When I first discovered St. Tammany Parish after venturing outside the New Orleans area, the first place I happened upon was Mandeville. Having loved what I experienced, it was time to visit this beautiful place again.

Start the Day Off Right

Louisiana is known for its delicious food, and what better way to start off the day than with a delicious Cajun-and-Creole-inspired menu! When I Googled breakfast joints, one immediately got my attention. Liz’s Where Y’at Diner lived up to its unique name. While there were so many fantastic options, including a whole section on eggs Benedict varieties, I opted for shrimp and grits. Go ahead and add the crabmeat; you will be happy you did.

Relax a Few with a Brew

With all the fantastic brewing companies in St. Tammany Parish, Chafunkta Brewing Company was a repeat mention. I had to go there, if nothing else than for learning about the name. In less than a minute, I overheard someone talking about the Tchefuncte River. Aha! The pronunciation is the same, and of course, adding the word “funk” makes it even cooler. I drank one of their signature brews, the Voo Ka Ray (as in Vieux Carre, the original name of NOLA’s French Quarter) an IPA with little bitterness. Chafunkta has a tap room with tastings in several sizes, so you could easily spend a few more relaxing hours there.

More Food for Thought

After a few stomach growls, it was time to find my lunch place. I was craving seafood, and I recalled awhile back hearing about Rusty Pelican. The name itself called for at least a look-see. The restaurant is cozy and casual, perfectly suited for the lunch crowd. While everything sounded delicious on the menu, I ordered the fried artichoke hearts with an incredible ranch dip (can you really go wrong with anything fried with a dip?) and a bowl of gumbo. Did I mention the gumbo came with half a shrimp po-boy? Don’t judge me; I really love seafood and I was hungry. And yes, I was completely satisfied on both counts.

These three food-and-drink spots are the top places I recommend in Mandeville. Next month, I will focus on the activities I did to work off these calories!

Every time I am in New Orleans, I get excited thinking about where I would eat my ideal meal. With so many choices, it would have to include favorites from three places.

Entree – Savory Sandwich

I am not an olive person or a big sandwich kind of gal. However, the ultimate breakfast, lunch or dinner entree is definitely a muffuletta. And, the best place to get one doesn’t even qualify as a restaurant. Central Grocery is a third-generation, old-fashioned store that features local favorites. So, what makes the muffuletta here so superior? It may be the delicious bread or the specific amount of olive spread. I really don’t have a clue. It just is.

Dessert – Spectacularly Sweet

Dessert should be enjoyed any time during the day, perhaps even before your entree. There is no judging in New Orleans. Of course, you would assume my favorite dessert is beignets, but in this city, I put bread pudding at the top. But why stop there? Take the time to try out Boucherie‘s take on the dessert with its famous Krispy Kreme bread pudding. Suffice it to say, you may be in a sugar coma afterward, but it is the most delectable treat to ever experience.

Beverage – Decadent Drink

So many enticing beverages, and so little time. Yes, NOLA is known for imbibing. Yet, us creative cocktailers prefer something beyond the typical Hurricane. Once I tried the Vieux Carre years ago at the Hotel Monteleone Carousel Bar, I always “spin” by there when in the Quarter. This drink was created at the hotel back in the 1930s, and it just resonates all that is the Crescent City. Be careful with your order, as they have a heavy pour.

In New Orleans, it is hard to go wrong with a great meal. And if you seek out the best for each course, you will be just right!

 

In past blog posts, I recommended three museums, three restaurants and three walking tours in and around the French Quarter. Now that things are really warming up in the Crescent City, here are my top three things to do after your workday.

The Doctor Is In

We must start with libations, as so many of us venture to NOLA for this very reason. My favorite way to learn more about the history of the city’s cocktails, along with imbibing in them, is the Doctor Gumbo way. This walking tour (yes, another walking tour) transcends you beyond the average Hurricane. Guess where the Grasshopper (a delicious concoction of Crème de menthe and Crème de cacao) was invented? According to legend, it was the bar Tujague’s. What I like most about the Doctor Gumbo tour is you get the backstory behind the drinks and the bars. We had a blast on this trip through mixology history, even if I don’t quite remember the story behind absinthe!

Bow to the Queen

The second way to enjoy the city after five is on a river cruise, as you see the city’s sights from the water. There are several cruise companies that offer evening jaunts;, I prefer the Creole Queen Evening Cruise. This paddleboat option may not be the biggest, but it definitely provides a more intimate setting. The menu includes NOLA favorites such as gumbo, jambalaya and red beans & rice, along with a delectable bread pudding. While enjoying your dinner, you will be entertained by a jazz band and take in a lovely sunset. A must-do, especially for first-timers!

The Twilight Zone

Lastly, this time of year brings more opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. Every Thursday, from now until the end of July, you can enjoy performances at City Park. The “Thursdays at Twilight” concert series presents incredible music by a multitude of artists. Whether you gravitate to jazz, acoustic guitar, opera or swing tunes, it’s in the series lineup. Admission is only $10 per person, so it is one of the activities you can do on the cheap.

These three recommendations each offer fun, entertainment and relaxation. What more could you ask for when after a long day at work than to take five, after five?

In past blog posts, I have recommended three museums and restaurants in the French Quarter. Being that this is about New Orleans, I could not pass up the opportunity to mention three walking tours.

Do You Believe in Ghosts?

I am an admitted scaredy cat. So when my friend suggested we try out a ghost tour, I tried my best to not show fear. While there are plenty to choose from for a ghost tour, we made a compromise and decided on the Cemetery, Voodoo and French Quarter Walking Tour, as it offers daytime tours. The first stop was the oldest above-ground cemetery in New Orleans, St. Louis Cemetery #1. Trust me, this place is creepy even with the sun shining. If you take this tour, you will also learn about New Orleans’ connection to voodoo. Frankly, I could have done without that history lesson. However, hearing more about the history of the French Quarter architecture is worth the price of admission. Click here for tickets and more information.

Tell Me a Story

The next tour I recommend is a walking tour of the sights and sounds of the French Quarter. Over the years, I have taken quite a few of these tours, and a consistently good one is by Lucky Bean Tours.  This two-hour tour covers the highlights of the Quarter, stopping at significant landmarks and even some little-known historical places for the true insider’s look at the Crescent City. What I really like about Lucky Bean is the use of storytelling to truly engage you throughout.

The Curious Case of the Garden District

The last walking tour on my top three includes first a ride via streetcar, taxi or Uber to the Garden District. The good news is that this tour is free, as this is a go-on-your-own tour to view some of the most extraordinary homes in the New Orleans area. The Garden District boasts residences of the famous (and some infamous). Tree-lined streets, cast-iron fences, antebellum architecture and glorious gardens recall a time of Southern grace and beauty. Be sure to visit the house where the movie “Benjamin Button” was filmed.

The walking tours listed here are just a sampling of how to see New Orleans on foot. Do yourself a favor and commit to one to experience this city at a slower pace!

This time of year, New Orleans is taken over with Mardi Gras celebrations. While it is common to refer to the entire season as Mardi Gras, it is actually Carnival, leading up to Fat Tuesday on March 5. In the two previous posts I wrote about three NOLA restaurants and three museums. Now, it’s time to get party-ready with three Mardi Gras must-dos.

Mardi Gras World

New Orleans and the entire area host a multitude of parades. The floats range from classy to over-the-top, yet all with extreme fun in mind. At Mardi Gras World, you will experience first-hand how the elaborate floats are made, along with everything that makes New Orleans’ month-long party so spectacular. This place is full of history, costumes and more. It may seem a cheesy thing to do, but isn’t that what makes it so fun?

Have Your Cake and Eat It, Too

No visit to New Orleans is complete without a slice or two of King Cake, New Orleans’ other official dessert (after beignets). While it is called a cake, to me it’s a ring of deliciousness. While you can find this cake anytime in the city, it seems to just taste better during the season. My favorite place to get one is Manny Randazzo. Be sure to go early in the day, as the line gets long quickly. And, definitely pick up the Pecan Praline King Cake. It is a slice of heaven!

I Love a Parade

The parades are likely for what Mardi Gras is most known. And, if there is one thing that stands out most, it is that New Orleans will not let a parade pass you by! The schedule gets bigger and better as we close in on Fat Tuesday. Between now and March 5, there are an additional 61 parades throughout New Orleans and the surrounding areas. While some can get rather “interesting,” there are parades more family-friendly. Check out the full schedule and details here.

New Orleans is a fantastic place to have fun anytime of the year. During Mardi Gras season, it becomes one big fat party!

 

 

Last month I recommended three French Quarter restaurants to try. This month, it’s all about three amazing museums.

Second to None

Who would have thought a museum all about World War II would be the #1 tourist attraction in New Orleans? According to TripAdvisor, it is! I must admit I had no idea how memorable my visit to The National WWII Museum would be. The presentation of the exhibits, along with the awe-inspiring narratives provided by those who were there, are unlike any other place I have experienced. Plan to spend the good part of a day touring the galleries; definitely a must-see.

Yes, We Have NOMA Photos

If you have yet to visit the New Orleans Museum of Art, now is the perfect time. NOMA has a superb exhibit celebrating photography with Past Present Future: Building Photography. This three-part presentation includes a recreation of a groundbreaking 1918 show at the Delgado Museum of Art (later renamed NOMA). The second part includes works acquired within the past seven years of diverse cultural perspectives of the world. The final section consists of works promised to the institution.

Get Jazzed Up

I highly recommend the New Orleans Jazz Museum, as it is a very special nod to the city’s music culture. Ideally located in the French Quarter in an area surrounded by live music performances, it features over 25,000 pieces, including sheet music, recordings, instruments and other artifacts pertaining to the growth of jazz in New Orleans. The museum boasts a performing arts center to showcase musicians, historians and guest speakers. Even if jazz is not your go-to music choice, you will enjoy the rich history of the music that defines New Orleans.

Whether you want to increase your knowledge or simply enjoy an afternoon looking at really cool things, these three, distinct museums are just the ticket. No matter which one you visit (or perhaps all three), you will gain knowledge that will come in handy during a trivia contest!

Louisiana’s Northshore has so many amazing things to see and do, and what makes it even better is its proximity to New Orleans. I thought it was about time to experience more of what the Crescent City has to offer. And of course, the best place to start is with food!

Part I – French Quarter Food

The French Quarter has been the backdrop for movies such as The Pelican Brief and Girls Trip, and it has been in the forefront for events including Mardi Gras and the Sugar Bowl.  However, nothing makes the Quarter stand out more than the endless food options. While there are too many to list, I offer some suggestions for each meal of the day:

Breakfast – If you want a meal to start your day off on the right note, I suggest Maison Soule. The Bananas Foster Waffle will bring a smile to your face and plenty of calories to keep you going for several hours (as in until lunchtime).

Lunch – Although it is considered a tourist destination, I still think NOLA is a great place for lunch. The menu lives up to the name, with offerings including gumbo, frog legs and alligator sausage. I wasn’t feeling that adventurous at the time, so I ordered the basic shrimp and grits. It really doesn’t matter what you order, as it will likely be one of the most delicious meals you’ve had recently.

Dinner – Face it, you are going to overindulge, as New Orleans’ food is so incredible. So what is my favorite restaurant for dinner? That is impossible to answer, because New Orleans knows how to serve up a great end-of-day meal. However, here are three in definite contention: 1. Luke (I just love the name as it reminds me of my favorite movie, Cool Hand Luke – Fantastic Cajun and Creole fare. 2. Restaurant R’evolution – Delicious Creole menu and extensive wine list. 3. GW Fins – Incredible seafood menu options that the locals love.

My final recommendation is this—do not forget to order some beignets. These doughy masterpieces must be had during your trip!