Reply to thread

Message: [QUOTE="Shrmdougluvr, post: 2842189, member: 396"] Below is the body of an e-mail that has circulated among many people, preparing for a first trip to NoLa. I believe the author is a Tulane Law alum. Here is the long-awaited NOLA memo: Intro Dear __________, Congratulations! You have made the decision to go to New Orleans (pronounced “or-lins”; Only tourists say “or-leens”) and that is SMART. You also decided to go for more than just a bachelor party or weekend, which is smarter. You also decided to go during Jazz fest, which is smarterer. You also came to me for advise, which is SMARTEST. Despite all the socio-economic-environmental issues that make Nola (also an acceptable name) very complex, enjoying Nola is stupidly simple and people often over or under think it. Enjoying Nola is about 3 things: Eating, drinking, and live music (and enjoying 2 to 3 of these categories at once). When you are there and return, people will grill you on those three categories and judge whether you did it right. I will judge. There are relatively few things outside these categories that are worth doing (and I will mention them), so don’t worry about spending too much of your time at landmarks, museums, etc. as if you were in NYC or Europe or wherever. FOOD Absolutely the most important thing. New restaurants have sprung up since I left 3 years ago, but here are a list of my favorites: Commander’s Palace (Garden District) – super fancy and kitschy mansion with people dressed up in old-timey southern style and waiters in tuxes unveiling dishes with silver lids kinda place. Dinner is legit (and expensive). I would recommend going for lunch. Here’s why: if you get the pre-fixe menu (~$25) you get 25cent martinis I you not. Definitely go and make a rez. Dress up, but it’s a fun experience. Take the street car up. Walk around the neighbourhood and cool cemetery across the street Jocque-Imo’s (Uptown) – on the other side of the city near Tulane. Worth the $20 cab ride each way. This place has character and amazing food. It’s in everyone’s list and all the guide books. They don’t take rezs so go during the week. There may be like an hour wait, but there’s a bar next door and I swear it’s worth it. Domenica (French Quarter) – in the Roosevelt Hotel. One of my favorites. Not specifically New Orleans food, but amazing. I took a bachelor party here once as well as my entire fam for graduation dinner and everyone’s meals were amazing. The head chef won some James Beard award. It’s basically Italian/Middle Eastern/Nola fusion. Cochon (Warehouse District) – expensive but worth it. On everyone’s top list. Herbsaint (Central Business District) – also expensive and award-winning and on everyone’s list. Gallatrois/Arnauds (French Quarter) – super old-school old-money establishments. I actually never went to either, but they are definitely landmarks Mothers (Central Business District) – famous southern comfort food. The baked ham is legendary Willie Maes Scotch House (Treme) – best mothering fried chicken on the planet. It is known. You’ll get mad props from locals for going here, for few tourists know its power. After Katrina, it was one of the first things rebuilt. That should say something. Go during the week and for lunch. They have weird hours/days, so check to make sure it’s open. But goddam it’s good. Elizabeths (Bywayer) – go for lunch/brunch. Get the duck and sweet potato hash on a cornbread waffle with a side of praline bacon. will get you turnt. Bacchanal (Bywayer) – cool spot to go for dinner (go midweek or else it’s too nuts) and listed to live music. It’s actually a wine and cheese shop where after you buy your wine and cheese, you sit out in the backyard and they bring the wine and cheese (cut up with bread) to your table while you listen to live music and you can also order small plates from a window. Super cool and great for a chill night. Court of Two Sisters (French Quarter) – expensive buffet brunch, but good food and a lovely outdoor courtyard with live jazz Killer Po’Boys (French Quarter) – if you find yourself in need of a quick sandwich, go here. My favourite po’boys in the city. In the back of Erin Rose Bar. Vietnamese Food – the only really good “ethnic” non-Nola food you can get here Crawfish - it’s crawfish season. A lot of bars and restaurants will be selling. Eat them. Good food is everywhere, so these are just some suggestions. BARS/LIVE MUSIC Remember that there are no open container laws here. But if you need a destination between drinking on the street and ordering your drinks to go… Bourbon Street – this place is heinous as you will immediately discover. It smells, it’s crowded with tourists and shysters and doesn’t really offer anything that special. But it’s a hot mess that you can’t look away from. It’s an anthropological experience. I’d advise against wearing nice or open toed shoes. However, you should definitely venture down this street while you’re there (akin to checking out Times Square your first time in NYC). There definitely are at least a few fun bars. Check out Pat O’Briens. This was our law school guilty pleasure – big courtyard and the birthplace of the hurricane drink. If you get there a little earlier, check out the dueling pianos, which is actually really fun. Frenchmen Street – I like to say that the only reason to walk down Bourbon Street is to get to Frenchmen Street. Frenchmen is in the Marigny neighbourhood, which is just past the French Quarter (you can easily walk). This is where (more) locals actually go out. Better bars, better live music and better scene. It’s a 3 block stretch of live music venues. Most are no cover. Check out Maison, DBA, Spotted Cat, Blue Nile, Negril and Checkpoint Charlie, to name a few. Basically, you can’t throw a rock without hitting a bar and/or live music any day of the week. OTHER THINGS TO DO Here are some things to do during the day (between meals and Jazzfest)- Wander around the French Quarter – doesn’t need much explanation Take the streetcar uptown along St. Charles Ave – it’s a beautiful tree and mansion-lined street. It ends at Tulane and Audobon Park, which is nice. Take the (same) streetcar to Magazine Street and the Garden District – and walk around Swamp/Gator Tour – good way to spend a hot afternoon. Generally for like $40/50 you get pickup and dropoff at your hotel, 1 hour drive, then like a 2-3 hour tour. It’s pretty fun and you can buy beer to bring on the boat. It think I used Cajun Pride Tours. Ghost/Vampire Tours – never did, but I heard they’re surprisingly fun and interesting. Blackstreet Cultural Museum (Treme)- probably the only museum I’d recommend. It’s basically the closest thing to an African American New Orleans culture museum in the city with an emphasis on Mardi Gras Indian culture. Very interesting for like an hour or so. Wednesdays in the Square – free weekly food and music event in Lafayette Square in the Central Business District (5-8pm). Beer and great local food vendors and live music (your week it’s Kermit Ruffins, who’s fantastic). Definitely worth checking out for late afternoon fun. JazzFest – I know you’re going, which is smart. I’d recommend walking there (about 2 miles from the French Quarter). Getting cabs to and from is le . Don’t wear nice things, because sometimes it’s muddy. I’d also recommend (if you happen to see any) bringing cheap fold up or collapsible beach chairs. And eat there – the food is diverse and amazing. And I’m happy to provide ad hoc recommendations based on location, time of day, day, predilections, etc. Feel free to text me at __________________. Enjoy!!! [/QUOTE]

Verification: What is a Syracuse fan's favorite color?