I'm heading to New Orleans for a conference at the end of the month and was wondering whether you guys could help me out with where to eat.

I'll be there for 4 dinners (Thurs - Sun).

So far I've booked Cochon for Friday, Lilette for Saturday and August for Sunday dinners.

Having lunch at Galatoire's on Friday and probaby Domilise's on Saturday and brunch at Brennan's on Sunday.

Are any of these places that I should avoid or is there somehting else I should be trying?

Also, anyone know of a good wine shop near the French Quarter (staying at the W French Quarter).

Thanks in advance.

Your choices seem fine to me. I'm glad to see you're skipping Commander's Palace. Consider stopping in at Felix's Oyster Bar for a dozen and a weissbier. The barbecued shrimp at Pascale's Manale was worth a visit.

I went to college in New Orleans but haven't been back in some time so there are a number of restaurants that have opened since I left that are of interest when I go down again next month. On the top of that list is Restaurant August and Cuvee.

you cannot go wrong with Cochon. A great place in the French quarter, is Bayona...

There is a great place named WINO, the wine institute of New Orleans.. They are located in the Warehouse district and have some decent selections.

is it Drago's that has the grilled oysters? If the name is correct - they have great food. Try not to cry when you are at Brennans when they explain that the cellar was ruined in Katrina and ALL of their wine was lost.....

Our favorite restaurant in the state, Gabrielle, has been victimized twice. Too bad.

You've got a good line up. Here's a few things to consider.

Restaurant Stella- I have preferred them over August based on my last few visits. Both are terrific. Check out their websites. Menu's should be online.

Acme's in the Qtr- for lunch. get raw and charbroiled oysters and split a po boy.

Bourbon House next door is another great option for lunch...

Palace Cafe- you may want to check them out for brunch. Should be able to find theirs and Brennans menus online. Brennans is traditional and Palace is a more updated version of New Orleans/Creole.

Eat light at lunch and brunch. Split items and do apps. You can run out of steam for dinner...

Make sure to have a traditional cocktail at one of the many old time original bars...

NOLA- one of Emerils several restaurants has a great wine list and lot's by the glass. We love having lunch there. Great Shrimp and Grits.

W.I.N.O.(wine institute of New Orleans)- a wine bar/store on Tchoup. It's about 3 blocks north of your hotel. They have about 50 + wines available to taste and purchase.

Head uptown if the weather is nice. Great place to walk around and look at the older homes. Take the streetcar...

And last, don't miss preservation hall for jazz Thurs- Sunday...

hope this helps. Have a great time. The Qtr is as clean as ever. Weather should be great. I'll be there Monday myself.

K Paul's in the Quarter and the Gumbo Shoppe a few blocks from Jackson Square for lunch.

K Paul's is Paul Prudommes place. It has grown up since I last visited when it was a 10 table hole in the wall with some of the best Cajun martinis served in a mason jar.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Juicy,

Thanks for everyone's help. Looks like we have a good itinerary and I'll probably add Stella for Thursday night dinner.

W.I.N.O. uses the Enomatic system allowing you to taste a variety of reds and whites kept at the right temperature under nitrogen. You buy a pre-loaded credit card and self-serve whatever you want to taste.

Went to W.I.N.O. last night. They had a nice selection of wines to taste. Had the Tandem VDK Pinot, Tandem Ritchie Chard, Scott Paul Le Paulee pinot and a 05 1cru Burgundy.

A nice warm up before watching the Saints find 5 different ways to lose to the Vikings...

quote:

Originally posted by CSM:
I'm heading to New Orleans for a conference at the end of the month and was wondering whether you guys could help me out with where to eat.

I'll be there for 4 dinners (Thurs - Sun).

So far I've booked Cochon for Friday, Lilette for Saturday and August for Sunday dinners.

Having lunch at Galatoire's on Friday and probaby Domilise's on Saturday and brunch at Brennan's on Sunday.

Are any of these places that I should avoid or is there somehting else I should be trying?

Also, anyone know of a good wine shop near the French Quarter (staying at the W French Quarter).

Thanks in advance.

CSM

I lived in NOLA until Katrina. The following recs. are based on my experiences before the storm. I've only been back to La Petite Grocerie and remains excellent.

Skip Lilette (I lived two blocks away from this place); A much better place several blocks from Lilette on Magazine St. is La Petite Grocerie (One of my favorite places in NOLA). I would not bother with any of the tourist traps (Brennan's, Palace Cafe, Commanders Palace, Galatoires, Pascal Manale) If you really want to go to a tourist trap try any of the Emeril's restaurants (Delmonicos was my favorite on St. Charles Av).

Dragos for oysters (best charbroiled oysters I've ever had) A must if you like oysters. The rest of the items on the menu are ok; I used to have one their lobsters after several dozens of oysters.

A lot of great little places in the Uptown area: Dick and Jennys on Tchoupitoulas St and Matt and Naddies (I believe they both have websites now).

I have heard very good things about Cochon, never been there as it opened after Katrina.

For a simple coffee Rue de la Course (a local coffee chain)

Please post your comments once you come back from the Big Easy and enjoy your trip

I was thinking about La Petite, but according to the reviews I've read it's gone downhill.

Was having a tough time getting a reservation anywhere that Saturday, which was why we settled on Lilette.

Personally I'd sub Bayona for August. Last trip August was dissapointing and I had a much better time and meal at Bayona.

I'm also not a fan of Acme. Some people love it, but I'd rather go to the bar at Bourbon House (next door) anytime.

I always enjoy the Louisiana Pizza Kitchen for lunch, or Sunday dinner. It's casual, with a fun wine list, and good pizza.

I got really sick the March after Katrina after eating oysters. Got the Katrina Crud too, but I think that was unrelated. Anyway, I decided I'm not eating an oyster again in NOLA until they build a memorial for Katrina. I figure by the time that happens, the oysters should be ok for my tummy again.

Hit Drago's this week for Oysters. Both the raw and charbroiled were great.

I prefer the Metairie location over the one downtown if you have a car although parking is always a challenge.

New Orleans...yummmm. Our favorites from our last trip were Stella, August, and Brigsten's. Brigsten's was especially great - both food and atmosphere. It involves a cab ride but is worth it. If you go to Stella, get the chocolate grilled cheese sandwich and report back. I didn't get it and have been thinking of it ever since.

We had horrible service at Bayona, which really affected our meal. And I agree with skipping Brennan's. Have fun - I'm jealous!!!

quote:

Originally posted by CSM:
I'm heading to New Orleans for a conference at the end of the month and was wondering whether you guys could help me out with where to eat.

I'll be there for 4 dinners (Thurs - Sun).

So far I've booked Cochon for Friday, Lilette for Saturday and August for Sunday dinners.

Having lunch at Galatoire's on Friday and probaby Domilise's on Saturday and brunch at Brennan's on Sunday.

Are any of these places that I should avoid or is there somehting else I should be trying?

Also, anyone know of a good wine shop near the French Quarter (staying at the W French Quarter).

Thanks in advance.

Nice choices except for Brennan's. It's the worst of the old line New Orleans restaurants. I ate there a couple month ago for a business dinner and confirmed my long-held belief that it's way overrated - the menu looked like something from the 70s (it was laminated for easy cleaning), the food was mediocre and uninteresting and our server knew nothing about wine despite having been there for 20+ years (bet you didn't know Sancerre is a Burgundy wine).

And I have to strongly disagree with Redknife about Lilette. My wife and I love the place and we recommend it to out of towners all the time.

Vieux Carre Wine and Spirits is one block up Chartres from your hotel. Haven't shopped there in a few years but it used to have a pretty decent selection.

In addition to the restaurants listed above, I'd add Gautreau's uptown on Soniat. http://www.gautreausrestaurant.com/

We've settled on Stella for dinner on Thursday night and have decided to pass on Brennan's I think. Wineaux, if you could recommned another good place for a Sunday brunch, I'd appreciate it.

Think we're going to have breakfast at Elizabeth's on Saturday morning and may be subbing Upperline for August on Sunday.

Thanks for everyone's help. Can't wait to get down there and will be sure to post my thoughts when I get back.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: CSM,

CSM, Are you there this weekend?

We arrive Thursday night and leave Monday.

Next weekend unfortunately. Arrive the 23rd and leave the 27th.

We had a great Sunday Brunch at Palace Cafe last year.

Our favortite time to go to Commanders was for brunch but have not been since Katrina. I thought they really set the standard for brunch. I'd give it a shot again. It's been several years since I've lived in New Orleans but CP was very much supported by locals before the storm...

quote:

Originally posted by CSM:
We've settled on Stella for dinner on Thursday night and have decided to pass on Brennan's I think. Wineaux, if you could recommned another good place for a Sunday brunch, I'd appreciate it.

Think we're going to have breakfast at Elizabeth's on Saturday morning and may be subbing Upperline for August on Sunday.

Thanks for everyone's help. Can't wait to get down there and will be sure to post my thoughts when I get back.

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IMO, Commanders is still very good these days, but while it's still a great restaurant experience, the food is not in the wow category like it was 10 or so years ago. For a little less coin, less formality and more creative food, we usually go to Palace Cafe if we're doing a brunch on Sundays.

Actually, CSM, I'm wondering how you're going to survive all these restaurants over four days. That's a hell of a lot of serious meals in a short time span. I'd be waving the white flag after day two.

i have eaten in all Emerils places
service ,food, wine ,
is allway's the best!!!!!

quote:

Actually, CSM, I'm wondering how you're going to survive all these restaurants over four days. That's a hell of a lot of serious meals in a short time span. I'd be waving the white flag after day two.

Working out in the morning before breakfast and again before dinner is the plan (probably stick to it for one day).

Paul- They built a memorial for Katrina so I guess you can eat the oysters. I don't eat raw ones, so good luck!

To the original poster- skip Lilette for La Petit. Lilette has always been overrated.

W.I.N.O. is a fun place to visit. You should definitely stop by.