Galatoire's Restaurant

06/07/2008 Posted by kaychaney

One cannot judge a restaurant simply by the food alone. We had visited Galatoires's several years ago and were anxious to return. Once our flight from Denver landed on 6/6/08, we jumped into the rental car and headed straight for the restaurant around 2:30 in the afternoon. The sign at the entrance said "long pants." The maitre d' made us wait, then looked us over and said my jeans were fine but my husbands were too faded. We told him we just arrived from Denver, and yes, he purchased stonewashed blue jeans; they were new Levis, certainly not faded. We are in our late fifties, conservative business owners in Denver and do not wear ratty jeans. If the sign had said "no jeans," that would certainly have been understandable. But we both fit in the "long pants" category; the maitre d' just didn't care for the lighter blue color. We were humiliated in front of the other customers and will not return to a place where people are treated with such disrespect. New Orleans is trying to attract more tourists. This is NOT the way to do it. There are so many fine restaurants in New Orleans - Commander's Palace, Arnaud's, Antoines - too many to list. No doubt they still show "southern hospitality" in addition to wonderful food. If you want "snooty," Galatoires is the place!

01/23/2008 Posted by yellephant

My friend and I got dressed up the last night of our weeklong trip to New Orleans and headed down to Galatoires. We dined on the first floor and enjoyed the jovial ambience. The service was impeccable! Our waiter was very attentive and helped narrow our choices down. He also recommended a fabulous bottle of wine. However, the food did not meet my expectations. Everything from appetizer to entrée was drenched in butter and lacked any seasoning. I ordered the seasonal fish, Pompano, and my friend likewise ordered a fish dish. While I can appreciate the mild flavor of the fish, I expected it to be somewhat seasoned. It was just plain bland. I was also not impressed with the flavor of the Café Brulot, although it was quite a sight for our waiter to pour the flaming liquid onto our tablecloth. The best part of the meal was the other half of dessert- banana bread pudding. It was just perfect! I would go back to Galatoires on my next visit to New Orleans, but would be extremely selective about what I ordered.

Pros: well trained wait staff

06/07/2007 Posted by zacharyh

Lots and lots of butter. Stuffy. A place for old people to go and feel fancy. The food is bland and utterly devoid of spice, perhaps due to the delicate palates of the blue-haired clientele. Go elsewhere.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

06/02/2007 Posted by clodfelteril1

I cannot think of another New Oleans dining experience that measures up to our return visit to Galitoire's, that includes Commander's Palace. The food is quintessential "New Orleans" , staff personalize their service and it is great theatre to see traditional New Orleans dining. Seafood, crab, oysters and souled potatoes are great. It is a must to try to be seated in the main floor dining room to get this experience.

Pros: A great New Orleans Dining tradition

Cons: Parking is a ways off. Plan on walking.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

05/17/2007 Posted by genoaman

Had the great privilege to lunch at Galatoire's with three friends on April 21, 2007. From the moment we were seated until we got up from the table, two and a half hours later, we were delighted. Our waiter, Joey, and all of the support staff made us (from Seattle) very welcome and were never more than a few steps away to get whatever we wanted or desired. Try the appetizer combination plate and especially the Shrimp Remoulade, delicious! We all had different entrees; Trout Meunuire, Trout Almandine, Crabmeat Yvonne and Stuffed Eggplant, all delicious. The Sazeracs and Champagne flowed and a lively crowd of New Orleanians and Mississippi folk table hopped around us (and even to our table). Contrary to what other reviewers say the first floor is more locals and the second floor more for tourists. Choose the first floor. When you enter Galatoire's you are entering a culinary and social institution over a hundred years old so why not dress up a little (or a lot!) then you don't have to be concerned about ill fitting hand-out-jackets.. I've never over the years had a bad meal or bad service there. Any food that didn't please me would be taken back to the kitchen and that's that. The prices here aren't cheap so it's up to the customer(s) to say if they are or are not pleased And IF I were to have bad service (unthinkable) I would stand up, tap my spoon on my water glass and say very loudly, "help, my waiter is being very naughty". The room would probably burst into applause and you would immeadiately have the best service in the house. Remember, New Orleans is a city of eccentricity and mirth, no matter what suffering it goes through. For dessert , the Bread Pudding and a Cup Custard ( maybe two Cup Custards). I can't wait to return! Oh and another thing, ask for your waiter by name, it's the traditional thing to do. Ask for Joey.

Pros: one of a kind place in the whole world, atmosphere, atmosphere, atmosphere

Cons: Bourbon St. at Night

04/09/2007 Posted by queeniev

I was fortunate enough to dine at Galatoire's in May of 2006 for lunch and found the food to be wonderful and the service was exemplary! Definitely great for people watching! Plenty of white linen suits a la Mark Twain and scads of seersucker! Very southern atmosphere. And our waiter kept the champagne flowing! As much a social experience as a fine dining one! Not to be missed!

Pros: Great food and great service

Cons: None that I experienced

03/24/2007 Posted by secondofficer

It is impossible to refute the misconceptions about this place in the space allowed. The changing of table linen in front of the customer is as old as time in a bistro and that is what Galatoire's is. If one is so slolthful as to not wear a jacket then one should be given one with a hole in it. (Some restauarants and clubs used to keep exceptionally ugly "loaner" jackets so the miscreant was apparant to all). Galatoire's is one of the last Creole joints in the City: their remoulade is the finest in town. They fry things better than anyone else. Their troute meuniere is the classic New Orleans version. The restaurant is, emphatically, not for Adventurous Diners or those who want a quick meal. It is quirky and clubby but even newcomers will be welcomed into the club. The "experience" will owe much to what the customer brings to it.

Pros: Seafood, sauces, cholesterol, coffee, fun, Tradition

Cons: People bring their brats sometimes, can be very loud even without them

11/29/2006 Posted by bradalan

the service was good and the room pleasant enough but it was inferior to other restaurants that are not as highly rated will have to try again in my lifetime

11/27/2006 Posted by lucianolee

My girlfriend and I had a excelent experience on Bacco Novemeber 25, 2006. After frustrated experience on Galatoires (poor services; For Example: Galatoires required dress code they provided me a jacket with a hole on it and the waiter threw out the napkin or table cloth on the table front of us meanwhile he was cleaning the utensil ( it was ridicules to pay so much money to receive these mistreats) . On the other hand, the food and services on Bacco was amazing. The table manner from the Bacco staff were perfect; For Example: serving the food from the right side, the tasting of the wine, removing of the unused utensil by every course of the food, etc) I will say Bacco has very well trained people. And we were very pleased with the Bacco and I would like to recommend to everyone who visit New Orleans.

Pros: Location

Cons: Bad Service

02/12/2005 Posted by gedgegayle

Galatoire's is an authentic New Orleans experience. The noise and friendliness of patrons to one another and even to strangers is a part of the package. This classic restaurant reflects a side of the unique New Orleans culture found few other places. Most patrons are locals. The waiters are mostly long-timers, and many are from small towns in Southwest Louisiana, where food is an art. Pay attention to their suggestions. Relax, enjoy the experience, and don't expect it to be like fancy restaurants in Dallas, Houston or Atlanta. They would kill to have a Galatoire's! Break down and wear coat and tie; it is worth the trouble!

Pros: atmosphere, food quality, style

Cons: noise