The Rev. Kev's New Orleans Guide

recommendations from a native son

I love my beloved hometown New Orleans. I grew up with the spirit and the soul of the streets of the French Quarter. I rested under the oaks of St. Charles Avenue and am a Saints fan who loves to cheer on the team in the Superdome,. The music, culture, and food are big parts of my spiritual reality.

I am delighted when friends tell me they are traveling to New Orleans. They ask for recommendations of where to eat, where to play, or where to stay.

I would rather just invite myself and travel with them as their guide. That would not be appropriate, but fun to imagine!

​In case you do not invite me, here are my recommendations for where to stay, eat, play, and drink.

STAY

• ​Q&C Hotel and Bar, Autograph Collection (344 Camp Street 70130)

• Crescent City Guesthouse (612 Marigny Street 70117) is a great bed and breakfast two blocks from Frenchmen Street.

MUSIC

• While in New Orleans, tune in to WWOZ 90.7FM and become a guardian of the groove, then, as we say, "Laizzes les bons temps rouler" or "Let the good times roll!"

• The Spotted Cat is a great place to hear music right in the middle of everything that is Frenchmen Street.

• Rock-n-Bowl is back and bigger than ever. Zydeco night is my personal favorite.

​​EAT

• Santa Fe on Esplanade has the best margaritas in town - house on the rocks. I highly recommend the Chicken Maximillian, which the original chef and owner created. The word on the street is that he didn't return after Katrina and sold the restaurant. This is my favorite place in the universe. If you are looking for New Orleans food, skip this recommendation and visit the remaining recommendations on this list.

• Felix's Restaurant and Oyster Bar has the best Char-grilled oysters. Grab a table, sit at the oyster bar, have a beer and pass a good time. Acme Oyster House is right across the street but this is my personal favorite.

• Commander's Palace in the Garden District has been cooking for the people of New Orleans for decades. When you make your reservation, request the Garden or Patio Room. Go for lunch. It is a little too buttoned-up at dinner for my taste. Good food. Twenty-five cent martinis. Three is the limit!

• Port of Call has the best steak and hamburgers in New Orleans. There is usually a line. Rumor has it that they also have an extensive menu of rum drinks, but I don't know much about that.

• Liuzza's by the Track is my favorite local New Orleans hang-out. Gumbos, Po-boys, onion rings, and Italian food, all served under one roof. It is down the street from Santa Fe and near one of the entrances to the Jazz Festival.

• Central Grocery in the French Quarter is the must-try muffaletta shop. A half muffuletta is more than enough for two people.

SEE

• VUE New Orleans is an immersive museum experience that introduces New Orleans’ tradition and culture.

• The National World War II Museum is not to be missed. Plan to spend a day if you want to see most of it.

• Whitney Plantation tells the story of plantation life from the enslaved.

DRINK

• New Orleans is known for the best coffee in the world. Visit Cafe du Monde in City Park. The last time I was at the one in the French Quarter, the beignets were served in a bag. Criminal.

• Check out CC's Coffee Shops owned Community Coffee, my favorite local coffee.

• The Bombay Club at the Prince Conti Hotel in the French Quarter serves up the best martinis.