New Orleans

Given the choice of New Orleans, Louisiana, or Orlando, Florida, for Spring Break this year, I had horrific visions of mini-sized people (my kid included) trampling me down on their quest to fuel their Disney-driven obsession with "the happiest place on earth".  Happy for who exactly???  Umm, thanks but no thanks, Mickey.  I chose to visit New Orleans, or N'Awlins, as we in the know call it.  hehe.

The Big Easy did not disappoint!  The New Orleans dining scene is a wonderful mixture of new and old, from the ever-faithful Commander's Palace, to the chic and modern Herbsaint.  The architecture of fabulous buildings with snazzy balconies in the French Quarter rolled into gorgeous Southern Plantations that had my inner Scarlett rummaging the hotel room for suitable curtains and tassles to fashion myself a dress that would make even Rhett swoon.  It had just enough fun touristy things to make my son excited about our daily "kid activity", and all the antique shops, history, and music to make my heart go pitter patter.

Dressed for dinner at Herbsaint. Saja coat, MaxMara blouse, Armani slacks,
Hermes cuffs, Louis Vuitton purse, Henri Bendel necklace & earrings

Sazerac, traditional New Orleans cocktail. Rye whiskey, herbsaint, bitters, sugar cube.

Homemade spaghetti in a cream pancetta sauce with a deep fried poached egg. So delish!

Acme Oyster House near Bourbon Street.

Chargrilled oysters

Gorgeous dining room of August

Egg Amuse Bouche at August. I love this dish!!!

Mardi Gras World.

Next year's Mosquito Float

Vintage 1940's gown worn during Mardi Gras. Can I take this home please??

It's a $4 martini!!! Was so cheap I had to drink it.  ;)

One of the dining rooms at Muriel's, close to Jackson Square

Can't leave without visiting Cafe du Monde for Beignets and Frozen Cafe Au Lait! Yum.

So good I went every other day...

And the other days I came here to Cafe Beignet for their beignets and chicory coffee. 
This might have been my favorite over Cafe du Monde, with a crisper outer crust.

Alligator at Bourbon House!

Baked oyster trio

Butcher. Cross between a restaurant and delicatessen

Loved my lunch here at Cochon

Alligator again! Kinda does taste like chicken...

Wood fired oyster roast

Coquette for lunch

Fell in love with their house made infusion spirits.
It's given me ideas for summer cocktails.

Fresh made spring pea ravioli. Light, airy, and perfectly delectable!

Enjoying French Quarterfest

Strawberry & Nutella crepe

Street musicians

Jazz Festival at Jackson Square with the legendary Pete Fountain

Mint julep at the Palm Court Jazz Cafe.

My fav vintage store, Vintage 329. They had an ecclectic mix of signed sports memorabilia, historical artifacts,
and gorgeoous vintage jewelry pieces.  Both the little guy and I could have spent hours here.

Favorite broach find, to be used in a future DIY project

Swamp Tour. Yes, that's a hot dog. His other treat of choice? Marshmallows.  What is this??? A campout???

I do tricks for food too...

Come on... I'm not the only one thinking it...  ;)

Acme Oyster House
724 Iberville Street
504-522-5973
www.acmeoyster.com
*Must try, but best dish is probably the crawfish. It even comes in a cute little net.

August
301 Tchoupitoulas Street
504-299-9777
www.restaurantaugust.com
*Gorgeous room. Loved the service and the food.

Bayona
430 Dauphine Street
504-525-4455
www.bayona.com
*Worth trying. Service a hit or miss.

Bourbon House
144 Bourbon Street
504-52-0111
www.bourbonhouse.com
*Nice oyster bar. Great location.

Cafe Beignet
311 Bourbon Street
504-525-2611
www.cafebeignet.com
*I really enjoyed the crisper crust they had. Much larger than the ones from Cafe du Monde.

Cafe du Monde
800 Decatur Street
504-525-4544
www.cafedumonde.com
*Must do! Still my son's fav, as it has a cake-like consistency. Yummy frozen Cafe au Lait.

Cajun Encounters (Swamp Tour)
301 Canal Street
504-834-1770
www.cajunencounters.com
*45minutes away by car, but they'll come pick you up at your hotel. Great swamp tour and nice guides.

Commander's Palace
1403 Washington Avenue
504-899-8221
www.commanderspalace.com
*Traditional New Orleans restaurant. Turtle soup and tableside Bananas foster is a must.

Cochon / Butcher
930 Tchoupitoulas Street
504-588-2123
www.cochonrestaurant.com
*Delicious smaller share plates.

Coquette
2800 Magazine Street
504-265-0421
www.coquette-nola.com
*Very enjoyable meal ina charming establishment.

Herbsaint
701 St. Charles Avenue
504-524-4114
www.herbsaint.com
*One of my favorite restaurant visits. Food was delicious.

Mardi Gras World
1380 Port of New Orleans Place
504-361-7821
www.mardigrasworldcom
*Cool experience to see the floats very close up.

Muriel's
801 Chartres Street
504-568-1885
www.muriels.com
*Can't beat $4 martinis or Bloody mary's, plus the close proximity to Jackson Square.

Palm Court Jazz Cafe
1204 Decatur Street
504-525-0200
www.palmcourtjazzcafe.com
*Dixie jazz in a great environment. Owner is a doll!

Vintage 329
329 Royal Street
504-525-2262
www.vintage329.com
*Great selection of historical, sports, entertainment, and vintage jewelry