New Orleans is pure magic in December. Riding the St. Charles Streetcar, I snapped a few photos of the magnificent mansions in the Garden District decorated for the holidays. The route begins at the perimeter of the French Quarter and passes by Tulane University and Loyola to Audubon Park where I run the path around the pond, through the campuses and then to the end of the line where my favorite luncheonette is located: The Camellia Grill. I’ve always met interesting people at the counter and this year was no exception.
I did my best to capture the highlights which is difficult as the streetcar is moving along St Charles Ave!
My favorite restaurant in New Orleans is Commander’s Palace. It is just a block off St. Charles Avenue. Famous for its many chefs who have made names for themselves such as Emeril LaGasse and Paul Prudhomme, my favorite items are the Turtle Soup au Sherry and the outrageous Bread Pudding. Read more about it here Commander’s Palace
On another day a not-to-miss venture is the weekday prix fixe lunch at Antoine’s. Our waiter Eddie allowed us to tour all the rooms of the first French restaurant in New Orleans. It seats 1000 but you wouldn’t know it as the rooms are small and intimate. Service is elegant in every aspect. To top off the extraordinary experience, martinis are only 25 cents! I ordered the Butternut Squash Bisque for my first course. My son exclaimed it as heaven in a bowl!
And a visit wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the influence of New Orleans on the writing of Tennessee Williams. He wrote many plays including “The Glass Menagerie” and “A Streetcar Named Desire”. I leave you with this quote as I return to my rainy city of Seattle for the rest of the year. Happy Holidays!
But wait! There’s more beauty to experience. Later in the Evening a visit to the Roosevelt Hotel is a must see with thousands of lights twinkling on winter branches lining the corridors.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!
