Chateau Golf and Country Club
3600 Chateau Blvd., Kenner, (504) 467-1351, chateaugcc.com
At Chateau Golf and Country Club, both members and nonmembers can book post-wedding brunches, says Elle McCaffery, who works at the club. The dining room’s Sunday brunch menu changes weekly, and during a three-hour brunch, more lunch-type items are added in later in the brunch.
Commander’s Palace
1403 Washington Ave., (504) 899-8221, commanderspalace.com
As destination weddings have become more popular, post-wedding brunches have expanded, says Lally Brennan, managing partner at Commander’s Palace.
“Brunches are so fun,” says Brennan. “Everyone is recapping the night before.” She notes that some Sundays, Commander’s foyer is filled with suitcases, as wedding guests have one last meal. Favorite menu items include turtle soup, egg and seafood dishes and quail, along with “eye-openers” like milk punch or Bloody Marys. Brennan says she’s noticed that when the bride and groom attend the brunch, they eat heartily; many times they were too busy during the wedding reception to enjoy the food.
Windsor Court Hotel
300 Gravier St., (504) 523-6000, windsorcourthotel.com
At Windsor Court, post-wedding brunches can run from 20 to 200 guests, says catering manager Kelli Bruno. Smaller groups use cozy, elegant rooms on the second floor, while large groups are accommodated in the grand ballroom on the 23rd floor. Sometimes people recycle the flower arrangements from the reception, Bruno says.
The Court of Two Sisters
613 Royal St., (504) 522-7261, courtoftwosisters.com
With lots of local cuisine items like shrimp etouffee to bread pudding, the brunch menu at The Court of Two Sisters gives out-of-town guests an education in the best of New Orleans food. Director of Marketing Michelle Morantez says post-wedding brunches are a chance for family members to relax after the pressure of the wedding ceremony and reception. They can linger over coffee, reliving the fun of the night before.
Muriel’s Jackson Square Restaurant
801 Chartres St., (504) 568-1955, muriels.com
Brunch hosts like a location in the French Quarter, close to so many hotels, says Maria Cervini, private event planner at Muriel’s. The restaurant has three private rooms that can hold groups of 50 to 300. All are on the second floor and include the use of a balcony, Cervini says. Like other planners, she notices that bride and grooms often attend the brunches.
“It’s a nice way to say good-bye and thank you,” she says.