New Orleans recommendations?

BeachbumAggieBeachbumAggieBeach FanaticArlington, TX799 postsJoined Jun 6, '08View profile MessageBeach Fanatic

Nov 15, '10 · 10:33 PM601

Hubby and I are going to New Orleans for a long weekend in December, we've been lots of times and are looking to try some new places this trip. I need to do a little research as I saw on tripadvisor something about a rum tour where they make small batch rum-yum and would like to go to the WWII museum this trip. Any other rec's for entertainment?

For food here's what's on my potential meal list but I'm very open to additions or feedback to cut some off the list-clearly we can't eat all of this food in 3.5 days!! I'll star the places we've been before*

Bfast: *Oceana-love the french toast, *Johnny's, *Surrey's, Stanley, Elizabeths

Lunch: The American Sector at WWII museum, Parkway Bakery and Tavern, Dick n Jenny's, Mahony's, Cochon Buther, Boucherie

Snack: La Divina, Sucre, Creole Creamery, *Cafe du Monde, *Croissants d'Or

Dinner: Eleven 79, Bon Ton Cafe, Cochon, Commanders Palace, *Mr B's

Late night: *Verti Marte, *Coops gumbo

Please let me know what you think. We're driving down so we've got wheels and between the blackberry and iphone we can usually find our way around!

Replies

jtatumjtatumBeach Comber38 postsJoined Jul 12, '07View profile MessageBeach Comber

Nov 15, '10 · 11:35 PM#2

Loved the WWII museum. American Sector***, Butcher (lunch) and Cochon (dinner) get my vote. What I would recommend really depends on where you are staying.
I lived in NO for 25 yrs and moved to SoWal 8yrs ago. Any questions... feel free to ask.

SHELLY

SHELLYSoWal Insider5,763 postsJoined Jun 13, '05View profile MessageSoWal Insider

Nov 16, '10 · 12:29 AM#3

I've always enjoyed dinner at Irene's Cuisine--it's off the beaten track and pretty packed every night; reservations are highly recommended (if they want to accept them that night) and then you'll probably wait at least 30+ minutes after that to be shown to the piano bar where you'll wait some more. But once you sit down to dinner, the food is delicious and the setting is quirky and casual (a hodge-podge of nicely decorated little rooms packed with tables where you sit elbow-to-elbow with an eclectic mix of locals & tourists). The service runs the gambit from incredible to laissez faire, but I've never had a bad meal or a bad night.

If you're in a rush to eat; don't like mouth-watering Italian food; and not into people-watching, you will want to give this place a miss.

To cut down on the wait, get in right when it opens (about 5:30) and when you're done, the night is still young.

Edited Nov 16, '10 · 12:41 AM

Minnie

MinnieBeach FanaticMemphis4,328 postsJoined Dec 30, '06View profile MessageBeach Fanatic

Nov 16, '10 · 1:47 AM#4

Went to the Maple Leaf our last visit on Kurt's suggestion, great place. Especially if Rebirth Brass Band is there.

http://mapleleafbar.com/

Toured Mardi Gras World and found it fascinating. They were working on this year's floats when we were there.

http://www.mardigrasworld.com/

Did the French Quarter Phantom's tour and loved it,

New Orleans Haunted Ghost, Cemetery, Spiritual History Tours ~ French Quarter Phantoms

Also do you know about the special Reveillon Menus for December at certain restaurants. Great meals at great prices.

http://www.neworleansonline.com/christmas/

Butcher and Cochon are great but so is Commandeer's Palace.

Edited Nov 16, '10 · 2:12 AM

ClintClint ClintClint avatar

ClintClintBeach Fanatic599 postsJoined Jul 2, '08View profile MessageBeach Fanatic

Nov 16, '10 · 3:38 AM#5

Enjoy your trip but personally I try not to go below sea level without scuba gear on.

Edited Nov 16, '10 · 3:40 AM

Kurt

KurtAdminSoWal2,475 postsJoined Oct 15, '04View profile MessageAdmin

Nov 16, '10 · 5:33 AM#6

Why is it I always have a hard time remembering the names of places I like in NOLA?

pattymcbobpattymcbobBeach Lover90 postsJoined Dec 3, '08View profile MessageBeach Lover

Nov 16, '10 · 6:50 AM#7

Because there are so many great places! My current favorite is Herbsaint; everything we ordered from appetizer to dessert was something that will make us go back. Be sure to walk through the lobby of the Roosevelt Hotel; Waldorf Astoria recently spent $145 million renovating it to the original, crystal chandeliers, etc. We stayed near the Ritz, walked through the Roosevelt on our way to walking to Herbsaint.
Jacques-imos, in midtown which does require a cab, is a very casual, fun, eclectic spot for dinner, great food also. Gotta start planning a trip there soon!

BeachbumAggieBeachbumAggieBeach FanaticArlington, TX799 postsJoined Jun 6, '08View profile MessageBeach FanaticAuthor

Nov 16, '10 · 7:55 AM#8

thanks ya'll, keep the rec's coming! Paddleboarder, I wanted to stay at the Roosevelt but my Hilton points would only get me 2 nights and I didn't want to waste vacation time moving hotels so maybe next year! I forgot about Irene's, we've tried to eat there before but had a group of 6 and were going to wait forever for seating so I'll add that to my potential list-I love mouth watering Italian food and laid back service isn't really a problem for me as long as I get cool atmosphere with it! I'll look at the Herbsaint menu as well, it gets good reviews on tripadvisor, too.