Visiting Chef

[eSkillet.com]

Hello All.

I will be visiting New Orleans next month for a few days to attend the Institute of Food Technologists annual meeting.

http://www.ift.org/cms/?pid=1000501

I am an instructor at the Culinary Institute of Canada and I'll be researching for our new 4 year degree program. We will also have a student competing at the show.

Anyhoo, all formalities aside, I would like to have your opinions on the best places to go in New Orleans.

I have eaten at the best restaurants in many of your fine states and cities and New Orleans I'm sure will not disappoint.

Here are the criteria I am looking for, for the "Best in New Orleans"

Best Fine Dining (Commander's Palace keeps coming up but is there a better less know recommendation?)

Best Oyster Po-Boy

Best Gumbo

Best Muffaletta

Best BBQ Shrimp

Best Hurricane

Best anything else to eat or do in New Orleans.

I am in the process of reading the many threads in this forum regarding NO cuisine but I would love to hear your suggestions.

Edited June 24, 2005 by eSkillet.com (log)

[Rachel Perlow]

Best Oyster Po-Boy - Crabby Jacks, we ate a lot of oyster po-boys while we were in NO last month and on previous trips, it really was the best. Edit: thinking back on it, we actually didn't have the oyster po-boy, but the oyster platter. But I'm comparing oysters (quality and how they are cooked) and that's where they were the best, so I'm sure the po-boy is the best, although, there's nothing wrong with a nekid fried oyster!

Best BBQ Shrimp - Mr. B's for more refined roux based version, or Pascal's Manale for the original peppery-buttery version, or the po-boy at Liuzza's by the Track.

Best Hurricane - why??? blech, sugar shock. Get a milk punch or a sazarac.

If you're reviewing the recent threads, you'll read about the necessity of going to Willie Mae's for some fried chicken and a pork chop.

Edited June 25, 2005 by Rachel Perlow (log)

[eSkillet.com]

Best Oyster Po-Boy - Crabby Jacks, we ate a lot of oyster po-boys while we were in NO last month and on previous trips, it really was the best. Edit: thinking back on it, we actually didn't have the oyster po-boy, but the oyster platter. But I'm comparing oysters (quality and how they are cooked) and that's where they were the best, so I'm sure the po-boy is the best, although, there's nothing wrong with a nekid fried oyster!

Best BBQ Shrimp - Mr. B's for more refined roux based version, or Pascal's Manale for the original peppery-buttery version, or the po-boy at Liuzza's by the Track.

Best Hurricane - why??? blech, sugar shock. Get a milk punch or a sazarac.

If you're reviewing the recent threads, you'll read about the necessity of going to Willie Mae's for some fried chicken and a pork chop.

←

I want to try a real hurricane. Not one made from a mix.

Willie Mae's is on my list. No way can I pass up on the real home cooking.

[Rachel Perlow]

Best Hurricane - why??? blech, sugar shock. Get a milk punch or a sazarac.

←

I want to try a real hurricane. Not one made from a mix.

←

A "real" hurricane? I thought they all made it from a mix. OK people, this is a good inquiry, does anyone make a real hurricane?

[bavila]

For best muffaletta, I'd vote Central Grocery, though other's would say Napolean house. I second Pascal's Manale for BBQ shrimp, haven't tried Mr. B's. Best fine dining for me is Bayona or Upperline.

And even if hurricanes are made "from scratch" by anyone, they're still going to be glorified "vat". This is the name we had in college for the horrible alcoholic punches mixed up for fraternity parties in 30 gallon garbage cans. One of the parties was called Red Tide. I'm not sure there's much to miss beyond red dye no. 5 and loads of sugar. Of course, I'm sure someone here will correct me if I'm wrong.

[joiei]

I second the Central Grocery for muffalata.

And as to Hurricanes, those are strictly for tourists. I don't think i have ever met a local who confesses to actually drinking one. Go to Pat O'Briens if you must.

[Rachel Perlow]

Yes, Pat O'Briens, the place that makes the cool-aid like mix.

I was going to say Central Grocery for the muffaleta, but last time, it seemed kind of skimpy on the meats. But definitely get a bottle of their Olive Salad, you can bring it home and make your own!

I second Bayona and Upperline, especially Upperline. However, Upperline isn't quite as fancy as Commander's Palace, it's more funky atmosphere with gracious service. And Bayona isn't as "New Orleans" food as Upperline, but it's really good for when you don't want New Orleans food.

[pterostyrax]

If you just absolutely have to have a hurricane, Pat O'Briens is the place to get them, but only in the evening when the older than old waiter does his thimble finger tapping routine on his serving tray (He may no longer be there - it's been a LONG time since I went to Pat O'Briens - once you go you will know why).

In terms of restaurants to visit, the Perleaux's have provided a lot of informative descriptions and photos of some great places to eat/slurp. Here is what I would recommend:

Drago's - nothing else in the world like their charbroiled oysters; although only having been around for a relatively short time (for New Orleans), the charbroiled oysters are quintessential New Orleans food. Oh, by the way, did I mention that there is nothing else in the world like them. The gumbo ranks with the best, and the stuffed lobster or whole lobster are unbelievable values.

Stella! - Scott Boswell is, in my opinion, the most creative, up-and-coming chef in New Orleans, and his concoctions have more of a New Orleans feel to them compared to Bayona or August. His restaurant is located in a beautiful, charming area of the French Quarter on Chartres Street - this is Old World New Orleans ambiance at its finest and most elegant. My wife and I will celebrate our 10th Wedding Anniversary there on July 29th. However, you cannot go wrong with Commander's Palace either and it's ambiance within the Garden District. If you are looking for a place to stay, the Soniat House is located a block away from Stella! and deserves its reputation as one of the fine old hotels in New Orleans (try and book rooms 60 or 64, but they won't be cheap). The Hotel Provincial is where Stella! is located, and is another charming old world style hotel with a number of rooms that will give you a New Orleans feel.

Croissant D'Or - a short distance from Stella! on Ursiline Street - without a doubt the best pastries in the French Quarter if not all of New Orleans; a local hangout that also has some great croissant sandwiches for lunch as well as coffee in all its incarnations. If you want a quite place to drink coffee, eat pastries, and read your morning newspaper, there is no better place with a New Orleans ambiance to do it at. Additionally, 95% of your fellow diners will be French Quarter locals.

Camellia Grill - located at the end of St. Charles Avenue, this classic diner has been around since 1946 and has a cult following of university students, locals, and frequent travelers to the city - deservedly so as you won't find a better breakfast if you like omelets or waffles. The burgers for lunch will take you back to the 50's when everything just seemed to taste better. Order a chocolate freeze to wash down the burger with and finish lunch off with a chocolate pecan pie - you will walk out thinking God is in his heaven and all is right with the world.

Central Grocery - as a cook, you just have to go and look around the store, but they do have the best mufulettas in New Orleans. Additionally, you should try one of the stuffed artichokes which I think are even better than the mufulettas. You also need to stroll down Decatur from Jackson square and take in the artists/musicians/performers/assorted wierdos. There are actually some great artists (although not many) showing their wares there - in particular, Michael Smeraldo. You can take home a really great work of jazz watercolor art by him for less than $100. Napoleon House on Chartres makes another great, but different version (it's heated) of muffuleta. Try a Pimm's Cup drink here while waiting for the muffuleta - much, much better than a Hurricane and will actually help quench your thirst.

Mother's - stroll along Decatur in the French Quarter across Canal Street towards Poydras and then walk along Tchoupitoulas Street going past Restaurant August, the Windsor Court Hotel, and the W Hotel and you will typically find a long line extending out the door of Mother's - another quintessential New Orleans eatery famous for its breakfast, po' boys, and blue plate specials. You could easily make a week long exploration of the various dishes served here. Last time we were there, the employees were almost exclusively eating the greens, high recommendation indeed. This is "southern/soul /whatever else you want to throw in the mix" food at some of its finest.

Upperline - for a different take on standard creole fare, located a few blocks off St. Charles Avenue in the Garden District, is one of the more interesting restaurants in New Orleans. Proprietor JoAnn Clevenger will greet you at the front door when arriving and escort you out when leaving. The restaurant doubles as a local art gallery, and the food fits right into this artistic setting. The restaurant is famous for its fried green tomatoes with shrimp remoulade. I also love the New Orleans style veal grillades with mushrooms, peppers, and cheddar grits. Both of these exemplify the way food is treated here - tradition, but with quite a few unexpected twists.

Finally, I highly recommend GW Fins on Bienville Street in the French Quarter. For my money, I have never eaten at a better seafood restaurant anywhere in the world, AND, get this, they are offering FRESH - not frozen - Alaskan King Crab from July 6th through July 31st. I can just about promise you that you will never have another chance south of Alaska to have never before frozen Alaskan King Crab. Another signature seafood is Gulf Coast Stone Crab claws, which I have never seen offered anywhere else before. This is a different species than the one found and commonly offered in Florida. The seafood is the freshest of the freshest, and the tables are separated far enough from each other that you can actually carry on a conversation.

[eSkillet.com]

Thank you all for your recommendations.

I will be trying out as many as I can.

I will definately be trying the fresh king crab.

[saturnbar]

Nor-Joe Importing Company, or just Nor-Joe's, just past the 7th Street Canal off Metairie Rd. on Frisco Avenue for the best Muffaletta, bar none. Its out of the way but worth the trip. Near the cemetaries though. They use prosciutto, which no one else does. Excellent Mortadella and real capicolla ham. The provolone is also excellent. You can get it hot or cold. Don't even talk to me about the Napolean house Muffaletta. I think they slice their meats with a clever. They are made to order, not yesterday. ch

[Carpetbagger]

Second Nor-Joe's in Old Metairie for best muffaletta. Off Metairie Road next to the railroad tracks. Also in this neighborhood is Radosta's which has one of the best roast beef po-boys in the metro area.

As far as hurricanes go, Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop at the far end of Bourbon makes theirs with real fruit juice. A very dark & atmospheric bar to boot.

For atmosphere & a good drink, go to the Napoleon House and have a Pimm's Cup.

[eSkillet.com]

Well, this reply is unacceptably late but better late than never.

First of all my condolences go out to all of the victims of Katrina. It was a very distrubing experience to watch the events unfold on TV after spending time at the Convention Center and many NO restaurants only a short time before the hurricane.

Best wishes to you all and I hope things will return to some level of normality for you.

I had a chance to eat at many great restaurants throughout the city.

The food was outstanding but out of respect for many restaurants that are still closed I will refrain from rating my experiences.

Suffice it to say I enjoyed my stay, enjoyed my food and most of all enjoyed the wonderful Louisiana hospitality.

Edited October 23, 2005 by eSkillet.com (log)