Netflix: Season 1
Phil Rosenthal visits New Orleans, a city that has rebounded from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 to come back even better than before. The spirit is evident in the people of the city and also in the food, which is a vibrant melting pot of cultures. See the episode recap of the list of locations, restaurants, and attractions he visited on the show for the best of what to do in New Orleans.
Eats
1. Bevi Seafood
Phil's first stop in New Orleans is Bevi Seafood, a casual local spot run by Chef Justin LeBlanc. Phil sits at the countertop to have the amazing Cochon de lait Po Boy, which was first served at Jazz Fest. He also has some fresh crawfish, where the key to eating them is to not peel them.
Tasted:
Cochon de lait Po Boy - A po boy sandwich with half shrimp and half beef. Topped with swiss cheese, mayo, and caramelized onion
Crawfish - with corn
2. Cochon Butcher
Phil stops by Cochon Butcher, a restaurant specializing in Cajun-style meats and sausage run by Steven Strajewski and Donald Link. He meets up with Wendell Pierce, a New Orleans native who starred in the iconic TV show, the Wire.
Tasted:
Cracklin (i.e. pork rind) with Steen's syrup
Hog's head cheese - creole pate
Blood sausage
Cajun boudin
Praline with a bit of bacon
3. Turkey and the Wolf
The Turkey and the Wolf is a unique restaurant that specializes in innovative cocktails and new creative takes of classic dishes. Located in the Irish channel, it's like they "gave a 5 year old a restaurant" as they reinvent how food is defined.
Tasted:
Ma'am Don't Be Hysterical - Campari, gin, house blackberry syrup, lime
Tacos Inauthenticos - Tacos made to taste like Taco Bell
Vegetarian reuben - Triple decker sandwich - collard greens and rye bread
Soft serve ice cream with cheese straw and sprinkles
4. Shaya
Having visited the home of Chef Alon Shaya earlier, Phil visits the eponymous restaurant specializing in Israeli cuisine. He has a wonderful meal that is highlighted by the amazingly fresh and pillowing pita bread that is baked fresh out of the fire-pit oven.
Tasted:
Ljutenica - Bulgarian spread of roasted peppers, eggplant, tomato, parsley, olive oil - served with pita bread
Taramasalata - fish roe spread - use paddlefish caviar
Tabbouleh
Baba ghanoush
Hummus with short ribs
Chocolate babka with halva gelato
5. Dooky Chase
Dooky Chase is run by Leah Chase, who at 94 years old is known as the queen of creole cuisine. She is legendary in helping fuel the Civil Rights movement by feeding the freedom fighters including Martin Luther King. Leah recalled a story where she slapped President Barack Obama's hand for when he asked for hot sauce.
Tasted:
Gumbo
6. Willie Mae's
Home of perhaps the best fried chicken in the world, Willie Mae's does it right with a wet batter and some cajun for a kick. The restaurant was down for a couple years after Katrina, but has since been re-built and is better than ever.
Tasted:
Fried chicken
Green beans
Red beans and rice
Sweet potato fries
7. Mosca's
Mosca's is a homey restaurant that has served comfort food for over 70 years. Rumor has it that it was once run by Al Capone's chef when he wanted better food in New Orleans.
Tasted:
Chicken a la grande
Spaghetti with meatballs on the side
Oysters Mosca on top of spaghetti bordelaise
8. Camellia Grill
The Camellia Grill is a casual laid-back restaurant has been there since the 1940s, and Phil enjoys a hearty burger and breakfast food at the counter.
Tasted:
Bacon and cheese omelette
Chef's omelette
Cheeseburger with everything
Activities
1. Bourbon Street
No trip to New Orleans is complete without visiting Bourbon Street, the epicenter of nightlife and the spirit of the city.
2. Home of Chef Alon Shaya
Phil visits the home of Chef Alon Shaya, who runs an Israeli restaurant in the city. Chef Shaya hosts red beans and rice dinners on Mondays.
Tasted:
Grilled shrimp
Gefilte fish
Marinated cheese with matzo or regular bread
Red beans and rice
3. Roots of Music
2624 Burgundy St, New Orleans, LA 70117
Treme is one of the oldest African American neighborhood in New Orleans and was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Roots of Music is a non profit in Treme that teaches inner city kids how to play music. It is run by Derrick Tabb, the drummer of the grammy award winning Rebirth Brass Band. Phil stops by to learn how to play the trombone.
