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April 14, 2010

Come One, Come All to the Summertime Festival Trifecta in New Orleans!

Filed under: Festivals — Tags: , , , , , , — Flywheel @ 6:40 pm

What’s better than a free festival? Three free festivals. That’s right, your eyes do not deceive you. This June, folks attending the annual Cajun-Zydeco Festival in the French Quarter are in for a treat. Three festivals all in nearby venues starting June 12 for F.R.E.E.

The Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival is held every June in the old U.S. Mint located in the historic French Quarter. It’s three days of the ragin’ Cajun and Zydeco music that made New Orleans famous. In attendance-and hitting all the right notes- will be Grammy winners Beausoleil avec Michael Doucet and Terrance Simien & crowd favorite, the Zydeco Experience. Past entertainers include the Lost Bayou Ramblers as well as Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys.

For the devout jazz junkies, the US Mint building may be enough to tweak your interest. The Old U.S. Mint houses the largest collection of early and modern jazz artifacts in the city.

Another intriguing tidbit about the building? The Louisiana Seafood Festival lands on June 12-13, overlapping the Cajun-Zydeco fest. So if you are thinking of mouthwatering shrimp, succulent trout, spicy crawfish, and oysters galore, you’ve got the right idea.

But that’s not all…the third festival falling on the same date is the Creole Tomato Festival. The unique Louisiana veggie has been honored for 20 years with this fun fest. Held at the nearby French Market, the nation’s oldest city marketplace, the festival is a celebration of the Creole Tomato, an important ingredient in many local specialties. At this venue, not only will you find more live music, but cooking demonstrations, organic produce, a plethora of dishes featuring the vegetable of honor, and even a parade!

And when the festival ends, it does not mean guests have to leave the Big Easy. Festival-goers can treat themselves with an extended getaway courtesy of the Avenue Inn Bed and Breakfast. Located in the Uptown/Garden District, the charming mansion is just steps away from the streetcar for easy transport. After a long day of festival revelry, kick off your shoes and put up your feet at the Avenue Inn Bed and Breakfast for some summertime rest and relaxation. Go to our website for information on the New Orleans Bed and Breakfast Inn, and for information on the Cajun-Zydeco Festival.

So take three festivals playing the music that put NOLA on the map, throw in the freshest seafood, and more killer cuisine and what do you have? A summertime festival trifecta that is pure New Orleans.

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Have you attended a Cajun-Zydeco Festival? How about the Louisiana Seafood Festival? Please leave your comments and share your experiences here.

Popularity: 77% [?]

April 7, 2010

Wine conoisseurs & foodies rejoice! The New Orleans wine and food experience comes this May

Filed under: Festivals — Tags: , , , , , , — Joe Rabhan @ 12:09 am

Whether you fancy a red zin or an oaky chardonnay, the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience (NOWFE) will have just the thing to please your palate. The five-day extravaganza begins on May 25, 2010; this means you still have ample time to book five days of pure indulgence.

NOWFE makes the list as one of the world’s top ten wine-and-food festivals, and as the last scents of spring mingle in the warm summer air, New Orleans is a haven of sights and smells to feast on.  Speaking of feasting, you cannot mention the Big Easy without talking about the culinary delights widely available. In fact, some of the Avenue Inn’s favorite restaurants are participating in the fest, including: Commander’s Palace, Café Adelaide & The Swizzle Stick Bar, and Pascal Manale’s. Get ready to taste the morsels that made New Orleans cuisine famous!

The festival is so popular, you can play a fun game of spot the celeb! Highly acclaimed Chef John Besh, a New Orleans local who owns four restaurants in town, will be in attendance, along with food critic Lori Gaudin, Chef Donald Link, internationally acclaimed Chef Susan Spicer, Ziggy “The Wine Gal” Eschliman, wine educator Michael Green, Bravo’s Top Chef Season 5 Contestant Chef Jeff McInnis, and you may just catch a peak of Bravo’s Top Chef Season 5 Winner Hosea Rosenberg hanging out. It is safe to say guests should be armed with a camera- and possibly a wine bottle for autographs!

Tickets for festival events will need to be purchased for each guest, and can be done so  here . If you want to go big, try the Grand Taster package for VIP treatment. Guests will be reassured knowing that NOWFE is a non-profit organization, making a point to donate much of the ticket revenue in giving back to the New Orleans community.

Want to make your May getaway over the top?  Enjoy a bed and breakfast experience. The Avenue Inn B&B has availability in May and would love to show you the beautiful town of NOLA that we call home. For information, click here.

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Have you attended a New Orleans food and wine festival? Please leave your comments and share your experiences here.

Popularity: 77% [?]

March 26, 2010

Hungry? Visit the Roadfood Festival, Saturday And Sunday, March 27 & 28 2010, French Quarter, New Orleans.

Filed under: Festivals — Tags: , , , , , , , , — Joe Rabhan @ 8:03 pm

Jane and Michael Stern–the authors of the long-running Roadfood series of books and a great website, all focused on dining in unexpectedly delicious joints all over America–are lending their name and presence to this loose festival on Royal Street this Saturday and Sunday.

 Admission is free to all the goings-on, with food being sold from twenty vendors. It sort of like the French Quarter festival except that many of the vendors will have roadfood from other parts of the country. Seafood chowder from the Maine Diner, for example, and barbecue from Texas. Lots of stuff from Cajun country. Part of the fun includes the making and subsequent eating of the World’s Longest Oyster Poor Boy.

roadfoodfest 

Photo courtesy of http://www.neworleansroadfoodfestival.com/

 Along the way, Anthony and Gail Uglesich will be honored. These famous local restaurateurs will come out of retirement to cook and serve Shrimp Uggie–one of their legendary dishes. All of this runs from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. till 6 p.m. Sunday. The oyster loaf will be assembled Saturday midday, and be ready for eating by about 12:30. On Sunday, there’s a beignet-eating contest at noon in the 400 block of Royal (near Brennan’s).

For more information, visit the festival’s site here! 


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Have you attended one of New Orlean’s festivals? Tell us about it in the comment section below.

Popularity: 75% [?]

Get your dancing shoes ready, less than two weeks until the French Quarter Fest!

Filed under: Festivals — Tags: , , , , , , — Joe Rabhan @ 7:43 pm

fqf body Photos courtesy of  French Quarter Festivals, Inc

A whole weekend full of great food, good tunes, and fun for all hits NOLA on April 9- are you ready? It’s not too late to plan your weekend- or extended stay if the circumstances are right. With the jazz music starting in the morning and going strong into the night, a pair of comfortable shoes may be your best friend over the three-day fest. If you’re ready to get “foot loose,” check out the featured event!

Fleur de Lindy and French Quarter Festival present social dancing  at the FQF: Whether you’re a swing dance specialist , or an amateur two-stepper, these half-hour all-level dance classes will have you moving!  On Friday April 9, The French Market Traditional Jazz Stage will feature classes in the following styles: Second Line, Charleston, Swing, Fox-trot, Traditional Jazz and Lindy Hop. And with teachers reigning from the NOLA Jitterbugs, Dancing Man 504, Dance Quarter, as well as other guests, you will be dancing like the pros in no time. But don’t tire yourself out on Friday, because the classes will continue through Saturday and Sunday! On April 10 and 11, the Children’s Headquarters on the riverfront plaza at Audubon Aquarium is hosting classes for even the tiniest dancers. The best part? All classes are free and open to the public. See the itinerary for details.

Offering the best of what the Big Easy has to offer, the French Quarter Fest is the perfect whirlwind taste of New Orleans culture. A popular weekend for the locals, it’s a great way to not only “visit New Orleans, but live it!”

 

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 If you’ve been to a French Quarter Fest, we’d love to hear about it! Share your experiences here.

Popularity: 73% [?]

February 15, 2010

On your mark, get set, go to Rock’n’Roll Mardi Gras Marathon!

Filed under: Events and Occasions — Tags: , , , , , — Joe Rabhan @ 4:15 pm

The perfect endcap to a great Mardi Gras season,  this Rock’n’Roll Mardi Gras Marathon will hit New Orleans Sunday, February 28th.  Make a vacation out of it and sample all NOLA has to offer with a feel good weekend getaway.

Presenting a full marathon (or a half marathon if you please), this is the perfect excuse to splurge on calories on Friday and Saturday in the city where the food never gets boring! Beignets, po-boys galore, glorious gumbo, need I say more? If you’re not one to overindulge, the marathon also showcases some serious talent to keep you rockin through the marathon. With a live band for musical motivation at every mile mark, alongside with cheerleaders and themed water stations, the event is less of a marathon than it is a block party. What’s at the finish line you ask? A live concert of course! An opening act by Sister Hazel and a performance by Cowboy Mouth will surely keep you rocking even after you go the distance.

The concert is free to the public and will be located at the City Park finish line following the race on Sunday. For 26 miles of music, family-friendly fun all in New Orleans, book your weekend getaway now before it’s too late!
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Have you attended a Rock’n’Roll Mardi Gras Marathon? Please leave your comments and share your experiences here.

Popularity: 18% [?]

February 12, 2010

Stupid Cupid got you down? Come to the Avenue Inn Bed and Breakfast this V-day for a little “me time!”

Filed under: Events and Occasions — Tags: , , , , , — Joe Rabhan @ 11:41 pm

         Whether you’re with friends or flying solo this Valentine’s Day, the Avenue Inn B&B is at your service. Give your heart a little TLC with our “Breaking up is so very hard to do, but I’ll get over him” package (also available throughout the year, some restrictions apply).

        Travel alone or bring a girl/boy pal for a relaxing 3-night stay in the Big Easy. This package includes a one hour massage, enticing shopping discounts, Mardi Gras beads (of course), Southern Comfort souvenirs, a copy of the V-day classic “He’s Just Not That Into You,” two pints of frozen heaven from your favorite guys, Ben & Jerry, unlimited riding on the historic streetcar system all around town, tickets to the Gray Line Cocktail History Tour, and a Voo Doo Doll complete with pens and permanent marker (you supply the victim). Enough swag to make you forget…what’s his name? Sounds about right.

         While the promotion is sweet, the reality may be sweeter. With New Orleans at your fingertips for three full nights, forgetting your ex may be easier than you ever imagined.

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Have you stayed at the Avenue Inn Bed and Breakfast recently? Please share your thoughts/comments here

Popularity: 15% [?]

January 29, 2010

Get a head start- The French Quarter Fest will be here before you know it!

Filed under: Festivals — Tags: , , , , , , — Joe Rabhan @ 11:03 pm

            It’s a new year, a time for new beginnings, and fresh starts. A time for trying new things and exploring, and if you haven’t had the pleasure of exploring the South’s ultimate playground, New Orleans, this year could be your time.

            Because it’s still early in the game, you are at a great advantage. With Mardi Gras just around the corner, and a whole SLEW of events yet to come, make 2010 a great year by planning a trip to NOLA as soon as possible.

            The quintessential French Quarter Festival arrives in April- a few months away- but never underestimate the art of good planning.  This April 9, the fest will kick off, and entertain the city of New Orleans until the 11th. This includes 150 musical performances on 16 stages all through the French Quarter for the span of three days. To add to the party, more than 70 food and beverage booths will keep the refreshments coming all the while, from camp in Jackson Square, Woldenberg Riverfront Park and the U.S. Mint.  Restaurants throughout New Orleans cook up their famed mouthwatering dishes specifically for this event- meaning more crawfish pie, jambalaya, red beans & rice, and po-boys than you can imagine!

            More than an awesome party, the FQF (French Quarter Fest) is a good time with a mission: supporting local music. The talent on its eighteen outdoor stages will showcase some of the best homegrown Jazz, funk, gospel, classical, Cajun, zydeco- you name it.  The lineup this year boasts names like The Radiators, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Irvin Mayfield, Soul Rebels, Big Chief Bo Dollis Jr. the Wild Magnolias, and many more.

            Entertainment, food, good times (and great intentions), the French Quarter Fest is annually a fabulous time. With rooms available at the Avenue Inn, booking a room now will pay off this April when the FQF is set to rock the Big Easy.

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Have you been to a French Quarter Fest? Post your comments/ share your experiences here! Don’t wait, book your stay at the Avenue Inn Bed and Breakfast today!

Popularity: 16% [?]

January 15, 2010

New Year? A New Year’s Resolution- Visit New Orleans for Mardi Gras!

Filed under: Festivals — Tags: , , , , , — Joe Rabhan @ 10:04 pm

Whatever it takes, make arrangements to be part of the biggest party in the country! See it for yourself, the quintessential New Orleans experience hits town February 16, 2010 (Mardi Gras Day aka Fat Tuesday). With parades dotting the way from Saturday, January 30thfor two weeks, there is no excuse to miss the celebration. Its a once in a lifetime “must do” and the good news is that it happens every year so you have plenty of opportunity. 

Mardi Gras Basics: Master these facts and you’ll be a professional Mardi Gras-goer.

-Colors: The official Fat Tuesday colors are purple, green and gold. Rex, King of Mardi Gras,  selected these colors himself back in 1872. Purple stands for justice, gold represents power, and green for faith. This color palette even influenced Louisiana State University and Tulane University when picking their official school colors.

-Costumes: Don’t be afraid to dress up on Mardi Gras Day! With costume contests in every part of the city, you have to join in on the fun! When you’re not decked out in costume, make sure to wear purple, green and gold somewhere on your body (you’ll see some interesting placements)!

-Score some beads: Just a heads-up- watch out for beads, doubloons, cups and trinkets that may be airborne during parades. Otherwise, enjoy the snag! If you don’t walk away with at least 50lbs of beads that you caught, then you didn’t attend Mardi Gras in New Orleans!

-Plan, plan, plan! Planning ahead is of the utmost importance if you’re planning to attend Mardi Gras. Hotels and Bed and Breakfasts usually fill up pretty fast, but don’t lose total hope if your’re reading this post the first week of February! Persistence pays off and sometimes there are last minute cancellations of non-refundable bookings. Hotels and Bed and Breakfasts will try and help customers re-sell the rooms. So call and ask as late as January and into February.

So you can’t make it this year? Then now is the time to inquire about 2011. Start your search on February 17th and see what’s available. Its never too early for Mardi Gras. “Let the good times roll!”
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Have you experienced Mari Gras? Please add your comments below for our readers.

Popularity: 14% [?]

December 12, 2009

New Orleans Rocks for NYE

Filed under: Events and Occasions — Tags: , , , , , — Joe Rabhan @ 12:36 am

People ask us all time, “is there anything to do in New Orleans for New Year’s Eve?”  What? Are they kidding? This is the city that invented party!  As unbelievable as the New Orleans party scene is throughout the year, New Years Eve tops the list for an “off the charts” experience. The Big Easy attracts all kinds of people in search of nightlife throughout the year, and there is nothing better this side of Times Square than celebrating New Years Eve in New Orleans . With so many clubs, bars and other venues hosting special events, finding the hottest parties in town takes some research and a bit of intuition. There are just so many options. The best clubs host New Orleans New Years bashes, all offering a good time to out-of-towners and locals. From the most upscale club experience to more casual nightclubs for dancing and partying all night. ??You’ll find a select but not inclusive list below of some of the more well known venues.. Click on any link to get complete information, prices and where to order tickets. Tip: You should go ahead and plan your New Orleans New Years Eve experience as soon as possible or as soon as NYE info is posted on the website to ensure you get to the venue of your choice.

About New Years Eve in New Orleans

Known for its all-night parties, loud music and outdoor festivities, what better place to celebrate New Years Eve than beautiful New Orleans? The city thrives on its nightlife, and on the biggest party night of the year the best nightclubs in New Orleans definitely know how to ring in the New Year right. Though there are plenty of clubs, hotels and other events to accommodate everyone, ensuring you get to the hottest parties in the city will definitely require some planning. The city sees an incredible influx of visitors throughout the holiday season and anyone looking to celebrate New Years Eve in New Orleans should plan weeks in advance. To beat the rush, do everything from planning your flight to booking accommodations in a hotel or bed and breakfast like the Avenue Inn B&B on St. Charles Avenue. And be sure to order  New Years Eve event tickets. As clubs and bars become packed to capacity, you may have only a slim chance of getting in at some of the most popular concerts and events. If you don’t have a ticket, be prepared to pay cover at some of the best clubs in the city. Dress code at many venues is often determined the by the cover charge, though on New Years Eve it is never a bad idea to dress your best.

Other Things to do on NYE in New Orleans

Celebrating New Years Eve in New Orleans is unlike any other city in the world as the city gears up for the big night with options for all party-goers. The biggest outdoor celebration in the city is located in Jackson Square where thousands of people go to ring in the New Year like only New Orleans can. The city celebrates by dropping the famous Baby Bacchus from the top of the Jax Brewery building in the Quarter. Extravagant fireworks displays are then featured over the Mississippi River. Bourbon Street on New Years Eve is reminiscent of Times Square in New York.

For things to do during the day, family-friendly activities are scheduled at Louisiana Children’s Museum and Audubon Zoo, the new Insectarium and the Aquarium. Adults can take a Swamp Tour or Plantation trip to river road, enjoy a cemetery tour or haunted history tour of the French Quarter. Just riding the streetcar system from end to end is a great way to see the sights for only a few dollars. 

Speaking of the streetcar, its a great way to get around the city. You will need $1.25 for the fare each time you get on, or you can buy a day pass or three day pass for unlimited riding. Ask the Innkeepers at the Avenue Inn Bed and Breakfast for details. Taxi service late night is recommended. Most rides will cost under $15 +plus a tip. With four party persons riding, the cost per rider is economical.

The List

With so many clubs and restaurants in the city, the full list would take a year to read. We have selected a variety of nightspots which in the past have proven to have had great parties and or NYE dining experiences. Check them out, from formal eateries to casual clubs. You will find links to their home pages and many have already posted their New Year’s plans. Others will do that shortly, so be on the look out for one that appeals to your taste and budget. Keep in mind that these are suggestions of places that have been popular in the past. You should research your choice for quality, reputation and security on NYE.

 

coyoteuglyCoyote Ugly New Orleans 

 

 

catsmeowCats Meow

 

 

bombayBombay Club

 

 

bourbonpubBourbon Pub Parade

 

 

palmcourtPalm Court Jazz Cafe

 

 

patoPat O’Briens

 

 

tipitinas

Tiptinas


 

caroltonCarollton Station 

 

 

coopsCoops Place 

 

 

crescentCrescent City Brewhouse 

 

 

dbad.b.a 

 

 

foundationroomFoundation Room /House of Blues 

 

 

howlingHowlin’ Wolf

 

 

mapleleafbarMaple Leaf Bar 

 

 

bluenileBlue Nile 

 

 

snugSnug Harbor 

 

 

rockandbowlRock And Bowl 

 

 

bourbonBourbon Street Blues Co. and Famous Door

 

 

famousdoor

 

 

 

attikiAtikki Bar and Grill 
 

 

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Are you coming to New Orleans for New Years, or have you stayed in New Orleans for New Years in the past?  Please share your tips and feel free to ask questions in the comments section below.

Popularity: 13% [?]

December 1, 2009

This just in: New Orleans Po-Boy Festival 2009 Winners

Filed under: Festivals — Tags: , , , , , , — Joe Rabhan @ 2:06 am

The third annual “save the po-boy”event held the Sunday before Thanksgiving had an enormous turnout this year; the unexpected runaway success of the still-new Po-Boy Festival (it’s only been two years since the first one) continued with more visitors and more restaurants participating than last year. Over 25,000 people (that’s what the organizers say!) flocked to Oak Street in the river bend area of Uptown New Orleans. Vendors, new and old, reportedly sold thousands of the famous sandwiches.The variety of classic and non-traditional fillings were in abundance.

There were also some unexpected names and unusual entires in the competition to determine the best of the best. Here is the official list of the winners:

Best in Show: Grand Isle’s Shrimp Caminada: Caminada, a fishing town west of Grand Isle, was wiped out by a hurricane in 1893. The sandwich consists of shrimp, sautéed in a spicy citrus butter sauce topped with herb slaw.

People’s Choice: New Orleans Hamburger & Seafood Co.’s Shrimp-Zilla: Roast beef, fried shrimp and coleslaw. Say what? Shrimp and roast beef together? The People’s Choice award was voted on using cellphones.

Best Pork Poor Boy: Dong Phuong Bakery’s Vietnamese Po-Boy: Dong Phuong in New Orleans East bakes the best bread and makes fantastic sandwiches out of mystery meat at prices that seem insanely low.

Best Roast Beef Poor Boy: Gattuso’s: Great little place in old Gretna, near the courthouse.

Best Shrimp Poor Boy: Boucherie’s Barbecued Shrimp Po-boy

Best Special Seafood Poor Boy: Acme Oyster House’s Fried Oyster Po-Boy

Best Special Non-Seafood Poor Boy: Mahoney’s Fried Chicken Livers & Cole Slaw Po-Boy

The Po-Boy Festival will return again to Oak Street the weekend before Thanksgiving next year; mark your calendar and plan to be in New Orleans to enjoy this most unusual event dedicated to saving the po-boy sandwich (from the chain sub sandwich purveyors.) The Avenue Inn Bed and Breakfast will have special rates for Festival goers. Call 1-800-490-8542 for details.

Popularity: 13% [?]

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