Romantic Restaurants, Getaway Places in Lake Pontchartrain

"The crown jewel of the Brennan empire, this landmark Garden District restaurant has been a beacon of fine dining since 1880. There’s no resting on laurels here, though: Paul Prudhomme, Emeril Lagasse, Jaime Shannon and now Tory McPhail have nurtured the Creole menu while making their own marks. The iconic Victorian mansion is the perfect setting for an intimate meal, large celebration or relaxed 25-cent martini lunch."

"GQ's Golden Dish Award for Eggs Sardou, Commander’s Palace’s legacy speaks for itself. Located in the Garden District, Commander’s Palace is thought to be the original spot for a jazz brunch and patio dining. For contemporary Louisiana food and alfresco dining, look no further than Commander’s Palace."

"If you’re looking for a place to have an upscale NOLA lunch, the famous Commander’s Palace is just across from Lafayette Cemetery 1 on Washington Avenue. It’s been named one of the best places to eat in the south!"

"St. Louis Cathedral, also known as The Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis, is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of the city and is undoubtedly one of the best free things to do in New Orleans."

"Often called the heart of New Orleans, Jackson Square is full of energy and activity. Facing the Mississippi River and directly across from the St. Louis Cathedral, the Square stands in the shadows of the Andrew Jackson statue, erected for his heroism during the Battle of New Orleans. Here you will find street artists painting during the day and jazz musicians by night, along with fortune-tellers and other kinds of street theater."

"Founded and constructed all the way back in 1721, Jackson Square is one of the oldest destinations in the whole city of New Orleans and is known to be the equivalent of the downtown area in other cities."

"In the 1912 the sugar broker and art collector Isaac Delgado left New Orleans a sizeable grant to establish what would become the New Orleans Museum of Art. The main building went up soon after, to a design partly by Benjamin Morgan Harrod, New Orleans’s former chief engineer, while new wings and expansions followed in the early-1970s and 90s. The collection is huge, with more than 40,000 pieces from the Italian Renaissance to today."

"Located adjacent to the CAC and The National WWII Museum is the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, a must-see for all art lovers. The museum showcases folk art and the handcrafted heritage of the Southern region as well as contemporary works from Southern artists and designers. Much like the CAC, the Ogden hosts local entertainment each Thursday evening for their Ogden After Hours event."

"With works by Picasso, Renoir, Matisse, Monet, and Georgia O'Keeffe, NOMA is an oasis of fine art that can be appreciated by both parents and children alike. Kids will love story time, child-focused art workshops, and art classes."

"While most of the restaurants on this list offer a level of intimacy most appropriate for an established pair, Bacchanal—true to its name—is a fun, low-commitment option for a first or second date. Wine lovers, take note: at this hopping Bywater spot, you enter the expertly curated wine shop, select a bottle from a selection of small, Old World–style producers, then head out into the spacious backyard. There, you can camp out at a table, enjoy your personally selected wine and order dishes from the produce-forward menu: think braised butternut squash with fregola sarda and pork belly ramen with mustard greens and shaved turnip."

"From the outside, Bacchanal looks like a leaning Bywater shack; inside are racks of wine and stinky-but-sexy cheese. Musicians play in the garden, while cooks dispense delicious meals on paper plates from the... Louisianan in French Quarter"

"From the outside, Vaughan's Lounge may not look like much more than another neighborhood dive. Inside, though, are over-the-top decorations and dozens of photos that point to a bar that’s well-loved by locals (it’s been here since 1959). Add in the fact that it’s one of the few places to watch live jazz that isn’t a busy, tourist-packed club or hotel lounge, and you’ve got a good reason to search out this Bywater treasure."

"Part hotel lobby bar, part fairground ride, there’s no mistaking the singular design of this old school New Orleans institution. The revolving bar is a century old, the centerpiece being a fully illuminated, gold and red, 25-seat circus merry-go-round with a 360-degree bar carved into the middle of it. The novelty aspect alone makes the bar worth a trip, especially on a slow afternoon without the evening and weekend crowds."

"The famous Carousel Bar & Lounge is inside the Hotel Monteleone on Royal Street in the French Quarter. The bar was originally installed in 1949, though it’s gone through some changes over the years. As you may have guessed, as you sit at the bar, it slowly rotates around, just like a carousel."

"Chicken with a side of Southern Hospitality — the many good reviews of Jacques-Imo’s focus on the inspired menu AND the fried chicken. Satisfy your chicken craving with Austin Leslie’s Fried Chicken, and while you’re here, try the shrimp and alligator sausage cheesecake if you have any room left over."

"Ask locals for restaurant recommendations in New Orleans, and almost everybody mentions Jacques-Imo's. We understand why: cornbread muffins swimming in butter, steak smothered in blue-cheese sauce, and the insane... Vietnamese in Uptown & Riverbend"

"Created in the 1930s by Beulah Ledner, doberge (say dough-bash) is a riff off the Hungarian dobos torta, a heavy layered cake filled with buttercream. Ledner, taking the local climate into consideration, lightened the treat by replacing the buttercream with custard and Frenchifying the name. Debbie Does Doberge is a newcomer to the scene, dishing up doberge at Bakery Bar, a chill space with nibbles and drinks and a cake case towards the back."

"This bakery is also a full cocktail bar -- an idea so brilliant, it’s mind-boggling no one thought of it sooner. Booze and carbs, perfection together. The house special is doberge, a multi-layered cake with custard between the layers and covered in fondant (and there are many kinds available to satisfy your sweet tooth), along with dobites and salty balls."

"How could you not want to dig into a slice of this beautiful multi-layered cake?. These cakes from Bakery Bar can be ordered and customized for a specific occasion, or you can just stop by for a slice of your choosing. The cake is fluffy and moist and the buttercream icing and filling brings the flavors together perfectly."

"Category: American, Delivery, Happy Hours, Outside Dining, Southwest, and Weekend Brunch. Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant aims to provide a laid-back, beach vibe complete with the coldest drinks and hottest menu around since 1992. Whether you want to belly up Read more..."

"701 Tchoupitoulas St., (504) 523-8995; www.lucysretiredsurfers.com/neworleans. A Juicy Lucy burger is an 8-ounce patty topped with tomato, lettuce, onion, pickles and Lucy’s sauce on a Dong Phuong roll."

"If anyone wants to enjoy a sunrise, Another Broken Egg Cafe can provide the perfect breakfast go with it. Opening at seven in the morning, this restaurant prides itself on its breakfast meals such as their gourmet, handmade omelettes and eggs benedict. In both of its two locations, visitors can enjoy a crisp morning with a high-quality meal in a casual spot."

"This chain has two New Orleans locations, and the menu offers a wide variety of options from omelettes to benedicts. The spot also offers a kids menu and vegetarian dishes. Prices top out at around $12."

"It was awful- the crab meat Benedict was greasy and smelled the eggs floated in grease - I loved the coffee cups More reviews"

"French QuarterJean Galatoire founded this Bourbon St institution in 1905, and it continues to be one of the best places to eat (and to be seen) in New Orleans. This is the place to bust out your finest suit and enjoy some turtle soup au sherry, eggs Sardou, or baked oysters."

"In 1905, founder Jean Galatoire brought French recipes and traditions to New Orleans with his restaurant. Galatoire’s has continued thriving with the help of his descendants. The original culinary customs have been preserved because the restaurant believes in consistency."