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piglet3000's Profile

Street & Company. Order suggestions?

We're thinking of The Front Room, Miyake, possibly Petite Jacqueline? We have 4 dinners/ 4 lunches. I'm not a huge breakfast person, I prefer an early lunch and snacks later. J's Oyster, Gilberts??? Any advice you can offer would be well appreciated! we've never been and are so excited to see Portland ! And of course as many lobsters as we can handle.

Street & Company. Order suggestions?

Coming to Portland in a few weeks and excited to try this place; seems pretty spectacular. Anyone have suggestions?

thanks !

Beef Carpaccio? Where's the best ?

Coming to town soon and love me some Beef Carpaccio. Where do you go? Thanks !

San Francisco Hound Coming to New Orleans: Please Critique My List for My First Visit!!!

For sure try to get a lunch in at Coquette. It's an amazing deal if you can get there esp. for the $20 for three courses. Sylvain is kind of like anything you could get in SF, however they make a nice cocktail and have a beautiful patio, so some of these places, if you can't fit in a meal, go for a drink and enjoy the atmosphere.
Also on the cocktail list: Napoleon House. Skip the food but at least go in for a Pimms Cup and the beautiful room/patio.
Last trip we needed a snack in the afternoon and just stopped in to Herbsaint, sat at the bar and had a bowl of gumbo. Incredible ! don't miss it !

Solo Lunch(es) in New Orleans

I cannot think of a better lunch than the bar at Coquette. On Weds they have $5 wine, on Thursdays it's half price cocktails. Their $20 three course lunch is some of the best food we have every trip. Great atmosphere, staff too.

A true taste of new orleans on a budget

Liuzza's on Bienville is delicious. Red Beans & Rice, Gumbo, great poboys. Very reasonably priced. Call ahead to make sure they are open; I think they are closed Sun. & Mon.? They have lunch specials that are below $15 for sure. Great, casual family restaurant and a sweet staff.

How's my list ? Critique my Portland dining choices please!!

Hi all-- we're coming to Portland for the first time, during the first week of May. (I like to plan ahead....) Here's what I have so far; let me know what you think. We're staying at a b&b so will most likely eat in the a.m. there. I'm not a fan of a crazy busy breakfast or brunch on the weekend, but it seems like Marcy's and Bintliff's are a must, so I'll hit those on the weekdays.

Friday late morning arrival
Fisherman's Grill
J's Oyster/ Happy Hour Snack
Petite Jacqueline/ Late-ish Dinner

Saturday
Maybe pick something up at Standard Baking and head to
Cape Elizabeth to the Lobster Shack for early lunch
The Front Room/ Dinner

Sunday
Otto Pizza / Lunch
Street & Co. / Dinner

Monday
Marcy's / Breakfast
Benkay / Lunch
Walter's /Dinner

Tuesday we check out/
Bintliff's / Breakfast

I've got other things on the list for drinks like Novare Res, Bar Lola, Grace. We are probably going to really stick with the seafood instead of looking for a great steak, etc. Any dinner spots I should swap out? Fore Street instead of Street & Co??? Thanks for any input !

Seasonal Cuisine, Seafood in April/May ?

Hi all---- I'll be visiting Portland Maine sometime in May. I'm wondering what, if any, seafood is 'out of season' or not quite at it's peak?? Or is everything great at that time of the year?
I'm sure I'll come up with many more questions after searching the board some more, this is our first visit and we are so excited to see Portland! Thanks !

Need dinner suggestion.

If you're going to do Besh, I'd do Domenica for happy hour; any day between 3 and 6. The pizzas are really good, but even better if you get them for half price; I know the wine by the glass is also half price during those hours, possibly the cocktails as well. Luke has the 50 cent oysters during the 3 to 6 hours as well.
These stops make for a nice quality snack, and a cheap drink. I don't think I would necessarily spend the money to eat there at dinner. The spots are a wee bit sterile and not particularly New Orleans, but the staff is great and it's a good experience.
I would second Cochon for dinner; that is something you are not going to get anywhere else. Herbsaint is incredible, possibly the best gumbo we had a couple of weeks ago out of about half a dozen.
Brunch at Commander's Palace on a Saturday or Sunday is awesome. Stanley is good, a great location but I find it also kind of sterile. Like a nice movie set.
I'd maybe swap out Dragos for Casamentos on Magazine and Napoleon. Also a one of a kind experience you will never get anywhere else. Get there early when they open or prepare to wait!!

Long weekend in New Orleans

We ate at Crepe Nanou a couple of weeks ago, just before Christmas; I hadn't been there in maybe 10 years. The BF liked his filet but it was kind of OK; we both had the Onion Soup which was great. The standout was the Mussels though. Just amazing; so tender and delicious ! I would maybe stick with the seafood. It is such a nice atmosphere, I would definitely go back.

Cochon is an absolute must and I would also highly recommend Coquette. You can't go wrong with anything there.

Quick thoughts on this Itinerary - much thanks

Totally ! we faced the same dilemma ! We ended up opting for Dante's since we had been to Brigsten's before, and even though we loved it, were determined to eat at some new spots. If only one of them served lunch, you could go nap in the park, then waddle back to the other for dinner.

Quick thoughts on this Itinerary - much thanks

Great itinerary; I would suggest Dante's Kitchen for your Saturday night dinner; we ate there a couple of weeks ago and had amazing Chicken Under a Brick and the Redfish. It was delicious and a great atmosphere.
We also did our entire trip, except for to and from the airport, on the street car, buses and walking. We were quite pleased with ourselves and got a TON of exercise (which probably helped with not putting too much weight on) but it was A LOT of walking, not sure if a 4 year old is up to it.
And we happened to have lunch on two different days at Port of Call; early afternoons are totally mellow. I LOVE the burger there but I hate waiting a long time for anything, so I wouldn't plan on it for a dinner.
Arrive near opening dinner hours for Casamentos. The wait can be crazy. (although I probably would wait in line an eternity for the Oyster Loaf.) And don't miss Coquette. The most amazing lunch in town!

LA Hound returning for annual visit, advice sought.

I feel the same way about August; we have had 2 lunches there and 1 very expensive dinner but that is going to be it, I just don't find it to be what I go to New Orleans for. Stella I've never been to but seems like the same type of thing to me; great for locals who are tired of local food but not for those of us pining for local cuisine.
But you should for sure make time to go to Coquette for lunch, at least. On Weds. they have $5 wine by the glass, Thursdays is 1/2 price cocktails and the most amazing $20 three course lunch you will ever have. We always have an amazing lunch and pre-Xmas was no exception. It's a beautiful place, the staff is so nice and it is SO delicious !

Visiting from LA (Los Angeles, that is!) Inexpensive French Quarter dinner for a group of 20-25?

OH Coops. I'm glad the drink 'issue' didn't put you off. It's really some of the best food although the atmosphere can be a little uneven, but never so bad that I won't go back. The gumbo CAN be a little off sometimes; but yes, it is, by and large, much more soupy than your notion of what it is 'going to be'. It seems to be much more about the depth of flavor than about the thickness.
I think some restaurants seem to thicken it up because that's what some people might be expecting??? You can really tell when there is a bunch of cornstarch in it and that is a big disappointment.
Some of the BEST I've had is at Cochon, Herbsaint and at Liuzza's in mid city. I used to ALWAYS order it at Coops but I think I've moved on to the pasta dishes or the Red Beans and Rice. It was phenomenal last time I was there. Now you can get on that cycle of planning your next trip when you are barely home from your first !

Very Belated NOLA Trip Review

I feel the same way about August. I've been for both lunch and dinner and it is delicious, the setting is beautiful but I just always feel like it's not what I come to New Orleans for; it's food you could get in New York, Chicago, SF, etc. I think it is probably ideal for the lucky people who LIVE in New Orleans and get tired of the amazing food that we travel to get to !
That being said, sometimes we'll just go in and have a drink at the bar; it's beautiful and the staff is so nice.

Gautreau's?

Coquette is amazing and we never miss it. We always go for lunch; they have a great 3 course, $20 menu (with drink specials on Weds. and Thurs.) so we always make plans for one of those days. It's a beautiful place, great service and anything and everything I've had there is great!

If you had to pick a Christmas Eve dinner......

Hi all---- Trying to decide on a Christmas Eve dinner and wondering if anyone has been to these or has a preference; we're thinking either: Upperline, Galatoire's or Commander's. I've been to Commander's numerous times and always love it, had one not-so-great experience at Galatoire's and never went back. I LOVED the Shrimp Remoulade, everything else looked like it sat under a heat lamp too long and was gross. I am willing to give it another try though, especially if Christmas Eve is known for being particularly festive and fun (in which case it may be too late already for a reservation!!)
I've never been to Upperline but have always wanted to try it and the menu looks good for that night. Any thoughts/past experience ? Thanks for your input !

Thank you Hounds! My first 3 days in Nola

If you can fit it in, try to get to Coquette on Magazine. They do an amazing $20 three course lunch (but only on Wed/Thurs/Fri I believe.) I haven't been there for dinner, but I'm sure that would also be incredible. We always go there on Wed. or Thurs for the lunch; they also have 1/2 price wine on Wednesdays and discounted cocktails on Thursdays. It's a great bargain and the food is so, so good. Congratulations and enjoy the rest of your trip!

30th Birthday Bash in December---Please Help

Look into Irene's Cuisine in the Quarter for one of your dinners; delicious creole italian food, beautiful cozy atmosphere. We always have an amazing time. Make reservations; the wait can be devastating without them, (sometimes even WITH them!) but it's worth it. I second the Oak Street/Oak Bar/Jacques Imo's & Maple Leaf recommendation for a raucous night out.
There is SO much do see between the Quarter and then venturing into Uptown & the Garden District, you would miss a lot by venturing out of town, you may want to save that for another trip.
Have an amazing birthday!

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Irene's Cuisine
539 Saint Philip St, New Orleans, LA 70116

Day 3 - A Phoenician's Tour of NOLA (Napoleon House, French 75 Bar, Brigtsen's)

We haven't been to Brigtsen's in ages and now I've got to add it in to our Christmas itinerary. Please write more. Just make up stuff if you have to. I'm starving now !!!

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Brigtsen's Restaurant
723 Dante St, New Orleans, LA 70118

Best Of New Orleans

For home style food and atmosphere I would hit up Liuzza's on Bienville. We always have amazing food there. I love their Gumbo, their Red Beans & Rice with Sausage is delicious. The whole place is a great, fun and very reasonably priced experience. For dive bar I would add in The Chart Room on Chartres near Canal. Love it.

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Liuzza's Restaurant & Bar
3636 Bienville St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Chart Room
300 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Christmas Eve recommendations??

Hi all----
Has anyone had a good or bad experience or have any recommendations about Christmas Eve dinner? I checked the holiday website for offerings and I'm considering Galatoire's, Commander's Palace, Upperline, maybe Pelican Club???? We've been to Galatoire's & Commander's but not for this kind of fixed menu thing.......
Any ideas or thoughts welcome ! Thank you in advance !

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Commander's Palace Restaurant
1403 Washington Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130

Galatoire's Restaurant
209 Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70130

Pelican Club Restaurant & Bar
312 Exchange Alley, New Orleans, LA 70130

Upperline Restaurant
1413 Upperline St, New Orleans, LA

Jacque-Imo's or Stella! after Dante's Kitchen

Coquette also has a 3 course $20 lunch, but only on Wed, Thurs, Friday I believe. We've been a few times and it's always been amazing. They also have reduced prices on the wine and cocktails on those days.

Best gumbo in New Orleans?

Liuzza's on Bienville is always amazing, and Cochon was great too.

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Liuzza's Restaurant & Bar
3636 Bienville St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Cochon
930 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, LA 70130

X-mas Brunch or Lunch in the French Quarter

Good for holiday lunch (or anytime really) would be the John Besh place Luke. It'll be open because it's part of the Hilton, (just outside the quarter on the Canal side) and definitely in that price range. It would probably be a good idea to make reservations as soon as they are available, your dining options are for sure limited on Xmas day! And it is certainly in that price range.

Please: Help me find five great meals on a budget in NOLA

Liuzza's in mid city on Bienville. They have a huge menu and some of the best red beans & rice, gumbo, poboys, spaghetti & meatballs.....it's amazing. We always have a great meal there and it's very reasonably priced.

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Liuzza's Restaurant & Bar
3636 Bienville St, New Orleans, LA 70119

2 Lunches

Those were our 3 swanky lunch spots a couple of weeks ago. LOVED Herbsaint and Coquette. It was our third time eating at August and I finally decided I didn't need to go back again. It's a little too precious and stuffy for my liking. The gumbo at Herbsaint was absolutely amazing and I had the shaved beef salad with rare roast beef which was delicious. Coconut cream pie for dessert.

I think my favorite is Coquette though; and an incredible bargain if you go for the $20 lunch. I've had the Shrimp and Grits twice now and the Oyster Roast for appetizer and of course the Beignets. Plan ahead because lunch is only on Weds/Thurs/Fri, with your bargain wine on Wed. and bargain fancy drinks on Thurs. It is an amazing deal and one of the best meals you will have !!!

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Herbsaint
701 Saint Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130

Crawfish still available?

Apparently all the cooks & staff left Parasol's left when it was bought out and are now at Tracey's right up the block on Magazine. We stopped in for some snacks and drinks (no room left over for a poboy after lunch!) and the fries and fried okra were delicious and it is a great, giant space with lots of light and high ceilings. I would highly recommend checking it out !

Casual Restaurants/Bars

Liuzza's in mid city is casual and delicious and reachable by cab or Canal St. streetcar. Very reasonably priced, fantastic Gumbo & Poboys.
August, Irene's, Coquette, Herbsaint, Commander's etc are not to be missed but you would feel real out of place not dressed up to some degree. It's a visual and dining event of a lifetime !
You'll be able to spot the tourist traps as the places that have NO line. When I send my first time visiting friends, I always tell them to be patient, wait in line, because if there's no line, it's no good......
Stanley on Jackson Square is good for breakfast. Coop's on Decatur for lunch, dinner; super divey but gooooood.

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Liuzza's Restaurant & Bar
3636 Bienville St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Herbsaint
701 Saint Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130

First trip to New Orleans from NYC. Help!

Last trip we hit Coquette and August for lunch; both were AMAZING. Commander's Palace is a great experience and great food for lunch, along with 25 cent Martinis during the week. We've had Sunday brunch and loved that too.
I am probably way in the minority, but Galatoires was a plus on the atmosphere side but we were really, really disappointed in the food, except for the appetizers. Old school food that looked like it sat under a heat lamp for 20 minutes and a big let down.
Jacques Imo's can be hit or miss on the food; I'd recommend the Blackened Redfish, but it is ALWAYS a good time, great casual service and an all around fun experience. But go early EARLY if you don't want to wait 2 hours for a table.
Get your 'Muff at Central Grocery, grab a drink in a go cup from Molly's at the Market and sit on a bench at the river. That is an experience you will never forget !

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Commander's Palace Restaurant
1403 Washington Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130

Galatoire's Restaurant
209 Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70130