Romantic Restaurants, Getaway Places in Des Allemands

"If you’re off to a slower start or you’re in New Orleans for the weekend, Brunch at Commander’s Palace is unmissable. Located in the Garden District among the houses and mansions of the first Americans who settled the city in the early 19th century, the upper floors of the restaurant offers some clues to its life before it was a world-famous, James Beard award-winning eatery. (Reservations highly recommended!)"

"Commander’s Palace is a dapper host who wows with white-linen dining rooms, decadent dishes and attentive Southern hospitality. The nouveau Creole menu shifts, running from crispy oysters with brie-cauliflower... Louisianan in Mid-City, Bayou St John & City Park"

"St. Louis Cathedral is undoubtedly Jackson Square’s crown jewel with its white facade and striking triple spires. It’s the oldest cathedral in the United States, dating back to 1850 after previous churches from the early 1700s were burned down, rebuilt, and later expanded upon to what you see today. Visitors can walk around inside every day from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm, except during Mass times."

"This cathedral is one of the oldest in the United States and for this reason, has some interesting history behind its stunning exterior. It was officially named the Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France, and had its first version built in 1718. However, there were three more reconstructions, the final expansion and rebuilding happening in 1850."

"Originally built in 1727, the Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis is flanked by the historic Cabildo on one side and the Presbytère on the other. After the great fire of 1794, the original structure was rebuilt. The current structure was finished in 1850 and overlooks Jackson Square."

"Located in front of the St. Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter, Jackson Square is a beautiful and historic park area surrounded by some of the oldest buildings in the city. Once here, you will find a local artist colony here, too. Many artists paint, draw, create, and display their works throughout the Square and is really great for an afternoon stroll."

"Jackson Square is the main square in the heart of the French Quarter, originally known as Place d'Armes. In the center of the square, surrounded by trees and greenery, is an equestrian statue (1856) of General Andrew Jackson. Standing prominently at one end of the square is the landmark St. Louis Cathedral, with its white façade and cone shaped spires."

"Set smack dab in City Park among the Spanish moss-draped oaks complete with Greco-Roman columns and a charming sculpture garden, the grounds alone warrant a visit to this NOLA institution that’s oozing with grandeur. It’s the city’s oldest fine arts institution and boasts a permanent collection of nearly 40,000 pieces. Not only that, but it’s one of the most impressive and revered fine art collections in the whole of the south."

"Located adjacent to the CAC and The National WWII Museum is the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, a must-see for all art lovers. The museum showcases folk art and the handcrafted heritage of the Southern region as well as contemporary works from Southern artists and designers. Much like the CAC, the Ogden hosts local entertainment each Thursday evening for their Ogden After Hours event."

"The South has one of the most distinctive aesthetic cultures in the US artistic universe, a creative vision indelibly influenced by the region's complicated history and deep links to the land. Few museums explore the throughlines of Southern art like the Ogden, which boasts lovely gallery spaces, an awesome gift shop and kicking after-hours performances."

"In the Bywater, Bacchanal became a part of the Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts when guest chefs from around New Orleans cooked for the crowds on Bacchanal Sundays. “After Katrina, New Orleans had this renaissance and reinvention of itself, and I think Bacchanal had a lot to do with that,” says Gregory Gremillion, owner of local restaurant CellarDoor. This combo wine shop/backyard party hosts live jazz on the outside patio."

"Dinner at Bacchanal Wine Bar This is located in the Bywater which I’ve been calling “hipster” because that’s the vibe but it’s also kind of gentrified. This area is having a tough time where locals can’t afford their homes as the city grows out – something that I guess happens everywhere. The Bywater area is the “cool place to be” right now and Bacchanal is the coolest place in Bywater."

"Located in a green, historical renovation of an 1891 Greek Revival home on Oretha Castle Haley, the quickly changing arts corridor in Central City, Casa Borrega is a fantastic little taco bar. Besides a great selection of margaritas, the menu dishes authentic street food, the kind you'd find in Mexico City. The ceviche is delish, same for trios of tacos stuffed with te likes of tequila marinated lamb and chorizo."

"A casual, eclectic Mexican restaurant on Oretha Castle Hailey, Casa Borrega is nearly always full of people eating, drinking and lettin’ the good times roll. Out back, you’ll find a colorful courtyard and there’s often a band keeping the energy level high."

"1719 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., (504) 427-0654; www.casaborrega.com. Gordita de huitlacoche o flor de calabaza is a masa pastry stuffed with Mexican corn truffle or squash blossoms, lettuce, pico de gallo, crema and queso fresco."

"One of the favorite New Orleans food places for casual dining, Sassafras restaurant has been serving delicious food for two decades. The Sassafras restaurant serves cuisines like Southern and American with comfort food. They specialise in serving authentic New Orleans flavour in a comfortable ambience."

"201 Baronne St., Suite B; 6600 Franklin Ave., Suite B4, (504) 288-3939; www.sassafrascreolekitchen.com. St. Roch seafood pasta features sauteed crawfish tails and Gulf shrimp over angel hair pasta with cream sauce. Reservations accepted."

"The venerable Cooter Brown’s Oyster Bar and Tavern has been around for about 40 years, but last year manager Jonathan Junca decided to focus on the booming craft beer trend without disturbing the traditional sports-bar-and-saloon vibe beloved by its many long-time regulars. He and owner Larry Berestitzky turned Cooter Brown’s back bar (already furnished with gorgeous marble-and-brass tables and cozy wood booths) into a craft beer-focused space called the Snooty Cooter. Junca has held several events with breweries like Gnarly Barley, which provided special casks, and New Belgium, which sponsors regular pint nights with new releases."

"About Pralines: New Orleans isn’t known for many sweets, but we love Pralines (praw-leens). These pecan-filled caramels are melted down and worked over until they almost look like chocolates. They are a refreshing twisting on the standard chocolate pecans found elsewhere in the United States."

"Southern Candymakers specializes in a praline with a less gritty feel (a common peril, given just how much sugar is packed into the candy) and a sweet potato variation that's just killer."

"622 Conti St., (504) 267-7098; 3025 Magazine St., (504) 520-8311; Lakeside Shopping Center, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 834-2277; www.shopsucre.com. French-style macarons come in flavors such as bananas Foster, salted caramel, lavender honey and pistachio."

"The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden is technically a part of the New Orleans Museum of Art, but it’s one of those places to visit that deserves its very own part of this listing since many come by just to visit the garden on its own. Right near the main NOMA building, an 11-acre expanse of garden stretches out, decorated with over 90 different sculptures. The gardens first opened in 2003 and have grown in size ever since it made its home in the rear of the Louisiana museum."

"Inside City Park, the New Orleans Museum of Art and Besthoff Sculpture Garden is a fun find for families looking to escape the heat and meander through galleries of exquisite art. The museum offers regular galleries and visiting exhibitions. Families can enjoy galleries featuring everything from West African art to Roman Catholic art from India to contemporary art pieces."

"The NOMA Sculpture Garden is another great part of City Park. It is a a free portion of the NOMA Museum and, as with everything in City Park, is surprisingly large, with a ton of sculptures placed among beautiful trees and small ponds. There are plenty of fun statues that make for great Instagram shots."

"Callan Contemporary stands out for its abstract and figurative paintings and sculptures. This Julia Street gallery is a well-lit space with a sophisticated atmosphere. You can drift through the open white rooms admiring a mixture of unexpected mediums, textures and colors."

"Gryder describes itself as a platform for artists to express diverse perspectives and experimental discourses. The venue showcases divergent exhibitions which aim to highlight the intellectual and transcendent role of art as well as its preservation. You’ll be drawn in by works like Jan Gilbert’s panels of spooky figures, Dapper Bruce Lafitte’s dynamic scenes of New Orleans or Babette Beaullieu’s intricate structures made from branches."