When people think of New Orleans, one of two things come to mind. The Mardi Gras parade, and Cajun cooking. Many folks believe that Creole and Cajun are the same, they're not. Creole is a bit more sophisticated in its entirety, using butter and cream rather than lard. Both use heaping amounts of seafood and rice and beans, and are filling. And both are a melting pot of influences, taking bits and pieces from France, Spain, Africa, Yugoslavia, the Caribbean, and Asia. Wherever it came from, it's good eating.
Bella Luna - Located in the French Market complex, this elegant double dining room restaurant offers a great view through its French style windows of the Mississippi River. The theme is Italian, with excellent dishes in several other cooking genres. Near Decature and Dumaine Streets, in the French Market. Major credit cards accepted. No lunch. $$$
504-529-1583
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Bon Ton Cafe - Fried catfish, eggplant with shrimp, turtle soup, craw fish dishes, jambalaya, and bread puddings are just a few of the fabulous entrees cooked up for lunch or dinner. Breakfast is an event more than a meal these days and this is definitely the place for a memorable and eventful breakfast. Closed weekends. Visa, MC, AE. $$
401 Magazine Street
504-524-3386
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Clancy's - A favorite among uptown business folk who like the taste of New Orleans and a casual atmosphere. If you want to see how the regulars eat, try the small bar. Visa, MC, AE. No lunch on Monday or Saturday. Closed Sunday. $$
6100 Annunciation Street
504-895-1111
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Figaro's Pizzeria - Amereican and Italian style pizza, as well as original soups and pasta dishes. Visa, MC, AE. $
7900 Maple Street
504-866-0100
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Gabrielle - Chef Greg Sonnier's fresh interpretation of spicy Louisiana cuisine, and Mary Sonnier's fruit desserts make Gabrielle's a thick and saucy dining experience. Reservations are recommended. All major credit cards accepted. $$$
3201 Esplanade Avenue
504-948-6233
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Grill Room - Breakfast, lunch or dinner is always a treat when you are surrounded by the most elegant furnishings and paintings. And with any classy meal an even classier Bordeaux red is imperative. Windsor Court Hotel, 2nd level. Reservations and jacket required. All major credit cards accepted. $$$
300 Gravier Street
504-522-1992
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K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen - Generous portions of roast duck, fried crawfish tails, gumbos, blackened tuna and more. Closed Sunday. Major credit cards accepted. $$
416 Chartres Street
504-524-7394
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Mandina's - Old fashion gumbo, broiled shrimp and trout, fried oysters, shrimp, and several other seafood wonders make this a dining delight. No credit cards. $$
3800 Canal Street
504-482-9179
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Mike's on the Avenue - Known for its fabulous Asian influenced cuisine, Mike's is truly a treat. Lafayette Hotel. All major credit cards accepted. no lunch on weekends. $$$
628 St. Charles Avenue
504-523-1709
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Mother's - A po'boys delight. Just like, if not better, than mother used to make it. No credit cards. $
401 Poydras Street
504-523-9656
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Mr. B's Bistro - Contemporary Creole and pasta dishes, bread puddings, sandwiches. Open for lunch and dinner. 201 Royal Street. Major credit cards accepted. $$
504-523-2078
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Odyssey Grill - Stuffed grape leaves, marinated quail stuffed with Gorgonzola cheese, and many other Greek and Mediterranean dishes. Visa and Master Card. $$
6264 Argonne Blvd.
504-482-4092
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Palace Cafe - Located on Canal Street, this place has excellent contemporary Creole dishes such as rabbit ravioli in piquant sauce, seafood Napoleon, crab chops, and for desert try the Mississippi mud pie. Reservations are essential. Visa, MC, DC, AE. $$$
605 Canal Street
504-523-1661
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Pelican Club - Three dining rooms in one beautifully decorated old town house in the heart of the French Quarter serve up some of the best red snapper, jambalaya, bisque of bourbon, and creme brulee. Major credit cards accepted. No lunch. $$$
615 Bienville Street
504-523-1504
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Peristyle - Chef Anne Kearney's menu of personalized Continental cuisine is always changing. Her delicate sweetbreads will tantalize your taste buds while you wait to feast on veal chop with pickled cabbage, or sea bass with pickled lemon vinaigrette. 1040 Dumaine Street. Reservations suggested. Visa and Master Card accepted. $$$
504-593-9535
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Ralph & Kacoo's - Take a ticket at the door and go have a drink at the bar. When it's your turn to be seated, order the shrimp remoulade, raw oysters, or fried seafood platter. This is New Orleans seafood at its finest. This popular family restaurant is located in the French Quarter. No reservations. Visa, MC, D, AE. $$
519 Toulouse Street
504-831-3177
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Remoulade - Has inexpensive great tasting traditional Creole, as well as burgers and pizza. There's an oyster bar and cocktail bar. Open till midnight, every night. Credit cards accepted. $
309 Bourbon Street
504-523-0377
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The Steak Knife - These New York strips and filet mignons are superb. The trout, veal chops and rack of lamb. The atmosphere and service are top notch. All major credit cards accepted. $$$
888 Harrison Avenue
504-488-3229
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Chicory Farm Cafe - Goat, cow and sheep's milk are used to make the cheeses, and the closest thing you will find to meat on the menu in this rare vegetarian restaurant is seafood. The mushrooms are farm fresh - the owner who grows them- the coffee superb, the wines are from an excellent vintage. Visa and Master Card accepted. Closed Sunday and Monday. $
723 Hillary Street
504-866-2325
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Commander's Palace - Contemporary Creole in a elegant Garden District mansion. Fabulous turtle soup, poached oysters in a cream sauce with caviar, sautéed shrimp and mushrooms in butter sauce with garlic and wine. Chef Jamie Shannon works very hard to prepare these scrumptious treats. Weekend brunch is a favorite among the locals. Res. and jacket required. All major credit cards accepted. $$$
1403 Washington Avenue
504-899-8221
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Taqueria Corona - Flautas, nachos, tacos and burritos are the meat of the menu in this Mexican restaurant. The atmosphere is extremely laid back and the service is too. If you are looking for a quick relaxing Mexican meal, this will fit the bill. Two locations; Uptown and Warehouse District. No phone calls. No reservations. No credit cards. $
5932 Magazine Street
504-897-3974
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When people think of New Orleans, one of two things come to mind. The Mardi Gras parade, and Cajun cooking. Many folks believe that Creole and Cajun are the same, they're not. Creole is a bit more sophisticated in its entirety, using butter and cream rather than lard. Both use heaping amounts of seafood and rice and beans, and are filling. And both are a melting pot of influences, taking bits and pieces from France, Spain, Africa, Yugoslavia, the Caribbean, and Asia. Wherever it came from, it's good eating.
