Jacque-Imo's or Stella! after Dante's Kitchen

[rramstad]

Hi there. I travel to NOLA once a year and this will be my sixth or seventh visit, I think.

Each year I try to hit a few new places, while mixing in my favorites.

I am planning on hitting Dante's Kitchen with a large group of friends on an upcoming Thursday night.

Wednesday I will be out with a smaller group of friends for dinner. Usually we go for something a bit more "special" -- we ate at Restaurant August last year.

The two restaurants we're considering for Wednesday right now are Jacque-Imo's and Stella!

I'm curious as to which you'd pick, and why.

I guess if all things are equal (and they never are) that I'd probably prefer the one that would have the most contrast to Dante's.

I haven't been to any of these, but note that they all get some positive press here on Chowhound. Thanks to everyone for all your posts, I discovered Coop's Place through this board, as well as Cochon...

-- Bob

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Restaurant August
301 Tchoupitoulas Street, New Orleans, LA 70130

Cochon
930 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, LA 70130

Stella Restaurant
1032 Chartres Street, New Orleans, LA 70116

Coop's Place
1109 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116

Jacques-Imo's Cafe
8324 Oak St, New Orleans, LA 70118

Dante's Kitchen
736 Dante Street, New Orleans, LA 70118

[rramstad]

Thanks for the replies, I really appreciate it.

I kind of figured they were apples and oranges.

I am also definitely interested in value, so my ears really pricked up at the concept that Jacques is "about on par" with Coop's given that Jacques is quite a bit more spendy, and more hassle, given where we're staying.

[JazzyB]

Coquette's 4 course tasting menu is a "value". ($45). The menu changes daily. We dine there at least a couple times a month and have never been disappointed. Wine pairing is $20 which we never get, preferring their specialty cocktails.

[rramstad]

Very interesting. Thanks for the pointer. We did end up grabbing reservations for Stella and are looking forward to it, but I'll keep Coquette in mind for future and/or if we need something nice for later in the week.

Do you have any opinion on some of the "value" lunches? I've been considering Luke ($15), August ($20), MiLa ($20) for Thursday lunch... it's gotta be good as we'll be doing Stella! Wednesday night, and Dante's Thursday night...

[piglet3000]

Coquette also has a 3 course $20 lunch, but only on Wed, Thurs, Friday I believe. We've been a few times and it's always been amazing. They also have reduced prices on the wine and cocktails on those days.

[JazzyB]

Coquette's $20 lunch is w-sat (unles it's been changed within this passed month). Re: reduced wine/cocktail prices. Wed wine is discounted, Thurs. specialty cocktails are $5. Fri/Sat both are full price. August's lunch is head and shoulders above the rest. It is sedate vs the festive atmosphere at Commander's and the more lively anbience at Emeril's. That being said, Commanders lunch in the garden room is always fun They have a prix fixe plus $.25 martinis. I find the food is good, not great but we go for the overall experience. Emeril's also has a lunch prix fixe m- f, 3 courses, $19.50. IMO, the food is better than Commander's. My preference however is Emeril's for dinner and Commander's for lunch. I don't mind trading off lesser food for the more fun experience at lunch. Dinner, I'm not nearly as inclined to forgive mediocre food at fine dining prices.

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

[JazzyB]

Looking for value...try Luke's daily happy hour 3-6. $.50 oysters, half price libations. Order all your dozens at once, they are slow. Domenica's daily happy hour 3-6, 1/2 price wood fired pizzas (love the clam), well drinks, wine and beer.

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Domenica
123 Baronne Street, New Orleans, LA 70112

[midcity]

I've only done the August lunch of the three places you mentioned [and, as I'm not paid very well, lunch is the only time I can afford August, generally]. Excellent. I've also had dinner at Luke twice and really enjoyed both meals. For a different lunch option, maybe try the Green Goddess, Atchafalaya or something much more downscale.

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Green Goddess
307 Exchange Place, New Orleans, LA 70130

[hazelhurst]

That is an excellent thing to point out. I have had great success with the wine pairings but I admit they once made a very fine Sazerac for me (not that the drink is rocket science).

[JazzyB]

Apples/oranges. If you seek something "a little more special", it definitely isn't Jacques (which is about on par with Coops). Stella will provide an upscale, August like experience.

[uptownlibrarian]

Stella is a better contrast to Dante's, and is a superior restaurant to J-I's on all fronts. It's also two or three price points higher, if that's a consideration.