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IRBINO (I'd Rather Be In New Orleans)
Post-Katrina
The city is coming back slowly but let me say that the dining and imbibing, music and joie de vivre is alive and well, the Quarter is delightful as is Uptown. And the BigEZ restaurants are keeping the spirit and reality of our wonderful culinary and hospitality industries alive. Check www.nola.com for the most up-to-date information on the recovery…
When visiting the Big Easy, it is usually hot but, always cool, dress likewise.
John J. Audubon River Boat ride-Mississippi River from the French Quarter (¼) to/from Uptown/ Audubon Park
Lazy trip upriver, www.neworleanssteamboat.com , Audubon Park is delightful, visit Breaux Grocery in the Cajun Swamp, named after Lynne’s grandfather, Prospère Breaux,
Chartres and Royal Streets have some nice shops with good quality merchandise, or travel a little outside of the ¼ to...
Magazine Street for antiques, galleries, clothes, whatever you are looking for it is probably on Magazine, www.magazinestreet.com
A few suggestions, but there are many more great places:
Acme Oyster House
724 Iberville
Quarter
504-5222-5973
Boisterous, raunchy, delicious po-boys, oysters, crawfish in season
Central Grocery
923 Decatur St.
Quarter
504-523-1620
Go early grab (a ½ for two is substantial) scrumptious muffaletta and a root beer, find a bench on the levee and enjoy
Drago’s Seafood Restaurant and Oyster Bar
3232 No. Arnoult Road at 17th St..,
Metairie, La 70002,
504-888-9254,
About a 20 min. ride from the French Quarter (¼) but worth it, depending on your time. Down the street and around the corner from a Breaux Mart, across the street from Lakeside Shopping Center or go to/from airport between airport and the Quarter.
The best char-broiled oysters on earth, Tommy Cvitanovich is the owner and very active with the National and La. Restaurant Associations.
Bon Ton Café
401 Magazine St.,
Central Business District (CBD)
504-524-3386
Incredible food - catfish, crawfish etouffee, bread pudding, etc., oldest Cajun restaurant in NO, in the CBD across Canal Street from the ¼, only open weekdays, 11am-2pm and 5pm-9:30pm
The Coffee Pot
St. Peter St
Quarter
Great traditional NO food, super breakfasts and Bloody’s, lovely patio and authentic staff
The Gumbo Shop
630 St. Peter Street
Quarter
Basic good Cajun/Creole, seafood gumbo good but the chicken and andouille gumbo is fantastic
Clover Grill, a.k.a. Clever Girl
Bourbon Street
Quarter
All day and night dining, great burgers and breakfast, real characters, gay zone, if Earl’s on duty it’s better performance art than NY
Praline Connection
Frenchman Street,
Faubourg Marigny,
Nice walk across Esplanade from the ¼, happening music neighborhood but do be careful after dark. Best soul food in NO, greens, fried chicken, chicken livers.
Pierre Maspero’s
Chartres and St. Louis Sts.
Quarter
Rather divey but surprisingly good food, catfish salad, po-boys, etc.
Napoleon House
Chartres and St. Louis Sts.
Quarter
Great patio, opera, Pimm’s Cups and super shrimp/avocado rémoulade
Mosca’s Restaurant
4137 Hwy 90 W
Avondale, LA 70094
(504) 436-8950
Worth the trip across the Mississippi River, the real deal, authentic Italian,
Award winning
Café Giovanni
117 Decatur St.
Quarter
New Orleans
504-529-2154
Homey, Operatic, good Italian, very hospitable
Muriel’s Restaurant, Jackson Square
801 Chartres St.
Quarter
New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 568-1885
Beautiful, elegant ambiance, great Creole menu
Of Course, café au lait and beignets at…
Café du Monde
Decatur St.
Jackson Square
The Royal Orleans Hotel
621 St. Louis St.,
Quarter
504-529-5333
Where Lynne worked for many years, Rib Room good food, great drinks, old time staff
Roof top great view of ¼ and Mississippi River
Galatoire’s
209 Bourbon St.,
Quarter
504-525-2021, no reservations, even biggies stand in line.
Real New Orleans, Dahling, the to-be-seen social scene, go for lunch people-watch till dinner, very good food
Restaurant August
301 Tchoupitoulas St.
CBD
504-299-9777, right outside ¼
New, non-traditional and delicious. Upscale but not pretentious. John Besh owner.
Award winning
Bayona
430 Dauphine St.
Quarter
Similar cuisine as above, best sweetbreads in the world. Susan Spicer, owner.
Award winning
The famous ones are still delicious and special: Commander’s Palace- Uptown and Brennan’s, Arnaud’s, Antoine’s in the Quarter