Ladies and Gentlemen: I am going to New Orleans for the first time since Katrina and am trying to find out whicch of the better resturants are up and running. By better, I mean quality food not necessarily big names (but not excluding them either). I am told that Galatorie's is open and it will be my first stop. Any other suggestions?
Was there a month ago. Great Italian at Bacco on Chartres and good seafood at GW Fins on Bienville. Don't miss the Cigar Factory on Decatur across from the Jax brewery.
What's the vibe down there? I hear the restaurants are pretty much empty during the week and it's kind of depressing. A bunch of my friends got there just days before Katrina hit for RTDA 2005 but none have been back since.
I was down there for the Sugar Bowl between LSU and Notre Dame so it wasn't an ordinary week. However, I have been to several Sugar Bowls in the past and this crowd seemed smaller and less rowdy (which is hard to beleive with 65,000 drunken Cajuns in and around the Quarter). The restaurants were fine and most of the Quarter was busy, although not crowded. Jackson Square was practically deserted - none of the numerous "street artists" were there. The city is clearly on its knees and the scenes of damage along drive in on I-10 were appalling. I can't say that I'll be going there again anytime soon.
Thanks for the info, that's what I was afraid of. I just don't think it would be fun to visit the French Quarter and party while the rest of the city is suffering. I really should have made a point to get there before Katrina.
