NOLA LOVE

I spent six days eating my way through this city.

It wasn't nearly long enough.

Seeing the sights of a new city is one of the best parts of life.  And right before all the holiday season madness began, I got to visit New Orleans, Louisiana. Looking back through what I see, knowing what I didn't have time to see, leaves want to go back!  Like Tennessee Williams said, "America has only three cities: New York, San Francisco, and New Orleans. Everywhere else is Cleveland.”

I will always wonder to myself, how I spent so much of my life never visiting this city.  It quickly became another city I fell in love with.  With the food, the history, architecture, music, culture, sweet tea, and that good ol' southern hospitality- how could I not fall in love.  So check out some highlights from my adventure.  

“ T H E R E  A R E  A  L O T  O F  P L A C E S  I  L I K E, 

but I Like New Orleans better…. Bluebloods, titled persons like crazy drunks, lean weakly against the walls and drag themselves through the gutter. Even they seem to have insights you might want to listen to. No action seems inappropriate here. The city is one very long poem. Gardens full of pansies, pink petunias, opiates. Flower-bedecked shrines, white myrtles, bougainvillea and purple oleander stimulate your senses, make you feel cool and clear inside.” - Bob Dylan;Chronicles, Vol.1

\  \  A F T E R   L A N D I N G  ---->  at the Louis Armstrong airport we headed out to a quaint little local's bar known for having  literary inspired cocktails and decor.  It is also esteemed as being one of the best local late night food spots.  Seriously, one of the best burgers I have ever eaten in my life! And that meatloaf sandwich though -ALL THATTTT :

The Backspace Bar & Kitchen 

139 Chartres Street, New Orleans, LA 70130

(504) 322-2245

\  \  THE NEXT MORNING, we headed out to the renown "frozen irish coffee"  and despite it coming in a plastic cup, it certainly did not disappoint.  The place was certainly a divey sort of bar that is right off of Bourbon Street. But I find it is often these spots that surprise you and end up being a great time.  And the Erin Rose most certainly did with amazingly inexpensive prices and fantastic po boys at the :

Erin Rose Bar

811 Conti Street, New Orleans, LA 70112

(504)522-3573

\  \  BRUNCH, at the Erin Rose for Erin's birthday!

h a l f  &  h a l f  o f :

\ \  The Meatloaf Poboy : Beef Meatloaf, Boudreaux's BBQ Sauce, Killer Pickles, House Ranch

 \ \  The Eggplant Poboy : Roasted Eggplant, Black Eyed Pea Puree, Kalamata Olives, 

Pomegranate Sweet Pepper Sauce, Arugula 

  

\  \  N E X T   U P  ----> we headed over to the ultra chic bar that was a giant carousel that gently rotated as you sat around. The drinks were a bit overpriced, but the ambiance made it worthwhile at the:

Carousel Bar

Hotel Monteleone, 214 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130

(504) 523-3341 |1|

\  \   A N O T H E R   M U S T    S E E  ---->  is this great little piano bar that has no electricity, is lit up by candle light and is simply a great time :

Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar

941 Bourbon Street, New Orleans, LA 70116

(504) 593-9761

|2|

\  \  hey Judey, Judey Judeeeeeee ! 

The Louisiana Seafood Festival :

\  \ Crab stuffed mushrooms ! 

\  \ Baked Alaska!  AND THEN, off to Frenchmen street.

\  \  I   J U S T   F E L L   I N   L O V E  ---->  with the little Frenchmen Street Art Market.  Well, I simply adored this whole part of town, it made me feel like I could live in the south. New Orleans made me feel like I could live in the South and I didn't think such a place existed. 

\  \  I F   Y O U   G O   T O   B O U R B O N   S T ---->  and you are looking for music, culture and great food - you're doing it wrong.  You gotta go to Frenchman that is where it is at.  So on that note, some of the favorite things I ate while here was at :

THREE MUSES

536 Frenchmen Street, New Orleans, LA 70116

(504) 252-4801

\  \  The Muse -Cucumber infused Nolet Gin, housemade strawberry syrup, St. Germain & 

Spaghetti Western -Bulleit Bourbon, Campari soaked orange, rosemary syrup

\  \ Crab Rangoons with a sweet chili sauce

 \  \ Bacon Wrapped Bleu Cheese Stuffed Dates, Vanilla Balsamic

\  \  Seared Scallops over Cauliflower puree with crispy kale chips

\  \  Braised Duck Rigatoni pasta with a reduction and a sunny side up egg

\  \  Did someone say Louie Armstrong? 

\  \  A N D   T H E N   M O R E   N O M S  ---->  I feel like we spent most of this trip eating.  Probably, because we did.  Another stop I wanted to make was to a classic style smokehouse.  It was a cute little smokeshack with outside dining area that had a backyard picnic feel to it.  Everything was insanely inexpensive and did not disappoint at :

The Joint

701 Mazant Street, New Orleans, LA 70117
(504) 949-3232

\  \  Amazing Brisket and Coleslaw sandwich with homestyle mac and cheese.  

\  \  N E X T   T H I N G   T H A T   I   A T E  ---->  was that evening inside a building with a lot of history and it was also fantastic. I really love all the restaurants with their historical buildings and original detailing. The carriage house still kept its original charm and detailing of being built in the 1700's and housed many promient and infamous people was :

Sylvain 

625 Chartres Street, New Orleans, LA 70130

(504) 265-8123  

\  \ Croquet Cocktail -Plymouth Gin, Yellow Chartreuse, Herbsaint, Lime, Mint.

\ \ Fried Eggplant with a Lemon Aioli and Parmesan Reggiano  

\  \ Squash Cakes with Prosciutto, Tomato Ragu and Micro Greens

\  \ Shaved Brussel Sprouts, Apples, Pecorino Romano, and Hazelnuts.

\  \ Pappardelle Bolognese with house made pasta 

\  \ Chocolate Pot de Creme -classic chocolate custard with fresh whipped cream

\  \  L I T E R A L L Y ---> every mom and pop shop delivers and they do it on the late night.  I would get so fat here.

\  \  O U R   L A S T   I N D U L G E N C E ---> we managed to find great pizza before we had to head to the airport, back to our own city.  One of those moments where we were starving and walked into the first place we saw.  And it was quite the find at :

Domenica

123 Baronne Street, New Orleans, LA 70112

(504) 648-6020

\  \ Homemade Pumpkin Tortellini with a sage and brown sugar butter.

\  \ Roasted Cauliflower with a whipped smoked feta.

| My Usual Hendrick's Cucumber Cocktail 

\  \ Prosciutto and Arugula Pizza

\  \ A   P L A C E, that is locally famous and has been a staple forever is also acclaimed for all of the cute kitties that, as you guessed it.  They run the shop, the humans just work in it.

Louisiana Loom Works

616 Chartres Street, New Orleans, LA 70130 (504) 566-7788

\  \  what i'm wearing :

MOSIMO | creme cardigan

H&M | lace tanktop

ZARA | leather skort

MYER THE HATTER | hat

C WONDER | sandals

PRADA | baroque sunglasses

LOUIS VUITTON | speedy 30 bag

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