It has been over a year since Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, and despite the city’s slow recovery, one aspect of life has come back better than ever – the food! New Orleans has been a culinary destination for decades, offering gourmet French delights, Creole home cooking, Southern comfort food, and everything in between. Kitchens throughout the city have reopened, offering the comforts of familiar favorites to locals and welcoming visitors to the city to experience some of the best meals in the world.



What better way to inaugurate a culinary extravaganza than with the first post-Katrina Zagat guide to restaurants in New Orleans? Just released by the world renowned survey, the new Zagat guide highlights the best of the best in the Crescent City and reminds all of us that there has never been a better time to visit New Orleans than now. All the charm of the French Quarter and the grandeur of the uptown district remain along with a chance to support the city rebuild its most devastated neighborhoods.
   
Outstanding hotels abound in the French Quarter, the city’s architectural jewel. A stroll down Royal Street affords views of colorful mansions, wrought iron balconies and romantic foliage as well as antique stores and art galleries. Try the Monteleone Hotel for a taste of grand old New Orleans. Family owned and operated for over a hundred years, the hotel takes personal attention and service seriously. Larger than most hotels in the French Quarter, Hotel Monteleone also has a diversity of rooms and suites to choose from as well as world class amenities such as the rooftop pool, fitness center, and the outstanding spa. On the mezzanine level of the hotel, Spa Aria offers an impressive array of massages from a quick thirty minute head, neck and shoulder massage to the full indulgence of a ninety minute intensive treatment. Even gentlemen who do not normally enjoy being fussed over will benefit from a two hour long special treatment including a facial, massage and manicure. They even offer yoga classes so you can keep up with your fitness regimen while in New Orleans.
   
For romantic getaways, The Quarter House on lovely Chartres Street in the French Quarter is an excellent choice. Each resort suite comes complete with its own kitchen, private Jacuzzi bath or European shower in addition to luxury hotel amenities. Built around a charming courtyard, The Quarter House also has a swimming pool. If you love the experience, you might even consider purchasing a timeshare in the resort and returning again and again. Other idyllic boutique sized hotels in the French Quarter include the Place d’Armes Hotel on St. Ann Street and the newly renovated Prince Conti Hotel conveniently adjacent to The Bombay Club Restaurant and Martini Bistro. While there is something to be said for classic New Orleans, visitors with a more modern sensibility will find a luxurious haven in the W French Quarter. On Chartres Street and adjacent to historic Jackson Square, the W creates a chic, colorful atmosphere complete with gothic touches like cast-iron gates, an illuminated outdoor pool, and Venetian chandelier. Accommodation options include deluxe suites and four carriage houses. The W is also home to Bacco, a contemporary Italian restaurant oozing with New Orleans-style romance.       
   
For many visitors, the French Quarter is the center of the action, but just outside the district is the city’s adjacent business district which boasts arguably the most desirable accommodations in the city. The W has another location on Poydras Street, which is in close proximity to Harrah’s Casino, the emerging Warehouse District, and, of course, within easy walking distance to the French Quarter. However, two stand outs, the Ritz Carlton and the International House, are worthy of highest consideration. The International House, with its creamy palette and warm lighting, inspires excitement at first glance. Sleek yet welcoming, the hotel strikes the right balance of modern design in a proudly historical city. International House connects with its environment beyond the design as well – the hotel hosts special events for several of New Orleans’ local rituals and traditions, such as All Souls Day, St. John’s Day and, of course, Mardi Gras. The hotel also houses one of New Orleans’ loveliest bars, Loa, which, in the Voodoo tradition, means divine spirits. Filled with candlelight, mirrors and sumptuous seating, Loa is a place to seduce and be seduced.
   
Of course, some would say that there is nothing more seductive than a fine meal, in which case New Orleans provides ample opportunities. No culinary trip to New Orleans would be complete without dinner at Galatoire’s, an elegant French Creole restaurant in the heart of the French Quarter. For more than a century one family has stewarded Galatoire’s in its pleasing menu and impeccable service. A New Orleans fixture, Galatoire’s celebrated its 100th anniversary with a street party along Bourbon where it served over 1500 pounds of its famous Shrimp Remoulade and countless bottles of champagne. In addition to the Shrimp Remoulade, must haves include their Poisson Meuniere Amandine and Sauteed Poisson with Crabmeat Yvonne. Although the local seafood is exceptional, diners will find that their Lamb Chops Bearnaise and Filet Bearnaise also impress. Save enough room to finish dinner with a New Orleans favorite, banana bread pudding, and a Galatoire’s special, Café Brulot, an after dinner aperitif of coffee steeped with orange peel, cloves, lemon peel, brandy and Orange Curacao.
   
Also at the top of any foodie visitor’s list of destinations is Brennan’s on Royal Street, arguably the French Quarter’s most beautiful. Situated in a historically significant structure, Brennan’s is composed of twelve formal dining rooms and a courtyard with a fountain lit by romantic gas lights. Though popular for breakfast and lunch as well, dinner at Brennan’s is a real treat. Start with an authentic soup – either Creole Seafood Gumbo or New Orleans Turtle Soup – and then sample one of their many exceptional seafood entrees, such as the Trout Pecan, Brennan’s Blackened Redfish, Redfish with Lump Crabmeat Jaime, or the spicy Shrimp Samantha with Andouille. If you still have room, try their version of Bananas Foster or give in to the Creole White Chocolate Mousse Pie.  
   
For more French Creole cuisine to be found nowhere apart from New Orleans, visitors in the know flock to Antoine’s in the French Quarter. Housed in a sumptuous mid-19th-century landmark building, Antoine’s is known for its transporting ambiance, elegant décor and classic flavors. It is the country’s oldest family-run restaurant, opened in 1840. Since then, Antoine’s has been a regular location for New Orleans society special events, but it is equally popular today for contemporary dinners and its new Sunday jazz brunches. Do not neglect to try the Oysters Rockefeller, which were created in the Antoine’s kitchen and named for the rich sauce.
   
Though the French Quarter once had a stronghold on haute cuisine, the uptown Garden District, with its affluent population and stately homes, has also served as a culinary destination since 1880 primarily because of one eccentric establishment, Commander’s Palace. Housed in a turquoise and white Victorian building with quirky architectural details, Commander’s Palace has been synonymous with New Orleans cuisine for decades. Having just reopened to a relieved contingent of loyalists and eager new visitors, the restaurant has received all new accolades for its lovely garden setting and seafood-focused menu. Try chef Tory McPhail’s favorite, the Citron Glazed Gulf Flake served with corn fried P&J oysters, five tomato salad, grilled onions, summer greens and kaffir lime vinaigrette. 
   
The beauty of New Orleans’ culinary life, however, is not only found in its haute cuisine. In the Crescent City, even the most casual meals are unique and flavorful. Pick up a shrimp or oyster po’ boy for lunch from a local deli – the fried seafood explodes with flavor, and the crunchy bread loaded with fixings is worth the mess it makes. The muffaletta is New Orleans’ other signature sandwich, a Sicilian treat loaded with mortadella, ham, Genoa salami, mozzarella, provolone and a flavorful olive salad. The peppers, spices and olive oil in the olive salad give the muffaletta its unique flavor, and most locals find it addictive. Pick up a muffaletta from the Central Grocery on Decatur Street in the French Quarter or sit down for lunch at Napoleon House, the city’s best place for lunch or an afternoon drink. The restaurant and bar on Chartres Street was once the residence of New Orleans mayor from 1812 to 1815, Nicholas Girod. Girod offered Napoleon his residence as a refuge during his exile, and although Napoleon never accepted the invitation, the structure was since known as Napoleon House. In 1914, the Impastato family acquired the building and since then, locals and visiting artists have mingled over Pimm’s Cups and well-prepared meals. Napoleon House is still open limited post-Katrina hours, but is open for drinks until midnight most days.
   
Po’ boys and muffalettas aside, perhaps no food is more iconically New Orleans than beignets. Brought to Louisiana by the Acadians, beignets have long since served as a breakfast treat in New Orleans. Fluffy fried fritters covered with powdered sugar, they are now a favorite of locals and tourists alike.