I had pretty much the ultimate foodie vacation this weekend when I traveled to New Orleans for my lovely cousin Katie’s bachelorette party.
Some people get married when they’re 22, and hey, there’s nothing wrong with that. But one of the bonuses of getting married when you’re a liiiittle bit older is that you get to have a different kind of bachelorette party. Your friends can, first of all, afford to fly to New Orleans to celebrate with you. And no one wants to wear boas and take shots on Bourbon Street til they puke. Instead,you celebrate by going out to eat THE most amazing meals in one of the best foodie towns in the country.
There were still drinks involved (maybe even a shot or two!), and inappropriate bachelorette party attire, but mostly things were organized around food. It was my kind of weekend!
So without further ado, here’s what I ate in Nola this weekend. Warning: it was not a vegan adventure.
First up: Friday lunch cocktails. Mine was the “Smoked Mary” closest to the camera (slash iPhone). It was made with carrot juice instead of tomato juice – see the pickled carrots in there? I am a sucker for a good Bloody Mary, and I may have to recreate that one.
Along with those cocktails: On the left, an oysters and grits special topped with caviar. On the right, an arugula, watermelon, burrata and kale chip salad. Yummmm. This was all at Green Goddess.
No pictures of dinner Friday night. We ate at Coop’s Place, which is definitely worth a visit. I had a creamy Cajun pasta that tasted amazing with my Jockamo IPA, and I will definitely be creating a healthy version of it for you! Mmm mm mmmmm.
Breakfast Saturday morning was a cafe au lait and beignets at Cafe du Monde. Can you believe I didn’t get a picture? I can… my hands were covered in powdered sugar. SO good.
This pan-seared salmon at Rue 127 was lunch. I lurved it.
But the real highlight of lunch was these deep-fried red velvet cupcakes with a trio of dipping sauces (chocolate, salted caramel, and orange creme fraiche). Oh. my. god. Totally, gratuitously decadent and one of the best desserts I’ve ever had. One of the other bridesmaids’ sisters is the owner and pastry chef at Rue, and these are her special creation. I’m not usually one for deep fried foods (although my pictures here would seem to contradict me!), but if you are ever in New Orleans, you should go to Rue 127 just for these cupcakes. Unreal.
Saturday was a big eating day, to put it mildly. I didn’t even show you the cocktail walking tour in between! This fish, shrimp, succotash and spinach at Irene’s Cuisine was dinner.
Aaaand that brings us to the totally insane brunch we had on Sunday at Commander’s Palace. Can you even believe that this is a fig and foie gras cinnamon roll, and that somehow that totally worked?
Also, can you believe that was the appetizer course? Never mind the craziness that is a multi-course brunch. Definitely one of the nicest brunches I have ever been to.
And that brings us to my main brunch course, shrimp and grits. I am a sucker for grits!
I had to head to the airport after licking this plate clean, so I left my dessert with the rest of the girls… only to buy myself some pralines in the airport. Typical!
I think it’s fair to say that I could not (and should not!) have had a more decadent weekend of eating! New Orleans, you are delicious. Needless to say, I brought some great inspiration back with me. Time in the kitchen has been scarce lately with all the travel, but I hope to have some new recipe creations for you soon!
Cheers to sophisticated bachelorette parties!! Ohhhhmygeeersh all that food looks amazing! The pan seared salmon is making my mouth water! Clearly I need to go back to New Orleans and make the rounds at all the places you went too. Seriously dying over here!
Blogging meet-up in New Orleans?!
I’m another mostly-vegetarian who makes exceptions in New Orleans. The brunch I had at Commanders Palace just about did me in: flapjacks with duck and pecans (preceded of course by a decadent appetizer and followed by the richest of desserts). Green Goddess is another favorite stop. And now I’m dying for a beignet with my coffee! Thanks for sharing!
Glad to know I’m not the only one :) Commander’s was just insane! I shudder to think what would happen if I had constant access to beignets :)
Ummm I already wanted to go to New Orleans, and you just solidified it. PS. How did you get such great iPhone food pics?!
You have to go, but pack your stretchy pants! Just got the new iPhone 6 – the camera is a lot better than the 4S I was using before!
I’m on your blog!
Yay :)
My little sis got married at 21 and we had a bachelorette weekend filled with bumper cars, ice cream, and walks on the beach, it was all very sweet :) Not sad I missed out on the debauchery and went straight for yummy food.
I love this guide for where to eat in New Orleans. My boyfriend and I are headed there next year and all this food seems perfect for us! Thanks for helping with my food planning (the most important sort I think :) ) and glad you had a great weekend away!
That does sound sweet :) I think we may have done too much food planning… it led to lots and lots of decadent meals! I’m sure you will love New Orleans :)
Wow, now that is one foodie weekend! I still can’t believe those cupcakes. No Words. Rue 127 is officially on the list!
I’ve only been to New Orleans once for a few days but in that little bit of time, I managed to eat some damn good food. I was pleasantly surprised. It seems like a great place to recharge for blogging inspiration too. I can’t wait to see your recreations!
I think the blog is going to experience a Cajun takeover in the next few weeks :) But a vegetarian one? I’ll make it possible somehow!
That’s the kind of b. party I could get into. Well done, I’d say!
It was pretty ideal!
deep fried cupcakes?! umm I think I need to make a trip to NOLA just for that!!
I second that!
I’m going there for JazzFest next April/May. Now I know where I will be eating on the off-festival days!!! Woooohoooooooooooo!!! Methinks I should be making a reservation pretty darn soon for Commander’s!!!
Yes you should! I can only imagine JazzFest will be amazing!
I was at Commander’s Palace for brunch this past Sunday too! Such amazing food! I had the shaved root vegetable salad and the seared fish. They were the “lighter” dishes but still sooooo decadent!
Sounds delicious! I will have to try some of the lighter dishes next time… I definitely went “heavy” this time around :)