bmaring

We will be vacationing in NO in late October. I was looking forward to trying Crayfish, but I gather it will be out of season at that time. Any suggestions on the best places to get fresh seafood? Thanks for all your help!

rjw_lgb_ca

You can't swing a bag of crabs on the street in New Orleans without hitting a good restaurant serving fresh seafood (and by the way, it's "craWfish"-- just a note from an expat Cajun! ). You should give more of an indication as to how much you're willing to spend, the kind of atmosphere (luxury, down-home, downright trashy, etc.) you're looking for, etc. You'll get more focused suggestions that way.

bmaring

I know better than "crayfish"...I just read not to pronounce it that way and I guess it stuck.
We have reservations for Commander's Palace and I know my boyfriend will want to eat at one of Emeril's restaurants (even though I've read some poor reviews). So that pretty much covers the luxury dining for this trip.
I'd love suggestions for fun/down-home places. We are ready to eat some good food and have a great time (maybe even get a little trashy ourselves).
Thanks

snowrooster

I love Commander's - Brennan's for Breakfast is wonderful as well. Try Acme Oyster House for a fun atmosphere, crawfish, and oysters. Last time I was there we went to Emeril's restaurant named NOLA and loved it. We have pretty high standards and I almost expected to be disapointed but wasn't - it's also a bit more casual and less pricey than some of his other spots (and withn walkind distance of Bourbon St). Have a great time!!

Budman

Brennan's for breakfast? Is it true it will cost you $100 for breakfast for two?

bmaring

Oh my gosh...I think I'll sleep through breakfast!

jende

Just another vote for Emeril's. I consider the meal I had there the best dining experience of my life.

NOLA is good too, but I didn't find the service to be as on point.

bmaring

I know every restaurant has it's off moments and everyone's taste/expectations are different, so it's good to hear praise for Emeril's restaurants. I think we will go to NOLA since it seems to be the more casual of his restaurants.
Any other must do fun places, or should I just relax and eat at the nearest restaurant when we get hungry?

rjw_lgb_ca

Emeril Lagasse's expertise is Cajun/Creole (he trained at Commander's Palace) and Portuguese (he's a carpetbagger from Fall River, MA), so his New Orleans restaurants are wonderful. When he strays from the formula, he crashes and burns; the bad reviews are emanating from Tchoup Chop in Orlando (Asian fusion, supposedly, but he just can't pull it off). Being Cajun myself, I'll always say "I've had better and more authentic" (we're stubborn like that)-- but Emeril's eateries are great anyway. His TV persona, on the other hand, is irritating to the point of nauseating-- but that's another topic.

SusanCS

One reason Emeril's restaurants may be losing popularity is that he's turned their management over to someone else.

Jeangail

I went to NOLA 2 weeks ago and thought the food was fabulous. I'm used to eating at top restaurants, being from NYC and I would put my meal at NOLA right up there with the best. And the check was quite reasonable too.

jps

There is a moderately priced restaurant called Dante's Kitchen that has excellent food including excellent seafood . It's across the street from Brigsten's and I think the food is better. It's not in the French Quarter -- about a 20 minute drive.

I always go to NOLA when I'm in NO but the food is not consistent. If you have the tasting menu, you can't go wrong. Bayona and Cuvee are my favorites among the restaurants in this price range.

ccolor

If you'd like a truly eclectic place to eat breakfast (I know, what's this got to do with seafood - I thought you might be interested, though) try Petunia's located in the Quarter at 817 St. Louis St. (off Bourbon away from the river). I'd suggest breakfast, but there's always a line so be early. Their crepes are big enough for two to split.

Budman

My friend from New Orleans tells me:

Court of the Three Sisters has great brunch.

Commanders Palace is great for Lunch - reasonably priced. Prices for dinner triple.

Deannie's for Seafood - 1 block off Bourbon on Dauphine

Red Fish Grill is also a good place to go.

Kal

Aloohaaa, We must have hit NOLA on a good night because we seem to be the only people that had a wonderful dining experience <service, food, wine, ambience>. And we had a party of 8 so serving can be difficult at times.

BBQ shrimp at Pascal Manale's was good. Very rich, tho.
Jacques-Imos had a very eclectic menu that included fish but the stuffed pork chop was "ono-liscious"!

ccolor-Is it true the only reason you found Petunia's was because that's where you "came to" one a.m.?

Budman-You still thinking of doing New Year's in New Orleans? I'll alert the proper authorities! <i.e. bartenders>

Let the gooood times rollllll!
Kal
36 mo' days!

Budman

Kal - If I can book a reasonable hotel room, yes, I'll be there. Please don't tell the bartenders!!!

We just missed the hurricane yesterday -- landed south of us. I can't wait to try a few of those liquid hurricanes. I'm thinking they'll go down really smooth.

Where you headed in 36 mo' days?

abqdeb

Another vote for Acme Oyster House. Also-- check out Uglescich's! Fabulous out of the way hole-in-the-wall.

Kal

Bman,
We're going back to NOLA on 10-24.

Try Priceline/Hotwire or Orbitz.

I heard some people were getting the Canal St Sheraton for around $50.00!!!

We got the Westin for a little under $100.night and prob should have held up before pulling the reservations trigger.

Pat O'Bs Hurricanes are overrated, IMHO.
Try the Purple Voodoos at Lafittes Blacksmith Shop and/or the Monsoon's at Port O' Call.

We do love getting a window seat at Pat O'B's annex on Bourbon. Great views as the night goes on.
Kal

Budman

Kal, let me know how thing go in NOLA. We are trying to sked 30 Dec to 3 Jan. Air is very reasonable, but hotwire wants over $218 a night. Prices are great, except it's booking up as this is New Years & Sugar Bowl time.

Did Priceline twice and was up to $86 for 4* when I ran out of free bids. I'll try again Saturday.

Have fun and thanks for all the tips.

bmaring

Kal,
I'm one of the lucky ones to get the Canal St. Sheraton for $50!!! It looks like we'll be in NO at the same time, we will be be there for a week starting Oct. 25. If you see some wild Missouri girl celebrating her b-day, it just might be me. This will be my first time in NO and I'm soooo ready! Thanks for the advise you've given me on other threads as well as this one...hope I can remember some of it when I get there.