Upscale Restaurant - No Jacket!

[mnotarangelo]

Hi,
I am heading to New Orleans on Saturday - YIPPEEEEEE! and have reservation at the Louisana Bistro and Cochon. I was wondering if there was a great last night in New Orleans place that is fairly upscale and worth every penny where I don't have to wear a sports coat. I'm sure my belly will be bigger than usual by then!

Thanks, Mike

[mnotarangelo]

Man I can't even concentrate on work, I can't wait to go! Thanks to everyone. I'll share my travels when i get back. Much appreciated! Michael

[mnotarangelo]

Well, I'm getting so freaking psyched about going to NO! I'm leaving the house tomorrow night at 4 a.m. for a 6 a.m. flight. We'll be at our hotel by noon! I'm sure there are some dogs out there but I'd imagine most places are good. I'm sticking with the tested ones and have used the Chowhound board as one of the guides.

Lunches are Mothers, Acme, Cassamentos, Dinners are Cochon and Bayona and Commanders Palace. I've got one more day left. Thinking about Jacque Imos and another lunch spot...maybe a Poboy place....

Anyway, thanks for your help! (and what should I drink? I drink mostly it all! LOL)

Mike

[ScarlettNola]

Parkway Tavern and Bakery for Po boys. In regards to drinks and depending on your taste, you may want to try a Sazerac, Pimms Cup or Ramos Gin Fizz. Have a safe flight and you will have to let us know about your experiences in NOLA.

[mnotarangelo]

Scarlett,
Thank you! I cannot begin to tell you how psyched I am. When I was 20, I would have been coming here for the beads (LOL and ok I might still like it) but now, I'm looking to relax, appreciate the city and enjoy all the food!
Michael

[ScarlettNola]

Michael: I am just as excited, because my husband and I live out of town now but are headed home today my Grandma's birthday. We manage to get home to NOLA about 6 times a year and it never fails to excite me! It a fabulous place and has so much to offer to both residents and visitors(in fact we may be moving back soon : ) The love I have for NOLA has not diminished since I have been a small child. I say get some beads, have a hurricane(or hand grenade if so inclined) and experience everything you can about this wonderful place. (Just don't wear the beads off of Bourbon Street as it makes you a bit of a target to pick-pockets etc) Have a wonderful time and Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler (let the good times roll!)

[mnotarangelo]

Scarlett - Enjoy yourself completely and say Happy Birthday to Grandma! I have cancelled my reservation to Louisiana Bistro. I have chosen Cochen, Jacques Imos, Commander's Palace AND should I go to Bayona? I am more of a traditionalist but I think a new spin is good too!

thanks again...confused in Massachusetts! LOL

[ScarlettNola]

I always recommend Bayona. I think Chef Spicer is somewhat traditional but with a slightly different take. She uses many different flavor combinations for an overall fantastic result. PLUS the outside courtyard is perfect for a Spring night. You can do both lunch and dinner there. Bayona has become a tradition for us as well as any friends who have visited with us and loved it as much as we do. Good call in cancelling Louisiana Bistro and the other choices are good as well. We will be at both Jacques Imos and Commanders in the next few days as well. Hope this helps.

[nikinik]

Glad to see you cancelled Louisiana Bistro in favor of Jacques-Imo and Bayona is a great choice! Be sure to get the shrimp on top of the black bean cake appetizer. YUM!

[nikinik]

Defnitely hit Jacques-Imo! For po-boy lunch my husband swears by the roast beef at Magazine Po-Boy Shop. Another fan favorite is Parkway Bakery.

Another good option for lunch is Stanley near Jackson Square.

[N.O.Food]

Just curious...why Louisiana Bistro?

[mnotarangelo]

I dunno, I read some great reviews of it within Trip Advisor, so i figured I'd try it out.

it was voted there the #1 restaurant. I'm open for other ideas.

What about a Traditional Restaurant in NO - with no jacket of course! :) I'm thinking I should go to one NO Icon....

[danieli10]

You absolutely cannot go wrong at Irene's in the FQ.

[N.O.Food]

Personally, I would ditch La. Bistro in favor of a thousand other places: Commander's, Mandina's, MiLa, Stella, August, Herbsaint, Brigtsen's, Bayona, Lilette, Boucherie, Irene's, Matt n Naddie's, Martinique Bistro...just to name a few. As noted, the only place in town that requires a jacket is Galatoire's.

[nikinik]

Brightsens.

[Fydeaux]

I also went to Louisiana Bistro after reading about it on Trip Advisor. It was a good meal; I'd go so far as saying a really good meal. But it was not a great meal. I'd go back, but only if I was going to be there for two weeks or more and had already eaten at all the other places I'd heard about, if that gives you any kind of perspective.

Marigny Brasserie seems to be in some kind of turmoil, or I'd recommend them. So of the places mentioned so far, I'd suggest Bayona.

[mnotarangelo]

OK NOW I"M REALLY CONFUSED!! HELLP!!!!

[Fydeaux]

Sorry if we (me?) confused you.

Louisiana Bistro can safely be missed. I personally am suggesting Bayona as an alternative.

[mnotarangelo]

No, it's me! I'm (I GUESS) a foodie because it takes me 100% longer to pick a restaurant than it does the hotel! I just want this to be perfect. So if I go to Cochon and Bayona (replacing LA Bistro), I still need one good OLD FASHION New Orleans haunt to go to for dinner. I thin the last one should be the NO of old...so we get that flavor too!

Thanks again for your help!

[N.O.Food]

Commander's it is then. That's an easy choice. If you want a casual new orleans experience, I'd say Mandina's.

[nikinik]

You can dine pretty much anywhere without a jacket except for Galatoire's.

[ScarlettNola]

Mike: Some people may disagree with me but there are several upscale restaurants that are "business casual" in their dresscode. Those restaurants that I can personally recommend that do not require a sports coat(but sports coats and suits are not out of place AT ALL if that is your druthers) are:
Restaurant August
Stella
Bayona
MiLa
Herbsaint
Lillette
My husband has worn a suit and tie to all of the above listed choices, but would be equally comfortable in khaki pants and a long sleeved button down shirt. I have seen tuxedos down to khakis in all of the above listed choices. Galatoires and Commanders Palace are two fabulous choices but both do require a jacket for gentlemen. You will be fine at Cochon without a sports coat. Good luck and I hope this helps.

[mnotarangelo]

Hi Scarlet (cute handle by the way!),
I saw you put Bayona on your most favorite... My wife is taking me to NO for my 50th birthday gift. I'd like to give her to a memorable night at dinner as well. What's your top choice...I'm sure I won't be disappointed. I've very easy going as long as the food is good and there is decent service.
Thanks, Mike!

[nikinik]

I'd recommend the tasting menu at Stella!

[ScarlettNola]

I agree with nikinik. My brother and his fiance just did the tasting menu and said it was absolutely fabulous and one of their best meals ever. (They are BIG TIME foodies) I really love foie gras wontons, gnocci appetizer and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the duck 5 ways. I think it is better than the duck at Brigtsens which recieves many accolades. (Bayona also serves lunch which is great) I still really love Bayona for atmosphere and food, but for a stellar dining experience Stella will fit the bill! Happy Birthday!