Itinerary for May - What Do You Think?

[ml77]

I've been planning a trip to NOLA for my wife and I, and now that it's approaching (we'll be there for a week starting a few days after Jazz Fest ends) I thought I would post our plan here for comment. We first visited a few months before Katrina, but we were only there for a few days and I was sick for 1 1/2 of them. I came back for Jazz Fest in 06 and had an amazing time. I want to make sure that my wife gets to enjoy the full-on NO experience and leaves knowing why it's such a legendary city.

We're focused mainly on Creole and Cajun cuisine, as we can get most other cuisines at home (we live in nyc). For example, I've specifically avoided muffs and italian food as we're both italian and we eat a ton of that here, both high-end and low-end.

Thanks for all your help already. I look forward to your comments.

Day 1 Arrive about 4PM. Dinner-Brigtsen's.
Day 2 Lunch- Cochon. Dinner-Patois
Day 3 Lunch-Drago's (Metairie, after plantation tour) Dinner-Lilette, early b4 k ruffins at Vaughans
Day 4 Lunch-Galatoire's (downstairs) Dinner-Coquette (late)
Day 5 Lunch-Green Goddess Dinner-Mr. B's
Day 6 Lunch-Commander's Palace Dinner-Emeril's
Day 7 Lunch-August Dinner-Herbsaint
Day 8 Breakfast at Camellia Grill and a slice of pecan pie before heading to the airport.

In addition to checking out a lot of music at Tipitina's and Maple Leaf and Frenchman St, I'm planning on having drinks at the Columns, Sazerac Bar, and a beer at Laffitte's, among others.

Thanks!

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Cochon
930 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, LA 70130

Camellia Grill
626 S Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70118

Tipitina's
501 Napoleon Ave, New Orleans, LA 70115

[steakrules85]

I think you have a terrific list so far. You have some wonderful restaurants there. On my trip to New Orleans I went to some of the best restaurants I've ever eaten in and truly fell in love with the city.

Galatoire's, Commander's, and Emeril's are all musts.

A few more suggestions that I loved - NOLA and Antoine's.

Also do not forget to go to Cafe Dumonde for the beignets.

Enjoy your trip you are going to have a real blast in NO!

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

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

[ml77]

Hey Steak! You following me here from the NYC Board?

Thanks for your comments. I thought about Antoine's, but I don't want to have too many similar places, esp. too many fancy, upscale places. In the end it came down to Galatoire's or Antoine's for old school NO atmosphere and Galatoire's sounds like the better choice.

Similarly, we're going to Emeril's so I don't want to do NOLA as well. And we'll for sure be hitting CDM at some point, hopefully also Croissant D'Or and beignets from Coquette.

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

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

[JazzyB]

You nailed it! Try Bar Tonique for cocktails.

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Tonique
820 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116

[ml77]

Bar Tonique looks great. Any specific recs?

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Tonique
820 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116

[JazzyB]

I like herbal, spiced and spicy cocktails. We like to order a variety to share. Be sure to try the specialty cocktails with dinner at Coquette.

Re: your rest. list

I took my neice (Jersey LBI girl)on what my husband refers to as the "greatest hits tour". Top restaurants for lunch and dinner everyday. She fell in love with New Orleans. She's recently married and bringing her huband down in two weeks . A similar "tour" is planned for him. Her goal...getting him to relocate.

Oh, one more thing, pick up some libations or a bottle of bubbly/ plastic flutes and take your wife on a private carriage ride. The driver will stop for refills, and "just shut up and drive" upon request. You may find yourself relocating as well. lol
Enjoy!

[hazelhurst]

What days of the week are these? That might have an effect. A Commander's/Emeril's day is delightfully decadent...are you in training yet?

[ml77]

It's Tuesday-Tuesday.

I did originally have Emeril's scheduled for lunch the next day, but finally decided that August's lunch deal was just too good to not give it a try. I figure we'll probably burn up a lot of calories during the day and we'll be hungry again by dinnertime.

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

[hazelhurst]

OK, I suspected that...Commander's Jazz Brunch seemed to be the aim there and the Friday Galatoire's mania. I'd switch Galatoire's to Saturday but you're just fine as is if you want to "See the Show"

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

[ml77]

Why would you do it on Saturday, to avoid the crowds?

I know it'll probably be a long wait (we most likely won't be able to get there before 1), but it seems like the main reason for going is to experience the atmosphere and that Friday is the best day to see it in full. Still, though, I take your opinion very seriously regarding all things Galatoire's, hazelhurst, so I'm open to hearing your thoughts.

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

[hazelhurst]

Well, it's just a zoo most of the time. THere is a lotta Be-Seen going on, and Social Climbing and so forth. Not to say that the Real Regulars are not there but it is a pain to hear anything. Sometimes I think it is an excuse for 40-and-50 year old men to play Frat Boy again. If the waiters see me on Friday before about 3:30 they know something odd is going on. Any other lunch day will be busy at noon then slow down and be relatively calm by about 2:30.