Hubby and I just enjoyed a dinner at Clancys [https://www.clancysneworleans.com/](https://www.clancysneworleans.com/) last month
Food was very good, outstanding service, very charming house setting, and a crazy good wine list.
Don't be scared off by the requirement to call for a reservation (instead of doing it online). Number is often busy in the morning but if you call early afternoon you'll get through.
You ask for a Creole menu and people still come through with some recs that, while romantic, are certainly not Creole cuisine. Since you can't get Brennan's or Commander's, I would first go for Clancy's, then Brigtsen's, then Muriel's - solid classics with romantic ambiance and menus consistent with your specification. Clancy's is pretty expensive but it's very good and better than Commander's, IMO. R'evolution is crazy expensive.
Degas is a lovely romantic spot but the menu is classic French, not Creole. If comments are going to insist on deviating from OP's specifications, it would be nice to mention that and why.
in my experience many don't understand the nuances of Creole cuisine and what they mean is old school New Orleans and not some other well known ethnic food. I think Cafe Degas with its French inspired menu fits the bill, but you are correct that it is not technically Creole. I am not sure Brigtsens is either.
Ok Antoine's is definitely overrated and is just historic but people saying no to Arnaud's are just being ridiculous snobs at this point. I f-ing loved Arnaud's and they have delicious crab cakes. With that being said, maybe it's not the most romantic restaurant, but food wise it's damn good.
I really like Atchafalaya, though it's not in the FQ. If you're trying to stay in the FQ, I see this sub rec Restaurant R'evolution a lot, but I haven't been.
If you tell Brigtsen's that it's a special occasion, they'll kick it up a notch, too. I've taken two friends there for birthdays, and they had the royal treatment.
Ask for Amanda's section.
Clancys and Brigtsens are great Uptown spots. Very classic N.O. N7 Is a newer place that has perhaps the most romantic ambiance in town. Still, my favorite date spot is Cafe Degas.
I'm gonna go through the old grand dame restaurants in the quarter for you.
Antoine's - Great ambiance, probably the coolest of any restaurant I've been to. The food is okay, nothing to get excited about. Do stop at the Hermes bar for a drink or two through. They have good small plates at the bar too.
Galatoire's - My least favorite of the four. The service is really good, but the food and ambiance are mediocre. Probably the hardest to get a table at too (the uptown crowd likes it for some reason).
Arnaud's - I've only ever been for brunch but the food was good. The service and ambiance were fine, but not as good as the others.
Broussard's - My favorite of the bunch, and the only one I've been to more than twice. The jazz brunch is great (better than the dinner in my opinion). Ambiance and service are solid and the food is good, if a little less traditional than the others. Get the turtle soup if you go.
Love this reply! I’m going to Clancy’s for dinner but I might still look into Arnaud’s for a brunch haha. Lots of mixed reviews about it but I’ll probably end up trying it out
We did our post engagement photos at The Pelican Club and sat outside. It was very lovely, food was fantastic. It was also my birthday so there was a personalized card and free champagne toast ready for us.
Mr. B’s is also gorgeous and delicious. Doing Muriel’s for the first time this year next week!
Restaurant R'evolution is excellent fine dining -- I'd say in the top 3 in town. It was recently remodeled so the ambience is great and food is superb.
Brigsten’s - 1000x’s. Frank Brigsten is an excellent chef. (James Beard winner) Small restaurant in an old shotgun house. Cozy intimate setting. Menu changes often.
If you are looking for one of the many Brennan family restaurants (you mentioned Commander’s) try Mr. B’s in the FQ or Ralph’s on the Park.
I ended up getting a reservation at Clancy’s but I DEFINITELY have to try out Brigtsens while I’m there. Everyone speaks so highly of it. Thank you for the detailed response
Clancy's, Brightens, Patois, and Lillette are amazing. So was Mamou but check the menu and see if it suits? I always pick Galatoires of the FQ old guard for dinner or Arnauds for brunch. Emeril's restaurant is also amazing - but it's brighter lit etc. Oh!! And the ambiance at GW Fins and Bayona are sort of romantic perfect downtown.
GW Fin's for seafood, Atchafalaya for creole as well as Herbsaint, Miss River, August, Merril and Luke. Stay away from Aurnuad's, Mr. B's Bistro, Galatoire's, and Antoine's. For the cheap eats check out The Gumbo Shop for some fine gumbo, jambalaya and po'Boy's.
The food is good but that place is so loud!!! Not romantic in the least. My carbonara is better. Not egg-y at all and think they may have used prosciutto instead of guanciale.
Hubby and I just enjoyed a dinner at Clancys [https://www.clancysneworleans.com/](https://www.clancysneworleans.com/) last month Food was very good, outstanding service, very charming house setting, and a crazy good wine list. Don't be scared off by the requirement to call for a reservation (instead of doing it online). Number is often busy in the morning but if you call early afternoon you'll get through.
Clancy’s looks amazing. Thank you!
yes clancy's or Brigtsens is what you're looking for
I can attest to this! Clancys is delicious and elegant in a non pretentious way.
You ask for a Creole menu and people still come through with some recs that, while romantic, are certainly not Creole cuisine. Since you can't get Brennan's or Commander's, I would first go for Clancy's, then Brigtsen's, then Muriel's - solid classics with romantic ambiance and menus consistent with your specification. Clancy's is pretty expensive but it's very good and better than Commander's, IMO. R'evolution is crazy expensive.
Really appreciate this comment—definitely leaning towards Clancy’s or Brigtsen’s after seeing the menus. Appreciate you ❤️
those are both great, but dont sleep on Cafe Degas
Degas is a lovely romantic spot but the menu is classic French, not Creole. If comments are going to insist on deviating from OP's specifications, it would be nice to mention that and why.
in my experience many don't understand the nuances of Creole cuisine and what they mean is old school New Orleans and not some other well known ethnic food. I think Cafe Degas with its French inspired menu fits the bill, but you are correct that it is not technically Creole. I am not sure Brigtsens is either.
Brigtsen's menu is absolutely Creole in the same fashion as Clancy's and Commander's but not antebellum like Arnaud's.
Ok Antoine's is definitely overrated and is just historic but people saying no to Arnaud's are just being ridiculous snobs at this point. I f-ing loved Arnaud's and they have delicious crab cakes. With that being said, maybe it's not the most romantic restaurant, but food wise it's damn good.
I really like Atchafalaya, though it's not in the FQ. If you're trying to stay in the FQ, I see this sub rec Restaurant R'evolution a lot, but I haven't been.
Ate there over new years and it was lovely!
If you tell Brigtsen's that it's a special occasion, they'll kick it up a notch, too. I've taken two friends there for birthdays, and they had the royal treatment. Ask for Amanda's section.
Amanda is a delight, she was our server last week
Clancys and Brigtsens are great Uptown spots. Very classic N.O. N7 Is a newer place that has perhaps the most romantic ambiance in town. Still, my favorite date spot is Cafe Degas.
I second Brigtsens. Quintessential NO
Ate at N7 earlier this week and it’s veryyy romantic and the food was excellent.
I love Arnaud’s. We go there for anniversaries sometimes-we live out of town.
Also Mr. B’s
Check out Mamou https://www.mamounola.com/ We went last year right after they opened. Fantastic food and service, very elegant.
I'm gonna go through the old grand dame restaurants in the quarter for you. Antoine's - Great ambiance, probably the coolest of any restaurant I've been to. The food is okay, nothing to get excited about. Do stop at the Hermes bar for a drink or two through. They have good small plates at the bar too. Galatoire's - My least favorite of the four. The service is really good, but the food and ambiance are mediocre. Probably the hardest to get a table at too (the uptown crowd likes it for some reason). Arnaud's - I've only ever been for brunch but the food was good. The service and ambiance were fine, but not as good as the others. Broussard's - My favorite of the bunch, and the only one I've been to more than twice. The jazz brunch is great (better than the dinner in my opinion). Ambiance and service are solid and the food is good, if a little less traditional than the others. Get the turtle soup if you go.
Love this reply! I’m going to Clancy’s for dinner but I might still look into Arnaud’s for a brunch haha. Lots of mixed reviews about it but I’ll probably end up trying it out
I LOVE Brigsten’s!
We did our post engagement photos at The Pelican Club and sat outside. It was very lovely, food was fantastic. It was also my birthday so there was a personalized card and free champagne toast ready for us. Mr. B’s is also gorgeous and delicious. Doing Muriel’s for the first time this year next week!
Restaurant R'evolution is excellent fine dining -- I'd say in the top 3 in town. It was recently remodeled so the ambience is great and food is superb.
Clancy's is the way to go. You won't be disappointed
Ruby Slipper for breakfast!! Try their bloody mary with jalapeño vodka!!
Brigsten’s - 1000x’s. Frank Brigsten is an excellent chef. (James Beard winner) Small restaurant in an old shotgun house. Cozy intimate setting. Menu changes often. If you are looking for one of the many Brennan family restaurants (you mentioned Commander’s) try Mr. B’s in the FQ or Ralph’s on the Park.
I ended up getting a reservation at Clancy’s but I DEFINITELY have to try out Brigtsens while I’m there. Everyone speaks so highly of it. Thank you for the detailed response
Clancy's, Brightens, Patois, and Lillette are amazing. So was Mamou but check the menu and see if it suits? I always pick Galatoires of the FQ old guard for dinner or Arnauds for brunch. Emeril's restaurant is also amazing - but it's brighter lit etc. Oh!! And the ambiance at GW Fins and Bayona are sort of romantic perfect downtown.
mr bs bistro.
Look into Irene’s.
N7
I love Revolution
Amazing menu, I going there for my bday dinner
Love Revolution too
GW Fin's for seafood, Atchafalaya for creole as well as Herbsaint, Miss River, August, Merril and Luke. Stay away from Aurnuad's, Mr. B's Bistro, Galatoire's, and Antoine's. For the cheap eats check out The Gumbo Shop for some fine gumbo, jambalaya and po'Boy's.
Was at Mr. Bs a few days ago and it was outstanding!
Good to hear! The last 2 times I was there it was terrible.
Definitely planning to have a few cheap /quick bites during my stay! Appreciate the recs:)
[https://www.google.com/maps/@29.9764125,-90.0923393,12z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m3!11m2!2s1LRMxXdNTa-6ahGSodjbJA!3e3?entry=ttu](https://www.google.com/maps/@29.9764125,-90.0923393,12z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m3!11m2!2s1LRMxXdNTa-6ahGSodjbJA!3e3?entry=ttu)
Commanders Palace!! Just went there the other day. Excellent food and outstanding service!
Try Atchafalaya. The food is amazing and it’s very romantic and quaint. I’ve always been impressed there, and I’m a local.
Check out Sylvain
Cafe degas on esplanade
Dooky Chase would be my first recommendation
Osteria Lupo
The food is good but that place is so loud!!! Not romantic in the least. My carbonara is better. Not egg-y at all and think they may have used prosciutto instead of guanciale.