New Orleans 
Susie and I went to New Orleans last weekend to play tourist. Although we live outside the city it is still our home town and we want to support it as much as we can. As we traveled over Lake Pontchartrain brown pelicans sored on the updrafts from passing cars. The Lake was deep blue and it was still. Low clouds reflected from the Lakes surface and remained me how much the water quality had improved since Hurricane Katrina. Since the disaster of 2005, previously known as Katrina, much has been done in the French Quarter to improve its cleanliness. There was a noticeable change for the better. However, it is still sickening to me that after over 2 years there is still much more to be done. As a tourist, if you stay only in the French Quarter and the downtown business district, you will never see the underbelly of the disaster recovery that is still very evident in New Orleans East, 9Th Ward and LakeView areas.
BIG EASY PARKING AT FRENCH QUARTER
If you are driving, the most convenient place to park is at the river on Decatur just down from CAFE'Du Monde (http://www.mapquest.com/). It is just a short walk to everything that matters from there. Just watch out for the horse "poop".
WE LIVE TO EAT NOT EAT TO LIVE
While we were there we had lunch at the French Market Restaurant and Bar. This place has been in New Orleans since before I was born but it was the first time I have ever eaten there. Usually I try to stay away from the tourist spots. We sat at a small table facing the bar. A bar that had seen many tourist and locals knocking back beer on tap and raw oysters. We were pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food. True south Louisiana cuisine at a reasonable price. The service was O.K. but what "T"S me off is when it is time to pay the bill and wait staff ask if I need any change. " Lady, I gave you a hundred, the bill was $35.00. What do you think?". When did such poor manners by wait staff start? The only thing that gets me more upset is when poorly trained staff are let loose on the unsuspecting public.
But let's get back to food. From the French Market Restaurant it is a short walk to Cafe Du Monde where you can get New Orleans beignets ( type of doughnut) and coffee. While sitting enjoying your beignets you
will usually be entertained by nearby street musicians, or other street smart acts.
Another one of my favorite restaurants is MR. B's Bistro on Royal Street. It has great Barbecued Shrimp. It is a little messy to eat but worth it. And remember, don't refuse the bib. It cost me an extra $18.00 for dry cleaning the last time I was there.
There are some many great restaurants in New Orleans you may want to check out a list at http://www.nomenu.com/.
WHAT ELSE TO DO IN THE CRESCENT CITY
First let me say, don't try to out smart the street hustlers. Enjoy them for who they are but realize you gon'a be giving them money if you want to play their game. Best thing to do is ignore them.
It is worth a stroll around the French Quarter just to take in the architecture. Just a short walk from Cafe Du Monde is St. Louis Cathedral (http://www.stlouiscathedral.org/). A cathedral that is an active working church. It can take years to set a date for a wedding in the cathedral. Built in 1720 this Catholic church was the primary architectural feature of the city and some would argue still is.
I do not want to forget the Aquarium of the Americas (http://www.auduboninstitute.org/) which I believe is the best in the country ( yea, yea yea, I know Atlanta's is great but you will see animals here that are native to Louisiana and the Gulf Coast , several albino alligators for example). Also, there is an Imax theater next to the aquarium that has some really great short movies. You can check out the current movies at the Audubon Institute web site listed above.
Hope you will make the effort to visit our great city. Send me a question and I will be happy to answer.
BIG EASY PARKING AT FRENCH QUARTER
If you are driving, the most convenient place to park is at the river on Decatur just down from CAFE'Du Monde (http://www.mapquest.com/). It is just a short walk to everything that matters from there. Just watch out for the horse "poop".
WE LIVE TO EAT NOT EAT TO LIVE
While we were there we had lunch at the French Market Restaurant and Bar. This place has been in New Orleans since before I was born but it was the first time I have ever eaten there. Usually I try to stay away from the tourist spots. We sat at a small table facing the bar. A bar that had seen many tourist and locals knocking back beer on tap and raw oysters. We were pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food. True south Louisiana cuisine at a reasonable price. The service was O.K. but what "T"S me off is when it is time to pay the bill and wait staff ask if I need any change. " Lady, I gave you a hundred, the bill was $35.00. What do you think?". When did such poor manners by wait staff start? The only thing that gets me more upset is when poorly trained staff are let loose on the unsuspecting public.
But let's get back to food. From the French Market Restaurant it is a short walk to Cafe Du Monde where you can get New Orleans beignets ( type of doughnut) and coffee. While sitting enjoying your beignets you
will usually be entertained by nearby street musicians, or other street smart acts.Another one of my favorite restaurants is MR. B's Bistro on Royal Street. It has great Barbecued Shrimp. It is a little messy to eat but worth it. And remember, don't refuse the bib. It cost me an extra $18.00 for dry cleaning the last time I was there.
There are some many great restaurants in New Orleans you may want to check out a list at http://www.nomenu.com/.
WHAT ELSE TO DO IN THE CRESCENT CITY
First let me say, don't try to out smart the street hustlers. Enjoy them for who they are but realize you gon'a be giving them money if you want to play their game. Best thing to do is ignore them.
It is worth a stroll around the French Quarter just to take in the architecture. Just a short walk from Cafe Du Monde is St. Louis Cathedral (http://www.stlouiscathedral.org/). A cathedral that is an active working church. It can take years to set a date for a wedding in the cathedral. Built in 1720 this Catholic church was the primary architectural feature of the city and some would argue still is.
I do not want to forget the Aquarium of the Americas (http://www.auduboninstitute.org/) which I believe is the best in the country ( yea, yea yea, I know Atlanta's is great but you will see animals here that are native to Louisiana and the Gulf Coast , several albino alligators for example). Also, there is an Imax theater next to the aquarium that has some really great short movies. You can check out the current movies at the Audubon Institute web site listed above.
Hope you will make the effort to visit our great city. Send me a question and I will be happy to answer.
No comments:
Post a Comment