Visiting the Big Easy this weekend...

ShernRich

...and have no clue where to go and what see, and what to eat!!! ?I thought it would be a good idea to post here to get some great ideas from you local gals. ?DH and I will be there Friday-Sunday. ?And staying at the Doubletree New Orleans downtown. ?Thanks!!?

LTF525

Blurb we included for our out of town guest on our website? Our wedding guests will be staying in the heart of the historic French Quarter also known as the Vieux Carre . The French Quarter was settled in 1718 along the banks of the Mississippi River and is the most frequently visited tourist attraction in New Orleans. The elegant architecture, flower covered balconies and fountain filled courtyards make the French Quarter the jewel of our city.

In some places people eat to live, but in New Orleans ?we live to eat.? The thing about New Orleans is that you can get just as good a meal in the dump around the corner as you can in the fanciest restaurant. So let us share a few of our family favorites with you.

Located in Jackson Square is Caf? du Monde coffee shop. Caf? du Monde is famous for tasty powdered sugar covered donuts called beignets and rich chicory coffee served with hot steamy milk. These sugary delights are served 24 hours a day making them a great late night snack or yummy breakfast treat. Other breakfast choices include Croissant d?Or bakery on Ursulines. Croissant d?Or serves buttery croissants baked fresh every morning and other pastry delights. Stanley?s is located on Jacson Square  and serves a full service breakfast all day long. If you like oysters the eggs Stanley with lightly fried oysters is not to be missed and the omelet sandwich and banana pancakes with ice cream aren?t too shabby either.

The most popular lunch spot for locals is Galatoires. Galatoires doesn?t take reservations in the main dining room downstairs and no local would be caught dead having lunch upstairs. Tables downstairs are booked on a first come first serve basis so we advise that you get there around 11:00am to get your name on the list. If you prefer to make a reservation, you can call ahead for a table upstairs. If you like a great burger try Port of Call on Esplanade. This local favorite draws a crowd so be prepared to wait. You might sip a Monsoon cocktail while you wait but remember we warned you to have only one. Po-Boys are overstuffed sandwiches served on French bread. One of the best po-boy joints in the city is Verde Mart located in the French Quarter at the corner of Royal Street and Ursuline Street. Verde Mart is a real dump but the roast beef po-boy is excellent and the fried oyster and fried shrimp po-boys are worth the trip. Oh and the good news is Verdi Mart delivers. Everyone who comes to New Orleans has to try a muffalata. Although Central Grocery on Decatur invented this Italian sandwich, the Napoleon House on Charters street makes the best one in our opinion. Make sure you have a half portion because nobody can eat a whole one.

For dinner you have lots of options. Stella?s at the Hotel Provincial is a lovely French bistro that serves delicately seasoned innovative entrees. Stella is quite popular with locals so you will need a reservation before you arrive. Irene?s Cusine is an Italian bistro that is one of our family favorites. It is located at the corner of Charters and St Philip and you?ll know when you get there because you can smell the garlic outside. Everything at Irenes is fantastic and don?t forget to order the baked Alaska for dessert. For more casual dining the best friend chicken in the world is at Fiorellas. We recommend the red beans and rice and baked macaroni and cheese as sides. No dieters allowed here. If you want oysters try Acme Oyster House on Iberville where they serve them up cold on the half shell. If you fancy some sushi try Wasabi which is located on Frenchman street. It?s the only good sushi bar within walking distance from the hotel.

Everyone knows New Orleans is known for nightlife. Two things you must do when you are here is to drink a hurricane by the flaming fountain at Pat O?Briens and drink a hangernade at Tropical Isle on Bourbon street. Now we do not suggest you have more than one of either of these fruity cocktails because many a visitor to our home has lived to regret drinking too many. For those of you who are real late nighters, we suggest you take a stroll into Farbourg Marigny, a trendy Greenwhich Village style neighborhood, just across Esplanade on Frenchman Street. The Marigny is known for hip clubs including DBL, The Spotted Cat, Caf? Brazil and Snug Harbor. We can assure you that no matter what kind of music you like, chances are you can find it on Frenchman street.