New Orleans has always been a semi fictitious world for me. It was a mystical world that came to me through novels, primarily those of Anne Rice novels, and seemed an endless clash of old and new. A southern city of hazy humid days and busy bustling nights; So of course it was someplace I’d always wanted to visit.
In January the husband and I took one of the only single destination trips we’ve done so far to visit New Orleans for our second wedding anniversary. We were excited to visit such a walkable, and streetcar riding, city. We were even more thrilled to learn how incredibly gluten free this city actually was! On our first day there we visited one of the local art galleries which had a Doctor Seuss exhibit, got acquainted with the town by walking along the river and through the French Quarter, and took a night time ghost and vampire tour. In my thrill of being there I don’t remember what meals we had that day.
The next day was a visit to the Garden District. We strolled through one of the cemeteries in the area, I’ve always felt strangely at peace in cemeteries and the ones in New Orleans are architectural stunners in and of themselves. Breakfast was at Another Broken Egg Cafe, where we had the pleasure of eating with some bird that made themselves comfortable around our table and even on our plates. Way may have made matters worse by feeding them, but it was well worth it. Another Broken Egg’s staff were friendly, knowledgeable and incredibly helpful. They had a good variety of gluten free items, that were denoted as such specifically on their regular menu, and they allowed for flexibility if you wanted to substitute items. The blackberry grits and omelette were phenomenal and uniquely southern. For a chain restaurant they certainly maintain flavor and quality, and it is great to have the gluten free breakfast opportunity of pancakes!
A bit down the street from Another Broken Egg we hit up New Orleans’s staple Sucré, a confectioners that specializes in Macarons. Words can’t express the bliss that this place brought to my taste buds, with the exception of a few flavored macaroons and other items everything was gluten free. On this particular visit I helped myself to three flavored macarons: Bananas Foster, Pecan, and Kings Cake:
While the Kings Cake was rather sweet for my tastes I was told this is traditional for the usual cake it is modeled after. We’d go on to visit there another time before leaving, where I got a box of various flavors that were all amazing, distinct, and delicious!
We spent the rest of the afternoon strolling down Magazine Street visiting the shops. I highly recommend taking the time to wander around here if you enjoy low-key sight-seeing and shopping, and I suggest visiting From Beyond Geek Boutique if you are a Doctor Who/Star Wars/Star Trek etc. lover like myself. Before heading back to the French Quarter we met up with an old friend of mine for some Mellow Mushroom Pizza (one of my favorite gluten free pizza options and a major reason I hate the south) and then went to the Sculpture Garden of the New Orleans Museum of Art. This is another stop I recommend for those that enjoy art. There were many unique sculptures which did a great job of utilizing their surroundings, and a handful that had interesting social or political justice message.
We finished our night back in the French Quarter just enjoying the weather and our surroundings. Dinner was
had at The Crazy Lobster, a restaurant overlooking the Mississippi river. We found it easy to figure out what to eat as each safe item is designated gluten free on their short and sweet menu and what they lack in extensive options they make up for in fresh authentic ingredients. With live blues music humming in the background we chowed down on a heaping pile of Shrimp Cocktail Appetizer and a bucket of steamed shrimp, corn on the cob, and potatoes.
This of course came with a side of Hurricanes and Bloody Mary’s. Everything was seasoned just right with Cajun spice, and cooked to perfection. Definitely check them out if you are looking for a low key authentic experience with less fuss than so me of the places on the main roads.
In the following parts of this series I’ll be sharing more Big Easy favorites, including a great blogger I had the opportunity to meet up with while I was down there. Be sure to be on the look out for those posts coming soon.
Restaurant Ratings:
Another Broken Egg Cafe: 5/5 shamrocks (full score: options, atmosphere, price, hospitality, and food quality)
Sucré: 4.5/5 shamrocks (full score in options, atmosphere, hospitality and food quality, half point for price)
Crazy Lobster: 5/5 shamrocks (full score: options, atmosphere, price, hospitality, and food quality)