I'm very confused about this comment. I was stating that the $15-$25 was where most of my suggestions sit. Commander's would be more than that, and expensive.

I will state that I've never been to Root, but at $30 an entree, still sits close to my statement of $15-$25 a plate.

Luci2123 is welcome to research further by googling menus to look at other things like appetizers and cocktails.

Why the nit-picking?

The last time I was at Bacchanal's, which was Oct 2011, the only food there was from a food truck, which was quite delicious, but there was not food sold from Bacchanal's. Being that I paid cash for the food, I assume that they are two different entities, two different companies. Therefore, I don't think of them as a connected one, seeing that the food truck could go elsewhere and sell its food at other bars that don't offer food.

Maybe this party has past, but you have to go with Jacque Imo's. They only take reservations for larger parties, and with that many people, you're bound to get the "bonus room", where there's one long farm table in a room by itself. It's always a great place for a large party.

Skip Acme. If you want oysters, do Drago's.
Bacchanal's is just a wine bar.

I just replied to another "moderately priced restaurants" post.
Scan that post for some new ideas. There's a lot of new restaurants on that thread.

My only note about your list is, why La Petite Grocery? I've walked past and glanced at their menu several times, and there just doesn't seem to be anything too exciting about it.

There's a buzz around Maurepas Foods, so I think that's a great one to do. And, as for the other two, I don't really hear much about those, positive or negative. I guess in my circle, those aren't real popular haunts.

Have a delicious trip!

Thought of more!
Dante's Kitchen is a local favorite, along with Matt & Naddy's, and Dick & Jennys. These are all along the river in Uptown through to the Riverbend area - all cab-worthy.
Cochon is in the Warehouse District.
Root is getting a lot of attention, also in the Warehouse District.
Superior Seafood has a great Happy Hour, and that's just a streetcar ride away. Delicious discounted frozen mojitos and $.25 raw oysters.
Have you tried Jacquimo's? Many out-of-towners are in the loop now about this gem. You can get there via streetcar... normally*
* Streetcar tracks are under construction, so it's not running it's whole St. Charles/Carrollton route.

I'd say they're probably all in the moderate sector if you could Stella's and Commander's Palace in the "expensive". About $15-$25 a plate.

I just went to Apolline on Magazine. Delicious and decently priced. Also a fan of Rue 21, although I can't remember if it's "New Orleans" food.

My husband and I were supposed to host Thanksgiving at our place this year. But, due to some illness and anxiety, we were unable to get our house up to snuff for the company. So, we've moved locale, but I'm still cooking.

Because the turkey takes so long, I'm not looking forward to hanging out at the in-law's house for hours and hours of watching a turkey cook.

Is it possible for me to partially or fully cook the bird, throw some foil over the top, and trek it 30-45 minutes to the in-laws' house?

I don't want to ruin it, so I'll bare the hours if I need to. This is my first time cooking Thanksgiving. I'm not doing everything either, so those 4 hours of cook time won't be filled with cooking. I plan on making the cranberry sauce and two pies tonight, and packing up supplies for everything tomorrow, if I must cook at the in-laws place. Tomorrow I will have to make the stuffing, the turkey, some glazed carrots, and mashed potatoes. Everything else is being provided by family. The in-laws kitchen is a lot nicer and larger than mine, so I'm not bummed to be using it. But, its just those mindless hours in the morning of waiiiiiittttting.

Also, 4 hours for a 17.5 lb turkey? That's what I was planning. Is that about right?

How do I KNOW if my frozen turkey is salt-injected? It doesn't say it right on there.. I have this Frozen Young Turkey from Butterball.
http://www.butterball.com/product/frozen-whole-turkey
Ingredients: Turkey, Water, Salt, Modified Food Starch, Sodium Phosphates, Natural Flavorings.
Or maybe I have the Fresh one?
http://www.butterball.com/product/fre...
Still, Ingredients: Whole Young Turkey. Contains up to 8% of a solution of Water, Salt, Spices to Enhance Tenderness and Juiciness.

It has salt in the ingredients. *sigh* I was looking forward to trying a brine this year.

Ohhhh... a fancy crawfish boil? That's an idea.

Thanks for all the suggestions, keep them coming! I have looked into many of the suggestions already. Rosy's so an amazing space, does their own catering, but their prices are about $40+ a head. Crazy to me. Audubon Tea Room is even more and a little more fancy than I'm imagining.

Any ideas of something more like a large in-restuarant buffet?
I've looked into House of Blues, but decided chain restuarants need to be out.
Acme Oyster House is one I plan to visit as well.
Pat O'Briens wanted $40 a head... must be all in the name. Can't imagine it's for the food.
Muriel's would be amazing, but the pricing is more than I care to spend as well, even though the locale and rep make it more worth it.

I may rethink the amount of people I invite. If it ends up being less than 100 people, I would love to up the cost. Calcasieu would be really great for all my foodie friends.

Keep 'em coming!
Thanks!

-----
Acme Oyster House
1202 N Highway 190, Covington, LA 70433

House of Blues
225 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Oh, sorry, I edited... realized that I'm inviting 200 total for the Minnie and NOLA events, so I'm not anticipating ALL to get to NOLA.

Thanks though!

My husband and I were married in Hawaii on October 15th. We eloped, alone, no family knew we were even out of town. I grew up in New Orleans, he in Minneapolis. We now live in Minneapolis. We want to celebrate with our friends and family in Spring 2010 - two parties, one in New Orleans and one in Minneapolis. It's a little late, but it's too darn cold here to have the kind of party we want.

Because it's so much after our elopement, it won't be like a Wedding Reception. We've already decided that the one here will be in his father's backyard, tents, table/chairs, simple catering, with a titch of Luau feel. For the one in New Orleans, we don't have the option of someone's backyard, so we need a Location. This is where you come in.

Location. Location. Location.
Here's what I need: holds 100, authentic New Orleans homecookin', simple, cash bar option, close enough to Uptown/Quarter that my out-of-town guests don't need a car, buffet-style option, no need to hire outside catering or rent any decor items, a house band would be awesome - but at least the option to bring in, Friday night or Sunday morning, AND less than $30 a head.

Right now in the running: Crescent City Brewhouse, The Columns Hotel, maybe Mother's?

I've searched and received tons of information from the typical wedding reception places. But, I'm thinking we don't need all that hoopla.

More importantly, I want authentic New Orleans, not the boxed version for the tourists.

Have you had or attended a wedding and were just impressed by the reception?
Do you have a favorite location that you know has space for receptions?

Because I'm out of town, when I get into town, I won't have too much time to jolt around sampling and scouting. So, be my eyes, ears, and tastebuds. Most important to me is giving my guests real homecookin' New Orleans food from real New Orleanians without the "jazzy-ness", cajun-ness or any other Ness's that makes it feel like a theme.

-----
Columns Hotel
3811 Saint Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70115

Crescent City Brewhouse
527 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70130

I am registering at Macys and Bed Bath and Beyond for sure. I want to register at Sur la Table, but I'm afraid bc of it's lack of locations, I may not get anything from there. I may end up registering at Target as well for household decor items. And I love Crate and Barrel for their serving dishes, curtains, vases, pillows... random more decorative items.

Is 5 places too much?

So far I've only started one at Macys. I've been to Sur la Table and have picked out the knives I want (I liked the weight and handle on the Henckell's. And because I'm new to "good knives", I want to get a basic block with a couple of extra slots for future knife investments).

I also like the brand of nonstick cookware they sell - Scanpan. They told me they don't scratch with metal utensils, a bad habit I have never broken. Anyone know anything about these?

I want to register for All Clad, but choose pieces instead of a set most likely. I don't know that I'll ever use a skillet that's not nonstick. Macy's had an All Clad set that came with 2 skillets. And they don't give much options for registering for pieces of the sets.

What do you think about registering at a store that few, if none, of my friends and family shop at? I just love the store, and think they have superior products, but I'm afraid of running the risk of not getting my main items - cookware and knives - because I registered for them at a store that no one has a desire to find.

Okay. One last bump on this thread. Let's see if I can get a little more advice!

I've been looking at the All-Clad and Cephalon pots and pans. I'm a little reluctant to register for items so expensive! Any other pots/pans that are a little more cost efficient that you can recommend? I understand the investment, but I really need to think about my friends and family, all who are struggling in this economy.

Meanwhile, I know there are many many threads on cookware. So I'll peruse those as well.

Thank you so much for the suggestions.
Keep them coming!

My fiance and I have lived in our house for 3 years. Not to mention our years outside of our parents home, I will say that we have all the basics for a cooking kitchen. It's getting time to upgrade by registering.

There are some things I still haven't bought myself: the Kitchenaide Standup Mixer (which is my #1 WANT), a food processor, a decent microwave and blender, cast iron skillet, decent pots (I have some from Ikea! Blasphamy!), and knives that cut more than my fingers (my current set is also from Ikea. I'm not proud). Makes, models, and accessories suggestions for these items please!

What fancy gadgets, knives, pots/pans, baking sheets, utensils, plug-in appliances should I be asking my dear friends and family to purchase for us to make our home kitchen more than just a start-up kitchen?

What are some items that you would like to upgrade in your kitchen?