2nd visit and I'm turning 40! Suggestions?

[trishaluna]

Hello Chowhounders.

I need some help. I'm heading to New Orleans and meeting up with some friends (from diff. parts of the country, 6 all together) to celebrate my 40th birthday.
Two years ago, we did the same thing for another friend and had some great meals at
Brigsten's
Ralph's on the Park
Mr. B's
Jaques Imo
Cochon
Burgers at Port of Call
Beignets/coffee Cafe du Monde ( of course! )

So this time around I'm trying to figure out where to have a celebratory dinner on a Saturday night, in March. On my actual birthday on a Sunday, we're having brunch at Commander's. I was thinking of Jaques Imo because we had a great time there and it would be a fun, lively dinner. Maybe after heading to Maple Leaf if there is some music happening. But part of me is thinking something a bit more up-scale but not stuffy. We're a lively bunch and want to have a good time! I see that Emeril's gets some good reviews on here and was thinking that would be fun to try. On the website, I see 3 restos listed, I'm assuming it is just Emeril's New Orleans that is the original? I guess I shy away from it because it seems so touristy, which isn't probably an accurate assumption on my part.
I would like to check out a new place this time around and of course, I want fantastic food but something very New Orleans/regional as well. I'm here in Boston and I eat at fantastic places here and in NYC so I do lean towards a regional experience. Any suggestions? I really appreciate it.

Thanks! Trish

[edible complex]

Here's something I send out when someone asks me about eating in NOLA. Happy BDay! Cheers!

My favorite restaurants in the French Quarter are:

Galatoire's (jacket required for men at dinner): oysters rockefeller, oysters en brochette, seafood stuffed eggplant, lamb chops béarnaise, crabmeat au gratin, fried soft shell crabs w/crabmeat, godchaux salad, soufflé potatoes.
http://www.galatoires.com/
Mr.. B's: great gumbo Ya-Ya, BBQ shrimp, any fish of the day plank grilled, and profiteroles for dessert.
http://www.mrbsbistro.com/index2.php
Irene's: the duck is amazing, and the chicken rosemarino is a classic Creole Italian dish.
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/neworleans/D41515.html
Muriel's at Jackson Square: good gumbo, goat cheese and crawfish crepes, puppy drum, and double cut pork chops.
http://www.muriels.com/
Iris in the Bienville House for veal cheek ravioli, mussels, foie gras, duck confit, sunchoke and cauliflower soup, scallops and skate wing.
http://irisneworleans.com/

Go to Cafe du Monde (riverside of Jackson Square) for beignets and coffee any time of day.
http://www.cafedumonde.com/

Check out Stanley on Jackson Square for breakfast or lunch. Scott Boswell also has Stella!, but this is his casual restaurant that cranks out some good food too:
http://www.stanleyrestaurant.com/
http://www.restaurantstella.com/

For raw oysters: Desire Bar in the Royal Sonesta, Bourbon House, Acme or Felix's in the Qtr., Luke in the CBD on St. Charles Ave., Pascal's Manale and Casamento's Uptown.
http://www.sonesta.com/RoyalNewOrleans/index.cfm?fa=diningentertainment.home
http://www.bourbonhouse.com/
http://www.acmeoyster.com/
http://www.felixs.com/
http://www.lukeneworleans.com/
http://www.neworleansrestaurants.com/pascalsmanale/
http://www.casamentosrestaurant.com/main/main.html
For good drinks: Carousel Bar at the Monteleone (a must visit), French 75 Bar at Arnaud's, Lafitte's Blacksmith, Absinthe House, Napoleon House, Hermes Bar at Antoine's, Chart Room on Chartres, Sazerac Bar at (recently reopened) The Roosevelt.
Central Grocery for muffalettas. These are great for the plane ride home. Be sure to check their hours, as they may be closed when you fly home. They pack well, so you can buy a day before flying. If you like your muffalettas warmed (which I do), then eat at Napoleon House or heat up the CG when you get home. I find it opens up the flavors of the meats, cheese and olive salad.
http://www.napoleonhouse.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Grocery

Green Goddess is the newest and most talked about in the Qtr.
Menu looks amazing:
http://greengoddessnola.com/

If you have a car or will take the streetcar, head Uptown for J'Anita's, Martinique, Clancy's, Patois, Coquette and Boucherie.

J'Anita's in the Avenue Pub on St. Charles Ave. for great BBQ for lunch. They also have the best fish sammich ever and the St. Chuck Duck po boy!
http://www.theavenuepub.com/food.htm

Martinique Bistro on Magazine has great food and a beautiful courtyard.
http://www.martiniquebistro.com/
Clancy's on Annunciation is terrific; get the oysters w/brie, sweetbreads, the smoked soft shell crab and the veal chops. and their frozen Brandy Alexander's are good for dessert.
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/neworleans/D41648.html
Patois on Laurel for rabbit, moules frites, and pork belly. This has become one of the best new restaurants and well worth trying. Open also for Friday lunch and Sunday brunch, if that fits in your schedule.
http://www.patoisnola.com/
Coquette is on Magazine St. and is open for for both lunch and dinner. The menu changes, but if they have the cod, get it. They have a great drink list, and I love their French 75's. There is also a great Pinot Noir from Melville which compliments their food.
http://www.coquette-nola.com/
Boucherie is on Jeanette just off Carrollton. They are open for both lunch and dinner. Get the Mussels w/Collard Greens, Fries w/Parm, Boudin Balls, Pulled Pork Cake, Brisket, Smoked Scallops and the ChocBacon Brownie. The Cote du Rhone works well here.
http://www.boucherie-nola.com/

Or, head to Mid-City for Mandina's on Canal St. for turtle soup, oyster po boys, and trout or Parkway Bakery and Tavern for the best roast beef po boys.
http://www.parkwaybakeryandtavernnola.com/
(Mandina's is cash only.
)http://www.mandinasrestaurant.com/

In the CBD, across Canal St from Fr. Qtr., try Rambla in the International House Hotel for great tapas, Luke on St. Charles for oysters at the bar, duck and rabbit pate, choucroûte maison, and moules and frites, Domenica in The Roosevelt for goat cheese stuffed squash blossoms, grilled radicchio, and any of the pastas and pizzas. If you are in town for lunch Friday, Restaurant August has a 3 course for $20.09 that is stellar. Other places: Herbsaint and Cochon (both Donald Link restaurants), Rio Mar, La Boca, a Mano (all Adolfo Garcia's restaurants).
http://ihhotel.com/restaurant.html
http://www.lukeneworleans.com/
http://www.domenicarestaurant.com/
http://www.restaurantaugust.com/
http://herbsaint.com/
http://www.cochonrestaurant.com/
http://riomarseafood.activepixel.com/
http://www.labocasteaks.com/index.html

[JazzyB]

EC,
Your list could put an end to many of the same old inquiries. Why not title it and start a thread so that further inquiries can be referred.

[Bill Hunt]

I do agree. When the Superbowl was last in Phoenix (Glendale actually), one of the board contributors did similar, and broke things down by geography, then down by up-scale to local dives. It was great, and we all referred to that post for a couple of years, until there were too many closures, or new additions. Though not at the same culinary level as NOLA, remember that Phoenix Metro is over 500 square miles. We're talking about an area that would run between Gulfport and Baton Rouge, considering the geography of the NOLA area. Many great restaurants, and tons of really good ones. Then, miles and miles of chains...

Still, I do agree with elevating EC's post to a "sticky" on this board.

Have not yet made it to some, and might have quibbles with a few others, but it is a very sound list, and covers so many bases.

Just my thoughts,

Hunt

[nikinik]

Great list...but...all 6 of them could not fit comfortably in Green Goddess.

My suggestions would be....

Domenica
Rio Mar
La Boca
Atchafalaya

Luke for happy hour for the 25 cent oysters and 1/2 price drinks.

[JazzyB]

Emeril's flagship is IMO his best. We dine there regularly. The food and service are consistently terrific. Dress is casual, rest. is very lively.

[hazelhurst]

I don't think you would go wrong with Emeril's...it seems touristy becuase he is so well known but it has a loyal cadre of locals. It is a bit self-conscious for my taste but I am a relic of a vanished era....as I have remarked on this board before, I am uncomfortable with descriptive menus even though they are the rage these days. But coming from Boston you won't be non-plussed by any of this.

My flagship, Galatoire's, is the sister of Locke-Ober.

[trishaluna]

Thank you for your replies everyone!

[hazelhurst]

Somehow, in the back of my mind, Bayonna keeps popping up--it might be just the ticket. It is on a par with the restaurant renaissance you've had in Boston, as distinguished from the Old Warhorses. (In my Boston days there were only Locke's, the Ritz, No-Name, Pier 4, Jimmy's, Durgin and Maison Robert.) Susan Spicer does a great job with fresh stuff and I like the feel of the place. But for dress-up, Galatoire's would be the spot.

[Crabby Clara]

Galatoire's might be the most memorable choice. The food is great and your waiter will lead the whole room in singing happy birthday to you. That probably wouldn't happen at a classic restaurant in Boston.

[mimi60]

Sounds like everyone else has pretty much covered it for you, but I really enjoy Le Petite Grocery on Magazine. Definitely upscale and the food is outstanding!! Don't know how lively it is at night since I went there for lunch, but you will definitely need a reservation.

There's no better place to celebrate than New Orleans. Hope you have a great time!

Mimi

[trishaluna]

Well, I've been reading online about Galatoire's and it seems Friday lunch may be a great time to visit. Sounds like the classic New Orlean's experience I'm looking for.
So maybe Galatoire's for Friday lunch, Emeril's for Sat. birthday dinner and Sunday we're doing the Commander's brunch. My waist-line is expanding as I write this! Thanks again for all your help