A Guide to the Historic Shops & Restaurants of New Orleans

Book excerpt: The dearly held belief that no meal can be too big or last too long has been cherished for many generations in New Orleans, and nowhere more faithfully than in the city's oldest restaurants. From neighbourhood joints serving up the finest, freshest crawfish, oyster po' boys and shrimp remoulade to elegant establishments in the French Quarter, the phrase "Come for lunch, stay for dinner, go home in a wheelbarrow" is beloved by all. New Orleans' leisurely, unaffected style also endures in its venerable shops, including a turn-of-the-century parfumerie and luxurious antique stores.