New Orleans recommendations?

Hi All,

The boyfriend and I are visiting NO for the first time in January. My main goal for this trip is to eat as much as possible, so I'm looking for recommendations. We'd like to have one 'nice' dinner- nothing TOO fancy where he's have to schlep a jacket, and probably not more than $100 for the two of us. Also, any good, non-touristy lunch or dinner places? We don't have a hotel yet so I don't know where we'll be staying but we will have a car.

TIA

For your one nice meal you need to decide if you are interested in "haute" new orleans cuisine or the classic version of the same. One of my favorite classic restaurant is Galatoires. Just let your waiter order for you. For haute new orleans cusine i would choose Restaurant August or Gautreau's which has been reborn with their new chef Sue Zemanick. have fun

I was thinking of August but read somewhere that it's jacket-and-tie. I suppose the boyfriend can bring a jacket if need be, but we tend to be light packers. I've read about Gautreau's- I think Zemanick was a F&W best new chef this past year?

Hi,

Sounds like a great trip. My info is a few years out of date, but I've always enjoyed Upperline, an upscale restaurant in a great big house outside of the French Quarter - - so while known by some tourists, it doesn't feel too touristy. They have a $38.50 three-course menu, so you could get out for $100 for two.

It may be out of your budget, but I really liked brunch at Herbsaint and have heard great things about dinner there. Years later, I'm still dreaming about the chocolate beignets.

I liked my meal at Galatoire's, but it is a bit stuffy. Commander's Palace, too.

For cheaper food, it's hard to beat Central Grocery for a muffuletta, or Mother's for a po boy (my favorite is with oysters). Camellia Grill is good for diner food - - more for the atmosphere than for the grub.

Check this thread for some ideas. I was in New Orleans in May and you may get some ideas from my post.

do NOT miss Cochon.

richchoc wrote:I was thinking of August but read somewhere that it's jacket-and-tie. I suppose the boyfriend can bring a jacket if need be, but we tend to be light packers. I've read about Gautreau's- I think Zemanick was a F&W best new chef this past year?

I have always worn a jacket to Galatoires and August. I think they might be required. Gautreaus' has never required a jacket that i can remember.

The Upperline is good but it has been 10 years between visits for me. For late night dining after Tipitina's or whatever other bar you might hit uptown the Camelia Grill is always a winner as are the World's Greatest cheese fries at F & M Patio Bar and Late Late night cheese fries at Fat Harry's. Always cab it in New Orleans if you are unfamiliar with the city as it is safe and unsafe on a block by block basis. The quarter is mostly safe except closer to Rampart street except when it isnt. Just be very careful and dont try and save a few bucks by walking around uptown at night. New Orleans can be a violent city.

I would recommend K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen . I enjoyed everything I ordered. Perfect Jambalaya, and blackened Drum.

K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen
416 Chartres Street (in between Conti and St. Louis Streets)
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 596-2530

Susan Spicer's Bayona is exceptional. For a more local experience, the Acme Oyster House on Iberville and Bourbon Streets is top notch.

Bayona
430 Dauphine St.
New Orleans, Louisiana 504-525-4455.

Acme Oyster House
724 Iberville Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504)-522-5973

Subject to your criteria, I'd recommend the following (I've eaten at each of these places several times this year):

Locals' favorite Dick & Jenny's in Uptown - they open at 5:30 & don't take reservations. If you get there much after that time you will almost certainly encounter a substantial line.
http://dickandjennys.com/

Cochon is another of my favorites, on the edge of the Warehouse District. Reservations are a must for dinner, lunch there is a lot more low-key.
http://www.cochonrestaurant.com/

Local food critic Tom Fitzmorris also runs a board there that's a good source of info:
http://www.thefoodalmanac.com/community/

RevrendAndy wrote:Check this thread for some ideas. I was in New Orleans in May and you may get some ideas from my post.

Sorry, I just noticed I forgot to post the thread.

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=17063&p=199000#p199000

trpt2345 wrote:Susan Spicer's Bayona is exceptional. For a more local experience, the Acme Oyster House on Iberville and Bourbon Streets is top notch.

I also would recommend Bayona. We were able to eat outside in the patio area, which was very nice. The food was terrific.

It's been a few years since I've been down to the Crescent City (I'm almost ashamed to admit that I haven't been there since Katrina). In the past, we've had great meals at Brightsen's, Commander's Palace, Bayona and Mr. B's Bistro (a Brennan family restaurant on Royal Street), to name a few. I'd definitely recommend checking out Brightsen's -- I think it has gotten more popular since we ate there, but I'd be surprised if the quality has declined any.

Please post up a list of what kind of foods you are into. I am a NOLA native and can guide you in the right direction.

Food there can be VERY cheap if you go to the right places. I also suggest that you try the Chinese food (very strange reccomendation but trust me on it). Also, be advised that I used to hate okra growing up until I was introduced to "Creole Smothered Okra". It's an amazing local dish.


Youngs Garden - Williams Blvd. Kenner LA - Chinese: Try the Mandarin Chicken and Fried rice. Their egg rolls are also obnoxiously large.

Deanie's Seafood - Bucktown - Metairie, Louisiana 70005: Go to the location on Lake ave. Their fried seafood is among the best you will ever have. Period.

Port Of Call - Esplanade Ave - New Orleans La: $8 gets you this super huge gourmet burger and the baked potato of your life. It's also the home of New Orleans most strangest drink, the Monsoon. It comes in a huge collective cup, and unless you have a super high tolerance for alcohol, you will need to split it with 3 peope. It's huge.

Danny & Clyde's gas stop. For about $9 you can get a large overstuffed shrimp Po-Boy. It's one of life's great pleasures and I HIGHLY encourage you to have it either there or anywhere else before you go.

Mother's Resturant - Downtown New Orleans: It's constantly on Flld Network for good reason. This is a good hole in the wall joint for typical Cajun/Creole fare.


You can also catch me on Yelp:

http://soupnazi.yelp.com

Also + 1 for Cochon and Upperline.

Here's a link for Deanie's

http://www.deanies.com/bucktown.html

Just thought I would add some comments to this thread. I have been to NOLA a couple of times in the last six months since my kid attends Tulane. Almost all of the restaurants mentioned here are fine choices for a good meal. I noticed that August http://www.rest-august.com/ was mentioned by a few posters and it is a fine restaurant, but I think you would be hard pressed to get out of there for $100 for two people, unless you just get an entree, a glass of wine, and maybe dessert. His entrees are in excess of $30 and his five course tasting menu without wine is $70 per person. His Degustation menu is $150 per person. Depending on how you dine (and drink!) you might be able to top $100 for two at more than a few of the places mentioned.

As for jackets, of the places I've been to, Commanders Palace http://www.commanderspalace.com/new_orleans/index.php and August would be the two where I would consider a jacket. I will say you could probably get away without one if you are dressed nice. Commanders web site says jackets preferred at dinner, but I saw people without them seated on a Saturday last time I was there. I think post-katrina things have gotten less formal. There are few restaurants that will turn away a nicely dressed non-jacketed customer with money in their pocket now days.

A place not yet mentioned that I would recommend is Stella! http://www.restaurantstella.com/ in the Quarter. We had two great meals there. Gautreau's http://www.gautreausrestaurant.com/ has been mentioned and we thought it was great also. Cuvee http://www.restaurantcuvee.com/cuvee/ was another place we enjoyed. The one place mentioned above that did not really impress me for dinner was Herbsaint. We waited forever to be seated (with a reservation), the service was mediocre, and the food was nothing to write home about. Since I was only there once and as I recall one of our appetizers was really good I won't totally pan them, but I could not recommend them either.

New Orleans is a great place for food and you should be able to do some great dining there. As you can see almost all of the good restaurants there have web sites, check them out, especially the menu prices if you are trying to watch the dollars.

One final thought, New Orleans just got the dubious title of number one crime city. While it is not as bad as all that, I would recommend that you be aware of your surroundings and try not to stray too far from the beaten path. You can easily go from a good area to a bad one in the matter of a few blocks. It is the same advice you would give anyone in any big city. But if someone tries to tell you where you got your shoes, just keep walking.

Ian

kcuello wrote:Deanie's Seafood - Bucktown - Metairie, Louisiana 70005: Go to the location on Lake ave. Their fried seafood is among the best you will ever have. Period.

I loved Deanies pre-storm but I havent heard much about it since they were washed away. Is everything back to normal.

It is the same advice you would give anyone in any big city. But if someone tries to tell you where you got your shoes, just keep walking.

Ian[/quote]


Just tell them, yeah, i got 'em on my feet. And then keep walking.

I think Deanie's is back in business. I recall my cousin telling me they had a meal at the bucktown location post Katrina.

I'll be going back to NOLA sometime in the fall of 09 with the wifey. I wanted to wait a few years after KAtrina to bring her down, but after the Gustav scare earlier this yea,r I may need to go back sooner rather than later.

I have to recommend Dante's Kitchen
http://danteskitchen.com/

Dante's definitely fits within your price range and is probably one of the better, consistent restaurants I have been to in NOLA over the years I lived there.

Second I would check out Jacques Imo's. Some of the most creative, exciting food to be found in the city and the atmosphere and experience are unlike any other restaurant. Reservation is a huge plus if you can get one, but if not you can usually hang out in the bar and they will slip you in after a little while.

http://www.jacquesimoscafe.com/

Both of these are in the Uptown area, just west of Tulane. Very accessible by cab.

The rest of the recommendations are pretty solid and I would concur with many of them, these are just two that really stand out to me and have not been listed.

This place doesn't serve dinner any more but the brunch and lunch are sure to be amazing, and the atmosphere is charming, plus totally off the tourist track:
http://www.martiniquebistro.com/

Upe wrote:I have to recommend Dante's Kitchen
http://danteskitchen.com/

Dante's definitely fits within your price range and is probably one of the better, consistent restaurants I have been to in NOLA over the years I lived there.

Second I would check out Jacques Imo's. Some of the most creative, exciting food to be found in the city and the atmosphere and experience are unlike any other restaurant. Reservation is a huge plus if you can get one, but if not you can usually hang out in the bar and they will slip you in after a little while.

http://www.jacquesimoscafe.com/

Both of these are in the Uptown area, just west of Tulane. Very accessible by cab.

The rest of the recommendations are pretty solid and I would concur with many of them, these are just two that really stand out to me and have not been listed.

I'll concur on the Dante's rec (disclaimer: I am friends with the chef & owner) but there's no way I can endorse Jaques-Imo's, IMHO one of the most overrated restaurants in New Orleans, especially since the owners' other projects came on line (i.e. Crabby Jack's). Quality is not what it once was & the lines to get in are totally insane. BTW you need to have a party of 6 or more to get a reservation.

You can do much better for your dining time & dollar in New Orleans than Jaques-Imo's.

richchoc wrote: Also, any good, non-touristy lunch or dinner places? We don't have a hotel yet so I don't know where we'll be staying but we will have a car.

Mandina's is a local favorite. Great unpretentious New Orleans classics.

Mandina's Restaurant
3800 Canal St
New Orleans, LA 70119
(504) 482-9179

Also check out Domilise's for a great po boy lunch

Domilise's
5240 Annunciation St New Orleans, LA
(504) 899-9126
http://www.dishola.com/dishes/view/1255

Upe wrote:Also check out Domilise's for a great po boy lunch

Domilise's
5240 Annunciation St New Orleans, LA
(504) 899-9126
http://www.dishola.com/dishes/view/1255

Another good rec, Upe. I almost always go for the "off the menu" shrimp w/ beef gravy & swiss cheese at Dom's.

While we're on the topic of po-boys, the roast beef at Parasol's (3rd & Constance in the Irish Channel neighborhood) http://www.parasols.com/ is top notch,
as is the one at Parkway Bakery on Bayou St. John http://www.parkwaybakeryandtavernnola.com/

For Oysters, the best I've found is the Oyster Loaf at Casamento's (Magazine & Napoleon)
http://www.casamentosrestaurant.com/

While we are on the subject of Po-Boys I wanted to mention that some of the best non-Po Boy sandwiches in New Orleans can be found at Martin Wine Cellar. The Barrone St location has been closed since the hurricane, but Mr. Martin has told my friends that he intends to reopen next year. In the meantime his excellent shop has several other locations, however I dont know if they all have a full deli, including one on Magazine St. Here is the Menu

Martin Wine Cellar
3500 Magazine Street (corner of Magazine and Aline)
New Orleans, LA 70115

ChiNOLA wrote:Locals' favorite Dick & Jenny's in Uptown - they open at 5:30 & don't take reservations. If you get there much after that time you will almost certainly encounter a substantial line.
http://dickandjennys.com/

I'll second ChiNOLA's rec of Dick and Jenny's. For the food, atmosphere and value, I don't think you can find a better restaurant to fit your bill. And the line when we arrived last time wasn't too bad--I think we waited 20 minutes.

I've got to say I wasn't impressed with Cochon, despite all of the hubub--and I'm also a huge fan of Donald Link and Herbsaint. There were a few hits, but too many misses (including a wildly overcooked duck breast) in our meal to make me eager to go back.

Crrush--

I went to Cochon earlier this year on your (second-hand -- you were clear you hadn't been) recommendation. I thought it was really good, especially the pork itself. Best BBQ I've had in a sit-down restaurant with a wine list. (There are surprisingly many such places these days, of course.) I felt a bit cautious at first, as I didn't really like the vibe of the place walking in. It seemed contrived for what I consider to be one of the most "real" cities in the US along with Chicago. But it grew on me. Must have some consistency problems in the kitchen.

JeffB wrote:Must have some consistency problems in the kitchen.

Good point--based on everything I heard and read about the place beforehand, and trusted opinions (particularly ChiNOLA's), my expectations were high. It wasn't a total disappointment--the pork belly I had was very good. I'll gladly give it another shot on someone else's dime...but my money is still on Dick and Jenny's.

Thanks for the responses everyone! I'll have to check back later and read through everything when I'm not running out the door to go to work.

We'll have a car but probably won't drive around the city too much as we've heard that parking is tough. We're staying in the FQ.

I think I posted about this place in another of the N.O. threads, but just in case...if you like jerk chicken and you're looking for an inexpensive place for lunch outside the usual tourist zones in the city, check out Coco Hut. It's over by the Fairgrounds in Mid-City. Parking is no problem.

CoCo Hut
2515 Bayou Rd
New Orleans, LA 70119
(504) 945-8788