Best Gelato in Montz

"Established in 1939, Hansen’s Sno-Bliz is a family-owned sno-ball (the Louisiana variation of what the rest of the country calls snow cones) stand located on Tchoupitoulas Street. Believed to be the oldest sno-ball stand in the United States, this refreshment spot is famous for its finely-shaved ice and homemade syrups. Today, Hansen’s still creates its own flavor variations every day and makes sno-balls with the original ice-shaving machine Ernest Hansen built in the 1930s."

"There are no shortcuts to quality” reads a sign on the cinderblock wall of the city’s most beloved shaver of ice and maker of syrups. Which means you are likely to wait for the pleasure of a creamy-textured snowball, made using a contraption developed in the 1930s by Ernest Hansen and based on sweeteners created by his wife, Mary. Flavors run from old-fashioned cream of nectar to trendy ginger-cayenne."

"Now that those details are out of the way, know that in a city obsessed with sno balls, that feathery shaved ice at Hansen’s is some of the best in town. They have been around since the 1930s. They make their own syrups, and the correct approach is always to choose one of the cream flavors."

"For a taste of what some might call the best confections in New Orleans, head over to the Garden District and drop by Sucre, Tariq Hanna's sweet retreat filled with gossamer macarons, Italian gelatos and chocolates that stand up to the best in Belgium. The Dark Chocolate Bark â€" sheets of chocolate shot through with assorted nuts and dried fruits â€" is a must-taste, as is the Drinking Chocolate, which is served with handmade marshmallows and caramel cookies for dipping. This sweet shop is as beautifully appointed as the meticulously packaged goodies it features and is the ideal stop if you want to satisfy a special someone's sweet tooth."

"622 Conti St., (504) 267-7098; 3025 Magazine St., (504) 520-8311; Lakeside Shopping Center, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 834-2277; www.shopsucre.com. French-style macarons come in flavors such as bananas Foster, salted caramel, lavender honey and pistachio."

"Next up is the Garden District's Sucré, situated at 3025 Magazine St. With 4.5 stars out of 822 reviews on Yelp, the chocolatier and shop, which offers desserts, macarons and more, has proven to be a local favorite."

"From Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral, walk towards the Mississippi River and cross Decatur Street for an elevated perch to capture the Instagram-worthy view overlooking the square! At this point, you’ll have surely smelled the powdered sugar sweetness floating through the air around the Square and Cathedral. Cafe du Monde and their famous beignets are just a few steps away, on the same side as the river."

"Stroll along Decatur Street & the French Market. Decatur Street is, in many ways, one of the main drags of the French Quarter, and is home to some of New Orleans’ most popular restaurants (don’t worry, we’ll get to those in the food section below)."

"Harrah’s Hotel, 525 Fulton St., (504) 587-7099; 3633 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 888-3600; www.ruthschris.com. Steaks such as New York strips, rib-eyes, porterhouses and filets are cooked in an 1,800-degree broiler. Reservations recommended."

"People might not think of cheap eats when they think of Ruth's Chris Steak House. However, when it comes to upscale dining in this town, Ruths Chris offers options that won't break..."

"Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in New Orleans is a classic and consistent staple, serving the finest USDA Prime beef steaks, fresh seafood, signature side dishes, and homemade desserts."

"Visitors seeking the best malls in Greater New Orleans must only venture slightly north of the city to find Lakeside Shopping Center. This expansive retail hub is one of the area's most popular malls with more than 120 well-known stores including M.A.C., Dillard's, Lane Bryant, Gap, Old Navy and Eddie Bauer, as well as boutiques such as Ann Taylor Loft and Talbot's. Lakeside Shopping Center offers seemingly endless shopping opportunities for men and women (and enough distractions for kids)."

"A Friday lunch at Galatoire’s is the stuff of legend, but good luck getting in. The black and white tiled downstairs dining room at the more than a century old Bourbon Street reprieve is the only acceptable place to sit, but it doesn’t take reservations (and lines to get in can be long). Eater favorites include the Galatoire goute (crabmeat maison and shrimp remoulade); pompano meuniere with crabmeat; oysters Rockefeller; and fried soft shell crab laced with brown butter when it’s in season."

"Gumbo is a traditional Louisiana dish that has been around since the early 18th century. While there are many variations on the stew, one of the best restaurants offering the dish is at Galatoire’s Restaurant, a fine dining establishment in the French Quarter which was founded in 1905. The Gumbo here is so good it was awarded the ‘Best Gumbo in New Orleans’ by Southern Living."