We rose early on Monday morning for breakfast at District Donuts Sliders and Brew. We tried the chocolate covered, bacon, and cinnamon sugar donuts, biscuits, and a kolache. Personally I've never been a huge gourmet doughnut fan, so this wasn't my favorite. I'm more of a Krispy Kreme glazed kinda girl, I like it simple. My dad loves gournet doughnuts, so he really enjoyed this. The biscuits were really good, and I loved the jam they served with it! The kolache was pretty good too, so this place was overall a success.
At ten we headed over to the New Orleans School of Cooking for our lesson. We had a New Orleans style chef show us how to make red beans and rice, gumbo, pralines, and pecan pie. I'm not really a pecan fan, but dad loved the pie and pralines! The gumbo and red beans and rice were the best I'd ever had, and he made it look so easy! It was such a great experience even if you're like me and don't cook, and I'd totally recommend it to anyone.
At 12:30 when the class ended, we walked Jackson Square and checked out some of the cool shops in the French Quarter. Jackson Square is such a beautiful place, and it's all owed to the people there. Artists line the streets with their beautiful artwork that really makes the place something amazing. The cathedral is gorgeous, like something out of a book.
Next we went to the French Market, where locals bring their goods to sell in one place. If you're looking for pieces that really showcase the New Orleans style, this is where to go. There are several artists out making custom pieces for customers in the open so you can watch them make their art. They have beautiful handmade jewelry and clothes for the New Orleans lover. I got a t-shirt for me and one to take back to my brother.
One of my favorite restaurants we went to was Cochon, a Cajun-style restaurant that serves traditional Cajun foods. We ordered the fried alligator with chili garlic mayonnaise and boudin balls for our starters. It was my first time trying either of these, and both were fantastic. For our entree we split the smoked pork ribs with watermelon pickle. I'm not a huge ribs person, so this wasn't really my thing. We got the macaroni and cheese casserole and creamy grits for sides, and they were amazing. By far the best grits I've ever had. The dessert wasn't anything great. I had the chocolate and peanut butter pie and my dad got the carrot cake. I liked mine, but it really isn't anything I'd ever want to get again. Despite the dessert, everything else made this restaurant the best place we ate on the whole trip. Cochon also has a second location in New Orleans, Cochon Butcher. We planned to go there the next day, but regrettably ended up skipping it.
That's it for my third day in New Orleans, hope you enjoyed it! Be sure to check out my first and second days and like my Facebook page for updates when the next installments are published!
