snowrooster

Thanks to all who offered advice to make this trip a success. Here is my report:

Dh and I visited New Orleans last week for our 9yr anniversary - we've been there together twice before and I lived there as a youngster. We stayed at the Royal Sonesta on Bourbon which we LOVE - quiet seclusion in the middle of mayhem! We received and inner room as requested and were happily upgraded to a room that actually opened up to a patio overlooking the courtyard - very nice. We were suprised at 4am that first night by an emergency evacuation - blinking lights and a loud voice "emergency. evacuate immediately. do not use elevators." We took a side stairway and ended up all alone on Iberville in the middle of the night!!

On to restaurants . . . . As many of you know I debated our choices quite a bit. We went to Commander's the first night for our actual anniversary dinner. The food was EXCELLENT as always. However I was a bit put off at how casual it has become. There was a man in jeans in the main dining room and the woman next to us had her camcorder running and felt no qualms leaning over and asking me what I was eating. I'm all for casual dining, but to me Commander's has always been a special place for a special occasion, and that no longer seems to be the case. We were happy with their price fixe menu which was probably the best deal in dining I've found - anywhere!

We had breakfast at Cafe du Monde and lunch at Mother's. We had to wait in a line outside for Mother's (this wasn't the case on our last visit) but you can't beat their Debris so it was well worth it!! Cafe du Monde was yummy, of course (I always wonder why someone doesn't start a chain of beignet restaurants nationwide - like a cross between Starbucks & Krispie Kreme).

Dinner that night a Jacques-Imos - LOVED IT!!! Alligator cheesecake appetizer will fill my dreams until our next visit. Really fun atmosphere and decor. Too stuffed for desert, but happy.

Brennan's for breakfast - also a must for us on every visit - I love the eggs hussard and brandy milk punch is a treat in the am. Dh wasn't thrilled it cost as much as Commander's, but we'll still return!

Dinner at Irene's. Great gumbo and oyster's irene, but dh and I were both disapointed in our entrees. Not a total loss, but I wouldn't go back.

The next day we split half a mufeletta at Central Grocery (even better than I remember) and had half and oyster po boy at Acme w/some shooters. Yum, yum, and yum. Really bad Bloody Mary at Acme - as dh says - Acme is a great place to eat, bad place to drink (his beer was warm).

Dinner at Brigstens - again - YUM! Dh got the duck and it looked like they served him the entire bird. He was in heaven!

Other than the eating, we went to Mardi Gras World (met Blaine Kern during the tour) and really enjoyed it. The ferry ride across the river is free and it is a really neat tour, even if you've been to Mardi Gras before. They had some full floats and other props all over the place - we got to wander and take pictures after and you get a piece of King Cake - can't be that!

We heard some great music during our visit as well. Spent some time in Preservation Hall on Thursday night (no wait to get in, but crowded). BTW, the word "Hall" is misleading - they should rename it Preservation Tiny Room!

Also enjoyed some great Zydeco music - what fun! We loved the Bonoffs at Crazy Corner and I got get up and play washboard (dh got some good pics) with another band - boy do your hands tremble after a few minutes on that thing!

We took a carriage ride around the FQ and spent some time looking in the art galleries and antique stores.

It was a great trip. Anyone who faults parents from taking trips once in a while without their kids is crazy. Having just these few days to ourselves was wonderful and we are better parents for it. Thrilled to come home and find out our little ones had an equally exciting few days with their grandparents!

ilovetulips

I enjoyed your trip report. I went to NO a few years ago with some friends and I would love to go back with my husband. My Mom and her hubby went to Commander's Palace and were so impressed. Good for you taking a trip without the kids.

rb_travelerxATyahoo

Thank you for the great report. Flew into MSY a few years ago and planned to stay in NO for a day, but friends I was visiting in BTR pursuaded me not to, that we'd visit NO on Sat. 3 HOURS! was all we did, hardly worth the drive. I'll do NO on my own next time & have saved your report for reference.

indytravel

Hey snowrooster! Back enjoying our Ohio Valley muggy weather?

Thanks for the report. I'm in the throes of planning a week in New Orleans for February. The food recommendations are an excellent reference for a growing list.

snowrooster

Ah yes, Indy, back to the Midwest! It hasn't rained at all in Cincinnati this summer but seemed to do so the entire time we were gone - hey, at least our lawn and flowers looked nice for our return! People who complain about the summer heat in New Orleans are bonkers - they should spend a few days here! In NO you get those sporadic showers every day that really cool everything down - here in the midwest it is just NASTY HOT!! Have fun planning your trip!!!

neworleanslady

Snowrooster,

Glad you had a good trip. Hope you did some walking with all that eating. The bad thing is most people plan a vacation to NO around eating. We plan our entires days/lives around it.

I haven't been to Jacques Imo's in a while and have heard the bad reviews. Glad to see you still enjoyed it. You mentioned the "decor". I assume the paintings are still by Frenchy. He's a great artist who paints at live events. I've seen him a few times painting bands from New Orleans here in Lafayette. Wonderful BRIGHT paintings.

Anyway, glad you had fun. No guilt for leaving the kids. I always tell my married with kids friends to do it for a break - as long as I'm not the one keeping them!