lisbeth, you may be in luck weatherwise. We had some cool fronts come through and this Labor Day might be a bit more comfortable than normal (if Frances doesn't decide to visit!)

doxungirl: We'll be in New Orleans in just 3 weeks and while Deja Vu will be a definite "local" stop the restaurant you mentioned (Star) sounds interesting. Would you please post the address? Thanks!

Thanks doxungirl. By the way MzPossum, what are they saying about Frances down there? Hope it stays away for our weekend. We can't wait to get there!

I'm curious about Francis hitting New Orleans too. We're planning on visiting this Sunday - Wednesday.

As of now (key word: now), all projections have the storm hitting the Florida east coast. New Orleans looks okay. Keep an eye out, though, as these storms can be tricky! I'm from South Florida originally and my grandparents on Sanibel had lots of damage from Charley. Now my folks in Palm Beach have to worry! Sigh.

Across the French Quarter from Bienville, is an Urseline convent, on Urseline St. I loved the tour. Just up Urseline from the convent is a small French cafe, Cafe D'Or. Delightful pastries and lunches. I almost thought I was in France!
The French Quarter is small enough to easily walk across. In June, I carried an umbrella and gave up the idea of returning to the hotel for an afternoon swim. Always rained in the afternoon.

Unsolicited info.:
In the AM, my sister and I had coffee and beignet from Cafe DuMonde on the Riverwalk, where part of the fun is the hustlers. There's a saxophone guy, who needs music lessons, who tries to follow you along the Riverwalk.
Also, scam artists. At first I was too polite, but soon learned to smile and say, "I'll guess at your joke, but I won't pay you!" The scam of the week was for some young man to say, "I bet $10.00 I know where you got those shoes." Of course, tourists think this is a safe bet to make because their shoes are from the unheard of Shoetown in Columbus Ohio or Hampton NH. The scammer says: You got them on your feet!! And puts out a hand for $10.
Well, a lot of tourists actually paid the scammers,I guess for originality and enterprising spirit. I smiled and said: I got them on my feet! The kid looked shocked, quickly recovered and said: That's not the answer. Don't you want to know the real answer?
I said: Sure, <VBG> but I'm not paying you!
The guy kept walking away.

Another guy sat down on the riverwalk bench where my sister and I--we're definitely middle aged!-- had our Cafe DuMonde coffee, and proceeded to compliment me on my sandals from a discount store while he began to massage my feet, using lotions. He was so charming and creative in his story about his reflexology practice for the handicapped, that we both went along with the scheme. That was on my second day in NOLA. At the end of the massage, which was very good, he gave me a sticky note: Massage by Donald $10.
The entire experience was such a hoot that I paid him.

Try one of the historic walking tours. I wish I could remember the one that I took.

NOLA was great! Enjoy your trip!

If it makes you feel better, Elisabet, the "scam of the week" has been around for years. A lot of guide books even publish it now!

ccolor, the Star restaurant is located on Decatur street just "catty-cornered" from the Bienville House hotel. I don't know the exact street number, but it's the same area where the House of Blues is. I always go to Star on my birthday-they have good prime rib, stuffed mushrooms, great oyster dishes, and lobster. Next door to Star is the Ole Toone bar, just a little hole in the wall, but good drinks.

Doxungirl: Thanks for the information - we'll look for the places you mentioned!