Favorite haunts
French Quarter
Coffee
Spitfire Coffee
Best coffee in the Quarter, right next to Jackson Square and right next to a confessional at the Ca-thedral if you were those two in the wedding party : )
Food
Cafe Du Monde
You don’t have to know how to pronounce “beignet" or “powdered sugar. Go. Just go. Ideally at 2AM!
Sylvain
Enter through the alley breezeway. Sit at the bar or outside among banana trees. Good food from the NOLA hinterland. Great hang.
Italian Barrel
Her mom is from here and danced in Verona’s inter-nationally acclaimed La Scala. One night the women’s Olympic swim coach came to see the show. Who is that ? Eye contact. Married, kids and gold medals. Our friend Chef Samantha Castagnetti took a chance too. On New Orleans. She moved here after Katrina to start her restaurant and be with mom. Sam serves some of the best Italian food in town, with great wines and cocktails too. By the way, mom “Patricia” still makes the Tiramisu.
Café Amelie
If you played a game of word association with anyone in New Orleans, "Cafe Amelie" would be synonymous with best courtyard in the city. There are few more beautiful places to enjoy a Sunday brunch or the signature “Amelie” cocktail to-go. Also, it’s a must to check out my friends Frank Relle Photography and David Harouni Gallery in the same block.
Drinks
Manolito
Konrad Kantor created a tribute to Havana's El Floridita - the bar where Ernest Hemingway often sat and nursed stiff drinks. "The best frozen cocktail in all of the United States ? Possible.”
Napoleon House
Two P words … “patina” and “Pimms Cup” Look at the layers of paint and marvel at the way time and nature wear on this town while you sip a Pimm’s Cup, especially on Sunday afternoon.
Cane & Table
Cane & Table is known for stellar, rum-based drinks... get it? Sugar “cane”. Tasty originals and timeless classics, all inspired by the Caribbean and its complicated, consequential ties to New Orleans. Pro-tip: simple, authentic, port town interior design.
Shop
Gallery of Fine Photography
Joshua Pailet operates one of the great photography galleries in the world. Some of the best photographers in history, including the great local Herman Leonard. Duck in while walking in the Quarter.
UAL
United Apparel Liquidators is designer labels at Overstock prices, in the French Quarter that we know is the Spanish Quarter. Seriously, it’s good. I love this place!
