<p>I would like to avoid known tourist traps - overpriced places living off a no longer deserved reputation, where no self respecting local would show his face. (Similar to the old Bookbinders in Philadelphia or Lock Ober in Boston).
We only have time fo r5 meals in NOLA this weekend and I dont want to waste a single one!</p>
<p>It is easier to recommend a few places that we feel are good. Are you planning on at least one expensive meal or do you want to keep it all moderately priced?</p>
<p>See the link below. It is a website of a local food critic. It can be sorted by cuisine, location, or alphabetical. There are fine dining($$$$) and great ( $-$$$) alternatives throughout the area. Uptown, carrolton, garden district, and Riverbend area all have great options. Or we can lead you away from campus if desired. What are you preferences?</p>
<p>[Listed</a> By Neighborhood](<a href=“http://www.nomenu.com/joomla1/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=197&Itemid=204]Listed”>http://www.nomenu.com/joomla1/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=197&Itemid=204)</p>
<p>One fine dining meal and the rest more moderate would be perfect. I have a long list of possibles including all of the Brennan family places, Lillette, Martinique bistro, mothers, the gumbo shop, emeril’s. Any red flags?</p>
<p>Such a subjective topic but he you go. I have never been a fan of Mothers or the Gumbo shop. They’re ok. Lillete was packed last night of course. In the campus area and on higher end,I like Clancy’s, Dante’s kitchen, Matt and naddies, and le petite grocery. Never been to Martinique. Atchafalaya and dick and jennys are good. Neighborhood joints -Joey k’s(new Orleans /diners drive in and dives) and Rum house (Caribbean).
FQ / warehouse area- couchon, Tommy’s cuisine are great. As for brennans ( more than one) Stay away from bourbon house. red fish grill =ok. I do recommend Dickie Brennan’s steak house, palace cafe, and Mr Bs.</p>
<p>Jammer and I have the same appraisals, apparently. I also thought Mothers is far less than it used to be. For po’ boys Domilise’s is always a great choice. There is one I like better, but it is in the Midcity area and I doubt you would get there.</p>
<p>I also like Clancy’s, Dick & Jenny’s, and Dante’s Kitchen for Uptown, especially the last for weekend brunch but also a great dinner place. I have also had good experiences at Gautreau’s. For breakfast or lunch Uptown I think Camillia Grill is a must. I think they opened another one downtown but the one near campus on South Carrollton is the one you want.</p>
<p>Downtown, Couchon is always excellent. I personally like Emeril’s but it has been a few years since I have been there so I cannot say if it is still as good. Commander’s Palace in the Garden District is always a popular choice, but again it has been a decade at least since I have been there. I have also had really good meals at K-Pauls until the last time I was there. It was good by most standards but not the “knock-your-socks-off” it was many previous times.</p>
<p>Of course you will have to have beignets for a late night dessert at Cafe du Monde, right off the French Quarter across from Jackson Square.</p>
<p>For the fine dining selection, I like Stella’s over Commander’s Palace.
Uptown love Camillia’s Grill for breakfast or lunch and Dante’s Kitchen for dinner
I’ve never been there, but my daughter’s favorite restaurant is The Rum House on Magazine.</p>
<p>FC- some might argue that Cafe du Monde is the Bookbinders of NOLA (to use OP’s analogy). OTOH, I always loved Bookbinders AND Cafe du Monde!</p>
<p>Well, I always mention Cafe du Monde for first timers because everyone should have beignets at least once.</p>
<p>There is always Morning Call. It was originally in the quarter. Moved to the burbs in 70s. Just opened a 24/7 in city park. The other one is in Metairie. Beignets and coffee as good as cafe du monde. Just doesn’t have the ambiance</p>
<p>Dantes is my DS’s favorite Carrolton restaurant. Has anyone been to Brigtsen’s across the steet? Its on my list, but haven’t made it yet. Enjoyed Patois uptown and a little place I am trying to remember the name of right near the Roosevelt hotel. Stay tuned-- I’ll think of it.</p>
<p>Jammer - I agree, but most Tulane visitors don’t get to those areas in the 1-3 days that most visits last. So I try to keep it simple and focus on places in the streetcar corridor and downtown, plus Magazine Street.</p>
<p>My DS went to Antoines recently and loved LOVED the steak, and eating Oysters Rockefeller where they were invented!</p>
<p>*** OK remembered-- the restaurant we ate at that was fascinating was MiLa</p>
<p>Jym: I haven’t been to Brigsten’s in a very long time, but it was my favorite restaurant at one point. It is definitely on my list of places that I need to get back to!</p>
<p>You can buy du monde to go and sit in benches right on the Mississippi River, it’s beautiful. </p>
<p>Run house is great! Camillia grill’s good if you’re looking for an authentic diner (grease included). Fat Hen is also close (walking distance) to Tulane/Loyola and is a quirky and fun place to eat at.</p>
<p>Several people recommended Jacques Imo, but other than the cool atmosphere we were unimpressed with the food. We loved Camillia Grill on Carrolton for lunch and we also liked Coulis (right around the corner from the Hampton Inn) for breakfast. </p>
<p>Clearly we need to explore the area around campus more thoroughly and also use the map on the link above to find some of these places!! I’ve already booked a room at the Park View for the orientation dates that I think we’ll apply for (once the application process opens on March 1st). We don’t have a lot of choices in June.</p>
<p>And maybe it’s just me, but I’d also like to find restaurants that serve more ‘clean’ food (not a lot of rich sauces, etc.). Maybe that’s not the NOLA style, so it might take more investigation.</p>
<p>Several of the restaurants mentioned above (and forgot to add Upperline) have light farm to table fares and are not covered in rich sauces. Consider reading about restaurants on the chowhound link for lots of good ideas.</p>
<p>Jacques Imo’s is one of my fav’s! We tried Morning Call in City Park when we were home in NOLA at Christmas and really enjoyed the experience. And what about Parkway Tavern? Roast beef poboys… yum. Last, but never least, you have to eat at Mandina’s. The turtle soup is amazing and there’s rarely a tourist in sight!</p>
<p>I like Mr. B’s Bistro, Galatoire’s, Willie Mae’s Scotch House for fried chicken and Yo Mama’s for burger and awesome potato salad. I also like August, but my husband does not.</p>
<p>The best burgers are suppoed to be at Port of Call. I havent made it there yet, though.</p>