Alternative to Galatoire's for lunch on Friday?

[Strachattack]

Hey y'all!

I'm planning to go with two friends to Galatoire's for lunch on Friday nearing the end of October. From what i've read it's a safe bet to show up at 10am to get a seat in the downstairs bistro. If by chance we're late or just unlucky and can't get a table there do any of you have any good alternative locations for a good lunch? I was thinking Mr. B's since I think it's close by but is the vibe as lively as Galatoires for lunch?

Of course, any help would be much appreciated!

Cheers,

Scott

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

[kibbles]

I guess I'm the luckiest man on earth -- whenever I bring a guest or two there on Friday between 12-12:30, there is no line and we sit down (downstairs).

my only complaint last visit (the fri before 4th of July) was our long time old timer waiter was rushing us bigtime. even came by for the paid check 3 times before I was ready to pay it. dunno what the deal was with this, as id extolled the virtue of the leisurely lunch to my companion prior to service.

[texasredtop]

Mr. B's, no doubt about it. It's lively at lunch but not even close to Galatoire's. But then I don't think anything is like Galatoire's. I love Galatoire's food but actually my favorite dish ever is Mr. B's bbq shrimp.

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

[Strachattack]

Thanks for all the tips! I hope this isn't necessary but if we can't get a table at Galatoire's, Mr. B's, Antoine's and Dick and Jenny's sound like pretty good alternatives.

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

[mcegielski]

do what you need to do to get the galatoire's table. no substitute for that experience, not even close cause there is only one Galatorie's! Make it a point to get there early to wait in line. it won't be that bad.

[Littleman]

Go by Galatoire's at 11 AM. If there's a line then get someone to stand in the line. The others in your group can get a cold drink while you wait for 11:30. Most likely your group will get in fine. Two should have no problem. The line is not as bad as you think. If it's a long line then go to Mr. B's, Antoine's or NOLA. Acme, Felix's, Coop's and Napoleon House are fun too. Good luck.

[Strachattack]

Thanks for the advice hazelhurst and Littleman. I will swing by at 11am and check it out. If for some reason it doesn't work out there seems to be plenty of good options for food at least. I certainly won't mind squeezing three into a table of two if the ambiance is as good as it's supposed to be.

[fat harry]

Commander's on Friday is the only thing remotely comparable. Coop's? Felix's? Those are not even remotely close to the level of food, fun or atmosphere. Plus the food at Felix's is just awful (except for oysters).

[JazzyB]

Coops is a bar, not a restaurant. Large menu but still, bar food.

[Bill Hunt]

I have always had great Shrimp Po-boys at Felix's, so not sure that I would agree you, re: the food there, but that is personal taste.

Still, with mentions of Galatoire's, and CP, Felix's is not in that league, by any stretch.

Hunt

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

[bronwen]

Coops is a dive - you can't mention it in the same sentence as Galatoire's! I would go to Antoine's, Arnaud's or the Rib Room.

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

[gumbosally]

Napoleon House is an excellent choice but , like Arnaud's, doesn't serve lunch. While I normally steer as clear of Bourbon St. as possible, Bourbon House does a very good midday meal. Deanie's, which is considerably more affordable than Galatoire's or Bourbon House, is a local favorite in the Quarter (as evidenced by the office workers who fill the place midday) and serves very good food. A lot depends on whether or not you want to jostle to do the seen-and-be-seen scene at Galatoire's or you want an otherwise authentic NO experience with really good food. (BTW, Remoulade, Arnaud's sister bistro-style restaurant next door, does lunch; it's not fancy, but I've eaten there twice and had good food and service. If I had only one lunch to eat in the Quarter, I'd go for Deanie's. However, you cay pry yourself out, I'd go for Dick & Jenny's in a heartbeat; It kicks serious butt at lunch.

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Napoleon House Bar & Cafe
500 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70130

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

Bourbon House
144 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Dick & Jenny's
4501 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA 70115

Deanie's Restaurant
1016 Annunciation St, New Orleans, LA 70130

[uptownlibrarian]

Napoleon House is most definitely open for lunch daily.

If I was in OP's Alternative to Galatoire's quandary and the line was too long, I'd go have a snack and cocktails at Mr. B's or the Hermes Bar at Antoine's at 11:30 or noon then go to Galatoire's at about 3. But that plan wouldn't work if you have dinner plans that same evening. There's no Galatoire's equivalent. I agree with the poster who said that Commander's is about the closest.

[gumbosally]

get out of the french quarter and head for commander's palace in the garden district: they have a lunch special that features 25-cent martinis. and their food is consistently wonderful. try the shrimp hennican.

[Strachattack]

Thanks gumbosally. I should have mentioned this in my original post but on my trip I also plan on dining at ACME, K-Pauls, Emeril's, Jacquimos and brunch at Commander's Palace. I was going to add Galatoire's for the Friday lunch. My concern is missing the opportunity to get seated in the main floor bistro. I've read if you can't get seated there don't bother. I don't mind standing in line to do so but if we should show up late and miss the opportunity i'm hoping to have a back up plan.

By reputation alone i'm tempted to do lunch one day at Commander's Palace and brunch the following day but I also wish to try something different in my short time there. I'm hoping to find something as boisterous and fun as Galatoires but with an emphasis on good food, of course:) I'm also hoping it's a quintessential Nola experience. Perhaps that's too much to ask for.

I've read good things about Mr. B's, August, Dick and Jenny's, Muriel's Place but don't know how they compare to Galatoire's for a fun cocktail filled lunch. Any advice would be appreciated!

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Commander's Palace Restaurant
1403 Washington Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130

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

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

[hazelhurst]

If what you want to do is exp[erience the Friday show then nowhere else will do,. It is not duplicated anywhere. Since you will be, by my count, a table of three you'll either be cramped into a two-top (of which there are plenty) or set up at a four-top...these last "go" fast as a rule (some will be commandeered to annex onto a larger table to extend it). LIttleman is right when he says drop by about 11:00..if you are "frozen out" byt then you would likely have been frozen out by 10:30. You can always wait until later..the show goes on all afternoon, to varying degrees. Some people have been going at about 2:00 or 2:30 and gone upstairs for a drink and just wait for a favorite table to come open downstairs. It is not a bad idea if you can keep yourself from being blotto before lunch...the drinks are strong.

[CharlieH]

Arnauds

[Strachattack]

Thanks for the reply CharlieH. I'm somewhat confused in regards to Arnauds. Is it three different restaurants all located in the same location? One seems like a small bistro with live jazz, the other a more upscale environment and another that's more of a basic restaurant where one could eat a burger if they like. Which of these do you recommend?