30th birthday weekend in New Orleans- need advice for 2 nights of restaurants ESP raw oysters

[Andrea16fh]

ok. I love this site and do lots of traveling research but I'm stumped with o many different opinions. Heading to Nola next Thursday for 3 nights with college friends to celebrate our 30th brays. Staying at Renaissance pere Marquette in French quarter.

Where the heck is the best joint for raw oysters? And is there a spot that also has good dinner food as well? Or do u eat the oysters at a bar and go go dinner elsewhere?

I hear that Felixs is okay! Casements not good and stay away from Acme. Is this true?

Also I don't know if this is possible but I am a vegetarian will eat fish but am super heAlthy, I know Nola is not the p,ace to be on a diet but any good restaurants to recommend for one night that has a wider selection of some healthier choices even peel and eat shrimp..not ones soaked in butter !

We don't want upscale per say but one local joint and one nice p,ace would be good.

I've looked up ever food network recommendation and am going nuts!

Any help?
thanks!

[TaTee]

First of all, your hotel in not in the FQ it is in the CBD...not far from the FQ...just across Canal Street. You are near the Roosevelt Hotel which has a John Besh restaurant that is fun and the food is good, Domenica. In your hotel is MILA, which I think would be described as upscale.
If you have access to a car if not a cab will do just fine, drive uptown to Pascal's Manales for dinner. You can go onto to Oak Street to the Oak Wine Bar and then onto the Maple Leaf for music and dancing. If you want to stay in the FQ, Felix's for oysters and Frenchman street for music.

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Pascal Manale's Restaurant
1838 Napoleon Ave, New Orleans, LA 70115

Domenica
123 Baronne Street, New Orleans, LA 70112

[JazzyB]

You will have to grab a cab or walk a few blocks to hop the streetcar to the riverbend to get from Manale's to the Maple Leaf.

[noradeirdre]

Casamento's is great, as is Pascale's Manale.

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Casamento's Restaurant
4330 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

[shanefink]

Pascal’s Manale might fit your bill for an oyster/pretty good dinner locals place. It’s not exactly a joint, but it really isn’t upscale either. Had their oysters a few weeks ago and they were excellent.
Forget about the healthy diet thing for one weekend or you will look back and regret it. Nothing you eat here will kill a 30 year old. Most restaurants have plenty of choices for a pescatorian. I’ve heard great things about the vegetarian options at Green Godess, but I’ve yet to venture over there.

[Ross B]

I love standing at the oyster bar and having oysters as an "appetizer" while waiting on a table at Pascal's Manale.

[hazelhurst]

Casamento's reopens on the 13th..they are always reliably good. The real question is: what will they, or anyone, have? THe season is shaping up badly according to what I hear.

Acme is corporate now. It has its ups and downs.

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Casamento's Restaurant
4330 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

[JazzyB]

Felix's only for standing at the oyster bar for 1/2 shell and Abita. Casamentos also has 1/2 shell but if you have an aversion to fried seafood, go elsewhere since the best menu items are fried. Manale's oyster bar far outshines their food. Luke has a daily happy hour 3-6 with 50 cent oysters, 1/2 price libatioins. Order all your dozens immediately b/c service is slow.

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Casamento's Restaurant
4330 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115