New Orleans.... My Food Mecca

Hands down the best food in the country!  


One good thing came out of my three-year stint in southeast Texas -- exposure to Cajun / Creole food.  Incredibly rich and flavorful, Cajun cuisine is my absolute favorite.... and there is no better place to enjoy it than in New Orleans.   


I would argue that NOLA (New Orleans, LA) has the highest concentration of the best restaurants in the country.  Think of it as foodie heaven.  


Here's what we had during a recent trip....


Brennan's Restaurant
417 Royal St
New Orleans, LA 70130
www.brennansneworleans.com

EGGS HUSSARDE
One of the dishes that put "Breakfast at Brennan's" on the map.
Poached eggs atop Holland rusks, Canadian bacon and Marchand de Vin sauce.
Topped with Hollandaise sauce.

Andouille Sausage and Cheese Omelete

Brennan's is the home of Bananas Foster

Banana's Foster

NOLA Restaurant
534 Saint Louis Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
www.emerils.com/restaurant/2/NOLA-Restaurant


This is Chef Emeril Lagasse's spot!  The banana pudding layer cake is fantastic!!!

Sautéed Gulf Shrimp, Grilled Green Onions, Smoked Cheddar Grits,
Apple Smoked Bacon,Crimini Mushrooms and Red Chili-Abita Butter Sauce

Grilled Rib Eye with German Style Fingerling Potato Salad,
Apple Wood Smoked Bacon, Coarse Grain Mustard Cream and Roasted Leeks

NOLA's Banana Pudding Layer Cake with a
Graham Cracker Crust, Homemade Vanilla Wafers and a Warm Fudge Drizzle

Cafe du Monde
800 Decatur St
New Orleans, Louisiana 70116
www.cafedumonde.com


During peak times, Cafe du Monde has lines around the block.  The best time to go is early morning (7am - when all the partyers are still sleeping) or late night (aka - early early morning 3am or so when the partyers are still in full swing.... There's nothing more classic than watching drunk people trying to eat powdered sugar-covered beignets!).

Beignets and Cafe au Lait at Cafe du Monde

Central Grocery

923 Decatur Street
New Orleans, LA 70116

This is a must!

Mmmmmuffelatta!!!
marinated olive salad, layers of capicola, salami, mortadella, emmentaler, and provolone on muffelatta loaf

Cochon Restaurant

930 Tchoupitoulas Street

New Orleans, LA 70130

www.cochonrestaurant.com

Honestly?  I'm not sure what all the buzz is about.  I'd skip this restaurant if I were you...

Cochon's paneed pork cheeks with pickled green tomatoes, apples, & peanuts

Crawfish pie

smoked beef brisket with horseradish potato salad

 Random food & drinks over the course of our trip....

The New Orleans Heritage Festival happened to be
going on while we were there.  I picked up this
Dulce de Leche dessert from one of the stands.

Layers of a puff pastry shell were filled with the richest
dulce de leche filling EVER!  The top was finished with a
sugar brulee and brown sugar crumble.

A New Orleans Bloody Mary isn't complete without
a pickled green bean!

Omelet w/ crawfish, shrimp, mushrooms, green onions, bell peppers and cheddar cheese.

LOUISIANA CRAWFISH SALAD
Served over romaine hearts with a remoulade dressing,
applewood smoked bacon, avocado, chopped boiled
eggs & a sweet corn relish