Need dinner suggestion.

[Rick317]

My first trip to New Orleans!
Just trying to experience as much as possible.
Have 1 dinner slot that has not been filled.

BREAKFAST:
Old Coffee Pot
Stanley's
Jazz brunch Commanders Palace
Brennan's

LUNCH:
Dragos (Fire grilled Oysters)
Mr. B's (BBQ Shrimp)
Parkway Bakery (PoBoys)
Cafe Du Monde (snack)

DINNER:
Brigtsen's
Dante's Kitchen
Galatoires

FUN:
Swamp tour
Jazz Clubs
Casino

Would love to hear suggestions.
Thanks!

[collardman]

You have been given a lot of good suggestions. I will just add dropping Brennan's (it can be hit or miss) and the swamp tour. Unless you are coming in April or later the winter swamps are pretty blah except for birding.

[pizzajunkie]

completely agree with collardman.

[piglet3000]

If you're going to do Besh, I'd do Domenica for happy hour; any day between 3 and 6. The pizzas are really good, but even better if you get them for half price; I know the wine by the glass is also half price during those hours, possibly the cocktails as well. Luke has the 50 cent oysters during the 3 to 6 hours as well.
These stops make for a nice quality snack, and a cheap drink. I don't think I would necessarily spend the money to eat there at dinner. The spots are a wee bit sterile and not particularly New Orleans, but the staff is great and it's a good experience.
I would second Cochon for dinner; that is something you are not going to get anywhere else. Herbsaint is incredible, possibly the best gumbo we had a couple of weeks ago out of about half a dozen.
Brunch at Commander's Palace on a Saturday or Sunday is awesome. Stanley is good, a great location but I find it also kind of sterile. Like a nice movie set.
I'd maybe swap out Dragos for Casamentos on Magazine and Napoleon. Also a one of a kind experience you will never get anywhere else. Get there early when they open or prepare to wait!!

[bmoskowitz]

Also, rather than Dante's—which is perfectly good—you should try one of John Besh's restaurants. He's got 5 in town:
Domenica for Italian food in a lively, sophisticated setting with good drinks, pizzas, and a wide range of pastas and other entrees; Luke for a European-style brasserie with great raw oysters, good fish, and great bread pudding; Restaurant August for higher-end French-style food in a warm setting that's not too stuffy but refined; American Sector in the WW2 museum (probably only worth a trip if you're visiting the museum); and there is also the Besh Steakhouse in the Harrah's Casino. I personally would recommend Luke for lunch or August for lunch or dinner. Domenica is good, but if you can get good Italian where you live, skip it.

[kukubura]

I don't think Brigsten's and Dante's is a good idea since they're both on the same block and you'd be doubling back twice on a short trip. I'd put The Green Goddess or something else in one of those slots.

[pizzajunkie]

or Herbsaint instead of Dantes.

[bmoskowitz]

Agreed. I think one Donald Link place (Cochon or Herbsaint) and one Besh place would be a good plan for your first visit to go along with at least one Brennan family restaurant (you've listed a few). Galatoire's is another good choice you've made. For breakfast, I'd probably skip Stanley's and go to Elizabeth's or Cake Cafe.

[bmoskowitz]

Try Cochon for dinner. It lives up to the hype.