Hi,

Going to New Orleans just for a weekend - -arriving on Saturday afternoon, Dec 14, and leaving on Monday , Dec 16, early morning. Any suggestions on where to dine on Saturday night, for Sunday brunch and/or Sunday evening? Moderate prices: $15-$30/person.

Also, what would you suggest doing/seeing while there? Are there any special Christmas activities/sights that weekend?

Thanks.

John

It depends on what you are looking for.

Acme Oyster Bar has great po'boys.
Red Fish has good fish, but so,so service.
Mom's is casual for breakfast, but is a local favorite and has yummy bisquits.
If you want beignets, go to one of the Cafe de Mondo's.

Look at the New Orleans thread. There are lots of suggestions.

Yes, Acme for sure. Liuza's by the track, and Camilla's Grill

Taking the street car from Canal Steet down St. Charles to the Audobon Park area is a great way to view the Antebellum homes on St. Charles. I bet that they are all decked out for Christmas too.

Thanks for your responses.

John

Check out the Acme Oystercam if you want to see tons of oysters eaten.
http://www.nola.com/oystercam/

In the morning, take that street car on St. Charles and head out past the college; tell the operator you want to get off at The Camilla Grill!

Not only will you get to see a good part of the city, including many really nice homes, but you will eventually arrive at one of the great beakfast places in this country - The Camilla Grill.

Make sure somebody in your party orders one of their omlets - I had the mushroom and cheese - It was wonderful. Sit at the counter and watch these dudes work! Quite an experience.

I'd also suggest getting on a bus and just taking a round trip ride. You'll see how the city operates - the good and the bad.

Also, go to Mother's and order their Debris sandwich - Terrific.

Be sure to check out Cristmas in the Oaks at City Park. There's a driving tour, if you have a car, or a walking tour.

Thanks, everyone.

John H

Hi John. I don't know if it is still there, but there used to be a place in the French Quarter called The Steak Pit. My husband and I found it one night while walking around and they had great steaks and the best french onion soup I have ever tasted. It was very inexpensive. I am hoping it is still open, I have been thinking about that onion soup lately.

Is this the place you are referring to?

I couldn't see French onion soup on the menu I am afraid

http://www.hugeassbeers.com/index.html

Catherine, I guess that is the same place, although I sure don't remember the 'hugeassbeers'! LOL. The onion soup is listed at the very bottem of the menu page as just 'onion soup'. That does not do it justice. It was served with a layer of french bread on top, covered with so much cheese it ran down the side of the mug, and then baked to perfection. By the looks of the web site, it is a bit more 'trendy' than I remember. It used to be just a hole in the wall.

For dinner, try Mike Anderson's on Bourbon. Great food, reasonable prices (even better prices at lunch!). Elton John/Tim Rice's "Aida" is playing at the Saenger this week. You can probably still get tickets. Definitely go to City Park for Celebration in the Oaks. Stroll through the Fairmont Hotel lobby... they do a great job at Christmas. It's fairly cold (by our standards), so bring a jacket. Might be rainy this weekend, so be prepared. Lots to see and do here...enjoy your trip!

Anne

Ann, I did not know Mike Andersons was open for lunch. I have not been there in a couple of years. Evidently they moved, didn't they used to be on Royal?

nance...no, they have been on Bourbon for many, many years. They are next door to Galatoire's. I don't recall them ever being on Royal, and I've worked downtown for about 18 years. It's one of our favorite places for group lunches for birthdays, etc. They handle larger groups (15-20) very well.

Anne

Anne, I must be getting Mike Andersons confused with some other place. Several years ago, my husband and I went into a small place in the Quarter and had the most wonderful meal. You chose a salad, and appetizer, 3 entrees and a dessert. The salads came and they were a mere mouthful, but I had a fried turkey salad and it was fantastic. I can't remember the appetizer, but again, it was just a bit, Then the entrees I had were a few fork fulls each of Jambalaya, red beans and rice and etouffe. I kept thinking that this was not enough food, and everything I tasted made me want more, more, more, but by the end of the meal, we were stuffed. We tried to go back the next year during the day, but were told that this place was only open for dinner. Where oh where is that magical place???

Nance...I'm not sure, but it sounds great! One of these days soon I'll walk down Royal during lunch and see if I see anything that sounds like this place.

Anne

Thanks for all of your help. Much appreciated.

John

Your description sounds like K-Paul's but K-Paul's is not on Royal but one block over on Chartres.

The Papa Noel specials are going on during your stay. Check out the special hotel rates, the best offered all year. Also, you might wish to try one of the Reveillon dinners, which are again, some of the best values to be had all year; the menus are prix-fixe, and the chefs are in a mild showmanship competition.

For details, go to frenchquarterfestivals.com and click on the Christmas section.