New Orleans Food- HELP!
 

I am a foodie and can't wait for my first trip to New Orleans at the end of the month. <BR>I am interested in trying only the local fare - unless there is something else spectacualr there that I can't find in Manhattan. I should add that we are not very mmuch into the caviar-foie gras type of gourmet food. <BR> <BR>1. What is the difference between Cajun adn Creole food ? <BR> <BR>2. What are the BEST 4 places to eat ? Food is 90% of the decision factor. I would of course prefer a table I don't have to share with strangers. <BR> <BR>3. Any items I should bring back ? <BR> <BR>I look forward to your replies. <BR>Thanks in advance. <BR>

Hi M, Cajun and Creole foods are similar in that rice is a staple as is a roux. Creole has its base in classic French and Spanish heritage. Grande cuisine. Cajun (Arcadian) is more of a hearty country fare. Lots of one pot, potent stick to your rib stuff, nice and spicey. <BR>I love the Acme Oyster house-a bit loud but fun. You will hear mixed things about NOLA, but we loved it (Emeril is my hero). Call and go early to sit at the Chef's bar. Believe it or not, we skipped dinner one night because we ate too many beignets and drank too much coffee at Cafe du Monde. This is a must must must. <BR>My favorite souvenirs are hot sauces. The brand names are a riot. <BR>Would highly recommend a hurricane at Pat O'briens. Touristy, but well worth it. <BR>Have a wonderful trip. Laissez le bons temps rouler!!

Do A search on New Orleans and you'll find lots of restaurant suggestions!!!!!

Try Jaques Imo's, you'll love it!

You're probably too late to reserve the BEST New Orleans restaurants. They tend to book up a good eight-twelve weeks in advance.

After 4 trips to New Orleans, we have finially hit on the secret..Don't go to the overpriced, tourist restaurants. The food is not what you would think. Search the web and check out the smaller places. The service is much better and you don't have those long lines to stand in if you eat prior to 6pm.

IF you can get reservations, Commander's Palace for Sunday jazz brunch, Bayona, and Mr. B's for the best gumbo yaya anywhere.

M, just returned last night from NO. Try Peristyle on Dumaine. You won't be dissapointed. For local fare, the Gumbo Shop. They have side orders of most entrees, so you can get a taste of everything. We also enjoyed the Royal Cafe on Royal St. because you can sit on the balcony and watch the world go by while enjoying some very good food. <BR>

I recommend K-Paul's for good local food. I enjoy it every time I go. Redfish Grill is also a place i reommend quite often and take friends to who are visiting - they have a great menu. It's one of the Brennan's places, but it's more casual than Commander's. Palace Cafe is another Brennan's place that I highly recommend for Sunday jazz brunch - more casual than Commander's, not as expensive and definitely not as hard to get in. The eggs benedict is great. Mandina's on Canal (out of the Quarter, but only a short taxi ride) is a true, blue local place that not many tourists make their way to. It's a casual seafood adn po-boy place. If you want oysters, I'd recommend Casamento's uptown on Magazine instead of Acme or Felix's which are both are in the Quarter. Definitely have a muffaletta at Central Grocery in the Quarter. Muriel's is a relatively new place in the Quarter on the corner of Chartes and St. Ann at Jackson Square. We ate there for the first time last week and were very pleased. The spinach and crawfish salad was great. For po-boys, try Mother's on Tcoupitoulas and Poydras (in the CBD) or Uglesich's on Baronne (uptown from the CBD, not a great area). Beignets at Cafe du Monde is a must as is a Lucky Dog in Jackson Square for truly local color. Please let me know if you need more info.

We second Meg's recommendations - she sounds like a true local! We would add <BR>Gautreaux's on Soniat St. in the Garden District - a wonderful, small romantic place in the garden district which used to be a pharmacy! Imaginative dishes and excellent service. Have a wonderful time. New Orleans is so special....You'll feel like you're in Europe. (make sure to ride the street car on St. Charles Avenue.)

And I second Steve's recommendation: Gautreaux's was wonderful wonderful wonderful. Off the beaten track so not as crowded, and the food and service were outstanding (and I know good food!)

I'm a foodie too and NO was the second best food around (second to Paris). My absolute favorite was Nola's. We went for lunch since it was so hard to get a dinner reservation. It was a great idea. Peristyle was excellent. A little off the beaten path, very intimate, a little fancy. Take a cab. I know it's a tourist destination, but I loved the Sunday brunch at Commander's Palace. A 3 hour meal and the best and safest cemetary right across the street. The best recommendation is to call and make reservations now. I called 3 months in advance and couldn't get in alot of places.

Not sure if you've made your trip yet or not, but you must do <BR>Commander's Palace for dinner or brunch, <BR> <BR>Mother's is a dive but world-famous for GREAT po-boys, gumbo, etc. <BR> <BR>Palace Cafe has great food (part of the Brennan's empire) <BR> <BR>and when you've had enough Cajun, try Mona Lisa (in the lower end-of the quarter near Esplanade on Royal). It is a GREAT local's place for Italian. Buy your wine at the corner market across the street!

My #1 vote is for Bayona's. I've been there 3 times on 3 separate visits (over a 5 year period) and loved it each time. I also like the food bar at Emeril's (rather than a table). I know some people think Emeril's is overrated, but both times I was there, the food was wonderful; also, it is a joy to watch the excellent chefs up close. Nola's is also very good. Haven't tried Peristyle. It was closed last time I was in NO (because of a fire, I think). I agree with whoever suggested Mother's for casual fare. We always have the...oh, I can't remember what it was called--a po'boy with roast ham and "debris," the shavings and drippings from the roast. There are 2 "grocery" stores near the French Quarter--Central Grocery and Progress Grocery. They're almost next door to each other on Decateur. They both have great muffaletas, but the one that's the farthest east (towards Esplanade) is my favorite. We were a little disappointed with the Sunday brunch at Commander's Palace. The ambiance and service was wonderful, but the food (IMHO) was ordinary.

Sandy is right - Central Grocery's muffalettas are better than Progress'. i think the sandwich she had at Mother's is a Ferdi's Special.

I enjoyed Red Fish Grill, and Remoulade was good for what it is--good fresh oysters! <BR> <BR>We ate twice off menus posted on the street in the quarter. Both were really good. I think there are lots of good restaurants down there. <BR> <BR>Avoid Bayonna. I was very disappointed with the food, and it was way too pricey. <BR> <BR>

Amazing how different people can have different opinions! I was in New Orleans last weekend and had dinner at Bayona (having made the reservations about 10 weeks in advance). We thought the meal was first-rate (one of our 10 best ever), the service outstanding, the atmosphere romantic, and the price reasonable for what we were getting.

Just got back from N.O. and can offer the following recommendations (which I had picked based on input received on this website). We ate dinner at the following restaurants (which I would rate in the order stated): Bayona (loved it), NOLA (interesting atmosphere, great food), Mr. B's Bistro (outstanding BBQ shrimp), and Pelican Club. Also, had a good lunch at K-Pauls (loved the turtle soup). I was able to get all reservations for dinner about 2 weeks ago. I think you will find a good selection of local fare at all of these restaurants. Visiting New Orleans was truly a culinary delite!

Just wanted everyone to know that contrary to what many believe, NOLA is great for vegetarians. Old Dog New Trick on Exchange is a wonderful cafe with cute a hospitable and cute staff. Even at cajun joints, get some creole veggie goodness....

I made my third trip to New Orleans in early June and learned my most valuable lesson. If you can't get a reservation at a particular restaurant and it is a week night, chances are you can walk in a be seated immediately if it is before 8 pm. This occured at Mr. B's (excellent) and Mortons (don't waste your time).

I second the motion for Casamentos. Also in the vivinity is Frankie &amp; Johnnies( great jukebox)&amp; Dos Efes Cigar Bar. I've had great meals at Bella Luna in the Lower Quarter; Parasols in the Irish Channel for Roast beef poboys...mmm mmmm. Clover Grill for the 4am cheeseburger that you'll love when you eat it but regret it in the mornin'! Whitey's on Downman street for &amp;1 COLD drafts, crawfish &amp; shrimp &amp; they have 2 pool tables. Port O Call on Esplanade for the best burgers. Ditto Muriels. Best late afternoon lunch is a Galatoires. Best bistro. Ditto Bayona. CC Coffee shop on St. Phillip &amp; Royal. Verte Mart on Ryal for great poboys, especially the grilled ones. You should definitely sit at the oyster bar. Pascal Manales in the Garden District where they invented BBQ shrimp. Clancy's. Brightsens. Rock &amp; Bowl. Best Lamb chops at the Grill Room at the Royal Orleans Hotel. Just go there! Napoleon House for best bar. Rooftop bar/pool at the Royal Orleans hotel. That's all or now folks!

I would have to agree with The Gumbo shop. Also enjoyed Remoulade. The Coffee Pot was great for breakfast. I don't think anyone mentioned Galatoires but it was wonderful.

Go for Galatoire's. Emeril's is lacking a bit due to fame. <BR> <BR>Uglesich's is an experience - only week day lunch <BR> <BR>Domilise's for po-boys in the garden district

Folks: Many of your recommendations are excellent, however, I have to correct some of your errors. Neither Gautreax's on Soniat Street or Pascale Manales on Napolean are in the Garden District. The Garden District boundaries are Jackson, Louisiana, St. Charles and Magazine. No local would be caught dead eating a Lucky Dog, unless they wanted to spend the night in Charity Hospital. Bayona is consistenly one of the best in New Orleans. NOLA's is the best for atmosphere and value of all of the Emeril joints. Peristyle's is anything but off the beaten path. No need to take a taxi unless you are not staying the Quarter. Anyone truely from here knows that Casamento's is always closed during the summer, it reopens in September. Finally, please please don't mention Jacque Imo's, Mandina's or Clancy's anymore. We locals want to keep those tourist free zones.

I beg to differ on locals eating Lucky Dogs. I'm not a native, but I do live here, and we eat Lucky Dogs. Emeril himself has made the comment about much he used to love to hang out in the Quarter and eat Lucky Dogs and Takee Outee. I know Emeril's not a native either, but I do think he considers himself a local - even if he's not around much. As for Casamento's - yes, they close in the summer, but if you notice, the original post was dated early May - none of the restaurants that close for the summer are closed at that time.

"Native", your tone is a bit condescending. Correcting "errors"? Indeed! While I don't like Lucky Dogs I know plenty of Quarter residents who'll grab one now and then. And to many, Peristyle is on the fringe of things. And you should know that it's not NOLA's or Peristyle's. No "'s" here, please!

Agnes - I agree about Peristyle. While it's a only a little more than a block from where I live and perfectly comfortable for me to walk there, I don't think many tourists feel the same way about the Lower Quarter. On an almost daily basis, someone stops in front of my house for directions because they've passed Bourbon Street or have gotten turned around and have no idea how in the world they could have ended up "here!" Unless a visitor is staying at the St. Pierre, I doubt they are going to feel that Peristyle is near anything. <BR> <BR>Since native is so possessive about Clancy's, I can only assume that he/she lives uptown - and certainly wouldn' t be all that familiar with life in the Quarter. It's nothing like being uptown at all and eating Lucky Dogs is quite acceptable to us "Quarter Rats."

For what it's worth, I think Clancy's is highly overrated. Many "natives" also rave about Pascal's Manale, Antoine's, Tujague's and Mandinas. All passed their prime YEARS ago. I've been here 10 years and would much rather have a meal at Bayona, Peristyle (perfectly well-located, thanks!), and Pelican Club!

Having lived in New Orleans most of my life, I am very impressed with all of the good recommendations. Here are my picks: <BR> <BR>Local New Orleans Fare - Uglesich's -"the best, do not miss" <BR> <BR>Creole Upscale Fare - Galatoire's <BR>"My favorite restaurant in the world" <BR> <BR>Traditional N.O. Italian Oyster Bar- Casamento's <BR> <BR>Upscale N.O. Style - Peristyle/Bayona <BR> <BR>Best Local Joint - R & O's on the Lake <BR>Have Fun.

Two suggestions - Felix's Oyster Bar on Bourbon (they have a walk-up marble slab and shuck oysters as fast as you can eat them, then charge you based on the empty shells) and a frozen Irish Coffee at Molly's in the Market. Oh yeah, try Mother's for great, casual chow. Anywhere you go, try the fried alligator and turtle soup.

Meg, are you the same "Meg" from "Kats 'n Rats"? Miss you all over on the P* travel boards, if so! <BR> <BR>Have really enjoyed reading this. We lived in New Orleans 30 years ago, both kids born at Touro Infirmary, and DH got his hotel start at the Royal Orleans (has the Rib Room really changed its name to the Grill Room, ala Ritz Carlton??), where Archie Casbarian, now owner of Arnaud's, was GM. It's amazing to me that places we loved back then, such as Mothers, Pascale Manale, Central Grocery, Gumbo Shop, Mandina, are still going strong today! Do you realize how rare it is for really good restaurants to hang onto their reputation for that length of time?? <BR> <BR>One question....I don't ever see Mosca's (West Bank, Marrero, I believe) mentioned anymore. Is it gone?? That was another local favorite. Hmmm their barbequed shrimp...makes my mouth water just thinking about it! Have seen all sorts of "authentic recipes" for Shrimp Mosca presented, but none could ever duplicate it.

No, Olive Oyl - I have no connection to Kats 'n Rats, whatever that may be. <BR> <BR>Mosca's is still around. We had friends drag us out there within the first year we moved here. I would never recommend it b/c I have no idea how to get there - it's WAY OFF the beaten track, wouldn't ya say? <BR> <BR>I think the Rib Room is still the Rib Room. Windsor Court has the Grill Room - is that what you're confusing? <BR> <BR>I liked Bob's suggestion of Whitey's. We had some crawfish there a few months ago. What a dive! Definitely not many tourists stopping by there.

Meg, The Kats and Rats were an active group on the Prodigy travel board. Some lived there, some close, but all visited frequently as a group and had great recs on things to do and see, cautions to take, etc. They now have their own website http://www.katsandrats.com/fqrats.html with useful information. It's an interesting site. There's a Meg in that group who also lives in the Quarter and I thought you might be her. <BR> <BR>Re the Rib Room and Grill Room...a post above by Bob ([email protected]) referred to the "lamb chops at the Grill Room at the Royal Orleans". I couldn't imagine them changing the name as it was a pretty successful restaurant. He either meant the Rib Room or he meant it was at the Windsor Court... <BR> <BR>Yes, Moscas is out of the way but was still a local favorite. It was up the West Bank's River Road. You pulled up to a shack type place with a parking lot full of luxury cars. It was reputedly owned and operated by the Carlos Marcello family which was active in NO back when. Inside decor was checkered cloth informal and food fantastic--it had to be to get us to drive that dark twisty road out there!

Olive Oyl - the decor at Mosca's is still the same. The road is not anymore well lit now. We had the shrimp thing and an oyster casserole or something like that. <BR> <BR>I see now in Bob's post where the reference to the Grill Room was made. I don't think it's changed. <BR> <BR>I will check out the website. Thanks for the info.