After getting back from a whirlwind trip to The Big Easy, I wanted to share my adventures with you. Now this wasn’t my first trip to NOLA but it had certainly been a while since I laissez “le bon temps rouler“. What I found after a few years is that New Orleans is the kind of city that you can make the experiences you have whatever you want them to be. Certainly loved its carefree spirit and highly trafficked watering holes, New Orleans has a refined side that truly charms and pleases with every turn.

Inspired by the culinary masterminds of NOLA, I found myself suddenly craving all things creole. Upon arriving to the city, I somehow forgot how those southeastern winds can blow like the jazz brass the city is known for. I didn’t let that chilly breeze slow me down though. While wandering the Uptown area, an early morning stop into the Maple Street Patisserie filled my nostrils with fresh baked bread and pastries. How could I resist? It’s true what they say, pastries and breads bring a memory to you from another time or another place–a time when baked goods were a marvel of ingenuity and simplicity. At the Maple Street Patisserie, Master Chef Ziggy’s carb filled goodies and a cup of chicory blend coffee aren’t to be missed.

Blueberry Turnover, Raspberry creme flute

I made my way over to the Garden District to do some sightseeing and stumbled upon a hot spot. Any fans of the cult show, American Horror Story: Coven will know this house to be the focal point of the season and I couldn’t help but snap a few pictures of the shooting location where most of the action happens. New Orleans is a hot bed of film and television backdrops given its historical and architectural depth and uniqueness.

While in the district, a certain stirring in my stomach took over control. Some call it the Southern sensation, and in New Orleans its unavoidable. Lunch time! Hailed as one of the must-try restaurants in town, La Petite Grocery is one of the finest lunches I’ve experienced. Chef Justin Devillier (currently competing on Top Chef: New Orleans) has created a menu that indulges but doesn’t put you quite over the top. During lunch we sampled Blue Crab Beignets (malt vinegar aioli), the Shrimp Roll (crab roe butter, pickled red onion with house-made frites), and a Pork Cheek Ruben (Russian Dressing, Pickled Red Cabbage on Rye). Everything we tried was delicious.  A playful reuben rendition and the creamy blue crab beignets won us over.

We retired back to our hotel after a long walk in the French Quarter and a post lunch visit to Jackson Square establishment Cafe Du Monde. There is entirely too much to see in the short amount of time I spent in the city, but around every corner and along every Rue, there is something to behold.

Anxiously awaiting our dinner plans, we made our way over to another bucket-list restaurant. John Besh has a created an eatery empire in New Orleans, and we had reservations at one of his most famous stops Domenica. The name means “Sunday” in Italian, and partners John Besh and Alon Shaya have created a restaurant in the renovated historic Roosevelt Hotel.

We began with a few good libations, I went with a classic Cointreau Rickey which was perfectly tart and bubbly. For dinner, we decided on the Two Run Farms Lamb Bolognese (tahini & za’atar crostini), Covey Rise Baby Greens (apples, goat cheese & crispy prosciutto), Arugula (beets, gorgonzola & pistachios) to begin. They are famous for their ‘pizza’ so we gave in and had a split Prosciutto (tomato, fresh mozzarella & arugula) and Spicy Lamb Meatballs (tomato, ricotta, rapini & mint) We couldn’t pass up the sweets so we went with the Warm Apple “Spongata” (honey, spice & creole cream cheese) of which we savored every spoonful. Besh has made his mark in several niche restaurant scenes and this dinner was greatness.

The food coma set in the next morning and all I could think was “What’s for breakfast?”. A quaint cafe, Stanley, off Jackson Square answered soundly. So, in true Fat Tuesday fashion we indulged one last time. This go around it was the Stanley Classic (Scrambled Eggs, Smoked Bacon, Creole Breakfast Potatoes, and Whole Wheat Toast), Pancakes (Vanilla Ice Cream and Louisiana Cane Syrup) and the Eggs Benedict Poor Boy (Poached Eggs, Smoked Canadian Bacon and Creole Hollandaise on Toasted French Bread) that had our stomachs screaming uncle. Happy and full, we meandered the area and checked in on Brad Pitt’s Make it Right project that is rebuilding the Lower 9th ward.

Nola, I thank you for the sights, smells and tastes that had me lingering long enough to crave my Dallas home. Until next time! C’est La Vie.