The Kingston Whig-Standard du lieu suivant : Kingston, Ontario, Canada • 67

11" ITICKET TRAVEL DSfflEllS QDOD' 'fflDflD ff MtSSlDD Italy Foatar NEW ORlEAMVnM AMOCtaM FlM When Zagat issued ita last ratings for New Orleans Com-mander'i Palace the turquoise Garden District landmark known far its food and ambience was still being pieced back together after hurricane Katrina wrecked it It took 13 months and a renovation to restore the restaurant for business and only one new issue of the Zagat Survey to put Commanded back on top The guide issued Jan 7 lists Commander's as the most popular restaurant in New Orleans a post-' tion it held for 17 straight years before the devastating hurricane that rocked the city happy we're back" said Ti Martin co-manager of Commanders "But I'm also glad to see so many other New Orleans restaurants back There are some dam good ones here and a lot of people who work very hard to make sure they stay that way" The Zagat Survey covers 704 New Orleans restaurants nightspots and hotels Surveyors found 97 of their favourite restaurants back in business Almost 4000 people participated in the survey said Dm Zagat -After Katrina struck on Aug 29 2005 restaurants were left to cope with problems that ranged from flooding and coolers foil of decaying food to workers scattered Across the country Many restaurants set up FEMA trailers so employees could return to the city Some workers lived in restaurant parking lots even in the homes for months after the storm lucky enough to get back 70 of our staff pretty quickly after the storm" said Melvin Rodrigue gene-jlmapsger of Gala- "Many of the remaining 30 have returned since then" At Commander's chef Tory McPhail ended up training a new kitchen staff and waiters and others were also schooled before the restaurant reopened The turnover in staff may have accounted for the dissatisfaction with service Zagat found in restaurants throughout the area Before Katrina 38 of those surveyed found poor service was a major complaint Since then that num-ber has Jumped to 76 Restaurant owners said they A ----'-'I nmiwnrW1IW i Chef Huy MePhail cooks Lemon and Gallic I I W1IA Shrimp at Commander's Palace in the District of Nsw Orleans IF YOU GO MEW ORLEANS ESI III IE Zl thought the problem was diminishing "I think everyone had to do -some scrambling to get Martin said "But I think behind most of us People are now working with staff they are comfortable With economic hard times Zagat expects more American travellers to look for destinations in the United States In New Orleans they will not only find some of the country's top dining spots they will find affonlable ones Dm Zagat said "This is still not only one of the best places to eat in the United States" he said one of the Zagat found New (Means to have the lowest average meal costs in the United States compared to the national average of $3431 The most popular foods in New Orleans were Cajun and Creole Zagat found followed by Italian French and American In every other city with a Zagat guide Italian is ranked by reviewers as the most No 1 cuisine Brigtsen's won the top food and top service award Named for top value were Angelo Brocato which had been making Italian ices in New Orleans for more than 100 years Morning Call -which serves beignets the deep-fried batter covered with powdered sugar and eaten with rich cafe au lait and Hansen's Sno Bliz on Tchoupitoulas Street which has been serving shaved ice and its own blends of syrup since the 1930sT Most popular restaurant Commander Palace 1403 Washington Ave Top food and service: 723 Dante St Top value: Hansen Sno Bite 4801 Tchoupitoulas St (open summer i only) Angelo Brocato 214 Carrollton Ave and Morning Call 3325 Severn Ave Most popular night spot Pat 71 8 St Peter St Top appeal (nightlife category): Preservation Hall 726 Saint Peter St Best decor and Lounge 300 Gravier St (Windsor Court Hotel) Top hotel Windsor Court 300 Gravier St Most popular attraction: Audubon Aquarium 1 Canal St Top appeal (attractions): National World War II Museum 945 Magazine St I I it I kL 1 4 UHliMI 'ii.