Recommendations Please Please

[N.O.FoodFan]

Hi all. I am in town only twice a year for 4-5 days so I try hard to make every meal really count (usually EZ to do in N.O.!). I am looking for a "stand-in" (hopefully temporary) for Gabrielle, i.e. dinner with great, fresh New Orleans food with some nice creative surprises but not too $$$$. (Brigtsen's, Cuvee, et al are all fantastic but with $30+- entrees are too pricey for my cost-conscious yet dear traveling companions.) THNAKS SO MUCH for your thoughts!

[Jesdamala]

How about Lilette on Magazine St? Dinner entrees are in the low $20s. A neighborhood bistro, quite wonderful!

http://liletterestaurant.com/

Not everything 'classic' NOLA, but truly wonderful!

[MakingSense]

For addresses and information on these and other NOLA restaurants go to www.nomenu.com
As restaurants reopen, they are listed there. There are now more than 700 open. Also a caution about still-limited hours.
I'm heading back home in less than three weeks and wondering how I can eat 6 meals a day. I know what it means to miss New Orleans.

[bodie]

Iris, Herbsaint, Cochon, Coop's all have very good food and are relatively inexpensive compared to places live August, Brigsten's, Bayona or Cuvee.
Some of the places out by City Park are less expensive than their Uptown or Quarter counterparts - I really like Degas and Lola's. Another good way to get great meals at lower prices is to visit the fancier places for lunch instead of dinner. That said, don't forget the other end of the spectrum, down-home po-boys joints like Domilise's, Parkway and Parasols.

[JGrey]

I agree, Iris is really good. One is another possibility in that neighborhood, but I think Iris is better for the money.

Also look at Upperline and Martinique. Upperline would be the closest to Gabrielle's style, I think.

[dtud]

Jacques Imos, Dick & Jenny's, and Ye Old College Inn have very good fresh New Orleans food at super reasonable prices. With drinks, dinner for 2 was around $50-60 at each place. I don't know which one is my favorite - all are really great restaurants and very new orleans.

[N.O.FoodFan]

thanks dtud - It's going on my list!

[MakingSense]

The College Inn had changed hands shortly before Katrina and was undergoing some changes. I had eaten there and it wasn't the same. My family has been regulars since the '50s.
Maybe some others have some up-to-date reports.

[Hungry Celeste]

It did change hands and the food dramatically improved. Katrina flooded it pretty badly, and the owner (John Blancher, who also owns Rock-n-Bowl) moved YoCI to the building next door. Still offers reasonably priced, neighborhood-restaurant-style NOLA food.

[dtud]

i don't know if it changed hands or not (and i don't care). post storm - the food is very good. the staff is great and frinedly and helpful. it's a really nice place. and the food was just solid. i had the fish covered with crawfish and it was just absolutely perfect. nicely cooked fish covered with cream/crawfish sauce and on top of spinach. delicious.

when can we stop talking about pre/post? let's get our eat on and forget about it!!

[Hungry Celeste]

Perhaps in 50 years I'll be ready to stop talking pre- and post-

[Frolic]

I suppose the next generation won't divide life in New Orleans this way. For the rest of us, nothing else makes sense.

I wonder if the College Inn will go back to it's old spot some day?

[Hungry Celeste]

Have you eaten at the Bon Ton? Not full of creative surprises, but decently priced and tasty food (lunch spot). Also put Cochon on your list, too. If you share small plates with your friends, you can get a nice variety without breaking the bank.

[N.O.FoodFan]

Thanks Celeste! Yes, I love the Bon Ton, so homey and good. Looking forward to Cochon...haven't been there yet. I can't wait to try Liuzza's oyster/garlic po-boy that you recomended! On that subject, any well prepared fried oyster po-boys around the F. Quarter? Is Domilise worth the drive? Thanks so much for your help.

[Hungry Celeste]

Get thee to Casamento's, Magazine Street just downtown of Napoleon Avenue. Not an oyster poboy, but an oyster loaf on "pan bread"--a pullman loaf of crusty white bread sliced lengthwise and filled with fried oysters. And, you get to walk through the kitchen on the way to the restrooms.

[N.O.FoodFan]

MMMMMmmmmmmmmmm