Would you go here for Outdoor Adventures?

Outdoor adventures on First Beach in La Push, Washington

Quileute Oceanside Resort Embark on thrilling outdoor adventures in La Push, Washington. Experience breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, luxurious Native American-style accommodations and a beachcombers’ dream at Quileute Oceanside Resort on the Olympic Peninsula. … Read more

Signature Cocktails & Good Eats in New Orleans #onetimeinNOLA

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I was promised good eats in New Orleans. Everyone said: it’s all about the food in Louisiana. You will love all those creole and cajun food experiences not to mention all the seafood. There is no doubt about it, we talked about food from the moment we got to New Orleans until the day we left. This Girl’s Getaway was all about taking everything in and finding the fun is three days of power walking, intense people-watching and figuring out where to find the best beignets.

UPDATE: I returned to New Orleans in 2022 and wanted to add to this list of great restaurants and signature cocktails in New Orleans. All of the new reviews will be in blue blocks.

My first recommendation for Good Eats in New Orleans is to take a guided food tour with a knowledgeable guide. We had a tour with Destination Kitchen in the French Quarter and enjoyed a great tour with the added bonus of history and lore to add to the experience. We made quite a few stops in well-known and some touristy restaurants but honestly, we were all pretty impressed with the portions. They were not large but there were many. We stopped off at the French Market, The New Orleans School of Cooking, and New Orleans Creole Cookery.

Our guide Laurent had a charming French accent but knew his food and adopted city well. As a past chef, he had unique insights about our food and its origins in creole and cajun culture. At the end of the 3-hour food tour, he provided additional suggestions for restaurants in the city (see below for video and full listing).

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Take a Cooking Class in New Orleans – #NOLA

Apron from the New Orleans School of Cooking @DownshiftingPRO Margarita Ibbott
Take a cooking class in New Orleans. Learn how to cook gumbo and maque choux at the New Orleans Cooking School @DownshiftingPRO
Taking a cooking class in New Orleans was the best activity.
I recommend you work it into your New Orleans itinerary

It’s very likely there is one dish or one ingredient or even one cocktail made famous in a city or state. When you are in the United States of America, you will find many regional dishes and takes on local favourites. Just thinking about the countless ways to make barbeque sauce, a lobster roll or a delectable hamburger boggles the mind. By taking a cooking class in New Orleans you learn how to make dishes like gumbo, étoufée, maque choux and so much more.

Savouring regional foods helps you to get to know a destination. The dining experience brings us together, whether it’s in a restaurant or at a cooking class, we love to eat and socialize. Having a chef walk you through a recipe while discussing the historical origins of the meal, make for a happier foodie experience. I learned this lesson the first time I took a cooking class when traveling to Spain.

Take a cooking Class when you travel New Orleans School of Cooking @DownshiftingPRO scaled

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