Cafe du Monde
If a bowl of Wheaties is the breakfast of Champions, I have no idea what a plate of beignets is. The breakfast of people who want to die from a coronary? Like Bourbon Street, Cafe du Monde is one of those legendary places in New Orleans that all tourists are told they must visit at least once in their lifetimes. I trekked down here on my first morning in New Orleans. I’ll say this for it: It was a healthy walk from the Marriott on Canal down to Cafe du Monde on Decatur near Jackson Square. (1039 Decatur Street)
Cafe au lait and beignets at Cafe du Monde
The cafe itself was mobbed, though I was able to find a table right away. It was a cool morning and the wind blew through the open-air restaurant, making it a bit chilly. I had to wait a while for my waitress to notice me, but once she did, she brought my order of beignets and cafe au lait quickly. I got the beignets without the powdered sugar, since I do try to eat healthy most of the time. The cafe au lait was good, but I’ll pass on the beignets in the future. I almost couldn’t finish them–not because I was full, but because they were so heavy and greasy. I’m glad I experienced it once, but once is plenty enough for me.
Breakfast at Daisy Duke's
On my second morning, I tried a place right around the corner from the Marriott on Chartres Street called Daisy Duke’s. The resaurant (more like a bar that happens to serve breakfast) was nearly deserted at 8:30 am, not surprising since it was a Sunday morning. I assume most tourists were either sleeping off the night before or were at one of the spendy brunches in town. I sat at the empty bar, where I could watch the morning news and weather on the TV. I ordered the half price breakfast special, and opted for two eggs over easy, toast, grits and bacon with coffee. It was a good, inexpensive breakfast. The combined food was about the same price as the coffee. I must rave about the grits for a moment. I’ve had grits many times in different places around the country, and they can be pretty hit or miss. These were possibly the best grits I’ve ever had. The service was also great. I had a waitress who looked young enough to be my daughter who kept calling me “dear”. (In fact, most waitresses in New Orleans called me “dear,” “hon,” or “baby”. It was so endearing, like a nurturing gesture. Completely the opposite of when men do the same thing.) I recommend Daisy Duke’s to anyone looking for a basic, inexpensive breakfast in the French Quarter. They’re open 24/7. (121 Chartres Street)
Breakfast at Mena's Palace
I walked a little further down Chartres on Monday morning for breakfast at Mena’s Palace, a locals diner with a good reputation. They have a counter there, too, but I chose to sit at a table in front of the window. I had the veggie omelette (with peppers, onions, and mushrooms), hash browns, toast, and coffee. The omelette was very good. Again, this was a solid, inexpensive breakfast–just the way I like them. Service was friendly. I absolutely recommend Mena’s Palace as an inexpensive breakfast option as well. Be forewarned, though, that they don’t accept credit cards here. You must pay with cash. However, there is an ATM by the front door in case you forget to bring cash with you. (200 Chartres Street)
Breakfast at 5 Fifty 5 at the Marriott
Last, but not least….I had breakfast on my day of departure in the Marriott hotel at their restaurant, 5 Fifty 5, which offers a breakfast buffet for around $20 (which includes the coffee and orange juice). $20 is more than I normally like to spend for breakfast, but I didn’t have much time before I had to leave for the airport, so it was convenient. This restaurant is located off the lobby of the hotel and has a very contemporary decor.
I felt bad for the staff at this restaurant. I was one of just two people eating breakfast there that morning. It was like they threw a party and no one came. Which is the loss of every Marriott guest who ate elsewhere, because this was the best and healthiest breakfast I had during my entire New Orleans stay. It included bacon, smoked salmon, a good eggs benedict, oatmeal and two helpings of fresh, plump, blackberries, blueberries, and strawberries. Mmm.
My experience here (as well as the Hunt Room Grill at the Hotel Monteleone, which I’ll review later) made me realize that we tourists often get sucked into the pattern of going outside of our hotels for all of our meals because of the hype that other local restaurants get. Let’s face it, it’s a lot sexier to go home and say “I went to Cafe du Monde” or “I had Sunday brunch at Brennan’s” than to say “I ate at the hotel.” But in reality, you might just find that your hotel can offer just as good a meal, if not better. Certainly I mean no offense to Mena’s or Daisy Duke’s; they were good breakfasts (and much cheaper than the buffet). But what I’m saying is, don’t overlook what’s closer to home (or hotel, as the case may be) just because it isn’t a “name” restaurant. A big thumbs up to 5 Fifty 5‘s breakfast buffet. (555 Canal Street)
