So today we're up and ready to hit the Nola streets. I have a list of must-try items from friends and family that are Essence Festival veterans as I am a Essence Fest virgin. This was also my first trip to Louisiana so I was all in. The food. The drinks. The beignets. This is an ode to the beauty of it all.
Our first morning there we decided to eat at our hotel. The hotel we stayed at had a full restaurant, a bar, was walking distance from the
French Market and
Bourbon Street. It was perfect. So, we venture into the restaurant and the waiter tells us they can make anything so I ordered cheesy grits, eggs, toast, ham and, of course, coffee one of my fav drinks day or nite. Anywho, he was right because my food was deliciously made and I was so happy we were booked there. #winning
We also enjoyed breakfast at Envie which was located about a block away. As the sign says they serve breakfast ALL DAY...who wouldn't love that!
I was told to not leave here without going to Willie's Chicken Shack on Bourbon Street. First let me tell you going to Willie's Chicken Shake was an experience in itself because while we were in there the song changed and these chicks just started dropping it like it was hot on the spot so we were like well damn, y'all getting down like dat?! Just whoop there it is. The food speaks for itself and I now know why their rep precedes them. Their menu has items such as shrimp, catfish, tenders and wings which are deep fried, just juicy, just good and just right. Check. I was also told to not leave here without having a Daiquiri specifically a Hurricane. Check. These Hurricane's ain't no joke...oh wee! Grenades and shots....just be ready. The drinks are high potency, fruity, super bomb and not for the light weights. Choices of liquor vary and Rum 151 and Everclear both boasting a potency of 75% are on the menu. Ohh wee. And they might try to convince you to purchase some extra shots to put a lil stank on it. At some of the clubs they don't just pour in the shot. They get all theatrical with it and pop em in up in the air, spin around and drop em in your drink or, in our case, the female bartender put one end in her mouth and slide the devils juice right into our open mouths like a mama bird feeding her young. Yes, be prepared. I'm tryna warn you. The turn up is real. #litty
You'll be walking around looking like this here...
I had to work my way to
Deannie's Seafood which is a spot locals refer to as one of the best seafood restaurants and it is superb. It was only a hop, skip and jump from our hotel in the French Quarter. A family friend and Louisiana native suggested we eat there and it was the perfect choice. I tried a Combo Dinner plate of shrimp, oysters and catfish delivered hot with golden fried goodness.
My food was so good, so scrumptious I was rapping to my plate like Drake "you're the best I ever had...." Yeah.
Another day, another dinner. This time we decided to try
Oceana Restaurant. Since I hadn't had duck before I decided being in the NOLA meant it was time to try it.
After looking over the menu and spotting the Praline Duck I decided this was the time to try something new. At least new to me so I placed an order for the duck. It was indeed delicious. The praline added some sweetness to the flavor of the well-cooked duck. It was tender and juicy. The veggies and potatoes were well-seasoned and melted in my mouth along with the duck. It was just yummy. I couldn't locate my picture of the Praline Duck so the picture is courtesy of the restaurant's website. However, my opinion is my own.
Even the food court at the convention center wasn't the average food court with burgers, fries, chips, hot dogs...nooo this food court had that stuff AND Po Boys, catfish & shrimp plates, Red beans and Rice, greens, cornbread just all kinds of bulging calorie goodness. I had to have a Shrimp Po Boy sandwich. You know, when in Rome....
This is me on the way to a white party; however, a member of my posse had to stop at Popeye's because they were curious if the Popeye's in Lousiana actually tasted like our Popeye's here in San Diego. So, of course, we stopped in there and bought a few 2 piece specials so we can see what Lousiana Popeye's was really working with. Honestly, I couldn't tell a difference. It tasted exactly the same to me. No difference. Popeye's is still one of my favs here or there. Makes me no nevermind. Especially on Tuesday. I kid you not.
Being in walking distance to the French Market also meant I was in walking distance to the infamous
Cafe Du Monde where Beignets reign supreme. We finally made it there after we left the concert and it was packed. Thus far all the restaurants we went to required a wait so why would this place be any different AND while waiting we heard some hustle and bustle taking place behind us only to find out the staff was clearing an area for the comedienne
Luenell to enter the restaurant. Finally we were seated and placed our order, beignets with chocolate milk. At least, that's what I ordered. The beignets were worth the wait and all that I had heard and hoped they'd be. Not overly doughy, just soft lightly sweetened goodness with a sprinkle of powdered sugar on top. The perfect way to end the day sorta like Monie Love said.
Overall my trip to New Orleans, Louisiana for the Essence Fest was a wonderful experience. I was there folks I knew and some I didn't. I drove there from Florida after surprising my cousin/sister whom I hadn't seen in 8 years!! That was the most fantastic part of all of the whole trip and that's another post. I made memories that will indeed last a lifetime. I felt like I was in food heaven with all the different foods and restaurants, bistros and such. Food heaven...can you imagine?
Until next time...Go forth and read, comment and share!! Bye loves :)
