During our May, 2000 visit to Gulf Shores we made a side trip to New Orleans. Here are a few memories from The French Quarter. I fear Katrina has made the best parts of the Crescent City only a memory.

Several friends had told us not to miss The Aquarium of The Americas on Canal Street so that was our first stop. It was best described as "OK" but not as exciting as the one in Chattanooga. The vast majority of its residents are now gone. This restored trolley next door was more appealing. We had hopes of taking a ride along its famous route on a later visit.

 

Here is a little slide show from the trip. Once it starts you can click on the icon in the lower right corner of the viewer for full screen images.

 

	Do not fail to eat at least one meal at Emeril Lagasse's NOLA. It's located at 534 Rue St. Louis and the food, service, and staff are superb. The prices are also quite reasonable and I have no doubt Emeril will carry on.
Here is your menu. Would you care for an aperitif?

We arrived about 12:15 in the afternoon and Gigi asked how long we could expect to wait to be seated. She was told, "Mrs. Carter, you have reservations for 12:45". We waited in the bar where we met this nice bartender. We had a couple of Abita Springs beers and were then escorted to our table about 12:35. We started with alligator gumbo followed by grilled Atlantic Salmon en Brioche. Gigi asked for directions to the ladies' room between courses. She was escorted to and from on the arm of the server and, during her absence, her napkin was refolded and a cozy placed over her plate to keep it warm. All this for half the price of the pretentious greasy spoons in West Knoxville.

In all honesty, I did not see the "no photos" sign when I shot this inside a "voodoo shop". The anemic little female behind the checkout counter was quite bitchy about the whole thing. I do hope she faired well in the storm.