Good, local spot for group seafood boild?

[JimPony]

It's been over 20 years since I lived in New Orleans, so I've really lost touch with the local restaurant scene. I'm getting married there in November 2011 and would like to do a traditional crawfish(I know they'll be out of season)/seafood boil as my rehearsal dinner. All of the guests will be staying downtown, so I'd like to avoid having them travel too far. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I definitely don't want touristy crap!!! Seafood dumped out on newspaper covered tables would be perfect.

[Suzy Wong]

NOT trying to be Debbie downer, but With the uncertainty of the waterways issue,and being out of season, have you thought of another unique to New Orleans idea?

Obviously a restaurant is out, you are looking for a catering company that would boil on site?

PS Al Scrumuzza is still around....I think he's in his 80's...

[JimPony]

Basically, where can I go with a large group and get good boiled seafood in November that isn't a tourist trap? If it isn't possible, it isn't possible.

[hazelhurst]

I read something on Al not long ago, all about how be "brought crawfish" to New Orleans. I'd have said he was in his early 90's.

Where The Place Is So Clean, The Men Come To Work in Tuxedos! Who can forget.....

[CharlieH]

That's a tall order even when they are in season. Yo Mama's are the only people who boil crawfish in the quarter or CBD. Not sure that's what you want. You would need to set something up at a venue with a caterer, assuming you could your hands on a few sacks. Even crabs are scarce that time of year. Try calling some of the places mentioned here if you are willing to hit the burbs. http://blog.nola.com/brettanderson/20...

[lc02139]

Search this board, there was one place Brother's crawfish in Dorchester that did crawfish boils.
272 Adams Street, Dorchester, MA 02122-1310,[phone]. Haven't been but I think the only place around that does this. Another post had something about crab boils. ‎

[hazelhurst]

It's a long way from Dot Ave to downtown NOLA

[marthasway]

Just what I was thinking, Hazelhurst! Unless the majority of the guests had experience and fond memories of backyard crawfish boils, I think it's a tall order find a place for a boil in November. That said, maybe if you're flexible about your menu, like doing family style fried seafood or Cajun or Creole delights. OP, you gave no info about the size of your party or where all they're coming from. That might be helpful.

[JimPony]

Mostly from the Northeast. About 35-40 people.

[hazelhurst]

This is where we need Al Scramuzza, late of Broad Street. I supose you could do a shrimp/crab boil, depending of course on what is avaiable....I can't for the life of me think of anyone or anywhere downtown-ish that could help. But boils I play with are backyard deals as marthasway alluded to. Hmm...who to ask? Maybe Harlan Pierce would know....even when I was at Tulane, we did our own boils but there must be someone around set-up for it. Maybe Tulane's alumni association can tell you something...they do things like that occasionally.