The Top List of Great Restaurants-New Orleans, LANew Orleans is an overwhelming culinary adventure! by Virginia Poe
New Orleans is often called the city that care forgot. Its Cadillac sized potholes and laissez faire attitude do not do much to dismiss this reputation. But, when it comes food (the cooking of and eating of) this reputation flies out the window. It is a challenge to find mediocre food in New Orleans. From Popeye's famous fried chicken chain to the sensual experience of Commander's Palace, there is something magical in the cooking down here; a trace of voodoo perhaps? Maybe, but more likely it's the abundance of fresh ingredients and an incredible palate of talented chefs that has made New Orleans into an international culinary destination. The restaurants below are some of the best in the city. They are a diverse selection in regards to their location and atmosphere. They are linked by their use of the freshest ingredients, skilled execution, and New Orleans charm.
JACQUE-IMO'S 8324 Oak Street, New Orleans, LA 70118 (504) 861-0886 Hours: (Mon-Thur) 6 pm-10 pm; (Fri & Sat) 5:30 pm-10:30 pm If soul food is what you seek, then Jacque-Imo's will do you right. Situated uptown in the old Carrolton neighborhood, the atmosphere at this funky joint is a cross between steamy nightclub and your sweet grandma's kitchen. The menu is packed with heavenly local dishes like fried chicken and shrimp etouffe. On the weekends, Jacque-Imo's is packed with people who always seem to be having a raucously good time. Chef and Owner, Jack Leonardi himself, often makes the rounds sporting his customary chef jacket and Bermuda shorts.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $20 - $30
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
BAYONA 430 Dauphine Street, New Orleans, LA 70112 (504) 525-4455 Hours: (Mon-Fri) 11:30 am-2 pm; (Mon-Thur) 6 pm-10pm; (Fri & Sat) till 11 pm Sometimes chefs make the mistake of getting too fancy or experimental with their menus and end up compromising the quality of their food and intimidating diners. Not so, however, with Executive Chef and Owner of Bayona, Susan Spicer. She proves that creativity can be accomplished while maintaining a level of excellence hard to equal, even in New Orleans. The dishes offered at this restaurant, which is housed in a two-century old cottage, are inspiring. Recently on the menu were such exotic temptations as grilled shrimp served with a black bean cake and coriander sauce, a lamb loin served along with goat, and seared scallops with sesame aioli. In addition to the food, Bayona offers an impressive selection of French wines and lovely courtyard for warm weather dining.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $25 - $35
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
CLANCY'S 6100 Annunciation Street, New Orleans, LA 70118 (504) 895-1111 Hours: (Mon-Fri) 1:30 pm-3 pm; (Mon-Sat) 6 pm-10 pm As far as appearances go, Clancy's is New Orleans' diamond in the rough-- And most likely, it is kept in the rough on purpose. Locals do not want the secret of what lies within this uptown restaurant to leak to the masses. Clancy's, which sits unassumingly in a working class neighborhood, offers some of the finest Creole cuisine in town. The atmosphere is disarmingly amicable and the specialties of the house like Oysters Rockefellar and Peppermint Ice Cream are outstanding.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $25 - $35
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
COMMANDERS PALACE 1403 Washington Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130 (504) 899-8221 Hours: (Mon-Fri) 11:30 am-2 pm; (Mon-Sun) 6 pm-10 pm; (Sat) 11:30 am-1 pm; (Sun) 10:30 am-1:30 pm If Clancy's is New Orleans' Diamond in the rough, then Commanders, located in the mansion-lined Garden District, is its Hope Diamond. From the startling turquoise exterior, to the steaming bowls of turtle soup, fragrant trace of spices and, the roaming jazz quartets, Commander's is more of a self-contained theater of luxury than it is a restaurant. The service here is as renowned as the splendidly expansive selection of Creole and Cajun dishes. It is no wonder that Commander's Palace has become legendary among celebrities and we commoners alike throughout its 120 years in operation.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $45 - $55
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
PERISTYLE 1041 Dumaine Street, New Orleans, LA 70112 (504) 593-9535 Hours: (Tues-Sat) 6 pm-10 pm; (Fri) 11:30 am-1:30 pm Like Phoenix from the ashes, Peristyle has risen again (to the absolute glee of adoring locals) after fire devastated it a few years back. Executive Chef, Anne Kearney, and her talented staff offer a wonderful menu featuring sophisticated yet soul-satisfying selections like a caramelized onion tart and steamed saffron mussels. Not to be outdone by the food itself, the setting is refreshingly stylish and the service, soothing.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $30 - $40
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
MARTINIQUE 5908 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70115 (504) 891-8495 Hours: (Sun-Thur) 5:30 pm-9:30 pm; (Fri & Sat) till 10:30 pm There is a sneaking suspicion that creeps into the collective imagination of visitors and locals alike-- that New Orleans is not of this continent after all, but an island city. No place better re-enforces this notion than this small banana - colored uptown bistro. The wonderful French Caribbean menu and cozy atmosphere at Martinique are best enjoyed when warm weather allows for dining in the tropical courtyard.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $25 - $35
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
PELICAN CLUB 312 Exchange Alley, New Orleans, LA 70130 (504) 523-1504 Hours: (Mon-Sun) 5:30 pm-10 pm The entrance to this elegant bar and restaurant is hidden in a lovely alley in the middle of the French Quarter. Once you have managed to find your way here, the attractive dining rooms and very knowledgeable wait staff will uplift you. The menu, created by executive Chefs Chin Ling and Richard Hughes offers a refreshing selection of dishes that successfully combine Asian and Creole influences. Details are obviously a key to the success of this upscale establishment. For example, there is always a very nice display of artwork (and it is for sale) on the walls to admire while you dine.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $30 - $40
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
THE GRILL ROOM 300 Gravier Street, New Orleans, LA 70130 (504) 522-1992 Hours: (Mon-Sun) 7:30 am-10:30 am/11:30 am-2 pm/6 pm-10 pm Located in the classy Windsor Court Hotel, The Grill Room offers a refined dining experience. The menu reflects French and Asian influences, while not forgetting some local favorite seafood dishes. The meals are consistently prepared to perfection. If you long for an old-school dining experience-that sort of blatant elegance and attention to detail that has for the most part vanished from contemporary restaurants, then The Grill Room will most likely surpass your expectations.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $50 - $60
Holiday Schedule: Open for all holidays
LILETTE 3637 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70115 (504) 895-1636 Hours: (Tues-Sat) 11:30 am-2 pm; (Tues-Thur) 6 pm-10 pm; (Fri & Sat) till 11 pm Lilette is a new restaurant situated along the well-tread antiquating route of Magazine Street. It is already making a name for itself among the upper echelon of New Orleans Society. This can be attributed in part to the excellent reputation Executive Chef John Harris has brought with him from Gautreau's, another uptown favorite. Also factoring into its popularity is the French menu which features smart selections like escargot and sautéed sweetbreads. The décor at this one room restaurant is very hip but manages to avoid ostentation.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $25 - $35
Holiday Schedule: Set by discretion of management
ADOLPHO'S 611 Frenchmen Street, New Orleans, LA 70116 (504) 948-3800 Hours: (Mon-Sat) 6 pm-11 pm Though the kitchen is tiny, the quality of food and the charm of this undiscovered restaurant are immense. Located atop The Apple Barrel Bar in the Marigny, which is one of the funkier neighborhoods of New Orleans, this unpretentious restaurant reflects the Italian roots of Owner and Chef Adolpho Perez. The atmosphere is intimate and relaxed which complements the soulful food that is obviously prepared with great care, often by Chef Perez himself.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $25 - $35
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
Estimated cost per person for dinner is based upon one entrée, one beverage, and 20% gratuity.
The Top List of Great Restaurants-New Orleans, LA
