New Orleans

[Bunk]

A seems to be tradition around here, I thought I'd ask for opinions on what to do and where to go in New Orleans. I'm heading down next week on a business trip for an entire week to sell crap to 50,000 Realtors. Lucky me. Most of my days are going to be busy, so I'm mainly looking for good places to eat, bars to try, that sort of thing.

Me and a coworker are also photography adicts and bring our cameras, so anything interesting suggestions for that would be appreciated.

I'm waiting to hear exactly where we are staying, but it will be near the convention center.

[Bunk]

Apparently I'll be staying:

Courtyard Downtown New Orleans

124 St. Charles Ave.

[stray]

Don't buy any weed. You'll just be forced to buy crack instead.

You could drive outside town a bit and photograph a crawdad farm. Otherwise, leave your camera at home.

[Signe]

He's from BC.  Why would he buy some crappy old weed in New Orleans?

[stray]

Homeland Security.

[Signe]

I think I don't understand or something.  It's okay, though, I've already wandered off.

[stray]

Canadian weed is for terrorists.

[EDIT] Sorry. I mean, "Canadien".

......


Sorry Bunk, N.O. isn't as bad as I made it sound.

You really should leave your camera at home though. You're just asking for trouble then.

Also, you should only get drunk in daylight.

[Bunk]

Canadien is the Montreal NHL team.

I'll take heed of the general warnings I've heard. I plan to stick to groups and stick to the "touristy" areas. Getting pissed during the week is unlikely anyway, as working eight hours on a show floor with a hangover really is an awful experience.

[Oban]

If you get a chance, try Maximo's on Decatur Street.  You can sit right in front of the chefs and watch them work their magic.  Truly amazing food and great ambiance.   

Although, I have not been to New Orleans since Brownie did a heck of a job, so I am not sure if this restaurant is still open.

[Llava]

[Jayce]

If you're into Mediterranean food, there is a place called Lebanon that was awesome.  However I have no idea if it reopened after the hurricane(s).  I don't remember the street, so you may have to look it up.

I also rather enjoyed a place a few blocks off the French Quarter called "Port of Call" but that was even longer ago.

[Kryptec]

Quick reply as I'm on the run at the moment. Try Mike Anderson's in the Quarter - awesome fried seafood. Maspero's also in the Quarter - some of the biggest overstuffed sandwiches you've ever seen. Not completely sure if this has reopened as I haven't tried it since Katrina. Dickie Brennan's also quite good - nice seafood. Just heard the other day that Cental Grocery was back in business - you own it to yourself to stop by and get a muffuletta. This is also in the Quarter. Across the street is the venerable Cafe Du Monde with beignets and chickory coffee.

Warehouse district is the up and coming happening place now if you want to try something that the locals like. Several good restaurants there, I'll try and look up a couple I like who's names escape me at the moment. Eat at either of Emeril's places at your peril. I have had completely aweful stuff there but on occasion pretty good food - it's quite hit and miss. It is overpriced horribly though.

Quarter is about as safe as it ever was. Many of the thugs still haven't returned to the city though the crime rate is slowly rising again. Don't walk down dark deserted streets waving around wads of cash and don't get stinking drunk and you should have no problems.

[HaemishM]

Don't listen to him about Mike Anderson's. If the New Orleans location is anything like the one in Baton Rogue, it sucks monkey nuts. Everything and I mean EVERYTHING tastes like an onion. It was awful.

But if the places are open, you definitely need to hit Cafe Du Monde either in the morning or late at night for some beignets. Muspero's as he said is also a fantastic sandwich restaurant, and you will not leave their hungry or unsatisfied. Really, most places in the quarter are going to be good, if they've reopened. Even some of the mall food court places in Jax Brewery are fantastic. As long as you like somewhat spicy or not bland food, you'll love New Orleans.

Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville restaurant is overpriced and mediocre at best. Don't go there.

[Llava]

Don't listen to him about Mike Anderson's. If the New Orleans location is anything like the one in Baton Rogue, it sucks monkey nuts. Everything and I mean EVERYTHING tastes like an onion. It was awful.

Then you should've ordered the onion blossom.  It would've been great.

[Lantyssa]

As of mid-October when I was there, many of the places which are not on the East Bank or Ninth Ward have re-opened.  Traffic can get fairly busy in the morning and evening because everyone is crowded into half a city.

If you want to be depressed, take I-10 east and get off around Read or Crowder and drive around a bit.  There is some activity but it is mostly a wasteland.  There was one convenience store open along the interstate in that strech.  Don't go at night unless you like the dark.

[Kryptec]

Don't listen to him about Mike Anderson's. If the New Orleans location is anything like the one in Baton Rogue, it sucks monkey nuts. Everything and I mean EVERYTHING tastes like an onion. It was awful.

The Quarter restaurant was pretty good though I will admit not having tried it since Katrina so I cannot vouch for whether or not it's still up to snuff. Can't remember anyone in the family having eaten there in the last year so I'll concede it might be questionable.

So as a subsitute try Herbsaint in the Warehouse district. Locals love it and it's hard to get a table but if you can it's worth it. Also Bozo's out in Metairie if you want to get out of downtown. Great oyster po-boys. In Uptown try Clancy's - this has been a family favorite for years and is not a tourist destination.

[Mi_Tes]

I agree with the others about Cafe Du Monde.  Definitely grab some coffee and beignets from there to go and watch the sunrise.  It is especially amazing after drinking all night.  ;)

[Dren]

The quarter was reportedly not affected much by the hurricane and is back up and running.  My friend and I will be taking our wives down for our 4th visit.  We obviously like it.

I've been to Mike's down there it was good.  I don't remember everything tasting like onion.

You really should just walk around the quarter and find your own place to love.  Cafe du Monde is certainly a must.

If you will be at the convention center, there is a good seafood place across the street on the south end.  Everything is deep fried if you like that kind of thing.  They will have crawfish if in season too, which was quite good.  I cannot remember the name at the moment though.

In the evenings, they play Zeidico (sp) music and locals get up and perform their traditional dance (Cajun waltz I think it is called.)

Oh, one surprise that most don't think about:  Pat O'Brien's has some really good traditional food.  We've eaten there twice and was satisfied each time.  They truly do have more than just the Hurricane.

[Lemming]

Restaurants:
Mandina's - awesome open-faced roast beef po-boys and some decent red beans.  Link
K-Paul's - Paul Prudhomme's restaurant. Link
Deanie's Seafood - The location in Bucktown has the best BBQ shrimp I've ever had.  I can't vouch for the French Quarter location. Link
Mr. B's (Or any other Brennan family restaurants) - Decent food, but a bit pricey.  Link for Brennan info

There are shittons of other great restaurants.  Hotel employees should know of a few but be careful, they sometimes get money or free meals for recommending a restaurant.

Since I'm sure you're going to hit Bourbon up for bars, I'm going to recommend going to Frenchman street, at least on the weekends.  Not quite as touristy, but plenty of great bars and some live music.  You should be able to find some decent college bars off of St. Charles, as well.  Cooter Brown's is one that sticks out in my mind.  Huge beer selection, decent pub atmosphere, and Camellia Grill is only about a block or two away. 

[Bunk]

Quick report on my trip:

The city did a great job considering we were the only big convention coming in (25000+ people), they handled it well.
 - The smell was not as bad as I'd been lead to believe.
 - The cops did a great job - whole French Quarter felt safe, were cops every corner watching things
 - Bourbon street is an experience, I'll go with that...
 
Food:
 - Brennan's Bourbon Oyster bar - damn fine stuff, and the 14oz Ribeye is a piece of art
 - The seafood gumbo was outstanding as well
 - found a new staple we really need up north - Red Beans and Rice with Sausage
 - Cafe du Monde. The benniets (sp?) were great and that chicory coffee - fuck I need to find a source of that shit up here.

Got to take a walk down Decatur and up around the back end of Bourbon on the last afternoon. Really fascinating area, I'd love to actually see it when I'm not working 12 hours every day. Picked up a voodoo doll at a little shop on the end of Bourbon just to prove that I'm a tourist sucker.

Was a really friendly city, one of the best experiences I've had that way on any convention trip. The city is obviously still in a world of hurt, but they put on a good face for everyone.

Oh, and soprano voiced girls with that slight Louisiana drawl - damn.

[WayAbvPar]

found a new staple we really need up north - Red Beans and Rice with Sausage

OMG that is one of my very fav dishes in the world. A few places do it ok in this area, but they are all imports from down South  :-D

[Lantyssa]

So ya like them Nawlan's girls then?

[HaemishM]

found a new staple we really need up north - Red Beans and Rice with Sausage

OMG that is one of my very fav dishes in the world. A few places do it ok in this area, but they are all imports from down South  :-D

Up until recently, the city of Jackson used to have an annual Red Beans and Rice Festival right outside my office door, with tons of different businesses making all kinds of variations on Red Beans and Rice and giving away samples (the festival cost admission). That was some heavenly eating, especially mixed with the beer they sold. I think they've canned the idea, though, since no one in this town wants to do anything anymore.

Red Beans and Rice done right is truly one of God's foods.