Visit New Orleans: The Big Easy (Day 4)

I am sad to go, but our final day in New Orleans had finally arrived. Without really wanting to leave, we packed our bags and got ready to head back to Florida.

Before heading to the airport, we decided to head to the original Cafe Du Monde (on Decatur St) for breakfast since we hadn't gotten a chance to experience it. 

We again had the delicious beignets! 

And I got to try the Frozen Cafe Au Lait since it was a bit warmer that morning. It was way better than the hot one! No matter the weather, I will always go for the frozen one. It is way better!

Since it is the original location and in the French Quarter, this location was a lot more packed and service seemed less personal and rushed so I didn't enjoy the experience as much. 

Sad to leave, we made our way back to the hotel to grab our bags and catch a cab to the airport.

At the airport, we waved our final farewell to my new love, New Orleans!

Before our final stop, Fort Lauderdale, we had a layover in Dallas again. Like on the way there, we were hungry so we stopped to eat something at Blue Mesa Taco & Tequila Bar. 

They had a 2 for $20 which isn't really much of a deal, more like $1 off but we both wanted burritos so we
took advantage of it anyway.

The chips and salsa were good for what it was! We ordered the Desert Fire Salsa (Hot) and surprisingly it was really as spicy as advertised. It was almost too spicy, but I'm a G, I can handle it!

My boyfriend had the Steak Relleno Burrito which for airport food was pretty good. 

I was also surprised by my Chicken Club Burrito. It was full of ingredients, no stinginess there. I enjoyed it! 

Although we ate food, Blue Mesa is more a bar type setting but it was good to know that the food was just as good as the drinks (assuming the drinks are good).

That was the end of my trip. Back on the plane to home sweet home!

Cafe Du Monde

813 Decatur St New Orleans, LA 70116

(504) 581-2914

www.cafedumonde.com

Blue Mesa Taco & Tequila Bar

Terminal D, Dallas Airport Dallas, TX 74235

(972) 973-4310

www.dfwairport.com

Visit New Orleans: The Big Easy (Day 1)

I always wanted to go to New Orleans but for some reason or another, I never made it there. I obviously was never going to have a reason to go there, so I took matters into my own hands and just booked a trip. While in the process of booking my flight/hotel, I came to realize that Superbowl was being hosted there (I do not watch football) and that pretty much anything Thursday through the weekend was not available or ridiculously priced. Instead of changing my plans altogether, I just decided to modify slightly and leave earlier and come back earlier. So, instead of it being a weekend trip, it ended up being during the week, but its New Orleans, so I am going to have fun regardless!!!

In order for me to make my way to New Orleans, I had to make a short stop in Dallas. Dallas, is another place I have never been, but it was only for a short layover, so I didn't get a chance to leave the airport and explore the city. I was however hungry once we landed and in dire need of something to eat so I had to find something I could grab quickly and stumbled up Reata Grill. 

We were in a bit of a time crunch, because our flight was delayed heading into Dallas and our layover time was shortened. As a result of this, we decided to just get the Breakfast Burritos and share it. When it arrived, we were giving two separate plates and we had thought that our server had accidentally given us two orders instead of the one, until we received our bill and saw that we were only charged for one. It was really nice and greatly appreciated that our server had went out of his way to separate the meal for us. The burrito was made with scrambled eggs, crisp Applewood smoked bacon and cheddar cheese inside of a soft flour tortilla. It was served along with breakfast potatoes, salsa and fruits. What you see pictured is actually a half portion so it really is enough to share between two. It was actually pretty good and well worth the price.

Once we finished eating, we finally hopped on our plane to our final destination, The Big Easy. Instead of staying in the typical hotel or directly inside the French Quarter, I found a bed and breakfast type place called Melrose Mansion. It is a very beautiful, old Mansion but with midcentury modern design.

Not only where the grounds and common areas magnificent but the room was just as spectacular. I stayed in a Junior Suite and was extremely satisfied excluding the fact that the bed was next to the door. The staff was incredible also, extremely nice and very helpful.

Shortly after check-in and situating ourselves, we were once again hungry and wanted to grab some lunch so we hit the streets for a stroll and made our way to Stanley Restaurant.

This restaurant didn't live up to expectations. The service left something to be desired, although there also wasn't anything to complain about. I had heard about the food here, but it really wasn't that good. My boyfriend, who made the trip with me, decide to get the "World Famous Stanley Burger". I don't know in what world it is famous; it is just a regular burger that you could have probably gotten almost anywhere.

The same goes for the onion rings too.

I couldn't go to New Orleans without having a po-boy and the Soft-Shell Crab Poor Boy sounded like it was going to be a good one. A Whole Cornmeal-Crusted Soft-Shell Crab, Cole Slaw, Spicy Remoulade and Creole Cocktail Sauce on Toasted French Bread, why wouldn't that be delicious? Although it looked delectable, the bread was slightly rubbery and the overall flavor felt like it was lacking something. It needed that kick.

The restaurant wasn't exactly bad but with so many options it definitely doesn't warrant a return.