No place in America boasts a more diverse food scene than New Orleans. The challenge isn’t finding something to eat, but rather getting the chance to sample all the local flavors—from Cajun and Creole to French and Southern.
New Orleans’ southern charm and French influences make it a great place for a quick romantic getaway, whether it’s Valentine’s Day or any other time of year.
Some people go a little wild on the streets of New Orleans on this day before Lent starts, but there are plenty of pleasant ways to enjoy the festivities, from jazz concerts to family-oriented parades.
STAY:
Harrah’s(504-533-6000). OK, it’s a casino. But it is also a four-diamond hotel that houses The Besh Steakhouse—by one of the city’s most celebrated restaurateurs, John Besh. According to Times–Picayune food critic Brett Anderson, if you can forget the fact that you are eating near the flashing lights of the casino, the food is hard to fault.
Not only does Travel + Leisure praise International House (504-553-9550), calling it one of the best hotels in the city, but the contemporary hotelier boasts a “sanctuary of love,” where couples may draw on voodoo powers—and if you choose, a voodoo priestess—to unite their souls in a carefully planned ceremony.
In the heart of the French Quarter stands The Ritz Carlton-New Orleans(504-524-1311), named to Conde Nast Traveller's 2007 Hot List. The hotel provides a quiet, luxurious, antebellum-inspired sanctuary in the midst of the Mardi Gras madness.
EAT:
Lüke (504-378-2840), John Besh’s brasserie, is getting fantastic press from local and national critics. But don’t forget to taste all New Orleans has to offer. Liuzza’s By the Tracks is known for everything from top-notch gumbo and po'boys to perfect onion rings.
Though Commander’s Palace(504-899-8221) has a reputation as a “tourist” spot that serves traditional New Orleans cuisine, it’s worth fighting the crowds to dine at this white tablecloth restaurant in the heart of the Garden District, home to New Orleans' wealthiest residents.
Get the real NOLA experience at Jacques–Imo Café(504-861-0886). A mix of Creole and Cajun dishes is served in a rollicking atmosphere that embraces the city’s “funky psyche.” Owner and chef Jacques Leonardi watches over dinner each night, dressed in his signature chef jacket, shorts, and Birkenstocks.
DO:
Find a crawfish boil. Dropping live crawfish in a vat of boiling water and eating them straight out of the shell may seem a little barbaric, but it’s a Louisiana tradition as old as New Orleans itself. If you can’t grab an invite to a boil, head to Deanie’s (504-581-1316) for the little fellas—the cooks do the dirty work for you.
Stroll Magazine Street and its eclectic stores and shops. Or wander over to Saint Louis Cathedral, one of the city’s most beautiful buildings. Then end your day with an intimate night of jazz at Snug Harbor (504-949-0696).
Hit the streets! Take advantage of the parades, parties, free concerts and activities that surround the big day, February 5.
Shrimp Po'boy
Saint Louis Cathedral
Youth Mardi Gras Parade
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