Galatoire's

Katie and I took your parents to Galatoire's for Sunday brunch on Mom's birthday (it was our anniversery as well). From the crab appetizer (mayo and crab on a wilted piece of lettuce) to the lukewarn coffee it was one of our worst dining experiences ever. Ironically it was one of the most fun. Watching the little waiters assistant hover around and flirt with Katie was priceless. Don't think I'll return though.

Joey and I went there two years ago for our anniversary. It was nothing special. We won't go back.

When Daddy worked for Addressograph-Multigraph many years ago, my friend Kathleen visited me. Our plan was to meet Daddy at Galatoire's. As he was leaving for lunch, he told the office crew that he was meeting me and my girlfriend and did anyone want to come along? and Pete Lang said, sure I'll come, where you going? Well, he hadn't really meant for anyone to come because he didn't have much money and if you make an invitation like that, you are paying. By today's standards, the bill for four people was chicken feed but for poor people like us, it was huge.

This was in 1958 and the next time I went was with Katie and Kevin. See above, although he didn't list the year and I'm not sure when it was. Kevin? My opinion, on both occasions, is that it's highly over-rated, and yet there are people with regular tables and regular waiters who are there weekly, monthly, yearly, and even daily. It's an old New Orleans class thing.

I have never eaten at Galatoire's, but I did once eat at another who's-who place, Arnaud's. Many years ago when I worked in the CBD, my girlfriend and I were taking a co-worker to lunch for her going away. Our bill for a light lunch was $110. We just about choked since it was going to be the one girl and I splitting the bill. My pompano dish was $35 and the going away girl got that too. We didn't know. The guy said it was a lunch special so we assumed in the under $10 range like the rest of them. I charged it. I felt like Lucille Ball facing Desi when I told Michael about it, "now, Ricky, don't get mad..."

We've also been to Arnaud's and didn't think much of it either! Every year for our anniversary we go to one of New Orleans' fancy restaurants. So far, our favorite was Emeril's. Last year, I was pregnant and feeling really yucky so we didn't celebrate- I couldn't enjoy good food and didn't see the point in spending money on an expensive restaurant.