- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- home style today articles
- home style today q&a
- traveling today articles
- traveling today q&a
- message boards
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
 |
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
A Creole Christmas
Life Is Merry in New Orleans!
By Belinda Clarke
As evidenced by the take-out beer and daiquiri stands, Bourbon Street is definitely a drinker's paradise and quite a scene pretty much any time of year. But while it's fun to ogle the tipsy convention-goers and 20-somethings, the French Quarter is also a great place for great dining.
For lunch, traditional New Orleans fare is the thing to do. That can mean anything from jambalaya, gumbo or a Po-boy sandwich to fresh oysters on the half shell and a bowl of turtle soup. The Desire Oyster bar in the Sonesta Hotel on Bourbon Street has the open-air feel of a Paris caf矡nd has a long oyster bar where you can watch your lunch be prepared. Or for the best fried oysters or catfish anywhere, visit the 100-year-old Acme Oyster house for an unforgettable meal.
Lastly, if you're a more adventurous diner, you might want to pop into Mike Anderson's Seafood Restaurant for a plate of fried gator strips and tartar sauce.
A particular name comes to mind for many when considering New Orleans fare and that's Chef Emeril Lagasse. While New Orleans is home to three of Emeril's restaurants, NOLA, which is short for New Orleans, La., is unique. Located in the French Quarter in a renovated building with a bright yellow stucco facade, second floor balcony and paned French windows, NOLA's menu is contemporary and fresh.
According to general manager, Fred Southerland, the hurricane swirl in the NOLA logo helps convey the restaurant's unbound energy and eclectic personality. "We are always busy, and we cater to as many residents as we do tourists," says Sutherland. "Our menu is always new, and the chef is one of the most creative in town."
Another top dinner spot is Cuvee, which is housed in the Hotel St. James just outside of the French Quarter. This French-inspired restaurant offers an excellent menu of items highlighted with rich ingredients such as foie gras, Brie, and blue cheese and walnuts. The exposed brick and chandeliers made from overturned champagne bottles make for a cozy, sophisticated atmosphere.
