I want to eat everything.

[Adrienne]

Hi all,

In just over a week I am moving to New Orleans. I have been a chowhounder for years on the Philadelphia board, and I'm completely addicted to it. I have been perusing your recent posts and compiling for myself a huge list of restaurants I want to try.

If you could please let me know of my omissions and my miscategorizations (I used Zagat to estimate costs) I would greatly appreciate it. I have purposely not listed steakhouses because I'm not big on steak (though I do eat meat), and I am avoiding most places that exclusively sell baked goods or deep fried food (too dangerous).

Also, any fat-trimming of my list would be appreciated, though I am interested in hitting every restaurant y'all like, at least, eventually. Also, if anyone can recommend more ethnic restaurants, I really like Asian. And spicy.

Thank you all in advance -- I am so excited about my upcoming gustatory adventures!

Adrienne

*Maybe for when my folks visit*
commander's palace
galatoire's
Brigtsens
stella
august
cuvee
peristyle
brennan's
arnaud
anotine's
Pelican Club

*I think I could afford brunch*
gabrielle
herbsaint
Court of two sisters
Bacco
Red Fish Grill
Marigny
mr.b's
rio mar
Irene's
dick and jenny's
Cafe Giovanni
the bank
Marisol
upperline
Clancy's
Mat and Naddies
Pascal's Manale BBQ shrimp
Lilette
Windsor Court

*Saturday night normal*
siamese (metairie)
sukho thai (marigny)
dante's
Napoleon House
lulu's
Crepe Nanou
tommy's
Maux Bar
Byblos
mike anderson's
mandina's
Sid-Mar's
Bon Ton
Mimi's
Drago's charred oysters

*Actually inexpensive*
the kitchen
parasols
sweet olive cafe
central grocery
Parkway Bakery
Pho Tau Bay
Rene's
Two Sister's Kitchen
Willie Mae's Scotch House
Juans
Camelia Grill
Frankie & Johnny's

[batterdip]

rene's is a bargain, but it is not "inexpensive". Entrees are in the $14 - $20 range.

Sweet olive is just bland sandwichs

camelia grill is overrated. try elizabeths.

the bar menu at Napoleon House is inexpensive. make sure you get that one. sit in the front room or on the patio. they may try to high end menu.

avoid meaux bar.

mimi's can be cheap.

[cajun-gwailo]

skip brennans and the court of two sisters. maybe sid-mars as well. for same thing, same neighborhood, lots of us prefer "R&O". Not on your "normal" list I would suggest "Ciro's Cote de Sud" in uptown, for 'casual french'. Many folks feel Bon Ton is uneven, but I've never had a bad meal there, but I always order the trout, which is one of their specialties.

Some folks might also express the "uneven" quality of Pascale's Manali, but I've been going there 20 years and I think its fine. I've eaten there twice this month. Note: They DO seem to be able to ferret out tourists and treat them 'differently'. But its a fun place.

Enjoy!

[jayne]

Sadly, Central Grocery is gone.
In your everyday eating, you need to add
Liuzza's
Liuzza's by the Track
Katie's
Adolpho's
Sugar Park Tavern or Slice for Pizza
Fiorello's and Coop's for funky but good place with friends

[jayne]

Whoops,
Central's not closed, it's the one that used to be next to it that closed!

[Chris]

you almost gave me a heart attack there..

[kevin]

what's the place next to it called?

[local boy]

Is it Progress Grocery?

Something like that?

(Could be totally wrong. I just got a vision from beyond flashing "Progress" in old timey letters. God, I need a vacation.)

[Rich]

List looks like a lifetime of eating

[Adrienne]

You're right. It's a good thing I'm so young ;)

[Kathy]

One of our favorite lunch spots is the Bon Ton Cafe. However, it is not open on Saturday or Sunday.

[KOK]

Great list. I'd add Domilise's for Po Boys.

I mean no disrespect to batterdip, but I go to Camelia Grill every visit to NOLa and have never been disappointed. I know it's one of those places (like Mother's) that many love and many hate, but give it a shot if for no other reason than the colorful banter of Marvin the waiter, and the omelete with everything (icluding chili) or damn good grilled pecan pie.

And whatever you do, don't forget the oysters en brochette (sp?) at Galatoire's!!

Thanks,

Kevin

[Jess]

Do you know what neighborhood you'll be living in?

I agree with the comments so far, and would add Jamila's (french-tunisian), One (louisiana, same price range as Crepe Nanou), and Horinoya for sushi. Mona's and Lebanon are two middle eastern places that are very cheap and good. Try Crabby Jack's for poorboys and more, too. Lunch only. And I do love Vincent's for N.O. italian. Very cheap and good italian at Cafe Nino (most people just call it Nino's, but then you have trouble looking it up.) Oh, and Cafe Degas! I put it in the same category as Crepe Nanou. And Lola's across the street. And Taqueros for very authentic but very expensive Mexican. And did I see Clancy's and Gautreau's on the list?

And definitely hit casamento's when it opens back up in September (start of oyster season).

Good luck with your list. I've been here 7 years and still haven't hit all those places. Not for lack of trying.

[Adrienne]

Thanks for your suggestions!

I will be living in the central business district (I think the closest big intersection is canal and elk).

[Bigrayok]

I would add Country Flame to the actually inexpensive list. I went there recently and liked it. I like Sid-Mar's but I have never been to R&O. If you are ever out in Chalmette give Rocky & Carlo's a try.

Bigray in Ok

[Hungry Celeste]

Welcome to the third coast...your list is a good start, but forget your dictum on baked goods & fried foods. Fried food (seafood especially) is an entire universe of local cooking that you shouldn't miss. (just take up jogging or something) I can't imagine skipping Casamento's just 'cause "most of the food is fried." Heck, I have personal favorites whose principal attribute is a proper handling of fried foods! Have you ever eaten a fried shrimp poboy? Or real pan fried southern chicken? Or a fried potato poboy w/roast beef gravy?

As for asian, I like Horinoya on Poydras, but I also like Sapporo on West Esplanade in Fat City (Metairie). Friendly people, good quality fish.

[Adrienne]

Thanks, Celeste. (I think we've posted in the same threads before on the home cooking board).

Don't worry, I will not be completely boycotting fried foods -- and yes, I have been to New Orleans before and had fabulous deep fried, and rich, foods there. But with a list that's already this long, poboys everywhere, and a general desire to eat healthy, I didn't want to make that kind of food a priority.

So rest assured, I will make frequent exceptions. Especially for fried oysters.