New Orleans

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New Orleans, Let the Good Times Roll

An April 2000 trip to New Orleans by DT

I travel to New Orleans once a year. I have many friends who live hear and I seem to make new ones when I leave New Orleans. There is no other place in the U.S., let alone the world, like New Orleans. Everybody should experience the Big Easy.

  • 14 reviews

New Orleans, Let the Good Times RollBest of IgoUgo

Overview

The partying is legendary, but I usually go for the food. The food is fantastic and some of the nicer places in New Orleans would be double the price in L.A. or N.Y..

Quick Tips:

If you go to Bourbon St. keep your wallet in your front pocket. I have had a few friends pickpocketed.

Best Way To Get Around:

Walking around the city gives you a feel for the Grand Southern charm. If you have time, try to take the St. Charles Streetcar. It is a fun ride through the Garden District.

Marriott New OrleansBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Marriott"

The Marriott was a basic room with a good location. It wasn''t the greatest place, but it was good enough for Mardi Gras. There are better places to stay.
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by DT on August 11, 2001

Marriott New Orleans
555 CANAL ST New Orleans, Louisiana 70130-2300
504-581-1000

Omni Royal OrleansBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Omni"

Location, location, location. I usually stay here for many reasons. The staff is helpful, the rooms are a good deal for what you get, and the location is great. The Napolean House is across the street and Bourbon is two blocks away. Close enough to be convenient, but far enough away to be quiet.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by DT on August 11, 2001

Omni Royal Orleans
621 ST LOUIS ST New Orleans, Louisiana 70140
504-529-5333

Doubletree Hotel New OrleansBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Double Tree"

I have always felt this was a great deal. The hotel is nice and the rooms are a really great for the price. The only drawback is it is a few more blocks to walk to get to the action of the Quarter. However, Mother''s is across the street.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by DT on August 11, 2001

Doubletree Hotel New Orleans
300 CANAL STREET New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
504 581-1300

Mother'sBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

This is my first stop. They give you huge portions of excellent southern standbys. The line is long and the service suspect, but it is worth the trouble. Here's a tip, if you are travelling with somebody, order for them as they go a find a table to eat at. It is very difficult at times to get a table.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by DT on August 11, 2001

Mother's
401 Poydras St. New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
(504) 523-9656

Commander's PalaceBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Commander's is the flagship of restaurant family Brennen's empire. This is one of the clasic New Orleans restaurants. Emeril Lagasse got his start here. The decor is like an old Southern plantation. The food was fantastic. Everything is great, but do not miss the bread pudding souffle for dessert. The captain and the wait staff were extremely attentive. The wine list was very fair. We ended up getting 2 bottles of a Santa Barbara reserve Pinot Noir for $30 each. Not too bad for a restaurant. All in all, this was one of the greatest dining experiences I have ever had.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by DT on August 11, 2001

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

Cafe Du MondeBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

It might look tough to get a table, but be patient. The tables turnover quickly. After a long night of drinking, nothing hits the spots like the beignets. I am not a huge fan of the chickory style coffee, but some might find it interesting. FYI, this palce is open 24 hours.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by DT on August 11, 2001

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

Central Grocery Co.Best of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Ask any local, where is the best muffelletta is and they will point you in the direction of Central Grocery. It is a small deli type place. You could get away with a half a muffelletta, they are big and filling. Don't forget the Zap's chips. Also, bring cash. I found out the hard way, they don't take plastic.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by DT on August 11, 2001

Central Grocery Co.
923 Decatur St. New Orleans, Louisiana 70116
(504) 523-1620

Galatoire'sBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

When you first go down Bourbon St., the seedy part has a strange area to it. You will fine many ladies and men dressed very nice waiting in line to get into a dumpy looking place call Galatoire's. Do not be fooled by the surroundings. This is one of the best restaurants in New Orleans. The food is Haute Creole and it is delicious. The decor is very Parisian like, with the mirrors and the old lamp fixtures. I think this is a popular restaurant because the menu hasn't changed in 75 years. Why change?, it's great. As I recall, however, they do not take reservations. That is why there is a long line outside trying to get in.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by DT on August 11, 2001

Galatoire's
209 Bourbon St New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
+1 504 525 2021

Emeril'sBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Probably the toughest restaurant in town to get a reservation. Because of Emeril Lagasse's T.V. popularity, the wait to get a table is a few months. Plan way in advance. By doing this, however, I was a bit disappointed. The restaurant is loud, you will not be having a quiet romantic dinner. The food was very good, but not worth the hype or steep price. The wine list was one of the highest marked up lists I have ever seen. I don't blame Emeril. Is the wait to get in is 4 months, why not soak everybody on the wine prices. Don't expect to see Emeril. With all of his other engagements, I think this place is the furthest thing on his mind.
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by DT on August 11, 2001

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

Napoleon House Bar & CafeBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Napoleon House Bar & Cafe"

How I love this place. It is what the Quarter is all about. Nothing has really changed since they built this place for Napolean. That's how old it is. The walls and decor are old and worn. The ceiling fans move at one turn per minute. It is easy to see why Twain and Tennessee Williams came here for inspiration. Get the Pimm's cup. It's Pimm's, gingerale, and a cucumber slice. Very refreshing!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by DT on August 11, 2001

Napoleon House Bar & Cafe
500 Chartres St New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
+1 504 524 9752

Rib RoomBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "The Rib Room at the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel"

The Rib Room is part of the Omni Hotel. It is a convenient place if you are staying here, and I would recommend this hotel. However, it was impossible for me to escape the "hotel restaurant" feel of this place. There are so many great and more interesting places to eat. The wine list was lacking.
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by DT on August 11, 2001

Rib Room
621 St. Louis St New Orleans, Louisiana 70140
+1 504 529 5333

NOLABest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

This is Emeril's more casual place. I felt the food was just as good and the prices a little more reasonable. It seemed easy to get in if you wanted a quick bite. The location is also convenient, right in the heart of the Quarter.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by DT on August 11, 2001

NOLA
534 St. Louis St New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
+1 504 522 6652

Acme Oyster HouseBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Go for the oysters, nothing else. The oysters are great, the rest of the menu is garbage. Be prepared to fight your way through tourists.
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by DT on August 11, 2001

Acme Oyster House
724 Iberville St. New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
(504) 835-6410

About the Writer

DT
DT
LOS ANGELES, California

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