The day after New Year’s, we packed up our things and headed to New Orleans. I was attending a conference, and thrilled that the timing worked for Luke to come with me. After a day filled with attending panels, I’d meet up with Luke for dinner each night excited to explore the city together. Here are some highlights:

Carousel Bar

Immediately after checking into our hotel room, we ventured over to the famous Carousel Bar in the hopes of taking a spin. We were not disappointed, as two seats opened up right when we walked in. The bar does indeed spin very slowly while you imbibe delicious New Orleans cocktails – sazaracs and old fashioneds.

Coop’s Place

Stopped in here for dinner our first night, then talked about this meal for the rest of the week. Really great fried chicken served with either rabbit and sausage jambalaya (Luke) or red beans and rice (me). Their fried oysters also looked amazing.

Bennachin

This African restaurant is on the northern tip of the French Quarter, making it a perfect combination of good food and few(er) tourists. The place is BYOB, but we took advantage of the drinking-in-the-streets policy and had a beer along our walk there. And maybe one more for the walk back?

Central Grocery

You have to appreciate a place that just makes one sandwich REALLY well. The menu is simple – whole or half. The verdict is also simple – DELICIOUS!

Algiers Point

Right across the Mississippi is the quaint neighborhood of Algiers Point. The free ferry makes for a pleasant ride, and we set out with the intention of following the Historical Jazz Walk along the levee. Sadly, wind and rain and cold and muck made the history lesson brief. Instead, we ducked into a local bar for po’ boys and Guinness before heading back to the warmth of our hotel room.

Three Muses

This bar-restaurant-jazz club is every bit as good as it sounds. No cover charge, wonderful small plates for nibbling, and $3 margaritas during happy hour – we were already smiling. Then Luke Winslow King walked in with a dobro…

Also during our stay, I presented my paper and chaired a panel, we met up with friends for coffee, and we curled up with pizza in our room to watch the Packers win. Thank you, New Orleans!