gyppielou

november, I would love to do that swamp tour but a 5 hour turnaround is too much for our time line. they sounded like great folks on the phone!

gyppielou

Easygoer,

Thanks for suggesting Leow's. We loved our Grand King with a river view, watching the barges and boats move on the river. Just a really wonderfully appointed room and oasis from the steamy streets of Nola.

Quick notes:

NOLA the restaurant was a HUGE dissappointment. Our third visit, and the food and service were terrible. Really terrible, which was a shock since I remember thinking Emeril should write a book on training staff. Our pre Katrina visits were amazing. Katrina is not excuse for the mediocre food and dismal service.

HERBSAINT wins the most arrogant restaurant award. We had reservations last night for 8:30 indoors. Arrived at 8:20 and were sent to the bar as it would be a wait. With two visits to the EXTREMELY unapologetic hostess and an hour later we chose to spend our money elsewhere. I cannot remember ever being treated so dismissively by a restaurant of this caliber EVER.

Lillete was HEAVEN! Over to visits we had 4 apps, 2 entrees and 1 dessert. Everything was a homerun and the service was perfect, gracious and friendly. Go to Lillete!!!


When we left Herbsaint, we walked over to Tommy's and the food was just fine - but every member of the staff was fantastic. And the other night we went to Tommy's Wine Bar and had the most amazing service from our cocktail waitress Jamie and got some great jazz trio to enjoy. Nice sofas and lounging chair atmosphere, mere blocks from your hotel and a refuge to the FQ/Bourbon.

Agian, thank you easygoer! The hotel suggestion was perfect for our needs.

gyppielou

Oh, and easygoer,

We wish we had taken the staff recommendation at Lillettes to go to Iris, a former sous chef of theres. Looks like a great place to try uptown.

ncounty

stop in for a drink at a bar called Jean LaFitte's Blacksmith shop, I think?

smoot60

If you are lucky, Cafe Du Monde in the morning with local trumpet player singing the Doxology.

bkluvsNola

Make sure you post a trip report when you get back.

hansboomer

Have you considered a day trip to Gulfport/Biloxi? Do the beach hiway route after you cross the bay.

bkluvsNola

easygoer,

Have you returned from New Orleans yet?

I'm very curious to find out your experiences there.

easygoer

Hey y’all, I’m home. We had a blast! This is the most bizarre city we have ever been to. I actually survived 12 nights in New Orleans! I'm writing and posting our trip report now. I was away on business once I got back have just now have found time to share back with you our experience. Thanks again for the great suggestions.

soccerchik75

I absolutely LOVE NOLA. It's one of my favorite places to go. Much of what to do there is personal preference.

I wouldn't miss going to St. Louis Cathedral, having a very powdery sugar coved Begnit, a lovely absinthe cocktail at Pirates Alley (oh and their little muffeletta sandwhiches are to die for) and some crawfish Ettouffee at Remoulades.

I also hit crystal burger in the middle of the night - no so much for the 'gut bomb' burgers but cause it's quite the colorful atmosphere with the drunks wandering in from bourbon street partying.

soccerchik75

Oops... I forgot. Ask to see the ball room at the New Orleans Hotel on Bourbon street (it's amazingly beautiful)

and (I'm drawing a blank right now again) oh! there are several tour companies down in the FQ, that will take you out to see plantations. We did many trips - and the differences between an american and a creole plantation are huge, but both are amazingly beautiful, and some of my best photos came from these trips.

I enjoyed making friends with the locals, and hearing their stories and learning about neopleonic (sp?) law etc. (ie they don't have counties, they have parishes)

Everyone I met was so friendly, and it was such a positive experience. I also stayed at the small b&b like hotel on Royal next to the cornfenced hotel.

Shopping along Royal was tremendous too - I brought back some incredible local made jewerly and there is a designer thrift store on royal, where I picked up some Jimmy Choos for a song!

moldyhotelsaregross

Thanks for starting this thread. I'll look over some of the links tomorrow.

easygoer

moldyhotelsaregross, please see our trip report at:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=1

I hope that works. I'm not sure how to link.

It's called - First Time to New Orleans Trip Report - Thanks to all for the great suggestions!

We loved the city. We can't wait to go back and visit the surrounding area. Our trip was A+ due to the help of Fodorites. Enjoy.

gyppielou

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35138833