<p>We have never been but will be in New Orleans for a weekend next month to tour Tulane. So we need 2 places for dinners - reservations a must! and 2 for lunch. Will have younger daughter (15) with us who is not as adventurous in eating, but want to experience some real New Orleans food, love seafood, softshell crab, crabcakes, redfish etc. Also we don't want to break the bank and do not want to dress up! Any suggestions? Anyone been to Muriel's (I saw it on the Tulane website and it looked interesting). Also considering Dante's Kitchen, any other suggestions? Thanks!</p>
<p>Muriel’s got good reviews from Parent’s weekend recently, and Dante’s is great. Cochon is very authentic and good. Another great one is Jacques-Imo’s. No reservations for less than 6 people though, and is dinner only. Stella’s got good reviews from parents also. Of course you have to go to Camellia Grill for lunch. No reservations and is diner style, but it is a local tradition. Very basic food, so your 15 year old will be happy. If you want good po’ boys, try Domilise’s.</p>
<p>And get those Domilise’s Po-Boys “fully dressed.” Mothers would be good for lunch as well.</p>
<p>Stella’s is too fancy for OP</p>
<p>I’m gong to suggest something a little different. Maybe one night at one of the nicer places…but its important to get a feel for Tulane also. Find out where students go to eat off campus and go there also…there are a few places on Maple (Fresca’s is one) walking distance from campus or go to Magazine where there are several places that students hang out at. There’s also a Mexican Restaurant down ST. Charles (next to the Best Western?) that was packed with students when I was last there. It’s as important to get to see that experience, because frankly, your kid will not have the budget to eat at the more upscale places once she is on campus.</p>
<p>I agree with lewmin re keeping things a little lower key so your kids can really see what living in NOLA might be like. That said, Jacques Imo’s isn’t that far from Tulane but is not in the more touristy French Quarter. It’s very casual with a down-home, quirky attitude and great food. When I came once to visit, that was the place S wanted to go (he was a student at Tulane at the time). THe Mexican place lewmin mentions is actually next to a surprisingly nice Hampton Inn on St Charles which we stayed at several times over the years (free, secured parking–great for moe-in and right on the streetcar line). Sorry, I can’t remember the name either–very very causual and might make a good lunch choice since it’s relatively close to Tulane (qlaking distance for the ambitious) Magazine street is popular but the street “ambiance” changes quite a bit from block to block, so may have to drive awhile to decide what looks right for you.</p>
<p>Muriels was fun and decent food and a great location in the French Quarter as I recall. We really enjoyed sitting up on the balcony.</p>
<p>The Mexican Place is the Superior Grill. We usually stay at that Hampton Inn and have eaten there a few times. It is casual, reasonable, and the food has always been good in our experience.</p>
<p>Superior Grill is one of my favorite places to go! My friends and I usually go not only to enjoy the food, but the happy hour margaritas special as well! Also, although I like Dom’s po-boys that a few previous posters have mentioned, I prefer Guy’s on Magazine Street. Both are good though.</p>
<p>I’ll try Guy’s next time then. Always looking for the best po’ boys!</p>
<p>Muriel’s is fun for the ambiance and history (ghosts upstairs, supposedly) but there are better choices for food. There are also several places over on Carrollton near Camellia Grille. Am blanking on the names at the moment, but there are several good choices.</p>
<p>Sending S2 to Guy’s for a review, better than Domilise’s is saying something.</p>
<p>We went to Guys move in weekend. Try the Grilled shrimp po’ boy. It was fantastic.</p>
<p>You might also try Vincent’s (off of St. Charles before you get to Camilla Grill) - Italian cuisine but with a New Orleans twist. It is small and packed with locals but accepts reservations. Dress is casual. Corn and crab bisque is delicious!</p>
<p>If you’re still in town on Sunday, you may like brunch at the Crystal Room (in the Le Pavillon Hotel). It was a hit this past weekend with my husband. I enjoyed the atmosphere and history of the hotel, also. It is supposedly haunted.</p>