Arnaud's

We received a gift certificate to Arnauds, which we welcomed, having heard that it was one of the upscale restaurants in NOLA. We were very disappointed at both the quality and service. The seafood gumbo arrived with NO seafood in it. What I thought was a chunk of crab, turned out to be the shell. The service staff seemed to be more interested in gathering together and talking rather than providing service. Don't worry about a dress code...faded blue jeans and a polo shirt with shirt-tails out were more than acceptible. Save your money and go to Court of Two Sisters! more

It was just not the quality of food and presentation that I expect from an upscale restaurant. The staff seem to be lost in translation. For the price, the whole experience was not what I expected. more

This was by far the best dining experience we had on our 4-day trip, which included other highlights such as Cochon and Mr. B's. Everything we ordered was superb, and the service...impeccable. The 4-course prix fixe dinner menu is a great deal with perfect portion sizes. This is not cutting-edge cuisine, but classics are classics for a reason. more

This is a rip off the food was overpriced the place had mold and water stains everywhere .The portions where small and the Maitre D James Horighausen was very very rude.I will never take one of my groups there ,and make sure to tell my fellow organizers to do the same . Pros: Jazz Cons: Dirty overpriced Maitr D more

Great food but very rude waiters. I work in the restaurant industry in NYC and have not in all my years witnessed such stereotypical ""aloof waiter"" behavior. It was like a bad movie. Save your money- it's not worth the insult. more

We had been there a few years back, but this time was different. A waiter offered us some drinks, which seemed pretty good. Then another waiter named Dave came along with the menus, and asked us what we would like to eat that nite. Before we even looked at the menus, he told us about a family style assortment of appetizers, so we went for it. It was great. I must have tasted 10 different things in the 4 appitizers, and there were only 6 of us. And then he helped us with the entree selections, and they were spot on. We didn't really have to look at the menu at all. And it wasn't that expensive. I will ask for Dave next time we come to New Orleans. Pros: Didn't even have to look at the menus! Cons: Parking more

This restaurant is amazing!! We took a train trip to New Orleans from NC with our 2 year old daughter. After having train food all day we were looking for something "more". We got in at 9pm and after checking into our hotel headed right over to Araud's. I was very worried about how my daughter would act, being it was so late. She had the time of her life here. The band played the whole time. At one point they played New York New York an the whole restaurant was up singing and dancing. I've never seen anything like it before. The food was amazing (and thats an understatement). We've been craving the stuffed mushrooms for months now. The place is HUGE but everyone treats you like family and you dont feel like just another face in the crowd! more

A trip to New Orleans must include a meal at Arnauds. This restaurant is one of the original ones to make New Orleans famous for its food. It is as wonderful now as it was dozens of years ago. more

This was our first time in New Orleans. We were a little unprepared for the restaurant scene and figured we'd just try our luck. We were looking for something with a little class and some ""atmosphere"" and not too expensive....and we found it! We opted for the formal dining room (not the Jazz Bistro but I'm sure we would have enjoyed that too). The food was great, the service was excellent, prices were a little high but it was worth it. I had the Chicken Potalba (very tasty) and my wife raved about the Snapper Mitchell. Get the Shrimp Arnaud for an appetizer and I also highly recommend the Bananas Foster for dessert. Pros: choice of formal or jazz bistro dining more

My boyfriend and I went in February '07, but I never got around to writing a review. Now, nearly February '08, we still think about the bananas foster and want to go back for it! The rest of our meal was very tasty, but I don't remember exactly what we had. It was pricey, but a nice indulgence. We will return next time in New Orleans! Pros: Bananas Foster Cons: None I recall more

We sat in the jazz room, which was probably the best part of the whole dining experience. The 3-man jazz band was great. The food on the other hand was way overpriced and seemed to lack flavor. You'll probably go anyway, because it is a New Orlean's institution, but, you can probably find better food at a better price off the beaten track. We started with the escargot, which was surprisingly mild. Normally this dish has so much garlic and butter flavoring that it is so delicious and good for dipping bread afterward, but here it was bland and rather disappointing. They should know how to do escargot better I would think. For the main course, I had the Crabmeat Karen, which again, lacked salt and any major flavor. The pastry was good, but this should not be $25.95 for what it's worth. My husband had the filet with crabmeat on top in a mushroom sauce. He like it, but the presentation was poor, and all of the crab had shells and cartilage still in it. Overall, I think Arnaud's success comes from the fact that it is a historical New Orlean's institution, but I felt a little duped by the quality of the food and the value is just not there. Pros: good jazz band Cons: poor value, bland food more

On the last day of our five day N.O. blowout, we needed lunch, and went to Arnaud's. How on earth we've missed dining here, after eating at The Quarters best. And this is one of the best. For the orginal version of Shrimp Arnaud, this is the real deal. Order it, and you will see how the legendary dish started. From the jazz trio to the impeccable staff and service, this is what The Crescent City is all about. For lunch you can dress casual-dressy! It's worth every penny! 1/26/07---Well, I guess no one has been here since my review, please come back to The Big Easy----Katrina left the best, eat here! Pros: New Orleans Classic! Shrimp Arnaud! Cons: None! Are You Kidding! more

Delicious food & great ambience. We ate while being entertained by a 3-piece band which moved around the dining room whcih played tunes like a ""What a Wonderful World"". The Shrimp Clemenceau was phenomenal. My wife had the Grillades & Grits which was bland. Try the strawberries for desert--delicious. Pros: Great service. Fun Sunday brunch spot. more

This restaurant has never disappointed us. The food is great and the staff is very accomodating. The Shrimp Arnaud is the best and I've never had better gumbo anywhere. Don't miss this restaurant. more

Tried to get in several yrs ago but couldn't because reservations were required days in advance. Post-Katrina you can walk in, be seated, as well as relaxed dress code. Ordered escargot which was nothing special & too many herbs spoiled the taste. Also got 2 gritty ones. For main entree tried the paneed sweetbreads with menieure sauce highly touted by local magazines. It was too salty for me, too much black pepper and sauce was too greasy and oily. Service was impeccable as was ambience. Had dinner at 3 of the top 5 French Quarter restaurants during this stay. This was the worst meal of the 3. Don't think I'll come back here when visiting again. Pros: Excellent service, Great ambience, Great wine selection Cons: Pricey, Not 5 star food more

After trying several so called big restaurants, we had our last meal in New Orleans and it was the BEST meal. The service was stunning, attentive and caring. The main dining room was gorgeous although we opted to try the Jazz Bistro, more casual but same menu, and the terrific live jazz trio. The food, I had Trout Meuniere and my husband had the Veal Chantelle, was extraordinary. We started with marinated crab fingers and Shrimp Arnaud. Then we shared Pommes Soufle, the very best anywhere, and finished with Strawberries Arnaud and Creme Brulee. We'll be back and have our meal list planned already! Pros: ambiance, quality, service more

This was the best meal during our recent trip to New Orleans. The food was delicious, the service was impeccable, the ambience was romantic and quiet (great for anniversaries). A bit pricey, but worth the expense. I highly recommend the Shrimp Arnaud appetizer, the Arnaud salad (the dressing was SO good!) and the bananas foster (a New Orleans favorite). Do not miss this restaurant on your travels through the French Quarter. Pros: food, service, ambience more

Arnaud's is an exclusive and expensive restaurant. Everyone should at least try it one time. The food is good and it's one of those restaurants where the meal is several courses. Do plan to be there for alittle over an hour. It's handicapped accessible. more

I love eating at Arnaud's. The dining room is so elegant and beautiful. It is full of history. AND THE SERVICE! It is so smooth. The wait staff is wonderful. The attend to your every need. I especially love the Jazz Bistro with live jazz music every night. If I could eat there every night, I would. If you are ever in New Orleans...GO! You will not regret it. Pros: Service, Beautiful, FOOD Cons: Must have a reservati more

We went for brunch on July 25, and were very disappointed. The ""creamy ranch"" dressing was straight mayonaisse out of a bottle, no kidding. Entrees were lackluster and lacked flavor. Bananas Forster was the only high note, but that is a dessert that's pretty hard to screw up. Service was pretty much non-existent. We were told that we had to wait for other tables to finish eating so that they could prepare the dessert all at the same time, so basically we had to wait 15-20 minutes. A waiter dropped an unfinished plate of grits & grillades down a man's back... thank God it wasn't hot! Just not good! For a much better breakfast, go to Brennan's or Court of Two Sisters. Pros: Jazz band, Bananas Foster Cons: , Value, Food quality more