Need help for a quick NO weekend May 15th

[HTownCowboy]

Hey guys....would love to get your opinions on how to eat & drink as much New Orleans goodness as possible this coming weekend. My gf and I are driving into town sometime Friday night (ETA is not determinable at this time, but I am definitely getting a beer or three someplace before bedtime) from Houston for a friend's wedding on Saturday. That means a Saturday dinner is out of the question :(

Assuming we get in early enough on Friday (staying at a hotel in the FQ FYI), what is a good place to get some food and drinks in a lively atmosphere? Red beans and rice, poboys, oysters...pretty casual, good food that goes nice with a cold beer.

On Saturday, we are going to the zoo....why you ask? Because the gf wants to see the zoo. That's the only reason I can offer you. I want to hit it pretty early so I can squeeze in a breakfast and lunch prior to heading to Gretna for the wedding at 6:30. We will eat at Cafe du Monde at some point this weekend, so I was thinking about some other place - either in the FQ or something Uptown closer to the zoo.

Not sure how long the zoo tour will last, but surely I can find a great lunch in the area before heading back to the hotel to get dressed for the wedding that night. This will be my one chance this trip for a splurge, so money isn't necessarily an issue - but if I don't have to spend a small fortune, so much the better!

Lastly, a nice Sunday brunch/lunch before we leave town on Sunday. I haven't done Commanders, but not really feeling it right now - maybe someplace new???

It's a quick trip and I would dearly love to stay longer. Any help you can offer to make this a great weekend will be appreciated.

[piglet3000]

Do not miss Napoleon House. But go for the drinks; the food is meh. Sunday brunch is very good at EAT on Dumaine but I would highly recommend Commander's for brunch. I know Clancy's is near the zoo and people rave about it but I have never been, but heard good things. The zoo is GREAT by the way. I always go and the BF says 'I can't believe we have to go to the zoo again!'
If it's warm out, you may be a little damp from the zoo to hit up a fancy lunch in the area, however. If you go casual, Franky & Johnny's is also nearby and very good.
Coop's, as suggested already is probably your best food bet in the Quarter. Divey but delicious. Have a wonderful time!

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Napoleon House Bar & Cafe
500 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Franky & Johnny's Restaurant
321 Arabella St, New Orleans, LA 70115

[HTownCowboy]

Thanks Piglet.....I'm looking forward to both Napoleon House and Coop's on Friday night! Just tried to book a reservation at Emeril's for Sunday lunch and they told me they don't offer lunch service on the weekends - is this true Littleman?

You are right about how casually sweaty we may be apres zoo....that kinda sucks really, but what's a guy to do? What's best to order at Frankie and Johnny's?

Anyone have a suggestion for a last meal before we leave NO on Sunday? It looks like we may be struggling a bit with this meal.....

[Littleman]

Luke Restaurant @ 333 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA. 504 - 378 - 2840. *
http://www.lukeneworleans.com/
Cafe Atchafalaya @ 901 Louisiana Ave., New Orleans, LA. 504 - 891 - 9626. *
http://www.cafeatchafalaya.com/
Brennan's Restaurant @ Royal St., New Orleans, LA. 504 - 525 - 9711, *
http://www.brennansneworleans.com/
Mr. B's Bistro @ 201 Royal St., New Orleans, LA. 504 - 523 - 2078. *
http://www.mrbsbistro.com/index2.php

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Cafe Atchafalaya
901 Louisiana Ave, New Orleans, LA 70115

[HTownCowboy]

Thanks to all for the recommendations....we will be arriving in Nola earlier than I had orginally thought, so I'm going to try to get in a late lunch at Mr' B's on Friday. I have also made reservations for Coquette on Sunday before we leave. Looking forward to both places!

Was thinking K-Paul's for Friday dinner but they are booked. Emeril's only has availability at 9pm (kinda late for me). Anything along these lines in the Quarter you would send someone to? What about Olivier's?

[Christine]

How about Bayona, NOLA, or the Pelican Club?

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Bayona
430 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70112

Pelican Club Restaurant & Bar
312 Exchange Alley, New Orleans, LA 70130

[HTownCowboy]

I have been thinking about Bayona....but have seen mixed reviews on the boards. If it has become a hit-or-miss kind of place, my luck would make it a "miss" night. would love to try that Duck PBJ tho!

[uptownlibrarian]

I remember addressing this in the past, but Bayona only looks like it has mixed reviews on this board because everybody with a complaint has posted, but you don't hear about most people with positive experiences. Bayona is excellent. It is far, far better than NOLA or Olivier's. It's not at all "hit or miss."

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Bayona
430 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70112

[hazelhurst]

I agree..never had a bad time or meal there

[HTownCowboy]

This is good to know...just called them and they only have some late reservations for Friday. Was hoping to hit the Davenport Lounge at 9 that night and all of their reservations are for later than that.....I recently bought Spicer's cookbook - have you guys tried any of the recipes?

[uptownlibrarian]

It's a tough weekend with all of the graduation stuff, as you've discovered. Maybe you could try someplace that doesn't take reservations - Green Goddess in Exchange Alley (right across from the previously mentioned Pelican Club, which I also enjoy) is tiny, and they don't take reservations, and might not be as popular with the graduation crowd. If you went on the early side, who knows, you might get right in. It's definitely NOT along the same lines as Emeril's or K-Paul's though, but at this point that might matter less than just finding someplace great to eat?

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Pelican Club Restaurant & Bar
312 Exchange Alley, New Orleans, LA 70130

Green Goddess
307 Exchange Place, New Orleans, LA 70130

[hazelhurst]

That's why I always default to Galatoire's---go at the right time and you get right in, even Tulane graduation

[Mytah]

Not to hijack the thread, but is there something big going on in the city this weekend? I was gonna head over but hotel rooms are VERY scarce. Just wonderin.

[uptownlibrarian]

Tulane graduation, plus conventions.

[GDPhalp]

For your friday night, I suggest Coop's Place on Decatur. They are open late, and serve some of the best casual cajun fare in the city. Seafood gumbo, pastas & fried chicken are fantastic! Before your zoo tour, I suggest not missing Casamentos. They are only open until the end of this month & are a short jaunt from the zoo. Get an oyster loaf, a dozen raws & some fried crab claws. Once you eat there, you will want to set up a cot and move in.

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Casamento's Restaurant
4330 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

Coop's Place
1109 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116

[roro1831]

Probably won't have time for Casamento's as he wants to be done with the zoo tour as early as possible and Casamentos does not open till 11

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Casamento's Restaurant
4330 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

[HTownCowboy]

Correct...I hope to be at the zoo when it opens....around 10 or 10:30am I think

[Littleman]

Friday night when you arrive you can walk here from your hotel easily as it's situated middle of FQ. Good bar, plenty of beer, music and good food with courtyard also.

Copper Monkey Grill @ 725 Conti St., New Orleans, LA 504 - 527 - 0869. *

Molly's and Napoleon House in the FQ would be two outstanding choices also.

Molly's at the Market @ 1107 Decatur St., New Orleans, LA 504 - 525 - 5169. *

http://mollysatthemarket.net/

Napoleon House Bar & Cafe @ 500 Chartres St., New Orleans, LA. 504 - 524 - 9752.

http://www.napoleonhouse.com/

I'm not sure if you are interested in a local dive in the FQ Sunday or fine dining but I would go by Emeril's if I was fixing to drive back to Houston. Don't miss out on one of the best restaurants in the city without trying it.

Emeril's @ 800 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, LA. 504 - 528 - 9393. *

http://www.emerils.com/restaurant/1/Emerils-New-Orleans/

Or you may like John Besh's Luke Restaurant on St. Charles just a few blocks from the FQ. You could stop by on your way to Hwy. 90 to head N. to I 10 going home. You get on 90 by turning right on to 90 off St. Charles. Good luck.

Luke Restaurant @ 333 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA. 504 - 378 - 2840. *

http://www.lukeneworleans.com/

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Napoleon House Bar & Cafe
500 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Emeril's Restaurant
800 Tchoupitoulas, New Orleans, LA 70130

[HTownCowboy]

Thanks for the tips Littleman...I've never heard of Copper Monkey Grill, so I'll need to do some research :) Napolean House seems like a favorite on the boards, so I at least want to stop in for a drink - of the 3 you named for Friday night, which serves the better food?

Emeril's sounds like a great idea. Have always wanted to try his restaurants, but somehow never found the opportunity

Any Uptown suggestions? I have tried Brightsen's many years ago, but little else in that area.

[HTownCowboy]

Just checked Emeril's website & they do not appear to be open on Sundays....maybe on my next trip. Is there another good lunch choice for Sunday?

[Littleman]

I would go to Copper Monkey or Napoleon House. There's not a bar in the FQ that serves good bar food just passable. When I'm drinking and having a good time food is food if I'm in a bar. Now in Commander's that's different. Emeril's is open on Sunday. Just call. If you have a problem post on here that you need help and I will come to your rescue. I know folks that work there.

Yes Uptown I love Coquette, Cafe Atchafalaya & Dantes Kitchen which are open on Sunday.

Cafe Atchafalaya @ 901 Louisiana Ave., New Orleans, LA 504 - 891 - 9626. *

http://www.cafeatchafalaya.com/

Coquette @ 2800 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA. 504 - 265 - 0421. *

http://www.coquette-nola.com/index.html

Dante's Kitchen @ 736 Dante St., New Orleans, LA. 504 - 861 - 3121. *

http://danteskitchen.com/

However considering you are willing to eat Sunday lunch at Emeril's and you have been to Commander's why not check out Restaurant August.

Restaurant August @ 301 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, LA. 504 - 299 - 9777. *

http://www.restaurantaugust.com/

You can leave from RA and hit 90 N. to I 10 from St. Charles in about 10 minutes from the Restaurant. Good luck. Let me know if you need help with Emeril's.

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Napoleon House Bar & Cafe
500 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Restaurant August
301 Tchoupitoulas Street, New Orleans, LA 70130

Emeril's Restaurant
800 Tchoupitoulas, New Orleans, LA 70130

Dante's Kitchen
736 Dante Street, New Orleans, LA 70118

Cafe Atchafalaya
901 Louisiana Ave, New Orleans, LA 70115

[HTownCowboy]

Thanks Littleman - I'll give Emeril's a call tonight.

How casual are some of thoise lunch spots in Uptown? I'm sure I'll be wearing shorts and smelling faintly of zoo at that time :) Is there anything along magazine that you would suggest?

[JazzyB]

Emeril's is only open for dinner on Sun.

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Emeril's Restaurant
800 Tchoupitoulas, New Orleans, LA 70130