Sunday, May 3, 2015

New Orleans, Part Two


Last week I showed photos of a trip my husband and I took in February to New Orleans, Louisiana, right after the Mardi Gras celebration. If you missed that you can see part one at this link.  Thank you for all your comments! It seems New Orleans is a favorite town for many. If I have not replied back as yet it is because I have been ill this past week with a bad case of bronchitis.  I was wheezing so badly I had to use an inhaler for the first time!  Thankfully, I feel almost back to normal and I'm busy catching up.  I seem to have little resistance this year, and I have been getting ill a lot.  I think it is one of the only downfalls of being close to my grandchildren. I catch almost all of their illnesses!

(All photos and photo collages in this post will enlarge for easier viewing if clicked on)


One of the things my husband and I were most looking forward to in New Orleans was enjoying all of the city's fabulous Creole and Cajun cuisine! Click on the links to read about these cuisines. One of the places we were looking forward to eating was the famous Commander's Palace, in the beautiful Garden District of New Orleans.  This restaurant has been a landmark since 1880!



We could see why their Haute Creole food was a favorite of many visitors and locals. The portions were generous and the service was impeccable.  The Commander's Palace menu changes frequently, according to the fresh ingredients available.  I enjoyed a Shrimp and Tasso Henican appetizer and a Seafood Risotto, while my husband had a Confit Beef Belly and a Chargrilled Cowboy Ribeye.  We forgot to photograph the dessert we shared--the famous Commander's Palace Bread Pudding Souffle.  It was the perfect ending to the perfect meal!


Another evening we ate at Acme Oyster Houseon the recommendation of a woman and her daughter who were on a tour we were on.   This popular restaurant does not take reservations, and there was a long line to get in, but it was worth the wait. It had a casual atmosphere, and, again, the portions were enormous! I was happy to see soft shell crab on the menu -- one of my favorites and nearly impossible to find in the Denver area. The original restaurant was established in 1910, and serves over 10,000 raw oysters a day!


Another place we made sure to make reservations for was The Court of Two Sisters, for their Jazz Brunch, held outside in the courtyard during good weather. We enjoyed their remarkable selection of sumptuous hot and cold buffet items, as well as freshly prepared Egg Benedict and pancakes. while we listened to the jazz band play.


Even as casual lunch in a little cafe was unique!  I had a Shrimp Po'boy and my husband had a Muffaletta sandwich. We also treated ourselves to a couple of New Orleans signature drinks--a Hurricane and a Cajun Bloody Mary.


One of the most beautiful and iconic hotels in NOLA (New Orleans, Louisiana) is the Hotel Monteleone.  This luxurious hotel has a long and interesting history.  It has housed so many famous writers that it was designated as a literary landmark by the Friends of the Library Association, a distinction shared by only two other hotels in the United States.


It is also famous for its very unique Carousel Bar and Lounge! Sit at one of the 25 seats on the slowly revolving bar, and you will join over 65 years of customers who have enjoyed a drink here.



Among the many nicknames, New Orleans has earned over the years, "The Big Easy," conjures up its musical past and present. We saw many street musicians everywhere we walked. Bands and solo artists, the music of all genres, all artists hoping to be heard and discovered for their distinctive sound and talent.


We went of an interesting walk and talk held by a ranger from the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, where we learned about the beginnings of musical jazz  The ranger recommended that we visit the Old New Orleans Mint building which is now one of the Louisiana State Museums. This free museum holds many historical and rare photographs of the beginnings of jazz, and the instruments of many famous jazz musicians, such as Fats Domino's piano, Louis Armstrong's cornet, Emile "Stalebread" Lacoumbe's banjo, and Louis Prima's trumpet.


Fortunately for us, there was a special program going on at the Old Mint Museum the day we visited. It was the 250 anniversary of the arrival of the french-speaking Arcadians' arrival in Louisiana after they were driven out of Canada's Maritime Provinces by the British.  We enjoyed learning about the beginnings of New Orleans Cajun culture through the talk, songs, and dances. More photos and stories about this very touching and informative event can be seen on this link.  We really felt privileged to attend this event and learn the story if these displaced people who added so much richness to the culture of Louisiana.


New Orleans is a city so rich in history, culture, music, and good food that I could never tire of visiting it!  If you visited New Orleans, what was your favorite experience?

In my next post, I'll show a couple beautiful Louisiana antebellum sugar cane plantations we visited, along with a fun swamp tour!  I hope you will join me then!




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46 comments:

Pondside said...

It's one of my favourite cities too, Pat! Your photos and descriptions are wonderful - loved that last photo of the balcony!
I'd certainly enjoy any of the dishes you described - and that's one of the biggest pleasures in NOLA!
I hope you soon feel back to 100%
PS I was on retreat on Friday and Saturday and the leader came from Colorado - Kathy Coffee - she was very good, and I thought of you during the retreat because of the connection!

Bonnie said...

You post great tours. We went to New Orleans on our honeymoon 43 years ago. I think we've been back two other times.
The food is awesome. You have portrayed it well. Thanks for sharing your great trip.

podso said...

So interesting! I just read another blog with a report on a visit to the same city. I've never been there and this makes me want to visit. The food looks amazing and that last photo is so colorful! I hope you feel better soon; I know what you mean about catching things from the grands.

Barb said...

Thanks for the whirlwind tour of this historic city. I'm glad it's soon dinnertime - all that scrumptious food is making me hungry. (Alas, we're having salad!). Hope you feel better soon.

Michelle said...

NOLA is such a fantastic city. We went a bit outside the city limits and paid a visit to the Laura Plantation. A wonderful tour that I would recommend to anyone.

Anonymous said...

That's a state and town I have not visited yet but it could be in my future to visit. Dear is traveling there this month for a conference but I'm not traveling with him this time. I'll give him some tips from your post if he gets any time off...

Gayle said...

Blue, blue everywhere there. Especially like he blue railings.

Ola said...

The food looks very tasty! And I like the blue night photo so much!

SmilingSally said...

Hello Pat,

I've never visited New Orleans; thank you for taking me along with you on your trip.

Thanks for playing today.


Have a Beautiful Blue Monday!

bj said...

Just beautiful...I LOVE New Orleans....

Anonymous said...

Delightful shots of your visit!

Leovi said...

Yes, this place is very nice, I like the pictures, beautiful monogr'fico about New Orleans!

Susie said...

Love all your pictures. I have never been there but would love to go. I love all those balconies. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

Cranberry Morning said...

It must seem like visiting a foreign country. I would love to visit New Orleans. Everything looks so exotic. All that seafood would be a shock to this mid western gals taste buds! Lol. The event at the museum reminds me of Longfellow's Evangeline.

Penelope Notes said...

“What we play is life.” I had no idea until now that the musical Louis Armstrong said that. Thanks for sharing!

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

Oh I hope that the bronchitis clears up asap!

Years ago my ex's brother's family was in new orleans for awhile and I went there with the kids to visit for mardi gras! Had a blast. This brings back fun memories! :)

Ann said...

Our SIL was raised there so we have been there a couple of times, once during Marti Gras. We had the bread pudding at Acme and it was the best dessert I've ever had. I LOVE all the seafood-and don't forget the beignets!!!
Ann

Donna said...

Hope you feel better soon....look at all that amazing food...we need to go to New Orleans!

Al said...

I've been to New Orleans once, and your photos make me want to go back!

mick said...

Great photos of a very interesting place to visit.

Anonymous said...

Was there when one of hubby's study friends' parents lived there. It's like a different culture! Love Creole cuisine - mouthwatering:) Hope you're feeling better now!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

It really is like visiting another country. The food is all amazing and looks like you make some great choices. I can't wait to see pics of the swamp tour you took. Thanks too for the sweet comment today. I still feel pretty rough but better ever day. Sweet hugs, Diane

Photo Cache said...

You hit all the right spots in NOLA. How lucky of you to dine at the Commander's Palace.

Worth a Thousand Words

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

You make New Orleans a place to put on my bucket list Pat with all there is to see, do...and eat! My hubby and I would love a a jazz brunch out of doors.
Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday.

carol l mckenna said...

Fantastic photos of a great fun city! You ate at all my favorite places! Hope you had beignets too!

Happy Week to you,
artmusedog and carol

Amy said...

what an awesome place to visit! :-)

Karen said...

What a great post! My husband has always wanted to go there.

Molly said...

This is a city I would absolutely LOVE to visit one day and wow, that food looks amazing

mollyxxx

Molly said...

This is a city I would absolutely LOVE to visit one day and wow, that food looks amazing

mollyxxx

Sara - Villa Emilia said...

What a delicious post!
This is a city I have never visited, it looks very exotic, and yet the beautiful blue building in the first photo looks so Scandinavian... :)
Thank you for the wonderful tour. Get well soon!

Gemma Wiseman said...

New Orleans seems to be loaded with so much character. Love the atmospheric street scenes and the carousel dining area.

Fun60 said...

Looks like an exciting place to visit. My mouth is watering after reading about the food you tasted. I think I'm going to have to go and get myself something to eat now!

Gracie said...

Your post only made me wanting even more to visit that Amazing city!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Great post! I love in NOLA many years ago and it remains one of my favorite places of all time. I think it's about time for another trip there!

Judy said...

You brought back all the memories...a fabulous city to visit! We enjoyed our city tour, the boat ride, the old mansions, the 'Katrina tour'...but most of all we loved the music and the food! On every street corner we could take in a free concert...and dining in New Orleans is an experience in itself.

Ruth Kelly said...

Thanks for sharing New Orleans.

Anonymous said...

Getting back about your comment about the moving company: needless to say we won't use the previous one again! Which company did you use?

By the way, love the Carousel bar!

Poppy said...

Pat, your descriptions, photos and suggestions are all very tempting and make me want to visit this amazingly rich city in culture, music, food, and atmosphere! I love jazz, and New Orleans is definitely the place to go to really appreciate this genre. Thanks for a very informative and pretty post!

Poppy

Ida said...

I bet that is an exciting place to visit. The food looks yummy. I like Cajun food. I bet the homes are gorgeous. Can't wait to see more.

Ciao Chow Linda said...

So sorry you've been sick Pat. Your tour of New Orleans made me hungry but needing an alka-seltzer. That was a lot of food! As always, great photos.

Mary Howell Cromer said...

I hope that you are feeling much better by now. New Orleans, such an interesting place and one day, I should like to visit there again, only take in the sites and foods like you have shared here, wonderful posts~

eileeninmd said...

Hello Pat, I hope you feel better soon..Your trip to New Orleans look fabulous.. The food looks yummy. I love that Carousel Bar, that is really neat.. And the last photo is awesome. Thanks for sharing your trip! Take care! Enjoy your day and the week ahead!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Must. Go. Back! We loved this unique city and actually everything about the whole State was a fascinating experience. Did you have time to check out the Ninth Ward to see if the recovery efforts were ever completed?

Massimo said...

wow, definitely a place which deserve a nice holiday !
thanks for sharing, really interesting... now I know :-)

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Ah, sweet, sweet memories. Beautiful and lively New Orleans. Thank you for the visit to one of my favorite places.

All joys,

Sharon

Linda (More Fun Less Laundry) said...

Hi Pat, I've only been to New Orleans once but it was quite memorable. The food and architecture are so unique and interesting and you have made me want to go back. I'd like to try sitting at the carousel bar! Linda