Probono

You are in for a treat, Sara. Turn them loose at August. Make sure you meet Kerrie, Willie May Seaton's great granddaughter (Scotch House)..she is lovely and so friendly. Also, Allen Tousaint is going to be at 'the festival' so that will be a treat, as well. And, the oyster's at Acme - lacking in ozmazome, I think I could eat them forever. Ask Broadway who holds the record at Acme.

If you miss August, you will miss a great experience. bob

Last week I ate at quite a few places..domilise's has a great poboy...acme on iberville (the line moves quickly - i like to sit at the bar and talk to Hollywood Broadway - he is fabulous - the oyster's are very fine)..the best food is at John Besh's August - a short walk from the quarter, and make reservations..about 125 for two, if you have fun - the food is really remarkable...but, then i am an eccentric psycho who just happens to have a serious thing for food... galatoire's for lunch used to be a favorite thing of mine when i lived there - stayed all afternoon, but i did not go this time...i am sure it is still wonderful..todd and mayhaw will tell you everything, fer sure.. bob

Hey, I was waiting for your final list.... Seriously, If I had my way I would have just stayed at August. The service was outstanding, Willie Mae's great granddaughter, Kerry, was the sweetest, Octavio was fabulous - It was the best food I have eaten since Andre Soltner left Lutece. John Besh pushes it to the edge and it totally comes off, all of it. It was nothing short of spectacular. Upperline was closed for the duration as were most of the places close to the quarter and cabs were impossible everywhere. Domilise's was great, Acme was great - ate a few dozen everyday - Tujague's bar was fun, the food there is the food there. Casamento's was outstanding. All the places in the quarter were overwhelmed, so commenting on the food would be unfair...Coffee Pot (no grillades)...Cafe du Monde was as always... Drove over to Lakeview and cried... Mardi Gras, I know, was a facade this year, but I had to go. Went by my old house on St. Charles and it has a for sale sign..I am so tempted, I cannot tell you how much I love New Orleans. I am coming back for JazzFest if I can pull it off...or I may just come down for a few days to really eat this time, when more places are open. The Maison de Ville is still wonderful, slowly getting open with about 6 or 7 rooms open...The hope to get the cottages open before summer - hope... Camellia Grill I understand from friends may be taken over by the city, because the owner is having a bit of a tax problem......... So let's see...Acme, August, Casamento's, Domilise's, Tujague's, Coffee Pot, Arnaud's, because it was close, and the service was wonderful and my wife loved the room - remember we had no car on this trip..and taxi's were ridiculously impossible to get - but back to Arnaud's...had oyster's four ways and they were all fabulous...it's still pretty and the food was good... I did the best I could, but to give a real report I have to return...in the time that I lived there, I never went into the quarter during Mardi Gras...now I know exactly why. Friends came to visit and said they only came in because I was there..I was touched, but was actually embarrassed that they came...what a mess it was in the quarter.. But, again, I had to come and I did not want to leave, ever! My daughter who was staying with friends on St. Charles wants to transfer to Tulane..of course, I said I am all for it.. What a truly remarkable city...it is the only home I will ever have in my heart. Thank you - everyone. bob my wife says i made a couple of mistakes here due to the greyhounds i was drinking...i hope i fixed them..Dr. John was fabulous..packed..there was a wonderfully sweet aroma in the air and everyone was reminiscing...Ah remembering the professor... the little breakfast on the patio at the maison with the yeasty croissant's and the band playing in the adjoining garden every morning... and did i mention AUGUST - one of life's great pleasures!! also, marg reminds me that we had fried frog's legs and some sort of wonderful shrimp and grits at herbsaint and i left a ridiculous tip (no bob, you didn't have meat loaf!! you tried...they were remarkably kind...we left because we were going to august in a few hours.. i will have marg read this again when she returns from work...and i want to go back to herbsaint to try the rest of their menu...i thought it was a neat place... i fell in love with dawn brown the wwltv weather lady...wow...raleigh??? thanks for trying deano...i still love ya..but the y'ats have it for me - hands down... sorry i didn't get to meet brooks and todd.. but, after my friends came in and reminded me that they never come to the quarter during 'that' weekend i didn't want to bother you... ← I just watched John Besh on Iron Chef and he did win the show..and he didn't even give them the scallop in cappuccino...most remarkable..as John T says "Besh is the real deal".....well said... And, I am looking for a quick flight to msy now to go down for one night to see if i need to pinch myself..

← ← I ate at babbo in december..and i don't really give a damn about iron chef's...and i don't think john besh was cooking when i was at august, but we are both marine's so we take care of each other under any circumstances. I can tell you Mike, or whoever cooked my dinner, went well out on the edge. And it was magnificent.. Babbo was good, but August made me feel SPECIAL...at Babbo I was just another customer..August stretches...I mean they stretch...!!! If you need an explanation, let me know. bob

Last I heard, both Acme and Felix's were still closed in the Quarter. This may have changed last week. Some places were hoping to open for Mardi Gras. ← ACME on Iberville is open and very fine in the Quarter.. bob

Hey, I was waiting for your final list.... Seriously, If I had my way I would have just stayed at August. The service was outstanding, Willie Mae's great granddaughter, Kerry, was the sweetest, Octavio was fabulous - It was the best food I have eaten since Andre Soltner left Lutece. John Besh pushes it to the edge and it totally comes off, all of it. It was nothing short of spectacular. Upperline was closed for the duration as were most of the places close to the quarter and cabs were impossible everywhere. Domilise's was great, Acme was great - ate a few dozen everyday - Tujague's bar was fun, the food there is the food there. Casamento's was outstanding. All the places in the quarter were overwhelmed, so commenting on the food would be unfair...Coffee Pot (no grillades)...Cafe du Monde was as always... Drove over to Lakeview and cried... Mardi Gras, I know, was a facade this year, but I had to go. Went by my old house on St. Charles and it has a for sale sign..I am so tempted, I cannot tell you how much I love New Orleans. I am coming back for JazzFest if I can pull it off...or I may just come down for a few days to really eat this time, when more places are open. The Maison de Ville is still wonderful, slowly getting open with about 6 or 7 rooms open...The hope to get the cottages open before summer - hope... Camellia Grill I understand from friends may be taken over by the city, because the owner is having a bit of a tax problem......... So let's see...Acme, August, Casamento's, Domilise's, Tujague's, Coffee Pot, Arnaud's, because it was close, and the service was wonderful and my wife loved the room - remember we had no car on this trip..and taxi's were ridiculously impossible to get - but back to Arnaud's...had oyster's four ways and they were all fabulous...it's still pretty and the food was good... I did the best I could, but to give a real report I have to return...in the time that I lived there, I never went into the quarter during Mardi Gras...now I know exactly why. Friends came to visit and said they only came in because I was there..I was touched, but was actually embarrassed that they came...what a mess it was in the quarter.. But, again, I had to come and I did not want to leave, ever! My daughter who was staying with friends on St. Charles wants to transfer to Tulane..of course, I said I am all for it.. What a truly remarkable city...it is the only home I will ever have in my heart. Thank you - everyone. bob my wife says i made a couple of mistakes here due to the greyhounds i was drinking...i hope i fixed them..Dr. John was fabulous..packed..there was a wonderfully sweet aroma in the air and everyone was reminiscing...Ah remembering the professor... the little breakfast on the patio at the maison with the yeasty croissant's and the band playing in the adjoining garden every morning... and did i mention AUGUST - one of life's great pleasures!! also, marg reminds me that we had fried frog's legs and some sort of wonderful shrimp and grits at herbsaint and i left a ridiculous tip (no bob, you didn't have meat loaf!! you tried...they were remarkably kind...we left because we were going to august in a few hours.. i will have marg read this again when she returns from work...and i want to go back to herbsaint to try the rest of their menu...i thought it was a neat place... i fell in love with dawn brown the wwltv weather lady...wow...raleigh??? thanks for trying deano...i still love ya..but the y'ats have it for me - hands down... sorry i didn't get to meet brooks and todd.. but, after my friends came in and reminded me that they never come to the quarter during 'that' weekend i didn't want to bother you...

The Blind Boys of Alabama---CNN is showing today, from time to time, in their reporting of Mardi Gras---a very poignant show of the destruction that exists in New Orleans with the Blind Boys singing Amazing Grace. Just in case I, or any of us, can forget for even the slightest moment the unbelievable misery that exists here. From what I can see and hear, no one is counting on 'the government' to do much, if anything about it.

Lord have mercy, I had dinner at August and I had the best food I have had since Andre Soltner left Lutece. I have eaten a lot of food in a lot of place - it is my passion in life - and they took it to the edge, with grace and style. I am charmed by August and the fabulous staff - Willie Mae's great granddaughter works there and is a beautiful joy. This place is really something. I am crying to see a city I love so much struggling to deal with so many people who belong to it and have no way to come back. But, I can tell you that the krewe's are putting on an unbelievable show. And the food is fabulous in all the places that are open, though I must admit I have been spending too much time at the Acme - I polished off 4 dozen at the bar on Saturday - and they are splendid. How am I going back to the WLand.? The Maison de Ville is as fabulous as ever..breakfast on the porch - a little banjo in the background...and then off to eat, eat, eat. I think my Viennese wife is having a good time, as well - she just keeps smiling! I forgot to mention that my daughter busted me last night when she called at 2:30 am to ask me the number for a cab!! She was leaving the Baccus Ball and said it was absolutely the best time...Michael Keaton was there...Willie Nelson played!!! And even Steven Segal (?) played some kind of instrument..shows what I know..

Bob, don't waste your time eating at the House of Blues -- not worth it. Plenty of far better options available. Should be a good show, though. ← Thanks, Dean...I thought so...didn't want to go, but I have not seen Dr. J. in a few years..and since I going down to spread some green on my favorite city in the world.......................

Bob, Maison de ville is where we stay as well, either the hotel or cottages. Have you been there before? It's our favorite. We were lucky enough to just switch our jazz Fest reservations from 1st weekend to second, and they could not have been more accomodating. Have a GREAT trip, look forward to your report. ← Kim, Oh my!!! I have been staying in the cottages for years...they just will not be open in time for me tomorrow..April 1st Courtney says... You know as much as I like to talk I will give you a full report.. Also, I am going to see Dr. John at The House of Blues on Monday night and I wonder if I should eat before I go...I don't have a clue about their food - but, a chain?? Thanks. Bob ps.. Molly is going down to Tulane (my daughter) tonight - I'm taking her to the airport after class. Then I am going down tomorrow in disguise. If she sees me there I know it will ruin her trip....

Todd...I am counting down... Oh Lord, gravy cheese fries!!!!

Thanks for everything, Brooks. Bob

OK, so it was a little verbose. But you know what they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. ← As an old guy who lived and loved in NYC for many years, I had the pleasure of eating Edna's food at the old Cafe Nicholson under the bridge. I will tell you I can still see the spoon breaking the chocolate souffle and putting in the cream.. Oh my, she is a fabulous cook..with great style in her simplicity. A joy in my life.. Bob McConnell

After reading this again and again, I don't see anyway that I can get around renting a car. I am trying to deal with all of my emotions about coming down. Some of my daughter's friends are giving her a hard time because so many people are hurting and she is going to party. I told her everything we do to go down, spend money, love and enjoy the city is helpful to everyone. Bob

Can she wear a white evening gown..long? Or a cocktail dress? Which is more appropriate? Thanks. Bob

Bacchus Ball?? My daughter got invited and wants to know what girl's wear? Can someone help with this one..? Thanks a lot.. Bob

Hey, I am the fat contemplator!! I just live in a "wasteland." But the pictures are fabulous. I had to make a reservation for four at August and only two of us are going.. Regards, TS

Is it open? Does a bear.... Does the Pope.....Does, well, you know. I was there yesterday afternoon with a friend and we, the two of us, knocked back 4 dozen char broils and a couple of loaves of bread. Oh yeah. They're open. That, for those of you that are wondering, is the home of the single most sublime oyster dish on the face of this or any other planet-Charbroiled oysters from Drago's. ← So, now, and without question..I will have to get United to take me over to Metairie!! Keep them coming, and I will eat my way through as many as possible, with a smile on my face. Thanks!! bob

Is it open? Does a bear.... Does the Pope.....Does, well, you know. I was there yesterday afternoon with a friend and we, the two of us, knocked back 4 dozen char broils and a couple of loaves of bread. Oh yeah. They're open. That, for those of you that are wondering, is the home of the single most sublime oyster dish on the face of this or any other planet-Charbroiled oysters from Drago's. ← So now I have to get United to drive me to Metairie?? Lord, where does this all end? In heaven, I hope. bob

Casamento's is in a very tough place to do business (or stop doing it, take your pick-either way it's tough). They are just off the corner of Magazine and Napoleon and will have parades FORMING in front oof them for 10 days in a row at all hours of the afternoon. They've always done this, or at least for a long time. Hell, you know, if it's an oyster po boy that you're after, the Acme is not far from there on Prytania. They make a good one-it's not the same, but it's pretty dependable-though that place has been doing tremendous business. ← Which Acme is open now? I don't see it on Tom's site. Thanks.

Casamento's is in a very tough place to do business (or stop doing it, take your pick-either way it's tough). They are just off the corner of Magazine and Napoleon and will have parades FORMING in front oof them for 10 days in a row at all hours of the afternoon. They've always done this, or at least for a long time. Hell, you know, if it's an oyster po boy that you're after, the Acme is not far from there on Prytania. They make a good one-it's not the same, but it's pretty dependable-though that place has been doing tremendous business. ← Brooks, I just called Upperline and they are closed for Mardi Gras Week the 20th - March1st. Can you give me anymore suggestions? I made reservations for August on Saturday night..but they are mostly closed after that.. Thanks for all of your help. Bob

The taxi situation is fine. No problem. Just dial 522-9771 and a friendly United Cab driver will be there shortly. I had a stupendously good meal at Jacques Imo's last night. I spent most of the evening with Jack as it was his tenth anniversary (I am going to write this up seperately as there is some commanality between what we were both doing 10 years ago and we've been friends a very long time) and he was, well, as ebbulient as a restauranteur can be in Post K New Orleans. It's really hard to get cheerful as all discussions inevitably go back to "the thing" and we just can't get away from it. It's kind of in your face at all times. It was, really, probably the best meal that I have ever had there are one of the three best that I've had since Aug 29. I'll come up with a decent, doable list for you. Brooks ← You are a kind and gracious gentleman, Brooks. Thank you, very much. bob ← Also, there is a solemn review by Lolis in the new Gourmet.. Great article. And, John Mariani just referred me to an article in the latest Nations Restaurant News - "New Orleans - Woe's cloud Mardi Gras Outlook"...it isn't up on their website yet, but should be shortly. bob

The taxi situation is fine. No problem. Just dial 522-9771 and a friendly United Cab driver will be there shortly. I had a stupendously good meal at Jacques Imo's last night. I spent most of the evening with Jack as it was his tenth anniversary (I am going to write this up seperately as there is some commanality between what we were both doing 10 years ago and we've been friends a very long time) and he was, well, as ebbulient as a restauranteur can be in Post K New Orleans. It's really hard to get cheerful as all discussions inevitably go back to "the thing" and we just can't get away from it. It's kind of in your face at all times. It was, really, probably the best meal that I have ever had there are one of the three best that I've had since Aug 29. I'll come up with a decent, doable list for you. Brooks ← You are a kind and gracious gentleman, Brooks. Thank you, very much. bob

I get into NOLA on Saturday, February 25th. I'm staying at Maison de Ville. I have four nights to eat. I am not trying to eat New York fancy food. I want to eat New Orleans food. Four lunches and four dinners. Where would you go and which should I try/need to reserve now? And, I will not have a car, so how is/will be the taxi situation? Thanks. Bob