Exiting the interstate at the Vieux Carre exit, which leads to the fabled French Quarter of New Orleans, is like driving back in time. The streets are narrow, the houses old, and the entire atmosphere changes. Competing with the loud music and the crowds of tourists to be a part of this atmosphere are the smells of the food wafting from the restaurants.
Breakfast at Brennan's in New Orleans
417 Royal Sreet
Founded in 1946, Brennan's is known as a culinary tradition in New Orleans, with breakfast being its signature meal, so at least one day of a trip to New Orleans should begin here.
Since it is New Orleans, many chose to stat breakfast and their day with an eye opener, and there are a number of excellent choices, including the Mimosas, fresh orange juice and champagne, and the Brandy Milk Punch, topped with a sprinkle of fresh nutmeg.
The breakfast menu includes much of the standard fare to be found in any good restaurant, but highly recommended is the Table d'hote Breakfast, a three course prix fare (a fixed price menu).
The meal begins with a choice of appetizers, but a perennial favorite is the New Orleans Turtle Soup, a rich, spicy, roux based soup topped with a dollop of sherry. While some would flinch at the thought of turtle soup, once sampled it becomes clear why it is so popular. Upon request the waiters will even provide a sample for the timid eater to try.
For entrees, many choose the Eggs Hussard, an original Brennan's creation. Eggs Hussard are poached eggs atop Holland rusks, Canadian bacon and Marchand de Vin sauce and topped with a creamy, lemony Hollandaise sauce. Another favorite entree is the Oysters Benedict, fresh Gulf oysters fried crisp and served on Canadian Bacon with Hollandaise Sauce.
Finishing off the three course breakfast is a dessert and, while they are all good, the Bananas Foster and the Crepes Fitzgerald are the most popular, both being prepared and flamed tableside by your waiter.
Lunch at Johnny's Po-Boys
511 St. Louis Street
Johnny's Po-Boys proudly proclaims itself as "the oldest family owned po-boy restaurant in New Orleans", as well as being one of the first restaurants to re-open after Hurricane Katrina.
While the restaurant offers breakfast, salads, and daily specials, as the name implies it is known for the native New Orleans sandwich, the Po-Boy.
Johnny's features 49 main styles of po-boys. Fried shrimp and fried oysters are two of the favorites although the softshell crab is also popular during the season. The roast beef and the hot sausage po-boys are also popular with those who prefer something other than seafood.
Afternoon Snack at the Lucky Dog Stand
Throughout the French Quarter
Only available in New Orleans and a tradition in the French Quarter is Lucky Dogs, the street corner vendors with the fiberglass carts shaped and painted like a big hot dog. Claiming over 21 million hot dogs sold during its fifty year history, the Lucky Dog vendors made appearances in the Pulitzer Prize winning novel, A Confederacy of Dunces, as well as their true history in the book Managing Ignatius. A Lucky Dog topped with chili is a perfect snack to quash the hunger stirred up by an afternoon of sightseeing in the Crescent City.
Dinner at Antoine's
713 Rue Saint Louis
Antoine's is also proud of its history, established in 1840 and being the country's oldest family run restaurant. as well as the birthplace of Oysters Rockefeller, so named for the richness of the sauce.
A dinner at Antoine's is formal dining and the menu is extensive. Tourists dining at Antoine's should be sure to try not only the Oysters Rockefeller but also the puffed potatoes known as Pommes de Terre Souffles, also invented here. Seafood is a specialty at this heavily French inspired creole restaurant , but the Chateaubriand is also popular. Any choice from the menu is sure to be tasty.
While there, ask for a tour of the various dining rooms. The tuxedo clad waiters,many of whom have worked there since they were teens, will be glad to explain the history and significance of each.
Late Night Snack at Cafe Du Monde
1039 Decatur Street
No visit to New Orleans would be complete without sampling the beignets, a local pastry that is essentially fried dough covered with powdered sugar and best when eaten with a cup of the dark roasted coffee and chicory lightened with milk known as a Cafe au Lait. Cafe Du Monde is an open air cafe' and is only closed on Christmas Day or when the occasional hurricane passes through town.
New Orleans offers a phenomenal culinary experience and while a visitor could eat at a different restaurant every meal for a month and still not scratch the surface, the ones listed here give a good sample of what eating in New Orleans is all about.
Robert Bennett - Robert Bennett is a part time traveler, a more than full time dad, and has recently started in the exciting world of freelance writing. In ...
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