The kilt does the Big Easy

[Drac]

Hi all,

My wife and I decided to go to New Orleans for New Years because we could. Never been there so we thought we'd give it a try. While getting some recommendations on the dress code I was told to post some pics, so here they are.

For New Year's dinner we dressed up and went to Emeril's Delmonico.

Here's us setting in the bar waiting for our table. I'm in my Navy kilt (still haven't got a new one yet give me a little time) and my PC. My lovely wife next to me (probably noticed her first) was already mad about black tie so she ordered no vest.

The glass in front contains a 12 year Macallan. The scotch selection was beyond the understanding a a dabbler such as myself. Let's just say this was on the low end of prices which went up to $60 a glass.

Here's us at dinner. The lovely lady is no salad eating waif. Give her a lovely steak any day. While perfectly cooked she says the taste wasn't anything special. I had duck confit with lentils, beets and kale. I could have made an entire meal of the skin which was heavily seasoned and crispy. The duck was fork tender.

After dinner we changed into something a little more casual and headed down to the French Quarter. Unfortunately the holiday season hasn't been good for me or maybe a little too good. The kilt did not fit well so it was into pants until I can get an x-kilt done up and get my butt back running. Since we had never been to NOLA we had no idea what to expect. Let's just say there was a lose of innocence. Here is a shot at the entrance to Bourbon Street that we happen to start our tour of the French Quarter.

Since we would like to keep the site "G" rated I'll skip some of the pics from our trip down to Jackson Square for the dropping of the Fluer de Lis. Per the locals and the police this was the most crowded New Year's anyone could remember. Here is a shot about 30 minutes to midnight. It got so bad that even the police horses were panicking. It was on the level of Mardi Gras.

We thought we would try a NOLA landmark just over from the square, Cafe du Monde. Big mistake. Here a shot of the cafe. To give you an idea I would give a conservative estimate of at least a hundred people in line.

Some of the other places we went this past weekend were Pat O'Brian's, the aquarium and the WWII Museum but the post is getting long here so we'll skip all those pics for now.

Jim

[Tobus]

Since we had never been to NOLA we had no idea what to expect. Let's just say there was a lose of innocence.

Heh, yeah, Bourbon Street is definitely not family-friendly. The first clue is the smell. I can hardly stand to walk down Bourbon Street because of the smell, which is a centuries-old entrenched smell of various bodily fluids and debauchery. Yuck. The rest of the French Quarter is actually pretty nice, though. Very historic and interesting.

Best thing to do is come back during a non-holiday time. And do it during the week, not on a weekend. Forget Bourbon Street and just spend time in the rest of the French Quarter. Take one of the ghost tours after dark!

Cafe du Monde was a let-down for me too. When I was there last, back in June, it wasn't crowded. But still the place was filthy.

I'd be interested in seeing your WWII museum pics!

[Standard]

Beautiful lady by your side is always a good way to start the new year. You two look like you had a great time. Thanks for sharing the photos with us.

[Mael Coluim]

Looks like you had quite an experience. Thanks for sharing your great pix with us. You are a lovely couple. I visited the FQ many years, ago and remember getting coffee and beignets at the Cafe du Monde.

[Highlander31]

Nice photos. You both look great. I'd be interested in seeing your WWII Museum photos, as well.

[threebanger]

I can hardly stand to walk down Bourbon Street because of the smell,

What can you say about a place they have to pressure-wash every morning...

[mbhandy]

What can you say about a place they have to pressure-wash every morning...

Ralllllf


Use to go for Labor Day and the people that lived there told me they don't even go near the place for Mardi Gra.
Very nice Pictures.

MrBill

[Drac]

Unfortunately I have a very sensitive sense of smell so I have to say that cities normally are fairly overwhelming. When you add to that a crowd...

We did get into Cafe du Monde Saturday morning when we got up fairly early. It was to bad for an in and out sort of place. The beignets and hot chocolate were a nice way to start the day. We also did see some other streets around the French Quarter but that was not quite as fun since so much was closed on Jan 1st and the crowds during the day were still pretty bad. Once the Sugar Bowl started the streets emptied but a lot of the stores that were opened closed by than.

The whole idea of the trip was to try something new. It was an experience to be in streets that crowded for New Year's Eve. We are thinking about trying Time Square next year. I know it's cliched but it's one of those things that would be cool to sign off from the "1000 Things to do Before You Die" sort of list.

I'll get some more pics up later tonight.

Jim

[Kiltboy]

I agree about the "aroma" of Bourbon Street. Not my ideal vacation opportunity, but definately something to see once. I hope you enjoyed Delmonicos. Oh, and a kilt is definately "do". But be prepared for kilt checks as the evening progresses.

I loved the art and artists in the New Orleans area.
Plus, love the NOMA, New Orleans Museum of Art. But it was damaged during Katrina, so don't know what portions are opened as of this date.

If you have the chance, drive up the River Road and stop off at any of the historic plantations. Truly beautiful architecture and history.

[Zardoz]

We have not been back to the quarter since the hurricane, too bad, because I've spent many fun spring breaks, mardi gras' and our honeymoon there. But it looks to be rebounding OK.