Can anyone recommend a wonderful dining spot in New Orleans with character and great people watching? I have been to NOLA many times and haven't been there since Katrina. A group of us is planning on visiting and I would like to find the perfect spot. I would like the food and wine to be outstanding. Does a place like this exist?

I recently ate at the Pelican Club and it was incredible. Excellent food, wine and service. It's on a little alley/side street near Bourbon St.

Commander's Palace has recently reopened. It's not necessarily a great people watching place, but we've been eating there for decades and the food is wonderful!

Thanks. I have been to both of these places before. I really want the combination of great food and people watching. Anyone?

Here's 2 good ones in the FQ. If I think of more, I'll post again. Enjoy!

K-Paul's if you are near the front windows, plus quite a variety of people to watch while dining, too. ;-)

Maspero's for sandwiches - good sandwiches, but better people watching.

No, Maspero's is not fine dining, but surely you won't require fine dining for all three meals.(?) ;-) Also, a lot of the really great food in N.O. is not served at what would be considered a fine dining restaurant. Is that truly a necessity?

I have been to NOLA about 10 times. I understand the food and the restaurants there. My problem is I have never found a place to get great food and wine with a nice view of the activity. Does this exist?

Maybe it'd be easier for us if you told us which restaurants you ruled out. You've already been to K-Paul's then?

We love Arnaud's, been there a couple of times.

My recommendation would be one of the following...and I am prsumming that GOOD FOOD is a prerequisite!

NOLA
Emirals
Restaurant August

I split my time between Miami and N.O. and the 3 above are the closest you will get to "people watching" without sacrificing food quility.

If however people watching is MORE important than an upscale dinner place
than I would highly recommend Draggo's which is in the Metarie area...however it always seems to attract the best "character" and still have great food that you will not find anywhere else....however...this is a place where it will run from jeans to dressy, soit is not in the scale ofthe above. would perhaps make a great second or third night outing...and trust me it is worth the 15 minute drive to Metairie...and if you go...for GOD's sake...order the Charbroiled Oyester!!!

What's that restaurant that is upstairs along (maybe)Bourbon Street? You all know the one that is pictured in every guidebook or magazine with the wrap-around terrace made of ornate wrought iron? I'm sure we've eaten there once and the people watching (looking down on Bourbon Street is great). Can't remember much else about the place so don't know if it would fall into the "outstanding F&W" class.

I'd suggest Galatoire's. It is the place to "see and be seen". You'll see many locals and some tourists, all the while enjoying a great meal.

TC, the restaurant you're talking about is probably the former Royal Cafe, which overlooked Royal Street, one block over from Bourbon. It didn't reopen post-Katrina. The building is stunning and is often photographed.

Thanks!

I would also guess the Royal Cafe, great views (when it was open) but the food was hit or miss, particularly for the price. I agree w/BG's picks. You can also sit outside, upstairs at the Crescent City Brewhouse for some good German style food & a good brew. Emphasis of course on view, here. You also can't go wrong w/any of the Brennans properties (for fine dining.)

SAnParis - just chiming in to say thanks for the recommendation for the Crescent City Brewhouse. My husband and I have a trip to New Orleans coming up in the spring and that place looks terrific, right up our alley

Check to see if Cresent City Brew is serving German before you go. I think that Chef Horst Pfeifer was just helping out at Cresent City while he looks to replace his former restaurant Bella Luna after a long battle with the incompetant landlord (the city) to fix the leaks in the ceiling, otherwise stick with the beer which is very good...the food otherwise is so so at best.

You know, I keep reading that the Crescent City Brewhouse food is not so good, but we've had several lunches there (never been for dinner), and every time have enjoyed them.

We were there during the summer and had soft-shelled crab (a po boy, I think) and crab-stuffed shrimp, and, to us, both were good.

And sitting out on the balcony is fun!

Byrd

I always get the German platter (a couple of types of sausage, potatoes & 'kraut) & typically their beer special. Last time I was there they had a Kolsch-style beer that was great. Too bad about Bella Luna. They always had great food, as well as a wonderful view of the River...

Byrd....we just have to enlighten you! The food is not BAD it is just blah!

Many of the places in the quarter are touristy mediocre stuff....frankly I can't think of a name that I could steer you too that would be a good place for po-boys and such...perhaps others can....the only one that comes to mind right now (that is a step up) would be Acme Oyster house. Also the Trolley Stop on St. Charles has great gumbo and PoBoys at least in my late night endeavors.

BUT...for a GREAT Muefelata definately Central grocery.

Now if you are up to a short drive...you REALLY need to go to Liuza's by the track for great PoBoys.

I forgot to mention Stella's in the Quarter...it is on par with August and I would say these two restaurants are among the finest in the U.S.

In addition, out by the New Orleans Museum of Art is Ralph's on the Park, which recently has been fantastic.

If your an Artsy...you MUST visit NOMA...wonderful museum!