French Quarter - The Hungry Nomad

French Quarter, Ice Cream, Macarons, New Orleans, Pastries

Salon by Sucre- French Quarter (New Orleans)

May 11, 2015 No Comments

Sucre’s Joel Dondis and chef Tariq Hanna have finally opened their French Quarter masterpiece Salon by Sucre. Sucre is one of my favorite spots for dessert in New Orleans and it seemed like the only logical next step to expand to the French Quarter. In fact, I am not sure what took them so long to make the move. It definitely fills a void in the quarter for great dessert shops. The new Salon is nestled in on Conti street across from the state Supreme Court building. While sipping wine on the second floor balcony looking at the historical building across the street, we could hear the horse carriages go by giving one a feeling of stepping back in time. That is why I love the French Quarter so much. Salon by Sucre features a dessert store on the first floor along with a new coffee bar along with seating upstairs for lunch, dinner and afternoon tea service. While sweets are the primary reason for my trips to Sucre, on this occasion we opted to try out their menu. A bottle of wine along with a cheese and charcuterie plate were ordered and thoroughly enjoyed. Their selection of wines is endless and the options for cheese and charcuterie were perfect.

Food Festival, French Quarter, New Orleans, Travel, USA

New Orleans Wine and Food Experience 2014, NOWFE

June 8, 2014 No Comments

The New Orleans Wine & Food Experience takes place every year over the Memorial Day long weekend. In it’s 22nd year, the festival has become one of most incredible culinary events in the nation, attracting over 10,000 gourmands and connoisseurs as well as art and music lovers. Each year, hundreds of wineries and restaurants participate. Menus feature local flavor and innovative new creations inspired by diverse cuisines. Top chefs from around the city create culinary experiences like no other. Over two dozen restaurants feature special dining evenings throughout the New Orleans festival. The weekend also features over 1,000 wines from around the world, with special tasting events from wineries. The events this year included the Grand Tasting events at the Convention Center, the Royal Street stroll in the French Quarter, the Big Gateaux show and seminar series to hone your palate. It ended with a grand finale gala. The NOWFE is the perfect way to experience New Orleans Cuisine at it’s best. Chef’s from all the best and greatest NOLA restaurants showcase their talent on the plate.

The Hungry Nomad team was there in full force this year to experience NOWFE at its fullest and share with our readers. Hope you enjoy the photos!

The Royal Street Stroll:

Big Gateaux Show:

The Grand Tasting:

Cajun, French Quarter, Oysters

Royal House Oyster Bar- French Quarter (New Orleans, USA)

June 20, 2012 No Comments

I’ll admit that I rarely dine in the French Quarter (with the exception of our beloved Mr. B’s). Not because there aren’t great restaurants in the area but mainly because many of the places are overly touristy and well plain and simple I don’t like Southern fried food. There I said it.

But when friends and family are in town and you have spent the day walking around the quarter with the water bottle being your best friend, you will get hungry and will end up eating anywhere and anything in site. On this particular day, I was showing around my cousin who had travelled all the way from Switzerland to be a part of our wedding day. Hungry and famished we found ourselves at the Royal House Oyster Bar.

Perhaps we went at an odd time in the day (around 4 p.m.) but the place was half empty. We asked to sit upstairs on the balcony. The second floor was emptier. Yet it took a good 15 minutes for someone to greet us at our table. Apparently they hadn’t noticed us sitting on the balcony. The ambiance: dull at best. It wasn’t the happiest of places I’ve visited in the quarter.

Cousin hates raw oysters and rarely eats fried food in Europe and I was on a pre-wedding health cleanse. That really limited our choices. I begged Cousin to try a po-boy while she was in town and so she ordered the fried shrimp po-boy with a side of fries. As for myself, I ordered a cup of gumbo and a blackened grilled shrimp salad.

The cup of gumbo was your average tasty gumbo; however, lacked anything special to make it memorable.

The shrimp po-boy, I was told was good. I’m not a fan of po-boys! I’m probably one of the only people living in the South that doesn’t enjoy a good po-boy. Maybe its because I’ve never had an exquisite mouth watering one down here. But every time I have had it, I haven’t really enjoyed it much. Perhaps its the combination of all that white bread and fried meat that has led me to dislike it so much. I like my sandwiches on the healthier side and definitely not fried.

The salad was good. The sauce was ordered on the side which I hoped meant that it was a bit healthier. Overall, I can’t say that I was impressed by our meal. Perhaps those going for their oysters have a different opinion, after all it is called the Royal House Oyster Bar and maybe that is what they specialize in. As for the rest, I am not so sure.

French Quarter, New Orleans, Travel, USA

A photographic tour through the French Quarter (New Orleans)

November 27, 2010 3 Comments

Although mostly known for its rowdy crowds on Bourbon street, the French quarter in New Orleans is one of the most charming neighborhoods in the United States. From the beautiful architecture to art galleries, museums, restaurants, bars and boutique hotels, the French Quarter has something for everyone – no matter what your interest may be.

From wrought-iron balconies, tall shutters, courtyards, and horse carriages- the French Quarter is uniquely New Orleans. For a day tour of the French Quarter, 1- Start at the French Market located alongside the Mississippi river (the first outdoor produce market in the US. (Make sure to pick up some hot sauce or my personal favorite Tabasco Sauce 2- You will soon smell the scent of beignets from Cafe du Monde. Stop over for some of their famous sugar coated beignets and chicory laced cafe au lait. I guess it is worth mentioning that while in New Orleans, you should completely put aside any diet or idea of healthy eating and indulge in Southern Cajun food.

3- Listen to some local street musicians on Royal street 4- Visit the St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square with its manicured lawns 5- Back on Royal street you can try a little antique shopping and visit some of the art galleries 6- Wonder around the different streets (Pirate’s Alley and Pere Antoine’s Alley) and make your way over to Bourbon street to see one of the most happening streets in the US. 7- If you are getting hungry check out one of the many amazing restaurants in the Quarter. For more on restaurants check out other postings on French Quarter food.