Trip Review- thanks for all the recommendations!
Came to New Orleans for a trip with my wife. This is my fifth visit and her first, and definitely my first one where it’s not a guys trip, so was going for a bit of a different vibe. Food was my big priority and I spent a lot of time researching and appreciate all the guidance from this sub, and hopefully below feedback helps someone else. Was my best trip yet and will definitely be back. Also want to do a shoutout to all the Lyft/Uber drivers - I’ve never been to a city where people were so joyous to share what their city had to offer
Restaurants:
Cochon: Went here for lunch day I got in. I come every time I visit the city, it’s one of my favorite meals and once again it did not disappoint.
Clancy’s: Food was solid. Appetizers were best part. Nothing blew us away. We ubered up there from French quarter and took the streetcar back which was a really nice way to wind down the night. Highly recommend people taking the streetcar at some point.
Peche: Dinner was great. Fried bread was unique and tasty, steak tartare was out of this world. My wife did the whole fish and crawfish croquettes, both were great according to her. I’m allergic to shellfish so got the tuna, was just okay. We ate pretty early because we were catching a show, the vibe was pretty subdued, maybe it would have been more fun later in the evening.
Lill Dizzys: did lunch here, was a very solid option. Loved the walk back from there to French quarter along the Esplanade.
Paladar 511: was probably our best meal. Food was amazing, vibe was great. We did Frenchman street that night, and was a nice short walk from there so would highly recommend combining those two. That being said, if I was coming for a shorter trip I probably would have taken it off the itinerary, but I planned it to have a little variety from the New Orleans fare we were eating so much of
Bearcat: no notes, just a perfect brunch.
Plates: stopped in here to get a snack after WWII Museum, was just okay. Octopus was chewy, we didn’t finish it, and they were kind enough to take it off. Good cocktails.
Bayona: great meal. It was pouring rain so didn’t get to sit in courtyard which was a bummer.
Arnaud’s: did the jazz brunch and absolutely loved it. Was probably the best coffee I had all weekend, all the food was on point and the ambiance was great. Q
Activities:
WWII museum: this was my fifth time in city but first time here. Highly recommend. I was skeptical my wife would enjoy it because she’s from a country where the war has less cultural significance than it does in US, Europe or Asia, but she absolutely loved it. Was one of the highlights of trips. Was very crowded (we went on a very rainy day) and I am not patient enough to wait in a line to read everything so we moved through it pretty quick. I think we spent about 3.5 hours there (4 hours is usually my hard limit for a museum), but I could see how someone could easily spend a whole day.
AllWays Lounge and Cabaret: Caught a burlesque show here (Van Ella Bordella). Was a fun time - it’s a burlesque show so obviously a little risqué.
Ogden museum of southern art: moved through this pretty quick. I’m somewhat of a philistine and didn’t appreciate a few of the floors but there were a lot of cool pieces.
Ultimate Swamp Experience: did a swamp tour with them. I love them, and usually do it when I come with a group. The ones I’ve done before were better (saw much bigger gators), but I realize when you’re going for nature it can be hit or miss
Hotel: stayed at the Audubon Cottages in French quarter. Was a super cool hotel, very quaint and romantic. I’ve always stayed at the Roosevelt before, but I find the rooms to be kind of tired and the location kind of boring. I was a little nervous because it is a block off bourbon, but the noise wasn’t bad at all. Service was very good, rooms were clean. Very affordable price for what you get