N'awlins

This past week we returned to the Big Easy for the first time since Katrina. We spent three nights in the French Quarter in a hotel called the "Bourbon Orleans" just two blocks from Jackson Square and half a block from Bourbon Street. Jackson Square is named for Andrew Jackson, who foiled a British invasion of the city in the War of 1812 and fronts on St. Louis Cathedral, the heart of the French Quarter. Bourbon Street is, of course, noted for booze, music, and young ladies exposing their mammary glands for cheap plastic beads.

We drank a little, listened to some kick-ass Cajun and Zydeco and generally had a good time. However, Michelle would not let me throw any beads at young ladies on Bourbon Street.

The main thing we enjoyed was the amazing food to be had in the area. Unfortunately, some of our favorite restaurants from days past were gone - victims of Katrina. Although the French Quarter did not flood since it is the oldest part of New Orleans and was originally chosen as the highest ground in the area, the severe impact of the disaster on business and tourism was enough to doom some eateries.

But we found some new ones that had opened. Among these was a place called "Stanley" - yes it's named for that Stanley: the character in "A Streetcar Named Desire". We had one of the best breakfasts there I have ever eaten - Eggs Benedict topped with six delicately fried oysters - OMG! Interestingly enough, "Stanley" has a counterpart restaurant called "Stella" which is a fancy dinner place.

I should also mention we ate at a place called "G W Fins" -obviously a seafood place- where we enjoyed an excellent seafood dinner.

All in all, it was a pleasant few days, made even pleasanter by the fact that we totally missed the last snowstorm of the season in New Jersey LOL.

St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square New Orleans