karolinatx

Hi there -- In a rare burst of spontaneity, my husband and I are heading to New Orleans this weekend. I'm a huge foodie, and would appreciate some good brunch recommendations. We've both been to Commander's Palace before, and we're limited to places where we can get a last-minute reservation, or somewhere where reservations are not needed. We're looking for someplace that is not overly-touristy, someplace where the food is fantastic. Less hype, more yum. Suggestions for the real deal?

karolinatx

Shoot, I forgot to say that we would prefer non-buffet, but if the best brunch you've ever had is buffet, let's hear it.

Ryan

We really liked Mr. B's Bistro in the French Quarter. I've been three times and the food has been very good each time. Their pasta jambalaya is one of my all-time favorite dishes.

I should caveat, it's been a couple of years since I've been so my info might be outdated.

BTW, ignore the advice of those who suggest the Court of Two Sisters. A buffet and not a very good one at that.

Dan

I'm in agreement with Ryan on both Court of Two Sisters and Mr. B's.

I also like Praline Connection's gospel brunch. Better food than House of Blues, in my opinion.

SusanCS

Add my name to those who advise against the Court of Two Sisters. I also advise you to stay away from brunch at Brennan's; if you must go there, go for dinner.

I really like Mr. B's but one of the best brunches we've had in NO (other than Commander's Palace) is the Palace Cafe, which is a sister property of CP and Mr. B's.

snowrooster

I love Brennan's for Brunch. Been going there since I was a kid. It is truly an brunch indulgence. Start w/brandy milk punch, then creole onion soup, eggs husard, and bananas foster (what else!). It is popular tourist spot, but I went there as a local for years so it isn't just for tourists. BTW, Brennan's is owned by the same family as Commander's Palace so while we all have our preferences, to dis one and praise the other seems a bit odd (IMHO).

SusanCS

The Brennan family split decades ago and the same branch of the family that owns Brennan's doesn't have a financial interest in the other properties (CP, Bacco, Palace Cafe, Mr. B's and Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse)

snowrooster

But they are still owned by the same family. I realize different members of the family run/control different restaurants, but that is usually the case in family owned businesses that have been around for a while.

roxanne207

Since you're a foodie check out a New Olreans local food website:

foodfest.neworleans.com

SusanCS

The factions of the Brennan family are more like the Hatfields and McCoys. The current owner/operators of Brennan's are estranged from the owner/operators of the other restaurants. There was a bitter family dispute years ago concerning the division of the property and no amount of lawyers and negotiations could settle it.

I certainly don't have any inside info about this: lots of boring stuff about the rift can be found on the internet.

karolinatx - Sorry you stumbled into this Brennan v. Brennan garbage

Like you, I'm not crazy about buffets, but I've been told by someone who lives in New Orleans and entertains a lot that the brunch at Begue's (at the Royal Sonesta) is really great.

johnthedorf

karolinatx,
Having just returned from N.O. I had brunch at Commander's and Brennan's. The service and attitude along with the food was No Contest. Commander's walks away with the prize. You pay for it though. I had no reservation and was seated immediately. (11:00Am). The crowd was mostly college Alum's I thought. Lots of Bling Bling!

snowrooster

I agree that Commander's is in a different class than Brennan's. It is probably my absolute favorite restaurant - period. I tell dh that before our kids graduate from high school (which is a while since they are young) we are going to all go to New Orleans together and eat dinner at the kitchen table. I just think Brennan's is the quintesential place for New Orleans brunch and prefer to save Commander's for dinner when you can appreciate it most (IMHO). I have so many great memories of Brennan's from my childhood. We used to take people there from out of town all the time. Once we went on my brother's bday and they didn't have cake so they made hime a man out of french bread (olives for eyes, orange slice for mouth, etc). My mom had a hard time getting him to throw it away after it had been in his room for a few days (ick!). BTW, I believe that OP did say she's been to Commander's before.

Interesting to know about Begue's. We like to stay at Royal Sonesta so I'll have to look into that for our next visit.

Dreamer2

For a fabulous Sunday brunch, the Windsor Court is incredible. Seemed like mostly locals (not tourists), very elegant, and pricey.

We did not care as much for the main dining room at dinner, but the Sunday brunch was truly excellent. As was the daily "afternoon tea."

Have a wonderful trip!

karolinatx

Well, we just returned to our hotel room after a brunch at Palace Cafe which was fairly disappointing. My spinach salad was completely uninspired -- the vinaigrette seemed to be mostly oil. Our eggs benedict arrived barely lukewarm; our waiter put in a new order for us and those arrived slightly warmer but still on the congealed side. The saddest part of the meal was my creme brulee, which had the consistency of, I kid you not, cheesecake. Waaaay overcooked, with no wonderfully thin, crispy shell.

I'm awfully surprised that I read such good things about Palace Cafe on the boards as we found the experience to be mediocre at best and very reminiscent of dining on a cruise ship.

benj

Sorry you had a bad experience. I hope that you will find the rest of your trip is more what you expected. I usually hate to recommend a restaurant because when the person tries it, it seems to be the 1 time that they serve a crummy meal.

Best advice is to hurry out & find another place to eat so you can wipe the bad taste from your mouth & memory!

SusanCS

Oh, no, karolinatx!! I guess this is the danger of offering (or taking) advice on the internet...or anywhere else for that matter. Our last meal at the Palace Cafe was as good as any I've had in NO...I'm SO sorry yours was so yucky

karolinatx

Well, I will say that based on another recommendation we went back to Palace Cafe for some bananas foster, and those were FABULOUS. So not a total wash!