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LACC CONFERENCE RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS

 
From Xavier English

Department Faculty

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The restaurant in the hotel, Vizards 2203 St Charles, 529-9912, is exceptional. Prior to Katrina the chef had been at Commander's Palace, which closed for many months afterwards. The chef opened his own restaurant. Creole specialties range from $20-$30

Commander's Palace, 1403 Washington Ave., 899-8221, is walking distance, but for safety a cab should be called. It has early evening and luncheon specials. Reservations are necessary. This restaurant with its fine Creole cuisine (the turtle soup au sherry is excellent) lives up to its name.

Gulfstream (1755 St. Charles about 3 blocks or so toward downtown, 524-1578) has good cuisine in seadfood and grilled dishes. The atmosphere is pleasant and spacious. It has a good bar as well. The prices range from $10-25 for entrees.

Zea's (about five blocks toward downtown 1525 St. Charles, 520-8100) specializes in grilled fish and meat. Dining there is satisfying and relaxed in style. It is reasonable at lunch and dinner ($10-$15)

Napoleon House in the French Quarter (500 Chartres at St. Louis, 524-9752) is excellent for lunch and drinks. Closed Thursdays. The seaqfood and avocado salad is excellent as are favorites like boudin, jambalaya, muffalettas,and gumbo. $8-$12.

The Gumbo Shop, 630 St. Peter near Jackson Square, 525-1486, has good local cuisine at reasonable prices ($10-$15). Lunch and dinner. Dining is inside as well as outside.

There are so many . . .

Tom Bonner

Trevor and I really enjoyed the Martinique Restaurant, 5908 Magazine St., 891-8495, the other night.  It's just past State St.  It has a nice patio and serves French food. 

Then there's Herbsaint Restaurant at 701 St. Charles, 524-4114, about a block before Lee Circle when coming from the CBD.  I suppose it's Creole, very original in its menu.  Both of them have excellent wine.

This is a fun place near the hotel.

WHAT: Slice Pizzeria
WHERE: 1513 St. Charles Ave., 525-7437
HOW: Credit Cards
RESERVATIONS: Not Accepted

"The topping repertoire here is as traditional as pepperoni and as nouveau as olive pesto. White pizzas massaged with olive oil and garlic can be a fun change of pace, but not at the sacrifice of the thick, basil-refreshed red sauce, to which Chef Sean Moran adds dimension by way of slow-roasted roma tomatoes.  Simple, perfectly fresh salads turn a slice into a meal for less than $10."

Cochon, 930 Tchoupitoulas at Andrew Higgins in the CBD, 588-2123, was nominated for Best New Restaurant by the James Beard Foundation (one of only 6 restaurants in the country to be nominated). Cochon has a casual atmosphere and serves Creole-Cajun inspired food,
obviously heavy on the pork, but with other options, too. All reviews have been rave.

I'll make the pitch for Juan's Flying Burritos, 2018 Magazine St, 569-0000, if no one else has. How can you not like a place with a winged donkey as the logo? Juan's is affordable and casual and profoundly unique, even, I think, for New Orleans. The menu offers a burrito for anyone from a vegan to a carnivore, and the fish tacos,
according to my wife, are heaven-sent.

RioMar 800 S. Peters, 525-3474, between the convention center and Children's Museum. Excellent Spanish and Latin American stuff. A little pricey but worth it. Excellent tapas for lunch. A lunch group could go and order separate tapas and share, and then order more and more.

Mandina's is always good, located at 3800 Canal Street, 482-9179. It is a family New Olreans style restaurant.

I agree with Violet about Martinique and La Crepe Nanou. Upperline, 1413 Upperline St, 891-9822, is also excellent. If anyone's a foodie, though, I think the two best restaurants in town are Bayona, 430 Dauphine, 525-4455 (Susan Spicer's restaurant: she's the best woman chef in town, maybe in the country) and Restaurant August, John Besh's headliner, 301 Tchoupitoulas, 299-9777. There's also La Petite Grocery, 4238 Magazine, 891-3377. It's lovely, and the food is luscious.