Dickie Brennan's Boardroom

[dlw88]

I am trying to organize a bachelor's dinner at Dickie Brennan's. Our party is only 10 and they are asking for a $1500 minimum. Does this sound reasonable, is the place and food worth it, and would it still be worth it to pay a little more if we don't eat and drink that much?

Thanks in advance.

[collardman]

Part of the up front cost is "renting" the room. Any good restaurant in town will take a ten top without a minimum and some have semi private rooms with no charge.

If I was going to spend $150pp it wouldn't be there, but I admit I only go to steak houses when it is a business expense.

[dlw88]

Thank you kindly for your responses.

As this is the first time in NOLA for most attending, I was hoping that the room itself and the view would add to the value. Can someone agree or disagree to that? If not, which establishment could provide a better opportunity on a Friday night?

[uptownlibrarian]

I'm not familiar with the Boardroom in particular, but the decor at Dickie Brennan's in my opinion definitely does not add to the value - if anything it detracts. It feels like a hotel banquet room or something. I think the chairs are actually covered in vinyl. The so-called "view over Iberville St." mentioned on the website would be of the old Solari's parking garage, as that is what's across the street from the restaurant.

[hazelhurst]

Actually, in the virtual Tour, you can see that the Boardroom has a spectacular and breathtaking view of the garage bay at Solari's. It appears that you can enjoy all of our colorful characters, too.

[uptownlibrarian]

That's is, unless you're lucky enough to be dining during a delivery, in which case the view is of a Bud Light truck.

[hazelhurst]

Ugh...a crippling blow.

[Bill Hunt]

Well, much will depend on the autos parked there, that night. Could be a bunch of Toyotas, or maybe a few Bentleys. That could make a difference.

Hunt

PS - I have only been to Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse once, with horrible results, so that will be my last attempt. There, "one strike, and you are out." Even when my nephew was a sous-chef there, we declined. One horrible experience was more than enough for us.

[hazelhurst]

A friend had a birthday at Dickie B's about three months ago and he said it was fine. He didn't get Peter Luger stuff but he didn't expect it. The general consensus in town for steak nowadays is Mr John's.

I maintain a soft spot for Dickie Brennan's though because years ago, when lunching around the corner, the air conditioner blew up. We rushed through the meal and reapired to the bar at Dickie's. I was drenched in sweat and Dickie wsa kind enough to let me stand in the walk-in cooler for awhile to leach out the heat. He did not hold it against me that I had been eating at a competitor's place.

[Bill Hunt]

Thank you for that info.

My nephew maintained that they had changed greatly, from our experience (and I do mean "experience"), but I just could not pass on one of the great NOLA restaurants, for one that dissed us so very badly, and then could not even come close to good food, or service.

If I really wish to be abused, I can probably find a dominatrix on Craig's List, and it will likely cost me less.

Glad to hear that they have come around, and now actually care about their patrons. Maybe someday, though probably not.

Hunt

[collardman]

Offhand I can't think of a place with a private room with a view, plus good food. The hotels on the river have some rooms with great views but only so-so food. Muriel's has nice rooms but so does Antoine's. Bella Luna used to be a good choice but I haven't heard much about its replacement.

If your interest is good local food and a good time just check most of the CH "top ten" (depending on the source this can cover about 20-25 restaurants). I assume you will want to stay in the FQ or CBD/Warehouse district so there are still great choices.

I've seen bachelor and bachelorette parties in the common rooms at many restaurants and most have not been any more noisy than the locals! Some of the more relaxed (i.e., some noise) are GW Fins, Emeril's, NOLA and Dominica. Also Cuchon although I don't think they are quite as good with larger parties.

[hazelhurst]

I agree with your assessment and can say that I have done private rooms at Antoine's, Arnaud's, Galatoire's on many occasions and they have been fine and even spectacular. But, as you say, there is not much of a view in any of those. In some batchelor parties that's the way you want it.

[uptownlibrarian]

$150/pp + tip sounds pretty reasonable to me too, but also look into La Boca. They have a set menu that's an incredible bargain: http://www.labocasteaks.com/menus/spe...

[shanefink]

Steaks $350, Apps $150, Sides $100, cocktails $250, 4 bottles of wine $250, dessert and port $150, tax $200. You’re pretty close and I think you’d have good food and a fun time. There are better steaks in this town so if you’re going for the food quality alone, I’d choose Mr. John’s Steakhouse.

[rouxdauphine]

+1 on Mr. John's. No view, but genuinely classic steakhouse, delicious food, long on price and even longer on value. If you want to be right off Bourbon Street for the strip clubs afterwards, by all means, Dickie Brennan's, but if your bachelor and groomsmen are a class act, it's Mr. John's, no question. And you don't need to report back if you taxi back to any form of adult entertainment afterward.