I will be celebrating my birthday in New Orleans, in late Dec. Have been thinking about making resevations at "Emerils" place, you know from the food network. Has anyone been? Comments are greatly appreciated. If there are other suggestions that would be fine also. One note, I DO NOT want to have to dress up. I like casual.

Thanks,
Phil

If you are going to New Orleans, I assume you are going to stay in the Quarter. Emeril has a restaurant there called NOLA's. food is excellent and dress is casual. Food is superb. A little pricey, but not for New Orleans. Go to Emeril's web page and drool away.

In a place like NOLA Emerils is not your best option. I'd suggest a lunch rather than dinner. Emerils as a group is such a large chain the food is good but not extraordinary. NOLA has too many outstanding options that you wont want to pass up. I have even had appetizers and drinks in one, moved to another for dinner and finished with dessert and coffee at another resturant. Peristyle is awesome but the list of favorites is LONG to say the least. If you want some true Southern Food try Dookie Chases, you'll find Dookie in the kictchen cookin'. Another favorite is Cuvee probably my favorite. Enjoy!

Might also want to consider Wolfe's. Did the tasting menu with some other FT'ers back in 2002 and it was superb.

:-: :-: :-: :-: :-:

I believe chef Tom Wolfe worked with Emeril back at Commander's Palace.

If you plan on giving this place a try I highly recommend you make a reservation as the place is really small.

http://www.wolfesofneworleans.com

Emeril has two restaurants in New Orleans (unless he's opened a 3rd that I don't know about). The original is in the Warehouse District and the newer one, called NOLA, is in the French Quarter.

We had an outstanding meal in the original restaurant. It is definitely on the causal side, a bit noisy and frenetic, but the service was excellent and the food outstanding. Personally, I would not hesitate to go back. I personally prefer the original restaurant over NOLA, but more because of the type of menu items rather than quality.

Don't forget Commander's Palace. On a special occasion, in particular, a restaurant like that is exquisite. They've got superb service, and their food is impeccably prepared. They've also got their chef's table in the kitchen -- if you're interested in something like that. It really is right there in the kitchen. I've never been disappointed there.

One note, I DO NOT want to have to dress up. I like casual.
Since it's December you'll need a jacket, even in New Orleans. I say, put on a sportcoat & chinos, no tie, go to Commander's Palace and be sure to get the bread pudding souffle. At http://www.commanderspalace.com/new_...neral_info.php they say "Dress is upscale, jackets preferred at dinner. No Shorts." You can get away with a lot in New Orleans, including how you dress - except for maybe at Galatoires or a few other places.

Here're some tips I gave to someone who's never visited the city.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=303249

That time of year you can get Papa Noel hotel rates, and many restaurants have Revillion Dinners throughout December. Windsor Court may offer a good package for a suite & dinner in the Grill Room if you're looking for an extravagently indulgent time.

Will be staying in Metairie this weekend, so any good nearby Cajun / Creole or Seafood restaurant (New Orleans metro area is OK) that also earns Aadvantage Dining or iDine miles is appreciated.

The idine selections in New Orleans s*ck. I live in New Orleans and none of the "good" places to eat (even in Metairie) are not on Idine. if you are looking for a good lunch place head to Zea's and order the CORN GRITS, they are fab!

Emeril's Del Monico Steakhouse on St. Charles would make it three. It's been open a few years now. I found it to be a decent place to eat, like Emeril's and NOLA.

Z

found this list of places in the South Forum : http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...hlight=Orleans

Phil,

Fine dining in New Orleans, like in Paris, means that dressing up is usually appropriate. It doesn't hurt to put on the Ritz every now and then. New Orleans is a great place to celebrate a birthday. Nevertheless...

Here's a suggestion: http://www.snugjazz.com/ If you visit this place on a Monday evening, you will see Charmaine Neville perform. I think she has the best show in town. This is in the Fabourg Marigny area just outside of the French Quarter. Just walk up Decatur Street until it changes names to Frenchmen Street. There are a host of local jazz clubs there. This area is not "touristy". Very local, etc. Charmaine Neville is the daughter of Charles Neville, from the musical clan known as The Neville Brothers. You can dress casual and eat local fare while you watch the show, like shrimp Po-Boy sandwiches, etc.

I have dined at all of Emeril's restaurants in New Orleans. A tie is not required, but there is a dress code. These are all good restaurants. However, my favorite restaurant in N'awlins is Bayona. The restaurant is owned and operated by local chef and heroine, Susan Spicer, and unlike Emeril, she still lives in New Orleans. Bayona is located in the French Qtr. at 430 Dauphine St. Telephone is 504.525.4455. This is also a good place for a romantic date!

Speaking of the romantic date thing, you may also want to try http://www.thebombayclub.com/ This place has very late dining during the later part of the week. No tie required, but the place is somewhat dressy. If you don't have a date, you can certainly find one here especially on Thu nights. The piano player comes in at around 9:00p. The bar there is "cigar friendly", so if you'd like a nice port wine with a cigar for dessert, this is the place to do it. I have gotten to know the owner/managers there over the last few years. These are Richard and Lew Fiske, brothers. They run a good operation, and the food is great.

Have fun on your b'day!

Z

We ate at Bayona earlier this year, and it was excellent. I would suggest Peristyle. We consider ourselves foodies, and this was my favorite restaurant meal of all time.

If you are going to do do Commander's Palace, I would do a lunch. Prices are much lower and you still get the experience. There are many better restaurants in New Orleans IMO.

I went to Emerils for my birthday lunch and I wished I had not. I had not been in years so I thought it would be nice. The food is good but the locals really don't go. If you go, I would recommend lunch. Other suggestions are Lilette, Commander's Palace-always good and a classic, Rene Bistro, August, Cuvee, NOLA's, Antoines (if you can get in the back), New Orleans Grille at the Windsor Court and HerbSaint. You won't go wrong with any of those.

We did that for a Sunday brunch on Mother's Day. It was pretty good. They even had a case of reading glasses for thosee of us who forgot them. We did not stay at the hotel, as I usually choose Itercontinental for my NOLA visits, or Dauphine Orleans if I can get a booking.

Nice place!

Z