My wife and I just returned from a week of orgiastic culinary excesses in New Orleans and I thought I'd give some snapshot reviews and impressions of the various eateries in case anybody else has as little regard for their digestion as we apparently did. Christian's--in the midtown section of New Orleans in an old church, hence the name. We went there on a tip from a local and it is practically unknown to tourists. The cooking is creole and well worth a visit as long as you're prepared to go into cholesterol shock. I had delicious sof-shell crab, deep fried in butter, followed by grouper in a tasty sauce also liberally made with butter. My wife and the other two in our party had similarly tasty/fattening dishes. There were several selections of fish and red meats, no chicken on the menu. The staff were gracious, the ambience I guess would be called 'relaxed'. Men had to wear jackets and it was fairly expensive, around $50 a head with wine. And yes, I'd go again. Antoine's--on St. Louis in the French Quarter and going strong since 1860. We were told there are only two ways to go to this New Orleans landmark, as a tourist where they cheerfully take your money with studied indifference, or as a customer with ones 'personal' waiter, where you are treated a helluva lot better! Fortunately for us, I have a friend who does business with people in N.O. who have local clout and he arranged for our 'personal' waiter to meet us at the door and give us the benefit of his 40 years experience at the restaurant, which he did superbly. However, acting like the tourist I was, I opted to have the restaurant's signature dishes, Oysters Rockefeller and Chicken Rochanbeau, and both were delicious. Summary: -The place is huge, we estimated more than 300 can be seated -Cooking is Creole haute cuisine, and no fat substitutes need apply -Men must wear jackets and I think ties are mandatory -Wine list extensive and pricy With a lowish priced wine, figure on $60 per head--if you're splurging and order one of the musty old bottles, make sure your loan officer is available. -You have to tip your 'personal' waiter at least 20% Commander's Palace--on Washington Avenue in the Garden District. This place, another N.O. landmark is also huge, seating at least 300, and is an entire industry, as in addition to the main restaurant, they've now opened a couple of new and cheaper clones in the French Quarter that have a few of the known dishes. Where they differ is that they're more casual, easier to get in and tend toward what we've dubbed California-Creole cuisine as a lot of the entrees sound like Wolfgang Puck meets Jean La Fitte. I was actually a little disappointed in this place and was told later we'd come on the worst night of the week, Sunday, following on from an extensive jazz brunch the restaurant puts on and that the staff was burned out. I had a very nice gumbo, very average crab cakes and part of a tasty bread pudding souffle. I didn't make notes of what the rest of our party of 5 had, but the consensus was that Antoine's was better. Summary: -About $55 per head with wine -Jackets required, but not ties Gautreau's--on Soniat Street, Uptown district This was the best meal we had in N.O., a smallish restaurant where a pharmacy used to be, originally owned and decorated by what we were told was an eccentric lady who was doing it as a hobby. It's now owned by four partners, two of which we were fortunate to be introduced to and dine with. This too I fell should be called California-Creole cuisine. The menu was extensive and inventive and it was tough to choose. We had appetizers consisting of duck comfit or smoked salmon or pate on garlic toast points, then I had grilled shrimp with an assortment of vegetables to start and 'puppy drum' fish with onion relish as a main course, and shared some creme brulee for dessert---oink! My wife who was recovering from a bad stomach from our previous cholesterol encounters, had what she described as delicious roast chicken and mashed potatoes. Summary: -About $40 per head with wine -Seats only 40 on the ground floor and probably an equal number upstairs -jackets but no ties required K-Paul'S Louisiana Kitchen--on Chartres Street in the French Quarter Yes, we debated it, but decided we must "worship" at the Prudhomme temple, and were glad we did. You can now make reservations for the upstairs area of the restaurant instead of lining up down the block to get into the downstairs room, unless waiting in line turns you on, as the price is the same. The floors slope in this old building and there is a definite buzz. I had blackened prime rib that I left half of, so large was the portion, and my wife left half of her shrimp etouffee. We also shared an appetizer of sliced rabbit in a mustard sauce that was delicious. We were both very satisfied as they rolled us out through the door. Summary: -About $40 per head with wine -Staff is efficient and friendly -They now take one credit card, American Express -Portions ar enormous -Dress is casual, but no jeans, shorts or t-shirts Here are some highlights of other places as this is already way too long. Cookery Old Nawlins--on Conti Street in the French Quarter -Cajun cooking and very good too -Casual dress -About $25 per head with wine Cafe Du Monde--on Decater -Open 24 hours a day all year -World famous beignets and worth a visit To sum up, there are so many good restaurants here, it's hard to even begin to hit them all, but it's sure fun trying! It is also advisable to have a fast metabolism, strong stomach and a high capacity for alcohol, and so saying, it's now back to bread and water for the next couple of weeks.
New Orleans, LA
New Orleans restaurant reviews--long
Shel T. wrote: > Christian's--in the midtown section of New Orleans in an old > church, hence the name. We went there on a tip from a local and > it is practically unknown to tourists. The cooking is creole and > well worth a visit as long as you're prepared to go into > cholesterol shock. 3835 Iberville St. [for those who might want to know where it is] You picked well. Christian's is sort of a hidden treasure there. > Antoine's--on St. Louis in the French Quarter and going strong > since 1860. We were told there are only two ways to go to this > New Orleans landmark, as a tourist where they cheerfully take > your money with studied indifference, or as a customer with ones > 'personal' waiter, where you are treated a helluva lot better! [713 St. Louis St.] I have to say that this is really a myth. They treat _everyone_ like royalty there. > However, acting like the tourist I was, I opted to have the > restaurant's signature dishes, Oysters Rockefeller and Chicken > Rochanbeau, and both were delicious. A lot of locals are addicted to those dishes. > Commander's Palace--on Washington Avenue in the Garden District. > > This place, another N.O. landmark is also huge, seating at least > 300, and is an entire industry, as in addition to the main > restaurant, they've now opened a couple of new and cheaper clones > in the French Quarter that have a few of the known dishes. Where > they differ is that they're more casual, easier to get in and > tend toward what we've dubbed California-Creole cuisine as a lot > of the entrees sound like Wolfgang Puck meets Jean La Fitte. > > I was actually a little disappointed in this place and was told > later we'd come on the worst night of the week, Sunday, following > on from an extensive jazz brunch the restaurant puts on and that > the staff was burned out. [1403 Washington Ave.] Timing _IS_ everything. The Brennan's own the Commander's Palace (and several other restaurants in N.O. including their namesake) and it normally is a good place to eat. > Gautreau's--on Soniat Street, Uptown district > > This was the best meal we had in N.O., a smallish restaurant > where a pharmacy used to be, originally owned and decorated by > what we were told was an eccentric lady who was doing it as a > hobby. It's now owned by four partners, two of which we were > fortunate to be introduced to and dine with. [1728 Soniat St.] Did you happen to see the Chef's bar? Quite interesting IMHO. This was probably your best choice of all the ones you made. > K-Paul'S Louisiana Kitchen--on Chartres Street in the French > Quarter > > Yes, we debated it, but decided we must "worship" at the > Prudhomme temple, and were glad we did. You can now make > reservations for the upstairs area of the restaurant instead of > lining up down the block to get into the downstairs room, unless > waiting in line turns you on, as the price is the same. [416 Chartre St.] I'm glad they have expanded. Last time I was there it was smaller and _much_ more crowded. I saw how crowded it was and decided to go elsewhere. Do they still have the store as well or have they turned it into more restaurant space? > Cookery Old Nawlins--on Conti Street in the French Quarter I's okay. > Cafe Du Monde--on Decater A must-visit. > To sum up, there are so many good restaurants here, it's hard to > even begin to hit them all, but it's sure fun trying! It is also > advisable to have a fast metabolism, strong stomach and a high > capacity for alcohol, and so saying, it's now back to bread and > water for the next couple of weeks. > Next time you're in the Crescent City, I suggest the following places as well: Arnaud's; 813 Bienville Kolb's; 125 St. Charles Windsor Court Hotel; 300 Gravier St. La Louisiane; 725 Iberville Andrea's; 320 Decatur St. Tony Moran's; 240 Bourbon St. [NOTE: To be honest, some days this restaurant is outstanding, but other days it's a little less outstanding. However it's always very good.] And for lunch, a personal casual favorite... Acme Oyster House; 724 Iberville [Have a po-boy and a Barq's.] Enjoy!
Carl M. wrote: (stuff deleted) > > Antoine's--on St. Louis in the French Quarter and going strong > > since 1860. We were told there are only two ways to go to this > > New Orleans landmark, as a tourist where they cheerfully take > > your money with studied indifference, or as a customer with ones > > 'personal' waiter, where you are treated a helluva lot better! > > [713 St. Louis St.] > I have to say that this is really a myth. They treat _everyone_ like > royalty there. > > > However, acting like the tourist I was, I opted to have the > > restaurant's signature dishes, Oysters Rockefeller and Chicken > > Rochanbeau, and both were delicious. > A lot of locals are addicted to those dishes. > (alot more stuff deleted) > -- > Carl McCaskey [[email removed]] > Listen to "The Carl & Jonathan Show", 3-5 pm Saturdays > on WNLS, 1270 AM in Tallahassee, Florida. > Call in at 422-WNLS = 422-9657 Antoine's is one of the greatest restaunts I've ever been to - food is great, service is great, and ambiance is great. Differences in treatment (tourists versus regulars) is likely to be a myth. EVERYONE pays a lot to eat there and they make sure everyone gets their money's worth. If you go, ask for Smitty, my "personal waiter" and will make sure you have a very special experience. Another New Orleans great not mentioned in these posts: Tujagues ("Never had a menu, never will"). I forget the street name, but it's across the street from Cafe Du Monde (Jackson Square).
The other way to do the Big Easy is to skip the big names all together, and hit some of the local joints. A couple of personal favorites in St. Bernard Parish (county) are Rocky and Carlos on St. Bernard Hwy, and Favalora's in the 1900 block of Mehle Ave. They are real local places where you get huge quantities of excellent food for reasonable prices. These are real informal places and tend toward the funky style. Ah-h-h-h, but the food. Another good choice is the West End area. There are several good sea food places (Fitzgeralds, Brunnings) that sit out over Lake Ponchartrain and have a good selection at reasonable prices. Does anyone have other recommendations for other local NO finds? I get there a couple of times a year, and am always in the mood for someplace new. By the way, anyone else hear the NPR article on Louisiana having the shortest life expectancy in the US? Just shows to go you what all that good life can do. Laissez les bons temps rouller. Carl M. wrote: > Shel T. wrote: > > Christian's--in the midtown section of New Orleans in an old > > church, hence the name. We went there on a tip from a local and > > it is practically unknown to tourists. The cooking is creole and > > well worth a visit as long as you're prepared to go into > > cholesterol shock. > > 3835 Iberville St. [for those who might want to know where it is] > > You picked well. Christian's is sort of a hidden treasure there. > > > Antoine's--on St. Louis in the French Quarter and going strong > > since 1860. We were told there are only two ways to go to this > > New Orleans landmark, as a tourist where they cheerfully take > > your money with studied indifference, or as a customer with ones > > 'personal' waiter, where you are treated a helluva lot better! > > [713 St. Louis St.] > I have to say that this is really a myth. They treat _everyone_ like > royalty there. > > > However, acting like the tourist I was, I opted to have the > > restaurant's signature dishes, Oysters Rockefeller and Chicken > > Rochanbeau, and both were delicious. > > A lot of locals are addicted to those dishes. > > > Commander's Palace--on Washington Avenue in the Garden District. > > > > This place, another N.O. landmark is also huge, seating at least > > 300, and is an entire industry, as in addition to the main > > restaurant, they've now opened a couple of new and cheaper clones > > in the French Quarter that have a few of the known dishes. Where > > they differ is that they're more casual, easier to get in and > > tend toward what we've dubbed California-Creole cuisine as a lot > > of the entrees sound like Wolfgang Puck meets Jean La Fitte. > > > > I was actually a little disappointed in this place and was told > > later we'd come on the worst night of the week, Sunday, following > > on from an extensive jazz brunch the restaurant puts on and that > > the staff was burned out. > > [1403 Washington Ave.] > Timing _IS_ everything. The Brennan's own the Commander's Palace (and > several other restaurants in N.O. including their namesake) and it > normally is a good place to eat. > > > Gautreau's--on Soniat Street, Uptown district > > > > This was the best meal we had in N.O., a smallish restaurant > > where a pharmacy used to be, originally owned and decorated by > > what we were told was an eccentric lady who was doing it as a > > hobby. It's now owned by four partners, two of which we were > > fortunate to be introduced to and dine with. > > [1728 Soniat St.] > > Did you happen to see the Chef's bar? Quite interesting IMHO. This was > probably your best choice of all the ones you made. > > > K-Paul'S Louisiana Kitchen--on Chartres Street in the French > > Quarter > > > > Yes, we debated it, but decided we must "worship" at the > > Prudhomme temple, and were glad we did. You can now make > > reservations for the upstairs area of the restaurant instead of > > lining up down the block to get into the downstairs room, unless > > waiting in line turns you on, as the price is the same. > > [416 Chartre St.] > > I'm glad they have expanded. Last time I was there it was smaller and > _much_ more crowded. I saw how crowded it was and decided to go > elsewhere. Do they still have the store as well or have they turned it > into more restaurant space? > > > Cookery Old Nawlins--on Conti Street in the French Quarter > > I's okay. > > > Cafe Du Monde--on Decater > > A must-visit. > > > To sum up, there are so many good restaurants here, it's hard to > > even begin to hit them all, but it's sure fun trying! It is also > > advisable to have a fast metabolism, strong stomach and a high > > capacity for alcohol, and so saying, it's now back to bread and > > water for the next couple of weeks. > > > Next time you're in the Crescent City, I suggest the following places > as well: > > Arnaud's; 813 Bienville > Kolb's; 125 St. Charles > Windsor Court Hotel; 300 Gravier St. > La Louisiane; 725 Iberville > Andrea's; 320 Decatur St. > Tony Moran's; 240 Bourbon St. > [NOTE: To be honest, some days this restaurant is outstanding, but > other days it's a little less outstanding. However it's always very > good.] > > And for lunch, a personal casual favorite... > Acme Oyster House; 724 Iberville [Have a po-boy and a Barq's.] > > Enjoy! > > -- > Carl McCaskey [[email removed]] > Listen to "The Carl & Jonathan Show", 3-5 pm Saturdays > on WNLS, 1270 AM in Tallahassee, Florida. > Call in at 422-WNLS = 422-9657
Brian S. wrote: : In article , Carl M. wrote: : : (stuff deleted) : : > > Antoine's--on St. Louis in the French Quarter and going strong : > > since 1860. We were told there are only two ways to go to this : > > New Orleans landmark, as a tourist where they cheerfully take : > > your money with studied indifference, or as a customer with ones : > > 'personal' waiter, where you are treated a helluva lot better! : > : > [713 St. Louis St.] : > I have to say that this is really a myth. They treat _everyone_ like : > royalty there. : > : > > However, acting like the tourist I was, I opted to have the : > > restaurant's signature dishes, Oysters Rockefeller and Chicken : > > Rochanbeau, and both were delicious. : : > A lot of locals are addicted to those dishes. : > : : (alot more stuff deleted) : : Antoine's is one of the greatest restaunts I've ever been to - food is : great, service is great, and ambiance is great. Differences in treatment : (tourists versus regulars) is likely to be a myth. EVERYONE pays a lot to : eat there and they make sure everyone gets their money's worth. If you go, : ask for Smitty, my "personal waiter" and will make sure you have a very : special experience. Did you guys go to a different Antoine's? Or do all the good waiters take off during Mardis Gras? We were there two years ago at Mardis Gras and had a terrible dinner. The service was snooty and stuffy, the food underwhelming, and the ambiance stunk - big open dining room (we were in the presidents room?) with few diners. Maybe it was just the season, but we had much better luck at Mr B's Bistro (the best meal we had) and Bayonna's. I guess YMMV.