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IRBINO (I'd Rather Be In New Orleans)

November 12, 2006

Post-Katrina

 

The city is coming back slowly but let me say that the dining and imbibing, music and joie de vivre is alive and well, the Quarter is delightful as is Uptown. And the BigEZ restaurants are keeping the spirit and reality of our wonderful culinary and hospitality industries alive. Check www.nola.com for the most up-to-date information on the recovery…

 

When visiting the Big Easy, it is usually hot but, always cool, dress likewise.

 

John J. Audubon River Boat ride-Mississippi River from the French Quarter (¼) to/from Uptown/ Audubon Park

 

Lazy trip upriver, www.neworleanssteamboat.com , Audubon Park is delightful, visit Breaux Grocery in the Cajun Swamp, named after Lynne’s grandfather, Prospère Breaux,

 

Chartres and Royal Streets have some nice shops with good quality merchandise, or travel a little outside of the ¼ to...

Magazine Street for antiques, galleries, clothes, whatever you are looking for it is probably on Magazine, www.magazinestreet.com

 

A few suggestions, but there are many more great places:

 

Acme Oyster House

724 Iberville

Quarter

504-5222-5973

Boisterous, raunchy, delicious po-boys, oysters, crawfish in season

 

Central Grocery

923 Decatur St.

Quarter

504-523-1620

Go early grab (a ½ for two is substantial) scrumptious muffaletta and a root beer, find a bench on the levee and enjoy

 

Drago’s Seafood Restaurant and Oyster Bar

3232 No. Arnoult Road at 17th St..,

Metairie, La 70002,

504-888-9254,

About a 20 min. ride from the French Quarter (¼) but worth it, depending on your time. Down the street and around the corner from a Breaux Mart, across the street from Lakeside Shopping Center or go to/from airport between airport and the Quarter.

The best char-broiled oysters on earth, Tommy Cvitanovich is the owner and very active with the National and La. Restaurant Associations.

 

Bon Ton Café

401 Magazine St.,

Central Business District (CBD)

 504-524-3386

Incredible food - catfish, crawfish etouffee, bread pudding, etc., oldest Cajun restaurant in NO, in the CBD across Canal Street from the ¼, only open weekdays, 11am-2pm and 5pm-9:30pm 

 

The Coffee Pot

St. Peter St

Quarter  

Great traditional NO food, super breakfasts and Bloody’s, lovely patio and authentic staff

 

The Gumbo Shop

630 St. Peter Street

Quarter

Basic good Cajun/Creole, seafood gumbo good but the chicken and andouille gumbo is fantastic

 

Clover Grill, a.k.a. Clever Girl

Bourbon Street

Quarter

All day and night dining, great burgers and breakfast, real characters, gay zone, if Earl’s on duty it’s better performance art than NY

 

Praline Connection

Frenchman Street,

Faubourg Marigny,

Nice walk across Esplanade from the ¼, happening music neighborhood but do be careful after dark. Best soul food in NO, greens, fried chicken, chicken livers.

 

Pierre Maspero’s

Chartres and St. Louis Sts.

Quarter

Rather divey but surprisingly good food, catfish salad, po-boys, etc.

 

Napoleon House

Chartres and St. Louis Sts.

Quarter

Great patio, opera, Pimm’s Cups and super shrimp/avocado rémoulade

 

Mosca’s Restaurant

4137 Hwy 90 W
Avondale, LA 70094
(504) 436-8950
 

Worth the trip across the Mississippi River, the real deal, authentic Italian,

Award winning

 

Café Giovanni

117 Decatur St.

Quarter

New Orleans

504-529-2154

Homey, Operatic, good Italian, very hospitable

 

Muriel’s Restaurant, Jackson Square

801 Chartres St.

Quarter
New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 568-1885

Beautiful, elegant ambiance, great Creole menu

 

Of Course, café au lait and beignets at…

Café du Monde

Decatur St.

Jackson Square

 

The Royal Orleans Hotel

621 St. Louis St.,

Quarter

504-529-5333

Where Lynne worked for many years, Rib Room good food, great drinks, old time staff

Roof top great view of ¼ and Mississippi River

 

Galatoire’s

209 Bourbon St.,

Quarter

504-525-2021, no reservations, even biggies stand in line.

Real New Orleans, Dahling, the to-be-seen social scene, go for lunch people-watch till dinner, very good food

 

Restaurant August

301 Tchoupitoulas St.

CBD

504-299-9777, right outside ¼

New, non-traditional and delicious. Upscale but not pretentious. John Besh owner.

Award winning

 

Bayona

430 Dauphine St.

Quarter

Similar cuisine as above, best sweetbreads in the world. Susan Spicer, owner.

Award winning

 

The famous ones are still delicious and special: Commander’s Palace- Uptown and  Brennan’s, Arnaud’s, Antoine’s in the Quarter