> I will be visiting New Orleans soon for the first time with my girlfriend > and her mother. I know New Orleans is famous for it's restaurants, and would > very much appreciate reccomendations. We will only be there over a > weekend, and I would like to get a reasonable sampling of what N.O. has > to offer, while avoiding the "tourist traps." > > We definitely enjoy Cajun/ethnic food. Price is no object (if it's worth it), > but would like to know about casual "authentic" bar/restaurants, as well > as some of the more formal expensive places. > Thanks in advance, LHC There is a fine list for New orleans in general with great food and other ideas and info-- [email removed] but here is some info I recently sent a friend. Be sure to ask your hotel people about where NOT to walk--I understand from everyone that odd areas of New Orleans are unsafe, esp at night..take them seriously. not a joke. go to Cafe Brasil for music and fun--take cabs elegant As far as I can tell the current super best New Orleans places to eat, expensively, are Emeril's and Bayonna, with NOLA next. I ate at Bayonna and it was very very good. The people I ate there with went to the other two as well, and I think they rated Emeril's and Bayonna equally. An old standby is Brennan's. They advertize Brennan's for breakfast, and if you have a morning it is a great experience--but do it only if you have plenty of time. Brennan's is also good for dinner. Commander's Palace, Antoine's, Broussards, Arnauds are all old New Orleans classics, elegant and expensive, probably good, although I do think the ones I mentioned first are currently best. But, Commander's is uptown in the Garden District and has a wonderful courtyard--so that might be a factor. You also might try Delmonico's on St. charles or Galatoire's in the Quarter (no res here, stand in line, but dress to kill) for a classic NO restaurant experience. I have also heard really good things about Gautreau's down home--inexpensive Mother's on Poydras street for a great breakfast or po'boy. You can do a fast breakfast on this one--be sure and get ham debris or black ham and whatever else you want. Also, one of the riverboats has Mother's on it, and I hear that you can do a river cruise (gamble if you want, or not, and eat lunch--but check this with the hotel). oysters you aren't supposed to be eating now, but if you want them raw or fried try the Acme oyster bar on Iberville--inexpensive Bon Ton cafe for traditional crawfish dishes--etouffe, jambalaya, bisque--moderate prices, great food Central Grocery on Decatur Street for a muffelata (round sub type thing--olive salad, olive oil, meats and cheese and incredible--take and eat in Jackson Square or back to your hotel room) Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville and Dan Ackroyd's House of Blues for fun--don't know about the food; if you are jazz fans Preservation Hall can be good, but most of the old jazz greats have passed on ride the streetcar for good views of St. Charles Ave . Get off where it makes a turn at Carrollton St and eat at the Camellia Grill; great waffles and omelets, and great hamburgers and a icy drink called a freeze. Cafe Du Monde for coffe and beignets anytime day or night uptown, get good directions to Frankie and Johnnies--a neighborhood food joint that serves boiled shrimp and crawfish, stuffed artichokes, and a bunch of other stuff--inexp. to moderate Figaro is in the "Gourmet" pizza catagory. It's at 7900 Maple St. They have traditional pizzas, specialize in the Olive Oil and Garlic style pizzas, with toppings like spinach and feta cheese; also excellent calzone. courtyard or inside, lunch or dinner, moderate. Across the river (Huey P.Long bridge--an experience in itself) on the West Bank is Mosca's--it looks like a joint, which it sort of is--but fab food--oysters mosca, baked shrimp, crab salad, homemade spagetti and fettucine--great food-- They fry everything down there and they do it really well. If you come across fried dill pickles try them! also, if turtle soup is on the menu it is terrific. The New Orleans Museum of Art is a wonderful museum and is in a beautiful setting. Have fun.
New Orleans, LA