Visiting New Orleans Thread (1 Viewer)

[Sigmund Bloom]

Sorry if this is a doop thread

I moved to New Orleans in 2018 and love love love this city. I want to share everything I can to help enhance any visits here. Top of the list would be live music recs, but I know the restaurant scene well, and otherwise want to help guide y'all to things that are outside of the usual tourist zone - although a lot of that stuff is popular because it is very good. I can also help with Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest planning! Laissez les bon temps rouler!

 

[Joe Bryant]

We ALWAYS want to hear what @Sigmund Bloom recommends for New Orleans!

 

[Judge Smails]

IN. I’ve probably been 15 times. Was our go to long weekend over Vegas for many years. Haven’t been since the pandemic. We’d plan trips around Saints games and festivals (music, blues and BBQ, etc). Loved me some Frenchmen Street and great restaurants. Sorta done with Bourbon St. Don’t need the smell of urine, see rats, drunken idiots etc. But still loving walking around the quarter taking in architecture, art, history. I’m sure there’s great new spots popping up every year. Time to go back.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Sorta done with Bourbon St. Don’t need the smell of urine, see rats, drunken idiots etc.

Ok I am going to do the unconventional and mention three (no four) good things to do on or near Bourbon:
- Lafitte's Blacksmith. It's old, excellent cocktails, it's what you come for. (Note this is not the same as "Lafitte's").
- Galatoire's. Classic New Orleans bistro.
- Old Absinthe House. No absinthe, but for some reason they kept the pouring towers. And it's actually a place where locals go to drink on Fridays. And Moran's behind it is pretty cool too.
- Preservation Hall. Some may say touristy, I don't care, these are some fine old horn players in there. And don't them intimidate you outta of playing Saints Go Marching if it's a home game.

I'll add you don't have to walk down all of Bourbon to hit these. Get in, get out, in, out.

 

[Joe Bryant]

Sorta done with Bourbon St. Don’t need the smell of urine, see rats, drunken idiots etc.

Ok I am going to do the unconventional and mention three (no four) good things to do on or near Bourbon:
- Lafitte's Blacksmith. It's old, excellent cocktails, it's what you come for. (Note this is not the same as "Lafitte's").
- Galatoire's. Classic New Orleans bistro.
- Old Absinthe House. No absinthe, but for some reason they kept the pouring towers. And it's actually a place where locals go to drink on Fridays. And Moran's behind it is pretty cool too.
- Preservation Hall. Some may say touristy, I don't care, these are some fine old horn players in there. And don't them intimidate you outta of playing Saints Go Marching if it's a home game.

I'll add you don't have to walk down all of Bourbon to hit these. Get in, get out, in, out.

Galatoire's is one of my favorite restaurants in the country.

 

[Don Quixote]

I had a bad experience the one time that I was at Galatoire’s. Ordered steak medium rare, but it came out rare and cold (not sure how much was cold because undercooked or because they let it sit for awhile before taking to the table). Wife convinced me to send it back. Of course, they brought it back well done to ensure I would not complain about it being undercooked, and, in the interim, because the sides are served family style, they were all cold by the time that I could eat. A lot of money to spend on a bad meal.

 

[Drunken knight]

love New Orleans for reasons listed. also a fan of galatoire's.

easy top five of USA food cities

 

[The Z Machine]

When Europeans ask me where to visit in the US, I ask if they've been to New Orleans. Aside from maybe NYC, I think its the best tourist city in the country.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

I had a bad experience the one time that I was at Galatoire’s. Ordered steak medium rare, but it came out rare and cold (not sure how much was cold because undercooked or because they let it sit for awhile before taking to the table). Wife convinced me to send it back. Of course, they brought it back well done to ensure I would not complain about it being undercooked, and, in the interim, because the sides are served family style, they were all cold by the time that I could eat. A lot of money to spend on a bad meal.

We’re an insular people & it’s part of our problem. I apologize, and I mean that. My friend, I send affection & cheers across the interwebs, but WADR, I would never, ever order a steak at Gallie’s. I can’t recall, they might have lamb chops, the medallions, so I might do that. But I’m almost certain I’ve never had steak there. I know it’s no excuse, but the thing to do is seafood. Cheers.

 

[Don Quixote]

I had a bad experience the one time that I was at Galatoire’s. Ordered steak medium rare, but it came out rare and cold (not sure how much was cold because undercooked or because they let it sit for awhile before taking to the table). Wife convinced me to send it back. Of course, they brought it back well done to ensure I would not complain about it being undercooked, and, in the interim, because the sides are served family style, they were all cold by the time that I could eat. A lot of money to spend on a bad meal.

We’re an insular people & it’s part of our problem. I apologize, and I mean that. My friend, I send affection & cheers across the interwebs, but WADR, I would never, ever order a steak at Gallie’s. I can’t recall, they might have lamb chops, the medallions, so I might do that. But I’m almost certain I’ve never had steak there. I know it’s no excuse, but the thing to do is seafood. Cheers.

Thanks - I think I did the filet mignon that time. I’m not much of a seafood person; so, maybe will just keep crossed off my list.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

For steak to avoid the obvious I would take a running shot at Charlie’s. It actually made the NYT top 20 NO restaurant list, which I’d say means something, but it’s Brett Anderson & he’s just a NO guy anyway. But IIRC our old friend @tipsymcstagger was working there post BBQ. I loved it but it’s been a while. Jumping off point for Uptown too.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Sorta done with Bourbon St. Don’t need the smell of urine, see rats, drunken idiots etc.

Ok I am going to do the unconventional and mention three (no four) good things to do on or near Bourbon:
- Lafitte's Blacksmith. It's old, excellent cocktails, it's what you come for. (Note this is not the same as "Lafitte's").
- Galatoire's. Classic New Orleans bistro.
- Old Absinthe House. No absinthe, but for some reason they kept the pouring towers. And it's actually a place where locals go to drink on Fridays. And Moran's behind it is pretty cool too.
- Preservation Hall. Some may say touristy, I don't care, these are some fine old horn players in there. And don't them intimidate you outta of playing Saints Go Marching if it's a home game.

I'll add you don't have to walk down all of Bourbon to hit these. Get in, get out, in, out.

- lafitte's is one of the oldest continually operating bars in the country. its a fun place for sure and on the more chill end of bourbon
- if you can go to galatoire's for a friday lunch it is some of the best people watching in the city (which is not an easy title to get) kind of a "everyone who is anyone" scene and very much a New Orleans tradition.
- old absinthe house is important in the book "mr. new orleans" which is a must for anyone who wants to understand what it was like in the quarter in the 40s-60s. basically the memoir of new orleans most prominent pimp.
- preservation hall is always great, bring a 10 for a request of a trad jazz classic. if you're lucky, you might get to see charlie gabriel a 93 year old legend of the sax

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

For steak to avoid the obvious I would take a running shot at Charlie’s. It actually made the NYT top 20 NO restaurant list, which I’d say means something, but it’s Brett Anderson & he’s just a NO guy anyway. But IIRC our old friend @tipsymcstagger was working there post BBQ. I loved it but it’s been a while. Jumping off point for Uptown too.

charlie's is good and crescent city steaks in mid-town is also good for an "old new orleans" feel. The best steaks in the quarter/CBD, and probably the city, are at la boca - an argentine steakhouse

But you didn't come to New Orleans to eat steak

 

[Ron Swanson]

I've spent a lot of time in New Orleans over the years, pre and post Katrina. These days, we get there about once a year and our speed is more Mid-City. We tend to get an AirBNB in the area and walk the greenway/bayou up to City Park , over to Parkway, Pal's, Toup's, Wrong Iron, etc. We'll still take a streetcar down to Garden District/Bourbon/Frenchman occasionally or go out to Deanie's, Cochon, even out to Kenner occasionally for Harbor Seafood. So many great options.

 

[Eephus]

We spent a thoroughly enjoyable evening at Kermit Ruffins' place in Tremé. It looks like they only have live music three nights/week now but things are slower in the summer heat.

The night we stopped in, disgraced jazzman Irvin Mayfield was billed as the headliner but Kermit held court at the end of the bar and every so often pulled his trumpet down off a hook and played along with Mayfield and his rhythm section from his barstool. Kermit's daughter did a couple of songs and folks came up from the audience to jam as well. It's a very casual dive that had a vibe more like a house party than a concert.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

I've spent a lot of time in New Orleans over the years, pre and post Katrina. These days, we get there about once a year and our speed is more Mid-City. We tend to get an AirBNB in the area and walk the greenway/bayou up to City Park , over to Parkway, Pal's, Toup's, Wrong Iron, etc. We'll still take a streetcar down to Garden District/Bourbon/Frenchman occasionally or go out to Deanie's, Cochon, even out to Kenner occasionally for Harbor Seafood. So many great options.

Toups is legit one of the best restaurants in new orleans and the couple that runs it are good good people, they have a charity that delivers meals to folks with food insecurity. *Always* get the featured sausage when you go there. They also have buffalo chicken oysters - yes just the best part of the chicken done buffalo style - which are outrageously good. Their burger (only available at lunch) is in the running for best in the city. Pal's is a gem of a neighborhood bar, used to live a few blocks from it. they'll have some good food popups too. Everyone should take the streetcar at least once when they visit here. We rented one and got married on it back in 2019 - Joe and Barbie were there!

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

We spent a thoroughly enjoyable evening at Kermit Ruffins' place in Tremé. It looks like they only have live music three nights/week now but things are slower in the summer heat.

The night we stopped in, disgraced jazzman Irvin Mayfield was billed as the headliner but Kermit held court at the end of the bar and every so often pulled his trumpet down off a hook and played along with Mayfield and his rhythm section from his barstool. Kermit's daughter did a couple of songs and folks came up from the audience to jam as well. It's a very casual dive that had a vibe more like a house party than a concert.

How can anyone not love Kermit? He is opening a jazz club in the CBD I hear and just retired as the manager of the mother-in-law - Ernie K-Doe - a truly larger than life New Orleans character - owned it before him. We live just a few blocks from Kermit. If you're lucky, you'll get to eat some of his red beans when you go there. There are a lot of good neighborhood places in that part of Treme, including Hank's and Little People's Place. Some around these parts will tell you Irvin was framed, but that's a story for another time.

 

[gianmarco]

When Europeans ask me where to visit in the US, I ask if they've been to New Orleans. Aside from maybe NYC, I think its the best tourist city in the country.

I lived in New Orleans for 7 years. While I didn't grow up there and don't live there now, I still consider it a second home.

Wholeheartedly agree with the above. Wish I could go back and visit more. It really is unlike any other city in this country.

As for breakfast, Elizabeth's over in Marigny is still my favorite for brunch on the weekends.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

When Europeans ask me where to visit in the US, I ask if they've been to New Orleans. Aside from maybe NYC, I think its the best tourist city in the country.

I lived in New Orleans for 7 years. While I didn't grow up there and don't live there now, I still consider it a second home.

Wholeheartedly agree with the above. Wish I could go back and visit more. It really is unlike any other city in this country.

As for breakfast, Elizabeth's over in Marigny is still my favorite for brunch on the weekends.

it's unlike any city in the country because it was happenin well before there was a United States. It's much more Afro/Caribbean/French/Spanish than US American. US Americans didn't really start showing up here until Napoleon sold the Louisiana Purchase to Jefferson to finance his war debts, and they all lived upriver from Canal Street once they did show up. The first governor - Claiborne - famously wrote back to DC something to effect of "These people are ungovernable, all they want to do is dance and have festivals". Elizabeth's is superb for brunch and worth the trip to the Bywater. No one does Praline Bacon better.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

The first governor - Claiborne - famously wrote back to DC something to effect of "These people are ungovernable, all they want to do is dance and have festivals".

This is fair, but again he wasn't from here. But it could be on our city seal.

Fun fact, my 4th grade teacher (blonde, lovely, Ms. Claiborne) was a descendant of The Guv.

 

[Doug B]

... even out to Kenner occasionally for Harbor Seafood. So many great options.

Nice call. Glad to see visitors check out stuff in the nearby suburbs. It's not like L.A., DC, or Houston -- if something's worthwhile doing in the New Orleans suburbs, you can usually get there in less than 30 minutes from downtown New Orleans.

 

[Drunken knight]

domilise's and tipitina's every time!

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

... even out to Kenner occasionally for Harbor Seafood. So many great options.

Nice call. Glad to see visitors check out stuff in the nearby suburbs. It's not like L.A., DC, or Houston -- if something's worthwhile doing in the New Orleans suburbs, you can usually get there in less than 30 minutes from downtown New Orleans.

Harbor Seafood is on Williams Boulevard which is full of gems like Pollos a la Brasa (think Mexican Rotisserie Chicken), Nola Desi Kitchen, Gendusa's and a ton of Mexican/Central American places that are authentic. I generally go out to Jefferson Parish for Indian and Mexican/Central American food over places in Orleans Parish.