Must Eats/Drinks in New Orleans

[RadioFanatic]

Going to New Orleans in March - what are the must eats/drinks I HAVE to try while there and where would you recommend I go to get them? Thanks!

Also, what is the weather like in early March? Our hotel will have an outdoor pool - is it open that time of year and will I be able to use it? thanks!

 

[UrsulasMyHero]

Cafe Dumonde.. Coffee and Bignets of course. Very good !

 

[annegal]

Bring your suit-might be warm enough!

Pat O'Brien's-Hurricane!!!

 

[lulu71]

Casual fod:

I agree about the beignets from Cafe Du Monde.(we're about the have some for breakfast!).

Poboys are a must - you can really get them from anywhere but I recommend Mothers or Maspero's. You could get a cup of gumbo (another must) with your poboy and that would be a great meal.

Grab a muffaletta from Central Grocery - across from Cafe Du Monde.

Sit down, nice restaurants:

Commander's Palace - My personal favorite. In the Garden District. Great upscale food made with local ingredients and service is wonderful - it is truly an "experience" when you dine here. If you go for lunch, take advantage of the 25 cents martinis. It is dressy - men wear coats.

Pascal's Manale - more casual than Commander's with more New Orleans style Creole dishes. They are famous for their Barbecued Shrimp. Don't think barbecue in the traditional sense - it's not that at all - it's more like shrimp soaking in a buttery concoction. It's a mess, but to die for.

Jacques-Imos - lots of really good local dishes. Very casual. Go early, it gets very crowded.

Restaurant August - call now for a reservation here. It's in the warehouse district (not too far from the quarter). Dressy and upscale, but one of the best restaurants in the city.

Check out nomenu.com. It's the website of our local food critic.

Weather in March should be beautiful. I'm not sure if it would be warm enough to swim, it might be. Have fun and PM me with specific questions if you have them!

 

[RadioFanatic]

this is exactly what I'm looking for - thank you! I'm so excited to go!

When you say dressy for Commander's Palace and August - are black pants with a nice top okay? It's two women - me and my friend from college.

Also, I heard someone recommend Commander's Palace for brunch - which is better, brunch or dinner? I want to do as many different places as I can for meals so I don't want to double up. Do we need reservations at CP?

And, for dinners, what seems to be the "normal" time to pick for dinner? We would want to go out a bit afterwards for dinner.

and for jazz clubs/bars - where should two women, one married, one not, in their mid-30's enjoy going? Thanks!

Also, for our first night (thursday), what would be "the meal" to start it all off?