Trixie Navarre

I had spent almost a week in Louisiana while taking a road trip from Las Vegas to Florida, and New Orleans was the centerpiece of my stay. I had never been to this state before, and found it very friendly, pleasant, and slow paced. I loved New Orleans, and it was a remarkable city to visit. It was full of beautiful architecture, deep culture, and history, plus a delicious food scene.

If New Orleans is on your radar or you are driving through Louisiana, here is my food journal of the delicious eats and restaurants that we experienced while in the area. If you love great food just as much as I do, I am sure you will find this food diary helpful.

From polishing off a plate of powdered sugar beignets while wearing black to eating way too much gumbo, my “What I ate in Louisiana – A Food Journal”.

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Café Amelie

New Orleans– When I first arrived into New Orleans, it was raining quite hard and I just finished a five hour drive from Shreveport. After I checked into my hotel, I started walking in the downpour, and saw Café Amelie. It was both inviting and charming, even in the rain. There was a large courtyard with overgrown palms and trees, plus a fountain that was overflowing with more water than it needed.

Since I was driving for awhile, I was very hungry although I did eat along the way. I just like to eat, I suppose. I started off with a cocktail, which was severely needed and then moved on to a lot of delicious food.

Since I was in New Orleans, I started off with the Chicken and Andouille Gumbo, which was hearty and flavorful. I was also offered a little loaf of bread that was baked at ‘Angela Genduso Bakery’, which is home of the original Po’ Boy, and a bit of Cloverdale butter. My main entre was the special of pork loin with a mango pepper jelly sauce, over creamy mashed potatoes. Then I completed my full meal with a slice of traditional Doberge cake. I told you that I enjoyed eating!

Everything was magnificent at Café Amelie, and I highly recommend it for the beautiful atmosphere, great service, and spot-on dishes.

For restaurant reservations and menu information, please visit Café Amelie.

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The Court of Two Sisters

I was recommended this restaurant, and in turn I am recommending it to you. The Court of Two Sisters was a terrific dining experience, and I would not mind dining here again, and again. The restaurant is located inside an old mansion that was built around 1726, with the rooms of the home used as dining rooms. The restaurant’s atmosphere is classic, and the menu is traditional to the region.

My adult daughter and I started off with a couple of cocktails, which lead to a delicious feast of appetizers, hearty entrees, and a couple of sweet desserts. We kicked off our meal with the Jalepeno Bacon Wrapped Duck Breast, which was divine. It was both savory and spicy, along with being sweet from the Wild Berry Gastrique.

My daughter ordered the Veal Oscar that she enjoyed very much. As for myself, I ordered the Louisiana Crabmeat Au Gratin, which was made with a Mornay Sauce, baked in a casserole, then served with asparagus and hollandaise. It was magnificent, and I recommend it to those looking for a hearty seafood dish.

We ordered two desserts because we could not decide on one to share. We were very interested in the Bananas Foster that was flambéed tableside. It was fun to watch, and great to eat. I also tried the Bread Pudding, which was terrific because it was made with a whiskey sauce.

The Court of Two Sisters was one of my favorites in New Orleans, everything was delicious inside this classy and classic restaurant. I am looking forward to my return to try their tasty looking Brunch Menu.

For more information and reservations, please visit Court of Two Sisters.

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Cafe Du Monde

New Orleans– Who doesn’t go to New Orleans and not try the famous Café Du Monde? This open-air cafe, which was established in 1862, is world famous for their powdered sugar French beignets and café au laits. In this part of the world, one goes with the other and they are truly a divine pairing.

The coffee used is a dark roasted blend with chicory, which is New Orleans Creole style coffee , and has been served during the Civil War times. You can have your coffee black or au lait, which is the way I had tried it. This was a perfect pairing with the warm and sweet plate of beignets.

Tip: Do not wear black!

For more information on online shopping, please visit Café du Monde.

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Ambrosia Bakery

Baton Rouge– I believe at the time I took this photo I had been on the road for quite sometime, and I had started to take silly food selfies. So under my large hat is myself and a giant cream filled almond croissant. This proves that everything is bigger in the South.

Ambrosia Bakery in Baton Rouge is a highly rated deli and bakery offering breakfasts, sandwiches, burgers, specialty cakes, and outstanding pastries. It is worth the stop while in Baton Rouge.

For more information and hours, please visit Ambrosia Bakery.

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Tableau

New Orleans– Tableau was voted #1 for the best place for balcony dining in New Orleans, and that is exactly how we dined at Tableau. This creole restaurant is located in Jackson Square in the midst of the French Quarter, reason why their balcony scene is so terrific.

We came in during Happy Hour for their cocktail specials, but ended up eating a couple of their tasty dishes. On the table was their seafood gumbo served with rice, and a Po’Boy sandwich with fries. We enjoyed everything about this restaurant from the chill balcony afternoon vibe, the luscious happy hour drinks, and their delicious creole food.

For restaurant information, please visit Tableau French Quarter.

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Snowballs – French Market District

New Orleans– Making good choices while traveling! While at the French Market District we picked up a couple of NoLA snowballs, which are ice cream scoops, topped with flavored shaved ice, and condensed milk. It was pretty great especially on that hot and humid summer day.

For shopping and dining information, please visit French Market District.

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Dat Dog Frenchman

New Orleans– Dat Dog Frenchman was not only a tasty hot dog place but a fun environment for a casual bite. This famous restaurant has been acclaimed by the New York Times, USA Today, WSJ, Travel Chanel, and the Food Network. Dat Dog offers a variety of gourmet sausages, all-beef hot dogs, and award-winning French fries.

My daughter and I had sat on their colorful balcony, and polished off a plate full of chili cheese fries, and a couple of sausages. I chose the Hot Sausage with Andouille sauce, grilled onions, and cheddar cheese. Madeline decided on the Duck Sausage with grilled onions, creole mustard, and a side of crawfish ettoufe. Everything was flavorful, messy, and down right delicious.

Yes, we can eat!

For more information and menu, please visit Dat Dog Frenchman.

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Huddle House

Somewhere in Louisiana– I was driving from Shreveport to New Orleans, and had been driving for over a week from Las Vegas. Along the way, I had seen many Huddle Houses, and I was not that curious because I tend to not eat at too many chains. Well, I was driving and nothing was in the vicinity for breakfast except a Huddle House off the side of the highway. So, this is where breakfast was to be served.

It was not bad at all although this restaurant really liked to serve pork. I ordered a breakfast with grits, pork sausages, and smothered hash browns with ham. It was all good though, and I may have become a Huddle House breakfast fan, for a short hot minute.

For locations and menu information, please visit Huddle House.

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Red River Restaurant

Shreveport– The small city of Shreveport was my sleeping stop on the way to New Orleans, where I was going to meet up with my daughter. I researched restaurants close to my hotel, and one of the better places to eat that I found was the Red River Restaurant. When I drove there, I found it to be located inside the Holiday Inn Hotel. I read that it was, but I thought they meant located next to the hotel.

I typically do not like chain hotel restaurants in the United States, and was hesitating eating here. I was tired and hungry, so I gave it a go. It really was not that bad. I did enjoy the plump firecracker shrimp, and the lemon meringue pie for dessert.

For more information, please visit Red River Restaurant.

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Verti Marte

New Orleans– Verti Marte is a delivery service that is opened 24/7, and is a God send. My daughter had arrived by plane, and to the hotel past midnight. We decided to order from Verti Marte, and were pleasantly surprised by the stuffed grilled shrimp on French bread sandwich that was delivered. It was an amazing after hours meal.

For menu please visit Verti Marte on Z-Menu, Uber eats, Door Dash or Grub Hub.

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— Coop’s Place —

New Orleans– Coop’s Place located on Decatur Street has been a staple for authentic New Orleans flavors since 1983. The casual dive bar vibe was friendly and comfortable, and you have to be 21 to enter since this is bar. For those who want adult conversation with Cajun food, it is Coop’s.

The best restaurant jambalaya I’ve found, by far, comes from Coop’s Place, a veritable late-night emporium of good Cajun-style eating in the Quarter.” – Ian McNulty

– Ian McNutly

Since Coop’s is know for its Creole we ordered a bowl, and it was very hearty and flavorful. We also tried the Seafood Gumbo, and the Sampler Plate which were also just as good.

I will not lie, I ordered the Sampler Plate because of the fried chicken.

For more information and menu, please visit Coop’s Place.

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Breakfast Sandwich To Go

New Orleans– I cannot tell you where I picked up this breakfast sandwich, but I can tell you where we were heading. We were walking through the streets of NoLA, and onto a street trolley to take us to LaFayette Cemetery No. 1.

My daughter was leading the way, and I was just following while eating my egg sandwich. It is great when your kid enjoys exploring just as much as you do.

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Old Absinthe House

New Orleans– We were walking down Bourbon Street. and came across the Old Absinthe House. We had to dive in for an afternoon drink. This iconic building on one of the most famous streets in New Orleans, and has seen many transformations since the 1800s. It was originally a coffee house, “The Absinthe Room”, that created the famous Absinthe House Frappe in 1874.

We did not order the frappe but decided on the Bloody Mary Chile, and the Mother’s Milk. I cannot say what the Mother’s Milk tasted like but the Bloody Mary was spectacular, and it was made with St. George Green Chile Vodka.

For more information, please visit Old Absinthe House.

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La Divina Italian Café

New Orleans – La Divina is known as one of the best gelato makers in the United States. My daughter had quickly researched the best gelato in New Orleans, and La Divina popped up. I will admit that this was one of the better gelatos that I have tried in this country.

La Divina is the only place in the State of Louisiana to make gelato (or ice cream for that matter) from scratch without pastes, powders or bases – and you can taste the difference!

– La Divina Website

La Divina, located in the French Quarter, is a full café offering a tasty menu with breakfast, lunch, panini, and vegetarian dishes, plus traditional coffee drinks.

For more information and menu, please visit La Divina Italian Café.

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CC’s Coffee

New Orleans– I did not realize that I was walking around with this scowl until I had my morning coffee at CCs, and took a selfie. I suppose that I am not a morning person in any part of the world. Thank goodness CC’s was close to my hotel, and this became my regular place for my morning brew while in New Orleans.

Community Coffee or CC’s has been a family owned for four generations. The shop was named Community Coffee after the community of friends and customers that the founder, Cap Saurage, served. Over the decades CC’s has been selecting coffee from around the globe, and roasting it themselves. If you cannot make it to New Orleans, you can order great roasted beans from their online store.

For location and online shopping, please visit Community Coffee.

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Antoine’s Restaurant

New Orleans– Our last meal in New Orleans was breakfast at Antoine’s Restaurant located in the French Quarter district. I genuinely love breakfast sandwiches, and found a delicious one filled with fresh eggs, sausage, and cheese. Plus a side of grits to round up this filling meal before our drive into Florida.

Antoine’s Restaurant in the oldest family run restaurant in America, and was opened in 1840. This is where Oysters Rockefeller was invented, and was given the name due to the “rich” sauce. Next time I come to New Orleans this is where you will find me again. I will be in Antoine’s eating one of my favorite dishes, Oysters Rockefeller, along with their Pommes de Terre Soufflés. I will travel for food!

For restaurant information and reservations, please visit Antoine’s Restaurant.

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Keep Calm & Drive On…

🌎 Thank you for visiting my website and NEVER STOP EXPLORING!

📸 All photos are taken by me and are my intellectual property – Trixie Navarre