New Orleans restaurants struggling?

[Planogirl]

I watched Anthony Bourdain's show last night and he featured New Orleans. He dined at Antoine's and mentioned how badly the restaurant is still struggling due to way less business than before. It made me start wondering about all of the great restaurants and even the little corner places. Is it as bad as he made out?

I wish that we could go. :(

[CTPinkPrincess]

I saw that special too! I wanted to ask if New Orleans was still struggling as much - all those deserted neighborhoods :sad1: I haven't been to New Orleans in probably 10 years but I loved it there....

[TigerKat]

We're kind of a tale of two cities right now -there are still deserted neighborhoods, but rest assured the N.O. restaurants are doing just fine. The French Quarter is hopping!! We had the Sugar Bowl, BCS Bowl, Mardi Gras and now the NBA Championship. PLEASE don't hesitate to come on down!!!!!!!

[Jack-Jack]

I think I'm coming down for the half marathon in a while.

[Planogirl]

Tigerkat, it's good to hear you say that. We can't come now but I definitely want to again and I don't want the grand old institutions like Antoine's to be gone.

The other day I thought of that song "Do You Know What It Means (To Miss New Orleans)". Sappy I know but yes I do know what it means. :(

[TigerKat]

I think I'm coming down for the half marathon in a while.

I'm sure you'll have a great visit!:thumbsup2



The other day I thought of that song "Do You Know What It Means (To Miss New Orleans)". Sappy I know but yes I do know what it means. :(

Not sappy at all. Katrina brought a whole new understanding of that song for so many of us while we were "refugees" stranded away from home. I cried many days thinking of that song and when I saw my dear city for the first time in over a month, that very song came to mind, right through the tears.

[Planogirl]

Not sappy at all. Katrina brought a whole new understanding of that song for so many of us while we were "refugees" stranded away from home. I cried many days thinking of that song and when I saw my dear city for the first time in over a month, that very song came to mind, right through the tears.
I'm just a frequent visitor over the years and I was devastated when we drove through the city. I can't imagine what it was like for a resident. :hug:

[TigerKat]

I'm just a frequent visitor over the years and I was devastated when we drove through the city. I can't imagine what it was like for a resident. :hug:

Hopefully you'll never know.:hug:

[TigerKat]

This was just posted on a a local news website today:

http://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/wwl021008jbfood.ac710397.html

[Planogirl]

Interesting...

I wonder if the economy might also be hurting places such as Antoine's a little? And maybe it's not quite as bleak as Bourdain made out. Of course, there's no way of knowing how long ago he filmed the episode.

Thanks for posting the article!

[NOLABelle]

I have lived in the city all my life and was actually here the entire time Katrina was reaking havoc upon us. Luckily, no damage was done to my home but I did lose my car. My family and I were so very lucky during this disaster as we lost no one close to us.

As for the restaurants...they are still fabulous! Emerill's, Antiones, Impastatos, Salvatore, Dragos, NOLA, Smith and Wolenski, and on and on. We live off the land so even when times are as tough as they were, the food will still be served up just like always. It is not the same as it was and even when our LSU played Ohio, downtown was not nearly as packed as before. I don't celebrate Mardi Gras but I am told that this year was a record fiasco.

Brad Pitt is doing remarkable things with his project to restore the city...so much better than our own Government. Hopefully, enough people will come together to get things going in the right direction. :banana:

[Planogirl]

Welcome NOLABelle! I had heard that Brad Pitt was trying to help but I didn't realize he was doing a lot.

You say that Mardi Gras was a record fiasco this year. How so?

[NOLABelle]

Yes, Brad Pitt has not only donated $5 million dollars in an effort to rebuild the city, but he is working to ensure his money is being spent on what it is supposed to be.

Mardi Gras was just insanity! ****s, drunks, deaths...the list goes on! As if New Orleans needs another reason to drink!! I have not took part in that crap since I was a teenager and have no desire to let my little one partake either. Rent has gone sky high and the up-keep of property has gone way down. There are still so many people working "on the city" that we have a shortage of people to work "in the city." That could be the reason people are saying the restaurant biz is slow. It is not that "business" is slow, but that the shortage of workers makes service slow.

Can't wait to move!

[Sinderelli]

I have lived in the city all my life and was actually here the entire time Katrina was reaking havoc upon us. Luckily, no damage was done to my home but I did lose my car. My family and I were so very lucky during this disaster as we lost no one close to us.

As for the restaurants...they are still fabulous! Emerill's, Antiones, Impastatos, Salvatore, Dragos, NOLA, Smith and Wolenski, and on and on. We live off the land so even when times are as tough as they were, the food will still be served up just like always. It is not the same as it was and even when our LSU played Ohio, downtown was not nearly as packed as before. I don't celebrate Mardi Gras but I am told that this year was a record fiasco.

Brad Pitt is doing remarkable things with his project to restore the city...so much better than our own Government. Hopefully, enough people will come together to get things going in the right direction. :banana:

S&W is no longer in NOLA.

[arminnie]

Mardi Gras was just insanity! ****s, drunks, deaths...the list goes on! As if New Orleans needs another reason to drink!! I have not took part in that crap since I was a teenager
I was like you and hadn't participated in Mardi Gras for decades until 2 years ago. I was sick last year so missed 2007, but 2006 and 2008 Mardi Gras celebrations were great.

I avoid the Quarter - St. Charles at Napoleon is totally family oriented.

[Sinderelli]

I was like you and hadn't participated in Mardi Gras for decades until 2 years ago. I was sick last year so missed 2007, but 2006 and 2008 Mardi Gras celebrations were great.

I avoid the Quarter - St. Charles at Napoleon is totally family oriented.

I love to watch the parades at St. Charles and Napoleon- when DH and I were first married, we lived on Carondelet & Milan- behind Cannon's restaurant. THAT was fun at Mardi Gras time!