New Orleans Restaurant Update Winter 2010

I was recently in New Orleans for Webtrends Engage and prior to going made all these plans (see Going to New Orleans 2010 - You Should Go Too) but then my dog broke his leg and I had to shorten the trip. He is recovering nicely now. You can see this planning post for some good ideas but I only went to one. Here was actually happen as I discovered some great new places and went to a few known ones. You can click on any picture to enlarge it.

I got to New Orleans on Sunday and stopped by Mr. B’s for a bowl of gumbo at the bar. The full service was not open but this was all I wanted at the time anyway and was a nice welcome back to the city. Mr B’s is an old favorite that was under re-construction for a while. It is in the French Quarter at 201 Royal Street (504) 523-2078.

  
 
After going to Tipitina’s for Cajun Fais Do Do with Bruce Daigrepont (see post tomorrow for my music explorations) I went to the nearby Franky and Johnny’s. It is a neighborhood tavern that provides wonderful Cajun food. I had their gumbo, a crawfish pie, and a soft shell crab po-boy. They did not disappoint.  I noticed that there were two Red Sox pennants over the bar, along with Saints stuff. I asked the bar tender about this. He said that he did not put those up by he is a big Red Sox fan and his aspiration is to go to Fenway Park. I felt very welcomed. I also read later that a Red Sox bar sports bar in Boston has adopted the saints for the Super Bowl, as has much of the rest of the country. Franky and Johnny’s is located at 321 Arabella Street (504) 899-9146.

    
The next morning I went to Surrey’s Juice Bar.  Now it does have good juice but the rest is not low cal. I had a wonderful shrimp and grits after being tempted by the sausage gravy and biscuits.  The dish was exceptional and a great way to start the day if you are looking to put on a few pounds. It is located at 1418 Magazine Street (504) 524-3828.

  
Lunch was simpler as I had a shrimp po-boy at Domilise’s Po-Boys. It I described by many as one of the best places for po-boys and I am addicted to the shrimp ones. It is located at 5240 Annunciation St., 504-899-9126. Roadfood gives it a 95% rating and says it is a must eat place. I would agree.

    
Before a night hearing music on Frenchman Street (see post tomorrow) I had dinner at Coop’s Place in the Quarter.  Coop’s is in the quieter part of the Quarter away from the tourist traps of Bourbon Street and has the feel of a neighborhood bar, with a more punk rock crowd, that reflects the neighborhood, than Franky and Johnny’s but the concept is the same, good Cajun (country vs the city Creole food). I sat next to a chef from another restaurant who said he often come here on his night off and most of the people are local. I had a sample of gumbo, rabbit and sausage jambalaya., shrimp Creole, red bans and rice, and fried chicken for only $12.99 and I could not finish it. It was new to me but I have often had the amazing fried chicken at Firoella’s located across the street (1136 Decatur Street) and this rivals it. The visiting chef said that the two places are known as the two of the best chicken places. Coop Place is located at 1109 Decatur Street (504) 525-9053.  It is also a bar and is open late.

  
The next day was pouring rain and I made it to Croissant D’Or in the far and quieter end of the Quarter by going from the protection of one the many balconies to another. I was still very wet when I got to this wonderful bakery that I have gone to many times. I had one of their croissants and a slice of French King Cake. Unlike the NOLA King Cake that is a frosted white cake, this one is layers of pastry around almond paste and is very good.  I dried out and warmed up.  It is located at 617 Ursulines Avenue (504) 524-4663.  Unfortunately I had to leave before I could do much more.

    
At the airport I did get a shrimp po-boy from the Acme Oyster House outpost here and ate it on the plane.    I used to go to their main place in the Quarter (724 Iberville Street (504) 522-5973) but now it has long lines so I cannot vouch for the food anymore. Acme was the place to go for oysters in the 1950s but it has become very commercial. However, they do have some of the best airport food anywhere and it sure beats the free snacks on Jetblue.  

Comments

[restaurants Destin Florida]

The food looks simple, but totally appealing that, even though you're not there, you'll know that the food is scrumptious and worth every penny. I usually bring my wife and kids around the city to eat good food that I knew that they'll love as a family bonding moment.