They tried to tell me. Come to the Essence Music Festival (EMF)! Visit New Orleans! But nooo, I never had the time, nor the desire. Then the ladies of Fly Life Travel started asking about booking a trip. So I said okay. I really don’t do crowds and festivals, but I said I would go, and stay in my room away from the crowd. NOT.
OMG WHY DIDN’T YALL TELL ME IT WOULD BE SO MUCH FUN??? Okay, they did. And it was beyond fun. It was funtabulous. Apparently, words cannot describe it.
Day one – I got there the day before it got really crowded, which is why I was able to get a pic on Bourbon Street without a stampede of folks behind me. On the flight to New Orleans I met a sista who talked just as much as I talked, from the time we sat down til’ the time we left the airport. LOL! Then we later met for her to introduce me to Essence Festival weekend. We started at Desire for lunch. She and her girl who had flown in earlier had the grilled oysters.
Here is where I had my first of 5 shrimp po’ boys. Excellent. Next stop was some spot where we got a hand grenade – a tall drink in a green cup, full of I have no idea what. All I know is it took me 4 hours to drink it so that I could remain upright for the remainder of my welcome experience.
Next stop was Razoos. My girl Gina KEPT telling me about Razoos. And other people KEPT telling me to get a grenade. And everybody told me I HAD to experience EMF. Now I see why. Honestly, the whole vibe was like every Friday in the AU Center, or the early days of FreakNik if you ask me. I can totally see this making folks crave to experience it over and over again. Trust, if you didn’t have the black college experience, you need to be at the next EMF. It will give you a taste of what you
missed out on socially.
That evening we stopped by Cafe du Monde so I could get some gluten, I mean beignets. Guess what? They were NOT good. More on that later. On the way back to the hotel we stopped at Daisy Dukes for a bite to eat. For me it was po boy #2 and it was excellent.
On day two me and my crew were busy preparing for the Fly Girls to arrive later that evening. We ran around getting things ready for our Girl’s Trip & Sip welcome wine party, which we had at W.I.N.O. If you get a chance, do go there. You will LOVE it. Anyway, I only had time for room service which totally sucked (po boy #3). Then we headed to our evening event at W.I.N.O. Slowly the ladies arrived, all 26 of them, and WE.HAD.A.BALL. I cannot say it enough. The ladies came in as strangers and went out as new acquaintances who could count on each other to ensure they had a fabulous next 4 days. We laughed, we wined, we nibbled, we sang, and we did some other things that will remain in our memories and in the walls of W.I.NO. #whathappensinNOLA
That evening we ventured back down to Bourbon Street and this time the EMF crowd was in full effect. Again, I do not care for crowds, but we happened upon a really pleasant experience. We arrived just in time to catch the second line. OH. MAH. GAWD. There is something truly spiritual, magical, special about a crowd of people dancing, singing and celebrating together. I felt it y’all. It was awesome. Then we stopped at 3 different Willie’s trying to get something to eat but the line was out the door. So we stayed in line at the 3rd one and waited about an hour. We finally got our chicken and fish while we enjoyed the appropriate dinner music of Bands a Make Her Dance, For Free, and the like. It was cool. It was an experience.
Day 3 was the day that the running and traveling caught up with me. We got up early for breakfast at Ruby Slipper with some of the ladies. That was followed by an authentic cajun and creole cooking class. As soon as we arrived for our 10am cooking class we were informed that there was an open mimosa and Bloody Mary bar. Nice. Apparently these folks like to drink for any reason and all day. Okay, cool. Got it. No problem.
We made a shrimp and sausage gumbo, bbq shrimp and grits, and Bananas Foster. I brought all of the recipes home and immediately made the first two dishes for my family, minus the lard. As for the Bananas Foster, I’m not trying to burn down my kitchen. Been there, done that.
Afterwards I returned to the room to get some rest, and that was all she wrote. I missed Jill Scott. I missed Erykah Badu. I missed Snoop. But I got some much needed rest. And my fourth po boy delivered from Mahony’s Po-Boy and Seafood. It was good, but not nearly as good as the one from Desire. The shrimp was delish but the bread was unbearable. After the po boy it was lights out again, at about 8pm.
Day 4 started early with a road trip to Whitney Plantation. What an amazing experience. A highly emotional one, and most unforgettable. The story of Whitney Plantation is told through the eyes of the children who were forced to served as slaves there. The beautiful grounds and my camera served to distract me from becoming too emotional during this trip. But that’s also the reason I know I need to do it again. I missed a lot. So I shall return.
On the way back to our hotel we stopped for lunch at Dunbar’s on Eirhardt Street. There I had po boy #5. It was excellent. 
As was the bread pudding (#1). We really enjoyed the food there. Fly Girl approved.
Later that evening it was time for dinner with the ladies. We dined at Mulate’s while listening to the live Zydeco band play “Back that Thang Up” with their own twist. It was interesting. Oh, and the food there was good too, especially the bread pudding (#2). After that it was off to Frenchmen Street to listen to some live music. There are sooo many live bands all up and down this area just beyond crowded azz Bourbon Street. The crowd is a bit more relaxed/mature, I guess. We did see a bounce/twerk video production going on. But other than that, it was pretty laid back. My speed.
Day 5 we got up early to head out to City Park to find some beautiful oak trees with lots of moss for a photo shoot. I’ll never look at moss the same now that I know that’s what slaves had to sleep on. Nor will I use the term “hit the hay” again.
After our photo shoot was our farewell Hattitude Brunch at Cafe Adelaide. Just when we fell in love with this place I learned they will be closing for good before we get a chance to get back there. RIP Cafe Adelaide. We loved you, if only for one night. The food was great! Bread pudding #3 was meh. Later we made our way to the convention center, the real Essence Festival. I did a little shopping, got to see Cynthia Bailey of RHOA taking pics with fans, attempted to join a Chicago stepping group – that didn’t go well – and headed on over to the Riverwalk where I found some real beignets. This was a Cafe du Monde as well. But these were done right. The guys making them seemed to be having a whole lot of fun. Sometimes that’s all it takes – a cook with passion. I bought a box of the mix and have been making beignets every since. Not a good thing, but a delicious one.
Day 6 was time to go. We managed to squeeze in one more New Orleans meal – those famous grilled oysters. Yes they are all that. We went to Drago’s and they did not disappoint. Here is where I had bread pudding #4 which I brought home to the family. It was good, but not the greatest. But those oysters, good beybeh.
A few things you may notice – it’s really all about the food and drinks and parties. That whole let the good times roll thing is real in New Orleans. I know I said we would only do this once, but I’ve already booked us for next year. It was that good. We have a few rooms left if you’d like to check it out for yourself. Just click here. Don’t wait too long though. I don’t want you looking at the pics again next year when you should be in them.
Were you there? Because if I didn’t see you that was your fault. I opened the doors of our wine party to all who wanted to meet me there. But I’m forgiving. So maybe you’ll get in on our private welcome party next time?
