New Orleans: The Sensuous City Part 3

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The following post is the conclusion of the New Orleans: Sensuous City. Part 1, Part 2

NOLAOgdenArt-6And lastly, there was the art. I knew about the music. I knew about the food. I even knew about the poets on the streets of the French Quarter clacking away on their typewriters. I did not realize how amazingly rich the art world of New Orleans is. We started at the Ogden Museum which had a wonderful collection on display of contemporary Black artists working in abstract mediums like Norman Lewis and Shinique Smith. They also had a wonderful display of photography from local photographers. I was particularly struck by the wildlife images by Cheryl Medow. Continue reading →

New Orleans: Sensuous City Part 2

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The following post is a continuation of the New Orleans: Sensuous City.

NOLAFoodCity-11After the music, there’s the food. I ate very well in New Orleans, but I would put the blossoming food scenes in Baltimore and DC right up there with the meals I had in New Orleans. I had a great gumbo at Coquette. Our best meal was probably at Peche, a fish centric restaurant where I discovered what shrimp can taste like at their absolute best. There are also creative food explorations that we enjoyed…the Caribbean/New Orleans fusion at Compere Lapin or the modern Israeli cuisine at Shaya were definite highlights. And I love my beignets. Cafe du Monde…late at night…after the jazz clubs…fluffy pillows of sugared heaven to take you to happy dreams. But skip the hot chocolate there…it was a watery powder-mix homage to what hot chocolate should be. Continue reading →