Seriously, I'd feel bad even having Nilly over to my house -- she'd be bound to be contaminated by bacon, or ham and cheese sandwiches, or something.

Well, see, you could turn this into a positive by having a pre-Nilly, eating-everything--bad-in-the-house Party. Just lay all the food out on a table, invite a few close friends, and have at it!

Clarion Hotel New Orleans 
1300 Canal 
$60-$100 
This is my favorite because of location and they
have assured me on price breaks for group reservations.

I've stayed at the Clarion before, and wasn't impressed. (It wasn't spectacularly bad, but we can probably do a lot better for the same price.) The Pallas, also on Canal, is to be avoided at all costs - it's a rathole.

New Orleans Pt II- Stuff to do

I, of course can’t list all the resturaunts, clubs and bars. So, I’m just going to mention a few.

Clubs and Bars

Cat’s Meow fun karaoke- Plus Burbon Cam. Wave hi to your friends and family online, if you dare.

Chris Owens Club If you’ve never heard of Chris Owens, you’ve never heard of New Orleans. Such a fun show. (Also available for private parties)

Funky Pirate Jon and I had a hotel room across from here. Great music and cheap drinks.

O’Flaherty’s Great pub. Shows soccer matches in the afternoons, good drinks, have a room for private parties. Good drink prices.

Pat O’Brians See above re:Chris Owens

Rick’s Cabaret I know it’s a strip club, but it’s georgeous

Three Legged Dog I sooooo want to have a party here. Late night happy hour from 3am to 8am.

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Bar My very favorite place in New Orleans. Over 200 years old. Quiet. You have to go there.

Tipitina's Go there. Good prices, good location, good everything.

Food

The Bombay Club Entertainment, good atmosphere. Kinda pricy for NO, but they serve until 1 or 2.

Napoleon House World famous muffalettas. Great inexpensive drinks. Great atmosphere. I know Hec loves it. (Also about a block down from the Silversmith’s where my friend Cyn works)

Crescent City Brew House Touristy, but nice balcony- like much of Decatur

Cafe Gumbolaya Four words. All. You. Can. Eat. Good seafood.

K-Pauls Pricy, but Cyn’s husband works there, so I’m plugging. Food is so good it’ll make your mamma cry.

Commander’s Palace Incredible place for lunch, but dinner can get pricy. You will never have better service ever.

Herbsaint Not in the quarter, which can be a plus. Cheap. Also has private dining room for parties.

Muriel’s My other favorite place. Everything rolled up into one. Streetside cafe, courtyard bar, fancy dining room, and cocktail lounge. If you’re scared of creole or cajun cooking, this is good food you’ll recognize with a New Orleans twist.

Other/Kid friendly, non-drinking or eating stuff

Casinos
Cafe Du Monde
IMAX theater (when we were there they were showing Harry Potter)
Street Artists and Musicians
Museums (too many to name)
Gorgeous old theaters in the Garden District and on the edge of the Quarter
Zoo
Aquarium

Tours

Riverboat Tours
Cemetary Tours
Carriage Tours
- You name it there’s a tour for it.

Shopping Riverwalk
Shopping on Royal
Jackson Square
Louisiana Music Factory
Jackson Brewery
The shops at Canal
Voodoo Shops, mask shops, junk shops
Beckham’s Bookshop (We’re talking 2 floors of old books and stuff)
Blue Marble Music

Any questions?

I didn't stay there, but I went in and looked around and talked to the people. I'll take your word for it though. They were just a little more definate without knowing specifics.

Well, see, you could turn this into a positive by having a pre-Nilly, eating-everything--bad-in-the-house Party. Just lay all the food out on a table, invite a few close friends, and have at it!

I don't even mean the actual food in the house -- just the leftover essence of trayf!

And Heather didn't even get into Galatoire's (ummm, blackened pompano) or Commander's Palace, or....

I did list the palace- not Galatoire's because aforementioned friend's husband used to work there, and now I don't go much anymore.

But yeah, the food thing is not a problem.

Heh. Yup, Heather, that was my point - one worry that never rears its head in NOLA is good eating.

A quick side-trip on Nilly!2004: Just heard back from Ayelet who, as it turns out, doesn't keep kosher herself. But she recommended Tel Aviv Strictly Kosher Market, Glatt kosher meat, poultry and deli. It's at 2495 Irving, which is about seven minutes by car.

Woot! I can feed Nilly.

t reading Nilly-visit planning talk

Okay. Now I'm starting to swounce.

Wow, Heather, that sounds amazing.