A friend of mine from California had mentioned GP's guide for San Francisco was really good so I had much faith in their recommendations for cool, hip and quality places in the Big Easy. Unfortunately Gwyneth and Stipey failed us. After 4 attempts at very average places we found a couple of cool spots on our own.
The Apple Barrel
609 Frenchmen St
New Orleans, LA 70116
After suffering from a little Bourbon Street fatigue we ventured out in search of a more subdued offering with some very strict criteria - well ok, not that strict for New Orleans. We needed Blues, we needed alcohol and we needed a very low drunken-tourist to local ratio. We found that at the Apple Barrel. A total dive bar (my favorite!) with one man and a gee-tar belting out dirty blues in the corner. The bartender was a total character and more New Orleans than a craw fish beignet in a hand grenade cup.
Domenica
123 Baronne Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
From the outside this restaurant, which is part of the Waldorf Astoria hotel, looked a little stuffy, pretentious and frankly generic. But step inside and the space is huge yet atmospheric and very well decorated and laid out. It was a modern take on an Italian restaurant which is not exactly a new idea but the reason I liked it was because it wasn't arrogant and the food was just plain good old fashioned delicious.
I highly recommend the lasagna - yum! and the choc-hazelnut mousse my friend had was divine. The wine list was comprehensive and split by different regions in Italy. Mi Amore!
I tried to find a place to comment on the GOOP New Orleans post but apparently Gwyneth doesn't like feedback (meow!)... I do still love the gal though so will be checking out her guide to Nashville while I'm there in April.
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