French Quarter Culinary History and Tasting Tour

Our guide was very informative and really knows her history of New Orleans and took us to some historic restaurants. We tasted some authentic cuisine and toured the inside of very old establishments in the French Quarter. The walking was very easy, slow pace and we were able to enjoy the architecture of each block. I would recommend this tour and for anyone who wants a crash course on New Orleans history and food. Our guide also gave us some good shopping tips for food items, cook books and sweets.

Loved the History part as much as the food!

Unfortunately we had to do the tour on our last full day in New Orleans. I always try to take a food tour early in my visits to new places I like to learn about. The history behind the tour was great, and our guide was enthusiastic about telling us. Tastings and samples were adequate, but I would've like more info about "local secrets" for what to ask for, where to go, and when to go. Maybe that wasn't one of the primary aspects of the tour. History highlight was probably visiting Antoine's and hearing the history behind this old restaurant. Food highlight was probably the mini-muffelata sandwich at the Napoleon House (and also the Rum Cake!) I got a very different impression of the Napoleon House and the Old Absinthe House than I had from just walking by several times, so I'm going back there next time I'm in town. All in all, worth the effort and money.

The tour guide was well informed and very entertaining. Was a nice little tour through the French Quarter. No need to have lunch as the food samples filled you up!. The only suggestion would be to hand out a list of restaurants and stores visited at the end of the tour. If new in New Orleans, you might not remember where you were and would like to have that info.

we loved randy he was great the places and people in the establishments we're also very kind and informative. BUT...Randy made it fun and a great time.I would recommend him and your group to others thank-kathy,amanda and andrea

My husband, sister and myself fully enjoyed this tour. Our tour guide Randy was very knowledgeable of the various cuisines in New Orleans and highly entertaining! The food was so delicious, that we found ourselves drawn back to the restaurants and shops that we visited during the tour, to grab another snack while we were out and about during our excursions through the city. To our delight, many of these establishments offered shipping services as well, which made it easier to make purchases and not have to worry about getting it on the plane. Though we participated in a few of the other tours offered within New Orleans, none could compare to this one!! This culinary tour should be the first tour you consider when making your plans to visit New Orleans. You will not be disappointed! I wish we could have just put Randy in our pocket and had him as our personal guide the whole time we were there, he is so much fun to be around, and we will miss him as much as we miss New Orleans! Sincerely, Dana, Rick and Kathy (Virginia)

Randy was an excellent tour guide. Since he is a historian, his facts on the history of New Orleans were true. We took a carriage ride and, although the driver of the carriage was funny and entertaining, some of his facts about New Orleans were not correct. We so appreciated the restaurants and shops that accommodated our tasting tour. It was great to get a "taste of New Orleans" and get a mini cooking lesson on how to make roux. Thank you so much, I would recommend this to everyone I know visiting New Orleans. D.Pletka, Rockwall, TX. P.S. You might consider requiring your carriage drivers and other tour guides to pass a history lesson on New Orleans.

I have lived in the area for 9 years. But, in the three hours of the tour,I learned more about the French Quarter from Randy, than I had learned in my previous 9 years. Anyone who finds History interesting will enjoy this.

it was fun and i recommend the tour.

My husband and I took the tour and we appreciated the suggestions, such as stop by Antoines for Oysters Rockafeller mid afternoon or for happy hour if you're really not wanting the whole elaborate fine dining experiece there but still want to try the oysters. Again, where to get a warm Muffaletta was a good tip and which establishment burned the sugar cube when concocting the absinthe drink. Never having been to New Orleans before we were interested to hear how few jazz musicians there were compared to pre-Katrina. As a result , to show our support we sought out clubs where jazz was still played and gave tips to jazz street musicians. Because we tasted the extraordinary rum cake on the tour we purchased four as gifts and had them shipped home. I plan to order a few items from one of the stores on line. In brief, the tour was interesting, entertaining, tasty and full of good, practical suggestions.