New Orleans

Rating: Do
Order the duck. It's re-duckulious.

Rating: Do
Good Frenchman st music spot

Rating: Do
9th ward dive that also serves as Kermit Ruffin's spiritual home

Rating: Do
The best hatter in the south. Seriously. Get yourself a new hat.

Rating: Must Do
Totally awesome jazz dive on Frenchman Street. Doesn't get really rollin' till after midnight

Rating: Do
Definitely a tourist fav, but still. It's old school NoLa. Fried Oysters Benedict. And drink heavily.

Rating: Do
Blew us away

Rating: Do
Emeril's place. I've never, ever, been anything less than amazed. Best duck I've ever had. The chef told me it takes them 3 days to prepare that damn duck.

Rating: Must Do
Lunch on a weekday.

Rating: Do
Romantic and well done

Rating: Do
It's expensive, but you can't get Eggs in a Jar anywhere else...

Rating: Do
Great sight lines in this music club and they make a tasty cocktail

Rating: Do
The granddaddy of NoLa music clubs

Rating: Do
Best breakfast in NoLa

Rating: Do
Nice, calm spot for a cocktail.

Rating: Must Do
Great cocktails and good apps.

Rating: Must Do
Gotta take a picture with the professor.

Rating: Must Do
Mother's is a New Orleans institution. I once met Leo Nocentelli from The Meter's and we talked about the best spots to eat at. He said he still goes to Mother's every time he's back. That's a good enough endorsement for me.

Rating: Must Do
Beignet's at Cafe Du Monde is a tradition. They have plenty of tables here so even if there is a big line, you won't wait long.

Rating: Miss
This place is a dump, it was the only place I could get a room when I extended my stay during JazzFest one year. Stay away...

Rating: Must Do
Breakfast here is amazing. What better place to eat than in Jackson Square in the French Quarter...this is definitely a must do.

Rating: Must Do
Looking for some local music to bring back home for friends? This is your spot. They also have a great collection of t-shirts. Added bonus, Louisiana Music Factory hosts many in store performances so it's pretty common that you'll walk in here and see Stanton Moore from Galactic setting up his drum kit. It's a music lover's heaven.

Rating: Do
During the big festivals there is usually a line to get in here. The drinks are strong and the burgers are amazing. It's a great little spot and worth a wait of 45 minutes but sometimes it can be a lot longer.

Rating: Must Do
If you are down here for JazzFest then you need to stop by Igor's at least once during a late night. They stay open all night long and if you are an early bird getting a head start on the day, it's likely you'll see people at 8am who have been up all night...This place is trouble but they also make a great burger which can bring you back to life after a rough night...

Rating: Must Do
Tipitina's is the heart of the music scene in New Orleans. Professor Longhair is the patron saint of the club and you'll see his image painted on the walls as well as a bust of his head when you walk in. Make sure to rub it for good luck. You'll also get to see some of the greatest local bands as well as nationally touring artists. It's usually hot, loud and crowded...but that's New Orleans.

Rating: Do
A cool old music venue that used to be a brothel back in the old days of New Orleans. It's a large hall with a decent sound system and solid vibe. The walls are covered in red velvet and make you feel like you are living in the decadent days of rock n roll.

Rating: Must Do
Every time I come to New Orleans, I try to make this my first stop for a drink in the French Quarter. They have a small courtyard that's perfect for relaxing and meeting up with friends. The atmosphere is everything you imagine New Orleans should be.

I've been the New Orleans many, many times and I'm always finding something new. It's one of my favorite cities in the US because of the people, food and atmosphere. The key to enjoying New Orleans is finding all the hidden gems (and staying away from Bourbon Street).

Rating: Must Do
Catch a live jazz band.

Rating: Must Do
Oysters. Lots of oysters. Also beer.

Rating: Must Do
Get a soft shell crab po'boy.

Jazz, food, drinks.