The New Orleans Menu

The Busiest Restaurant Day Of The Year
Mother's Day Dining

Click here for a list of 100 recommended restaurants for Mother's Day

The National Restaurant Association says that Mother's Day is the second most popular occasion--after birthdays--for dining out among Americans. Around forty percent of us take our mothers out to dinner on the second Sunday of May.

Every day's a birthday, though--and there's only one Mother's Day. That makes it by far the busiest day of the year for restaurants.

Fortunately, a large array of restaurants waits to serve the mothers and their families. Many restaurants normally closed on Sundays usually open for Mother's Day. It may be the only Sunday they open all year.

So the answer to "Where do I take my mother on Mother's Day" can start not with "Who's open?" but "Where would Mom like to dine?"

Many people don't know the answer to that one. They come up with all sorts of ideas for Mother's Day, and wind up in a place where Mom feels uncomfortable.

I did it myself one Mother's Day. I brought my mother to Commander's Palace. She liked the food--especially the turtle soup, which was something she didn't get much. But she couldn't deal with Commander's service. After a lifetime of serving other people, she found it irritating to have waiters getting everything for her, especially when she needed something special.

Not long after, I took her to Drago's. She loved the much more casual environment, the simple food, the older waitress who took care of us at a leisurely pace. Yes, Commander's is the more impressive restaurant. But Drago's was incomparably more pleasant for her.

So, when you're trying to figure your Mother's Day plans, consider first what your mother really likes. Then know that you have nearly the entire range of New Orleans restaurants to choose from.

Now the bad news. If you're still reading this, it probably means you haven't yet scored reservations. But I don't think you're one of those people who call me on the radio the Friday before Mother's Day, saying, "You know, I was kinda thinking that since Mama cooks all the time, maybe it would be nice to take her to a restaurant Sunday." As if this were the first time anyone thought of the idea.

At this point, most of the restaurants you'd most likely think of either are booked up, or have raised their prices so much that you won't want to go there. Many of those who say they have space available don't, really. Restaurants base their reservations on wishful thinking, and will stack people up in the bar. Or, worse, outside in line--it really happens. That will only make your mother unhappy. And when Mom's unhappy, everybody's unhappy.

Beyond that, the quality of dining on Mother's Day in most restaurants takes a big dip. That's because many infrequent diners are in the room. Dining in fine restaurants takes a little skill, and those who don't have it gum up the works. They show up late, order course by course, panic that prices aren't what they remember from twenty years ago, ask for separate checks, and do other things that frequent diners know better than to do.

As a result of all this, the only good reason to dine out on Mother's Day is if you absolutely must. And that may well be the case. It's hard to tell Mother no. Then you must grit your teeth, be prepared for less than the best food and service, be ready to pay a higher-than-normal price for a limited menu, and make your reservation three weeks ago.

Now. I should't have to say this, but. . .

Don't Even Think
Of Dining Out Mother's Day
Without a Reservation

Unless the restaurant doesn't accept them. Which should tell you what I think of restaurants that don't take reservations on Mother's Day.

The best idea, I think, is to stay at home and do the cooking and cleaning while Mom takes the day off. Without complaining.

The next-best idea is one proposed by Ella Brennan years ago: that we eliminate Mother's Day and institute Mother's Week. To spread the crush out. (It could happen: Secretary's Day evolved into Administrative Professionals Week.)

But while we're waiting, Mother's Day remains happiest for restaurant owners. (At least the ones who don't overbook.)

Tom's Mother's Day List

Below is a list of the restaurants I think will serve you best on Mother's Day. It's not a complete list of all the places that are open. (That's almost impossible, since it requires calling every restaurant, and often hearing that they haven't decided yet). Nor can I tell you which still have tables available. To save you some time, I've set aside the longshots from the restaurants that have a good chance of seating you.

Here's a key to the symbols:

through

--Recommended, with increasing enthusiasm. (These ratings apply only to Mother's Day.)

--May have tables available, because you might not think of the place for Sunday brunch.

--Likely to be booked, particularly at peak times (noon-2 p.m.). But you never know--it wouldn't hurt to call.

Restaurants noted Brunch or Dinner only offer the meal noted. All others offer both brunch and dinner. Buffets noted are usually just for brunch, although the restaurant may be open for dinner too.

Top End
Andrea's. 3100 19th Street. 504-834-8583. Italian.

Antoine’s. 713 St. Louis. 504-581-4422. Classic Creole. Brunch.

Arnaud’s. 813 Bienville. 523-5433. Classic Creole.

Bayona. 430 Dauphine. 504-525-4455. Eclectic. Dinner.

Begue’s. 300 Bourbon. 553-2278. Contemporary Creole. Buffet. Brunch.

Brennan’s. 417 Royal. 504-525-9711. Classic Creole.

Broussard's. 819 Conti. 504-581-3866. Classic Creole. Brunch.

Cafe Giovanni. 117 Decatur. 504-529-2154. Italian.

Commander’s Palace. 1403 Washington Ave. 504-899-8221. Contemporary Creole.

Dakota. 629 N. US 190. 985-892-3712. Contemporary Creole.

Delmonico. 1300 St. Charles Ave. 504-525-4937. Classic Creole.

Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse. 716 Iberville. 504-522-2467. Steak.

Emeril’s. 800 Tchoupitoulas. 504-528-9393. Contemporary Creole.

Galatoire’s. 209 Bourbon. 504-525-2021. Classic Creole.

La Provence. 25020 US 190. 985-626-7662. Mediterranean French.

La Cote Brasserie. 700 Tchoupitoulas. 613-2350. French.

Latil's Landing. In Houmas House Plantation. 225-473-9380. Contemporary Creole.

Marigny Brasserie. 640 Frenchmen. 504-945-4472. Contemporary Creole.

Melange. Ritz-Carlton Hotel. 921 Canal. 524-1331. Creole. Buffet.

MiLa. 817 Common. 412-2580. Creole. Southern.

Morton's Steakhouse. 365 Canal (Canal Place Mall). 566-0221. Steak.

Pelican Club. 615 Bienville. 504-523-1504. Fusion. Dinner.

Peristyle. 1041 Dumaine. 504-593-9535. Contemporary Creole

Restaurant August. 301 Tchoupitoulas. 504-299-9777. French. Eclectic. Dinner.

Rib Room. 621 St. Louis. 504-529-7045. Contemporary Creole.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House. 3633 Veterans Blvd. 888-3600. Steak. Dinner.

Veranda. 444 St. Charles Ave. 585-4383. Contemporary Creole. Buffet.
Windsor Court Grill Room. 300 Gravier. 504-522-1994. Eclectic.

Wolfe's in the Warehouse District. 859 Convention Center Blvd.. 613-2882. Contemporary Creole.

Moderate

7 On Fulton. 700 Fulton (in the Riverfront Hotel). 504-681-1034. Contemporary American. Brunch.

Albertine's Tea Room (Columns Hotel). 3811 St. Charles Ave. 899-9308. Brunch.

Annadele’s Plantation. 71495 Chestnut. 985-809-7669. Creole.

Bacco. 310 Chartres. 504-522-2426. Italian.

Benedict’s. 1144 Lovers' Lane. 626-4557. Creole. Brunch.

Bourbon House. 144 Bourbon. 504-522-0111. Seafood.

Cafe Adelaide. 300 Poydras Street. 504-595-3305. Contemporary Creole.

Cafe East. 4628 Rye. 504-888-0078. Chinese.

Cafe Minh. 4139 Canal. 482-6266. Vietnamese.

Calas Bistro. 910 West Esplanade Avenue. 471-2200. Creole.

Chateau Du Lac. 2037 Metairie Rd. 831-3773. French Bistro.

Chops Bistro. 111 Veterans Blvd. 218-8967. Steaks. American.

Court of Two Sisters. 613 Royal. 522-7273. Classic Creole. Buffet.

Crescent City Steak House. 1001 N. Broad. 821-3271. Steak and Chops.

Dante's Kitchen. 736 Dante. 861-3121. Contemporary Creole.

Dominique’s. 1001 Toulouse. 522-8800. Eclectic.

Feelings. 2600 Chartres. 945-2222. Classic Creole. Brunch.

Flaming Torch. 737 Octavia. 504-895-0900. French Creole Bistro.

GW Fins. 808 Bienville. 581-3467. Seafood. Dinner.

Impastato's. 3400 16th Street. 504-455-1545. Italian.

Juniper. 301 Lafitte. 985-624-5330. Creole. Eclectic.

La Crepe Nanou. 1410 Robert. 504-899-2670. French Bistro. Dinner.

Le Parvenu. 509 Williams Blvd. 504-471-0534. Contemporary Creole.

Luke. 333 St. Charles Ave. 378-2840. French.

Maple Street Cafe. 7623 Maple. 504-314-9003. Contemporary Creole.

Martinique. 5908 Magazine. 504-891-8495. French Caribbean.

Mr. John’s Steakhouse. 2111 St. Charles Ave. 504-679-7697. Steak. Italian. Brunch.

Mr. B’s. 201 Royal. 523-2078. Contemporary Creole.

Muriel's. 801 Chartres. 504-568-1885. Contemporary Creole.

N'Tini's. 2891 US 190. 985-626-5566. Contemporary Creole.

Nola. 534 St. Louis. 504-522-6652. Contemporary Creole.

Nuvolari’s. 246 Girod St. 985-626-5619. Creole Italian. Dinner.

Palace Cafe. 605 Canal. 504-523-1661. Classic Creole.

Ralph's On The Park. 900 City Park Ave. 504-488-1000. Contemporary Creole.

Red Fish Grill. 115 Bourbon. 504-598-1200. Seafood.

Red Maple. 1036 Lafayette. 367-0935. Steak. Creole.

Sal & Judy’s. 27491 Highway 190. 985-882-9443. Creole Italian.

Takumi. 2800 Magazine. 265-0421. Japanese. Fusion.

Trey Yuen. 600 Causeway Blvd. 985-626-4476. Chinese.

Tujague’s. 823 Decatur. 504-525-8676. Classic Creole.

Upperline. 1413 Upperline. 504-891-9822. Classic Creole. Dinner.

Easy Going

Andrew Jaeger's. 4250 La. 22, Suite B985-624-2300. Creole.

Babylon Cafe. 7724 Maple. 314-0010. Lebanese.

Bull’s Corner. Laplace: 1036 W. Airline Hwy. 652-3544. Steaks. Seafood.

Byblos. 1501 Metairie Rd. 834-9773. Lebanese.

Byblos. 3218 Magazine. 504-894-1233. Lebanese.

Cafe Degas. 3127 Esplanade Ave. 945-5635. French.

Five Happiness. 3605 S. Carrollton. 482-3935. Chinese.

La Thai Cuisine. 4938 Prytania. 899-8886. Thai.

Li'l Dizzy's Cafe. 610 Poydras. 212-5656. Creole. Buffet.

Mandina’s. 3800 Canal. 504-482-9179. Neighborhood Cafe.

Mandina's. 4300 La. 22. 985-674-9883. Creole.

Middendorf’s. Manchac. 985-386-6666. Seafood.

Mr. Ed’s. 1001 Live Oak. 504-838-0022. Neighborhood Cafe.

Peppermill. 3524 Severn Ave. 504-455-2266. Creole Italian.

Restaurant des Familles. 7163 Barataria Blvd. at Lafitte-Larose Hwy. (LA 45 at LA 3134). 689-7834. Seafood.

Rip’s Seafood Restaurant. 1917 Lakeshore Dr. 626-7585Seafood. Neighborhood Cafe.

Royal China. 600 Veterans Blvd. 831-9633. Chinese.

Sake Cafe. 2830 Magazine. 504-894-0033. Japanese.

Sake Cafe. 4201 Veterans Blvd. 779-7253. Japanese.
Sake Cafe. 817 W Esplanade Ave. 468-8829. Japanese.

Semolina Bistro Italia. Covington: 70380 LA 21. 985-898-0004. Pasta.

Semolina Bistro Italia. 3226 Magazine. 895-4260. Pasta.

Semolina. 1121 Manhattan Blvd. 361-8293. Pasta

Semolina. 4436 Veterans (Clearview Mall). 454-7930. Pasta

Semolina. 2999 Highway 190. 985-626-8923. Pasta

Sesame Inn. 408 N. Causeway Blvd. 985-951-8888. Chinese

Shogun. 2325 Veterans Blvd. 504-833-7477. Japanese.

Thai Spice. 1531 US 190. 985-809-6483. Thai.

Vincent's. 7839 St. Charles Ave. 504-866-9313. Creole Italian.

Zea. 1401 W. Esplanade Ave. 468-7733. Sandwiches. Pasta. Rotisserie. Eclectic.

Zea. 4450 Veterans Blvd. (Clearview Mall). 780-9090. Eclectic.

Zea. 1525 St. Charles Ave. 504-520-8100. Rotisserie. Eclectic.

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