I've read the posts, but if you had to pick three "must" restaurants, what would they be. We're going in October, so I think we'll have plenty of time.

Is Emeril's good or a tourist trap?

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Is Emeril's good or a tourist trap?

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Yes. To the extent that a place can be both, then this is it.

As for what the 3 "must" restaurants are, let me impolitely answer a question with a question. What are you seeking? The ultimate "only in New Orleans" experience? The ultimate culinary experience? The ultimate wine experience? How one approaches this question will largely dictate the answer. For example, you can't get much more "only in New Orleans" than Gallatoire's or Commanders. So if you asked me for recommendations that bespeak New Orleans, and will be memorable for that above all else, these would be my top two. But if you ask me what the best restaurants in New Orleans are, neither would make my top ten.

I'm told, by people who have spent much time there -- years there, that Commander's Palace is a must -- not necessarily the best, but a must, all the same.

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A must for me every time I go is an oyster po' boy from Frankie & Johnny's.

Bayona, Brigsten's, and Clancy's

JimmyV is right. Emeril's is both good and a tourist trap. Something about the place attracts the most annoying restaurant patrons that can be assembled under one roof. It does, however, have one of the top two or three wine lists in the City which can make dinner there a great wine experience if you can get away with putting the bill on your business card.

Now if you'll answer Jimmy's questions, I'll give you some more guidance.

My suggestion for an Emeril's experiance without the tourist trap and pretence is NOLA. Great restaurant.

BKfast: Mother's. Touristy yes, but unique & food is good.

BKfast &/or Lunch: Commander's.

For lunch &/or dinner: Mr B's Bistro

For dinner: Mr B's Bistro, NOLA. NOLA is not a must, expensive, but we enjoyed. Mr B's Bistro is cheaper but enjoyed as much if not more than NOLA.

Keep those cards and letters coming in folks, I'm going down to N'awlins the second week of April for a golf trip with the boys. Any suggestions as to where to dine on the company Amex without having to carry jackets down would be welcome. So far Bayonna seems to be leading the pack after doing a search here on VC threads.
Some suggestions I have heard include Acme for Oysters, Mr. B's for lunch, Jacques, Peristyle, August.

As I have posted before, we had a sub-standard experience at Bayona and I would not return. Everyone else seems to love it though, so whatever.

1. Gabrielle's

2. Brennan's

3. K-Paul's

Skip Commander's Palace. It's beautiful, but the food is heavy-handed and overpriced. Commander's Palace is to great dining what Greek food is to French food.

Lots of restaurants in NOLA but I like:

1. Mr. B's Bistro - classic New Orleans in the French Quarter
2. Clancy's - non-touristy and outstanding food in the Garden District
3. NOLA - also in the French Quarter - I ate lunch there by myself at the bar in the back and the food was outrageous.

i have had a couple of good evenings at Bayona. that said i haven't been to many of the other higher end places listed...

I second Frankie and Johnnys for a po boy.

Breakfast.... Camilla Grill but be prepared to wait in line....ahahah get the manhattan omelet and the fried pecan pie MMMmmmm.

don't forget to get a hand grenade at one of the tropical isles.. eheheh

Don't forget an afternoon trip to Felix's Oyster Bar for some great oysters and a draught wheat beer.

I prefer Felix's to Acme. Less crowded, and you make your own cocktail sauce.

Clancy's is a great spot. It really covers all bases. 1) It is a non-touristed local's place, somewhat unique to New Orleans in decor, service and menu; 2) it has great food; and 3) it is wine friendly with an excellent list, and liberal corkage policy. So if you are compiling a list of "only in New Orleans" places, or great meal places, or great wine places, I'd put this on all 3 lists.

I thought August was very good from a culinary and wine standpoint, but there is nothing particulary "unique New Orleans" about it. I feel the same way about Peristyle.

I'd put Gabrielle right up there with Clancy's. Excellent food. The real New Orleans experience. And wine friendly.

I like both Emeril's and NOLA. Would go back to either.

Commander's is a place to go to because everyone you meet after returning will say: "Did you eat at Commander's Palace?" It is classic New Orleans, but my two meals there were not good enough to draw me back. Others tell me that they have loved their meals there. Commanders is like Pat O'Brien's. Eventually, you are going to find yourself in there.

Frankie and Johnny's is a hoot. Poor boys, or better yet, if its crawfish season, roll up your sleeves and have them pour out a bucket of them on your table.

Oddly, with all my trips to New Orleans, I haven't been to Mr. B's. I guess I need to fix that.

I like Felix's better than Acme but don't ask me why. Both are good. Of course you want oysters at both places but IIRC Felix is the only place you can get a french-fry (potato) white-bread sandwich with double mayo. (That's even worser than foie gras!)

Gallatoir's is imo a must just to get the feeling of what it might be like to have a big Mardi Gras party there. It is definitely an unusual experience there and the food is really pretty good. I could make a whole meal out of Oysters Fouque.

NOLA (Emeril's "other" restaurant) is very good. Go find the Somm and introduce yourself. He will happily become your new best friend. Get him to take you down to the front o' restaurant manager and introduce you to him/her. $10 will get you VIP status.

The past two times I've been to Commander's Palace have been pretty bad. I will not go there again unless it is on Valentine's Day. The service at all restaurants on Valentine's Day is usually bad. At Commander's every day is Valentine's day as far as service goes. So you might as well just go there on V's day because you're likely to get the same lousy service anywhere you go that day.
( Does that make sense?)

I'm Pops et al on preference for Felix's. Last time I was there I stood at the oyster bar in front of this guy who was as old as dirt but damn could he shuck an oyster. Cold Red Stripe and a pile of oysters that just kept coming....heaven. Although I prefer deep cold salty PEI oysters and some of the ones they serve at Felix's I swear could eat a small dog those I kindly pushed back.

I'm with Winetex-Mr. B's Bistro, Clancy's and NOLA. I had 1 bad evening at Emeril's and I won't go back.

Thanks for the info - we're looking for excellent food and service, but something unique to the area, not going to a place that we can go to equiavalently in our local area.

A restaurant which always is underrated and rarely mentioned is Upperline in Uptown.

Doc