as i mentioned on a previous post, we’re ready to soak on all the activities that new orleans has to offer, it was one of the main reasons we left turks and caicos, we were all in for busier weekends. last weekend was surprisingly cold (10C/50F!!) we were totally unprepared for  this! but we still managed to leave the house for a target-less weekend, this is what we were up to –

1000 Figs – it started as the fat falafel food truck and is now a casual restaurant located in the bayou st john neighborhood. we had previously been here for a sunday pop up brunch hosted by the lost line, so we wanted to come back. we started off lunch with french fries and toum, the most addictive garlic sauce original from easter mediterranean, followed by a delicious roasted beet salad with barley, pesto and feta, and then the falafel platter with hummus, salad and falafel – so decadent and wonderful. we have yet to try the falafel sandwich and the brussels sprouts everyone seems to rave about.new orleans museum of art – it was raining on saturday and we couldn’t think a better way to spend the afternoon, it was also our first attempt in introducing julia to museums. i was surprised by how easy it is actually to entertain a toddler in a museum, most pieces have something interesting about them, let them be an animal or a view. we might’ve practiced don’t touch a few too many times, so her attention spam didn’t last all afternoon, but it was a good start.

oak street po-boy festival – earlier this month we totally missed the gumbo festival, we were so bummed, we made it a point to go to the oak stree po-boy festival last sunday. and what is a po-boy you may ask, i had no idea myself but i soon found out, it’s a favorite of locals and tourist alike. a po-boy, or poor boy is a traditional louisiana sandwich served in a baguete-like bread. there were all sorts of po-boys at the fest, grilled oysters, fried shrimp, soft shell crab, you name it. our favorites were the smoked pig po-boy and duck fat fries from the food drunk truck and a barbecue shrimp po-boy from boucherie. we went early to avoid the crowds, but still catches some great music by the naughty professors, and you know how julia doesn’t miss out on a dancing opportunity!

frenchman art market – we came to this market with the purpose of meeting a fellow portuguese. and i’m so glad we did because this place is right up my alley, a quaint night market featuring art and crafts by local artists. julia was entertained chalk painting whilst i was catching up with jose fernandes, an amazing photographer who has been living in new orleans since 1988 and i was so looking forward to meet.

ps – a few more fun things we’ve been doing in new orleans