Hello Everyone, first time poster and visitor

[RenoRed]

Hi, I'd first like to say that I think these forums are just great. We are coming out next week. It's our 25th wedding aniversery. Whew! How did we do that? Anyway, we are from San Francisco, and are very much looking forward to visiting and experiencing all that NO has to offer. We were supposed to come 3 years ago, but Katrina hit 2 days prior to our departure. So we are trying again. (Held our breath with Gustuv and Ike)
Since you are all locals, we would value your input and opinions. We have 5 nights. Please help make our trip a great one with your suggestions on where and what to eat, and what or whom it see at the jazz clubs. Thanks so much.

[EatinAintCheatin]

Welcome aboard. I'm sure you'll receive many recommendations. But it would help greatly if you answered a few questions first:

Where are you staying?

Will you have a car?

What level of dining are you interested in?

These are just a few starters. From your answers we could probably give many recs.

[DivaKitty]

Try to see John Boutte at DBA's on Frenchman Street. He's usually there on Saturday evenings, but check his website www.johnboutte.com
Afterward go see whoever is playing across the street at the Spotted Cat.
You can spend an entire evening on Frenchman St. in the Marigny (across Esplanade from the French Quarter.)
You came to the right place to find out the best place to eat!

[Schuarta]

Our favorite place for Jazz in the same area is Snug Harbor Jazz Club:

http://www.snugjazz.com/site/

Featuring (owned and/or run by?) Ellis Marsalis, father of the other Marsalis musicians, a different group plays every night.

Excellent food and bar as well. Known for super burgers, as well as steaks, cajun/creole, etc.

:cool:

[NoNoNanette]

Martini menu at www.thebombayclub.com will knock your socks off (If you're into exotic libations). The place itself is lovely.... even if for a quick beer.

Food:

I like the food at Bombay Club. Across the street, you'll find Broussard's.... lovely. Cheap eats less than a block away at the DEJA VU.... basically a bar with kick-arse food and an amusing clientèle!

I'll be happy to email you maps, etc.... just PM me. Happy 25th! (Frisco is my favorite US destination!) :)

[RenoRed]

Hmmm...I guess a little more info about us would help in obtaining recommendations.........
We are in our early 50's and very much young at heart. We are staying right in the FQ, pretty much central, one block off Bourbon.
We aren't renting a car because many people have said we don't need one, and that NO has a very good transport system with it's streetcars, bus lines, and taxi service.
We appreciate fine dining (but being from SF) we tend to lean toward the "local's favorite", or the "neighborhood gem". As you know, SF is a has many, many good restaurants...some of the best are one's like described above. Since we are from CA, and not used to humidity, my husband refuses to go "coat and tie". How do the people of NO, dress up to go out with the air feeling like pea soup? :confused:
As for food and dining, we like everything! (well, sorry to admit..got to pass on raw oysters..but love shrimp and crab) And we certainly love spicy.
Hope this helps! We really appreciate your responses!
Oh, and I have to ask...what is the difference between a "Poor Boy" and a sandwich? They certainly sound like "a sandwhich". Bet I won't find one with good SF sourdough though....:D

[Duke]

The main difference between a po-boy and other large, submarine-shaped sammiches is our bread. The Leidenhemer bread folks make a French loaf that is unique in its crusty outside and soft inside, many say thanks to our local humidity. The sandwich fillings vary -- but I'd suggest trying roast beef (at either Parkway Bakery or Parasol's) or fried oyster or shrimp. And you will want it "dressed (mayo, tomato and pickles)."

Speaking of Parkway Bakery and Parasol's -- Please. Get out. Of the French Quarter. This is if you want to find the neighborhood places that have any non-tourist personality to them. Walk up Magazine St. Take the streetcar to Mid-City. Go over to the Marigny/Bywater. Your hotel concierge can tell you the highlights.

Admittedly, since our place is on Lower Magazine, we have our own point of view. But staying in the FQ would be like basing a view of San Francisco by spending all your time at Fisherman's Wharf.

We're thrilled you're coming. Enjoy our many locally-owned places.

[Alex]

I am not sure if you are into Zoos and stuff like that, but the Audobon Society has some great attractions as well. Our Zoo is top notch, we have a great aquarium, and and insectarium has recently opened as well. I have not been to it yet but my wife went and had a good time.

[EatinAintCheatin]

If the weather is good you could take the street car down St. Charles and get off at Riverbend (St. Charles and Carrolton) and have dinner at Brigtsen's Restaurant. Brigtsen's is one of the locals favorite places. It's a little high end but you don't need a coat or tie. You will need reservations and if you want to go you should make them NOW. Any duck dish that Frank Brigtsen cooks is awesome, IMHO. And you can always take a cab back to the FQ.

http://www.brigtsens.com/

[foodophyle]

A good place in the quarter for poor boys is Johnny's on St Louis. It gets crowded at lunch, so go early or a bit later. It is only open until 3pm. The web site is http://johnnyspoboy.com You absolutely must try a po boy during your stay. I highly recommend you try at least one of the following types : roast beef, shrimp or oyster po boy.

If you can fit it in, I recommend you rent a car for one day and go to Jean Lafitte Park in Barataria, near Lafitte. They have an exceptionally good visitor's center, guided and unguided walking tours, and its all free. You could stop for lunch at one of the incredibly good Vietnamese restaurants on the way to or from the park. My favorite is Tan Dinh, but people also rave about Nine Roses, Kim Son and Pho Tau Bay. Although SF has good Asian food, I found it lacking good Viet. cuisine. The Viet. rests. in this area also have their own style of po boy sandwich which are well worth trying.

A street car ride uptown is a must and there are several great restaurants in the area, and many are a relatively short walk from the streetcar line. Brigtsen's, Clancy's, Patois, Petite Grocery, Lilette, Vizard's, Cassemento's, Joey K's.

In the quarter, consider Bayona, Galatoires, Court of Two Sisters (huge brunch buffet and lovely garden), and Mr. B's.

If you have not picked up a guide book, you should. I am surely leaving out quite a few qreat places. Also, most restaurants have web sites, so check out the menus before you go to narrow your list. Hopefully, you will come back again to hit the places you missed this visit.

[buzd]

And you will want it "dressed (mayo, tomato and pickles)."


Dressed is mayo, lettuce, and tomato. And sometimes pickles. (but you knew that)

[Schuarta]

Dressed is mayo, lettuce, and tomato. And sometimes pickles. (but you knew that)

No onions?

[Suzy Wong]

No onions?

:eek:

;) No, not in the standard term of "dressed" just what buzd posted.

Some people add hot sauce, lemon juice, (2) I can think of at the moment to seafood.

[RenoRed]

Wonderful responses! Just what we were looking for. Keep them coming!

Duke, I fully agree about the "bread" making the sandwich. Just like the "right crust" for a pizza, or the crispness of a tortilla for a taco shell.
Looking at a map, Magazine st. sure looks to be pretty long. Can you give us an idea how long it would take to walk it? Are some parts of the street better to see than others? (And I would never sent out of towners to Fishermans Warf...unless they really insisted on seeing it.) However, the tour that takes you out to Alcatraz is really great!

FoodoPhyle...you didn't find good Vietnamese in SF??? What is up with that? There are lot's of little shops that specialize in the vietnamese poorboy. We call them BAHN MI .
I like the idea of getting out to see a bit more of the area, but our time is limited, but I'm not ruling it out. I love our National Parks, and I'm sure that to see Lafitte Park would be really nice.

NoNoNanette Gotta check out that Bombay Club. Is is casual, or more ? I love martini's! Gosh, who doesn't? BTW, please don't call SF "Frisco" we all cringe when we hear that! We refer to our beloved city simply "The City".

Who should we be sure to see for entertainment at the various clubs?
Big Al at the Funky Pirate? Kermit Rufins at Vaughns? Whatever/Whoever is at Preservation Hall? This town must certainly have some favorites!

Thanks so much for the suggestions, we are open to more of course. 2 days to go!!! Wooooo-Hoooo!!! :laughup:

[Duke]

Magazine St. is about six miles long, from downtown to Audubon Park. There are gaps in the commercial areas, as it can go from five blocks commercial to five blocks residential, etc. The eight or so blocks or so from the WWII Museum to the start of the Uptown commercial area (at about Felicity) can look a bit scary, but it's entirely safe enough during the day. In general, the farther Uptown you go, the more upscale things become. But this is not always true, since there are some very high-end art and antique places in the 1800-2100 blocks.

I agree about "dressed" being with lettuce. Sorry, but I was too focused on the tomato. :whip:

New Orleans, like New York, is a city of neighborhoods. Each has its different flavor and there is no "best." It's possible (and ideally advisable) to spend three days on Magazine St. alone. The same can be said for other sections of town. All the more reason to come back and see us repeatedly -- at different times of the year.

For instance, this week's cooler weather has brought a remarkable uptick in attitude and confidence, despite the bad economic news. More of us are out and doing things. It's nice.

[justagirl]

If I were staying in town this weekend I'd join Duke at Tip's Saturday night for Sonny Landreth's CD release party. He's an increadible guitar player, even touted by the likes of Clapton. If you are up for staying out a little late, Tip's Saturday night would be awesome and I'm sure the Purple Van (Que Crawl) will be out there for some late night eats. Now that would be having a purely local night out.

I'd of course follow that Sunday morning with breakfast at J'Anita's but I always have my Sunday breakfast there :)

Bombay is fun, there should be music (piano) there too. It's not very dressy but nice. Most of the time the food is excellent there. I too like Broussards, pretty much across the street, but I'm always the youngest on there...they have a great courtyard and bar as well.

Have a great time and enjoy our great city. I can't wait to hear about it!

[BTG]

Be sure and ride the street car out to City Park and make a quick visit to the N.O. Museum of Art.
If you are on the mood for a little walk from there, go down Esplanade a three or four blocks and eat at Cafe Degas. This would be especially nice if the weather is a little cooler as they have a nice patio for dining.

For one of your nicer dinners, think about going to the Pelican Club.

Take the Canal St. ferry across the Miss. river to Algiers. In addition to getting to the see hood across the river, it will provide you with a nice view of the city from the river.

[JudiB]

Reno... this might sound weird... but if they're walking down Esplanade to Café Degas, I think they should walk through the cemetery first. It's beautifully preserved, and an oddity to folks from out of town. I generally take visitors there, or on the tours they used to have preK at Lakelawn/Metairie Cemetery. :)

[RouxTheDay]

Welcome RenoRed...I guess you're here by now. Sorry I couldn't chime in sooner... I was in San Francisco for the weekend.

I know you didn't ask about breakfast but since I just had the absolute best breakfast I've ever eaten in my life in YOUR city, it's stuck in my mind. Dottie's True Blue Cafe....WOW! The closest I can think of is Elizabeth's. Check it out if you get the chance.

Other notables (IMO) in the Quarter that you might want to consider: Irene's, GW Fins, The Rib Room, The Bistro at the Maison de Ville, Stella!, and Central Grocery to pick up a muffelatta.

The Warehouse District is in walking distance for you and has lots of nice options as well. August, Emeril's, Rio Mar, Tommy's, Cochon.....and my absolute favorite: LaBoca (Argentinian Steak house)

If you decide to ride the ferry over the Mississippi River, you can visit Mardi Gras world(where the floats are built) and get a po-boy at the Dry Dock.

Have a great time!