Just Another Day In Foodie Paradise

Just Another Day In Foodie Paradise originally published on Food and Fond Memories on October 12, 2012 by sandyaxelrod Leave a Comment (Edit)

A dark wood topped table with three plates of food.

Soft Shell Crab Po’ Boy with Onion Rings

Pale green walls of a restaurant with the sign Voleo's Original

Inside Voleo’s Seafood Restaurant

Originally we had planned to visit the Tabasco Factory on Avery Island which is two and a half hours from New Orleans. But after making the longish drive to Houmas House a couple of days prior we decided to save Tabasco for another trip. We also thought that we would take another Bayou Tour with Cajun Encounters but we were talked into taking an airboat tour with Airboat Adventures by the hotel concierge Pierre. He assured us it was a better tour because airboats can go where other boats cannot. So we took his advice and he made a reservation for us.

A man in an olive tank top smiling at his plate of food

A Spicy Sausage Po’ Boy Made Steve Really Happy

We headed to Lafitte for our tour and decided to stop for lunch on our way. When we pulled up to Voleo’s I thought it might be a mistake because it looked like such a dive. But once inside we realized it was a cute local joint that should be on Guy Fieri’s radar for Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. I ordered the Soft Shell Crab Sandwich and Steve had the Spicy Sausage Po’ Boy. We were going to order a side of fries but then an order of Onion Rings went passed us and they looked far to good to pass up. Everything we ate was delicious, well seasoned and not the least bit greasy. Our bellies were full and we were ready for our big adventure on the bayou.

Airboats are so loud you need to wear noise cancelling head sets!

A man in a small boat towing another boat.

Our Rescuer

A man in an olive tank top holding a baby alligator.

Isn’t my husband brave?!

Once back at our Garden District hotel we discussed our dining choices while rejuvenating at the Windham Avenue Plaza pool. We both agreed that although amazing, the “fried chicken” left us still craving regular fried chicken. And since we like to dine at 9 or 9:30 we couldn’t go to Dooky Chase’s or Willie Mae’s so we knew it had to be Emeril’s NOLA in the Quarter.

A white bread and butter plate topped with two rolls and a butter spreader with a small bowl of butter in upper right

Beautiful Artisanal Rolls and Butter

A white plate with a wedge of iceberg lettuce, dressing and slivers of red onion

Nola’s Iceberg Wedge Salad

A white soup plate filled with grits and shrimp

Yummy Shrimp and Grits

A white dinner plate topped with golden brown fried chicken sitting atop coleslaw and gravy

Supper Crispy Fried Chicken

A trio of white coffee cups filled with three different creme brûlées

Crème Brulée Trio

NOLA did not disappoint us. After polishing off a yummy Iceberg Wedge Salad with cucumber, house made pancetta and smoked blue cheese we planned on sharing Shrimp and Grits and of course Fried Chicken. But after tasting our dishes neither of us really wanted to give up half of our respective dishes. So I gave Steve a generous taste of my chicken and he reciprocated, reluctantly. Our dessert was the perfect ending to a wonderful meal. We had a Creme Brulee Trio which consisted of Vanilla Bean with Fresh Berries, Coconut with a Coconut Truffle and Mocha with a Chocolate-Almond Biscotti. Mmmmmmmmmmmm good! Couldn’t even pick a favorite!

Voleo’s Seafood Restaurant
Nunez Street (1 mile past Goose Bayou Bridge)
Lafitte, LA
504-689-2482

NOLA
534 Rue St. Louis
French Quarter
New Orleans, LA 70130
504-522-NOLA