By Megan McChesney
Brennan’s is nothing less than a New Orleans institution. Started in 1946, branches of the Brennan family still own and operate restaurants in the city. Though it might stretch the budget a bit, a breakfast at Brennan’s is a must-do if you can swing it: the building itself has an air of grandeur, and the open-air terrace features a small turtle pond. Bananas Foster was created here and still served with panache. Bananas are sautéed in butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, with a splash of banana liqueur and then flamed in rum (the booze is burned off, so you won’t end up with tipsy toddlers). Order the dish and you’ll be treated to a tableside demo: make sure you get a snap of the kids standing with the server as the flames erupt.
Photo by Sarah Essex