Snowrooster's final New Orleans restaurant list - HELP!
 

My trip is 2 weeks from tomorrow so I have to decide! Thanks for everyone who has helped me narrow down my list. We are definitely going to Commander's and JacquImo's. For the remaining two dinners I am trying to decide between: Emeril's, Irene's and Gumbo Shop. Which one do I eliminate?

Personally, I would eliminate Jacques Imos. Gumbo Shop and Emeril's would be my next two eliminations.

I expect to get shot down for this, but the gumbo at Gumbo Shop didn't impress us one bit.

Eliminate Gumbo Shop and Emeril's. Go to Irene's, but make sure that you get there early and try to go on a weeknight. They don't accept reservations so you may have to wait for a bit, but they have a lovely lounge area where a talented piano player plays while patrons wait to be seated(I can't remember his name).

I LOVE their lamb, really excellent. I don't eat seafood, but my husband says that the red fish he ate at Irene's was one of the best, if not the best, seafood he has ever had.

So we'll keep Irene's on the list. Now it's down to Gumbo Shop and Emeril's for the last meal. We loved NOLA so thought Emeril's would be a good choice. Others have told me Gumbo Shop has good creole food with a casual atmosphere (and I like the idea of being able to walk to it since we are staying in FQ). If you've been to both, let me know what you think.

Gumbo Shoppe is nice for a lunch on the patio, in my opinion.

Every person has his/her own favorites. The nice thing about New Orleans is that you almost can't go wrong. Some people will disagree, but it's tough to get a really bad meal in New Orleans. If I were you, I would think about WHY you want to go to a particular restaurant. If the primary reason is for good food, you'll be OK in most places. If you want to add the requirement for great service, reasonable prices, and a pretty ambience, then you begin to narrow the list. Obviously, you don't go to Jacques-Imo's for ambience, unless you want to see the hectic ambience of a crowded and noisy place where people are all having fun just eating. And you probably don't go to Commander's for reasonable prices. So just think to yourself: What do I want out of my remaining restaurant selections? Maybe you can narrow the list. Good luck.

By the way, I won't give you any opinion on your selections other than to say you won't be disappointed.

Excellent point, Wayne. I had added Emeril's to the list as I had been thinking of doing two high end/fancy dinners and two more casual. Then I started thinking I really don't need fancy, I just want good food. Not to mention that after a long day in the heat, I don't know that I'll want to get dressed up and might prefer a more casual spot we can walk to in FQ. So I'm thinking of skipping Emeril's (most folks seem to prefer NOLA in regards to cost versus quality and we have already been there) in lieu of the more casual Irene's and Gumbo Shop.

I hate to toss this in since you have pretty much made up your mind, but Masperos is also a very good, casual place to eat also.

The Gumbo Shop is ok but nothing to make you say "I'm glad I didn't miss eating there". We had some relatives from up North & Switzerland here to visit. They ate my home cooked redbeans & then ate at the Gumbo Shop.They were not impressed by the food there. They got a sampler plate of several things. It is a good safe place to eat where there usually are no surprises (good or bad) in the food. I agree that it's more a lunch choice than dinner.

I think Irene's is a must-dine place in New Orleans--tons of local folks go there and for whatever reason it doesn't show up much here on these boards. But it's excellent. I've dined there solo, for a romantic meal, and as part of a large group and the service & food were impeccable in each instance.

Irene's does has some of the best waiters and waitresses in New Orleans. They clearly take a lot of pride in what they do and are extremely knowledgeable about food and wine.

Although Irene's started as a local's secret, the word has definitely gotten out (hence my comment about either going early or going on a weeknight). When you're eating, look up at all of the signed pictures adorning the walls. It's a virtual who's who of Louisiana politics and cultures, with pics of John Breaux, Harry Connick w/family, Mary Landrieu, and Aaron Neville.

Sorry to add yet another possibility, but have you considered going to Brigtsen's (http://www.brigtsens.com/)? It's uptown and marvelous. You can take the St. Charles streetcar, get off on Maple, then go two blocks. Pretty reasonable prices and it's where the locals eat.

Snowrooster,

Be sure you have reservations for Commander's and reconfirm the day of. We almost missed our anniversary dinner one year by not reconfirming. Irene's is one of our favorites. I would skip Emeril's; Gumbo Shop is fine for lunch one day. Mike Anderson's is probably our best seafood restaurant in Baton Rouge (it originated here) and has another location in the Quarter. I would consider that for a casual dinner after a long day. Irene's would be perfect for your last night. (If you're not exhausted, skip Mike Anderson's and try Brigtsen's - it's one of our favorites but you will need reservations.) Central Grocery and Masperos are great for lunch.

Okay, I'm going to make reservations today. Now thinking Commander's, Brigsten's, Irene's and JacquImo's.

What's the dress at Brigsten's (their website didn't indicate)? I imagine if a jacket was required it would have been mentioned on their website.

Does the streetcar run all the way into the FQ now? On our last trip it only ran as far as Canal.

Thanks!
Lisa

The streetcar starts on Canal street and runs uptown, then comes back down towards FQ. Brigtsen's is uptown, so if you want to take the streetcar you need to take it up St. Charles, get off on Maple, and go two blocks to the left.

The dress at Brigtsen's is pretty relaxed. You'll find at most places in NO, saving a place like Galatoire's, people will wear khakis, jeans, etc. I usually wear a skirt and a top, and make my husband wear khakis and a button down shirt or polo.

Minor pet peeve, but it's JACQUES IMOS. Two words.

Off my soapbox now. Never understood why this place is quite so popular but tourists are lining up nightly to get in!

Thanks, Dan. I wasn't sure how it was spelled so I wing it every time I type it - now I know. I have a similar pet peeve with "a lot" so I get where you are coming from!

Personally, I'd try Olivier's. Great food.

Sarah Jessica Parker is filming a movie in NO right now and she's been going to Dante's Kitchen a lot. I've heard it's good as well.