Re: Cafe Amelie vs Mambos vs Commanders Palace

nctiger622®

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Dec 26, 2019, 1:19 AM

SocMan2® said:

So many fine dining choices in N'awlins. So many delicacies. So much to look forward to ... so what are your recommendations T'Netters as we look forward to another ACC-SEC match-up this time with the Purple & Gold Tigers or maybe the Jalen Hurts-led Okies?

I haven't enjoyed a Pat O'Brien's hurricane since Moncrief, Lynch and the Tarheels partied on Bourbon Street after their Final Four win many years ago. And the hurricanes and beignets will taste even sweeter celebrating with Clemson alums & fans from 1/09-1/14.

I tried to attach a pdf file, but it failed to attach. Below is a list from a friend who lives in New Orleans. He updates it regularly. Have fun. My favorite for breakfast/brunch is the Ruby Slipper on Magazine.

"It’s hard giving recommendations due to so many options while in NOLA, but I’ll throw out some ideas. I’ve been to every restaurant that I mention. I’ve been a resident for 10+years, so I’ve been out quite a bit. There’s a good website for restaurants –www.nomenu.com, local food critic with good reviews. Check WWOZ’s app/website for music around town. My Best tip for strolling around the French Quarter and you want to drink alcohol – go to the Rouses Market at 701 Royal and buy your drinks – take a go-cup and cooler with you when you’re out and about– you’ll save a lot of money. Many of the bars will let you in with outside drinks (some won’t, though).
French Quarter/Downtown/ C entral Business District “CBD” eating options:
• For fine dining, you can’t go wrong at Arnaud’s, Antoine’s or Galatoire’s – all classic, very nice –get reservations. Been to all three, you won’t be disappointed.
• Brennan’s is an excellent dining experience as well as Dickie Brennan’s for steak.
• NOLA, K-Pauls, Rib Room and Pelican Club are all excellent – really depends on your preference.
• Johnny’s for Killer PoBoys. Mahoney’s is opening a place in the FQ, too – very good.
• A muffuletta from Central Grocery is the real deal – big portion, can split a half with someone.
• Got to get your beignets at Café Du Monde for sure.
• EAT is my favorite for breakfast/brunch – it’s on Dauphine and Dumaine.
• Palace Café on Canal is underrated for lunch/dinner– great food, not too hard to get a table.
• Irene’s is excellent for dinner, dimly lit, great atmosphere and excellent food.
• Redfish Grill on Bourbon is a little touristy, but good food/ambiance. GW Fins is better, though.
• In Jackson Square area, Stanley’s is good for breakfast. Muriel’s is great for dinner. I highly recommend dining outside on the second floor of Tableau – great food and ambiance.
• Mr. B’s is very good for dinner– chicken and sausage gumbo is awesome.
• Charbroiled Oysters at Drago’s is voted best dish in town all the time – they’re awesome!
• For coffee, Envie on Decator is good, and one of my favorites is Community Coffee (“CC’s”).
• Many more good restaurants I didn’t mention, go to NOMENU.com for local ratings.
• If you want to pig out on something like Chipotle, go to Felipe’s – excellent fast casual.
• Compere Lapin, Peche and Cochon are all in the CBD – all are excellent. The TopChef winner from a couple years ago owns Compere Lapin.
• Lucy’s Retired Surfer Bar and Tommy’s Wine Bar for drinks – both are in the CBD.

Stuff to do in FQ:
• The horse carriage ride actually isn’t a bad gig, get to learn some history and see the Quarter.
• I’ve never done a ghost tour – so no opinion on that. I see a lot of people doing them, though.
• Pedicabs are pricey, but good to get around. I use Uber a lot.
• Definitely take the St.Charles street car Uptown – you can get on/off wherever -- $1.25 – need exact change. You can take it all the way to end of South Carrollton (I live near the last stop).
• The double decker bus tour is excellent – can jump on/off all around city – including Uptown.
• I’ve done the swamp tour – not worth it in my opinion – takes an hour to get there - you’ll see alligators and ride a boat – but takes way too much time. But if that’s your thing, go for it.
• Take the ferry over to Algiers – there are a couple bars over there – you can walk around the neighborhood, too. Only takes a few minutes to go across the river, cost $1 each way.
• I really like the Carousel Bar in Hotel Monteleone, good cocktails and ambiance. It’s across the street from Mr. B’s on Royal. Cane & Table on Decatur is a great place for cocktails.
• Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop – oldest structure in US used as a bar, 1722, check it out.
• Old Absinthe House – got to stop in for sure, one of the oldest buildings in the FQ.
• Harrah’s casino is good (now smoke free). Aquarium and Insectarium are both excellent.
• Cat’s Meow is a karoke bar on Bourbon – always a good time, worth stopping in.
• You have to go to Pat Obrien’s, even us local’s like to go there – courtyard is excellent.
• Boondock Saint is across the street – little hole-in-the-wall hangout – I’m in a Mardi Gras krewe (Krewe of Tucks) – we hang out there a lot. You might see me there!
• If you’re drunk and hungry, get a giro at Alibaba – it’s across the street from Boondock Saint.
• If you can get in, Preservation Jazz Hall is awesome for traditional NOLA Jazz music.
• French market always good to stroll through, as well as Jackson Square – which you can’t miss.

Frenchman Street:
• Not a very big area – just walk around. You can walk there from FQ, just pay attention to your surroundings on the way.
• Several good music venues – Blue Nile, Spotted Cat, etc. Check WWOZ for who’s playing.
• Datdog is awesome for food.
• Near Frenchman is Esplanade – great street – take a walk around. Port O Call is there – great burgers – kind of a tourist trap, but good. You can ride a bike from Esplanade in the FQ all the way to City Park – then ride around City Park – very scenic and bike friendly.

Uptown (my neighborhood)/Mid-City – more local for sure.
• There are three breweries on Tchoupotoulis – my favorite is Urban South – have all sorts of beer on tap – a lot of small batch stuff. If you like IPA’s – my absolute favorite is their “Holy Roller”. There’s also NOLA Brewing (McClure’s BBQ next door – our kids go to school together – good local dude and great BBQ) and Port of New Orleans (they have decent food, too).
• Take the Green street car from the FQ – get on at Canal and St.Charles. You could also take a cab or catch the bus – the bus goes down Magazine Street – so you can jump on at Canal/Magazine.
• You can also take the red street car down Canal and work your way over to City Park – it’s bigger
than Audubon Park, some people prefer it over Audubon, but not me!
• Magazine Street is by far my favorite street in NOLA – 5-miles of shops, bars, restaurants – make sure to go there – you can walk if you want (or ride bikes).
• WWII museum is on Magazine in the Central Business District – beyond impressive.
• Domilise’s for Po-Boy’s – a NOLA institution!
• Commander’s Palace is one of my favorite place for lunch or dinner. Iconic restaurant – every item on the menu is delicious – it’s a long dining experience. Make a reservation far ahead of time.
• Ye Olde College Inn (my favorite restaurant!) – another NOLA institution (founded in 1933) is has excellent food and a nice bar. My neighborhood go-to restaurant. Get a reservation for sure.
• Toups Meatery- the chef/owner was on TopChef. He went to high school with my wife is from Rayne, LA – Cajun Country. Awesome food – get the Boudin balls for sure!
• Boucherie – great for lunch or dinner, but recommend for lunch. Roast beef po boy is unreal and the Krispy Kreme bread pudding is ridiculous.
• Ruby Slipper for breakfast – there are several locations around the city – excellent food!
• Katie’s in Mid-City – for dinner or lunch – probably my favorite casual place to eat.
• Vincent’s – awesome old school Italian food on St. Charles. Lunch or dinner.
• Pascale Manali’s – on Napoleon – another old Italian place – great food.
• There are many, many places to see on Magazine – and the restaurant choices are endless:
o Bulldog – my favorite bar. Outdoor seating, lots of beer choices.
o District Donuts – you won’t be disappointed. Go for lunch. Serve sliders, too.
o Stein’s Deli, great sandwiches (it’s next door to District Donuts).
o Surrey’s for breakfast – one of my favorites.
o Joey K’s – good place for lunch.
o Mahoney’s – excellent for Po-Boy’s.
o Casamento’s on Magazine – best place for Oysters.
o CC’s coffee – my favorite coffee shop Uptown
o Rum House – for lunch or dinner. Outdoor seating, good food.
o Sucre (Magazine Street)– for dessert.
o Reginelli’s is my go-to casual spot for pizza – two locations on Magazine and one in the CBD.
o Le Petite Grocery – awesome for lunch/dinner, or brunch (my top spot).
o Henry’s Uptown Bar and St. Joe’s are great local hangouts for drinks, used to frequent both.
o Pizza Domenica – AWESOME. Their garlic knots are one of the best things I’ve ever eaten.
o Shaya is excellent, founder “Shaya” got into a dispute with co-owner, John Besh – crazy but
they kept his name but he’s out – he opened his own place, Saba, which is as good/better.
o Avo on Magazine – excellent dining. Bistro Daisy across the street is quaint, excellent food.
o Angelo Brocato (Mid-City) – 100+ year old Italian ice cream/bakery. Good stuff!

Freret Stret – Uptown area – more local.
• Cure, swanky bar with cool craft cocktails.
• High Hat – awesome food. My favorite Cuban sandwich in the city. They also have pimento
mac’n’cheese – best I’ve ever had.
• The Wayfare – good food.
• The original DatDog.
• Company Burger – best burger in town, hands down.
• Midway Pizza – nice place.
• There are a lot of cool shops on Freret – worth checking out.

Oak Street – further uptown – near where I live – more local.
• Audubon Park – take the street car there or bus – it’s between Magazine and St. Charles – you can walk the loop around the park – 2-miles. I run and ride my bike through there all the time.
• Oak Street -- walk the entire street – plenty of shops and restaurants.
• Newer restaurant called “DTB” – Down The Bayou – very good food, more upscale dining.
• Jacques Imo’s (Oak Street) – you got to go if you can get in – awesome food and experience.
• Maple Leaf – next door to Jacques Imo’s, you can hang out and drink while you wait for your table at
Jacques Imo’s – they’ll even come over to get you when your table is ready. If it’s Tuesday, check out Rebirth Brass Band, they don’t go on till about 11pm – but it is an amazing experience, worth it.
• Nearby is Cooter Brown’s – sports bar with good food – end of St. Charles street car line.
• Cibo – my neighbors brother just opened it – Italian sandwiches – great food. It’s on Carrollton, close to the corner of Oak and Carrollton.
• Carrollton Market – finer dining, great food.
• Panola Street Café for breakfast. Around the corner from my house – love the ambiance and have a traditional breakfast – low prices, too. A few blocks off of Carrollton.
• Camellia Grill on Carrollton is overrated (in my opinion) – don’t wait in line to eat there – go to Company Burger on Freret instead. I frequently jog on the street car tracks, every time I pass by Camellia Grill and see tourists waiting in line out the door I want yell to them to go to Company Burger.
• Williams Plum Street sno-balls – best in the city! Everyone goes to Hansen’s on Tchoup, don’t waste your time waiting in line, Williams is every bit as good!
• Keep your eye out for the Roman Candy guy – his cart is pulled by a horse - $1 for a stick of taffy, been around 100 years – I think he’s the 4th or 5th generation – usually on St. Charles Uptown.

Bywater/Marigny:
• Trendy area near the FQ. You could keep walking, or take a cab or pedicab.
• Lots of quirky shops in the area – not as many tourists.
• Mimi’s is excellent place for dinner.
• Elizabeth’s is a good breakfast place.
• All sorts of new restaurants opening in that area – just go check out the area and walk around.