Brunch and Itinerary help for weekend in March
We are spending a long weekend in New Orleans in March. This is our first trip to the city. While we enjoy fine dining, we want to avoid the fancier places this trip (Commander's, Emerils, Galatoires)
Sunday, we are taking a bike tour at 130. We are staying at Hotel Villa Convento, which is on the lower (?) end of FQ, near Esplanade. Our bike tour is in Marigny, new Washington Square. Is there a place for Sunday brunch within walking distance where we can where jeans and a polo?
So far, here's a *tentative* itinerary:
Sat: Lunch at American Sector and WWII museum. Dinner at Mr. B's (the BBQ shrimp intrigues me)
San: Brunch? Dinner at Domenica (I'm a Besh fan, also seems a little more casual).
Sun: Stanley *or* Muriels.
Any rec's for a good drink/beer near our hotel? I think one night we will wander up to Frenchman St for music and will definitely hit Cafe Du Monde.
Thanks.
Sara
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Just a quick update on our trip. Thanks again for all the great advice.
Sat: Lunch at Stanley's. I see why there was controversy on this spot. We weren't overly impressed. It was convenient for us, but just so-so. We had breakfast and wonder if the lunch items would've been better. Seemed more like a shake and burger kind of place. Dinner at Mr's B's. Boy--I can see why it is so highly recommended on CH. The airline lost my luggage, so I called ahead to make sure jeans, sweater and sneakers were okay. (It's what I travelled in). I was told no problem and didn't really feel out of place. All manner of dress (However, I would've preferred my luggage and planned dinner clothing). We were seated right away (I called in Jan for a Sat reservation) and had EXCELLENT service. The highlights of the meal were the shrimp and grits and, of course, the BBQ shrimp. Both were unique and delicious. I can also vouch for the pecan pie.
Sun: Brunch, Cafe Amelie. Again, very convenient to our hotel. LOVED the outside dining. Brunch was yummy and what I expected. Service was very good. Dinner was Domenica, by far our favorite dinner. Some have talked about mediocre service, but we didn't have that experience. Initially we were nervous about our waiter, who seemed a little young. But he was very knowledgable and helpful with the all Italian wine list and brought a perfect bottle (in my price range and very close to what I described I liked). We started with Pate on Crostini with caper berries. OMG. It was to die for. Every bite was delicious. We then shared a cheese plate and a pizza. We were plenty full and the food bill was under $50. Very reasonable.
Sun: Went to Crescent City Brewing. For whatever reason, we wanted a beer and burger kind of joint vs Muriels. The beer was so-so but my Shrimp P0Boy was great. I liked sitting outside and people watching. Then Cafe Du Monde was close for coffee and dessert :-)
Heartily recommend Croissant D'or, which was across from our hotel. Coffee was a little weak, but the pastries were fresh and delicious. We ate there each morning.
Our favorite bar was Laffitte's. Good service, good people watching. The best hurricane (not sickening sweet).
We also hit DBA and Spotted Cat on Frenchman St. I liked DBA best b/c of the *great* beer/liquor selection, but the music at Spotted Cat was more accessible (I easier to just sit and listen). We also enjoyed Fritzel's on Bourbon St. The one bar on Bourbon St proper that didn't have awful music. -
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I don't understand your itinerary (Sat/San/Sun??), but you could go to brunch at Muriel's and do someplace else for that slot.
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re: SaraPA
Most of the people at Muriel's are tourists and dressed accordingly. I'm sure you wouldn't feel out of place, but if in doubt, call and ask them. Also, you would probably have time to go to brunch and then go back to your hotel and change, since it's so close. I feel like you will have a great brunch, and then you can ride it off. And be ready for the next meal.
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There are several good drinking spots on Frenchman Street and most have great live music. DBA is one of my favorites. Domenica is excellent. You won’t be disappointed. Try going Uptown for your brunch. There are several great spots including Cafe Atchafalaya, Dante’s, Gott Gourmet, Coulis or Surrey’s.
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re: shanefink
noradeirdre
Jan 15, 2012 01:43 PM
Another uptown brunch place is Le Petit Grocery on Magazine by Napoleon.
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TaTee
Jan 3, 2012 10:01 AM
Suggest EAT for brunch, corner of Dauphine and Dumaine...casual, walking distance, good food and it is BYOL. Your hotel is on Ursulines in between Royal and Chartres...you are directly across the street from Croissant d'Or...you can check it out for breakfast. On the corner of Royal and Gov. Nichols is the Verti Marte, which has great take out...open 24-7.
I am a big fan of Muriels and loathe Stanley's...directly across the street from one another, yet miles apart.
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Eat Restaurant
900 Dumaine St, New Orleans, LA 70116Croissant D'Or Patisserie
617 Ursulines Ave, New Orleans, LA›6 Replies-
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re: SaraPA
TaTee
Jan 4, 2012 06:27 AM
I have given it three tries and can not warm up to it. I asked for sunyside eggs and was told that that would be an extra $3. Think the "scrambled eggs" come already beaten in a carton...otherwise, why the upcharge to break an egg on the grill? Place is very touristy and crowded...service suffers.
For Beer and drinks, can recommend Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop on the corner of St. Phillip and Bourbon or Harry's Bar on Chartres. For a river view, walk over to the French Market and have a drink at Galvez.
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re: TaTee
Bill Hunt
Jan 15, 2012 06:26 PM
Interesting. Have done Stanley! 5 times, and three with my lovely wife (the NOLA native), and have had marvelous food and service.
Only trips to Muriel's have been for culinary events, and they dropped the ball horribly all three times, though many here do recommend them.
Almost the opposite from your experiences.
Hunt
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Buffa's Lounge is fun for Sunday jazz brunch.
Buffa's Lounge @ 1001 Esplanade Ave., New Orleans, LA. 504 - 949 - 0038.
http://www.buffaslounge.com/
FRENCHMEN STREET………..DBA @ 618 Frenchmen Street, New Orleans, LA 504 = 942 – 3731.
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http://dbabars.com/dbano/Spotted Cat @ 623 Frenchmen Street, New Orleans, LA 504 – 943 – 3887.
http://www.spottedcatmusicclub.com/
Blue Nile @ 532 Frenchmen Street, New Orleans, LA 504 – 948 – 2583.
Apple Barrel Bar @ 609 Frenchmen Street, New Orleans, LA 504 – 949 – 9399.
Three Muses @ 536 Frenchmen Street, New Orleans, LA 504 – 298 – 8746.
http://www.thethreemuses.com/
Sweet Lorraine's Jazz Club @ 1931 Saint Claude Ave., New Orleans, LA. 504 - 945 - 9654.
http://www.sweetlorrainesjazzclub.com/home.htm
Royal Street Inn and R Bar @ 1431 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA 504 - 948 - 7499.
http://royalstreetinn.com/
Snugg Harbor Jazz Bistro @ 626 Frenchmen St., New Orleans, LA. 504 - 949 - 0696.
http://www.snugjazz.com/site/
Maison @ 508 Frenchmen Street, New Orleans, LA 504 – 371 – 5543. -
uptownlibrarian
Jan 3, 2012 07:41 AM
If about 3/4 of a mile falls within walking distance for you, Lil Dizzy's would be perfect for your brunch. It's casual, and you can get the buffet for about $16 or order a la carte. We always just get the buffet. Especially good items that I think are always on it are fried chicken, excellent seafood gumbo, and seafood omelets made to order. It would be a 15 minute walk to Washington Square.
Your hotel is near some great non-touristy drinking spots in the lower Quarter such as Flanagan's and the Mississippi River Bottom (MRB) on St. Philip, and the entire 1100 block of Decatur Street. Just wandering around the neighborhood will allow you to stumble on some decent bars.
Your itinerary looks fine, but you can probably do better than either Stanley or Muriel's.
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re: uptownlibrarian
kukubura
Jan 4, 2012 04:38 AM
Second on Lil Dizzy's. It's a real taste of the neighborhood. Great place.
As for the BBQ shrimp at Mr. B's... YES!
Your hotel is right next to Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop which I believe is the older bar in the US (or close)
You're also near Tujague's where I had my favorite Sazerac (of many!)
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