I'm craving ---, where should I get it?

[panoz]

I'm afraid this is one of those "I'm out of town, where should I eat?" type of questions. However, I would like to avoid all the big-name, well published, everyone's-heard-about kind of New Orleans restaurants. It's more like "I'm craving 'X', where should I get it?"

Having said that, let me preface everything. I've always loved Cajun/Creole/New Orleans style cooking, having never stepped foot in Louisiana. I own several cajun/creole cookbooks, I make my own shrimp stocks, spice mixes, I've make 50+ minute dark roux, I have watched Emeril for years before he became such a big TV ass, and love going to cajun/creole restaurants in the cities I've lived in (unfortunately those would be LA and New York, which is NOT known for good cajun/creole restaurant). Now that I am coming over for this first time, I would like to really calibrate my tastes. I want to see what I have been eating and cooking SHOULD have tasted like.

I am coming over for Jazz Fest, and staying near the French Quarter, so I can't readily get very far from there. We've already chosen a few nicer, sit down, white tablecloth type restaurants which is why I don't want to go to those types of restaurants. I feel that these kinds of dishes can be found at more casual, neighborhood, everyday types of restaurant. Everyone outside of NOLA knows that if you want a muffaletta, you go to Central Grocery. But I want to ask you, the good people of New Orleans, where do YOU go when you really crave a good muffaletta? Hell, maybe the answer IS Central Grocery. But that's what I want to know. And that is what I am asking for the following dishes: "I'm craving 'X', where should I get it?" where 'X' is

1) gumbo (any kind)
2) etouffee (any kind)
3) jambalaya (any kind)
4) gulf oysters on the half shell
5) po'boy sandwich (more interested in shrimp or fried oyster)
6) barbecue shrimp
7) muffaletta
8) catfish/redfish court-boullion

Thank you!!!!

[katitut]

For bbq shrimp, you must go to Manale's on Napoleon. They also have an awesome oyster bar for when you're waiting to get a table. I was there about a month ago and maybe it was a good night, but I've never had better oysters.

[localfoodie]

1) gumbo (any kind)
2) etouffee (any kind)
3) jambalaya (any kind) The first three, you could probably walk down decater street and find any one of those at a random resstaurant and they would probably be good
4) gulf oysters on the half shell- Luke they have an amazing oyster assortment
5) po'boy sandwich (more interested in shrimp or fried oyster) domiliese they have the best shrimp poboy in the city
6) barbecue shrimp Besh Steak house in Harrahs AWESOME
7) muffaletta Central Grocery
8) catfish/redfish court-boullion - LUke Friday lunch special

Thank you!!!!

[kevin]

Is there a website for Besh steakhouse and also a website for Luke, is Luke also owned by John Besh of August restaurant fame?

Thanks.

[Philly]

Kevin--Since you obviously have internet access, why don't you try a web search on Yahoo for your answers. Hint--start with Lukes.

[kevin]

Thanks.

For everyone's info, Luke does have a website, and the menu sounds great , paneed veal, duck and rabbit terrine, platters of fresh seafood, I'm so there. And a great sounding burger too. Some of the dishes, mainly in the area of the charcuterie reminds one of Cochon?

[N.O.Food]

Yes, Besh owns all those and then some.

[localfoodie]

Go to www.beshrestaurantgroup.com
or
www.chefjohnbesh.com

[figida]

Great Muffaletta in the quarter = Masperos on Decatur. Don't get trapped at 'The Original Masperos' on Chartres. Many people claim Napolean House has the best but I strongly disagree. Masperos Muffaletta's are FULL of meat and cheap!

[uptownlady]

For a great fried shrimp po-boy I would definitely try Domilise's. Very casual and mostly locals. It's not that close to the Quarter, but worth the trip. Oh and bring cash, they don't accept debit/credit cards.

5240 Annunciation (at Bellcastle)

[JazzyB]

Gumbo: Prejean's duck and andouille at Jazz Fest., Mr. B's Gumbo ya-ya, Commanders', Herbsaint. IMHO best oyster po-boy is at Bozos in Metairie. Casamentos would be #2. Coops on Decatur is ok. If K-Paul's ever opens for lunch, their oyster po-boy is outstanding. Oysters 1/2 shell, Felix's (stand at the bar), Muff: Central Grocery. Got one from Nor-Joes recently, took a bite and threw it out. ( personal taste, not trying to upset anyone), Parkway for shrimp po-boy (really miss the one at Brunings). Mr. B's bar-b-que shrimp is good but very heavy on the worcestershire. Generally make this as well as jambalaya, gumbo, etouffe at home.

[lawstudent]

Liuzza's on Bienville is a perfect place to get this stuff (most of it) and it is kind of in the Jazz Fest area.

[pilaf]

1) gumbo -- Herbsaint
2) etouffee -- the Bon Ton, but call Galatoire's to see if they made a batch that day. I like it ladeled over sauteed softshell crabs.
3) jambalaya -- Mothers
4) gulf oysters on the half shell -- Bozo's, Acme, Felix's
5) po'boy sandwich (more interested in shrimp or fried oyster) -- Mandina's or Parkway
6) barbecue shrimp -- Mr. B's
7) muffaletta -- Napoleon House or Nor-Joe's
8) catfish/redfish court-boullion -- Luke on Friday lunch (I believe)

[kevin]

what is court bouillon?

[malenky]

It is like a fish stew, but can be a little soupy. It has tomatoes in it. Here is a great recipe http://www.jfolse.com/recipes/seafood...

[N.O.Food]

Pronounced Koo-bee-yon. (the yon being a french pronunciation I don't know how to spell phonetically).

[mrsfury]

When I had Mother's jambalaya it was greasy. Did you eat there recently? I'll give it another shot if so, I have not had it from there in probably 2 years.

Gumbo - Diplomat
Jambalaya - Napoleon House
Oysters - Bourbon House
Poboy - Bourbon House
Bbq shrimp - Closest place I can think of is Crazy Johnnie's in Metairie
Muffaletta - Napoleon House

[JerseyNOLA]

Remember - food is one of the major attractions at Jazz Fest.....

Enjoy !

[uptownlibrarian]

Funny you should bring up court boullion. It's rarely found in restaurants, but Craig at J'Anita's on Magazine St. made some with redfist last week. It was good. Unfortunately it was a special, so it might not be available when you are here.

-----
J'Anita's Restaurant
1906 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA

[chef4hire]

Cochon has a catfish or redfish court boullion every day- my husband loved it when he had it - I think it was about $18

[N.O.Food]

Cochon has court buillon, but I didn't like it. It had a very tangy vinegar taste to it.

[N.O.Food]

gumbo - brigtsen's (but lots of places have good gumbo: commander's, emeril's, etc.)
oysters - casamento's
poboys - parkway usually, but I did have a great roast beef at ignatius the other day, and a great shrimp at Guy's, Crabby Jacks also has good poboys
BBQ Shrimp - Crazy Johnnie's in Metairie. Hands down the best bbq shrimp.
Muffaletta - Frankie and Johnny's

The other stuff - we make at home, and I don't even have a recommendation.