Christmas help!

[KathieP]

Our extended family is cruising from New Orleans the day after Christmas. Nine of us are coming in on Christmas Eve and then 11 more on Christmas Day for a total of 20. I've spent quite a bit of time looking up resturant websites (thanks to the wonderful lists on this forum) calling and e-mailing for information but still don't have reservations for either night and I'm starting to get worried. One place even hung up on me!

 

I have this feeling/fear that we're going to be wandering the streets all day on Christmas Day, peering in at closed stores and searching for a place to eat. Even the cafe du Monde is closed for Christmas! Any suggestions for places that might still have openings? Small problem is that we'll have 10 kids ages 9 - 19 (6 teenagers) and although we don't want Denny's, we just can't do a real fancy meal. heellllllpppp!

[Cotton]

Did you try Mike Anderson's Seafood? (They have more than just seafood.) It's spacious, they don't accept reservations, and is kid-friendly. I THINK they're open on Christmas Day. The food is very good - (be sure and try the onion rings....I don't know what they do to them, but they are sooo good).

[jgmpuma]

That's a tough one. Almost everything, including a lot of the bars, are closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas day. The hotel restaurants are open, but most of them have only buffets, which would be pretty pricy.

 

Mike Anderson's would be a good choice, as Cotton says. You can try them at 504-524-3884. A similar place is Ralph & Kackoos, at 504-522-5226. Long shots, but give them a try.

 

The only places I know will be open are Tujagues (504-525-8676) and Margaritaville (504-592-2565). Tujagues has a very limited menu on holidays, so M'ville would be a better choice, especially with kids.

 

Other than the above, maybe just walk down Decatur Street. There are a bunch of restaurants along there, and some of them will probably be open.

[zydecocruiser]

Some duplication, but...

 

Remoulade?

http://www.remoulade.com/

 

Ralph and Kacoos?

http://www.ralphandkacoos.com/

 

Deanies ?

http://www.neworleansrestaurants.com/deanies/

 

Acme Oyster?

http://www.acmeoyster.com/

 

Mike Anderson's:

http://www.mikeandersons.com/

 

Pat O'Briens will be open Christmas Night - not sure if you can get their Courtyard menu or not:

http://www.patobriens.com

 

Napolean House ?

http://www.napoleonhouse.com/

 

Some places that are open will be closing early on Christmas, so perhaps a big afternoon meal? Some that are closed in the day may open up at night.

 

Hotels are an option.

[KathieP]

Thanks all for your help - and a shorter list! I called Mike Andersons today and they said they are not open for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. The Gumbo shop said they will be open on Christmas eve and no need for a reservation. Hopefully that's true. Back to the phones!

[Budget Queen]

Print out the free drink coupons for the Gumbo Shop from the Good Times Guide.

[jgmpuma]

There is a TGI Friday's in the Holiday Inn at 124 Royal Street. 504-523-4401. These places are often open on holidays.

[KathieP]

After all the time I spent searching for a Christmas dinner, I discovered that the Embassy Suites (WHERE WE ARE STAYING!) has a resturant. I knew they served breakfast but when I checked their website there wasn't a resturant mentioned so I (stupidly) assumed that that was the only meal served. I saw a mention of a resturant mentioned in a tour book I had bought a few years ago when I first went to N.O. so called them up this morning. We have a reservation for 20 for Christmas evening!

 

In case anyone else is interested, the price is less then $18 for a full course dinner including dessert and $9.00 for kids under 12.

[zydecocruiser]

Maybe you want to split up into tables of 4 and pretend you don't know each other?

http://www.neworleanscoupons.com/sugarhouserest.html

 

{don't know if the coupon is or would be valid}

 

http://www.embassyneworleans.com/

[KathieP]

hmmm, Well, if they just took off 20% off of four people, that would be just fine. Thanks! Hey, in defense of my stupidity, look at that website and see how they don't mention lunch or dinner at the resturant.

[zydecocruiser]

Yes, poorly designed. Had to geaux to other sites to verify dinner nightly and it seems a lunch buffet during the week. But glad you don't have to window shop at closed stores.

[KathieP]

I think I have Christmas Eve dinner nailed down too. I got an e-mail last night from someone at The Embers on Bourbon Street. http://www.emberssteakhouse.com/ According to their website, they were voted the best seafood resturant in New Orleans for 2004 “Best of Citysearch”.

 

I had asked about availablity and they said they were taking reservations. I admit I have very limited city dining experience (we live in a smallish town) and they asked for a credit card to reserve and said they would charge it ($20/person) if we didn't show up. I've never heard of that before but can certainly understand, especially in touristy cities where patrons might have a reservation at one place, have a few drinks at another place and never make it to their reservation spot. Anyone know about this policy and any comments about this resturant? It looked good to me.

[zydecocruiser]

Never eaten there. The $20 thing is mentioned on their website, so I would say it is their policy. It is not a normal New Orleans restaurant policy. They do list a 4 hour cancellation policy, so if you were to call and cancel at least 4 hours before the reservation, there would be no charge.

[Cotton]

The Embers has wonderful steaks! Even better than Dickie Brennan's. I had dinner at The Embers a few weeks ago, and the filet mignon with lump white crabmeat was sooo good. My daughter had red snapper, and I tasted it. Yumm.

[KathieP]

Cotton,

Thanks for the positive referral. I've made our reservations and we're looking forward to a dinner on Bourbon Street! And I know this is short notice, but if anyone else is interested they will be having the special New Orleans Christmas Dinner but are not taking reservations.