Deliciously Deep South

You're finally taking your trip to the Big Easy this year! Perhaps you decided to visit New Orleans on a vacation or maybe you want to celebrate this Mardi Gras in the heart of the Crescent City! While you're staying in New Orleans, you can expect sights, sounds, scents, and flavors that you'll experience nowhere else in the world. Take it from a child of New Orleans - you'll want to hit the best eateries during your stay. I've made a list of five places that you won't want to miss out on, and even highlight some great dishes to order there!

Stop Number 1: Café DuMonde - 800 Decatur Street, New Orleans, La. This New Orleans gem is a great way to get your day in the French Market started. Established in 1862, this location of Café DuMonde (there are several in New Orleans, including one in the New Orleans Esplanade Mall) is the original. This indoor/outdoor bistro serves up coffee and a unique New Orleans treat called beignets. I recommend ordering a café au lait (that's coffee with milk), unless you're not a fan of coffee. In that case, Café DuMonde offers a variety of beverages including white and chocolate milk as well as fresh-squeezed orange juice. If you do go for the café au lait, you'll find a delicious unique chicory blend that is an "almost chocolate" flavor. The coffee is also available in decaf. However, the "main event" so to speak is the beignets. This fresh, hot donut-like treat is a piece of dough that is fried and then covered in powdered sugar. This Louisiana-delicacy was brought down south by the Acadians, and quickly became a favorite to every palette. These come in orders of three and are served up super-hot (so you might want to order a cold glass of milk along with that café au lait!). Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week , except Christmas.

Stop Number 2: Tujagues Restaurant 823 Decatur Street, New Orleans, LA. Right down the street from Café DuMonde is another lip-smacking French Quarter restaurant. Serving up Creole food the way only Creoles can, they offer dishes with only the freshest ingredients (courtesy of the French Quarter market vendors). You'll love their savory sophistication of simple meals such as Beef Brisket with Creole Sauce. But remember to save a little room to indulge in their decadent bread pudding!

Stop Number 3: Port of Call 838 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA. This place is where the locals go when they crave good, simple food. Decidedly "the best burger in New Orleans" - which is saying a lot for a city that knows flavor -Port of Call might fool you at first sight, looking like a little old bar. What will surprise you is the fantastic food.

Stop Number 4: Roman Candy Cart Ok, stop number 4 is not actually a restaurant, but rather an antique white cart that has permanent residence in the world-famous Audubon Zoo. There's only one item on the menu - Roman Candy, in three classic flavors: chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. You may not be familiar with the delicacy of Roman Candy, so the best description is taffy. If you arrive early enough, the taffy is still warm. But warm or not, this taffy is truly a taste of New Orleans heritage. Be sure to take a picture in front of the "original Sam Cortese" cart - it's a New Orleans tradition!

Stop Number 5: Camellia Grill 626 South Carrolton Ave, New Orleans, LA. A casual diner-type experience in New Orleans' garden district, you might want to go to Camellia Grill for a delicious brunch. They're famous for their fluffy omelets, and pecan waffles. But if you decide to head there to sit at the barstool counter for lunch or dinner, rest assured you won't be let down by this diner that is just one streetcar ride away (and I do recommend riding the street car there!)

One more tip about dining in New Orleans - don't be afraid to try the little mom and pop places. They'll surprise you with the delicacies they can cook up! New Orleans is a city of warm, friendly people, a blend of history and renewal, and food so good, that you won't need a to-go box!