Insights took a small break over the weekend...personal enjoyment in New Orleans took us away from the computer and onto Bourbon Street and the rest of downtown New Orleans for the weekend. This, though, did give us an opportunity to recommend some places if you're going down to the Sugar Bowl.
We'll be interspersing suggestions throughout the next few weeks, but we figured we'd start today.
If you go and gamble at the Harrah's Casino, hit up Mother's Restaurant for lunch beforehand and order the debris. We ended up getting a tasty egg-white omelet, but Insights friend Jeff highly suggested any visitors eat the debris when they show up.
For dinner one night, head uptown and go to Jacques-Imo's. Eat the gumbo. We've never had gumbo before and now list it as one of our favorite foods. The steak there might be one of the Top 5 meals we've eaten in our lifetime. Also, good news if you live in New York. Apparently Jacques-Imo's now has a Manhattan location as well.
We've got more suggestions, too, but do you have any? If so, e-mail them to us or throw them in the comments section. We'll research and post them somewhere on the blog as a hit list of places to go in New Orleans.
We did take enough time to catch the Heisman Trophy presentation Saturday evening and we're not going to say we were surprised. Brady Quinn looked pretty sharp in his suit, but he knew he wasn't going to win. Did you notice, too, that he was the first person to leap up and hug Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith before he went to his family. Pretty classy thing to do. We also felt Smith was pretty impressive with the way he handled his speech, making sure to thank everyone from his mom all the way down to his Sports Information Director, Steve Snapp. Someone definitely spent some time watching Oscar acceptance speeches.
Traveling is over for Quinn now, who will focus on his team's upcoming Sugar Bowl game against No. 4 LSU. Some writers in Louisiana are already calling the bowl a "trap game" -- for the Tigers. Good luck, too, finding tickets to the game.
One blogger doesn't think Notre Dame has a shot in the Sugar Bowl. While off-topic, check out the recruiting video of Sam McGuffie (thanks to uber-sports blogger Deadspin). Wow.
Don't forget about our Sugar Bowl predictions contest, either. First one to guess the right score wins what is left in our stash from the year (We're looking at some DVDs right now). E-mail to mrothstein@jg.net to enter.
-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette
Feelings Cafe D'Aunoy in the Historic Marigny neighborhood has incredible food and the best atmosphere in New Orleans--great place to take a date. Has a beautiful authentic New Orleans style courtyard. On the corner of Chartres and Franklin streets (just hop in a cab), Feelings is owned by an ND grad--ask for Dale.
GO IRISH!
Posted by: Clay | December 12, 2006 at 09:53 AM
If you are looking to take a break from the French Quarter and "get away" a bit, I would recommend City Park. Not to be confused with Audubon Park, which is also nice, City Park has a wonderful sculpture garden that managed to escape any damage from Katrina. There is also a lagoon where you can rent boats.
If you are looking for a swamp experience at your own pace, I would highly recommend the Barataria Preserve of Jean LaFite Park. There is a nice trail and boardwalk system where you can get real good looks at gaters and other wildlife. Stop at the park headquarters to get a map.
Posted by: Mike Ramsden | December 12, 2006 at 02:07 PM