Highlights of New Orleans dining and attractions

BY CAROL ABAYA

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM

THE SANDWICH GENERATION

Besides being the music and festivals capitols of the country, New Orleans boasts some of the finest restaurants with foods showcasing the diverse cultures. Spices from these diverse cultures make your mouth water, and you can even smell the spices from the street. Each restaurant uses spices to produce a unique flavor to the base ingredients. Just as interesing are the presentations of the food which are the work of artists. The exotic alligator (I did not try) and turtle soup, fresh fish caught off shore, the spicy file gumbos, jambalaya, blackened catfish, red fish, andouille sausage, ribs, crab and lobster ravioli, mint julep ice cream, pralines and beignets (like our funnel cake) are only a few of the many specialities.

Top on the recommended list are the Bourbon House, Commanders, the Palace Cafe, Oceana, Red Fish Grill. Muriel’s, on Jackson Square, is elegant and even has a resident ghost with his own linen covered table, fine china, and a candle that is lit every night. Many little cafes, each with its own specialty, are found throughout the city

One of the most fun-filled areas for all generations is Jackson Square, home of the St. Louis Cathedral and the Presbytere, which houses the Louisiana State Museum. I spent one afternoon walking around, admiring some of the art; grimacing at others. Bands played in the center of the park and on the sidewalks. I sat on benches, people watching -- all ages, colors, sizes and shapes. A tarot reader caught my eye. I’m always a sucker for fortune tellers. So next I had my palm read by another young woman further down on the Square. Both said I am a strong minded person (little do they know) and “a

helper” (the reason for this column.) Interesting that both picked up the same traits!

After wandering around for a couple of hours, I sat through part of a mass in the Cathedral -- the oldest in the United States, dating to 1789. I soaked up the calm ambiance after the hustle and bustle of the Square. The 50-foot vaulted ceiling has beautifully delicate religious murals, and intricately stained glass windows are awesome and Vatican quality.

Next to the Cathedral is The Presbytere, dating to 1791. Today the museum has a riveting multi-media Katrina time line exhibit. Personal histories, the devastation and the rebuilding bring nature’s wrath close to home. The history of New Orleans is seen in a colorful Mardi Gras exhibit. The incredible, elaborate costumes and headpieces take months to make and undoubtedly are heavy to wear. Did you know that Mardi Gras actually was first celebrated in Greece 5,000 years ago?

Besides the Presbytere, I only had time to visit one other of the numerous museums, each of which offers unusual artworks and exhibits. At the New Orleans Museum of Art, I was particularly fascinated with the extensive African collection. However, the many artifacts attributed to Liberia (a county I spent considerable time in years ago) probably are from neighboring African countries. Adjacent to the Museum is the incredible Sculpture Garden, which includes marvelous flowing figurines of man and beast. Odd ball shapes, however, make one wonder about ”art.”

For the history buffs, young and old, who still yearn for more, the Historic New Orleans Collection, the Louisiana Civil War Museum, and the National World War II Museum trace our country’s colorful history. For “cooks” and those who love to eat, visits to the Southern Food and Beverage Museum and the New Orleans Culinary School are musts.

For real life experiences, the various Audubon Museums are absolutely fascinating. Petting a white shark or slogging through a Louisiana Swamp at the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is sheer fun. Sea life in the Mississippi, the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean and the Amazon are featured. Even more exciting is the Audubon Insectarium with thousands of creepy bugs, exotic cuisine,( you can try crispy Cajun crickets and chocolate covered ants), and magnificently colorful butterflies.

For all generations, the many plantations outside of the city tell the colorful story of America’s past. Each plantation tells a different story, with family and history as the focus. Many are along Route 18, which runs out from New Orleans, and are open to the public and have guided tours. Visiting more than two in one day may result in mental overload, and details become fuzzy.

I visited the Houmas House Plantation, about an hour from the city, that was once the largest sugar cane plantation in America. The Mansion dates to 1805 and the original plantation house from the 1770s. The current owner bought the plantation several years ago when he turned 50. A real estate magnate in New Orleans, Kevin Kelly told me that he had a choice of buying a Corvette or a plantation. The plantation won. The on-site restaurant serves both elegant and down to earth lunches. Also, the Mansion caters special events.

Weddings in the gardens under 400 and 500-year-old massive oak trees are spectacular.

Other visit-worthy plantations include: Laura tells the 200 year story of owners, women, slaves and children; the Bocage Plantation sports Greek Revival architecture; and the Nottoway Plantation, dating from 1859, was the largest antebellum mansion in the southern United States. A number of these old plantation are now B&Bs, and visitors can sleep in high four-poster beds and feast on contemporary Southern cuisine.

Outdoor activities abound for all ages. The paved top of the Mississippi Levee is a favorite spot for cyclists -- and people watching. Boating, golf, hiking trails, horse racing, crisscross the city and surrounding areas.

For the serious “culture” lovers, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, the New Orleans Opera, the Contemporary Arts Center and various theaters showcase some of the best. And one cannot forget the casinos, the antique stores, intricate and bold silver jewelry, and many art galleries.

New Orleans is a city that warrants several visits. A one-visit time frame (unless several weeks) does not allow the visitor to take in all the attractions from the music to the foods, nature, history, and in particular the moods. I have been in New Orleans three times and have seen only a fraction of what the city and region offers. I’ll be going back.

The Sandwich Generation is reader interactive. Questions are welcome. Contact Carol Abaya via her website www.sandwichgeneration.com or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .