Travel Archives | Jenna Danielle

12 Tips for Driving in Italy

February 2, 2020

Ahh, Italian roads. You may have heard horror stories about the crazy speeds, the lane-straddling and the general danger of driving in Italy. When we were planning our trip, our dream was to drive through the Tuscan countryside but I was nervous about what I had heard about the drivers. This caused me to do a lot of research, including reaching out to several of my favorite travel bloggers to ask them personally about their experiences.

Everyone of them told me that it’s not too bad. At this point Brian and I already had romantic visions in our heads of cruising down mountain roads, watching the vineyards pass by. We booked the rental cars and crossed our fingers.

Check out more on our Italian trip here!

Pulling to the side of the road in Naples to take deep breaths and consult Google.

Now, before I get any further, I want to explain my and Brian’s driving habits. I hate driving. I am not fearful of being in traffic, but I find it awful and tedious. Brian loves driving. He is an offensive driver and he is not afraid to zip in and out of lanes on the highway. He’s also a very good, very accurate driver, even if he tends to have a lead foot. I felt pretty comfortable with him driving the whole time we were in Italy. I do feel bad that he didn’t get to enjoy as much of the scenery as I did, but I was a darn good navigator.

If you’re interested in renting a car in Italy, here are a few things to be aware of and a few things we wish we had known before our month-long trip!

1. Italians drive on the right side of the road, same as the U.S.

This was a pleasant find (one we researched before we went). Traffic signs are very similar as well.

2. We did not need international drivers licenses.

We rented through an American company that Brian uses all the time for work trips, so we knew we’d be fine with our normal Arizona licenses. I have not heard of anyone being denied a rental car because they didn’t have an international license, but make sure you check with the company you’re renting from, just in case.

Driving through Tuscany was the highlight of our trip!

3. Italians don’t pay attention to speed limits

If the sign says 100kpm (about 63mph), you can bet everyone on the highway will be going 150+kpm. Keep your seatbelt on and go with the flow of traffic. You’ll be fine.

4. Just get out of the way of faster vehicles.

People will want to pass you on the left. If you’re not going faster than everyone in the left lane, stay in the right. Regardless of the speed limit. You may as well pretend those don’t exist.

5. You’ll see drivers straddling lanes frequently.

It’s a little annoying, to be honest. Many times Italian drivers will keep their options open by straddling two lanes. I’m talking, the entire way down the highway. If you’re going faster than them and you can safely get around, do so. They will usually let you pass.

6. Lanes? What are those?

If they can fit their car between two others, you can bet Italians will do it. For driving, for parking, for turning. Highways tend to look like a free for all.

Sorrento was like something out of a dream.
Many streets are car forbidden, meaning foot traffic only.

7. Drivers will get very close to people walking down the street. Don’t panic, it’s normal.

Like, a few scant inches from your person. This isn’t a rude thing, Italians are just very aware of where their cars physically end. They are pros at maneuvering them through narrow roads and alleys. Like I said, if they can fit their car through, they will. When walking, pay attention to where you are and don’t be offended if they zoom past. They (probably) won’t touch you.

8. Italians use horns like it’s going out of style.

If you’re not going fast enough for the car behind you, they’ll honk to ask you to move over. When buses and large trucks are going around a tight corner, they’ll honk to let you know they’re coming and that you might want to stop (very true on the Amalfi Coast where the roads are narrow). If you are honked at, it is not a personal attack against you (Americans can be so sensitive) they are just letting you know they need your attention. Don’t get upset, just stay aware.

9. GPS navigation isn’t always accurate. Roads are confusing.

Sort of like a child scribbled them on a map in crayon. Roads loop this way and that, one ways reverse at certain times. There are taxi and bus lanes that go the opposite direction down one way roads. If there’s space to park or stop on a tiny sliver of shoulder, it will happen. Google Maps helped us quite a bit in most cities. From Venice to Florence, through Tuscany, over to the coast at Ortobello and all down the Amalfi Coast we experienced (mostly) accurate navigation using Google Maps. Outside of Naples and Rome, fuhgeddaboutit. My navigation would spaz out and tell me to go 20 minutes out of the way, only to redirect me to the original route once we had done that.

We spent an extra 2 hours driving around outside of Naples because of these frequent spaz episodes. Going into Rome a few weeks later, we got lost for 3 hours trying to find our Air BnB. Our host forgot to mention that the apartment was in a vehicle-forbidden area, meaning no cars can drive or park within blocks of there. We ended up taking the car back to the rental company and walking to the apartment, dragging four suitcases over the cobblestone streets (not recommended).
Note: I have been told Waze works well in Italy, but I never tried it first hand.

10. Public transportation is convenient, if not entirely timely.

One great thing about Italy is that public transportation is everywhere. Trains are fast and on time. Buses, not so much. We used the buses on the Amalfi Coast to travel from town to town and not have to worry about finding a unicorn parking spot. Even the locals couldn’t tell us what time the buses arrived. They run every day, true, and most times every 30 min to an hour, but on schedule? Nahhhh, they get there when they get there. Relax. Also, the buses do not have air conditioning, so plan accordingly.

If you do opt for a taxi, try to negotiate the fee *before* you leave.
They will try to overcharge you every time.

**11. Speaking of buses. You can only buy bus tickets at tabaccherias.**

If you need a bus ticket, you need to find a tabaccheria. That is, a tobacco shop. Bus stops rarely have ticket dispensing machines. And when they do, they’re usually out of order. Save yourself the headache and find a tabaccheria. Buy several bus tickets at a time. On the Amalfi Coast, they were about €1.60, each way. It’s better safe than sorry.

Tabaccherias are also the only places you can purchase any tobacco products–cigarettes, vaping or other. If you have a habit, I suggest you plan ahead.

The Amalfi Coast was the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen! I driving here was a little iffy due to such narrow, twisting roads. Finding parking was nearly impossible in the towns. We ended up taking the buses a lot to avoid extra stress.

12. Scooters are everywhere. Watch out for them.

And I mean everywhere. They zip out and around cars like lightning. They’ll scoot around you at a red light, look both ways and just go. Where you thought was an opening to turn or move over–look twice–there might be scooters zipping through. Keep an eye out for them, especially in the cities. They’re small and riders don’t wear any protection aside from a helmet. Just pay attention, please.

OK, how are you feeling about driving through Italy? I hope I haven’t dissuaded you from trying it. It can be scary, but those moments driving down the Tuscan countryside made it all worth it for us! The freedom of having a car is really convenient. We tend to be very spontaneous when we travel and not having to factor a taxi or bus schedule into our day really made it easy to do as we pleased.

More inf o on our trip through Italy here!

Have you driven in Italy? Do you have any additional advice for travelers thinking about renting a car there? Leave them below in the comments and I’ll add them!

15 Things I Wish I Knew Before Visiting Italy

October 25, 2019

Have you ever been to Italy? With all the amazing cities, history and ocean shores, you’d be hard pressed to not find it on every traveler’s bucket list. Traveling to any foreign country can be daunting, especially when their customs are vastly different from your own. If you’re not prepared, you could be met with frustration. Frequently. Trust me on this.

Traveling is like stepping into the unknown

There are undoubtably going to be moments of discomfort, no matter who you are or how much research you’ve done. If you’re planning a trip to this magical land, be sure to set aside a few minutes for this post. I’m going to go over everything I wish I would have known before visiting.

The streets of Sorrento were bustling and lively!

Italy is probably my favorite place to visit in the whole world. I haven’t been everywhere, so I can’t say for sure. I do know, though, that once I set foot there, I felt like I had come home. My dad thinks we may have Italian heritage on his mother’s side of the family, but no one is really sure. All I know is that I had wanted to visit since I was a kid and I can’t really say for sure where that idea was born.

We recently eloped in Italy and spent almost three weeks driving around the country. I would have been a little more prepared had I read this blog post before our trip. I figured the next best thing was to write this post for you!

Driving through Tuscany fulfilled a life-long dream for me. I couldn’t have been more thankful to have this guy by my side for it!

Here are 15 things I wish I knew before traveling to Italy

1. Italians don’t believe in breakfast.
Being a HUGE breakfast person, I crave protein and carbs in the morning in order to have a balanced day. Italians don’t put a big emphasis on breakfast. In fact, their breakfasts mostly consist of coffee and some kind of sweet pastry. Cafes are the only thing open until around 10, so if you are like me, grab some protein bars from a market the day before.
There are a few places that cater to American & English travelers in the more touristy cities. If you’re lucky you can find one that opens early and serves “English breakfast” but don’t get too excited about having choices. Eggs are served mostly scrambled and bacon and sausage seem to be the common choices. I also noticed a lot of small slices of toast with melted cheese and ham between them. Brian and I loved these little ‘grilled cheese’ toasts and got them whenever we could find them.

2. Everything shuts down in the afternoons.
The Italians call it reposo. Most restaurants and retail stores shut down in the afternoons. The times vary from business to business, and I’m sure a lot depends on the area as well. This afternoon ‘siesta’ happens anywhere from noon to 5pm. Some places close 1-4, some from 12-4, some from 2-5. During this time, the most you may be able to find is a cafe open for aperitivo. We had heard about reposo, but I guess it didn’t really register until we arrived in Amalfi at 3pm after 18 hours of travel from home. We hadn’t eaten in six hours and we were both on the verge of freaking out on one another. Nothing was open. We did freak out, a little (ok it was mostly me). We finally found a tiny cafe that had these mini pizzas sitting out on their counter, completely cold and made who-knows-when. Paired with a beer, I think that may have been the best meal of my life at that point. Don’t make my mistake, plan for reposo.

Cold pizza and beer: our very first Italian meal. Faces were left out of the picture because they were not happy-looking.

3. You must experience APERITIVO!
Speaking of cafes, they serve alcohol AND coffee! Talk about my kind of place! In the afternoons, Italians enjoy what they call aperitivo in these cafes. That is, wine/drinks and complimentary snacks! These can be anything from potato chips, to bruschetta, to pastries, small pizzas and more, depending on what area you are in. Aperitivo is meant as a relaxing, happy hour of sorts. The small plates offered with drinks are free, but drinks are never discounted as you’d see in America happy hours. Because Italians typically eat dinner late (see #3), aperitivo is a great way to fend off any hunger you may be experiencing while you’re adjusting to their eating schedules.

Aperetivo in Venice along the Grand Canal.

4. Dinner is late and long.
Italians tend to eat dinner around 8 or even later. In many areas, restaurants don’t even open until 6 or 7. (Heavy tourist areas will have different hours to cater to more diverse needs) Because of aperetivo, you may not even be hungry until later anyway. When they do sit down at a restaurant, dinner is meant to be a relaxing, unwinding event, which is why servers may seem to ignore you….

5. Servers ignore you.
Well, sort of. Italians see dining as a repose. The typical formal meal structure has several courses: antipasto, primo, secondo, contorno, & dolce. Because they view this whole process as time to unwind, servers will not come to you unless you gesture for them (a finger raise or a quick wave is appropriate). You also will not get your check unless you ask. They’re not being rude, they’re giving you the space to enjoy your experience.

6. Here is the tipping etiquette for dining out:
Due to a large influx of American tourists who are used to tipping when they dine out, attitudes in Italy seem to be slowly changing, but you do not need to tip. Usually on your bill or the menu, you will see a ‘service charge’ of a few euros per person. You don’t have to tip on top of that. Of course if you had really great service, rounding your bill up to the next euro or two is fine. Servers in Italy receive a normal wage, whereas American servers and bartenders receive a reduced hourly wage in lieu of tips. At cafes or bars, you can round up as well if you like.

The streets of Napoli were probably the worst we encountered.

7. Driving can be scary.
Speed limits are ignored, lanes are disregarded, horns are heavily used and crosswalks are gospel. People will walk alongside the streets, 6 inches from passing cars, nonchalant as if they have a deathwish. Scooters were a huge headache for us. There are about 20 scooters for every car and there are even less rules for them. Scooter drivers think nothing of zooming in between cars, either moving or stopped.
Traffic circles are pretty common and if you use them right, they can be very convenient compared to stoplights; traffic seems to move constantly. If you choose not to risk it, public transportation is fabulous in Italy. If you do decide to drive in Italy, just keep your eyes open and don’t slow down (ha!). The worst cities to drive in (to us) were Naples and Rome–our GPS did not work well in either city. Oh, and don’t worry, they drive on the right side of the road, same as the US.

8. Bring comfortable shoes
I cannot stress this enough. The streets in Italy are all rough stone. You will be walking everywhere. If you don’t wear comfortable shoes, you will be very sorry. I bought several new pairs of shoes before we left America and one pair really needed to be broken in… well, I sure broke them in. I had blisters on my poor feet for a week and could only wear sandals.

9. You can haggle with the street vendors
Don’t be bashful about haggling a bit with the street vendors and some stores. You can get some really good prices, so I suggest not shying away from it. Always ask for their best price–if you have cash it could be even better.

Trust me, you’re going to want to shop! Having cash on hand is much easier for most vendors and it can give you a bit of an edge when haggling!

10. Withdraw money from the ATM, don’t go to a money exchange or bank.
Money exchanges and banks will gauge you. We learned to just pull cash from the ATM and deal with the $3 or $5 international fee. That way you get the current exchange rate.

11. Taxis are expensive.
But many times, we had no other option. Try to agree on a price before they take you anywhere; and watch their meters: they have several buttons they can press to increase the fare when you’re not looking. *PRO TIP: Ask the restaurant or store you’re at to call you a taxi. Most are only available from taxi stands which may not be readily accessible on maps. Even empty ones will have a tendency to drive past you if you’re not standing at a taxi stand. And remember, cash is king!

12. No one forms an orderly line while waiting
In America, we stand in a single file line when waiting for anything–the airport gate, the food counter, the train ticket station etc. Italians–and in fact, most Europeans– don’t. Everyone stands in a cluster and many people will push through to the front if they feel so inclined. While waiting for a water taxi in Venice, we watched a number of people go in the exit gate, just to be first on the ferry. There are no ‘excuse me’s. It was hard to get used to at first, because I am a very polite person. Eventually, though, I realized no one was upset and I just learned to go with it.

13. Don’t be afraid to get lost every once in a while.
Venice is a great place to do that. Since the whole island is closed to vehicle traffic, you can stroll all around the twisty alley ways and find some amazing little restaurants and shops. In fact, be open to exploring whatever city you’re in. By meandering around the city streets, we have stumbled upon some beautiful sights and amazing little restaurants off the beaten paths.

Venice is the perfect place to get lost!

14. They don’t have convenience stores.
Gas stations are usually just that. Trying to find a coffee, snacks or energy drinks while driving will be a futile endeavor unless you turn off into a town. Even then, many markets (grocery stores) don’t have cold drinks or quick grab stuff. Every once in a while along the highway you can find a small store next to a gas station. We saw a couple outside of Rome, but I can’t recall seeing any others anywhere else.

15. WHO you travel with will make all the difference.
I can’t tell you how many times Brian and I snapped at each other because we were stressed or lost or hungry or tired. Traveling tests you in ways you’d never think possible. Anytime you’re visiting a foreign country, you will be met with uncertainty. The key is to travel with someone (or people) who are willing to communicate openly when friustrations arise, who

I feel like this list may grow as I remember more, but so far these are some really helpful topics I wish I had paid attention to. As they say, hindsight is 20/20!

Have you been to Italy? Do you have any other tips or things you wish you knew before going? Leave them for me in the comments!

Pin for later:

How to Find Adventure on Any Budget

March 10, 2019

It’s important to get away sometimes. Trust me, I get it. Seeing the same sights every day, breathing the same air… it tends to weigh on a person. A simple change of scenery can bring about much needed clarity.

Personally, I find I need to get out of town regularly to keep my creative juices flowing. I believe that simply experiencing new sights and sounds is important for our minds. It’s like a reset button on my brain. I find that time away helps me think clearer and more out of the box. If you’re feeling stuck, I encourage you to keep reading.

Asking for time off work? Purchasing plane tickets, accommodation, food?! If your budget or schedule isn’t ready for this kind of get away, never fear. Getting away doesn’t have to mean a week in the Bahamas (although that’s ALWAYS a good idea), you can find adventure in your own backyard and it doesn’t have to be expensive.

Many Americans get about 2 weeks of paid vacation per year. In the span of 12 months, that really doesn’t amount to much adventuring. Especially if you’re like me and you get antsy with too much routine. Save those vacation days for a bigger trip, and use your weekends for quick adventures around your state.

I’m spoiled. I live in Arizona and my state has many, many different types of geography mere hours from my front door. You bet your bottom I’m off and exploring everywhere I possibly can, as often as I can.

Short on time? Look insideyour town. Maybe plan a few hours around an area of your city you haven’t explored before. Check out a café you’ve never been to or find a park you haven’t visited and pack a picnic. Map out locally owned thrift stores or boutiques and check them out with a friend. Get outside of your normal travel radius.

I bet your home state has some cool places you didn’t even know existed. Hop on the Google machine and make a search for weekend trips near you. Book one night at a BnB in a town you’ve never been to. Maybe a town an hour away has a diner known for making the best pies? Add that to your list of stops. Find a forest, a park, a field, a mountain, a river or even a pond you’ve never been to. Pack a lunch, bring a blanket, ditch your phone. The point is to enjoy the journey. Make a playlist of your favorite road trip songs and be sure to sing them at the top of your lungs (I find this extremely cathartic).

I love bringing my camera and a journal with me when I head out on my own. Sometimes I’ll just start driving in a direction with zero plans and make it up as I go—those can turn into the best adventures.

If you’re a hiker like me, check out AllTrails.com or download their app. Plug in your city and they’ll show you the best hiking trails near you! This is 100% unsponsored, I just love All Trails that much.

Our bodies were designed for movement, plain and simple. And by not honoring that basic need, we can grow complacent, heavy, stunted…. idle. If you find yourself feeling this way, I implore you to get out. Give your heart and your mind a break and celebrate the freedom that comes with four windows rolled down and the radio loud.

Pin for later

A Taste of NOLA: Where & What to Eat in the Big Easy

December 10, 2018

New Orleans has quickly become one of my favorite cities to visit. I had always wanted to see the Crescent City and recently was able to make that desire a reality. I travel, first, to experience new people. cultures and topography and a close second: to eat new foods. NOLA certainly has it’s own style of grub and it was something we excitedly embraced. Nestled on the Gulf of Mexico and snuggled right up against Lake Pontchartrain, NOLA is geographically perfect for a seafood-centric cuisine. Let me tell you, there’s not much that’ll make me happier than some spicy seafood and a good local beer.

Speaking of local beers, Dixie seems to be a hometown favorite. We enjoyed the light lager with several meals (best with fried po’boys) and were a little disappointed that we couldn’t find it in our home state of Arizona. Dixie Brewing Company was one of many affected by Hurricane Katrina back in 2005. They returned to The Big Easy last year and have been brewing the original recipe created in 1907 for all of NOLA to rejoice and enjoy. Unfortunately, it looks like they are only distributing in Louisiana at this time. This just means we’ll have to take another trip soon, which I am totally OK with.

Mother’s Restaurant serves THE BEST shrimp and oyster po’boy I’ve ever had! It paired so perfectly with a local Dixie beer. I’m still having dreams about this meal.

Abita Brewing Company is another Louisiana staple. They are distributed nationwide, but have one Louisiana exclusive beer called The Boot (get it? because Louisiana is shaped like a boot?!). We really liked this beer too. It’s a hybrid, similar to a pilsner. It was light and crisp and another very good choice to pair with just about anything fried.

Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant serves ’em up cold!

I’ll get into that po’boy next because, seriously, I still dream about that dang thing. Mother’s Restaurant is a New Orleans staple. They opened in 1938 and to this day there’s still a line out the door, waiting to get in. That should tell you something about the food. I never want to walk into a restaurant and see it empty. I want to see it filled with locals to know I’ve come to the right spot. Mother’s had locals and tourists alike filling it’s tables and boy, was it well-deserved.

Mother’s was crazy-busy but soooo worth the wait.

One of my very favorite places was Jacques Imo’s on Oak Street, a rowdy house-like restaurant with fun murals on the walls and some insanely good cajun food. I will apologize in advance for the pictures we got in there. It’s dark and I didn’t bring my Canon so an iPhone camera was all I had to work with. That said, now I want you to think about something: Shrimp & Alligator Sausage Cheesecake. I cringed when I first heard about it, too. But now imagine a savory, seafood-y dish, rich with cream cheese. The only barely similar thing I can compare it to would be a cream cheese crab dip, or something of that ilke, but with the texture of a cheesecake. It was amazing. Incredible. Life changing. My baker’s brain had to wrap around the idea of a savory cheesecake and let me tell you, it nearly short-circuited. I see things so differently now.

Alligator sausage and shrimp cheesecake appetizer at Jacques-Imo’s.

If you’re in NOLA, I need you to try it and then I need you to email me and tell me your thoughts, OK? OK. Also, try the Cajun Bouillabaisse: oysters, shrimp, mussels and fish in a gorgeous thin broth. The bites of fish were melt-in-your-mouth tender and the whole dish was so much fun to eat. Another of my favorites from the trip.

Jacques-Imo’s fun table spread.Their red beans and rice were legendary.

We went on to explore places like Arnaud’s and Mr. B’s Bistro–both wonderful and worthy of mention. Mr. B’s boasts a pecan crusted pie that made my heart sing. BONUS! They have the recipe for this pie up on their website. Tag me or let me know if you make their recipe, I’ve been thinking about making it for Christmas this year.

Fresh market fish and veal tournedos chantal in a wild mushroom sauce at Arnaud’s.

Arnaud’s was perfect for our large group, service was impeccable.

I had possibly the best meal of the stay at Cafe Sbisa–grilled trout in a champagne cream sauce with crab, shrimp and crawfish. Yep. Seafood heaven. Plus, how could I pass up any sauce made with champagne?? #alittlebitbasic Cafe Sbisa is the third-oldest fine dining restaurant in the French Quarter. They were established in 1899 and the historic building has undergone several renovations throughout the years. The building is just beautiful–the bar is carved mahogany dating from the early 1900s and there is a huge painting above it depicting strange and beautiful spirits sitting at the same bar below. They had a fantastic jazz band playing the night we went, and we got to sit upstairs at a cute little table overlooking the bar and downstairs dining area.

I love sitting along balconies so I can people watch. Cafe Sbisa had the cutest, historic upstairs area overlooking the bar.

One of the best dishes I had in NOLA: Trout Eugene at Cafe Sbisa.

Breakfast simply can not be beaten at Willa Jean. Their biscuits were almost croissant-like with flaky layers and golden brown crispiness. I had a savory shrimp etouffee with a poached egg on top (Pro tip: an egg on top makes almost every dish better) and one of their should-be-famous bloody marys. They informed me that they make their own bloody mix and no manner of persuasion could get the recipe out of our server.

Brian casually leaning up against Willa Jean’s bar. Do you see the words on the wall?? “U need a Biscuit.” Yes, WJ, yes I do.

Braised short rib and grits with a poached egg, and shrimp and grits with a poached egg at Willa Jean. Southern breakfast at it’s finest!

I’m going to take a moment to show you what we saw out of the window of Willa Jean’s one morning:

That’s a rabbit on a leash, y’all. We quickly paid our tab and headed across the street to meet these two girls and their pet rabbit Buns. It made my day!

You can’t hit NOLA without sampling some beignets. We heard the famous Cafe du Monde is usually super touristy so instead opted to avoid the crowd and go to Morning Call, known as New Orleans’ “most famous coffee drinking place.” This 140 year old business started in the French Quarter and was relocated to the gorgeous tree-filled City Park almost 50 years ago. They specialize in beignets and cafe au laits but also offer a few lunch options too. If you’ve never had a beignet, let me describe it for you: hand rolled and cut dough, fried golden to an absurdly light and delicate pastry you then dust liberally with powdered sugar and eat while hot. The wonderful simplicity of it makes this treat something you don’t want to miss during your visit to New Orleans.

Beautiful views, and I’m not just talking about those beignets! City Park is full of HUGE trees and quaint streams.

Light, crispy, just the right amount of chew. I. AM. IN. LOVE.

The last few days we were in New Orleans, the weather went from 75 and sunny to 50 something and rainy. Neither of us had packed a jacket so we made a mad dash to the closest clothing store to purchase something warm. On our way, we passed by the Palace Cafe and ended up turning around for lunch. I tried the turtle soup, a Louisiana specialty. It was rich and tasty and not at all what I expected. I’ll admit, though, I felt a bit guilty with my lunch because turtles are my mom’s favorite animal. I wanted to call her afterwards to apologize (sorry mom!).

I then moved on to the shrimp tchefuncte in a wonderful creole meunière sauce. Brian had something wonderful and elaborately plated, similar to a deconstructed shepherd’s pie, but I’m unable to find it on their menu and not sure what the actual name of it was.

Shrimp tchefuncte. Very tasty, even if I can’t remember how to pronounce it!

Doesn’t this just look like a comforting meal? I love the way they plated it!

Earlier in the week, I met up with a girlfriend to check out the Garden District and hop around. She had a list of places she wanted to go and Bakery Bar was one of the top. They’re a brunch spot during the day and from 5-11pm they are a bar, serving decadent cakes, truffles, pies, brûlées and more! We split several things, including a chocolate churro cake that was almost too rich to finish. This cool little place has a hip atmosphere. I could totally see myself bringing a laptop and hanging out for a few hours sipping on a La Louisiane, a cocktail made with rye whiskey and Herbsaint (anise-flavored liquor).

Maple bacon blueberry cake and chocolate churro cake, sweet potato and chocolate truffles.

As the night wears on, enjoying a nightcap or two before heading to bed can be the perfect end to a delicious day. I was excited to try out the Sazerac Bar in the Roosevelt Hotel for one of their namesake cocktails. First off, the entire hotel reminds me of stepping back into the 1920s with all the glitter and glam. From the mosaic tiled floors to the gold trim and ceilings, this place just oozes refinement. There’s even a gold revolving door in the entryway.

The Sazerac Bar is down the hall a bit and to the left. The small but beautiful space is elegant and cozy, and the bartenders, dressed in their smart white jackets are insanely knowledgeable. Of course we ordered a couple Sazeracs first and foremost. This drink, known to be the official drink of New Orleans, is an elegant combination of rye whiskey, sugar, Peychaud’s Bitters and Herbsaint, an anise flavored liquor.

Interested in making your own Sazerac? Here’s the recipe according to The Roosevelt Hotel’s Sazerac Bar!

3 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters
1 1/2 oz. Sazerac Rye Whiskey
1 sugar cube
1/4 oz Herbsaint

Pack an Old-Fashioned glass with ice.
In a second Old-Fashioned glass place a sugar cube and add 3 dashes of Peychaud’s Bitters to it, then crush the sugar cube.
Add 1 1/2 ounces of Sazerac Rye Whiskey to the glass containing the Peychaud’s Bitters and sugar.
Empty the ice from the first glass and coat the glass with 1/4 ounce of Herbsaint, then discard the remaining Herbsaint.
Empty the whiskey/bitters/sugar mixture from the second glass into the first glass and garnish with lemon peel.

NOLA is truly a gem of the foodie world. There’s something so unique about the city, the history and the people. If you’ve never been there, I encourage you to add it to your list.

New Orleans Captured My Heart

December 3, 2018

New Orleans has a psyche all to its own. There is no pretense here. What you see is what you get, and what you get is a vivacious city that’s fought and scrapped its way back from total devastation. It’s loud, it’s beautiful and it’s ancient. The history here is palpable, it rests upon the city like a heavy shawl. From the narrow streets to the stalwart graveyards to the vibrant night life and the massive oak trees dripping in moss, NOLA speaks to me like an old friend.

I had 5 days to explore her and if I had 500 more, I still wouldn’t be able to experience all she has to offer.

The food in New Orleans is unlike any other place I’ve visited. Taking from African, French and American cultures, this melting pot of a city boasts a cuisine as unique as it is. My days were filled with seafood of every kind, etouffee, grits, jambalaya, biscuits that could make you cry, and drinks galore. I travel first to experience new places and cultures, and (barely) second to try new foods. New Orleans offers a wonderland of tasty dishes that I found myself blown away by again and again.

I spent half a day wandering around City Park, where I stumbled upon the New Orleans Botanical Gardens and knew I had to check it out. Admission was only $8 and I spent the good part of several hours indulging my inner #crazyplantlady in all the vibrant greenery.

City Park is an amazing 2 1/2 square miles of greenery, trees and water in the middle of New Orleans. It was there that I found Morning Call, a 140 year old business that originated in the French Quarter and moved to an expanded dining room and patio in City Park nearly 50 years ago. They are considered New Orleans’ “most famous coffee drinking place.” They’re known for their cafe au laits and their beignets, and I’ll admit I was so intrigued by the friendly staff and the patio park views that I went back the next day for more. Oh, and those fried pieces of delicious dough sprinkled with powder sugar…. oh… oh my.

Tank: Forever 21 Pants: Hollister Shoes: Adidas Purse: Ted Baker

Little did I know that beignets were just the tip of the foodie iceberg. As the week went on, we adventured through all the cajun, seafood and drinks we could find. Check out my complete foodie post over here (because I’m not going to subject you to a barrage of food pictures if you’re really not interested. I’m a pal like that). I limited myself to two indulgent meals per day and tried to fit in one full healthy meal to offset them. Traveling and new cuisines are two of my favorite things to experience and so I make a point to enjoy myself and not worry too much about my diet when I’m on the go.

Taking an embarrassingly large bite of the best shrimp and oyster po’boy I’ve ever had at Mother’s Restaurant.

We checked out Bourbon Street a few times during the week and for a social introvert like myself, the week nights were the perfect time to go. It was lively and fun without being too crowded and claustrophobic. There’s so much to see. We found an upstairs balcony and people-watched for much of the night. Parades happen just about every night! With a simple permit, you are allowed to stomp through the street, towing a live band and letting your freak flag fly. How much fun is that?? I’m putting that on my list for the next time I visit the magical city. I’m talking ribbons, flags, a full band and plenty of dancing.

I mean, those heels are darn cute though…

On Friday night we braved the crowds and headed to Frenchmen Street. A local information concierge told me “the children go to Bourbon Street, the adults go to Frenchmen Street” and it’s definitely a different atmosphere! Frenchmen reminded me of 6th Street in Austin, TX (home for me): every few feet is a different bar with the sounds of live music spilling out the doors.

The music ranged from jazz to country to a horn, drum and guitar group playing old school rap! We even came upon a 12 piece band rocking out on a street corner. The atmosphere on Frenchmen Street was positively electric. We had gone to dinner at Cafe Sbisa prior and didn’t bother going back to the hotel to change so I was prancing around in heels all night–bad idea. I survived but I would not recommend it. Wear comfortable shoes as the streets and sidewalks are pretty uneven and you will be walking a whole lot.

Frequently recommended to us was a visit to the Garden District and it did not disappoint! It’s full of greenery and history and the gorgeous old houses that line the streets are masterpieces in themselves. I was so tempted to knock on random doors to learn more about the people that restored them and call them home. I imagine the interiors are just gorgeous and full of southern charm. Creeper, much, Jenna? There is a street car that runs up and down the District and for a $3 day pass you can ride back and forth till your hearts content.

My friend Joy happened to be in town the same week and we had so much fun catching up!

Along our Garden District adventure we stumbled upon Lafayette Cemetery No. 1. The sky had been cloudy and threatening to sprinkle on us all day. It made our walk very solemn as we passed by each tomb, imagining entire generations in there. This particular cemetery has been active since 1833 and is still being used today! Because Louisiana is right at sea level, graves cannot be dug very deep so instead tombs are built to hold the bodies of the departed. It makes for an eerie, but beautiful sight. If you ever get a chance, you should check out a cemetery in New Orleans.

After so much exploring and eating all the new things, a night cap in a gorgeous place was the perfect end to the day. We had heard from multiple people about the Sazerac Bar in the Roosevelt Hotel, part of the Waldorf-Astoria family and I was excited to try a drink of their famous namesake. I worked as a bartender most of my adult life, during college and even after as extra income and because it’s fun, so I am a stickler for a well-made drink. A Sazerac is a New Orleans staple, made with rye whiskey, Peychaud’s Bitters and Herbsaint, an anise or liquorice-flavored liquor (absinthe can also be used).