New Orleans Dining Guide for the Sugar Bowl

Are you visiting New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl? Let's see... other than attending the Sugar Bowl, I recommend eating, eating and more eating while you visit the great city of New Orleans. The selection of cuisine can't compare to any other city in the United State. Selections such as Creole, French, Soul Food and Cajun are bound to please even the most sophisticated palettes.

My sister lives in New Orleans and many of the great restaurants we used to dine at were impacted by hurricane Katrina. Luckily, much of the industry has made a great comeback. I recently went for a visit and I must say, it seems as if you can spend your entire visit enjoying the diverse food New Orleans has to offer.

My recommendations start with breakfast/ brunch with the Blue Bird Café located at 3625 Prytania, New Orleans, this place has fantastic buckwheat pancakes and a build your own omelets, the café is known for its huevos rancheros. Make sure you bring cash as they do not accept credit cards.

My favorite lunch spot is Café Maspero's it is located a block from Jackson Square at 601 Decatur St. Expect lines at this local favorite. The food is great and the prices are highly affordable. From the red beans and rice to gumbo to po'boys, they have it all.

If you think you may only be in New Orleans once in your lifetime, then you must go to Antoine's for dinner. Please make reservations as this restaurant was founded in 1840 and everything about it says New Orleans. It is located at 713 St. Louis St. (www.antoines.com), this place actually invented Oysters Rockefellar. The food, ambience and people are the best.

If you can't seem to get reservations then try Bayona located at 430 Dauphine St. also in the French Quarter (www.bayona.com). Bayona is a newly established restaurant and the dishes that combine nontraditional ingredients with local ingredients. My favorite is the shrimp with blackbean cake and coriander sauce. The ambience is elegant yet simple a very lovely place. There is something for everyone.

After taking in the sights of New Orleans and all of the events leading up and including the Sugar Bowl, you may want to consider having a late snack at the Café Du Monde located at 800 Decatur St in the French Quarter. The offer beignets and coffee a sweet and simple treat. You can't leave New Orleans without having a beignet!!

I hope you enjoy the Sugar Bowl and all that New Orleans has to offer. It is a place that is near and dear to my heart as I try to visit my sister as often as possible. Hopefully she stays in this great city long enough for me to enjoy every restaurant and café.