New Orleans: To see or not to see ...
Jan 7th, 2008, 12:34 AM
#22
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Just returned from the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. We were disappointed in Galatoire's and K-Paul. One favorite was Drago's in the Hilton Riverside. Had their specialty charbroiled oysters 4 days in a row -- would have been 5, but they were closed on Sundays. And I don't normally eat oysters! Their soups were all good, as was the catfish and lobster salad.
Our other favorite, recommended by fodorites, was Commander's Palace. We had a festive New Year's brunch there. There was a varied menu and the service was particularly good. The strawberry shortcake was just yummy. Coats are recommended at dinner time.
We did not have time to try Mother's, but saw long lines there also. Heard the food (especially the ham) is good. 401 Poydras St., Phone: (504) 523-9656. Here's a Frommer's review: http://www.frommers.com/destinations...ns/D41644.html.
The St. Charles Ave. streetcar is indeed running again, and the route is constantly being extended. For $1.25 each way, it's a good way to see a lot of great architecture. By the way, if you're going to Commander's Palace and are anywhere near the streetcar route, it will take you right to Washington St.
At the end of the line, there is a place that was recommended for it's chocolate pecan pie (Camille's -- something like that) and those waiting in the long line outside also recommended the hamburger.
We enjoyed the city tour for an overview. If you plan to take the city tour and the paddleboat ride, book them together to get a $6 discount. You can take each on different days.
We found locals very hospitable. Every one from the first shuttle bus driver, waiters, and even local diners seated next to us thanked us for coming and helping to rebuild the city. They seemed sincerely appreciative. It was quite touching.
Our other favorite, recommended by fodorites, was Commander's Palace. We had a festive New Year's brunch there. There was a varied menu and the service was particularly good. The strawberry shortcake was just yummy. Coats are recommended at dinner time.
We did not have time to try Mother's, but saw long lines there also. Heard the food (especially the ham) is good. 401 Poydras St., Phone: (504) 523-9656. Here's a Frommer's review: http://www.frommers.com/destinations...ns/D41644.html.
The St. Charles Ave. streetcar is indeed running again, and the route is constantly being extended. For $1.25 each way, it's a good way to see a lot of great architecture. By the way, if you're going to Commander's Palace and are anywhere near the streetcar route, it will take you right to Washington St.
At the end of the line, there is a place that was recommended for it's chocolate pecan pie (Camille's -- something like that) and those waiting in the long line outside also recommended the hamburger.
We enjoyed the city tour for an overview. If you plan to take the city tour and the paddleboat ride, book them together to get a $6 discount. You can take each on different days.
We found locals very hospitable. Every one from the first shuttle bus driver, waiters, and even local diners seated next to us thanked us for coming and helping to rebuild the city. They seemed sincerely appreciative. It was quite touching.
Jan 7th, 2008, 09:10 PM
#23
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Leburta,
I'm glad you responded. Sorry Hawaii didn't win the Sugar Bowl, but I'm glad you enjoyed the city. By the way, there was an article in the New Orleans City Business that talks about how generous the Hawaii fans were to New Orleans, staying longer than UGA fans and spending much more money doing all the tours. Thank you so much for contributing to the New Orleans rebuilding effort.
http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.co....cfm?recid=960
Apparently, y'all are welcome anytime in New Orleans!
Sorry you didn't enjoy K-Pauls or Galatoire's. I wonder if it was because of the extra people in town that they weren't performing up to par? Or maybe you're not used to Creole/Cajun food? In any case, I'm glad you enjoyed Commander's Palace and got to ride the streetcar there!
I'm glad you responded. Sorry Hawaii didn't win the Sugar Bowl, but I'm glad you enjoyed the city. By the way, there was an article in the New Orleans City Business that talks about how generous the Hawaii fans were to New Orleans, staying longer than UGA fans and spending much more money doing all the tours. Thank you so much for contributing to the New Orleans rebuilding effort.
http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.co....cfm?recid=960
Apparently, y'all are welcome anytime in New Orleans!
Sorry you didn't enjoy K-Pauls or Galatoire's. I wonder if it was because of the extra people in town that they weren't performing up to par? Or maybe you're not used to Creole/Cajun food? In any case, I'm glad you enjoyed Commander's Palace and got to ride the streetcar there!
Jan 8th, 2008, 03:45 AM
#24
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I, too, am bummed that you didn't like Galatoire's and K-Paul's, which are two of my favorites. Granted, I think Galatoire's is probably just as much "scene" as it is "food" but I think it's just a real New Orleans experience, especially with the Bourbon Street location.
Jan 12th, 2008, 05:54 PM
#25
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Hello fodorites,
Many thanks for your excellent advice. I was able to use much of it but didn't accomplish everything. Business trips are slightly different, as I have found out.... If a colleague has a strong preference, I occasionally go along
New Orleans is a city with a lot of character. I found it very different from almost every other American city I have been to and I have been to nearly 40 states in the country. With the weather and the old city street layout (and the buildings), it really comes across as a European city. I visited Jackson square, Cabildo, St. Louis Cathedral (beautiful!), Frenchmen/Royal/Chartres and of course Bourbon street. On Bourbon, I simply didn't have time to figure out Gallier house, Gauche house, Hermann Grima house, LaBranche houses etc. Woldenburg park is nice enough. One fine night, steamboat Natchez was playing (rather loud!!) Dukes of Dixieland off its speakers and complete with whistles, horns, and changing lights. It really was quite magical.
So far as food, I enjoyed chargrilled oysters and gumbo "poopa" at Acme Oyster & Seafood restaurant. It is always fun to eat in restaurants with history specially when the food is excellent (not always the case!). I also visited Cafe du Monde several times and liked its beignets (someone should have told me to pronounce them ben-YAYs!), but as someone pointed out, mostly as a snack/coffee place and to people watch. I loved the inner courtyards of New Orleans restaurants (unusual in midwest.... where I live) and visited Napolean House and Gumbo shop twice each for lunch! Muffalettas at Napolean House are excellent (although I gotta tell ya.... as I approached it, the outside appearance of the place made me wonder if this really was the place Napolean was supposedly going to use after his exile at Elba! fortunately, interior is pretty cool), and I stuck with the same choices both times. At Gumbo Shop, seafood okra soup and jambalaya were yummy, enhanced by the polite waitress with her southern accent and a proclivity to start or end every sentence with "baby" or "honey".
I never got around to visiting Lafitte's blacksmith ship (but thanks for the advice ChristieP) or a blues/jazz joint like spotted cat. Neither was I able to go to on a street car or for that matter, outside of French Quarter. But there will be a next time.
Finally, for all you experts, here is a restaurant I had to go to thanks to someone's insistence. Consider Palace Cafe (there is nothing "cafe" about it.... it is an upscale and pricey-enough restaurant with excellent service and attentive staff) on Canal Street. I had a fantastic turtle soup followed by herb/goat cheese stuffed pan seared lamb lollipop chops on ciabatta bread (with an arugula and celeste fig salad, complete with vanilla-port essence). It was heavenly I also tried their pecan pie with praline icecream and simply didn't want to leave the place Or may be I had too much wine in me.
Anyway, thanks again and here's wishing you all the very best.
Many thanks for your excellent advice. I was able to use much of it but didn't accomplish everything. Business trips are slightly different, as I have found out.... If a colleague has a strong preference, I occasionally go along
New Orleans is a city with a lot of character. I found it very different from almost every other American city I have been to and I have been to nearly 40 states in the country. With the weather and the old city street layout (and the buildings), it really comes across as a European city. I visited Jackson square, Cabildo, St. Louis Cathedral (beautiful!), Frenchmen/Royal/Chartres and of course Bourbon street. On Bourbon, I simply didn't have time to figure out Gallier house, Gauche house, Hermann Grima house, LaBranche houses etc. Woldenburg park is nice enough. One fine night, steamboat Natchez was playing (rather loud!!) Dukes of Dixieland off its speakers and complete with whistles, horns, and changing lights. It really was quite magical.
So far as food, I enjoyed chargrilled oysters and gumbo "poopa" at Acme Oyster & Seafood restaurant. It is always fun to eat in restaurants with history specially when the food is excellent (not always the case!). I also visited Cafe du Monde several times and liked its beignets (someone should have told me to pronounce them ben-YAYs!), but as someone pointed out, mostly as a snack/coffee place and to people watch. I loved the inner courtyards of New Orleans restaurants (unusual in midwest.... where I live) and visited Napolean House and Gumbo shop twice each for lunch! Muffalettas at Napolean House are excellent (although I gotta tell ya.... as I approached it, the outside appearance of the place made me wonder if this really was the place Napolean was supposedly going to use after his exile at Elba! fortunately, interior is pretty cool), and I stuck with the same choices both times. At Gumbo Shop, seafood okra soup and jambalaya were yummy, enhanced by the polite waitress with her southern accent and a proclivity to start or end every sentence with "baby" or "honey".
I never got around to visiting Lafitte's blacksmith ship (but thanks for the advice ChristieP) or a blues/jazz joint like spotted cat. Neither was I able to go to on a street car or for that matter, outside of French Quarter. But there will be a next time.
Finally, for all you experts, here is a restaurant I had to go to thanks to someone's insistence. Consider Palace Cafe (there is nothing "cafe" about it.... it is an upscale and pricey-enough restaurant with excellent service and attentive staff) on Canal Street. I had a fantastic turtle soup followed by herb/goat cheese stuffed pan seared lamb lollipop chops on ciabatta bread (with an arugula and celeste fig salad, complete with vanilla-port essence). It was heavenly
I also tried their pecan pie with praline icecream and simply didn't want to leave the place Or may be I had too much wine in me. Anyway, thanks again and here's wishing you all the very best.
Jan 29th, 2008, 10:39 AM
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I am a local who likes to be a "tourist" here on weekends, and thought I'd toss in my two cents worth.
Restaurants: Quarter: Irene's, Bourbon House, Drago's in the Hilton (and Kabby's in the Hilton has a great Sunday brunch.) Lil Dizzy's is new, same owner as N.O. School of Cooking, Singhai, Port of Call (burger); Uptown: Upperline (my fav restaurant in N.O.,) and of corse, Jacques-Imos, Brigsten's (get the duck,) and Commanders is a dining experience - if on a budget, go for lunch during the week, $15 3 courses, plus 25 cent martini's. MidCity: Lola's, hands down (get the lamb - bring cash, no credit cards accepted.)
Bars: depends on your style, but wine lovers note the New Orleans Wine Institute for a great tasting experience, and really nice people - in the CBD. My favorite after work on Friday place: DBA's. Bombay Club in Prince Conti If you're a first time NOLA visitor, Pat O'Briens and Bourbon Street should do the trick. Uptown: the Columns, Dos Jefes Cigar Bar.
Museums: D-Day/WWII museum, Old US Mint, Cabildo, Presbytere
Take one of the walking tours of the french quarter, my personal fav: Friends of the Cabildo walking tour.
Cemeteries: any are ok, some of the structures are works of art, but don't go on every tour there is. one cemetery tour should do you good.
Outside of the city: the plantations are really interesting, if you like history, etc. Nottoway, Oak Alley, Rosedown are my favorites except for Halloween when you should stay at the Myrtles haunted.)
Hotel: Try the La Maison Marigny (in the Marigny of course.) safe, beautiful, lots of personal service. The owner John will make your stay a welcome one. For my wedding, I put family at the Lafayette Hotel in the CBD - close enough to the quarter, yet far away for some quiet.
Spa: The Ritz Carlton spa, hands down. a bit more, but worth every bit. In the suburbs is H2O - do yourself a favor and do the turkish massage, but book EARLY, quite a waiting list on that.
Shopping: Magazine Street. then eat at Martinique Bistro when finished.
Sunday: try the Windsor Court's high tea. But there are many places around town that do high tea too.
Music: Maple Leaf and Tipitinas, both uptown. But in the quarter, pat o'briens piano bar is a good place for locals and toursits alike. Frtizels in the quarter. One Eyed jacks.
Besides Fodors, good local website: www.neworleansonline.com
Restaurants: Quarter: Irene's, Bourbon House, Drago's in the Hilton (and Kabby's in the Hilton has a great Sunday brunch.) Lil Dizzy's is new, same owner as N.O. School of Cooking, Singhai, Port of Call (burger); Uptown: Upperline (my fav restaurant in N.O.,) and of corse, Jacques-Imos, Brigsten's (get the duck,) and Commanders is a dining experience - if on a budget, go for lunch during the week, $15 3 courses, plus 25 cent martini's. MidCity: Lola's, hands down (get the lamb - bring cash, no credit cards accepted.)
Bars: depends on your style, but wine lovers note the New Orleans Wine Institute for a great tasting experience, and really nice people - in the CBD. My favorite after work on Friday place: DBA's. Bombay Club in Prince Conti If you're a first time NOLA visitor, Pat O'Briens and Bourbon Street should do the trick. Uptown: the Columns, Dos Jefes Cigar Bar.
Museums: D-Day/WWII museum, Old US Mint, Cabildo, Presbytere
Take one of the walking tours of the french quarter, my personal fav: Friends of the Cabildo walking tour.
Cemeteries: any are ok, some of the structures are works of art, but don't go on every tour there is. one cemetery tour should do you good.
Outside of the city: the plantations are really interesting, if you like history, etc. Nottoway, Oak Alley, Rosedown are my favorites except for Halloween when you should stay at the Myrtles haunted.)
Hotel: Try the La Maison Marigny (in the Marigny of course.) safe, beautiful, lots of personal service. The owner John will make your stay a welcome one. For my wedding, I put family at the Lafayette Hotel in the CBD - close enough to the quarter, yet far away for some quiet.
Spa: The Ritz Carlton spa, hands down. a bit more, but worth every bit. In the suburbs is H2O - do yourself a favor and do the turkish massage, but book EARLY, quite a waiting list on that.
Shopping: Magazine Street. then eat at Martinique Bistro when finished.
Sunday: try the Windsor Court's high tea. But there are many places around town that do high tea too.
Music: Maple Leaf and Tipitinas, both uptown. But in the quarter, pat o'briens piano bar is a good place for locals and toursits alike. Frtizels in the quarter. One Eyed jacks.
Besides Fodors, good local website: www.neworleansonline.com
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Daniel_Williams
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Jan 25th, 2007 09:01 AM
