street is ACME Oyster House which generally has lines. The only reason I can see for the lines is that ACME has a “nicer” atmosphere with wood panels and is cleaner in appearance. That doesn’t matter to me as Felix’s serves up fine chow. I did notice that the well worn porcelain tubs that the oysters and ice used to sit in behind the stand up oyster bar area, have been replaced with stainless steel tubs. Service was not near as personable as pre-Katrina, but I’ll still be back. http://www.frommers.com/destinations/ne ... 41544.html

--

There's a nice writeup in the trib about Dick & Jenny's:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/ ... ory?page=1

Tried Dick & Jenny's for the first time recently and loved it. Incredibly skilled talent in the kitchen--stunning, expertly prepared seafood. People warned us of the crowds and wait, but we sailed into a table in under 15 minutes.

I did make one discovery: the Coco Hut, near the Fairgrounds. Juicy-tender, sweat-inducing jerk and fresh, house-made limeade.

Coco Hut


Jerk chicken


Jerk chicken dinner


Coco Hut Caribbean Restaurant
2515 Bayou Rd.
(504) 945-8788

Crrush's post reminds me of my favorite carribean restaurant in New Orleans, Palmers in Mid-City. According to google that restaurant is no longer, but Chef Palmer is now cooking at Cafe Negril on Frenchman Street. Has anyone been?


Cafe Negril
606 Frenchmen St.
NO, LA
504- 944-4744

Vital Information wrote:
- If you want to take a nice drive and eat fried catfish - Middendorfs or Spahrs (Middendorfs is an easier drive)

Middendorfs makes for a great pitstop for a snack and a cold one heading south towards NOLA from Jackson, MS. -

been around since the 30's so you know Im stopping - an easy exit off the I-55 - enjoyed some food at the bar


the catfish looked tasty and unique but I was still full from the crawfish stop lunch in Jackson -

so we opted for some murky and fantastic seafood gumbo - really excellent.


Middendorf's Seafood
30160 US-51
Akers, LA.

http://middendorfsrestaurant.com/