“Gone Pinning” is early this week, because my weekend also started early! Wahooo! It’s also a different format and less visual. Sorry about that.

Bright and early tomorrow morning I’m headed off (sans Brandon) to New Orleans to celebrate Jenny (from yesterday) and Nick’s wedding weekend. While we will have some scheduled events, there will also be some free time to explore the city. Many years ago I spent a week in New Orleans, and I’m really looking forward to visiting the City now that I’m of drinking age.

Ultimately it’ll be a group decision for the sites we see, but here is my wish list, based on a moderately-exhaustive internet search.

First things first: Food

Some authentic Creole gumbo and shrimp and grits are on my ‘to eat’ list.

I’ve heard these restaurants are the ones to try:

Cochon  (Cajun Southern cooking)

Peche  (Seafood grill)

Verti Mart (carry out lunch)

Clover Grill for fun, greasy counter service

And for brunch: the Court of Two Sisters  

I’ve got several requests for beignet mix and ground coffee to bring back, so I’ll be making at least one stop at Cafe Du Monde.

Coming in a close second: Drinks

We’ll likely cruise Bourbon Street and drink a daiquiri or two, but there are some other, less bead-frenzied places to imbibe:

Cane and Table (highly recommended for cocktails)

St. Lawrence (for the Pimms daiquiri)

Gene’s (for the banana split daiquiri)

Or maybe a dive bar? These were recommended: Chart Room, Erin Rose, and Molly’s at the Market

And now for the sights:

We’re staying in the French Quarter and will be carless, so we’ll keep the sights on-foot, unless I find my way to a swamp tour.

French Market (And apparently the best bloody Mary from a small booth named ‘Organic Banana’)

Frenchmen street (The up and coming music area challenging Bourbon St., apparently we’ll find lots of music and all the same drunkeness but without the tacky daiquiri shops. My kind of place!)

The Spotted Cat on Frenchman (It has “cat” in the name. That’s all that matters, right!?)

Or some fun bars for checking out and not necessarily spending the evening at: Carousel Bar (the bar rotates!) and Jean Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar (the history!)

Maybe go on a ‘haunted history’ (ghost) tour?

Have you been to New Orleans? Do you have any must-see advice for us? Have a great long weekend and I’ll be back here before we know it!