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The 10 best restaurants to have a birthday party in the NOLA Metro
Posted on 1/31/12 at 10:47 am
Posted on 1/31/12 at 10:47 am
Did you know that for much of Christian history, birthdays were not celebrated? The rationale behind the dourness rested on the belief that birthdays were pagan holidays. A Christian's real birthday was the day he or she was baptized and born anew of the Spirit. As a result, if there was a celebration, it came on the naming day, when a person received her Christian name.
In the 1500s, nobles began celebrating their birthday, but it was still frowned upon by the Church and not publicly done by the peasants and the nascent middle class. What has this to do with New Orleans? In 1700, the Society of Jesus, the first Jesuit arrived in New Orleans. His name was Father Paul Du Ru and he was a chaplain for Iberville. As the French colony grew, the Jesuit influence grew. More and more missionaries were sent to the floundering colony, with the hopes of converting the Native Indians and the French settlers, many of whom were prisoners and gold diggers, in the sense that Kanye used the term. The Jesuits were given land grants from the French crown for much of the present city. The Jesuits did not allow the common men in New Orleans to celebrate their birthdays.
By 1863, the Jesuits were entrenched in New Orleans. But that was all about to change. European monarchs, loyal to the Vatican, got a little upset at the Jesuits. They believed the Jesuits were meddling in politics and trade too much and feared the Jesuit power. They cried to Rome with an ultimatum: the Jesuits or us. Both of us can't stay. Pope Clement XIV decided, for the good of the Church, to remove the Jesuits from many European nations and their colonies. In July of that year, the Jesuits were expelled from New Orleans, and all properties were sold at auction. Some have said it was a land grab. Maybe.
Of historical significance, though, was the birth of the modern birthday celebration. And you guessed it -- it started in New Orleans. With the restrictions gone, the French noblesse and peasant alike went to town. Guns were shot. Food was eaten. Wine was spilled. And birthdays were celebrated. This revelry was not lost on the free blacks and slaves. They too joined the festivities. One tradition they all shared was pinning a ribbon to the celebrant as a sign to all that it was his birthday. New Orleans was a bullion economy for its early days, so pinning coins was impractical. However, in 1836 paper money became sporadically used in the city. Gradually, the birthday ribbons turned to birthday bills. A new tradition was born.
By the early 1800s, the Jesuits returned to New Orleans, but the birthday celebration traditions had grown too engrained in the culture for the Jesuit return to threaten the continuance of the celebrations. Since that time, the birthday celebration has been a major part of New Orleans culture, and from New Orleans, it has spread throughout America and the world.*
New Orleans is America's birthday city, and it is high time we made a list of the top ten birthday restaurants in the area. As always, please add your own top ten or critique this list. We learn by discussion.
10) Galatoire's - For some reason, people really enjoy celebrating their birthdays here. Proximity to the Quarter is a major plus.
9) Parkway Bakery - Casual and there is ample outdoor seating. Weather is a factor, and it can be ridiculously crowded, but when you hit it right, how better to celebrate a birthday than with a great po-boy?
8) The Crab Trap - Probably off the radar for most due to its location. With indoor and outdoor camp dining, the best seafood in the city, and a fantastic view of the lake, The Crab Trap should not be overlooked.
7) Muriel's - Private party accommodations are very nice, as is the view over Jackson Square. The food is remarkably reasonably priced and good.
6) Chuck E Cheese's - Balls, a giant monkey that plays the piano, pizza, and, really, the best off Broadway theater anywhere, how can you deprive your children of this experience? It's where a kid can be a kid.
5) The Columns - Delightful jazz, sweet fragrances, creaky old wooden floors, outdoor seating, and Spanish moss dripping over your head. A hit for older, more refined kids who think Chuck E Cheese's is beneath them.
4) Commander's - Another Uptown/Garden District favorite for those more inclined to pomp than fun. The jazz quartet will sing happy birthday. How about that.
3) Mo's Pizza - With long table seating, huge pizzas, and sporting teams always running around, it seems like Mo's is hosting a perpetual party. And it just may be.
2) Dat Dog - With the opening of Dat Dog 2 across the street, Dat Dog will finally have the facilities to be a great party location. It already has great dogs and sausages for cheap. Its atmosphere is fun and upbeat. It's just an all around great place to host people on a budget who love fun and good food.
1) Ye Olde College Inn - The food is good, the atmosphere is jovial, and its proximity and relationship to Rock-n-Bowl puts it above all others. Have fun.
* The last two paragraphs about the birthday history are historical fabrication. It could be true, but probably isn't.
In the 1500s, nobles began celebrating their birthday, but it was still frowned upon by the Church and not publicly done by the peasants and the nascent middle class. What has this to do with New Orleans? In 1700, the Society of Jesus, the first Jesuit arrived in New Orleans. His name was Father Paul Du Ru and he was a chaplain for Iberville. As the French colony grew, the Jesuit influence grew. More and more missionaries were sent to the floundering colony, with the hopes of converting the Native Indians and the French settlers, many of whom were prisoners and gold diggers, in the sense that Kanye used the term. The Jesuits were given land grants from the French crown for much of the present city. The Jesuits did not allow the common men in New Orleans to celebrate their birthdays.
By 1863, the Jesuits were entrenched in New Orleans. But that was all about to change. European monarchs, loyal to the Vatican, got a little upset at the Jesuits. They believed the Jesuits were meddling in politics and trade too much and feared the Jesuit power. They cried to Rome with an ultimatum: the Jesuits or us. Both of us can't stay. Pope Clement XIV decided, for the good of the Church, to remove the Jesuits from many European nations and their colonies. In July of that year, the Jesuits were expelled from New Orleans, and all properties were sold at auction. Some have said it was a land grab. Maybe.
Of historical significance, though, was the birth of the modern birthday celebration. And you guessed it -- it started in New Orleans. With the restrictions gone, the French noblesse and peasant alike went to town. Guns were shot. Food was eaten. Wine was spilled. And birthdays were celebrated. This revelry was not lost on the free blacks and slaves. They too joined the festivities. One tradition they all shared was pinning a ribbon to the celebrant as a sign to all that it was his birthday. New Orleans was a bullion economy for its early days, so pinning coins was impractical. However, in 1836 paper money became sporadically used in the city. Gradually, the birthday ribbons turned to birthday bills. A new tradition was born.
By the early 1800s, the Jesuits returned to New Orleans, but the birthday celebration traditions had grown too engrained in the culture for the Jesuit return to threaten the continuance of the celebrations. Since that time, the birthday celebration has been a major part of New Orleans culture, and from New Orleans, it has spread throughout America and the world.*
New Orleans is America's birthday city, and it is high time we made a list of the top ten birthday restaurants in the area. As always, please add your own top ten or critique this list. We learn by discussion.
10) Galatoire's - For some reason, people really enjoy celebrating their birthdays here. Proximity to the Quarter is a major plus.
9) Parkway Bakery - Casual and there is ample outdoor seating. Weather is a factor, and it can be ridiculously crowded, but when you hit it right, how better to celebrate a birthday than with a great po-boy?
8) The Crab Trap - Probably off the radar for most due to its location. With indoor and outdoor camp dining, the best seafood in the city, and a fantastic view of the lake, The Crab Trap should not be overlooked.
7) Muriel's - Private party accommodations are very nice, as is the view over Jackson Square. The food is remarkably reasonably priced and good.
6) Chuck E Cheese's - Balls, a giant monkey that plays the piano, pizza, and, really, the best off Broadway theater anywhere, how can you deprive your children of this experience? It's where a kid can be a kid.
5) The Columns - Delightful jazz, sweet fragrances, creaky old wooden floors, outdoor seating, and Spanish moss dripping over your head. A hit for older, more refined kids who think Chuck E Cheese's is beneath them.
4) Commander's - Another Uptown/Garden District favorite for those more inclined to pomp than fun. The jazz quartet will sing happy birthday. How about that.
3) Mo's Pizza - With long table seating, huge pizzas, and sporting teams always running around, it seems like Mo's is hosting a perpetual party. And it just may be.
2) Dat Dog - With the opening of Dat Dog 2 across the street, Dat Dog will finally have the facilities to be a great party location. It already has great dogs and sausages for cheap. Its atmosphere is fun and upbeat. It's just an all around great place to host people on a budget who love fun and good food.
1) Ye Olde College Inn - The food is good, the atmosphere is jovial, and its proximity and relationship to Rock-n-Bowl puts it above all others. Have fun.
* The last two paragraphs about the birthday history are historical fabrication. It could be true, but probably isn't.
Posted on 1/31/12 at 10:51 am to TulaneLSU
Why do mentally unstable gay folk always ask about people's moms houses?
This post was edited on 1/31/12 at 12:48 pm
Posted on 1/31/12 at 10:52 am to LSUballs
Are you inviting me to your mom's house?
This post was edited on 1/31/12 at 12:19 pm
Posted on 1/31/12 at 10:55 am to TulaneLSU
The old Sid Mars would have made my list
RIP
RIP
Posted on 1/31/12 at 10:58 am to Rickety Cricket
Galatoire's and Commander's were the first two that popped up in my mind. When I was a young kid, Chuck E Cheese was pretty damn popular too. Anyone had their pizza lately?
I do have issue with the Columns. Fun place for a birthday for drinks, but in no way is it a restaurant.
Edit: yes they serve food there, but I have never known anyone to ever use the dining room for its intended purpose
I do have issue with the Columns. Fun place for a birthday for drinks, but in no way is it a restaurant.
Edit: yes they serve food there, but I have never known anyone to ever use the dining room for its intended purpose
This post was edited on 1/31/12 at 11:02 am
Posted on 1/31/12 at 10:59 am to REG861
chucke cheese and Dat dog were the 1st 2 that came to my mind
Posted on 1/31/12 at 11:00 am to REG861
quote:
Chuck E Cheese was pretty damn popular too. Anyone had their pizza lately?
I took my kid to the new one that opened in Monroe not to long ago. The pizza was pretty horrible.
Posted on 1/31/12 at 11:01 am to TulaneLSU
quote:
We learn by discussion.
Which is the best and which is the worst of your list?
Is 10 the best?
Is 1 the best?
Discuss.
Posted on 1/31/12 at 11:04 am to TulaneLSU
quote:reference?
The Jesuits did not allow the common men in New Orleans to celebrate their birthdays.
Posted on 1/31/12 at 11:06 am to TulaneLSU
quote:
* The last two paragraphs about the birthday history are historical fabrication. It could be true, but probably isn't.
Dude.
Posted on 1/31/12 at 11:09 am to TulaneLSU
Rock n Sake could be on the list. Chicks love to have birthday dinners there.
Posted on 1/31/12 at 11:23 am to TigerTree
quote:
Rock n Sake could be on the list. Chicks love to have birthday dinners there.
Except that their managers are absolute douche bags when it comes to working with a birthday group.
Last year my gf wanted her birthday dinner there. We made a reservation for 12. I had to provide a CC and was told I'd be charged $50 if our party didn't show (it was a Friday night, so I had no qualms with this).
Night of, myself and 7 others arrived 15 minutes early for the reservation. The others were on their way from BR and hit traffic. I checked in with the hostess, and asked if we could be seated as most of our group had arrived. She said they had to wait for the entire group before seating us, which would have been fine except for the entire bar/waiting are was full. Meanwhile, approximately 1/3 of the tables (not including ours) were empty.
I asked to speak to the manager, and some angry rude bald man responded. He immediately had an attitude with me, and I calmly asked if he could seat us because he didn't like that we were blocking the door (no where else to stand). He then told me that if I didn't like it, I could leave, but he would still charge the $50.
Long story short, I told him to frick off and canceled my CC he had. Proceeded to take the group to Gordon Biersch. Had a lovely time and were seated in less than 30 minutes on a Friday night with no reservations even though they were quite busy.
Posted on 1/31/12 at 11:40 am to TulaneLSU
quote:
5) The Columns - Delightful jazz, sweet fragrances, creaky old wooden floors, outdoor seating, and Spanish moss dripping over your head. A hit for older, more refined kids who think Chuck E Cheese's is beneath them.
You disdain "bars," so you simply characterize the bars you like as "restaurants"?
Other than that breakfast room in the back, which I think is only for guests in the hotel and which I've never seen anyone in while patronizing the bar there, what about The Columns falls under the purview of being a "restaurant"?
Posted on 1/31/12 at 11:42 am to Y.A. Tittle
They cater for parties. It's quite a nice to-do.
Here's the menu: LINK
Here's the menu: LINK
This post was edited on 1/31/12 at 11:43 am
Posted on 1/31/12 at 12:04 pm to TulaneLSU
quote:
Here's the menu: LINK
Speaking of pomp, look at those prices
Posted on 1/31/12 at 12:12 pm to TulaneLSU
quote:
2) Dat Dog - With the opening of Dat Dog 2 across the street, Dat Dog will finally have the facilities to be a great party location. It already has great dogs and sausages for cheap. Its atmosphere is fun and upbeat. It's just an all around great place to host people on a budget who love fun and good food.
Two cats can't dance inside the original. What makes you think the one across the street is gonna be so drastically different?
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