New Orleans Restaurant Recs

[isabel]

I have a conference in NOLA in November and I would like to compile a list of breakfast, lunch, and dinner places so our team has some go to spots.

Ideally, they will take reservations so that we can be assured a table and won't have to wait. The conference is at the convention center, so walking distance from there is greatly preferred. Cost isn't a huge issue, but we do a lot of client meetings, so obviously don't want to be spending $$$ at every meal.

Pretty sure we're doing our team dinner at Peche on Monday night and I am very excited about it. But if you think there's a better spot, please share!

[just]

Cochon. I had the best pork of my life there. Probably in the top 10 meals of my life

Ruby slipper is fun for breakfast, but I don't know how good it would be for a large group.

[isabel]

Aug 22, 2019 8:56:49 GMT -5 just said:

Cochon. I had the best pork of my life there. Probably in the top 10 meals of my life

Ruby slipper is fun for breakfast, but I don't know how good it would be for a large group.

They seem to have a more casual restaurant attached to their butcher shop that looks perfect for lunches. Lots of sandwiches and sides. 

I'll look at Ruby Slipper. Most of the meetings will be 4-6 people, so not huge groups.

I'm really hoping I can duck out of some of this and go wander on my own. I honestly don't know why my boss wants me to go. I'm not really involved in any of the business development stuff that this is related to. lol I think he just thought it would be fun, which it will be if I can go explore.

[sparty04]

I’ve eaten at and enjoyed:
Cafe Amelie
Coops Place for a hole in the wall type place
Domenica
Ruby Slipper
Commanders (more for the experience and drinks)

[egishere]

Jacques Imos- I went there with a big group. Its uptown so you will need to take the street trolley or uber

Ruby Slipper has an app I believe or maybe on their website your can check in for a table and get on the wait list.

[abbandkaa]

If you can get there, it's a 15-20 minute drive from the Convention Center, I highly recommend Jacques Imo's Cafe jacques-imos.com/ - get a reservation if you can. It's an funky atmosphere and delicious food, and the staff is fun!!

Also, go to The Sazerac Bar at The Roosevelt Hotel therooseveltneworleans.com/dining/the-sazerac-bar.html and get a sazerac, often thought to be the first mixed drink! It's a must-do while you're there, even if you just pop in. The entire hotel is beautiful, but I loved the Bar. It is gorgeous with its Paul Ninas murals, and the actual bar itself, gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous African walnut.

[isabel]

Aug 22, 2019 10:06:03 GMT -5 mofongo said:

And you didn’t tag me?!

Ruby slipper for breakfast/brunch
Cochon is good and close, sandwich place is great too
Dragos in the Hilton by the convention center - know for their charbroiled oysters

Herbsaint
Marcello’s
Willa Jean
Maypop
Compere Lapin
Domenica is in the Roosevelt and pretty casual

None of these places require coats, I’ve eaten at them all and they’re all really good.

You are going to LOVE peche!

Also across from Peche is Auction House and it’s a bar in the middle and then large booths around that serve food. So everyone could get what they want and it’s super casual!

St James cheese is also around there and also great and casual!

Lol I almost did!

I found Willa Jean and am looking forward to that one as well.

[abbandkaa]

OMG YES TO WILLA JEAN.
We stayed across the street when I was visiting; between that place and Company Burger's tator tots... GAH so so good.

[isabel]

mofongo, pretty sure I'm also going to have to sneak away to try Compere Lapin if we don't have a meeting there.

[isabel]

Aug 22, 2019 10:16:48 GMT -5 abbandkaa said:

OMG YES TO WILLA JEAN.
We stayed across the street when I was visiting; between that place and Company Burger's tator tots... GAH so so good.

I was wondering if Company Burger was good. It's in the same space as Maypop too. I'll add that to the list.

[usm]

I add Bon Ton Cafe to this for lunch or dinner during the week.

Also, not sure how far from convention center but Maïs Arepas is a really good Colombian restaurant.

[isabel]

Aug 22, 2019 20:19:42 GMT -5 usm said:

I add Bon Ton Cafe to this for lunch or dinner during the week.

Also, not sure how far from convention center but Maïs Arepas is a really good Colombian restaurant.

I looked at Bon Ton, but it seemed really pricey.

Mais Arepas isn't terribly far, definitely an easy Lyft ride. I noticed it a few times while I was looking. I may add that to the list tomorrow.

[isabel]

Aug 22, 2019 20:58:10 GMT -5 mofongo said:

Aug 22, 2019 20:56:44 GMT -5 isabel said:

I looked at Bon Ton, but it seemed really pricey.

Mais Arepas isn't terribly far, definitely an easy Lyft ride. I noticed it a few times while I was looking. I may add that to the list tomorrow.

Mais Arepas is really good! If you are gonna 𝘓𝘺𝘧𝘵/Uber (why did it change the font?) your possibilities will be endless lol. 

I decided to increase my radius because I was struggling to find breakfast spots. I'll tag you tomorrow with my list so you can strike anything you don't think is worthwhile.

[sloan]

I’ve only been to NOLA once for a wedding so didn’t eat on my own much, but took a walking tour and the guide recommended Johnny’s Po Boys so a group of us went for lunch after the tour. SO GOOD. No reservations, cash only, huge portions, and the line can be out the door so I wouldn’t recommend it when you’re pressed for time, but it’d be a tasty dinner on an evening you want to walk around the square area.

[isabel]

mofongo and anyone else who wants to weigh in... here's my list. I updated my radius to about 2 miles from the convention center. We can do Lyft to get around.

Breakfast
Ruby Slipper
Two Chicks Cafe
Stanley
Cafe Beignet
Willa Jean
Monty's on the Square

Lunch/Dinner (I know some of the above can also be used for lunch/dinner)
Grand Isle
Cafe Amelie
Domenica
Cochon Butcher
Cochon Restaurant
Drago's
Maypop
Compere Lapin
Company Burger
Meril
Mais Arepas

We are doing our internal team dinner at Peche.

[abbandkaa]

Aug 23, 2019 10:38:46 GMT -5 isabel said:

mofongo and anyone else who wants to weigh in... here's my list. I updated my radius to about 2 miles from the convention center. We can do Lyft to get around.

Breakfast
Ruby Slipper
Two Chicks Cafe
Stanley
Cafe Beignet
Willa Jean
Monty's on the Square

Lunch/Dinner (I know some of the above can also be used for lunch/dinner)
Grand Isle
Cafe Amelie
Domenica
Cochon Butcher
Cochon Restaurant
Drago's
Maypop
Compere Lapin
Company Burger
Meril
Mais Arepas

We are doing our internal team dinner at Peche.

GREAT LIST. We wanted to go to Domenica but never made it! Maybe next time.

[FastHands]

No Court of Two Sisters?? That was one of the only real meals I did there (I was there during a festival and ate my way through festival stalls mostly) and it was overwhelming and good. My bff is more of the foodie and says it was the best meal of her life.