Out to eat: Three Restaurant Suggestions for Child-Free Dining

New Orleans is chock-full of fantastic restaurants.  From total dives to elegant establishments, this city boasts all.  My husband and I are very happily child-free-by-choice* and prefer to eat at places that typically cater to the adult set.  Very rarely do we eat at "family-oriented" restaurants - not because we're too la-tee-dah to do so, but because we're not interested in dealing with the possibility of having our meal disturbed or even ruined by uncontrolled and mis-behaved children.

Regardless as to whether or not you have children (believe it or not, some parents do enjoy spending time together sans children), here are three great places to consider dining at if you're vacationing or even live in New Orleans.  All offer the freshest seafoods, meats, and local ingredients and their menus are based on when the best of the best are available and in-season.

Keep in mind that these three establishments require a higher-end dress code (business casual +).  Shorts, flip-flops, tank-tops, and logo tee-shirts are not acceptable for dinner dining.

The Pelican Club

312 Exchange Place

New Orleans 

70130

Located in:  The French Quarter

~Reservations Recommended~

This restaurant has great bar seating, large restaurant area, and you can eat al fresco (patio dining).  Upscale dining with great ambience (although it can get boisterous on the weekend) - very attentive and knowledgable wait staff, The Pelican Club offers not just an A La Carte menu, but also offers a 4-course Prix Fixe Reveillon Menu (the prices are spot-on for all the dishes available), and....  for those who DO want to drag Junior out for an evening, a children's menu - and I've yet to put my eyes on anyone under the age of 12 (see the disclaimer at the end of this post).  

^^ The Pelican Club entrance (al fresco dining is set up here, also)

^^  One of the dining rooms out of four (to include the bar area and outdoor seating)

Commander's Palace

1403 Washington Avenue

New Orleans

70130

Located in:  Garden District

~Reservations Recommended~

Admittedly, I'm a bit biased because this is where we had our wedding dinner.  This restaurant is an institution - and some very famous chefs have started their careers here (Chef Paul Prudhomme, Chef Emeril Lagasse, and Chef Joey Altman - just to name a few).  The menus change to reflect what is in season and even better...  Commander's offers not just a three-course prix fixe menu, they also offer a tasting menu for a set price.  Reservations are recommended and you may want to ask if they are hosting any politicians or celebrities, as the dining areas will be overly crowded.  Please note - there are no booster seats and no kiddie menus provided here.

Also, Commander's Palace is owned by the Brennan Family.  They also have several other restaurants throughout New Orleans... each is different and stands on it's own merits.  I will most certainly include them in future reviews.

^^  Commander's Palace

Irene's Cuisine

 539 Saint Phillip Street

New Orleans

70116

Located in:  The French Quarter

You can smell the garlic coming from this restaurant a couple of blocks away.  Delicious entrees and an enticing dessert menu makes this stop a must.  I wouldn't advise it for a romantic meal (Commander's Palace is the place to dine with your sweetie - and if it's for a birthday or anniversary or other special occasion, be sure to let them know when you call!) as the venue is quite small and crowded.  Well worth the wait - order a drink from the bar and enjoy the bustling ambience.  Please note - there are no booster seats and no kiddie menus provided here (possibly because there isn't a whole lot of room available).  

 ^^  Irene's Cuisine

 ^^  Lit up at night!!  

^^  One of their beautiful tempting desserts - save some room!!

Although all these restaurants are on the expensive side, you certainly get what you pay for.  Servers and waitstaff that are attentive, professional, and personable... food that is prepared by some of the best chefs New Orleans has to offer, food cooked to your specifications, and most will work with customers who have special dietary needs.  

Disclaimer:  These restaurants do not typically cater to children under the age of 12 (unless it is for a private party - which will be in a separate dining room area).  I have never been in the presence of an infant, baby, or toddler on any of my visits.  

Please let me know your thoughts in the comment section if you do get a chance to visit any of these restaurants.  Coming up in a future post, I'll be reviewing some of our most favourite (and surprising) dive bars/gastro pubs...

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