Need one more dinner during Jazzfest week

[jinx]

Okay I know these type of questions come up a million times, but I'm stymied. We are coming for Jazzfest 2nd Weekend (Thurs-Sun) and have three reservations set up so far. Keep in mind that we really can only do dinners out as we'll be eating at the Fest for lunches!

Friday: Cochon
Saturday: August
Sunday: Emeril's

Last year we ate at Commander's, Luke, Galatoires, and Emeril's (We're going again this year because a friend wants to go, and I can always go to Emerils!) All those meals were great. Previously we've eaten at Herbsaint, Brigtsen's, K-Paul's, Nola. Loved Brigtsen's, was not crazy about Herbsaint or Nola.

So for our first night, Thursday, I'd like to go somewhere new. I was thinking of Upperline which I've always wanted to try, but we'd really like to stay in the Quarter or Biz/Warehouse District (i.e., walking distance from our Hotel, the Omni Royal Crescent behind the Sheraton.) Because we'll not want to leave the Fest early, nor have to eat at 9:30.)

Other thoughts--we are from NYC so really don't want Italian or Continental or bistro-y things that we can get here, but something with a real New Orleans flavor (traditional or otherwise.) Someone suggested Bayona and I'm sure its excellent but their menu looks like a million menus here, and I think we'd like something more casual that first night. Same with Stella! (and a bit more expensive then we'd like given our other meals.)

We could always go back to Galatoire's if need be, but I'd like to try something new. We'll be a party of three. Suggestions welcome!

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Cochon
930 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, LA 70130

Bayona
430 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70112

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

Galatoire's Restaurant
209 Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70130

Brigtsen's Restaurant
723 Dante St, New Orleans, LA 70118

Herbsaint
701 Saint Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130

Upperline Restaurant
1413 Upperline St, New Orleans, LA

[expatorleanian]

I like to stay at the fest until the very end, and no matter how you plan to get back downtown, it can take a while. We have found that we have to really rush to get back, shower and dress, and get to dinner much by 9:00. Of course, most places won't mind if you arrive straight from the fest, dirty and sweaty, but I can't think of anything, even food, until I've showered off the grime.

[jinx]

I agree--we need to get back and clean up--especially if its been a rainy muddy day, which happens more often than I'd like (bite my tongue!!) However, usually we leave fest about 15 or 20 minutes before it ends to beat the rush and easily make an 8:30 reservation. (We take the shuttle bus.) But, Thursday this year the final stage will be Wilco and no way will I leave that early :) So for Thursday I want to reserve at 9.

[edible complex]

EAT, Iris, Rib Room, Meson 923, Capdeville, FEAST, Sylvain, Three Muses

http://www.meson923.com/
http://www.capdevillenola.com/menu.html
www.feastneworleans.com
http://www.sylvainnola.com/
http://www.thethreemuses.com/?page_id...

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Eat Restaurant
900 Dumaine St, New Orleans, LA 70116

Iris
321 North Peters Street, New Orleans, LA 70130

[jinx]

Thanks for all the suggestions, I will look into some of these ideas. A few I'm not familiar with. Mr. B's is a good thought! Many of these place I have eaten at years ago, as I'd traveled to Nola several times for conventions, but I'm talking like 10 years ago. I'm pretty sure I ate at Mr. B's back then.

As for NOLA, we've eaten there twice and it was okay, but something about it seemed chaotic and I felt the food wasn't as good as Emeril's. Don't think we'd go back, especially since we are definitely going to Emeril's on our last night.

Arnaud's is a possible...Clancy's is a taxi ride, which we are trying to avoid on that night. Its going to be a long day as it is (as we arrive just that morning.)

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

[CharlieH]

I'll mention the Bon Ton again. Lots of butter and crabmeat all around. Great casual feel to tyhe place also.

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Bon Ton Cafe
401 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130

[NYNO]

+1 on Bon Ton or Mr B's given your criteria.

I moved here about two years ago from NYC so I have a pretty good idea of what the OP wants. Some of the suggestions in this thread are head-scratchers though. The food is very good at Sylvain, for ex, but I wouldnt tell someone from NYC to check out a gastropub (see: Spotted Pig, et al.) when they want something with local flair.

If you really cant muster up the energy to go uptown, then I think Bon Ton and Mr B's are two solid suggestions; both walking distance from your hotel.

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Bon Ton Cafe
401 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130

[jinx]

Thanks! I am definitely thinking Bon Ton's or Mr. B's. Or possibly Arnaud's. My only issue with Bon Ton is that they only serve dinner until 9--which is around when we'd want to reserve--not sure if that's a problem.

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Bon Ton Cafe
401 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130

[CharlieH]

Just keep in mind that their are a lot of visitors in town for Jazz fest.

[Littleman]

Tommy's is creole Italian 4/'5 blocks from your hotel open for dinner only. It's a block before Emeril's. Check out Lucy's bar just before you get to Tommy's.

http://www.tommysneworleans.com/

[Littleman]

Mr. B's or NOLA are both good choices. I like Galatoire's and Emeril's the best. NOLA is one of Emeril's restaurants. It's in the FQ though and casual. You would like either place. Good luck.

[Philly]

OP indicated that they have been to NOLA and "was not crazy" about it. Not sure why you would recommend a place that they have been and didn't like?

[califkatie]

try my new favorite, the pelican club. also, we stayed at the omni royal crescent this last time. it was perfect for us. it has a big hot tub and workout area, with a sun deck and acros the street is a dive bar called charlies 24 hour sports bar. we ended every evening there with a last cocktail. they were super friendly to us, it was mostly locals in there.

[jinx]

Califkatie, we stayed at the Omni Royal Crescent last year as well, and it was great, as you say--perfectly located for everything. Never had time to check out the hot tub, didn't even realize they had one! Probably won't have time this year either.

Might look into Pelican Club. I ate there years ago on a business trip but it was a board meeting so private room, etc. So not the real experience of the place, most likely.

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

[califkatie]

we just had appetizers at the bar, but it was the best food of my trip. but one place i looked at and didn't go was le meritage. the menu looked great but we were underdressed at the time.

[TaTee]

In the FQ, Irene's, Bistrot at Maison de Ville, K-Paul's, Arnauds
In the CBD, Le Foret, Bon Ton

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Bon Ton Cafe
401 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Le Foret
129 Camp Street, New Orleans, LA 70130

[JazzyB]

Antoine's Hermes Bar. You can order from the bar and (I think) the restaurant menu.
Roux on Orleans Located in the Bourbon orleans Hotel. I have not been as yet but it gets raves from fellow locals. http://www.bourbonorleans.com/restaur...

[hazelhurst]

as a general rule,when I am not at Galatoire's I am at Clancy's.

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Galatoire's Restaurant
209 Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70130

[edible complex]

same here.

[FoodChic]

Excellent recommendation!