New Orleans Style Food & Dining
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New Orleans Style Food & Dining
When we think of food, and New Orleans we automatically think of Cajun or Creole food. Cajun or Creole? It's All Great!
Simply put, Cajun food is robust, country-style food, found along the bayous of Louisiana, a combination of French and Southern cuisines. It was brought to Louisiana from the French who migrated to the state from Nova Scotia 250 years ago and used the simple foods, right from the land. Think of heavy, one-pot dishes, like jambalaya or crawfish étouffée, served over steaming rice.
Creole food is a distinctive cuisine, created in New Orleans with European and African roots. It is Cajun food's more refined city relative. The French influence is strongest, but the essence of Creole is found in rich sauces, local herbs, red ripe tomatoes, and the prominent use of seafood, caught in local waters. It is associated with the old-line kitchens of New Orleans, where generations of traditions are carried on today. Think of rich, roux-based gumbo, shrimp creole, grits and grillades, redfish courtbouillion and more.
Both foods make liberal use of the "holy trinity" of cooking: chopped green peppers, onions and celery. The most common misconception is that both foods are spicy, fiery hot. Both Creole and Cajun cuisines have a depth of flavor, borne of a loving blend of local herbs and (quite often) roux and may or may not be spicy.
In New Orleans, it is tradition to welcome our guests with wonderful food and drink. You have an invitation to experience authentic Creole and Cajun delicacies at one of our 3000 restaurants any time in the City of New Orleans and the immediate surrounding area.
*Crescent City Farmers Market*
Exotic vegetables, exquisite flowers, fresh seafood — all locally produced and on sale at this great market. A walk through the Crescent City Farmers Market is an opportunity to awaken every taste bud, every sense.
Here the visitor finds vegetables grown by local farmers and sold directly to local restaurateurs and home cooks. Local patrons make these visits a weekly ritual. Seasonal delights — from succulent Pontchatoula strawberries, ripe exotic mushrooms and herbs, a vast array of lettuces and greens or Gulf delicacies of shrimp, oysters and the catch of the day, are sold to eager buyers.
Freshly baked pastries, delicious homemade ravioli stuffed with sumptuous fillings, hearty jams and jellies and other ready-made foods are also available. Brightly colored flowering plants and elegant orchids are a feast to the eye, and offer a delightful touch to any setting. Local chefs who are celebrities in their own rights, are often seen at the markets buying for their restaurants and homes. These talented chefs demonstrate their culinary expertise on the market grounds and often generously share their knowledge of cuisine with their audience, the buyers.
*New Orleans Culinary Tours*
Learn about the fabulous history of dining and drinking on a New Orleans culinary tour.
New Orleans is a city that is rich in the history of dining and drinking. Did you know that the first cocktail, the Sazerac, was invented in New Orleans? So were Peychaud's Bitters, Herbsaint, the Ramos Gin Fizz, the Grasshopper and the Hurricane. But brunch was also invented in the city that loves to eat! And where would this city be without gumbo, crawfish étouffée and the po-boy?
Spend a few hours wandering through the historic French Quarter and learn about the culinary landmarks of this great city. Knowledgeable tour guides will broaden your understanding and introduce you to epicurean landmarks of the city and historic culinary techniques. Serious food and cocktail lovers can learn fascinating facts about food and drink on a New Orleans culinary tour:
*The New Orleans Original Cocktail Tour*
Explore the history of New Orleans drinks, taverns and restaurants. This tour mixes classic stories of dining and drinking establishments with facts about the unique cocktails and liqueurs that locals and visitors enjoy. This 2½ hour walking tour is open to those ages 21 and older (alcoholic drinks are available for purchase along the way).
*The New Orleans Culinary Tasting Tour*
This tour offers food samples during the two-hour walk while visitors take a peek into some of the most famous restaurants, get a behind-the-scenes tour of the kitchens at Antoine’s Restaurant and visit the 19th century working kitchen at the Hermann Grima House.
*The Southern Comfort Cocktail Tour*
Born and bred in New Orleans, Southern Comfort blends a mean cocktail and hosts a great festival and tour. New Orleans is known for its distinct flavors, so it makes perfect sense that the smooth refined whiskey known as Southern Comfort would be invented here. Martin Wilkes Heron created Southern Comfort in 1874 while working at McCauley’s Tavern in the French Quarter. New Orleans has always been a rich blend of sights, sounds and aromas, and Heron, a young traveler, strived to incorporate the essence of the city into his creation of Southern Comfort.
To improve the taste of the harsh, unrefined barreled whiskeys available at the time, he started adding a variety of other spirits, spices and flavors to them. After much experimentation, Heron hit upon a combination of flavors that resulted in a remarkably smooth, refreshing drink. Later named Southern Comfort, the drink was a hit with Heron’s bar patrons and eventually became famous. Heron’s recipe is closely guarded today.
Those interested in the legends of unique concoctions like Southern Comfort can get a glimpse of exciting history through 'The Southern Comfort Cocktail Tour'. This is New Orleans only walking tour through the French Quarter’s most famous bars and restaurants. The Southern Comfort Cocktail Tour runs seven days a week and highlights the creation of the cocktail and the classic stories of New Orleans taverns, restaurants and the characters that brought them to life.
Each August food and wine lovers gather in New Orleans for the “Tales of the Cocktail” tour, sponsored by Southern Comfort. This dining and drinking experience is a classic gourmet’s dream.
Unique Foods of New Orleans
Some unique New Orleans foods that you can enjoy here or at home.
*Arnaud's Gulf Shrimp Ragout: Gulf Shrimp Papa Noel Ragout of Mirliton and Avocado with 3-Pepper Vinaigrette.
*Bananas Foster: Top off your favorite gourmet meal with a Creole delicacy, created right here in New Orleans.
*Pat O'Brien's Hurricanes: It's a little bit sweet and a little bit tart, and comes in a pretty glass. Invented in New Orleans, there's only one Hurricane.
*Palace Cafés:
While visiting New Orleans, sample the Palace Café's Crabmeat Cheesecake, or make it at home.
*Collard Green Croquettes: From the Windsor Court Hotel.
*Sazerac: America's First Cocktail. Born in New Orleans, America's first cocktail; the Sazerac. This started it all. Is anyone surprised?
*Veranda Restaurant's Veal Barataria: Tender veal simmered in a rich sauce, placed on a bed of velvety risotto. From Veranda Restaurant's signature dish.
Veranda's White Chocolate and Strawberry Mousse: is a mortal sin on a plate.
*King Cakes*
From the beginning of January to Mardi Gras Day, king cakes can be found in every home, office, classroom or party. Find out why.
One of the most popular foods during Mardi Gras is the king cake, consumed by the carload and traditionally sold in bakeries, grocery stores and delis from January 6 to Ash Wednesday. Locals and visitors alike eat king cake for breakfast, coffee break, and dessert. In fact, almost any excuse to grab a slice will do.
The tradition of king cake dates back to the Middle Ages when a popular devotion during Christmas was placed on the Three Wise Men (or Kings) who followed the North Star to find Christ. The twelfth night after the birth of Christ marks the end of Christmas and the celebration of Epiphany. Thus, Twelfth Night in some cultures became a time for pageants and giving special presents to children. Along with gifts came the celebratory cake, or king cake. Today's king cake is a confection made of braided Danish pastry, laced with cinnamon. It is always iced in the Mardi Gras colors of purple (justice), green (faith) and gold (power). Hidden in each king cake is a tiny plastic baby. The person who finds the baby must buy the next king cake or host the next party. Contemporary king cakes are often filled with cream cheese, fruit fillings, such as apple or strawberry, and other fillings. New Orleanians love king cakes for the taste and for the tradition.
Celebrity Chefs of New Orleans
Meet the local chefs that make New Orleans one of the Top 3 Food Destinations in the World.
*Chef Emeril Lagasse: Emeril Lagasse runs three fabulous restaurants in New Orleans and stars in two cooking shows.
*Chef Paul Prudhomme: Chef Paul Prudhomme's restaurant, K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen, is a favorite of connoisseurs throughout the world.
*Chef Leah Chase: Her creations define Creole and soul foods. After more than 50 years in the restaurant business, Chase is still cookin'.
*Chef Susan Spicer: Bayona, Herbsaint and Cobalt Restaurants: Susan Spicer's triple treats.
*Chef Frank Brigtsen: Brigtsen's Restaurant: tucked away on a quiet uptown street, a best kept secret.
*Chef John Besh: Award-winning chef of Restaurant August's and the Besh Steakhouse at Harrah's.
*Chef Greg Sonnier: Gabrielle's Restaurant and Gamay Bistro & Bar: two great bistros, one great chef.
*Chef Tory McPhail: The newest star in the Commander's Palace galaxy.
*Chef Philippe Pinon: Executive Chef Philippe Pinon presides over the beautiful Begue’s Restaurant at the Royal Sonesta Hotel on Bourbon.
These are the great eating places of New Orleans, the foods, the cooks and the traditions.
