South - New Year's Eve dineer New Orleans

4 of us are looking for a good quality dinner, perhaps with some freshly shucked oysters.

We want a fun place, close to (but not necessarily in) the Quarter.

But we also want to avoid the over-the-top prix fixe menu thing that so many places tend to do on New Years.

What will be fun, tasty and not cheesy?

Drago's in the Hilton Hotel at the foot of Poydras St.

http://www.dragosrestaurant.com/

The sooner you make your reservation, the better.

I'd separate "oysters" from "dinner". Were it I, I'd start with oysters at a big cliche', Acme or even Felix's, and look for dinner elsewhere. Galatoire's remains difficult for me to resist, but over time I've experienced a rewarding and occasionally celebratory evening at Bayona.

I'd separate "oysters" from "dinner". Were it I, I'd start with oysters at a big cliche', Acme or even Felix's, and look for dinner elsewhere. Galatoire's remains difficult for me to resist, but over time I've experienced a rewarding and occasionally celebratory evening at Bayona.

Did Bayone once before ......loved it ... Split the two notions ...good idea

FYI - many restaurants in NOLA, Bayona's included, have only 2 seatings on New Year's Eve, and limited fixed-price menus. (It's Ms. JG's birthday, and we've celebrated it at Bayona's maybe 10-12 times in the last 20 years).

Also, I would recommend making reservations well in advance - now is certainly *not* too early.

I'd separate "oysters" from "dinner". Were it I, I'd start with oysters at a big cliche', Acme or even Felix's, and look for dinner elsewhere.

Acme serves a fine oyster, but I'd guess the line to get in on New Years Eve will be hellacious. It can be over an hour on a non-special night.

Originally posted by swag
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But it isn't!:D

Consider Luke, in the Central Business District, which is a short walk from the Quarter. It has a solid raw bar, and the menu is solid as well. Not sure what their NYE plan is, but I don't think you can count on Galatoires with their lack of reservation system.
The idea of going to an oyster place before dinner and then going out makes plenty of sense too.

Thanks much to all!

Got some reservations made that I will bounce off the others.

I go to school there.. best place in my opinion.. GW Finns in the quarter. Its amazing. If that is too upscale, you have Cannons and a few other good places uptown off of St Charles (closer to Tulane).

I go to school there.. best place in my opinion.. GW Finns in the quarter. Its amazing.

Good, but hardly amazing and certainly not THE best place in the FQ.

[/QUOTE]If that is too upscale, you have Cannons and a few other good places uptown off of St Charles (closer to Tulane).[/QUOTE]

The OP is looking for places close to the French Quarter.

I don't know why I ignored the obvious.....

Just up the street is this big toadstool within which a large group of post-NYE revelers plan to gather. Many - no most - of them will be from out of town, many form Flawda, hardly a center of sophistication, and others from Cincy, incomparably bush league for a city with major league football and baseball. All of them will be wandering the streets of the FQ, many stopping to clutch lamposts and bend over to call out for "Raaalph" or "Eaaarl" in the gutters, trash cans or behind convenient building corners. Pat O'Brien's will be populated by a mob which you really don't want to encounter, even when sober - you and/or them.

Plan a festive meal whilst the game is underway and the Mohoks have been confined. On NYE, just drink and stay off the streets. Almost inevitably, you will fall into some sort of confrontation in which NYPD mounted police are attempting to subdue young insurgents unconcerned with global warming but determined to convince females that baring their breasts is just as appropriate on NYE as during Mardi Gras.

Almost inevitably, you will fall into some sort of confrontation in which NYPD mounted police....

Your whole scenario is very amusing and fairly accurate, except I think you mean NOPD mounted police. :D ^

Good job in un-ignoring the obvious. One other caveat - good luck trying to get a taxi on NYE, even at the hotels. You better be going to where the taxi drivers want to go.