For sure Blumie! - the wink gave you away :)

You know Blumie, it's reactions like yours which made us choose to go to Brigtsen's. People seem very attached and emotionally connected to the place and the food. We figured it had to be pretty special, given your passion.
We just didn't find it very special. Good, but not special. I wish I could say differently.

Blumie,
Not sure I get your last comment, "we have to allow others the right to be wrong!"
Are you suggesting that I was incorrect in being underwhelmed with my experience at Brigsten's?

Felix's - before going to NOLA I read much about the oyster debate and heard 3 names.
Felix's, Acme, Drago's

Tried Acme and the fresh and char broiled were absolutely fantastic.
Actually went back several more times.

We went across the street to Felix's and were unimpressed with the both the fresh and char-broiled oysters. Not impressed with the plain surroundings of the place either and had colder, cheaper beer in many other places - I only mention the beer because they tout having the coldest beer in town...

I wanted to order the duck but my wife wanted to try the tuna - I opted for the seafood platter. Maybe we will have to get back there again for the duck!!

Sorry for the slow reply everyone...
I will briefly run down a couple of my fav/most memorable meals. I do not mean to compare Brigsten's to some of these lower priced eateries. These are just the meals and experiences that really shine - for one reason or another.

Praline Connection - stopped here before heading on for an evening of jazz. Thought the fried pickles were actually pretty good! The BBQ ribs fell off the bone and were delicious - but not mushy. Very busy but pleasant atmosphere and service was a bit slow, but we were enjoying just being there. (The Abita Turbos were tasting good also...)

Coops - one of my favortive/most memorable and my wife's least fav. Had the fried chicken and the coops platter. Seafood Gumbo was very good and great portions. Service was quick and I really liked the grunge bar, rockin tunes and local feel.

Acme - Loved the char-broiled oysters - and had several raw also that were just excellent. Right after Acme we went across the street to Felix's. No comparison....Acme hands down. Not a big fan of the Acme atmosphere, but oysters were fantastic. Would have liked to try Drago's....

Mena's - simple and good. Went for lunch twice and were able to share a lunch special and leave satisfied. Fried chicken and beans and rice - nice generous helping and like I said, simple yet good. I'm not usually a fried chicken kinda guy, but we enjoyed it at Mena's and Coops... Great old diner atmosphere at Mena's too.

I could keep going just because NOLA food was some of the best and most memorable I have EVER had. We really enjoyed our whole trip.

One quick aside. I was a bit disappointed with Central Grocery muffalettas. It just seemed a bit thin on meat and the olive salad. Had one at Cafe Maspero's - meat overload - funny to see the two extremes just blocks from each other. I'm thinking somewhere in the middle would suit my tastes best...

Thanks to all Chowhounders for your input prior to our trip. I give a lot of the credit to you folks for your input and helping us choose great places to eat!!

We got back from NOLA about two weeks ago. LOVED New Orleans.
I took some time to reflect on our meal at Brigtsen's. We planned on doing just one "expensive" meals and decided on Brigtsen's.
We were going to take the streetcar but after a 45 min wait we bailed out and had to take a cab.
Now I don't know if we built it up too much in our minds or what, but we left feeling a bit underwhelmed.
We had some issues with the physical setting. For one, having only one washroom is just not good enough. My wife had to wait at least 10 min in their crowded hallway waiting for her turn, leaving me alone at the table wondering what the heck happened to her.
Otherwise, eating in a renovated old house was pretty much what I expected. I liked it - my wife did not.
The service was excellent (outstanding) - no problems there.
We had Shrimp Remoulade to start. Neat dish - loved the flavor combo of the Guacamole, & Mirliton Corn Relish. I would have to say, the shrimp were not as fresh as I would have liked. We ate a pile of shrimp that week and these didn't stand out.
I had the Seafood Platter. It was decent. Good portions, nice presentation - didn't knock my socks off - but good.
My wife had Blackened Tuna - it was excellent!
As I mentioned, I'm not sure if we had unrealistic expectations. Brigtsen's was nice, but I had more memorable meals in NOLA.

One, GB's or Dante's - got it. Great suggestions!
A few days away and counting - we are very excited about NO.
I think we have added Galatorie's to the list as well....can't resist another great meal!

So I have made our reservations in March for Thursday @ 7:30. We will take the streetcar nice and early - like at least a few hours. Stop here and there and check out the scene.

Once we get to the end of the line and close to Brigtsen's is there a place we can go for a few drinks to kill some time?

Then we could just walk to Brigtsen's from there?
Thanks for any suggestions!

No prob Blumie - we are not huge fried food eaters, but will keep it in mind! My mother used to make excellent fried oysters... and then there were the prairie oysters (but that's another story).

I got that the first time Blumie!!! No need for all caps - I was saying that I would avoid the fried seafood platter while in NOLA (at some place other than Brigtsen's!) - Hungry Celeste's description of the fried platter didn't exactly strike up the appetite band.
My meal @ Brigtsen's is pretty much sealed:
not fried seafood platter
duck
pork and pepper
several glasses of wine

A good idea - save the cab fare one way - have an extra glass of wine instead!
by the way, I think we will be avoiding the fried seafood platter - celeste's description of the toast was hilarious!

sounds like our meal is set
duck, seafood platter, pork and pepper!
Leave at least an hour early for the streetcar and enjoy the ride!

I hear lots about the duck - I will let my wife order that and lean over and steal bites from her!

I have read a ton of previous posts on Brigtsen's and it seems to be the can't miss spot. We are in NO for a week and are spending a whack of $ on tours, sports, etc. We are choosing Brigtsen's as our one high end meal (over stella,august,gala,cuvee etc). Sound OK?
We are planning to catch the streetcar from Canal and ride it to the end and walk to two blocks to Dante St. How long would that take? Is there any reason why we would cab it instead of streetcar?
Also, I can make reservations for wed,thurs,sun,mon night. Any suggestions?
How about the seafood platter? or other favorite dishes?
Thanks all!

Your are probably correct Blumie. I did think that NO cooking was spicy. I am starting to learn that it is more the "Louisiana hot sauce" that drives the legend...

excellent suggestion philmaur - thank you.
So what is the deal with BYOB? - this is new to us. Grab a bottle of vino or a 6 pack of beer and bring it in?? Is there a cost to bring in your own?
Thanks for any info.

I love to do the hot sauces at the table. I was also thinking of particular dishes that are cooked with the spice. I find those flavors much different than putting a hot sauce on top of something. Maybe there isn't much in the way of that? - or menus will clearly say if it is a spicy dish...

Thought the title would attract interest - my wife and I like spicy food (hot lovers). Not being familiar with the names of dishes in NO (cajun style etc...) I am not sure which items are prepared spicy and those that you need to ask to be made spicy. I welcome suggestions for dishes that are spicy - as well as particular restaurants that prepare such fare. I'm not talking mind blowing, break down and cry hot - just a nice warmth to add to the flavor.
Thanks!

So it sounds like it is best to pick one of my top choices for a meal in the FQ - and then just cab it to the Arena.
Here is a question - What time does it get dark?

Hi everyone,
I have booked tickets to see the Lakers vs. Hornets during our stay. I figure if we are going to cab from F.Q to the game at the N.O. Arena we should try to coordinate a good meal in the area as well.
Any suggestions on a great place that is safe walking to the area? I am thinking not too fancy as we will be in sports mode.
Thanks chowhounders!

I am revising our list - but have come to a bit of a catch 22. Either we stick with more of the "touristy" FQ places and save on cabs or try to venture out - but get stuck with cab rides.
I know the streetcar will gain some cheap access to a few places, but I guess it is a decision we will have to make.
We will try a couple of the "ritzy" style (stella,august,cuvee, - need to find out more on galatories, sounds like the vibe is great, but food is more old school)
The rest will be good food and cold beer type joints. Canadians love their beer you know!

Great info everyone -
so if I take a mix of some of the fine dining ones (Stella, August, Cuvee and Brigtsens)
and mix with more casual (Casamento's, Parkway Bakery, Liuzza's By the Track, the other Liuzza's on Bienville, Mandina's, Angelo Brocato's, Lil Dizzy's, Cafe Reconcile,Bon Ton Cafe)
we should have a well rounded "taste" of NO? I am thinking we are more into the casual experience with lots of New Orleans flair and feel.

Hi everyone,
I have the last few weeks on tripadvisor planning our visit to NO in March. I came up with a list of favorite restaurants from the reviews and the forum. Coming to chowhound I was really surprised how different the views are. Many of the "must do's" on TripAdvisor are not even mentioned here on chowhound.

Also, after reading some of the forums here, it seems a bit scary walking around NO at night. My wife and I are pretty reserved and would like to do a bit of night life with music and some drinks - not hard partying though. Are we OK to wander the FQ and check out the night life?

Here is a list of places we thought we would visit (some really casual and some more formal) based on what we read in TripAdvisor. We are there for 8 days so we have time to check out a bit of everything.
- NOLA
-GW Fins
-Napoleon House
-K-Pauls
-COOPs
-Gumbo Shop
-Muriels also Acme Oyster, Deanies Seafood, Praline

The big ones I hear on Chowhound are Stellas, August, Cuvee, Brigtsens, Dante, Cochan

Why the big discrepancies? Any suggestions? Thanks in advance to all of you!