ejcrowe

Hello--My husband and I are taking our granddaughter for a long weekend to New Orleans for her birthday. We're goint out for one really nice dinner to celebrate all three of our birthdays, but I'm looking for something for another night that will be less expensive. Maybe around $30 per person or less? We're staying adjacent to the Quarter on Canal (Her parents, never having been there themselves, are a little leery of our actually staying IN the Quarter. Apparently they think the whole area is like the burlesque clubs on Bourbon.) and we're not renting a car--we'd prefer to walk to our restaurants.

Husband and I will eat pretty much anything and granddaughter has a fairly adventurous appetite for a 13 year old. Also, since we'll be there on a Monday night, can you recommend any restaurants that will be open at that time? Suggestions don't have to be in the Quarter, but they would have to be worth a cab ride. Thanks.

SusanCS

Either the Palace Cafe (on Canal) or Mr. B's Bistro (just inside the French Quarter) would fit the bill. They both have sample menus online, but prices are included only on the one for Palace Cafe. My recollection is that they're in the same general price range.

Dan

Susan's suggestions are good one.

Even cheaper, try Deanie's Seafood, Acme Oyster House or Redfish Grill.

ejcrowe

Thanks, Susan and Dan. I've check into those recs. I've enjoyed Mr. B's before, but I must be remembering it as pricier than it really is. My husband loves Acme and tries to go every time he's back down in New Orleans, but the crowds there frustrate me.

Has Cafe Sbisa opened back up? It was closed when I was down there in August...

Also, any recs for a killer dessert that's not overly-chocolatey? Not necessarily fancy, but really blow-you-away?

zanyjaynie

A few recommendations:
Commander's Palace. [a 20 minute trolley ride from Bourbon/Canal] but a lovely ride out to the garden District. Take a cab back if you finish dinner after sundown. Commander's Palace has a terrific prixe fixe dinner, which may push your budget up towards $40.00 a person, but is well worth the effort and expense. The food and service are both great, and you will talk about the meal for weeks to come.

Before you visit New Orleans visit the following websites for restaurant coupons:

http://www.neworleansonline.com
http://www.neworleansonline.com/guide/gtg
http://www.neworleansonline.com/spec...ponsintro.html

http://www.neworleansdiscounts.com

If you have enough time,order a free copy of the Good Times Guide from neworleansonline.com. You will find there are even one or two coupons not included at the website.

Coupons include 2 for 1 meals at such stand outs at Louis XVI on Bienville Street in the FQ. Past participants have included Brennan's Palace Cafe on Canal, Redfish Grille, and Mr. B's Bistro. All are worth a visit even without a discount, but the discounts makes visiting any of these restaurants a special bargain.

Looking for a cheap place to enjoy an authentic New Orleans lunch? Try either Progress or Central Groceries for a down-home muffelatta. If you have time, visit Cafe de Or on Ursulines street for sandwiches and pastries in an FQ hangout designed for locals, not tourists (if you can, get your orders to go and then head down to take a 2/1 cruise on any of the paddle wheelers with featured coupons)

Also, consider joining Zagat.com on line for $14.95 for 1 year. You can search 100's of categories (Most Romantic, Popular with 20's/30's/etc.) and the information which comes from 100s-1,000s of respondents is always up to date, unlike a hard bound book, which is out of date before it even hits the newsstands.

New Orleans is a great eating town; you'll have a hard time going wrong!

ejcrowe

Jaynie: Thanks for all of the website recs. We had actually thought of taking her to COmmander's for a Sunday brunch rather than dinner. Do you think dinner would be better? Are any of the Brennan family's restaurants open on Mondays?

Also, do you know if Uglesich's (sp?) is still good? I got lost driving one day and pulled up there for lunch--their seafood was excellent, as I recall.

SusanCS

Commander's Palace has been my husband's and my favorite restaurant in NO for decades; my recommendations were based on location as well as general price range. I definitely think the best (and most fun) meal at Commander's is their weekend jazz brunch. Most people like tables at the window in the Garden Room (the smoking section), but if the patio room is open I prefer it.

The Brennan family had a parting of the ways a number of years ago and the restaurants aren't owned by the same people. The old stand-by Brennan's is pretty much a tourist trap these days. The food is outrageously priced and tour buses stop there for the famous brunch. I'd definitely avoid it. A different group of Brennans have Commander's Palace, the Palace Cafe, Mr. B's Bistro, Bacco and one other I can't think of. I've had a really bad experience with food at Bacco, so I don't recommend it anymore.

I can't think of any restaurant in NO that's not open Monday.

ejcrowe

I'm didn't know about the rift in the Brennan family. My sweetie and I had breakfast at Brennan's a nnumber of years ago and it was one of our favorite meals together. I'm sorry to hear that it has gone downhill.

Looks like we'll do Commander's for brunch on Sunday. I think our granddaughter will get a kick out of it.

Thanks again for all of the input. I usually spend my time cruising the Caribbean forum here, so it's nice to have such a warm reception in the US one.