Take Me With You...: Laissez les bon temps rouler: Celebrating Dad's 60th Birthday in New Orleans

On November 12th my Dad turned 60! To celebrate we decided to take a trip to New Orleans! It was my first time to the city and oh my ... You can literally taste, see and experience the influences from Europe, the Caribbean and Africa in New Orleans. It is truly the home of a unique melting pot of culture, food and music.

To start our food adventure, after check in we took a very short walk to Emeril's (800 Tchoupitoulas Street) for Dad's birthday lunch. Dad enjoyed a bowl of gumbo which was filled with shrimp, oysters, chicken and sausage. After which Mom and Dad both decided to have the Chicken and Waffles with a watermelon coleslaw and Louisiana maple syrup (think maple syrup and hot sauce - sweet, spicy, delicious). I decided to have filet mignon with green pepper sauce served with frites and pan seared broccoli. To celebrate his birthday the restaurant served Dad their daily homemade sorbet, flavor of the day: pineapple. It was delicious!

Lunch started with sweet cornbread roll - yummy!

Dad's gumbo appetizer

Chicken and Waffles enjoyed by Parents

My filet mignon - so so good!

Happy 60th Dad!

As a young man in the Navy Dad met one of his lifelong friends, "Turk". They had not seen each other in 39 years! Turk now lives in Baton Rouge and the old friends decided 'no excuses.' We met for dinner at The Gumbo Shop (630 St Peter Street). It was a great evening - Dad reuniting with his old friend, Mom and I chatting up Turk's girlfriend, Venice, and of course, great food! Traveler hint: at the hotel we found mini brochures for The Gumbo Shop. On the back of each mini brochure was coupon for a free cocktail! I grabbed enough coupons for the table so the first drink was on the house! *Salud* Anytime you are at a hotel look for these mini brochures - many will offer free drinks, appetizers, discounts on entrees etc.!

I enjoyed the Chicken Espagnole

Venice enjoyed the Blackened catfish

Mom enjoyed the Chicken Andouille gumbo

Dad and Turk enjoyed the Shrimp po'boy

Old and new friends ...

By the end of dinner the two old friends promised to not let 39 years pass again before seeing each other.

Birthday Food Tour continued with Dad's wish to have lunch at Deanie's Seafood (841 Iberville Street). What did my parents have to have? Barbeque Shrimp. But this is not your Texas BBQ. This is Louisiana Barbeque Shrimp. And the shrimp are JUMBO! The jumbo shrimp are served with heads on, in the shell in a spicy butter cajun sauce. When the shrimp are done it is not uncommon to see people sop up the rest of the sauce with warm french bread. If you are ever in New Orleans this is a must try dish!

Louisiana Barbeque Shrimp

During the trip my friend/colleague, Jay Heavner, was in town for a conference. Well of course we had to dine with Jay! And now it was my turn to pick the location and of course I picked The Rum House (3128 Magazine Street). The Rum House is exactly that - a Caribbean restaurant with a literal treasure map detailing their rum selection from around the world! The food was also delicious! I was not that hungry so I ate light enjoying mini jamaican beef patties and a brisket taco. Dad and Jay both enjoyed the "red curry shrimp showdown" which consisted of jumbo Louisiana shrimp in a creamy red curry sauce, served with coconut mango rice. Mom dined on fried mahi mahi.

Rum punch, please!

Treasure map of rum!

Brisket taco

Mini jamaican patties

Red curry shrimp showdown

Mom and her fried mahi mahi

New Orleans is truly the one place I have been that is ALWAYS ON! Las Vegas, Miami, New York - has NOTHING on New Orleans! New Orleans is literally the city that never sleeps. There are no 'closing laws' for bars in the city. They can serve liquor all night/morning long. If you see a bar that is closed it is simply because they had nobody for which to pour. And feel free to carry your alcoholic beverage anywhere on any street in New Orleans. You are not just limited to Bourbon Street. Place your adult beverage in a plastic cup and keep it moving! Surprisingly, I did not do too much partying in New Orleans. I started feeling under the weather during the trip but I did manage to get out of the hotel and visit the following places:

Maison Bourbon Jazz Club (641 Bourbon Street): my last night in New Orleans I was not feeling that well, however, I could not be in the hotel! Jay and I responsibly hit the streets. After a light dinner we both voiced what we each wanted: I, hot toddy, Jay, hot buttered rum. Hmm now where to get both of these in one place. As if a beacon of light, Jay looks over to see the sign below:

Well of course we have to go inside! Inside it was reminiscent of small jazz cafe. The jazz band was great! It was a really nice atmosphere and I would love to go back to just sit and enjoy the music. The hot toddy was not bad either!

My hot toddy
Chris Owens (500 Bourbon Street): the night really begins here at 6pm. There is a great local band that plays until 9pm. At 9pm there is a performance by Chris Owens. The performance is interactive and crowd participation is encouraged! If you are plan to come to the show, call in advance for a table. On Thursdays and Fridays after the show the floor opens up and it becomes a latin club! I stumbled on this by accident but I danced ALL NIGHT LONG to bachata, salsa and merengue. It was an amazing time dancing all night until 5am!
Pat O'Brien's (718 St Peter Street): I am not sure how I stumbled upon this location. I wanted to try a Hurricane and apparently this was the place to have one! I only needed one. Apparently their souvenir glasses are a must have ... I decided to NOT procure a souvenir glass.

It was cold the weekend we were there but when I am in New Orleans again my first stop will definitely be Lafitte's Blacksmith (http://www.lafittesblacksmithshop.com/Homepage.html). Lafitte's Blacksmith is a tavern located on the corner of Bourbon and and St. Philip Street. Built sometime before 1772, Lafitte's Blacksmith is one of the older surviving structures in New Orleans. It is lit by candlelight at night, serving strong, cold drinks all though the night/early morning. I am not sure they have central heating so had to skip this trip but cannot wait to visit this historic tavern!

Lafitte's Blacksmith

Everywhere you go you will see "Hurricane" on the drink menu. Want the recipe:

2 oz White rum (Bacardi)
2 oz Dark rum (Myers .. I of course use Sailor Jerry)
1 oz Lime juice
1 oz Orange juice
2 oz Passion fruit juice
.5 oz Simple syrup
.5 oz Grenadine

Garnish with orange and cherry. Serve in tall glass over ice.

"Laissez les bon temps rouler" or "Let the good times roll." Dad absolutely enjoyed his 60th birthday and I can see why my parents suggested this city as the location to celebrate his birthday. We enjoyed the casino, shopping on the Riverwalk, great food and lively music. New Orleans is a place that I would absolutely visit again .. and again!