If we can only afford one "high-end" spot on our trip, WHICH?

[mp413]

The ones we're parsing are:

- August
- Bayone
- Stella!
- Mila
- Emeril

I realize that these have somewhat ranging price ranges, but they're probably all in the upscale price-range for us, and we're hoping to splurge only once! '

Just for some context, we love Dick & Jenny's, weren't super impressed by Upperline nor Acme.

On this trip we plan to hit 3 of the following: Cochon, Boucherie, Patois, Herbsaint, Lillette. If any of you have favorites among those, please advise! They are all highly recommended on the various threads here.

Thanks NOLA! See you soon

mp413

p.s. also curious, is there any noticeable effect on prices/availability of oysters yet? we were so thrilled to discover the 25c oyster special at Luke's for happy hour, and then realized it probably won't be in existence when we are there next week. Sad, of course more so for all the obvious reasons that are far more significant than our petty culinary interests. But, just curious since NOLA is obviously a food destination, and oysters play a big part. I read a lot last week that there were fears, but haven't heard anything more recent.

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Cochon
930 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, LA 70130

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

Herbsaint
701 Saint Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130

Upperline Restaurant
1413 Upperline St, New Orleans, LA

Dick & Jenny's
4501 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA 70115

Boucherie
8115 Jeannette St, New Orleans, LA 70118

[Bill Hunt]

Based only on your list, here is how I would rank them for a single "high-end" experience:

Restaurant August
Stella!
Emeril's
Bayona
MiLa

Those rankings are based solely on the food and the experience, and not giving more points for "Cajun," or pure "NOLA cuisine."

Any will be good, so you cannot go very wrong.

Enjoy,

Hunt

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Restaurant August
301 Tchoupitoulas Street, New Orleans, LA 70130

Bayona
430 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70112

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

[TaTee]

You are not even considering the best restaurant in New Orleans, Le Foret on Camp Street.
Out of this world delicious!

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Le Foret
129 Camp Street, New Orleans, LA 70130

[JazzyB]

This thread is from last May.

[LargeLife]

This past weekend we hit K-Pauls, NOLA, Dickey Brennan's Bourbon House......We're New Orleans veterans and like the cajun and creole cuisines.....and K-Pauls was outstanding.....as advertised.....over the top.....NOLA was very, very good and the service was excellent......Brennan's Bourbon House.....the food was pretty decent.....service....well...not...not so....not so much.....

It was "pre-Mardi Gras".....weather was great.....enough parades to give you a taste.....and we had a great time....

EMac
Ft. Pierce, FL

[ilikeNOLA]

Think Commander's Palace for lunch. Great specials and .25 martinis. Can't be beat!!! Also if in the Quarters think Antoines. Where else can you get a 3 course lunch for $20.11 and again .25 martinis. Isn't NOLA GREAT!!!

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Commander's Palace Restaurant
1403 Washington Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130

[cdubya]

Was at Herbsaint last night. The spaghetti appetizer with the egg on top was absolutely amazing. Would order it again and again. The fish of the night and the shrimp were great, but the pork belly was incredible. Goat cheese beignets for dessert.

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Herbsaint
701 Saint Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130

[Bayareafoodiei]

+1 for Stella's. The last three times I have been to August has been OK. Some of the dishes well executed others not so much. Overall Stella's has the best dining experience in NOLA, in my opinion.

[mkleinbart64]

I went to Herbsaint when I was there for Jazz Fest. It was phenomenonal on all levels. I had previously been to Cochon and loved it also. However, if I had to choose, I would go with Herbsaint.

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Cochon
930 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, LA 70130

Herbsaint
701 Saint Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130

[latasche]

For the high-end dinner, either MiLa or Emeril's. Depending on your schedule, you might also check out the lunch menus at these places. Many offer lunch specials that are a great value, which might allow you to eat at more than one. As for the other options, do Patois, Herbsaint and Boucherie. I would also consider subbing Coquette for one of these options.

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

Herbsaint
701 Saint Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130

Boucherie
8115 Jeannette St, New Orleans, LA 70118

[Suzy Wong]

I don't believe the price of oysters has been affected, someone, the poster bayou teche posted a price range of a dozen raw:
Felix's - $10
Acme - $11
Boubon House - $14
Redfish Grill - $15

And $13 is Luke's normal price on the menu. They just discontinued the happy hour special.

All the places you mentioned on your list would be very good choices as supported by the others who posted, each has a different style menu, atmosphere etc From what you asked, I would pick Stella!

http://www.restaurantstella.com/ for The creativity of the cuisine in taste and appearance and while Scott Boswell is a native of LA, he incorporates international flavors in his menu.

Whichever you choose, I think you'll be pleased with your experience...

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Stella Restaurant
1032 Chartres Street, New Orleans, LA 70116

[GDPhalp]

I would suggest Emeril's. August tasting menu is excellent & the atmosphere is nice, but frankly this is a fine dining restaurant that you could find in a few other major metros (except w/ Louisiana ingredients). Emeril's would provide excellent food, in a more soulfull environment. In terms of your other restaurant choices, I would say that Patois & Coquette are my personal favorites. Herbsaint is, in my opinion, the best of the Donald Link restaurants. Enjoy!

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

Herbsaint
701 Saint Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130

[thew]

that is exactly why i like august - modern food sensibility with local ingredients.

[JazzyB]

August or Emeril's. I'd go with the tasting menu/wine pairing at August. August has an upscale, formal, sedate feel with refined food. Emeril's is boisterous, casual and fun. The food/service is consistently good. Start with the smoked mushrooms on angel hair w/tasso cream sauce or the oyster prep of the day. Salad: Abita bacon (pork belly) is extremely flavorful. Entrees: andouille crusted redfish or the pork chop ( 3" thick) with tamarind glaze and poblano mole and glazed sweet potatoes.. Dessert: banana cream pie. Portions are very generous..

25 cent oysters have been discontinued due to oil spill.

My preference : Coquette, Lilette, Patois, Herbsaint. I'm not impressed with either Boucherie or Cochon although many love them.

nola.com or wwltv.com (watch live newscasts) will provide spill coverage as well as local news.

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Cochon
930 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, LA 70130

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

Herbsaint
701 Saint Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130

Lilette
3637 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA 70115

Boucherie
8115 Jeannette St, New Orleans, LA 70118