Elite Traveler Spring 2023

EXPLORE NEW ORLEANS

All images Bacchanal Fine Wine &Spirits

THE DINING SCENE The New Orleans dining scene is as rich and dynamic as the very gumbo with which the city has become synonymous. With in fl uences that span from Creole and Cajun to Israeli, Italian, Caribbean and Soul, a requisite stop on any visit must include the legendary Café du Monde (shop.cafedumonde.com) for aplate of powdery beignets and piping hot café au lait in the French Quarter. Jazz brunch has long been a popular pastime here, and The Court of Two Sisters (courtoftwosisters. com) serves up a bu ff et of Creole and Cajun classics seven days a week; it’s an ideal place to soak up some of those Pat O’Brien’s (patobriens.com) Hurricanes from the night before. Just don’t forget to cast your wish in the Devil’s Wishing Well before you go. On the fringe of the Quarter, Compère Lapin’s (comperelapin.com) creative take on Caribbean Creole fare is perpetually ranked among the city’s best restaurants, and with good reason. The hot Latin inspired new-kid-on-the-block is Bésame (besame-nola.com), whose grilled Caribbean fi sh, fried cauli fl ower and Yucatán-style pork paired with a

Supper Club (mosquitosupperclub.com) deliversa seasonal family-style set dinner menu, celebrating local fi shers and farmers, Thursday-Saturday in a private dining room in an Uptown house (just note that reservations must be made far in advance.) Serving up some of the most authentic Italian fare in town, Paladar 511 (paladar511.com) o ff ers homemade pappardelle and wood- fi red pizzas that are not to be missed. Visit Le Chat Noir’s (lechatnoirnola.com) dimly lit dining room for standout dishes including the risotto stu ff ed quail and crabfat agnolotti; the bread service royale is also a culinary treat. Nearby at Maypop (maypoprestaurant.com), the Southern meets Southeast Asian fusion menu has quickly garnered attention for its homemade noodles and brilliant selection of house-cured meats, as well as a killer Dim Sum brunch every Saturday and Sunday. After dinner, make sure you head over to Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits (bacchanalwine.com), which is not only one of the most beloved local spots for wine and live music, but perfectly encapsulates the city’s famous joie de vivre.

margarita picante make for a fun spot that packs a big crowd come dinnertime. Just o ff Louis Armstrong Park in the French Quarter, MaMou (mamounola.com) o ff ers modern French classics like cote de boeuf and the best escargot tartlet you’ve ever tasted in a convivial brasserie-style setting. Uptown, a variety of bistros abound, including a modern tropical roadhouse called MisterMao (mistermaonola.com) that o ff ers an inventive menu blending Southeast Asian, Mexican and Indian ingredients. Alon Shaya’s Saba (eatwithsaba.com) brings Israeli and Middle Eastern specialties from harissa roasted chicken and bright green falafel, to Louisiana shrimp served with labneh in a convivial dining room and spacious outdoor patio. For some tried and true Southern-comfort food but with an elevated twist, Apolline’s (apollinerestaurant.com) jambalaya dumplings made with alligator sausage, craw fi sh bisque and chicken poutine have long made this a popular outpost. For a dinner experience you’ll never forget, chef Melissa Martin’s beloved Mosquito