If you would rather have someone else do the cooking, the
French Quarter is home to many world-class restaurants for every taste
including African, Cajun, French, Italian, and Indian to name a few. If
it's Cajun you're after, Patout's Cajun Cabin on Bourbon Street is one
of the best. This open-air restaurant has live zydeco and Creole music
every night. It's true that Cajun menu offers catfish, gumbo, crawfish
and alligator (yes, alligator), Just in case you're wondering, it tastes
like chicken. Finish off your meal with Swamp Water. their signature
drink. I'm not sure what's in it, but it goes great with alligator.
When all is said and done, you haven't really experienced New
Orleans until you take a stroll down Bourbon Street. This is truly the
time when your senses are swimming in everything New Orleans.
Music surrounds you and carries you along; Creole and zydeco in one
ear, jazz and swamp blues in the other. Your entertainment choices are
endless. While my choice was live music, many other curious folks
chose to get their live "entertainment" in other ways, Most of these
establishments send their scantly clad employees into the streets to
entice business. In addition, New Orleans has no open-container law.
Drinking in the streets is legal as long as the alcohol is in to plastic con
tainer. Now I know - why it's called "The Big Easy." Even with the
numerous strip clubs and legal public drinking, people rarely get out of
hand, New Orleans police officers are a constant presence on Bourbon
Street. They don't bother you as long as your good time doesn't endan
ger anyone.