My husband and I will be in New Orleans on the 25th and 26th of June. There are toooo many nice restaurants to choose from. Do we need reservations before we get there or can we wing it by checking things out first and just walking in?

Really depends on which ones you're talking about, but we've always found reservations are highly recommended. You may not find so much of a problem since you'll be there on Mon and Tues nights, but double check hours since some places close on Mon.

You need reservations to get in any of the very best restaurants incuding Brigtsen's, Emeril's, Bayona, Peristyle, August et al. Galatoire's does not take reservations. If you want to eat there just arrive 30 minutes early and you will probably get in fine. Ask for Richard to wait on you at Galatoire's. Where are you staying? Check out The Windsor Court Hotel. They have some great summer rates. My favorite is The Ritz Carlton just around the corner from Galatoire's.

You can get in Acme Oyster Bar and some of the restaurants that are not as famous as others without reservations. You may have to wait a few minutes. The Acme is a famous restaurant but easier to get into than others. Antoine's and Arnaud's are famous and you would need a reservation. Mr. B's is nice. Have you been on the Chowhound NOLA board and looked. Check it out.

http://www.chowhound.com/

You have to register but it's free. You would find more about restaurants there than on this board.

Emeril has 3 restaurants in NO. If you need help getting in there let me know and I will get you fixed up. His wife's father is one of my best friends.

I believe Galatoires does take reservations but only for the upstairs dining room. Since the downstairs room is more interesting people-watching, that's where I'd recommend you sit. It's first come, first serve as Ike suggested.

I would recommend reservations on the weekend. Weeknights you might have a shot to walk-in and get seated.

Mr B's has just reopened. K-Pauls, NOLA's, Irene's (no reservations), Palace Cafe are all open

To all of those in NO - hope you can help!!!! Can anyone tell me which restaurants offer a "chef's table" experience......either in the kitchen or in a private room???

My son really enjoys cooking and is quite the budding "foodie" at the age of 15 (he gets it from DH...NOT me!) and so I am trying to arrange a special dinner for DH and DS for the time we are all in NO this summer.

I've looked into various "cooking schools" but they tend to be large group activities or just demonstrations. So, I figured, if they couldn't get a good "hands on" cooking experience, then I would look at getting a great, one-of-a-kind experience.

As some of you know - we live overseas but are from NO. But while we are quite familiar with many of the fav spots - I have never opted fo this kind of experience. We have some friends who own restaurants, but I really don't want to impose on them.

Any thoughts would be most appreciated! OH - and if anyone in NO wants to do a summer GTG - just let me know!!!!

While we are discussing NO high end restaurants, it used to be that people in NO dressed up to go out, far more than in most northern cities, and being well dressed was a real plus in getting a good table at Galatoire's, especially.

Is this still true or am I hopelessly out of date?

regarding Galatoire's, a coat is required. They will provide one if you do not have one.

Many other places are much more casual now - khaki's and a nice shirt. And even others are more casual if you go early enough - I have worn shorts at Mr. B's before.

Can't answer your question about chef's table, but Mr. B's Bistro is a creative offering of classic cajun with modern variation. Very pleasant dining room. Not so stuffy as Galatoire's, Commander's or Antoine's. I agree that the Acme is always fine food in a very casual setting.

We've been to Arnaud's several times and the food is always incredible! On weeknights we've always made reservations either the day before or the day of our dinner and never had a problem getting them. Have a great time in NOLA! - Jill

Commander's Palace has a chef's table (or used to, before Katrina). I understand you must plan and book waaaaaaay ahead, as it's a coveted seat.

Most of the upscale restaurants are still on the dressy side...which is fine by me! If you don't like dressing up then biz casual would be the best way to go.

I'm sorry to dissagree with places like Mr. B's and Galatoirs....there are just too many other restaurants that are leaps and bounds ahead of their culinary skills. Go for the history, but not for the food. I am not saying they are bad...as the rumor goes there are no bad restaurants in this city...just ones that are not as good as the others!

Here is my short list for the ones "on fire" for the moment:

You will need reservations for these.

Upscale:

August
Cochon
Emeril's
Ralphs on the Park (recently new chef)
Commanders (especially lunch/brunch)

Mid range

Acme
Drago's Seafood

The best restaurant in New Orleans, right now, is Restaurant August.

Cafe Adelaide, near August, has gotten really good post-Katrina.

I love Bayona, too.

Reservations were fairly easy to get a day or two in advance. Nolas was great and I think they have a chefs table. Acme Oyster house is an experience and nor resevations are needed. Have a great time.

mark99: I believe you replied to one of my posts as well -- I asked what was better - Arnaud's or GW Fins and you recommended August and Cochon. Can you tell me where they are located? I will look it up of course (later) but is it walking distance from the French Quarter? What are your fave dishes at this restaurant?

P.S. The first thing I do right offf the plane is head to Acme's!!!!
Chilepepper

topping for Katie

Here's a discussion on chef's tables on Chowhound. There is no longer a chef's table at Commander's Palace.
What's Stella's?


www.chowhound.com/topics/466582

It's restaurantstella.com, but they're still working on the website. Pre-Katrina it was thought to be in the top tier of NO restaurants.

Sadly, the last time we were in NO, the dress code(s) had taken a nose dive. We had brunch at Commander's Palace and coats are no longer required for men.

We went in several restaurants that I consider nice, but not necessarily "fine" and were met with people wearing shorts, jeans and t-shirts. The ones I remember like that were Mr. B's and Palace Cafe...it's been a while, so I can't remember others.

Our food at Galatoire's that trip was downright bad - a huge disappointment because we'd waited a considerable amount of time and had always had great food.

We'll be back down next week so hopefully I'll have some newer info to report.

Galatoire's was by far the worst expensive meal I've ever had, and one of the worst in general.

We did really enjoy MILA, Commander's, Acme and Montrel's.

We were not able to get reservations at August or Stella!, but were there for JazzFest, so I don't know if that was standard or not.

The restaurant at the Windsor Court Hotel is one of the most elegant meals I've ever had with unparalleled service. Oh, and the food was good too.

I also liked KPauls. Bayona and Peristyle were good but not memorable.