First time in new orleans - looking for baby friendly eats

[frumps]

Hi there,

My husband and I are here for the first time (I'm here for work so sadly do not have all day to research restaurants), staying near the convention center with our 11 month old daughter. Any suggestions for nearby, delicious, baby-friendly places? We're from san francisco and we love to eat.

We wound up eating at gordon biersch tonight, thinking the whole time, this is a travesty, but it was raining, freezing, the baby was hungry, and we didn't know where else to go. Surely there must be some better choices!

We are also hoping to have an adults only meal one night - taxi is fine but don't want to go too far - what would be your choice for your only baby-free meal in new orleans?

Thanks in advance for suggestions!

[edible complex]

in the area are RioMar, LaBoca, a Mano, Cochon, Tommy's, Emeril's, Herbsaint, August, Luke. call ahead and explain you will have the baby, as they may be able to seat you somewhere more private if you need the privacy. otherwise, we're friendly here. in fact, some kids act better than some adults ;-)

for your one not to miss baby-free, August is perfection. they also do lunch, if you can't get there for dinner. other choices would be Galatoire's, Iris, and Rib Room (in that order). there are so many other great restaurants outside the CBD/FrQtr, like Clancy's, Patois, Bistro Dais, Lilette, Commander's Palace, Martinique Bistro. taxi rides are no more than 10-15 mins to just about anywhere, so venture out if you wish.

[Hungry Celeste]

Cochon butcher (separate from Cochon the restaurant proper) on Andrew Higgins is very casual, counter & stool seating (a big stroller won't fit inside the place) with housemade cured meats & other such fare. Rio Mar (spanish, seafood-centric) does tapas at lunch, which would definitely be baby-friendly (small plates tend to arrive quickly).

[frumps]

Thank you both for your suggestions! Update: tonight we took the baby to the gumbo shop. Not being at all familiar with creole food, we were quite pleased - I had etouffee and my husband had gumbo. Yum. The baby had a grilled cheese sandwich and enjoyed playing with some straws and plastic cubes of butter. They were super friendly and no one was bothered at all that she made a huge mess and screamed (happy screams) occasionally.

Tomorrow night, we have late reservations (post CA-time baby bedtime) at August. I may send my husband with baby to Riomar for lunch, it is right around the corner from our hotel, but sadly I will be working.