Hope you all had a fun, safe July 4th! This long weekend is always a staycation for me. Since most people take the time to get out and about, I stay home because there are always events in my area- i.e. the America's Cup park is just a block away from me and I really don't have the urge to travel someplace else.

...And now back to regular programming... I originally intended to write a "Where to eat in New Orleans" but since I have not eaten at many restaurants in NOLA to make an informed decision, this entry has become a "What to eat in New Orleans" instead:

1. Oysters- big, juicy, fat! Get it charbroiled with lots of cheese from Drago's or with garlic and chili from Cochon

Oysters from Cochon

 2. Deep fried, soft shell crab- addictive appetizers from K Paul's Kitchen or as a figer licking good entree from Mr. B's Bistro.
3. Anything Cochon and Butcher have to offer. Butcher's duck pastrami is divine. 
4. Beignets from Cafe du Monde.
5. If you want to skip a meal, just go see Commander's Palace historic building.
6. Rabbit, duck or alligator- NOLA has many French influences so take advantage of non-traditional meats, including alligator nuggets.
7. Emeril's banana creme pie and the fried chicken and waffles while you're at it.