Eating my way across the French Quarter!
May 1st, 2009, 10:04 AM
#21
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I am thrilled that NOLA has gotten its groove back! What a difference a year makes. Perhaps you should do a review on Fodors Restaurants page to bring up their ratings from my very different experience last Memorial Day weekend.
Thanks for a fantastic report and congratulations on flying carryon!!
Thanks for a fantastic report and congratulations on flying carryon!!
May 1st, 2009, 10:13 AM
#22
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NeoPatrick,
Great trip report! I was waiting to see how your week before the Jazzfest worked out.
I have the same view of Brennan's. The best meal I've ever eaten in New Orleans was at Brennan's, as well as the best dessert. No other place comes close when it comes to Bananas Foster.
Sure, it's touristy, but that's because it's so darn good. Regarding K-Pauls, I like the fiery and robust dishes because it reminds me of what my Cajun Grandma used to make. However, I can see that the spices may be a bit over the top. I actually have Paul Prudhomme's cookbook and I regularly cook from it, but I usually use 1/2 to 1/4 of the spices, depending on who I am serving.
In any case, I'm glad you enjoyed your trip.
Great trip report! I was waiting to see how your week before the Jazzfest worked out.
I have the same view of Brennan's. The best meal I've ever eaten in New Orleans was at Brennan's, as well as the best dessert. No other place comes close when it comes to Bananas Foster.
Sure, it's touristy, but that's because it's so darn good. Regarding K-Pauls, I like the fiery and robust dishes because it reminds me of what my Cajun Grandma used to make. However, I can see that the spices may be a bit over the top. I actually have Paul Prudhomme's cookbook and I regularly cook from it, but I usually use 1/2 to 1/4 of the spices, depending on who I am serving.
In any case, I'm glad you enjoyed your trip.
May 1st, 2009, 10:21 AM
#23
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Your wonderful report brought back many happy dining memories! I love those rabbit livers at Cochon and the jambalya at Coop's! Thanks for a great read.
I like to wear a pedometer when I visit New Orleans. It's so flat that you can end up walking for 10-15 miles per day if you like exploring on foot, and not even realize you've covered so much ground.
I like to wear a pedometer when I visit New Orleans. It's so flat that you can end up walking for 10-15 miles per day if you like exploring on foot, and not even realize you've covered so much ground.
May 1st, 2009, 11:48 AM
#25
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Oh, geez Stars, thanks a lot. Now I'll be hearing Willie Nelson in my head all day. LOL
By the way, a couple of thoughts. I don't know where I've been to in my travels where people I came in contact with seemed any more pleasant and happy than this trip. I had the best and friendliest servers and bartenders in all the restaurants. And I even asked a housekeeper in the hotel elevator how long she had been working there. She said 5 years and asked why, and I said, it just seems everyone working here is so happy. She replied it was a great place to work. What a spirit there seems to be there. Maybe in these bad times and with the trouble (from Kristina, in particular and the economy as well) people are just happy to be working and living there? Or maybe I was just reading too much into it.
And also, I think the streets in the French Quarter were as clean as I've ever seen them. They're now not only washing them down early in the morning, but they use a sudsy product that even has a soapy citrus smell. It's nice. And I saw a number of people who are hired to just pick up trash during the day, patroling fully. On the other hand while waiting for the ferry, two local boys about 13 or so were waiting and were eating cheese crackers. They both unwrapped them and dropped their wrappers on the floor. I got up, walked over, picked the wrappers up and walked them over to a wastebasket. They looked at me like I was crazy, so I finally said, "sorry, it's just that I have a little pride, even if I don't live here. Who did you think was supposed to clean up after you?" Lucky I didn't get knifed! I think they actually were embarrassed!
By the way, a couple of thoughts. I don't know where I've been to in my travels where people I came in contact with seemed any more pleasant and happy than this trip. I had the best and friendliest servers and bartenders in all the restaurants. And I even asked a housekeeper in the hotel elevator how long she had been working there. She said 5 years and asked why, and I said, it just seems everyone working here is so happy. She replied it was a great place to work. What a spirit there seems to be there. Maybe in these bad times and with the trouble (from Kristina, in particular and the economy as well) people are just happy to be working and living there? Or maybe I was just reading too much into it.
And also, I think the streets in the French Quarter were as clean as I've ever seen them. They're now not only washing them down early in the morning, but they use a sudsy product that even has a soapy citrus smell. It's nice. And I saw a number of people who are hired to just pick up trash during the day, patroling fully. On the other hand while waiting for the ferry, two local boys about 13 or so were waiting and were eating cheese crackers. They both unwrapped them and dropped their wrappers on the floor. I got up, walked over, picked the wrappers up and walked them over to a wastebasket. They looked at me like I was crazy, so I finally said, "sorry, it's just that I have a little pride, even if I don't live here. Who did you think was supposed to clean up after you?" Lucky I didn't get knifed! I think they actually were embarrassed!
May 1st, 2009, 12:24 PM
#26
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Excellent report Neo..
Have never been to New Orleans and its on the list and your report made me re-think new trips this year and next for a trip to NO..
Love the restaurants that you dined at..
Have you considered being a 'professional' travel and food blogger?
You have a way with taking us on your journey, which is not an easy thing to do and you do it so effortlessly and feel that I was right there with you!
I feel that I need to have some lettuce and tomt's with a drizzle of balsamic too..
Have never been to New Orleans and its on the list and your report made me re-think new trips this year and next for a trip to NO..
Love the restaurants that you dined at..
Have you considered being a 'professional' travel and food blogger?
You have a way with taking us on your journey, which is not an easy thing to do and you do it so effortlessly and feel that I was right there with you!
I feel that I need to have some lettuce and tomt's with a drizzle of balsamic too..
May 1st, 2009, 12:39 PM
#28
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It is such a pleasure to read someone who writes so well AND eats his first meal in NO at the Acme Oyster House!
Now, I have to admit that I am insanely jealous, insanely jealous. There are a few advantages to traveling alone to a place like Paris or NO: my dear wife couldn't even look at that much food, much less eat it. I, however, . . . .
Now, I have to admit that I am insanely jealous, insanely jealous. There are a few advantages to traveling alone to a place like Paris or NO: my dear wife couldn't even look at that much food, much less eat it. I, however, . . . .
May 1st, 2009, 02:11 PM
#30
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Lovely report! My stomach is growling now from the detailed descriptions of all your fabulous meals. I'm glad to hear that you had such a great trip and that things seemed to be running smoothly in NO now.
May 1st, 2009, 03:11 PM
#31
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Great trip report, Patrick. I am leaving for London for 6 days on my own this month and have my solo dining mostly planned out. I always take something to read with me, often research for my next day of sightseeing. I enjoy taking breaks and looking around and people watching. I actually think people eye me with envy seeing me dine alone for having the "bravery" or self-whatever to be able to do that. I'm glad to see you're hitting the road and doing it!
May 1st, 2009, 04:23 PM
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Your loss is still fresh Patrick and after all those many years, it's quite an adjustment. Be kind to yourself. It took my mom a very long time to get used to seeing friends, going out, entertaining, without my dad.
Ditto MomDDTravel.
Can't wait to hear about London, I'll be looking forward to it.
Ditto MomDDTravel.
Can't wait to hear about London, I'll be looking forward to it.
