Mr. B's Bistro

A GreatRestaurant located on the edge of the French Quarter (at the corner of Iberville and Royal Street) in New Orleans.

Mr. B’s Bistro has been a consistent favorite of mine in New Orleans for many, many years. I have been going there for so long that I can’t even remember my first time. As far back as I can remember; Mr. B’s has been a go-to place for me to have dinner when I am in New Orleans.

Creole inspiration is reflected in a wonderful bistro style menu. My favorite appetizer is their duck spring rolls that are served with the most incredible ginger dipping sauce. (I often find a way to have two servings of the Spring Rolls, they are that good).

My favorite dinner item has long been their Mississippi Rabbit. From time to time I try other things but while I always find them to be excellent, I always come back to the rabbit.

Their fish is always, I mean always, fresh and wonderful. I adore the Pork Osso Buco, and their Shrimp and Grits is among the best I have had. But my first love is their Mississippi Rabbit. Take a chance, forget that it is rabbit, and try it. My guess is that you will love it. (My son recently tried it and thought it was great)

The wine list is well rounded and always offers an interesting selection of outstanding wines. I have been to Mr. B’s just to sit at the bar, order appetizers, and share a bottle of wine or champagne with my wife or a friend.

While there are other New Orleans restaurants that are GreatRestaurants, this year I celebrated my birthday (with my wife and children) at Mr. B’s. It was my children’s first time to Mr. B’s and they loved it. As I mentioned above, my son loved the Rabbit. My daughter thought that the Shrimp and Grits were delicious.

Many restaurants in New Orleans cater to the tourist crowd. Some of them are not very good and only exist due to previous glories or slick marketing. One sure measure of a GreatRestuarant in New Orleans is if the people who live there choose it from among all the superb competition. My friends in New Orleans go to Mr. B’s.

An interesting note about Mr. B’s is that they only take a certain number of reservations each night. They seem to like being able to accommodate walk up patrons. It is always better to call ahead and have a reservation. But it you find yourself in New Orleans on the spur of the moment, try dropping by and seeing if they have a table available.

If you have to wait for a little while, grab a seat at the bar and have a glass of wine, or whatever, until they can seat you.

Mr. B’s Bistro is a GreatRestaurant that you should try the next time you are in New Orleans. You really can’t go wrong at Mr. B’s.

Check them out at http://www.mrbsbistro.com/

Cracker P's

A GreatRestaurant located on Lubbers Quarters in the Sea of Abaco, Bahamas

Cracker P’s Bar and Grill is an incredible restaurant located on a hillside across the sound, and down a little, from Tahiti Beach. It is an extremely casual, very comfortable, place that you can pretty much get to only by boat. The food is very simple, and very good.



I have only been to Cracker P’s a couple of times and only for lunch. The food is a combination of local dishes and familiar favorites. My favorite side dish, a local dish that is very good and well worth trying, is the “Bahamian Peas 'n' Rice”.

It is advised to call ahead on your VHF radio, every boat has one (everybody monitors Channel 16), and check to see if they have a table open. When you pull up to their dock (its big), you stern anchor your boat and head up the stairs to the restaurant and an incredible view.



Cracker P’s looks east over the Lubbers channel towards Tilloo Cay and Tahiti Beach. You feel like you are in heaven, the view is more than picturesque, it is extraordinary.



The staff is very friendly and accommodating. You are welcome to eat, to drink, and to just hang out and relax.

While I have not been there for dinner, I understand the place can become very lively. They are famous for their “Full Moon Parties”. I am sad to say that I have never been to one of their Full Moon Parties but I have seen the place liven up on just a random weekday afternoon.

There is a reason that I have not had dinner at Cracker P’s, and that I am not likely to do so any time soon. When I am in the Abacos, I stay on a Cay (Key) about 8 or 9 miles north of Lubbers Quarters. I have never wanted to try the run home, by boat, after dark, and after a few toddies or glasses of wine.

On a special note, they make and bottle their own hot sauce. It is excellent. If you like spicy things, you should try it. I like a little on my Peas 'n' Rice. I brought a bottle home with me and whenever I bring it out it brings back very fond memories of Cracker P’s.



Tahiti Beach, mentioned above, is a great place to anchor your boat and hang out to enjoy the sun and water. It is a very popular place where you are likely to run into old friends or meet new ones. Cracker P’s is ideally located when you want to grab lunch or a refreshing beverage.

Cracker P’s is a GreatRestaurant that is very different from any of the GreatRestaurants that I have written about so far. It is a laidback, casual, fun, watering hole and restaurant that I think is a must “go to” if you are hanging around in the Abacos. If you are hanging around in the Abacos, and enjoying yourself, then I can almost guarantee that you will love Cracker P’s.

Check them out at http://www.crackerps.com/