The
big easy. Fat city. Nawlins. Whatever you call it, new orleans
is a lot of fun! My trip there in february 2000 was a three day whirlwind:
Arriving
friday night, there was barely enough time to sneak in to emeril's
restaurant for dinner. Saturday started with beignets and chicory
coffee at the cafe' du monde
(see my pic
at left). From there we took a mule carriage around the french quarter,
followed by a steamboat
ride up the mississippi on the last remaining commercial boat actually
steam powered — the natchez. Then we went to mass at the st.
louis cathedral (see my french
quarter pics).
Dinner
was at the famous k-paul's louisiana
kitchen, where chef and owner paul prudhomme invented the cooking
style known as blackening, as in blackened redfish. It's one of my favorite
dishes! Unfortunately, we were a little seasick from the afternoon boat
ride, and couldn't really enjoy the meal. In fact, we actually had a
hard time swallowing. The wait staff kept asking if everything was alright
with the food (and it was great!), but for some reason the sea sickness
made it an impossible meal.
Sunday
started with breakfast on st. charles street near our hotel, and
then we were off to see some gators on a swamp
tour. We had a late lunch at pat
obrien's, where we heard they make the best hurricane in town. Sunday
night was spent at the harrah's casino in new orleans and another one
over the border in mississippi. I even took a quick run through the
french quarter. There was lots of music to hear just walking down the
street with a beer in my hand (which is legal in new orleans). A fun
town, but too short a trip!
Monday morning
was the flight back home.
