663754 Sat Oct 31 14:00:52 -0700 2009 8 9 New Orleans 0 5145507 Second week of next April, I think, is the date of our next New Orleans visit. Last time, we had a car and did some driving out. We might like to rent one for a day or two this time, and pop out to Vacherie, is it, to see the Laura and Oak Alley plantations. Loie and I have been to Laura and I think it was Nottaway, but not Oak Alley. Our friends have been to none. None of us has been to St. Joseph. Any advice on routes, other things to see, and **especially** where to stop for lunch and possibly supper would be greatly appreciated. Any type venues for meals acceptable, from shacks to ritzy. Having no idea what's available, I'm open on this one! Sat Oct 31 14:00:52 -0700 2009 1082253 BuckyE 1 5147832 I am also curious about eating in this area, or maybe the surrounding area, such as Des Allemands, etc. I am planning a trip to the plantations during Thanksgiving week and am thinking of just swinging up to Middendorf's afterward. Sun Nov 01 17:26:39 -0800 2009 5145507 230533 midcity 1 5148599 Oak Alley has a restaurant that is, I hear, decent..I have not eaten there. Houmas House has a kitchen in the back but I do not know its hours...someone at your hotel will have that information if it is not on-line(and given the Commercialization of the place under its present owner i cannot imagine that it is not on-line. If you go there, drive upriver a few miles and have a look at two of the best houses which are, in order of appearance, Bocage and l'Hermitage. The latter is widely said to have the best proportions of any "great house." Oak Alley's proportions are excellent but they mucked it up when they painted it a Sherwin-William's Pink..it used to be a lovely light, light pink and the shadows playing across it were delightful. Still, it is a beautiful house. Mon Nov 02 06:52:22 -0800 2009 5145507 107060 hazelhurst 1 5148773 In Vacherie, try B&C Seafood, 2155 Highway 18, (225) 265-8356. Vacherie has a few other spots, including the usual pizza, Sonic, gas station poboys, etc of small LA towns. If you want to cross the river, you could try Nobile's in Lutcher, 2082 W Main St, (225) 869-8900‎. You'd drive back to Wallace (east/downriver) on Hwy 3127, cross the Gramercy bridge, and head back upriver to Lutcher. Or cross the same bridge and head downriver to Laplace and have lunch at Wayne Jacob's Smokehouse (769 W 5th St, LaPlace, LA‎ - (985) 652-9990‎), which has very, very good smoked meats & local specialties. Haven't heard much about the Oak Alley restaurant. The high-end place at Houmas House, Latil's Landing, has a good reputation, but it's only open for dinner. I think HH has a casual, daytime spot; can't say that I've spoken to anyone who's tried it (guess it caters to the day-tripping hordes). Mon Nov 02 07:51:47 -0800 2009 5145507 12023 Hungry Celeste 2 5148804 There is also a chicken place in Lutcher--or Gramercy, I'm not sure--on E Airline. I had some cold fried chicken from there at the Auburn tailgate party and it was great..very spicy. I think the name is Jenny's Mon Nov 02 08:01:46 -0800 2009 5148773 107060 hazelhurst 3 5149010 Yes--forgot about that one. Jenny's Overstuffed Poboys, (225) 869-0899 114 N Airline Ave, Gramercy... Mon Nov 02 09:04:35 -0800 2009 5148804 12023 Hungry Celeste 2 5153909 We like B&C but had one bad experience. The appetizer platter was less than fresh. Oak Alley's restaurant is decent. Spahr's in Thibodaux is good if you want to drive further south and see the sights. Across the river in Convent is Hymel's. It was off for a while but my recent visits have been very good. The prices are very reasonable and the menu is extensive. We liked the crab au gratin, burger and the stuffed bell peppers. Tue Nov 03 19:33:42 -0800 2009 5148773 125577 mrsfury 1 5153152 Ah, this is great. All the recommendations are greatly appreciated. I have to google the --to me-- new houses. Now we might just have lunch and supper along the River. Tue Nov 03 14:30:55 -0800 2009 5145507 1082253 BuckyE 1 5153158 Oh, and P.S.: We'll be renting a house in the Faubourg, so no concierge. Unless I'm one! Tue Nov 03 14:32:30 -0800 2009 5145507 1082253 BuckyE