Foodie from Atlanta short visit to NO need recs
Will be in NO for a short stay to attend wedding. Will arrive Friday evening...need dinner recommendations for Friday and breakfast/lunch recs for Saturday. ***staying in French Quarter
Friday:
Definitely want cajun/creole...no Emeril's restaurants...need new experience. I keep hearing about Galatoire's. Are they only good for lunch...what about a Friday dinner? Is this just about the experience/hype? Or is the food really good? Will be with mother, so is the atmosphere conducive to conversation? Or is it really loud.
Would love to finish the evening with cocktails on a nice patio with view and atmosphere? Any ideas. A rooftop with a view would be amazing but not a must.
Saturday:
So far I was planning on going to Commanders Palace...from the boards it seems that lunch is the best bet. Any other recs?
We will be at the wedding that evening
Sunday morning (flight leaves early afternoon):
Cafe du Monde (not a must, we've been there before); breakfast ideas???
Also, please give meal suggestions with restaurant recommendations.
Thanks so much Chowhound. I look forward to hearing back from you soon.
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Emeril's Restaurant
800 Tchoupitoulas, New Orleans, LA 70130
Galatoire's Restaurant
209 Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70130
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Go to Stanley on Sunday morning.
Cochon is your best bet for cajun.
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Cochon
930 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, LA 70130 -
I just love my Chowhound friends! Such great recommendations...I only wish that I had more time and the extra belt holes to accommodate such culinary delights! @ Littleman - thank you for the compliment.
Okay so how does this sound?
Friday evening: Bon Ton Cafe...since they are closed on the weekend and etouffee is really mother's favorite and pleasing mother early on can only make for a much more satisfying trip for us all :-)
Saturday lunch: Galatoire's (I am truly intrigued)...as it will be a Saturday afternoon and I would think that we would be somewhat leisurely dressed...how is the attire? Also, what would be the best time to make a reservation...I think that Hazel mentioned 2 pm...the wedding is at 6pm and of course we need to get ready and allow for digestion time. Should we request a particular waiter or just be adventurous? I definitely want us to have a great experience and not the "less than zero" experience I hear that some unfortunate tourists are "privy" to.
I was just informed that my mother has previously dined at Commander's Palace and that she only mentioned it because of a rumor of martinis for 25 cents. That said...a nice lunch in a closer proximity to our hotel ( French Qtr) sounds like a better plan for Sunday prior to our departure. Our flight doesn't leave until 2:55 that afternoon, figuring that we would need to get to the AP by 1pm...that should give us plenty of time if we get up and at 'em. Otherwise I suppose we can just go to Cafe du Monde for coffee and beignets. Of course this is bargaining that we still are in the mood for eating or even have room for one more bite!
How does this sound? By the way, should I still try to pick up a muffaletta (Sat or Sun) to take home or just save this for next time? I think that I should probably stop while ahead.
By the way, is there anyplace nice for cocktails after dinner at Bon Ton's friday evening? Jazz would be even better. Nothing too outlandish...we are more of the loungey types.
As always, I eagerly await your responses!
Angeljoy
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Commander's Palace Restaurant
1403 Washington Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130Galatoire's Restaurant
209 Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70130Bon Ton Cafe
401 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130›8 Replies-
re: angeljoy
N.O.Food
Jul 12, 2010 06:30 PM
Galatoire's is the most formal-dress place in town. Jackets are required for men. If you walk in without one, they put you in a ratty old house-owned blazer. Hope this helps. Perhaps a lady can chime in re dress. Gal's doesn't take reservations for the downstairs dining room, which is where I would prefer to be. But early afternoon, you should be able to walk right in. Any of the waiters will treat you right.
Sunday lunch/brunch I'd look at Luke or Stanley, both are good, casual, fairly inexpensive joints. I'm not a fan, but you could do Brennan's if you want a more formal affair.
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Galatoire's Restaurant
209 Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70130-
re: N.O.Food
@N.O. Food
Thanks for the response. I made a reservation via opentable but hopefully when we show up it won't be a problem getting a table downstairs.
I think after Bon Ton and Galatoire's...Luke or Stanley's will add a fine finishing touch. Casual is better, after all we have to catch a plane home. And who wants to do that dressed to the nines?!
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re: angeljoy
@N.O. Food
Thanks for the response. I made a reservation via opentable but hopefully when we show up it won't be a problem getting a table downstairs.
I think after Bon Ton and Galatoire's...Luke's will add a fine finishing touch. Casual is better, after all we have to catch a plane home. And who wants to do that dressed to the nines?!
BTW does anyone know if the airport shuttle will pick up from a restaurant? Or should we try a taxi? We are staying at the Iberville Suites...is that far from Luke's if we have to get back in time to meet shuttle. Hopefully there won't be a long wait...
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re: Littleman
Richard will be pleased and amused to be only 60. He is a very good recommendation.
Supplied jackets are not ALL ratty but they sure are not de luxe. If you leave before dinner you do not need one. You could as easily go for the 11:30 opening and probably get in right away..this does not prevent you from lingering until mid-afternoon or later.
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re: angeljoy
Angel Joy........You are staying in the Ritz Carlton building. Ibberville Suites is a small hotel inside the building that houses The Ritz Carlton. One of NOLA's most famous jazz players has a lounge in the Ritz Carlton. Go to Jeremy Davenport's Lounge in the hotel on the 4th floor around 9 PM I guess and listen to Jeremy then catch an elevator to your room. Have a great trip. Good luck.
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re: angeljoy
I would second Littleman's suggestion on the Ritz. Even if you don't end up seeing Davenport, it's a nice upscale place to have a night cap after the wedding or a pre-evening cocktail. There's a beautiful courtyard too.
Regarding the airport shuttle, if I'm not mistaken, it's about $10 per person. A cab to the airport from anywhere in the city is $33 (plus an additional $1-2 per extra passenger). Considering the marginal price difference, I would highly recommend a cab since the shuttle is not always on time. United Cab - 504-522-9771
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I would probably recommend Clancy's over Galatoire's for dinner on Friday. Galatoire's is fun, it can definitely be loud, but the food is just "good." Clancy's is far superior for food. The service at Clancy's is also outstanding and I think it would be an overall better environment if you're taking your mother.
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Galatoire's Restaurant
209 Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70130 -
marthasway Jul 11, 2010 08:18 AM
Galatoire's is not just about the hype--it's an authentic New Orleans experience--but it's very noisy, and the service can be really iffy if they don't know you and your pocketbook intimately.
I love Mr. B's at Iberville and Royal, across from the Monteleone. The service is always polished and hospitable. I had my wedding brunch (21 years ago) and many special meals through the years. Although I live in TX now, and haven't been there for a while, I'm comfortable in giving it my stamp of approval for French Quarter fine, but not at all stuffy or break the bank, dining. Anything they do with fish will be lovely, and their barbecue shrimp is the BOMB, as far as I'm concerned: maximum butter, maximum flavor, maximum joy. The seafood gumbo is glorious, and the deep, dark Gumbo Ya-Ya is a favorite of many.
Out of the FQ, Brigtsen's will feed you impeccably, both body and soul,
For a lovely, upscale breakfast I recommend, Luke, a John Besh venture in the 300 block of St. Charles Ave. Walking distance from the Upper FQ, you'll find lovely choices in a comfortable space.. I''m having trouble managing the link, but click on my name & go down to an old reply to Luke: B,L, or D.
I'm sure you and your mother will have a lovely visit. Enjoy!
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Galatoire's Restaurant
209 Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70130Brigtsen's Restaurant
723 Dante St, New Orleans, LA 70118›8 Replies-
re: marthasway
Thanks Martha. I was actually wondering about Mr. Bs and Brigtsen's...love your review of Brigtsen's - intriguing.
I have heard more of the experience and little about the food at Galatoire's. Excited about classic NO but not about the prospect of poor service. Crazy as it sounds, I go about restaurant searches as if its going to be my last meal. :-)
Any opinions of the following:
Bon Ton Cafe
Cochon's
Clancy's (can't find a website)
K Pauls
Middendorf'sI have four dining opportunities at the most. Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, Saturday lunch, and Sunday early lunch. I could opt for something light for Saturday morning if anything and concentrate on lunch!
BTW we love seafood and my mother is a big etoufee lover.
Again, thanks Chowhound!
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Cochon
930 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, LA 70130Galatoire's Restaurant
209 Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70130Brigtsen's Restaurant
723 Dante St, New Orleans, LA 70118Bon Ton Cafe
401 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130-
re: angeljoy
Angel Joy is a beautiful name. Please go to Galatoire's. It's my wife's favorite restaurant in the world. And I love it just as much. Friday's are busy days there as people seem to take off work to celebrate something. There will be a crowd all afternoon but it will thin out some towards the end of the afternoon. Go for dinner. They serve outstanding LA creole cuisine with the freshest ingredients. Get the appetizer plate with several different ones including the oysters en brochette. Try the crabmeat maison and order the trout or a fresh fish with crabmeat.
I would eat light Saturday moring and reserve Saturday lunch at Commander's Palace. Mr. B's is very nice also if you want to stay in the Quarter. Clancy's is Uptown near Tulane and they don't have a website but it's a wonderful restaurant. Another favorite of mine if Patois which is one block N of Clancy's. You can ride the street car on St. Charles to Commander's. You get off near Washington and walk two blocks.
I am not a fan of K Paul's but don't let that deter you. I am an Emeril fan but I like his place in the CBD better than NOLA.'s. Cochon's is very nice but their menu is not 100% creole like I prefer. Bon Ton is an outstanding choice but they are closed on the weekends. You could have dinner there Friday night but I would suggest Galatoire's. Middendorf's is nice but it's over 20 miles from NOLA. They serve a lot of very fresh seafood but their specialty is a fried local catfish. Based on your schedule I would not venture this far this time but go one day. It's a lot of fun. I usually schedule my trips to NOLA from my home to reach Manchac around 1 to 2 PM and have lunch there or leave going home and have lunch there. It's a good restaurant.
The NOLA CH's will probably disagree but I love Brennan's for brunch. It's in the FQ and 100% LA creole cuisine. You could have a light brunch there and then head to the AP. Your mother should be able to get etoufee at Galatoire's if not then Brennan's will have it. Have a great trip and return soon. Good luck.
Galatoire's @ 209 Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 504 - 525 - 2021.
http://www.galatoires.com/
Commander's Palace @ 1403 Washington Ave., New Orleans, LA. 504 - 899 - 8221.
http://www.commanderspalace.com/
Patois @ 6078 Laurel St., New Orleans, LA 504 - 895 - 9441.
http://www.patoisnola.com/
Bon Ton Cafe @ 401 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA. 504 - 524 - 3386.
http://www.thebontoncafe.com/
Brennan's Restaurant @ Royal St., New Orleans, LA. 504 - 525 - 9711.
http://www.brennansneworleans.com/
Luke Restaurant @ 333 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA. 504 - 378 - 2840.
http://www.lukeneworleans.com/-
re: Littleman
I am hard of hearing and Galatoire's is one of the noisiest places in town. I can't hear a thing when I go there, but it is fun to people watch and the food is pretty good, but not outstanding. Brennan's brunch is a huge ripoff, but if you have the money to burn, then it's a nice experience. Commander's Palace is more classy and probably a better choice for your mom than Galatoire's or Brennan's.
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Commander's Palace Restaurant
1403 Washington Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130Galatoire's Restaurant
209 Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70130 -
re: Littleman
N.O.Food
Jul 12, 2010 04:38 PM
Littleman, I'm curious as to why you dismiss Cochon as "not 100% creole," yet recommend Bon Ton in the next sentence.
Angel, all your selections and recommendations look good. My only quibble would be with Mr. B's. I'm not a fan. Mediocre food for the price and you'll probably be dining next to some fool in a Bourbon Street tshirt and shorts. But, the bigger problem is the food. You can do much better for the same amount of cash.
Bon Ton might be the only etouffee option. It's on Gal's online menu, but like hazel says, it might not be on the regular menu now. I've never not seen it at Bon Ton. Gotta say I'm not the biggest fan of their etouffee, though. I'm pretty sure it's made with no roux, just butter and fat. Some say that's the traditional way, but I prefer mine roux-based.
Gal's is a quintessential new orleans experience. The food is classic french creole. It's been the same for a long time, but what they do they do well. It does, however, depend on what you order. I've had some things that aren't that great (stuffed eggplant stands out), but most stuff is great. Crabmeat sardou comes to mind. The atmosphere is great and the food is good enough to make it an altogether awesome experience.
Oh and don't write Emeril's off so quickly. It's one of the better restos in town. Have fun!
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Cochon
930 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, LA 70130Emeril's Restaurant
800 Tchoupitoulas, New Orleans, LA 70130Bon Ton Cafe
401 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130-
re: N.O.Food
N. O. Food........I like Cochon but look at this.
Catfish courtbouillon, Louisiana cochon with turnips, cabbage & cracklins, rabbit & dumplings, ham hock with sweet potatoes, pickled greens & black eyed pea ham broth, smoked beef brisket with horseradish potato salad,
oven-roasted gulf fish "fisherman's style, oyster & bacon sandwich.I get this kind of food in Mississippi every day. Now look at this. This is what I come to NOLA for. I hope you understand. I do love Galatoire's. And Emeril's is my favorite restaurant in NOLA.
Red Fish Bon Ton
Red Fish Alzina
Grilled Fillet of Fresh Gulf Fish Topped with Grilled Louisiana Oysters
Grilled Fillet of Fresh Gulf Fish Topped with Grilled Louisiana Shrimp
Broiled Fillet of Fresh Gulf Fish, Lemon Butter Sauce
Grilled Fillet of Fresh Gulf Fish, Lemon Butter Sauce Upon Request
Fillet of Louisiana Speckeled Trout (fried or broiled)
Fried Fillet of Fresh Water Catfish, Alzina’s Special Sauce -
re: N.O.Food
Btw please don't get me wrong...I'm not writing Emeril off...its just that I've been to Nola's and Delmonico's and simply wanted a new experience. I've experienced Emeril from NO to Vegas to Atlanta (which didn't last)...NO was by far the best! Great service, great food...when they (NOLA) found out that I was a chef...my party was escorted to the chef's table...where we were wooed, wined and dined by the Chef, Emeril's VP of Operations, and the Restaurant Manager...needless to say we were on Cloud Nine! To top it off, the VP made arrangements for us to dine at Delmonico's the next day for brunch...a wonderful way to end a visit!
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re: angeljoy
If you want to do things in a leisurely manner, you can go to Galatoire's Saturday afternoon at 2:00 or so and while away the time prior to the wedding. I disagree with comments that the food isonly "good" but the style of the place is not the fashion of the day. If you like fish, then you will be fine because they have access to the top quality stuff...I do not think anyone in town approaches their trout meuniere and their shrimp remoulade is truly the city standard of the red variety. Crabmeat canape Lorenzo is also an excellent appetizer. If you do not like anchovy ask the waiter to have them leave them off. The green salad with garlic is a triumph of simplicity and you can muck around with it if you want to add something else to it. The key is establishing a rapport with your waiter. I suggest Saturday here because it is usually more relaxed. Friday's lunch mob can linger into dinner and it may be horribly loud on Friday. But you just never know. Oh, and their sauces are also excellent. Do not look for designs on the plate or stacked food or any of the other pufferies so beloved of "chefs" these days. Basic, straightforward stuff for the most part.
Clancy's is often called the Uptown Galatoire's..the owner is a former waiter from Galatoire's. It is a fun spot and very good. I just don;t think I would rate it over its inspiration.
Bon Ton is a solid place. They may hvae etouffee this time of year since it is almost expected that they would. Galatoire's used to make it--well, the cajun waiters made it, really--in the spring and it began to creep back in the winter when early pond crawfish came it. They might have it this time of year...I just never ask for it except in the spring.
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Galatoire's Restaurant
209 Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70130Bon Ton Cafe
401 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130
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