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Lulu California Bistro | Downtown | 200 S Palm Canyon Drive
Our night out followed with drinks at Trio and Bootlegger!
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My second visit was much more relaxed and intimate when compared to my first, which was a lively dinner event attended by 30 or so bloggers. 
It was nice to experience a different side of the restaurant and check out the mid-day menu offerings, which includes a "Business Lunch" of a starter, an entrée and a side dish for $23 from 11:30 am - 4:00 pm. 
I had just arrived back from Spain on Thursday night - gone into work on Friday - and was still a bit jet lagged. I almost opted out. One taste of the Shanghai Style fried Calamari ($15) and I was incredibly thankful I did not.
Actually, once I had a glass of Layer Cake Shiraz ($10) in my hand and broke off a slice of their utterly perfect warm sesame studded bread loaf and slathered it with creamy butter, I was close to content. The Calamari appetizer went on to seal the deal. A bold preparation, lightly battered and fried squid is loaded with bean sprouts, scallions, crushed peanuts and mildly hot peppers all mingling in a sweet Thai chili sauce. 
While the sweet chili sauce added delicious flavor, I appreciated the restraint with which it was used. It highlighted the fresh ingredients without overwhelming their varied crispy textures. I particularly loved the crunch from the peanuts. 
After finishing my glass of red wine, I craved something light and sparkly, so I decided to pair my lunch with a cocktail. The Mod French 75 ($14) garnished with a cucumber combines Hendrick’s Gin, lemon juice, bitters and Moet champagne for a fresh fizzy afternoon delight.
The odd dining companion out chose the fantastic looking Lobster Shrimp Club ($18), while three of us couldn't pass up the Filet Medallions Sandwich ($16).
I was expecting to be overwhelmed by a massive portion, and I was in the best sense possible. While I could only manage to finish half of the sandwich, the individual halves themselves are nicely proportioned. The sandwich was deceptively easy to bite into without the ingredients making a mess or tumbling out. 
Bite size nuggets of tender filet medallions are paired with soft sun dried tomatoes, gridded thin red onions and just a touch of horseradish herb spread. Encased by the same signature warm and fluffy bread that I dove headfirst into at the beginning of the meal, the loaf makes an even better vessel for filet. Mine were a perfectly cooked medium rare. 
Well seasoned french fries accompanied my plate, while everyone else could not pass up the homemade skillet potato chips. I tried the chips and can vouch for their status. 
We received impeccable service which was friendly and personalized. Even though the staff was fully aware we were bloggers attending a comped lunch, this doesn't necessarily go without saying. 
A small but innovative menu offers appealing dished prepared with precision. From weekday business power lunches to easygoing weekend afternoons, whatever the lunch occasion, Del Frisco's aims to personalize the experience to fit your needs.
Port of Call sits on the outskirts of French Quarter bordering a neighborhood called Marginy. It is definitely walk-able, providing a leisurely stroll down Bourbon only slightly off the beaten path at 838 Esplanade Ave. 
We entered through a battered forest green door with an awning to match over head and a tiny brick stoop underfoot. We hesitantly maneuvered past the crowds inside, searching high and low for a hostess after no one seemed eager to greet us. 
It was super busy and felt like a local haven. Dimly lit with dark wood weathered walls, Port of Call is a convivial dive with décor representing its namesake. A thick maritime rope net drapes overhead and nautical maps and rafts line the walls.
Hostess, are you in here?! Eventually we flagged her down on the opposite side of the bar.
It was only about a 10 minute wait after we put our names in. We were seated in a crowded back room at a table squished in the corner. With a window front view overlooking a side street, daylight streamed into this section of the bar. Heavy drapes convened in the corner and a framed vintage Hawaiian themed poster hung on the opposite wall. 
Port of Call was recommended to us with a note that they had amazing burgers. We were a bit surprised to learn that burgers are the only thing on the menu. I barely exaggerate. There were a few entrée options along the lines of a $30 Filet Mignon and rib-eye steaks. Sides come only in the form of a baked potato - no French fries here!
They offer your typical rowdy NOLA cocktail menu but we started off easy with bottles of Abita Amber. With the limited menu selections dictating our order, the decision was an easy one: burgers and baked potatoes for all!! 
Eventually we had to laugh at the fact that someone would recommend you "get a burger here" when it is legit all you can get! Word to the wise. That being said, I wasn't at all unhappy about this. In fact, I was absolutely thrilled with my burger. A large juicy monster of a patty came loaded shredded yellow cheddar cheese, a boat of crisp onion, a thick slice of tomato and tangy dill pickles.
I have never experienced this much cheese, never mind the fact that it is shredded, on a burger until now. Incredible! Barely contained by a soft sesame seed bun, this is one of those dive in face first and make a mess of yourself in the process burgers. And a serious hangover cure to boot, thank you very much! 
The enormous piping hot baked potato came flooded in cold sour cream and thick coils of freshly chopped green onions. 
Our waiter was a nice guy - very attentive, making sure to offer us more beers and promptly delivering extra napkins before we had to ask. 
Best burger in the city of New Orleans? The locals will tell you so. Must visit while here? I'm tempted to say yes! Sure you can get a burger anywhere, but this is truly a damn good one. I am ultimately glad we ventured here for lunch on our first day. If you wanted to do the same I wouldn't steer you elsewhere, unless you had limited time and in that case I would definitely recommend you to visit this next spot...
Napoleon House is an iconic café and bar exuding historic French Quarter atmosphere - situated at 500 Chartres St. Locals and tourists alike flock for lunch, dinner, late night, or a drink at the bar. White paint chips from brown walls where antique framed photos hang in a haphazard collage. It is immediately charming and wants to transport you to another place and time, a characteristic I've come to realize is typical of many bars in NOLA.
We were greeted immediately by a hardworking bartender with character.
Ha! Not Napoleon, the gentlemen below. 
The British Gin based liquor is combined with lemonade, a splash of lemon-lime soda and garnished with a cucumber for the epitome of a refreshing cocktail. Wouldn't you know, this is actually the beverage that Napoleon House is known for. Order one for sure. 
They are also known for their Muffulettas ($14) the Italian sandwich infamously associated with New Orleans. Definitely a must order while in NOLA, a whole sandwich here only costs $14 (trust me that's a deal, it's HUGE). We decided to split one four ways. You could also order a half ($7.50) or a quarter ($4.25) on its own. 
The whole sandwich is served on a round sesame seed loaf and cut into quarters. The amazingly fluffy yet dense bread is layered with classic Italian sandwich meats including ham, Genoa salami and pastrami. Dueling cheeses in the form of swiss and provolone melt generously over a house-made olive salad. The "salad" seals the deal with crispy bites of celery, salty capers, red peppers and of course, small chunks of olives. Accompanying the main plate are crispy pickle spears, whole olives and pearl onions. 
I believe a typical Muffuletta is served cold and therefore Napoleon House's version is significant for being the only hot one in town. 
The menu offers a side of portion of Jambalaya ($3.25) with any sandwich. A classic creole rice based dish combining peppers, onions, tomatoes and celery with chicken, sausage and whole lot of spices, this small scoop ended up being the perfect accompaniment to the muffuletta.
The fact that easily shareable and smaller portions were offered on the menu, combined with the swift service of the bartender allowed us to finish quickly and be on our way in time to board Steamboat Natchez for a cruise on the Mighty Mississippi. 
