New Orleans w/ 1y.o. - need best: oysters, po-boy, etc.

Hi everyone. Searches show me several of these threads and I’ve gotten some great ideas. Going to NO later this month, my wife has a conference there and I’m tagging along with our one year old daughter. So late night jazz will, very sadly, be out of the picture. My wife went to college and ran a theater there but all before the hurricane. So I am looking for the current best of everything to do, and by do I mean eat for the most part. I see lots of ideas in prior posts, but I would like to know what everyone thinks is the best:

Po-boy (by type is acceptable too)

Oyster house

Gumbo

Red beans and Rice

Beer and music in the daytime

Restaurant where you can get an early setting with a little one but still a very fine meal (these really do exist in my experience)

Thanks in advance everyone!

Without question…do not miss Drago’s for oysters.

http://www.dragosrestaurant.com/

I prefer the old Metairie location but it’s easier downtown.

Mother’s for Po-boy’s.

Domilisse’s for Po-Boys, hands down. Liuzza’s by the track is another great one. Other must have’s are the muffaletta from Central Grocery and the chargrilled oysters from Drago’s (I LOVE THESE THINGS).

Luke is my favorite place for oysters.

Another place that I can’t recommend more highly is Cochon.

Been a few years since I’ve been there, but I liked Street Car Sandwiches on Carrollton. I always got the mixed fried shrimp and oyster po’boys.
I also loved the red beans and rice at the Camellia Grill on Mondays. Served with a hamburger patty instead of a sausage link. Also fabulous for breakfast.
Like the gumbo at Mr B’s.

Go to Mother’s for the history, the vibe, the schtick, but not necessarily for the best food - though the Ferdi Special po-boy (ham, roast beef, debris, gravy) is a thing of beauty.
Be forewarned: the lines can be very long. http://www.mothersrestaurant.net/

For the best po-boys, IMO, travel a bit to Mahony’s: http://mahonyspoboys.com/
All the sandwiches are outstanding - all the food, for that matter - but among the po-boys I particularly recommend the Peacemaker (fried oysters, bacon, cheddar cheese), and the fried chicken livers & Creole slaw. And the fried green tomatoes are a don’t-miss side. Did I say fried?

The duck and andouille gumbo at Herbsaint, on my last visit to NO, was outstanding. Superb. Excellent. Though that’s my only experience with Herbsaint, chef-owner Donald Link enjoys quite a reputation for his gumbos (they change daily). http://www.herbsaint.com/

But my all-time favorite gumbo in New Orleans, of the literally dozens I have enjoyed, was seafood (crab, oyster, crawfish) and andouille at K-Paul’s. Though it’s been several years…and the only gumbo on the present menu is chicken and andouille.

Heed the advice posted above re: Drago’s char-grilled oysters. http://www.dragosrestaurant.com/

And give due consideration to the oyster stew and oyster loaf at Casamento’s.
http://www.casamentosrestaurant.com/main/main.html

Early seating, very fine meal, little one in tow? Herbsaint, hands down.

Red beans and rice? Here are five recommendations from The Times-Picayune:
http://www.nola.com/dining-guide/index.ssf/2010/06/5_new_orleans_restaurants_for.html

Finally, a category you didn’t ask about but should have: Iconic Cajun. My top choice is another of Donald Link’s restaurants, Cochon: http://www.cochonrestaurant.com/

Enjoy!

When I was there back in '04, Mothers’s was the best I had while down there, they may have changed a bit since then.

Hi everyone! Thanks for the recommendations. I am making a list and I plan to hit as many of these places as possible in my four days there!

This should be helpful - The Times-Picayune’s New Orleans dining guide (with multiple “best of” lists):

http://www.nola.com/dining-guide/

Pretty much any place. Our son was born in NOLA and we took him everywhere when we lived there. I can’t think of any place that was not welcoming. (eg Susan Spicer would come out and play with him.) It was not at all unusual to see 4+ generations of a family at dinner at Commander’s or Antoine’s.

Jacques-Imo’s would be a great place to go, btw.

A.

Except that they only take reservations for parties of five or more. Without a reservation, and even going early, the wait time can be daunting. But if you can get in, it would be great.

My favorite fried shrimp po boy is at the Parkway Bakery and Tavern.

My favorite oysters are at Casamento’s.

Cheers,
-Robert

IMO, the oyster loaf (which is essentially a po-boy on thick white toast) and oysters (I guess, though most places have the same ones) at Casamento’s are terrific, and the experience and location worth seeking out. I think Mother’s is pretty awful…from the bread to the ingredients to the whole experience. I’ve been there each time I’ve gone to NO and in 2010, I said “nevermore” to this place. My wife and son really disliked it, particularly the food, though the whole place is a little disorganized.

Jacques Imo’s was great. And, I think Galatoire’s is worth effort, too. And, Dooky Chase’s lunch buffet can’t be beat. Maybe my favorite meal in NO, particularly the fried chicken there.

No special place for red beans and rice, as that’s one dish that most versions are good, including the one I make at home.

(I have to say, I was a bit disappointed that our h.s. senior son isn’t heading to college there (can’t impose my interests, I guess), but , hopefully, Atlanta will provide some interesting stuff to savor? )

Ditto.

Well, Atlanta is not New Orleans, but it has developed into a pretty good food (and wine) town. Let us know when you’re coming.

Here’s another yeah for Casamento’s and is your son going to Emory?

Hi,

I can’t imagine why anyone wouldn’t want to go to school in New Orleans [drinkers.gif] I thought it was a blast, and it taught me responsibility in the face of temptation. I’ve got a lot of love and respect for that city and it’s inhabitants, though I departed in search of a healthier long term lifestyle for both my liver and arteries.

Parasol’s for po-boys is a neighborhood spot that’s a little off the beaten path but still good. Nice atmosphere during the day time with pool tables and a casual environment. I only mention them because I haven’t seen them mentioned anywhere and they are out of the way and more of a neighborhood spot so will be slightly less touristy.

I noticed you didn’t ask about breakfast, but having lived there I can say once you’ve indulged in the evening life a good breakfast is key the following morning. I realize you won’t be going that crazy due to the child, but in New Orleans they sell beer at amusement parks and the zoo.Truly is a drinking town with a party problem.

Cafe Du Monde for beignets and coffee. Try the chickory coffee if you haven’t for the experience.

Another out of the way place I found which is a little more “green” and health focused is called Satsuma Cafe. They serve wheat grass shots, smoothies, and amazing salads and sandwiches. Great breakfast/brunch/lunch place to recharge after a Pat O’s Hurricane sugar bomb everclear explosion the night before.

In terms of day time music I would say street performers in the quarter and on Frenchman Street will be your best bet. Some of them are quite good, and they all have a sound that comes from the soul. Since you might be there during the Mardi Gras season, if you go pre Feb 21 see below.

There is a place called Oak Street Cafe uptown which has good breakfast and lunch (close at 2:30 I believe) and a piano player (as of my last trip 12 months ago) named c\Charles who is really great and plays every morning, especially on the weekends. You can ride the street car from downtown up St. Charles and around the bend at Carrolton to get within 3 blocks at the end of Oak and Carrolton.

http://www.cafedumonde.com/main.html

The owner of oak street is a really interesting character, along with the fine piano player. Even if the website isn’t quite as fancy as some of the others, truly a family establishment.

I don’t know how much later this month you’re going but it’s mardi gras season right now so you will see parades all day. Talk about daytime marching bands and colors, it’s the biggest party in the world. Just remember there are two things to get in trouble for during mardi gras, public urination and glass bottles. Don’t have/do either and you should be fine. Also if it is indeed building up to the 21st (say the preceeding week, realize the city basically shuts down the weekend before mardi gras and plan not to be able to really drive downtown or on St. Charles. Children are a part of the mardi gras festivities, just stand far enough back that you don’t get hit with anything from the floats.

Best,
Chris Buchanan

Where are you staying and when will you be here? Are you willing to cab it? Answers to both of these questions would help me with recommendations.

Thanks, Bob. I think freshman are due the last weekend in August or the weekend before that. We are planning to drive down liesurely-ly and try to absorb some of the South…which we’ve not really experienced south of Charlottesville.

And, yes, Glenn, Emory. He went on a selective program (free, too) last summer, promoting understanding between blacks and jews (we’re the latter), for four weeks, retracing the civil rights landmark events (and NYC and DC and Richmond) in GA, AL, MI and LA and TN. He was shocked at how much he liked the southland (as Lynnrd S called it), and focused on Tulane and Emory, as a result, though other areas, too. We’re pretty happy. His brother went to Boston (Tufts) and wasn’t thrilled, so…And, for us, it’s something new to explore. Luckily a friend from h.s./college is a shrink in Atlanta, so…he should be set in that regard, at least.

Betting he’ll love Emory if he looks towards his future with a bright mind Stuart. You’ll dig ATL too man.

Just got back yesterday, and here is what I can report. Since late night jazz is out for you, one option to explore if you will be there is the Sunday Jazz Brunch at Mojito’s right at the bottom of Frenchman St. I haven’t actually had the brunch as we had to leave Sunday AM, but did have small plates there one night on the patio and the selection we ordered was quite tasty. The setting on the patio is really nice, and being located on Frenchman St, it is of course a couple block walk to go by all the other jazz clubs. http://www.mojitosnola.com/ you can look at the menu here as well as pictures of the patio in the gallery.

As mentioned above, Mahony’s on Magazine St in the Garden district is fantastic for Po Boys. The Peacemaker and the Grilled Shrimp, Fried Green Tomato & Remoulade were both absolutely delicious and you better be real hungry if you order a large. The small nearly put me in a food coma. As a huge plus, right next door happens to be Martin’s Wine Cellar which is a fantastic wine shop.

Bob also hit the nail on the head regarding family friendly dining with great food- Herbsaint would be the place to go. Friendly, yet extremely competent service and every single food item we ordered was fantastic. Corkage is now $30 fwiw, and the '08 Dujac Morey St Denis I grabbed from Martin’s was decent, but left me wanting a bit. Butter poached Tuna with Criolla Sella Chili and Lemon and the Baked Louisiana Jumbo Lump Crab were both spot on, and the Olive Oil seared Jumbo Gulf Shrimp with the Cauliflower and Ham Gratin and the Lamb Neck with Butter Beans also dazzled. Wine list isn’t huge, but it is well thought out and some relatively good value can be found.

For Oysters, Drago’s char-grilled oysters are one of the better food stuffs in existence. The downtown location in the Hilton at the bottom of Poydras St is fairly convenient, although many will tell you to go to Metarie to have them at the original location. Personally have only been to the one in Metarie, but friends said the Oysters downtown were still great.

Favorite all around Dive Bar/Great Eats place is Coop’s on Decatur, but I’m not sure you could take a little one there. Perhaps late morning for an early lunch, but check with them first and then if so, get there by 11 or so or a long line forms. Gumbo, Jambalaya, Cajun Fried Chicken and Red Beans and Rice are all winners.