Cajun eats

Hubby and I took a special post-Christmas trip to New Orleans, which marked my first time in the Big Easy. We did a lot less partying than we did eating, and that was the plan. Hubby had been aching for some good cajun food. What we found even more delicious than the cajun food was the city's neo-Southern specialties. Below is a photo tour of our four-day menu.

Grilled alligator on a stick. I did not partake. Only hubby braved this one.

A crawfish omelette from a cafe in the french quarter. They serve breakfast all day.

A cajun sampler plate at Coop's Place on Decataur St. It included fried chicken, red beans and rice, rabbit and sausage jambalaya, and shrimp creole.

Begneits in the french quarter. 

 Cafe au lait and begneits at Cafe du Monde, the quintessential New Orleans treat.

A 12 oz. cheeseburger. You can see it is almost as tall as a draft beer.

A flight of beer at Crescent City Brewhouse. 

We tried a Pilsner, Red Stallion, Weiss, Seasonal, and the Black Forest.

Our first dining experience was at Bayona, Susan Spicer's restaurant in the french quarter.  This was the Crispy Smoked Quail Salad with Pears and Bourbon Molasses Dressing.

My second course was Sea Scallops with Avocado-Sesame Relish, Bok Choy Stir Fry, Ginger Rice.

My third course was Veal Sweetbreads with Sherry Mustard Butter.

The next evening we ate at Boucherie.  

Our first course was Steamed Mussels, Collard Greens, and Crispy Grit Crackers.

Our second course was Boudin Balls with a Garlic Aioli.

Our third course was Crispy Duck Confit with Pumpkin Latke, Apple Cider Vinaigrette and Sansyo Creme Fraiche.

Our fourth course was a Lap Chong Sausage with Homemade Kimchee and a Green Shallot Pancake.

Our fifth course was Seared Turnips with Wild Mushroom Lo Mein and a Kaffir Lime Turnip Puree.

Our sixth course was a Pulled Pork Cake, Potato Confit and Purple Cabbage Cole Slaw.

Our dessert was a Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding.

Our last dinner was at Cochon, a Cajun Southern hotspot in the Warehouse district of New Orleans.

My first course was the Fried Green Tomato Pickle with Shrimp Remoulade.

My second course was the Poached Yard Egg with Roasted Mushrooms and Grits.

My final course was the Baked Macaroni and Cheese Casserole.

I found it humorous that their menu included a selection of Moonshine, as if that is something one craves when out at a nice restaurant. 

The restaurant is attached to its own butcher shop, called Butcher. There they have a beautiful selection of freshly cut meats and cured sausages, as well as a sandwich shop-style menu for diners.

I would go back to New Orleans for the food alone. If you know the right people you can find the right spots to eat. And even if you don't know the right people, you'll leave very satisfied.