Travel related tips: Go to ACME Seafood around 10:30 AM to avoid the lines. Everything, and I do mean everything, is delicious, but the shrimp gumbo and bread pudding are fabulous. A Dixie beer (no Yankee comments about our flag or culture please) is the best way to chase this down.
Mother's is overrated, the food has slipped, and the place is not clean. But people have been saying this for many years. The Camellia Grill is still one of the best late nite places to eat, and 4AM is certainly the best time to visit the Cafe du Monde for beignets and coffee.
Best late nite/early morning jazz is always at the Snug Harbor. It was kickin when we lived around the corner 45 years ago and still is. Avoid the buses, the streetcars are excellent transportation for both locals and tourists. As always, the best place to hear music or get a good meal are unique to this town. Anywhere! Sadly, the same cannot be said for the safety, so I would want to be staying either in the Quarter or down Canal St, where the street car will take you right to Canal and Bourbon.
Best underrated bars: the Royal Sonesta and the Monteleone Hotels. Those are fine hotels too, but not cheap. The further you are in the heart of the Quarter the safer you will be, and it will be a lot more convenient. I wonder if Airbnb has made any gifts for us travelers? If you are unsure if the area, spend more for a good area.
