Cochon Restaurant

Cochon is the brainchild of chefs Donald Link (also of Herbsaint and Pêche Seafood Grill) and Stephen Stryjewski, who have taken Cajun-style cooking out of the comic books and given it an updated, serious sensibility. You’ll find pretty much every part of the pig on their menu, and every bit of it cooked with panache, like Louisiana Cochon (extremely tender, long-cooked pork) served with turnips, cabbage, and crackling skins. Or try the fried alligator with chili aioli. This is a great restaurant for dining with a small group, so you can pass and share—the flavors always pop on the first bite, and it’s a treat to sample this dish and that, one after the other.

Bourbon St. is the most (in)famous street in New Orleans, but I would argue Andrew Higgins Blvd has the most to offer in the Crescent City. A few blocks away from the French Quarter, you can find the National World II Museum and the amazing Cochon Restaurant. There aren’t many streets in the United States where you can speak with a D-Day veteran and enjoy some of the best authentic Cajun food in New Orleans. The wood-fired oysters and meat pie (pictured above) were a nice start, and the cochon and homemade mac and cheese did not disappoint either. For those planning on having a memorable New Orleans night, finish your meal with a shot of moonshine. If Cochon hits the spot, I highly recommend going back to Cochon Butcher (right next door) for amazing sandwiches.