Okay I'm going with Dante's since it's 2 to 1 (and I already have a reservation). Plus, it seems a little more New Orleans-y than Boucherie. I'll definitely give Tracy's a look, too. Thanks for the rec's!.

And how do you think it compares to Boucherie? Because now I'm thinking that I can move Port of Call to Sunday night and make that our dive bar/casual type day and move Boucherie to Tuesday night. If you could only pick one (Boucherie or Dante's Kitchen) which would you choose?

Thanks again. You guys have been very helpful!

Okay, I've finally been convinced and made reservations at Coquette instead of D&J and JI. I originally ruled it out because it looked a little too upscale but at second look it appears to be more of a bistro atmosphere. Would you say that's a correct assumption?

That leaves my food itinerary as:

Sat dinner: Cochon
Sunday lunch: Coop's Place
Sunday dinner: Dante's Kitchen
Monday lunch: Herbsaint
Monday dinner: Coquette
Tuesday lunch: Parasol's
Tuesday dinner: Port of Call

The only choice I'm second guessing now is Dante's Kitchen. I've heard some mediocre reports recently. Do you guys think it's worth it or would you recommend something else in its place (similar price point and atmosphere)? Would Dick and Jenny's or Jacques-Imo's be a better choice? I'd easily substitute Boucherie but they are closed Sunday night.

Also, I know Port of Call is a dirty gross burger joint. It's just tradition that I always eat my last meal in New Orleans there.

Thanks so much for your helpful suggestions!

So my friend and I are headed to Nola the last week in February. I've pretty much settled on all of our meals except our Monday night dinner and I've narrowed the list to Jacques-Imo's and Dick & Jenny's.

I lived in New Orleans pre-Katrina and at that time D&J was one of the most touted restaurants on this list. I remember having one of the best meals of my life there. Lately, it doesn't seem to pop up nearly as much and I had a just okay meal there on a visit about 4 years ago. I still have great memories of the place, though. What's the current consensus?

I've enjoyed Jacques-Imo's in the past but it can be hit or miss . . . and not always worth the wait/price. When it's good it's a heck of a lot of fun, though. My friend has never been to New Orleans and it has the kind of laid back atmosphere we are looking for.

Just so you know the other restaurants we are going to are Cochon, Coop's, Dante's Kitchen, Herbsaint, Parasol's and Port of Call.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks for your response. The bars you listed seem to be exactly what I'm looking for -- basically non-touristy, eclectic, divey type places with live music. I know I've been to Sweet Lorraine's before though I can't quite put my finger on what it looks like. And I've always heard Hi-Lo Lounge is fun.

I've heard great things about Boucherie but crossed it off my list because they're closed Sun/Mon. I already have a reservation for Cochon on Sat night (I know it's a little early but heard it could be tough to get a primetime spot) and going to Port of Call on my last night is sort of a non-official tradition of mine.

Still can't commit to Jacque-Imo's though. So if you can think of any other fun Monday night spots let me know.

HI!

So, I lived in New Orleans for two years just prior to Hurricane Katrina and planning a trip back with a foodie friend at the end of February. This will only be my second time back since the storm. I know it's a little early but have already been busy putting together a food itinerary. Some of the restaurants listed are places I frequented during my years as a resident so I'm curious to hear if these places have changed much; others are places I've never been to but dying to try.

Just for the record my friend and I are in our early 30's. We're not necessarily on a budget but don't wish to break the bank either. We don't particularly like to dress up and prefer places we can go in a t-shirt and jeans (exceptions listed below). We are very adventurous eaters (bring on the heart, sweet breads, etc.). We especially love great dives (and don't mind traveling to transitional neighborhoods) but want to mix it up with some slightly more upscale places as well. With all that in mind, if you can think of a place better than the ones listed, please let me know. Also, ordering suggestions are very welcome.

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Arrival: Saturday

Saturday dinner: Cochon

I've never been but their menu looks like it's exactly what we are looking for. Plus, I am a huge fan of Herbsaint (see below) so figured I have to try.

Sunday lunch: Coop's Place

This was one of my former hangouts when I lived in New Orleans. It wasn't always perfect but I've had some great meals there. The tasso and crawfish pasta was always one of my favorites.

Sunday dinner: Dante's Kitchen

This place wasn't even on my radar when I lived there. As I narrowed down my choices, though, Dante's Kitchen seemed to fit the bill as a slightly more upscale place that's still pretty casual with a very eclectic menu. Any dissenters?

Monday lunch: Herbsaint

So, this place is a little fancier than we usually go for but I used to work down the street and ate lunch at the bar quite a bit so it wouldn't really be a visit to NOLA without it. Very disappointed they took shrimp and grits off the menu, though. It was the absolute best preparation of this dish I've ever had (and I've had quite a few). Does anyone know what prompted its removal? I know it was very popular.

Monday dinner: Jacques-imo's

Okay, so this is probably the one choice I'm not 100% sold on but it just feels wrong to not go here. It's definitely touristy and even back in the day the food could be uneven . . . and yet . . . and yet . . . it's also a lot of fun, and just oh so very New Orleans. Unfortunately, it's also the priciest of my picks . . . do you guys feel it's worth the price?? I should also add that I have great memories of the New York outpost. Used to go there all the time when I lived in NY, so there's a nostalgia factor attached even if (strangely enough) it's for NY and not New Orleans.

Tuesday lunch: Parasol's

Never been but we want 'po-boys and the consensus seems to be that Parasol's has the best.

Tuesday dinner: Port of Call

It is what it is. I used to live up the street on Esplanande and ate here all the time. To me, just wouldn't be New Orleans without it.

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A couple of other questions:

Is Dick & Jenny's still any good? This was my favorite restaurant (next to Gabrielle) back in 2004, but didn’t think it was nearly as good on a visit back in 2007. Seemed off somehow. I've noticed it's fallen off the radar here on the boards so I sense it wasn't just an off night.

Other places I'm interested in but never tried: Cassamento's, Pascal's Manale, Liuzza's (on or off the track). Would you recommend any of these over my other choices?

Can someone recommend a great non-touristy jazz club? Very sad to see Donna's is gone.

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I guess that's it. I look forward to hearing your comments/suggestions.

James

Thanks for the replies. Is the SG on 56th owned by the same people as the one on 39th? Looks like the menus are similar but with a lot of different items. I'll probably end up going to the 39th street location for nostalgia's sake but do you think the 56th street location is significantly better?

Okay, so I realize this is not an original discussion.

The thing is I have been out of NY for a year and I'm bringing my good friend for a visit in a couple weeks and I've promised him an outstanding/authentic Sichuan meal. I ate at both restaurants at least a couple times a month when I lived in the city and I think they both have their pros and cons (the quality of SG seemed to decline a bit towards the end of my stay while GS isn't nearly as adventurous).

So has anyone had meals at either of them recently? Which would you recommend most highly as of the last couple of months?

Also, if you had to list your favorite three dishes at both (keeping in mind we are very adventurous eaters and have a very high tolerance for heat) what would you choose? I always had the same dishes when I visited (Chong Qing Spicy Chicken at GS, double cooked pork belly at SG) and wouldn't mind branching out a little this time.

Again, I realize there are many previous posts concerning this topic but since the quality of these restaurants does seem to fluctuate quite a bit I'd like a more recent consensus.

Thanks for your help!

James

Is Panya still open? When I try to search for it most sources say it is closed. Thanks!

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Panya
8 Stuyvesant St, New York, NY 10003

Thanks for the recommendations. I'm looking forward to trying all of these. I didn't specify a neighborhood because I'm open to traveling anywhere in the city. The only place I'v'e been to on your list is Num Pang (which I love). I walk by Xi'an Famous Foods all the time and I always want to try it but it is always packed . . . and I've always been curious about M2M Mart.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks.

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M2M
55 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10003

Num Pang Sandwich Shop
21 E 12th St, New York, NY 10003

Xi'an Famous Foods
88 E Broadway, New York, NY 10002

Hey Guys,

So I'm looking for recommendations for great cheap Asian food. I'm especially partial to Chinese (Szechuan Gourmet is my current obsession) and Vietmanese and love a lot lof heat (though not required). Basically, I'm a little broke right now so the cheaper the better but without compromising quality. My last requirment is I don't want to be waited on. I'm usually by myself so I'm more comfortable with places where I can order at a counter but that still has a seating area.

Thanks for your help!

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Szechuan Gourmet
21 W 39th St, New York, NY 10018

I just got home from dinner at Prune and was quite impressed. The seating is seriously cramped and can be very claustrophobic but everything else about the place is charming. One piece of advice: if you go for dinner skip the entrees. The appetizers and bar snacks are more like small plates and are "last meal on death row" amazing. I had the sardines with triscuits and the celery salad served with blue cheese on toast. These "snacks" were two of the best dishes I have ever eaten. For my entree I had the lamb blade chop. It was tasty, but very fatty and tough. I had a hard time cutting it and eventually just picked it up with my fingers. The other members of my party felt the same way, all the entrees were good but overpriced and paled in comparison to the appetizers.

Happy eating!!

Thank you for all of the great suggestions. Lots of places I've never been. Mortorino looks like it's the frontrunner right now but I'll let you know!

Hey Everyone:

I'm looking to take my boyfriend out for his birthday this Tuesday evening and looking for suggestions. The thing is . . . I'm pretty . . . broke . . . He's broke, too, and knows I am so he's not expecting much but I was hoping to find some place that we've never been that has amazing food with an inexpensive price tag.

Unlike me, he likes very simple food and prefers Italian. Doesn't need to be fancy or romantic and we definitely don't want to dress up.

Basically "foodwise" a place like John's would be perfect . . . but I don't want that "old school" atmosphere.

He lives in Williamsburg and I live in Astoria, so any place in Manhanttan, Brooklyn or Queens is great.

Right now, the best choice I've come up with is Veloce Pizzeria. Fairly cheap, great food and a fun atmosphere.

Can you suggest anything else along those lines?

Thanks!

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Veloce Pizzeria
103 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10003