Birthday Celebrations in New Orleans

Birthday fun started at Second Vine Wine which is a unique wine store located in the heart of the Garden District. You have to check them out.
The wine selections are many black owned brands and also local and big brands.
My fabulous balloons were from We Like to Party and dress  was from Dolce Boutique and pink boots Wildflower. The best part of the night was spending time with my fabulous twin sister and friends.

We ate:
Bloody Mary Poached Shrimp
Parmesan Beignets
Fried Oysters
Cajun Gumbo
Crab Crusted Grouper, Brined Chicken with Pecan Rum Butter Sauce

Dessert was Pumpkin Spice Creme Brûlée and Bread Pudding
I went back again with more friends and had an amazing dinner at Sobou.

Photos Below

Second Vine Wine on Magazine Street

Dinner at Sobou

As a member of the Commander's Family of Restaurants, it comes as no surprise that SoBou is my pick for the Most Trendiest Places to Eat in 2021 in New Orleans.

Photos by: SheShoots

 Bijou Restaurant and Bar

Bijou is a new spot in the French Quarter area near Rampart. This place has an elevated vibe from the bar to the food. Love the pretty atmosphere here.

Executive Chef Eason brings to life Tapas on a full menu. I highly recommend for Girls Nights Out. Oh, and they allow kids here too.

Kat Kimball, you nailed these photos.

 Miss River in Four Seasons Hotel

This was one of the most anticipated restaurant openings this year. Restaurants are still proving that even amid an ongoing pandemic, they are still driving innovation. This extravert is here for the new dishes, expanding my wine vocabulary and seeing amazing views.

Ok, so review time! My visit to Miss River inside Four Seasons New Orleans was nothing short of incredible. I absolutely loved the Food Stage where chefs extravagantly plate our signature dishes. Very attentive service was paid to us! The server brought wine to the table on a few occasions

The whole covered buttermilk fried chicken was sumptuous and plush. It was served with dipping sauces. This dish was my favorite

Other dishes we enjoyed:
Crab Au Gratin
Gumbo
Red beans
Salad
Cake with a sparkler was the absolute best..I would get any cake on the menu

My overall review of Alon Shaya’s love letter to LOUISIANA is a welcome addition to the New Orleans area. My vote is it is the hottest and most luxurious restaurant on the scene now!
Photo by: Katherine Kimball

Insider tip: Book your reservations online ASAP.

 Sazerac House

Cheers to Sazerac House, we visited top to bottom, and it was a memorable and one-of-a-kind experience. The training session was called “Drink & Learn: Juleps.” The tasting rooms were beautiful. I do love a gorgeous view, and the layout of the space with all of the drink bottles has a glamourous look. The instructor was very knowledgeable. I met tourists at the event and a few locals—cheers to spirited classes. 

Insider Tip: I found a parking spot on the street during the day, but for nights, I would suggest an Uber or Lyft. So, head downtown for a Girls Night Out or Date Night and enjoy the Sazerac House. 

You can also enjoy a self-guided tour experience that is 90 minutes. Drinks featured were Bourbon Mint Julep, San Domingo Julep, Prescription Julep and Joe Reddd.

Must be 21 years or older to enjoy.  

Sazerac upcoming events click the link below

Sazerac Upcoming Events Photos by: Katherine Kimball

 Justine NOLA

Justine has to be one of the HOTTEST restaurants in New Orleans. I am not a beef eater until I step into this restaurant to have the Justine Burger. I can’t describe it. Simply put, it’s amazing. The sauce with it makes it so much better. The shrimp are also delicious and so are the Steaks. Order the bread and truffle. You won’t be disappointed.

Robby just makes things so much more fun. Love the music, beautiful decor, cocktails, and food. I really like the cocktail called: Joyeux Nouvelle it has sweet potato vodka, armagnac, cranberry, cappelletti, rosemary. Grab your girls and head down to Justine NOLA for a Girls Night Out..ASAP.

Photos by: Katherine Kimball Photography

 Palace Cafe

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun! It’s Friday and happy hour starts at the legendary Palace Cafe’ at 2p-6pm. I have not been to Palace Cafe’ in a while but everything is just as good as I remember. The well lit enterance is beautiful for photos. The staircase is beautiful for photos (especially during Christmas). Also, the food is phenomenal. I love the open space and outdoor seating area as well.

Dinner was sensational ♥️
CRABMEAT CHEESECAKE
A palace café signature dish! pecan crust, mushroom sauté, creole meunière. (Highly recommend)

OYSTER LOAF
Grilled artisan bread, brie, fried Gulf oysters, sherry prosciutto cream.

SHRIMP TCHEFUNCTE
Gulf shrimp, creole meunière, roasted shiitake mushrooms, popcorn rice, green onions
gluten free. (Highly Recommend)

CHICKEN PAILLARD
Pan-fried chicken breast.

BANANAS FOSTER
A Palace Café favorite! fresh bananas sautéed in brown sugar and cinnamon, flambéed with banana liqueur and rum, vanilla bean ice cream.

Pro Tip: Take an uber and after dinner head to some of the hottest rooftops and hotels to have more fun.

Fun Fact: Dickie Brennans Steakhouse, Brennan’s, Bourbon House and Tableau are all in the same restaurant family.
Photos by: Katherine Kimball

Palace Cafe
605 Canal Street
New Orleans, La 70130

Photos by: Katherine Kimball

 Business Bar NOLA

Ok, there’s definitely a tight lituation happening on Freret Street (as of late). The Business Bar is for the professional and woke New Orleanian. Day drinking is totally in style..and never gets old. Mix that with business and you have a BUSINESS BAR. It’s a modern spin on a bar, restaurant, and workstation. I love the concept. You can even bring kids during the day. Whether you are bar hopping or brunching on Sundays, this is a gem. I had a batch cocktail called a CEO. It did taste like a daiquiri.

 Pluck Wine Bar

Need an escape from your kids, cats, dogs? This is it. Pluck Wine Bar took the neighborhood by storm when they opened. Not many folks saw this brewing. They have an obsessively curated list and complimentary food menu for the curious—from casual drinkers to savvy connoisseurs. I really like the Chilean Chardonnay. I met some sweet ladies and we chatted it up in Pluck (see pics below).

Open 5pm–11pm
Wednesday–Sunday

722 GIROD STREET, NEW ORLEANS

 Dragos’s

They are BACK!! And better than EVER. The family and I had a great time eating at Drago’s Seafood Restaurant while staying at Hilton New Orleans Riverside.

They are open Friday, Saturday (5p-9p)and Sunday (11a-6p)...

The charbroiled oysters are BETTER than EVER (OFF THE CHARTS 👋🏽 )Service is always great and it’s a very clean and safe atmosphere.

The family and I had an AMAZING meal at Dragos. The charbroiled oysters are EPIC. The seafood pasta..oh my.. SIMPLY REMARKABLE. I could not stop eating it. I had a gorgeous French 75 but the bar is STOCKED pretty well.
Tommy C, the business owner is AWESOME.

Can't get any better than a diverse menu with BBQ SHRIMP, Tuna with Aoili, Crabmeat Au Gratin, Lobster Mac & Cheese, Mama Ruth's Gumbo, Shrimp & Corn Bisque, Shrimp Creole, Oyster, and Tasso Pasta, Shrimp & Egg Plant stack and more.. I didn't even talk about the kid's menu or the LOBSTER yet.

If you are looking for a kid-friendly place, this is it. The children's menu has, fried shrimp, fried catfish, chicken fingers, hamburger, and alfredo pasta.

Tommy Cvitanovich showed me how they charbroil the oysters. Highlight of my weekend😀. Thanks Mr Tommy

Photos by: Katherine Kimball Photography

 The Mill NOLA

The Mill NOLA has already been tagged New Orleans’ Favorite restaurant and bar. They have not been opened that long. The Mill is located in the Warehouse District in New Orleans. It’s such a stylish, vibrant, warehouse-style restaurant with signs that scream NOLA.

Indoor and outdoor seating available.

It was a cold night in NOLA. I wanted to try something light. I had some pretty cocktail to start with. It was an Aperitivo Spritz and it was refreshing.

Appetizers:
Crab cakes, yakitori, and truffle mac & cheese. Everything was AMAZING.

Entree’

Red Fish was delicious and savory.

Lastly, the dessert was bread pudding. It was sweet and rich.

Happy Hour is Monday through Saturday drinks are $6 until 6pm.

Hollygrove Tshirt: @nesbyphips
Blazer @miaboutiqueneworleans
📸 @katkimballphoto
💄 @makeupbykendel

 Batture Bistro + Bar

Batture Bistro + Bar just opened a few weeks ago. I wanted to check them out and try their menu. The bar area has a very cozy & chill feel to it. You can chill by the fireplace and delight in cocktails by the poolside deck. Oh, the pool is heated. There’s also a climate-controlled porch that is designed for socialites to sip in style.

I am here for the dining al fresco. We ordered the artisan flatbread pizza. The options are a wide array ranging from Prosciutto, Italian sausage , Creole tomato, and blackened chicken. There are so many fabulous cocktails. Pictured below, are the Blood - Orange Revenge and Sidecar. I will try the Hot & Spicy Cilantro Mule on my next visit. I can’t wait to staycation here.

Happy Hour is 3-6p daily.

Suit: Express
📸 @katkimballphoto
💄 Navis Hill

EAT AND DRINK

 KD’s NOLA Treats

 Del Porto Ristorante

Covington, Louisiana has some of the best shopping a girl could ask for. This area of Louisiana, has the cutest boutiques and restaurants. The food is pretty amazing at Del Porto Ristorante. Perfect outdoor area for eating and drinking. For antipasta, we enjoyed the hummus. It was so fresh. I am a huge salad fan and they have plenty of options ranging from Arugula Salad with Pecorino Romano and lemon vinaigrette, Tuscan Kale, Granny Smith Apple, Belgian Endive, frisée, Gorgonzola, crispy pancetta or delicious Baby Beets, Orange Segments, Goat Cheese. Yum. I know!!

I am going to show you a few of my dishes, below!

The Elysian Bar

Church is served! This is the 2nd part of our date at The Elysian Bar. This restaurant was a church and has been remodeled into a restaurant. Sundae Best ice cream is right next door in a beautiful cottage style shop.

The hotel Peter & Paul next to the Elysian Bar and it’s fabulous.

Drink 🍹 C’est Chic
Oysters 🦪 Raw Oysters
Main course 🍤 Gulf Shrimp
Tip: Get there early or later to avoid crowds and people & of course make a resy.

New Orleans Social House

I had a great night at New Orleans Social House . On Friday’s, catch the Bubbles Bar with specials on sparkling & champagne, and of course our hand-crafted specialty cocktails. A couple of my favorite cocktails are the St. Charles and the Lemoncille Spritzer. Also, we enjoyed amazing Social House bites – the Cheeseburger Sliders, Fried Chicken Sliders, Truffle Fries and Eggplant Pizza were DELICIOUS!

Photos by: Kat Kimball

New Orleans Social House

Boulevard American Bistro

Happy Hour at Boulevard American Bistro is the best kept secret. American Boulevard has two locations in Louisiana (Elmwood and Metairie).

Broussard’s

NOLA ART BAR

I had the best time in Nola Art Bar

The HOTTEST spot in the city now.

Ring the bell! Literally, ring the bell with your name. Make a reservation first. The owners are so nice.

Beautiful artwork by Jay. The furniture is velvet and to the gawds gorge. They do switch up the art occasionally.

The drinks are hip & trendy. The bites will keep you full for your 2 hour reservation. I always look for a good tasting menu, vibrant bar and notable cocktail menu. This place definitely manifests it ALL.

You would enjoy the visit at NOLA ART BAR if you enjoy:

• Drinks - My favorites were the Pot of Gold mixed with vodka, elderflower liquer, cucumber, fresh mint and ginger beer. The Fleur de Lis has gin, St. Germain, Elderflower, sliced cucumber, lime, and ginger ale. I am starting to like anything with Elderflower.

• Bites - Wings, Chips & Guacamole, Cheese & Charcuterie and Hummus. I think I have eaten them all. All good choices. They also have nights with food trucks.

• Music - The music is grown & sexy.

• Art - Fabulous and colorful art all on the walls. I love the sno ball art.
  
  NOLA ART BAR, I am here for this. You are the city’s best hidden gem right now. I had to let the cat out of the LOUIS V bag. With all of the exclusivity with booking your reservation on Open Table, I will SDMAO here. That’s Social Distance My A$$ Off…

  As an aside, I am still working on my website. I plan on adding some Local Labels we love on here as well. My shirt is from Your Inner Fat Girl Natalie is a local NOLA foodie.

Photos by: Kat Kimball