I’ll get right into it.
Beignets
Or as I now refer to them,
BEIGNETS!!!
The orgasmic offspring of a Carnival Fried Dough dad and a Croissant mom.
Ok, now that that’s settled, where to get them? The obvious choice is Cafe Du Monde. When we walked by the French Quarter location it was jam packed, with long lines to get a table or takeout. So we kept on walking, just a little bit further to the French Market, where we quickly found Loretta’s. We quickly ordered and in just seven quick minutes (they inform you of the wait time), we were seated at a nearby table and enjoying these piping hot powder-drenched treats. Soooo good! Soooo good! I read somewhere the beignets at Loretta’s won a contest of some sort. No matter… just get them there and enjoy them. They come traditional (plain) or with flavors. We got plain. My husband Jerry got powdered sugar all over his shirt, pants and shoes, so bring wipes. Well worth it.
Staying at the Hotel Provincial we had a number of breakfast options in the area. We tried two - Croissant D’or and French Toast. Croissant D’or looked great, like a cute little patisserie, but the food did not live up to the hype. Probably the time I have spent in Paris has spoiled me somewhat, but croissants that have the texture of rolls are just not good enough for me to waste calories on. Jerry got an order of French toast and there was nothing special about the bread. So, overall, I am thinking meh… but then I decided to use the ladies room and YIKES! It was the most dirty and disgusting bathroom I have seen, and I have been in porta potties… at carnivals… on hot August days… We left quickly after eating, never to return.
Another place we enjoyed fried chicken was at Coop’s Place, which is next to Saint John’s. We went for an early supper, which was a good idea, because when we left there was a line to get in. Since we don’t eat seafood, we decided to share a three-piece fried chicken plate which came with a scoop of coleslaw and a scoop of rabbit and sausage jambalaya. The chicken was delicious, flavorful coating on it and fried beautifully. However, the pieces were just a tad dry, like they had been hanging out under a heat lamp for awhile. Nevertheless, we devoured it all. We also liked the jambalaya. It wasn’t quite on the same level as Royal House, but I would love to have it again anytime. A table of women next to us who were just about to leave when we arrived sang the praises of a seafood pasta dish they had. So that’s something to consider as well. I was warned that his place cards everyone to make sure they are over 18. And indeed they did. Even us old bats.
The final three places in this report are not worth going out of your way for foodwise, but we were glad to experience them.
We took the Steamboat Natchez Jazz Brunch Cruise and it was fun sailing along the Mississippi with a Dixeland Trio playing. The brunch was mediocre, typical group fare. Even a little worse because the French toast and O’Brien potatoes were cold and the little foiled wrapped butter squares were ice cold making it impossible to use them. Jerry liked the gumbo. I don’t think he met a gumbo he didn’t like, or jambalaya for that matter. The Bananas Foster for dessert was delicious, so I was good with that. My advice, save your money, do the cruise, bring snacks and have drinks from the boat’s bar.
I love jazz and a friend advised us to check out the acts at the Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro on Frenchmen Street. “If you like it, book it, the place sells out quickly,” he said. So, I made a reservation online to see a group in the bistro’s Music Room (Herlin Riley - phenomenal). They also serve dinner separately, and I decided it would be easy to just have dinner there before the show. Yes, it was easy. But the food was so mediocre that I wish we grabbed a sandwich elsewhere instead. It may have been that Snug Harbor’s menu was more seafood-centric and the non-seafood dishes were throwaways. A hamburger was just fine, a ribeye steak was more like a breakfast minute steak.
Finally, the main reason for this visit was to visit the National WWII Museum on Veteran’s Day, and what a terrific experience. NOLA should be so proud of this museum, it’s full of great exhibits and a stirring 4D film experience, Beyond All Boundaries. Our original plan was to visit the museum in the morning and have lunch at nearby Cochon Butcher. But we got so caught up in the D Day exhibit and talking with Veterans (my favorite is pictured below). So we decided to grab a quick bite at the onsite soda shop. Jerry liked a cup of gumbo… and I liked my BLT. Overall, we really loved New Orleans, and can’t wait to visit again.