New Orleans | Ready For An Authentic Taste Of The Big Easy?
You’ve wandered down Bourbon Street, sipped on a few sazeracs, and binged so many beignets it hurts.
Now what?
Whether it is your first time in New Orleans or perhaps you are a seasoned guest, here are a few places you do not want to miss while you are in the Big Easy.
The Pontchartrain Hotel is one of the prize jewels of the Garden District. In 1927, the building originally opened as an apartment building only to be reimagined and transformed into a luxury hotel in the 1940s. Inevitably, this became THE place for prominent guests and locals alike. Frank Sinatra, The Doors, Rita Hayworth, and even Tennessee Williams were hosted by the Pontchartrain Hotel. in 2016, the hotel underwent a major transformation but managed to maintain its timelessness, character, and charm.
The Pontchartrain Hotel is minutes from the French Quarter, close to the city’s streetcar line, and steps away from restaurants, music, and some great shopping. If you find yourself in the area, I’d recommend popping by for a visit.
First, stop at Jack Rose. This vibrant and eclectic atmosphere is sure to inspire spontaneous celebration and will undoubtedly leave you smiling. The menu has a mix of New Orleans classics with some Italian, French, and Spanish inspiration sprinkled throughout. If you’re lucky perhaps you can snag a seat in the living room with Lil Wayne.
If you’re looking for a nightcap, head upstairs to Hot Tin, the hotel’s rooftop bar. Not only does Hot Tin boast soaring views of New Orleans, but the cocktails are pretty damn great. Don’t leave without trying the Quackerac, which is their take on a classic Sazerac Rye washed with duck fat. Talk about gluttonous!
The Pontchartrain Hotel
The Pontchartrain Hotel | Jack Rose
The Pontchartrain Hotel | Jack Rose
New Orleans has an overwhelming amount of incredible restaurants. I could easily spend weeks there and not try them all, but there was one place in particular that I wanted to try during my last trip, Shaya. Given our current travel itinerary, we turned one of our evenings into a progressive dinner allowing us to sample one or two dishes from several restaurants. Something I highly recommend if you have more options than you do time.
For those who are unfamiliar, Shaya combines Israeli staples with Southern flavors striking the perfect balance between innovation and tradition. In 2016, Shaya was named the Best New Restaurant in the country by the James Beard Foundation.
We finagled a couple of seats at the bar and began to peruse the menu. Luckily, the dishes are meant to be shared, so we chose a few small plates that spoke to us: Fried Chicken Hummus and Crispy Halloumi. Who knew fried chicken and hummus could coexist and taste so delicious. Coupled with their freshly baked pita bread, I basically had an out-of-body experience.
While your plans may be firm and your reservations booked, I strongly suggest checking out Shaya, even if it’s for a beverage and a bite. You won’t be disappointed.
Shaya | Fried Chicken Hummus
Our plane barely landed on the runway before I started asking the locals about their favorite po’boy. It was my mission to find the best po’boy in New Orleans and not the one the food listicles recommended, the one that was a tried and true local favorite. The answers were across the board, and trust me, people are very passionate about their po’boys. However, the one establishment that continued to pop up over and over was Killer Po’Boys.
Even though we spent the morning sampling muffulettas throughout the city, we knew we couldn’t leave without trying Killer Po’Boys. After all, I wanted to see if it lived up to the hype. They have two locations, a smaller window at the Erin Rose Bar and a brick and mortar on Dauphine. Our timing was impeccable as there were only a few people in line. Staring at the menu for several minutes, I decided to go with one that was recommended over and over by several locals, the Black Beer Beef Debris.
Y’all, these are far from your average fried shrimp or roast beef po’boys. Killer Po’Boys are internationally inspired, chef-crafted, gourmet po’boys, and you won’t find another place like it in New Orleans.
I can’t begin to describe how incredible this sandwich was. My mouth is watering as I write this.
Pro Tip- If you happen to find yourself in New Orleans during Mardi Gras, and are in search of the best king cake around, the Dauphine location has Dong Phuong Bakery king cakes available ( until sold out) each day.
Killer Po’ Boys | Black Beer Beef Debris
By now, you know this Southern girl is always on the search for the best fried chicken. I have my tried and true favorite in Nashville, Arnold’s Country Kitchen, but I am always curious to see how others compare. When I happened upon a restaurant claiming to have the best fried chicken in New Orleans, my curiosity was piqued, and I knew a trip to Willie Mae’s Scotch House was in order.
My partner in dine knew what a hot-spot Wille Mae’s was, so we arrived roughly fifteen minutes before they opened hoping that the line wasn’t completely absurd. Lady luck was with us, and only a handful of people were outside waiting. Stalking the menu in advance of our visit, I was completely torn between the fried chicken sandwich and the fried chicken plate. I know, such stressful decisions, right?
When push came to shove, I ordered the chicken sandwich, but I still stole a bite of the fried chicken, and both were absolutely delicious. Fried chicken tends to be a little on the greasy side, but not Willie Mae’s! It was crispy, juicy, and had just the right amount of seasoning. It definitely won my heart! Definitely worth a visit next time you are in New Orleans.
Willie Mae’s Scotch House | Fried Chicken ( courtesy of @allthenashthings)
Willie Mae’s Scotch House | The Willie Mae Chicken Sandwich
Willie Mae’s Scotch House | Red Beans And Rice
Food, music, and architecture are just a few of the reasons to visit New Orleans. The city has a rhythm that’s all its own and something you must experience for yourself.
What are you waiting for? Book that flight, make those reservations and learn why New Orleans is one of a kind.
Until Next Time!