I think it’s high time to have some fun so I’m starting with a late night joint in New York City that was super fun back in the day. Then we’ll move on to four spots in The Big Easy.

Here’s my story: it was time for “A Girl’s Night Out” so we left the guys at home and headed out to a party that we had been invited to at The Roxy – which is no longer around. This was a popular nightclub located at 515 West 18th Street that was basically a roller skating rink with a bar.

As I recall, this was in the disco era so this Chelsea rink was a haven for skaters and partiers alike. It was a vast space so there was plenty of room for both. We talked, laughed, ate and drank until some ungodly hour as the music boomed, the disco lights whirled and the skaters jumped and flipped.

Finally, we decided to leave and stumbled out into the night. It was here that my friend said, “C’mon, we’ll go to Florent for coffee and a bite.” So we walked all the way down along the waterfront to Gansevoort Street in the spooky pitch dark. Not a soul was around. (To this day I still can’t believe we did this.)

Then we spotted the neon pink “Florent” sign in the window of this little joint nestled among meatpacking plants and gay bars. Since most of the streetlights were broken we could barely see it until we entered. And then BOOM!

It was a scene right out of a Fellini movie: characters of every description you can imagine. There was one waiter behind a very long counter who didn’t WAIT on you – so much as PERFORM for you. At that hour of the morning there were no seats at the counter or at the tables so after a bit we left. This wild spot is no longer around so let’s look at The City That Never Sleeps.

CAMELLIA GRILL

Located at 626 S. Carrollton Ave., Phone (504) 866-9573

This restaurant has been in business since 1946. All the waiters wear tux shirts with bow ties and look quite smart. I have never been here, but it’s rumored that they call each other and their customers “Baby” – pretty casual but charming -- stuff.

It’s said that the food here “is the best kind of diner eats: you’ll find everything from omelets to burgers – all washed down with an icy drink called The Chocolate Freeze. Part of the lore here is this: after Hurricane Katrina the owners closed the restaurant. Customers felt lost and betrayed so they posted hundreds of yellow Post-it Notes on the building saying, “Please Reopen! I need a Chocolate Freeze.”

DELACHAISE

Located at 3442 St. Charles Ave., Phone (504) 895-0858

This wine bar and bistro is just steps away from where the St. Charles streetcar runs. It offers a choice of over 350 wines. That’s pretty impressive! One diner reports that, “The small plates are great – especially the over-the-top grilled cheese sandwich with apple butter.”

It’s also said that everyone loves the pommes frites. These are brought to a heavenly level in goose fat. The cheese tray is also a winner. You can pick your own cheese or have them do it for you. Let’s end this on a high note: an out-of-towner says, “The pork duck pate blew my mind.” (Even if you tried, you couldn’t make this stuff up.)

CLOVER GRILL

Located at 900 Bourbon St., Phone (504) 598-1010

This is a popular spot that’s been in business since 1939 and serves food that is good for a hangover. It has pink menus and features a row of 50s-style diner stools. It even appeared in the movie titled, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett.

Their menu is hysterical: I doubled over laughing. For example, they have a Daily Breakfast Special for $9.29 that to me LOOKS HUGE. Then they add at the bottom of this item, “If you are not served in five minutes, relax. It may be another five – this is NOT NEW YORK CITY. It’s time for you to CLICK HERE and read this nutty, over-the-top menu.

COOP’S PLACE

Located at 1109 Decatur St., Phone (504) 525-9053

This is the only place I’ve seen where they say, “No patrons under 21” followed by “No Reservations.” It’s right across from the B.B. King Blues Club in the French Quarter. One patron describes it as “a great little dive bar with delicious food so there may be a wait – but it's worth it.”

This is a unique place with lots of history on its walls. On the menu you’ll find: Smoked Duck Quesadilla, Cajun Fried Chicken plus Rabbit and Sausage Jambalaya – as well as sandwiches and burgers.

And there you have it. Come for a visit, stay for the eats.

WHY RATHBONE MANSIONS? The City That Never Sleeps has excellent cab and Uber service. And, since we’re a short distance from the French Quarter you’ll have no problem kickin’ up your heels until the wee hours. And then what? It’s back to Rathbone – where you’ll sink into a super-soft four-poster bed and sleep like a baby.      

PLEASE PHONE, USE EMAIL OR CHECK THE WEB for the current status of whatever restaurant you choose to visit.

Shaun Nelson-Henrick