Going this weekend but haven't been in years. Anyone have any recommendations for restaurants.....preferably off the beaten path. Can't afford the 5 star restaurants, but looking for good seafood.
Been over there a couple of times in the last six weeks: 1) Palace Cafe on Canal - a Brennan family restaurant. Have them do Pecan Crusted Snapper (not on the menu). They still have Bananas Foster. It was really good. 2) Mister B's - Another Brennan family restuarant. It was good, not great, but worth the trip. Had grouper. 3) Commanders Palace - Brennan's again. Still the queen of NOLA. 4) Felix or Acme Oyster Bar - either is great informal.
mlc, i was in NO last summer, and a few of us took a walk (long) down Bourbon, away from downtown, and over to the Frenchman neighborhood. We headed for a pretty tasty burger joint called 'Port of Call'....short on menu, heavy on the grease. Big burgers with mounds of shredded cheddar, matched with a lump of sour cream. Add the baked potato with the same toppings, and you can drink through the night like a champ. Oh, and I second Acme Oyster House. There's also a few good little restaurants on Chartres Street, between Bienville and St. Louis church.
I'll second Mr. B's. It isnt as expensive as the others. Get the gumbo ya ya. it's awesome. avoid brennan's, it's a tourist trap like tavern on the green in NY and sucks. if you want to spend a ton, commander's palace is the place, i also like delmonico's a lot. Acme oyster bar is a great casual eatery. for breakfast, you have to hit Camelia's. The staff is as entertaining as the food. the original is near tulane but they have a new location in the french quarter on chartres i think. i'm also a big fan of mother's which is packed and touristy at peak times but it also serves up greasy heaven. split a muffuletta at central grocery. they claim to have invented it. i don't care, it's one of the best you will ever have.
I was in New Orleans the same weekend as the OP. Jacques was fantastic, but if you dont have a group of 5 and a reservation be prepared to wait at least 2 hours on a weekend night. A place I would recommend is Coops on Decatur st in the French Quarter. Little hole in the wall restaurant but the Jumbalaya was the best I had ever eaten. Its pretty much a bar with a couple of places to sit. Gets pretty crowded and you will have to wait outside when the place is full.