PrintNew Orleans restaurants
I will be going to New Orleans next week. I have not been there in over 20 years. Yes, I know about Brennans, Windsor Court, K-Pauls, and all the old established ones. Has anyone been there recently and, if so, do you have any suggestions? Thanks.
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19 Comments:
My husband and I went right before Katrina, sadly we haven't been back, but we will.
One of our favorite meals was at Bayona, Susan Spicer Chef/Owner. I can't remember where it was located, but every concierge should know how to get you there. Great food, lovely, charming ambience, great courtyard for after dinner drinks & dessert...very romantic. I hear it was not affected by the floods and reopened fairly quickly after Katrina hit.
wookie at 1:52PM on 03/09/08
I live in New Orleans. Brigtsen's is a wonderful place in the riverbend that had great food. Cochon is a newer place that caters to upscalish cajun food; it is not a place to miss. They have great small plates that work very well for lunch. Stella is a very nice upscale place that has new orleans food with an asian influence. It is very unique. And as always, it is hard to get a bad meal in NO. Enjoy your stay!!
malenky at 2:23PM on 03/09/08
I just received my April Bon Appettit magazine. There is a whole article on where to eat in New Orleans. Check it out!!!
Mich23 at 2:29PM on 03/09/08
You can't go wrong with breakfast at Brennan's (forget the dinner- a long brunch is THE thing at Brennan's). Also, Commander's Palace, Galatoire's, August (where John Besh is the chef), Tujague's for old school charm, and Bayona are all long time favorites of mine. Oh, and if you are into oysters make sure to pop in to Acme Oyster House. Have fun and snag a Hurricane at Pat O's for me!
sbelle at 2:47PM on 03/09/08
Herbsaint and Cochon, no question. We were there in July and had fabulous meals at both.
Casamento's for oyster po boy.
Jacques-Imo's.
Pascal's Manale for bbq shrimp.
Central Grocery for a muffaletta.
Tropical Isle for a Hand Grenade (only have one, trust me!)
Commander's Palace for bread pudding with whiskey sauce.
Emeril's NOLA is a really good restaurant, and the service was the best we had on our whole trip.
Have fun, but be prepared to see some disturbing things. The Big Easy has not recovered from Katrina, no matter what the tourist brochures may tell you. It is not the city I used to live in, that is for sure. Thank you for going, though-- the city needs you!
Penelope at 4:35PM on 03/09/08
Well, hard to add to this list buuuuut, how about "Adolfo's" on Frenchman Street? Casual gourmand local above a strong music street.
For that matter the Fabourg Marigny has changed much in the past 20 years. Le Paniche on Dauphine at Turo in the triangle and Do check out "Mimi's" on Royal at Franklin, heading into the bywater.
Then there is "COOP's" down on the end of Decature across from Jimmy Buffet's--which ain't too shabby either with great live music in their little bar part.
But whenever I have questions I ask the Food God, Tom Fitzmorris, who was probably around 20 years or more ago.
Here is his website:http://www.nomenu.com/
And here is where many of my food friends hang:
Chowhound/New Orleans:
http://www.chow.com/search?search%5Bquery%5D=new+orleans&Search.x=0&Search.y=0
Welcome Back. Your table awaits...
New Orleans News Ladder at 5:56PM on 03/09/08
Oh Yeah! I forgot my new find! And he is a prolific poster here on Serious Eats. Definately amoungst the NOLA Food Godestry!
Blake Killian, "Blake Makes".
I posted his chocolate contest the other day onto the Ladder:
http://www.blakemakes.com/and-the-sucre-winners-are/
...and here is my fav of his Serious Eats:
http://www.seriouseats.com/eating_out/2007/11/new-orleans-po-boy-preservation-festival.html
New Orleans News Ladder at 6:05PM on 03/09/08
Sorry y'all. Still new at all this...
New Orleans News Ladder:
http://noladder.blogspot.com/
New Orleans News Ladder at 6:12PM on 03/09/08
I live in New Orleans and these topics always make me cringe. Brennan's is extremely overrated for brunch; you can do better. Search chowhound for others' recommendations. There are several small cafés and restaurants that serve excellent breakfast. I will agree with others and say that Brigtsen's is a gem—definitely have dinner there if you can! Trust Tom Fitzmorris for any other recommendations. He has been around for thirty-plus years and knows his restaurants. Lastly, we have not yet recovered fully from Katrina, but most parts of the city, and most parts that tourists would visit, are in excellent shape. Please don't downplay the great amount of progress that has been made in many areas.
Thank you for visiting our city!
kmnola at 7:57PM on 03/09/08
I grew up in a small town not far from NO. Whenever friends travel to NO, they ask me for a list. This is generally what I recommend, in no particular order. :)
1) For the foodies: I highly recommend August, Bayona, Stella!, and Peristyle for the excellent food from Besh, Spicer, Boswell, and Wolfe, respectively.
2) For good Cajun food and Cajun two-stepping to live music, go to Mulatte's!
3) Go get the Ferdi Special (po'boy) at Mother's down by the W hotel.
4) Do pick up a muffaletta at Central or Progress Grocery.
5) Hit Mr. B's for simple yet charming bistro dining.
6) If you are in on a Friday, hit up Galatoire's for great old school service and tasty food. On Fridays, it is also a place to see and be seen on at lunch. (Well, it was that kind of place pre-Katrina, but I have not been since then. Anyone know?)
7) Get a GIANT, tasty burger and baked potato at Port of Call down off of Esplanade.
8) Fried seafood po'boy at Johnny's, Stanley!, or Mena's. BBQ Shrimp po'boy at Bourbon House.
9) And, if you are up for a nice drive down the river, head to Donaldsonville to Chef John Folse's Bittersweet Plantation. Trust me, it's worth it!! Plus, you can visit lots of other plantations in the area.
GumbeauxGal at 10:37PM on 03/09/08
Definitely Herbsaint! And the ice cream at Creole Creamery is not to be missed. Also, if Dooky Chase's is open again, it's a MUST. Leah Chase is a NOLA legend, and well-deservedly so.
For any chefs on here who are interested in helping out in NOLA, I participated in an AMAZING weeklong culinary volunteer program called Culinary Corps -- check it out! One of the toughest weeks I've ever had, but in the best way, and Christine, the organization's founder, is truly an incredible person. I'm pretty sure they have a trip coming up in June...
CookiePie at 11:24PM on 03/09/08
Oh, almost forgot.. Willie Mae's Scotch House.
GumbeauxGal at 1:29AM on 03/10/08
I have a weak spot for beignets and Cafe du Monde...But I had an amazing Easter Brunch at Antoine's the first Easter after Katrina
We had some delicious po'boys somewhere...I'll try to see if I can figure out where.
machellebelle at 1:39AM on 03/10/08
I was in NOLA pre-Katrina, but the meal I still remember was at Dick and Jenny's on Tchopitoulas (sp?); it's a charming old house in a residential neighborhood, and despite the wait (on cute patio, w/drinks and nibbles), we had a great, relaxed night and a terrific meal at very reasonable prices. I really hope they're still in business...
Curlz at 1:07PM on 03/10/08
I live in New Orleans, and I have one word for you...Cochon.
Blake Killian at 7:30PM on 03/10/08
The Delachaise
djzouke at 9:58AM on 03/11/08
I was in New Orleans a few months ago, and tried Cochon (on Frank Bruni's top ten list of new restaurants for 2007), and it wasn't amazing. It may have been an off-day, so I won't judge, but I'd say skip lunch and go for dinner. The Feelings Cafe is a pretty local Marigny spot for a French-Cajun meal. You must go to Mimi's in the Marigny as well. It is super-hip two story bar/lounge with great tapas and some really great nawlins jazz. It's like having a stand-up bass and saxophone in your living room.
lesliepariseau at 10:59AM on 03/11/08
was just in NO - and have to say, liked cochon ALOT!
also went to central grocery, muriels, a couple beignet places too. but one of the most fun things we did we a cooking class at NO school of cooking. crawfish etoufee, shrimp/artichoke soup, candied pralines and banana bread pudding w/ rum sauce! oh and not to forget the insane biscuits we had there. HAVE FUN!
jenniewk at 12:57PM on 03/11/08
I was in NOLA the suimmer before last, when Cochon was pretty new, and it was SPECTACULAR. I went twice. So, I second that, and I also second Jacque-imo's. Get the shrimp and alligator sausage cheesecake. Trust me.
No matter where you go, you're gonna do well with pork and shellfish. It's just a paradise of food.
klg19 at 11:40PM on 03/11/08