The WiFi connection here at the hotel – or my server – is awfully slow today and I have to shower and get breakfast, so I’ll make this post rather concise. We had a lovely day off together yesterday, just taking it slow. Don is very, very tired – as is the rest of the cast – so we went for a mellow and easy-going Monday.
(I had to stop writing this post for a while to wait for the server to be fixed.)
I had no sooner read a comment from Martha recommending The Old Coffee Pot for breakfast when, I’m not kidding you, Don said, “Here’s a place where we should eat breakfast this morning. It’s called The Old Coffee Pot.”
There you have it. We had to go.
Let me be frank – this may have been the best breakfast I’ve ever had.
Eggs Sardou. Eggs on an English muffin, hollandaise sauce and herbed spinach. As I said on Instagram, close to orgasmic. And the potatoes – oh my god.
Then we had Calas, which Martha also recommended. Made with leftover rice and cinnamon and other things, topped – of course – with powdered sugar. Oh my heavens! Delicious!
We kept moaning out loud because everything was so good.
The fireplace in the restaurant. Shiplap everywhere. It’s lovely.
Then we walked around the French Quarter. I took Don to Faulkner House Books and he was almost as entranced as I. The owner was there and he and Don had a great chat and he signed a book for Don. The owner has a rare book collection – many of which are first editions – and we talked about what happens when you buy your first rare book. He said that he said to himself : “I guess I’m a book collector!”
Anyway. I’ve been there 3 times now! And I’ll probably go back one more time. I cannot say enough about this bookshop.
The interior of St. Louis Cathedral on Jackson Square. It’s simply stunning.
And the interior of the Saenger theater.
The gorgeous chandeliers mixed with Margaritaville paper lanterns.
From my seat in the house the other night, pre-show.
Don has already been recognized on the street. And he ran into a bar the other day to use the bathroom and a guy was talking about having seen the show the night before and how much he liked the character J.D. and it took him a few moments to realized that Don was J. D. Then he asked Don to lead them in a song from the show and Don, never shy, did.
This morning, as we were having breakfast, the waitress brought a guy over to the table. He and his wife had flown down to New Orleans from New York to see the show before it moved to Broadway. He said he’ll see it on Broadway as well.
These are the earrings I bought the other day. The woman who designs these bases them on architectural elements she sees in the city. Right below the earrings is a picture of the design she adapted. I love these earrings and I’ve had them on ever since!
Okay. I flew back up to the room to see if the server issues were fixed and I guess they are because I’m getting this out just under the wire.
Happy Tuesday.
I’m loving this tour of New Orleans. You’re finding things to do, to eat, to see that totally interest you, and it’s fun to ride along on your coat tails. Don is a celebrity! I love the earrings….a shiny souvenir of your time in New Orleans.
Thank you, Wendy! Yes, Don is definitely a celebrity!
Love seeing your New Orleans posts. I worked downtown on Carondelet Street for three years back in the early 90s. Was there a couple of years ago and it’s changed a lot. Sounds like you are meeting lots of lovely folks and having wonderful encounters.
I’ve met nothing but extremely nice people. Just lovely.
Ah, New Orleans takes hold of you, doesn’t it? I do believe that it changes you a bit, too. And I love your earrings!
It does. I absolutely love this city.
Claudia!! I’m so happy you and Don loved The Old Coffee Pot as much as we do! My kids would pass out if I didn’t make calas cakes every single year for our New Year’s morning brunch. Every one of my married kids have called home for the recipe…they are THAT good! And yes, we were thinking of the same bookstore…it is so wonderful!! We literally had to tear ourselves out of that beautiful store – every one of my children was in a different section, and my daughter (a newly-wed at the time) spent all her vacation money on a gorgeous full set of Shakespeare. What a treasure. So glad you are having fun!
That bookstore is incredible as is The Old Coffee Pot. There are so many beautiful editions of books at Faulkner House Books – sets and individual copies that are simply beautiful.
I know you’re having a blast…but I kinda am too, following the mad adventures of Claudia and .Don! Oh, the sites…and the food! I see Don’s become white the celebrity…good for him. Beautiful earrings…love the story behind them. Hope you are having another great day! ;)
I have! I’ll write about it tonight so I won’t be cutting it too close tomorrow.
Thanks Claudia,
Your writing and images are fascinating!
This visit to New Orleans is just enchanting and makes for great armchair travelling.
Take it easy (i can imagine it being tiring too,especially for Don) and enjoy<3
It’s tiring, but wonderful! I love it here.
I haven’t been in Blogland for awhile, but I’ve been seeing your pictures on IG. I’ll have to get caught up on your previous posts, but I’m loving this little tour of New Orleans. The only time I’ve ever been there was when I was 16 and on a chartered bus, going to Texas. I was in Concert Band and one of our stops along the way to Texas was NOLA. All I remember was driving through the French Quarter and taking pictures out the bus window. Now I’m wanting a trip there in “real life”! If I’m going to go out to eat, going out to breakfast is my favorite. Even though I’m not a fan of poached eggs, I’d probably try that breakfast dish. It looks wonderful. Give me a great cup of coffee with it, and I’m all in. OK – going back to check your other posts!
I’m not usually a poached egg person at all, but I loved Eggs Sardou. You’d love it here, Melanie.
Thank you for sharing all these great pictures of New Orleans. I’ve never been there, so I’m living vicariously through your photos! It’s so interesting.
It is! I’m so happy to be able to share it with you.
I’m glad to see this post, don’t want to miss anything! I was so involved in a book I never looked at the computer again last night to see if you got a post up. Those eggs look amazing! What fun to have Don recognized already! I am an earring girl also and I love those earrings you bought. What a lovely idea, based on architectural elements in the city. Returning to New Orleans is on my bucket list. Enjoy your day!
I love the earrings because they truly are a wonderful memory of New Orleans and its architecture!