Arriving on Tues. 23rd, dinner away from crowd?

[spine72]

I'm arriving in NO next Tuesday for a Wednesday meeting. It just happens to be Mardi Gras. I'm staying in the Quarter. How bad are the crowds going to be and I would love a suggestion for a great meal? I land at 4 so should be checked in and hungry by 6. Thanks

[mrsfury]

You should be able to find food though, but it's going to be crowded everywhere. I don't know how close to your hotel you're going to be able to get in a car. The "check with the hotel" suggestion sounds like a winner to me.

[edible complex]

Rib Room, make a reservation NOW!
otherwise, it might be tough trying to find something open unless it's in a hotel.
call Luke to see what they're doing on Gras. not too far from the Qtr and just a short cab ride if you don't want to walk. just beware that there will still be street closings and barricades up, so eating in the Qtr is your best bet.

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Luke Restaurant
333 St Charles, New Orleans, LA 70130

Rib Room Rotisserie Extrrdnr
621 Saint Louis Street, New Orleans, LA 70140

[spine72]

So is it goinf to be a nightmare on Tuesday? Does everything shout down and at what time? Thanks for the help!

[roro1831]

The only things open will be hospitality related, the entire city shuts down, other than restaurants, bars and convenience stores, and hotels, which is basically all the French Quarter is. Trying to get a cab on Mardi Gras day will be next to impossible. The parades start at 7am, but don't make it down to Canal Street, FQ area until later in the morning. Arriving at 4, you will have a rough time getting to your hotel, that's just my guess. No idea what the nicer restaurants down in the quarter do on Mardi Gras day, as I don't leave the area around Napolean and St Charles, and the only restaurant I see that day is Popeyes

[edible complex]

the FrQtr will be rocking until midnight, when the ceremonial shutting down of Mardi Gras on Bourbon St begins. call your hotel concierge to get best directions for your cabbie and also suggestions for something to eat w/in walking distance. the Qtr is pretty much shut down to motorized traffic, other than liquor suppliers and first responders (decide for yourself who's who), so you'll be on foot. bring your camera, you won't be disappointed. enjoy and just go with it!

[spine72]

Wow. I am pretty excited to see it. I'll plan on getiing dropped of outside the quarter and walking to the hotel. Its a 2 day trip so I dont have anything but a carry on bag. I think I'll plan on bar food type meal that night and try for something better on Wednesday evening.

[hazelhurst]

Unless your hotel is off-the-beaten-path, you're gonna have a helluva time getting to it, even late Carnival Day. Trying to move in some places is tough enough with abeer,let alone a carry-on bag. Check with the hotel and they should be able to tell you what is going on. Almost surely they'll route you to the back of the Quarter but it depends on where the hotel is...

Lunch Ash Wed is always fun, especially if you are the one who is NOT hungover and if you are not giving anything up for Lent.

[edible complex]

and don't be alarmed by the black marks on folks' foreheads...those are just ashes from church.
there is also a code on Ash Wednesday that we don't acknowledge if we saw someone the day before in a less than flattering performance. be discreet.

[spine72]

I am staying at the Burbon Hotel, which is smack dab in the middle of it all of course. This should be interesting I guess. I'm from Chicago and have been to NOLA a few times so I can handle crowds but I have a feeling this will be unique. Also I am a recovering Irish catholic so I know all about the ashes as well as being descrete! And other tips on getting around or spots to eat are greatly appriciated!! My flight home is Thursday at 4 so I have Wed. night and most of Thursday day to get into trouble and feast! Thanks