My husband and I returned last weekend, and what a wonderful time we had!!! Thanks in large part to all the help I received by reading and absorbing all the information on this wonderful forum. Thanks to all who post here, you really are doing a great service to nola vistors, it's like having your own private insiders' guides!!
We left Newark Sat morning arriving NO at 9am, took a taxi to Hotel Monteleone ($29 plus tip), checked in- and they let us have our room at 9:30 am! Hotel is beautiful, perfectly located, one block away from all the noise and craziness, yet close enuf to walk to everything. Great pool on the roof, fun Carrousel Bar. (Walgreens on corner for water and snacks, ask for refrig.in room.)Took Culinary Walking Tour of restaurants in French Quarter (2 hours). Enjoyed most of the tour, great for getting a grounding of the area. Got to see inside of the restaurants kitchens when they were closed, and gathered a better understanding of the food (creole v. cajun). Later we were fortunate enuf to view St. Joseph's parade of Bourbon Street...beads,music,floats,etc...after the parade we had dinner reservations at K-Pauls. We both had the fried green tomatos and I had the Veal Medallions with chopped mangos (to die for). The best was the band that played outside for awhile then came inside, then into the kitchen and got the chefs to join them with pots and pans. What a fun nite. PS. we walked everywhere.
Sunday: woke up late, went right to Brennans for noon brunch, very expensive but I'm on vacation (!) the Price Fixe begins with appetizer, entree and dessert and of course you must have a drink - it is new orleans. I had FANTASTIC onion soup, eggs portugese, and crepes fitzgerald- my husband had baked apple, eggs benedict, and banana foster and we both had one drink- tab with tip $123.00. We spent the afternoon walking the riverwalk, Harrahs casino, and a drink at the Carrousel Bar.
Monday: Had breakfast at Cafe Du Monde, beignets and cafe au lait, walked the french quarter, drinks at absinthe house, lunch at johnnys po boys-GREAT!- Dinner at Commanders Palace. Only place we had to take a taxi ($18 round trip). Food was good. Atmosphere great, service great. Trip was worth the Bread pudding Souffle alone. We were alittel disappointed at the menu choices- there were basically only 4 entrees to choose from. I guess they are only getting up to speed having just reopened.Dinner tab $134.
Tuesday: Breakfast at Petunias- GREAT FIND! I had fantastic french toast/sausage&juice husband had eggs/bacon/toast,juice & coffee-tab w/tip $22- and the atmosphere is wonderful. Lunch was Cafe du Monde again- can't get enuf powdered sugar- Dinner at Galatoire's- THE BEST truly New Orleans standard dress-up fare. I had Trout Amandine, to die for, service was superb- if you go ask for Joey- and be sure to sit downstairs. Tab w/tip $89. Bars we visited: Maison Bourbon for Jazz- 1 drink minimum per set - but we just walked along Bourbon St. and listened until we heard what we liked then walked inside. Pat O'Briens- dueling pianos and hurricanes (the drink is really too sweet, but it does pack a punch, but the dueling pianos are really alot of fun, before you know it, you're singing lots of songs!)
Wednesdayreakfast at Fleur de Lis- great little place for inexpensive full breakfasts
tab $16. Left for airport at 1:30pm.

Sorry this has been so long,but I hope it helps someone in their travels. Please know, we walked EVERYWHERE,(in the French Quarter), day and night, without ever feeling in danger. I am saying this with the disclaimer that we are always aware of our surroundings, but I think the media in other parts of the country have hyped the crime stats to make people fear New Orleans. Also know, many places are not open many days, Preservation Hall, closed Mon-Thurs, Many restaurants closed Sun-Wed,some are closed for lunch, some only open for lunch. Help is hard to come by so they are trying to do the best they can. This was my first time to New Orleans but definitely not my last- I can't wait to return!!!!

Justray I appreciate your kind report. I live a few hours north of NO and frequent the city several times a year. Of all my trips around the US NO is one of my favorites. I absolutely love Galatoire's but there are many many great restaurants in NO. NYC is one of my favorites also and I absolutely love to visit in the fall right before Christmas to shop, walk, drink and eat. I hope you had a safe trip home and return to the south soon. Good luck.

We hear all the time about how people are now "scared" to visit New Orleans thanks to media reports and, to be fair, often a lack of research on the individual's part. The crime rate is high in the city but it tends to be centered in certain areas and within the drug trade. Few crimes are "random."

Thanks for the kind words about our city. Having folks like you come down and have a good time and then go home and tell your friends and post on boards like this is better p.r. than our CVB could ever hope to produce.

Great report and I'm so happy to hear that Petunias is still there. I was last in NO the summer before Katrina and had a wonderful meal at Petunias. I've been wondering ever since if they made it or not.

Great report - we go in a couple months. Can't wait. Petunias is on our list

Thanks for such a great - and positive - report on the city.

I live overseas and only get "home" to New Orleans in the summer, but I love every minute of being there. This year I get to go back twice....with an extra trip in May (by myself - no kids!) for my 30th (AUGH!) high school reunion!

Glad your first trip to NO was such a success and PLEASE.....spread the word!!!

Thank you so much for the report. My family went to NO a few months before Katrina hit and didn't know what shape NO is in now...

My family wants to go back for the FOOD! We live in NYC and NO is (sorry, other posters) the only city we really, really like based on how different it is there and for the food.

I hate going to places where we see the same malls, same feel...

I want to have beignet and chicory coffee for breakfast daily and muffaletta sandwich for lunch daily. I'll go to other places for dinner (my husband is not a fan of muffaletta sandwich, but...

I want to book a trip (last minute) for April. Hope we can find a deal..

Thank you for your report. We also love Galatoire's. And I think I'm getting a craving for Cafe du Monde.

NYC, remember, JazzFest is the last weekend of April- it's a such great time (we almost went again this year, but another trip came up), and well worth it just for the food, but good luck finding a hotel deal that weekend!

Your food report alone was five stars. Thanks for taking time to post and it sounded like a terrific trip. J.

Thanks for the great report Justrav!

My husband and I are heading down to NOLA in a month and I am so excited!

Thank you so much for your report. I am making a trip down there in a couple of weeks at the time of the French Quarter Festival. It was nice to hear how well the area is doing. Also, I will be staying at the Hotel Monteleone and taking the Culinary Tour. It was great to hear a review of sorts for them. Thanks again, I am even more excited about going than I was before. I have been there before, and thanks to your report I am really craving some beignets now.

ttt