I can’t express just how happy I am to be back to sharing about our adventures! So without further ado: Way back in February of this year four friends from Three Oaks and a Pine RV Park, got together for a French Quarter Girls Lunch.
French Quarter Girls Lunch – From left: Me, Melissa, Mary and Judi
It seems that we have made great friends each time we visit New Orleans. Several years ago we met Holly and Paul, who live in NOLA, at Domilise’s. Then a couple of years back it was Sandee and Mack, who we have now visited and traveled with many times. This past winter we met two couples, Judi and Ed and Mary and Wayne, and the amazing new Park Manager Melissa.
The three women and I really clicked. So about a week before Steve and I were leaving we made it a point to have a French Quarter Girls Lunch!
Our chauffeur Steve dropped us off at the French Market and told us to call him when we were ready for our ride home. He’s so wonderful. Just one of the many reasons that we’ve been happily married for over 56 years.
We 4 amigas were chomping at the bit for some retail therapy. And the huge French Market in the Quarter was the perfect place. It has a little bit of everything and nothing too expensive. We shopped and we laughed until we were so hungry that we needed food. It’s mind boggling just how strenuous shopping can be. We required sustenance!!!
As we crossed Decatur Street wondering where we should eat, we realized that we were facing The Original French Market Restaurant and Bar. The perfect spot for lunch.
The aroma of fresh seafood cooking wafted up our nostrils and drew us in as we walked through the door. Now we were absolutely RAVENOUS. Happily we were seated immediately and began perusing the menu STAT.
Before I tell you about our delicious food, I’d like to give you a little background about this family run restaurant serving traditional Creole food.
Their story began in the early 1940s. Sicilian immigrants Anthony Marlo Sr. and his wife Annie opened their first restaurant in Grand Isle LA. They served fish, crabs, oysters and shrimp that were fresh from the sea daily. Their son Anthony Jr was born in Grand Isle and fell in love with fishing a very young age.
By the time 1965 rolled around, the Marlos were selling their seafood in NOLA’s French Market; and Anthony Jr. had married his wife Barbara. It was their decision to share Mama Annie’s dishes with the Big Easy. So they bought the restaurant on the corner of Decatur and St. Philip Streets. It was a restaurant that had been running strong for over 150 years.
Their Creole-style seafood and spicy dishes quickly became popular with locals and tourists alike. In 1975 they expanded by acquiring the bar next door.
Today, brothers Jude and Anthony Murillo III are running the show, serving millions of people from around the world.
You can taste the love in the dishes made from those same Creole recipes that their grandparents created almost 80 years ago.
Melissa’s Salad and Champagne
Though the menu is quite extensive, and everything sounded delicious, 3 of us were craving crabcakes. Melissa was the odd one out and ordered a beautiful, but far too healthy, salad. Oh. And a glass of champagne..
Shrimp and Crab Dip made with Spinach, Artichokes and Creole Cream Cheese
We did start with a luscious appetizer. The Shrimp and Crab Dip made with Spinach, Artichokes and Creole Cream Cheese, was rich, decadent, creamy and fabulous spread on the baguette slices that came with gratin.
Fabulous Crab Cake covered with Crawfish Cream Sauce and a drizzle of Louisiana Crystal Hot Sauce
Worth another look! Crab Cakes and French Fries
Mary, Judi and I all had the huge Crab Cake with a side of yummy French Fries. Our crabcakes were loaded with lump crabmeat, green pepper, onion, celery and corn were the only add-ins. The crabcakes were deep fried and then smothered with a beautiful crawfish cream sauce.
A great time was had by all!!!
Finally sated, we walked back to the French Market. By the time we called Steve to pick us up we couldn’t walk another step or carry anymore packages. A fabulous time was had by all. Looking forward to many more French Quarter Girls Lunches!
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