Pretty good, because the food comes from the same kitchen as if ordered in the main dining room. Also, they're kinda used to it because they do jazz daily (nightly during the week.) in the jazz room.

The food quality at CP takes a definitive hit on jazz days, Sat & Sun.

Arnaud's.

Never having been to the original Drago's (I live near the Hilton branch), does anyone know if the prices are the same at the two locations, or is there a "turista upcharge" at the Hilton? Maybe it's just me, but I have found the prices pretty high at the latter, e.g. at lunch today, $7.45 for the tiniest cup of gumbo, apps to the mid-teens and mains to the mid-twenties.

Thanks hazel.

Hi all! I have some visitors coming to town for Christmas and they're heading to the Rib Room. It's such a pretty, Christmas-sy room but, for those who may want it, I haven't heard complimentary things about their prime rib for the last 10 years. Has Chef Rene improved matters or should I advise them to stay clear of the restaurant's namesake dish? Thanks in advance!!

I haven't seen much here about Upperline, lately, post-succession of new chefs. Anybody have any reports? Now on their third since Ken Smith. Maybe 3's a charm?

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Upperline Restaurant
1413 Upperline St, New Orleans, LA

I have a good friend who's taking a group of 12 20 to 30-something year olds to have a "fun 'n quirky" dinner out, in a couple of weeks. He had his mind set to go to Jacques-Imo's but they can't take them. I've been thinking...came up with Dick and Jenny's. Maybe not quite as vibrant. Any better suggestions? Food needs to be pretty good and at least interesting. A million thanks in advance!!

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Jacques-Imo's Cafe
8324 Oak St, New Orleans, LA 70118

Anybody know a source for fresh raw shell-on shrimp, etc., in the FQ? Not sure what the shell-off shrimp is at Rouse's on Royal but it sure is tasteless. Want to cook seafood Saturday night in the quarter but don't have a car. Thanks in advance!

I would be astonished if a super high-end restaurant as you describe in NYC, where you unload the really big bucks, would turn a deaf ear to any customer concern at any time, even if minute. It's all part of the "experience." The only thing I can figure with busy middle range restaurants with a high turnover of customers is that, when you complain, they just write you off as a customer and know that 2 new ones will probably take your place. That is extra annoying to me.

Had a really enjoyable brunch there last weekend. Nice space, too.

I haven't been, but Maurice has a bakery in Metairie. It's not convenient to us in the FQ but does he make croissants there? If so, is it worth the drive? I hope some culinarily inclined entrepreneur reads this: THE FRENCH QUARTER NEEDS A GREAT CROISSANT. We'll support you every single day! A lot of us, I promise! It's not a stretch: French Quarter -- good French croissants. Makes pretty good sense to me.

You have to wonder about a place that will oddly substitute cream cheese for a tasty gruyere/swiss inside of a ham and cheese croissant, and a request to have one heated will mean the microwave. Yuk! One poster suggested trying La Boulangerie croissants. Anybody have thoughts on theirs? Really need to find some good ones to go...

Oh wow, that's terrible news. The FQ needs a great croissant, I know I do.

Being in business, I always address my customer's problems or inquiries. It's just the thing to do. I don't know why restaurants don't see it that way. You won't go back to La Boca and I won't go back to Maximo's simply because we were ignored when we rightfully approached them about their being responsible for a bad evening. We had a similar situation at Le Meritage a year ago that they didn't bother to respond to. Terrible way to run a business, I think.

Partner and I made reservations for our first Maximo's dinner on March 19. 1 hour 20 min after ordering, we hadn't been served our 1st course. We watched endless food coming out, but none for us, despite being seated far earlier than others being served. I asked our waiter how it was going and he replied, "It's very, very bad," He was unable to confirm that any food was coming to us at all! It was all unbelievable. We finally had to leave at 10 PM, starved. Upon leaving, I told the host (or manager?) our situation, who responded unapologetically, "Could be server error." Oh, thank you for that! Now I feel better. A terrible Saturday night it was.

I took the initiative to write a nice letter to the restaurant explaining the situation. I don't want anything free or anything else, except a response would have been nice. They didn't bother. This spot is so off my list.

Has anyone subscribed to the "new" Rosengarten Report which debuted in May 2010? I subscribed ($59.95) in September, 2010, and never received any issues (you are supposed to receive them monthly via email.) My two emails to "support" went unanswered, so I had to dispute the charge on my credit card to get my money back. So sad, because I was looking forward to it. Any similar stories? http://www.rosengartenreport.com/ Just a fair warning to those who may be tempted to subscribe.

Has anyone subscribed to the "new" Rosengarten Report which debuted in May 2010? I subscribed ($59.95) in September, 2010, and never received any issues (you are supposed to receive them monthly via email.) My two emails to "support" went unanswered, so I had to dispute the charge on my credit card to get my money back. So sad, because I was looking forward to it. Any similar stories? http://www.rosengartenreport.com/ Just a fair warning to those who may be tempted to subscribe.

Though they apparently has fans of it, I've never been one for their muffaletta, from the institutional-grade cold cuts to the blah olive salad.

You'll love Ethiopian. Think the most comforting home-style stews, greens & veggies picked up with wonderful, slightly sweet, thick-crepe-like injera.

Thank you!

Good to know, thanks!

Anybody been here lately? What's your take? Thanks in advance!!!!

August's food is in a different league from Emeril's (corporate) and Commanders (dear, but not the finest food; that said, it's a special place and pretty at lunch, then afterwards stroll the garden district) Parkway Bakery would fill your need for a good hole-in-the wall lunch spot http://www.parkwaybakeryandtavernnola... (suggest the surf 'n turf po-boy.) Stella is creative and potentially sublime for dinner, though at the highest prices in town. If you've never been to Brigtsen's (dinner only), I would definitely put it on your list -- it never fails to please. Do Jacques Imo's only if you're in a fun and kitchsy kind of mood and not that concerned about top quality this and that.

I've heard and read a lot over the years that the guy really has talent. I'll try it in the next month or so.

Hotel Maison de Ville has been closed and for sale for at least 2 years. The Bistro, however, is still there and is as good as ever.

I would definitely not waste a lunch on the Napoleon House.

Unsure how the current incarnation compares to the old Dominique but it's the same person. Menu looks tasty to me. http://www.dominiquesonmag.com/

Anybody been yet?

Bill, we didn't have a service problem, but the food was simply not memorable enough to return and, as you say, with so many other worthy contenders, why bother? One very bad idea was for them to use peelings (from a vegetable peeler) of asparagus and broccoli stems to "garnish." To look at it, It's reminiscent of discarded veggie peelings in your kitchen sink and, of course, had the consistency of pieces of string. Anyway, speaking of the Brennan places, the only place I haven't been is Ralph's. What's your take on it, say, for a nice lunch?