New Orleans, LA

Eating out in New Orleans, LA

Food is so much a part of the New Orleans culture that when asking for directions, a local will often use restaurants as landmarks rather than give you street names. Immigrants from all over forged this town's singular ethnicity, with the French, Africans, and Spaniards contributing most to the multi-cultural influence that translates directly into the cuisine. Other heritages have also made great contributions to the local food traditions, like the Croatians who introduced the oysters that became a staple of New Orleans' cuisine. Native Americans introduced herbs and spices of the New World and Haitians brought bitters and brandy to the table. The changing seasons bring changing menus, like spicy crawfish in spring and an endless variety of etouffées in winter. At least as often as not, you can be treated to secret family recipes in the countless family-owned eateries. In the end, it doesn't matter too much where in New Orleans you eat, just that you do lots of it!.

Gourmet

Emeril's is the place. Ever since the celebrity chef opened the doors of his warehouse district, everything-made-from-scratch restaurant, it's been a sensation. The warm and friendly, Emily Post-worthy service adds a touch of grace to the bustling, industrial-chic ambiance. Must-have signature dishes include the BBQ shrimp poached in a Worcestershire and wine reduction, and the "Study of Duck." Dessert is an event of its own, with selections outnumbering the entrées. Bam! 800 Tchoupitoulas Street.

Highly Recommended

Commander's Palace gets this vote according to the James Beard Foundation, which says this is the best restaurant in the entire country, and they recently gave it their Lifetime Outstanding Restaurant award! The famed turtle soup is thick and hearty; the roasted quail stuffed with Creole crawfish sausage is table-pounding good, and though it's a tall-order to pick a best dessert, the Bananas Foster is fairly fantastic. 1403 Washington Avenue.

Also Highly Recommended

Brennan's is a New Orleans institution, where the most popular menu item is the Bananas Foster. Settle into plush chairs overlooking the verdant courtyard and enjoy a sumptuous, multi-course dinner complete with candlelight, flaming desserts, and café brulot ceremoniously prepared tableside. The encyclopedic wine list contains more than 1,500 selections. This restaurant is showered with critical praise like Zagat's "New Orlean's Best Restaurants" nod, and Wine Spectator's "Grand Award." 417 Royal Street.

Local Flair

Acme Oyster House is a place of pilgrimage for icy, raw oysters. An authentic French Quarter "joint" with a deliberate lack of decor, its po'boys (hero sandwich) are its other claim to fame. Purists pop a few coins into the jukebox for some Fats Domino (a local talent, of course), dispense with a table, and stand by the oyster bar with a frosty long-neck in hand. Don't forget to enjoy all the other treats, like the red bean poopa and the Creole jambalaya. 724 Iberville St, French Quarter.

Romantic

Bella Luna's airy elegance, Tuscan décor, cushy banquettes, soft lighting, and dramatic views of the moonlit Mississippi River and French Quarter rooftops help earn its rave reviews as "best romantic spot" from the likes of Gourmet, Glamour, and New Orleans magazines. The fusion menu combines the best of Italy with a variety of regional American flavors tied together with a Nawlin's flair. 914 N Peters Street, French Quarter.

Going party in New Orleans, LA

For starters, you should know that the nightlife is the main attraction in New Orleans, not an after-hours diversion, and the doors are always open. The party often doesn't get serious about itself until midnight, so don't expect to get an early night! Next, the city loves music, and the music loves it back, with music streaming, pouring, even blasting out of every door and window, and crowds of carefree revelers dancing in the streets with their beers-to-go when there is no room left inside. Jazz is the only originally American music, and New Orleans cradled its 3 distinct types - Dixieland (traditional), contemporary, and brass. There is also Zydeco, swamp pop, Cajun, rock, rockabilly, blues, RandB, and everything in between, all of it danceable. When you can't cut one more rug, you'll also find the quiet sophistication of the performing arts, requiring nothing more energetic than your rapt attention. Hit the streets and bar-hop on the fly, or check the local events listing in the Lagniappe supplement of the Times-Picayune on Friday, or the free weekly Gambit to set you on a course for the evening!.

Old Absinthe Bar

Tiny and dark, with the original fixtures from New Orleans' first absinthe bar, including a venerable marble absinthe fountain. You can always count on great blues and RandB, as well as a good house band and superb cocktails. French Quarter.

Dinner Jazz Cruise on the Steamboat Natchez

Savor the beauty and romance of New Orleans on a 2-hour jazz cruise that takes you back in time through one of the world's most active ports for an unforgettable evening of dancing and romancing. French Quarter.

Pat O'Brien's

This world-famous saloon has been copied over again throughout the world, but this is the famous original. It's hallmark traits include the small intimate bar, festive dueling pianos bar, the outdoor courtyard with a flaming fountain, and "The Hurricane" signature drink that together make it impossible not to have a great time! French Quarter.

Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop

Check out this ancient, wooden, candlelit bar popular with artists and writers, though there certainly isn't enough light to do any creating. It was a front for Lafitte's legendary piratical plottings and has remained unchanged since the 1700s right down to the blackened brickwork and flagstone floor. French Quarter.

Kermit Ruffins and James "Satchmo of the Ghetto" Andrews These two are the best contemporary performers of 20s and 30s jazz. Louis Armstrong fans rejoice at this "find," with Ruffins and his Barbecue Swingers playing regular gigs at Le Bon Temps Roule and Vaughans Lounge. Both performers frequent bars around town, and local papers keep good tabs on their appearances.

Preservation Hall

This forlorn building doesn't make much of a first impression, but it doesn't have to. The most authentic place in New Orleans for traditional jazz, the tightly packed crowd starts lining up 2 hours before the doors even open, and the poor line of sight from the dance floor to the stage doesn't matter any more than the stifling heat. People keep flocking here because this is just about the best time to be had in New Orleans. St Peter Street.

Saenger Theatre

This landmark has been restored to its 1927 opening grandeur, with Renaissance Florentine decor, Greek and Roman sculptures, marble statues, exquisite chandeliers, and a twinkling night sky ceiling so realistic you almost expect to hear crickets. Touring Broadway productions and popular music concerts perform regularly.

Common events in New Orleans, LA

Mardi Gras

This event surpasses all as the city's signature sensation. It's a season of revelry and romance, madness and music, parades and parties, comic street costumes, and grand masquerade balls. Mardi Gras is a time when the gaudy and the gorgeous all come together for one gigantic blowout. The most coveted mementos are the silly plastic baubles tossed from passing floats - Throw me something mister! (Fat) Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.

Tennessee Williams New Orleans Literary Festival Theatrical performances, readings, discussion panels, walking tours dedicated to the playwright, and more celebrate New Orlean's rich literary heritage, covering more than just William's works during the 5-day event. March.

Spring Fiesta

From the Garden District, to the French Quarter, to Uptown and beyond, this fiesta begins with the crowning of the queen and includes tours of many of the city's private homes, courtyards, and plantations as highlights of the 5-day event. March.

French Quarter Festival

Just over 10 years old, this festival is already high on the list of things to do, especially for jazz fans, who are beginning to consider it an alternative to Jazz Fest. It kicks off with a Bourbon Street parade and dancing in the streets, then opens up to more events like jazz history presentations, historic home tours, and riverboat cruises. And, of course, there's the food - many restaurants set up booths in Jackson Square. April.

New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival

For New Orleans other big blowout, musicians, fans, chefs, and craftspeople come together for 10 days "to celebrate music and life." This city-wide celebration sells-out the city up to a year ahead. April - May.

New Orleans Wine and Food Experience

Wine and food-tasting events are quietly tucked into antique shops and art galleries through the French Quarter, where wine makers and local chefs hold seminars to create a well-rounded presentation for the thinking gourmand. More than 150 wines and 40 restaurants are featured every day, so the cup of variety never runneth dry! July.

Swamp Festival

The Audubon Institute hosts this series of live swamp music performances featuring lots of great zydeco, as well as educational hands-on contact with Louisiana swamp creatures. September - October.

Halloween

For a city that has a thing for ghosts, this is a pretty important day, celebrated more intensely here than in any other US city and rivaling even Mardi Gras in the N'awlins heart. Events include the Monster Bash, haunted houses, the "Gathering of the Coven" (Anne Rice's Vampire Lestat Extravaganza), and the Moonlight Witches Run. Many museums join in the fun with special tours, and ghoulish goings-on are everywhere, but the French Quarter is at the heart of it all. October 31.

Christmas, New Orleans' Style

A beautiful celebration in the Oaks, featuring a festival of lights in City Park. December.