I'm in New Orleans, y'all!

[JackBeck]

Mainly for business, not for any sexy, fun time.

Although, I'm sure trouble will find me like it did the last time I was down here in November.

Any suggestions/recommendations on where to eat and/or drink? Anything my fellow DUers think I should do or see before I leave on Thursday?

[bicentennial_baby]

1. Hi baby!!

Please be safe :hug:

And have a wonderful time!! :loveya:

[JackBeck]

7. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger...or something like that.

I've joked with my other co-workers that they are my personal Blackwater for the duration.

And hopefully, work aside, I'll be able to enjoy myself this time. I walked Bourbon Street a little bit ago and there's still a post-Mardi Gras energy for sure.

:loveya:

[huskerlaw]

2. Brennan's is a MUST

http://www.brennansneworleans.com

Just...oh my god. You must go. Trust me.

On edit: Also, The Palace Cafe: http://www.palacecafe.com/. And, if you want some GREAT ice cream (like, red velvet cake flavored, for example): http://www.yelp.com/biz/creole-creamery-new-orleans

[JackBeck]

8. Sweet!

My co-workers and I are gonna thank you for these recs. We're trying to avoid touristy places like Mothers.

:hi:

[eyesroll]

3. I really enjoyed Dante's Kitchen when I was there last year.

Local, seasonal, not too expensive, even.

http://www.danteskitchen.com/

[JackBeck]

9. That menu looks amazing.

Fortunately, our breakfast and lunch is paid for by the program we're sponsoring, so we're all about splurging on a wonderful dinner. Thanks for the tip!

:pals:

[Jamastiene]

4. Partyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!

Party your ass off and wake up nekked wondering just WHAT you did the night before. :evilgrin:

[JackBeck]

10. I wish!!

All of my presentations are in the morning...AND I'm the designated driver...the only one with a valid license and a credit card (WTF???)

And remember, I'm a married man, so I need to behave. Besides, given the amount of booby bars on Bourbon Street, I'm sure I'll be able to stay out of trouble.

[Jamastiene]

24. Ahhhh, booby bars.

Trade places with ya? You do the presentations and drive, and I'll get fitshaced and go to the booby bars. :P

[Rowdyboy]

5. Herbsaint is one of the top 50 restaurants in the US and very reasonably priced.....

GOD it was heavenly! The shrimp and risotto was flawless. Elizabeth's is inexpensive and excellent as well and the Cafe Degas was 1st rate. Also Irene's on Decatur in the Quarter.

God, you're making me hungry!

on edit: Where are you staying?

[JackBeck]

12. You just mentioned one of my favorite dishes.

Thanks for adding to the list of places to eat. We were at a loss this evening.

We're staying at the Sheraton and went to a small cafe around the corner we remembered from our last visit because of their crab cakes.

[Rowdyboy]

14. Herbsaint is in the Fauberg Marigny just the other side of the Quarter

past the French Market. If you like beer, try an Abita Turbodog-its from a Louisiana microbrewery (sadly recently sold out to the big beer boys) and is one of my favorites.

[JackBeck]

17. Totally discovered that beer tonight!

And I very much approve.

The first time I was down here was in November. And I made the mistake of ordering cocktails instead of beer. I couldn't get past the measured pours, as a former bartender. So this time I decided to try some local beers and had a few Abita's and really liked them.

[Rowdyboy]

18. Dynamite! Abita is one of my very favorite beers-

Turbodog and Golden Pecan are my favorites but the Raspberry is also good-hell any Abita is a pleasure.

Wish I was there. Enjoy my friend!

[JackBeck]

25. Pretty tasty lager.

I'm more of a Bass Ale drinker, so it was a wonderful discovery.

Even though I'm here for work, I'm sure I'll take away many memorable experiences. And from one Duer to another, I wish you were here, too!

[Bennyboy]

6. I like ACME!

I would be at Tipitina's right now though, rocking out!

[JackBeck]

13. Will try and check it out.

Thanks for the recommendation. I'm excited to see what we will find.

:headbang:

[Bennyboy]

15. Not a fancy dinner place though....

More down home than anything. but they got oysters! And lots of them!

[JackBeck]

19. That's what we're looking for.

We're non-profit, after all, so our stipend is pretty limited. Just looking for a good meal.

[Bennyboy]

20. Then you'll dig it.

I like to cruise Royal street too....Great art and collectibles there....

[IzaSparrow]

11. aren't you about a week late?

hit up some live music!

[JackBeck]

16. LOL.

We almost scheduled our 4-day training for that week and were swiftly reminded by the locals how that date wouldn't have worked.

Like I said in my OP, I'm here for work, not for partying. But won't hold myself back from a little fun after I'm off the clock.

;)

[IzaSparrow]

27. ;) you should see some local music then.

:toast:

[billyoc]

21. You simply MUST go to Red Cross headquarters, the MRE's are to die for.

:rofl:

Don't eat the ice cubes, though, trust me.

[JackBeck]

23. I'll pass.

Once I heard that KBR was contracted to supply the goods, it lost all of its cache.

Funny that you mention this, though. The last time I was down I ended up talking to someone from the Justice Department for a few hours at a bar. Interesting talk.

[Bennyboy]

22. Oh yeah, the Louisiana Music Factory!

One of the best record stores on the planet.

[Rowdyboy]

26. We spent well over an hour there last month listening to a fabulous free concert.....

What a blast

[SacredCow]

28. Hope you're having fun...

Definitely hit Petunia's for breakfast/brunch- it's on St. Louis Street. Another lunch option is Central Grocery for the absolute BEST muffaletta (get a whole one, and you can share it with 3 friends). If you want some good Lebanese, Mona's on Frenchman St. is excellent. If you happen to get out to the Magazine Street area (lots of cool shops), Rocky's Pizzaria has wonderful handmade pizzas and salads. Brennan's is good, but on the pricy side and if you're going to spend a lot, I'd say hit Commander's Palace (coat required, IIRC).

Bars... Tropical Isle is my favorite (straight) bar. Pat O's is something you can go see, but it's really a tourist trap with mega-expen$ive, watered-down drinks. But if you want the distinctive glass, it's certainly an option. Personally, I hang out in Good Friends or Laffites. The balcony in either is a good place to sit and people-watch as you drink.

I'll be down for a little R and R myself in a couple of weeks. But then I'm only about 70 miles away, so.... :)

[JackBeck]

29. My co-worker and I really like Good Friends.

The bartenders totally clued me in on where to go when we were here in November.

And I went last night for a couple of beers.

Noe what's up with this "muffaletta" everyone keeps raving about?

[lavenderdiva]

30. SacredCow is absolutely right-

you HAVE to have a Central Grocery Muffuletta; its the best. And yes, one big one is plenty to share with several others.

Central Grocery is located at 923 Decatur St. From Wikipedia: "A typical muffuletta consists of one muffuletta loaf, split horizontally. The loaf is then covered with a marinated olive salad, then layers of capicola, salami, mortadella, emmentaler, and provolone. The sandwich is sometimes heated through to soften the provolone."

I'm from New Orleans originally, and you should definitely try a Muffuletta. You should also go to R&O's out by the lakefront (216 Old Hammond Hwy) for a wonderful po-boy sandwich. My favorite there is the roast beef- get extra debris gravy. They also have wonderful shrimp po-boys as well, and about a jillion other varieties as well. If you want to try a bit more upscale dining, you should try Commander's Palace (yes, coat and tie are required) or Bayona (Susan Spicer's original restaurant- Herbsaint is her 2nd restaurant, and is co-owned by chef Donald Link). If it is late (or early!) and you are in the quarter, and want a burger or breakfast, try Clover Grill at 900 Bourbon, right across the street from Lafitte's in Exile bar; both are open 24/7.

Of course, you have to go to Cafe du Monde, across the street from Jackson Square for beignets and coffee (hint: don't wear dark colors when you go there, you'll be sorry, trust me).

Since you leave on Thursday, this list will already keep you busy! let me know earlier for your next visit, and I can give you a wider selection... :hi:

[ldf]

31. Bwahahahahahah.....

i ALWAYS tell newbies that it is traditional to wear black, your first visit to cafe du monde....

i am so evil...

:rofl:

[lavenderdiva]

32. you are bad-

;-) :rofl:

[cbayer]

33. Restaurants

Le Petit Grocery
Herbsaint
Gautreau's

I can give you a lot more if you tell me what you like.