Visting NO for 1st time....

I'm going to be in the "Big Easy' for the first time the week of 9/17. Was supposed to go last year but Katrina struck. Can anyone recommend some good eateries/clubs to go to? Any places to visit during the day? Thanks in advance!!!!

 

My favorite restaurant is 'Restaurant August' owned and operated by head chef and family friend John Besh. But don't think I am biased, he recently received a James Beard award for Best Chef of the region. The restaurant is on Tchoupitoulas and Gravier, one block from the Windsor Court(sponsor hotel for the annual event here www.frenchquarterclassic.com).

As for nightlife, what exactly are you looking to get into? There are plenty of places to see great live music. Then there are dive bars, trendier places, etc...

During the day you might want to take one of the 'disaster tours' in order to get a feel for what happened here. A ton of the debris has been cleaned up, but you will get an idea of the devestation. When you are downtown or in the Garden District you won't really be able to tell much, so it would be worth your while to check it out.

Are you going to be by yourself? Visiting friends? With a significant other?

Fill in some of the blanks and I'll give some recommendations. Late for dinner though, gotta run!

 

And much more notably John Besh conquered Iron Chef Batali on Iron Chef America

I've never been to Restaurant August. . . but I catered for them this summer and even the food they served the Mexican workers in St. Bernard was awesome.

 

Beat him in every category!

If you get the chance do stop in. I have eaten his food for years going back to his first restaurant in Abita Springs(Artesia). In fact, the restaurant in Abita re-opened recently with new owners and a new name. Have been twice and it is fantastic. But at the moment the name escapes me...

But back to August. Have had several birthdays there, special occasions, etc. Was even fortunate enough to eat there on their reopening night back in either September or first week of October. It was John and only two other staff members to serve a packed restaurant. He is no stranger to hard work and is damn good at what he does! In fact, I will be celebrating another one of my birthdays there in a couple of weeks.

Ok ok, I am a little biased

 

How about some nice jazz clubs & other nice nightspots? Thanks!

 

Quick question, where will you be staying? Makes it easier to recommend dives or quirky neighborhood things you could check out!

 

Royal Sonesta-300 Bourbon Street.

 

No kidding? I live only about 3.5 blocks from there. Have to go to sleep now, but will surely be able to give you some recommendations in the next couple of days.

I'll have to see if Preservation Hall is open. They were open 2 Saturdays ago. But there is always great classic jazz on the corner of Bourbon and St. Peter. That would be at the end of the 500 block of Bourbon. The place is the 'dedication' to Preservation Hall. If I am in town we should grab a drink.

More to come...

 

Tonight I am eating at the Rib Room in the Omni Royal Orleans on Royal St., haven't eaten there in a long time, but I'll let you know how it is. Also, Brennan's is now open again, but it is stuffy, which may are may not suit what kind of experience you are looking for.

For fun I would recommend Mr. B's, but they have not reopened yet. I'll do some looking around tonight because I will be out with friends celebrating my birthday that is tomorrow.

 

Happy Birthday and thanks for the tips!!!

 

No prob! Bday has been great.

Dinner was also very good last night...well, excpet for when the waiter spilled to Jack and Cokes ALL down the back of his shirt. Classic!

But they made up for it by bringing out two bottles of wine, so they handled it very well.

If I can come up with anything over this next week I'll post here.

 

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