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My first New Orleans trip, could use help.

24 years ago

We would love to try the restaurants more known for the good food rather than being famous an fancy(such as Brennans, and Emeril's)and would love ideas of where to go and what to do. And also where NOT to go:) I would sure appreciate any help. If you would like, my email is

bearrwthme@aol.com

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Comments (7)

Lee
24 years ago
Try: www.fodors.com/forums/

There's lots of vacation questions and answers and New Orleans is often discussed.
It has search capability -- look for the TEXT SEARCH block at the top of the page.
geogirl
24 years ago
Everything owned by the Brenan family is a great restaurant (Mr.B's, Palace Cafe, Commander's Palace, Brennan's, etc), they are famous because they are famous because they are so exceptional. NOLA's (Emeril rest)is good, I've never been to the other two).

I know this is going to sound snotty...but if you are from anywhere else in the WORLD....pretty much New Orleans food...even in the bad places...is better than most good restraunts in other places. I've been to nice restraunts in Las Vegas, NY, Chicago, Orlando, Atlanta, etc....and none were as good as any place in NO where you can go in drop down a few bucks get a bowl of seafood gumbo and a barq's rootbeer.

Something I really liked to do when I was younger....You go to the aquarium of the Americas (very nice), then when you are done, you take a river boat cruise to Audubon Zoo, Do the Zoo, then you hop the Street Car (Down St. Charles Avenue....read....rich, beautiful homes to stare at) back to french Quarter to get your car.

At the very least make sure you ride the street car down st. Charles. Lots of visitors get wrapped up in the french quarter, there is so much more than that to NO.

geogirl
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A few other places from Chuck's page that I also recommend. Mid-City Lanes Rock 'n Bowl, 4133 S. Carrollton at Tulane. Perhaps the only bowling alley that regularly books bands, plus serves great food like alligator po-boys. A not-to-be-missed experience. Local acts, blues, roots music and zydeco predominate. Zydeco night on Thursdays. If you bowl, you have more room to dance than on the dance floor. FUN FUN FUN place and great music. Tipitina's, 501 Napoleon at Tchoupitoulas, 895-8477. A great club, and a veritable shrine to Professor Longhair, after whose signature tune it was named. Many local acts, plus national touring acts who tend to plkay much larger venues in other cities. Fais-do-do with the Bruce Daigrepont Cajun Band most Sundays, 5-9pm, with free red beans and rice. Food available, plus Abita Beer on tap. Tip's has fallen on harder times of late, with lots of their usual acts now playing the House of Blues. At the Jazzfest 1995 Cowboy Mouth show, Tip's crammed so many people into the club that for the first time I found the concertgoing experience there truly unpleasant. I imagine it's not as bad during the rest of the year, but if you go to Tip's when a bigger act is there, go early. Bookings 523-1614. Concert line 897-3943. Tip's Records 891-7994. FAX 891-7996. It has become more commercial because it has become so well known so it is not like it once was but still a fun spot. The original Muffa shop! I must have my Muffa! Central Grocery, 923 Decatur St., French Quarter. Owned by the Tusa family, this is the home of the famous muffuletta sandwich: ham, genoa salami, mortadella, provolone, seasoned olive oil drizzled on the inside of the specially baked seeded round Italian loaf, and the crowning touch - a marinated olive and vegetable salad in a thick layer on the sandwich. The pinnacle of the sandwich-maker's art. There are plenty of places that serve muffs, but Central was the first and is still the best. Don't try to eat one of these by yourself, or it could be incapacitating. Or what the hell, be a pig and do it at least once. This is also a terrific little Italian grocery store, with lots of imported products. I already mentioned Mothers but here is more about it Mother's, 401 Poydras St. at Tchoupitoulas, CBD. Many call it the best po-boy joint in town, home of the "Ferdi Special": piled high with their baked ham (the best anywhere), roast beef, gravy, and roast beef "debris" (the little tiny bits that fall off the roast beef and float in the gravy as it cooks). Fantastic breakfasts (try the ham biscuits), jambalayas and gumbos, and the best turtle soup in town (better than Galatoire's). Worth the wait in line, anytime. and the one not to miss Mulate's, 201 Julia St., Warehouse District. 522-1492. A huge dance floor and nightly live Cajun music by the likes of Steve Riley are the major draw to "The World's Most Famous Cajun Restaurant", which originated in Breaux Bridge, La. And hey, the food ain't nothin' to sneeze at either. Large quantities of tasty food, and any place that gives you a choice of frog's legs done two different ways is OK in my book. And you can dance off some of those calories while you're at it, too. Some of my dear friends were taking a trip down South and asked me this same question and I said top of the list Mulate's and go at night when a band is playing. They came back and told me that was the hilight of their trip! They were so amazed to see from little children to very old folks up and dancing to the great music. You leave with a smile and dancing feet. For a more real experience get off the commercial path and down into some of the smaller towns that is where the best food is. I also personally love the flea market at the end of the line.
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There is nothing you can do about how his ex is raising her kids & if they are rude, manipulative, inappropriate... and dad won't correct them on his time, then you'll have to get used to that. Some of that will rub off on your kids when the older kids visit. I'm not sure kids will resent that the parent disciplines them... kids WANT structure, routines, & discipline. They need limitations. His kids are more likely to resent him for NOT giving them that. But, the bottom line is you have a preview of what kind of father he is. He may be wonderful with your kids now, but they are not his kids. Watch how he deals with his own kids because that says more about him. Well, in fact it says a lot that he is more of a parent to someone else's kids than his own. I know my custodial SD sees her mom being more of a mom to her boyfriends kids & that hurts her a lot. For a long time, SD was protective of her BM but now she seems to be retaliating. She is rude, disrespectful at her mom's house. At our house, she is more self destructive... failing school, getting in trouble for bad behavior, etc. It doesn't surprise me if your BF's kids act up at his house, he isn't being the parent they want. His kids will always be his kids & they will be around for a long time... teen years are coming. Then there are young adult years.. paying for college, needing money for cars or housing... emergencies. They will visit, maybe bring kids with them. There will be holidays, graduations, weddings, grandkids being born. You may not like the way his kids are but he is their father & will be involved in all those things. I'm 41 & my parents have been divorced for 27 years and still dealing with each other because they have kids, grandkids & now great grandkids. Before you marry him, imagine what it will be like when you're in your 30's and his kids are teens that decide they want to live with dad. What about when they are young adults asking for help to get out on their own. Imagine what it will be like when you're in your 40's or 50's and they want to move in with their own kids following a divorce. Marriage is a commitment for life... til death do you part. My husband admits he never thought of what it would/could be like when we married 4 years ago. We are now raising my 23 yr old son's child because my son married a woman that isn't interested in being a mom & he joined the Army to support his new 'family'. I'm having to deal with his 11 yr old daughter that is flunking out of school, lies, is manipulative & she steals things from everyone. She has emotional problems due to stuff her mom does to her & has been boy crazy since she was 5... her mom buys her sexy underwear & padded bra's... thinks it's cute. We get to decide when to put her on birth control. Lots of stuff we didn't plan on happening...
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goaliemom
24 years ago
Don't forget the cemetery tours! And make sure to see the Garden District.
enjayare
24 years ago
I have to agree with geogirl the WORST food in New Orleans is way better than the best in most other places - and I live in NYC.

Our dinner at Emerils was by far the VERY BEST MEAL WE EVER HAS!! Althought it came to about $400 for 2 people (it was my 40th birthday - we had Champagne). Dont forget to try non-restaurant food too - Lucky Dogs, Muffelattas, Poor Boys, Cafe du Monde - Beigne(sp???).

I also agree about the Brennan's Commanders, Mr. B's are famous because the food is so good.

Don't dismiss the touristy french quarter - it's alot of fun! I once went to NO with a friend who was born there but lived in NYC for last 20 yrs. He commented that he forgot how much fun the french quarter was because as a resident he always avoided it.

As far as DONTs - use common sense. There is crime there - stay in well lit, well - populated places.
I'm jealous! I've been to NO at least 15 times and I would go back in a heartbeat. It's such a great place to visit.
MsMagnolia
23 years ago
Yes! Please come and visit my city! I was born and raised here, and absolutely could not possibly live anywhere else!

WOW - $400 for a meal for two at Emerils? I've eaten there several times and never more than $45 per person, including wine.

Some of the best (average priced) restaurants ARE in the French Quarter. Whenever I'm in the Quarter, I ALWAYS get a bowl of gumbo at "The Gumbo Shop", just to the left and down 1/2 block from St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square.

And, as someone mentioned, don't overlook the Cafe duMonde; you gotta have the cafe au lait and beignets! The "Lucky Dogs" are great, and are sold by cart vendors - all over the Quarter. (Don't worry about eating something sold ON the street, as Lucky Dogs is a very old tradition, and is constantly supervised by the Dept. of Health - never a problem.)

Chart House for steaks
The Gumbo House for gumbo (and lots of other great food)
Bella Luna for elegant dining
Irene's for good cajun variety
Central Grocery for 'the original' Muffaletto
Port O'Call for the best cheeseburgers in the world
Pontalba Cafe for the best po-boys
Acme Oyster House for the best oysters, half shell or fried
Galatoires for elegant dining
Mike Anderson's for fun, casual lunch or dinner

I wish everyone could experience New Orleans! There is so very much to see and do. The Quarter is only a small part. Take the Aquarium/Zoo/Streetcar tour - it's great. We often take visitors on that. Take a ride on the ferry across the river to Gretna and back. Fun. Take a tour of the Superdome - you won't forget it! Go thru the museums by Jackson Square, and the St. Louis Cathedral is a beautiful sight. See Tulane campus. Go to the Lakefront, and to the Garden District.

You will love our city.....truly the City That Care Forgot - The Big Easy! Y'all come on down, y'heah?
elizabethd
23 years ago
Hi

My first New Orleans trip is coming up in November. We are flying from Newfoundland (Canada) to NO and taking a cruise from there. We will be spending two separate nights in NO. I am VERY excited. I hear it is a wonderful city. Our problem is finding a nice place to stay that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. We are dealing with the Canadian/US exchange rate which doesn't help but we've yet to find anything less than $150 US.

We are open to historical, cultural, inn's and B&B's if anyone has some suggestions. Basically we want something CLEAN and close to the Ports and riverwalk.

I would GREATLY appreciate feedback from anyone who knows that part of town.

Thanks Very Much
kelleylaura
23 years ago
You didn't say when you were leaving, so I hope you don't miss this post. NO is a wonderful city - I've been there many many times, and plan to go back. You can take City Tours, plantation home tours,see the zoo, riverboat cruise and dinner tour. Tujaque's restaurant on Decatur and Alex Patout's on St. Louis St. are my two favorites among many. It's really really difficult to have a bad meal in NO. Stroll down Decatur. Walk along the Riverwalk, take the red trolley that runs up and down the Mississippi. Shop in the French Market. Antiques on Royal St., even if you're window shopping. Beautiful pieces of furniture from old southern homes. Walk in groups at night, but don't walk beyond the busy areas of the French Quarter.

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