<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Thank you to everyone who responded to my post regarding safe places to eat in New Orleans. My husband will be spending some time there in September at a Conference, so all the experiences shared and recommendations are most appreciated. Out of all the respondents, there was only one who had indicated that they had a difficult time when visiting New Orleans. . Following is a summary if the responses I received: ******** The best place for GF accommodation was a restaurant called NOLA. The chef came out to meet me at lunch. We then made dinner reservations for a Saturday night and they had a meal all made up and ready for me! It was a fantastic experience! You have to give it a go! I always carry with me a card from"Against the Grain" book that states what I can and can not eat, I find this extremely helpful. Good luck! The Commondor (?sp) is another place that was recommended to me but not quite as accommodating as NOLA's. ******** First night dinner at Emeril's Restaurant. I had written them in advance re dietary requirements (thank you Mary for your sample letters) and had a fabulous experience there. The chef came out to introduce himself and worked with me to make almost any dish that I desired GF. The food was wonderful and my husband and friends enjoyed the special treatment. The chef continued to visit the table to ensure that I was lacking in nothing. I HIGHLY recommend this restaurant to all! Lunch at Acme Oyster House. I had fried food in a restaurant! They assured me in advance that the restaurant only uses corn meal with absolutely no wheat or other taboo ingredients in the friers. Brunch at Commander's. Not so welcoming as Emeril's, but the chef actually researched CD in advance of my visit and prepared a wonderful meal of crab cakes (with no breading), grilled tuna and flourless chocolate cake. They even had GF vodka for a great bloody mary. Another hit! ******** I am not sure where the convention center is, but I had a great experience at many restaurants in the city itself. In the French Quarter, we had lunch at Acme Oyster Company. Great oysters and steamed crayfish, and all of the fried food was fried in 100% cornmeal. It was fattening, but delicious - the first fried food that I had had in a restaurant in ages! I also had a great experience at Emeril's Restaurant in the Arts/Warhouse District. I wrote a letter to them in advance (send it to reservations, not the chef, because Emeril gets so many letters that yours could get lost in the shuffle). They went out of their way to accommodate me and the food was INCREDIBLE! There also was Commander's Palace. I didn't care for it as much as Emeril's, but with a little prodding they also accommodated me. Almost anywhere you can get beans and rice. I always checked to make sure there was no hidden gluten in the beans, and I never had a problem. Breakfast was the most difficult meal. I simply brought rice cakes and had them with some fruit and coffee in the hotel. ********** I went to a conference in New Orleans back in January, and stayed at the Royal Sonesta on Bourbon Street, within walking distance of the conference center. I ate breakfast each day in the "Olde N'Awlins Cookery" next to the hotel. I don't remember what I ate (maybe omelets?), but I had no problems, the staff was helpful, and though the food wasn't wonderful, it was inexpensive and service was good. The Desire restaurant in my hotel had a shrimp creole that a very helpful waitress ascertained was GF, as well as some sort of steak I remember having one night. The real find was the Red Fish Grill on Bourbon Street. Wonderful food. I ordered some sort of chicken dish served on garlic mashed potatoes (with a sauce that was also safe), and dessert was some sort of pudding or flan in a spun sugar basket. There were other dishes I could have eaten too, as I remember. What I had was the best meal I've had in a long, long time. Everyone was helpful and I had no bad experiences with food. I didn't eat in the conference center restaurant, except to get coffee and bottled water, but it's cafeteria style and if nothing else, there are salads (with dressing on the side). ******* New Orleans is a fun place to visit, but I will not be returning soon, as I had so many problems with the food. Good thing you are going to the convention center...perhaps you can get some meals there. On the 3rd day of our visit, and as I was getting progressively sicker with cramps etc. I found out that the crab boil that most of the food is cooked in has MSG and other assorted ingredients that did not agree with me. I had been asking for plain food, and they cannot seem to prepare anything without this crab boil in the water. It is a very wheat based society down there - from the benets to the sauces. Now, I am not a person who is scared to travel or eat out. I am on the road in North Americal 2-3 weeks of the month right now, and have been doing this for 4 years. I am very versed in obtaining GF food in restaurants, or I would not survive on the road. I have never had such a challenge getting a meal! I did have some flourless (and of course non-calorie) chocolate cake/mousse though. It was on Canal Street in a restaurant that was kind of fancy. It had two floors and a winding staircase to the 2nd level. We just went for dessert. It was on the French Quarter side of the street, across from a major hotel. Sorry I cannot remember it's name... ****** In New Orleans there are many great restaurants. You need to be aware that many of the foods like gumbo and classic French foods have been made from a roux which contain wheat starch. Often the batted seafood is done in corn starch but you need to ask. There are many see food restaurants that broil and bake fish and other shell fish. You may want to check out one of the Lakefront restaurants for great foods as well as accommodate your diet. The classic restaurants like Antoine, Brennens and those in the Quarter you need to explain what you can't have. K'Paul is great but the lines are long, again look out for dishes made with a roux. Many dishes in New Orleans are served with rice and are great. Shrimp stew is often fixed with tomato gravy and is usually safe, but do check out if the gravy is tomato or brown, if brown it probably has wheat in it. Good luck and enjoy the beauty of city and surrounding areas. ***** Thank you again to each and everyone of you for sharing your experiences, recommendations and things to beware of. From the sounds of it, Dan could be in for a taste sensation, as long as he is careful! Susan in Calgary