New Orleans

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New Orleans-The Food Capital

An April 2003 trip to New Orleans by Bobseesit

Cafe DuMondeMore Photos

We hardly scratched the surface of New Orleans. Eager to return.

  • 11 reviews
  • 11 photos

New Orleans-The Food CapitalBest of IgoUgo

Overview

I did a lot of research through RCI Communities, Fodor's, etc. and ended up with great suggestions. We hardly scratched the surface and never had a bad meal in New Orleans. In fact, most were outstanding.

Quick Tips:

The 3-day pass on the streetcars and buses can be economical. If you are over 65, don't bother. Just show your Medicare card and pay only 50 cents per ride.

Best Way To Get Around:

We spent our time walking, on the streetcars, and buses. The one time we wanted to take a cab, we were shockingly disappointed. We went to a Broadway show at the Saenger Theater and planned on taking a cab back to our hotel since it was late, and came out of the theater to find none in sight. We are used to the theaters in Boston and New York where there are lines of cabs waiting. We ended up walking back.

Plaza Suite Hotel ResortBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

Plaza Suite
Best Things Nearby:
Harrah's, the French Quarter, the Riverside streetcar line, Mulate's.

Best Things About the Resort:
Beautifully refurbished fire house. Nice common area with sofas, TVs, etc.

Resort Experience:
The rooms are small, but nicely furnished, with much exposed brick from its previous life. We were in the original section the first night, but the floorboard squeaked terribly from the unit overhead making it difficult to sleep. Must have been a 500 pound gorilla or something. The manager nicely switched us to another unit in the newer section and it was even more beautiful. Chandeliers, overhead fans etc. Most units do not have windows, but we did not mind it at all.

  • Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
  • Activities: Good
  • Amenities: Excellent
  • Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
  • Family Friendliness: Excellent
  • Service: Excellent
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Bobseesit on May 10, 2003

Plaza Suite Hotel Resort
620 S. Peters St. New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
504/524-9500

Cafe GiovanniBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

I picked this restaurant for the Friday night of our arrival because of recommendations plus the opera singers. My only complaint was the singers started later than advertised (advertised at 7pm, but actually began about 7:45pm) and they didn't sing enough, but otherwise they were excellent. I had a delicous glazed pork shop and the wife a torn pasta dish. Nicely prepared and presented.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Bobseesit on May 10, 2003

Cafe Giovanni
117 Decatur St New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
+1 504 529 2154

House of BluesBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

House of Blues
Don't miss the Sunday Gospel Brunch. A very nice buffet. My wife tried the bread pudding everywhere we went and pronounced this the best. An excellent gospel music show after eating.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Bobseesit on May 10, 2003

House of Blues
225 Decatur St New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
+1 504 529 2624

Petunia'sBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Petunia's
I followed advice in this forum for a great breakfast location. My wife doesn't like to walk, but after having breakfast here the first morning, she insisted on returning again.

The Lost Bread (French toast) and eggs Benedict are outstanding. You have to wait in line out to the sidewalk, but it's worth the wait.

  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Bobseesit on May 10, 2003

Petunia's
817 St. Louis St. New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
(504) 522-6440

Mulate's Cajun ResaurantBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Mulate's Cajun"

Mulate's
My wife's favorite place. We ate here 2 nights. Right around the corner from our resort. A real fun place.

Good food and music, and a very casual atmosphere. We had Cajun redfish, shrimp, and barbecued shrimp.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Bobseesit on May 10, 2003

Mulate's Cajun Resaurant
201 Julia St. New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
(504) 522-1492

Dickie Brennan's SteakhouseBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

The first time we ate here, we were in a hurry to get to the theater and had no reservations and had tried a couple of other places to no avail. Dickie Brennan's sat us at high tables in the bar area and when told we had to make the theater, they did a wonderful job to expedite the dinners, which were excellent. We decided right then to come back another night when we weren't so rushed and made reservations.

Great filet mignon and sirloin and banana foster bread pudding.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Bobseesit on May 10, 2003

Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse
716 Iberville St New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
+1 504 522 2467

Emeril'sBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Emeril's
A fine dining experience. Superb service. We weren't too adventuresome at these prices and settled for rack of lamb and filet mignon. The truffle mashed potatoes that came with the filet mignon were excellent.

Don't let the "jackets recommended" scare you away. At least half the men there were in sport shirts.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Bobseesit on May 10, 2003

Emeril's
800 Tchoupitoulas St New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
(504) 528-9393

Commander's PalaceBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Commander's Palace
We decided on lunch at Commander's Palace to go easy on the pocketbook, and it was perfect in every way. The service was excellent. As soon as we sat down, they presented a plate of garlic bread. Who would have thought that garlic bread could be so delicate and delicious. They brought a second serving (without us asking) when they saw we inhaled the first.

For an entrée, I had a seared yellowfin tuna in a large bowl surrounded with a variety of legumes and a delicious broth. I though I might just pick at the legumes, but they all disappeared along with the delicious tuna. I can't remember what my wife had for an entrée, but she was very happy ending with a unique bread pudding souflée.

The owner/manager gave us a tour of the kitchen before we left.

  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Bobseesit on May 10, 2003

Commander's Palace
1403 Washington Ave New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
+1 504 899 8221

Cafe Du MondeBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Cafe DuMonde
I have been raving about the beignets since visiting New Orleans about 10 years ago on business. When we first sat down, I told my wife that I would order 2 orders of beignets for us. She said that would be too much noting the size at other tables. I said, "Trust me". Before we were through, she said she was glad I didn't listen to her. Just as delicious as I remembered.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Bobseesit on May 10, 2003

Cafe Du Monde
800 Decatur St New Orleans, Louisiana 70116
(504) 525-4544

Harrah's New OrleansBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Harrah's New Orleans Casino"

Typical casino (we lost). Very large and spread out.

Never tried the buffet because I never saw a good review. Disappointing food court (3 shops?) if you want a snack.

  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Bobseesit on May 10, 2003

Harrah's New Orleans
8 Canal Street New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
(504) 533-6000

About the Writer

Bobseesit
Bobseesit
Wilmington, Massachusetts

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