New Orleans, also know as the Big Easy, likely due to the ease you can expand your waistline with all it's delicious eats. I happened upon NOLA a few days prior to a conference, with some eating companions in hand, experienced what makes this city one of the most unique and delicious places to visit.
New Orleans Oyster Festival
Much thanks to my taxi driver, who graciously withstood my interrogation of great local eats, and mentioned I arrived on the last day of this seafood extravaganza at Woldenberg Park. Many of the cities most renowned restaurants were represented with a few of their best dishes and we definitely made our way through a good number of them.
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| The Famous Gumbo Pot - Oyster Jambalya |
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| Charbroiled Oysters from Drago's |
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| Fried Oyster Sliders - Jolie Pearl Oyster Bar |
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| Cajun Nachos - Oceana |
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| Shrimp Po-Boy - ACME Oyster House |
When in Rome and the humidity hits averages nearly 90% in June (not even at it's most brutal), one must seek refreshment. Since my consumption limits are low (read: weak sauce), we went for the staples.
Pat O' Briens - Home of the Hurricane
This drink was created during WWII to use up the supply of rum bar owners were forced to buy in order to secure orders of limited supplies of whiskey. Quite a sweet punch like liquor served here in O'Brien's lovely courtyard. Arrive in the early evening to witness the ceremonial lighting of the fountain.
624 Bourbon St,
New Orleans, LA 70130
Open 11a-10pm - 7 days.
Tropical Isle - Home of the Hand Grenade
This one packs a hidden punch, but definitely hits you beneath it's melon sweetness. Online recipes tout gin, grain alcohol, melon liquor, rum and vodka. Couldn't make my way all the way through (see weak sauce above, but did my requisite stroll down Bourban with the souvenir container anyway).
All along Bourbon Street
Eats, Part Deux
Felix's - Crawfish Po-Boy and Etoufee
Another recommendation from my taxi driver, some eats to soak up the aforementioned refreshments. A little full and exhausted to enjoy this dish, but crawfish fry was a bit salty. Etoufee was hearty and flavorful.
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| Crawfish Po-boy and Etoufee |
739 Iberville St.
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 522-4440
Sunday - Thursday: 11a -10p
Friday & Saturday: 11a - 11p
Cafe Du Monde
Second visit to Orleans and shockingly the first trek for the world famous beignets. Delectable fried pieces of dough, under an avalanche of powdered sugar. Few legendary dishes live up to the hype, but the beignets at Cafe Du Monde are everything you've heard. The Cafe Au Lait, had both hot and iced, at different visits, and both are fabulous as well.
Grab a seat on the patio in the French Market location - open all day and night. A bit glad my hotel is almost a mile away from the French Quarter. This place is dangerous.
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| Evening beignets and Cafe Au Lait |
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| Afternoon beignets and Iced Cafe Au Lait |
800 Decatur Street
70116 New Orleans(504) 525-4544
Open Hoursclosed 6pm December 24opens 6am December 26
Open Hoursclosed 6pm December 24opens 6am December 26
Open 24 hours a day
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| Stuffed P&J Oysters |
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| Seafood Gumbo ala Creole |
333 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70130
OPEN DAILY: 7 A.M. TO 11 P.M.
Everytime we walked past this ACME, there was a decent line streaming from the door, so we decided to forego original plans for a fancier dinner for another opportunity to inhale more oysters. I think Drago's oysters still remain my favorite, but ACME delivers a pretty amazing oyster as well. You'll need the bread to sop up the amazing drippings. Everything we sampled at ACME was awesome and would definitely mark this a must visit in the city.
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| Chargrilled Oysters |
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| 1/2 Dozen Raw Oysters |
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| Craw Puppies and Seafood Etoufee |
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| New Orleans Bread Pudding |
724 Iberville Street | New Orleans, LA 70130
- Phone: 504.522.5973
- Hours: Sunday-Thursday: 10:30AM-10PM
Friday-Saturday: 10:30AM-11PM
Gumbo Shop
Impromtu Gumbo hop led us to nearby Gumbo Shop right as the Orleans skies finally decided to welcome me with it's infamous summer rain. We scarfed on our post dinner snack (gumbo part deux) and myself some BBQ shrimp. I had a taste of the gumbo, which was quite tasty, but the BBQ shrimp was just alright. Less of a BBQ flavor, but really bold and dark. Good for sopping up with the baguette that accompanied.
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| Seafood and Okra Gumbo |
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| BBQ Shrimp |
630 Saint Peter Street
New Orleans LA, 70116
T: 504-525-1486
Sun - Thu, 11:00 am to 10:00 pm
Fri & Sat, 11:00 am to 11:00 pm
