Escape to New Orleans

This time last year, we were eating our way through New Orleans.  Very spontaneously, we planned a trip within just a few days, scooped up our parents since neither set had ever been, and we were on our way.

We had just two nights to explore the city -- and that was our only regret.  We arrived at the Hotel Modern in the Warehouse District, dropped our bags, said a quick hello to Miss Scarlett, and dashed off to our first stop.

Miss Scarlett

Butcher happened to be within walking distance of our hotel and was the perfect way to begin our tour of New Orleans.  This sandwich shop paid homage to a time when butcher shops thrived as part of a family's regular shopping routine.  Upon entering, we were greeted with sounds of the 50s - the likes of Elvis Presley and Little Richard - where you can't help but sing along.  I was transported back to my grandfather's butcher shop, dreaming that this is what it would have been today if it still existed.  I immediately knew that my parents would truly enjoy this pitstop and in fact, the entire group did.  My favorite was the muffuletta, a New Orleans classic, which certainly hit the craveable mark.

The food tour did not stop there.  We did not have enough meals in the day to sample all of the treasures of New Orleans, but we hit upon a few.  We devoted our time to walking between all of the sites, making sure sprinkled our walks with plenty of food stops to refuel.  While we stopped at some standbys such as Cafe Du Monde for beignets and Verti Marte for po-boys, we also took a gamble on an Italian restaurant called A Mano.  Not exactly what we had envisioned for our New Orleans experience, but it became a highlight {unfortunately, I learned it has since closed}.     

We ended our stay with the big brother of Butcher, Cochon.  The meal was delicious, but the muffuletta still wins the craveable prize.