Best Buffet or Sampler.. a way to taste a little of several local dishes?

[kessdarln]

Any suggestions such as a buffet or good sampler to try a little bit of several local dishes without buying one of everything? Possibly a brunch? Thanks in advance for suggestions.

[rouxdauphine]

Here's another thought, now that the weather is cooling a bit. The French Market now has food stalls, a number of which are in fact quite good.

Cajun Market Cafe is run by the two guys who used to have Cafe Roux out on St. Claude and a successful catering business.

Right next to them is a stall with an unfortunate name which raises all the red flags -- World Famous Old Nawlins... but they deliver the goods. Only thing I've had there I didn't care for was their jambalaya because they sprinkled Tony Chacere's all over it right before handing it to me. I like spice and flavor -- when it's properly absorbed into the food, not "sitting" on top of it.

Meals from the Heart has fabulous (and, yes, healthy!) crab cakes.

You can order from more than one stall and then sit comfortably at the open air tables while sipping an Abita Amber or a real daiquiri made with Old New Orleans Rum from Organic Banana.

[princsoreo]

People on here give Gumbo Shop mixed reviews, but I have always enjoyed the combo plate there for lunch. It gives you a little taste of several down-home Cajun dishes.

Also, if you are okay with eating in a dive-bar atmosphere, Coop's does some combo plates that come with fried chicken and jambalaya I think!

[JazzyB]

Coop's bar food is hardly a good representation of how these dishes taste when prepared well.

[Bill Hunt]

Along with the suggestion for the appetizers, I have had some lovely meals with Chef John Besh's Tasting Menus at Restaurant August. The portions are adequately sized (down), and one gets a real taste of his NOLA cuisine.

Enjoy,

Hunt

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Restaurant August
301 Tchoupitoulas Street, New Orleans, LA 70130

[rouxdauphine]

I believe Dooky Chase is open for lunch on Fridays and they have a buffet that might fit the bill.

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Dooky Chase Restaurant
2301 Orleans Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

[kessdarln]

That looks perfect and has great reviews too. Thank You!

[JazzyB]

Dookys buffet is good but it is mainly southern home cooking rather than local flavors. Try either K-Pauls or Brigtsens and make a meal ording an array of appetizers.

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

[Clarisita]

If you'll be near the airport, Frank Brigsten also runs Charlies Seafood. Very casual atmosphere and good NOLA food. I usually get a few appetizers myself, and am hooked on the shrimp callas (a fluffy yeasty fried rice cake and lost art). Here's a link to their menu for a preview.

http://www.brigtsens.com/charlies.html