As the first big festival after Mardi Gras, Saint Patrick’s Day is welcomed by all as both an homage to the Irish Culture and an indicator that spring is just around the corner!  Common celebrations include block parties and parades, often based around neighborhood and community organizations.  Of course, the French Quarter boasts multiple parades to honor the Irish, and you may even see some floats from Mardi Gras reused during the parade.  During these processions, do not be surprised to catch a potato or cabbage thrown from the floats!

The NOLA annual Irish Channel St. Parade begins at 1pm on Saturday, March 17, 2011, and passes within only a few blocks 0f our New Orleans bed and breakfast, so guests have easy access for a great spot on the parade route during their stay!

Traveling to New Orleans before Saint Patricks Day weekend?  You can still partake in some of the fun!  A Saint Patricks Day Parade will be held on Metairie Road on Sunday, March 11, 2012 at noon.  Just 6 miles NNW of the inn, you can easily take a streetcar up for the event.  There may be other events happening throughout the week prior to the holiday, and we can let you know more about these during your stay.

No matter what you do for the Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations, be sure to wear your green, as this tradition is actively upheld in the city – no green, and you are likely to find yourself pinched!

So come to enjoy a stay with us at the Avenue Inn Bed and Breakfast for your Saint Patty’s day, New Orleans vacation!

Sentinels of the refined, elegant southern Louisiana lifestyle of our rural roots, many New Orleans area plantations still stand today to remind us of times which have passed in favor of a more frantic life.

Malus Beauregard House – just outside of town in Chalmette, LA.  Although not classified as a plantation, this home has housed several wealthy families during the nineteenth century and sits on the site of the Chalmette battlefield.  Open from 9 am to 4:30 pm, parking and tours are free.

Bocage Plantation – Darrow, LA.  Tours are offered Wednesday through Sunday from 12 pm to 5pm.  Cost is $20 per person, children under 12 are free.

Destrehan Plantation*- Destrehan, LA.  This historically active plantation offers craft demonstrations on weekdays, including open hearth cooking, bousillage construction (how many structures were built), indigo dyeing, candle making, African American herbal remedies, and carpentry.  Tours in French are offered on Tuesday and Friday.  Tours are 9am to 4pm daily, except on major holidays.  Cost is $15 for adults, $5 for children 6-16, and children under 6 are free.

Houmas House* – Darrow, LA.  This plantation boasts the ghost of a little girl on the grounds!  They offer a chartered tour originating from the French Quarter: $59 for adults and $40 for children.

Laura Plantation* – Vacherie, LA.  Open daily except for major Holidays.  Their 70-minute guided tours are offered from 10am to 4pm.  Parking is free.  Admission is $18 for adults, $5 for children 6-17, and children under 6 are free.  $1 discounts for AAA, National Trust, Military and We Save adult admission applies.  Tours in French are offered at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm.

Nottoway Plantation – White Castle, LA.  Open 7 days a week, 9am to 4pm (except for major holidays).  Guided tour admission of the mansion and grounds is $20 for adults, $6 for children 6-12, and children under 6 are free.  AAA, Senior, and Military discounts are offered.  Self-guided tours of the grounds only are $8 for adults, children 12 and under are free.  A lunch/afternoon cafe is open onsite from Thursday through Sunday each week.

Oak Alley Plantation* – Vacherie, LA.  Open daily except major holidays, 9am to 6pm.  Admission is $18 for adults, $7.50 for teens 13-18, and $4.50 for children 6-12.  Children under 6 are free.  Guided tours of the Big House are given by guides in period costume.  A self-guided walking tour is also available.  Senior, AAA, and Military discounts are offered.

San Francisco Plantation* – Garyville, LA.  Gates open between 9-9:30am and the last tour is offered between 4-4:40pm (hours vary slightly depending on season).  Closed on major holidays.  Tours are given by guides in period attire.  Admission is $15 for adults, $7 for students, children 6 and under are free.  AAA and Military discount is offered.

*You do not have to have a car to get to some of the best locations.  A tour can be arranged right from the front door of the Inn for these exciting examples of early Louisiana plantation life.  Just ask your Innkeeper for all the details.

Following an amazing dinner at a nearby restaurant, curl up in your cozy bed at our New Orleans bed and breakfast and dream of life in the genteel south!

Of course, honeymooners are frequent guests to our charming New Orleans bed and breakfast.  Everyone knows that this romantic and historic city is the perfect place to plan your post-wedding getaway.  Our Jazzy Honeymoon, Do Not Disturb, Rendezvous on the Avenue, and Sex in the City packages are perfect choices for your honeymoon stay with us!

But weddings, ah, weddings!  If you are planning a destination wedding, Avenue Inn Bed and Breakfast is the perfect New Orleans wedding location for your intimate event.  For family and friends from 2 to 30 people, we can offer a complete per-person or per-room package, depending on your preferences and selections.  Some of the wedding amenities we can provide include:

• Flowers, including arrangements, corsages, bouquets, and boutonnieres
• Ministerial services by a state-licensed non-denomination minister who will assist you with your marriage license
• Professional photography at a reasonable cost
• Food and beverage catering for an intimate reception
• Music support from a harpist, violinist, or Jazz quartet
• Transportation via limo, private streetcar for a group, or horse-drawn carriage for two in the French Quarter
• Event planning for you and your guests at local attractions and destinations

More information can be found at our website.

We take pride in providing a romantic and memorable event for you and your loved ones.  There is no greater joy than to see two people married in our Bed and Breakfast!  So please let us know how we can help plan your special day at our New Orleans bed and breakfast!

Mardi Gras, or “Fat Tuesday,” is actually a French Catholic tradition in relation to Lent.  It is the practice of eating richer, fattier foods in excess on a final night before Lenten season fasting begins on Ash Wednesday in remembrance of the Holy Week before Easter.  Mardi Gras is slowly spreading throughout the United States as a reason to celebrate, but Mardi Gras actually arrived in Louisiana with the Le Moyne brothers in 1699.  Sent by King Louis XIV to defend France’s claim on the area of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana in America, the brothers traveled up the Mississippi River and made camp about 60 miles downriver of where New Orleans is today.  The day they made camp happened to be France’s Mardi Gras day.  So you could say that the New Orleans area had a hand in starting Mardi Gras, even though the actual celebration wasn’t established until Mobile was settled in 1702.

Mardi Gras has since become synonymous with New Orleans itself.  And festivities begin long before Lent.  The Mardi Gras parade season begins on Saturday, February 4, 2012, and continues to Mardi Gras day itself on Tuesday, February 21, 2012.  Celebrations can range from simply jovial to downright risque, and experiencing them is like nothing you’ve ever done before!

Our inn is the perfect place to be during Mardi Gras!  All 26 Mardi Gras parades march down St. Charles Avenue and in front of our front door, making Avenue Inn Bed and Breakfast the perfect place to stay while safely and conveniently enjoying event festivities!  If you do feel the need to celebrate at “ground zero,” we are just minutes away from the French Quarter via the streetcars which stop just outside the house.

Come down for the Mardi Gras events themselves, or better yet, plan a longer visit and combine your February, 2012 New Orleans vacation with one of our great celebration packages and kill two birds with one stone.  New Orleans is the perfect place for you to get away from the norm, celebrate the occasion, and enjoy the unique!

We still have a few choice rooms available so call now to reserve your spot.  Its a five-night minimum stay during Mardi Gras, but the visit is the experience of a lifetime!

Running through through January 1, 2012, this  festival of lights is one of the most beautiful in the country.  Last year saw over 122,000 people visit our holiday light event!

Featuring over 12 acres of exhibits, there is plenty to do and see at Celebration in the Oaks.  In fact, one night may not be enough time to enjoy it all!  Enjoy a stroll through the Botanical Garden, take the kids to the Storyland childrens theme park, enjoy the 16 rides in Carousel Gardens, skate some time away at the ice rink, and don’t miss the unique shopping experience in Artist Village featuring items made by local artists!  Lights abound at every turn, so the beauty of the event can be enjoyed throughout the park.

When:  through January 1, 2012 (closed December 24, 2011 and December 31, 2011)
Hours: Sunday thru Thursday: 6:00 – 10:00 p.m., Friday evenings: 6:00 – 11:00 p.m., Saturday evenings: 6:00 – 11:00 p.m.
Admission:  $7 per person, children under 3 are free
Rides:  $3 per single ride, or $17 for unlimited-ride wrist-band

Please note that tickets must be purchased in advance and presented for admission.  If you forget, Avenue Inn innkeepers will gladly help you obtain tickets.

Celebration in the Oaks is a great way to celebrate the Holidays, and a perfect New Years Day activity.  Spend Christmas and New Years at our gorgeous New Orleans inn, catch the streetcar to City Park and Celebration in the Oaks, and then return to enjoy the warm, inviting comfort of your favorite guestroom at the inn!

Featuring handmade jewelry collections, original sculptures by local artists, and traditional sculptures from Bali, you are sure to find something for the art-lover on your shopping list.  Bring your Tulane student ID and get an extra 10% off (not valid with any other offers).

While at the Gallery, enjoy “In the Spirit of Shozo” – the first posthumous exhibition of Japanese-American master painter Shozo Nagano, on display until December 31, 2011.  Also on display are a selection of photographs from New Orleans’ annual PhotoNOLA event.  Also on display are items from the Gallery’s Collection.

Gallery Veriditas is located at 3822 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70115.  Gallery Hours are Tues-Thurs 11-6, Fri 11-7, Sat 12-7.

If you would like further information about the shopping event, feel free to contact us at the Avenue Inn!

What is PhotoNOLA?  The event is an annual festival of photography consisting of photo exhibitions, workshops, benefits, artist talks, and more.  Events take place throughout the city between Saturday, December 3, 2011 through Tuesday, December 13, 2011, and many are open to the public.  Most events are free, however some require a preliminary sign-up.  Events take place near the Central Business District.

PhotoNOLA is presented by the New Orleans Photo Alliance each year, in partnership with city galleries, museums and photographers.

Choose one of Avenue Inn’s eight beautiful rooms to stay in during your PhotoNOLA experience.  We look forward to hosting you!

The biennial remains focused on building a contemporary art tourism infrastructure utilizing a  signature event that brings together local art creation and entrepreneurial activity, while attracting tens of thousands of art lovers to New Orleans every-other-year.
Dan Cameron, creator of Prospect New Orleans, is an internationally recognized art museum curator and exhibition organizer. Some of his past credits include the biennials of Istanbul, Turkey and Taipei, Taiwan.
Prospect.2′s current list of artists includes 27 artists from countries that include: the United States, France, Italy, Sweden, Poland, Japan, Chile, and Vietnam. This year’s biennial also features work by artists who call New Orleans home, as well as a variety of site-specific projects inspired by the city’s distinctive history and culture.

These artists are exhibiting their work in Prospect.2 (nationalities are in parentheses):

•    Sophie Calle (France)
•    Nick Cave (USA)
•    Jonas Dahlberg (Sweden)
•    Bruce Davenport Jr. (USA)
•    Dawn Dedeaux (USA)
•    R. Luke DuBois (USA)
•    George Dunbar (USA)
•    Keith Duncan (USA)
•    William Eggleston (USA)
•    Nicole Eisenman (France)
•    Karl Haendel (USA)
•    Ragnar Kjartansson (Iceland)
•    William Pope (USA)
•    An-My Lê (Vietnam)
•    Ivan Navarro (Chile)
•    Lorraine O’Grady (USA)
•    Tsuyoshi Ozawa (Japan)
•    Gina Phillips (USA)
•    Ashton T. Ramsey (USA)
•    Alexis Rockman (USA)
•    Joyce J. Scott (USA)
•    Jennifer Steinkamp (USA)
•    Dan Tague (USA)
•    Robert Tannen (USA)
•    Grazia Toderi (Italy)
•    Francesco Vezzoli (Italy)
•    Pawel Wojtasik (Poland)

In addition to the projects organized by Prospect.2, a number of artists, including Canadian sculptor Michel de Broin, environmental artist Brandon Ballengee, and Seattle-based Don and Patricia Fels, are premiering their work simultaneously in New Orleans.
Works will be shown at sites throughout diverse neighborhoods and other locales in New Orleans, including:
•    Tremé
•    St. Claude Avenue
•    The Warehouse Arts District
•    City Park
•    Tulane University
•    Xavier University
•    New Orleans Museum of Art
•    Isaac Delgado Art Gallery
•    Arts Village
•    New Orleans African American Museum
•    New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation
•    Ogden Museum of Southern Art
•    Contemporary Arts Center
•    Newcomb Art Gallery
•    UNO St. Claude Gallery

For more information on Prospect.2 New Orleans, visit www.prospectneworleans.org or contact U.S. Biennial, Inc. at (212) 680-5305. To book a room in the city, check out New Orleans lodging deals.

What Is a Po-Boy?
A Po-Boy is a sandwich made with Louisiana-style French bread (think crispy baguette with soft, fluffy insides), which is usually stuffed with fried seafood or tender meat —  anything from house-made hot sausage to barbecued gulf shrimp. Order like a local and ask for the sandwich “dressed,” it’ll come loaded with lettuce, tomato, pickle and mayonnaise. The Po-Boy was created in 1929 during the Streetcar strike. Former railway workers Clovis and Benny Martin who operated a local cafe developed the sandwich and gave them away to their hungry compatriots.

Huck Finn’s Café
Huck Finn’s Café has it all if you’re looking for a Southern dining experience in a sports bar environment: flavored daiquiris, spiked lemonade, pecan pie and, of course, a menu packed with Po-Boys. Adventurous? Order a smoked alligator sausage Po-Boy, which comes drizzled with creamy remoulade sauce.

Mother’s Restaurant
The frequent line out the door and the sumptuous aromas wafting out from inside are the first clues of the deliciousness diners encounter at Mother’s. The cafeteria-style joint has been serving up home-cooked favorites to the locals for more than 60 years.  And one of the reasons the locals and tourists keep coming back is for their juicy Po-Boy. They’ll stack your roast beef po-boy high with debris. Then you can take a seat at this uniquely Big Easy institution. It won’t take long for you to quickly understand why New Orleanians always seem so happy.

Mahony’s

This little Magazine Street bar was recently featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. And with good reason. Possibly the best Po-Boy’s in the city can be found here. Debris” is a common ingredient in Southern sandwiches, and while it might sound unappetizing, it actually is to-die-for delicious. Made from a mixture of flavorful meat drippings and charred bits of meat, debris is a mouthwatering addition to any sandwich, or, at Mahony’s, an irresistable topping to their famous french fries. Stay with the traditional at Mahony’s, like the fried oyster po-boy, and you’ll go back to your bed and breakfast room very happy.

La Bayou Restaurant
La Bayou Restaurant understands New Orleans ingredients, and the proof is in the Po-Boy — the Big Easy Po-boy, to be exact. It comes loaded with seasoned gulf shrimp, fried green tomatoes and a Louisiana-style remoulade, all served with a side of French fries. Eat in or take out. Its all good.

Johnny’s Po-Boys
The oldest operating Po-Boy shop in the city of New Orleans, Johnny’s Po-Boys has a menu with more than 50 Po-Boys.  The classics like country fried steak and alligator sausage or a locals’ favorite- the soft-shell crab Po-Boy. Piled with battered, flash-fried soft-shell crabs, this crunchy, seasonal sandwich really shines when it’s served with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and a splash of hot sauce. At Johnny’s even their mistakes taste good!

It’s a night you might bump into a vampire on Bourbon street. Or MANY vampires for that matter! Or weird and ghastly characters the likes you have never seen before.  New Orleanians are ghoulishly clever when it comes to devising imaginative and outlandish outerwear It might even be safe to say that no other city in the world does this better than the Crescent City. This is the place that has become widely known as “The Most Haunted City in America.” So there’s no better spot in this country to party on this weirdest night of the year. And you can add to the experience with the right hotel lodging choice, not in a pigeon hole brand name, but in an old mansion that will embellish your “spirited” sensation.

Haunted Tours and Fun on the Streets

After you arrive at your bed and breakfast, you might want to make a plan to enjoy one of the many  haunted tours through the French Quarter or some other spooky part of the city. There are haunted houses Uptown, in the Garden District and elsewhere, if you know where to go or are with someone who does. Of course, Innkeepers have the inside track on all the  best tours  and things that go bump in the night. There are the world-famous cemeteries where the dearly departed are buried in tombs above-ground. You’ll hear some of the hundreds of stories that abound in which the ghosts of these “Cities of the Dead” come alive. And you’ll find lots of other scary options for Halloween.

Voodoo do, You do

While prowling around the French Quarter there are a number of Voodoo shops you can check out to learn a little more about the history behind these centuries-old spiritual practices. You might even learn a few spells and mystical incantations. Some of the shops plan special events for Halloween, so you will want to make sure you stop by and get in on the action.  And, don’t forget your costume. Everyone, and we mean everyone, dresses up for Halloween. Once you’re in costume, you can easily find an open party or bar that’s heavy into the spirit of the evening. Most bars, shops and eateries welcome and encourage costumed guests on Halloween night and/or on the  Saturday night preceding Halloween as it falls this year.

Frenchman Street

One of the biggest Halloween celebrations occurs every year on Frenchmen Street in the Faubourg Marigny. Throngs of party-goers, including locals and tourists, take to the streets in their elaborate and frequently outlandish outfits. Of course, you can expect to find many kindred “spirits” among the frenzied throng and you might even run into a “blood” relative or two.

Molly’s at the Market Halloween Parade

Everyone anticipates one of the best events of a New Orleans Halloween night. It’s  the annual walking parade that begins at Molly’s at the Market and winds its way through the French Quarter. It’s free, it’s open to the public and it’s a whole lot of fun! There are a few small floats featuring Halloween “royalty” but mostly it’s average, ordinary people out for a good time and a chance to show off the creativity of their macabre sense of humor.

Come on Down!

So put together your best costume, call and make a reservation at a New Orleans bed and breakfast and come on down for the fun. You’ll have a howl of a time!

The exhibit will run through January 29, 2012.
533 Royal St.
New Orleans, Louisiana

Gallery hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Sunday, 10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

This year we have New Orleans Bed and Breakfast guests that have already made plans to visit the festival to enjoy the great food, beverages and the full line-up of local music legends.

The Louisiana Seafood Festival celebrates New Orleans food culture with some of our city’s finest restaurants and catering companies contributing.  And its all for a good cause. Money from the event goes to the hospitality industry to sponsor educational opportunities for high school and college students. Restaurants and caterers this year include:

Acme Oyster     Shrimp Poboys, Oyster Poboys
Remoulade        Shrimp Cajun Eggrolls; Crawfish Pie; Meat Pies, Fried Fruit Pies
Café Giovanni   Voodoo Shrimp, Chicken & Sausage Gumbo, Strawberries and Sweet Cream
Drago’s               Charbroiled Oysters, Bread Pudding
Galatoire’s         Shrimp remoulade, Fried Shrimp BLT Poboy
Saltwater Grill  Cochon de lait poboy, Crabcake Salad with Remoulade, Crawfish & Spinach boat
Mr. B’s Bistro    Seafood Stew in Puff Pastry; Creole Gazpacho with Louisiana Lump Crabmeat
7 on Fulton        Seafood Gumbo, Seafood Sausage Poboy
Pigeon Caterer  Shrimp Creole & Rice; Crabcakes or Crawfish Cakes with Remoulade Sauce
Luke                    Chile Crunch Shrimp & Spicy Pork Belly Poboy with Pickled Hahnville Cabbage
Serrano’s Salsa  Grilled Fish Tacos; Crab Cake Sliders;Passion Burger Sliders
MrMudbug/KingCreole Shrimp and Crab Penne Pasta; Red Beans & Rice
Royal House      Zydedo Stick;Gator Sliders
Ninja Rest.         Soft Shell Crab Poboy served with spicy mayo; Catfish Poboy served with spicy mayo
Grand Isle Rest Spicy Shrimp, Crab Fritters
TJ Gourmet       Crawfish Bread, Crawfish Sausage Kabob, Mango Sorbet

Besides all the wonderful seafood dishes to select from there will also be snowballs, ice cream, daiquiris and full bars.

Music will be provided all weekend by some great local performers with national acclaim:

Vivaz
Amanda Shaw and the Cute Guys
Kermit Ruffins & The Barbecue Swingers
The Wise Guys
Jon Cleary¹s Philthy Phew
The US Navy Jazz Band
The Revivalists
Paul Varisco & the Milestones and special guest Luther Kent

You still have time to make plans to be with in September. Our Uptown Garden District Bed and Breakfast as some great rates and packages from which to choose.

And after a delightful evening of taste sensations, we were cheering!  Now this is not necessarily for the first timers to New Orleans, there are no red beans and rice on the menu. but if you are a return guest and want to try an exciting meal that is not Creole, then Salú might be just the place for you.

Besides sidewalk seating (way too hot in the summer to enjoy), Salú features a large interior dining area and smoke free bar decorated with eclectic art pieces and a huge, hand-painted circular skylight designed by local artist E. Lee Jahncke in the restaurant’s center.  The atmosphere is casual, but its not quiet. We could talk at the table, but the acoustics were not “intimate talk” friendly.

Salú is owned by Gaby Saliba, Tarek Tay and Hicham Khodr who have a number of successful restaurant operations in the city including Byblos, a Mediterranean restaurant at the other end of the block from Salú (also recommended). They appear to have coerced the talent from a number of Emeril’s current and past eateries in the make-up of the staff.

Salú’ offers a tapas menu with thirty small plates showcasing such delicious dishes as peppercorn tuna; grilled lamb lollipops; smoked salmon paté; a charcuterie and cheese plate; BBQ pulled pork on corn fritter cakes; and duck and Manchego flautas with smashed avocado, salsa and cumin crème fraiche. Between the four of us we tried about 12 plates and we did not leave hungry. With beverages tax and tip the check was about $50 a couple.

We try to get out of the Avenue Inn Bed and Breakfast as often as possible to check out what is new on the food scene in the this world class eatery mecca. Check out our room rates and come on down for a great time. Restaurant exploring: it’s a tough job for us, but a great advantage for you!

In recent months we have sent guests staying at our New Orleans Bed and Breakfast over to the brewery on Friday afternoons at 2:00pm for a tour of the facilities. The tour is usually guided by founder Kirk Coco and all have returned to the Inn saying that they enjoyed the experience and the free samples.

According to the brew master at NOLA brewery, the finest available ingredients are used in their beers. They include: English, Belgian, German, and American hops, a variety of malts from around the world, unique yeast blends and Peter Caddoo’s special touch.

Blonde Ale was the very first ale created and released in March 2009; it is a great introductory medium-bodied traditional American blonde ale.

Brown Ale is a brewery favorite; a light-bodied, full flavored English dark mild ale with notes of chocolate, coffee, caramel, and nuts.

Hopitoulas was the third addition to the year-round beer portfolio. It is a West Coast style India Pale Ale that combines 6 malts and 6 hops with additional dry hopping for three weeks.

“7th Street Wheat” started out as a Summer seasonal, but due to its popularity has made its place in their year round ales.  Named in honor of the 7th Street wharf across the street from the brewery, this filtered wheat ale is light-bodied American style with pounds of fresh lemon-basil added after fermentation.

Hurricane Saison, is NOLA brewery’s seasonal ale. It gets it’s name from the Flemish word meaning “season”. Brewed with five different types of malts, including un-malted raw wheat, pilsner and aromatic malts, Hurricane Saison also contains three types of hops: Sterling, Kent Goldings, and Styrian Goldings. Hurricane Saison is only available during the spring months.

Joe and Bebe, Innkeepers at the Avenue Inn Bed and Breakfast will be happy to give you directions to the brewery. Come on down to New Orleans and enjoy the fun.

One can stroll along this historic corridor (where Jewish deli, butcher and bakery shops used to call home) and visit diverse boutique shops, restaurants and bars. We took some friends there this past weekend and we were pleasantly surprised at what has been done in the past 18 months to improve and redefine the street. It’s our opinion that guests to our New Orleans Bed and Breakfast will be drawn this little neighborhood diamond in the rough as the district continues to grow and prosper.

The Freret Business and Property Owner Association formed the group to promote business on the Freret Corridor from Jefferson Avenue to Napoleon Avenue. Their mission is to establish an image that Freret Street is a safe, vibrant, easily accessible destination for shopping, dining and play. And it seemed to us that they have made good on their objective so far.

One of the main stays of the FBPOA is the Freret market. It’s held at the intersection of Freret Street and Napoleon Avenue on the first Saturday of each month between September and June. The market is split up along three category lines: food, art, and flea. The Saturday event is a good place to relax and find a unique item, and is important part of the renaissance on Freret Street.

In the second block on Freret (from Napoleon Ave.) , we discovered several restaurants, bars and even a boxing gym of all things,  that sponsors “Friday Night Boxing Events” for the public.

Guests that have booked New Orleans lodging with us will want to check out   Sarita’s Grill featuring Latin American fusion cuisine; salad bowls, burritos, tacos, entrees and flan are made with fresh local ingredients. The food was tasty and authentic. We were waited on by Sarita herself and she made quite an impression with her enthusiasm and focused attention on her business and guest satisfaction.

Other notable food establishments in that section of the venue included: High Hat, Dat Dog, Cure and Ancora Pizzeria & Salumeria. We’ll be writing about them soon. Can’t wait to go back!

The Crescent City is gearing up for one of the largest Decadence celebrations in the history of this event expecting to bring in over 135,000 revelers in 2011. This “end of summer Celebration of Gay Life, Music and Culture” has received much acclaim in recent years throughout the United States due to the national marketing efforts of local and national businesses who support the event.

We have found over the years, that you don’t have to be Gay to enjoy the fun. There are parades through the French Quarter that every visitor to the city can enjoy. Keep in mind, that these are generally “adult viewing” events and may not be appropriate for young kids and teens.

So if you are looking for something a bit over the top for Labor Day this year, then New Orleans and Southern Decadence may be just festival for you.  The Avenue Inn Bed and Breakfast supports all of the city’s events and invites you to come on down and participate in the last big weekend of the Summer. Ask about our rates for Labor Day weekend in New Orleans.

No matter the time of year, bed and breakfast guests to New Orleans have something to celebrate! And August is no different.  For the entire month, restaurants participating in the dining promotion will  feature mouth-watering 2 or 3 course  lunches at $20 or LESS and 3 course dinners at $35 or LESS. In a town that lives, breathes and thinks food, this is very special.  And we are not talking average venues. Most of the top 50 or so restaurants around town have Coolinary menus in place in August.

Here are the restaurants you can plan to visit while you are here in the Crescent city, there may be more to come:

5 Fifty 5
7 on Fulton
Andrea’s Restaurant
Antoine’s Restaurant
Bayona
Bombay Club
Bon Ton Cafe
Bourbon House
Brennan’s Restaurant
Brigtsen’s Restaurant
Broussard’s Restaurant
Cafe’ Adelaide
Cafe Degas
Cafe Giovanni
Charlie’s Steak House
Commander’s Palace
Coquette
Court of Two Sisters
Desire Bistro and Oyster Bar
Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse
Emeril’s Restaurant
Galatoire’s
Grand Isle Restaurant
GW FINS
La Cote Brasserie
Latils Landing – Houmas House Plantation and Gardens
Lüke
M bistro
Mesón 923
Mike’s on the Avenue
Mulate’s Cajun Restaurant
Muriel’s Jackson Square
One Restaurant & Lounge
Palace Cafe
Pascal’s Manale Restaurant
Pere Antoine
Restaurant August
Roux on Orleans
Royal Palm Restaurant
Ste. Marie
The Corner Oyster House & Sports Bar
The Crazy Lobster Bar & Grill
The Crystal Room
The Grill Room
The Pelican Club
The Sazerac Restaurant
Tujague’s Restaurant

As Innkeepers, we have been fortunate to dine in all of the above over the years. We can assure you, the experience will be well worth it in both value and uniqueness. Do plan a trip to our fair town this month. Rates are “summer conditioned”, meaning they are off peak and very reasonable.  Check them out or give us a call here at the Avenue Inn Bed and Breakfast.  It’s time to dine.

If you are into Jazz music, have we got a festival for you! One of our favorite events of the year, and a favorite of guests at our New Orleans Bed and Breakfast, will kick off next week in the French Quarter. Satchmo SummerFest, a multi-day celebration of the music and life of Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong, runs from on August 4-7, 2011.  And August 4 just happens to be the exact day 110 years ago that the King of Jazz was born. His life began in a poor, run-down section of New Orleans to an unwed mother. But by the time of his death at age 70, he had completely revamped American pop music and showcased it to the world. Satchmo SummerFest, in its 10th year, is a tribute and highlight of summer in the city that the great one always called home.

The festival features four days of music – with a focus on jazz – plus educational music history seminars and other Louis Armstrong tribute events. Scheduled concerts on the grounds around the Old U.S. Mint will delight visitors and locals, a sure reminder to everyone that New Orleans was where jazz began. The cadre of participating musicians is “local,” representing some of the best talent New Orleans has to offer. As Innkeepers, we try to get out to one or more of the concerts. Our guests make all of them.

Add plenty of great New Orleans food, arts and handicrafts to the mix and you have the recipe for a lively festival that celebrates the joys of music and good times.

We heard through the grapevine that this year’s musical lineup includes many  well-known names.  A must see are 100 year old trumpeter Lionel Ferbos; drummer Jason Marsalis; trumpeters Kermit Ruffins, Shamarr Allen, Jeremy Davenport, Glenn David Andrews and Leon “Kid Chocolate” Brown; and vocalist Leah Chase. Brass bands include Treme, Soul Rebels, Hot 8 and the Preservation Hall All Stars. For a complete list of performers and the schedule of when they are performing go to www.fqfi.org. And for a complete seminar schedule click here.

If you are not familiar with the life and times of the man, you can click here to read a more detailed biography of Louis “Satchmo” Armstong.

The Avenue Inn Bed and Breakfast still has rooms available for the festival week. Go to our website for more detail or call toll free 800-490-8542 and ask for Satchmo rates.

Of course, the cocktail has taken on many exotic incarnations since Antoine did his thing, the most imaginative beverages, we believe, were invented here in New Orleans. Famous drinks such as the Absinthe Frappe, the Ramos Gin Fizz, the Obituary Cocktail, the Hurricane, the Hand Grenade and many others owe their beginnings to the imagination and creativity of New Orleans bartenders.

Now in its ninth year, Tales of the Cocktail is being held from Wednesday, July 20-Sunday, July 24 2011 at various locations throughout the French Quarter, with headquarters at the elegant Hotel Monteleone.  Some of the city’s best-known mixologists – along with noted bartenders from around the country – can be counted on to shake, stir and pour each splash, dash and mash of their colorful (and tasty!) concoctions for thousands of grateful and happy guests. The occasion also features authors on the subject, “Spirited Dinners,” lectures, demonstrations, and all things “cocktail” (luncheons, parties, competitions and cocktail hours). Close to two dozen of the leading restaurants from around the city participate in the various events. So whether guests  have a craving for drinks mixed with scotch, gin, vodka, cognac, brandy or even the long-forbidden but now-legal absinthe, it’s all here for the choosing – and sampling. A full slate of seminars, tastings, lectures and more is on tap for an event that just keeps growing and going!

New this year are beverage fam trips outside the city to scenic and historic places like Metairie Cemetery and Laura Plantation in Vacherie (St. James Parish), about forty miles upriver from New Orleans. These excursions are not included with the packages offered by the festival and must be booked separately from the dinners and other Tales of the Cocktail related events. 

Guests at the Avenue Inn Bed and Breakfast have already planned to attend many of the events in the city. There are still some great rooms available at the Inn and you should call and ask for the T-ot-C promotional rate now.

• Take a stroll through the roof shaded French Market, and enjoy a cool fruit smoothie or gelato at one of the many unique food and beverage emporiums.
  The newly renovated French market is a great place to enjoy cool drinks at venues like the Organic Banana. Check out health food restaurants like Meals From the Heart Cafe, where you can order light low fat menu items that won’t make you feel overstuffed and uncomfortable in the heat.
• Check out one of the city’s unique movie theater experiences.
  Escape the hottest part of our summer afternoons by spending a couple hours in a chilling, dark state of the art theater. You’ll be stunned with the visual documentary at the Entergy IMAX Theater, part of the Audubon Nature Institute, or blown away with the Tom Hanks-produced 4-D Beyond All Boundaries experience at the Solomon Victory Theater at The National WWII Museum.
• Lick an icy snowball.
  Cool it with a taste treat kids love and adults crave — a colorful, shaved ice snowball. It’s a New Orleans “must have” staple; these delightful, icy confections come in a huge range of colors and unique flavors. Check out the sophisticated varieties like honey almond, honeydew melon or orchid cream vanilla.  And don’t for get to ask for one stuffed with ice cream and topped with evaporated milk and chocolate syrup.
• It’s Cool at the Cool Zoo.
  Cool off the kids at the Audubon Zoo’s new splash park, Cool Zoo, where exciting water features and three splash zones make hot summer days a real cool blast. By the way, we are one of the few New Orleans bed and breakfasts that accept families with kids five and up.
• Chill with a frozen daiquiri.
  Are you a multi-tasker? Why not cool off with one of these potent beverages while celebrating the laid-back vibe of New Orleans at the same time? Walk-up daiquiri stands are all around the city and in the New Orleans French Quarter so act like a local and pick up one of these refreshing adult beverages to beat the heat.
• Win the coolest casino games.
  Spend a few hours away from the sun at Harrah’s New Orleans, where more than 100 live table games and 2,100 slot machines will give you plenty to do in a superbly air-conditioned environment. It’s cool to win.
• You’ll be cool when you escape into stunning artwork.
  Avoid a hot day by being among the paintings, sculptures and other artwork at the New Orleans Museum of Art . Walk through more than 40,000 historic and contemporary art objects and soak up some culture within the cool, stone walls of the museum.
• The coolest exhibit this side of the Smithsonian! Visit the WWII Museum.
  Walk through permanent and special exhibits at the National WWII Museum, and see massive relics from this epic war, such as a Sherman tank, jeeps and a restored C-47 aircraft. By far, the best thing to do in New Orleans. Very cool.
• Explore the Riverwalk.
  Make it a mini day trip in the cool embrace of air conditioning. Indulge in a little retail therapy at the Riverwalk Marketplace, where you can satisfy your shopping addiction in the hundreds of shops and restaurants. Just outside the mall, stroll along the river levee and catch a cool breeze coming off the mighty Mississippi.
• Meet the coolest underwater creatures at the aquarium.
  Walk through an underwater tunnel made of glass, pet a perky stingray and get an up-close and personal glimpse of sea creatures in their marine habitats. You’ll be instantly transported to a world away from the summer heat and into an exciting adventure Audubon Aquarium of the Americas.

This coming weekend, most locals and visitors plan to be in the New Orleans French Quarter for the fifth-annual Vieux to Do: a bonus weekend of three festivals in one (vieux is reference to the Vieux Carre, or old village, i.e.the French Quarter.) Two events, the Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival and the Louisiana Seafood Festival will be set-up in the Old U.S. Mint from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on June 11 – 12, 2011. Also on the weekend, The Creole Tomato Festival will be located only a few yards away, just around the corner in the French Market.

New Orleans French Quarter Food Festivals

Free concerts hosted by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation is a feature of the Cajun-Zydeco Festival plus you’ll find cooking demonstrations and craft tents. Performing artists scheduled to perform will include Grammy Award-winners BeauSoleil & Michael Doucet, Terrance Simien and Chubby Carrier, as well as Sunpie & the Lousiana Sunspots and Bruce Daigrepont.

In celebration of one of Louisiana’s food favorites, the Creole Tomato Festival honors the plump yet firm tomato you can eat like an apple. The festival will offer live music and cooking demonstrations based around the red jewel. The Seafood Festival highlights the abundance of Louisiana seafood products.  Participants will be serving up the World’s Largest Seafood Dish and you can enjoy a real crawfish boil with plenty of mud-bugs, boiled corn and potatoes. Yum!

There is no one reason to come to New Orleans.  This weekend is but three of hundreds. Plan a trip now or in the near future!

We never have a shortage of entertainment and things to do in the Crescent City. There’s a festival almost every weekend. New Orleans Bed and Breakfast guests at the Avenue Inn flock to these events like pigeons in the park. It’s all good!

Despite reports from last year’s oil issues in the Gulf, the current oyster harvest from waters just South of us are as abundant and the mouth watering mollusks are as tasty and safe to eat as they’ve always been.  The Annual New Orleans Oyster Festival confirms New Orleans’ reputation as “The Oyster Capital of the World.”

The two-day, outdoor event will be held next to Jax Brewery, in the French Quarter. It will feature live music, contests and competitions, and tasting events starring the festival’s honored guest, the Louisiana Oyster. Visitors will see and perhaps participate in oyster shucking and oyster eating competitions sponsored by some of the city’s leading seafood restaurants.

Listed among the entertainers for this year’s event are Zydeco superstar Rockin’ Dopsie Jr., New Orleans “Soul Queen” and Grammy Award-winner Irma Thomas, Treme star trumpeter James Andrews, plus brass bands and other house rockers.

The festival itself opens Saturday, June 4 at 11:45 a.m. and runs through 7:30 p.m. that evening. Sunday will have the same schedule. If you can plan a last minute trip to the Big easy, this would be a great weekend for some free fun at the festival. Yes, along with your room at the Avenue Inn Bed and Breakfast, you can enjoy the festival for free.  Come on down for some awesome shuckin’ and jivein’ See you here!

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in New Orleans, Louisiana,

But above all of these,  is our favorite during that weekend and one of the favorites of our guests here at the Avenue Inn Bed and Breakfast. It’s the Greek Festival on Bayou St. John not far from City Park and the French Quarter. The festival features fantastic Greek food offerings, live music concerts and plenty of Greek culture.

The Festival is located on the campus of the Holy Trinity Cathedral, a Byzantine Cathedral established in 1866 as the first Greek Orthodox Church in the United States. The address is 1200 Robert E. Lee Boulevard, on the edge of Bayou St. John, an inner city waterway.

We love this event because there is so much to do. There are tours of the cathedral, the Hellenic dancers on stage all afternoon, an authentic Greek band, and lots of booths with everything from Roasted Spring Lamb from the rotisserie to frozen Greek Yogurt and Baklava. We just can’t get enough of the Fried Calamari and the salads with feta cheese, olives and imported Greek Oregano.

Spring lamb, Greek Festival, New Orleans

For fun and some calorie burning, you can challenge yourself on the Mount Olympus climbing wall or you can rent a canoe for a relaxing ride on Bayou St. John.

The festival operates daily May 27- 29, 2011; Friday from 5 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., Saturday from 11:00 to 11:00 and Sunday from 11:00 to 9:00. Admission is $5.00.

If you’ve never tried authentic Greek food, here’s your chance while visiting a New Orleans bed and breakfast. As they exclaim in Greece at a wild soccer game…..”Opa! Opa!” It’s equivalent of our “Who Dat” here in New Orleans. Loosely translated, it means “you go.”  And we suggest ‘you go” to the Greek Festival this Memorial weekend.

National WWII Museum, New Orleans

It’s been somewhat of a secret for the past 11 years since its opening in 2000, but as time has marched on, so has the reputation of this world class venue. Founded by respected historian, author and scholar, Dr. Stephen Ambrose, the National World War II Museum opened on June 6 of that year to the thrill of visitors, veterans and locals. It is the only museum in the United States that details all of the amphibious invasions or “D-Days” of World War II and pays tribute to more than 16 million Americans who took part in this worldwide conflict.

It was here in New Orleans, LA that ship designer and builder, Andrew Higgins was awarded the contract to build the specialized landing craft that was used in the invasion of France. President Eisenhower believed and stated that Higgins innovation “won the war for the Allies.” Accordingly, Ambrose set out to have the museum built in the place where the beginning to the end of the war was set in motion.

When our guests first arrive at the Inn, we spend a few minutes discussing the most popular attractions available to them. The Museum is top on our list, but we always get a somewhat skeptical response from everyone not a history or military buff.  So we urge them to give it a try and we have never failed to receive an “awesome” or similar exclamation upon their return from a day “visiting history”.

Avenue Inn Bed and Breakfast guest with Victory Bells

The museum has exhibits, a theatre showing a 4-D film narrated by Tom Hanks, a playhouse with scheduled weekend and matinee shows featuring “The Victory Bells” with song and dance from the 40’s. You can also enjoy a 40’s menu at the American Sector, a John Besh signature restaurant.

The National World War II Museum is a monument to the men and women who made the invasions in Europe, Africa and the Pacific theaters a complete success. It is truly “awesome” and a must see when you visit the Crescent City and a New Orleans bed and breakfast near the museum. Give us a call to check availability.

If you have not been to the Big Easy recently, start planning your getaway this fall! With a whole world of world-renowned restaurants and top-notch jazz music clubs at your fingertips, New Orleans bed and breakfast guests will tell you that NOLA is one destination not be overlooked!

Whether you are using some vacation time, on a gourmet foodie tour or just want to party like a rock star, New Orleans is the perfect destination for your next adventure. Innkeepers Joe and Bebe will help you with every step of the planning process, with tips and even insider discounts from local venues, tours and excursions. Experience for yourself why the Avenue Inn Bed and Breakfast received such high marks and book a stay today!

Some package highlights include pints Ben & Jerry’s heavenly ice cream to enjoy on the porch chit chatting, your very own copy of the book He’s Just Not That Into You, a one-hour massage, and a traditional NOLA voodoo doll you can take the liberty to name. There’s always the French Quarter just a streetcar away if you recover fast and want to mingle…taking advantage of the Avenue Inn’s convenient location is half the fun of a New Orleans getaway after all.

So the next time you find yourself cursing what’s-their-name and popping chocolates into your mouth faster than you can say “pity party,” think of this New Orleans bed and breakfast, the Avenue Inn B&B and treat yourself right.

Vendors at the 4th Annual New Orleans Seafood Festival

Fourth Annual New Orleans Seafood Festival took place this year at Lafayette Square on September 10th, 11th and 12th, 2010 across from Gallier Hall in downtown NOLA. Proceeds from this event benefited the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation. The festival was only a 10 minute ride on the streetcar line, so our New Orleans lodging venue was very convenient for our guests. Innkeepers at the Avenue Inn B&B made sure that their New Orleans Bed and Breakfast guests were aware of the “seafood party” and encouraged attendance. Innkeepers Joe and Bebe Rabhan even set the example by joining them there for the festivities.

The festival, which was free and open to the public, featured live music and cuisine from many famed, local restaurants. Visitors and locals alike feasted on oysters, shrimp, snapper, tilapia, scallops and yes, alligator, in all forms and recipes. The 20 local restaurants who participated offered at least two speciality items. Alligator sausage on a stick was our favorite as we sampled as much of the fresh catch that was available in each booth.

Besides all the wonderful seafood dishes to select from there were snoballs, gelato, kettle corn, daiquiris, draft and full bars.  Here’s a listing of what we found at the Festival:

• Acme Oyster House-     Shirmp poboys, Catfish Poboys
• Remoulade Restaurant-     Shrimp Cajun Eggrolls; Crawfish Pie
• Café Giovanni-   Voodoo Shrimp Grits, Creole Shrimp and Corn Bisque
• Pigeon Caterers – Crab and crawfish cakes on lettuce, seafood gumbo, bread pudding
• Drago’s –   Fleur de lis Shirmp, Charbroiled Oysters
• Galatoire’s-   Shrimp remoulade  Fried Shrimp BLT Poboy
• Mr. Mudbug-    Shrimp and crab penne pasta
• Serrano’s –    Grilled Fish Tacos, Ceviche, Fried Oyster wraps
• Oceana Restaurant -    Blackened Shrimp, Blackened Catfish with a fire roasted red pepper sauce
• Salt Water Grill –   Cochon de lait poboy, alligator sausage on a stick, crawfish & spinach boat
• Ninja Restaurant-   Softshell Crab Po-boy, Catfish Poboy
• TJ Gourmet -  Crawfish Sausage Kabob, Shrimp Pirogue, Crawfish Bread
• 7 on Fulton -  Seafood Gumbo, Grilled Amberjack
• Cafe at the Square-   Gulf shrimp and mushrooms in puff pastry, Shrimp Roll
• NO Hamburger & Seafood-    BBQ Shrimp Po-Boys, Thin Fried Catfish Plate
• Royal House Oyster Bar- Crab & Shrimp Remoulade Po-boy, The Zydeco Stick (skewered shrimp wrapped in bacon w/ jalapeno sausage & veggies, corn battered & deep fried
• Cafe Hope -  Shrimp Salad
• Grand Isle-  Seafood Salad, Shrimp Carrinada Mini-Poboy     Louisiana Specialty Drinks ~ Daiquiris
• Broussards-  Corn & Shrimp & Sweet Potato Bisque
• Sweets and Such-  Original NO Snoball
• Luke- Jumbo Stiffed shrimp w/ Blood Orange Hollandaise
• TA Dowd / Blue Bunny Ice cream

New Orleans Seafood Fest main stage

In addition to the seafood, there was plenty of entertainment scheduled throughout the weekend on the big stage. New Orleans bed and breakfast guests rocked out to the sounds of  Wiseguys, Rockin’ Dopsie Jr, Revivalists, Vivaz, Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers, Rebirth Brass Band, Amanda Shaw, The Boogiemen and Luther Kent.  There were about 40 booths of Louisiana artists and craftsmen selling original works and 10 celebrity chefs demonstrated the fine art of cooking fresh Louisiana seafood.

The festival was testimony to locals and the guests at our New Orleans bed and breakfast that eating seafood from the Gulf is perfectly safe and very tasty. When was the last time you indulged in a shrimp poboy? Plan now to come on down to the Big Easy. You can have your own seafood festival anytime. This one will be back in September of 2011.

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Have you been to the New Orleans seafood festival? Please make a comment about your experience below.

Avenue Inn Favorite: Martinique Bistro, exterior view.

Restaurant Dish: Martinique Bistro

Dress code: Casual chic

Martinique is not your typical NOLA bistro; it is more like a testament to a multi-cultural food experience. But it remains a top choice among bed and breakfast Innkeepers in New Orleans. And for good reason.  Originally opened by Hubert Sandot in 1994, Martinique paid homage to his French-Caribbean heritage. The Chef infused his unique cultural traditions into the menu, the atmosphere, and even the restaurant name.

 Though Cristiano Raffignone purchased the bistro in 2003, Martinique has stayed true to its roots. Raffignone, who was born in Paris coincidentally, kept the name to go along with the tropical feeling of the cozy bistro. And the good news is that this little piece of Island heaven is only a streetcar and a short walk away from one of the most popular New Orleans bed and breakfast Inns in the city.

The fare can best be described as French cuisine with Caribbean accents; this can be translated to the chefs have fun with these inspired creations. Standout dishes on the menu include:

 Lunch:

Scottish Smoked Salmon Club with Apple-Smoked Bacon, Tomatoes, Arugula & a Housemade Remoulade on a Croissant

Sautéed Medallions of Chairman’s Reserve Organic Pork Tenderloin, Roasted Rustin Peach-Sage Demi Glace, Vidalia onion “Jam”

Fish of the Day, Pineapple-Thyme Vinaigrette, Cucumber Slaw, Local Garden Sprouts

*Do try the lunch special. $20 gets you an appetizer, entrée and dessert.

 Dinner:

Sautéed Escargot, Local Green Garlic Maitre’d Butter, Maytag Blue Cheese Gratinee

Petite Louisiana Gulf Shrimp Cake, Celeriac Remoulade, Smoked Tomato, Horseradish Vinaigrette

Louisiana Blue Crab Cobb Salad: Baby Spinach, Arugula, Apple Smoked Bacon, Avocado, Hard-Boiled Egg, Blue Cheese & a Green Goddess Dressing

Oven Roasted Steen’s Cane Syrup Cured Duck Breast & Confit Duck Leg Quarter, Ginger -Blueberry-Port Demi-Glace, Stone Ground Goat Cheese Grits

Roasted Eggplant & Creole Tomato Provencal, Chevre, Fire Roasted Peppers, Basil oil

The cross-cultural influence that can be seen in the menu can also be observed in the bistro. The casually elegant atmosphere in Martinique is carried on from the indoors to the outdoors as the space transitions from the indoor seating area to the lush courtyard. Bright colors lend an island-y feel to the interior, while aged wood and Italian sconces give the space a Mediterranean influence. Enveloped in greenery and scented with jasmine, the courtyard is quite romantic, and not surprisingly, the best seat in the house when weather permits.

When the courtyard is closed, however, Martinique loses about sixty seats, and everyone’s favorite spot becomes that much smaller. It is very important to reserve a table here ahead of time so you’re not left on the curb.

 Martinique Bistro is just a short streetcar ride away from our New Orleans bed and breakfast. If you book a stay with the Avenue Inn B&B , our innkeepers will be happy to make a reservation here and do anything in our power to make the most of your time exploring the city that we are proud to call home.

While the true Martinique lies thousands of miles away surrounded by the Caribbean Sea, this Martinique seems to fit right into the Big Easy, so make a point to stop by this unique cultural haven on Magazine Street. After all, staying at a historic bed and breakfast adds charm to New Orleans lodging.

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Have you dined at Martinique? Have you been a guest at the Avenue Inn? Please comment about your experience.

Dress code: Dressy Casual to Dressy

Exterior

Many locals can attest to Gautreau’s wild popularity. Nestled in a charming historical building that was once a drugstore, this little bistro has a certain je ne sais quoi that captivates guests. Through potentially devastating circumstances such as a bad economy and changes in the kitchen, Gautreau’s has managed to remain at the top of its class.  This could be a result of their elegant atmosphere, or possibly their quality contemporary Creole/modern French fare that leaves New Orleans Bed and Breakfast guests and the locals begging for more.

Stepping into the Uptown restaurant feels a little like stepping into a Parisian bistro. From the tromp l’oeil hand-painted walls to the collection of antique mirrors from France dispersed throughout the space, guests can definitely spot the French flair. It is precisely this old-world charm that makes Gautreau’s a popular date-night spot.

The current mastermind behind these crave-worthy dishes is Sue Zemanick. Gautreau’s popularity may have something to do with the creative genius of their chefs. Zemanick is the third chef from Gautreau’s to be named “America’s Top Ten Best New Chefs” in Food & Wine magazine. Adding to that success, Gautreau’s has received much recognition in The New York Times, Gourmet, Bon Appetit, and Town and Country magazines.

While the chefs of Gautreau’s have always respected classic New Orleans dishes, they inject a bit of French flavor in to the mix, and routinely change the menu about every six weeks to keep things fresh. Past dishes have included a duck fillet with red cabbage, sautéed halibut with veal cheek ravioli, confit of duck with Beluga lentils, Louisiana blue crab with pasta, seared scallops with fennel and a citrus glaze, roasted chicken with haricots verts, filet mignon in a sauce bordelaise, and bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin with creamed corn and roasted tomato pork jus.

Main dining room

Private event

Although the interior is cozy, private dining options are available. While the main dining room is located downstairs, there is a larger private room upstairs that can be rented out for a number of occasions.

To experience Gautreau’s, making an advanced reservation from your bed and breakfast in New Orleans would be the best way to go. The bistro is open on Mondays through Saturdays. Gautreau’s is located conveniently close to the Avenue Inn Bed and Breakfast in the garden district, so all of you serious foodies can book a weekend, and get your personalized taste bud tour of NOLA courtesy of the Innkeepers.Its just a short streetcar ride away.

So picture this: Only a short streetcar ride from your Bed and Breakfast, you are dining in a charming New Orleans French bistro, sipping a vintage Merlot, and ordering a creamy scallop risotto as a starter. A dream? Not really. Let Joe and Bebe of the Avenue Inn Bed and Breakfast be your ambassadors to New Orleans dining. They can make this foodie fantasy a reality. Come discover the product of timeless elegance and inspired cuisine at Gautreau’s.

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Have you experienced a meal at Gautreau’s? Please share your comments here.

Dress code: Casual/Dressy Casual

Upon walking into this Uptown landmark from your New Orleans bed and breakfast,  you feel right at home.  You will never encounter the initial waves of faux affection that greet customers at select nouveau modern bistros or have to deal with a pretentious waiter sporting a fake French accent. Nope, Clancy’s is the real deal, and its strong local following re-building steadily since Hurricane Katrina can attest to that. Not to say that you won’t see bed and breakfast visitors to New Orleans filling the tables next to yours, you will!

The Positives: A breakdown of everything that makes the Clancy’s experience genuine:

An Avenue Inn B&B guest favorite: Clancy's

-Fun and friendly environment: Warm and inviting, Clancy’s has retained the feeling of everyone’s favorite neighborhood café.  From the accommodating staff that makes you feel like family (host Nash could not be more hospitable and your New Orleans bed and breakfast Innkeepers have developed a good relationship with him over the years), to the no-nonsense food, Clancy’s is a dining experience that will add comfort to any day.

-Serves fearless Creole cuisine: While lesser restaurants shy away from the old-school Creole restaurant dishes and go toward more contemporary concoctions, Clancy’s serves up the dishes that put New Orleans food on the map. This being said, the chef does take some creative liberties and works in new dishes with the traditional ones, all made only with the freshest of ingredients to produce the top-notch New Orleans cuisine locals know and bed and breakfast guests love.

-Consistent food: Clancy’s is not fine dining, nor does it claim to be, but it is consistent. The gumbo will taste the same on Tuesday as it does on Friday, and customers can appreciate that.

Proud hosts like Nash are at the heart of what makes Clancy's such a great experience.

-Many rooms great for private dining: While the restaurant has a neighborhood café feeling, it is not short on space. In addition to a large dining room and bar area, there is an upstairs area that’s perfect if you’re in the mood for a little privacy.

-On-premise wood smoking capabilities add flavor to the menu: Another finer point to Clancy’s is it was the first non-barbecue restaurant with in-house smoking capabilities. To this day, the chef still adds a little zest to his menu by providing these items.

-Sizeable wine list: For a casual type place, the wine cellar is surprisingly upscale- talk about good taste!

Points to consider: Things to bear in mind before hitting up this neighborhood favorite

-Reservations: As this restaurant is a local favorite, reservations must be made well in advance before stopping in.

-Lunch and dinner days differ: While dinner is served consistently Monday-Saturday at Clancy’s, lunchtimes are limited and only run Thursday and Friday.

-Popular bar: In addition to the waiting crowd partaking in pre-dinner drinks, many singles will eat opt to eat at the bar, making space a little tight. As a general rule, don’t expect to be able to push a large party in at the bar during the dinner time rush.

Hot dishes: Don’t miss these menu standouts:

-Fried eggplant with aioli

-Marinated crab claws,

-Seared sea scallops with foie gras and port reduction,

-Shrimp remoulade, ?fried oysters with Brie ?sweetbreads chef’s way (changes daily),

-Rabbit sausage en croute

-Boston salad with walnuts, hearts of palm, and blue cheese

-Smoked soft shell crab (or any other way)

-Grilled fish with smoked salmon

-Seared tuna au poivre

-Angel hair pasta with crabmeat and grilled tomato

Bring the family, dine alone, or come with a significant other: if you’re looking for casual with class dining in a friendly atmosphere, Clancy’s is one uptown New Orleans bistro only minutes from your Bed and Breakfast on St. Charles Avenue that hits the target every time.

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Have you eaten like a local at Clancy’s? Staying at the Avenue Inn Bed and breakfast in New Orleans? Share your experiences here.