I've recently been diagnosed with sudden-onset adult allergy to tree nuts. Since I did go into anaphalaxis, the allergy doc strongly advised against de-sensitizing and that I carry an epi-pen with me at all times. One lives in my purse, the other here at the house in the medicine closet.

As an adult, I can tell you that it was easily one of the scariest things that has ever happened to me. Home alone and thankfully had children's liquid benadryl on hand. I gave it a few minutes to work, and was happy that it at least made it easier to breathe and stop getting sick. Yes, the doctor lectured me and said I should have just called 911, especially when I am home alone (which is a lot, husband travels quite a bit for work on extended trips) and even said if I have to use the epi-pen that I dose myself and immediately call 911 so that I can be monitored at the ER.

After his lecture and that experience, I absolutely can't imagine a family just blowing off something so serious. Benadryl doesn't always work, and anaphlaxis happens FAST!

Never been, but a cursory search on yelp brought up some possibilities.

http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=...

I can't promise that the replacement will be foie gras! :) However, since my dislike of olives is quite strong, I did put it on the reservation form. I think I had read a review on someone's blog where they had mentioned a food aversion while the chefs were setting up and they got a different course than the rest of the seating. Makes sense to me! I'm sure the chefs would much rather create and serve you a dish you'll remember because you loved it, not because it was full of a taste that you dislike.

...but your write-up did make me want to try it next time we are in town :)

We did not feel rushed, but to be fair, it was the first extensive tasting menu we'd done. Some of the courses were, literally, one bite. If you have food allergies or preferences let them know! I personally am not a huge fan of olives, but would never claim to be allergic. I told them as much on our reservation form. When everyone else at our table had an olive-based item, I was given a lovely little cone of foie' gras. I think I 'won' on that course :)

I will chime in with drtechno here. Yes, when dining out with my husband we have both stated quite a few times that we could make the same thing at home and enjoy it just as much. However, there is something to be said for sitting in Muriel's in New Orleans with the ambiance and enjoying the crawfish crepes there. Yes, they are just as tasty when I make them at home, but...

Dining at e' is an experience, not just about the food. My husband and I enjoyed our meal and both agreed it was probably the best meal we've ever had, anywhere. Yes, I paid for that experience, but I also ate every single morsel that was placed in front of me and the cooks didn't make extra to account for waste. There was nothing conspicuous about our dinner, and we even splurged on the wine paring.

Think about what the charities could do with all the food that is wasted at a buffet.

Why do you feel that way?

" I'd pass on Grand Lux myself though. It's not necessarily bad, it just reminds me of a Cheesecalke Factory and there's better food to be had."

Yeah, there is a reason for that...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chee...

I use Open Table quite a bit. I've never had a restaurant demand that I call to confirm a reservation, but I have had them call me to confirm.

Open Table will send you a nastygram if you miss a reservation, and I assume that they will remove/restrict your account if you are a repeat offender. Personally I've missed one reservation, and I blame being in Vegas.

Sammy's: http://sammysfood.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15&Itemid=29

Lil Dizzy's doesn't have a website or online menu. This page was at least interesting: http://www.southerngumbotrail.com/baquet.shtml

Willie Mae's doesn't have a website. Here is a picture of part of the menu: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/VVH6k9...

If all are insisting to sit together, take the Palace Cafe option. Great location and you'll be close to where everyone wants to get back to partying.

Another option is everyone grabs their favorite dish to go at the end of the Fest day, take to hotel and eat together there. Very inexpensive, saves more money for the band's tip jar.

Thanks for the report! Have hit all your places except Frady's, which is actually high on my list of places to hit when I'm in town for Fest!

Slacker Radio streaming, usually either Traditional Blues, 80's Alternatives, or One Hit Wonders/Songs You Forgot You Loved are my stations.

Was obsessed with the new Alabama Shakes CD that came out last week on iTunes and had that hooked into the stereo throu the iPad.

Thanks for this tidbit! Scored a lovely 845pm reservation for 2nd Friday of Jazz Fest for me and my husband!

To be centrally located close to restaurants and transportation to more restaurants, I would suggest something on Canal (Doubletree, Marriott, Astor, etc) From there you can catch the streetcar up Canal or down St Charles. Withing the French Quarter/CBD area there is a plethora of eating establishments.

I will second this! Arrive hungry at 11 and you'll do well at Fest! Depending on your plans/accommodations, you might even consider grabbing a bite to eat and throwing it in a backpack to have as a late dinner/snack in your room.

Last time I was there, they were closed on Sat/Sun. If you go right at 11 the wait shouldn't be too bad.

Adding: If you want to know for sure, call them tomorrow. (504) 822-9503

At Cosmo, The Henry.

Here is the menu: http://www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com/p...

Typical pub fare. Better food to be found at The Pub in the Monte Carlo. I only went with Dick's based on the stressing of LOUD and rowdy, along with drinks. Bonus that everyone will get hats with very snarky things written on them.

On the other hand, if they want to actually enjoy what they are eating, The Pub at MC would probably be a better choice.

http://www.montecarlo.com/restaurants...

Dick's Last Resort inside of Excalibur.

We're getting in to Hotel Max later this evening (probably after 1030 pm). What is near there where we can walk over and grab a quick bite?

No, sadly the Krew did cancel this year's Halloween parade. You are in luck, however, in that Molly's annual Halloween Parade/Stroll is still happening. Also, keep in mind that because Halloween is on a Monday, quite a few folks will be travelling home from NOLA that day (like me, boo hoo!). There will be a LOT of folks out on Saturday night out on Bourbon (be sure you go from Redfish Grill all the way down to Lafitte's!) in some absolutely amazing costumes. If you see a homemade Spy vs Spy couple, stop me and say hello! I'll be the white spy.

http://www.mollysatthemarket.net/hall...

(edited because Mimi's and Molly's are not the same place!)

They are goat cheese actually, but yes, they are awesome! I'll second Mimi's.

On Frenchmen Street you should hit up Three Muses. In addition to great music they have some awesome small plates.

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Three Muses
536 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA 70116

You could always call the phone number listed and ask :)

We are headed to town this weekend. So far we have the RW menu planned for Charlie Palmer on Saturday night and Sirio on Sunday night. If we have time either before or after the Absinthe show on Friday, we might hit up somewhere near Caesars Palace or outside at Serendipity III. A few of the lunch options looked good, so we might try to hit up SkyBox at Aria before we hit the pool.

If you are in town between August 29 - September 11, you might try one of the many places that have Restaurant Week menus for a good cause.

http://www.helpoutdineoutlv.org/resta...

Sorry for the delay in answering...

The WallyWorld on Sparkman, just off the parkway.

We also get andouille at the Kroger on Drake most of the time.

Second the Three Muses selection! The small plates are very well done and the bar isn't half bad either :) We had a wonderful extended meal while watching Paul Sanchez and Debbie Davis sing during second weekend of Jazz Fest. Everything we ordered (including the lamb sliders mentioned above!) was perfectly cooked and presented beautifully.

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Three Muses
536 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA 70116

We get our andouille at the Kroger on Drake in Huntsville. Community Coffee can be found at most grocery stores. Zatarain's is hit or miss in the stores, depending on where it is located and the demand. Haven't found the camellia red beans here in town, but wouldn't mind looking harder, as it would be nice to make some red beans and rice without having to remember to soak the beans :)

Also, the wally world on north parkway in Huntsville carries two different kinds of boudain in the sausage section. Just sayin' :)

I've enjoyed all the meals that I've had at Delmonico Steakhouse at the Venetian, but perhaps I've just been lucky. The dining room can be a little loud.

SW Steakhouse is supposed to be amazing, but I haven't made it there yet.

Have eaten at Mix. Ask to be seated by a window or outside even, if it isn't too hot. Food and service was spectacular for our visit.

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SW Steakhouse
3131 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109