Going to New Orleans (again)

A week in July in the French Quarter wasn't enough heat and humidity; I'm going back again in August for another week! (SWE Annual Conference---teaching, leading seminars, and drinking)

You can't exhaust NOLA; it exhausts you.

So I'm looking for any reccos, or heartfelt culinary adventures, or hot tips for restaurants, both modest and down-home or fancy.

Probably hit GW Fins this time around (wife loves seafood) and it's across the street from where I get my obligatory first Sazerac, Arnaud's French 75 Bar. We're thinking of SoBou and R'Evolution---both sound interesting. Maybe Patois for lunch.

But tell me what you liked, because I'd like to know.

I really liked Preservation Hall the last time I was there. Bring a drink, sit on a bench, and listen to jazz the old-fashioned way.

I would just go to whatever place for food, drink and/or music that Mr. Parrott suggests.

That said, having a drink with Paul Gustings and spending a Saturday evening at church with John Boutte would be must-haves on my list.

I would just go to whatever place for food, drink and/or music that Mr. Parrott suggests.

That said, having a drink with Paul Gustings and spending a Saturday evening at church with John Boutte would be must-haves on my list.

Already sent a message to Jake about what to schedule, Bill. And he's coming into NOLA on Thursday night to do the seminar with me on Friday. And when I say "do the seminar with me" I mean "do most of the talking".

I worked there for an extended time recently and had a colleague who was quite the restaurant-goer. Here are the recommendations she gave me and a few observations from the ones I was able to visit. I intend to get to all of these because I trust her judgment. Note that some of these are not in the Quarter, so a taxi will be in order (you wouldn't dare drive - right?):

Geautreau's (Best scallops ever) ***(her favorite)
http://www.gautreausrestaurant.com/

Jacquimo's ***Favorite
http://jacques-imos.com/
bustling, relaxed neighborhood place, so prepare for a wait. My first experience with maque choux (good)

Marti's (recently opened, same owner as Geautreau's) http://martisnola.com/

Lillette
http://www.liletterestaurant.com/
On the Magazine Street strip, which is a great area. We really liked this place.

Clancy's
http://www.clancysneworleans.com/

Restaurant Revolution
http://www.revolutionnola.com/

The Italian Barrel
http://www.italianbarrel.com/
Tiny, tiny - I couldn't get in when I went.

Sylvain
http://www.sylvainnola.com/

Maximo's Grille
http://maximosgrill.com/

Luke
http://www.lukeneworleans.com/
A John Besh place (can't throw a rock in NO and not hit a Besh or Brennan-owned place). It wasn't my favorite.

Patois
http://patoisnola.com/

More later, I'm sure. Have fun - it's a great city.

Thanks, Jay!

Already got Patois and R'Evolution,on the list.

Been to Jaquimo's. It's great.

Haven't been to the NOLA Luke, but have been to the San Antonio location. Good, but basically a steak house, so eh. Sat at the bar and had a great big bowl of gumbo (which was pretty damned good).

Read about Lillette's. Sounds good.

Never eveven heard of Gautreau's place. Have to check it out.