New Orleans Saints game Oct 29th

**SuePerdomme** · 10-20-2006, 11:31 PM

Hello from New Orleans!

The Holiday Inn Downtown-Superdome used to be one of the better choices in the vicinity, at least pre-K: clean rooms, decent buffet (though if you're in New Orleans, what are you doing eating at a Holiday Inn?

), and generally a shuttle to and from the Dome. I'm not sure of their status now, but I'd be willing to give them a try; I was a reservations agent for various hotels in the NO area, and the staff and rates at that hotel were always top-flight.

I agree with other posters about taking a cab to and from the Quarter from the hotel--not so much a matter of safety as a matter of distance. The walk to the Quarter seems short, but after partying on Bourbon Street for hours, the walk back to the hotel will become a miserable crawl. Spring for a cab; it's cheap, safe, and lazy. Why burn all those delicious calories you just put down at Emeril's or Mother's?

Please do ask if you have any questions about the city, about what's open and what's not, places to go besides the game, and so forth. I've lived here all my life and am always delighted to welcome more people to our city--now more than ever.

Really looking forward to the Saints-Ravens game; everyone here is psyched about facing a team whom we know to be a tough and worthy opponent. I'd be cheering y'all on if you were playing anyone but our Saints!

**ladyraven127** · 10-21-2006, 09:34 AM

Thanks . . . . we're coming in on Friday and staying until Monday. We have never been to New Orleans before and are really excited to coming there.

What, besides the Quarter, should we be checking out? How safe is it to walk around down there? Where would you recommend we eat?

**SuePerdomme** · 10-21-2006, 02:18 PM

Believe me, we are excited to have you here!

The French Quarter contains most of what folks coming in for a short stay will want to see; it's a little postage-stamp-sized area, but has some of the city's best restaurants, bars, and local points of interest. Feel free to walk around wherever you like in the Quarter; it's well-lit and very tourist-friendly.

Two of the most "must-see" spots in the city happen to be in the Quarter: Cafe du Monde and Pat O'Brien's. Cafe du Monde has been around since 1862 and closed only during hurricanes and on Christmas. They serve some of the best coffee you'll taste this side of heaven and beignets, which are poufy square hole-less doughnuts topped with drifts of powdered sugar. Pat O'Brien's--often called Pat-O's by locals--is our most famous bar and the origin of the Hurricane, a fruity rum drink served in a glass that's as iconic and familiar to New Orleanians as the shape of a Coke bottle. (If ordering a hurricane doesn't float your boat, they also do something called a Skylab Fallout which is awfully tasty.)

As for food, some of the best in the Quarter is at Cafe Maspero. There's often a line in front of it, but it moves quickly and the food is excellent especially for the price. Expect to pay less than ten bucks for a great meal in pleasant surroundings. It's also just a short walk from Cafe du Monde, so I don't know if they sell desserts; hey, why eat pie when you can eat beignets?

Steer clear of Brennan's. The place has become an overrated tourist trap, and though the food's still quite good, it's not as good as their prices are bad; plus, the service is abysmal, very snobby and not how guests deserve to be treated. Instead, try K-Paul's (Paul Prudhomme's restaurant) if you can get in; he hasn't let the fame of his restaurant overwhelm the quality of the food. If you're looking for fine dining in the Quarter, there are none finer than Antoine's; you may not be able to get in for dinner, but they do an outstanding Sunday brunch (and by the way, New Orleans invented the concept of brunch, so you know we do it up right!). Outside of the Quarter, one of the best restaurants in the city is Commander's Palace uptown. Oddly enough, it's owned by a member of the Brennan family, but unlike Brennan's it is excellent in every way. Big prices, but you will get your money's worth there.

When it comes right down to it, though, you pretty much have to work to find a bad meal in New Orleans. There is so much competition for diners' dollars that bad restaurants go under pretty quickly; if a place has been around for a few years (or decades), chances are it's good (with Brennan's being the notable exception there, and they're just coasting on their fame). I could recommend my top 100 restaurants and I'd still be leaving another thousand great ones off the list.

Aside from the Quarter, I highly recommend a trip to the Garden District/Uptown New Orleans. Magazine Street in particular has really flowered; it's lined with good restaurants, coffee shops, antique stores, and offbeat little bars. You'd need to take a cab there and back--it's a little too far to walk and our streetcar line won't be repaired until spring--but once there, you can wander the length of it at leisure. It presents a very different side of the city than raucous Bourbon Street; if you aren't the "party hearty" type, you might like spending an afternoon there as much as I do.

Uptown is also where our zoo is; if you're bringing kids, it's sure to be a hit. It was virtually untouched by the storm, thanks to a couple dozen Audubon Zoo employees who stayed there for the duration to make sure the animals were fed and cared for. If you want to spend an afternoon at it, you can visit the aquarium downtown, get on a riverboat, and head upriver to the zoo; they sell all-day passes at the aquarium and the price is good, considering how much sightseeing you get for the money.

As for safety, our police staff is almost back to pre-K numbers while our population is still down from what it was. If anything, you are safer now than before. Any big city's going to have crime, and anyone visiting any city should exercise a little caution, but just about anywhere in New Orleans that you're going to want to be is as safe as can be. We know that visitors are the city's life-blood; we want folks to be happy and safe so they come back to see us again and again.

Baltimore Association of Steeler Haters, huh? Well, we'll do our best to take 'em down for y'all on Nov. 12, as long as you take down the "dirty birds" for us the week after! ;D

**MrsOC** · 10-21-2006, 02:45 PM

Thanks for all the information! I just found out last night that I'm going!! Without Kids or husband.....Really looking forward to it.

We are staying at the Doubletree on Canal St. Can you give me any kind of info on the area?

**SuePerdomme** · 10-21-2006, 03:47 PM

We are staying at the Doubletree on Canal St. Can you give me any kind of info on the area?

Someone else just wrote me a PM about the Doubletree; looks like it's going to be South Maryland that weekend!

It's an excellent hotel and the location is prime; you'll be within easy walking distance of the French Quarter and right by the riverfront streetcar line, which is very handy for getting back to the hotel after bopping around the Quarter for a few hours. If you're into it, Harrah's Casino is right across the street--very convenient if you gamble away your cab fare.

You'll also be close to Emeril's if you're looking for a great restaurant nearby, but check for reservations; they may well be booked up. Another great restaurant near the Doubletree--though you wouldn't think so to look at it--is Mother's. It's about three or four blocks from the hotel. They make some of the best po-boys (New Orleans-style overstuffed sandwiches on french bread) and breakfast dishes you'll taste anywhere in the city, and they cater a lot to locals; they're the real deal, not a tourist trap.

I'd called the hotel earlier to find out if they offered shuttle service to the Superdome; unfortunately, they do not. However, cabs are plentiful and cheap. You'll definitely want transportation to the Dome, since it's a fairly long walk (the hotel is down by the river while the Dome is a good fifteen or so city blocks toward the lake). It's a good idea to get to the Dome fairly early, as it takes some time to move about 70,000 people from outside to inside.

Hope you have a fantastic time; all of us down here are really appreciative of visitors coming back to our city, and no matter who comes out on top Sunday, we want you to have a great visit!

**ladyraven127** · 10-22-2006, 08:43 AM

"Baltimore Association of Steeler Haters, huh? Well, we'll do our best to take 'em down for y'all on Nov. 12, as long as you take down the "dirty birds" for us the week after!"

Thank you for all the information. It makes it easier going someplace when you have some info about what, when and where.

I'm looking forward to seeing your city and having a blast

**flraven** · 10-23-2006, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by SuePerdomme

Someone else just wrote me a PM about the Doubletree; looks like it's going to be South Maryland that weekend!

Hope you have a fantastic time; all of us down here are really appreciative of visitors coming back to our city, and no matter who comes out on top Sunday, we want you to have a great visit!

Thanks Sue! Not all of us Ravens fans are from MD. My girl is flying here to FL and we'll be driving over for the game, we're at the Holiday Inn Superdome with about 40 other fans.
I appreciate all the good tips and hints you've posted here, what is it you all say there "Laissez les bontemps rouler?" Can't wait!

**GreenWave52** · 10-24-2006, 04:44 PM

Wasn't sure if I was going to make it (long story), but I will definitely be in New Orleans and barring any unforseen circumstances (if you can call drinking til the sun comes up Saturday night as unforseen), will be at the game.

So....I was hoping that one of those roosts/nests that were going will have an extra ticket. I can always get one from a scalper, but I'd rather be by Ravens fans.

Where is everyone planning to meet before the game?

**Mista T** · 10-24-2006, 10:31 PM

Where is everyone planning to meet before the game?

Obviously on Bourbon Street Sat night and the Sunday wee hours. I'll be hitting Cafe du Monde on Sunday morning if I wake up on time.

I believe that there a dozen or so who plan to try to hook up with me in the plaza between the boarded up New Orleans Centre and Gate C, near the bandstand.

**hurting** · 10-25-2006, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by Mista T

Green Wave: Our seats are Section 618, Row 27, Seats 1 thru 4

Hurting: If you can get your butts out of bed, let's meet up in the large Plaza in front of Gate C around 10 am to 10:30 am. If as in past Saints games I have attended, this will be a large outdoor party with rock, country, or blues band. Dollar beers and inexpensive food are sold in the mall which you must traverse leading to the Plaza from La Salle Street.

Thanks T. I will be with the wife on this road trip and I am hoping to get her in bed early enough to go to the game early. I have told her we should use Friday as her late night of partying New Orleans style.

Is gate C on the North side of the stadium right on Poydras street? I am definitely going to try to make tthe party especially $1 beer.

We lwave early Friday morning and get into town early Friday afternoon.

**GreenWave52** · 10-25-2006, 02:04 PM

I just got a pair of tickets so I'll definitely be there. I don't know if I can meet up on Bourban since I will be with a bunch of friends I haven't seen in a while (and we will most likely be at the better/less touristy Frenchman St).

I'll try to meet up before the game if I can.