HalfShell's Profile
Patois or Coquette
I find the service at Coquette to be a cut above Patois. The food at both is great.
Vegetarian- friendly recs?
FYI: You had souffle potatoes and Bananas Foster at Arnauds.
is brennan's for brunch overrated?
Friday lunch at Galatoire's is a scene, but it's worth experiencing in my opinion. You must sit downstairs, and they don't take reservations, which means unless you get there before the crowds you could wait a while for a table. (See countless other threads about Galatoire's.)
You seem to be tending toward very old-fashioned places, which might be your preference. Some restaurants with more contemporary flavors in the Quarter (or nearby) include: Bayona, Nola, Stella, Herbsaint, Cochon, Muriel's, MiLa, August, and the list goes on and on. For Friday lunch, if you decide against Galatoire's, I'd suggest August, Herbsaint, Bayona or Cochon. That's one Besh, two Links, and a Spicer -- hard to go wrong with those.
is brennan's for brunch overrated?
I think the objections to Brennan's usually cite the combination of food and price: it attaches luxury prices to essentially low-cost brunch foods like eggs benedict or eggs sardou. One can get as-good-or-better renditions of these foods at less touristy restaurants for a fraction of the cost. However, I don't believe there's anything intrinsically wrong with Brennan's, if money is no object and you're intrigued.
If you're turned off by other reviews, though, Palace Cafe is a good option, though still pricey and only slightly less touristy. Commander's is still the best "fancy brunch" in the city, in my opinion -- and I'd choose Saturday or Sunday Jazz Brunch there over Friday lunch. Can you swap out meals and have Friday lunch elsewhere?
I'd also suggest Stanley on Jackson Square -- much more casual, standard egg-and-hollandaise menu, but very well-executed and less expensive.
A lot of locals like to go to Patois, Slim Goodie's, and Surrey's for brunch. None of these are in the FQ.
Restaurant with best design?
Cochon has an interesting interior: clean lines, a contemporary feel, but still folky. The food also happens to be great there.
I find the room at MiLa to be a) too big for the number of seats usually occupied and b) sort of heavy.
Jacques-Imo's interior is interesting -- very haphazard folk-arty, but funky and fun. It's a bit of a schlep from the Quarter.
The interior at the Swizzle Stick Bar in the Loew's Hotel is beautiful, in my opinion. The food at Cafe Adelaide next door is serviceable.
If you're looking for more old-fashioned interiors, I second Muriel's. Galatoire's interior is classic old New Orleans. I think Lillette's decor has an understated charm. The Upperline is in an old airy Uptown house and has interesting art on the walls.
Design taste is perhaps more subjective than food taste. I'm just spinning ideas off the top of my head. I suggest going to some of these web sites and looking at pictures to zero in on the place.
American Sector
I really enjoyed my pork cheek entree when I went. The milkshake was pretty great, too. The service wasn't very polished, but everyone was nice and attentive. There was, unfortunately, almost no one in there around dinner time on a Wednesday night in November. Maybe two or three other tables in a very large space. I really hope the restaurant catches on. The work being done on Magazine Street can't be good for business.
A decent burger....
A "decent burger" is a meaningless term. Burgers are a very subjective thing. Some people like very meaty burgers, others like thin patties. Some like very soggy burgers with lots of mayo, etc,., others like burgers on dry toast. It's hard to steer you in the right direction without knowing what you like.
A decent burger....
Port of Call, Bud's Broiler, Frostop, Beach Corner, Lee's. All on the South Shore. Just get in your car. Texans are used to driving long distances to get anywhere, right?
Isn't Whataburger a chain?
Looking for a study nook
The Orange Couch in the Marigny is pretty sweet. Very chill atmosphere, they serve prepared foods like quiches and sandwiches, as well as mochi. Free wifi, lots of tables, and they don't mind if you stay there a while.
Best Raw Bar
Note: not all of these restaurants have "raw bars" so much as they serve raw Gulf oysters. You won't be able to get any other kind of oyster at most of these places, and the presentation and accoutrements are very downmarket here -- dirty tray, cocktail fork, plastic portion cup of horseradish, saltines. "Raw bar" to me connotes a more luxe experience, so I don't want you to go in with the wrong expectations.
That said, I believe Luke does serve Atlantic oysters, and some of the other higher-end places might as well.
Also, judging my your nickname you probably are aware of this, but you should insist on fresh-shucked oysters. A lot of places shuck dozens ahead of time and have them chilling in a fridge until they're served. If they only have fresh shucked at the bar, sit at the bar.
Visiting NOLA from NYC, Need Must Eat Spots
Mr. B's is OK, not great. Kinda touristy. I'd get the BBQ shrimp -- which is not barbecued, just so you know. (See other threads.)
I'd recommend Parkway, Mandina's, Parasol's, Ye Olde College Inn, Guy's for good RB poboys. R&O, Mandina's, Domilese's, Bozo's Parran's for seafood poboys. Mandina's and Joey K's for Italian meatball poboys -- my fav.
Just so you know, with poboys, "dressed" means mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato and (usually) pickles. It's the only way to eat these sandwiches, in my opinion. The fried seafood poboys usualy benefit from some ketchup and hot sauce -- adds some tang to the proceedings.
Best Seafood in NOLA
Just about everywhere in New Orleans has some kind of seafood on the menu. Anywhere that has fried seafood should also be able to prepare it broiled or grilled or what have you. Seafood is a big category, but these are the places that come to mind.
For fried seafood: Bozo's, Middendorf's, Mandina's, Casamento's, R&O
Raw oysters: Acme, Casamento's, Bozo's
Fried seafood poboys: Parkway, Mandina's, Domilese's, R&O
Classic Creole seafood entrees: Galatoire's, Clancy's, Commander's, Vizard's
Spanish tapas/ceviche: Rio Mar (better than Baru by a long shot)
New Orleans Trip Report (LONG!!!) November 9-14, 2009
Wow, I'm really impressed. You did New Orleans right. I think you can take as much credit for the "friendly locals" as we locals can -- you seem like the kind of person who meets people easily.
Next time you visit, I think you should explore the Marigny and Bywater, two funky neighborhoods downriver from the FQ. Mimi's in the Marigny is a two-story dive bar with delicious tapas (go late at night) and live music most nights. Bacchanal is a wine bar in the Bywater that has an event every Sunday where local chefs cook small dishes. It's usually packed with locals.
I'd also recommend some neighborhood joints like Mandina's, Liuzza's and R&O for your next trip.
Trip Report 11/21-23
A couple things: a good roast beef poboy is supposed to be a little soggy on account of the juice, but it should never be underseasoned. (I'd have sprinkled some salt on it, myself.) The only problem I've ever had at Parkway is stale bread (one time), but I always get fried shrimp, so the bread stays intact and any staleness would be evident.
Next time at Commander's get the soups 1-1-1. Usually not on the menu, but it's a (demitase) cup of turtle soup, cup of gumbo, and cup of soup du jour. Good if there's one soup you don't care for.
Cafe Equator (Thai)
I had pad thai for dinner. Had to put half of it in the fridge for the next day. That was enough food for me. Can't comment on other dishes.
Brunch Report on a recent Saturday in the Quarter
I think Stanley would have fit the bill for a poached-eggs-and-hollandaise brunch.
Cafe Equator (Thai)
Tried the pad thai from Cafe Equator in Metairie last night: wow! Complex, flavorful, not swimming in peanut butter. I used to live in New York where Thai restaurants are everywhere, and usually very good. This dish was as good or better than any rendition of pad thai I got up there.
Anybody been to this restaurant? What do you think? I didn't eat in, so I can't comment on the service or ambience, but it looked crowded for a Monday after a rainstorm.
wanna be a carnivorous barfly in New Orleans...
Are you talking about a restaurant that has a bar, or a bar that serves food? The recs I'm seeing are extremely varied, and I believe knowing which would help us narrow it down for you. Coquette is a fine dining restaurant, Molly's is a bar with food.
Grated Cheese on Burgers
It is not unique to the city. At least one place I know elsewhere does them this way: Johnny's in Oklahoma City, a legendary burger joint up there. They grate the cheese on and it's almost never melted when you bite into it.
I am a native New Orleanian and personally don't care for it, or for cheddar on my burgers at all. I prefer American in almost every case. Never been one for a rich-tasting burger.
Chipotle-style Burritos in New Orleans area?
Thanks all. I'm not looking for a sit-down place, so TC and Juan's are out for these purposes -- even though I'm sure you can take out from both. I went to Izzo's last week and it was passable. Not Chipotle, but it'll do. I'm going to check out Felipe's soon.
Chipotle-style Burritos in New Orleans area?
I'm a bit embarrassed to write this, but I lived in a city with a Chipotle and fell in love with their burritos. Sadly, no Chipotle in New Orleans. Can anybody recommend an alternative for a big-a$$ burrito? Kokopelli's used to be my go-to place here. Anyone been to Izzo's?
I know there are more authentic exemplars of Mexican food than Chipotle, but that's not what I'm looking for right now. Thanks in advance.
In-shell pecans in New Orleans
Anywhere know I can get unshelled pecans in the New Orleans area? Thanks!
Indian Food-Is Nirvana it?
Does Tandoori Chicken have a buffet? If so, what days of the week?
Vietnamese in Metairie/Kenner?
I was inspired by a more general question about the best Vietnamese in the city to ask what the best Vietnamese restaurants are in Metairie and Kenner. Sometimes I don't want to drive out to the West Bank. What's the best for bahn mi, pho, family style dishes, etc.? I welcome your opinions!
Dinner in french quarter attire
A nice collared shirt paired with slacks or even jeans will get you into 99 percent of the restaurants in New Orleans. Galatoire's is an exception -- a jacket is required. But that's not typical of the French Quarter, where things are usually very laid back. I don't think you'll have a problem eating and then hitting Bourbon. If you're looking for fine restaurants with a more casual feel, NOLA or GW Fins would work well. For casual dining, FoodChic's list is good.
Arnaud's Jazz bistro, is it part of the restaurant proper?
Irvin Mayfield's new club at the Royal Sonesta is getting lots of buzz. Don't know if they serve food, but a few local friends of mine have been and say the music is great. Usually locals avoid this sort of thing, especially in the French Quarter, because it can be very touristy. Not so, I've heard, about Irvin Mayfield's.
A new Orleans Jazz Brunch - something other than Arnaud's!
All I can say is what I saw, and yes, there was a table of (well-behaved) guys in their late 20s, some of whom were in cargo shorts and t-shirts. It was upstairs in the Garden Room. I don't know how anyone would feel that's appropriate for Commander's, but these guys did.
Great Saturday Night Dinner in Big Easy
Look at Cochon in the Warehouse District. Clancy's would be good, but it's about a 10 or 15 minute cab from the Quarter. Maybe K-Paul's, Emeril's, or NOLA?
Barbeque Shrimp
Also, read up on barbeque shrimp before you go. They are not grilled, and there is no barbeque sauce. They're essentially head-on shrimp braised in loads up butter, pepper and others spices. If you like how that sounds, dig in. I read one post recently where the woman faulted the dish for not being what she expected. Glad you're doing your homework!
A new Orleans Jazz Brunch - something other than Arnaud's!
Jazz brunch isn't exactly a "hip" concept. It's pretty old fashioned by nature, and there will be octagenerians most places that serve it -- which isn't many to begin with. I was at the jazz brunch at Commander's last week, and while the music and food were superb, it was still a very formal occasion. Most people were in sport coats, and the ladies were in dresses. A group of bachelors sat down next to us in shorts and t-shirts and probably felt very out of place.
I say ditch the jazz and just get brunch (or breakfast) at Elizabeth's, Lil' Dizzy's, Slim Goodie's, Stanley... and there are a few others I'm forgetting. You'll get the funky, trendy vibe you're looking for, just not the jazz combo.
