I have always enjoyed Maspero’s (there are 2, the larger one on Decatur and the original location on Royal; I always hit the one on Royal) and I think that the Crescent City Brewing Co. (also on Decatur) is worth a stop as well…
It’s not open for dinner (it’s just a breakfast/lunch joint) but be sure to stop into Johnny’s Po Boys and try the soft-shelled crab Po Boy and a cup of seafood gumbo; one of my favorites, and judging by the line out the door and down the block during lunchtime, I am not the only one who feels that way.
I just got back from a couple of weeks in New Orleans, and I still have the HooDoo Fever, so I just booked a flight to head back down for Halloween.
That city always gets as wilde as a mollyfocker during that time of the year, so I am looking forward to my visit, if only so I can act as the voice of moderation, restraint, decency and decorum, and to serve as an inspirational example to the locals…
I stayed at a hotel on the corner of Bourbon and Canal, Wednesday-Sat, (immediately after Mardi Gras, 2005). The last Mardi Gras prior to Katrina.
I frankly cannot remember the name of the hotel as it was nothing special. Google is telling me it Chateau Bourbon, but that name does not sound familiar. (maybe it has changed names since the Hurricane).
It was nice, nothing spectacular. My room overlooked Canal Street, which I liked but it was kind of noisy. I do remember I had a long walk from the elevator to my room, and after a night on Bourbon Street, I think I got lost in the maze of hallways.
My corporate overlords put me up in the Astor Crown Plaza a few weeks ago and it was very nice - it’s great to slink in after a hot and noisy day and encounter peaceful cool. I’d definitely stay there again.
ETA - if you want a tour, Historic New Orleans was recommended by the guide book and their Cemetery and Voodoo tour was fantastic. Could not recommend highly enough.
ETAA - do not miss Preservation Hall.
ETAAA - sorry, just saw the date on this - but my suggestions stand, since they’re so fresh I still have a suitcase staring at me in the living room.
It was as good as I remembered. The location is just superb for me. One block off of Bourbon and about 4 blocks in from Canal. I could get anywhere I wanted to go quickly and for the conference, it was easy to catch shuttle buses to the Convention Center. (I believe ZSofia and I were there for the same conference. We should meet up someday). Also, there’s a really convenient convenience store (imagine that) at the end of the block. I’d forgotten about that.
Only one oddity this time: the room I was in had the TV on a side wall instead of at the end of the bed. I could have called and changed rooms, but I was only watching/listening to tv in the morning and when I was getting ready for bed.
I found a new place I liked for food: Original Pierre Maspero’s on Chartres St.
Also, since I got there a day early, I went on a swamp tour with Cajun Encounters. They pick you up right at the door of your hotel and drop you off at the same. It’s about a 45 minute ride to the Honey Island swamp and about a two hour tour. All for 49 bucks. I thought it was a steal of a deal. Nothing quite like being within two feet of an 11 foot long, 500 pound gator!
New Orleans was amazing I was blown away by the city and can’t wait to go back…when it’s COOLER! hahaha. The heat was absolutely insane and you couldn’t walk two feet without breaking a sweat, I think actually it was the humidity that was the killer. I seriously think i sweat off about 5lbs. Because of the heat we didn’t get to do all we wanted to do because we were exhausted. The best meal we had was actually a German meal at the Jager Haus on Conti which was right around the corner from our hotel. People are so much more friendly down there compared to Cleveland, which was really nice to see. I’ll be going back in the future but some time between October and January, never again in the heat of the summer.
I am flying back down for Halloween/Voodoo Music Fest, and late October seems to be just about perfect, weather-wise.
Over the years, I have spent time in New Orleans in every month of the year but August, and judging by the the temps/humidity in June, July and even September, I seriously can’t fathom how people actually survive the summers down there.
For the record, I have been in both Vegas and Phoenix in August, and the 117 Fahrenheit afternoon I experienced in Vegas was much, MUCH more bearable than a 95 degree day (with 90% humidity) in New Orleans…
New Orleans is one of the most transcendent, sublime, surreal cities in the entire world, and is a place that anyone who loves great food, world-class music and unique, one-of-a-kind history and culture should get to experience firsthand.
The hotel was lovely, i really liked where it was located. We had a nice quiet room even though it was facing the street. There were some noisy people by the pool so thankfully we didn’t get a room facing that. The beds were amazing! I’m now looking into getting a tempur-pedic bed, well some day haha. I never once woke up with a sore back while there even though we walked miles each day. The staff was really nice, the front desk people were clueless at times about places to eat and things to see, which is sorta part of their job but oh well. All we had to do was ask a cleaning lady or the guys parking cars and they put us in the right direction. I’d love to stay there again some day.
I would LOVE to go for the Halloween/Voodoo Music Fest, something I’m looking forward to in future. A good deal of places were closed because it’s low season and people wanted to get out of the city because of the heat I’m sure. We wanted to go to Bayona because we heard good reviews about their food and it was right across the street from the hotel, alas they were closed for renovation and vacation. The humidity is the killer! I think it was in the mid/upper 90’s but it felt way into the 100’s because of the humidity. I’d seriously step outside and start sweating. Doing a cemetery tour was nearly impossible because of the heat. I’m looking forward to going back when it’s nice and mild haha
I’m going in August so I’m still welcoming any ideas or suggestions!