2 Nights in New Orleans

[lorerts]

I'm a Chicago chowhound visiting New Orleans for a wedding. We'll have two nights (and possibly one lunch) to do our own thing while in town, and I'm looking for suggestions. It's been years since I've been to the city.

A few spots that we are considering based on prior posts are: Brigstens, Stella!, August, Lilette, Cafe Adelaide, Commanders Palace....but I'm open to suggestions. I've ruled out Cochon since I don't eat pork or beef and the menu looks pretty focused.

We are staying in the French Quarter but are open to going elsewhere; we'll be relying on cabs and public transportation.

Thanks!

[lorerts]

Thanks again. We are adventurous eaters, just not heavy meat eaters. Having not spent much time at all in New Orleans, should we even be taking location into much consideration? I thought it might be nice to go somewhere within walking distance from the hotel (Monteleone) but now I'm wondering....

[mikek]

I do not know if you will really want to walk to Stella, as it is relatively deep into the Quarter.

[Hungry Celeste]

It is eight blocks from the Monteleone to Stella. From Royal, walk one block toward the river over to Chartres, then head downriver (left) on Charters for eight blocks. Voila, you are there. A nice walk that takes you by the new LA Supreme Court Building, the Napoleon House, K-Paul's, the Cabildo, the Presbytere, St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square, etc.

[lorerts]

Thank you for the directions---sounds like a pleasant walk.

[skisvalley]

John Besh is a dream! August is fantastic, the service wonderful, the food exquisite. I never miss an opportunity to go to August. I recently met Tenney Flynn and he made me a great meal at GW Fins. It is a little more casual, and the seafood is the freshest you can find in New Orleans.

[jfood]

although august looked fantastic it has a limited number of entrees on the menu. not sure if the menu is on line but just a head's up if there are eaters with limited desires.

[chef4hire]

may I suggest, since you might have time for a lunch and you nixed cochon because of the heavy pork rotation....RECONSIDER!! (that's a loud, pleading use of caps)

I could make a meal of the sides and starter small plates w/o a bit of pork or beef:

start with the oyster roast, shrimp with chow chow, fried alligator (IMO the best in the city- so much more complex than you could imagine) and maybe the pickled beets...order mac & cheese and the limas to round out the meal...2 people will be full...but save room for the abita root beer float

I'm serious...sometimes I dream about this very meal

[graz]

I didn't see anyone mention Galatoires. Any of the seafood dishes, especially the pompano if available, are sure bets.

[kevin]

yes, galatoire's is an option and so is kpaul's.

[JazzyB]

Watch out for skinny pompano. Ask your waiter for a thicker piece (also beware of the bones).

[lorerts]

Okay, we've settled on Brigstens for one night. Any thoughts on what would be a good counterpoint to that?

[mikek]

Brigtsens is a warm, homey feel. The food is delicious and refined, but not overly so. It is still creole and local at heart. You can either go really casual and fun, like jacques-imos or dick and jennys or to a quieter, more formal restaurant, such as Stella, August, Bayona, Delmonicos, etc. If it were me, I would lean to the more formal and finer dining that moves away from the regional flavors. You may also want to consider Herbsaint as a nice counter to Brigtsens.

[lorerts]

That might clinch it for us then, since we are staying at Hotel Monteleone and I figured it might be nice to go to a restaurant nearby one night (my understanding is that Stella! is in the French Quarter.) Thanks to all who responded!

[jfood]

Great choice, mrs jfood and i ate 1.5 meals there this past weekend. The duck w cherry sauce is currently on the menu and is way over the top good. if you are not on a cholesterol watch the butternut and shrimp bisque is about as rich as you can get (see the recipe on the website) and the shrimp appetizer will make you ask for more of their great bread to make sure you get all the sauce.

call for resos and be aware that brigtsens like many of the higher end restos are closed on sundays.

enjoy.

http://jfoodonfood.blogspot.com

[JazzyB]

Love Brigtsen's but the bisque is IMHO too thick. Density wise it's like slightly thinned mashed potatoes.

[jfood]

I described it to my wife as "flavored heavy cream" but loved it (what's an extra lipitor amongst friends). And the mashed potatoes that Chef Frank serves is without comparison in the US.

[Hungry Celeste]

Those mashed potatoes are really good, but it's time to rotate in some more interesting sides. By all means, keep em on the menu as an always-available side, but after all these years, I'm bored by them. I used to love them with abandon, now they strike me as an easily prepared, inexpensive plate filler.

[jfood]

i had some sweet potato corn hash with the nenison last week that was outstanding. ask for some next time.

[kevin]

it's great for people like me who don't get there often enough.

is the roast duck with the tart dried cherry sauce and veggies and mashed potatoes still on the menu.

[jfood]

the duck was on the menu this past weekend.

[chef4hire]

hate to agree but if I have one fault it's the sides...I love a good mash as much as the next guy but once you've eaten everything on the menu they get sooo boring

[JazzyB]

I agree Celeste. Mashed potatoes are an easy plate filler. Nothing special and easy to duplicate. K-Paul's does this also. But, I don't go for the potatoes.

[kevin]

thos mashed potatoes with some cherry sacue and you're in a proverbial version of heaven.

[kevin]

anyone know if brigtsten's has an email address?

thanks.

[jcoz23]

I would go to NOLA on St. Louis Street in the quarter, my husband and I both had fantastic meals there.

[mikek]

Personally, I would do Brigtsens and Stella/August. I am choosing Stella over August for my upcoming visit.