Favorite haunts
Bywater
Coffee
Petite Clouet
Cute corner neighborhood coffee shop with locally roasted coffee and great pastry by this off the charts good baker.
Food
Bywater American Bistro
Top Chef winner and St. Lucia born chef Nina Compton and husband Larry Miller, placed her second acclaimed restaurant in this former rice mill It is now a vibrant residential loft community, with amazing street art, 55 ‘ lap-pool, and rooftop that offers captivating 150 degree views of the Mississippi River. Text me if you go, as I can get you up on that roof - cocktail in hand - while you you wait for dinner.
Bacchanal Wine
Bacchanal is still the best “hang" in all of New Orleans. Whether haute or boho, you’ll love it. It’s the Holy Trinity of food, music and vino set to a captivating torch-lit yard that lures just the right mix of locals and visitors. Buy a bottle of wine. Or four. Sit at a wobbly table. Order Chef Jacquin's eats. Enjoy live music. Talk to everyone, ‘cause everyone is here. Add the right sunset, and it’s the best low-key backyard party in the world.
Satsuma
Mark Twain once said, "New Orleans food is as delicious as the less criminal forms of sin," and after having breakfast at Satsuma, you will start thinking he was on to something. Delicious menu - fresh juices, great coffee and and not the everything fried, sugar bomb hangover weighing you down.
Paladar 511
Stylish, cozy and located in a former warehouse now loft building,, Paladar has high ceilings, exposed brick walls, an open kitchen, and friendly service. Everything on the menu is good. It’s that rare spot you can go three times a week, every week of your life. Especially for the three months during which Jessica makes the world’s best blueberry pie!
N7
Push open the gate, marked only with a small red “N7”, to discover a speakeasy hidden world. Our good friends Aaron Walker, Yuki Yamaguchi, their two kids, three dogs and staff created N7. It's on the wrong side of the street. No sign. Paving worse than ever. Former tire shop. Yet, perfect. With outdoor tables set to the hypnotic scent of Confederate Jasmine and desire. It’s our favorite, by far, and Bon Appetit seems to agree: "The most romantic French restaurant in the world is 4792 miles from Paris and our #10 best new restaurant in America.” And, like the book with the same name, it is a "Great Good Place", with long time employees, local regulars and visitors delighted nightly in conversation, mesmerized by candle-light, seated in the flowering gardens, with sips of the best wine and this city’s most eclectic, interesting menu.
Elizabeth's Restaurant
Super popular breakfast, which sorta, kinda might include a top-tier Bloody Mary and Praline Bacon.
Drinks
Shop
Faubourg Wines
Do you know any former Federal agents who quit to open the best wine shop in the city? Didn’t think so. But, I’ll introduce you to Catherine if you join me at her “Faubourg” - the best BoHo scene for a tasty glass or well-priced bottle of vino or bubbles. Woman owned and women run, they are the nicest most knowlegeable ladies in the business. See you there.
Others
Studio Be
A must see. Wow! This stu-dio—in a huge warehouse space in the Bywater neighbor-hood—showcases the work of local artist Brandon “B-Mike’ Odums. He creates large-scale murals and paintings illustrating scenes from Black American culture in New Orleans, as well as national Black American leaders and icons.
Island of Salvation Botanica
A store and gallery specializing in Vodou religious supply, medicinal herbs, and Haitian and local artwork. A visit to the Botanica will educate and enlighten you in the rich blend of cultures and spiritual tradition that is New Orleans. The shop's owner, Sallie Ann Glassman, is an initiated Vodou priestess who calls up and mediates the power of the Spirit. Sallie Ann is internationally recognized for her books, lectures, art, readings, and healing ceremonies. The truly intrepid and sincerely interested may arrange to attend a Saturday night Vodou ceremony in Sallie Ann's Vodou temple, Achade Meadows. The ceremonies are performed by Sallie Ann and her full ensemble of initiated drummers, singers, and dancers. They are not performers, but actual Vodou prac-titioners - the real deal.
Crescent Park
Best run or walk. The best. Starts at the French Quarter with 1.6 miles out to Bywater and back (3.2 miles). It’s a linear park designed by the great architect Sir David Adjaye and remarkable landscape architect George Hargreaves. You can walk, bike, roller-skate, sit on a blanket, gaze at a constant ballet of ships and get up close n personal with the Mighty Mississippi. Here ’s a 6 min vid “The Making of Crescent Park” by the designers when it was created 10 years ago. My big bro may have had sump tin sumptin to do with it too.