crrush wrote: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 vote of confidence, crrush, and sorry you had an off meal. I'd suggest giving Cochon another try, maybe at lunch when things aren't such a madhouse there. Because they are open through the afternoon and I am somewhat crowd averse by nature, I ordinarily head over for a late lunch on a Friday, say 2 p.m. or so, when it's not crowded & the pace is a lot more relaxed.

Dick & Jenny's ain't half bad either

richchoc wrote: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.

Parking is tough in The Quarter. Everywhere else is a breeze. Just park wherever you want.

We're into all kinds of food, though there are a few things we avoid- foie gras, sushi, most shellfish. I wouldn't really consider myself a picky eater (now that I've started eating meat again), but I know what I like and dislike. For example- likes: shrimp, lobster, crab; dislikes: fish, oysters, mussels. To add to this frame of reference, our favorite Chicago places are Cafe Absinthe, Tizi Melloul, Hot Dougs, and Silver Cloud (well, SC used to be, it's kind of gone downhill over the last few years. I digress.). Fanciest place we've ever been to was Tru, and Graham Elliot's is on our wish list.

I think we're really looking for some traditional NOLA food without winding up in tourist traps- muffalettas, po'boys, etc. Recently, while watching the Fried Food Paradise show on the Travel Channel (one of many guilty pleasures), I learned about Willie May's Scotch House, and we added it to our list. So we're not afraid to go off the beaten path if it's worth the trip.

Willie Mae's is on the same side of town as CoCo Hut.

As for muffaletta's and po-boys being tourist trap food--only if you go to the tourist places. Yes, Central Grocery is going to be packed with tourists, but it'll also have as many, if not more, locals grabbing a sandwich and a cold Barq's. Acme will have lines out of the door, but I wouldn't mind having one of their softshell crab po-boys. Right now.

Since shrimp made your list of likes, I'd also add Pascal's Manale to the list. Home of the barbecue shrimp--swimming in butter, herbs and spices. We haven't been there in years so I can't vouch for post-Katrina goodness, but I loved the shrimp and the vibe.

Pascal's Manale
1838 Napoleon Avenue

I've also recommended Elizabeth's Restaurant in the Marigny in other threads. People rave about the praline bacon--I wasn't a fan, but I loved just about everything else on the menu, and it's not on the tourist radar.

Elizabeth's Restaurant
601 Gallier St.
(504) 944-9272

richchoc wrote:I learned about Willie May's Scotch House, and we added it to our list. So we're not afraid to go off the beaten path if it's worth the trip.

I quite enjoyed my visit to Willie Mae's last May.

Not a great photo, but:


Cochon was also a highlight on this trip, and Dante's in 2007.

My friends are real fond of the fried chicken at a gas station near them (midtownish). I can try to find out where that is if you like

iblock9 wrote:

richchoc wrote:I was thinking of August but read somewhere that it's jacket-and-tie...

I have always worn a jacket to Galatoires and August. I think they might be required...

Jacket is definitely required at Galatoires. Thankfully, they have a huge selection of available blazers at the front of the restaurant, in all sizes. Much nicer stuff than anything in my wardrobe. I loved Galatoires. Simple, pristinely fresh and perfectly cooked fish served with nothing but lemon and herbs. Spicy, delicious turtle soup. NB: your only hope of getting out close to $100 for 2 is to go for lunch. Even then, it'll be tough.

I was unimpressed by August. The food was good, but extremely expensive and not nearly worth it.

If you go to Galatoire's for dinner, get there early.They don't take reservations for the ground floor, and I think that's the most desirable place to sit.

Two items I really enjoyed at Galatoire's, in addition to the food, were the Sazerac cocktail and the cafe brulot (flaming brandy with orange and lemon peels, cinnamon, and brown sugar, to which coffee is added as the flames die down) to top off the meal.

I don't think it's the best restaurant in the city, but it is among the oldest, and there is a lot of history -- and when I was there, you could see that this was a place that was part of New Orleans life, with families celebrating birthdays and anniversaries (and everyone in the room sings to them), tables full of kids from private schools (all with blazers), young and old. So not just for tourists -- and probably not even mainly for tourists.

Thanks for all the advice- I think we're going to go with Gautreau's for the fancy dinner. After seeing the photo of Willie May's fried chicken we're definitely going to make a trip there. I have a feeling we're going to plan our days around eating, so we'll hit up some of the other spots for sure.

crrush wrote:Since shrimp made your list of likes, I'd also add Pascal's Manale to the list. Home of the barbecue shrimp--swimming in butter, herbs and spices. We haven't been there in years so I can't vouch for post-Katrina goodness, but I loved the shrimp and the vibe.

Pascal's Manale
1838 Napoleon Avenue

I haven't heard any mention of Pascal's Manale post Katrina anywhere. It wasn't damaged by the hurricane but had been totally looted and damaged. We really liked the several dinners of barbecue shrimp we had there. Very rich!

LikestoEatout wrote:I haven't heard any mention of Pascal's Manale post Katrina anywhere. It wasn't damaged by the hurricane but had been totally looted and damaged. We really liked the several dinners of barbecue shrimp we had there. Very rich!

Never understood the allure of Pascal's. A much better representation of New Orleans Italian can be found at Mandina's, or Mosca's for that matter, which is available to you since you have a car. Shrimp and Oysters Mosca will blow your socks off especially when compared to what is served at Pascal's

You also might like Irene's Cuisine which is located in a less touristy spot in the Quarter that is very popular with New Orleans natives. They also do New Orleans Italian very well, in fact, much better then Pascal's

Also, you will be able to visit the greatest bar in the world, The Saturn Bar, if you dont mind driving. It is not located in the safest neighborhood so be careful. The second greatest bar in the world is Lafittes Blacksmith Shop on Bourbon St toward Esplanade. Lafitte is another popular locals spot in spite of its location on Bourbon St. Hit both and you will have a great new orleans evening. Get a green drink at the saturn and a purple drink at Lafitte's. Take two aspirin and sleep late. Sublime.

Mosca's
4137 Hwy 90 W
Avondale, LA 70094-2464

Irene's Cuisine
539 Saint Philip St
New Orleans, LA 70116-3322

Saturn Bar
3067 St Claude Avenue
Bywater
New Orleans

Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop
941 Bourbon St
New Orleans, LA 70116-3120

iblock9 wrote:

LikestoEatout wrote:I haven't heard any mention of Pascal's Manale post Katrina anywhere. It wasn't damaged by the hurricane but had been totally looted and damaged. We really liked the several dinners of barbecue shrimp we had there. Very rich!

Never understood the allure of Pascal's. A much better representation of New Orleans Italian can be found at Mandina's, or Mosca's for that matter, which is available to you since you have a car. Shrimp and Oysters Mosca will blow your socks off especially when compared to what is served at Pascal's

I'll second the Mosca's over Pascal's vote (tho I do like the raw bar at Pascal's). FYI after Katrina when the city was flooded, they launched rescue boats from Pascal's (St. Charles Ave. is built on top of the natural river levee & didn't flood, but just a couple of blocks toward the lake from there & it got ugly fast). The only issue I'd have with recommending Mosca's to a group of just two people is that the portions are so huge that you'd probably be overwhelmed with food. Also, the location is somewhat inconvenient.