La Petite Grocery or Pelican Club?

[ddavis]

We love NOLA and are getting to make another trip down in the next few weeks. We have dinner reservations so far at Stella!, Brigtsen's and Commander's Palace. Would you recommend La Petite Grocery or The Pelican Club for our final dinner? Why?

[N.O.Food]

I wouldn't recommend either because there are tons of places that are much better. Petite completely changed (menu and everything) when their chef left after Katrina, and Pelican Club has been just okay whenever I've gone. How bout herbsaint, restaurant one, lilette, gautreau's, cuvee, august, galatoire's, etc? I'm also impressed with Boucherie, if you want a more casual joint.

[BayouTeche]

I think La Petite is a fine choice. Is there better out there? Sure. Nonetheless, I've had nothing but excellent meals there (even post-K). I'm in agreement with N.O. on Pelican Club, however. Don't waste your time.

[N.O.Food]

I didn't mean to give the impression that petite wasn't ANY good. I like it a lot for lunch. However, when the chef left, they added TV's and made it much more casual. It's just in a different category now. It's nowhere near Stella, Brigtsen's, or Commander's. To answer the OP's original question, no doubt my vote goes to petite.

[JazzyB]

I find the plates at Gautreau's ill composed and exceedingly bland. Commander's does lunch better than dinner. Reserve the garden room. Haven't been to Petite or Pelican Club recently (previous visits did not inspire a return) We have dined at Emeril's 6x in the past couple of months, Fri. night being our most recent. The food and service has never been less than outstanding.

[ddavis]

Thanks to all for your suggestions. If I had my way, I would just go to Brigtsen's twice.

[ddavis]

I understand we're talking about a different type place, but how is GW Fins?

[N.O.Food]

I haven't been to fins in a while, but I've never been disappointed there.

[Hungry4Good]

Fins food is technically very good, but they need some more personal-style warmth and attention from the staff and waitstaff to distinguish it from a corporate-type establishment, which I'm sure it started out not to be.

[JazzyB]

The food is good. Nice space but ther's something missing. Never a bad meal nor a great one.

[kibbles]

while ive only been to Petite once, valentines day, i have been to PC and have actually always enjoyed it. i like their scallops + artichoke app, the seafood martini app, and the tuna entree.

they also have some of the best Coolinary offerings (fixed price summer dinners), due to available items and portions -- 3-courses exactly identical to main menu, for $30 bucks...including much seafood. its hard to beat and thats actually when i go, usually.