Cochon was one of my splurges while in New Orleans. It's a bit pricy, but it's totally worth it. The restaurant focuses on southern cajun cooking, and it was one of the first reservations I made.

Say hi to Kaitlynn!

AT COCHON, CHEF LINK HAS RECONNECTED WITH HIS CULINARY ROOTS, SERVING THE TRADITIONAL CAJUN SOUTHERN DISHES HE GREW UP WITH. CHEF LINK AND CHEF/CO-OWNER STEPHEN STRYJEWSKI ARE WORKING WITH LOCALLY SOURCED PORK, FRESH PRODUCE AND SEAFOOD, FOCUSING ON TRADITIONAL METHODS, CREATING AUTHENTIC FLAVORS OF CAJUN COUNTRY.

First, we started with these fresh, hot rolls that were unreal. I even convinced Kaitlynn (anti-carb) to eat one!

Then, it was fried alligator with chili garlic mayonnaise. If I didn't think about it, this tasted good. It was similar to chicken, but maybe a bit more firm.

Then, I had to try fried boudin. It's loose mix of ground pork (which includes liver, heart, kidney, blood), rice, onions, and seasonings molded into a ball, breaded and deep-fried. It is in line with "whole hog butchery" so none of the scraps go to waste.

And, it was really tasty! The texture threw me off for a second because it's similar to raw beef, but the flavor was delicious.

Finally, I tried the chicken and andouille gumbo. You can't go to New Orleans and not try gumbo. It has a very deep, rich flavor.


And this was Kaitlynn's, which I believe is fried livers.

Overall, a really fun dinner experimenting with new dishes and trying new things. Every single thing was new to me - and that's exactly how I like it!

Mother's Restaurant is an old-school spot in New Orleans that claims "World's Best Baked Ham."

There was a bit of a line outside, which stretched down the walkway. And, once you got inside, it wrapped around the dining room until finally getting to the counter where you can order.

Once we were inside, I looked over the menu and wanted to try a little bit of everything.

I thought I could get a sampling of that in their "Famous Ferdi Special" po'boy, which has ham, roast beef, the original debris with au jus gravy. I also got a side of "Jerry's Jambalaya."

Once we took our seats, we waited for the food to arrive.





The sandwich is pretty big - even the small. The meats are roasted fresh in restaurant ovens and carved on site. served on New Orleans french bread. But mustard was good to add a little zing.

The jambalaya had a bit of a kick, and it was so, so good! Definitely add this as a side if you're here.

What's your favorite dish here?

There is just something so special and sweet about little coffee shops and bakeries. I just can't resist when I pass by one. That was the case with Envie.

I went for a frappe cafe au lait, which was just SO good.

And, I was able to (barely) resist all these goodies!

It's brunch time! The Ruby Slipper Cafe is well-known to be one of the best spots to down eggs benedict in the area, so we lined up bright and early to get our seat - and there was already a line 15 minutes prior to opening!

The Ruby Slipper Cafe is an award-winning cafe famous for our breakfast, brunch & lunch offerings. We bring New Orleans flair to southern breakfast standards, brunch classics and fresh lunch dishes. We were founded in New Orleans, Louisiana in 2008. From there we have grown to 10 locations! Six in New Orleans, one in Baton Rouge, La. and three stretching along cities on the Gulf Coast including, Mobile, Orange Beach and Pensacola Fl.

First things first: cocktails. I ordered a "Ruby Slipper," which is a mimosa with OJ and pomegranate. 

I didn't get a ton of pomegranate in mine - but what a concept! I'd like pomegranate in every drink of mine for the rest of time, thanks.

Next up came the hard part: Choosing which benedicts I wanted.

Fortunately, they have a genius option called "The Peacemaker," where you can mix and match two signature benedicts.

I ended up ordering two of their best-sellers:

EGGS COCHON
Slow-cooked, apple-braised pork debris served over a buttermilk biscuit, topped with two poached eggs, finished with hollandaise

CHICKEN ST. CHARLES Fried chicken breast served over a buttermilk biscuit, topped with two poached eggs, finished with a pork tasso cream sauce


You truly can't go wrong with either. Both fabulous.

Have you ever had a hurricane drink? You know, the drink in the signature glass with rum, fruit juice and syrup or grenadine?



That was started at a bar called Pat O'Brien's during World War II in New Orleans. And it is a signature drink of the city.

The most popular drink with visitors to the French Quarter may just be the sweet red Hurricane, served with a big old cherry and a juicy orange slice. This local libation was created with rum at Pat O’Brien’s bar during World War II when whiskey was hard to come by. The name for the drink came from the glass it’s served in that resembles a hurricane lamp. A perfect place to sip a Hurricane is still in Pat O’s legendary courtyard, overlooking the flaming fountain. You can find them elsewhere around the city as well, and most bartenders will be happy to mix you one. Also try the frozen varieties at drive-thru daiquiri stands and in the French Market. (Source)

Kaitlynn and I had to try one for ourselves, so I sipped on the very strong drink outside on the patio and people-watched for a good bit - one of my favorite hobbies. I love getting to try a classic while having live entertainment!