There are so many great restaurants and amazing chefs in New Orleans – which is one of the many reasons I adore this vibrant city.
After dropping our nephews in Slidell, we arrived in New Orleans in perfect time for dinner, and discovered the breezy, peaceful courtyard at the adorable Evangeline along Decatur Street. Specializing in fresh, seasonal cuisine, everything is made from scratch and delivered to the table with a smile.
fried oyster po boy with sweet potato frites
etoufee – made from Great Grandmothers recipe
The morning found us once again enjoying coffee and beignets at the familiar and famous New Orleans landmark, Cafe Du Monde, which has been serving up wonderful deliciousness since the early 1860’s.
delicious cafe au lait and beignets at Cafe du Monde
After a walk through the French Market and along the river, Mum and my Aunt took a two hour cruise along the Mississippi on the Steamboat Natchez. A little further along on the riverfront is the Audobon Aquarium of the Americas, where we enjoyed the Amazon Exhibit, Gulf of Mexico Exhibit and the Mississippi River Gallery, as well as the large variety of fish and sharks, seahorses, jellyfish and amphibians.
jellyfish at the Audobon Aquarium of the Americas
Kingfish, at 337 Chartres was a lovely place for lunch.
the yummy French Bread at Kingfish
After being reassured that all was well during a hurried phone call with my husband, who had just dropped our daughter at camp, I ordered the Louisiana Peach and Plum Salad with mixed greens, spiced pecans, blue cheese and an inventive sweet tea vinaigrette, which Mum and I shared.
the Louisiana Peach and Plum Salad at Kingfish
After a quick look at the shops, which was all the boys could tolerate, we called into The Court of Two Sisters, which Mum remembered fondly (http://www.courtoftwosisters.com).
the pretty cover of the Court of Two Sisters Menu – painted in the 1930’s by the famous Louisiana artist Clarence Millet
The restaurant is named for sisters Emma and Bertha Camors, who owned a shop at the location, providing many of New Orleans finest ladies with Mardi Gras costumes, formal gowns, lace and perfumes imported from Paris.
– the gorgeous interior of the Court of Two Sisters – the property has been significant in New Orleans since 1726
It started pouring with rain as we reached the restaurant, but we enjoyed the lovely ambiance, being dry, cozy and well looked after, our delightful waiters and the Jalapeño Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Duck Breast with a Wild Berry Gastrique.
the Jalapeño Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Duck Breast with Wild Berry Gastrique
We had to experience live New Orleans jazz at the exceptional, iconic Preservation Hall, and then, right around the corner, we sampled the fun surroundings at Pat O’Brien’s, which was converted from a speakeasy to a legitimate drinking establishment at the end of Prohibition in 1933.
the fun courtyard at Pat O’Briens
We also sampled the famous, rum based Hurricane, the Alligator Tenderloin Bites served with Honey Creole Mustard Sauce and the Bread Pudding covered in a rich warm Whiskey Sauce.
Pat O’Briens Hurricane
-the ladies enjoying a Hurricane in the Pat O’Brien’s Courtyard
– Alligator Bites at Pat O’Briens
the Bread Pudding with warm Whiskey Sauce at Pat O’Briens
The last stop before the hotel was a little nondescript bar Deja Vu, where although they have been removed from the menu, will serve the most wonderfully delicious Cajun Meat Pies on request.
the absolutely wonderful Cajun Meat Pies from Deja Vu
