Hubby and I took and overnight trip to Slidell and New Orleans. Here’s what we did!
Normally they have 50-65% off the original price. And the next time are when they have an additional 50% off those prices. We didn’t catch that sale but we did get a couple of sleeping shirts for .$99. Hopefully we will catch the bigger sale next time.
After checking into our hotel we parked at the French Quarter and took a dinner cruise from the river walk on the City of New Orleans Riverboat. To ride the 2 hour tour with no dinner included it was $90 for 2 people. We got there 20 minutes before take off so all the dinner seats were sold out. The view was beautiful and there were drinks and snacks available a La carte. The staff was very friendly and helpful. I would like to try the dinner buffet next time. The views were 9/10.
Natchez Jazz Punch, their version of a hurricane which tastes way different from the one I got a Pat O’Briens. It tastes sweet, fruity and carbonated but not like a hurricane. It was a refreshing drink. I’d get it again. 8/10
Hurricane from the famous Pat O’Briens. It’s different, strong but smooth. 8.5/10. It’s good to taste it so I can replicate it with the mix at home. I would try it again, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to get one. I still love getting a to go daiquiri at the daiquiri shops. We will make it a point to get one in our next.
We ate dinner at BJ’s Brewhouse in Slidell since they were open til 11. The have a great happy hour deal. I thought it would be smaller portions so I ordered too much food, but the appetizers for full size, fresh and delicious. Service was good even though it was close to closing time.
Avocado spring rolls. 8/10
Pizza. Hubby ordered it and I didn’t taste it so no rating.
3 sliders, I added cheese. 9/10
All 3 items were about $21.
Dong Phuong Restaurant & Bakery. A famous authentic, award winning, Vietnamese restaurant in East New Orleans. Though the building are connected they are separate businesses. Order bakery items from the bakery and restaurant items from the restaurant. 9/10
Pho tai: a generous portion of thin sliced beef and rice noodles in this flavorful beef broth. I like to add sriracha, hoisin sauce, basil, lime juice and a few bean sprouts. We can’t wait to come here again! Hubby has actually had Pho in Vietnam and he says this one is pretty close to there in taste. 9.5/10
Iced coffee with condensed milk, perfectly sweet and very strong coffee flavor, and not too much ice. 10/10
Banh Mi w/ Chinese Roast Beef. It was very fresh but didn’t have a sauce on it. With condiments/sauce it would probably be 8.5 or 9. 7.5/10
What we got from the bakery side:
Cream puffs: 10/10
Pistolette Rolls: 10/10 we made sandwiches at home or just ate it plain.
Banh Mi with Chinese Roast Beef: 7.5/10
Steamed BBQ Pork Buns: 9/10
Steamed Sausage Egg & Cheese Buns: 4/10. It wasn’t what I expected, ground sausage, a slice of sausage link and half a boiled egg inside. The bun on the outside was perfect. The ingredients inside weren’t for me.
Next stop Southern Candymakers: 10/10
Southern Candymakers provide free samples of the pralines. They also ship. Most treats are price by the pound. 12 pralines is a little over 1 lb.
My favorite pralines:
Original: 9.5/10 when compared to the sweet potato
Sweet Potato: 10/10
The Lemon is interesting to try: 8/10
The tortues (turtles) come in plain(no chocolate), white, milk and dark chocolate 
This peanut butter pretzel was a new flavor for me to try, I like it! 8/10
The best beignets in New Orleans. Walk in and grab an available seat. We went about 1pm and there were a couple of tables available inside. The beignets came out quickly, within 5 minutes. Remember to bring cash as this is a cash only establishment. 1 order of beignets was $4.25. 8.0/10
There are still some staple places I love to visit that we didn’t fit into this trip so I’m sure there will be a part 2.
What are your favorite things to do in New Orleans? Leave a comment and give me some ideas for our next visit.