Commanders Palace, what table?

I am looking to book a table for lunch at Commanders Palace, a highlight of our trip.How far in advance would I need to book, its for October and also which area should I ask for. I have been in the main dining room but are there other areas. Any info and tips greatly appreciated. Thanks

Commanders Palace, what table?

The garden room upstairs is where you want to be. It is absolutely beautiful. Okay, I also need a suggestion. As you can tell, we love the garden room. However, I can no longer climb stairs. Would we be better off in the main dining room or the patio room for lunch?

Commanders Palace, what table?

Get reservations now for October.

Garden Room #1 choice for sure and ask for a table near the window. I would opt for the Patio Room next if you can%26#39;t walk upstairs. (Double check that they can%26#39;t get you up in a service elevator). Wherever you end up dining at Commander%26#39;s, get there early and have a leisurely drink in the kitchen bar and look for the next TV chef.

Thank you so much for your helpful suggestions. I shall be booking today. We are going for lunch, is the garden room open then and canyou get the 25c martinis in the kitchen bar and where is it. Thanks again

Garden Room is definitely open at lunch. Don%26#39;t know whether you can get the 25 cent martinis in the bar. It is a weekday lunch special, so probably not.

Seeking Evening Tours

I am arriving this Wednesday afternoon and am looking for some nightime tours of New Orleans. I have looked over the older topics in this forum and have gone to many of the tour websites. However, most of the suggested tours start before 5 pm, even the cocktail tours, which is a surprise. My conference daily schedule does not end before 8 pm each day.

Seeking Evening Tours

If your conference runs until 8, you will have some issues finding many tour companies to accommodate. The ghost/vampire tours nearly all start between 7-8pm. City ordinances regulating the size of tour groups also specify their ';end'; times, I think, and I%26#39;m guessing it%26#39;s around 10-10:30 so the tour has to start by 8!

Seeking Evening Tours

.

database

Monteleone Vieux Carre Suite or Royal Orleans Petite Suite?

The price is the same and I am having a difficult time choosing between either a Vieux Carre Suite at the Monteleone or a petite suite at the Omni Royal Orleans.

I like style; however, the most critical elements for my happiness are uber cleanliness and everything being in great shape (no wear/tear). I was rather set on the Monteleone but recent TA reviews have me rethinking this. An aggravating factor against the Royal Orleans is the ';Petite Suite'; seems to be simply a large(er), lackluster room with a sitting area.

Does anyone have recent experiences with either of these specific room types at the Omni or the Monteleone? I appreciate your help.

(BONUS QUESTION: Should I consider just a city view room at the Ritz and save my money for dining and fun?)

Monteleone Vieux Carre Suite or Royal Orleans Petite Suite?

The rooms are not big AT ALL at the Omni. I know I had an upgraded room my last visit but can%26#39;t recall whether it was Petite Suite or not. It was surprisingly small. However, I like the hotel a lot, mainly due to location (perfect Quarter area), staff (very attentive and some who have been there many years), and the rooftop pool and terraces. which offer the greatest views. I stayed there maybe a year ago and unless they have had recent renovations, the condition looked like your description of the Monteleone ...showing a little wear and tear and kind of faded decor. You might query them about any recent upgrades as I heard they have done some things on the roof. The Ritz has undergone a well known recent renovation . I%26#39;d be really surprised if you came away from there disappointed.

Monteleone Vieux Carre Suite or Royal Orleans Petite Suite?

PowderHound,

I%26#39;ve stayed at both Omni Royal and Monteleone. Both are fine but I have to say that the rooms themselves may not be to your liking based on what is most important to you.

I respect that we all have things we value most when we visit other places. Though I%26#39;ve never stayed in a place that grossed me out, most FQ Hotels will have some wear and tear. When you stop and consider that the entire neighborhood is like a well-loved antique, the wear and tear becomes a more charming characteristic.

That being said, you might want to consider a B%26amp;B. You could find exactly what you%26#39;re looking for in a smaller place where people pour their heart and soul into your comfort. It would be worth reading the reviews on these two places: La Maison Marigny and B%26amp;W Courtyards. I can only claim to have stayed at the latter but if you read the reviews, you%26#39;ll see nothing but raves. Close attention is paid to furnishings, mattresses, luxurious linens, decor--and then you%26#39;ve got the wonderful hosts on top of it all. There is nothing lackluster about these places.

At least you know exactly what you need--as you said, the most critical elements for your happiness. My own visits to New Orleans are greatly enhanced when I make sure I%26#39;m in the kind of environment I need.

I had a Vieux Carre Suite at the Monteleone last month. It was a very nice room(s). No cleanliness issues and I don%26#39;t recall any ';wear/tear'; issues either.

I%26#39;m not sure what recent reviews on TA would make you rethink the place. It has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5.0.

I took a quick look at the reviews and the recent ones are overwhelmingly positive. (Including my own from August 7th)

The negative reviews, my opinion only, may be from people who booked the lowest priced rooms, which often don%26#39;t have a view. And one person seemed to be ticked off at parking prices so a negative review of the hotel was given.

Thank you so much for your replies.

I was rattled by the 9/4/07 TA Monteleone review; however, I concur that remarks were not qualified by the room type.

Additionally, I appreciate that the charm of the Quarter is defined by the nuances of age and tradition; to obsess on perfection (sterile perfection, perhaps) will diminish the whole wonder of the FQ experience.

I have definitely come to the point that I trust many of you Trip Advisors have encountered: obsession with finding the perfect accommodations. I can admit this but I am not slowing the hunt :)

I even dabbled with scrapping the suite quest (insert ';obsession'; here) and just going for a great priced room at the Monteleone (king deluxe) or Omni (queen deluxe). That is where the Ritz becomes a standout except for location.

(Personal note: I am sooooo glad I have booked all remaining 2007 and early 2008 trips. This one is really challenging me).

You DO have to read between the lines a bit on some reviews. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and on any given day someone is going to be unhappy with a hotel for some reason i guess, but you have to read more than a couple of reviews to get a sense of a place, imo.

(I recently read a review of a hotel in a national park and the reviewer gave a ';1'; rating because the place didn%26#39;t have a TV and because she was bitten by flies while out hiking lol)

I stayed at the monteleone recently and would stay there again.

However,noting your criteria, I would not recommend it to you.

(a drink at the carousel bar you would still LOVE!)

You did mention style, you may want to look into the W french quarter or the place I want to stay next time I%26#39;m in town . The Loews

on poydras. The Loews has a very stylish lobby and bar and the

vibe was cool.

Have fun.

Powderhound: Loew%26#39;s is a great suggestion. Don%26#39;t underestimate its location. You are a surprisingly short and safe walk from the Quarter but also just on the edge of the warehouse district which is becoming as interesting as the Quarter.

I always, always, always recommend the Monteleone. It%26#39;s my favorite hotel in the FQ hands-down. There are no cleanliness issues that I know of, but the ';no wear and tear'; critical element - that could not be guaranteed - it is a historic hotel and there may be some minor wear and tear - to me this is not a huge deal. But if it is to you then I would book at the Ritz. Uber clean without question and it is close enough to the FQ to walk there. I am sure the Loews is a nice choice too but it%26#39;s a little further out.

Any wear/tear issue at Monteleone is very minimal. The same can be said of Omni Royal.

New Orleans in Mid-November

Hi. I was in N.O. last Christmas and loved it. I enjoyed the Christmas spirit, decorations, activities down there. I%26#39;d like to go back again this year, but, can%26#39;t make it in December. I%26#39;m guessng most of the Christmas holiday decorating and activities don%26#39;t start till after Thanksgiving. But, maybe I%26#39;m wrong. What%26#39;s N.O. like in mid-November? Thanks!

New Orleans in Mid-November

Celebration In The Oaks in City Park runs November 23 through December 30, 2007. The Christmas lights and exhibits are fun to see while riding in a mule drawn carriage.

Weather should be great in November. Fall is convention time in New Orleans so it should be lively.

New Orleans in Mid-November

Greetings, neighbor.

One slight difference between Dec and Nov is the prices range. Hotels seem to have about three price ranges -- highest, of course, in Carnival and Mardi Gras, medium range in spring and fall, and lowest prices in the hot summer. But that lowest range also includes December, somewhere around Dec 7 or so until day before New Year%26#39;s eve.

But then, check all the web reservation sites, and then before ordering call the hotel directly and boldly (but politely) ask what discount rates they are offering. Halloween is another higher priced spread, and Thanksgiving weekend itself may be higher rates for the long weekend holiday, but somehow Christmas is not. The rest of November, earlier and later, would vary depending on whether there are large conventions in town. Ir your eac dates are stil flexible, check online and call the hotels and frankly ask which days have lower prices. As at any time, sometimes just asking gets you a lower rate.

I love New Orleans in December, too.

Mid-November....not so many Christmas lights but still very festive.

Driving into the Quarter one day in mid-November, I saw people wearing tank tops because the weather was in the 80%26#39;s. The next day brought a very cold, rainy, low 50%26#39;s. Pack your luggage for anything.

My advice is this: if you have a chance to go at all, take it.

pimple treatment

St.Louis for wedding/reception?

Hi, I%26#39;m getting married in New Orleans next summer.

I%26#39;m still trying to figure out the best location for a courtyard ceremony %26amp; reception.

I%26#39;ve read up on the reviews for the St. Louis but they%26#39;re mostly hotel stay centric.

Has anyone recently been married there, or been to a wedding there.

Can you recommend any other locations in the Quarter that have courtyards?

Thanks,

C

St.Louis for wedding/reception?

A business associate had his wedding there and was very pleased but I wouldn%26#39;t rec. staying at the hotel. The food and courtyard are just terrific. Try doing a search as several places do weddings and I think the Maison Dupuy also does them.

St.Louis for wedding/reception?

Thanks for the reply, I appreciate it.

I was not planning on staying at the St. Louis after reading the reviews on here.

No way at all, LOL.

But from what I have found, it does seem like a good place for a wedding.

It fits better into our budget than the Maison does.

Still nervous though, that%26#39;s why I would like any feedback I can get.

I%26#39;m planning a scouting trip later this year %26amp; I%26#39;m trying to line up a few places to look at.

Thanks,

C

One of the St. Louis Hotel reviews on this site deals with a wedding, I believe. Scroll through them and check it out. It wasn%26#39;t good.

Generally, I%26#39;m very skeptical that a hotel with such a wretched room/service rating can be counted on to deliver a high quality wedding. It%26#39;s a very important time for you and I wouldn%26#39;t chance it, personally.

I%26#39;ve seen weddings and receptions at the Royal Sonesta, very nice. The Courtyard at the St. Louis is also fairly nice but it doesn%26#39;t compair to the other. I think that the St Helen is suppose to have a nice Courtyard. It%26#39;s more of an adult hotel than most others in the Quarter. I would also check the Chateau Sonesta. The only thing that may pose a problem is I believe that the pool is in the courtyard.

Sierra, First of all, congrats on your upcoming wedding.

Another place you might consider is the Princess of Monaco Courtyard on Royal Street. Beautiful courtyard and they do reserve it for special events. They also offer a carriage house and banquet room. I%26#39;m not sure of the pricing though but the website below provides some pictures and a way to contract them about the pricing. If they also serve food during a reception, you can%26#39;t go wrong here. I had dinner there my last trip and the food was superb. Small menu, but what they prepare, they do it right.

http://www.princessofmonaco.com/

Best of luck on your planning.

Thank you all for replying, I appreciate all of the responses.

I have sent emails out to all of the hotels that you all have recommended.

Zmyst- Thank you %26amp; I have already put The Princess Monaco on the top of my list.

If anyone has any more ideas I%26#39;d appreciate it.

Just as an FYI, we%26#39;re having about 50 guests %26amp; we%26#39;re looking for a courtyard for the ceremony %26amp; the reception, preferably in the Quarter.

-C

We got married at the St Louis hotel in April 06 and had our reception there. Everything was absolutely perfect. Obviously the gorgeous weather and an outstanding jazz band had a lot to do with it but they treated us very well at the St Louis. We had an attendant in addition to the organizer who helped us the entire time. The food was outstanding too. Not sure which package you were thinking about going with but the one we had was excellent and more than enough. I wouldn%26#39;t recommend staying there either for your wedding and all but I don%26#39;t think it%26#39;s as bad as made out to be. We had some family there and they didn%26#39;t complain. I can only say good things about the St Louis and it%26#39;s staff. I highly recommend having your reception there. If you have any questions feel free to contact me.

While a guest at the Royal Sonesta, I watched a wedding in their courtyard and it looked beautiful. The windows of the lounge look out into the courtyard and I even had to stay and have another drink so that I could watch the whole thing because it looked so lovely. I know nothing about their prices or arrangements for weddings, but the Royal Sonesta is my favorite place to stay.

I forgot to mention that I had stayed at the St. Louis years ago and the rooms were fairly dumpy then, but things might have changed. So I thought I%26#39;d look at the current comments on it. The second review was from someone that had a wedding reception there and maybe you should read it. They ended up ordering pizzas for their guests.

The food at the St. Louis Hotel weddings provided by the staff of the Louis XVI restaurant is just terrific. The Louis XVI is a part of the St. Louis hotel and one of my favorite restaurants. As I indicated before though I would not stay at the St. Louis hotel. They also have a nice room area for those that the warmth in the courtyard might be bothersome.

Reasonably priced dinners

I am in New Orleans for a few days. I am looking for a restaurant with atmosphere that is not a tourist trap and that I won%26#39;t be spending $100 for a dinner for 2. All kinds of food is OK. French quarter is preferred but we will travel if it is worthwhile.

Reasonably priced dinners

I%26#39;m not sure exactly what you%26#39;re asking but you can get good casual meals at places like EAT, Louisiana Pizza Kitchen, Port of Call, etc for $25-30 for two.

Reasonably priced dinners

Breakfast options:

Clover Grill

Petunia%26#39;s

Lunch/Dinner:

Port of Call

Praline Connection (on Frenchman St.)

Yo Momma%26#39;s (another good burger)

Napoloeon House (not too tourist-trappy)

Fiorella%26#39;s

These are all casual and hit the spot depending on what you%26#39;re hungry for.

Yo Mama%26#39;s has the best homemade hamburgers (with a salad or bake potatoe) and gumbo for abour $8 each, just off Bourbon at the 700 block.

Country Flame has fair steaks for $12-$15 Iverbille at Exchange.

Zydeco BBQ just behind the Bourbon Cowboy has great food from $10- $15.

There%26#39;s much more if your interested. Click my name and it should show some of my pass postings on this matter.

I know my views are out of whack(i live in manhattan) but i think your choices are greater and more varied than you might think.

for dinner I would stick with a more casual atmosphere, Acme oyster

gumbo shop and coops cme to mind right away. Also, and I think this is a nice little secret, but remoulade on bourbon st. is owned by

Arnauds and they share I believe, the same kitchen. So, the turtle soup, and shrimp Arnoud are the same but the prices are cheaper.

The only thing I hope is you resist the temptation to eat at a chain.

The local food is wonderful and plentiful and worth the research.

Enjoy!

';Fiorella%26#39;s';

shudder...never again...

Mona Lisa on Royal (between Barracks and Gov. Nicholls)

Lola%26#39;s on Esplanade (Near City Park)

Cafe Degas on Esplanade (Near City Park)

Jacques Imo%26#39;s on Oak (Riverbend)

Casamento%26#39;s on Magazine

Mandina%26#39;s on Canal

Adolfo%26#39;s on Frenchmen (Above Apple Barrel Bar)

Reading your posting I%26#39;m not sure if you are looking for good inexpensive dining or if you are looking for ';fine dining';. Another place I would recommend for the good inexpensive dining is Oceanana just off Bourbon at St Louis (I think St Louis, either that or the next block, the 500 block). Everything I mentioned is in the good inexpensive places line of dining. All are in the Quarter, very short walking distance apart.

I suggest you give the Superior Grill (Mexican) a try. It%26#39;s located at 3636 St. Charles Ave.. Their web addresss is www.superiorgrill.com. (Bkfst/Lunch/Dinner menu and prices included).

The atmosphere is nice, both indoor %26amp; outdoor dining, great service, and a varied menu. It%26#39;s about 1 1/2 miles east of the French Quarter on St. Charles Ave. It fits your criteria very nicely.

pimple treatment

Some questions for the experienced travelers!

Hello,

My husband and I are visiting NO in January for few days. We are so excited and want to make the most of our time in NO. I haven%26#39;t been to NO since 1997 and my husband has never been there!

We would like to catch a very early flight to NO, but we cannot check into our hotel until 4pm. We don%26#39;t want to carry our luggage around for hours!

Has anyone else had this problem? Any ideas? I don%26#39;t think the hotel does early check-ins.

Also, has anyone done those swamp boat tours? Any reviews?

Thanks so much! This forum has been so helpful!

Some questions for the experienced travelers!

every hotel I%26#39;ve stayed in NOLA has allowed me to drop off my bags and then check in later. I always try to take an early flight there too to get the most time there as possible.

I%26#39;m not sure about the swamp tours but I%26#39;m sure someone here can answer that for you.

Have a great time!

Some questions for the experienced travelers!

Hotels will have a safe place to store your luggage until you can check in. In 27 years of visiting, I%26#39;ve only waited it out once. I%26#39;ve always been able to get into a room earlier than check-in so you might get a pleasant surprise.

I am excited for you. Have fun!

Hotels will check your bags but for swamp tours in January there won%26#39;t be much to see as the big attraction is in hibernation (alligators)

I recommend Dr. Wagner%26#39;s Honey Island Swamp Tour near Slidell, LA.

I agree with the others. Contact the hotel and ask about luggage storage for early arrivals. Also ask if they will allow early check-in IF the room is available/clean. If they say no, change hotels. For whatever reason, some NOLA hotels (the Astor Crowne Plaza has been mentioned in several posts) refuse to budge from the published ';check-in time'; even if rooms are available.

I don%26#39;t know that I would take a swamp tour in January. My husband and I went once in March, and even then it was too chilly for the alligators to be out. Plus it was a very cold trip for us on the boat.

Thanks so much - that is great advice. Maybe we will skip the swamp tour! Or we will just have to come back and visit again in the warmer months!

I have never come across any hotel anywhere in the world that doesn%26#39;t have luggage storage for early arrivals, but I suppose it would be worth an email or phone call to confirm...

One advantage of touring a swamp during Jaunary is that there%26#39;s very little foliage and you can see things you%26#39;d normally miss because of the dense vegetation. One disadvantage is that alligators are in hibernation during that time.

Don%26#39;t forget the most hotels will also store your baggage after check-out for a late departure. That way you can spend even more time in New Orleans.

a chance for revenge

Mid priced dinner w/ a group?

I%26#39;m attending a conference at the Hilton and am looking for some good dinner restaurants that we can either walk to or take the trolley (or a quick cab ride). I%26#39;ll have a group (8-12) and need something not too expensive, and would like some good authentic New Orleans atmosphere. I have Mulates on the list, but they don%26#39;t take reservations. Where else should we try?

Thanks!

Mid priced dinner w/ a group?

Mr. B%26#39;s is moderate priced. BBQ shrimp entree is $22. Most entrees are about $20.

http://www.mrbsbistro.com/info.php

Mr. B%26#39;s takes reservations. They are at 201 Royal St. in the FQ.

Mid priced dinner w/ a group?

If you%26#39;re looking for authentic New Orleans atmosphere, I%26#39;d skip Mulate%26#39;s. They attempt to create a Cajun atmosphere, which is more like restaurants around the Lafayette area.

Jacques-Imo%26#39;s takes reservations for parties of five or more. It%26#39;s a 10-15 minute taxi ride from the Hilton and it%26#39;s a great place to go with a group.

http://www.jacquesimoscafe.com/

I%26#39;d recommend Feelings Cafe in the Marigny. Cab ride required, but it%26#39;s mid-priced, consistently wonderful, and it has a truly authentic New Orleans atmosphere and cuisine. The restaurant is housed in a former plantation see: http://www.feelingscafe.com/. Arrive early for your reservation and have a drink on the patio. I recommend the gulf fish Nicolas.

Another great restaurant - albeit Spanish - is Rio Mar in the Warehouse District. It%26#39;s adjacent to Mulates. Wonderful tapas and Chilean and Argentian wines. Here%26#39;s the website: http://www.riomarseafood.com/ and it%26#39;s within walking distance.

Both restaurants take reservations.

Feelings is a great place. I have eaten there at least 3 times. The building is just beautiful. Very laid back neighborhood restaurant with moderate prices. Take a cab there and back at night. It is just outside (downriver) of the FQ in the Faubourg Marigny.

I%26#39;ll add my recommendation for Feelings to those already posted. We%26#39;ve always enjoyed the food and the service there. It%26#39;s on Chartres, a few blocks downriver past Elysian Fields.

A little bit here, a little bit there...

Because we will only be in New Orleans for such a short period of time, our first night I would like to wander around stopping at some reståurant bars for a drink and an appetizer. Many small bites and lots of drinks!! I know who is famous for good oysters, any other ideas??? ie. Stop here..... for a cup of gumbo and a microbrew, or have desserts at Brennans.

Any ideas would be great!!

Thanks,

barb

A little bit here, a little bit there...

Desire for oysters

Yo Mama%26#39;s for gumbo and a drink

Click my name for other past suggestions

A little bit here, a little bit there...

Before retiring to your hotel, a good place for a nightcap is the Alpine restaurant where they have a tasty Spanish coffee. The waiter there makes it fun - I think his name is John - he makes quite a production of it, with fire and everything. The Alpine is on the corner of Chartres and Wilkinson - about a half block off of Jackson Square.

I would disagree with the Alpine suggestion. It ranks as the single worst meal I have EVER had in New Orleans. And that%26#39;s a lot of meals in my 20+ years here.

toottimeterry, thanks for the Yo Mama%26#39;s recommendation. That%26#39;s one I wasn%26#39;t aware of, but it%26#39;s on my list now.

Thanks for all the ideas. I think we will end the night at Brennans for bananas foster. Can you just go into a bar area and order desssert? Also, is Drago%26#39;s close to Bourbon St?

Thanks,

Barb

Barb, Drago%26#39;s is in Metairie, a suburb of New Orleans, which is about 20-30 minutes from the FQ/CBD by taxi.

Oops......I just remembered that Drago%26#39;s has a new location at the Hilton.

Rodin, according to my map, the Hilton is heading away from the French Quarter, correct?

barb

That%26#39;s correct, Barb. It%26#39;s just a couple of blocks upriver from the French Quarter, and it%26#39;s not a bad walk if you%26#39;re already on the river side of the Quarter.

You can also take the streecar along the river and get off at the Hilton.

Drago's

Wondering if anyone has been to Drago%26#39;s new location @ Hilton Riverside and what any opinions might be? We typically squeeze in a time when in NOLA to go over to Metairie to the other place.....but the Hilton sure would be easy to get to.

Drago's

I had friends go there recently and as expected they raved about the chargrilled oysters and the grilled fish and from listening to the Tom Fitzmorris food show callers it sounds as if the Drago%26#39;s at the riverside is every bit as good as the original in Metairie.

Drago's

Thank you so much for the update. We will be in NOLA the weekend before Halloween......cannot wait for those oysters!!

Acme now offers char broiled oysters which were pretty good..They also have them at the Acme in the Airport.

Airport question

We%26#39;re flying American, looks like terminal C for them, we are flying out early morning, does this terminal have good places for breakfast? Thank u

Airport question

Concourse C has a restaurant right at where the main hallways turns towards American%26#39;s gates. It%26#39;s open early, but not sure how early. The N.O. airport is not terribly good about food/beverage/newsstand options for those with early or late flights, though, so I%26#39;d bring a granola bar just in case!

Airport question

Thanks for the quick response. Is the restaurant any good? Or just a small time place that microwaves breakfast sandwiches. LOL

No, it%26#39;s not very good. It%26#39;s runny airport scrambled eggs with cheap sausage, all for $8. Oh yeah, and a really hard biscuit, too.

For my early flights, I just eat whatever%26#39;s on the plane or bring a nutrition/granola bar.

I must add that the NO Airport%26#39;s food options are fine if you%26#39;re flying in/out during the day. Acme Oyster House, Popeye%26#39;s, Praline Connection, TCBY, Starbucks (I think) and a few other food outlets re located throughout the terminal.

Early morning flights, as we usually have, you do not have a %26#39;good%26#39; food option unless you like overpriced pastry and coffee. And there of course is the option of the overdone eggs and underdone bacon.

pimple treatment

bleaching cream for skin

Staying@Windsor crt.suggestions 4 food/entertain 40th b-day

Coming from Canada on Oct 11-14..staying at Windsor Court..it%26#39;s my 40th bday

I no longer party heavy but enjoy a good meal and some fun..enjoy a good glass of wine and some cocktails

any suggestions for food and entertainment?

I would rather have a great breakfast and dinner and skip lunch rather then eat 3 squares a day...not on a tight budget so $$$ would not be a problem

help me plan my weekend and make my 40th one to remember...

Staying@Windsor crt.suggestions 4 food/entertain 40th b-day

One of the best restaurants in the city, Restaurant August, is across the street from your hotel. Likewise, The Grill Room is in the hotel and it%26#39;s also quite good even though Chef Greg Sonnier is just now taking it over. He%26#39;s pretty good so I don%26#39;t foresee a dropoff in quality.

Staying@Windsor crt.suggestions 4 food/entertain 40th b-day

Chef Sonnier will have a big impact at the Windsor Court and the upgrade will be very noticible as prior to this it had gone downhill to an extent I wasn%26#39;t rec. it to anyone.

Tommy%26#39;s Wine Bar is swank, and has an outstanding wine selection, as well as cocktails. They also have entertainment beginning at 6:00 pm on weekends. They are located on the corner of Tchopitoulas and Julia in the Warehouse District.

I would also recommend Tommy%26#39;s Restaurant next door to the wine bar - and would suggest reservations (very busy on weekends). The food is creole/italian.

I would recommend Petunias for Breakfast; Palace Cafe for Sunday Brunch

For dinner I would suggest NOLA%26#39;s; Le Crepe Nanou and of course Commander%26#39;s Palace

Hotel close to the Convention Center?

Looking for a hotel($125 max) close to convention center for Jazzercisers coming to ';Tres Jazz ';convention in July 2008.

Walking distance is OK, but not to far because of the heat.

Jazzercise recommended the Hilton and Hampton Inn. But I am trying to make it affordable for instructors and students. We plan on being 4 to a room.

Ideas or suggestions?

Hotel close to the Convention Center?

Try to find out which halls your group will be using at the convention center. It%26#39;s a very long bldg and hotels that are close to Hall J aren%26#39;t as close to Hall A!

2 luxury home realtors

Coops was great!

Went once for drinks Friday night then back for lunch on Saturday. May not be everyone%26#39;s cup of tea- it ain%26#39;t fancy but food was good, enjoyed talking with locals, just hanging out. Enjoyed the gumbo, jambalya, shrimp and crawfish po%26#39;boys.

Coops was great!

Hi Poodle. Glad you made it back to New Orleans. I love Coop%26#39;s too. Did you see the huge poster of Professor Longhair? It is a small cozy place. I really liked the Jambalaya as well.

Porc

Coops was great!

I was there over Labor Day weekend. I had read recommendations for this restaurant in the forum. I must say that I was just a bit put off after seeing the inside, but I figured that as long as the food is good, who cares right? We were there at normal dinner time hours, but unfortunately they were out of nearly everything, so we sought our dinner elsewhere. I am guessing this must be more of a lunch place?

The key was---Labor Day Weekend--they are not a %26#39;traditional%26#39; restaurant and with huge volumes they can run out of items. I%26#39;ve always eaten there at dinnertime.

Hiya Poodle ~

You are right.... Coop%26#39;s is great! Our friend%26#39;s son is named Cooper. He is 4 years old and thinks that Coop%26#39;s is HIS restaurant! hahaha.... We took several photos of it for him on our last trip to NOLA.

:) Kandye

www.nola-blog.blogspot.com

Kandye,

I visited your blog and really enjoyed it. I am using your wall paper on my computer. The St. Louis Cathedral is beautiful. Thanks, Porc

Hey Porc ~

It is nice of you to say that you like my little blog. :) NOLA means so much to me. I%26#39;m glad you found one of my wallpapers that you could use. Yes, the Cathedral is a beautiful icon!

Noticed that you are from Ft Worth. We will be there in October! Going to the Mueck exhibit @ the Modern Art Museum. It has been years since I%26#39;ve been to FW, so I%26#39;m very excited about the trip. :)

Thanks ~

Kandye

www.nola-blog.blogspot.com

French Quarter A&P to change names

After many many years as an A%26amp;P store, the French Quarter%26#39;s only full-service (barely!) will change names soon to Rouse%26#39;s. The Thibodaux-based company has purchased all of the southeastern Louisiana A%26amp;P and Sav-A-Center locations.

It%26#39;ll be weird not so see that A%26amp;P sign but maybe the Rouse chain will spruce it up a bit!

French Quarter A%26amp;P to change names

The FQ A%26amp;P used to be really gross. It didn%26#39;t seem dirty the last few times I was in there. It%26#39;s nice to at least have a store like that so you don%26#39;t pay ';convienence'; store prices. I guess all the the A%26amp;P stores will go the way of Schwegmann%26#39;s and Safeway.

French Quarter A%26amp;P to change names

I don%26#39;t know why they did away with A*%26amp;P stores and switched to the SavACenter name instead.

One good thing about Rouse%26#39;s taking over, it should be a better maintained and better stocked store than it has been.

In most cases, I%26#39;m not unhappy with Sav-a-Center being taken over....they aren%26#39;t staffed very well and are rather poorly run. I just will miss the A%26amp;P name in the FQ even though it%26#39;s an absolute disgrace of a store! Here%26#39;s to Rouse doing a GREAT Louisiana job with all of the stores.

And maybe something good will happen with those poor ol%26#39; Saints, too!

pimple treatment

Magazine Street Annual Art for Art's Sake - Sat., Oct. 6

Just read about this upcoming event in our Baton Rouge paper this morning.

Magazine Street Merchants Association sponsors its annual Art for Art%26#39;s Sake night Saturday, October 6. Up and down the street, art galleries, antique and specialty shops, boutiques, restaurants and coffee houses will remain open until 10 pm. Some merchants will have live music and serve complimentary refreshments.

There will be a free shuttle bus service available from 6 to 10 pm. Visitors simply wave down shuttle buses identified with the MSMA banner. No tickets are needed. Buses will run from State Street to the New Orleans School of Glassworks and Printmaking in the Warehouse district. A tour guide will be on each bus to answer questions.

Check out www.magazinestreet.com. Sounds like a lot of fun!

Magazine Street Annual Art for Art's Sake - Sat., Oct. 6

This has been one of my favorite annual events - and I am not alone. Magazine Street will be crawling with people (and there will be plenty down in the Warehouse District as well). If you think you will want to include dinner during your stroll, you should probably make your reservation now, as the restaurants on the route tend to fill up quickly.

The weather should be just perfect for an evening stroll (which is why I like this so much more than White Linen). And who knows, you may find that perfect piece of art work that you%26#39;ve always wanted (but never knew you did)!

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volunteering on xmas eve and day

Our family is spending the week over the holiday in New Orleans. We%26#39;d love to be able to volunteer serving food or helping out for Christmas Eve and Day. Does anyone know of any agencies that we could contact? thanks, Susan

volunteering on xmas eve and day

You might want to try contacting Second Harvest.

Mission Statement

Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans works to acquire and distribute food in partnership with agencies serving people in need.

Description

We are a member of the America%26#39;s Second Harvest, the Nation%26#39;s Food Network, an agency of the United Way and Catholic Charities. The food bank receives donations of food from manufacturers, growers, brokers, grocers, restaurants, hotels, convention facilities, produce vendors, community food drives and other sources. Each year, Second Harvest Food Bank distributes millions of pounds of donated and surplus food. Second Harvest Food Bank supplies food to over 300 other non-profits in Southeastern Louisiana, who supplies food to those in nee

Here is a link on how to volunteer

…volunteermatch.org/results/org_detail.jsp…

volunteering on xmas eve and day

great idea, thanks a lot!!

I don%26#39;t know that Second Harvest serves holiday meals. They mainly deal with collecting donated canned goods and such, repackaging and distributing them to appropriate agencies.

Ozanam Inn might be more of what you%26#39;re looking for. It%26#39;s a homeless shelter in the city. Here%26#39;s their web address:

http://www.ozanaminn.org/services.html

Where to eat after midnight near the airport?

I will be arriving at midnight and would like to find somewhere to go for a meal near or in the airport. Will be flying out at 7 AM the next morning. If there is nothing near the airport then maybe a taxi to Cafe du Monde for beignets? Are any other places open all night? Acme Oyster House?

Where to eat after midnight near the airport?

I would check in to the airport Hilton and hope for 24-hour room service! Seriously, Kenner isn%26#39;t a 24-hour town and there%26#39;s not much open there after, say, 11pm.

Taxi to Cafe DuMonde will cost you $58 roundtrip + tip. Ditto for Acme Oyster House or any other City of New Orleans establishment.

I think Morning Call in Metairie is open 24 hours and you can get beignets there. Cab fare would be a little less.

Finally, you may check out the Treasure Chest casino in Kenner. It%26#39;s 24-hour and has food options although their hours may be limited since the storm. Worth looking at their website, though.

Where to eat after midnight near the airport?

CajunWave: Thanks for the info. I don%26#39;t mind the taxi ride-just want somewhere interesting to get some authentic New Orleans atmosphere and food. I checked out the Treasure Chest Casino and they are open till 5 on Sat night so that is a possibility.

Is there anything else open all night in New Orleans besides Cafe du Monde?

You aren%26#39;t going to get high-end food in the middle of the night, obviously. The Quarter has some all night diners like Clover Grill which are a lot of fun.

I%26#39;m curious as to HOW you arranged this trip? It%26#39;s a strange routing through our non-hub airport!

By the way, there will literally be nothing open at MSY while you%26#39;re here. The airport shops/bars/restaurants are, for the most part, shut down after about 8pm.

dpowlan,

you wrote:

';Is there anything else open all night in New Orleans besides Cafe du Monde?';

walk up about two blocks to bourbon...you won%26#39;t even need to get a hotel room. As one friendly bartender at %26#39;The Boondock Saint%26#39; bar said when i asked her what time they close the bars;

';When you leave....';

can%26#39;t wait to go back in five days

CajunWave: It%26#39;s just a mileage run. I was 3169 miles short of the miles I need for Premier Executive on United for next year and found a $210 fare that gets me the miles I need. I%26#39;m just flying our Saturday and back home Sunday. No reason other than to get some beignets.

I like New Orleans and New Orleans food in particular so thought I%26#39;d take advantage of the layover time to get oyster po%26#39;boys or something I don%26#39;t get in SF.

I live with someone who%26#39;s obsessive about mileage so I understand the ';mileage run'; concept. LOL.

If you don%26#39;t mind the cab fare, by all means head down to the Quarter.

About the only hope you have of finding food near the airport at that time of night are:

Denny%26#39;s on Williams Blvd. (open 24 hours) and possibly the Denny%26#39;s across the street from the airport

Tiffin Inn on Veterans - open 24 hours Friday %26amp; Saturday, 6am - midnight all other days

Wendy%26#39;s drive-through on Airline in St. Rose

Did someone mention Clover Grill on Bourbon? Aren%26#39;t they 24 hours?

-kel

Hi all ~

Clover Grill is a great suggestion! We always eat there a couple of times on our trips. Good breakfast %26amp; burgers ~ which are cooked under hubcaps. Plus, the staff is funny ( just reading their menu will give you an idea of their humor ) %26amp; the building itself is cool. It is located on the corner of Bourbon %26amp; Dumaine, so we like to grab a window table for the lovely French Quarter view.

www.clovergrill.com

I would pick New Orleans if we needed a mileage run too! :)

Safe Trip!

Kandye

www.nola-blog.blogspot.com

Thanks all,

I will try the Clover Grill and then get some beignets at Cafu du Monde. I also heard there is a late night jazz club called Fritzel%26#39;s (sp?) That should keep me busy during the wee hours and then back to the airport for my return flight.

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