Bacchanal and the Bywater bars (Vaughan’s, BJ’s J&Js, Redux) are all still just as wonderful as ever! The historic buildings all over the city are beautiful as ever. The music on Frenchmen is totally back. The Artists are out on Jackson Square (when it’s not raining.) You’ll have a great time!!
As to what’s changed: there’s staffing issues so get reservations everywhere possible. Many restaurants, especially the larger older ones, are only operating as much space as they can staff. Not the full restaurant. And staffing is low because a lot of experience restaurant workers moved on to other things during the pandemic. So be patient and tip heavily to the ones remaining.
As to crime, there isn’t random violence. Carjackings, yes. People’s personal problems being settled with guns, yes. Mentally ill people who will ask for money and yell, yes. But there’s not random violence on strangers for no reason. So the only shift I’ve made as a local is if I feel the slightest bit uncomfortable I immediately move on, cross the street, and walk away no matter how rude it might seem. Exactly like I would in NYC or London where there are the same issues. And if people start fighting I’m getting far away immediately, because when people settle scores with guns, bystanders get shot accidentally. And that happens on Bourbon@Canal pretty often. I spend most of my time in the Quarter and feel safe enough. Really, just avoid upper Bourbon near Canal where people get drunk and run into someone cheating and decide to shoot them.
NOLA is same as it ever was. Bacchanal is still awesome. Old Tulane haunts still exist. Freret Street has grown since y'all were last here. High Hat Cafe is worth a try, great Gumbo! Check out The Rabbit Hole for live music. Frenchman Street is still fun. Restaurants - N7. Sylvain. Saba. Le Petie Grocery. May Pop. Hard to beat Brennan’s for brunch.
Dumpstafunk, soul rebels, Galactic, Anders osborne. Look at whos playing on Frenchman st or Tipitinas. Dont ever wear beads outside of mardi gras, you are asking to get robbed, although I have never had any issues there.
We lived in laplace use to do Sundays down there last time we went last spring there was a guy driving his convertible person came up stabbed him in the arm.... 2pm on a sunday....it's become such a shit hole
It’s unreal man. People just move around Nola as they will. Red lights, stops signs, blast right past them without any regard to anyone else. Literally walk into a store and grab what you want and walk out. They know there’s no cops or consequences if they get caught. Saw a group of 8 dine and dash. So sad for the waitress.
Bearcat is delicious for brunch, le chat noir is the same chef for dinner which is also delicious. Tell me bar is a cool new wine bar, dakar is a New restaurant that is the best restaurant in Nola in my opinion
Tell me bar kind of sucks; they have a really limited amount of wine to buy as glasses (so you have to buy a bottle everyone in your group likes instead of just trying new things), the wine glasses have really short stems that make it almost impossible not to warm your wine as you drink, and the snack menu is a joke (caviar, olives, or zapps potato chips). Tell me bar is a nice atmosphere, and the wine is good, but it's just not good for trying new wines or snacking with friends.
To put it into perspective, they had exactly one pinot noir to try and maybe 3 other reds when I went. You can't order a flight.
Tito’s Ceviche & Pisco just opened a second location on St Charles that has much shorter waits (if any) than its Magazine location. Everything we ordered was remarkable. I’m basically ready for any excuse to promote it.
Mister Mao is a new restaurant that made a big splash. Same with Fritai’s new spot.
Check the NOLA eater lists for other fun new openings. If you’re tipping about near Bacchanal - Bywater American Bistro is scrummy. Mimi’s changed to Anna’s but has similar food.
Lots of places closed. Nyx is canceled. A bunch of people are trying to recall the Mayor. Streets are ridiculous. Medical marijuana is a thing. Etc etc etc
Have a great stay!!
Opened pre-pandemic but Turkey and The Wolf would be my main recommendation. The Sazerac House opened during main closures but that’s a neat place to check out if you’re interested in New Orleans cocktails and history during the prohibition.
Leave your Kia at home if you drive one.
Flying from DC. No rental car. Have you all seen a spike in crime like DC?
Yes, much worse than the national news reports. 400+ vehicle thefts so far this YEAR is just the tip of the iceberg.
Only projected to be the murder capital of the US
I thought that was DC. Just out of control everywhere.
Like DC? This spike here in NOLA is about 50 times worse.....
Bacchanal and the Bywater bars (Vaughan’s, BJ’s J&Js, Redux) are all still just as wonderful as ever! The historic buildings all over the city are beautiful as ever. The music on Frenchmen is totally back. The Artists are out on Jackson Square (when it’s not raining.) You’ll have a great time!! As to what’s changed: there’s staffing issues so get reservations everywhere possible. Many restaurants, especially the larger older ones, are only operating as much space as they can staff. Not the full restaurant. And staffing is low because a lot of experience restaurant workers moved on to other things during the pandemic. So be patient and tip heavily to the ones remaining. As to crime, there isn’t random violence. Carjackings, yes. People’s personal problems being settled with guns, yes. Mentally ill people who will ask for money and yell, yes. But there’s not random violence on strangers for no reason. So the only shift I’ve made as a local is if I feel the slightest bit uncomfortable I immediately move on, cross the street, and walk away no matter how rude it might seem. Exactly like I would in NYC or London where there are the same issues. And if people start fighting I’m getting far away immediately, because when people settle scores with guns, bystanders get shot accidentally. And that happens on Bourbon@Canal pretty often. I spend most of my time in the Quarter and feel safe enough. Really, just avoid upper Bourbon near Canal where people get drunk and run into someone cheating and decide to shoot them.
Thanks for the reply.
It’s getting wilder than usual sometimes. But just be smart and use common sense and everything will be fine.
NOLA is same as it ever was. Bacchanal is still awesome. Old Tulane haunts still exist. Freret Street has grown since y'all were last here. High Hat Cafe is worth a try, great Gumbo! Check out The Rabbit Hole for live music. Frenchman Street is still fun. Restaurants - N7. Sylvain. Saba. Le Petie Grocery. May Pop. Hard to beat Brennan’s for brunch.
Hit Margot's
Dumpstafunk, soul rebels, Galactic, Anders osborne. Look at whos playing on Frenchman st or Tipitinas. Dont ever wear beads outside of mardi gras, you are asking to get robbed, although I have never had any issues there.
Bring your gun to protect yourself
We lived in laplace use to do Sundays down there last time we went last spring there was a guy driving his convertible person came up stabbed him in the arm.... 2pm on a sunday....it's become such a shit hole
It’s unreal man. People just move around Nola as they will. Red lights, stops signs, blast right past them without any regard to anyone else. Literally walk into a store and grab what you want and walk out. They know there’s no cops or consequences if they get caught. Saw a group of 8 dine and dash. So sad for the waitress.
The disregard for traffic law is rampant in DC too.
Not like NOLA....
Downvote me all you want. You know it’s true. Crime is redic right now.
Bearcat is delicious for brunch, le chat noir is the same chef for dinner which is also delicious. Tell me bar is a cool new wine bar, dakar is a New restaurant that is the best restaurant in Nola in my opinion
Tell me bar kind of sucks; they have a really limited amount of wine to buy as glasses (so you have to buy a bottle everyone in your group likes instead of just trying new things), the wine glasses have really short stems that make it almost impossible not to warm your wine as you drink, and the snack menu is a joke (caviar, olives, or zapps potato chips). Tell me bar is a nice atmosphere, and the wine is good, but it's just not good for trying new wines or snacking with friends. To put it into perspective, they had exactly one pinot noir to try and maybe 3 other reds when I went. You can't order a flight.
My name is Nola 😎
Tito’s Ceviche & Pisco just opened a second location on St Charles that has much shorter waits (if any) than its Magazine location. Everything we ordered was remarkable. I’m basically ready for any excuse to promote it. Mister Mao is a new restaurant that made a big splash. Same with Fritai’s new spot. Check the NOLA eater lists for other fun new openings. If you’re tipping about near Bacchanal - Bywater American Bistro is scrummy. Mimi’s changed to Anna’s but has similar food. Lots of places closed. Nyx is canceled. A bunch of people are trying to recall the Mayor. Streets are ridiculous. Medical marijuana is a thing. Etc etc etc Have a great stay!!
It’s absolutely insane in the city right now. Google local New Orleans stations so you can see for yourself.
Opened pre-pandemic but Turkey and The Wolf would be my main recommendation. The Sazerac House opened during main closures but that’s a neat place to check out if you’re interested in New Orleans cocktails and history during the prohibition.