TC

Street musicians were Tanya and Dorise. Sounds like they are mainstays in the Quarter. If you're in town, definitely search for them. Here are links to some YouTube videos. WOW!

http://latonola.wordpress.com/2013/0...ya-and-dorise/

emd3

TC, waiting for your review of Bayona!

moldyhotelsaregross

Bookmark

TC

Just back from a delightful dinner at Bayona. Attentive staff, beautiful setting, amazing food. I had a starter of quail salad with pears. OMG! Then a main of sweetbreads. One of my favorite things and these were sublime. DH had a daily special starter of gnocchi ....so,so. However his signature lamb main was amazing. Neither of us had room for a sweet. Highly recommend Bayona as something special.

Tip: if you book on-line be sure to note a preference for garden seating if that is what you like. We reserved without doing that and had to wait a bit extra for a garden table.

LizTD

TC, thanks so so much for your question about noise. DH and I are past the age of 50 and way past any desire to have to yell across a table to be heard. We will definitely try Bayona. Have booked Friday lunch at CP (was told the gardens make it a must see so I am overcoming my general disinclination to dine at "everyone's" destination; snooty, I know). Broussards is intriguing - especially because I love a cocktail made by a bartender who is top shelf, which seems harder and harder to find. Le Petite Grocery and August are intriguing too. Cogitating.....

TC

Liz, of the places we ate during our five days, I would rank them thus:

1. Bayona for overall wonderful food and a beautiful (peaceful) setting. Reserve for the garden.
2. GW Fins for stellar service and amazing seafood. Softshell crab! (Ask for a booth and the noise level is tolerable)
3. Le Petite Grocery for extremely congenial staff and good food. (Quiet atmosphere for conversation. We liked our table in the front window)
4. Domenica for the excellent food. (Would not return because of the outrageous noise factor.)
5. SoBou ( a substitution for Bourbon House)....didn't care for the food and the noise is unbearable. Drinks in the garden of the adjoining W hotel were lovely and quiet.

We also had very good lunchs at Stanley on Jackson Square and at Camelia Grill. Heard many good things about Kingfish in the Quarter. We didn't have enough time to try it. Walked past several times. Always busy. A traveling companion dined at Roots and spoke highly of it. Very near your hotel, Liz. Ruby Slipper is also nearby for brunch. I would say that CP is a must! We have eaten there and it is a delight. You won't be sorry.

emd3

Oooooo, you mentioned Bourbon House. On my last trip in April I went there for their oyster happy hour at the bar. SO good. I highly recommend it.

http://www.bourbonhouse.com/promotions.html

TC

Emd3, We were scared off of BH because of a lot of recent negative reviews on TA. Service sounds like an issue. Although I wouldn't say that SoBou was a good replacement for us. I have to admit, just the location of BH is an issue for me. I could barely stand to cross Bourbon Street, let alone walk down it. Horrid! The street smell alone is enough to ruin a good meal.

DebitNM

So far, I have booked CP and Clancy's. Can't wait!

emd3

Bourbon House is at the corner of the street where Acme oyster House is (Poydras) and is across the street from Felix. Both are iconic oyster bars. I came up the street where Acme is (planning to get oysters at Acme, but they were closed that afternoon for a private party) and went straight into Bourbon House without walking anywhere on Bourbon St.

it would be unfortunate to miss those happy Hr huge tasty $1 oysters and the small plates and drink specials at Bourbon House because you don't want to walk down Poydras and enter on the corner of Poydras and Bourbon.

spirobulldog

Debit,

CP's booked for brunch or dinner?

DebitNM

Dinner; we won't be in town on the weekend

irishswampyankee

Jacques Imos - a bit out of the way and only take reservations for 5 or more. Unpretentious authentic excellent and large portions.Our favorite

hawksbill

TC: Thanks for the info about SoBou's courtyard. And I'm sorry you didn't enjoy your food there! I don't think I've had any of the things you tried, other than the burger, which I also didn't like. I like their gumbo, and the shrimp and tasso pinchos. And the butternut squash beignets, which are pretty sweet, and almost should be a dessert dish.

I just had dinner at Domenica, during the half-price happy hour. As usual the dining room was extremely loud, and service was poor. I wish I didn't like the food so much. Sometimes I've gotten their pizzas to go, which avoids most of the problems.

I did make it to Broussard's this trip. I would certainly recommend it for the drinks, not necessarily for the food. Ideally you'd go on a night when the head bartender Paul Gustings is there. He currently has a fantastic batch of English milk punch brewed up, which isn't on the menu. LizTD, there's an abundance of great bartenders and great cocktails in New Orleans, if you know where to look (hints: not on Bourbon Street, and not at Pat O'Brien's). That could be a whole other thread! New Orleans is really one of the world's great cities for craft cocktails.

LizTD

Craft cocktails. I cannot wait. Thanks all!