Such GOOD food - Raw Oysters, Jambalaya, Gumbo, Crawfish, Cafe au lait & Beignets - my favorite Crawfish Étouffee. I haven't forgotten to mention the DRINKS - my favorite, Abita Amber beer. I kept to my promise staying clear from their famous Hurricane (recalling my younger years in New Orleans almost losing my front teeth in an embarrassing fall!).
Not to worry we did have Shrimp, but not at Bubba Gumps - now really, who would choose to go there when you can find the chain back at home!
I arrived in New Orleans Thursday evening and within 10 minutes upon my arrival at the Omni Royal Hotel - which was superbly located in the heart of the French Quarter, mere blocks from Bourbon Street. Brian hurried me to a bar on Bourbon Street, to meet his friends and fellow colleagues. Brian arrived in New Orleans on Tuesday to attend a 3 day conference on U.S. Customs and Border Control - blah blah blah, give me a drink. Just kidding, it's actually quite interesting.
Pete & Brian
Approximately 45 minutes later, I and 3 others, including Brian, were riding a mechanical BULL - thanks to Brian's friend Pete! OOOHHHWEEE that was brutal! I had the bruises on my inner thigh to prove so. I was told that I (of the 4) was the best bull rider (HUM, did I miss my calling? HA!). I remember being thrown from that bull 3 times, struggling to hang on what was left of a straggling rope. Yea yea yeah, leave the "that's what she said" comments out ;)
Despite the bruises and embarrassment, we all had a blast riding that bull! **Unfortunately we have yet to receive the photos, but I promise to attach them to a future post**
Eyes at Lafayette Square. Walking past the park, we noticed eye's which have lights in the pupil. I will post an update when I locate the public artist history.
DAY 2: Brian headed for his conference. We meet for lunch at The Bon Ton Café - OMG this restaurant was super duper DELICIOUS!
I spent the rest of my afternoon site seeing, drinking cafe au lait's and hunting down 2 mini Gambina dolls (black dolls w/braids and ribbons in their hair). I purchased the same, a much larger size doll when I first visited New Orleans. Marissa is always asking to play w/her so I decided this is what they'd each receive as a souvenir gift (which they loved and hugged!!).
Our evening began at the Royal House restaurant, serving us multiple orders of delicious oysters on the half shell along w/a bottle of wine. Since Brian and I were the only ones on the hunt for authentic New Orleans MUSIC - we headed for Frenchmen Street.
We came across an awesome band Los Po-Boy-Citos - New Orleans Latin Soul. We grooved into the wee hours and what I mean by wee hours, desperately at 3am searching for more Oysters - ain't gonna happen, which I was told by our Concierge - therefore settling for the hotels Pecan Pie and watching Lorenzo's Oil - - I know WTF, right?
This evening has yet to end - Uh, I don't know, maybe around 5am, I asked Brian to turn off the television. What looked to be him turning off the t.v., - but not. I asked him what he was doing?? Instead of the remote, Brian had the telephone receiver in his hands pointing it to the television screen pushing imaginary buttons. We later ended up finding the actual remote HA!
Our 11am wake-up call was the hotel guest service gal knocking on every room door on our floor, announcing "The Street Fair is beginning!"! This city never sleeps!
Day 3: Ok, so we heard that a restaurant by the name of Mother's, is one not to be missed for breakfast. Well I heard wrong! Sure, the bloody Mary's were tasty during our 40 minute wait, and sure the Ferdi Special, a po-boy sandwich made of baked ham, roast beef, and [Mother’s] "debris", was what Brian described as "The Bombdiggity".
My Crawfish Etoufee omelet was a thick season less pile of cooked eggs resembling an omelet, w/merely a spoonful of it's so called crawfish! The remaining 3/4 of my plate was slathered w/grits. :( Which by the way, they failed to describe on the menu!! Please do not confuse this restaurant w/Mama's in San Francisco - which is my definition of The Bombdiggity - a restaurant worth the wait!!
Another great restaurant if you ever visit New Orleans, Coops Place.
Next, Brian and I headed over to The National World War II Museum. Dedicated in 2000 as The National D-Day Museum. We visited the site for over 2 hours failing to complete our tour - so interesting, the time just flew past us!!
It celebrates the American Spirit, teamwork, optimism, courage and sacrifice of the men and women who fought - all generations will understand the price of freedom!
Our last evening was the ultimate party until you drop - the entire gang meeting for drinks, and dining at Emeril's Delmonico!
~ $$ tipping our waiter! ~
We all found our way back to Frenchman Street taking over some small Bar!
Jaime & I
The beats were spinning and our feet were gigging!
Brian & I met a couple who's husband insisted I wear his hat!
Angela & I! - looks like it was time for some fiber. HA!
Bill, Angela & I.
Lucky enough we allowed ourselves 2 hours sleep before we boarded our plan back to Oakland! You only live once, right!?
3 comments:
Can't WAIT for the bull pictures!!! :)
too funny that you fixed the title... when I first read it before I was thinking it was NOLA! He he
HA! must have had my old legal brain on overdrive - I noticed I had mistakenly typed NOLO.
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