Brides Helping Brides ™ - New Orleans - Ever been?

KimberlyBride Posted: Jun 15, 2004 05:09 PM

New Orleans - Ever been?

Hi!
I am looking into a September getaway for me and FH. Jetblue has fares from JFK for $79 each way and we really want to go someplace new and different. So have you been and did you like it? Where did you stay and how much was it? Do you have any suggestions on what to do and where to eat. We are definitely going to Emeril's. We went to Emeril's Delmonico Steakhouse in the Venetian in Vegas and I thought I had died and gone to heaven! Thanks for any help!

Kim

don424 Posted: Jun 15, 2004 05:12 PM

Re: New Orleans - Ever been?

Posted by KimberlyBride

Hi!
I am looking into a September getaway for me and FH. Jetblue has fares from JFK for $79 each way and we really want to go someplace new and different. So have you been and did you like it? Where did you stay and how much was it? Do you have any suggestions on what to do and where to eat. We are definitely going to Emeril's. We went to Emeril's Delmonico Steakhouse in the Venetian in Vegas and I thought I had died and gone to heaven! Thanks for any help!

Kim

We are going to New Orleans in October and also ate at the Delmonico in the Venetian in Vegas

Kriss2c Posted: Jun 15, 2004 05:13 PM

Re: New Orleans - Ever been?

I loved it.....

I went for Labor day weekend in oh gosh 1997. I stayed at the Intercontinental which was up there in price but very nice. As far as eats.... well I was a lot younger then so food was a non-issue for me.... I was much more interested in drinking and Burbon Street and just about anywhere else in the French Quarter was it!!!

Julestrd Posted: Jun 15, 2004 05:13 PM

Re: New Orleans - Ever been?

I used to live in Biloxi, MS which is about an hour and a half away. Off course you have to go to Bourbon street, there are some really cool bars. There is one side of Bourbon ST that is predominantly homosexual but I can't remember which part. I HIGHLY recommend going to Margaritaville, sooooo much fun. My parents got lit in there because we were eating and drinking and having way too much fun. I was the driver
LEt's see when I stayed the night I stayed across the river, but you can find places closer to everything if you don't feel like driving and of course they get pricier the closer to Bourbon st you go. If you want to know anything else let me know. Have fun, there is so much to do there.

KimberlyBride Posted: Jun 15, 2004 05:16 PM

Re: New Orleans - Ever been?

Cool! Yea it seems like a cool place. I see online they have lots to do. My FH loves blues music and it seems they have a lot of cool blues shows and also the House of Blues. Also saw there is an IMAX theatre. Those are cool I went to the one at the Museum of Aviation and it was like I was flying. We saw the space one. Plus I do like to have a few drinks here and there I love margaritas and martinis!

Kim

TwoBugs Posted: Jun 15, 2004 05:29 PM

Re: New Orleans - Ever been?

Posted by KimberlyBride

Cool! Yea it seems like a cool place. I see online they have lots to do. My FH loves blues music and it seems they have a lot of cool blues shows and also the House of Blues. Also saw there is an IMAX theatre. Those are cool I went to the one at the Museum of Aviation and it was like I was flying. We saw the space one. Plus I do like to have a few drinks here and there I love margaritas and martinis!

Kim

You should also try a hurricane - it's practically the official beverage of New Orleans. Yum!
I would recommend going to some of the smaller, local restaurants - try to avoid the chains that are in every city, if you can. New Orleans is just too unique. There is a place called the Gumbo Shop - tiny little place where the line to get in can extend down the block. Mostly locals go there, and it's worth the wait.
Have fun!!!

don424 Posted: Jun 15, 2004 05:32 PM

Re: New Orleans - Ever been?

as i said we're going in october

for 2 people that don't drink that much, what's there to do?

MrsK-in-June05 Posted: Jun 15, 2004 05:54 PM

Re: New Orleans - Ever been?

We go every July and It hink it is the best place on earth! The FH has a convention there so I get to shop and entertain myself for a week. You have to get Beignets (however it is spelled) with chickory coffee..puts NY bagels to shame! Cafe Du Monde on Decateur Street is the name of 'the place to go'. I am sure they have a website if you google it. We stay at the Montelone, it is the most fabulous hotel. It has a rooftop pool and workout facility and the bathroom is bigger than the one in our apt, lol. It has a full vanity with shelves and the works. Yes, it was hot and I had time to inspect the bathroom! You have to go to Mother's, it is a dive restaurant, I forget the street but they have the best homecooked southern food around. Also, the Acme Seafood Restaurant is amazing! I could rave for hours about New Orleans!!
www.hotelmonteleone.com

AndreaLMT Posted: Jun 15, 2004 06:29 PM

Re: New Orleans - Ever been?

YES!!! It's an amazing city!
We went there for French Quarter Festival last year- had a wonderful time.
There's something for everyone- of course TONS of drinking , but if you're not a big party person, New Orleans has a rich history. There are tons of tours you can go on (the cemetery ones are fun). The Garden District is interesting, and the FOOD is DELISH!!!
Best place to eat... COMMANDER'S PALACE in the Garden District. Order the Bread Pudding as soon as you arrive-they make it fresh for you... it's fabulous!!!
So get some beads &
HAVE FUN!!!

boosh78201 Posted: Jun 15, 2004 06:31 PM

Re: New Orleans - Ever been?

Posted by don424

as i said we're going in october

for 2 people that don't drink that much, what's there to do?

Speak for yourself

ChristineC68 Posted: Jun 15, 2004 07:24 PM

Re: New Orleans - Ever been?

We Love New Orleans:D
Commanders Palace - outstanding food & service. We go for brunch since it's pricey.

Mr. B's. - in the French Qtr.

Divine - in the Royal Sonesta Hotel - great po' boys

Cafe Du Monde for Beignets

Brennans makes a really good brunch. I think they invented/created turtle soup

Pat O'Briens duelling piano bar for Hurricaines.

Razoo's on Bourbon has the best Happy Hour special

I think it's the Cat's Meow that has karaoke which is a lot of fun.

We usually stay at the Omni Royal Hotel on St. Louis - it's one or two blocks off bourbon street. It's a gorgeous 4 star hotel but they often have special rates. They have nice local bar around the corner from their main entrance.

There are tons of tours - witch tours, cemetary tours, garden district tours, etc. They should be listed in your hotel guide and a lot of them are show up at x at what ever time and you pay then.

Along the river there is Harrah's casino.

Jackson square has lots of vendors, palm readers, artists, etc.

There's a farmers market along the river walk - lots of local specialties

There's lots of galleries. The architecture is just beautiful.

Now I want to go back

KimberlyBride Posted: Jun 15, 2004 08:16 PM

Re: New Orleans - Ever been?

Wow! You all are so helpful. Thank you so much. I truly appreciate it. I am so excited! We are getting a great deal. $79 for plane tickets each way and a deal on hotel. Both the Hotel Monteleone and Omni look beautiful. They both have special deals. I love all the choices I have. Thanks again!

Kim

TracyInQueens Posted: Jun 15, 2004 09:34 PM

Re: New Orleans - Ever been?

We ate at Nola, another of Emeril's places- it's more hip than his other places. The food was amazing.

KimberlyBride Posted: Jun 15, 2004 09:51 PM

Re: New Orleans - Ever been?

Posted by TracyInQueens

We ate at Nola, another of Emeril's places- it's more hip than his other places. The food was amazing.

Oh didn't even know about that one. I better start saving :) :) I love Emerils. He really lives up to all the hype.

Kim

soon2bMrs Posted: Jun 16, 2004 05:07 AM

Re: New Orleans - Ever been?

Here are a few of my restaurant recommendations for NOLA

Stella

The Upperline

They are great and you will not be disappointed if you go to either.

jennyhet Posted: Jun 16, 2004 08:25 AM

Re: New Orleans - Ever been?

Hi! I am from New Orleans-only been here in NY for 3 years. I have to tell you not to go to Emeril's--compared to the other restaurants NO has to offer, the food is not so great. I agree with everyone else about Commander's Palace--It is absolutely amazing--you should try to get a reservation at the chef's table in the kitchen. You get to see all the action, and they make so much food for you--definitely enjoyable! Other restaurants that are wonderful: Jacques Imo's Cafe, Brennan's (good for brunch), Mother's (good for breakfast), Antoine's, The Palace Cafe, Galatoire's, The Pelican Club, and if you like oyster's--Acme Oyster House.

And the Monteleone is such a great hotel--I highly recommend it.

There is much more to NO than partying--you can go to the plantations, tour the cemeteries, go to the aquarium, go shopping for antiques on Royal Street, go to the jazz clubs, take a riverboat cruise, take a swamp tour, take a haunted city tour, go to the D-Day Museum, etc., etc.

I do find that most people love the 3 for 1 happy hour that most of the bars offer--usually from open to 8:00pm.

FM me if you have any questions!

Ohh--almost forgot--you have to go to Cafe Du Monde for Beignets and Cafe au lait!!!! It's open 24 hours

nov.bride Posted: Jun 16, 2004 08:32 AM

Re: New Orleans - Ever been?

Posted by ChristineC68

We Love New Orleans:D

Cafe Du Monde for Beignets

Pat O'Briens duelling piano bar for Hurricaines.

I think it's the Cat's Meow that has karaoke which is a lot of fun.

There's lots of galleries. The architecture is just beautiful.

I have to agree with all of the above!!!!!!

Also, Mothers is great for dinner It's like a cafeteria style place. The food is AMAZING!!!!
Great gumbo, jumbalaya and BREAD PUDDING! No frills - just great food

My friend used to work @ Cats Meow and is from New Orleans and he sent us over there.

There is a Marriot near the french quarter off of Magazine St. pretty good location.

Good luck!

Xelindrya Posted: Jun 16, 2004 08:55 AM

Re: New Orleans - Ever been?

God.. I went to New Orleans back when the legal age there was 18. So it's been awhile.

Have a Hurricane!! So sweet

I drove there from San Antonio so I got some views of the marshes. I really wanted to see the crypts (Mosoleums?-sp).

I stayed in a pretty cheap place I think.. It was WebCon 94 (yep, I'm an old school web junkie) so the whole group stayed there. I loved the old style structures in town. It was so.... Southern. haha.

Food? I can't remember eating!!!

Have fun! I missed out on the Casino boats too, I was too busy on Bourbon Street and Canal (tax free) to get there.

tourist Posted: Jun 16, 2004 11:49 AM

Re: New Orleans - Ever been?

Posted by don424

as i said we're going in october

for 2 people that don't drink that much, what's there to do?

Do like to eat? I ate at brennans ( the breakafast is great!) & NOLA ( one of Emerila's restaurants) Both are excellent.

I went for work & stayed one day. I didn't drink too much, b/c I was working, but its great just to walk around burbon street.
Lots of music inthe bars. they have haunted history tours & stuff like that but I didn't have time to go. FH went years ago & went on one fo those tours. He also went on a tour of Anne Rice's house & during the day went to the garden district. Apparantly its really nice there. On my one day off, I walked & shopped, went to the french market, & a bunch of little shops. There is an aquarium too, but i didn't go in.
There is also a casino, pretty close to the french quarter.