New Orleans
Okay, I have to write it, even though it might not be nice. In my opinion, New Orlean's has lost its magic. I flew in recently for a weekend visit and left thinking it would be awhile before I returned.
I have always loved the Crescent City. I visited the first time as a child, and many times in the 90's at the height of the Gothic renaissance when you truly believed vampires walked the alleys. But alas, those times are gone, rather tragic.
What I love about NO: the food, the history and the shabby chic faded glamour that makes you believe that nothing ever really dies or is forgotten, but that everything is still there behind a thin veil. Now NO to me is just trying too hard to build back up, to replenish it's lost souls and fill the Boubon Street traps with tourists and conventioners. Even my favorite bar, the charming and scary Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop has been redone and lost it's old world charm.
One place that has survived the Hurricane and the rebuilding is Fritzel's, the BEST place for jazz in NO. Located far down Bourbon Street, this place is special and the music and the jazz lovers make this place magic. Another favorite is The Bombay Club, absolutely my favorite place to hang out in NO. The martini's, the music, the calamari, the oysters. I usually start and end each evening at this beautiful club. Also not to be missed, ACME, for the oysters. Yes, it's crowded and full of tourists, but the oysters are ice cold, the service is great, the beer is fast to arrive and the hush puppies are the best anywhere.
Other honorable mentions, Petunia's on St. Louis has the best breakfast in NO. And Bayona on Rue Dauphine is the only place for a romantic dinner. Situated in a 200 year old Creole cottage, the atmosphere, the service and the food is absolutely fantastic.
Also, don't miss hearing Steamboat Willie play in the French Quarter. New Orleans famous jazz musician is a great friend who plays nightly at various bars and outdoor venues in NO. After the hurricane, my husband and I flew Willie to Chicago to attend a benefit concert and to play at our wedding. His shows are not to be missed. Music is truly the heart of New Orleans.
I have always loved the Crescent City. I visited the first time as a child, and many times in the 90's at the height of the Gothic renaissance when you truly believed vampires walked the alleys. But alas, those times are gone, rather tragic.
What I love about NO: the food, the history and the shabby chic faded glamour that makes you believe that nothing ever really dies or is forgotten, but that everything is still there behind a thin veil. Now NO to me is just trying too hard to build back up, to replenish it's lost souls and fill the Boubon Street traps with tourists and conventioners. Even my favorite bar, the charming and scary Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop has been redone and lost it's old world charm.
One place that has survived the Hurricane and the rebuilding is Fritzel's, the BEST place for jazz in NO. Located far down Bourbon Street, this place is special and the music and the jazz lovers make this place magic. Another favorite is The Bombay Club, absolutely my favorite place to hang out in NO. The martini's, the music, the calamari, the oysters. I usually start and end each evening at this beautiful club. Also not to be missed, ACME, for the oysters. Yes, it's crowded and full of tourists, but the oysters are ice cold, the service is great, the beer is fast to arrive and the hush puppies are the best anywhere.
Other honorable mentions, Petunia's on St. Louis has the best breakfast in NO. And Bayona on Rue Dauphine is the only place for a romantic dinner. Situated in a 200 year old Creole cottage, the atmosphere, the service and the food is absolutely fantastic.
Also, don't miss hearing Steamboat Willie play in the French Quarter. New Orleans famous jazz musician is a great friend who plays nightly at various bars and outdoor venues in NO. After the hurricane, my husband and I flew Willie to Chicago to attend a benefit concert and to play at our wedding. His shows are not to be missed. Music is truly the heart of New Orleans.
posted by Shannon Distel Scanlan at 2:38 PM
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