<p>H and I are going to do a "staycation" for our anniversary this year, and we've got reservations at KPauls for dinner and then Sunday brunch at the Rib Room.</p>
<p>Husband would like to go to a couple more of the famous fancy New Orleans restaurants, maybe not doing the full blown staycation, but feeling like we're splurging a bit.</p>
<p>I'm a bit picky, and don't like duck, rabbit, sweetbreads, which I see on some of the fancy menus, so hoping I can get some feedback from you Tulane parents who have probably gone beyond the usual mom and pop poboy places that we locals tend to enjoy.</p>
<p>This is a bit like asking someone to name their favorite child!</p>
<p>Personally, I have always liked Pascal’s Manale Restaurant. It isn’t super fancy, but you just can’t beat their BBQ shrimp. But you have to like spicy. And they have a nice oyster bar while you wait. I still like Emeril’s as well, which usually has some excellent choices that involve double pork chops and similar items that you should like.</p>
<p>I just popped in for a couple minutes for now, and saw your post. I will share some more later. I have to think a bit, given your personal tastes.</p>
<p>Holy cow, my first thought was the same as FC’s! That’s like asking me to choose my favorite child!!</p>
<p>My first suggestion always K-Pauls. Hands down my favorite restaurant in NOLA! We also love Irene’s. Feelings is the best place for a romantic Anniversary dinner Tell them it’s your anniversary and they will treat you special. Ask for a courtyard table.</p>
<p>Another place I never tire of is Cochon. Never disappointed. We always do Cochon Butcher for lunch as well. </p>
<p>Best brunch I’ve ever had was Muriels and our friends rave about the dinner there. </p>
<p>Next up I would have to say Brigstens. Haven’t been there in a few years but I have fond memories of our meals there. </p>
<p>Some other favorite fine dining- Ralphs, Commanders Palace (of course), Bombay Club, Jaque Imo’s, Mr. B’s, August, Palace Cafe, Bayona.</p>
<p>Well all of the places you have named are fabulous. I would have to say, atmosphere factors in for me too though. I have had great meals in NOLA recently where the food was perfect, but it was a bit noisy. So just looking at your list, you can’t go wrong with Brigsten’s or Commanders. I need to get back to Bayona too. We just ate at K-Paul’s on the last trip down - best gumbo anywhere in my opinion. Have a great time!</p>
<p>As a fellow local I have always enjoyed Clancy’s uptown, Chophouse and La Boca for steak in the CBD and Galvez in the FQ for excellent food and the best view in the city</p>
<p>Yes, Clancy’s is very nice, as are all the others. And if this staycation is going to include Sunday, I think it is hard to beat the Sunday brunch at Brennan’s for nostalgia and atmosphere, especially if you get a nice fall day. There is something very nice about sitting outside in their garden area while waiting for your table.</p>
<p>I’ve always loved Brennans but eh last few times we went, it wasn’t what we remembered. Too bad the family couldn’t work out a way to keep it open. I hate to see such institutions of NOLA close.</p>
<p>I agree, it wasn’t as good the last few years as before, but Sunday brunch always seemed up to the old standards. Maybe more hopeful memory than reality.</p>
<p>Anyway, I knew that years ago I had read about a Tulane connection to the property as well so I Googled “Brennan’s Restaurant Tulane” and found this neat article. [Royal</a> Street | Brennans](<a href=“Brennan's Restaurant : A New Orleans Tradition Since 1946 : French Quarter Restaurant”>Brennan's Restaurant : A New Orleans Tradition Since 1946 : French Quarter Restaurant) So William Irby, of Irby dorm fame, bought it from the Morphy’s, either directly or through other owners, it wasn’t clear. He then donated it to Tulane in 1920. Brennan rented it starting in 1954, then bought it from Tulane in 1984. Weird to think that when I went there as an undergrad Tulane owned the site and I didn’t even know it. I had forgotten about the fire in 1975 until this article reminded me.</p>
<p>That would be such a cool space to own. Maybe in another life, lol.</p>
<p>We are dining this weekend at our two favorite local places: Jacque Imo’s and Mandina’s. Neither is fancy, but the food is superb at both places. Mandina’s, by the way, is located on Canal quite a distance from Tulane.</p>
<p>One I don’t see mentioned is Dante’s Kitchen in Uptown. We ate there during commencement weekend. It was superb, one of the best meals we had during my daughter’s four years at Tulane.</p>
<p>Not mentioned much is Patois and it’s fabulous! Also loved Dante’s Kitchen.
Newtrierdad–we are going to Jacques Imo Friday night! How about you?
D1 is working at Luke’s now so we will have to check it out. Just not enough time!!!</p>
<p>Just wanted to check back with y’all that H and I had a wonderful anniversary weekend, staying at the Omni Royal Orleans. We had dinner at KPaul’s, having the surf and turf, blackened drum and beef tenders, with fried oyster appetizer and gumbo. Finished off the meal with bread pudding and sweet potato pie. I highly recommend you guys take in KPauls while your kids are down here. We also had Sunday brunch at the Rib Room, which is inside the Royal Orleans. Wonderful prime rib and crab bisque and oysters appetizers. Street musician on the corner of Royal and St. Louis, a violinist and guitar player. For those of you looking for wedding venues, I would recommend this hotel. Lots of wedding brunches going on in the ballrooms on Sunday and saw two beautiful bridal parties on our way out to KPauls. A second line parade came down St. Louis around eight in the evening, perhaps part of the wedding celebration? Was a wonderful New Orleans weekend. BTW, Antoines is right by the Royal Orleans, so we will book another weekend to eat there, and perhaps take in another restaurant in the Quarter. Thank you all for the recommendations, and I hope you get to enjoy some time in our city!</p>
<p>All your posts about restaurants make me miss NOLA badly! Just read on today’s San Francisco Chronicle that Joe Montana’s son is playing for Tulane’s football team this year and our team actually has been winning. Time to plan a trip back to NOLA and watch a Tulane game in Superdome. Have not been back since DS’ graduation last year…</p>