NOLA

Pat O’Briens is one of those "must see" places in New Orleans. The bar is located just off Bourbon Street and right next to Preservation Hall. The rumors are true…the hurricanes are really as strong as people say they are. The bar has traditional indoor bar seating, patio seating and a room with the dueling pianos. Outside of its famous reputation, the bar itself is pretty average. It’s a little dark and musty inside, but the dueling pianos are nice.

I read about this place in numerous travel books and was sorely disappointed. The food was below average. We tried the jambalaya and roast beef po’boy. Neither one was worth ordering. From what I’ve read, the oysters are the thing to get. I can’t speak to that because I didn’t try them. In addition to average food, the atmosphere was similar. Yet sure enough, every night there was a long line outside of ACME Oyster House. If I were you, I’d save my money and go elsewhere.

Cafe du Monde only serves beignets and café au lait, both of which are delicious. The beignets are piled high with powdered sugar. The café au lait comes hot, iced or frozen. I tried the frozen since it was really hot outside and it was great. You can walk up to the window and order to go or sit at a table to be served.

Even though the food was great, the atmosphere wasn’t quite what I had expected. I went there twice. The first time, I went in the afternoon and sat on the patio to eat. That time, all the servers were Asian and speaking to each other in another language. That really detracted from the local, New Orleans vibe I was expecting at this classic, must-see. I had envisioned servers from the heart of Cajun country to really add some local flare. In addition, the patio was very dirty. The floor was covered with powdered sugar from all those tasty beignets. I couldn’t help but think that instead of being open 24 hours a day, it might do them some good to close down for a few hours and do some heavy cleaning. The following day, I returned later in the evening and a bunch of men were working. The patio was still a bit dirty, but cleaner than the previous day.

Café du Monde is located across from Jackson Square and down the street from The French Market. So, you can take your café and beignets to a more beautiful setting to eat.

The Hotel Monteleone is located one street back from Bourbon Street, making it easily accessible to all the downtown attractions. However, it is quiet at night so you can actually sleep when you’re ready. It’s a safe, well populated area if you plan to party into the wee hours and then crash. Café du Monde, Jackson Square, riverboat rides, The Aquarium and The French Market are all within walking distance. Famous restaurants like NOLA, Antoine’s, ACME Oyster House and Court of Two Sisters are also nearby.

The hotel has some pros and cons. In addition to having an excellent location, the lobby is beautiful and the rooms are clean and well kept. The hotel is also home to The Carousel Bar, which many people like to visit in its own right. On the downside, you must use valet parking which costs $30 a day. Not to mention you have to tip each time you need to drive your car. That adds up fast. Also, the hotel’s pool is very small. It’s located on the roof which offers a nice view. Personally, I thought the setting was more agreeable to nice conversation and relaxation than swimming. As for the rooms themselves, while being very clean and adorned with local charm, they are a bit small. The bathrooms are extremely small for a luxury hotel and offer almost no counter space.

The Court of Two Sisters has a jazz brunch daily from 9am until 3pm. This popular destination has outdoor seating with lush landscaping. The brunch buffet offers many dishes, but nothing quite hits the mark besides the bananas foster. A few other notable dishes include the made to order omelets and eggs benedict. Other items you will find on the buffet are salad, traditional breakfast items, turtle soup and jambalaya. The main problem with this restaurant is their lack of attention to detail. For example, I found numerous rotten strawberries and half melted ice cream on the buffet. Overall, this restaurant is a bit overrated.

Preservation Hall is the most famous jazz club in New Orleans. Doors open at 8pm nightly and the music begins at 8:15pm. Admission is $10 and they close down at 11pm. There’s always a line outside, so be prepared to wait. Get there early or you may find standing room only. The outside of Preservation Hall looks dingy, but people swear by this place.

Many restaurants in New Orleans require diners to wear nice clothing, especially at dinner. Some restaurants ask that men wear a jacket for dinner. It's likely that you will come across one or more of these type places on your "to do" list, so bring dress clothes. Keep in mind, it's hot and humid in New Orleans and you will be do lots of walking.

If you want to be near all the bars and clubs, pick a hotel near Bourbon Street. I would suggest staying at least one street back so you can sleep peacefully at the end of the day. Also, there's lots to do near Cafe du Monde and Jackson Square. If you find a hotel that's close to both areas, you'll be set.

If you are looking for a more romantic getaway, I suggest staying in the Garden District or Uptown. There are many beautiful bed and breakfasts and it's a more upscale setting. In that area, you will find trendy shops and cafes.