48 Hours in New Orleans

Word on the street is that you guys have a new bachelorette. By word on the street, I mean my mom told me and by you guys I mean not me, because I just don't get it. CB knows JoJo though, so I've called my mom for the occasional update. Although I've never met the girl, I might have stalked her Instagram and I might have a crush on all of her brothers. Don't tell CB. Shhh, it'll be our secret. 

This past weekend I continued my non-stop travels through the south by visiting the always amazing and always beautiful, New Orleans. Let me give you a piece of advice though, I suggest never visiting New Orleans the weekend we "Spring Forward." If you ARE going to visit that weekend, please be sure to take some time off on Monday, or be prepared to drown yourself in copious amounts of coffee. I personally partook in the latter. 

I arrived at the airport and was already through security two full hours early for this particular trip. I know this is going to give Helene hives knowing that I wasn't there 15 minutes in advance, but I like to be early then have a leisurely time drinking a cold beverage.  Joke was on me, my flight was delayed a full two hours, whomp whomp. 

The weather in Dallas was gray and wet, but the second the plane poked its nose above the clouds, the view was breathtaking. Flights that take place on a gross, overcast day are always my favorite. 

Since my flight was so late, I had to hustle to meet my friends at dinner at a place called Shaya. Shaya was voted "Best New Restaurant in America" and there was no question as to why. We ordered a large sampling of small plates, everything from wood roasted brussel sprouts to the beef stew. 

Actually, to be totally honest I have no idea what exactly was on the table but holy crap it was mind blowingly good. CB and I listened to Jim Gaffigan's book, "Food: A Love Story" last weekend, and he has a section about being a "foodie" vs. an "eatie." 

Food critic I am not. Food eater, I am. 

I cannot tell you every flavor that was contained in every bite I took, but I will sit here and tell you, "Damn that was good, go get you some..." 

The next morning we got up ready to explore. 
But first, coffee. 

 
While strolling the French Quarter, we stopped in Krewe, a New Orleans based sunglass company, to try on some new sunnies and admire their beautiful store.

Although the rain was threatening us all day long, it stayed away long enough to stroll around and snap some pictures of one of the most photogenic cities I've ever been to. 

I even stumbled on a book that was CLEARLY written about my life. Sadly, I did not write this book, but I think I've now been inspired to write the sequel.

We were lucky enough to stay at the Roosevelt Hotel, one of the most iconic hotels in Nola. Inside our hotel was The Sazarac Bar, which is named after what many consider to be the very first mixed drink ever made. Being a large fan of the Old Fashioned, naturally I gave the Sazarac a try. 

The Official Sazerac Cocktail || The Offical Cocktail of New Orleans

via the Sazerac

1 cube sugar

1½ ounces (35ml) Sazerac Rye Whiskey or Buffalo Trace Bourbon

¼ ounce Herbsaint

3 dashes Peychaud's Bitters

Lemon peel

Pack an Old-Fashioned glass with ice. In a second Old-Fashioned glass place the sugar cube and add the Peychaud's Bitters to it, then crush the sugar cube. Add the Sazerac Rye Whiskey or Buffalo Trace Bourbon to the second glass containing the Peychaud's Bitters and sugar. Empty the ice from the first glass and coat the glass with the Herbsaint, then discard the remaining Herbsaint. Empty the whiskey/bitters/sugar mixture from the second glass into the first glass and garnish with lemon peel.

The drink was strong but it was good. What can I say, throw some bourbon and some bitters in a glass and I'm sold.

The bar was perfect for drinking a handmade cocktail: dark and full of brown leather. Hence, why that Sazerac photo is so grainy.

We had dinner in our hotel too, eating at the same chef's restaurant as the night before, Dominica. Dominica serves pizza... melt in your mouth pizza.

We had a sampling of their most popular dishes: roasted cauliflower, a selection of meat and cheeses, margherita pizza and the rigatoni. I wish I had taken photos, but it's probably a good thing I didn't because you guys would be drooling all over your keyboard.

So one St. Pat's weekend celebration down, one to go. 

I've lived in Dallas for 4 years now, and have yet to go to what I'm told is an EPIC St. Pats parade and block party. I'll be here this weekend though, with green on, ready to catch all of the beads that come within an arm's reach.

If you're in Dallas, get your Third Eye Blind concert tickets here! We can party together!