All I have to add to this thread is to definitely check out the music. If you are into that sort of thing even in the least bit, you gotta check it out. Good recommendation on Preservation Hall (very old and rustic, no food or drink, just great jazz.) The building dates back to mid 18th century, I believe, and is one of the oldest in the quarter. Also good recommendation on the Maple Leaf. But certainly the Leaf has to be a must. It is still casual, but more mainstream. Famous local musicians are always dropping in unexpected to "jam," not to mention famous musicians from around the world. Stanton Moore (my favorite drummer who just so happens to be from NOLA) from the band Galactic also is a stalwart there. I'm not sure if he's on tour or not at the moment, but when he's in town you can usually find him playing here... and believe me, this cat plays with only the finest musicians around. Local or not. Unknown or not. The Leaf also caters to much more than just jazz. A lot of experimental/jam bands if you're into that sort of thing. Also, Snug Harbor in the Marigny is a pretty nice place for traditional, classy type affairs. But don't be too scared to venture elsewhere in the Faubourg Marigny district as this is the "artsy" part of NOLA. Not many tourists, but if you stay in groups, you'll be FINE. You can always fine some GREAT jazz around the Marigny. Hi Ho Lounge used to be good too (pre-Katrina, but I've heard that it's more of a rock/metal type joint now...used to have really good jazz though.) Also, if you venture uptown. Tipitina's is a more well known and mainstream place. Still great music is to be found. I also know of a lot of smaller bars and 'holes in the wall' type joints that offer probably the closest, most "real" form of jazz you'll find anywhere. I mean, folks that stop working the docks, pick up their beat-up horns that are hardly capable of staying in tune, and blast out some of the most nasty "beautiful" tones you'll ever hear. But if you walk into one of these places dressed to the hilt, you'll earn many curious stares that can be very uncomfortable for a tourist (or anyone really.) These are just neighborhood bars that no one in their right mind would wander into unless they were drunk, homeless, or crazy. But I've been to a few and the "bands" are akin to what it was probably like in the 20s or 30s or 40s. No electronic instruments and the instruments themselves are probably 75 years old as well. Anyhow, I feel like I'm writing an article for some kinda jazz fanzine now. :redface: PS - listen to WWOZ and get a feel of the type of music New Orleans has to offer--it's not just jazz!
LIUZZAS Restaurant!!! This is a typical neighborhood restaurant and bar combo, good drinks, not fancy, short or jeans is ok, solid good food. It ain't Commanders, but it is solid competent, La. seafood on the menu, and all reasonably priced. It's a little way out of the french quarter, I think it's over by city park, so maybe plan a little excursion. 1920's circa building (I could be off by a decade or so). http://www.liuzzas.com/ K-Paul's Kitchen In the heart of the french quarter, Not too fancy, not too cheap, I'd say moderate prices with great food is what keeps people coming back to K-Pauls. Home to chef Paul Prudhomme, a true La. cajun chef. http://www.chefpaul.com/site.php I've tried to show the top of the heap, the low end, the middle, where the tourists eat, and the locals. Everyone knows NO for the french cajun food, but the Italian food in the city is GREAT also (how about an Italian meatball po boy, with plenty of tomato sauce). I am not a fan of the mexican food in NO, I'll eat mine here in Houston. If you get out as far as Metairie (a suburb), there is a good biegnet place called Morning Call that is excellent. Just like Cafe du Monde, with a shorter line usually.
Gah, I can't believe I forgot so many good places to eat. :rolleye33: And I can't believe I forgot about the Reveillon menus so many restaurants will be having around the time of the Sugar Bowl. Here's a link http://www.nomenu.com/Christmas/#reveillon As I recall, the Reveillon is an old New Orleans tradition that stemmed from Catholics not being able to eat prior to taking communion. The most popular Christmas mass was the Midnight Mass (still celebrated, by the way, and if you get a chance check it out in the cathedral even if you're not Catholic) at midnight on Christmas morning. When the Mass was over, church goers would go home to, what else?, eat a huge Christmas meal. Some 20 years ago, some local restaurants started offering Reveillon menus for the whole month of December. These menus are, essentially, price fixe four or five course meals and offer very good food at a usually reduced price. And just a few words about safety. New Orleans is a city, like most any other, with its crime problems. The vast, and I mean vast, majority of crimes committed in the city are committed by residents on residents. That isn't to say that tourists are never victims of either personal or property crime in New Orleans. Sadly, some tourists have been victims with predictible media coverage. The key is to be aware of your surroundings. If you're gonna drink it's probably best to stay on the beaten path in the Quarter, CBD or Uptown. Taking cabs to points outside of the Quarter is generally a good idea too especially if drinking is in your future. But I lived in NOLA for three years. We had one car that my wife used almost exclusively. I spent most of my time Uptown (which, make no mistake, can be dangerous if you wander into the wrong areas) on my bicycle. If I had to go downtown, I'd take the streetcar or the Magazine Street bus. I was never accosted. My wife was never accosted. I did have a bicycle stolen but to be fair I had forgotten to lock it.
Tropical Isle get a hand grenade Pralines (pronounced Prah leen not Pray leen) you must get one in NO, that is the only place where I have been able to find really good ones. Piano bar at Pat O's is fun with a date. K Paul's Restaurant - great food Howlin Wolf - I haven't been since Katrina but it was a great place back in the day. Of course you must see the tourist areas like Jackson Square and the Cabildo and St. Louis Cathedral. I love history stuff. I have never been to the WWII museum but I have been told that it is excellent by multiple people.
i didnt know liuzzas reopened. thats good to know! and greenie and i were talking about pascal's just last night. craving the bbq shrimp.
I used to go there after softball games to wash down onion rings with those huge goblets of beer. :thumb:
I'll second Camellia Grill for finishing off the night via street car from the quarter. Also if your looking for a little more high end French Quarter dining, I like Brennan's on Royal.
There's a real Lousiana outside of New Orleans? :rofl: :lol: I remember hitting the BCSNCG in 2004. My brother and I drove up to the Riverbend and parked the car. We started drinking at Noon sharp by hitting the several bars in the Riverbend area. Then we took the streetcar and headed downtown along St. Charles, stopping at a lot of bars along the way. By the time we arrived to the Dome, we were pretty smashed. It amounted to almost a 7 hour trip from the Riverbend to the Dome. For a native, that was a great way to go. We checked out the FQ after the game. That was a nice finish. Then back to the house for a drink and a smooth cigar!
Absolutely must do. 1-Hurricane at Pat O's. keep the glass. If you don't want the glass, return it for a $2 refund. 2-Hand grenade at Tropical Isle 3-Beignets at Cafe dumonde 4-Cat's Meow & Razoo's. Watch the shots in the rear of Razoo's. fun. These HAVE to be done! 5-BEAT BAMA AND SABAN!
um if the guy ain't from around here, he may want to push 1 & 2 down the list a little. If he does thoes 1st, he'll never remember the rest of the trip
