Decidely Unlucky Dog
Mar 27th, 2008 by Nola
I attended a little cocktail party affair tonight in the CBD for a conference that starts tomorrow. I was the only person in attendance from New Orleans. Tomorrow night, the conference has dinner arranged at several restaurants. Tonight, folks were on their own. Some of the attendees wanted raw oysters. So I volunteered to be NOLA’s goodwill ambassador and took them to Acme Oyster House. Except Acme was closed for a private party for the Zurich Classic.
No matter. I walked the group across the street to Felix’s. After waiting, I am not kidding, 30 minutes for drinks (I was ready to walk out at the 10 minute point but the group wanted to stay), I was dumbfounded to hear that they were out of oysters. None raw, fried, or etouffeed. Seriously, I was embarrassed. And we were now hungry. So we ordered some seafood and enjoyed the company. When dessert was offered, I opted to skip to go elsewhere. As we were walking out the door, imagine my absolute irritation at seeing the folks behind the counter shucking oysters. Oh, I was pissed.
So, after the most mediocre meal you could possibly have in this city, we mosied. We ended up at Brennan’s. But we were too late for dessert. Oh, did I want to hit the Pelican Club nearby and drink. But the good people I was with weren’t drinkers. I did insist that they walk through the Carousel Bar at the Monteleone Hotel. They wanted to go to Harrah’s. I obliged and took them there. And there we had dessert at the only place we could get it short of paying the full buffet price–Starbucks.
This was an unmitigated disaster. Acme closed? Felix’s with shitty service and no oysters? Brennan’s too late for bananas foster? Starbucks for dessert?
The company could not have been more agreeable or appreciative. There is a silver lining, however. The restaurants the conference has reservations for tomorrow night are Cafe Adelaide, Luke, Mr. B’s Bistro, Nola, Herbsaint, and Cafe Giovanni. I signed up for Luke. My little group decided we’d go to the Swizzle Stick Bar at Cafe Adelaide for drinks before dinner. Let’s hope I can make up tomorrow for tonight.
I suppose it could have been worse. At least I didn’t end up having the folks eat here:
mmmmm, hot dogs. now i’m hungry!
This is hilarious for the reasons of every time I have friends in town, I end up with a huge mess of things going work. It also involves me getting really lost b/c I thought it would be smart to take an alternate route. Hey, at least you offered them a memorable night!
But look at the sign! It says “New Orleans Tradition” – I would expect nothing less than a Lucky Dog or two if I were to visit your fine city. Remember that! We could skip the Starbucks dessert though. I wouldn’t be mad atcha.
Lucky Dog? I was looking for one of those just the other day. Good pic.
I dream of Acme on a regular basis.
ooh, i would have had some choice words for the people at felix.
but actually, this post is very timely as i’ve been meaning to ask you for restaurant recommendations because j-p and i are planning a trip in may. on previous trips i’ve hit some of the biggies — commander’s, nola, mother’s, acme. anything new we should try?
Melissa: Irene’s Cuisine (St. Phillip & Chartes), Bon Ton Cafe (Magazine at Poydras), Tommy’s Cuisine (Tchoupitoulas at Notre Dame off Julia Street), The Gumbo Shop (St. Peter Street) and by all means, Galatoire’s if you have not been there yet.
that is so frustrating! at least the people you were with were nice.
Please, never, ever, in your lifetime eat a Lucky Dog. Those things are disgusting. First take a good look at the people selling them, and second take a good look at the water those hot dogs have been swimming in. Now, I must go lie down.
And my favorite place for red beans is the Napoleon house on Royal. Or I think it is Royal. I can never seem to find it when I am looking for it.
Napoleon is on Charters and St. Louis.
I have had the Lucky Dog when the service was crummy someplace. And I actually enjoyed it!! Wow what an experience taking people all around. I think Hotel Desire on Bourbon has oysters, I recall having them there one time when visiting. I haven’t been there since moving….and not that it helps you now. 
Have a GREAT dinner tonight. If people are up for music….there is a LOT going on tonight. email me if you want deets.
thanks for the recs, pete!
Favorite 3am drunken hot dog—Lucky Dog in the Quarter or Greedy Dog at F&M”s?
SoMo – you crack me up!
Oh my word….I would have been so frazzled after a night like that. eeeekkkkkk……..fingers it went better tonight.
Pete, I have to disagree about Galatoires and I know this is Nola blasphemy….I’ve eaten there more times than I can count. Why? “it’s a New Orleans institution” and everyone wants to go there…yeah, an institution that always gives me a headache because it so freakin’ loud in the main dining room. And, of course, locals don’t eat upstairs….dumb, dumb, dumb….I could care less about what’s expected of locals. At least you can hear your dinner mates when they talk in a normal tone. I don’t care how good the food may be, it’s not worth the noise. And I don’t think the food is out of the ordinary for Nola anyway.
Now, Commanders….THAT is luxury, exceptional service and foodie nirvana.