Sunday Jazz Brunch, Streetcars, and Mansions

After a leisurely morning, we went to the Sunday Jazz Brunch at Mr. B's Bistro in the French Quarter. Turns out, Mr. B. is really Mr. Brennan, who owns multiple restaurants around here. You walk past flickering gas lamps to the expansive, dark paneled, restaurant. The tuxedoed waiters provided some of the best table service we have ever encountered. I ordered the barbequed shrimp, which is the restaurant's signature dish. They prepare you well for the messiness that follows, as the shrimp are served whole, including heads, antennae, and swimmerettes. The waiter tied a bib around my neck, and I was provided with additional cloth napkins, and even a moist one with two slices of lemon to facilitate the final cleanup. The only way to peel the shrimp is to do it by hand. A well-mannered assault by knife and fork simply doesn't cut it! It turned out to be a deliciously memorable dish! The French bread that was served was crispy on the outside and very light and moist inside- the best we have encountered outside of France. Donna had Creole catfish with black-eyed peas, which was outstanding. We both finished up with bread pudding, which is a specialty here in New Orleans. Wow!!!

Next, we headed for the Charles Ave. streetcar line, which we took to the famous Garden District neighborhood. The cars on the line are designated as historic landmarks, and were all built in 1922-23. They are outfitted with wooden slat seats and brass fittings.

We spent a couple of hours exploring the Garden District, which was constructed in the mid-19 th through the early 20th century. Originally, only a couple of houses were built on each block, surrounded by large gardens. The district was settled by wealthy Americans who did not want to live in the French Quarter with the Creoles. Many of the houses qualify as mansions, with diverse architectural styles - neoclassical being the most common. Some of the houses have been purchased by Hollywood celebrities including Sandra Bullock, Nicholas Cage, and author Anne Rice. The house that belonged to Jefferson Davis, founder of the Confederacy, is in the neighborhood. The film, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, with Brad Pitt, was filmed in this neighborhood.

We were hoping to explore Lafayette Cemetery, which is adjacent to the Garden District. Its tombs are entirely above ground, and most date from the 19^th to the early 20^th century. Each tomb accommodated an entire family. Unfortunately, it was closed on Sundays. (We did take some pictures through the gate.)

The humidity is very high today, and severe thunderstorms are expected tomorrow afternoon. I just hope we can be away from them by the time they arrive here. Our next destination, about 200 miles from here, is Pensacola, Florida where will be be with Kevin, Laura, and Kai for the next 10 days. It is supposed to be clear in Pensacola. We'll see.