Bachelor Party Restaurant for September

[dalepickle]

Hi -- I've read through the numerous bachelor party threads on here and there is some great advice but I'm still not sure what direction to go in for our particular group.

We are flying in to New Orleans from around the country (Boston, NYC, DC, SF) for a 12 man bachelor party. We are in our late 30's but still a pretty rowdy, hard-drinking bunch. But we do like a good meal and we're not terribly cheap.

As much as I would love to spend time exploring the city, realistically we probably won't make it out of the French Quarter... we have a balcony suite at the Royal Sonesta so probably won't stray too far from that home base. I've been to New Orleans before so I've got a good handle on the casual restaurants and bars. But we are looking for one nice meal together. Criteria:

-- In the French Quarter. (Jacques-Imo's is a constant recommendation for a group like ours but people don't want to have to take cabs around.)
-- No jackets required. I know.. but its just not going to happen with these guys. Nice jeans and a button up is more our speed. So this eliminates Galatoires. Does it also elimate Arnauds and Antoines... are these two even worth it seem to be a lot of meh reviews?
-- Distinctly New Orleans preferred. For example, I don't think GW Fins fits the bill as although it looks fantastic, we have awesome seafood in Boston, SF, etc.
-- Price -- no real limit here, we are prepared to pay for good meals. In that past we've usually had $40-$50 steaks and at high end steakhouses for these things.

Is this do-able? I'm currently considering K-Pauls as a serious contender? What else should I be looking at?

Thanks!!

[ccinlondon]

Hi! I was wondering if you would be able to post what you ended up doing on your weekend. Planning a very similar weekend with same criteria as you and curious to knw what you decided and would do again / change. Thanks!!

[mcegielski]

The Rib Room in the Quarter is a total GUY place and has some cool private room near the wine cellars in the basement.
Not getting out of the Quarter? I'm sorry but that is an epic FAIL The best music clubs, (Tipitina's, The Maple Leaf, etc) are outside the French Quarter. Jacque-Imo's is right next door to the Maple Leaf so that is an killer night right there. Dinner at Jacque-Imo's and then next door for the Maple Leaf all night. Frenchmen Street is right outside the Quarter and they have a killer live music scene. If you do hit Jacque-Imo's and Maple Leaf have the cab drop you guys off at the Columns Hotel on St. Charles for a pre-dinner cocktail. Take it from this local. Do not miss out on all that the city has to offer which is WAY WAY more than the French Quarter. You guys will get plenty of time there. Take one night, hit the Columns, hit Jacque-Imo's, hit the Maple Leaf. You can thank me later. I have been voted bachelor art MVP about 9 times. Trust me. Or don't. But if you do, I know you will come back on here and say, "the best night we had the whole trip is when we went outside the Quarter!"

[Bill Hunt]

Have you contacted G W Fins? They have a private room, that can be closed off, so that your group can yell quite loudly. It seats up to 15, IIRC, and the food is great.

Hunt

[dalepickle]

Yeah I actually have a backup reservation there, but I am not sure it meets the distinctly New Orleans criteria... I've read in some other threads that it is very nice, but not that different than a high end seafood restaurant you'd find in any major city.

[Bill Hunt]

<<distinctly New Orleans criteria>>

I would not be too quick there. They specialize in local seafood (mostly), done with local preparations.

Now, they are NOT "old school" New Orleans, as is Galatoire's, Arnaud's, Antoine's, but they ARE very New Orleans-centric, and maybe even more so, than some restaurants, that one might initially associate with New Orleans.

Glad that you have a backup.

Hunt

[BayouTeche]

I'd suggest Emeril's. Food's light years better than K-Paul's. Great wine list. They have plenty of experience with groups such as yours. It's not in the Quarter, but an easy 15 -20 minute walk from your hotel.

[dalepickle]

Thanks for the suggestion... gave Emeril's a call. Given the size of our party we would need to either do two separate tables which is no fun or the private wine room. Private room is cool, but they only do two seatings at 6pm or 9:15pm. Seems a little tricky timing-wise with the night. And its a fixed menu too. Anyway I'll still consider it though.

Anywhere else I should be checking out?

[shanefink]

I can’t believe they would turn away a 12-top. That’s surprising. You could try NOLA, their French Quarter restaurant. I happen to like K-Paul’s. It sounds a lot like what you are looking for. Try to sway your crew out of the FQ. You guys are too old for that scene the whole trip. I recommend checking out Frenchman Street or the Warehouse District.

[dalepickle]

Is it the part of Frenchman Street that is close to the French Quarter? Any particular spots we should check out? Live music would be cool one of the nights. Can you typically just stroll into these places or do you need tickets?

[shanefink]

Yes, edge of the Quarter. It’s a bit of a hike if it’s hot out, but not bad if it’s nice out. DBA, Three Muses, Spotted Cat and Blue Nile are some of the best places. Live music everywhere. Stroll up and down the block, hear something out front that you like and pay $5 or $10 to go inside or just hang on the street and people watch. I think DBA has a location in NYC. Great beer selection and a little more upscale than the other spots. Three Muses has good food too. In the Warehouse District, you will find a more clubby atmosphere. Places like the District, Metro, Tommy’s, the Whiskey Blue in the W Hotel if any of your friends are still single and looking for more of a hook up scene.

[dalepickle]

Awesome, sounds like a great scene, I'll try to steer everyone down there one of the nights. Are these places happening on a Thursday night or is it mostly Friday/Saturday?

Does the FQ get busy during Saints home game weekends?

[shanefink]

Yes and yes.

[collardman]

It depends on how the FOTH staff is set up. For some places handling an 8-10 top is the preferred max before they have to go into special mode.

A few years back we did a birthday party at NOLA and they put us in a room on the 3rd floor with 3-4 tables of 4 or 6. It wasn't private so they actually sat a 2 top in with us, much to the eventual displeasure of the 2 top. But we had the freedom to table hop and the bar on the floor gave us swift service.

Unfortunately your choices may be private rooms at good places with some extra cost or a room at some place like Napoleon House with food quality a step or two lower. A private room dinner I went to at Antoines provided better food and a better experience than a dinner I had with my wife in the main dining room