Spending the week after Thanksgiving in New Orleans. Last travel blowout of the year. Will return to a shitty holiday work schedule.
Third trip (and third full week) this year.
The first was in Feb for my birthday, but I'm guessing I had COVID or something (never bothered testing), and my energy level was dogshit. The first few days were great, but sleep and TV time in the hotel became the norm, unfortunately. Was also unfortunate that we had the most uncomfortable room (The W) we've ever had in town. Memorable trip, but for all the wrong reasons.
The second was in May with my elderly father. 2 rooms at the Ritz. Two days at the War Museum were great. His mobility was decreasing, decent dining was wasted on him, and he was obsessed with finding places for Irish Whiskey for some goddam reason. Add a myriad of other random reasons, and it was a tedious, but somehow exhausting trip, and we were glad when it was over. Had to do it because it was probably the last actual vacation he will ever have.
This time, we are determined to redeem ourselves. Suite at the Ritz. Spa-time for the wife. Honoring my wife's request to keep things old-school, so we have weeknight reservations at R'evolution and Arnaud's. Despite setting a calendar reminder, I was unable to grab a Brennan's Brunch res for 12/3, so we're doing Antoine's instead. The rest of the time, we go rogue. We dress down, pound the pavement, dive-bar hop, and munch our way through the days and evenings to counter the alcohol intake. Music on Frenchmen is the usual priority. I expect that we shall log some significant steps between Canal and Frenchman, along with all the random meandering, over the course of a week.
Our personal favorite haunts:
Sazerac Bar
Nola Poboys
Royal House
Molly's
The Dungeon
Patrick's Bar Vin
Fingers crossed we can redeem our Nola Mojo this time!