On Location|New Orleans iPhone Travel Diary

B and I headed to New Orleans with a couple friends of ours over Memorial Day weekend for Bayou Country Music Fest. They’d both been before (I think everyone has but us?), but he and I hadn’t. We really enjoyed the concert. Kasey Musgraves is a favorite, Little Big Town is amazing, and who doesn’t love Chris Stapleton and GEORGE STRAIT!

Where We Stayed: 1709 Joliet Street. We booked a house through Home Away. It was a 2 bedroom/2 bath newly remodeled duplex. It was adorable. Quiet neighborhood and a short ride to the French Quarter and Central Business District. If we ever decide to go to New Orleans again, I’d like to stay at the St. James Hotel. We passed it walking and it was breathtaking.

St. James Hotel, New Orleans

Jackson Square

Bourbon Street

Where We Ate

Dinner at Mother’s: This was a multi recommendation when I asked for restaurant suggestions on my personal Facebook. You can see all of your options (buffet-style set-up) while you wait in line to order your food. I ordered the “Half & Half” (shrimp and calamari) with green beans and red beans & rice and B got the “Extra, Extra” (Crawfish Étouffée, Jerry’s Jambalaya, Catfish, Shrimp & Oyster’s) with greens and potatoes. We shared everything but the greens (I detest collard greens), and it was great! A perfect first restaurant to visit!

Brunch at Brown Butter: By far my favorite meal! Order an appetizer if you’re starving, as the food takes a while. We made the mistake of not ordering one, but the table next to us got the bread basket and fried pickles, and both looked delicious! I ordered the Brunch Burger (OMG!), B had the Honey Cluck’n Biscuit and Kristen had the Eggs Benny with a side of Jalepeno Cheddar Sausage. A pitcher of Mimosa completed the order (and maybe a Bloody Mary:) All of it was GREAT, but I was partial to mine. The garlic aioli MADE it!

Lunch at Cafe Pontalba: We ordered the Cajun Popcorn Shrimp as an appetizer and it didn’t disappoint. I had the Surf & Turf and B ordered the Cajun Combination. All of it was so good, however, I didn’t care for the potatoes, so maybe ask to substitute. Fun fact: This establishment is located in the oldest apartment building in the United States!

Dessert at Cafe du Monde: Beignets. Total tourist move, but so is Bourbon Street. They were really good, but I prefer funnel cakes. I’m from Alabama, that’s my excuse. 

Dinner at Creole House: On our last night there we ate at Creole House. We actually stumbled upon it because most places were closed and we weren’t dressed for much else because we’d walked Bourbon Street most of the day. I had the Cajun Alfredo with Chicken and B had the Ribeye. I regret getting the Chicken in leu of the Shrimp, but it was OK. B’s Ribeye though? OMG, he used a butter knife to cut it if that tells you anything! So good. 

Overall: The architecture was my favorite. It’s overpowering it’s so beautiful. Knowing how old the city is (it’s celebrating 300 years), and how well they’ve kept it as original as possible, is amazing. The history behind everything is pretty interesting, too. With that said, I, personally, don’t care to go back to New Orleans. I’m sure I’m alone in this opinion, but the amount of beggars and addicts and filth really did me in. I’m sure it’s like this in every big city, but I’m not used to it and it made me uncomfortable. For me, it definitely overshadowed all of the good. Maybe if I were 21 again…