Back to the Vieux Carre!

We arrived at my favorite hotel in the Quarter, the Omni Royal Orleans. I have stayed here many times and it is always like coming home (also got a big hug from LeRoy the doorman) Checked in, dropped off the luggage and we were off to lunch.

Mandina's restaurant has been an institution here since 1932. It is off the beaten path of the usual tourist areas, but well with worth the 30 minute streetcar ride down Canal St. toward Lake Ponchatrain.

Fred, my dad, told me about this place years ago. Fred lived in New Orleans during the 70s and 80s and would meet his uncle here for lunch. This has become the first place on my list when I arrive to New Orleans. That said, it was the first stop for Richard and me on this trip.

Mandina's did not disappoint...I had my usual turtle soup ( best in the city), shrimp and oyster po-boy, and a gin and tonic; Richard went for the turtle soup, soft shell crab po-boy (the crab fresh that morning) and Abita Amber beer.

After lunch we went back to the Quarter and over to the Louisiana Music Factory. It is a record store, and yes they sell vinyl! They had a band playing in the store when we arrived, which was cool! I picked up a CD by old school blues duo Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee.

Spent the rest of the afternoon wandering around the quarter and enjoying the sunny day!

In the evening we caught some good Blues music at a small bar on Bourbon and did lots of people watching.

Looking forward to the first day of JazzFest at the fairground on Friday!