SeaTurtle Sports Favorite Spring Local Dining
SeaTurtle Sports Favorite Spring Local Dining
Though Mardi Gras is coming to a close, spring is just around the corner here in New Orleans. This means more people out and about, playing SeaTurtle Sports games and dining out at local restaurants. The smell of crawfish boiling is already permeating the air and snowball stands are beginning to open back up. We’d like to share a few of our favorite restaurants as well as some common tourist destinations. Camellia Grill, Café Maspero, and The Court of Two Sisters have been in New Orleans for years and have never ceased to impress even the most stingy food critic and each carry the character of New Orleans well.
Camellia Grill is located at the end of South Carrolton Ave. This pink and white little grill was erected in 1946. It’s a very old fashion-type diner with only bar seating so that you can really watch and experience the cooks and wait staff run back and forth. As you order, depending on what you order, you will hear what seems like a foreign language. For instance if you order your burger with mayo, you might hear “whitewash that burger” yelled across the diner. The cook stands in front of his large, greasy grill and memorizes each order as he prepares some of the most greasy spoon food you have ever tasted. On a slower day, sitting in this diner you will make quick friends with the staff as they tell you the “secrets” of the grill and how they all work together, or you might hear a story about their life outside of work. Any way you look at it, Camellia Grill is a great spot. Whether you’re coming from a night on the town or just want a deliciously cooked and entertaining meal, this 24 hour diner is the perfect place to experience some of the best that New Orleans has to offer.
Café Maspero is a slightly more historic restaurant. Located on the Corner of Decatur and Toulouse in the French Quarter, this burger and Cajun restaurant was once housing for slaves. You’ll feel the history as you tour the Quarter when you walk into this corner restaurant. With the tall windows that date back to the 1800’s and cobblestone floors, you’ll feel inspired enough to write a book of your own about a slave named Mae. If you don’t hear from the muse, maybe you’ll settle for some delicious French onion soup or a burger served with fat steak fries that will make your mouth water. The only catch with this character-filled place is you have to have cash. If you only have a card, there is an ATM located inside for patrons that don’t carry cash. You’ll be able to tell how fantastic Café Maspero is by the line that will develop around the block around noon.
If you’re looking for something slightly more upscale, try out The Court of Two Sisters located in the 600 block of Royal Street. From the early 1700’s, this property has been known as “Governor’s Row,” because, if not obvious, governors used to live there (some even went on to become Supreme Court Justices). Over 100 years later Emile Angaud purchased the building, and her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law’s sister set up a notions shop called “The Shop of the Two Sisters.” The sisters would serve tea and cakes to their favorite clients in the grandiose courtyard which transitioned into the traditions held there today. Finally, in 1963 Joe Fein Jr. acquired the property and went to work turning it into the beautiful open-air courtyard restaurant it is today. In 2013, The Court of Two Sisters celebrated its 50 year anniversary as a restaurant. Come here to enjoy a jazz brunch, Mother’s Day specials, and enjoy the courtyard during the beautiful spring weather. Along with the amazing atmosphere, you’ll enjoy tasty dishes of Cajun variety. Just be sure to call ahead and make a reservation, without one you might wait quite a while to get into this iconic restaurant.
So whether you want a burger, delicious French food in the midst of the Quarter, or a slightly more upscale scenic place to dine, New Orleans has it all. If you’re in New Orleans now until the end of May, you may want to skip all the restaurants and find a crawfish boil and try your hand at peeling some mudbugs. You can find all kinds of vats boiling crawfish across the city. They love tourists as they teach them how to “pinch the tails and suck the heads.” Enjoy the spring and eat well!