After the madness of Awards Season, I took a much-needed vaca to New Orleans with my grade school girlfriends. Just in time for opening weekend of Mardi Gras I was so looking forward to a fun-filled combo of girl time, food, drink and music.
Arriving Friday evening from both coasts, we were eager to get started, making our way to Mr. B’s for fried oysters and BBQ shrimp (no BBQ sauce needed!), stopped by The Sazerack Bar and looooved The Spotted Cat for a bit of southern jazz.
Saturday treats included NOLA for the best fried chicken, shrimp & grits EVER to be tasted, a perfect afternoon on a paddle boat cruise down the Mississippi and a stop at Cafe Du Monde for beignets (deliciously-lovely funnel cakes). After a rather disappointing vintage shopping excursion down the famous Magazine St., we spiced things up, cajun-style, at Luke‘s for dinner and then cabbed it to a bustling d.b.a. on Frenchman St.
Massages, champagne and chocolate (decadent at 11am, no less!) at the Guerlaine Spa made for an ever-so-relaxing Sunday morning. And no trip down south would be complete without a serving of the AMAZING oysters broiled in Romano cheese and garlic butter at the Acme Oyster House. SO good! Walking off our calorie fest, we meandered through the parade down St. Charles Ave to the Garden District. Taking in all that Mardi Gras has to offer, we managed to snag a cocktail along the way (but, of course) and indulged just a tiny bit more at local sweet shoppe, Sucre.
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| Outside the Saint Louis Cemetery in the Garden District. SO cold!  |
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| The chocolate covered strawberries (dipped in crunchies) and champagne after our massages at the spa. FAB. |
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| Houses were decorated to the nines with purple, green and gold, feathers, masks and beads. Just like Christmas! |
A little spoiled, yes, but a lot of fun was had during my 2-ish day jaunt down memory lane with the favs. The relaxed, down-home vibe (so anti-NYC), the FOOD, and the preferred mode of transportation = walking was more than appreciated. Luckily my east coast roots prepared me for the freezing temps. Not so much for the strands of Mardi Gras beads and candy flying through the air, but def a small price to pay for this much fun! Mardi Gras 2013? Check.
Xx,
M
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