New Orleans Dining and Creole Cooking in Louisiana

Mon, Aug 6th 2007, 00:00

New Orleans is the capital of Creole cuisine. In fact, New Orleans has had a reputation for fine restaurants since the early 19th century: Antoines Restaurant opened in the French Quarter in 1840.

New Orleans experienced food shortages and economic disaster following the Civil War, yet Creole cooking flourished. The first Creole cookbook was published in 1885.

The population of New Orleans reflects its cosmopolitan past. A French colony until 1763, it was transferred to the Spanish for a spell. During this time the Acadians began migrating to the area, settling mainly in the eastern prairies around the present site of Saint Martinville and later along the Lower Mississippi and Bayou Lafourche. New Orleans was ceded back to France in 1800, but Napoleon I then sold the entire Louisiana Purchase to the United States in 1803. Louisiana became the 18th State on 12 April 1812.

New Orleans Music and Good Times

There was some antagonism between the Creoles and the new American settlers. Canal Street became the neutral ground between the old French Quarter and the new American part of town.

The more relaxed and liberal attitudes of the French and Creole meant that the community of free persons of colour prospered in the French Quarter. Slaves were allowed to gather in public and play their native music. African beats, with Creole and Haitian influences, intertwined with the city's trained musicians and now famous brass bands. This fascinating mix gave birth to jazz.

At the turn of the last century, the undisputed centre of good times was Storyville. The vision of Alderman Sidney Story, the city established an experimental district for legalised prostitution. Storyville flourished for 20 years and its lavishly decorated bordellos were legendary. The best bordellos hired a house pianist to greet visitors; the citys most talented musicians would get together to perform for bordello patrons.

Music and good times are the legacy of short lived Storyville. Decades later, a distinctive brand of rhythm and blues emerged from New Orleans. And this in turn influenced the growth of rock and roll.

New Orleans has since expanded, but The Quarter remains the cultural hub. Bourbon Street is the star attraction ... quiet during the day, it comes alive at night for the citys legendary restaurants and night life.

People flock from all over for the festivals. Mardi Gras sees thousands of revellers throng Bourbon Street each Fat Tuesday to view the outrageous costume contests. Celebrations go on until the stroke of midnight, which signals the end of Carnival and the beginning of the penitential season of Lent.

There was much devastation to New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, August 2005. But the locals did not waste time regenerating the city. Restaurants and clubs reopened even when it meant grilling on the sidewalk and keeping the beer cold with a generator. Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest are back. After all, this is a city that loves its parties!

February to April is the best time to visit ... the milder weather coincides with the citys two most spectacular events, Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest.

Featured Businesses

Hotel Monteleone Weddings2012-04-12
Located in New Orleans, New Orleans Metairie Kenner, Louisiana, United States
The Hotel Monteleone Weddings and social events are held at this perfect venue in the French Quarter of New Orleans for the ultimate wedding or event experience. So whether it's a ballroom or rooftop reception you are looking for, Hotel Monteleone Weddings will cover everything from hors d'oeuvres to dinners to even the ice sculpture and ensure a memorable and exceptional experience.READ MORE
The Hotel Monteleone2012-04-12
Located in New Orleans, New Orleans Metairie Kenner, Louisiana, United States
The grande dame of the French Quarter, the Hotel Monteleone welcomes you to a majestic stay in New Orleans at the foot of Royal street and boasts 600 newly renovated rooms and 55 suites, 25 meeting and reception rooms, two award winning restaurants, a famous revolving piano bar, the Carousel and a rooftop pool. The Hotel Monteleone is the perfect venue for business and leisure travelers, beautifully hosts weddings and events and business meetings with impeccable service and even has a Spa Aria and state of the art exercise facility.READ MORE
Carousel Bar & Lounge2012-04-12
Located in New Orleans, New Orleans Metairie Kenner, Louisiana, United States
The Carousel Bar & Lounge is located at the Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans, LA and revolves around the room overlooking Royal street. Live entertainment is offered nightly on the piano and guests can relax in the booths and at the tables. Complimentary hors d'ouevres from the famous Monteleone kitchen are offered during cocktail hour.READ MORE
Eagle's Nest Bistro and Bakery2009-06-23
Located in Louisiana, Pike County, Missouri, United States
At the Eagle's Nest Bistro and Bakery in Louisiana enjoy a full breakfast with house specialities, anything from Eggs Ranchero which is an English muffin topped with shaved ham, Pico de Gallo, poached eggs, Hollandaise, and served with hash browns to Old Fashion Oatmeal. Enjoy a heart lunch or fine dining evening meal as well.READ MORE
Eagle's Nest Conference Facility2009-06-23
Located in Louisiana, Pike County, Missouri, United States
The Eagle's Nest Conference Facility in Louisiana offers facilities for all your executive conferencing needs, even arranging programs for your spouse, also included are gourmet meals and accommodation if needed.READ MORE
The Kentucky Bourbon Boys2016-10-19
Located in Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States
The Kentucky Bourbon Boys in Louisville offer bourbon tours throughout Kentucky, USA and tours are customizable and a great way for groups to enjoy time out together. You get a pick up at your location of choice, then a morning tour at a distillery with tasting and admission, then lunch and an afternoon distillery tour with your official Bourbon Boy as your driver and guide. The Kentucky Bourbon Boys offer an authentic Kentucky experience, and their store stocks swag, shirts, glassware and more, even custom bourbon racks made from wood reclaimed from old bourbon barrels, they make great gifts and all goods are available online.READ MORE
Scully's Crab Shack2010-02-04
Located in Midland, Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada
Scully's Crab Shack brings the French Quarter to Midland, experience true New Orleans in the French Quarter dining room with it's perfect atmosphere for lunch and dinner. Enjoy a cocktail in the Mardi Gras bar and listen to the finest entertainment in the blues lounge. For the daring and brave enjoy that Cajun feeling in the Bayou room. READ MORE
Eagle's Nest Winery2009-06-23
Located in Louisiana, Pike County, Missouri, United States
Eagle's Nest Winery offers six of their own wines as well as three Napa California wines and a lovely selection of French and Australian wines are also available for sale or to taste in the tasting room. The gourmet food section offer gift baskets and delectable items on sale.READ MORE
Brandy Library Spirit School2012-04-19
Located in New York, New York, New York, United States
Brandy Library Spirit School in New York offers spiritual enlightenment in quite a different way, with spirit sommeliers taking you on a journey of discovery through the world of scotch or bourbons with lectures on precious and rare spirits available as well. The lectures include food of hors d'oeuvres and signature cocktails. Private tastings are available as well without the lecture, where spirit sommeliers will guide you through an excellent spirit tasting of your choice, with explanations of distilling, history and more.READ MORE
The Krewe of Gemini2016-11-03
Located in Bossier City, Bossier Parish, Louisiana, United States
The Krewe of Gemini in Bossier City, Louisiana, is a nonprofit volunteer organization that was established in 1989 with the aim of arranging and promoting fun and exciting mardi gras' in the area and running the mardi gras museum. The volunteer run Mardi Gras Museum is filled to the brim with amazing displays and exhibits of spectacular Mardi Gras clothing, floats, stunning costumes worn by past royalty and guests have an opportunity of seeing floats being prepared for many upcoming celebrations. The Krew of Gemini arranges many unique events, and the night before the Gemini Grand Parade the float den is alive with crowds and throbbing music, as riders prepare floats for the early morning parade.READ MORE