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A Mini Vacation in New Orleans
Just want to get away from the French Quarter and the business of life for a few hours? Soak up some local architecture after a lazy delicious breakfast and some live sounds? I have just the line-up for you.
Jump on the ferry to Algiers Point – it is just across the Mississippi water and runs every half an hour – free for foot passengers. Walk to the passenger terminal on Poydras where the aquarium is and enjoy the 5 minute “cruise” over to the quaint area called “The Point”. Make your way to Tout de Suite Cafe a couple of blocks by foot - a very funky yet very clean and organised operation open 7 days a week 7am-7pm. Fabulous breakfasts and pancakes in all kinds of flavors and options (they even offer REAL maple syrup) in 4 stack and 2 stack portions. Sandwiches, soups and other lunch/deli sundries available all day.
After brekkie take a stroll around the delightful area “The Point” – its like going back to the 1950s and the houses are all a wonderful concotion of New Orleans architecture in a small few blocks space. Real village feel to the place.
Cafe Tout de Suite, 347 Verret Street, New Orleans, LA 70114-1023(504) 362-2264
Toute de Suite (one of Nolas best kept secrets) has live music from 9am Saturdays and Sundays and draws quite the crowd on Sundays. Local art can be bought for an inexpensive price and the whole operation is run from a tiny kitchen with no more than a griddle and an electric stove – incredible work girls!!
Good coffee in a real cup on Royal Street…
As a European, there is something just “not quite right” about drinking coffee “to go” in one of these monstrous foam insulated coffee cups. What happened to taking time for a wee chat together over a cup of coffee where you can actually see and enjoy the foam and smell and taste the aromas as they were meant to be. Even better : pair it with a delicious baker-made pastry or a locally made gelato in a small establishment and decide what art you are going to buy on Royal Street.
Newly opened “Antoines Annex” was a needed commodity in the city – real cups and saucers serving perfect coffee and yummy delights in an oasis of calm on Royal. They also have a lovely small side patio for those wanted to enjoy their brekfast or lunch al fresco.
Light lunches salads and paninis, soup, fruit and yoghourts, pastries and locally made (Brocatos) ice-creams and gelatos. Simple and delicious and extended opening hours
Monday – Friday ~ 7:00am – 10pm
Saturday – Sunday ~ 8:00am – 10:00pm
513 Royal Street ~ New Orleans,
The Joint – best BBQ in town…
Whilst doing recovery work in the Ninth Ward, I would regularly drive past this “joint” and wonder what it was exactly. ”The Joint” really is the epitome of the “hole in the wall”. A girlfriend who lives in this residential and hipster area of the Bywater (along the river from the French Quarter) had these guys cater a party recently. The food was plentiful, inexpensive and unbelievably good. Meaty ribs, pulled pork that melts in your mouth and great, unfatty brisket. Home-made potato salad and simple slaw, all mouthwateringly delicious. Since that first taste of BBQ, I get a regular “pang” for this place. Best BBQ I have ever tasted in the city–not too sweet, not too spicy, not too fatty…just right. A little off the beaten track, but worth the small trip. Close to “Bacchanal” wine store, which is also an experience in itself. Make a day of it and take the drive over the industrial canal and see the ‘Make it Right” Brad Pitt development and the Global Green housing – its LEED Platinum heaven over there. Experience all the great work the badly hit area of New Orleans is getting.
For Thanksgiving this year “The Joint” are offering smoked deep fried turkeys. I think I will try one this year. Those “Turduckins” (deboned chicken inside a deboned duck inside a deboned turkey) are SO last year.
The Joint
801 Poland Avenue . Tel : 504-949 3232
Open Mon-Sat 11.30am-9pm
Mikes East West – back to the Parish
Much excitement in the city about the return of this loved restaurant couple to the parish of New Orleans after a very successful spell on the Northshore.
Mike’s East West is situated on the entire ground floor of the Lafayette Hotel at Lafayette Square on the Warehouse District/CBD border. Walking distance from the French Quarter for some peace and quiet away from the tourists and a wonderful business lunch spot. In the autumn and spring season of Wednesdays on the Square (free 12 week concerts at Lafayette Square) I am sure this place will be the centre of all the local commotion. East West has huge cocktail bar on one side and a restaurant in the other side of the original hotel lobby. It is apparently similar to the original version of Mike’s in both food and atmosphere with a new updated jacket.
Mike’s East-West contemporary and hip atmosphere and formula is nothing new and breaking to the world, but definitely something different and refreshing for New Orleans. Not a roux to be found, which can be a pleasant change for us locals. Small and larger plates of potstickers, a non traditional sushi bar and other Asian themed plates. Delicious Japanese beers, sparkling sake and sake flight tastings.
Fennelly chef owner calls his food “a global mix,” drawing on the cuisines of places he’s cooked, including Santa Fe, San Francisco, Hawaii and Cape Cod.
Dinner: Monday to Saturday, 5:30 to 10:30 p.m.
New Orleans, LA 70130
Coquette and “Wine Wednesdays”
In the year that it has been open, Coquette has became one of my most frequented restaurants in the city. A two storied quite chic bistro feel with brick walls and a long bar, which is my favorite place to eat. They have a small no stress menu heavily fish biased which is creative, light and yet totally New Orleans. Love the deep fried shrimp with arugula and sambal – one of the best dishes in the city and Wednesdays is fun for us imbibers, when they reduce all the wines per glass to only $5 (with exception of Veuve). Great bread and butter (which is the first test of any place in my books), great service and creative dishes that are not too expensive or rich.
The restaurant also boasts numerous original oil paintings of the recently deceased Louisiana artist Bill Hemmerling.
Highly recommended
Coquette Bistro and Wine Bar. Tel : 504 265 0421
2800 Magazine Street, 70115, New Orleans
Dinner Monday-Saturday 5.30-10pm
Lunch Wednesday-Saturday 11.30-3pm
Orleans Cuisine At Its Best
Look, all I gotta say is, “Bread pudding souffle with bourbon cream sauce.” It’s just the bee’s knees, I’m telling you. Now, it’s made fresh at Commander’s Palace, and fresh means it’ll take forever if you don’t order in advance. Advance, like, alert your server when you’re placing your drink order.
Not only does Commander’s boast (said boasting well-deserved) a mouth-watering menu laden in Louisiana flavor — items like potato-crusted sea bass, served over baby arugula with roasted artichokes and oyster mushrooms, or a sugarcane grilled pork chop served with Louisiana crawfish boudin and Tobasco onion rings — the service is simply the best. My every need was anticipated, and not once did I have to ask for a thing.
Commander’s Palace is comfortable, but classy, and does, indeed, suggest particular attire. A jacket is recommended during dinner hours, and I suggest you plan this meal well in advance — the place is always packed.
Commander’s Palace
1403 Washington Ave.
New Oleans, LA 70130
www.commanderspalace.com
Southern Chic Found at W New Orleans
There are very few places that can combine that classic New Orleans fare with New York sophistication. Zoe Restaurant and Lounge located within the W New Orleans on our own Poydras Street serves as such a place. Sticking to their infamous W “Whatever/Whenever” standard, the ambience at Zoe is a perfect balance of traditional fine dining with modern flare.
Serving traditional New Orleans favorites with that W twist, Chef Roberto Bustillo Jr. has recently added a new tapas menu to the mix, allowing guests to enjoy a plethora of his unique small plates. A three time Fleur de Lis award winner, Chef Bustillo also offers such culinary creations as Honey-Lavender Fresh Mint Crusted Rack of Lamb and Steamed Mero. Instead of the classic Duck L’Orange, Zoe offers Roasted Duck Breast with Rhubarb-Cherry Jus; a perfect example of Bustillo’s new and improved take on N’awlins comfort food.
Known for their chic bar area and numerous “W Happenings” events, Zoe is also the gracious host of our own Hungry?Thirsty? New Orleans Launch Party, scheduled this week on Monday evening, January 12. Doors open to the public at 7pm, and the first 50 guests receive a complimentary copy of our Hungry?Thirsty? guide. Come out and support your fellow N’awlins writers and rub elbows with the NOLA foodies over our signature Thirsty? Cosmopolitan!
Zoe is and will continue to thrive as a Big Easy favorite, so grab your friends and Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler!!!
Zoe
W New Orleans
333 Poydras Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
United States
Phone: (504) 525-9444
Baccos in the Quarter with Dime Martinis
Not a place I would have picked for lunch, but last Thursday my bubbly girlfriend Amber insisted, and the 10 cents Martinis were a little convincing nudge in that general direction.
Baccos is one of the famous Brennan family restaurants here in town : Italian New Orleans cuisine and renowned famous for their “BBQ shrimp”.
The lunch special consists of a $15 2-course menu of soup or salad and then 3 delicious pastas….and as many “Dime” Martinis and the waitress sees it fit for you to drink.
I had the lemon Parmesan Salad – one of the best Caesars I have ever eaten – tangy fresh dressing, crispy romaine, generous shaved of fresh parmy and the world’s lightest melt in your mouth croutons.
As entrée the Roasted Chicken & Stracci – housemade pasta “rags” tossed with roasted chicken morsels, fresh spinach, and basil in a light tomato sauce, garnished with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
I am not a big pasta fan, but these home-made noodles was simply divine – with huge chunks of roasted chicken. I must say everything in the dish was cooked and balanced perfectly….by Friday I was already planning to go back for more.
Baccos is Bellisimo!!
Parasol’s Irish bar in the Irish Channel area (next to the Lower Garden District) is the epitomy of the local dive bar, but they have a large kitchen that knocks out one of the best roast beef po-boys in town.
Its interior is even less than “shabby chic” but the “craic” is always friendly and the jukebox can be fun if there is no-one to chat with at the bar.
The dining area is separate if you are just wanting to nosh down – Parasol’s boast the best po-boys and their gravy and fries are just plain addictive. They refuse to give me their secret family gravy recipe, but it will leave you licking your fingers.
Parasol’s have a great selection of ciders and beers, but they always make me a lovely pint of shandy (half lager, half sprite) which is cold and fresh against the food. A big jar of tabasco was handed to me this afternoon with my po-boy along with the the comment “man up!!”…
If you want to experience a piece of real New Orleans and meet the locals, Parasols is where to come. A fairly mixed crowd in general, anything goes!!
www.parasols.com
2533 Constance Street, New Orleans 70130
504-897 5413
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Felipe’s Taqueria – Fast Fresh and Friendly
Cilantro and Avocados rules at Felipe’s…cheap as chips too..
My introductions to Mexican Food in Europe weren’t exactly exhilarating – some bland meat with tonnes of sour cream and cheap cheese to douse the lack of taste. Then they had the audacity to top everything with some kind of processed tomato salsa and a few tasteless beans on the side…..and call it “authentic Mexican”
Felipe’s is a far cry from the fake European replicas. Since the storm, there has been an influx of Mexican workers to the city and all kinds of Mexican eateries and Taquerias have sprung up much to the approval of my passionate taste buds.
Felipe’s on 301 N. Peters – the 2nd one in the city (the other one serves University students in the uptown area off Claiborne – 6215 S. Miro St)– fast, fresh, cheap and delicious. What more can you ask for? The staff are friendly and efficient and the interior and ambiance clean and spacious .
I love the frozen margaritas (made with freshly squeezed limes), the tortilla soup – with chunks of roasted chicken, avocado, cheese and yummy chicken broth served with a pile of tortilla chips – all for $4. The soft corn tacos with carnitas or steak are delicious (2 for $4). A creature of habit – I have never got further than those three, but judging by the lines and the “werd on da block” everything is just delicious….
I am a true Mexican food convert….and Felipe’s addict
