Hey guys, visiting N'awlins for the first time this Spring!!!

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11-20-2009, 07:35 AM
Hornets85

Hey guys, visiting N'awlins for the first time this Spring!!!

Hey guys, long time board member here from Jersey. My wonderful girlfriend has arranged for us to be in New Orleans for our first time from Saturday March 27th through Tuesday March 30th. I'll be at the Arena for Saturday March 27th against the Blazers and Monday March 29th versus the Lakers in Section 106!!!

I'll be arriving a couple of hours before the Blazers game Saturday but will have all Sunday and Monday up until the Lakers game to explore your great city. I would just like all suggestions on what sites to see, places to eat, and just overall what activities there are in order to make my trip as memorable as possible.

Besides suggestions the only question I do have for you guys is would a rental car or public transportation be the best way to get around the city?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions and I will look forward to putting a face to your names if we are to meet at the Arena.
11-20-2009, 09:08 AM
WhoDatPelican

Rental car would be better for sure.

Make sure you get some Beignets from Cafe Du Monde (in the french quarter) http://www.cafedumonde.com/

if you want some great food and a quirky new orleans atmosphere go to
Jaques-Imo's (its on oak street) http://www.jacquesimoscafe.com/
Get the Alligator Cheesecake (trust me its amazing...its one of their best apps!)

Also Dick and Jenny's has some great new orleans food
http://dickandjennys.com/

If you want a good new orleans Po-Boy try Parkway Bakery and Tavern
http://www.parkwaybakeryandtavernnola.com/

alternatively

Mother's Restaurant has some HUGE po-boys and some tasty new orleans food http://www.mothersrestaurant.net/

And for good music/nightlife GO TO FRENCHMEN STREET (its on the outskirt of the french quarter...where the locals go) Great jazz, funk, blues on that street on any given night. http://www.drinkgoodstuff.com/no/default.asp

est in 1856 Tujaques Restaurant http://www.tujaguesrestaurant.com/
it doesn't get more new orleans then this! This place is delicious and about as old school as it gets. (in the french quarter)

Matt and Naddies Restaurant http://www.matandnaddies.com/web/

Best Burgers in the city PORT OF CALL (winner of best burger for many years and running) http://portofcallnola.com/ On Esplanade in the quarter. "that's some good burgers walter"

Central Grocery Muffulleta
http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=122

The Gumbo Shop http://www.gumboshop.com/
In the french quarter. Pretty good gumbo nice patio area if its a nice day :)

Muriels http://www.muriels.com/
In jackson square (the french quarter)

Pascal's Manale http://www.neworleansrestaurants.com/pascalsmanale/

Acme Oyster House http://www.acmeoyster.com/

Drago's Restaurant http://www.dragosrestaurant.com/
Really good charbroiled Oysters! highly recommended!

Evan's Famous Creole Candy http://www.evanscreolecandy.com/
get yourself some Pralines. yum

Crescent City Brewhouse http://www.crescentcitybrewhouse.com/
Micro-Brewery in the french quarter. Serves food and has a live jazz band at night.

Camellia Grill http://www.camelliagrill.net/
Great diner food in the riverbend area. Make sure you get one of their famous "freezes"

The Columns Hotel http://www.thecolumns.com/

BARS:
Cooter Browns http://www.cooterbrowns.com/
Uptown in the the "riverbend" area. Tons of great beer on draft and pretty good food too! Lots of tv with all different kinds of sports on.

The Maple Leaf Bar http://mapleleafbar.com/
On Oak Street (next door to jaques-imo's mentioned above) Great local music every night!

Tipitina's http://www.tipitinas.com/
Great live music! Local and touring acts

Dos Jefes http://dosjefescigarbar.com/

Pat O'Briens http://patobriens.com/patobriens/
Located in the french quarter. home of the famous Hurricane.

Tropical Isle http://tropicalisle.com/
home of the "hand grenade"

on the fancier side of things
Antonie's Restaurant http://www.antoines.com/
and
Commander's Palace http://www.commanderspalace.com/
The Court of Two Sister http://www.courtoftwosisters.com/

Things to see/do:

Audubon Zoo & Aquarium of the Americas http://www.auduboninstitute.org/ The zoo is located "uptown" and the aquarium is right by the french quarter. Both are top quality!

Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World http://www.mardigrasworld.com/

Jackson Square http://www.jackson-square.com/

The Cabildo http://lsm.crt.state.la.us/cabildo/cabildo.htm
the site of the Louisiana Purchase Transfer ceremonies in 1803 and our State's most important historical building

The New Orleans Museum of Art http://www.noma.org/
Located in beautiful City Park. Check out the sculpture garden right outside its a great thing to do on a nice day!

Hope this helps. Hit us back if you want more info. Always down to point you in the right direction
11-20-2009, 09:38 AM
WhoDatPelican

Could we perhaps sticky this for visiting fans? Everyone can kinda add little things to do here and there.... and i'll keep adding to the list of restaurants and things to do?
Just a thought.
11-20-2009, 10:00 AM
metalzo

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhoDatHornet

Could we perhaps sticky this for visiting fans? Everyone can kinda add little things to do here and there.... and i'll keep adding to the list of restaurants and things to do?
Just a thought.

Agreed since this does seem to come up often...doesn't have to be in this forum but might be a good idea :)
11-20-2009, 10:15 AM
WhoDatPelican

i added a few more to the list. Trying to think of more.
Anyone got any ideas?
i'll edit my post and keep em all in that second post area...just so it's organized.
11-20-2009, 10:17 AM
Hornets85

Thanks a lot WhoDatHornet. I will definitely go try an authentic New Orleans Po-boy at the Parkway Bakery and Tavern.
11-20-2009, 10:19 AM
WhoDatPelican

Just as a suggestion, their roast beef po boy is un-real! :)

If you got any other question or whatever just post. Always down to help people have a good time and good eats when they in town.
There is SO much good food here its great!
11-20-2009, 10:45 AM
SeauxCrazy

Don't forget Central Grocery Muffulleta

http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=122
11-20-2009, 10:58 AM
Primetime

#1 on any New Orleans to do list is...

SNOBALLS!
11-20-2009, 11:07 AM
WhoDatPelican

hahahah good idea but i think most are closed down for winter right now.

i know plum street is closed and thats the best snow ball in town in my opinion.

snowballs is a new orleans thing? never realized that? Love me some plum street though. Sal's snowball stand (in old metairie) is great as well.

keep em coming! I added the muff to the list :)

i love these kinds of threads sometimes i even find new places to eat that i didnt even know about.
11-20-2009, 11:19 AM
DiMaggio dunks

the shrimp po-boy from Parkway is the best one i've ever had. everything about it was perfection.
11-20-2009, 11:25 AM
WhoDatPelican

yea you right! parkway is awesome. its in my hood so i go all the time.

i added mothers to the list since they have good po boys and other stuff.

just trying to make an ultimate new orleans eats list. (stuff that you dont find in no B.S. travel guides....like "go to bubba gumps shrimp" yea...right....lets go get some frozen shrimp while in new orleans??? no thanks...)
11-20-2009, 11:33 AM
West Coast Hornet

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhoDatHornet

hahahah good idea but i think most are closed down for winter right now.

i know plum street is closed and thats the best snow ball in town in my opinion.

snowballs is a new orleans thing? never realized that? Love me some plum street though. Sal's snowball stand (in old metairie) is great as well.

keep em coming! I added the muff to the list :)

i love these kinds of threads sometimes i even find new places to eat that i didnt even know about.

There is a snowball stand open year round on Harrison Ave. on the Metairie side of Marconi. Small stand on the river side of Harrison.
11-20-2009, 12:19 PM
Unknown Poster

If you have particularly deep pockets I'd suggest hitting up Antoine's in the quarter but dinner for two is going to run you at least $200 before tips and wine. I haven't been in a while, myself and heard the quality/service can be a bit touch and go at times in recent years but the place has been around since 1840. Brennan's has good food but I almost view that place as a tourist trap. There's also Commander's Palace but again, you'll sink about $200 for dinner -- lunch is less and still the same excellent quality.

Less pricey places include The Gumbo Shop and Muriel's in Jackson square. Oh and there's Pascal Manale's in Uptown, too.

Of course there is always Acme Oyster House on the casual side of things. The food isn't necessarily vintage/signature New Orleans but the atmosphere certainly is -- just grab a few dozen raw oysters and you're good to go.

I also concur with Matt and Naddie's but highly suggest you go for dinner. As you could see I could go on and on with restaurant choices.

For stuff to take home stop in to Evan's Candy and grab yourself the assorted praline mix. Also as you're driving around St. Charles Ave (and other parts of the city) keep an eye out for this guy:

http://www.pbase.com/image/51742836/medium.jpg

Warning: Prepare to have any dental work you may have ripped out from chewing!

I'll update this as I think of more. Oh, I would definitely get a rental car -- the street car is nice but fairly limited and parking in the Quarter isn't as bad as it used to be... I don't think.
11-20-2009, 12:35 PM
WhoDatPelican

Awesome! i updated the list. Also threw on Drago's. you mentioning acme oyster house made me think of the Charbroiled oysters at drago's.

Keep em coming. This is turning out to be quite a list! Getting hungry just thinking about it. :hihi:
11-20-2009, 12:56 PM
West Coast Hornet

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhoDatHornet

Rental car would be better for sure.

Make sure you get some Beignets from Cafe Du Monde (in the french quarter) http://www.cafedumonde.com/

if you want some great food and a quirky new orleans atmosphere go to
Jaques-Imo's (its on oak street) http://www.jacquesimoscafe.com/
Get the Alligator Cheesecake (trust me its amazing...its one of their best apps!)

Also Dick and Jenny's has some great new orleans food
http://dickandjennys.com/

If you want a good new orleans Po-Boy try Parkway Bakery and Tavern
http://www.parkwaybakeryandtavernnola.com/

alternatively

Mother's Restaurant has some HUGE po-boys and some tasty new orleans food http://www.mothersrestaurant.net/

And for good music/nightlife GO TO FRENCHMEN STREET (its on the outskirt of the french quarter...where the locals go) Great jazz, funk, blues on that street on any given night. http://www.drinkgoodstuff.com/no/default.asp

est in 1856 Tujaques Restaurant http://www.tujaguesrestaurant.com/
it doesn't get more new orleans then this! This place is delicious and about as old school as it gets. (in the french quarter)

Matt and Naddies Restaurant http://www.matandnaddies.com/web/

Best Burgers in the city PORT OF CALL (winner of best burger for many years and running) http://portofcallnola.com/ On Esplanade in the quarter. "that's some good burgers walter"

Central Grocery Muffulleta
http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=122

The Gumbo Shop http://www.gumboshop.com/
In the french quarter. Pretty good gumbo nice patio area if its a nice day :)

Muriels http://www.muriels.com/
In jackson square (the french quarter)

Pascal's Manale http://www.neworleansrestaurants.com/pascalsmanale/

Acme Oyster House http://www.acmeoyster.com/

Drago's Restaurant http://www.dragosrestaurant.com/
Really good charbroiled Oysters! highly recommended!

Evan's Famous Creole Candy http://www.evanscreolecandy.com/
get yourself some Pralines. yum

on the fancier side of things
Antonie's Restaurant http://www.antoines.com/
and
Commander's Palace http://www.commanderspalace.com/

Things to see/do:

Audubon Zoo & Aquarium of the Americas http://www.auduboninstitute.org/ The zoo is located "uptown" and the aquarium is right by the french quarter. Both are top quality!

Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World http://www.mardigrasworld.com/

Jackson Square http://www.jackson-square.com/

The Cabildo http://lsm.crt.state.la.us/cabildo/cabildo.htm
the site of the Louisiana Purchase Transfer ceremonies in 1803 and our State's most important historical building

The New Orleans Museum of Art http://www.noma.org/
Located in beautiful City Park. Check out the sculpture garden right outside its a great thing to do on a nice day!

Hope this helps. Hit us back if you want more info. Always down to point you in the right direction

I like to send tourists to the Crescent City Brewhouse. I would probably also add some Sunday brunches to the fancy list. Brennan's and Court of Two Sisters come to mind.

May also want to include some Uptown bar scene stuff. If the dude is on a romancing trip ( :hihi: ), him and his woman should probably catch a drink at The Columns on the porch (St. Charles Ave. and accessible by Street Car). Have him hit some bars on the Avenue, including Fat Harry's and the Riverbend over at Cooter's, Madigan's, GBs. And maybe he can venture over towards Bruno's and that cluster of bars. Might like the live music at the Maple Leaf, HOB and Tips. I also like Dos Jefes on Tchopitoulas, especially if you like to combine a smoke (cigar bar) with live music. They also have a pool table. Might want to send him to F&Ms at 3 a.m. and Miss Mays at 4 a.m. just to **** him up a bit. :hihi: And then he can catch breakfast back in the Riverbend at Camillia Grill.

And romancing trips aren't complete if you don't take your woman to see the fountain at Pat O's. After his hurricane, send him over to Tropical Isle for a hand grenade. ;) Now, hitting Tropical Isle on Bourbon is important. Why? Because you can get a $5 drink and sit on the balcony watching the comings and goings for a short bit on Bourbon St. :cool:
11-20-2009, 12:57 PM
NYKF Hornet

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhoDatHornet

hahahah good idea but i think most are closed down for winter right now.

i know plum street is closed and thats the best snow ball in town in my opinion.

snowballs is a new orleans thing? never realized that? Love me some plum street though. Sal's snowball stand (in old metairie) is great as well.

keep em coming! I added the muff to the list :)

i love these kinds of threads sometimes i even find new places to eat that i didnt even know about.

Yep ... the LATimes even did an entire cover story in their food section about New Orleans snoballs.
11-20-2009, 01:01 PM
West Coast Hornet

If snowballs weren't from NOLA, where would they be from? :confused:

Kind of reminds me when I was younger. I thought everything we had in NOLA you could get in any city. Imagine my shock when I found out that I was totally wrong about everything!!! :eek:

:hihi:
11-20-2009, 01:02 PM
Daneman

If you're interested in sightseeing tours, etc, I'm in the industry and would be happy to make some arrangements for you. Please PM and we'll discuss.....
11-20-2009, 01:10 PM
England_Hornet

I had like 5 replies when i did my...coming to NOLA in April thread... :( My popularity must be right down there!
11-20-2009, 01:13 PM
WhoDatPelican

hahah sorry man. i must have missed it. i love doing these threads.
i did one on saints report as well....so far this one is much bigger and better.

STICKY PLEASE? (i am putting in work on this one....) :p ;)
11-20-2009, 01:14 PM
SeauxCrazy

Quote:

Originally Posted by West Coast Hornet

I thought everything we had in NOLA you could get in any city. Imagine my shock when I found out that I was totally wrong about everything!!! :eek:

:hihi:

Haha, I thought the same thing about Popeye's too. I always thought they would taste the same everywhere else in the country...WRONG!!

Popeye's in NOLA > Popeye's anywhere else

:hihi:
11-20-2009, 01:21 PM
West Coast Hornet

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhoDatHornet

hahah sorry man. i must have missed it. i love doing these threads.
i did one on saints report as well....so far this one is much bigger and better.

STICKY PLEASE? (i am putting in work on this one....) :p ;)

We can possibly sticky this, but probably in the talk of the town board....
11-20-2009, 01:28 PM
NYKF Hornet

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeauxCrazy

Haha, I thought the same thing about Popeye's too. I always thought they would taste the same everywhere else in the country...WRONG!!

Popeye's in NOLA > Popeye's anywhere else

:hihi:

Very true. The two worst popeyes in the country are in SF on Market St and in LA on Fig. I go to the one on Fig in LA about once every two weeks and I've never had a great meal there. :hihi:

The problem is that they leave the chicken out too long, they don't cook the biscuits long enough, and the sides are just awful.
11-20-2009, 01:31 PM
Hornets85

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeauxCrazy

Haha, I thought the same thing about Popeye's too. I always thought they would taste the same everywhere else in the country...WRONG!!

Popeye's in NOLA > Popeye's anywhere else

:hihi:

Wow really?! I figured sinced Popeye's was a chain it would taste the same as it does here in Jersey.
CANNOT WAIT!!! It looks like I'll have a great time based on these suggestions. I emailed my girl the thread link so she can choose what we'll do based on your suggestions.
Will any of you be at the Blazers or Lakers game?
11-20-2009, 01:33 PM
NYKF Hornet

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hornets85

Wow really?! I figured sinced Popeye's was a chain it would taste the same as it does here in Jersey.
CANNOT WAIT!!! It looks like I'll have a great time based on these suggestions. I emailed my girl the thread link so she can choose what we'll do based on your suggestions.
Will any of you be at the Blazers or Lakers game?

If she wants to have one night were you guys get dressed up and have a proper sit down meal you really can't beat Antonie's.
11-20-2009, 01:35 PM
SeauxCrazy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hornets85

Wow really?! I figured sinced Popeye's was a chain it would taste the same as it does here in Jersey.
CANNOT WAIT!!! It looks like I'll have a great time based on these suggestions. I emailed my girl the thread link so she can choose what we'll do based on your suggestions.
Will any of you be at the Blazers or Lakers game?

No way man, I've found that our MILD is usually the SPICY in other states :hihi: (Plus the redbeans have better flavor/spice...I'm hungry now haha)

WIN!
11-20-2009, 02:11 PM
West Coast Hornet

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYKF Hornet

Very true. The two worst popeyes in the country are in SF on Market St and in LA on Fig. I go to the one on Fig in LA about once every two weeks and I've never had a great meal there. :hihi:

The problem is that they leave the chicken out too long, they don't cook the biscuits long enough, and the sides are just awful.

I think you'd have a better Popeye's experience if you ate at one outside of the ghetto! ;)
11-20-2009, 02:35 PM
Unknown Poster

Is Hansen's Snow Blizz still in operation? I remember they would sell snowballs in buckets and garbage can sizes.
11-20-2009, 03:11 PM
NYKF Hornet

Quote:

Originally Posted by West Coast Hornet

I think you'd have a better Popeye's experience if you ate at one outside of the ghetto! ;)

:hihi:

I guess I should try that sometime. ;)
11-20-2009, 03:41 PM
Stingman

Brunch at Commander's Palace is awesome and affordable (compared to dinner). Call days in advance. I've never seen customer service like this...ever! Food was amazing...sad when it was gone.

Cafe Du Monde....and absolute MUST!

Palace Cafe was great last time I ate there...White Chocolate Bread Pudding!
11-20-2009, 04:24 PM
West Coast Hornet

You can actually make a reservation at Commander's online. And yeah, do the lunch and set it up well in advance. Nothing wrong with setting up now, in fact.
11-20-2009, 04:35 PM
NIH

The quality of a Popeyes has nothing to do with it being in NOLA or not, I'm pretty sure(not certain) that there are a handful of Popeyes that still belong to the Copeland' family. Most of these are across South Louisiana.
11-20-2009, 04:43 PM
Harvey

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stingman

Brunch at Commander's Palace is awesome and affordable (compared to dinner). Call days in advance. I've never seen customer service like this...ever! Food was amazing...sad when it was gone.

Commander's rocks! The first bite of food I ever ate there was the shrimp and tasso with jelly pepper appetizer. Since then I've had so many great dishes and meals there I can't even begin to say. While making a slight career adjustment about 10 years ago, I spent a year working at Commanders running the Patio Room. The Brennans were great to work for...especially Ms. Ella...and the commitment to great food and service was second to none. I was also very fortunate in the fact that when I was there, Jamie Shannon was still healthy and executive chef. Jamie was fresh off of winning the James Beard foundation's "Best Chef, Southeast Region" award. He was unlike any executive chef I've ever known. It's ashamed that cancer took him way too soon. The current excutive chef Tory McPhail is fantastic as well.
11-20-2009, 04:52 PM
metalzo

This is awesome info thanks guys! I'll definitely be looking up this thread when I head to New Orleans next year!

P.S. Any suggestions on the best time of year to go? I definitely want to schedule it so I can see a Hornet game or two so the summer is out and I'd prefer the coolest weather you guys can offer. Also not sure I want to come during Mardi Gras due to the craziness and higher expense ;)
11-20-2009, 04:56 PM
NIH

December or Mardi Gras(Feb. or March).
11-20-2009, 04:56 PM
metalzo

Quote:

Originally Posted by NIH

December or Mardi Gras(Feb. or March).

Thanks man...once next year's Hornet schedule is out I'll be planning my trip.
11-20-2009, 05:06 PM
TheGrits

Don't forget that if you're coming in March, you'll be right in the thick of crawfish season. If you like seafood, you might want to seek out a couple pounds of the critters at KJeans or Deanie's, etc. or you can find any number of bars that have free crawfish nights, though the results of those are often a mixed bag.
11-20-2009, 05:09 PM
NIH

If the crawfish in NOLA are anywhere near as spicy as the ones in the Laffy area then I probably wouldn't recommend them to a tourist.
11-20-2009, 05:16 PM
West Coast Hornet

If you do go to a place like Commander's, you'll need slacks and at least a sports coat. Otherwise, if you come cruising in, in your shorts, which is what I'd like to do, you'll look like a turd in a punchbowl. :hihi:
11-20-2009, 05:37 PM
Primetime

1. West Coast Hornet...as much as I hate to admit it, I had an incredible snoball near Venice Beach by one of the mobile shaved ice trucks.

2. Metalzo...you should consider going to NOLA for French Quarter Fest. Weather's not too bad, and it's right at the end of Hornet season so you could possibly catch a meaningful game.

3. Cochon has won some awards in the past couple years. They won one of the big travel magazine's 'USA's best restaurant' award. I've eaten there and it's good, especially for the price.

4. Stella and Bayona deserve to be mentioned on this thread as well. You're gonna need Mucho Jannero though.
11-20-2009, 05:39 PM
Vinny6420

Dam I want to go to NO, im from NJ just pick me up ima hide in your bag