South - New Orleans restaurants -- recent reviews and recommendations?

We will be first timers in New Orleans in dec. and I have searched this board looking for restaurant suggestions. What I have found is really out of date by several years so I am wondering if anyone has some recent info on the restaurants that can't be missed. One of us is a non seafood diner but we all love well spiced foods. We are mainly a one glass of wine diners. We will be at the JW so any restaurants nearby would be great. Thanks

Since you are staying in the CBD, I'll limit it to the FQ, CBD, & Warehouse District.

Upscale
MiLa - CBD
Iris - FQ
Stella - FQ
Bayona - FQ
Galatoire's - FQ
Emeril's - WD
Cuvee - CBD
Rambla - CBD
Restaurant August - CBD

Less Expensive
Cochon - WD
Butcher (Donald Link's new place around the corner from Cochon)
Lucy's Retired Surfer Bar - WD
Gordon Biersch - CBD
Mother's - CBD
Johnny's Po-Boys - FQ
Serio's Po-Boys - CBD

These are just off the top of my head and some of my preferences. There are a lot more to choose from that are almost as good, or equally good. Believe me, you won't go hungry or lack choices. I'll let some others chime in now. :D

Also refer to:

http://www.nomenu.com/open/RestaurantsOpen.html#CBD

Edited to add: If you're going to other parts of the city, i.e., Lower Garden District, the Garden District, Uptown, etc., let me know and I can help with those, also.

Lucy's Retired Surfer Bar - WDAh, Lucy's!!! Good memories! :D

My wife and I also enjoyed Lüke (http://www.lukeneworleans.com/) in the CBD.

Gordon Biersch? :confused:

Gordon Biersch? :confused:

Yeah, I know. Chain brewery tied in with Harrah's. But, in a pinch, it's fairly decent for lunch in that neck of the woods. Also, prices are reasonable. I'd take it over a bunch of other places in the CBD.

If you've never been to a Popeye's Fried Chicken restaurant you really ought to try it (fast food). If you ride the St Charles streetcar all the way to its end you are very near Camellia Grill which has good burgers and omlettes (diner). You are also near Brigtsen's which is expensive and always delicious http://www.brigtsens.com/

I have celebrated several birthdays with lunch (and 25 cent martinis) at Commander's Palace, and I will go back again and again. http://www.commanderspalace.com/

About thirty restaurants will be offering prix fixe Revillion Dinners in December. http://www.neworleansonline.com/christmas/

John Besh's (Luke, Restaurant August) new Italian place, Domenica, in the Roosevelt Hotel.

Popeye's is chain all over the south. Personally, I would not waste my time going there in N.O.

If you ride the St Charles streetcar all the way to its end you are very near Camellia Grill....[/url]
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If you are going to Camellia Grill, do not ride the St. Charles streetcar "all the way to it's end". If you do, you will have passed Camellia by a little over a mile (if you are riding from the direction of downtown). The streetcar terminates at the intersection of S. Claiborne Ave. and S. Carrollton Ave.

You want to get off the streetcar as it makes the bend from St. Charles Ave. onto S. Carrollton Ave. Get off immediately at this stop and Camellia Grill is directly across the street. You are now in the area known as Riverbend.

Bon Ton Cafe in the CBD has always been on my short list, especially for a multi night visit.

http://www.thebontoncafe.com/

I was in N.O. twice this past year-
Camellia Grill
August
Cochon
Galatoire's
Bayona
Luke

You want to get off the streetcar as it makes the bend from St. Charles Ave. onto S. Carrollton Ave. Get off immediately at this stop and Camellia Grill is directly across the street. You are now in the area known as Riverbend.If you're going this far from the CBD, you're not too far from Jacques-imo's Cafe (http://www.jacquesimoscafe.com/map.html)! :cool:

Upscale
Galatoire's - FQ

Less Expensive
Mother's - CBD


I would second both of these. Seriously. I get to go to New Orleans occasionally on appointed cases before the Fifth Circuit (the usual hotel is close to the edge of the Quarter), and these two are *always* on my list of restaurants to eat at before leaving town.

All the restaurants named are good. I particularly enjoy Commanders Palace. However, if you don't mind a little louder environment, Bourbon House in the 100 block of Bourbon Street has excellent food. Start off with the alligator sauce piquant (spicy soup) and finish the meal with a bourbon milkshake (exactly what it sounds like). You won't be disappointed.

Of course if you want to stick with a chain, I believe the JW has a Shula's steakhouse.

I particularly enjoy Commanders Palace.

Especially if you like bread pudding. Not that it's bad at my other favourite places (Mother's, Galatoire's), but the Commanders Palace recipe is fantastic. I was terribly disappointed when our local post-Katrina New Orleans-style Cajun/Creole restaurant that had the CP-recipe bread pudding closed down without warning .......

its been over a year since i have been :-( However, i would highly recommend the following:

The joint (http://www.alwayssmokin.com/) great bbq! go for lunch.

Lil Dizzy's cafe (http://unofficialfoodiereview.blogspot.com/2009/09/lil-dizzys-cafenew-orleans-louisiana.html) for lunch. I dream about this place on occasion.

Palace Cafe (http://www.palacecafe.com/) i always have a great meal here.

Port of call (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g60864-d463918-Reviews-Port_of_Call-New_Orleans_Louisiana.html) - for the one of the best burgers you will ever have

Dante's Kitchen (http://danteskitchen.com/) i have heard amazing things about. I havent been yet. But will be visiting soon.

its been over a year since i have been :-( However, i would highly recommend the following:

Dante's Kitchen (http://danteskitchen.com/) i have heard amazing things about. I havent been yet. But will be visiting soon.

I lived around the corner from this place 15-20 years ago, and went there frequently with family and friends. I'm sure it's changed hands since then, but man was it outstanding in 1990. They did an especially nice grillades and grits for Sunday brunch, as I recall.

I'm sure it's changed hands since then, but man was it outstanding in 1990.

It's changed hands a few times since then. Way different menu, but still good.