Home› All Encompassing Trip

Going to New Orleans tomorrow...ideas?

fanch75fanch75 Posts: 3,734
edited March 2008 in All Encompassing Trip
A trip to New Orleans for work has been thrown very quickly together and I don't have much time for research. Any locals/travelers with ideas for me?

Here are things I would love to do:

1) Eat great local food. I love cajun and I think a po' boy (sp?) would be incredible. I'm all about real, not eating at a place that charges $30 for an appetizer.

2) Drink great local drink. Any great tasty brews in NOLA? I'm not a liquor fan, but I may try something

3) See cool stuff. I'm staying at a hotel right by Bourbon Street. I'll be limited to walking, as I won't have a car, as the hotel will bring me from (and back to) the aiport. I don't know how large Bourbon Street is, or how much stuff there is to see there, or how safe it is, for that matter. Is it the same as it was pre-Katrina (I don't know why I'm asking that, b/c I don't know anything about it pre or post Katrina)?

No one from work is going, which is fine with me as I don't have to concern myself with obligatory dinners or stuff I don't want to do. I can go be awesome without worrying about some douche who wants to go to Applebee's b/c they are too p*ssy to try Cajun food. I don't know when I'll be in NOLO again, so I sure don't want to spend it sitting in my hotel room.

So, help a brother out.
Do you remember Rock & Roll Radio?
Post edited by Unknown User on
«1

Comments

  • Solat13Solat13 Posts: 6,996
    You gotta drink a hurricane and there used to be a store called Huge Ass Beers to go. You need to buy a beer from there just because you're a rockstar. http://www.hugeassbeers.com/

    Patty O'Briens is right near the quarter and a fun piano bar with drunken singalongs. There a lot of good restaurants right in the quarter as well.
    - Busted down the pretext
    - 8/28/98
    - 9/2/00
    - 4/28/03, 5/3/03, 7/3/03, 7/5/03, 7/6/03, 7/9/03, 7/11/03, 7/12/03, 7/14/03
    - 9/28/04, 9/29/04, 10/1/04, 10/2/04
    - 9/11/05, 9/12/05, 9/13/05, 9/30/05, 10/1/05, 10/3/05
    - 5/12/06, 5/13/06, 5/27/06, 5/28/06, 5/30/06, 6/1/06, 6/3/06, 6/23/06, 7/22/06, 7/23/06, 12/2/06, 12/9/06
    - 8/2/07, 8/5/07
    - 6/19/08, 6/20/08, 6/22/08, 6/24/08, 6/25/08, 6/27/08, 6/28/08, 6/30/08, 7/1/08
    - 8/23/09, 8/24/09, 9/21/09, 9/22/09, 10/27/09, 10/28/09, 10/30/09, 10/31/09
    - 5/15/10, 5/17/10, 5/18/10, 5/20/10, 5/21/10, 10/23/10, 10/24/10
    - 9/11/11, 9/12/11
    - 10/18/13, 10/21/13, 10/22/13, 11/30/13, 12/4/13
  • Sian-of-the-deadSian-of-the-dead Posts: 8,963
    fanch75 wrote:
    A trip to New Orleans for work has been thrown very quickly together and I don't have much time for research. Any locals/travelers with ideas for me?

    Here are things I would love to do:

    1) Eat great local food. I love cajun and I think a po' boy (sp?) would be incredible. I'm all about real, not eating at a place that charges $30 for an appetizer.

    2) Drink great local drink. Any great tasty brews in NOLA? I'm not a liquor fan, but I may try something

    3) See cool stuff. I'm staying at a hotel right by Bourbon Street. I'll be limited to walking, as I won't have a car, as the hotel will bring me from (and back to) the aiport. I don't know how large Bourbon Street is, or how much stuff there is to see there, or how safe it is, for that matter. Is it the same as it was pre-Katrina (I don't know why I'm asking that, b/c I don't know anything about it pre or post Katrina)?

    No one from work is going, which is fine with me as I don't have to concern myself with obligatory dinners or stuff I don't want to do. I can go be awesome without worrying about some douche who wants to go to Applebee's b/c they are too p*ssy to try Cajun food. I don't know when I'll be in NOLO again, so I sure don't want to spend it sitting in my hotel room.

    So, help a brother out.

    I'm so jealous it's unreal.... :(

    eat some gumbo, drink some Dixie and dance the night away with jazz... you lucky, lucky bastard! :D
    Been to this many PJ shows: Reading 2006 London 2007 Manchester & London 2009 Dublin, Belfast, London, Nijmegen & Berlin 2010 Manchester 1 & Manchester 2 2012...

    ... and I still think Drive-By Truckers are better.
  • Pacomc79Pacomc79 Posts: 9,404
    Just walk around.... you can drink on Bourbon Street. You'll get the hang of it.

    Pat O Brians I believe originated the Hurricane so that would be the local drink. I ate at a place called Red Fish I think that was pretty good but I'm sure there are better spots.

    The guy to PM would be Rain Dog since he lives there.
    My Girlfriend said to me..."How many guitars do you need?" and I replied...."How many pairs of shoes do you need?" She got really quiet.
  • fanch75fanch75 Posts: 3,734
    That's what I'm talking about! Look at that menu!

    I was also told about a place called the Acme Oyster House. I'm told this place is very real, too. My buddy told me he literally at there at least once every day he was there.

    http://www.acmeoyster.com/
    Do you remember Rock & Roll Radio?
  • fanch75fanch75 Posts: 3,734
    Pacomc79 wrote:
    Just walk around.... you can drink on Bourbon Street. You'll get the hang of it.

    Pat O Brians I believe originated the Hurricane so that would be the local drink. I ate at a place called Red Fish I think that was pretty good but I'm sure there are better spots.

    The guy to PM would be Rain Dog since he lives there.

    Cool, good stuff.

    My layover is in Atlanta...any suggestions on local brew while at the airport? :)
    Do you remember Rock & Roll Radio?
  • nfanelnfanel Posts: 2,558
    as people have mentioned, you won't have any trouble finding a variety of bars or food for your liking. not sure who offers the best, but while you're there eat as much jambalaya, beignets, and praelines as you can. :)

    i've been twice and spent the majority of the time at pat o'brien's. weather permitting the outdoor area is also great there.

    also, we did a ghost tour the second time there - i'm sure that's a ridiculously touristy thing to do but it was really cool if you're into that sort of thing.
  • TrixieCatTrixieCat Posts: 5,756
    Central Grocery on Decatur in the F Q has the BEST muffaletta.
    And not stuffy..just a deli. :)

    Listen to some music at the Presevation Hall. Awesome.

    Bourbon Street is safe...well lit and lots of people running around.
    I have been there 3 times and never once had a problem or felt at risk or anything. The French Creole are wonderful people. And good cooks. ;)
    Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome
    And I don't feel right when you're gone away
  • lalalalaaaaaaaalalalalaaaaaaaa Posts: 2,445
    If you like the frat party type atmosphere, just stay on Bourbon. If you like mild touristy type atmosphere, stick with Decatur. And if you like a more locals-type atmosphere, stick with Frenchman St.
  • Solat13Solat13 Posts: 6,996
    nfanel wrote:

    also, we did a ghost tour the second time there - i'm sure that's a ridiculously touristy thing to do but it was really cool if you're into that sort of thing.

    Yeah, I did the ghost tour as well. I'm glad someone else did it too because I felt pretty dorky about doing it and the cemetery tour. But it was wound up being pretty cool.

    Fanch, check all at the architecture down there as well. There are some really cool buildings down there. And you should check out the Riverwalk and some of the riverboats out there as well.

    Here's a guide for local beers:

    http://www.realbeer.com/destinations/neworleans/index.php
    - Busted down the pretext
    - 8/28/98
    - 9/2/00
    - 4/28/03, 5/3/03, 7/3/03, 7/5/03, 7/6/03, 7/9/03, 7/11/03, 7/12/03, 7/14/03
    - 9/28/04, 9/29/04, 10/1/04, 10/2/04
    - 9/11/05, 9/12/05, 9/13/05, 9/30/05, 10/1/05, 10/3/05
    - 5/12/06, 5/13/06, 5/27/06, 5/28/06, 5/30/06, 6/1/06, 6/3/06, 6/23/06, 7/22/06, 7/23/06, 12/2/06, 12/9/06
    - 8/2/07, 8/5/07
    - 6/19/08, 6/20/08, 6/22/08, 6/24/08, 6/25/08, 6/27/08, 6/28/08, 6/30/08, 7/1/08
    - 8/23/09, 8/24/09, 9/21/09, 9/22/09, 10/27/09, 10/28/09, 10/30/09, 10/31/09
    - 5/15/10, 5/17/10, 5/18/10, 5/20/10, 5/21/10, 10/23/10, 10/24/10
    - 9/11/11, 9/12/11
    - 10/18/13, 10/21/13, 10/22/13, 11/30/13, 12/4/13
  • Pacomc79Pacomc79 Posts: 9,404
    fanch75 wrote:
    Cool, good stuff.

    My layover is in Atlanta...any suggestions on local brew while at the airport? :)


    Sweetwater, Terrepin, Atlanta Brewing Company and Dogwood are the locals.

    Terrepin Golden Ale is probably closest to your favorite flavors.

    I like virtually everything from all those companies.

    Rye Pale Ale from Terrepin in Athens is my football beer but it ain't for everybody.

    Good luck at the airport, I think the runway construction is on going so there is a 45 minute delay avg as I've observed it. It kind of depends on the concourse as to the cuisine... but I'd steer clear of Popeyes Chicken :D

    Good to have you in town sir.


    Make sure you wake up with some chicory coffee and a begniet(sp)


    Abita Springs is pretty near New Orleans, they have some good offerings. I like Turbodog.
    My Girlfriend said to me..."How many guitars do you need?" and I replied...."How many pairs of shoes do you need?" She got really quiet.
  • DaytimeDilemmaDaytimeDilemma Posts: 2,008
    Like Wilco? They are playing at Tiptina's tomorrow and Wednesday night. I'll be there both nights...could even have an extra ticket. Also we should meet up and get wasted.
  • DaytimeDilemmaDaytimeDilemma Posts: 2,008
    Also,


    For Poboys...try Mother's on Poydras street.
  • Drew263Drew263 Posts: 602
    Fanch..during they day...3 for 1's.

    I'm just sayin'
  • RainDogRainDog Posts: 1,824
    As mentioned, the Acme Oyster House is a nice place. A little pricey, but so are most things in the French Quarter. Deanie's Seafood (on Dauphine, I think) is good if you like fried seafood. Central Grocery is great for muffalatas. The Praline Connection has kick ass fried chicken livers with pepper jelly. A lot of the bars in the French Quarter sell food, mostly sandwiches and po-boys - some good, some "meh." Yo Mama's has fantastic hamburgers. Johnny White's has some good po-boys (though I haven't eaten there in a while). In fact, just about any place with a deep fryer will have po-boys.

    My local beer of choice is Abita Amber. Most places have it on draught. Liquor is liquor nationwide, so I don't know if there are any special brands. We seem to have a lot of Chartreues down here, and that's one of my favorites - it's potent (110 proof), herbal, a little syrupy, and it will knock you on your ass if your not careful. I like it on the rocks. Most people don't like it at all. We also have the "local" drinks: Hurricanes (red, fruit juicy type thing - very strong) and Hand Granades (green, apple juicy type thing - very strong).

    If you're not opposed to cab rides, you can check out Frankie and Johnny's in Uptown (321 Arabella St). Pretty reasonable prices on some New Orleans standards (again, haven't been there in a while, though).
  • RainDogRainDog Posts: 1,824
    DaytimeDilemma wrote:
    Also,


    For Poboys...try Mother's on Poydras street.
    Oh, yes. That one too. It's not in the French Quarter, but it's in walking distance. Try their Debris.
  • DaytimeDilemmaDaytimeDilemma Posts: 2,008
    RainDog wrote:
    As mentioned, the Acme Oyster House is a nice place. A little pricey, but so are most things in the French Quarter. Deanie's Seafood (on Dauphine, I think) is good if you like fried seafood. Central Grocery is great for muffalatas. The Praline Connection has kick ass fried chicken livers with pepper jelly. A lot of the bars in the French Quarter sell food, mostly sandwiches and po-boys - some good, some "meh." Yo Mama's has fantastic hamburgers. Johnny White's has some good po-boys (though I haven't eaten there in a while). In fact, just about any place with a deep fryer will have po-boys.

    My local beer of choice is Abita Amber. Most places have it on draught. Liquor is liquor nationwide, so I don't know if there are any special brands. We seem to have a lot of Chartreues down here, and that's one of my favorites - it's potent (110 proof), herbal, a little syrupy, and it will knock you on your ass if your not careful. I like it on the rocks. Most people don't like it at all. We also have the "local" drinks: Hurricanes (red, fruit juicy type thing - very strong) and Hand Granades (green, apple juicy type thing - very strong).

    If you're not opposed to cab rides, you can check out Frankie and Johnny's in Uptown (321 Arabella St). Pretty reasonable prices on some New Orleans standards (again, haven't been there in a while, though).



    Ehhhhh....Frankie And Johnny's sorta of sucks. My best friend worked there forever.

    Also, try the old Absinthe house. They sell that new legal Absinthe nowadays.

    If you are going uptown near Frankie And Johnny's might as well try Domilise Sandwich Shop & Bar which is at 5240 Annunciation St in what looks like an old house. They have, IMO, the best poboys in the fuckin' city.
  • KosmicJelliKosmicJelli Posts: 1,855
    didnt read through all the post... but cafe DuMonde for beignets and coffee for sure!!!!
  • RainDogRainDog Posts: 1,824
    DaytimeDilemma wrote:
    Ehhhhh....Frankie And Johnny's sorta of sucks. My best friend worked there forever.

    Also, try the old Absinthe house. They sell that new legal Absinthe nowadays.

    If you are going uptown near Frankie And Johnny's might as well try Domilise Sandwich Shop & Bar which is at 5240 Annunciation St in what looks like an old house. They have, IMO, the best poboys in the fuckin' city.
    To hell with you, then. ;)

    But you're right about Domilise's. Good stuff.

    I've been a bit of a homebody since the storm, so I might not be all that up-to-date. Do you think Frankie and Johnny's sucks now, or that they've always sucked?
  • DaytimeDilemmaDaytimeDilemma Posts: 2,008
    RainDog wrote:
    To hell with you, then. ;)

    But you're right about Domilise's. Good stuff.

    I've been a bit of a homebody since the storm, so I might not be all that up-to-date. Do you think Frankie and Johnny's sucks now, or that they've always sucked?



    Never went before the storm so not sure. All I know is that I've been there a couple of times post-K, and it's not too good.


    Also, if you wanna say fuck it to creole cusine, my favorite restaurant is an African place called Bennachin on Royal Street.


    Raindog - What part of NOLA you live in?
  • RainDogRainDog Posts: 1,824
    DaytimeDilemma wrote:
    Never went before the storm so not sure. All I know is that I've been there a couple of times post-K, and it's not too good.


    Also, if you wanna say fuck it to creole cusine, my favorite restaurant is an African place called Bennachin on Royal Street.


    Raindog - What part of NOLA you live in?
    (....ponders giving out personal information on the internets......)

    Kidding. I live Uptown near Central City.
  • DaytimeDilemmaDaytimeDilemma Posts: 2,008
    RainDog wrote:
    (....ponders giving out personal information on the internets......)

    Kidding. I live Uptown near Central City.


    I'm uptown too. Noice.
  • RainDogRainDog Posts: 1,824
    DaytimeDilemma wrote:
    I'm uptown too. Noice.
    So, when sitting in your living room with the windows open, do you play "Firecracker, Car Door, or Gunshot" too?
  • DaytimeDilemmaDaytimeDilemma Posts: 2,008
    RainDog wrote:
    So, when sitting in your living room with the windows open, do you play "Firecracker, Car Door, or Gunshot" too?



    If the answer is firecracker....at 3 am...on a tuesday...



    ....the it was probably my roommate and I....



    muahahahaha.
  • tybirdtybird Posts: 17,388
    KosmicJelli wrote:
    didnt read through all the post... but cafe DuMonde for beignets and coffee for sure!!!!
    Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.....addictive little buggers, them Beignets. :D

    Just spent the weekend down yonder in the Crescent City....I even took the Amtrak Crescent to get there.
    All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a thousand enemies, and whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you, digger, listener, runner, prince with the swift warning. Be cunning and full of tricks and your people shall never be destroyed.
  • fanch75fanch75 Posts: 3,734
    What is a beignet?
    Do you remember Rock & Roll Radio?
  • Solat13Solat13 Posts: 6,996
    fanch75 wrote:
    What is a beignet?

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beignet
    - Busted down the pretext
    - 8/28/98
    - 9/2/00
    - 4/28/03, 5/3/03, 7/3/03, 7/5/03, 7/6/03, 7/9/03, 7/11/03, 7/12/03, 7/14/03
    - 9/28/04, 9/29/04, 10/1/04, 10/2/04
    - 9/11/05, 9/12/05, 9/13/05, 9/30/05, 10/1/05, 10/3/05
    - 5/12/06, 5/13/06, 5/27/06, 5/28/06, 5/30/06, 6/1/06, 6/3/06, 6/23/06, 7/22/06, 7/23/06, 12/2/06, 12/9/06
    - 8/2/07, 8/5/07
    - 6/19/08, 6/20/08, 6/22/08, 6/24/08, 6/25/08, 6/27/08, 6/28/08, 6/30/08, 7/1/08
    - 8/23/09, 8/24/09, 9/21/09, 9/22/09, 10/27/09, 10/28/09, 10/30/09, 10/31/09
    - 5/15/10, 5/17/10, 5/18/10, 5/20/10, 5/21/10, 10/23/10, 10/24/10
    - 9/11/11, 9/12/11
    - 10/18/13, 10/21/13, 10/22/13, 11/30/13, 12/4/13
  • tybirdtybird Posts: 17,388
    Solat13 wrote:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beignet
    Nice that link includes a picture from Cafe DuMonde. :D
    All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a thousand enemies, and whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you, digger, listener, runner, prince with the swift warning. Be cunning and full of tricks and your people shall never be destroyed.
  • Ms. HaikuMs. Haiku Posts: 7,265
    I'll be there at the end of the month for business. How exciting! Any good vegetarian food?
    There is no such thing as leftover pizza. There is now pizza and later pizza. - anonymous
    The risk I took was calculated, but man, am I bad at math - The Mincing Mockingbird
  • QuarterToTenQuarterToTen Posts: 3,636
    keep your wallet in your front pants pocket.

    from what i've heard the pick pockets are ruthless
    and work in teams. they have the art of thieving down to a science.

    have a great time and be safe.

    cheers :D
    Nice shirt.
  • eyes of the worldeyes of the world Posts: 100
    If you want a good local breakfast place, I would recommend Anita's. It is a hole in a wall place but the food is excellent. It is about 1 or 2 miles from the French Quarter on Tulane Ave. I am glad to see that it has reopenned after the hurricane.

    If you want to catch some good local music, I would recommend the Maple Leaf Bar. It located near Tulane University. Here is a good description.

    The Maple Leaf (8316 Oak Street, 504-866-5323 for recorded info) is on Oak Street in the Carrollton neighborhood of Uptown New Orleans. It is one of the oldest and most beloved of New Orleans' music clubs, with live bands often performing seven nights a week. Styles represented on stage include blues, funk, R&B, rock, zydeco, jazz, jam bands, and any combination thereof. Over the years the bar has hosted many of the city's greatest musicians, as well as national touring acts. Frequent performers at the Maple Leaf have included local legends James Booker, the Rebirth Brass Band, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Walter "Wolfman" Washington, The Radiators and Henry Butler. Bruce Springsteen once dropped in unannounced to jam with The Iguanas after one of his New Orleans concerts; Jon Cleary's band was once joined by his frequent employer, Bonnie Raitt. The Leaf has also been an important incubator for the city's many up-and-coming bands formed from the ranks of local musicians and music students at Tulane University, Loyola University and the University of New Orleans. The poet Everette Maddox was a famous denizen of the Maple Leaf, and as of 2006 famed psychologist Dave Corey can often be found holding forth at the bar.
Sign In or Register to comment.