Travelogue - NOLA

Driving into the 300 year old city, I’m reminded of why I love it; it looks like nowhere else in America. The crumbling walls, shuttered windows of colorful Creole cottages and mysterious courtyard gardens with scrolled iron gates, makes me want to live here, even if only for a short time. I love history, architecture, gardens and antiques. I’m a romantic and New Orleans appeals to all of my romantic sensibilities.

We are only here for two days this time, but I have a few places I want to hit. We are staying at the Hotel Peter & Paul in the Marigny. Housed in a historic church, school house, rectory and convent, are 71 rooms. Each decorated in gingham and full of European and local antiques from some of the finest New Orleans estates, no two rooms are alike. It is DARLING!! The staff is charming and I cannot say enough good things about it!

Here is what we did in our short time:

Day 1:

Fencing Tournament (the reason we are here) My daughter, India, won 3rd at the Annual Crescent City Open!!

GALATORIE’S FOR SUPPER

Dinner at Galatoire’s, a New Orleans staple since 1905, as popular among travelers as it is with locals. Black and white tiled floors, ceiling fans, crisp white tablecloths and bistro chairs against forest green wallpapered walls, hearkens back to the city’s golden age.

French 75, shrimp etouffée and bread pudding, YUM!

Day 2:

ELYSIAN BAR

Brunch at the Elysian Bar, the Hotel Peter & Paul’s restaurant. With italianate fireplaces, saffron walls and matching gingham furniture, it lives up to its name. You do feel like you’ve died and gone to Heaven!

Strong drip coffee, French Rolled Omelette with manchego & fine herbs and Elysian Waffle with blueberries and honey butter, delicious!

SUNDAY BEST

Stopped into Sunday Best, the hotel store. A curated collection of jewelry, perfume, vintage clothing and home goods. Perfumes and candles were intoxicating!

Took an Uber to the French Quarter to go to Faulkner House Books. Located on Pirate’s Alley, William Faulkner lived here in 1925 and penned his first novel. It’s said to be haunted by Mr. Faulkner and commonly described as America’s most charming bookstore. It is!

Dinner at Lilette on Magazine St. in the Garden District. A tiny atmospheric French restaurant in a late 1800s corner drugstore, with wine-colored walls and a candle-lit outdoor garden. Passion fruit bellini, melon & cucumber salad, truffle & ricotta ravioli. Absolutely perfect!