uptownlibrarian's Profile
NOLA Cook's Stores? Vintage/Antique Cookware?
Do you recall the names of the regular bookstores in the Quarter that had a better selection of cookbooks than Kitchen Witch?
NOLA resident looking for more workday lunch options in FQ!
Have you tried Felipe's on N. Peters? Not sandwiches, but better than passable grilled veggie plates w/ rice & beans, or veggie burritos and quesadillas. Easy bike from you. I also get salads from K-Paul's lunch menu pretty frequently, but they're not really vegetarian friendly so that might not work for you. Let me/us know if you find any gems!
Oyster Banh Mi?
I'm somewhat of a banh mi aficionado, and I've never heard of this. I think it if did exist, it would be a fusion take on the concept that you might find at a more upscale place. I've definitely never seen this at a Vietnamese place.
Nawlins Trip Advice
??? $8 per drink is a dive bar price? I guess different strokes, but no drink in a real dive bar should cost more than $4.
I definitely wouldn't describe Tonique as no-nonsense either. It's pretty much full to brimming with nonsense, and I say that as someone who actually enjoys the place.
Finally, I wasn't referring to you in particular as someone erroneously classifying bars as "dive." It's just been something I've been noticing much more frequently lately. Bars that aren't dives but I have heard described that way: Coop's, the Maple Leaf, Cooter Browns, Jean Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop, Fat Harry's, Henry's, etc. etc.
Nawlins Trip Advice
Twelve Mile Limit in Mid City is what you're looking for. It's not even really a dive but it's a place that serves reasonably priced cocktails in a non-pretentious atmosphere.
Tonique is not a dive bar by any stretch. It's a fairly upscale cocktail bar. People are starting to have funny definitions of dive bar: any place that serves beer in a can and is dark and smoky is automatically a "total dive" these days. Snake & Jake's is a dive bar. Tonique? Please.
Nawlins Trip Advice
Dante's is better in my opinion. I really like it and it's been great lately. They don't have bar seating but it's cozy and fine for a solo diner. I wouldn't feel uncomfortable eating there alone at all.
NOLA resident looking for more workday lunch options in FQ!
As far as I know, your simple sandwich doesn't exist. I've been working in the Quarter for about 6 years and I haven't found anything that really scratches that itch. I agree with you on Royal St. Deli, I quit going there after a couple bad experiences and it is definitely weirdly pricey for what you get.
Moon Wok at Dauphine and St. Ann has a tofu banh mi that you might check out. Mona Lisa on Royal has a couple veggie sandwiches but they're pizza place style, like eggplant parm. La Boucherie coffee shop on Chartres has a good variety of sandwich options at lunch, but that's kind of a hike from where you are and it wouldn't be worth the trip for me. Subway? Just kidding.
In the CBD there's The Store on Gravier, City Greens on Poydras, and Merchant in the Maritime building on Common. I think they'd all fit your criteria but again are kind of far.
Anything wrong at Patois?
Eh, not really, unfortunately. Dos Jefes on Tchoupitoulas is fine, and Monkey Hill bar is nearby on Magazine Street, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend either on the quality of their drinks - certainly not over Cure if you're into cocktails. In addition to Cure though, check out Bouligny Tavern on Magazine closer to Louisiana. It would still be a cab ride but I like the drinks and atmosphere. I'm not saying it's better than Cure, but it's another similar option if you've never been.
Anything wrong at Patois?
The lamb ribs are one of my favorite dishes there, if they're on the menu. Have fun.
Anything wrong at Patois?
Does this link work for you?
http://www.opentable.com/restaurant-patois-reservations-new-orleans?rid=20464&restref=20464
It's under Restaurant Patois, maybe that's why it didn't come up. I just tried to make a reservation and it seemed to work.
Three Lunches (Weds/Thurs/Fri)
I like the idea of doing Green Goddess and Mr. B's in the same day - however, Green Goddess closes between lunch and dinner service, while you can sit at the bar at Mr. B's between services. So I'd switch the order and have a light lunch with cocktails at Green Goddess and have BBQ shrimp for a snack.
I agree with doing Mila on the day you're pressed for time. You can definitely to the three course prix fixe in two hours. I once did it on an hour lunch break from jury duty. August is more time consuming and further from the Ritz as you noted, and I think two hours would be pushing it.
Sunday Evening Casual Business Dinner
Domenica would be good for this. Reservations should not be a problem, but I'd call whenever you're ready and make sure they can take you. Otherwise, Luke, another Besh property, would almost certainly be able to take you without reservations. Both are casual and relatively inexpensive but good.
Just on the other side of Canal (French Quarter side) is Mr. B's, which is still casual but more expensive than the other two. It strikes me as a good place for a business dinner.
Sunday brunch/lunch in Baton Rouge?
Oh no we're only six. The immediate family, not the whole fan-damly. Thanks for the idea!
Sunday brunch/lunch in Baton Rouge?
We're meeting the Lafayette branch of the family for a birthday brunch or lunch in Baton Rouge next weekend, and we get to choose. Any suggestions for new and interesting, or established and possibly overlooked? Assume a good basic knowledge of the surrounds, as everyone involved has either lived there or is a frequent visitor. Last time we went to Beausoleil in the Bocage and really enjoyed it, so that's not necessarily off the table if nothing else jumps out. Also on the table are our old family favorites of TJ Ribs and the Chimes, but I'm hoping there will be something new and wonderful that we just haven't heard about yet. Any ideas? Thanks!
Casual dinner for 12 near CBC, FQ during Jazzfest
Try calling Borgne. It's supposed to be very good, but it's still pretty new so still might be under the radar of the average fest goer. It's in the Hyatt.
Casual dinner for 12 near CBC, FQ during Jazzfest
That does seem like the obvious answer, but he specified that he wants to seat everyone together. But something's gotta give!
Casual dinner for 12 near CBC, FQ during Jazzfest
This strikes me as something that's going to be really tough. You want a 12 top, on a weekend during Jazz Fest, in the CBD, in about an hour (so not fine dining), AND it has to be good? Yeah nothing is coming to me either. I think you might have to flex on at least one of your criteria. Could you go to somewhere casual like Tracey's for poboys? It fits everything except being close to your hotel. Could you get a bunch of muffalettas the day before and stow them in your hotel rooms? Then you could fill up for dinner pretty late at Fest, go out drinking, and drop back to the hotel and have the sandwiches for a late night snack. Would you settle for basically taco truck food? Hit up Cafe Negril on Frenchmen Street during your wanderings, they serve good tacos til late. Obviously I'm just going off the top of my head with these suggestions, but I really can't think of a way to make this happen with your current requirements. Did you try calling Domenica and begging? Can't hurt!
Best Sushi in New Orleans?
Agreed - Kyoto II is one of the best in the area in my opinion.
There's a new place on Decatur in the Quarter called Ginger Lime. I tried it last week and was very pleasantly surprised. The service was as green as green gets, but the sashimi was among the best I've had in town, believe it or not. It may have been previously frozen, as I understand most sashimi is (please correct me if I'm wrong on that) you couldn't tell because unlike many places it wasn't served too cold. It was just really good standard sashimi lunch variety at a good price. SOOO much better than Samauri, which is just down the street but really not good at all. Ginger Lime - definitely the best sushi in the Quarter.
Recs for yummy dinner w great atmosphere
Dante's Kitchen. They're really hitting it out of the park these days. They have a very well priced wine list, as well as good cocktails, and a menu with lots of variety. Perfect for sharing a bunch of small plates.
New Orleans restaurant for group of 10 during Jazz Fest!
As far as I know they still don't take reservations during Jazz Fest, although they do at other times now. That's how it's been the past few Jazz Fests anyway.
Looking for the Soul of New Orleans
What, you actually think we're going to give away all the good secrets? We don't really want the lines at DF to get longer either, so try to keep quiet about that.
Easter Sunday brunch/lunch/dinner
How about Zea? They have Metairie, Kenner, and Harahan locations.
my "slightly off the beaten path" meal report
Meltdown is the BEST. Next time, don't sleep on the salted caramel - but the pineapple cilantro is definitely on my top five list. Glad you made it there.
Please offer suggestions on my 5 day Easter weekend list with 23 yr. old boys...
It depends where in the Quarter you're walking from. It's 10-15 minutes from Royal St. at Esplanade, and twice as far/long from Royal at Canal. They have breakfast everyday.
Please offer suggestions on my 5 day Easter weekend list with 23 yr. old boys...
There's nothing particularly wrong with it I suppose, it's just a little cafe with nothing really special or interesting to offer. It's more like a place you'd run into and grab an egg sandwich or order a meatball sub from if you worked nearby, rather than a destination to take guests for a Saturday brunch while on vacation.
A couple suggestions in different neighborhoods: Dante's Kitchen (Riverbend), Atchafalaya (Uptown), Cafe Degas (Bayou St. John), Green Goddess (French Quarter) and Luke (CBD, in Hilton) do great brunches on Saturday at a level a bit more upscale (but not Commander's). Check out their menus.
For more casual options, I already mentioned Surrey's, which is a diner atmosphere but a notch or two up from your basic omelets and pancakes in quality. Also look into Cake Cafe and Elizabeth's (Bywater), the Lil Dizzy's on Esplanade (rather than the Poydras location), and Irish House for some good mid-range options. Maybe even St. James Cheese Company, if they guys have never been.
Cheap, delicious, and at least somewhat atmospheric or interesting: Stein's Deli, Tartine (one million thumbs up to their eggs baked in brioche), Il Posto, Slim Goodies, and either location of Camellia Grill.
Please offer suggestions on my 5 day Easter weekend list with 23 yr. old boys...
Your Saturday brunch at Red Gravy sticks out like a sore thumb on that list; I'd nix it. If you're going for something more casual, there are much better options - Surrey's for one.
Commander's Palace Questions
You're overthinking a bit, I think. Most people won't notice your bruises, and anyone who does will be sympathetic rather than disgusted. But your pants outfit sounds fine to me too.
Saturday Morning Bachelor Party Brunch
The Rivershack doesn't have a specific brunch, but they open at 11 and have specials on Bloody Marys and Mimosas, as well as a good variety of better-than-it-deserves-to-be bar food as a result of having a pretty serious chef. It's a fun place at any time of day.
Coulis is a diner basically, and I don't think it's a good fit for a group of 15, but I'm sure you could call and ask what they think.
Tuesday Lunch in the Quarter
Galatoire's would be great, there won't be a line on Tuesday at all. I was trying to think of places with patios since the weather should be nice, but Bayona and Green Goddess are closed on Tuesday (as you probably discovered in your research) and nothing else is coming to me. The Hermes Bar at Antoine's is a nice, bright room and they usually keep the doors/windows open when it's nice. There's always Mr. B's, which I very much enjoy for lunch with friends when we have a little occasion to celebrate, but I'd choose Galatoire's over Mr. B's most any day.
