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A different New Orleans dining question
I've been to New Orleans a couple times. I've eaten an many simply fantastic restaurants, including some of the most highly rated currently, even eating at chef's tables. But most of them have been the very new "trendy" variety. I'm looking for NO's most "romantic" or "intimate" restaurants -- the sort of place where two people can have a wonderful and atmospheric meal and still quietly talk rather than yell to be heard over the din. Are any of the really old places like Antoine's or Galatoire's like that? Those are two I've missed. I was even thinking Commader's Palace, but the upstairs room we ate in last time was so loud I couldn't hear myself think, yet alone talk.
This will be in April, if that makes a difference -- like a garden opportunity if it's more quiet? |
NeoPatrick, we're going to New Orleans week after next for a small (14 attendees) business meeting. We will be going out to dinner for six evenings and we usually go to some really good restaurants (this is an annual meeting in different cities each year). I will check out all of them for the romantic vs trendy factor and report back. (I'm with you--I don't care how good the food is-I want to be able to talk to my dining companions).
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First thing I thought of was CP. But, it was very noisy when we were there last time and we were down stairs during brunch. I think the jazz band that walks around playing stirs up the noise level. The meal itself was very good, and the souffle for dessert is very hard to beat. What about Mr. B's? Do they have an atmosphere like you want? It has been at least 10 years since I ate there, but seems like we were in an area with just a few people.
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It's been years since I was at Mr.B's -- funny, but I don't remember how loud it was.
The one place I thought of for brunch was actually Brennan's, which last time was very subdued. |
The most romantic restaurant we ever ate at in Nola was our hotel room at The Windsorcourt Hotel. After our first night we downgraded from our city side full suite to a river side Jr. Suite. Included in our package was a full dinner at The Grille - I think it was called at the time.
With bathrobes on and champagne, the chef accomadated our request for a leisurely meal in our room rather then getting gussied up for a dining room experience. Each course was delivered about 45 minutes apart. I recall asking for an addition as I wanted to try the turtle soup, which the chef comped. After the 4th room service knock on the door with coffee and desserts - well overlooking the grand mississippi in bathrobes didn't suck. |
We went earlier this year. Loved Galatoire's but my recollection is that part of the atmosphere was that the room was enjoying itself in a boisterous manner. It is one big room so the good times carry throughout the room. Again, this was a friday later afternoon so perhaps different at other times.
Also loved brunch at Brennan's. Of the three (CP, Mr. B's and Brennan's) we enjoyed, it was the quietest. To be fair the other two were "Jazz Brunches" and there was music and champagne all round. At Brennan's, we were in a glass alley looking out on the central courtyard. Next to us was a smaller dining room, I think yellow with chandaliers that looked quite lovely and only a few tables, not all of which were filled. Bayona was lovely and quiet. Easily our most romantic meal of the trip. We were in a lovely small room with a countryside mural and were well cared for by our servers. The Chef was also in the restaurant that night and signed our menu. Oh, and not to forget the food, the meal was terrific. Muriel's also seemed like it had lots of rooms so perhaps one of them would work. We enjoyed our lunch. My notes say "calm and relaxing" when describing the restaurant. |
Galatoire's is a big noisy place downstairs in that beautifully lit and mirrored room.
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My late husband and I enjoyed Galatoire's very much last time we were in New Orleans, it was not loud the night we went which was a weeknight.
Another place we ate was Pascuale's Manale for their BBQ shrimp, it is (or was, not sure if it is still there) over near Tulane. A business associate took us there. But definitely not quiet or romantic. |
Another recommendation for Bayona - http://www.bayona.com/
(and also the Hermann House courtyard rooms at the Dauphine Orleans on the other side of the wall) VERY romantic You can ask for a quieter table at Antoine's. Some people like "buzz" but there are quieter options - the dining rooms = http://www.antoines.com/gallery.html Consider their Hermes bar as well. A great place to stop by during the day for a drink and/or some of the wonderful food without the formal dining experience. CP is just loud. Good food, but it's always been loud no matter where we've been seated. Pascal's Manale is the best place for the wonderful BBQ shrimp dish. I've tried other restaurants where I've been assured the BBQ shrimp would be as good. Not. I will never go to NOLA again without going there. It's not "romantic" per se, but it's still my favorite. Changing the subject a bit, DO go to Sucre on Magazine Street - and stroll the shops around it for a bit. I adore Sucre - http://www.shopsucre.com/store-locations For gelato, go to Davina's - http://www.ladivinagelateria.com/ I like their panini's better than muffalettas too I know... <gasp> I also recommend the tasting tour. Really enjoyed the tour, the tastings and discovered Davina's thanks to them. http://noculinarytours.com/ |
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The most romantic dinner we ever had was at Bayona, sitting in the Courtyard with the sound of the fountain and candle glow. The food was really lovely as well.
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We had a nice, romantic dinner at Muriels a few months ago. We asked for a quiet table with a nice view of the dining room. We got a table next to the window at the edge of the main dining room. It was perfect.
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Brennan's. Most definitely.
Bayona also nice. |
Have you been to Brigsten's? http://www.brigtsens.com/index.html
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Neo: I did a trip report here:
http://www.thethreetomatoes.com/tomatotravel.html which has a lot of info on plantations if you are intrested. And really enjoyed the atmosphere in Muriels do add my vote. |
I read your report Rhea. You missed Nottoway Plantation? We enjoyed the plantation homes there so much last year that we have a planned trip this year to Natchez for more of the same.
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Bayona! How did I forget that? We ate there just after it opened in 1990 and was truly lovely. But I had forgotten all about it. Sounds like a definite for one night!
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We were in New Orleans for Thanksgiving this year. Ate at Galatoire's one night and the food was delicious. Service was excellent. We ate on the first floor and it was loud but we knew that before going. We ate upstairs at Commander's Palace in the room which overlooks the garden area. It was quite loud and although the service was excellent, we thought the food was just ok. Our last night we ate at the original Emeril's and the service and food was outstanding. We don't remember it being loud.
On our next trip, we plan to check out Bayona. |
We ate at the original Emeril's and it was deafeningly loud. I give it a pass because the food and service were both fantastic, better than either Bayone or CP, but that noise....
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Perfect! Bayona!
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Just returned from New Orleans and reporting back on the quiet, romantic restaurants we enjoyed. And they are
Restaurant Stella http://restaurantstella.com/ August http://www.restaurantaugust.com/ Bayona http://www.bayona.com/ R’Evolution http://www.revolutionnola.com/ |
Marty, you ate well!
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We did indeed.
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I would recommend Bayona, as well. We ate there on our honeymoon and it was quite romantic.
In December of 2011 we ate at The Bombay Club and had an intimate table for 2 in a nook. We were seated side-by-side on a loveseat at the table and there were curtains framing the nook. We could see out (curtains were parted and held to the side) but nobody really paid any attention to us (patrons, that is...the service was attentive, but not intrusive). VERY ROMANTIC and intimate; excellent food & service. http://www.thebombayclub.com/ |
Just back from NOLA and went to Bayona for the fifth time. I would recommend it for its elegance and great food. I also enjoyed Domenica, Rio Mar, Stanley's and Napoleon House. There is a great variety of food in New Orleans and of course the coffee at Cafe du Monde and the Morning Call (new branch in City Park).
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Atchafalaya in Uptown. great decor. Intimate, GREAT food !! Ate there twice in a NOLA trip in early December. Highly recommend.
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<<Have you been to Brigsten's?>>
mclaurie - I was going to suggest Brigstens because it was always one of our favs, but it's been years since I've been. |
Bayona is very good, but they can be slow at times. Emeril's is a gamble in my experience.
August ALLWAYS off the charts. We come here often and know the restaurants well. Best time to go to Commanders is lunch to experience the 25 cent martinis or Sunday Brunch. Brennan's I've never found enjoyable, more of a tourist trap....and I didn't even think they were open any more! Paul Prudhomme's is allways good too.....and I completely second our favorite hotel...the Windsor Court. I often use this website www.lizreyes.com she has a lot of videos of local restaurants, that way you can see in advance what you will experience. Check out the video for an often passed over restaurant for Southern Soul food Dookie Chase which is also amazing but hours are variable. have a great time. |
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Starrs, would you mind giving me a little bit more information about your experience at the Dauphine Orleans? My husband and I are going to be in New Orleans for the first time in June to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. We're almost decided on the Hermann House at the Dauphine, but we've been wavering between the suites and the premium king room. When you say "the rooms on the other side of wall", which are you referring to? I'm so glad that you said they're romantic, because that's exactly what I'm looking for!!!
We're also looking for great (and romantic) restaurants for dinner for our 10th and so I'm going to be bookmarking this entire post - thanks to all! Jenn |
We spent our honeymoon in New Orleans 30 years ago (gasp)and we usually go back every 5 years for at least a long weekend.
We were last there early in December this year and stayed at the Windsor Court. For quiet conversation and wonderful food I would recommend... August - beautiful, expensive, unbelievable food!!! we have eaten here a couple of times - love it. Across the street from Windsor Court Bayona - I love this restaurant! It meats all of you wants. R'Evolution - Our first time here and I thought the food was really really great. We had lunch, sat at a tall table in the bar area (which we love to do) Herb Saint - food was really great but I do not like to sit at a long bench/chair against the wall. Really not a good way to set a couple. One person is looking at a wall with tables on either side. Brigsten's - in a small house in River Bend area. Great to good food and one of our favorites but it would depend on who else is in your "room" for quiet conversation. When we were there last we shared a room with a group of 5 couples. The time before we were in a room by ourselves. Acme Oyster Bar - this does not fit your request but the Chargrilled Oysters are just the best. Stop for lunch of an early appitezer. Have a great trip. loveyblue |
Oh, my...that should be "meets all of your requirements"
loveyblue |
alwaysafrica, I just saw this. Sorry for the delay.
Let's see...the Dauphine Orleans is a nice hotel in a good location. I've been staying there since the mid-80s and I really like it. I recommended it to my mom and she went with friends on "girls trips" there and she liked it too. An easy walk to the restaurants and shops of the French Quarter but not in the craziness of Bourbon Street. That's the main part of the hotel. If you cross the (not busy) street, the restaurant Bayona is across the street a little to the left. Straight ahead are the Hermann House rooms, not that you'd notice them from the street. There's a gate to the courtyard that you must have a key to. So you enter the private courtyard and you are in another world. The building is L-shaped and two stories with a fountain in the middle and a hot tub tucked in a corner. The trees are lovely and there are stairs to the upper level. I like those rooms because the ceilings are vaulted with exposed brick walls. All the rooms are king rooms. It's just a little oasis in NOLA. The wall I mentioned was the wall separating the HH courtyard from Bayona. Bayona is on the other side of the wall, not the rest of the Dauphine Orleans. Check google maps to try and see it. I'll see if I can post a picture too. |
Starrs, Dauphine Orleans has been on my radar for quite a while. I was hoping we could stay there this time, but I just can't justify over $1000 for three nights there. Is it really THAT great? Reviews especially of some rooms seem pretty mixed. Currently we're booked (next weekend) for the totally redone Hyatt French Quarter --not much 'local atmosphere', but pretty highly rated and a whole lot less money.
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Is it worth $1000? Probably not.
I had to check the location. If it were one of the convention hotels I was going to post on that. It's not. The Hyatt is .2 miles and a 5 minute walk (according to Google maps) from the Dauphine. That's not far at all. Here's what I don't like about the location of the Hyatt - the cross streets are Canal and Bourbon. That combo is awfully busy. I know you and I both like the WorldWide Plaza location in Times Square in NYC. The Hyatt is not going to be TS, but it's in a busy location. What I like best about the Hermann House rooms at the Dauphine is that you feel like you are in your own private getaway. Use the key to open the gate, enter the courtyard and the only sound you hear is water flowing in the fountain. It's a few blocks away and light years away in ambiance. It that difference worth $1000? I'd probably not pay it. Re difference in reviews - the Dauphine has regular hotel rooms, special rooms on the hotel side of the street and then the Hermann House rooms around the courtyard on the other side of the street. That location is an "ahhhh!" kind of location. I love the rooms in the old building, the exposed brick wall, king beds, nice bathroom, etc. Are they worth $1000 in difference? Probably not. I've been lucky to snag good rates at the HH rooms. Would I pay an additional $1000 for 3 nights. Probably not. Okay....not. |
Starrs, the Hyatt French Quarter is NOT on Canal at all. It's on Iberville, at the corner of Bourbon. Near Felix and Acme Oyster Houses. I have no problem with the location at all.
But thanks for the rest of the information. Actually "half" of us actually appreciate upscale Hyatt type hotels compared to local color places. I think you know which "half of us" that would be. |
We walked back and forth to Canal from the DO and the pace picked up as we neared Canal. We were happier in the quieter area, if only a few blocks away...but not $1000 happier.
Consider taking the walking and tasting tour of NOLA. We loved it. I'd been in many of the "name" restaurants over the years, entertaining customers and hosting special events - always with the local NOLA rep. The tour condensed many of those experiences in a short period of time with good food. The Hermes bar at Antoine's, Arnaud's shrimp from Remoulade, a roux lesson at the Cajun Cooking school, etc. A very nice experience. |
Took a cooking class with my son at the NO School of Cooking and it was a lot of fun! They had all you could drink draft Abita Beer.
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Hey JoJo, good to see you posting tonight :-)
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A wonderful place to stop and smell the roses (little play on words for anybody that's been to the Quarter!) is Muriel's. They have wonderful food, and a fantastic balcony to sit out on, have a drink and watch the antics of Jackson Square.
http://www.muriels.com/ I would also suggest Red Gravy for breakfast/lunch. Food to write home about! http://www.redgravycafe.com/ I envy you your upcoming trip - we still have about 7 more weeks and they're dragging....... |
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