mikey's Profile
Vizards?
Don't listen to them. I love this restaurant. It is one of my top 10 in New Orleans. Also, please be aware that they have gone back to doing full dinners rather than small plates. Kevin Vizard makes the best creme brulee in the city. Also, his appetizer of eggplant with fresh lump crabmeat is one of my favorite dishes in New Orleans. Now, be prepared for a very small, intimate restaurant. It is also rather dressy. Located in uptown New Orleans, an area known for being a bit snooty, this place caters mostly to local swells. The fact that half of the people all know each other might turn others off as it is kind of clubby. Still, the owners could not be nicer and the waiters are excellent. Food is prepared to order so it can get just a bit slow. Just order a few appetizers and have some wine. I really love Vizards and would certainly choose it any day over a burger place like Cowbell which is very good but in comparison, I would pick creole food like that served at Vizards rather than hamburgers. Good luck. if you do end up going to Vizards, do write back. I hope you enjoy it.
Las Vegas Food Report. Good and Bad.
I have to say I was a bit mislead on some things while others were spot on. I posted a simple request for a really fun, chic, happening, see and be seen place with good food, well dressed people, not stuffy but also no shorts either. Sadly, I did not get many responses. I really wanted to impress some clients. Well, I luckily found the place on my own and it fit the description. More on that one later.
First stop was lunch at Central. TOTAL disappointment! First of all, the place is not cheap. I read about it in countless food reviews that it was the hot place to go. Don't even think about ordering lunch until 11:30, it's breakfast only. The wait staff was surly, service slow, and food mediorcre. My croque madame did not come with the fried egg, it was topped with cold and thick bechamel sauce that looked more like country white gravy than anything else. Plus, it was not broiled with cheese on top. I am not kidding when I saw that La Madeleine makes a better one for half the price. I was really looking forward to it but have to admit that I was not overwhelmed.
Dinner at Jaleo was incredibly good. Quite the opposite; excellent service and extraordinarily good tapas. True authentic Spanish food right in the heart of Las Vegas. This operation is top notch. Loved the bartenders and the fantastic wait staff. Had dates with bacon, tortilla espanola, fresh toasted bread with jamon serrano and fresh tomatos, shrimp with garlic sauce. Honestly, each plate had one good dish after the other. We ordered and I swear our first plate came out in 5 minutes. We were a big group and the server was patient and overwhelmingly kind and helpful. Big success
Lunch at Dos Caminos at the Palazzo was quite good. The poor place was almost empty at 1:00 on a Friday which was a bit sad. Still food was nice. Nothing incredible but good. Nice waiter, good tacos, and absolutely excellent guacamole and sauces. Margaritas were wonderful too. I would certainly go back if I wanted Mexican food but it would have to be to satisfy a Margarita craving.
Lunch alfresco at Mon Ami Gabi was also loads of fun. My salad with tuna was mouth wateringly good. The chicken sandwich was fantastic and so was the "tuna melt". It was so good that I really think they need to rename the dish. Service was a bit on the slow side as there was a huge wait. It is a popular place and it is one of the only places with such large outdoor seating on the strip. Loads of fun too. This was my third time going and I still love it every time.
Dinner at Yellowtail was incredibly good. I read good things about the restaurant on this web site and it was all spot on correct. Probably some of the best Japanese food I have had in a long time. Appetizers were amazingly inventive and the rolls delicious. Also, desserts were glorious; chocolate cake with orange foam etc. That kind of stuff. Brilliant and good. It's dark inside so best go for dinner. The bar is fun and the place was crowded so my guess is that it is a popular place.
I am sorry to say that the Atelier de Joel Robichon was kind of a disappointment. I should have just splurged and gone to the beautiful dining room at the signature restaurant next door. I love bar dining too but this was kind of depressing. Everything seemed red and black. The interior was rather unimpressive and institutional looking. Next door, everything was gorgeous and elegant. Prices are wickedly expensive. Painful in fact. I bit the bullet and ordered a bunch of small plates which were definitely small. Don't get me wrong. Food was very good but a little appetizer of eggplant and sardines was about 20 dollars. The "Le Burger" (excellent) was up there too. The onion tart was totally humdrum. I just could not match price with quality. Wine list was sensational. My advice would be to just go to the main place. It is not that much more in price and the atmospthere is so much nicer. I liked 'Atelier but I would probably not go back.
Olives continues to impress me with excellent service and perfectly wonderful, American food. I had a salad with chicken that was absolutely wonderful. This was also my third time going and I would go back every time. Really fun, bustling, and great. Big portions too.
So, my favorite place now in all of Las Vegas and my big gold star and Academy Award goes to STK. What a blast! Now, let me just start by saying that this place is NOT for everyone. It is so popular and so crowded that you have to really be ready for something like this. A friend whom I trust told me that it would be my favorite place and she was right. It was just what I wanted. I had 9;30 reservations and when I walked in the place was overflowing with well dressed and glam people. Everyone was smiling, happy, enjoying good cocktails and swaying the the music. The DJ is the best in Vegas. 80s tunes, 70s tunes, 90s tunes, and stuff from today. All hip, fun, and energized. The place was so fun that people were getting up from their tables to dance with people from other tables. A post-disco dance party seems to form when a good song comes on. Food? Sublime! The best fois gras I have had in a long time. I am still dreaming of the truffled fois gras. My steak with bernaise was exceptionally good and the mushroom tart was exquisite. We did not leave until well after mindnight and the place was still bustling with people. LOADS of fun! People were well dressed and ready for a good party. I highly recommend STK but definitely NOT if you can't take loud, pop music or big crowds. You need patience. Also, STK gets big awards for buying us drinks because the table was not ready. Restaurants never seem to do that anymore. The wait staff must be hand picked because they seemed beautifully equipped to meet the demands of the rich and famous with a smile too. The night I was there, a prince from Dubai was at the other table. I can tell that the place caters to a demanding crowd and the staff accomodates. Plus, they're fun as hell and a joy to chat with. Anyway, I could keep raving but won't. Don't blame me though if you have a miserable time because of the noise and drunk factor. If someone is dancing at your table, just join in with them. Why fight it? Live it up.
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Mon Ami Gabi
3655 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Dos Caminos
3325 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Jaleo
3708 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
The hot spot
I just made a reservation at Barrymore. I mean, the descriptions could not be more perfect; old school, dressy, small and intimate, good food, etc. Looks like fun. Thanks.
The hot spot
Wow. Excellent. Thanks for your reply. It definitely seems like the Cosmo is the place to see right now so I have a reservation set. It says something if the time I wanted was taken a month in advance. Thanks for mentioning Bartolotta and Lotus and The Barrymore. I will take a look. That was just what I wanted. I also want to at least walk inside the Mandarin. It sounds amazing.
The hot spot
Sorry. I guess I was too wordy or too narrow on this one. I did make a reservation at Jaleo. Hoping for the best. Thanks.
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Jaleo
3708 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
The hot spot
Have two clients and will be in town in early November. Clients love to dress up, drink good wine, eat fancy food, stay up late, get loud and bawdy, people watch, and hit the latest "see and be seen" place on the strip. What do you suggest? What is the latest hot spot in Vegas? I want to impress. Not quiet and romantic but please no buffet or too casual. I am thinking small, intimate, lively, but not a t-shirt type of place. Any ideas? I am leaning towards Jaleo as I have been to the one in DC and it was loads of fun.
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Jaleo
3708 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Recent spectacular meals and one truly awful experience
Thanks Littleman. Got carried away!
Recent spectacular meals and one truly awful experience
Maybe so. I could not help thinking to myself, what a great location. Exactly the opposite of what you said; CBD, FQ, and Sheraton/Marriott hotel guests attending conferences. What a perfect location. But you must be right. Just too far out of the way. Take that other place on Magazine for example that was some latin place with bad food and now it is going to be something called "Ruby Slipper Cafe" . It is just down the street. To be honest, I find it easier to park around there then near Cochon and Rio Mar. Cowbell!! That is the name. I must give it a try. Apparently, it is in that old gas station on the corner of Oak and River Road.
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Cochon
930 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, LA 70130
Rio Mar Restaurant
800 South Peters, New Orleans, LA 70130
Recent spectacular meals and one truly awful experience
i also forgot to mention this complete gem. The chef one night served sturgeon that was one of the best things I have put in my mouth all year. This woman really knows how to cook. Plus, the restaurant is beautiful, elegant, refined, and so smooth. Everything seems to run with perfection.
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Gautreau's Restaurant
1728 Soniat St, New Orleans, LA 70115
Recent spectacular meals and one truly awful experience
New Orleans food is always good. I am lucky to live in a city where one rarely has a bad meal. It is usually a question of how excellent the food is. Due to holidays, friends in from out of town, and general dining out, I managed to have some of the most excellent meals I have had in a long time. It just does not get any better. First, one of the most superior meals recently took place at Mat and Naddie's. I have always enjoyed this restaurant; funky, laid back, friendly, and usually great food. This time the place was so spot on I could not get over it. I don't know who is doing the cooking over there but it gets a big bravo from me. My second most memorable took place at Meauxbar in the French Quarter. It is basically in tourist central and 90 percent of the patrons are locals. Dim lighting, convivial atmosphere, an owner tending to everyone's needs, and magnificent food. First of all, this is the best macaroni and cheese I have ever put in my mouth. The roasted curried fish is sublime as is the trout grenobloise. My friend had roasted pork which was perfection and also, Meauxbar serves some of the best coconut sorbet I have ever put in my mouth. I don't even like sorbet that much. Usually Italian food takes a back seat in New Orleans compared to creole but the big exception is A Mano. I can now say that we have a restaurant that knows how to serve pasta. Light, fresh, and buttery. Excellent. I was treated one night to a big meal at Tommy's-a restaurant I always enjoy for the atmosphere as much as for the food. Prices are extraordinarily reasonable considering the quantity of fresh crabmeat, oysters, shrimp, and fish. It is really one of our best creole restaurants around. For the bargain of the city, go straight to Boucherie. How do they manage to put out such incredibly good food at such reasonable prices? Small plates and large plates alike. I know people who have closets as big as this restaurant (admittedly wealthy, over the top folks) but the good food just does not stop. It is not easy to get in due to the size but reservations are accepted. Now for the bad news. My friend and I walked toward Canal Street one day. Weather was nice and that good sandwich and salad place Wilty's on Camp was closed. So we passed up Rambla in order to try that new place with the odd name "Red Gravy". Good LORD! The interior was a bit dirty, the ceiling is has stained tiles that look straight out of the year 1985 and the tables are small and uncomfortable. You order at the counter with someone who has no clue what she is selling. Meat ball poboy with red gravy looked cold and grey. My ham sandwich was served on what tasted like mediocre grocery store bakery french bread and deli ham. I will say that the desserts looked rather tasty as did the bakery items, however, muffins were just sitting on plates uncovered. I could not get out of there fast enough. How sad considering the location is incredible. If I want a ham sandwich I just stand in line at Mahoney's where that sugary crusted ham is served on proper Leidenheimer's crispy bread. Happy eating everyone. I still have not tried Sylvain which is high on my list. I heard of another place at the end of Oak Street with great food. Is it called Cowpoke?
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Rambla
217 Camp Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
Meauxbar
942 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116
Boucherie
8115 Jeannette St, New Orleans, LA 70118
Columbia Cafe - Shreveport
it is always a favorite of mine when I go to Shreveport. Food is good and the molten chocolate cake is excellent.
No car, no fun, need help
Hey! Thanks everyone. What great replies. This gives me all KINDS of ideas and just what I wanted; cool bars, good dinner food, a good burger place, and something Mexican. I will certainly report back. Okay, one more possible thing I forgot to mention. Is there a breakfast place nearby? I am sure ANYTHING beats some standard Hilton buffet. All I want is a scrambled egg and not pay 20 dollars for it. The other suggestions are fantastic. Will let you all know how it goes. Thanks!
Mikey
No car, no fun, need help
Sadly, I am stuck in a great city but in a fairly dull part of town. Will be in San Diego for a conference staying at a Hilton Bay front hotel. Convention Hell. If I wanted to get two great dinners where should I go? And, a great lunch not in the hotel. So, for one night, I will be looking for fun: loud, crowded, posh, popular, fun bar crowd, great food, and upscale. The other night: great food a must, good wine list, hopefully elegant. For lunch-what is the best burger within walking distance to that Hilton? Or, best Mexican. This can be total hole in the wall. I hope this is not too much to ask for. And, if there is a real must not miss place within a taxi ride, that is fine too. Many thanks for any help you can give me. I am looking forward to having some good food this time around.
Anyone eaten at Oak?
I had the cheese plate and it was great but that is certainly not the litmus test for good food.
Have Specific Ideas in Mind--Hoping for Matching Recs!
These were really good responses from everyone else.
Breakfast:
You mentioned beignets. There is really only one place to get them and it is Cafe Du Monde in the French Quarter. Is it touristy? Definitely. Do locals go? Hell yes!. I love the place and consider it a treat every time I am there. We all love Cafe Du Monde and it would be a shame to miss it. If you want a big creole breakfast, then go to Mother's on Poydras or Lil Dizzy's on Poydras St.
LUNCH: Some of the famous places in the French Quarter are a mix of tourists and locals. For oysters and seafood, Acme Oyster House is great but it is heavily touristed. I would take the steetcar or the Magazine St bus and go to Joey Ks. I think that is the best place which fits your description. Prices are good, wait staff is the real thing, and the shrimp po-boy is one of the best in town. BBQ is not the greatest in New Orleans. Instead, go to "Butcher" which is next door to Cochon. You could also take the streetcar and stop off at the corner of St. Charles and 7th St. and eat at "The Grocery". You can grab a po-boy, sit outside on the avenue, and watch the world go by.
DINNER: If you decide to stay downtown, I would recommend a small, intimate, locals type of place. Try either Herbsaint for really good local food, or Meaux Bar on Rampart St. for excellent food and a wonderful atmosphere with great locals always there. August and Emerils will be pricey and I don't think it is what you are after. If you want to get out of downtown, for a true local experience with a great atmosphere, try Upperline on the corner of Upperline St. and Prytania. You get true creole food, great people watching, wonderful ecclectic art, a charming owner/hostess who visits all patrons, and mouth watering fish, oysters, and shrimp. If not, someone recommended Coquette which is excellent but not highly local in cuisine. You also cannot go wrong with Vizard's which is on Magazine St. in the uptown area. Small plates are served here but with a bent toward local cuisine. Always good gumbo and don't miss the fried egglplant with crabmeat. Good luck!
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Lil Dizzy's Cafe
1500 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116
Cochon
930 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, LA 70130
Acme Oyster House
724 Iberville St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Emeril's Restaurant
800 Tchoupitoulas, New Orleans, LA 70130
Herbsaint
701 Saint Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130
Joey K's Restaurant & Bar
3001 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115
Upperline Restaurant
1413 Upperline St, New Orleans, LA
Meauxbar
942 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116
WHICH ONE FOR DINNER: MiLa, Herbsaint, or Le Foret?
If I had to chose between those three, it would definitely be Herbsaint. It is warm and cozy in the December too. Mila ieaves me a bit cold especially at dinner. Lunch is great though and a bargain.
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Herbsaint
701 Saint Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130
RATS
I will be in Philadelphia for one day. Tomorrow, Monday. I had one of the greatest meals at Le Bec Fin and was dying to go back but sadly, it is closed for lunch on Mondays. I have a dinner engagement but would love to grab a great lunch. For another place within walking distance what do you all suggest? I will be on Broad St. near the corner of Walnut. Looking for great food. I will be dressed up but if it is casual, that is fine too. Anything mouth watering that is recommended. Many thanks for your suggestions.
Mikey
First NOLA trip in 10 years and I need help - pretty please :)
Oh boy, you are going to get LOADS of responses to this query and everyone will have his or her opinion. I will let the oyster/seafood/poboy crowd answer all those. To be honest, I actually like the food more at Emeril's than August. For some reason August has never blown me away. I will be interested to see how you compare it to other places. If I had two or three places to recommend for good food right now, I would put Patois right up at the top. Each time I eat there, I am more and more overwhelmed by the quailty of the food plus a lot of local produce and seafood enter the picture. If someone were taking me out to dinner and asked me to pick three of my favorite places for FOOD, rather than just the whole experience, I would pick Patois, Lillete, and Coquette. I think all three are putting out magnificent food. Now, if someone were to say, I want to take you to your favorite place, I would probably say Clancy's. The food is fantasitc, the atmosphere is warm and friendly, the place is constantly packed and buzzing with people and the scene is wonderful as the food. It is LOUD and bawdy so it is hard to recommmend when someone wants a quiet, elegant dinner. Recently, Commanders Palace has been outstanding so I am glad you are going there. Also, Gautrau's sits way high on my list as well. Food is wonderful and the place is refined and beautiful so it is definitely a worthy date night. I have not been to Mr. B's in ages so I cannot comment. For some reason, it never even crosses my mind. If you want to sample true creole food, Upperline is still a gem. And, much to gasps and horrors from locals, I always find the Emeril's flagship restaurant a big treat. Go at lunch. They serve fabulous three course specials including the big assorted bread basket.
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Emeril's Restaurant
800 Tchoupitoulas, New Orleans, LA 70130
Upperline Restaurant
1413 Upperline St, New Orleans, LA
Near Brown Palace
Fantastic!! Thanks so much everyone for all these great ideas. I am SET! Also, thanks for the review on the Brown Palace. I cannot say how many times I have been at a nice hotel only to find that breakfast takes hours with fawning waiters wearing starched uniforms and name tags who bring out standard eggs and bacon and cold toast. Although they constantly refill water and coffee, the preparation takes forever. Give me the corner breakfast place anyday. Even if they are packed, it seems to go faster. BUT... that said, once in a while a top notch hotel also has magnificent breakfasts with delectable buffets so I will give it a try and see how it goes. I ate at a breakfast buffet in Dallas on Tuesday-some institutional HIlton off of a highway called Lincoln Center that offered a pathetic 22 dollar buffet with cold eggs, tasteless fruit and granola, and weak coffee. What a joke. I know the Brown Palace will certainly top some national chain. As for the choices, LOVE them! I like street carts and breakfast burritos as well as pastries, etc. Plus, thanks for the restaurant hints. This is great stuff. I will try and report back. Thanks again, MIkey
Help me figure out the best eating strategy for our 3 day / 2 night trip
Well this is good. I think you have narrowed down your requests really well. First of all, you can DEFINITELY avoid tourist traps. Don't even think about wasting a good meal at one of those places in the French Quarter with men standing outside the door trying to lure you in. I have not done the 3 course lunch at August but the food is very good and you will enjoy it. Now, Jacques-Imo's. Hmm. People seem to rave but I have never been a big fan. The food is perfectly good but it's jam packed and annoyingly so. Very causal as well. If you do go, check out the new bar "Oak" which is right down the street. A beautiful place with great cocktails. It will be a nice respite from all the noise at Jacque-Imo's. I would suggest taking the streetcar or a taxi and getting out of downtown for one dinner and going uptown. Either Wednesday or Thursday night, try Lillete, Coquette, Vizard's, or Upperline. All have outstanding food and great atmosphere. Nothing touristy about them. Jacques-Imo's will take you about 20 minutes from your hotel as it is in the Carrollton area. Definitely avoid Italian, Chinese, or Mexican. In the downtown area, you cannot go wrong with Herbsaint on St. Charles Ave. Excellent food. Also, for lunch, in the downtown area, try either Cochon or Butcher right next door. This will give you a great sampling of Louisiana "country" food. I say this to distinguish from the fancier creole food. I know the choices are overwhelming but people on this board can narrow decisions down for you. Now, Cafe du Monde is touristy sure but those beignets are good. It is always a treat for locals as well as tourists. Since you are there during the business week and are staying downtown, Luke on St. Charles Ave has a wonderful breakfast right near where you are staying. Although it is in Hilton, don't let that scare you as it is John Best restaurant. There are also some dives offering great, cheap breakfasts not too far from where you are. I would also have to recommend Magazine St. If you are near Louisiana and 7th streets, get some gelato at La Divina or some chocolates/coffee at Sucre.
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Cochon
930 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, LA 70130
Jacques-Imo's Cafe
8324 Oak St, New Orleans, LA 70118
Herbsaint
701 Saint Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130
Upperline Restaurant
1413 Upperline St, New Orleans, LA
Best Po-Boys
Perhaps it was the day I went but I had an extraordinarily good shrimp po-boy at Joey K's on Magazine St. Also Mahoney's does a good ham and cheese. Another fun po-boy place is the Grocery right on St. Charles and 7th St. You can sit outside right on the avenue and enjoy the people walking by.
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Joey K's Restaurant & Bar
3001 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115
Near Brown Palace
I have seen numerous entries about downtown Denver but since i have never been, I am not sure what is really nearby. I will be attending a conference at the Brown Palace Hotel and I can already tell that the food will be overpriced. For breakfast within walking distance, what do you recommend? I cannot stand paying outrageous amounts of money for mediocre hotel breakfasts. I love diner ffood as well. Just a good eggs and bacon place is great. Anything nearby so I can avoid some hotel buffet? What about a dinner on Friday night nearby? A taxi is okay as well as long as something is close. For dinner on Friday night, I am looking for upscale, a well dressed crowd, not quiet and stuffy, bustling, fun, great food, and lively atmosphere. What would you pick? Many thanks for any replies.
Mikey
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Brown Palace Hotel
321 17th Street, Denver, CO 80202
New Orleans hound hits Chesapeake, VA
I have to be in Chesapeake for work. I have never been to the Norfolk area. If I wanted to have a nice meal in an unscale part of town, where would I go. What would be three not to miss dinner places. Perhaps a fun bar with solo dining, good food, and upscale rather than casual. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Mikey
Now it's Victoria, Texas
Those sound great. Thanks! The map makes Victoria out to be bigger than it is. So, now Dallas or Houston typoe restaurants huh? Okay, I will stick to good Mexican. I love Middle Eastern too. Thanks for the suggestions.
Mikey
Now it's Victoria, Texas
My Texas travels now take me to Victoria for one night. I won't restrict this request too much except for great food. Upscale dining, nice wine, no chains, and good food. If there are too many choices I will then limit it to cuisine from regions of France and Italy but something tells me I will not have to go that far.
Many thanks to the wonderful Texas chowhounds who love good food and who respond. There is no excuse to have bad food right?
Mikey
One day in Conroe, Texas and where should I go
That sounds good. I have to spend the whole day in Conroe and my guess is that we wil get about an hour or two for lunch. I am not sure if I could drive to the Woodlands and then get back in time. Too bad. Looks like I am stuck right in Conroe. Looks Like Lupe Toritllas sounds like the best route.
One day in Conroe, Texas and where should I go
I will be there for one day. Flying to Houston, driving there, and flying back. When I get my lunch break, where is the best place to eat. Perhaps Mexican or bbq since I am in Texas but any place is fine with me? There must be something good besides interstate chains right? Thanks for any help you can provide.
Mikey
Looking for good places to eat *solo* in New Orleans
Why not carry at least one nice pair of trousers and a crisp shirt or wear some good jeans and a nice shirt? This will make you feel comfortable if you have a splurge dinner at one of the finer dining places. Bar dining could not be better at Lillete, Herbsaint, Coquette, or Clancy's. There are always people having dinner or drinks next to you and it is a great way to converse with locals. Lillete is downtown in the business disgtrict, Coquette and Lillete are in the Garden Dist, and Clancy's is uptown. My favorite for true, creole seafood is The Bon Ton. It is nothing pretentious but they do serve the best crawfish etouffe in town. Also, give Luke a try. This is a John Besh restaurant. Bar dining is great there and the crawfish bisque is fantastic.
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Herbsaint
701 Saint Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130
Bon Ton Cafe
401 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Freret St. po-boys
Has anyone else been? A friend told me that they served the best roast beef po-boy he has ever eaten. He is an enormous foodie. Plus, donuts??? Sounds bizarre but I am intrigued. Any opinions?
