New Yorkers descend on New Orleans...
I am planning a bachelorette weekend in New Orleans in late March. The group will be about ten girls in their twenties and thirties and a few Moms from NYC. I have most of the meals planned out but I need advice for the Saturday night dinner. On Friday we are going more on the casual side (we are considering Cochon, Coquette, Domenica and Luke) so I want something a step up for Saturday Night. The group is into food but wouldn't want as much food or something as fancy as August. Maybe asian or something where we can share? We are going out on frenchman street after so anything close to that would be a plus.
Thanks in advance!
By amandasarah
on Feb 10, 2010 05:11 PM
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On the down-river end of the Quarter:
Stella - upscale Asian-fusion kinda thing
Maximo's - more casual, Northern Italian grill
Irene's - Creole-Italian
On Frenchman:
Marigny Brasserie - Contemporary Creole. Nice, but casual. Can't vouch for the food of late.....high chef turnover.
Adolfo's - Creole-Italian. "Divey" place above the Apple Barrel, but great food.
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Thanks for your suggestions-really appreciate it! I am in the hospitality business in NYC so if you ever come up this way I would love to return the favor.
Is there a menu/website for Irenes? I was having trouble finding one
The menu I found for Marigny on their website seemed a bit too casual for what we are looking for.
Basically I am looking for a restaurant that may not exist. Something with food/ambiance one step down from Stella so not as expensive or serious but still a great scene and something we can't get in NYC (a tall order I know). I am going to call Stella and see if they have a private room and maybe we can do a price per person meal since we have a large group.
If any other ideas pop up let me know-Thanks!
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Having moved to the NYC area a little over three years ago, I make roughly 3 visits home to NOLA a year. I went back last weekend and had forgotten how cheap it is to drink there. We arrived late Friday night and went out by the lakefront to Zachary's, four of us had roughly 22 drinks or so. My buddy and I had 7 or 8 apiece (lost count) and our wives had 4 or 5 each. As we were staying at their house I picked up the tab and was prepared for quite an amount as I am used to prices up here now. These were all mixed drinks, so I was expecting a tab of anywhere from $125 or higher, possibly much higher. Imagine my shock and delight when the tab came to $57.00. Now I know why I loved living there for so long..among other things.
If you get a chance to get away from the Quarter, take the opportunity to hit a few local bars as opposed to the touristy places in the quarter, although the Frenchmen should fit the bill for that.
As far as restaurants go, since I lived there for so long (40 years), when I go back I get the things I grew up on that I can't get in NYC or the surrounding area. Roast beef poboys, crawfish (at a reasonable price as opposed to $9 per pound if not higher) etc.
I am at a loss for exactly what you are looking for, and don't know of an Asian place that would fit the bill. I honestly can't think of an upscale Asian place in the city.
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Irene's doesn't have a website. Check out http://www.tommysneworleans.com/ Tommy left Irene's and opened this place, serving a very similar menu. I actually prefer Tommy's to Irene's, but it's in the Warehouse Dist......the opposite direction from Frenchman.
A step down from Stella, but also in the Quarter, I'd suggest Bayona and Bistro at Maison deVille. Both are contemporary French/Creole. Both also have courtyards for dining in nice weather.
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Just thought of another option that may fit the bill.....Iris.
http://www.irisneworleans.com/home.html
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i would *not* recommend Marigny Brasserie for anything other than brunch cocktails. they have been rudderless for a long while, and management has been completely unresponsive communications..
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Sukho Thai. I have not been yet but all my friends say it is the best thai food in town. Right in the marigny as well.
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its not that great. also, if coming to new orleans from NYC i would really recommend something you couldnt get there. i dont know if the OP requested asian influenced or not, but Stella is about as asian-fusion as you can get here. pretty expensive tho.
other options:
- Jacque-Imo's is a fun place that can't be reproduced (he tried), casual but fun and good comfort food options. Nextdoor to the Maple Leaf, great bar for brass band funk
- Cochon is also less casual but has great small plates.
- Coquette she already mentioned, which is a step below fine dining and usually pretty good.
- Tommy's is slightly formal, not super expensive, but probably not as good as Irene's even if seating is easier. Winebar nextdoor tho, which is nice for a short wait
- Herbsaint is somewhat fancy but still a little more casual.
- Ditto for GW Fins, but it's not super new orleans
- August is formal fine dining, maybe too much but less than Stella.
- Ditto for Bayona
...some ideas.
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Thank you all for your suggestions! Right now my top choice is Lilitte- and they can do a reservation for 10ppl.
When I have to narrow down the other meals I will post again...
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Another newcomer that is Asian fusion is Mike's East West.
I would pass on both Irene's and Tommy's, as there is far better Italian in NY. Similarly, while GW Fin's is nice, it is a seafood restaurant, like many in the City. Jacque-Imo's scene is worth the schelp, but the food is only passable.
If anything, August is MORE expensive than Stella.
If you are willing to venture out of the Quarter, then you should also consider Bistro Daisy, Dick & Jenny's, and Vizzard's.
I would second Herbsaint if they can accommodate you. Coquette is also right up your alley.
Hope that helps.
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ah but do the creole italian restaurants in NYC have the best trout amandine meunier in the city w/ jumbo lump, sweet potato souffle & haricots verts, preceeded by baked oysters and crab gratin and followed w/ a wonderful creole creamcheese cake? how's their duck, or mirilton-fritter-macquechoux crabcake? ;)
emphasis being on the creole, because Irene's italian shares little with NY's, imo.. check em out:
ersters:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sazerac/771835162/
mains:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sazerac/770909177/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sazerac/770909135/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sazerac/2701346869/
dessert:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sazerac/...
....also imo, Stella! is more expensive than August. especially their tasting menus.
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August
4 course Tasting 60
7 course degustation 85/150 w/ wine
A la carte menu 26 - 40
Stella
7 course truffle tasting menu 125
A la carte menu 31 - 42
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i had the 7 course menu at Stella a couple months ago, ours was not a special truffle tasting and it was still $125; wine was an additional $75. thats $40 and $10 more per person than what youve got for August.
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