One night in New Orleans.....

We will be in New Orleans for my birthday this year. My quandary is that with so many good places to eat, I'm having a hard time narrowing it down. I haven't been there in over 20 years so the culinary landscape is vastly different since my last visit. So my question is this,
"Where would you eat in New Orleans for one lunch and one dinner with no budget limitations?"
Since it's my birthday Colleen will allow me to spend freely.
For lunch I 'm looking for something funky and not too expensive so I can blow most of the budget on dinner. The only stipulation Colleen has made, is that at some point, we have to go to Café Du Monde for beignets and chicory coffee.
Personally, for dinner, I'm torn between one of the classic, old school places like Arnaud's, Commander's Palace or Brennan's or a new school Southern place like August, Cochon or Bayona.

I'm looking forward to your suggestions!

Some very good sources are telling me that Borgne for lunch would be awesome & Revolution for dinner would also be excellent. These are two newer places that are getting a lot of buzz. To me no trip to NOLA would be complete without a poboy from Domolise's. Good luck.

Have to 2nd Domilise's for lunch! Make it either an fried oyster or fried shrimp po-boy. I'm the old school type, take me to Commanders Palace straight away for dinner.

Oh, go early to Domilise's and they take cash only.

[Robin Garr]

If you're talking serious old-school for New Orleans families, take it from our friend Lucinda, who grew up near the lake and stays in touch with her familiy there: Galatoire's is where the natives go. Or one of the places where they go.

I dont think you will go wrong at any of those places. Great food is everywhere in New Orleans.

We were there a few months ago. Great meals were had at Domenica, Feelings, and coops place.

Cafe Du Monde lines can be quite long, especially on weekends. Visiting in the afternoon or very early morning might be your best bet to avoid long lines.

If you're talking serious old-school for New Orleans families, take it from our friend Lucinda, who grew up near the lake and stays in touch with her familiy there: Galatoire's is where the natives go. Or one of the places where they go.

For this New Orleans native it's Galatoire's. Had a fabulous meal there last October.

Bayona is where you must go for dinner. You gotta check out what Chef Susan Spicer is up to.

I suggest Coop's on Decatur for lunch. Definitely funky, and delicious.

Dan my must go to for lunch PoBoys is Mothers on Poydrus close to Superdome. Awesome Shrimp, Roast Beef (with Debris) , or Ferds special 1/2 ham 1/2 roast beef. very good but i think full size shrimp poboy about $21. We usually do Cafe Du Monde 2-3 times daily...........

Let me know where you end up.

Happy Bday
Chris

Cochon. You have to do it.



PS.This is my reasoning. After the hurricane, Chef Besh held the banner for all things N'Awlins. He went right back and built again. Indeed- opened a new restaurant. I believe that we all should throw him some coppers when we're in town. He kind of deserves it.

This site has a pretty good rundown on the latest in New Orleans dining.

http://www.nomenu.com/joomla1/

Port of Call for lunch (and if you do it right you don't need dinner...)

American Sector for dinner

Stop by Central Grocery and bring back home a muffuletta; one for me too, no?

I stood in line once at Central Grocery behind a customer who was berating the guy at the counter over the lack of roast beef on her muffaletta. I had to hand it to him, though, for not laughing at her.

If I went tomorrow I would lunch at Acme for oysters and Antoine's for dinner. Can't go wrong with any of the suggestions above though.

My last visit was a long time ago, but I will never forget the server that took our group of 20's order. Didn't write down a thing. Didn't miss serve a single item.

One bit of advice. If you choose Antoine's don't eat the woven potato basket that holds the pomme de terre souffle like one of my companions did. They re-use them and there was much ribbing enjoyed by all.

Have a great time!

The best thing to get a Central Grocery is the quart jars of their Olive Salad. Bring it home and you can make 3 great big round meals. I was there for Madi Gras and the four of us had one at two different times. There was not much meat and not enough olive salad.

Jacque Imo's...... One of the best I have ever experienced.....