[bughut]

I'm writing a book. First 10,000 words done, only 40,000 to go. It's fiction and me n my writing class think it's good. It starts out in a scottish college cookery night class and ends up in New Orleans. It's often funny and food plays a major part in it.
I've been to N O twice and loved it from the first moment.
I could never afford to eat in the more upmarket eateries. I have researched them, but I would be grateful if anyone could let me know of their first hand experiences eating or working in some of the posher places in that fabulous city. Cafe and diner anecdotes would be gd too. Ive so many of my own as i spent so much time there, especially the open air cafes, listening to amazing music and eating glorious food.
Of course you'll be credited in my book when i'm published and putting jk in the shade.

[shroomgirl]

I lived in southern Louisiana for 15 years.....1980-95....New Orleans 1976.
It is one of my favorite places on earth....not one I'd want to live in but one that has a huge part of my heart/soul.

If you'd check back through the archives there are all kinds of postings about New Orleans restaurants....dives and fine dining. Not sure what exactly you're looking for....maybe if you post questions....

[bughut]

I've done plenty of research, but i'm not looking for food writers opinions as such. More the opinions of folk who have dined and payed for food in both the high end restaurants and some of the regular eateries. what did you think of the food. Any funny stories?

[shroomgirl]

tons of great stories....the archives have numerous references to NO, written us....some fairly lengthy ones by me. If you are able to access them I'd be glad to elaborate on the ones you are interested in reading. Let me know if you can find the threads.

[blueschef]

I have worked in some places in NO as well as eaten in LOTS of dives and funky joints. PO - boys, wop salads, Etc. There are / were some colorful places. Rockey and carloses, Mothers, uglech, Mandinas on canal, The Alibi, Rock n Bowl, etc.
As far as working there is lots of underground chef life stuff. I put this up to it being a 24 - 7 city with an free wheeling attitude and lots of eccentric characters!

[Scarecrobot]

I'm in with the other posters. Like what kind of funny eating stories? If you've been in some of the patio restaurants there are any # of "palmetto bug"/ rat spotting tourist wig out stories in the French Quarter, used to lose a good 3 or 4 tables in a good week.
What prominent rest. are you thinking of? I'll give you one second hand. Color the scene as you wish; I'm sure it was a sultry night or something like that.
Very famous NO rest. (rhymes with Winona) very high profile chef. They were having a banquet upstairs on a busy weekend night. As can happen under these circumstances, it was taking a bit longer than the people at the banquet would ahve liked. The gm,a well connected man about town, was attempting to placate them as I understand. And a man possibly the arranger of the whole dinner loses his temper and confronts the Gm telling him that he is probably incapable of driving a cab let alone running a restaurant.
pause; "what did you say to me?'
I imagine that the food came out and they ate it. Turns out that the GM had made a call and on the way out two cops, sitting at the bar enjoying some complimentary libations, had responded to a call about a patron putting his hands on the Gm. Had him cuffed and loaded into the car in front of all his people. Ohh the shame. Moral: Keep your cool under stress and don't mess with the wrong person.
There's also a local author named Poppy Z. Brite who wrote a couple of fiction novels on two chefs coming up living loving & cooking in NO kitchens if you want to look into that. Good luck

[bughut]

Just what i was looking for.
When i'm not there i don't feel the scene and i live vicariously through others experiences.. When I'm there i write so much. Dundee is a long way away and miss NO so much. Thank you all for answering my posts
Ps Sorry bout the rong spelling Scarecrobot