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  • Post #211 - February 12th, 2011, 8:43 am
    Post #211 - February 12th, 2011, 8:43 am Post #211 - February 12th, 2011, 8:43 am
    We switched out Lilette for Bourbon House for or Thursday dinner, we were dead tired, and didnt feel like another trip back uptown. We opted for Bourbon House in the FQ. I had been to Bourbon House the previous night for a few rounds of bourbon, and had a great time. Kind of a ixed bag for dinner, but I liked it overall. Located right on Bourbon Street, lots of action out the windows, and a comfortable bustling dining room. Good service(typical of NOLA for the places we went, Ill get into that on my summary post of the trip).

    Items ordered:

    - corn and crab soup, really weak, still tasting of uncooked flour, and loaded with alot of corn and minimal crab. Disappointing
    - Raw oysters with caviar. Really nice, some of the best oysters I had all trip. Topped with paddlefish roe these were excellent, fresh, juicy, and the pop of the roe took them over the top.
    - BBQ shrimp, large shell on shrimp cooked perfectly, and flavorfull. However the BBQ broth didnt have all the wine cooked off so it wasnt usefull for the best part of bbq shrimp, dipping the bread in the bbq broth.
    - Paneed veal topped with crab, one of the best dishes of the trip in this surprise location. Perfectly cooked, tender thin cutlets of veal, asparagus, lump crab, mashed potatoes, all in a perfectly balance lemon beurre blan sauce. Just great, a forkfull of veal, crab, asparagus and potato was magnificent. Loved this dish
    - Ponchatula Strawberry, solid version, not quite up to the Commanders Palace version, but good.

    The Paneed veal and crab dish & the oysters saved this meal. One bit of advise, join the Bourbon House NOLA Bourbon Society on their website if you are a bourbon fan and visiting NOLA. It is free and simple, they send you a passport that allows you a free pour of their bourbon of the month. Their bourbon selection is unmatched, and the bartenders know their bourbon.

    Image

    oyster with paddlefish:

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    BBQ shrimp:

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    Paneed veal wioth crab(mercy):

    Image

    Ponchatula Strawberry Shortcake:

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    Bourbon House
    144 Bourbon St.
    NOLA

    http://www.bourbonhouse.com
  • Post #212 - February 12th, 2011, 9:52 am
    Post #212 - February 12th, 2011, 9:52 am Post #212 - February 12th, 2011, 9:52 am
    Galatoire's, what can be said that has not been said before about this institution. It was a must on our list for our trip and got the vaunted "last dinner in town" spot on our itenerary. Places like Galatoire's and Commanders Palace are treasures, places with tradition, old school ways, class & respect. Rare to find in todays fast paced, quick to change world. I think these two places are national treasures and among the finest restaurants this country has to offer.

    THe Friday afternoon lunch @ Galaoire's was tempting, but I preferred to spend time with my family, and secure a reservation for upstairs. I really like the fact that they enforce the dinner jacket policy for gentlemen @ dinner. No exceptions, I wish Commanders was more diligent on this issue. Upstairs dining room was comfortable, and refined, flet like I was sitiing in an 1800's plantation mansions dining or ball room. Servie as expected was very good.

    Items ordered:

    - crab maison & shrimp remoulade appetizer... Great starter, contrasting flavors and textures. Clean, flavorfull crabmeat maison, and plump, spicy shrimp remoulade. Of course top notch local ingredients executed to perfection.
    - cup of duck and andoullie gumbo, nice version, my second favorite gumbo i had in NOLA. Deep, rich broth, tender duck, and quality andoullie.
    -cup of seafood and okra gumbo, very nice, but different, lighter, but just as flavorfull broth, loads of tender seafood,a nd perfectly cooked okra. really liked it.
    - Eggs Benedict with Lump crab adder.... good lord, this dish was over the top decadant. Easily one of the top dishes the entire trip(hard to choose a top one), perfectly balanced, perfectly poached eggs, large slices of ham, perfect hollandaise, crispy english muffin, and my adder of the lump made it great. The hollandaise was great on its own, but the chefs deft hand made it brilliant when the egg yolk mixeed in with it. Almost sensory overload from this dish, it finished me for the night.
    - Shrimp Clemenceau, a solid dish, well executed, fresh and local, as everythign is in NOLA.
    - NY strip steak, before I get made fun of I have to admit my tastebuds called it quits after the Eggs benedict, after a week of rich dish after rich dish I needed something to get them back to a baseline. Steak was solid, but my thoughts were of the Eggs Benedict the rest of the night, and daily since then.
    - Galatoire's classic cup custard(been on the menu since they opened), shay and vangie really liked it.

    I bought the Galatoire's cookbook before our visit, and am so glad I picked it up, all the classic recipes, beautiful pictures, ans well as story telling. I will be using that cookbook often.

    Our most expensive meal of the trip as the tab closed in on $200, but worth every penny, and a place I will go back to when i find myself in NOLA again. A true American classic.

    This is the last of my series of posts detailing meals with pics. I will do a summary post listing among other things the 10 best dishes, the best gumbo, the best shrimp po' boy, the best overall meal, & the worst meal. At least according to me. I hope folks enjoyed this series, I know I enjoyed eating all the food & taking the pics.

    Image

    crab maison & shrimp remoulade:

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    Duck and andoullie gumbo:

    Image

    Seafood and okra gumbo:

    Image

    Eggs benedict with Lump crab adder(brilliant!!!):

    Image

    Image

    cup custard:

    Image

    lovin the Galatoire's:

    Image

    Image

    Galatoire's
    209 Bourbon Street
    NOLA

    http://www.galatoires.com
  • Post #213 - February 13th, 2011, 8:07 pm
    Post #213 - February 13th, 2011, 8:07 pm Post #213 - February 13th, 2011, 8:07 pm
    Love the jacket...required?
  • Post #214 - February 14th, 2011, 7:57 am
    Post #214 - February 14th, 2011, 7:57 am Post #214 - February 14th, 2011, 7:57 am
    razbry wrote:Love the jacket...required?



    thanks...

    jacket required @ Galatoire's & Commanders Palace for dinner.

    Ivory color, crawfish lapel pin & colorfull pocket kerchief not required. :D
  • Post #215 - February 14th, 2011, 12:49 pm
    Post #215 - February 14th, 2011, 12:49 pm Post #215 - February 14th, 2011, 12:49 pm
    Ive now had a couple weeks to reflect on the trip to NOLA, look at pics, and notes on dishes, etc. I came away from NOLA very impressed with this city. The people were some of the friendlest I have met, a real departure from busy Chicago. It took a couple days to get used to everyone saying hi on the streets, etc.

    Food wise I think NOLA is one of the top destination spots for food/dining in the country. Local seafood, local produce, great and creative chefs, rich tradition as far as restaurants and the cusine in general. Besides the menus, and the quality of the dishes being fabulous, the thing that really stood out here were the staff at the restaurants, especially the waiters & waitresses. In NOLA it seemed to be a profession, staffed with professionals, not college kids, out of work actors, or others. These folks knew the menus from top to bottom, dish by dish, ingredient by ingredient. Quite refreshing to have the staff know as much and sometimes more about a dish and what goes into it than I do.

    I have come up with my "best of NOLA" list based on our 8 days there, and over 30 restaurants visited.

    Best Meals:
    - Commanders Palace
    - Restaurant August
    - Galatoire's
    - Cochon
    - Luke
    - Big Fisherman Seafood

    Worst Meals:
    - Boucherie
    - Central Grocery

    Best Gumbos:
    - K-Paul ( also the worst gumbo the following day.. :? )
    - Galatoire's
    - Commanders Palace
    - Luke
    - Cassamento's

    Best Sandwich:
    - Shrimp Po' Boy - Johnnys
    - "the gambino" - Cochon Butcher
    - Duck Pastrami Sliders - Cochon Butcher

    Best Oysters:
    - P & J's with bowfin caviar - Bourbon House
    - Kumamoto's - Luke
    - P & J's - Luke
    - Chargrilled Oysters - Drago's

    Best Dishes(not in any order):
    - Rabbit and Dumplings - Cochon
    - Louisiana Cochon with turnips, cabbage & cracklins - Cochon
    - "The Pig & the Peach"(abita rootbeer braised pork belly) - Commanders Palace
    - Shrimp and Tasso Hennican - Commanders Palace
    - Crispy Pork Cheeks with dirty rice - Delmonico
    - Seafood sabayon, fish fumet & bowfine caviar amuse - Restaurant August
    - Palquimes Parish citrus & blue crab - Restaurant August
    - Salad of fried brussel sprouts - Restaurant August
    - Paneed Veal with crab - Bourbon House
    - Crab Masion - Galatoire's
    - Shrimp Remoulade - Galatoire's
    - Eggs Benedict with lump crab - Galatoire's
    - Crabmeat Mediteranean Salad - Drago's

    I have to admit I was depressed more than usual having to come back home to Chicagoland after a fun vacation. I liked NOLA & the food that much. If I had my way I would move there asap.
  • Post #216 - February 14th, 2011, 6:43 pm
    Post #216 - February 14th, 2011, 6:43 pm Post #216 - February 14th, 2011, 6:43 pm
    I have to admit I was depressed more than usual having to come back home to Chicagoland after a fun vacation. I liked NOLA & the food that much. If I had my way I would move there asap.


    But if you did move to NOLA, where would you go for vacation? :D
  • Post #217 - February 14th, 2011, 7:52 pm
    Post #217 - February 14th, 2011, 7:52 pm Post #217 - February 14th, 2011, 7:52 pm
    jimswside - Thank you so much for chronicling your trip to NOLA here. It's been about 11 years since I've been down there and I loved living vicariously through you and your wonderful pictures. You've reminded me I need to get back to Nawlins sooner rather than later.
  • Post #218 - February 14th, 2011, 8:05 pm
    Post #218 - February 14th, 2011, 8:05 pm Post #218 - February 14th, 2011, 8:05 pm
    Seamus wrote:jimswside - Thank you so much for chronicling your trip to NOLA here. It's been about 11 years since I've been down there and I loved living vicariously through you and your wonderful pictures. You've reminded me I need to get back to Nawlins sooner rather than later.



    it is/was my pleasure, it is the least I could do as I almost daily live vicariously through others pictures & details of their meals posted on LTH..
  • Post #219 - February 15th, 2011, 1:33 am
    Post #219 - February 15th, 2011, 1:33 am Post #219 - February 15th, 2011, 1:33 am
    Just spent four nights, three days in New Orleans. My notes and recommendations went to hell once I was there but think we still did ok. Some random, scattered notes in no particular order:

    -Felix's - great atmosphere, so-so food, best thing open at 11 p.m. on Thursday in the Quarter
    -Cafe du Monde (x2) - the perfect start to the day, actually made me slow down and get in the Nola mood
    -Acme - great raw oysters
    -Sazerac bar Roosevelt hotel - perfect intro to the Sazerac
    -Domenica - forgettable but was perfect for a lazy afternoon meal
    -Cochon - spotty strange service (captain system?) but best meal of 2011. Cochon entrée + grilled oysters = heaven
    -K-Paul - Po' Boys - meh
    -Three Muses - nice appetizers, good beers
    -Bourbon House - oysters three ways, a great piece of fish, not going to lie this was quite a hazy meal but good
    -Mr. B's - BBQ shrimp - could bathe in the sauce
    -Sylvaine - out of left field recommendation and next best meal behind Cochon - great space, great food. Reminded me a little of Longman and Eagle

    A great food town. Only thing lacking is the craft beer selection. Abita does make some great beers but I would of liked a better selection overall. Felt I really had to dig to find a decent beer. Next time will explore more outside of the quarter but we were really just enjoying a few days of vacation and didn't feel like cabs, cable cars, etc. and wanted to stop at places where we could walk to.
  • Post #220 - February 16th, 2011, 1:16 pm
    Post #220 - February 16th, 2011, 1:16 pm Post #220 - February 16th, 2011, 1:16 pm
    Jim - I've really enjoyed your pictures and commentary regarding your trip. Thanks so much for taking the time to post. I love NOLA, but haven't been able to get down there in a few years. Your excellent posts have reminded me that I need to make getting back down there a priority. Thanks again.
  • Post #221 - February 16th, 2011, 2:12 pm
    Post #221 - February 16th, 2011, 2:12 pm Post #221 - February 16th, 2011, 2:12 pm
    Ron A. wrote:Jim - I've really enjoyed your pictures and commentary regarding your trip. Thanks so much for taking the time to post. I love NOLA, but haven't been able to get down there in a few years. Your excellent posts have reminded me that I need to make getting back down there a priority. Thanks again.


    thanks, I appreciate the feedback.

    Had to be one of our best vacations ever. NOLA kicked my butt.
  • Post #222 - February 16th, 2011, 2:56 pm
    Post #222 - February 16th, 2011, 2:56 pm Post #222 - February 16th, 2011, 2:56 pm
    crrush wrote:I'm a bigger fan of Charlie's Seafood -- the restaurant chef Brigtsen resurrected last year in Harahan, about 10 miles outside of town. Great seafood joint, more $$ than the average seafood joint, but worth it. And the best scratch Natchitoches-style meat pie in the GNO region.

    Ronna and I tried Charlie's Seafood during a recent long weekend getaway to New Orleans. We got off of the plane hungry, rented a car, and found Charlie's to be fairly conveniently located between the airport and where we were headed.

    Since we had major eating plans for the day, we limited ourselves to a snack:

    "Dirty Boy" - Dirty rice mix (no rice) on buttered pistolette
    Image

    This was such a simple, but wonderful treat. Just a runny mound of spicy, livery meat and sauce on a light, fluffy roll. We deemed this "Cajun Sloppy Joe" and fought over who would get to lick the remains off of the wax paper.

    Catfish-n-Grits - Mustard and cornmeal fried catfish with cheddar grits and Creole sauce
    Image
    Greaseless, perfectly-fried catfish, with excellent, creamy grits. The creole sauce was boring - one note tomatoey tang with no discernible heat. Could have called it marinara and we would not have known the difference.

    I wouldn't go too far out of my way for Charlie's, but it hit the spot.

    --Rich

    Charlie's Seafood
    8311 Jefferson Highway
    Harahan, LA 70123
    I don't know what you think about dinner, but there must be a relation between the breakfast and the happiness. --Cemal Süreyya
  • Post #223 - February 17th, 2011, 10:48 am
    Post #223 - February 17th, 2011, 10:48 am Post #223 - February 17th, 2011, 10:48 am
    Jim, I echo Ron A.'s sentiments. Your efforts are an inspiration to me to get back to New Orleans again.
    "Your swimming suit matches your eyes, you hold your nose before diving, loving you has made me bananas!"
  • Post #224 - February 17th, 2011, 4:29 pm
    Post #224 - February 17th, 2011, 4:29 pm Post #224 - February 17th, 2011, 4:29 pm
    pizano345 wrote:J

    A great food town. Only thing lacking is the craft beer selection. Abita does make some great beers but I would of liked a better selection overall. Felt I really had to dig to find a decent beer. Next time will explore more outside of the quarter but we were really just enjoying a few days of vacation and didn't feel like cabs, cable cars, etc. and wanted to stop at places where we could walk to.


    My friend owns Stein's Deli, which has an A+ from Beer Advocate and some great sandwiches too.

    Stein's Market & Deli
    2207 Magazine Street
    New Orleans, LA 70130
    504.527.0771
  • Post #225 - February 18th, 2011, 3:23 pm
    Post #225 - February 18th, 2011, 3:23 pm Post #225 - February 18th, 2011, 3:23 pm
    Not a full report, per se, but my wife just went to Luke on my recommendation (which is to say, "your" collective recommendation!) with some colleagues and clients, half of whom turned out to be vegetarians and/or exceptionally picky eaters (ie one who wouldn't even eat chicken on the bone!). Needless to say, they apparently drove the waitstaff nuts. :lol:
  • Post #226 - February 20th, 2011, 6:38 pm
    Post #226 - February 20th, 2011, 6:38 pm Post #226 - February 20th, 2011, 6:38 pm
    Katie wrote:Jim, I echo Ron A.'s sentiments. Your efforts are an inspiration to me to get back to New Orleans again.



    thanks Katie, I hope you do get back asap. If we didnt owe our daughter the next trips location we would be going back later this year, or next.

    NOLA did all the work, I just enjoyed the fruits of of one of the best food cities in the U.S.
  • Post #227 - April 7th, 2011, 10:19 am
    Post #227 - April 7th, 2011, 10:19 am Post #227 - April 7th, 2011, 10:19 am
    Hey everyone,

    I'm planning on of my best friend's bachelor party in New Orleans during the first "weekend" of Jazz Fest (Thursday April 28 thru Sunday May 1). Most of us (including me) have never been to New Orleans before. I'm looking to put together/make a reservation for a really good dinner on Friday, April 29 for about 15 of us -- the crew is mostly late 20s & early 30s. We're looking for a place that's fun and boozy with good food that reps authentic New Orleans the best. Can be a dive-ish, can be semi nice-ish. Ideally, for the price point for food we're looking at is about $50-ish per person (not counting booze, tax, tip). The resto must be a place I can make a reservation. I have looked over this thread, and there's a lot of great suggestions. I'm just not sure which of these are a fit for what we're looking for. Any help would be greatly appreciated. (and please feel free to let me know if there are any can't miss bars we should hit up as well). Thanks so much.
  • Post #228 - April 7th, 2011, 6:18 pm
    Post #228 - April 7th, 2011, 6:18 pm Post #228 - April 7th, 2011, 6:18 pm
    dave,

    I believe Cochon would be a good fit for what you're looking for. During Jazzfest they usually open up their private dining area, Calcasieu (http://www.calcasieurooms.com/index.html) for large party reservations; I believe you can order off the regular Cochon menu so the price point would be what you're looking for. One piece of advice- make your Jazzfest resos ASAP, especially for a larger party. Finding a last minute reso on a JF Friday or Saturday is next to impossible.

    josh
  • Post #229 - April 10th, 2011, 10:05 am
    Post #229 - April 10th, 2011, 10:05 am Post #229 - April 10th, 2011, 10:05 am
    pizano345 wrote:Just spent four nights, three days in New Orleans. My notes and recommendations went to hell once I was there but think we still did ok. Some random, scattered notes in no particular order:

    -Felix's - great atmosphere, so-so food, best thing open at 11 p.m. on Thursday in the Quarter
    -Cafe du Monde (x2) - the perfect start to the day, actually made me slow down and get in the Nola mood
    -Acme - great raw oysters
    -Sazerac bar Roosevelt hotel - perfect intro to the Sazerac
    -Domenica - forgettable but was perfect for a lazy afternoon meal
    -Cochon - spotty strange service (captain system?) but best meal of 2011. Cochon entrée + grilled oysters = heaven
    -K-Paul - Po' Boys - meh
    -Three Muses - nice appetizers, good beers
    -Bourbon House - oysters three ways, a great piece of fish, not going to lie this was quite a hazy meal but good
    -Mr. B's - BBQ shrimp - could bathe in the sauce
    -Sylvaine - out of left field recommendation and next best meal behind Cochon - great space, great food. Reminded me a little of Longman and Eagle

    A great food town. Only thing lacking is the craft beer selection. Abita does make some great beers but I would of liked a better selection overall. Felt I really had to dig to find a decent beer. Next time will explore more outside of the quarter but we were really just enjoying a few days of vacation and didn't feel like cabs, cable cars, etc. and wanted to stop at places where we could walk to.


    Mr. B's barbecue shrimp are indeed sublime, and the Acme Oyster Bar is one of my favorite bars in the whole world. Thanks for bringing back memories.
    trpt2345
  • Post #230 - April 13th, 2011, 9:51 am
    Post #230 - April 13th, 2011, 9:51 am Post #230 - April 13th, 2011, 9:51 am
    jct78 wrote:dave,

    I believe Cochon would be a good fit for what you're looking for. During Jazzfest they usually open up their private dining area, Calcasieu (http://www.calcasieurooms.com/index.html) for large party reservations; I believe you can order off the regular Cochon menu so the price point would be what you're looking for. One piece of advice- make your Jazzfest resos ASAP, especially for a larger party. Finding a last minute reso on a JF Friday or Saturday is next to impossible.

    josh


    Thanks, Josh. Cochon and its sister restaurant Herbsaint were highly recommended. Couldn't get a reservation for Cochon but got one at Herbsaint. However, due to the size of our party (19 people) we can't order off the regular menu which is kind of a bummer. Still looking for other good recs so if anyone else has them I'd love to hear 'em. Thanks.
  • Post #231 - April 18th, 2011, 6:56 pm
    Post #231 - April 18th, 2011, 6:56 pm Post #231 - April 18th, 2011, 6:56 pm
    Dave

    Coincidentally I just had my Bachelor party in Nola 2 weekends ago during French Quarter Fest, and we had dinner one night at Herbsaint. Initially we had reservations at Cochon but they could only accommodate us at 9:30. Herbsaint was great however and had plenty of room for a party of our size. I would also suggest brunch at Dante's Kitchen, but will be tough for 19 people. We had about 12 or 13.

    One of the better meals we had was at Crescent Pie and Sausage. Just an awesome meal all around and a good time. http://crescentpieandsausage.com/ It is basically in Mid city and not very far from the fair grounds.

    Lastly, one of my friends who lives there currently set this up and I had no idea it even existed during the years I lived there. It was a tour of the Old New Orleans Rum distillery. It turned out to be a great bachelor party type thing to do. Basically they give you all sorts of rum to drink, take you through the whole process, and the staff is very knowledgeable.

    http://neworleansrum.com/

    I just reread your post and you asked about bars. My longtime favorite is dos jefes uptown cigar bar. It is pretty far uptown but worth the cab ride depending on where you are staying/coming from. The atmosphere is awesomeand they always have great live music, especially over a jazz fest weekend. I would be happy to elaborate more on bars/music if you are really interested...


    Let me know if you have any questions, and have fun.
  • Post #232 - April 19th, 2011, 2:34 pm
    Post #232 - April 19th, 2011, 2:34 pm Post #232 - April 19th, 2011, 2:34 pm
    Upe wrote:Dave

    Coincidentally I just had my Bachelor party in Nola 2 weekends ago during French Quarter Fest, and we had dinner one night at Herbsaint. Initially we had reservations at Cochon but they could only accommodate us at 9:30. Herbsaint was great however and had plenty of room for a party of our size. I would also suggest brunch at Dante's Kitchen, but will be tough for 19 people. We had about 12 or 13.

    One of the better meals we had was at Crescent Pie and Sausage. Just an awesome meal all around and a good time. http://crescentpieandsausage.com/ It is basically in Mid city and not very far from the fair grounds.

    Lastly, one of my friends who lives there currently set this up and I had no idea it even existed during the years I lived there. It was a tour of the Old New Orleans Rum distillery. It turned out to be a great bachelor party type thing to do. Basically they give you all sorts of rum to drink, take you through the whole process, and the staff is very knowledgeable.

    http://neworleansrum.com/

    I just reread your post and you asked about bars. My longtime favorite is dos jefes uptown cigar bar. It is pretty far uptown but worth the cab ride depending on where you are staying/coming from. The atmosphere is awesomeand they always have great live music, especially over a jazz fest weekend. I would be happy to elaborate more on bars/music if you are really interested...


    Let me know if you have any questions, and have fun.


    Thanks, man. It's super appreciated.
  • Post #233 - April 20th, 2011, 3:30 am
    Post #233 - April 20th, 2011, 3:30 am Post #233 - April 20th, 2011, 3:30 am
    Just got back from a weekend in NO and more superlatives are in order.

    Got off the airplane, dumped our bags at the hotel and headed straight to Bayona. Hadn't been there since before Katrina, but happy to report it's as good as ever. In true New Orleans tradition, once they've perfected a recipe they leave it alone and they leave it on the menu. I think the Grilled Shrimp with Black Bean Cake and Coriander Sauce app and the Garlic Soup have been on the menu since they opened over 20yrs ago, both are still excellent dishes
    Image

    Friday was upper-80s, sunny and humid, and marching around in that heat called for an ice cold cocktail. What could be better on a hot day than the Napoleon House, literally and figuratively one of the coolest bars in America. Windows thrown wide open to embrace the faint breeze, ceiling fans whirling, sensible awning shading the sun, two-foot thick masonry walls holding in the cool - no A/C necessary, especially when the marvelously mustachioed Mario immediately comes over and puts an icy Gin & Tonic in your hand.
    Image

    Had our first meal at an Emeril restaurant that night at NOLA. Now that the Bam! nonsense is over we figured it was safe to venture forth. Wasn't the most mind-blowing meal but I'm glad we went. Beautiful room, made even more beautiful by former Chicago newscaster Tamron Hall sitting at the bar, yowza! She's even more stunning in person. This is in an old Creole mansion right across the street from Napoleon House. You enter at ground level and it looks pretty cozy, but I didn't realize they had three floors of dining. I thought they were taking us up the elevator to plant us in Siberia, but the 3rd floor was just fine. Very crowded but service was excellent, it's a very efficiently run place even though they're running food up with a dumbwaiter. Service bar is on each floor, so the martini's arrived ice cold - yes! My main course was a monstrous braised pork shank, delicious. My wife had the shrimp & grits, wouldn't bother ordering that again. The shrimp were in a sweet bbq-type sauce that's not described that way on the menu, I find the more savory versions much tastier. The real winner of the meal was the black bean & corn succotash side dish, phenomenally good - each ingredient stood out but was melded by an unexpected dose of citrus, really went beautifully with the pork.

    My favorite meal of the trip was breakfast next morning at Stanley on Jackson Square. Had never eaten here before, but this will be a must visit every future trip. How can you not love a place where the waiter greets you at 9:45AM with, "Good morning, can I get you a bloody mary or a mimosa?" A capital suggestion. And then the menu is headed by the ridiculously decadent "Eggs Stanley" - basically eggs benedict with a handful of perfectly fried oysters strewn over the top. I salute the complete awesomeness of this place, devastatingly good. Now that is a breakfast:
    Image

    Lunch was uptown at Casamento's, another place we hadn't been to - we were looking to knock off a lot of the classics on this trip. Eating here takes some effort because first you have to work around their limited hours of operation, and second it's small and if you're there on a weekend expect to queue up for awhile. But waiting on line was pleasant, spoke with some interesting folks and ended up sharing a table with a board member of the NO Jazz Festival. The queue also snakes past the oysters shucking station, manned by the brothers Rogers. Michael works the pile first, selecting the smaller ones for the raw platters. The bigger ones get passed down to his brother, who throws them in a bucket that gets taken to the kitchen for battering and frying. Michael said they just started getting the post BP oil spill harvest in one week before, so we lucked out. The raw oysters were spectacular. Also ordered a plate of the fried, those were somewhat disappointing - too much batter, they paled compared to the beauties I'd just had at Stanley's for breakfast. Glad we went, but no need to rush back here again:
    Image
    Image

    Late afternoon meant time to stop marching and take a seat at a bar. We decided on the Swizzle Stick, located in the lobby of the Loews Hotel. Not a historic place, but the bar is manned (womanned?) by Lu Brow, bartendress extraordinaire. Great bartender, very personable and professional. As an aside one great thing about this visit is that everywhere we went the service folk were the old pre-Katrina crews, everyone seems to have come back and the city seems to be thriving. Lu concocted some gin & ginger beer potion for me, and here's a lovely whiskey sour she put together for my wife:
    Image

    Got back to our hotel, which was hosting three separate wedding parties. Place was festive the whole weekend, lucky for us each wedding hired brass bands for the parade line back and forth to the church and reception. One night we got back in time for the final two encores that they bellowed in the courtyard, unbelievable - only in New Orleans:
    Image

    Dinner that night was at Tujagues, second oldest restaurant in NO. And as far as I know, the menu hasn't changed since the 19th century either. The bar is on one side, manned by a guy in his 20's who took a lot of pride in making an excellent Sazerac. He put on the full show, doing the old school thing of spinning the glass in the air to get the absinthe out and everything. I asked him why they didn't have any stools at the bar, and he explained that if you're too drunk to stand up you shouldn't be drinking. The dining room is old and worn but comfortable in lived in way, kind of small holding 20 tables or so. No menu, it's 5 fixed courses with a choice of entree. The soup course was shrimp & mirliton (a local squash), delicious. Chicken Bonne Femme is an off-menu item, but from research I understand that they'll always prepare it if you ask for it. They don't mention it when they run through the four entree choices, so I wondered what all the secrecy was about. But the question was answered when they served it - it's some excellent fried chicken smothered in a pile of good freshly fried potato chips, with literally a handful of raw chopped garlic and parsley tossed on top. Not for the faint of heart, the huge dose of raw garlic would mean lots of dishes being sent back by the unwary. Interesting place in a museum kind of way. Food was decent but certainly no bargain, the tab was a stiff $150 for two with 2 beers and 2 wines:
    Image

    Early flight meant up and out at sunrise Sunday, stumbling out in a daze after two boozy and dreamy days. God bless New Orleans, there's no other place like it:
    Image
  • Post #234 - April 20th, 2011, 7:28 am
    Post #234 - April 20th, 2011, 7:28 am Post #234 - April 20th, 2011, 7:28 am
    Great report Fast Eddie!

    Heading down in 2 weeks and Casamento's is one of the few oyster joints I have not been to. Kind of setting on the fence now since my schedule will be real tight. But do need to cross it off my list. Nice report and pictures and yes it is a one of a kind city!!
    Danny
    Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans?...........Louis Armstrong
  • Post #235 - April 20th, 2011, 10:23 am
    Post #235 - April 20th, 2011, 10:23 am Post #235 - April 20th, 2011, 10:23 am
    jhawk1 wrote:Great report Fast Eddie!

    Heading down in 2 weeks and Casamento's is one of the few oyster joints I have not been to. Kind of setting on the fence now since my schedule will be real tight. But do need to cross it off my list. Nice report and pictures and yes it is a one of a kind city!!
    Danny


    Thanks, Casamento's has been on my to do list for a while too but it's tough because a) it's uptown, b) they're only openly seasonally, c) they have weird hours and d) it's small and always crowded so plan for a line and devoting a chunk of your time. If your hotel is uptown then it's a different story, but it worked this trip because my wife wanted to shop the length and breadth of Magazine St and Casamento's was the toll I exacted for not whining while she bounced in and out of stores.

    Passed a lot of interesting places uptown, La Petite Grocery in particular looked really nice and I've read good things about the kitchen. Walking around got us thinking there's a lot of places we need to check out uptown, I think next time we'll stay at The Columns on St. Charles.
  • Post #236 - April 20th, 2011, 5:31 pm
    Post #236 - April 20th, 2011, 5:31 pm Post #236 - April 20th, 2011, 5:31 pm
    Yes,

    I am staying right off the Quarter at the Sheraton and get in on Tuesday early. Going to a party that afternoon that Zatarains and a crawfish boiling crew are providing all I can eat as well as as much Abita I can consume. My thoughts were to chow on oyster's to get a base for the festivities before going. Uptown is out of the way. The party is from noon until 11pm. Tons of great music as well. Wednesday could work and Thursday and Friday will be at Jazzfest. Probably just hit Drago's for some char-broiled oysters and then drop by Felix and Acme as well. whatever happens it won't suck.... Except for the crawfish heads!! :D
    Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans?...........Louis Armstrong
  • Post #237 - April 25th, 2011, 10:34 am
    Post #237 - April 25th, 2011, 10:34 am Post #237 - April 25th, 2011, 10:34 am
    This request might be an oxymoron, but does anyone know a good sports bar with plenty of TVs in New Orleans that has good authentic food and good drinks? There are 20 of us that are looking to watch the New Orleans Hornets v Los Angeles Lakers Game 6 on Thursday in New Orleans. Thanks!
  • Post #238 - April 25th, 2011, 10:42 am
    Post #238 - April 25th, 2011, 10:42 am Post #238 - April 25th, 2011, 10:42 am
    daveandrews3 wrote:This request might be an oxymoron, but does anyone know a good sports bar with plenty of TVs in New Orleans that has good authentic food and good drinks? There are 20 of us that are looking to watch the New Orleans Hornets v Los Angeles Lakers Game 6 on Thursday in New Orleans. Thanks!


    http://www.cooterbrowns.com/
    I exist in Chicago, but I live in New Orleans.
  • Post #239 - April 25th, 2011, 11:02 am
    Post #239 - April 25th, 2011, 11:02 am Post #239 - April 25th, 2011, 11:02 am
    ChiNOLA wrote:
    daveandrews3 wrote:This request might be an oxymoron, but does anyone know a good sports bar with plenty of TVs in New Orleans that has good authentic food and good drinks? There are 20 of us that are looking to watch the New Orleans Hornets v Los Angeles Lakers Game 6 on Thursday in New Orleans. Thanks!


    http://www.cooterbrowns.com/

    Well, Cooter Brown's might work, but let's break this down...
    "good sports bar with plenty of TVs in New Orleans" - Check.
    "that has good authentic food" - Cooter Brown's has food. I don't think I'd call it good, and I'm not sure how to judge its authenticity. But food, Check.
    "and good drinks" - Again, we might have a problem with "good." If beer is what you had in mind, you won't find anything to blow your mind, but Cooter Brown's has a bunch of decent taps. Drinks, Check.

    I wish I had a better option to offer you. For a group that large, CB's might be your best bet. For pretty good food and great beer, check out Avenue Pub. It's a fairly small place and I'm not sure about how many TVs they have, so YMMV.

    Good luck,
    --Rich
    I don't know what you think about dinner, but there must be a relation between the breakfast and the happiness. --Cemal Süreyya
  • Post #240 - April 25th, 2011, 12:48 pm
    Post #240 - April 25th, 2011, 12:48 pm Post #240 - April 25th, 2011, 12:48 pm
    RAB wrote:
    ChiNOLA wrote:
    daveandrews3 wrote:This request might be an oxymoron, but does anyone know a good sports bar with plenty of TVs in New Orleans that has good authentic food and good drinks? There are 20 of us that are looking to watch the New Orleans Hornets v Los Angeles Lakers Game 6 on Thursday in New Orleans. Thanks!


    http://www.cooterbrowns.com/

    Well, Cooter Brown's might work, but let's break this down...
    "good sports bar with plenty of TVs in New Orleans" - Check.
    "that has good authentic food" - Cooter Brown's has food. I don't think I'd call it good, and I'm not sure how to judge its authenticity. But food, Check.
    "and good drinks" - Again, we might have a problem with "good." If beer is what you had in mind, you won't find anything to blow your mind, but Cooter Brown's has a bunch of decent taps. Drinks, Check.

    I wish I had a better option to offer you. For a group that large, CB's might be your best bet. For pretty good food and great beer, check out Avenue Pub. It's a fairly small place and I'm not sure about how many TVs they have, so YMMV.

    Good luck,
    --Rich


    Thanks Rich and ChiNOLA. It's funny. A friend of mine who goes to New Orleans quite a bit who knows our group also recommended Cooter Brown's. I think we might go just based on the name. Thanks again for your suggestion.

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