Metairie or is it worth the trip downtown?

[chefsofee]

Hello Hounds,

Tomorrow I'm flying to NO for one night on business. I'm staying in Metairie, since that is where my meeting is the next morning, then flying out straight away after it's over. Being a typical CH, I'm checking out my dinner options. It's Sunday, I don't arrive until 6:30. Are there decent places in Metairie where a foodie could get a taste of what NO has to offer? Or, checking out mapquest, it looks easy enough to get downtown. I would be dining alone, which is no problem, just want to make sure it's safe enough for a solo female at night. What about parking? If you do think downtown is doable, any suggestions? I'm wanting creole, southern or the like.

All this considering...the late hour, etc., am I better off finding someplace near Metairie?

Hope I haven't rambled too much...and looking forward to what you might come up with!

Thanks so much!!!!

[chefsofee]

Thanks everyone. I did end up going to Crazy Johnnie's. It was late, I didn't want to spend $50 RT on a cab downtown. There was a group of inebreiated partiers on the deck but I just wove my way between them to the door.

I sat at the bar and as one poster recommended ordered the giant dipping shrimp. It wasdelicious, but would probably have been better as an appetizer to share. As an entree for one it was EXTREMELY rich (there must have been a whole stick of butter in that bowl) and EXTREMELY messy. Don't get me wrong, it had some nice spice and the shrimp were cooked perfectly. I just ended up wishing I had gotten a steak (the one the guy ordered sitting next to me looked fab!).

Thanks again!

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Crazy Johnnie's Cafe & Bar
3520 18th St, Metairie, LA 70002

[N.O.Food]

Sorry about that. Yeah, it is rich and messy, and you're right about the butter. Glad you liked it though.

[collardman]

If you go by cab any of the places recommended here will be fine, French Quarter, Warehouse District, or Uptown. Driving yourself would probably be ok but only a few places like Emeril's, have valet parking. Without valet parking there can be a bit of a walk. Parking at the Omni Royal Orleans you have a short walk to NOLA, Mr B's, Muriel's.

There are some choices in Metairie but Drago's and Vegas Tapas are closed Sunday. Sid-Mar's is open but I haven't herad much about them in the new location. Le Parvenu would be a recommendation but I thought they closed. The website is current without the closure notice now, but they will be closed (if they are still in business) before you get in'

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

Le Parvenu Restaurant
509 Williams Blvd, Kenner, LA 70062

[N.O.Food]

If you stay in metry, go to Crazy Johnny's and get giant dippin shrimp for my favorite bbq shrimp in town. Then walk over to Drago's for a dozen or two char grilled oysters (don't bother with anything else though).

[runCP3]

Drago's isn't open on Sundays. There's an Acme Oyster House in Metairie and they're open on Sundays.

[N.O.Food]

Ah. Missed the sunday part.

[Littleman]

Uuuppss. A lady. I would take a cab to Cafe Atchafalaya, Coquette or Patois and a cab back, Have a safe trip and come back. Bon Appetit.

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
Patois @ 6078 Laurel St., New Orleans, LA 504 - 895 - 9441. *
http://www.patoisnola.com/

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Cafe Atchafalaya
901 Louisiana Ave, New Orleans, LA 70115