Help !!! Leaving in 2 days !!

It has been a long time ago so this may not be a good indicator, but we were exiled to an upstairs room that seemed like a banquet room, but was being used for regular seating. To this day I laugh about stepping over a napkin on the floor on my way into the room. When we finished hours later, I stepped over that same napkin still there. It also seemed like all the waiters up their were in training or doing their first night on the job. At least don't let them take you upstairs.

Actually, the room considered the most desirable at Commander's Palace is the garden room, which IS upstairs! If you're very lucky you'll have a table at the window overlooking the garden. However, let me add that nearly everyone requests that room so don't expect to get it. My second favorite place is by the window on the ground level adjacent to the garden.

If it's nice, you might enjoy sitting in the courtyard. Some people love the Garden room, but I personally don't get it. It seems that the main dining room on the first floor is the most formal, and I've always had the best service when seated there. Se sure to specify on your reservation where you'd like to sit rather than waiting until you get there in case it's packed. Have a great meal...it's truly one of the best dining experiences in the world.

Where is the Commander's Palace?

Commander's is in New Orleans. They also have a branch in Vegas. It's usually listed as one of the top restaurants in the nation and is owned by the Brennan family.

Sadly, Commander's executive chef Jamie Shannon passed away just this week. He was only 40.

I would eat at any of Emeril's places in New Orleans and leave the older places alone. I too notice one or two people answer every question raised about New Orleans on this discussion and suggest you go to the local message boards like the one at www.nola.com for info on New Orleans, they have varried people who answer questions. Here's a short report on NOla's from www.nola.com

"An exception to this rule is Nola's cedar-plank roasted redfish. The fish was served on the plank, sheathed in a coarse armor of citrus zest and horseradish. The crust was unexpectedly subdued, the sharpest flavor coming from the caramelized zest, which tasted vaguely of licorice, almost like fennel. The fish itself absorbed a butter-lemon sauce that was mostly butter, providing a backbone for the fish's naturally delicate flavor."

Ate at Commander's Palace on my last trip to NO in 1980. Haven't been back to the city since, and haven't had a better meal since.

I plead guilty to replying to posts about New Orleans. I'm certainly no expert, but I've been enjoying NO's hospitality for 40 years. I've stayed lots of places and eaten in lots of restaurants...some good, some bad. Is there a reason I shouldn't feel comfortable responding? I don't think so. In my opinion, Emeril's restaurants are mediocre at best. As for those "older" places, Commander's Palace and Galatoire's continue to be nationally recognized.

You reserve, which hopefully you've done already, and you get a table. WHERE you sit is not nearly so important as acquiring a table.