Home FOOD & DINING Weekend Cheat Sheet May 2013

Weekend Cheat Sheet May 2013

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Why celebrate for only one day? Treat your Mom to an entire weekend of lunch, brunch, bites and sips! Friday

goddess6Lunch at – Tucked away on Exchange Place in the historic French Quarter, Green Goddess is a restaurant to rave about. Chef Paul Artigues, who took over the restaurant when Chef Chris DeBarr left last year to open Serendipity in Mid-City, will set your taste buds a-flutter with dishes like a Cuban Luau Sandwich with artisanal salami and pulled pork or Pork Belly & Red Eye Gravy served with adobo collard greens and truffle grits.

Sip at – You’ll discover the roughly elegant Bar Tonique on Rampart Street in the French Quarter, directly across from Armstrong Park. A large square bar serving extremely well-made, hand-crafted cocktails dominates the space, which features exposed brick walls and comfy corner couches. Enjoy sips from an extensive menu like a “Vesper” with Martin Miller’s West Coast Strength Gin and Sobieski Vodka or a “Blood & Sand,” made with Dewar’s 12-year-old blended malt scotch and Cinzano Italian Vermouth.

Delight in – There’s nothing like a show at the Mahalia Jackson Theater, and this month the main event is “Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz,” presented by Broadway in New Orleans. The show is directed by Joe Mantello and boasts a lilting score from Stephen Schwartz as well as choreography by Wayne Cilento. See how two girls from Oz grew to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good long before Dorothy and Toto arrived on the scene.


Saturday

Brunch at – Amidst the mansions of the gorgeous Garden District lies Commander’s Palace, one of the “grand dame” restaurants of New Orleans. Located on Washington Avenue, across the street from Lafayette Cemetery #1, the fantastical Victorian with blue-and-white striped awnings has been a historic fixture in this neighborhood since 1880. With Chef Tory McPhail at the helm, a luxurious Jazz Brunch at Commander’s features not only excellent service and great music, but a splendid menu with dishes like the famous Turtle Soup, Bananas Foster Pancakes, Eggs Cochon de Lait and Candy Apple Lacquered Quail.

Revive at – Get a rich taste of La Divina Gelateria’s divine espresso, blended especially for the cafe by the Coffee Roasters of New Orleans with plenty of input from owner Carmelo Turillo. Located on Magazine Street between Seventh and Eighth Streets, La Divina Gelateria also serves panini, salads and gelato created by Chef Mia Calamia. You may not be able to resist a scoop of Chocolate Azteca gelato to accompany your espresso.

Sip at – Among the majestic mansions that line St. Charles Avenue is the beautiful Columns Hotel. Relax at a table on the wide porch and watch the Streetcar rumble by as you enjoy a drink from The Victorian Lounge Bar. Step back into the past and sip on classic, well-made cocktails like a Sazerac, Pimm’s Cup or the ubiquitously Southern Mint Julep.

Sunday

Brunch at – Marvel at the decor inside the two-story restaurant that once housed the historic Werlein’s music building or sit at a sidewalk table and watch the world pass by … neither should be missed at Palace Cafe. Located on Canal Street near the corner of Chartres on the edge of the French Quarter, Dickie Brennan’s contemporary Creole eatery has been pleasing palates since 1991. Executive Chef Darin Nesbit offers a delicious Sunday Jazz Brunch with dishes like Duck & Roasted Garlic Gumbo, Catfish Pecan Meunière and New Orleans Pain Perdu.

Shop at – Any woman would love to spend her Sunday afternoon shopping, and your mom is no exception! Take her to The Shops at Canal Place and peruse the wares of the finest and most contemporary retail merchants in the country. Browse the unique clothing at Anthropologie, pick up her favorite purse at Coach, try on locally jewelry designed at Mignon Faget or splurge on a new outfit for mom at Sak’s Fifth Avenue. You could even catch a movie at The Theatres at Canal Place and nibble on some gourmet snacks like Smoked Salmon or Roman Artichokes from Chef Adolfo Garcia‘s Gusto while you watch the show.

Relax at – Although it might sound cliché, it doesn’t hurt to wind down your day with Café au Lait and Beignets at the famous Café Du Monde. Despite the hordes of tourists, Café Du Monde has an unmistakable sense of history that is readily felt at the 150-year-old cafe while sipping on a frothy cup of rich chicory coffee mixed with steamed milk and a plate of hot, freshly made beignets topped with heaps of powdered sugar.