We were a group of nine travelers on our way to a 10 year anniversary in Plaquemine, LA. Seven of us arrived by rail, albeit over two hours late into New Orleans, the other two arrived by air. We decided on a two night layover in New Orleans before heading to Plaquemine. After viewing many options on VRBO and AirBnB, we settled on the Okra Inn. What a fortunate decision! This place was so ideal and greatly appreciated by all members of our party. The care that Lindsay gives her property, from furnishings, to amenities, to cleanliness is superb. We absolutely loved the neighborhood. One block away is the trolley for quick and inexpensive travel to downtown New Orleans (Buy a 24 hour pass for as many trips on any trolley for $3.00). Shopping is close by at Walgreens and Rouses Market (Free coffee and a great spirits selection).

It was late, after 10 PM, when we arrived at the Okra Inn. Luckily J. Tom, who had flown in that afternoon, already had the house open and a restaurant scoped out for our dining pleasure. We walked the half block to the Wit’s Inn for Vittles and libations. The food was Okay and the beer was cold. The service, not so great, but then there was only one person doing the serving and the bar tending. Of course, after a sixteen hour train ride and being 11 PM it turned out to be one of the best Shrimp Po Boys and Abita Amber that I have ever had!!

Our plan was to go out for breakfast each morning, however that was the only type of establishment that was not within close walking distance. That’s when we headed over to Rouses Market and got everything we needed at a reasonable price. That’s one hundred dollars for seventeen breakfasts including Mimosas and Bloody Mary’s ($5.88 each and no tip). Sometimes it pays to eat in, even on vacation.

We all went our separate ways to tour and explore on Tuesday before heading to Plaquemine and the anniversary celebration on Wednesday (More about exploration later). We did, however come back together for evening activities. A block and a half down the street was a fabulous find by Dr. Gary Jones, our intrepid “path finder” and bar locator. The Vessel is a converted Lutheran Church built in 1908. From the outside it very much looks like an old wooden church, but on the inside is an elegant bar and restaurant. We had the good fortune to be there for the tail end of Happy Hour. Everyone tried out their “Classic Happy Hour” cocktails as well as yummy snacks. We enjoyed all of this in a wonderful ambiance created by this repurposed space.

With Happy Hour over it was time to find dinner. One of our party pulled up their Google Machine and lo and behold just two blocks further down the street was Katie’s. Katie’s is a neighborhood restaurant and bar that on Tuesday night was absolutely “packed out.” It was going to be a half hour wait and of course “THE DEBATE” ensued. Do we wait? Do we go somewhere else? Meantime several of us ponied up to the bar and our wait was on! Our wait turned out to be about twenty minutes before they seated us upstairs. The food, drinks, and service were superb. This is a friendly neighborhood family restaurant that seems to have the right formula for hospitality and we so appreciated being there.