Ragman2000
Pee-Trough Advocate
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For those of you planning on spending a few days in NOLA this weekend besides attending the game, I thought I'd post my typical guide to New Orleans that I often send to friends who visit. I've included as many links as possible, but please know that most of these places are at least 10 minute drive or cab ride from the French Quarter.
My wife is a Too-Lame grad and spent many years of her life in the city. My 12 year old dog was a NOLA street mutt from the ghetto. We make it back there once or twice every year. Been waiting for years for SU to resume a series with them so we could enjoy heading down for a game together. Of course, the ONE year we can't go (5 month twins at home), but I digress.
My biggest advice to visitors is to get away from the French Qtr for a little while - this will require a car. NOLA is a very drivable city, and you can almost always find street parking within walking distance of wherever you are going. It's mandatory to go to the french qtr (i.e Bourbon Street and surrounding area), see it, etc, but frankly, it's not the "real" New Orleans. The real NOLA has some of the best food and entertainment in the world, but you just need to know where to look. I hope this guide helps a little bit as an alternative to the french qtr scene.
Avoid most if not all restaurants on Bourbon St. Usually tourist trap/expensive/health violations waiting to happen - the "Red Fish Grill" is the only one that's halfway decent. Cafe Du Monde is required attendance. French beignets served by Asians who don't speak English. It's a tradition. In the quarter for nightlife, Pat O’Briens is always fun in the dueling piano room. This is the home of the hurricane. You can also check out Preservation Hall on Bourbon for good live local music.
If a homeless guy asks you “I bet you $5 dollars I know where you got your shoes at!” Don’t take the bet. The correct answer is “Canal Street” or whatever street you happen to be on. It's a New Orleans tradition.
Don’t forget to hit Igors Bar and Laundromat on St. Charles for literally the BEST bloody mary you will ever have in your life. Comes with a nice spicy green bean. Igors is only a couple of blocks from the fine daiquiri bar that serves them in an empty gallon milk jug with free foam cups to spread the wealth - much cheaper than the places on Bourbon, and much much stronger. Get one to go and bring to your tailgate.
Restaurants:
Jacquimos (on Oak- uptown) dinner only; ranging from 18-30 dollars. It is the most amazing creole/nola food that you will ever have! Lots of seafood
and authentic cuisine and the atmosphere is really fun...it is definitely an 'event' when you go there for dinner. It is a 'locals' place that we love...and one that I miss frequently! It's also Marrone's favorite restaurant in the city. Some of my favorites are the black bean salmon, carpet bagger, alligator pie, fried green tomatoes, and bbq shrimp.This is a restaurant that I would NOT miss (plan on dinner being a couple of hours with the wait unless you get there when they open at 6pm).
Vincents (on St Charles) – an awesome southern Italian joint with a new Orleans twist (lots of fresh seafood specials). Mob owned and operated, so you know it’s good. Last time I was there, I hung out with James Carville (“The Rajun Cajin”) at the bar. True story.
Near the French Qtr and not too far from the Superdom, check out Domenica, local chef John Besh’s new place. Realllly good food, one of his best restaurants.
La Crepe Nanou (on Prytania and Robert uptown) great French food with a New Orleans twist! Dinner only ranging from 10-26ish.
Café Rani: A quick and delicious lunch of salads, po-boys, gourmet sandwiches, pastas, etc. You can sit outside on the patio. This place is extremely affordable and excellent. It is located on Magazine Street , Uptown.
Out of Emeril's restaurants I would recommend NOLA which is downtown or Delmonico's which is uptown on St. Charles . It is not as "generic" as his restaurant named Emeril's in the quarter.
Ricobonno's Café is one of the best places to go for an authentic New Orleans breakfast. They have your traditional items like omelets and pancakes and more Cajun items like crawfish patties, eggs benedict with hollandaise and crawfish, etc.
Some fun bars/nightlife
My wife is a Too-Lame grad and spent many years of her life in the city. My 12 year old dog was a NOLA street mutt from the ghetto. We make it back there once or twice every year. Been waiting for years for SU to resume a series with them so we could enjoy heading down for a game together. Of course, the ONE year we can't go (5 month twins at home), but I digress.
My biggest advice to visitors is to get away from the French Qtr for a little while - this will require a car. NOLA is a very drivable city, and you can almost always find street parking within walking distance of wherever you are going. It's mandatory to go to the french qtr (i.e Bourbon Street and surrounding area), see it, etc, but frankly, it's not the "real" New Orleans. The real NOLA has some of the best food and entertainment in the world, but you just need to know where to look. I hope this guide helps a little bit as an alternative to the french qtr scene.
Avoid most if not all restaurants on Bourbon St. Usually tourist trap/expensive/health violations waiting to happen - the "Red Fish Grill" is the only one that's halfway decent. Cafe Du Monde is required attendance. French beignets served by Asians who don't speak English. It's a tradition. In the quarter for nightlife, Pat O’Briens is always fun in the dueling piano room. This is the home of the hurricane. You can also check out Preservation Hall on Bourbon for good live local music.
If a homeless guy asks you “I bet you $5 dollars I know where you got your shoes at!” Don’t take the bet. The correct answer is “Canal Street” or whatever street you happen to be on. It's a New Orleans tradition.
Don’t forget to hit Igors Bar and Laundromat on St. Charles for literally the BEST bloody mary you will ever have in your life. Comes with a nice spicy green bean. Igors is only a couple of blocks from the fine daiquiri bar that serves them in an empty gallon milk jug with free foam cups to spread the wealth - much cheaper than the places on Bourbon, and much much stronger. Get one to go and bring to your tailgate.
Restaurants:
Jacquimos (on Oak- uptown) dinner only; ranging from 18-30 dollars. It is the most amazing creole/nola food that you will ever have! Lots of seafood
and authentic cuisine and the atmosphere is really fun...it is definitely an 'event' when you go there for dinner. It is a 'locals' place that we love...and one that I miss frequently! It's also Marrone's favorite restaurant in the city. Some of my favorites are the black bean salmon, carpet bagger, alligator pie, fried green tomatoes, and bbq shrimp.This is a restaurant that I would NOT miss (plan on dinner being a couple of hours with the wait unless you get there when they open at 6pm).
Vincents (on St Charles) – an awesome southern Italian joint with a new Orleans twist (lots of fresh seafood specials). Mob owned and operated, so you know it’s good. Last time I was there, I hung out with James Carville (“The Rajun Cajin”) at the bar. True story.
Near the French Qtr and not too far from the Superdom, check out Domenica, local chef John Besh’s new place. Realllly good food, one of his best restaurants.
La Crepe Nanou (on Prytania and Robert uptown) great French food with a New Orleans twist! Dinner only ranging from 10-26ish.
Café Rani: A quick and delicious lunch of salads, po-boys, gourmet sandwiches, pastas, etc. You can sit outside on the patio. This place is extremely affordable and excellent. It is located on Magazine Street , Uptown.
Out of Emeril's restaurants I would recommend NOLA which is downtown or Delmonico's which is uptown on St. Charles . It is not as "generic" as his restaurant named Emeril's in the quarter.
Ricobonno's Café is one of the best places to go for an authentic New Orleans breakfast. They have your traditional items like omelets and pancakes and more Cajun items like crawfish patties, eggs benedict with hollandaise and crawfish, etc.
Some fun bars/nightlife
- The Howlin’ Wolf- Always a great place for live music from traditional NOLA jazz to funk
- Dos Jefes-a very cozy uptown cigar bar with live jazz, great drinks, and appetizers (off magazine street).
- Cooter Browns-a very 'fun' locals' bar with more than 200 beers on tap, tons of pool tables and big screen televisions. It is a great place to go to for some great beer at really cheap prices!
- The Maple Leaf-located right next to the one of NOLA's finest restaurants (Jacquimos)...it is a fun atmosphere...always packed with people and great live music.
