snowrooster

Looking for one final restaurant for our upcoming trip to NO. We are going to Commander's, Emeril's and JacquImo's and would like a place we can walk to one night (staying at Royal Sonesta). As we'll be spending quite a bit at Commander's and Emeril's, we want to keep this meal within reason. We want a great meal and it doesn't have to be cheap, but not a bank breaker either. Something fairly casual (casual chic or business causual) would be nice as well. Thanks!

Wayne

I don't see how there can possibly be one "best moderately priced restaurant." What's best to me might turn you off. The good thing is that you have lots to choose from. Cafe Maspero is always reasonable and good. But I would also think you might consider Old N'Awlins Cookery, Acme Oyster House, and Red Fish Grill, to name a few. You can just take off on a walk around the FQ and stop at any restaurant that strikes your fancy, and you'll probably enjoy it. Most of them (with the exception of the big-name places) are pretty reasonable in cost. Good luck.

BigJim

I agree with Acme and New Awlin's Cookery. Acme is very touristy and can be very crowded, but so are most of the restaurants in the FQ. Roumulade is good too.

SAnParis

I'm partial to Acme & the Cookery for lunch rather than dinner. I also vote for the wander around & find something suggestion.

snowrooster

We do already plan on Acme for lunch one day. I'm not a big fan of walking around and picking something that looks okay - looks can often be deceiving. With only 4 nights in New Orleans, I don't want to waste a meal!!

eeyore

Irene's Cuisine in the quarter has always been one of our favorites. It's italian and very cute. It's listed on Fodors. (although I just read the reviews and they are not too good, it's been two years since I have been) I still would give it a shot? You will love JacqueImos! Another suggestion would be NOLA in the quarter, but you are already doing Emerils so probably overkill. If you are looking for a good bruch spot as well in the quarter I recommend Petunia's there will likely be a wait but it's worth it - great crepes.

Wayne

Rather than name some more of my recommendations, here are some of my "don't eat there" suggestions. Not necessarily because they are bad restaurants; my reasons vary from too crowded to overrated or overpriced.

So for your "moderately priced" restaurant, I'd avoid the following:
Galatoire's, Antoine's, Arnaud's, Broussard's, NOLA, Pat O'Brien's, all hotel restaurants, all restaurants owned by the Brennan family except Red Fish Grill, and any restaurant that has a waiter or proprietor in the doorway beckoning you to come in. Other than those, I'd say your fears about eating anywhere you happen to stop are unfounded. I'd be interested in your final choice and in later feedback as to whether it was worth the search. Good luck.

snowrooster

We actually went to NOLA on our last visit and thought it was great (hence our decision to give Emeril's a shot this time). Irene's has been on and off my list so I'm thinking that might be a good spot to try. I had also been considering Mr.B's, but it seems like Irene's might be a bit more interesting.

ChristieP

Our two favorites that were moderately priced were The Gumbo Shop and Mike Anderson's. The Gumbo Shop had, well, the best gumbo we ate all weekend! Mike's Fried Seafood Platter was enough for both of us to share and we still couldn't finish it.

Also, stop at Central Grocery and get a Mufaletta sandwich. Oh my! I got ours on the last day there, and we ate it in the airport terminal while waiting for our flight home. It was SO good! Unless you have a small appetite, one whole sandwich feeds 2 people.

amber100

I would recommend the Gumbo Shop for an excellent restraurant that is not over priced. http://www.gumboshop.com/
I tooked vacationing relatives there and we really enjoyed it.

Brennan's has a 4 course meal that is price at $45.00. We always enjoy Brennan's and go every Christmas.

http://www.brennansneworleans.com/dinnermenu.html

Also you make consider going too Brennan's just for desert. Order the Bannana's Forest they make it at yourtable and it is excellent.

When you go too commaneder's palace the bread pudding is a must.

(Creole Bread Pudding Soufflé
The richness of bread pudding whipped into a light, fluffy soufflé - whiskey sauce added at your table - 8.00
Please order in advance~preparation time is 20 minutes
If ordered with complete lunch or dinner, 3.00 additional )

I hope this help. Enjoy your visit.

snowrooster

amber100 - I actually used to live in NO and your recommendations are right on. We always do brunch one day at Brennan's - it is truly decadent! Bananas Foster for desert is a must. I have to remember not to plan any sort of lunch that day since I'm always full until dinner.

I love desert soufles and I think the first one that I ever had and inspired this love was at Commander's.

I have so many fond childhood and adult memories at both of these spots they are automatically on the agenda whenever we visit. I'll have to consider Gumbo Shop in addition to Irene's. Such hard decisions!!

PamSF

See if Port O Call on Esplanade or Snug Harbor are open and still serve food. I had one of the absolutely best burgers of my life at Port O Call and Aaron Neville was to perform there later that day.

jack24

Go to Gumbo Shop on St.Peter, drink a bloody mary,(best in New Orleans) eat crawfish etouffee, and Praline sundae for dessert. It dosen't get any better.

snowrooster

Hmmm . . . Bloody Mary is dh's favorite drink. He ordered one recently and I asked him if he was ready for them to start coming with a pickled green bean again?!?

highbay

PamSF...for real....Aaron Neville
plays in a venue that small? Been there and agree with the hamburger assessment!
Have to also second the Cafe Maspero recommendation. Good inexpensive food.

mah1980

Restaurants like Mr. B's, Palace Cafe on Canal, and Commander's all have very reasonable lunch prices. My favorite for lunch is Palace Cafe on a Friday. Get the Palace Potato Pie, which is excellent.

FYI: Commander's has 25 cent martinis for lunch on weekdays, as well as a $11.99 fixed menu lunch that includes salad, entree, and dessert w/drink. Excellent value, especially when paired w/the cheap martinis!

A place that I've heard raves about is Brigtsen's. I've never been but it's pretty moderate ($18-22 entrees). You might want to replace Jacquemo's w/this as Jacquemo's chef left about six months ago I believe, and I've heard that this has resulted in lower quality.

going_places

We just returned from NO. We loved Muriels just off jacson Square, 201 at 201 decaturand irenes. Not cheap, but not too bad if you keep your eye on the prices.
Jean