129314 Tue Jan 31 17:23:09 -0800 2006 9 9 New Orleans 0 700874 Hello All: We are having our wedding at the end of April (French Quarter Fest) and we are looking for a way to have a cost effective rehearsal dinner the night before about 80 people. We had thought about having a crawfish boil but they tell us Crawfish have been almost wiped out this year and extremely hard to get. Does anybody have any suggestions or places that can accomodate. Even if its just a space and we bring in the food. Thanks in advance. Nervous New Orleans Wedding Boy Tue Jan 31 17:23:09 -0800 2006 0 Josh 1 700875 Don't believe the hype about the crawfish. By the end of April, crawfish should be plentiful. I spoke to a vendor/caterer who owns his own ponds in the upper Atchafalaya basin area and he says the year will be great for him. If you can't find anyone in New Orleans to help you out, this guy in Baton Rouge certainly can. He does off-site catering, complete with tents, tables, chairs, etc., so if you wanted to have an outdoor event in Audubon Park or someplace similar, he's your guy. While his service is not "fancy", his food is delicious and his prices are reasonable. Talk to Carlton himself and see what he says about crawfish in April. Carlton's Seafood Market Deli & Catering 4478 Airline Hwy, Baton Rouge, LA 70805 (504) 357-2150 I've also used Mr. Mudbug in the past with good results as well. Their website is linked below. Link: http://www.mrmudbug.com/ Tue Jan 31 17:57:58 -0800 2006 700874 0 Hungry Celeste 2 700880 I too have used Mr. Mudbug for get-togethers the size of yours, and they have done a great job for a reasonable price. Wed Feb 01 12:25:31 -0800 2006 700875 0 Tom 3 700884 wow they look great I will give them a call. Also, anybody know of a more restaurant style place around the french quarter/ river walk area that wont put to much of a dent in the wallet. Remember its for 100 people. I appreciate all your help and tips especially since im not from NOLA Wed Feb 01 14:47:36 -0800 2006 700880 0 josh 4 700885 Many of the old-line creole places in the Quarter--Galatoire's, Arnaud's, Antoine's--can accomodate a private party of 100. Not sure if they fit in your budget. You might also try the Foundry, which is a catering venue operated by Bella Luna restaurant...see website below: Link: http://www.bellalunarestaurant.com/about_foundry.html Wed Feb 01 14:59:04 -0800 2006 700884 0 Hungry Celeste 5 700891 Try the Riverview Room at the Jax Brewery. Ask for Mary Quarls. Gorgeous view. Have no idea on prices though. Thu Feb 02 14:12:24 -0800 2006 700885 0 Tchoupitoulas 4 700886 I had my wedding reception at the Pontchartrain hotel, a little outside downtown on St. Charles ave. They had lots of options, buffet to sit-down. What exactly is your per person price range? including drinks? Wed Feb 01 15:07:57 -0800 2006 700884 0 Jess 3 700893 Mother's on Poydras has a separate catering facility next door. They should be relatively inexpensive. Thu Feb 02 23:19:42 -0800 2006 700880 0 Clicquot 4 700957 I second that notion. My wife and i got married last May in New Orleans and had out Rehearsal Dinner @ Mother's Next Door. They had everything you could ever want (except crawfish and raw oysters). It was awesome... Sun Feb 12 18:00:09 -0800 2006 700893 0 HellsKitchenKrewe 1 700899 My daughter was married in NO last June, and she and her fiancee wanted to do a crawfish boil. After looking into most of the parks, which would have been economical, and recognizing time restrictions that they have, we ultimately decided to do something a little different--a Cajun swamp tour and crawfish boil. A company called Cajun Pride picked up our guests at a hotel and gave a bit of an NO tour as well as alligator beads, as they drove out to their location in LaPlace--about 30 minutes outside of town. Everyone had a tour of the swamp (about an hour, I guess), had an opportunity to feed the alligators and came back to a crawfish boil (complete with crawfish, hot dogs, potatoes, corn, mushrooms, etc.) We'd brought ice chests of beer, especially Abita, though there were some lite beer drinkers as well. The crawfish were excellent--even our Cajun son-in-law and his family thought so--and all of our visitors from out of town thought it was a lot of more fun than the traditional rehearsal dinner. With a group rate it was pretty reasonable. Link: http://www.cajunprideswamptours.com/index2.htm Sat Feb 04 21:58:31 -0800 2006 700874 0 Emily