Antoine's Restaurant

When I booked a reservation at Antoine's restaurant, I was interested in its historical significance as it is reportedly the oldest family-run restaurant in the United States. What I didn't realize was that the after dinner dessert was a tour through the living museum that is hidden within the iconic restaurant. 

Since the 1840s, this restaurant staple has been charming customers in the heart of the French Quarter and is one of the best Creole fine dining restaurants in the city. Now operated by the fifth generation of the Alciatore family on St. Louis Street, both the delicious food and unique atmosphere will make this one of the highlights of your New Orleans trip. 

There are several photographs adorning the walls of all the celebrities, politicians and royalty who have dined at Antoine's, including George Bush, Bill Clinton, Brad Pitt, Bing Crosby and even Pope John Paul II. The waiter even pointed out to us the special table that Nicholas Cage sits in every time he dines there.

As we finished up our dinner, our waiter asked if we would like to have a tour of the living museum. He took us firstly to the Large Annex room, which is said to have hosted various Presidents, including Franklin D. Roosevelt and Bill Clinton. The elegant crown molding and dark emerald walls add to the beauty and opulence of the space - the central focal point of the room is the glass case display of the diamond dress worn by the Queen of Mardi Gras. 

We were also shown the mighty wine cellar, which can hold up to 25,000 bottles of wine. During hurricane Katrina, many of the bottles in the cellar were destroyed. 

One of my favourite rooms to enter was the Mystery Room. During prohibition, this room served as a safe space for guests to knock back a couple of illegal cocktails. The customers would enter through a secret entry in the women's washroom and would receive their drinks in discreet cups. If the police happened to show up, the patrons could dump their drinks into the hay provided on the ground and jump out the window (don't worry - it is on the 1st floor) to evade the authorities. 

If you fancy a delicious dinner with a side of cultural significance, look no further than Antoine's restaurant! Not only is it one of the most unique restaurants I've ever been to but it's also one of the most historic.