My cousin was slated to present at an educational research conference aka why-do-all-educators-look-so-frumpy so I figured it was the perfect chance for me to spend time with her (and crash at her hotel) and see NOLA. Our hotel was a few blocks from Cochon Butcher so we headed there first.
We got the pork belly sandwich and smothered it in the restaurant's sweet potato hot sauce. I also learned that "cochon" means "pig" in French.
Then we walked to the French Quarter to Johnny's Po-Boys...
...and got a po boy. It looks pretty dry and bland in this picture but the combination of the light and airy french bread, the freshly fried crunchy shrimp and slight tang of the mayo was just right.
My cousin had her presentation in the early evening so I wandered around the French Quarter and listened to live music (the French Quarter Festival was going on that weekend). Jackson Square has artists and vendors lined up along the fence selling their artwork.
I stopped in one of the many praline stores to see what was so great about sugar syrup and pecans. It's not that great at all.
The streets are packed with pedestrians and entertainers...it was sort of like New York, but only friendlier.
I walked a bit north of the touristy area to check out the more quiet residential area. I love the colorful wooden doors and shutters.
For dinner we went to the restaurant next to Cochon Butcher, Cochon.
We shared small plates of wood-fire oysters, deviled crabs with butter crackers, pork cheek salad, broccoli rice casserole and crawfish pie (not pictured). I had twin foodbabies shortly thereafter.
After dinner we went back to the French Quarter to meet another cousin who lives in Louisiana who drove down with his friends. Jackson Square had a lot of crazy looking fortune tellers who congregate there at night. They may look like they have psychic powers but I think they're just drunk or on drugs.
Bourbon Street is pretty much synonymous with alcohol...and boobs. The street is lined with bars and strip clubs with semi-nude women standing at the doorway trying to lure men in. It was interesting to watch the people stand on the balcony, waiting for a group of females to walk by so they can bead them. I saw a lot of vomit, people walking in horse poo (police patrol the area with horses) and sloppy boobs that night. I made a note to myself that I shouldn't be sober next time to enjoy the scene.
On Saturday morning we went to Cafe DuMonde for beignets, which is a fancy name for fried dough dusted in powdered sugar. The place is open 24 hours and always has a wait. We opted for takeout.
I'm drooling thinking about the beignets. They were gooooood. Not so good if you wait too long to eat them.
The man who put a smile on my face.
Right after the beignets, we went to Central Grocery Co. for a muffaletta.
A muffaletta sandwich is kind of like an Italian sub but uses a round loaf and has olive salad in it. So simple yet so delicious.
Then we took the trolley to the Garden District to check out the old mansions. The trolley was so packed that I was pressed up against the door in between an overweight sweaty man and the the driver.
The Lafayette Cemetery is across the street from the Commander's Palace restaurant.
We were going to take the trolley back to the hotel but a car decided to make an illegal left turn. We took the bus back instead.
For dinner we went to Coop's Place. Our server reminded me of ZZ Top. My taste buds were satisfied from the jambalaya.
We went back to Bourbon Street to dance away our calories. The Cat's Meow had a combination of karaoke singers and songs played by the deejay. I've never danced to a 60-year old singing karaoke in a semi-club-semi-bar before. 
New Orleans is rich in its culture and musical traditions and its people are hospitable and go out of their way to help strangers. After two days in New Orleans, I accomplished my goals of feeding my monster (although there were some foods I didn't get to try) but I also left with a warm feeling (and hangover), having come across genuinely friendly people who welcome everyone to their city.
1 comment:
looks like you had a good time. when i went to couchon i didn't like it. glad to see you had a good experience. so many other places to eat. i want to go back again. :)
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