Saturday, Day Four of Tales of the Cocktail with side trips to WWII Museum

Saturday: Family day at WWII Museum and American Sector Restaurant


My son, daughter and her boyfriend joined us for the ultimate family experience--a day spent at the WWII Museum and lunch at American Sector Restaurant, a Chef John Besh restaurant honoring American cuisine. To fully appreciate the décor, enter on the Magazine Street entrance, past walls of vintage sepia photos of 1940 movie greats: Clark Gable in his army uniform, Betty Davis, Carol Lombard, and many more. Fashioned around a mid-twentieth century soda fountain, the décor and the menu presents a nostalgic dining experience. From hot dogs to hamburgers or Crab Buster (light batter soft shell crab) on a bed of jalapeno cheese grits...soooo good. Drink up with homemade Sector Sodas or milk shakes along with the $7 kids lunch box menu.


We moved on to the Pacific War Exhibit since my husband’s father was a decorated Navy war hero from the Pacific War. A very moving experience and a good prelude for the film “Beyond All Boundaries,” a 42 minute journey through the war using rare archival films. The 4-D effects use life-sized props, animation and atmospherics. No need for 3-D glasses, the technologies of the screen and film go beyond anything you have seen. May be too intense for younger children.

Pastry Chef David Guas, New Orleans native and a James Beard and IACP 2010 nominee, sweetened the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards Ceremony with Banana's Foster Cheesecake with Bourbon Salted Caramel Sauce and Cocao3 Mousse featuring Dark Chocolate, Bittersweet Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, spiked with surprise Liquors and sprinkles of Cocoa Nibs. Follow David and his book, Dam Good Sweets on television and radio shows across the country.

It was another fun-filled Tales of the Cocktail that will continue to spread goodwill and cheer about our glorious city for many months to come. Visit their website www.talesofthecocktail.com for events throughout the year and a peek into next year’s spirited event.

Meanwhile, you don’t have to wait until next July to make a trip to the Big Easy. Give the folks at Harrah’s Hotel a call and book your next trip to a city full of life and personality.