Rachel & Jordan
Things To Do, Eat, and Drink!
Chais Delachaise
Our favorite date night spot. We prefer Chaise Delachaise, but the original location called "Delachaise Wine Bar" on St. Charles is also great -- it just tends to be a bit busier. Our order: the $5 wines by the glass (they rotate which wines are the $5 special each night, and they're great), pomme frites, aloo gobi with rice, and north African meatballs. The lamb burger is also fantastic -- as is the cheese plate.
Vessel NOLA
Vessel is a gorgeous restaurant located in an old church building -- complete with beautiful stained glass windows and a steeple. We went here every Valentine's Day for dinner. Get some specialty cocktails, the house pickle plate, and some entrees to split.
Surrey's Uptown
Our favorite casual brunch spot in New Orleans! We've had countless weekend mornings where we wake up and walk over to Surrey's. You can't make a reservation, but they're quick. Rachel gets the Huevos Rancheros and Jordan gets the Migas with chorizo. If you're feeling extra hungry, get the banana pancake to split. It's huge, perfectly crispy and soft, and so delicious!
Boucherie
Rachel spent the summer of 2017 in Atlanta participating in Teach for America's "Summer Institute" program; a training orientation for future TFA instructors. Jordan spent that summer, his first in New Orleans, killing time via a self-guided foot tour throughout the city. Boucherie was one of his first stops (its proximity to Tulane made it an easy after-work destination) but quickly became his go-to for special occasion dining. If you go, make sure someone orders the smoked wagyu brisket....and split the krispy kreme bread pudding,
Audubon Park
Located across from Tulane University, Audubon Park is sprawling with gorgeous live oak trees, Louisiana wildlife, and sweet-smelling jasmine that will be in bloom in April. Run or walk here in the early morning or in late-afternoon -- you won't regret it.
Saba
Incredible Israeli restaurant by Alon Shaya. We’d love to come here for a late lunch on a Saturday and sit at the bar (we could never get a table, but it was better this way). All the cocktails are fantastic. Our order: Brussel sprout hummus, Moroccan carrots, roasted beets, kofta, latkes.
Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits
Grab a couple people and pop over to Bacchanal. Pick out your wine when you come in, then head out to the backyard and grab a table. The string lights, the live music, the wine, the little bites to eat... you can't go wrong here.
Elizabeth's Restaurant
The most amazing brunch. You can't make a reservation ahead of time, but it's worth the wait. Get a drink to go and browse Euclid Records down the street, or check out Crescent City Park across the street. Here's our order: praline bacon to start (this is a MUST), chicken & waffles for Rachel, eggs florentine for Jordan.
Lionheart Prints
We were so excited when Lionheart Prints opened on Magazine St, just a few blocks away from our first home together on Napoleon Ave. Liz has the absolute best cards and beautiful, curated gifts. Jordan religiously shopped for Rachel here. Pop in to Lionheart, then walk down the block to have a beer outside at The Bulldog, or an order of the Damn Good Nachos + some margaritas at The Rum House.
Lilly's Cafe
Our favorite Vietnamese! New Orleans has the second largest Vietnamese population in America, so there is incredible Vietnamese food and cultural events in the city. Lilly is lovely and her food is amazing. Here's our order: Grilled pork or tofu rolls to start, then we both order the bun with grilled pork (add eggrolls). Lilly's is also a block down from our wedding venue!
Dooky Chase Restaurant
For classic New Orlean's cuisine, come to Dooky Chase. Dooky Chase is a top-tier restaurant that has fed Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush. Leah Chase, the late Executive Chef Emeritus, was lovingly known as the "Queen of Creole Cuisine." From the "About the Chef" page on their website: "In a town deeply divided by segregation, Dooky Chase’s Restaurant was one of the only public places in New Orleans where mixed race groups could meet to discuss strategy for the local Civil Rights Movement. Although such gatherings were illegal through most of the 1960s, Dooky Chase’s was so popular it would have caused a public uproar if local law enforcement had interrupted the meetings. Black voter registration campaign organizers, the NAACP, Freedom Riders and countless others often found a home at Dooky Chase’s, and Leah cooked for them all."
Cane and Table
If you're in the quarter, pop in for a specialty cocktail here. Try to sit in the courtyard -- it's magical.
Stein's Market and Deli
Went too hard on Frenchmen last night? Head to Stein's Deli and grab an everything bagel with smoked salmon (Rachel's order) or the bacon, egg, and cheese on everything (Jordan's order). This place is good -- not quite New York good -- but with the pastrami smells, not-very-warm staff, and to-die for bagels and sandwiches, you almost feel like you're there!
Royal Street
Royal Street is our favorite street in the French Quarter. It is home to hundreds of art galleries, cute boutiques, antique stores, and New Orleans goodies. There is often incredible live music on the street corners, and typically the street is closed so cars can't pass through. We love to walk down Royal in the late afternoon and take in the color of the Quarter. If you want to check out Bourbon St (warning: Bourbon St always smells like urine) you can cut over to Bourbon from Royal -- they're parallel to one another.
Frenchmen Street
This is the main spot to head to for live music, any night of the week. There is a gorgeous open-air art market on Frenchmen -- definitely check that out. You then can bar-hop down Frenchmen to dance the night away! If you need a late-night snack, head over to Dat Dog and get yourself some cheese fries and a specialty hot dog.