By 8 am it was partly cloudy but already very warm 80F and 78% humidity.
view from our balcony
We had a quick breakfast offered by the hotel then walked two blocks from the hotel to a cooking demonstration enjoying the sights along the way.
Louisiana State courtsThe New Orleans School of Cooking on St Louis Street
The instructor Anne gave us a lot of the history of New Orleans cuisine as well as showing us how to cook gumbo, jambalaya, bread pudding and pralines. She was pretty amusing and had a good Cajun accent. Below Anne and her assistant John:
chicken and sausage jambalayaAfter the cooking demonstration, and eating, we called a taxi and went to the Garden District for a historical walking tour where we learned a bit more about New Orleans history and looked at a cemetery as well as a number of historic houses in a variety of architectural styles. The Garden District is the richest area of the city.
Sandra Bullock’s house
was Anne Rice’s house
our tour guide Ann
was Nicholas Cage’s houseCornstalk fence
After the tour, we caught the streetcar back to Canal Street, the edge of the French Quarter.
Scott went shopping for rings.
Canal Place mallRoyal Street
Napoleon HouseShopping in the heat and humidity was thirsty work. Stopped at Napoleon House Bar for the specialty drink Pimm’s Cup made of Pimm’s, a gin based liqueur, with lemonnade and a cucumber garnish.
Headed down Chartres Street for dinner.
dinner at Stella!Wall of some kind of lush vegetation.
rose to startamuse bouches
gazpacho with crablobster, egg, caviar with Dom Perignon — tasted like Japanese chawan mushi
risotto with shrimp, shitake mushroom and English peas
salmon and baby turnips
tenderloin, foie gras potato croquettegoat’s milk panna cotta with strawberries
chocolate, cake, white pepperpost dessert desserts so good we ate most before I took a photo
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