Over the past several months I've copied and pasted restaurant ideas from previous ST threads for our upcoming trip to NOLA. I've got lots of ideas for great po'boys, beans and rice, cajun cookin' and of course, beignets. We'll try to enjoy as much of the great food as time and budget allow!

I'm hoping we can find some bargain meals but I'm sure there will be at least one night when we want to splurge on an amazing restaurant. What would your choice be, and why?

No question--Commander's Palace. It may be an institution, but for good reason. And honestly its not even that expensive (by NYC standards, anyway.) Some prefer lunch there and its 25 cent martinis. Most recommend the Garden room, although I like the main room with the bird decor...

oh, and why--because it IS quintessential New Orleans. Some might suggest some newer spots like August, or Stella, which could really be anywhere (actually we were quite underwhelmed by August.)

No doubt...Commanders! Do lunch, and have the quarter martinis Half the price as dinner, but all the wonderful food and service.

Thanks! Commander's is on the list I've compiled, but I just wanted to make sure I got the most up-to-date recommendations for that splurge! I've never had a martini - for 25¢ this is the time to try one (or two....limit 3!)! Thanks again!

Commander's has a wonderful Jazz brunch on Sundays. It makes for a delightful morning and if the weather is good, see if you can sit in the patio. (You'll need a cab to Commander's.) The "big" four in the Quarter are usually very good also but that is not a guarantee (Antoine's, Arnaud's, Brennan's and Galatoire's). A new one (a year old) is Redemption which is off of Canal Street but not in the downtown area. You'd need a cab there. It is in the old Christian's restaurant and is an old church so it's fun that way. Delmonico's on St. Charles Street is an Emeril restaurant but my understanding is that he has kept many of the old recipes which were classics. Be sure where ever you go for your "big" meal you try the turtle soup. It is a New Orleand speciality and can't be beat! Make sure they put sherry in it for you. Have a great time! BJ

Oh, I'm so sad we'll miss the Sunday brunch at Commander's - we fly back home on Sunday - which also happens to be Easter. I'm wondering if the city will be a bit more mellow due to it being Holy Week.....

I went to Commanders last fall and am glad I did. The 25-cent deal at lunch isn't just martinis - I had cosmos and here is one of them:

Annie, I'm looking for the 'like' button but I can't find it!

LIKE!!!

Yes...they have a very loose definition of martini...mine is always a cosmo

anne

Another vote for lunch at Commander's! Loved the turtle soup with sherry, and of course the cosmo! Enjoy!

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I'm wondering if the city will be a bit more mellow due to it being Holy Week.....

Don't know that it's really any more mellow. Good Friday is pretty much a holiday, so expect businesses to be closed. (Restaurants and museums will be open, of course!) There will be lots of crawfish boils on that day, so you'll have trouble getting any crawfish. Make sure you have reservations if you want to go somewhere specific for lunch or dinner.

Brigtsen's is by far my favorite New Orleans restaurant. We lived there for 35 years and that was our celebration restaurant every time. Reservations are a must and can be hard to cme by.

I grew up near New Orleans and worked there for a short time, but that was decades ago. The last time I had dinner there was 10 years ago and was at the Smith and Wollensky Steakhouse. Very good steak and wine, but not very New Orleans.

I used to enjoy the Gumbo Shop in the French
Quarter. They had great Eggs Benedict at breakfast/brunch.

One of my most enjoyable meals of all time was at the Caribbean Room at the Pontchartrain Hotel on St. Charles. I remember I had Trout Veronique. Their website indicates the Pontchartrain has been converted to extended stay apartments and senior apartments. The Caribbean has reopened apparently, but may be for residents and guests only now.

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Be sure where ever you go for your "big" meal you try the turtle soup. It is a New Orleans specialty and can't be beat!

I ordered the turtle soup at Commander's Palace the first time I went there. The waiter quietly told me that it was not good that evening and suggested something else. He got a really good tip when we left.

By the way, does Commander's Palace still require coat and tie for men?

Be sure to check, Barbara and Art, before you show up and find that they still do?

Commander's requires coat and tie for dinner but not for the brunch. I am not sure about lunch but I would guess no. Galatoire's used to require a tie at night but I don't know if that is still true. Brigsten's is wonderful, is in an old house up in the Carrollton area and worth the trip. There are many really good uptown restaurants now (some fancy, some casual)if you want some of those names also. What a fun time it will be deciding which fine restaurant to go to. We will be there for Jazz Fest this year and are looking forward to it as always. Once a New Orleans gal, always a New Orleans gal (although when we are there during July, I remember why I am glad not to live there anymore!). BJ

quote:

Originally posted by Callie B.:
Brigtsen's is by far my favorite New Orleans restaurant. We lived there for 35 years and that was our celebration restaurant every time. Reservations are a must and can be hard to cme by.

I was planning to take advanatage of the early bird special at Brigtsen's but they don't offer it any more....darn!

Commander's is great for the history and the classic dishes. But remember it is not in the French Quarter, but some distance up the river. Good excuse to ride the St. Charles streetcar.

One of my favorite meals was at August, John Besh's place. Tasting menu was fabulous, but a ton of food.

Commanders does not require coat and tie for lunch, but a sports coat for a man is a good idea. It is definitely not a super-casual place.

Galatoire's requires a jacket but not a tie. They have a selection of jackets for men at the door for those who come without (as a friend of mine did last year....wanted to kill him!)

anne

thanks for all the info, and yes, Art's planning to take a sports coat so we'll be prepared!

If you want the most ghetto, cheap, and biggest poboy the city has to offer, check out the little market on the corner of louisiana and st. charles. Full loaf poboys for like 10 bucks, stacked with shrimp unlike these other places.

Not a place to dine in though.