Photo by Mary Ann Barton
Streetcar in New Orleans
Hop on a streetcar to get around the Big Easy.
Looking for a total change of scenery just a few hours from Alexandria? Book a non-stop flight and you can be in New Orleans within three hours for a weekend getaway. After a recent two-day stop in the Big Easy, we’re passing along a few tips if you're headed out of town for a quick trip:
Don’t rent a car. You’ll pay about $35 for a cab from the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport to the heart of the French Quarter and most of the hotels will charge a fat fee to park a rental. New Orleans is very walkable and you can always hop onto a streetcar or grab a cab to get around.
If you overindulge on gumbo and oysters your first day, check out taco hotspot, Johnny Sanchez, at 930 Poydras St. When we visited on a busy Thursday night, we didn’t have reservations and ended up seated at the bar, where they’re happy to take your order from the menu. Our party of four tried five of the six tacos offered: Steak, fish, crispy oyster, cauliflower and meatball; (we passed on the beef tongue). The tortillas are made at Mawi Tortillerias, a tiny specialty grocery in Metairie. This bright and lively eatery is named for its executive chef, Aaron Sanchez, who co-stars on the Food Network’s “Chopped.”
Where to stay? We stayed at a Hampton Inn that was just fine but on our wish list is a hotel that we strolled past several times during our stay: The Roosevelt, a historic 1920s gem at 123 Baronne St., that was renovated in 2009 and is home to the famed Sazerac Bar. The Roosevelt was reportedly the inspiration for author Arthur Hailey’s 1965 novel “Hotel.”
You'll likely see long lines at the city’s most famous coffee shop, which opened in 1862, if you stop by say around 10 a.m. But if you have your heart set on a powdery beignet and chicory coffee at the original Cafe du Monde, located at 800 Decatur St., head over for an after-dinner treat to avoid crowds. Horse-drawn carriage rides are available across the street, along Jackson Square.
Want to hear some New Orleans jazz? Head for Esplanade Avenue and Frenchman in the Quarter and check out The Spotted Cat or Snug Harbor, according to Conde Nast Traveler Facebook and Twitter followers.
Other jazz spots to try, according to our sources (my nephew and his wife): Maple Leaf Bar at 8316 Oak St. and D.B.A. New Orleans at 618 Frenchmen St.
Get into the mood for your New Orleans adventure by trying out this Ramos Gin Fizz recipe from the Sazerac Bar:
- 1 1/2 oz Gin
- 1 oz Simple Syrup
- 1 1/2 Egg Whites
- 1 1/2 Heavy Cream
- 1 oz Soda Water
- Lemon and Lime juice
Chill a highball glass with ice and water. Let it sit. Add 1 1/2 oz Gin, 1 oz simple syrup, dash of lemon and lime juice, 1 1/2 oz egg whites, 1 1/2 oz heavy cream, and 1 1/2 oz orange flower water to a shaker. Add ice and shake until ingredients get fizzy. Remove water and ice from the highball glass and add 1 oz of soda water. Slowly pour the mixture through a strainer and into the glass, elevating the shaker as you pour. Top the cocktail with a splash of soda water.
