ALOHA FROM NEW ORLEANS

Our first day in the Big Easy was wonderful. Arrived at the Ritz Carlton around noon time. The concierge recommended brunch at one of New Orleans most famous restaurants - Brennan's.

Of course, we cleaned up and took the short walk to Brennan's from the hotel.

BRENNAN'S

417 Royal Street

All of the internet and tourist guides boast that a trip to New Orleans is not complete without a dining experience at Brennan's. Well, they are right and wrong. Don't go to Brennan's if you are on a budget or looking for a deal. Brunch for two including two cocktails was over $130 without tip. The service was o.k. Seemed like there were alot of people working but always seemed a little disorganized. Once our waiter settled in, the service got much better. We ordered the recommended three course brunch for $38. This includes appetizer, main dish and dessert. However, there are upcharges for Gumbo and the World Famous Banana's Foster. If you order these items the pre-fix price for each meal goes to $50. This is for breakfast mind you.  I went with the dish that put Brennan's on the map according to the menu. It is called Eggs Hussarde. Simply poached egg on top of canadian bacon and toast with hollindaise sauce. The kicker is a mustard sauce that really did not come through in the dish. The two eggs are served with half of a tomato. My wife ordered the Eggs Owen which is poached egg with beef hash.  Looked like dog food, smelled like dog food and tasted about the same. Enough said.

Both are meals were served with an absolutely awesome crab gumbo ( paid upcharge). The gumbo was filled with lump crab and the highlight of the meal. The Banana's Foster was terrific but due to space constraints they did not do the flaming presentation at our table. They did it out of sight and prepared our order with the table next to ours at the same time. The Crepes Fitz (Strawberries) was a huge hit. This is an awesome dish that I thought was as good as or better than the Banana's Foster.

When you leave a breakfast $150 lighter in the pocket, you would expect alot more. I would go to Brennan's one time to experience all the history for yourself.

ACME OYSTER HOUSE

724 Iberville Street

When you get off the plane in New Orleans, don't walk - RUN to Acme Oyster House.

This place is off the hook great and reasonably priced. We arrived around 7;00 p.m. on a Thursday. The restaurant does not take reservations so we waited in a small line outside.

The wait was short (less than 20 minutes) and we were in. There is a large Oyster Bar down the side of the place. We opted for a table and started our meal with a half dozen oysters on the half shell. They arrived quickly and chilled to perfection. These oysters are fresh. No fish taste or after taste. Just a smooth and silky dissolve in the mouth. Best we have ever had.

The oysters were followed by a pound of fresh crawfish. Served in a pouch and steaming when they arrived. These were absolutely awesome. You could eat 10 pounds and love them.

The crawfish ettoufee was just as good. Served with rice and nice pieces of shrimp and crawfish.

We ordered a medly of gumbo, jambalaya, sausage and red beans and rice. Everything on the plate was delicious. The entire cost for this meal with two beers was $50. Yes $50. Compare that to Brennan's. We did not have room for the po-boys which were going out of the kitchen like crazy. That will be for next trip which is today. WE ARE GOING BACK FOR MORE.

DON'T MISS THE ACME OYSTER HOUSE.