November 30, 2016

places I love (NOLA).


when we were in college, my sister and I began a tradition of turning thanksgiving weekend into an adventure. it's taken us to the uk, nicaragua, joshua tree, nyc more times than I can count, & more. this year, we decided to meet halfway - which meant all signs pointed to a weekend in new orleans, LA. 

new to her (and only a work destination for me in the past), we arrived armed with no plans, but a giant list of all the food and cocktails imaginable. three days, a few breaks for football and jazz, + a food coma later, we made a pretty admirable dent in our list + enjoyed some of the best nola (maybe anywhere?) has to offer. if you visit, here are some of our favorites. 

stay.
naturally, we set up shop at the ace. it made our hip little hearts burst, and was in the perfect part of town. away from the chaos + totally walkable. 

drink. 
one of my favorite nights of the weekend, we headed out to bacchanal wine. adorable employees help you pick out a great bottle, you buy some meat and cheese, and you head out back. grab a bucket, some ice, and your own glassware, and pull up a chair on the twinkly patio to hear live music and relax. oh, and that meat + cheese you bought? it magically shows up turned into the best charcuterie platter you've ever had. 
stop by for the namesake drink at the classic, arnaud's french 75 bar
go for a spin at the carousel bar

eat. 
josephine estelle at the ace was hands down one of the best meals of my life. the snapper crudo was so good we went back the next night. and maybe the night after that. make it happen. no matter what. 
st. roch market is a great stop in the colorful bywater neighborhood. full of options (southern + otherwise). 
cane + table was perfect for fancy drinks and caribbean southern. 
do it up big and go for a white tablecloth french-southern breakfast at brennan's. the wallpaper alone is worth the trip.
dinner at sylvain
grab your treats at drip + willa jean

other favorites included a jazz show at historic preservation hall, a messy stop at cafe du monde, shopping at freda (we love the sister shop in marfa), dno, hattie sparks + krewe, wandering around the french quarter and the garden district, a self guided walking tour at lafayette cemetery no. 1, and a saints game at the super dome. 

new orleans, you're kinda dirty, quite intense, and an overload for all the senses. and I can't wait to come back. 


















































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