You must go to NOLA and K-Pauls.
I used to be a huge Parasol’s fan, but they got booted out while the new owner of the building got to keep the Parasol’s name. The folks that you knew are now down the block at Tracy’s. Love the oyster po-boy and the oyster/shrimp po-boy (although they are most famous for the roast beef).
As far as music and beer during the day (or maybe even at night), the Spotted Cat rocks. You need to check out Frenchman’s Street’s music scene (where the Spotted Cat is).
By the way, Herbsaint is my favorite for gumbo.
Restaurant August is a top 5 in the city and it has FREE CORKAGE EVERY DAY (or at least it did in April 2011 when I was last there).
I’m an Emory grad and absolutely loved my time there though it was years ago. Since I was there, they’ve made it an entirely “walking-campus” and the areas around the campus, most notably “Midtown”, have really grown and offer lots of extracurricular activities. The only downside is the administration killed the legendary Bid Day, but liability concerns pretty much quash any fun these days.
On a side note, New Orleans is only 7 hours away by car. I’m sure your son will find his way down there a few times; I HIGHLY recommend Jazz Fest. Mardi Gras? Worth going to once, but it’s best enjoyed with the locals in Uptown, etc.
Sounds like a worthy road trip for visiting parents, too. Maybe an unexpected consolation for his choosing Atlanta over NO and other places, like New England, which we/I also urged he strongly consider. But, he chose a “different direction”, figuratively …and literally.
I had a first cousin from NJ (where I grew up) who went to Emory in the very early '60s. To this then-10 year old, it seemed foreign country. He’d get in his tan Corvair and drive down…never bringing me the requested fireworks on his return. That’s what the south’s reputation entailed to us northerner kids then…and other very different “traditions”. I look forward to changing some of those image memories.
Put me in the Domilise’s camp for Po-Boys. Are they the best? I don’t know, and honestly I don’t care. They make a mean sandwich, and serve a cold beer.
If you are going to be there on the weekend, Dante’s Kitchen does a great brunch both days. http://danteskitchen.com/
Monte
A bit dated, but interesting:
Po-Boy Wars: Domilise’s vs. Parkway Bakery
We are heading down on Ash Wednesday actually (again, the main purpose here is ostensibly a work-related conference for the wife) but that is actually probably good considering the little one. Things are probably a lot more laid back after Mardi Gras. I was worried that things might be closed after the crowds, but my wife didn’t think so from her time there.
We’re staying in the quarter, forget which hotel.
Thanks so much for all of the tips. Its been a few years for me and I’m really looking forward to it.
Our local food critic finds the roast beef po-boy at Mother’s doesn’t live up to its reputation. I tend to agree.
Not a chance. Tuesday night from Midnight until the next morning is the only time things would be closed - ever.
Po-boy (by type is acceptable too) I’m not a fan actually, with everything else to eat I just skip these.
Oyster house I like Bourbon House on Bourbon and Iberville for fresh oysters.
Gumbo &Red beans and Rice Both hard to screw up. You’ll have a hard time finding bad versions.
Beer and music in the daytime The Crescent City Brewery is on Decatur and they usually have music at lunch time. The balcony there is nice but it’s been a few years since I’ve been in. You can walk to the Frenchman Street area though as well.
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) - Bayona, MiLa and GW Fins would be my top three kid friendly spots near where you’ll be staying. GW Fins never gets any love because it’s 15 feet off Bourbon street, but I’ve always had great meals there.
I’m trying to think if I’ve ever seen a toddler at Coop’s and can’t recall seeing it. I know kids get run out. They keep the broken down old video poker machines in the corner just to be able to say no to kids and are pretty set about it. Dante’s Kitchen was a good out of the quarter recommendation. The Joint in Bywater has really great BBQ also. Louisiana Pizza Kitchen has the Nola regular items (gumbo, rb&r) and good pizza. Also an interesting and cheap wine list.
Send Stef and I an email if you’d like more info. We’ll be there next in April.
Michael: You have gotten a ton of good info and I don’t have to repeat it but; I don’t think anyone mentioned Brigtsen’s for a wonderful meal. It is a cab ride from the Quarter or CBD but is certainly worth it.
Cheers!
Marshall ![[cheers.gif]](/uploads/db3686/original/2X/0/0ff9bfcdb0964982cd3240b6159868fbdf215b1a.gif "cheers"){kind=small}
Thanks again for the advice everyone! I realized that I left a couple of categories off of here, so any thought would be appreciated on:
Wine bars
Wine shops
Favorite bar for a cocktail - won’t be a trip for wild nights of jazz and debauchery, but I suspect I may find some time to myself to stop in somewhere for a cocktail. And while I am sure there are tons of great options, I’d like to hear people’s favorites…
Thanks again.
WINO on Tchoupitoulas St is not far outside the Quarter in the business district and it probably has a hundred or more wines available by the ounce in the inert gas dispensers as well as full bottles for sale. A few small plates like cheese(nothing special), but as far as the wine goes, there is a pretty decent selection- something for just about everyone. As it is only a block or two from August, it would be a good spot to stop before or after dinner for a starter or nightcap. We liked it enough that I will stop in again when i am in that part of town next.
A Sazerac made by Roger. Trust me…you won’t want to stop at one (but you better!). Best cocktail I’ve ever had in NOLA.
A local restauranteur brought me here.
Regarding po-boys, this restaurant and this po-boy have not been mentioned - http://www.seriouseats.com/2007/07/serious-sandwiches-crabby-jack.html. Actually, you cannot go wrong with anything on the menu.
As far as drinks go, the Bombay Club has always been a favorite - http://www.thebombayclub.com/. The Polo Club at the Windsor Court Hotel is also another favorite - http://www.grillroomneworleans.com/new-orleans-polo-club-lounge
That duck po-boy sounds great, though out of town. (Jacques-Imo’s is a great place, so its owner must have something on the ball.) I do wonder where all that meat can come from, without using a whole duck. When I make a duck, there isn’t much meat on it, which is why I hardly ever make duck. Do they have a more robust breed there? Or is it really…one of them critters in the bayous with a more appealing label? Nutria maybe? ![[tease.gif]](/uploads/db3686/original/2X/c/c5b32b76bebaa359b0452ae247b61189ffe5fa7e.gif "tease"){kind=small}
Understatement. Definitely on my radar for next trip.
Yeah…it would be on mine, too…except I have no “next trip” planned…that trip has been diverted to Atlanta.
I do hope to get to Jazz Fest in the next couple of years, as I’ve never been.
Bob, you should get your sweet wife to try the cochon de lait po-boy and swap bites with her - http://www.cynicalcook.com/2012/01/crabby-jacks-new-orleans.html.