We are going with a group of 6 to NO early Sept. (Thrusday - Sunday). Should I make dinner resv. now or can I wait and make them the same day(when we are in town)? I have read a lot of good recommendations on-line for Emerils, etc. Maybe I only have to make resv for a few of the restraunts? Thanks!

If you're planning to go to any of the really popular places, go ahead and make reservations -- especially for the Friday and Saturday nights! Otherwise you'll risk being stuck having to eat before 6PM or after 10PM.

I agree with the previous post. Having just returned from New Orleans, I can assure you that most popular places fill up on weekends, and in fact, we could get dinner reservations at neither Emiril's nor Nolas, another Emeril property. Along those lines, I might mention though that we DID eat lunch at Nolas and it turned out to be pretty awful food. The only bright spot was that Loni Anderson was sitting at a table next to us! And once again, our favorite meal was the Sunday jazz brunch at Commander's Palace...that place just never has let us down.

Make reservations now. I recommend Brennan's for Sunday Brunch. I have been going there since I was in grade school and have never been disappointed. It is a New Orleans landmark. Nola's was good the night I tried it for dinner. And don't miss the Cafe du Monde on the river for Beignets and chickory coffee, another New Orleans staple.

re: beignets

We tried them 8-25-99 and they were 1 1/2 inches of solid dough. What gives? Aren't they supposed to be hollow inside?
Thanks