I generally don’t start the day a big breakfast and tend to eat quick and functional foods like yogurt, oatmeal and bananas.

I woke up on my first morning of a New Orleans stay and already had my utilitarian robot breakfast in the hotel.

Immediately after my friend asked if I was in the mood for brunch at The Court of Two Sisters. I told him I wasn’t that hungry, and was only planning to wander the French Quarter taking some photos, and also the aroma of beer fermenting the gutters.  I told him I’d join him for coffee and a bagel. He then informed me that it’s a one price buffet. None of this “order one small item” business. I didn’t want to spend $30 dollars when I wasn’t even that hungry, but reminding me that I was “in New Orleans” he convinced me to do it anyway and I’m glad I did.

I was overwhelmed at the selection, and chose to try a little of everything in as modest of portions as I could: Crawfish, turtle soup, and shrimp with remoulade sauce – (that’s a southern dip with horseradish and worstershire sauce.) For the main course I had two orders of eggs benedict, and for dessert a hefty slab of bread pudding.

It was an immense breakfast  – but we stopped short of turning it into a “Man versus Food” episode.

The restaurant is indoor and outdoor, in a large old mansion with courtyard. Entry is through a tunnel like passage (originally used for horses) leading to the dining area and courtyard.

This being the first morning after arrival I noted a small cultural observation of how polite the locals are. My friend and I sat at a two seat table inside against the courtyard window. Everyone that passed by us, whether staff or patron, nodded or said a polite “excuse me”, even though they weren’t interrupting us in the least.

An immense brunch of new flavors, and a perfect counterpart to my favorite dinner restaurant the Praline Connection which I visited on my 2006 trip.

The Court of Two Sisters is at 613 Royal Street, in the French Quarter.
http://www.courtoftwosisters.com/