The Insider Guide to the Big Easy

[HostDave]

February 19, 2013

What’s one of the first things you do when you visit a new city? For most people, the answer to that question is to quickly find a local and ask for recommendations for the best restaurants and attractions. While we all like to research our choices ahead of time, there’s nothing like the inside scoop from a native. And when you visit a place like New Orleans, the choices can certainly seem overwhelming. The reason we specifically mention the Big Easy is because it is our most frequently utilized homeport. In fact, we have more than two dozen voyages that either begin or end in New Orleans in 2013. If you’re leaving the American Queen at the end of your journey in New Orleans, our staff and crew are happy to offer suggestions on the best spots and the hidden gems that will give you a wonderful lasting impression. But if you’re staying in the city before boarding the American Queen as part of our complimentary one-night pre-cruise luxury hotel stay, an American Queen Steamboat Company signature, that might be a bit more challenging.

But never fear, Jeff Krida, our Vice Chairman and Co-Founder, and his charming wife Rebecca lived in the Crescent City for many years when he was with the legendary Delta Queen Steamboat Company. We asked Jeff and Rebecca what they would suggest as their favorite local spots in New Orleans and they came up with a list of terrific choices.

The Bombay Club (www.thebombayclub.com) at 830 Conti Street is popular with tourists, but more importantly is a favorite haunt of locals as well. Situated in the heart of the action in the French Quarter, the Bombay Club features plush wingback chairs, deep wood accents, oil paintings and the feel of an English club. There’s nightly live music, a candlelit atmosphere and what can only be described as Nouveau Creole cuisine prepared by Executive Chef Ricky Cheramie. In addition to dishes like Southern Fried Quail and Duck Lafourche, there’s Bombay Drum consisting of pan fried Gulf drum fish with lyonnaise potatoes, sautéed crabmeat, grilled asparagus and Béarnaise sauce. Select from more than 100 specialty martinis such as the Meat & Potato with Chopin potato vodka and an andouille sausage garnish or Cool As A Cucumber with Square One cucumber vodka, Old Tom gin, St. Germain elderflower liqueur, fresh lemon, and fresh cucumber. We guarantee they’re delicious. If martinis aren’t your thing, then choose from single-malt scotches, ports, bourbons, cordials, cognacs, and grappas. The Bombay Club boasts the French Quarter’s largest selection of fine liquors and is known on most lists as a must-stop on a visit to New Orleans. But what about those buried treasures that only true locals know about?

Meauxbar Bistro (www.meauxbar.com) at 942 North Rampart Street in the French Quarter is just across from Armstrong Park and is known almost exclusively to locals. It’s one of Rebecca Krida’s favorite places for a casual dinner. Those from the Northeast might recognize the owners, James Conte and Matthew Guidry, who operated the popular Paradise Restaurant in Sag Harbor, New York from 1995 to 2000. Meauxbar is a neighborhood bistro and while the Onion Soup Gratinée or the Crab Cakes are good choices for appetizers, consider the Herbed Rabbit Terrine or the Ginger Crawfish Dumplings. Lobster Risotto and the Cornmeal Crusted Catfish are always crowd-pleasing entrees. The name Meauxbar Bistro pays homage to Chef Matthew’s French-speaking great grandparents, Adam and Ozite Meaux, who raised his father Edes in the rural Cajun community of Meaux.

Though the French Quarter is a wonderland of fantastic food, head to Uptown New Orleans and a charming Victorian cottage called Brigtsen’s Restaurant (www.brigtsens.com) at 723 Dante Street just a few blocks from the St. Charles streetcar line. James Beard award winning Chef Frank Brigtsen loves to serve guests coming from or heading to the American Queen. In fact, just tell him that Jeff Krida suggested his establishment and you’re sure to get a warm welcome. Jeff remembers years ago bringing a group of investment bankers to Brigtsen’s who expressed their disappointed that they weren’t dining in the French Quarter. “Then Julia Child walked in for dinner and the evening steadily improved!” Jeff remembers. Chef Frank is leading the charge for a new generation of chefs in New Orleans who are invigorating traditional Creole and Acadian cuisine with dishes such as Panéed Rabbit with Sesame Crust and Butternut Shrimp Bisque. The most authentic way to travel to Brigtsen’s is by streetcar. Just take one the length of St. Charles Avenue to Stop 44 at Maple Street and then walk two blocks toward the levee, turn left on Dante Street and the restaurant is the second house on the left.

At 3800 Canal Street right in the midst of what locals call the Mid-City is Mandina’s Restaurant (www.mandinasrestaurant.com), a flavorful combination of Creole and Italian cuisine. Casual and fun, Mandina’s is famous for its Oyster Po-boys, Homemade Gumbo, Shrimp Etouffee and, of course, its Meatballs and Spaghetti. Check out their website; the restaurant’s history reads like a family album.

Cajun cuisine is alive and well at Cochon (www.cochonrestaurant.com) at 930 Tchoupitoulas Street located a few blocks from the city’s convention center in a rustic renovated warehouse. Chefs David Link and Stephen Stryjewski use only the freshest ingredients to create authentic Cajun flavors. Jeff and Rebecca love Cochon and recommend the Smoked Ham Hock with Baked Peanuts and the Fried Alligator with Chili Garlic Aioli.

Root Restaurant (www.rootnola.com) at 200 Julia Street presents modern American cuisine full of flavor and creativity. The house made charcuterie and sausages are a big hit with diners. You’ll love the Pickled Shrimp and Shrimp Stuffed Deviled Eggs, Ménage à Foie (a special daily preparation of foie gras three ways including Phillip’s signature “Foielly Pops”), and Cohiba Smoked Scallops encrusted in chorizo dust and served with caramelized cauliflower and fennel choucroute.

Of course, no dinner should begin without a round of drinks and although the restaurants listed above have a wonderful selection, for an authentic feel of New Orleans head to the Front Porch at the Columns Hotel (www.thecolumns.com) at 3811 St. Charles Avenue if the weather’s nice. It’s a local hotspot but also popular with visiting celebrities as well.

And no evening in New Orleans is complete without live music. While there are plenty of places along Bourbon Street, Jeff and Rebecca recommend Vaughan’s Lounge at 4229 Dauphin Street, a local hole-in-the-wall in the Bywater neighborhood. If possible, try to arrive on a Thursday night when Kermit Ruffins is playing; his amazing performances are well worth the effort. Tipitina’s (www.tipitinas.com) in Uptown New Orleans at the corner of Napoleon Avenue and Tchoupitoulas Street has been open to local music enthusiasts since 1977 and is where the Neville Brothers and Dr. John the Night Tripper got their starts. The Rock ‘N’ Bowl (www.rocknbowl.com) is an eclectic music venue and bowling alley at 3000 South Carrollton Avenue with great music, dancing and, of course, bowling!

Jeff and Rebecca Krida know New Orleans like the backs of their hands and we hope that some of their insider tips for enjoying an evening in New Orleans before or after your journey will bring you as much pleasure as each of the venues listed above have brought them through the years.