The Big Easy is slowly progressing to rise from its knees as post-Katrina efforts continue.
President Bush got a taste of some of New Orleans’ finest attractions Monday in an effort to showcase progress in a hurricane-battered city. The president dined at a French Quarter restaurant before spending the night in a famed luxury hotel.
The president’s effort to show New Orleans is making progress came even as much of the city remains in ruins.
The historic French Quarter was mostly spared by the storm and is showing increasing signs of normalcy with lights back on and establishments re-opened.
Still, many of New Orleans’ stores and businesses remain closed, relatively few people are on the streets and many areas remain uninhabitable, even if mostly dry.
While I hope for the best for all of the city and all of its residents, I understand the stance of those questioning the value of federal rebuilding efforts of a city so geographically endangered. That said, my selfish personal concerns lie with a handful of restaurants and other establishments I greatly enjoyed during my one visit there to date. Chief among these is the Cigar Factory New Orleans, whose web site has remained unchanged since well before the storm, leaving one hopeful but uncertain of the shop’s true status. Another favorite was Aunt Sally’s Praline Shop. According to the Aunt Sally’s site, they are again open for business, though one is kept from joy at this by the following message:
All Aunt Sally’s displaced employees …we are looking for you.
Contact: Cathy Appling at : 504 349 0950
My best wishes those displaced. Order either the chocolate pralines (abso-freakin’-lutely amazing!) or a combo of chocolate and original pralines. You can rationalize the delicious calories by considering them a personal sacrifice for the New Orleans economy.