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Last year on our final night in New Orleans, we happened upon a small bistro in the French Quarter, just off of Bourbon Street, and thought it looked like a quiet, charming place to eat. After a week of over-indulging in food and drink, we were looking for something simple. We were in for a big surprise as we had stumbled upon a hidden gem. As we planned our return trip to New Orleans this year, the first thing we did after booking our flights was make a reservation for dinner at Louisiana Bistro. We decided to book it for our first night in town when we knew we would have the biggest appetite. At Louisiana Bistro, Chef Mars offers a contemporary twist on classic Creole cuisine. Featuring delicious local seafood and seasonal fruits and vegetables, this menu is as fresh as it gets in NOLA. With around only a dozen tables, the setting is intimate and exclusive - reservations are recommended and most often required to snag a seat.
The owners, Neal Bodenheimer and Kirk Estopinal, of Cure and Bellocq in New Orleans, opened their newest spot Cane and Table, just in time for Tales of the Cocktail. And, we are thankful they did so. Of course, it was a bit difficult to find with the nondescript entrance, especially with the line for another restaurant blocking the door- But, we found it.
French Quarter, Bourbon Street, Pat O’Briens, Hurricanes, beads, slushies, all night debauchery….these are probably some of the first things that come to mind when thinking about New Orleans.  Visiting New Orleans, it is impossible not to find a place to drink.  But New Orleans has also entered the cocktail renaissance that has spread around the country. New Orleans is home to many traditional cocktails that can be found in some of the more historical bars in the city.  And new bars have been opening at a rapid pace that offer a modern take on classic cocktails, using fresh ingredients and enjoying the art of the cocktail.  From classics to originals, there are many places to get a great drink! Many people think that cocktails were invented in New Orleans.  While this isn’t true (the name “cocktail” first appeared in an upstate New York newspaper in 1806), there are a few drinks that New Orleans can proudly take ownership of, such as the Sazerac and the Ramos Gin Fizz, and a few French Quarter bars worth visiting both for their history and for their “featured” drink.
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