Photo: jonathan bachman
in Metairie, is a little sports bar. This hole in the wall is exactly what you picture when you hear the words “dive bar.” There’s a bar and two tables, but the only other place to belly up is at a seat in front of the Derby owners game. Beer is beer, and the bar food is what you expect, but this is the only place in New Orleans where you can “ride” against your favorite riders. There’s always someone from the track, in a hat, a little incognito, playing horse racing video games. Come to New Orleans for the races, then make your own horse and beat out the meet-leading rider in a virtual battle. Drago’s is the restaurant of choice for many racing insiders and local sports stars. Drago’s is I don’t know anywhere else famous for its charbroiled oysters – a favorite of Robby Albarado’s. you can do that. While the Albarados are gracious oyster and absinthe “dome,” foie gras hosts, if you haven’t wrangled an in“du monde,” turtle soup, and pecanvite, Robby says try your luck at the crusted gulf fish. If they’re available, Hotel Monteleone. This charming hotry the “milk and cookies,” which are tel is a member of the Historic Hotels beignet-battered Oreos (go big or go of America and is fully engrossed in home, right?). Commander’s Palace its past. From the black-tailed dooris also a brunch place for the history men to the marble floors and chanbooks, so if you’re in the neighbordeliers in the lobby, you will feel like hood take a meander through the unique streets that make up the Gar– Robby Albarado you’ve stepped into the French Quarter of the 1800s – complete with highden District and pop in for a meal that speed Internet. is sure to be remembered. of riding, family and overseeing the And a final word: If you only do Rounding out Robby’s Top Three hot spots is GW Fins. “It’s a newer Robby Albarado Foundation, Robby one thing in New Orleans, Robby inplace, but the food is great,” Albarado has little time left over for an insane sists, “Get down to the French Quarpromises. With a city so steeped in nightlife. He does have some favorite ter, rent a mule and carriage, and hear them tell you the history of New Ortradition, it’s not easy to be the new haunts, however. “I like to stick to my own path leans.” Before Katrina, “most people kid on the block, but GW’s pulls it off well. Located in the French Quarter, when I go out at nights. You can go to took New Orleans for granted. I know GW Fins is not your typical Quarter the Quarter. There’s got to be a thou- myself I did,” he says. “I didn’t apdive restaurant. It’s upscale, clean sand bars there. I like the House of preciate the city, the history, until we and well-lit. The bar is smaller but not Blues – the Foundation Room.” Rob- were under sea level.” Now the city has a more contemlacking for anything, and the crowd is by says that on any given night you a good mix of Bourbon Street tourists can see jocks or backstretch workers porary feel to it, with so many new and racetrack winners, all looking for roaming the streets of New Orleans. homes and new neighborhoods, but The younger riders gravitate towards stepping into a beast-drawn buggy a good meal. Like the name suggests, the menu the Quarter and the older generation has nostalgia written all over it. The tours vary in length and price, but you is seafood-heavy, but you can always more towards Metairie. “The good thing about the Quarter: won’t get a better insight into NOLA find a nice cut of meat on the list. It doesn’t matter where you go. It’s all or learn more about the city than you GW Fins prides itself on freshness fun.” (This writers favorite? The Bourwill from a buggy driver. and prints its menus daily according New Orleans in a nutshell? Come to what is at its seasonal peak. (And bon Cowboy.) Robby does have one off-the-beat- for the racing, take in some history, a word of advice: “Save room for the en-path recommendation: Dana’s. and grab a bite. It’s what a trip to the biscuits.”) Between the stakes-laden weekends A few miles away from downtown, Fair Grounds is all about. h
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The good thing about the Quarter: It doesn’t matter where you go. It’s all fun.
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STRIDE MAGAZINE
March 17, 2010