In case some of you have not yet heard, Mandina's is set to open on Old Hammond Hwy in the old Chalet Brandt / Taste of San Marcos building across from Kiva's. Galatoire's is opening on Perkins near Troop A in the old Caspian Restaurant next to Cyrus. Will update when dates are available.
Galatoire's is now open, and was superb. The bread pudding was a bit disappointing. Will try the chocolate creme brulee on the next visit. Mandina's is also open, but haven't gotten over there yet.
I hear Galatoire's is more expensive than any of the priciest restaurants already in BR (Sullivan's, Ruth Chris). Makes sense considering its chosen location directly across from CCLA.
Its in the same ball park as Sullivan's and Ruth's. If you are aiming at one of these restaurants, you go in expecting to spend $100/couple. Galatorie's is easily in the top 3 restaurants that Baton Rouge has to offer. Maison LaCour, Galatoire', Juban's (Not in any particular order). Take your pick after that. Baton Rouge was desparately in need of another non-chain, upscale restaurant. I don't believe that proximity to CCL had any bearing on the prices, as they are similar to what they were in NO. Others failing to make the Top 3...I don't like the TJ Moran personal changes in the BR version of Ruth's, but I am a bit biased after growing up in NO (Tips 40 for Broad St.). Mansur's is good, but overpriced. Primo's is a bit fru for my taste. Nino's, Kiva's, Ruffino's, DeGuilio Bros., Gino's; all the BR italian fare is fair, although I am partial to Nino's. Fleming's didn't impress me for the price (Sullivan's and Ruth's are both superior).
Thanks for the information. Mandina's has been one of my favorite places since I found it in the 70s. :thumb:
On Old Hammond across from Kiva's. Used to be Chalet Brandt and then Taste of San Marcos. Hard to believe that moved so many people through that dump on Canal St. Guess there was a reason for that 'Cash ONLY' policy after all.
One of my favs too! Ya'll let me know how it is in BR. BTW, I found the old place to be "charming". I am sure that Liuza's got totaled also. That's another place I am gonna miss. And Saia's is closed. Can any of you from Nola tell me what - if anything - is open around Bucktown and West End?
My friend ate at Deanie's the other night. SidMar's is gone. I believe that R&Os fared OK, but I haven't heard if its open yet. I remeber hearing from the owner of II Tony's on the radio about debris in his parking lot, but nothing else since. Don't count on anything in West End (Orleans side) to be open for a long, long time.
I knew Deanies was open and I had heard SidMars was just flat out gone. But I hadn't heard about the other places other than Saia's. I hope II Tony's opens back up. Thanks for the Bucktown info.
Apparently LSUGradin99 took offense to my update on West End, or that I called Mandina's on Canal a dump, and red-dotted me with no explanation. Mandina's was, in fact, a dump. But that dump served some of the best food in New Orleans, and IMO, had the best gumbo I have ever eaten. I have nothing but the highest respect for Mandina's and can't wait to eat in the BR edition. My point of emphasis was that no one in the IRS would have believed how much money that restaurant made. As an aside, I spoke with my bro-in-law today who told me that R&Os was open and that Russell's Marina Grill was open on the NO side. Marina Grill was situated up high right next to the retaining wall, and may have only had minor damage.
