40th Birthday Blow Out in NO
I am leaving tomorrow for my 40th birthday blow out in New Orleans and I am a first timer and a major foodie. We have a few things picked out, but wanted to get some more opionions of things I am missing or mistakes we might be making.
Friday:
Lunch - no choice yet, any suggestions?
Dinner - Brigtsens
Saturday:
Breakfast - Cafe DuMonde
Lunch - Willie Mae's Scotch House
Dinner - Commander's Palace
Sunday:
Brunch - Brennan's
Late Lunch - would like muffaletta - what is best?
Dinner - Cafe August
Monday:
Breakfast - should we just go back to Cafe DuMonde?
Lunch - would like Po Boy - what is best?
Any suggestions for good late night spots with great drinks? Thanks all!!
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Bill Hunt
Jun 11, 2009 08:40 PM
Looks good to me.
We've had a couple of great brunches at Brennan's (much to my surprise), but have not yet made it to Wille Mae's. Missed Brennan's last trip, and kinda' missed it. [Never thought I'd type those words.]
Restaurant August has a new sommelier, since our last vist there, and that part was my only rub. Food and food-service were great!
Commander's was good, but not great for a recent dinner. Little problems and some things were just not up to par. Reviews to follow.
Have always had great meals at Brigtsen's, but I'd love to consult on their wine list. The food excels, but the wine needs a "kick in the you-know-what." Maybe in my dreams?
Enjoy. Wish I was looking forward to my 40th and not via a magnifying rear-view mirror!
Hunt
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re: Bill Hunt
As I have remarked before, Commanders has been a Roller-Coaster for me. Sometimes just fantastic..other times(usually after the Chef has left for TV empire) things get rocky. It's a huge place so things can go wrong readily...shouldn't, but they do. I won't speak agin them because they can do some great stuff. Lunch is more relaxed, more local, more accomodating. But I've had some damn fine dinners there...once on a memorable Bacchus Parade night--it was great because no one could get to the place due to the parade (it was still lively but not packed).
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re: hazelhurst
Bill Hunt
Jun 11, 2009 09:48 PM
In our case, things were not bad, but they did not live up to expectations on some "signature" dishes.
Now, I have to admit that this was our first "real" time back, after having been royaly dissed a few years ago. The other visits were for events, that were uneven at best. Again, there was a major "uneveness," and we took notice. I'll try to capture the evening in my upcoming reviews. Maybe I was holding them to too high a bar?
Have not done lunch/brunch in too many years to comment. It's been dinner for about two decades. Still, we judge many restaurants on their dinner service.
Hunt
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re: Bill Hunt
Lunch at Commanders is a splendid experience and dinner IMHO sometimes seemed rushed and steps skipped. Last month, we did have dinner there, food was fine and without problem, but felt rushed through our meal and as though servers were hovering in effort to get us out to accomodate the next party. Shocking after a $300.00 tab for 2.
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re: ScarlettNola
Bill Hunt
Jun 12, 2009 08:58 PM
We did not feel rushed, though we did dine early for M-I-L's schedule. Still, little seemed up to par, but this was from the kitchen, and not the servers. Maybe they needed some "break-in" time. Still, they just were not hitting on all cylinders. The serving staff was about 90%, or better on our visit.
As someone who has had many fabulous meals at CP's, and has celebrated maybe a dozen "special occasions," there, I have been somewhat disappointed on the last several vists. Little that was really bad, but then nothing to rave about either. I'm use to spending big bucks on my dining, so that is not a problem. Value for the $'s has been something for me to question.
Hunt
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re: ScarlettNola
Bill Hunt
Jun 13, 2009 06:54 PM
I am not a big fan of waiting for my reservations. Yes, I give a restaurant some leaway, as they do not know exactly how quickly the patrons will finish, and were I them, would not wish to be rushed myself. Still, a good restaurant should have some sort of idea and also an internal policy to accommodate for this. I know that many higher-end restaurants save a table, or two, for certain "concierge" bookings. I've used a few of these at different restaurants and at different times. Still, a house can be crowded beyond their plannings and expectations.
Besides poor service, mediocre food, horribly marked-up wines, etc., my biggest rub with Dickie Brennan's was a 9:00PM reservation where we were not seated until about 10:30PM and were promptly told that the kitchen was closing and we'd better order everything quickly, or we'd not be fed. Yeah, like I'd ever darken their doors again!
Sorry to hear about your experience at CP's. Their FOH operation was what turned us off from dining there for several years. Amazing what patrons focus on. More restaurants need to read CH to see what diners really think and want.
[Rant Mode/Off]
Hunt
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re: Bill Hunt
bill - as for holding CP's to high a bar... for a place that markets itself one of the "culinary capitals" (of the world, one must assume), you really cant hold it too-high. as you said, i have no problem paying top dollar for top quality work....but if at the end of the night youve paid top dollar for merely average, then the covenant has been broken.
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I much prefer Commanders for lunch rather than dinner. Reserve the garden room m-f. I've given Brennans their last try and won't be back. Central Grocery is my choice for a muff. unfortunately, they are closed Sunday. Johnnys or Parkway for a poboy . Be sure to get to Willie Maes when they open (11) or you'll have a long wait outside in the heat. I've been frequenting Emeril's about 3x a month since Nov. and always have excellent food and service. Happy Birthday!
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re: JazzyB
I agree with recommending Commander's for lunch. Service is much more relaxed and food more thoughfully prepared IMHO. You may want to consider your Friday lunch at Commanders, and opt for a lighter dinner at Rambla or another Tapas style bar, and spend Saturday night at Brigtsens.
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I would suggest Mandina's for lunch. Variety in menu and an institution in NOLA. Nothing fancy but great Creole/Italian comfort food. At Brigtsens try the duck! Delicious.. Saturday's choices look great to me. On Sunday, I am not a big fan of Brennan's. Perhaps it is something you should try once, but I really love EAT for brunch. It is BYOB, but food is wonderful and it generally receives rave reviews. For Muffalettas try Central Grocery (cold) or Napoleon House (hot). I am assuming you mean Restaurant August. That is a wonderful place. Another dinner fave for me is Stella! or Bayona. On Monday, you can try the Ruby Slipper Cafe, Stanley(brother restaurant of Stella) or Camellia Grill for breakfast. Cafe DuMonde is great, but IMHO, not something you want to try more than once per trip although a lot of people do and love it. For oyster boy boys I love Parkway Bakery and Tavern, but for Roast Beef try Parasols. As far as cocktails, you have SOOO many options depending on what type of enviroment you are seeking. For no frills, cheap drinks and a fabulous NOLA experience, try the Club (Miss Mae's on Magazine Street) F & M PAtio Bar, Maple Leaf Bar, or Snake and Jakes(you will have to google this place, but an absolutely hysterical late night blast!) For upscale cocktails, try Bar Uncommon, CURE Nola, Columns Hotel (Great ambiance) Carousel Bar, for atmosphere ONLY have one hurricane at Pat O Brien's, French 75, or Hermes Bar. Happy Birthday and have a blast! P.S. If you have not already made reservations at Commander's or Restaurant August, try to do so asap.
