Is it possible to change my display name? If so, how?
Thanks!

Try Cafe Envie at the corner of Barracks and Decateur--great coffee, quiet atmosphere and some good morning snacks.

Le Bernadin is fabulous, but not just for seafood, for everything, true haute French. Schaffer City is great for a good meal, but just amazing for a diverse and fresh assortment of oysters.

I have hit Sunrise and King's as well. I've not been to Chalapa yet, but I have some people in town tomorrow--sounds good, I think I will take them there.
Thanks!

The food at Stella is exceptional, great wine list and wonderful service. The room is hideous. I don;t know if your group will care about that or not, but the decor is borderline ridiculous.

Wow, thanks for all the suggestions. I really am not trying to be vague...it's just that I am trying to get off my usual thinking track.
Let's see...the group is now at 12. Most of the places I have spoken to thus far won't put more than 8-10 in the main dining room, which leads you to the private room, which is where you end up with the 3-4k minimum Food and Beverage costs.
I have heard great thins about Esca and Alta, though I've not been to either and am currently on the west coast and will not be in town again until the dinner.
So, thanks again, and I will check out all these great ideas!
PS--Steve, we love Shaffer City--it's sort of a regular spot as we are huge raw fans. That said, since we head there a lot, it doesn't provide much of a sense of occasion.

I am asking for recommendations for a restaurant for a late summer meal for more than 10 people. Any recommendations at all. Trying to think outside my usual sphere, hence asking for any suggestions at all. Again, a place that would NOT be charging as much as 3k for minimum F&B would be helpful, and seafood (of any manner) is a plus, but not a necessity.

Flour Power in Chalmette. Amazing Layered cakes. Truly.

It's a pastry shop; so, they have lots of kinds of cake and other tarts and wee delights. You can buy a slice to eat at the time or a whole cake for an event. They make spectacular wedding cakes...
The coffee to which I refer is the cold-water press iced coffee, which is amazing and totally addictive. They also serve regular drip coffee and espresso, of course, though I do not know what roaster they use.

It was totally underwater, but the owners rebuilt and were the first sit-down place open in the area after the storm. They kept me in caffeine when all there was was gas station coffee...blech.
Amazing stuff. Check it out!

I am trying to plan a dinner in the city this July, and the money just got all wigged out by a minimum F&B charge of 3000, which I would say is totally reasonable for a 3 star dinner. Anyway, I am not looking for alternatives that might be on the less intensely expensive side, but still good. I am open to anything, but we'd like to be in Manhattan and the guest f honor is a great lover of seafood.
Thanks!

Wow, you are haughty. I do know about the markets and all the amazing places to buy food to prepare myself, which I do most of the time, and that's great. As I said above, I am looking for restaurants.
I am looking for more places to eat out--other than various Asian cuisines, which as you have pointed out is not at all hard to find here. I haven't been overly impressed, but I am definitely going to check out Toshi's Ramen--that sounds great.
I am looking for anything really...most people, though, when I ask where they like to eat or what their favorite restaurants are say...Ring of Fire or The Keystone. It is limiting.
Thanks for your suggestions,

Go downtown to 88 Orchard. Nice open space, lots of light, wifi, great great great iced coffee and plenty of people-watching opportunities.

Take them to Brigsten's. Frank (the chef) is an amazing talent and a generous guy. He donated time and food and love to my relief kitchen in New Orleans last Spring and had some of us to dinner at his restaurant, as well. Great guy and food, authentic to the area's tradtions and feel.

I love Port of Call for the insane cocktails and really just the hell of it, but I cannot remember the last time I got a burger there that wasn't about 5 minutes past well done. When I ordered Medium rare.
I am not a huge chain fan, but, in a pinch, you can get a damn good burger at Gordon Biersch.
And for a truly decadent and dirt cheap option, head to St. Bernard Parish for the deep fried burger po boy-style from Crabby J's. Sooo wrong, but sooo good.

Thanks for the replies. The dinner will be in one of the private rooms since there are a handful of us (it's big dinner); so, I am not worried about the service in this case.
I am planning the menu (sort of), and I wonder if anyone has any particular recommendations. I have heard the wine list is amazing, as well as the various risottos and pasta. I am preparing for a critical Italian crowd. So, all help is wonderful. Thanks!!

If you haven't been and you dig sweets, head out to Flour Power on Paris Road in St. Bernard Parish. For those who never leave downtown, it is seriously only 10 minutes away and totally worth it. Lunches are great, but it's all about the cake And man, I miss their iced coffee...

Planning a dinner (most likely) at Felidia. I've never been there, but the guest of honor is a fan of Lidia's show and of regional cuisine. so, it seems ideal. Does anyone have anything to advise re: the place, its service, menu, etc? Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Do people who like food live here at all? I cannot find any restaurants worth a damn, and I am really trying. Help!

Martinique Bistro on Magazine is always very good, and the outdoor garden is a really beautiful place to dine.

I agree with the last post that you might want to hit Babbo since you'll be having french the night before, but I also must say that my last meal at Le Bernadin (a chef's tasting) was by far the greatest eating experience of my life to date. Without a doubt. Either way, you are in excellent hands!