LUYEN & KENNY
Things To Do
Restaurant Rebirth
This is one of our top restaurants and specializes in farm to table Cajun Creole cuisine. We always make it a point to dine here when we are in New Orleans! The restaurant is very small and reservations are recommended.
Shaya
Located in the beautiful garden district and on famous Magazine Street. Specializes in modern Israeli cuisine and has won the James Beard award for best restaurant in the US in 2016. Reservations recommended.
Muriel's Jackson Square
A local favorite and ours too! Don't forget to look for the ghosts and the table where they pour a glass of wine for Sir Antoine's ghost every day! Reservations highly recommended.
Commander's Palace
If you want to get dressed up and enjoy a delicious New Orleans meal with southern hospitality this is the spot. On Fridays they serve a 25 cent martini lunch that is well worth a visit to enjoy. A very fun lunch we enjoyed with Luyen's sister, Lieu and her husband, Travis! Reservations highly recommended as it fills up quickly.
Justine
A French brasserie in the French Quarter. Justine combines the sophistication of Parisian brasseries with the playfulness of New Orlean's most lively district. We especially love the detailed murals on the wall with a historical map of New Orleans facing a historical map of Paris. You can also check out the chef, Justin Devillier's sister restaurant La Petite Grocery in the Garden District. The food there is also very tasty.
Hot Tin
Great spot to grab a craft cocktail and get a breathtaking view of downtown New Orleans from their roof top. It's located in the historic Pontchartrain Hotel. The New Orleans street car runs along Saint Charles Avenue and is an option to get to this location. While here, make sure to take some time to walk around the garden district and view the beautiful historic mansions along Saint Charles Avenue.
The Chloe
We recently discovered this spot when we were in New Orleans in April 2022, with Kenny's sister, Heather and her family. This boutique hotel is so charming and has a great courtyard for dining on a sunny afternoon. Inside you'll find an intimate lounge and bar playing jazz music, as well as indoor dining. If you have a full afternoon to spend here, for $25 you can get a day pass to the pool and spend the afternoon pool side!
Compère Lapin
Located inside the Old No. 77 Hotel. This restaurant has delicious Caribbean and Creole food served up by chef Nina Compton. You may remember her from Top Chef Season 11 when it was filmed in New Orleans. We really enjoyed the rabbit and curried goat dishes! Don't forget to get the "brother rabbit" to go cup for your walk to the next spot following dinner!
Peacock Room
Located inside Hotel Fontenot. Opulent bar with great cocktails. It makes us feel like we walked into a Great Gatsby movie! We have not had the food here so can't comment on food, but the music and cocktails are wonderful!
The Carousel Bar & Lounge
The famous Carousel Bar & Lounge in Hotel Monteleone is a long-time favorite New Orleans hotspot. The classic New Orleans hotel bar is the city’s only revolving bar. For decades, it has lured guests in to take a spin on the 25-seat, bright, circus-clad Merry-Go-Round. Luyen and Kenny have taken many spins at this bar. We recommend visiting the Carousel Bar at non-peak hours, so you can grab a seat.
Honey Island Swamp Tours
If you are looking for a local tour and would like to see the swamps and unique natural surroundings in Louisiana. Honey Island Swamp Tour offers hotel pick up in New Orleans.
Two Chicks Garden District Walking Tours
Garden district walking tour that will provide some history of the neighborhood, the patrons of the mansions, and the architects. You'll also get a peek at the historic Lafayette cemetery and the Buckner Mansion, known to fans of American Horror Story as Miss Robichaux’s Academy for Exceptional Young Ladies. Two Chicks also offers food tours and a brothels tour!
The National WWII Museum
We were humbled, moved and awestruck during our visit to The National WWII Museum in New Orleans. An incredible museum that provides thorough and thoughtful perspectives of WWII. Plan to visit for at least half a day to appreciate all the exhibits, including the very impressive aircraft gallery. "The museum tells the story of the American experience in the war that changed the world—why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today—so that all generations will understand the price of freedom and be inspired by what they learn."
The Sazerac House
Stop in for a tour to learn how Sazerac became a notable part of the cocktail scene in New Orleans. The tour will take you back in time through the Prohibition Era and the history of Peychaud Bitters. We really enjoyed this tour and you can book it on arrival. You can also take kids on the tour (although they can't drink the whiskeys!). Complimentary tasting of whiskeys and bitters -- now who wouldn't like that?!!
Frenchmen Street
If you happen to miss our welcome event Thursday, you should still try to visit The Frenchman Street. Across a 2 block stretch, you will find some great bars and live music venues for listening to local artists that will give you the true flavor of the New Orleans music scene! It's a nice alternative to the tourist scene on Bourbon Street! Best to be visited at night because most of the venues don't open until after 5 pm.