Oh , yeah … food
I don ’ t know if people visit New Orleans just for the food , but I wouldn ’ t blame them .
I got a full serving of local fare — gumbo , jambalaya , bread pudding and pralines — at the New Orleans School of Cooking . Pat Hirsch was the chef who demonstrated how to make those dishes , and while I still can ’ t cook , I ’ ll never forget the healthy serving of regional history and Louisiana lore that Pat dished up . The key to appreciating the incredible roots — and indelible flavors — of Creole and Cajun food is understanding the heritage of the people who created and adopted it .
One morning I met Tara for coffee , and she told me that even though she works for the CVB , she has to keep a restaurant guide in her car so she and her husband can keep up with the city ’ s many and diverse restaurants . But that ’ s how you get more New Orleans .
“ It ’ s a total sensory experience ,” Tara said . “ You eat well and you drink well , and you soak up everything — every feeling — as you go through the city .”
My very first stop in the city was The Court of Two Sisters , a rambling restaurant in the French Quarter with a courtyard nearly covered by a century-old wisteria . Sherry Constance , events sales manager , told me they are group heavy .
“ We do a ton of tour groups : three to seven a day ,” she said . “ Our owners view groups as premium business ; they really get it .”
BOB ROUSE
Demonstration at the New Orleans School of Cooking
And each group gets a taste of New Orleans — shrimp étouffée , crawfish Louise , andouille sausage — whether they ’ re enjoying dinner or the daily brunch with live jazz . courtoftwosisters . com The Court of Two Sisters was the perfect introduction to New Orleans . I went there for more , see , and the city provided it . When I expressed surprise at the size of the place despite a very normal-looking entrance , she summed up the city :
“ A lot of New Orleans spaces are deceptive . They might look small on the street , but you get inside and they keep going and going .”
And all I can think about is going back . For more .
PLAN YOUR GROUP VISIT TODAY !
In the wake of Japan ’ s attack , American soldiers marched into battle while citizens rallied on the Home Front . In ration lines and victory gardens and factories across the United States , they built an Arsenal of Democracy . Experience how the Home Front supported the front lines and helped win the war — at The Arsenal of Democracy , a new permanent exhibit at The National WWII Museum .
# 1 Attraction in New Orleans | # 4 Museum in the United States – 2016 TripAdvisor Travelers ’ Choice 945 Magazine Street , New Orleans , LA 70130 | 877.813.3329 X 222 | NATIONALWW2MUSEUM . ORG
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