Looking for small restaurants and scenic routes..

We%26#39;re visiting NOLA for the first time in October. I%26#39;m getting a lot of good recommendations on places to eat in the city - the hot spots essentially - but I%26#39;m wondering if anyone can recommend a good, small out of the way restaurant with some classic Louisiana fare. We%26#39;d like to take a drive along some of the ';back roads'; and see the swamp or bayou area and stop for lunch while doing so. So if anyone can recommend a) good drives to take and b) a good restaurant to hit on that drive I would be so appreciative!!

Looking for small restaurants and scenic routes..

The Restaurant Des Families in Crown Point LA was a beautiful restaurant right by a swamp, before Katrina. I don%26#39;t know if they survived Katrina and reopened or not, maybe a local can be of help on that. I also don%26#39;t know if they are open for lunch or just dinner. If you look up the bed and breakfast place called Victoria Inn in Lafitte, LA, and get directions to their place, it is a very nice drive from New Orleans thru some small fishing villages and swampy areas (Restaurant Des Families would be on that route). But, my husband and I were in that area shortly after Katrina and it looked like it got pretty hard; I don%26#39;t know what it would be like now.

Looking for small restaurants and scenic routes..

Middendorf%26#39;s Seafood is on Interstate 55 north of New Orleans, take the Manchac exit.

Latil%26#39;s Landing, Houmas House Plantation in Burnside.

Keith Young%26#39;s Steak House in Madisonville

La Provence on US 190 LaCombe. Mediterranean French

Salvo%26#39;s Seafood in Belle Chasse

Fezzo%26#39;s in Scott or Crowly if you%26#39;re westbound the exit after Lafayette

Bayou Boudin and Cracklin%26#39; Cafe in Breaux Bridge

Young Steak House in Slidell ( get good directions there%26#39;s no sign)

Doug%26#39;s Restaurant or Boudreaux%26#39;s in Thibodeaux

Soileau%26#39;s Dinner Club in Opelousas, LA

Restaurant des Famille is open and doing well. I was there a few months ago with a visitor. And I support the recommendations for the other restaurants that have been posted.

Middendorf%26#39;s is now run by the chef who previously owned Bella Luna in the Quarter. Quite a change for him, I think, but I%26#39;m anxious to get back and try it. I admit that I didn%26#39;t care for Middendorf%26#39;s pre-Katrina so it%26#39;ll be fun to see what changes have been made.

Restaurant des Familles is very good. Haven%26#39;t been in ages but I%26#39;d like to try it again.

I second the recommendation for Lafitte, LA and for the Victoria Inn. The town was hit hard by both Katrina and Rita, but it seems to be on the road to recovery. The web site for the Victoria Inn is www.victoriainn.com.

Lafitte is near the Jean Lafitte National Park. There are some lovely drives, hiking trails, and canoe trips both in and outside the park. As I recall, Lafitte only has a few restaurants. The two in which we ate served hearty, typical Louisiana meals.

The Bayou Barn (www.bayoubarn.com) is an interesting place, although the food there is just average (IMHO). We haven%26#39;t been there since the storms, but they used to have a Cajun band and dance on Sunday afternoons.

I can%26#39;t remember the names of the owners of the Victoria Inn (she%26#39;s from Lafitte, he%26#39;s from Belize), but they%26#39;re very friendly folks and she%26#39;s proud of her home town. I%26#39;m sure they%26#39;%26#39;d be willing to assist you with facts and recommendations.

I don%26#39;t know about a place around the swamp/bayou areas, but it seems you have gotten many good recommendations in that area from other posters. So, I will recommend my favorite restaurants that are outside the FQ, but still in Nola - just a short drive or cab ride from the FQ.

Clancy%26#39;s -6100 Annunciation St 895-1111

Di*k and Jenny%26#39;s - 4501 Tchoupitoulas St - 894-9880

Brigtsens - 723 Dante St - 861-7610

Cafe Degas - 3127 Esplanade Ave - 945-5635

Mimi%26#39;s in the Marigny - 2601 Royal St - 872-9868

La Crepe Nanou - 1410 Robert St - 899-2670

Crescent City Steakhouse - 1001 N Broad St - 324-5493

They all take reservations except D*ck and Jennys and Crepe Nanou.

And Mimi%26#39;s probably does not take reservations, but you shouldn%26#39;t have any trouble getting in if you go early - they have tapas.

You might consider heading up River Road to Convent, and have some boiled seafood at Hymels. Crawfish are out of season, but crabs and shrimp are in, and the scenery on river road is really neat. For some companion literature you might pick up ';Along the River Road'; by Mary Ann Sternberg, and read about all the spots you pass. Of course, you do pass some noxious plants on the way up, but the restaurant is well worth the trip.