We have 2 "sky's the limit" dinners planned for our December NOLA stay - one is our anniversary, one is Christmas dinner. I know we need to make our Christmas reservations NOW, but I can't decide where to go. We were thinking Commander's Palace, but we are planning to go to the jazz brunch there. Suggestions for either Christmas dinner or jazz brunch? This is the first visit to NOLA for both of us, and we are soooo excited about trying New Orleans finest food, but don't want to "pick" wrong! What a problem to have, huh!

Are you sure Commander's Palace is open on Christmas Day. When we were in New Orleans over Christmas a few years ago, we found that a lot of the top restaurants were closed on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

I just phoned - Commander's is open Christmas Eve, but not Christmas Day. Christmas Eve is being booked up fast so better jump now if you want Christmas Eve.

Ughh! I can't believe Commander's Palace is closed on Christmas! Thanks for doing the homework for me...nope, we are taking the Christmas Eve Bonfire cruise on the 24th. Well, any other suggestions? Or maybe we'll end up at Denny's...

Another thought...I'll bet most of the restaurants located in hotels are open Christmas day - any suggestions on that front?

Thanks again for all your kind help!

I phoned every good restaurant I could think of and the only one with Christmas Day dining is the New Orleans Grill in the Windsor Court Hotel. Live entertainment will also accompany the meal throughout the day. It is $69 per person. Three seatings are available at 12 noon, 2:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Phone 504-523-6000, email [email protected]

Website: http://www.windsorcourthotel.com/web...es/4_75897.jsp

Good luck with the planning!

A couple years ago we did a package at the Windsor Court which included a large dining allowance. Our meal in the hotel's dining room was perhaps the finest meal we've ever had in New Orleans. In fact we were highly disappointed with Commander's Palace, maybe it was the lack of service, or the napkin on the floor we stepped over to get to our table that was still there a couple hours later when we left.

Patrick, didn't you love the Windsor Court? When they run good packages, we stay there and don't tell any of our kids where we'll be. ;-)

Windsor Court looks great for Christmas dinner! We've added it to our list, and I'll be making reservations ASAP. As always, thanks so much for all your help, BayouGal!

So for our 2 fine dining excursions, what would you recommend? The list of possibilities seems endless - Bayona, Antoine's, K-Paul's, Brigtsens, August, NOLA, Commander's Palace, etc, etc. We're stumped. Where would you eat if you could pick 2?

Bayona and Brightsen's are 2 of our favs!

Been to Commander's lots of times, but it just doesn't really do anything for me.

Oh - and I forgot to add - the Windsor Court Grill Room (or whatever it's called now) is incredible! We've had some of our best dinners there. And the creme brulee had to be the best I've ever had!

We had a fabulous meal at Galatoire's two weeks ago. What a wonderful dining experience! They won the James Beard Award right before the storm!

We also LOVE Dick and Jenny's though it is in a more relaxed atmosphere but the food is outstanding.

Friends here in Baton Rouge who work in New Orleans rave about Susan Spicer's Bayona and Brigtsen's.

Just curious....Will Gautreaux's reopen? That was always one of our favs.

Commanders just reopened....I was impressed given most of the staff is new.

But...if you want my picks for 2....and this is tough no matter what:

1) August probably one of the top restaurants in the country

http://www.rest-august.com/index1.html


2) Stella - very close to August in the sense that you cannot believe that the next course can be as good or better than what you just had!

But wouldn't you all agree that Galatoir's is more of a "place to be seen" than food? I've never been overly impressed there...yes..historical...and yes it is good...but great?

Forgot:

Stella:
http://www.restaurantstella.com/index.htm

Mark, have you dined at Commander's since it has reopened?

I love Galatoires but totally agree that the experience is as much about people watching as it is the food. The menu is pretty static and doesn't excite. As Mark said, Stella and August are both fantastic and I would add Wolfe's, Peristyle, K-Pauls, La Cote Brasserie and Mr. B's (when it reopens!) as places to consider.

Dan I ate at Wolfe's recently....excelent meal!

BayouGal...I was at Commanders for the reopening. The food was great...perhaps better than ever. The staff was very nervous...I think something like 80% are new, and most new to the city....but I'm sure that by now things have smoothed over.

The renovations look great...the kithcen is AMAZING!!

I had a pork entre can't remember the name...it was with a heavy rind and done spicy....totally amazing.

Don't think they are opened for Brunch yet....they are taking it slow to get all the kinks worked out.

I understand they are going to be shooting a new movie next door, so they are likely to get a lot of business from that.

If I were visiting however, I would concentrate on August and Stella, while they are WHITE HOT. Scott in particular is blazing trails with his Asian inspired cuisine. He has close ties to Iron Chef Sakai. The recent Sakai dinner was mind blowing!

I think Stella is one of the best things to happen in New Orleans to shake up the cuisine landscape.

These two will give you an experience that will rival any NYC, San Fran etc restaurants. Scott and John are on the forefront of cuisine in the US right now.

Then...come back again and do the other very excellent restaurants that have been here forever and will likely be here for many years to come.....ahhh we hope !

Thanks, Mark! I'm local with reservations to go soon. I've only heard very positive comments from friends who've been. Really looking forward to it.

When I have a question such as this, I check availablity at opentable.com and savvydiner.com.