Dozen Best Prom Night Restaurants
The prom season is beginning now, and lots of young people are looking for places with food and atmosphere to match their formal clothes. But they also seek tolerance for their low budgets and youthful tastes. These are the best, according to the feedback I get. A great deal of primary research on this was been done by my son and daughter, who in recent years did a great deal of research as they attended their own (and their dates') prom dinners.
1. Commander's Palace. Garden District: 1403 Washington Ave. 504-899-8221. The best all-around restaurant in New Orleans, Commander's is for young people who have developed their palates and dining skills. The environment, food, and service are hard to beat, and the evening will be memorable.
2. Ralph's On The Park. City Park Area: 900 City Park Ave. 504-488-1000. Convenient of all parts of town (I remember what it was like to have to pick up dates), a view of City Park, perhaps even a balcony table, and enough variety and sophistication to make it a special night.
3. Galatoire's. French Quarter: 209 Bourbon. 504-525-2021. The New Orleans classic, especially appropriate if you figure on moving in the top circles later on. Reservations now available.
4. Muriel's. French Quarter: 801 Chartres. 504-568-1885. Very cool place, right in the middle of the Quarter, and with food that's at the same time serious and amusing. Very affordable for all that.
5a. Keith Young's Steak House. Madisonville: 165 LA 21. 985-845-9940. Steak is perceived as grand dining, and you don't have to be a gourmet to appreciate it. Keith Young's is the North Shore alternative to Ruth' Chris and actually a bit better.
5b. Ruth's Chris Steak House. Metairie: 3633 Veterans Blvd. 504-888-3600. ||CBD: 525 Fulton St. 504-587-7099. For the fellow who's saved up his money for this special night. The food, excitement and service are just what you want. Private dining room in Metairie, and a stunning restaurant with outdoor tables available downtown.
6. Pelican Club. French Quarter: 615 Bienville. 504-523-1504. Five-star food with a lot of variety, a nice buzz, and (usually) semiprivate dining areas. The four-course dinner is a great value.
7. Cafe Giovanni. French Quarter: 117 Decatur. 504-529-2154. Chef Duke Locicero likes prom nighters enough to have created a $35 complete menu with many choices. Tip included, solving a major issue for young diners.
8. Dakota. Covington: 629 N US 190. 985-892-3712. The most sophisticated restaurant on the North Shore, with terrific food and service, and a private room available. The young diners will like the music, because I hate it.
9. Nola. French Quarter: 534 St Louis. 504-522-6652. Very hip, with an Emeril aura, and unique, easy-to-get-into cooking. Validated parking at the Royal Orleans.
10. Andrea's. Metairie: 3100 19th St. 504-834-8583. Chef Andrea has a set-price menu with tax and tip included, and a lot of food preferred by younger diners (pasta, seafood, chicken). Perfect-size private room. My son Jude and friends had their formal here, and it was a great evening for them.
11. Peppermill. Metairie: 3524 Severn Ave. 504-455-2266. The next generation owners are jazzing the place up a bit. The menu is perfect for young diners, with terrific New Orleans and Italian dishes at attractive prices, and a private dining room.
12. Zea. Kenner: 1325 West Esplanade Ave. 504-468-7733. ||Lee Circle Area: 1525 St Charles Ave. 504-520-8100. ||Covington: 110 Lake Dr. 985-327-0520. ||Harvey: 1121 Manhattan Blvd. 504-361-8293. ||Slidell: 173 Northshore Blvd. 985-273-0500. Although it's a casual chain, it's classy, substantial, affordable and hip enough to work well for young diners. The locations I include here (there are a few more) all have private rooms for a dozen or so celebrants. Zea locations in Slidell, Kenner, and the West Bank fill in gaps in the geographical map of prom-night places.
