New Orleans restaurant itinerary
 

Hey guys

This is what I've come up with in terms of restaurants - I'd love to hear your thoughts. If I was having a major lunch/brunch, I tried to match it with a restaurant where I might it a little (not much, but a little) lighter. I left Tuesday's lunch open in case I wanted to visit a wonderful place again. The lunches are pretty flexible, as much depends on what I'm doing that day.....

Thanks!

Thursday April 15th

Lunch: French Quarter (Acme?s?)

Dinner: Stella!


Friday April 16th

Lunch: Galatoire?s (early - 10:45, 11:00am? Ask to sit downstairs)

Dinner: Herbsaint


Saturday April 17th

Lunch: Mother?s

Dinner: Dick and Jenny?s (No reservations ? early?)


Sunday April 18

Brunch: Commander?s Palace

Dinner: Upperline (make reservations NOW)


Monday April 19th

Lunch: Uglesich?s

Dinner: Mandina?s


Tuesday April 20th

Lunch:

Dinner: Brigsten?s (reserve ASAP)

Thanks!

I'd leave some lunches open for the wonderful food vendors in Jackson Square and along the river for Quarter Fest. Some very good restaurants sell sample sized portions to enjoy as you listen to the wonderful music.

Jean

I think your itinerary looks great! I was in NO in December and reading this thread makes me crave for another NO trip!

You might also try posting on the www.chowhound.com boards--they have one devoted strictly to New Orleans. For what it's worth, our favorite restaurants were Stella!, Bayonna and Mr. B's. We also like Brightsen's, just not as much as the other three. We were really disappointed in Peristyle, though I know people consistently rave about it.

Jean, that's going to be the hard part. When I'm in the FQ, I'm going to be pigging out on all that food, yet I want also to try these places that have been around for years. It's going to be rough going, but let's see how much food I can handle. Unfortunately, my eyes are bigger than my stomach......

Highbay, what restaurants did you go to while in the Big Easy? Any ones I'm missing that were outstanding?

MsGhost, I visit chowhound.com religiously lately, and posted this same question there. I haven't gotten many responses, but they have some wonderful tips from older posts. I've heard Bayonna is wonderful, but I'll have to save that for next time.

Thanks guys

Betsy

We ate at BonTon Cafe and thought it was very good. The other's that we ate at are on your list.
Have a great trip!

P.S. Get to Uglesich's as early as you can, because they do fill up at noon. (They open at 10:30am)

Hey Highbay

I would love to try Bon Ton, but given that they are not open on the weekend, I'm going to have a hard time fitting them in.

Thanks for the tip on Uglesich's.....I'll make sure I'm there early enough to beat the lines.

Guess you'll just have to make another trip!!! I'm good at finding excuses to visit!!!

Your list looks great. We thought Mr. B's was okay. Commander's Palace brunch was good, especially the Bloody Mary's! We liked Brightsen's but the star was Uglesich's. Do not miss it!

We went to several of your choices last year in March. I didn't want to go to Acme - too touristy (my husband insisted) and I was shocked - it was good! - the oysters were fresh and hot, the fries crisp - the bread, even by N.O. standards was very good . . . Stella was excellent - food delicious and service very sweet . . . Galatoire's I thought was ok - atmosphere good, food - better than acceptable but. . . .maybe we ordered badly . . . We had a great meal at Jacques-Imos (also against my wishes, but again I WAS WRONG!) really liked Peristyle, although it is very different food . . . and also had a terrific meal at GW Fins . . . hope this helps - it's kinda wonderful torture, isn't it?

Don't eat lunch at Galatoire's, and don't eat dinner at Mandina's. If you choose to eat at those two restaurants, have lunch at Mandina's and dinner at Galatoire's. They are more appropriate for those meals.

There are so many lunch places in New Orleans that you would never get to 95 percent of them. Unless you really want to pig out at lunch, stick to places like Uglesich's, Mandina's, Mother's, Maspero, N'Awlins Cookery, Mulate's, Acme, and a zillion others, and order something that won't stuff you. Save your treat for a nice dinner at places like Jacques-Imo's, Galatoire's, Brigtsen's, Gabriella, August, and (my favorite and a favorite of most N.O. old timers) Broussard's. Good luck.

Shon, I've always wanted to go to Uglesich's. If I can get there more than once (and this, without having even tried it yet), I will.....My mouth is watering already.

MP, I've only had oysters once in my life, and I'm looking forward to trying them at Acme's, both raw AND fried.
I'd like to have gotten to Jacques-Imo's, but there's only so many meals I can handle. Next time, for sure!

Wayne, I hadn't even thought of Mandina's for dinner until I hastily wrote out the itinerary. It just didn't look like I could make it for lunch. However, I could if I move Galatoire's to dinner. I heard Friday lunch is a big thing to do in N.O., but the idea of dinner there is exciting. How many times do I get to dress up? Good points about lunch - I'm all psyched up to try these wonderful neighborhood spots.

Thanks for all of your help!

Betsy

Acme is THE best ever! Fried or raw. The info I got from a local friend of mine is that the owner of Acme gets the first cut off the fresh oysters as they come to the docks. And I believe it. some oare the size of my palm (raw). Fabulous taste. You'll love it.

Bayonna is the best there, bar none. You almost can't go wrong with so many choices anyway.

Don't forget Feeling's Cafe. Went there last year for our two year anniversary and had a great meal.

http://www.feelingscafe.com/

Bayonna, don't miss it. One of the best meals I have eaten anywhere. agree with Galatoire's for dinner, it is more appropriate.
Brennan's does a good brunch as well.

:-? No Muriel's?

Lunch at Mona Lisa was nice, too.

Thank you for all of your help!

If I've missed any restaurants, it's simply becauses there are only so meals I can have during my stay in New Orleans......but, I certainly plan to come back and try the places I've missed.

I know I don't have Bayonna, but Herbsaint is a Susan Spicer restaurant, and really appeals to me. Muriel's is/was on the initial list I compiled, but I don't think I'll be able to make it - just too many wonderful places to try.

Bayona (just one "n") is one of the top restaurants in New Orleans. It's wonderful. Susan Spicer is, in my opinion, the city's top chef.

Check to see if Acme does the char broiled (or grilled) oysters, They do on the Northshore restaurant & they are great. We love Masparo's for lunch. The sandwiches are HUGE! They only take cash though but there is an ATM inside.
What... no Antoine's?? Just kidding but some people think it is a must.

If you are doing shopping to work off that food then stop in at Joan Good's in the 800 block of Royal. Her selection of jewelry is very good. Lots of estate stuff.

Have a great time & eat lots for us!