Going to New Orleans for our 1st wedding anniversary

[Cyndilouak]

We will be there 4/4 thru 4/10 we would like something beyond the tourist traps

[kukubura]

As texasreddrop says, Commander's Palace is what you want, particularly for lunch. Let them know it's your anniversary ahead, request the garden room, make friends with your server (easy to do since they are incredibly charming and professional) and plan to stay a while. Best enjoyed if you get all dressed up and ride the streetcar out, strolling the short walk from St Charles to the restaurant and taking a turn about Lafayette cemetery before you head in. Get there early and have a drink at the bar, watching the hustle and bustle of the gleaming kitchen. And make sure you let them know you intend to take your time. It's a genuinely special place and they'll make you feel special for spending time there.

[Littleman]

I second Commander's Palace. Another good romantic choice is Le Foret.

Le Foret @ 129 Camp St., New Orleans, LA 504 - 553 - 6738.
http://www.dmillanleforet.com/

[josephnl]

My choices would be:
1) August
2) Bayona
3) Stella!

I'd be sure to phone well ahead and make a point of letting them know the occasion, and if it's in your budget, perhaps ordering flowers for the table.

[Bill Hunt]

For an anniversary meal, I would look to the Grill Room at the Windsor Court Hotel, just across Canal St. from the FQ.

For romance, few restaurants will equal it, with the possible exception of the Rib Room.

I also feel that Stella! can be romantic, but it pales to the Grill Room.

Enjoy,

Hunt

[j.ho]

I second Stella! for anniversary dinner. My wife and I had our first anniversary dinner there and it was wonderful.

FTR - we always have a "special occassion" meal at Galatoire's (as we were married the week of Jazz Fest every JF is a special occassion.) It may not be romantic but the food is awesome, the service exceptional and the atmosphere (at least downstairs) screams celebration.

This year were going to Gal's to celebrate our anniversary and baby's birthday (see post re: Baby's First Fest) with another celebratory dinner at August.

[Bill Hunt]

For us, Stella! reminds both of a slightly eccentric aunt's gracious Southern home, but with great food.

Some pan it, saying that it is not "authentic NOLA cuisine," but we have found it to be rather a combo of NOLA meets the Deep South - not totally unlike MiLa, but in a totally different setting.

Over the years, we have thrown them a few "curves," and they "hit them out of the park." So long as that continues, we will recommend them, and dine with them, when possible.

Happy Anniversary, very soon!

Hunt

[j.ho]

Thanks, Bill! MiLa has been on our list for awhile now. We may have to take advantage of the pre-fix lunch just to get a quick-hit taste of the experience there.

[Bill Hunt]

Have not done lunch there, so cannot comment on that.

However, they both "talk the talk, and walk the walk," at least from my experiences.

Enjoy, and happy anniversary,

Hunt

[Cyndilouak]

I did book Stella for dinner

[Cyndilouak]

I did make reservations at The Court of Two Sisters for Easter Brunch.

[hazelhurst]

THat place gets knocked a great deal and it may be the "give a dog a bad name" syndrome. I've had decent stuff at weddding receptions there but it is not a "go to" place for me. I shall be pleased to hear your review of it.

[brucec]

it is NOT too late to cancel.....unless mediocre food in a 'quite nice' garden is your aim.

[Cyndilouak]

I would actually like great food in a romantic setting it's my anniversary.

[texasredtop]

Then you want Commander's Palace.

[BobinNJ]

My wife & I have walked out of Court of 2 Sisters, that bad. Commanders Palace is a great choice. A couple of our favorites are Bayonna (very romantic and fantastic food), and August (sensational food an cool atmosphere). On the local and more moderately priced side is Cochon (all things pork and great bourbon selection). For a cocktail can't beat Arnods French 75 bar in the 'quarter, classy, cool, spot on artisan cocktails.

[texasredtop]

I found August very cold and not romantic in the least. And Cochon to me is a place to eat and leave. Their seating is not very comfortable which does not invite me to stay or even to relax. I just can't think of anything that compares all around to Commanders for a romantic meal. I'm thinking of trying Gal's upstairs next trip to see what it's all about. I've been up there but it was the pre-adult years and I don't remember what it looks like. I'm guessing that might be another place for a romantic setting.

[Bill Hunt]

For me, Restaurant August had romantic aspects, though would not be my # 1 choice.

Cochon, while good, fun food, would be almost anything BUT romantic. I mean, think of those chairs!

Bayona, especially on the patio, could well fill the bill.

Hunt

[texasredtop]

August had the beautiful decor but everything else was so cold from the hostess at the front door forward. It was nothing like Commanders or Brigsten's or Gal's. Nothing felt inviting or friendly about it. It may have just been the night we were there but I've seen others say similar things. And all of that would have been forgotten had their been some good food served.

[Bill Hunt]

Interesting.

We found warmness from FOH to almost all aspects, except for our wine service, which was not up to par. Otherwise, all was "warm and fuzzy."

Sorry that it was not so for you.

Hunt

[texasredtop]

I guess sometimes it's all in the timing.

[edible complex]

Martinique Bistro on Magazine St.

-----
Martinique Restaurant Bistro
5908 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

[collardman]

If you are paying full price you can probably do better. For a past poster who had a freebie certificate I said go for it, you can get your monies worth in boiled shrimp. It would be a fun experience but don't go there because of the food.

If you do some searches you will find a long list of preferred restaurants and they are almost all tourist restaurants that are also full of locals.

[hazelhurst]

Perhaps that should be "Locals' restaurants that are full of tourists." Just a thought.

[texasredtop]

It would help to know if you have transportation and if not, where you are staying. What kind of foods to you like? Is there a budget or are you willing to go all out?

[Cyndilouak]

We love food and are not picky. We would like to have all kinds of recomendations as we will splurge for dinner a couple of nights. We will have a car for 2 days of the trip.