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!

The one place you have to visit in New Orleans is Cafe du Monde. I don't really know why, but it's the most famous spot in the city, and I don't think my trip would have been complete without it.

The Original Cafe Du Monde Coffee Stand was established in 1862 in the New Orleans French Market. The Cafe is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It closes only on Christmas Day and on the day an occasional Hurricane passes too close to New Orleans.
The Original Cafe Du Monde is a traditional coffee shop. Its menu consists of dark roasted Coffee and Chicory, Beignets, White and Chocolate Milk, and fresh squeezed Orange Juice. The coffee is served Black or Au Lait. Au Lait means that it is mixed half and half with hot milk. Beignets are square French -style doughnuts, lavishly covered with powdered sugar. In 1988 Iced Coffee was introduced to the cafe. Soft drinks also made their debut that year.

It's clear they are well trained to turn over tables as quickly as possible, as the whole experience was rushed even though there wasn't a line at 11 p.m.

We were seated and ordered cafe au lait and beignets. It came out very quickly afterward.

The coffee was good and bold. The beignets were good - but I'll be honest, it's not my typical dessert. So I enjoyed it for what it was and got the experience, but pralines are more my jam.

Have you been?

It's a bit odd, but one of the first recommendations I received when I told folks I was traveling to New Orleans was "Try Willie Mae's fried chicken!"

New Orleans is not typically the place I would associate with fried chicken, but I trusted the recommendations and put it on my "must visit" list.

My Uber driver to get there was entertaining and called out to the police officer outside to make sure I got a seat inside right away because it was raining. Laughing, the police offer nodded and escorted me to a table - no wait!

Willie Mae’s Scotch House was established in 1957 as a bar in New Orleans’ Historic Treme neighborhood. After a year, the bar was moved to its current location, which consisted of a bar, a barbershop and beauty salon in the front. In the early 1970’s, the beauty salon closed, which brought on the demand for a restaurant from Willie Mae’s bar customers. The aromas of Mississippi and Louisiana cuisine emanating from the kitchen filled the air and brought on constant demand for delicious food. Their demand was met and the rest is history. In 2005, Ms. Willie Mae Seaton was honored with the prestigious James Beard Award for “America’s Classic Restaurant for the Southern Region.”

Willie Mae's is laidback, but it's clear they take what they do very seriously. I ordered the fried chicken (white meat) with sides of macaroni & cheese and peas.


And, wow, people weren't lying. It's fried chicken, done very well. Crispy chicken, moist meat - and tasty sides to top it all off!

This classic New Orleans restaurant was at the top of my list. The Palace Cafe is a Drennen family restaurant - a notable group in the area - and serves contemporary cuisine.

This classic New Orleans restaurant, located at the foot of the French Quarter, serves contemporary Creole food in an upbeat and lively grand café. As bearers of the torch keeping Creole cuisine alive and vital, Dickie Brennan and Palace Café’s culinary team are constantly evolving traditional Creole dishes and creating a few new favorites. 

The restaurant, housed in the historic Werlein’s music building, has won a number of local and national awards since it opened in 1991 including Best New Restaurant from Esquire Magazine and USA Today, the prestigious Ivy Award from Restaurants and Institutions Magazine, and Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence. Palace Café is owned and operated by Dickie Brennan, Steve Pettus and Lauren Brennan Brower.

While most folks probably have a sit-down dinner here, I was mostly interested in dessert. Specifically, bread pudding.  But, I still got a little loaf of bread, as is typical in the south.

The White Chocolate Bread Pudding is basically their signature dessert, and it comes with warm white chocolate ganache. Mmmm.


Just look at that little beauty! I do love me some bread pudding, and this definitely ranked up there near the top of my list. Creamy, rich, moist - divine.

Acme Oyster House is a crowd-favorite known for their fresh oysters and seafood.

After a bit of a lengthy wait outside, I was welcome to a table - bright with red lights - to look over the menu.

They are best known for their chargrilled oysters, which are "Sizzling, chargrilled oysters saturated in an herb butter sauce, topped with a special blend of cheese."

Of course, I had to go for that!

These are great - especially if you'e not keen on the slimy texture of oysters.

These are indulgent, rich, and doused in butter. Yum.