Six inches of snow blanketed Connecticut this first weekend of 2014. Temperatures are frigid!
While most of New England is experiencing sub-zero temperatures, I'm taking a stroll down memory lane and posting a visit from this summer to the Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar and Bistro in New Orleans, LA. (#NOLA).
Last June I attended a conference held in the beautiful French Quarter in New Orleans at the Bourbon Orleans Hotel!
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| Bourbon Orleans Hotel 717 Orleans Street, NOLA |
While most of my meals were at the banquet facility in our hotel, I was able to venture out on our 'off conference' days to a few of the local restaurants, the Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar and Bistro, and the historic Muriel's Jackson Square Restaurant, both located in the historic and picturesque French Quarter.
I arrived rather late the first night of my stay and asked the hotel concierge to recommend a good place to eat within walking distance. He quickly suggested the Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar and Bistro, located directly across the street from the hotel! Can't get much closer than that!
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| Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar and Bistro 720 Orleans Avenue, NOLA |
In spite of the high humidity and heat that night, I elected to eat outside in their courtyard patio by the fountain.
After traveling for most of the day in heavily air conditioned planes and taxis, it was a welcome relief to enjoy the heat. Almost.
I started with one of New Orleans' signature cocktails, The Hurricane. I had asked our waitperson for the biggest strongest cocktail they had...and they delivered! It was strong, but slightly sweet, and was the perfect beverage to relax with after a hectic day of traveling.
For dinner, I opted for one of their light plates called the "Petit Fare" on their menu, the Grapevine Crab Cakes. Oh so good, and the perfect size for a light dinner. Succulent crab cakes with a hint of chipolte peppers on a bed of wilted spinach and caramelized oranges drizzled with their own remoulade.
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| Orleans Grapevine Crab Cakes |
I opted for no dessert, but finished my night off with a coffee, served in an exquisite French Press. A wonderful way to end my first night in New Orleans!
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| Holly serves us coffee in a French Press |
I had a wonderful relaxing light dinner on my first night in New Orleans and the Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar and Bistro is a place I'd be sure to visit on a return trip. Service was extremely friendly and personable - and the Orleans Grapevine Courtyard on a muggy night is what I'm wishing for right now!
If you're in New Orleans - make sure you stop in and have a bite to eat and drink in the Orleans Grapevine!
720 Orleans Street
New Orleans, Louisiana
I love the courtyards at restaurants in New Orleans. This place looks great. Boy, I could go for some hot Southern weather right about now.
ReplyDeleteI am counting the days til' spring! This cold snap needs to go away!!!!
DeleteI miss eating outside in the French Quarter! I miss everything about New Orleans, really - especially in this winter. Definitely time for me to plan a trip back.
ReplyDeleteThis was actually my first trip to NOLA, and I can't wait to return. What a fun city!
DeleteNew Orleans...I have wanted to go there for the longest time but I never actually do it. I'm just so afraid that I'll eat so much there and might be the first person to explode from doing that. I constantly joke that when I commit to going, I will join a gym while I'm there.
ReplyDeleteYup...I could eat my way through New Orleans too! The good thing is there's so much to do, and LOTS of walking around. Great opportunities to work the calories off!
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