Seeking: A restaurant with character and great food; romantic but not snooty; New Orleans flair

Interested in any recommendations other than Galatoire's.

Thanks!!

Two of our favorites were always Bayona and Peristyle. I have no idea of their availability post-Katrina, however. Are you interested in dining outside of the French Quarter? One of our uptown haunts was Brigtsen's, but again, I've no clue as to their status. I think the NOMCVB had listings as to which spots were re-opening and when. www.nomcvb.com

I just went and checked out the listings myself and noticed that Brigtsen's and Lilette are both open. Lilette was the site of one of the best dinners I've ever had - on a NYE to boot. If the streetcars are running, you could take one of those and walk from St. Charles to Magazine St. THAT'S romantic!

We went to Brigsten's last year and while the food was very good, I wasn't feeling well so it kind of dampened the experience. I was thinking about giving Emeril's a try. We ate at NOLA a few years ago and were really impressed. I read in a local guide recently that the head chef at Emeril's is quite highly regarded.

Best restaurant in New Orleans right now is Restaurant August.

Also excellent and non-snotty are Bayona (Susan Spicer), Herbsaint (Susan Spicer proteges), and Emeril's.

Coincidentally, DH and I are going to Bayona tomorrow night, first time post-Katrina, so I'll let you know if it is still excellent.

I would suggest Cobalt (in the CBD) but I would guess it is open since it is connected to the Hotel Monaco (I think).

We love Arnaud's, the jazz room.

Wonderful food & ambiance.

I will second (or third) a vote for Bayona and NOLA. Loved both of them the last time I was there, although I haven't been back to Nola post-K.

I go to NO 2/3 times a year. My favorite NO restaurant is Emeril's but I'm friends with some folks that work there which helps. Next I would go to Bayona or Peristle and feel like they are both equal. You are not interested in Galatoire's but it's my favorite place for lunch in NO. I would also highly recommend August and Brigtsen's.........Bon Appetit.

Galatoire's is a place to be seen for Friday lunches. The food is good, but IMHO is not great.

Peristyle used to be a Susan Spicer restaurant, but I think she sold it. Bayona continues to be a Spicer restaurant.

Nola is very good, but IMHO, Emeril's is better.

Snowrooster- Go to Emeril's website and you can see menus for NOLA & Emeril's.

Bayona's and Restaurant August have websites. Google and you will find.

I really like August. The food is fantastic. Not a heavy New Orleans atmosphere.

K-Pauls has more Louisiana-oriented food and great service, too. Chef Paul is often in his dining room, which is nice. He's a great guy and signed my mom's cookbook last time we were there. She was thrilled.

Another vote for Bayona. We were lucky enough to be seated in the courtyard on an absolutely perfect evening, and the food and wine matched the atmosphere perfectly.

I ate at Emeril's in 2001. It was probably the best meal that my husband and I ever ate. I still rememebr every course, and what each tasted like.

So glad Dan mentioned K-Paul's. The food is consistently great, and it does have a New Orleans atmosphere. We've eaten there for years, and I spent many a day (years ago) standing in line to get a seat for lunch. It was always fun to see who I'd be seated with. They take reservations now, and you don't have to share a table to fill up all the seats anymore. ;-)

I'm pretty sure we're going to go to Emeril's for this special evening. Commander's is special to me as when we lived in the area when I was a kid and relatives visited (some of whom have long since passed on), my parents would also take us all to Commander's. It holds memories. I like the idea of Emeril's not only because of the good things I've read but also because of his connection to Commander's. Much like me he is someone w/east coast roots who fell in love w/New Orleans. Sometimes you need to go w/your gut and mine is telling me Emeril's.

However we had planned on going there anyway so now we have another night open for dinner! I'm thinking maybe K-Pauls since I've never been but also read some good things about Herbsaint (sp?), maybe Bayona. Our other dinners will be at Jacques Imos (ate there last year and HAVE to return for the alligator sausage cheesecake appetizer alone!) and Gumbo Shop (one my list every visit but never made it there, like the idea of it being casual and within walking distance). So many good restaurants, so little time!!!!!!!!!

Snowrooster-

Sounds like you have some good choices. I love Emeril's and although it is easy to forget sometimes due to the namesake's fame, it really is an amazing restaurant (I work two blocks away).

K-Pauls is really good, too. However, I really think you should try Herbsaint or Bayona. The last time I was at Herbsaint was in January and it's awesome. I'll let you know on Sunday if our Saturday night dinner at Bayona reveals any changes in the quality of the food post-Katrina. I suspect it won't.

You really can't go wrong with any of your choices.

Hey, mah, how was that dinner at Bayona's?

MAH 1980.....Peristyle was owned by Ms. Anne Kearney and she sold it to Thomas Wolfe but the food is still outstanding. Ms. Spicer is not connected to Peristyle but she creates outstanding dishes. Bon Appetit.