My cheap-travel-scouting most recently landed me in New Orleans for an end of the summer trip, with the hopes of boning up on my French and knowing I would probably gain a few pounds.

Amid threats of 20 inches of rain from Tropical Storm Lee (and after I just survived Hurricane Irene!), I made my way down to the Big Easy for Labor Day weekend.

Dodging raindrops, I ate my way through the city.  Even though I’m spoiled from NYC’s amazing cuisine and don’t eat much seafood, I was overwhelmed and delighted at what I found – including a plethora of Tabasco sightings, one of Hunter Public Relations’s most long-standing clients which happens to be headquartered in Louisiana. Here are some of the culinary highlights from my weekend:

Alligator cheesecake at Jacques-Imo’s:  I summoned all my courage to try this crazy dish, and it is almost exactly what is sounds like – alligator andouille and shrimp baked into a cheesy, creamy casserole. Just don’t expect whipped cream.

Turtle soup at Commander’s Palace:  Never did I think I’d eat two animals scooped out of a swamp in the same weekend, but this famous dish was again surprisingly delicious.  Listening to a jazz trio as I ate it over brunch definitely didn’t hurt.

Chargrilled oysters at Acme Oyster House:  Even if you don’t eat oysters (like me), chances are you’ll enjoy these.  I generally don’t pass anything up that is coated in cheese and garlic, so these little guys didn’t stand a chance.

A Bloody Mary at Pat O’Brien’s:  Just perfect, served with a pickled green bean. Best if not consumed on the same night as a Hurricane and a Hand Grenade.

Not even the hurricane-force winds took away from my weekend. So if your next trip is threatened by unfavorable weather conditions, just remember, it’s never raining indoors.

-Lauren