a taste of: New Orleans

When it came time to pack our bags for a weekend trip to we had planned months in advance, I was excited, but the planner in me was a little nervous.  I'm one of those who likes to know exactly what we are doing every minute of a trip because I don't want to miss out on anything.  I love going with the flow but also don't like to leave things to chance and end up missing out on something you must see or eat in a town.  

We went to New Orleans with our great friends, Adam and Jennifer, and it just so happens that they enjoy a good meal as much as we do.  And just like any true tourists would do, we went equipped with an amazing list of things to do, thanks to a few great friends who pulled through the day before we left.  But if you have ever been to New Orleans (or know us), you might be able to guess that 95% of this list was places we had to eat.   And boy, did we eat.  I thought I would share my favorites so if you happen to find yourself headed that way, you wouldn't miss the good stuff.  If you can believe it, we ate a lot more but these were the absolute best.  I'm sure we still missed other great places... what are you favorites?

First off was breakfast at the Old Coffee Pot in the French Quarter.

Eggs benedict with scrambled egg whites on top of spinach and artichoke hearts with hollandaise. mmmm... definitely put this on your list for breakfast.

We walked around the French Quarter and I happened upon a little treasure...

A cookbook store chock full of vintage cookbooks

Some shelves sorted by state...

Could have spent hours in here...

To know me is to know my obsession with olives and all things pickled.  That would help explain my obsession with muffulettas (however, I do order it without the bologna or "lunch meat" that is usually in these... ham, salami or turkey only please).  Central Grocery Co.  is one of the places I had been dying to go since a fellow muffuletta lover, Adam, had told me about the "home of the original."  If you have any sort of love for these sandwiches you must go.  Amazing.

The. best. cupcake. I. have. ever. had.

Seriously, and I know that is a strong statement from someone who doesn't shy away from a cupcake, but seriously this was heaven.  A dense brownie cupcake, peanut butter frosting and crushed Reese's Pieces on top.  The sad news is that this place was losing their lease the next day and would be closing.  They are hoping to find a new place to set up shop so google Kupcake Factory if you are in town and see if you can find this little jewel. 

Fried shrimp po-boy and turtle soup from Mother's.  Such a great lunch and worth the wait that that was wrapped along the block. 

This was as much about the experience as it was the amazingly fresh oysters.  Felix's is a  great little dive with guys shucking oysters at the bar. 

Now this was serendipitous to say the least.  For some reason we all seemed to be craving pizza after lots of cajun food and determined not to have the plastic tasting pizza on Bourbon Street, we asked a few locals, checked Yelp and found Cafe Angeli.  This pizza was just too good not to share. 

And of course, we had to go to Cafe Du Monde twice for beignets.  There's just not much more to say than these are the absolute best. 

Another great little find thanks to Yelp,  Little Dizzy's.  We were looking for one last great meal and we definitely found it.  This little place is in an old bank building, which was not only a fun little setting, but a very unexpected place to find reasonably priced, great cajun food.  I had shrimp grillades over cheesy grits and the fried chicken got rave reviews from the boys. Would definitely go back here. 

Last, but not least...

After much testing, I would like to weigh in on where I found the best Bloody Mary in town.  The Court of Two Sisters.  And those pickled green beans, oh those pickled green beans. 

So this is my first post of restaurant recommendations when traveling and while I going to keep on with the cooking, I will occasionally share the good food I come to find when I am out and about.  Have any must eat recommendations for New Orleans?