New Orleans: Not my grandmother’s gumbo
Beyond its reputation for Mardi Gras, slavery, Civil War history, voodoo and music, New Orleans abounds with foods, especially seafood and southern fare. The dinning guide supplied in my hotel room during a recent visit entitled “ New Orleans Where ” listed 78 eating establishments in the French Quarter alone not to mention those listed in the Central Business/Warehouse District, 36; the Garden District/Lower Garden District, 13; Mirigny/Bywater, 9; Mataire/Kenner, 3; Mid-City, 10; and Uptown, 29. It seems one could spend weeks, even months eating around New Orleans, but my stay called for a meager eight meals, which included three breakfasts. After spending considerable time reading about the various offerings, I decided the best plan was to play things by hunger and take my chances. I was also seeking my grandmother’s gumbo. That first morning I stopped at the front desk to inquire about the closest breakfast place. The desk clerk directed me to an IHOP a b...