HUGE Favor

SeaDog has already offered superb advice..... check out his advice carefully and thoroughly!

If you do stay somewhere near the foot of Canal St near the Casino.... be sure to walk downstream along the River, past the Aquarium, through Waldenburg Park , to Jackson Square & St Louis Cathedral. No visit to the city is complete without spending ample time (Sundays are my favorite) in and around Jackson Square!! Too many great places to eat, for me to even begin to suggest... but Cafe au Lait and Beignets @ Cafe du Monde are probably a must!

The Irish-Italian Celebrations in March offer quite a bit of entertainment as well!!

Enjoy your trip!!

Giz

So much wonderful information! I can't thank y'all enough!

Bella

I'm late to see this, but wanted to share:

I've stayed in NOLA a ton and love it. The Royal Omni is beautiful, but very small rooms. I love the rooms with balconies - gives a little more room for two and a wonderful place to have coffee on the balcony in the mornings as well as watch the revelers on the way home a block or so off bourbon (good place to be - in it, but off the beaten path). Also, its a couple of blocks from the Monteleone, which has a beautiful lobby and fun, busy bar...but the rooms are very small with no balcony option.

PJ is correct that Windsor Court is a great value right now. Stayed there in September and found the suites spacious and nicely appointed. As a poker player, I find it amazingly convenient, as its right across the street from the Casino. If gambling isn't a priority, the value might not be balanced by the several block walk from the quarter. If you do that, I would recommend two women taking the $5 cab ride from the quarter late at night.

Frenchman's street is where the locals and good jazz can be found.

Port O Call has an amazing burger off of Esplanade - great lunch place on Friday - lots of pretty lawyers and locals eating there at lunchtime.

Brenners Steakhouse is no longer any good. Service has been terrible the last few times I've been there and its expensive. Save the steak for another city (like Houston!). GW Fins is a FABULOUS seafood restaurant. One of my favorite meals there (and there have been many) was the "surf and turf" with foie gras and lobster and for the right price (and a call ahead), they will prepare you a chef meal with paired wines. The best meal I've ever had. Any where.

Enjoy yourself and getting into some fun with your partner in crime!

Sydney.... good advice, except for your non-recommendation for Dickie Brennan's!! I am from (born & raised) in New Orleans.... lived most of my life there. We recently enjoyed a gathering of four (life-long friend) couples for an incredible meal for eight @ Dickie Brennan's..... and it was fabulous.... including the service!! Steak is not the only choice! Not recommending.... just defending an obviously excellent choice from less than two weeks ago!

Port of Call burgers?..... agreed!

Frenchman St clubs for music?..... agreed.... one of many great locations for original local music!

As I said earlier....waaaaay too many excellent places to eat, for me to even begin to recommend!!

Giz

Sydney.... good advice, except for your non-recommendation for Dickie Brennan's!! I am from (born & raised) in New Orleans.... lived most of my life there. We recently enjoyed a gathering of four (life-long friend) couples for an incredible meal for eight @ Dickie Brennan's..... and it was fabulous.... including the service!!
Giz Originally Posted by MrGiz

That's good to know! I've gotten crummy service at the bar two or three times and stopped going there. I'll give it a shot the next time the meat craving comes my way while in your fine city!

New Orleans Musts:

Hotel
lepavillon.com
cornstalkhotel.com

Masks:
themaskstore.com
rumorsno.com


FleurDeParis.net
Custom hand-made hats, beautiful evening wear. All very luxurious and outlandish.

FIFI Mahony's
High quality alternative fashion: make-up, accessories, and custom outrageous wigs

fischegambino.com
Beautiful antiques.

PreservationHall.com
A 300 year old building, the kinds of places where jazz is born.

fleurdetease.com
Burlesque

Restaurant: Irene's Cuisine
(google it)

Music: tipitinas.com
great bands go through here

Bennachin Restaurant - African
Google it

... It is not far at all from the Commander’s Palace which is a great place to eat. Originally Posted by LonesomeDove

http://www.commanderspalace.com/

Since 1880, Commander's Palace has been a New Orleans landmark known for the award winning quality of its food and many commodious dining rooms. The history of this famous restaurant offers a glimpse into New Orleans' ante-bellum past. In the early 1880's, when Louisiana officially joined the nation, eager young Anglo-Saxons flocked to this promising territory to make their fortunes. Since the Vieux Carré was the stronghold of the proud Creoles, these "Americans" (as they were defined by the Creoles) sought a residential section of their own. Thus was born the Garden District, with its stately Greek Revival homes and quiet, tree lined streets.

Here in the Garden District George W. Cable entertained Mark Twain; here Jefferson Davis spent his last days. And here, in 1880, Emile Commander established the only restaurant patronized by the distinguished neighborhood families. He chose the corner of Washington Avenue and Coliseum Street, a site that had been in turn, part of the J.F.E. Livaudais Plantation and the faubourg of Lafayette. In 1854 it was engulfed by the city of New Orleans and by 1900 Commander's Palace was attracting gourmets from all over the world.

Under different management in the twenties its reputation was somewhat spicier, however. Riverboat captains frequented it and sporting gentlemen met with beautiful women for a rendezvous in the private dining room upstairs. Downstairs however, the main dining room (with its separate entrance) was maintained in impeccable respectability for family meals after church and family gatherings of all sorts.

In 1944, Frank and Elinor Moran bought Commander's Palace, refurbished it and carried on its tradition of excellence with an expanded menu including many recipes still used.

When Ella, Dottie, Dick and John Brennan took over personal supervision of the restaurant in 1974, they began to give the splendid old landmark a new look. It was decided to design rooms and settings indoors which complemented and enhanced the lovely outdoor setting, so the decor was planned for a bright, casual airiness. Walls were torn out and replaced with walls of glass, trellises were handmade for the Garden Room and paintings were commissioned for each room to complement and accent its particular color and design.

Particular attention was paid to the heart and soul of the restaurant; the kitchen and the dishes created there. Commander's cuisine reflects the best of the city, both Creole and American heritages as well as dishes of Commander's own creating. Seafood, meats, fruits and vegetables; everything is as fresh as it possibly can be.

That's the Commander's atmosphere; like a well run party given by old friends. Flowers, conviviality and most important, splendid food and wines!!! What could be more fun?