<p>We are going to visit next weekend and wanted some recommendations for good, not terribly fancy or expensive, restaurants near campus. We can go to the French Quarter (we will have car) but wondered what the "locals" recommend. We'l be staying on St. Charles. Thanks!</p>
<p>When we visited last February, we ate at Red Fish Grill on Bourbon Street - it had been recommended on a posting on this site - it was excellent - not fancy, not terribly expensive. We also ate at Jacques Imo's - it had been recommended by every student we met on campus (and I believe one of the admissions officers also). It was closer to campus, but you still needed a car. The food was excellent - the atmosphere was very eclectic - I don't remember if they took reservations or not. I think we called ahead but still had to wait. Definitely not fancy!</p>
<p>we had a very pleasant meal at Byblos on Magazine Street when we were dropping off our daughter in August. It's probably about 10 minutes from campus -- you wouldn't want to walk, but much closer than going to the French Quarter.</p>
<p>A little more expensive than the Red Fish Grill (but do eat there - and try the blackend redfish - very different and much better than you'll get anywhere outside New Orleans) is Emeril's NOLA restaurant...I recommend the gumbo and the shrimp and grits (yeah, I was skeptical too when I saw it on the menu); if you're really hungry, get the pork chop (don't think I've ever seen one quite so big), and don't think pork chop like grandma made... </p>
<p>Ralph's on the Park is very good as well (I had the 'honor' of taking D's friends & roomies there...), also on the pricier side...but the kids love the s'mores (not your camping variety...)</p>
<p>You can find some menus / prices and make reservations (a good idea - the better restaurants do fill up fast) here: <a href="http://www.neworleansrestaurants.com/%5B/url%5D">http://www.neworleansrestaurants.com/</a></p>
<p>Some more reviews here: <a href="http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgresults.cfm?cur_section=din&destination=new_orleans@110%5B/url%5D">http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgresults.cfm?cur_section=din&destination=new_orleans@110</a></p>
<p>There was another post on this subject a year ago, if it hasn't been superseded. But basically, it's hard to find a bad meal in the city.</p>
<p>The food scene in New Orleans is foodie heaven. I've been visiting NOLA for 5 years now and in addition to planning what to bring to my kids at Tulane - I'm also planning which restaurants to visit.</p>
<p>My favorites are:
In the French Quarter: GW Fins for wonderful seafood in a classy setting; ACME Oyster House for great oysters on the half shell and seafood in a casual setting. (I was disappointed with the Red Fish Grill - sorry); Central Grocery for muffaletas</p>
<p>In the Warehouse District: Emerils for comtemporary food and a great room; Mother's for breakfast or lunch in an old-time cafeteria-style place with great po'boys and crawfish omletes</p>
<p>Magazine Street: Joey K's for casual lunch or dinner of po-boys and fried catfish and red beans and rice; great window shopping on Magazine St. too.</p>
<p>In the Garden District: Upperlines for wonderfull southern Louisianna cooking (traditional things like fried green tomatoes in shrimp remoulade alongside great specials) in a funky, art-filled house with NOLA's most intersting hostess (JoAnn Clevenger); Commanders Palace - the only classic NOLA restaurant that I like (turtle soup and bread pudding to die for); Brigstens (in the Upper Garden District) for some of the best modern Creole-Cajun cooking in a cute cottage; also in the Upper Garden is the Camellia Grill - the quintessential NOLA institution - with 29 seats at a counter and a line out the door but the best omelets, burgers and pecan pie - and the theater behind the counter would be worth the trip (it only re-opened recently after Katrina damaged it - and it's better than ever); Jacques-Imos's is great too (famous fried chicken and alligator cheesecake) - but if you have a car or are near it - for lunch try his casual place Crabby Jack's out on Jefferson Hwy on the way to the airport - fabulous - phenomenal po'boys and shrimp creole, jambalaya, paneed rabbit with creole sauce, ummm.</p>
<p>In Mid-City - Liuzzas by the Track (it's near city park and the race track where they hold Jazz Fest) it's a little tough to find but it's worth the trip for their po-boys and BBQ shrimp and gumbo.</p>
<p>I could go on and on but these are my favorites to date. I still have a lot of places on my list to try - next trip we are going to Dantes Kitchen in the Upper Garden that I hear is great. I've also wanted to try Cochon and LuLus.
Make reservations for the more formal places if you'll be there on a weekend and note that a lot of places (but not all) are closed on Sundays. Enjoy.</p>
<p>My son suggests Irene's, Dick and Jenny's, Le Crepe Nanou, One, and Dante's. </p>
<p>Le Crepe Nanou is more casual, and less expensive than the others.
Dick and Jenny's is a local favorite and a bit nicer than Le Crepe Nanou.
Irene's is great Italian food in the Quarter.
Dante's and One are closer to campus.</p>
<p>Understand the above list comes from a 24 year old that had a goal of eating at every restaurant in NO!! I have eaten a some of the restaurants mentioned and I have got to say it is hard to have a bad meal in NO!!!</p>
<p>My family always eats at Crabby Jack's when in NO, usually for lunch; my son has lunch there every Friday!!</p>
<p>Thanks for all the tips, everyone!! Other restaurants that were recommended are: Brigtsesn, Jacque-Imo's, Cochon, Camellia Grill and Domilise's. Any comments on these???</p>
<p>oops, ERPmom-- just saw your note about Jacques-Imo's. Thanks!</p>
<p>Jacque-Imo's was mentioned above along with his casual place, Crabby Jack's both very good.</p>
<p>Domilise's is a just po-boys and we like Crabby Jack's better.</p>
<p>Brigtsen's is very good, but a very small place. Also, the crowd tends to be an older bunch.</p>
<p>Camellia Grill is a good lunch place.</p>
<p>Thanks, snowball. We will probably have time for Dinner Sat night (taking DS and my cousin's dau) and then lunch (brunch maybe..) Sun, before heading back to the airport. If you could eat at only 2 restaurants under these conditions, what would you pick and why??</p>
<p>Reginelli's is a really good pizza place on magazine street! Nice atmosphere too. And definitely for dessert hit up Creole Creamery (huge portion of any flavor you want in a waffle cone for $3). And also, Cafe du Monde if you get the chance for coffee and beignets.</p>
<p>pass on camillia grill, IMHO, it was not memorable at all</p>
<p>Have to second Upperline's (altmom had it on her excellent list). Wonderful food, the proprietor is always in the house (and may well remember you even if you've only been there 3 times, as we have). Neighborhood feel, top line food.</p>
<p>Cafe du Monde is, of course, a must. Who cares if it's touristy.</p>
<p>I'll ask DS for his faves near campus when I catch him online later today. He can give the young foodie perspective ;).</p>
<p>If you are going into the Quarter for one of those meals, I'd suggest Mr. B's Bistro. It has reopened, I'm told. Part of the Brennan's empire, but not so touristy, and excellent. <a href="http://www.mrbsbistro.com/%5B/url%5D">http://www.mrbsbistro.com/</a></p>
<p>So glad to see you around jmmom! I too thought Camellia Grill was just okay--one of those places that builds a rep and then lives on it, maybe. Funny thing about Cafe du Monde--the one time we decided to spend the time to wait for a seat there, they were out of beignets!</p>
<p>I thought The Trolley Stop was far better for breakfast. For pastries, there's French place on Magazine that was HEAVENLY. We're going back without fail at the end of the month.</p>
<p>Someone today recommended Three Sisters. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>Hi all. Reporting back. Redfish Grill was unfortunately disappointing. Service was poor, some items were unavailable as early as 7 pm and some of the dishes were cold. And it was overpriced for what it was. Went to Fresco for lunch today. Good pizza, large salads.</p>
<p>Tulane handed out a "Tulane Zagats guide" when we arrived. That was a pleasant surprise! Some of the places that just reopened aren't in there, though.</p>
<p>Sorry for the bum rec...I'll delete it from my PDA...</p>
<p>CT2010DAD-
Please don't blame yourself- the restaurant was also recommended by my relative who is at Tulane (she knows someone who is a sous chef there). And, it turns out that one of her dormmates is also working there (was in training but came by to say hi). She has a stud in her tongue! Eww. I don't know if I would order food from someone who has a stud in their tongue! But thats just me. It was fun to go down to the French Quarter-- I guess we jsut hit the restaurant on a bad night. But you'd think after we had to ask once for silverware (they took knives and didn't bring any back for the main course) we wouldnt have had the same problem again when we ordere tea/coffee (I don't ususally like to stir with my finger!!) Oh well-- the company was good.</p>
<p>My one experience at redfish was not unlike yours. With so many other great choices, I would not bother to repeat.</p>
<p>Next week when we visit it is : Jacque Imo's (1st time); Emeril's (2nd time); and Acme Oyster (too many times to count)</p>
<p>John Besh's August is the best restaurant in New Orleans.</p>