Black Girl Bucket List: Food, fun and the fine folks of New Orleans!

I began my Black Girl Bucket List travels after I found myself becoming an “all work and no play” kind of woman. Being a single mom first struggling to graduate college, then struggling to find my footing in corporate America and the news industry, I was a worker bee making moves career-wise….but not “moving around,” if you will. So I decided to just take advantage of all the PTO time I stored up and just get out there and see the world. But before I can cross any seas, I have to explore all the beauty that is right here on my own home turf. I’ve had a little adventure, lots of entertainment, enjoyed beautiful scenery as I dragged my luggage through a few airports heading to destinations…but this time, I wanted a “foodie” experience and I knew just where to get it. Tired of coveting everything I see on the Food Network, I decided to get out and enjoy a “Cajun Christmas” a hop, skip and a jump — or a 45-minute plane ride — away just in time for the holidays! Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler—Let the Good Time Roll—it’s holiday time in the French Quarter!

Traditionally, when people think of the ultimate Christmas vacation, they think of New York’s Rockefeller Center, with a 100-foot decorated Norway Spruce as the epicenter of the holiday-lit streets, but a Southerner need not venture far away from home to get that type of experience, and for those on other coasts, a few hours on a plane will bring you to Destination Delight! New Orleans is America’s most authentic city where European traditions blend with Caribbean influence. The city’s history is as colorful as the local architecture and the food is legendary.

I had been to New Orleans before, but only during the overly-packed tourist times; caught up in the congestion of Bayou Classics, national festivals and Mardi Gras, and while those events are a blast, if that’s your only experience, you are doing yourself and the city a disservice. New Orleans is about the people, and the people of New Orleans love to share, especially in the French Quarter.

The key to falling in love with a city, in my opinion, is where you retire at the end of the day and the Hotel Monteleone is the perfect liaison between you and a love affair with New Orleans. The luxury hotel is both a historic and literary landmark dating back 125 years. My room was decadently unique, with just enough hints of Old World Parisian décor to let me know I wasn’t at home anymore. I retired my heels, slipped into some comfortable shoes and clothing, and got ready to explore the best of The Big Easy.

The way to really get to know a city is not by whizzing by in a vehicle from one place to the next, but to take at least a day to walk, explore and learn the history of the place. I took a tour of the historic Garden District and was mesmerized by the stately early 19^th century sprawling front porches and antebellum columns. My tour guide Robert Florence, who owns Historic New Orleans Tours, weaved me in and out of streets, sharing history of homes owned by Brad and Angelina Pitt, Sandra Bullock, John Goodman, Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails and the childhood home of the Manning Brothers, to name a few. And right in the middle of the neighborhood, we detoured into Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, which has been the source of inspiration for many writers, including New Orleans native Ann Rice, and has been featured in movies, including Double Jeopardy, Interview with the Vampire, Skeleton Key and Dracula 2000. I left being less afraid of the dead and felt captivated by the stories of the people in the graves.

Speaking of captivating in a spiritual way, I had the pleasure of visiting acclaimed New Orleans psychic and medium Cari Roy. For 20 plus years, Roy has been tuning in to people’s “inner beings” seeking the who, what and where details to help enhance and enrich all aspects of their journeys. She looks like—and is—a normal woman, in a beautifully tiny package, without all the stereotypical bells and jingles one would expect. In a nutshell, I went in as a skeptic, and left as a believer, and I am not one easy to believe in things I can not prove.

She told me some things that I will never forget…and I know in my heart she is right.

Now, about that food, though………

I would love to take you bite by delectable bite, but so your eyes won’t tire from reading, I will tell you how I came, I saw and I conquered the “foodie paradise” that still has my taste buds suffering from withdrawals. Most of the places I visited in New Orleans had five-star cuisine and the phrases “world famous” or “world renowned” attached to the restaurants and chefs. Each day got better and better. I never had so much fun traveling uphill – but trust me – EVERYTHING in New Orleans is TOPS!

On the first day of my trip, we hopped a streetcar and took a quick little ride to the Columns Hotel on St. Charles Ave. for cocktails and “people-watching.” I got into the mood with a French 75 cocktail, suggested by the server.

@NewsWitAttitude: You may not think New Orleans should be part of a #BlackGirlBucketList adventure, but it is if you’re planning to explore it as I am… right now, enjoying cocktails at The Columns Hotel….taking in the 19th century architecture as I sip my French 75

To satisfy my urge for some down-home Southern cooking, pork chops, rice and gravy and hot cornbread at Joey K’s hit the spot!

I visited Luke, the house that Besh built—world renowned Chef John Besh that is—and was introduced to my first Reveillon meal.

What is Reveillon? Glad you asked! A Réveillon, a French heritage tradition, is a long dinner held on the evenings preceding Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The food consumed at réveillons is generally exceptional or luxurious, and Luke delivered that and then some for the designated menu.

The Palace Café is a classic New Orleans spot where Dickie Brennan and the culinary team are keeping the classic Creole vision alive. I had Andouille Crusted Fish, rissole potatoes and was treated to the visual “art of flambé” tableside, then served the best Bananas Foster by the pros who started it all.

I had a cocktail demonstration at world famous Galatoire 33 Bar and Steakhouse. Our bartender Robert taught us how to mix up the perfect Brandy Milk Punch (which is apparently enjoyed with breakfast as a norm), a Santa’s Old Fashioned and a Spiced Rum Hot Toddy.

@NewsWitAttitude: He taught us how to make each drink..then we had to drink it all…yes, I was singing show tunes by the end of the night. ..lol… Galatoire33 is a legendary bar like non – other. .and would you believe, folks line up (or have others wait in line) at least three days in advance for Friday night seating…talk about a hot spot! Glad I got a little VIP treatment.

Restaurant R’evolution served the best darn shrimp and grits, eggs, spicy bacon and breakfast libations a person can imagine.

You’re nobody unless somebody knows you, right? Or so they say…or is it you’re nobody unless you’ve had coffee, cocoa and beignets at Café du Monde. I sipped, chatted and listened to live jazz played by the street performers.

@NewsWitAttitude: The only time you should leave lipstick on a glass is when you’re inhaling something GOOD! Enjoying hot cocoa and beignets at Cafe du Monde in the French Quarter

It was all-hands on deck at Emeril’s New Orleans and, not only was I blown away – BAM – by the food, but to see all the young servers and professionals working in unison to bring guests the ultimate dining experience was amazing. It’s safe to say lunch at Emeril’s was my favorite.

Emeril’s New Orleans is buzzing with good food and professionalism

BAM! World famous Chicken and Waffles

It just doesn’t get any better than this…Emeril’s..need I say more?

I ended my trip where it all began, back at Hotel Monteleone to enjoy dinner at Criollo, where the gumbo was hot and savory, the steak was aged to perfection and the holiday desserts were almost too beautiful to eat, but glad I did – it was all great!

Wrapping up my New Orleans experience, I listened to Leroy Jones “take me home” with his smooth jazz tunes at the St. Louis Cathedral……

……and was blown away by the LUNA Fete lights display at Gallier Hall.

Luna Fete at Gallier Hall

In addition, I explored the French Market, where I bought a beautifully handmade African doll for my daughter…….

….and visited the award-winning Southern Food and Beverage (SoFAB) Museum learning culinary culture and history.

Afterward, I learned how to cook my own Cajun cuisine at the New Orleans School of Cooking by the world renowned (there’s that phrase again) Chef Frank Brigtsen. Chef Brigtsen took time out to share stories of his city, the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, the rebuilding of the city and his joy of seeing the people make their way back home. And while being captivated by his recounts, would you believe it, somehow a three-course meal popped up in front of me. We learned to cook Crabmeat Ravigote, Trout Meuniere with Shrimp and Roasted Pecans and White Chocolate Bread Pudding for dessert.

Can you believe after all of that, I actually managed to return home? Neither can I, but trust me, I will be back again and again. Because as Chef Brigtsen so perfectly explained, New Orleans has heart and soul, and everyone from the eccentrically crazy to the royally refined are welcomed with open arms.

@NewsWitAttitude: I was not a lover of seafood or gumbo before I entered the place, but as I watched him prepare it, I said “I’ll try it” and ate IT ALL..rather than the “special” menu he prepared for folks like me…NOW..I am CRAVING his crabmeat, fish, gumbo and bread pudding…The mark of a GREAT CHEF…is the ability to turn non – believers into faithful followers…I shall return Chef Frank Brigtsen. ..thanks for the food love!

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