New Orleans brims full of food culture, history and tradition. Among our inventions lies the cocktail (Sazerac being the all original), Oyster Rockerfella and the Muffaletta.

Muffaletta – Italian round bread brimming full of melting Italian deli ingredients – salamis, hams, cheeses, olive salad and garlic oil. Certainly not for the faint hearted, the dieters or the Vegetarians among us.

Take a Muffaletta to go…it will tide you over all day. Go and sit in the park at Jackson Square or take a bench on the River of the Mighty Miss and watch the ships and boats pass by. Check out the wikipedia guide for both the Muffuletta and this cultural institution “Central Grocery” in the heart of the French Quarter.

Central Grocery, 923 Decatur Street, 70116 Tel 504: 523 1620

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Grocery

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muffuletta

We are all so excited here in New Orleans…. brand new and exciting kid on the block. The “werd on da street” because they go against the rules and don’t fit into any culinary box. Reasonable prices and oozing taste sensation.

A small alley in between Royal and Chartres (300 block) not far from Canal Street. A tiny place but with outside dining possible.

Brunch lunch and dinner….extremely creative cocktails and juices and items on the menu you have never even imagined before together with some twists on some New Orleans faves.

You just gotta get over there and try the “Cochon de Lait wearing Hawaiian Sunglasses” – smoked pulled pork seasoned w Hawaiian black lava salt and wrapped in banana leaves with sweet potato cakes, adobo mess o’greens.

Healthy options and very vegetarian friendly options

I worked the Jazz Fest once with Chef Paul – great guy (ex Surrey’s) and has an incredible natural taste and flair. His food and taste combos rock!!

The Green Goddess

307 Exchange Alley, New Orleans

504 – 301 3347

www.greengoddessnola.com

{jcomments off}Tucked away uptown in the Carrolton/Riverbend area, this single shotgun converted to a contemporary restaurant is a little intimate gem and one of my favorite regular haunts. I love to sit at the bar which looks onto the open kitchen and chat to the chefs while they make your food with perfect choreography and calmness. Great place for a first date….

Their crabcakes have never seen a breadcrumb and at $13 for 3 its a great deal for a plate full of fresh jumbo lump crab.

I always judge a restaurant by their bread and butter they serve. At “One” it is sour-dough. Made in-house ;  fresh hot and plentiful served with perfectly fresh salted butter.

Their New Orleans specials are all mouthwatering – deep fried soft shell crab on grits with crawfish etoufee or Louisiana beer braised rabbit with white truffle croquettes and chicken sausage.

Restaurant “One” has clean tastes and perfect portions and price/quality ratio. Friendly staff and the SAME staff for years….this is a great sign.

Open Mondays!

8132 Hampson Street, 70118 New Orleans

Dinner Mon-Sat. Lunch Thurs-Fri

www.one-sl.com Tel : 504-301-9061