Viva New Orleans: The Bonafide Guide to the Big Easy

Shrove Tuesday is upon us. It’s that time of year again, and thousands of teeny-boppers, nostalgics, and college co-eds plan to head south in celebration of Carnival season, or what’s better known as Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday.

Traditionally, Mardi Gras occurs on the eve of Ash Wednesday.  It’s the last stab at indulgence and gluttony before fasting and Lent begins. This celebration is shared by dozens of cities and countries across the globe, including: Barranquilla, Canada, Colombia, Rio de Janeiro, and Trinidad and Tobago.

This seasonal practice draws masses, swelling the wide-set streets with the incapacitated, whose main objective is intoxication or chance hook-ups.   Those who plan to come to New Orleans looking for fun minus the stupor; those who would simply like to slow down, ever so often, and enjoy the unique sophistication of NOLA – he or she may be interested in a well-explored list of dining and cultural hot spots. Below, we’ve manifested a well-constructed list of establishments which offer amazing New Orleans cuisine, history and experience.

 

GRUB:

Angeli on Decatur (1141 Decatur Street ): The roomy and handsome establishment is charming and stylishly dated. The Mediterranean-inspired menu offers an astonishing range of dishes from the Angel Wings to the Mediterranean burger.  The roasted eggplant sandwich is especially delicious.

Café du Monde (800 Decatur Street): Famously known for their beignets, the limited menu also offers caffeinated beverages, such as their famous Café Au Laits (made with chicory).

Clover Grill (900 Bourbon Street): The 24 hour diner boosts a full breakfast menu and a variety of sandwiches. Also, Clover’s makes a divine burger, which can be dressed with a variety of fixings for just a small additional charge.

Buffa’s Lounge (1001 Esplanade): Buffa’s is fine dive dining. The quaint bar carries a variety of specialty items including their renowned red beans and rice and their chorizo bean chili. They offer a great deal of appetizers, entrees, specialty sandwiches and classic deli sandwiches. They also offer fair drink specials.

Katie’s Restaurant and Grill (3791 Iberville Street): Located a tad far from the French Quarter, Katie’s is stocked with delicious menu items, everything from the Chicken & Andouille Gumbo to the The Atchafalaya Pizza deserves an applause. The overwhelming menu offers a melee of delicious items, some of the best in show are: Katie’s Catfish Meuniere, Katie’s Homemade Crab Cakes, and the Fried Green Tomato & Shrimp Remoulade.

Mahoney’s Po Boy Shop (3454 Magazine Street): Mahoney’s features a plethora of classic and specialty Po Boys, available dressed or undressed. The po-boy shop is known well for its quality and quantity, and all po-boys are available in 6 inches or 12 inches. Try the Fried Green Tomatoes & Remoulade or the Grilled Pork Tchoup with sautéed mushrooms and onions.

Johnny’s Po’ Boys (511 Saint Louis Street): Johnny’s is notoriously crowded, but the food that you find once you are inside is always worth the wait. They offer over forty po-boys, but if you want a real treat, try the Seafood Muffaletta…it is beyond delicious.

Port of Call (838 Esplanade Ave.): Steaks and burgers are their forte, but their house beverages are their claim to fame. The Neptune’s Monsoon, Port of Call, The Red Turtle, Windjammer, Huma Huma and Goombay Punch are all delicious and potent choices.  FYI: the Port is usually overwhelmed with patrons, so be patient.

Praline Connection (542 Frenchmen Street): This confectionery offers treats for more than your sweet tooth. The friendly, slightly formal establishment features a full menu, some of the best items being the alligator sausage, the crawfish etouffee, the stuffed crab, the fried chicken, the mac & cheese, the corn bread, and the potato salad.

River’s Edge (801 Decatur Street): While their blackened fish isn’t to be recommended, River’s Edge has a great deal of other suitable items such as their bisque, crab cakes, jambalaya omelet and crawfish pie.

Good Friend’s Bar (740 Dauphine): During the week, this fun time bar is open twenty-hours a day. That gives you a measureless amount of time to take advantage of some of the amazing drink specials, that includes the  $1.50 well drinks.

Coop’s Place (1109 Decatur Street): Small and intimate, Coop’s Place is famously known for their Cajun fried chicken, but they offer so many other delicious additions, such as their gumbo, red beans and rice, green beans, rabbit & sausage jambalaya, and chicken tchoupitoulas.

 

CULTURE:

Audubon Aquariums of the Americas (5601 Read Boulevard): The aquarium showcases a diverse collection of water dwelling and land roaming creatures.  Between the otters, sea turtles, sharks and parakeets, it makes for a fairly brilliant experience.

City Park (1 Palm Drive): The $3 entrance fee grants you access to a variety of attractions, including the botanical garden, live oaks, the Museum of Art & Sculpture Garden, Storyland, the Train Garden, the NOLA City Bank Dog Park and much more.

Contemporary Art Museum (900 Camp Street): The museum offers contemporary-style artwork in a variety of mediums, including textiles and sculpture. The facility is a bright and spacious. While the artwork changes, the level of talent stays the same.

Jackson Square (It is on the Mississippi River, on Decatur Street, between the Jax Brewery Shopping Mall and the French Market, in front of the St. Louis Cathedral): Jackson Square is simply a lovely place to walk and capture a few snapshots. While it is in the French Quarter, which can be notably loud, within the gates of the Square, it is quiet and almost tranquil. Just outside of the gate, there is a bounty of street performers and entertainers.

Jazz Walk of Fame: Located at Algier’s Point, and accessible via a free ferry, the Jazz Walk of Game is outdated and deserves a serious amount of TLC, but if you’d like to go on a long stroll that will give you a costal view of the city, this is your best bet.

New Orleans Museum of Art (One Collins C. Diboll Circle, City Park):  This museum has wonderful ambiance, and showcases seasonal artwork from all around the world. Around each bend is a new opportunity to learn new things and experience innovation.

TIPS:

If you would like to reside close to the action, but you don’t want to pay hotel rates, check out hostels and Bed and Breakfasts online. Chez Palmier is a lovely and cozy B&B, for example. It’s located in Faubourg Marigny, just a few blocks from the French Quarter.

Also, if you would like a list of “must-have” eats, check out this message-board: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/500188.