We strolled around checking out the attractions, including the Mighty Mississip'. I've seen it before, when staying in NOLA a few years back. I found it to be a frightening, muddy, roiling mess... today it was quite benign.
I can't get used to the fact that it is OK to buy liquor and take it out onto the streets, and into businesses. It just seems wrong... but we adjusted. I found these jello shots to be quite an improvement on the old kind that you have to dig out with your tongue. (Settle down Hiler...)
We had dinner-on-the-brain by this time and ducked into a Pub, following the crowd to the restaurant but were turned away at the door when they found out we had no reservation. On our way out, we were accosted by a "local" asking us in a confidential voice... "are you looking for a place to eat?". Why YES... we ARE! "Try Oceana. I'm a Local and it's my favorite".
I turned the iPad in that direction with faint objections from Lynn that it seems just a little weird. What's the worst that can happen? We get there and change our minds and find somewhere else to eat. So we stroll a few blocks to the Oceana Grill where we found a short line, (looking good) and a friendly hostess, (told us she would have let us right in if we had brought her a jello shot) and after a short wait, we were taken upstairs where we stepped into old New Orleans with all her charm. The place was white table cloth and crumbling brick walls. Chock-full of ambiance with a menu to match. We ordered Alligator Bites to start... yes, blackened bits of alligator tail! We ATE it! It was actually good, kind of like pork loin that was a bit overcooked. I would do it again... The main course was a luscious stuffed tuna. Everything was so good, we were glad we split a plate or we wouldn't have been able to walk out of here on our own.
We continued on our stroll through the streets of NOLA, where the night "people" were beginning to gather. WHAT is THAT?! Well at least it was friendly. You give it a couple of bucks and it speaks very nice English to you...
After another stroll down Bourbon Street, we headed for the boat where we spent a very quiet night rocking gently on the fenders with the sound of water slapping on the hull. Thanks Steakleys for giving us weary travelers a place to crash!