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HSTiger Oct 30, 2009 01:05 PM

Anniversary Dinner Help

Where is the best place to go in town to celebrate an anniversary? I would prefer traditional cajun/creole cuisine (or at least Southern), but will go another route if there are better options. We would like a quiet, more formal place with good service, but will go more casual if it means the food is better. I have made a reservation at Stella!, but I'm having second thoughts.
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›7 Replies . Latest Oct 31, 2009 by kukubura
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     CharlieH Oct 30, 2009 04:40 PM

    If you aren't wedded to the Quarter, I have always thought Commanders was an excellent celebration restaurant, especially if is more than just the two of you. The service is top notch and it is quite formal, but if you are looking for cutting edge food, it might not be for you. I think you should also consider Emerils Delmonico, again, a very pleasant upscale atmosphere, muted southern influence. They both made the top ten as selected by our papers food critic, as were Mila, August, and Stella. I am sure you would enjoy any of them.
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    1. re: CharlieH
      kukubura Oct 31, 2009 07:56 AM

      We had a lovely anniversary dinner at Pelican Club. They treated us really well. The first room (the dark wood one) is intimate and romantic and has big comfy booths. Highly recommended.

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      Pelican Club Restaurant & Bar
      312 Exchange Alley, New Orleans, LA 70130
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    2. nomadchowwoman Oct 30, 2009 04:20 PM

      MiLa (name comes from the chef couple's home states, Mississippi and Louisiana) is wonderful, quiet, not casual, and the food is heavy with the influence of Southern cooking as well as creaole and cajun, but it's not what I would call "traditional." It is what I call delicious, however, and the restaurant is a great special occasion place. Take a look at their menu: http://www.milaneworleans.com
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         cwbjkf Oct 30, 2009 02:41 PM

        Kind of depends on what you like. Stella is wonderful....more like what you would see on the Iron Chef (in fact wasn't the Chef on the show?)....small portions expertly created. August is similar...(Chef John Besh has also been on Iron Chef). Emerils is always good too. Clancy's Uptown or Gautraus are more local and serve more locally styled cuisine. Don't worry, you really can't go wrong with any of these restaurants.

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        Emeril's Restaurant
        800 Tchoupitoulas, New Orleans, LA 70130
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        1. BayouTeche Oct 30, 2009 01:29 PM

          I love Stella, but it's certainly not cajun, creole or even Southern. My go-to special occasion restaurant is August.....kind of "international contemporary creole".
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          1. re: BayouTeche
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             HSTiger Oct 30, 2009 01:47 PM

            That's what I gathered about Stella, but it came highly recommended by a couple of people.

            I just read about August and it looks really good! Thanks. My wife will be there for the week and, unfortunately for me, I think she is going there for dinner one night.
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            1. re: HSTiger
              BayouTeche Oct 30, 2009 02:45 PM

              Stella is fantastic, but it's more Pan-Asian/fusion. A couple other thoughts would be Bayona and Bistro at Maison deVille. Both are smaller and more intimate with excellent menus. Check out their websites:

              http://www.bayona.com/
              http://www.bistromaisondeville.com/

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              Bayona
              430 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70112

              Hotel Maison De Ville
              727 Toulouse St, New Orleans, LA 70130
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