theneworleansguide:

I’ll Meet You at Franky & Johnny’s Place

Nestled in a residential neighborhood near the corner of Tchoup, you can’t really get more local than this rickety old house with the creaky floors and the vinyl red checkered tablecloths. The “Miller High Life” sign hangs larger and higher than the plain letters reading “Franky & Johnny’s,” one of the only indications that signal its existence, other than the gravel lot full of cars and rich smells emanating from the back. No exception to the general...

February 7th, 2008 | New Orleans | Read More

ZULU – Need I Say More?

In the weeks preceding Fat Tuesday, it is not uncommon to hear the word “Zulu” whispered in hush and reverent tones. Touted as THE parade to end all parades, the opening march of the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club draws crowds so big that walking a block’s distance can leave a traveller hopelessly lost and fairly immobile in a sea of joyous faces. How does one know that this is, without a doubt, the best thing since sliced bread was made into a po’ boy? ...

February 3rd, 2008 | New Orleans | Read More

Celebrity Sightings

In this fame-crazed world, it seems that glimpses of famous personalities can be one of the most exciting experiences ever. Couple that with Mardi Gras parades, and you have an instant winner. Super-krewes in New Orleans tend to add a little star power to their presence, the most commonly known parades to do this being Endymion, the most notable krewe that rides in Mid-City, newcomer Orpheus, and Bacchus. Endymion’s star this year is Kevin Costner, who joins the krewe of over 2,200 members...

February 1st, 2008 | New Orleans | Read More

Raining on My Parade

Due to severe weather tonight, two out of three parades scheduled to roll tonight have been postponed. The Knights of Chaos have canceled their appearance entirely. Muses, one of the most highly anticipated parades of the season, has been postponed until tomorrow, Friday, February 1 and will commence the march at 8 pm. For those in town tomorrow, this will be a special treat as the Uptown parade lineup moves up to four for the night: Hermes @ 6Krewe d’Etat @ 6 30Morpheus @ 7 45Muses...

January 31st, 2008 | New Orleans | Read More

Where in the World is Mardi Gras? (Fun Facts!)

One would never think that the craziness and excessiveness of the Mardi Gras we all know and love is derived from religion, and carefully made to fall explicitly within certain times of two of the most important Christian holidays of the year, Christmas and Easter. Mardi Gras, literally translated to “Fat Tuesday&lrquo; is always 46 days before Easter, and always the day right before Ash Wednesday. The overindulgence of hedonistic pleasures is directly correlated to the coming of...

January 30th, 2008 | New Orleans | Read More

The Great Reveal

January 31 is the date on everyone’s lips this year, the Thursday before Fat Tuesday that, to many, is the real start to the big Mardi Gras countdown. Sure, there already have been parades boasting huge, tractor-drawn floats that tower above the crowds; yes, some of the best marching bands from miles away have begun to fill the New Orleans streets with their sweet music; and of course, beads, cups, and doubloons have started to rain down upon New Orleanians like a rainfall of purple,...

January 29th, 2008 | New Orleans | Read More

Ladies on Parade

Every year, thousands of women in glitter and feathers put their lovely selves on display to the enthusiasm of crowds of tens of thousands. Tossing beads, lipglosses, squishy shoes, combs, cups, dolls, and doubloons out into the crowd from atop extravagant floats, the huge, all-female Krewe of Iris and Krewe of Muses are two of the most eagerly anticipated uptown parades of Mardi Gras … for once, the gentlemen may have a fair chance at catching throws! The Krewe of Iris is the Dowager,...

January 28th, 2008 | New Orleans | Read More

Let’s Clear the Air

There are many misconceptions about Mardi Gras, tainting what is one of the greatest street parties in history and discouraging travellers from stopping in one of the most iconic and beautiful cities in the world. I’ve taken this opportunity here to address those ill-conceived perceptions and make recommendations for the safety of the out-of-town visitor or the Mardi Gras virgin, so that this wonderful holiday can be enjoyed safely and best. FlashingLadies, ladies … let’s...

January 26th, 2008 | New Orleans | Read More

Mardi Gras Goes to the Dogs

The Mystic Krewe of Barkus, a doggy-centric social group celebrating its sixteenth year Mardi Gras 2008 with the theme Indiana Bones and the Raiders of the Lost Bark is gearing up for their big weekend! Sunday, January 27th is the big day that dog-owners have been looking forward to, the parade beginning at 2 p.m., festivities starting at Armstrong Park, winding fifteen blocks into the Quarter, then back to Armstrong for more partying. This just goes to show that Mardi Gras, contrary to popular belief,...

January 25th, 2008 | New Orleans | Read More

Mardi Gras Season Unabashedly Arrives

Mardi Gras ’08 is now upon us, and who better to usher it in than the famed ragamuffin social group Krewe de Vieux? Raucous, baudy, and utterly unapologetic, this Krewe barrels through the Quarter this Saturday, January 19, picking up gawkers, visitors, and passers-by alike, causing the official parade marching down the street to swell during its serpentine route as it passes through the Faubourg Marigny and snakes down Royal Street. This ensemble of individual krewes is what gives...

January 24th, 2008 | New Orleans | Read More

All Hail the King … Cake

Everywhere else in the country, the taking down of all things Christmas is followed by the putting up of all things Valentine’s Day. Not here. Here in New Orleans, there is a sacred holiday that precedes that holiday of candy, kisses, and cards – Mardi Gras. The Mardi Gras season revs up annually with a deluge of green, gold, and purple, the official colors of this holiday, but the most important of this deluge is less an assault on the eyes than a sweet seduction of the tongue....

January 24th, 2008 | New Orleans | Read More

Flying High on a Burrito

It’s difficult to find bad food in New Orleans, but any local will tell you – some of the very best food is found in the places that look like they have bad food. Apparent dives are homes of some of the most affordable and delectable meals you will ever have, and Juan’s Flying Burrito on Magazine Street is no exception. Slow service, sticky tables, creaking, mismatched chairs, and hanging lights made of coffee cans are often the makings of a negative dining experience, but...

January 21st, 2008 | New Orleans | Read More

In with the Old, In Purple and Gold

For most, the new year is about … well, things that are new. In a city so steeped in history and tradition, though, New Year’s is about celebrating the old and keeping it fresh. For instance, old rivalries. Old colors. Old songs. And that same old spirit that that lives in every football fanatic as emotions run high and tempers run short. That’s right, boys and girls – it’s time for Sugar Bowl and the BCS Championship. New Year’s...

January 8th, 2008 | New Orleans | Read More

A NOLA New Year to You!

New Year’s Eve in New Orleans … it has taken me this long to write about it since it has taken me this long to recover from it. Flamboyant and decadent as any other holiday in the Big Easy, the festivities in Jackson Square leaves one’s appetite for fun completed sated, and even once the euphoric adrenaline wears off, the memories of the party still gives you a nice tingle. The Crescent City Countdown Club sponsors what is now a traditional midnight gumbo pot “drop&lrquo;...

January 8th, 2008 | New Orleans | Read More

Having It All … At Once

In the City that Care Forgot, you don’t often find multi-taskers. In fact, leisurely lounging on the porch on a warm, sunny day is a legitimate, full concentration activity, requiring maximum effort to avoid falling asleep on the wooden swing in front of your door. However, when New Orleanians are predisposed to multitask, we do it right. Exhibit A is Igor’s Buddha Belly on Magazine Street. This establishment helps you make the absolute most of your time and, as characteristic...

December 26th, 2007 | New Orleans | Read More

A Celebration in the Oaks

In a climate where snow falls but once every few generations or so, wintry holiday magic is man-made so that Mother Nature can concentrate her efforts in grayer locales up north. Ever a festive city, New Orleans has come up with many creative ideas to celebrate Christmas in the most traditional ways possible, but as always, with a twist. City Park’s Celebration in the Oaks, an annual tradition held in one of the largest and most beautiful parks in the nation, is a must-see for the holiday...

December 26th, 2007 | New Orleans | Read More

Last Call at Quills

For generations of Tulane underclassmen, T.J. Quills has been a part of the holy trinity of the uptown bar scene on Maple Street, an integral part of the freshman experience, and a nostalgic part of the alumni one. Big Cup Night is legendary, and almost every Tulanian has a large plastic mug with the huge green logo on it. Phrases such as Â‘Quarter Night’ and Â‘Swills at Quills’ entered the vocabulary of bright-eyed teens as early as their first week away from...

December 11th, 2007 | New Orleans | Read More

Let’s Eat at Yo’ Mama’s

Let’s talk for a minute about Yo’ Mama’s. Yo’ Mama’s goods are so delicious and so good, my eyes roll to the back of my head in sheer sensory ecstasy when I get a taste of that meat. Yo’ Mama’s buns so sweet and thick, I can’t even get the whole thing in my mouth … but I do try my damnedest. Yo’ Mama’s – pure, unadulterated, all-American pleasure. Lest I bring offense, let me clarify to those whose minds reserve...

December 3rd, 2007 | New Orleans | Read More

All Hail the Mighty Po’ Boys

Every area of the country has its own name for their large, overstuffed sandwiches. We have the sub, the hoagie, the hero, and in New Orleans, the po’ boy. As each of the names and traits of each of these sandwiches are different, the po’boy itself is distinctive in ways other than its kitschy name. Because of the high humidity in New Orleans, our extra long French baguettes (the bread traditionally used for po’boys) have a more active yeast than normal, causing the...

November 29th, 2007 | New Orleans | Read More

Welcome to New Orleans – Home, Sweet Olive

It is often said that the greatest, most powerful associations are made with a person’s sense of smell. A single scent has the power to bring back heady memories with a force that literally washes over you in heavy, cascading waves, sending ice-cold chills down your spine and shocking your consciousness backwards into a nostalgic state. Not all aromas have this energy – the fragrance in question has to have a very singular and direct correlation to an era gone, things remembered, emotions...

November 29th, 2007 | New Orleans | Read More