Sometime in the early 1700's, probably a few years before the 1718 founding of New Orleans as the colonial seat of government, a settler claimed land from an original royal grant for his dwelling and defined its entrance with an alley of live oaks in two rows leading to the river. Although there is no documentation as to how successful this gentlemen was in his efforts to adapt in the New World, it is clear that his live oaks had no such problem. Native to the area, they thrived!
The design of the mansion combined several styles, the most notable being the 28 classic columns surrounding the house. The veranda extends approximately 13 feet from the walls, keeping the home in shade most of the day.
Filmed at Oak Alley:
Nightrider
Dixie: Changing Habits
The Long Hot Summer
Primary Colors
Oak Alley Restaurant is housed in a 19th century cottage located on the grounds of the plantation, not far from the antebellum mansion. Oak Alley Restaurant serves a wonderful selection of traditional Cajun and Creole dishes as well as Oak Alley's Famous Mint Julep.
Natasha had the mighty-strong Mint Julep while I opted for the more-likely-to-drive-after Lemon Julep.
While the restaurant boasts to includes delicious, traditional Louisiana-style dishes, such as red beans & rice, jambalaya, shrimp Creole, chicken fricassee, fried alligator nuggets, crawfish etouffee and gumbo, as well as po-boys (Louisiana's version of a submarine sandwich), fresh salads and a wonderful selection of homemade desserts like bread pudding with whiskey sauce, pecan pie and buttermilk pie. We got the regular old lunch special: Ham slowly cooked in Whiskey, baked southern beans and garlic mashed potatoes and OMG, was it yummy!!!
Next time you're in the area, visit the "Grande Dame of the Great River Road".
Grooooooaaaan!!! OMG that meal is such a happy memory... I KNEW you'd post a very historically accurate piece on Oak Alley plantation. I'm totally adding a link to this post on my blog.
ReplyDelete