I visited New Orleans for the first time as a teen, during my stint as a foreign exchange student in Memphis, TN. When I met my husband, a Tulane grad and Louisiana native, I thought I would have plenty of opportunities to get back and visit the crescent city as an “adult”. But I didn’t 🙁 My future in-laws lived in Baton Rouge and the husband was not really the visiting type. When we did visit, we typically flew into the capital and skipped NOLA. One day, I finally put my foot down. It’s not that Baton Rouge is not a great town (it’s not actually), but the husband got to spend plenty of time with me and my parents in my hometown of Paris so I felt I was getting the short end of the stick as far as visits to the families were concerned. The husband saw my point and finally took me to New Orleans. We visited Tulane’s campus, ate some good food and played around the city. It was August 2005. I haven’t been back since.
Hurricane Katrina had a profound impact on the gulf region and the city of New Orleans. But some things never change. Like Café du Monde. The coffee shop opened on Decatur Street, across from Jackson Square in the French Quarter, back in 1862. 150 years later, it’s still a quintessential New Orleans spot, a must stop for locals and tourists alike. The menu is simple: French beignets and coffee. Coffee with chicore. It’s always busy, regardless of the time of day or the season. If you don’t feel like dealing with the crowds (or the flight to Louisiana as a matter of fact) Seasons Restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel here in Washington, D.C. is bringing a taste of the Big Easy to Georgetown. From July 22nd through September 23, 2012 Seasons is honouring Café du Monde‘s 150 anniversary by introducing creole flavours to its Sunday brunch. Throughout the summer, a “French Quarter” station will highlight traditional Louisiana dishes like po’boys, barbeque shrimp, lamb confit dirty rice (*le swoon*), crawfish etouffee, andouille sausage gumbo, bourbon street deconstructed pecan pies and ‘Café Olé’ mousse cake. And of course, it’s wouldn’t be an hommage du cafe du monde without some fluffy powdered sugar beignets. Nor an hommage to Louisiana without some potent cocktails. In addition to the bottomless mimosas that always come with Season’s lavish brunch display you can also indulge in a (or a few) Big Easy Bloody Mary, a Tequila Mockingbird or a classic hurricane.
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| With the then-boyfriend at Café du Monde back in August 2005. We look so young! |
Since my in-laws no longer live in Louisiana, I’m not sure when when we’ll make our way back there unfortunately so I’ve actually already made reservations for the husband and I to celebrate our wedding anniversary (6 years… crazy!) over a fabulous New Orleans themed brunch this August. But after Café du Monde, can we talk about bringing other NOLA foodie experiences to the district? I’m thinking the 25-cent weekday lunches martinis from Commander’s Palace would be particularly well received 😉
Seasons, located at Four Seasons Hotel Washington DC, offers brunch every Sunday from 10:30 AM – 2:00 PM. This new Cafe du Monde inspired summer brunch menu is offered in addition to the regular brunch until September 23rd, 2012 and is priced at $80.00 per person ($40.00 for children ages 5-12.) A great merci to Paul of Mount Vernon Triangle blog and Tammy of Florida Girl in DC for helping me New Orleans pictures.
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