August 11, 2011
Eating in the Marigny
In our most recent edition of Journeys we explored Adolfo’s Restaurant, an Italian Creole style eatery just steps from the front door of Festiva Hospitality Group’s Frenchmen Orleans. What’s exciting about the Frenchmen Orleans is Adolfo’s Restaurant is just one of the many great establishments within walking distance of the resort, making this destination a food lover’s paradise. Grab your fork, spoon and appetite and let’s take a look at some of the other mouth watering meals just outside the front door of the Frenchmen Orleans.
Cake Cafe: Sitting at the corner of Chartres Street and Spain Street, the Cake Cafe is a five minute walk from the Frenchmen Orleans, making this neighborhood hot spot the perfect stop for breakfast. A simple yet charming atmosphere is accompanied by some of the most decadent pastries and cupcakes imaginable, filled with everything from champagne to rum. More than just pastries, the cafe also offers a large selection of omelets and sandwiches, all made with the freshest local ingredients available. Menu standouts include the the crab, spinach and brie stuffed omelet, shrimp and grits, and any of the many dishes that include the Boudin sausage which is made daily on site. (Open 7 days a week, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
Praline Connection: The Praline Connection is a New Orleans staple with various locations throughout the city. Luckily the original is on Frenchmen Street just a
few doors up from the Frenchmen Orleans. While the Praline Connection originally garnished fame for their sweet caramel and pecan concoctions, it’s the southern soul food that brings patrons back time after time. The menu reads like a southern dinner bible: fried chicken, meatloaf, collard greens, macaroni and cheese, and of course peach cobbler. In addition to southern classics they also serve up some of the best Cajun and Creole dishes around such as etouffee, gumbo, jambalaya and a personal favorite the traditional shrimp po-boy. (Open Mon-Sat 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sun 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.)
Mona’s Cafe: You can’t eat Cajun or Creole every night – well maybe that is debatable – however for those of you looking to change the flavor palate up a little 
there is Mona’s Cafe, a short stroll across the street and two doors down from the Frenchmen Orleans. Consistently listed in multiple local publications as a “best of” in the Mediterranean category, Mona’s serves up some of the most mouth-watering hummus, falafel, lamb and chicken I have ever eaten. The aroma of turmeric, paprika, cumin and cardamom permeate from the kitchen as specials like beef shawarma, lamb kabab and stuffed grape leaves come pouring out. Be aware though, Mona’s cafe does not sell alcoholic beverages, however if you’re in need of a cold beer you’re more than welcome to cross the street, grab one, and bring it back in to enjoy. (Open Mon-Thurs 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Fri-Sat 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Sun noon-9 p.m.)
