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The Best Ice Cream in Town

Posted on July 7, 2015 by Stay Alfred Vacation Rentals — No Comments ↓

Source: State Library of Victoria, via Flickr

July is National Ice Cream Month, which gives you the perfect excuse to enjoy your favorite frozen treat. If you’re one of our guests, check out this list to find the best ice cream in town:

Boston:

Picco: The Pizza and Ice Cream Company (Picco for short) is a popular Boston restaurant that delivers the dream combination of delicious pizza and homemade ice cream. A little bit lighter than the typically dense New England offering, Picco’s ice cream explodes with sophisticated flavors.

Denver

Little Man Ice Cream: Denverites love their ice cream, and Little Man serves up the best in town. Easy to find, just look for the 28-foot tall milk can with a line of people queued up to get their sweet fix. They rotate a great mix of classic ice cream flavors, as well as few you wouldn’t expect, like salted Oreo. They even have vegan ice cream.

Memphis:

Jerry’s Sno-Cones: Kids and adult alike seem to flock to this local favorite when the weather turns warm. Although snow cones made with homemade syrup are this shop’s specialty, they also offer soft serve ice cream, either on its own or combined with a snow cone (order it “supreme”).

Nashville

Pied Piper Creamery: Across the river in East Nashville you will find this funky ice cream shop located in a vintage house. The ice cream is delicious and features wacky pun-filled titles like Minty Python, Oreo Speedwagon, and Handlebar Pistachio.

New Orleans:

Angelo Brocato’s: No dessert shop in New Orleans is as beloved as Angelo Brocato’s. Established in 1905, this gelateria and pasticceria is steeped in Italian tradition and offers authentic gelato you have to taste to believe. And if your love of cold sweets extends beyond ice cream, this joint is also known for its delectable granitas: fresh Italian fruit ice.

Philadelphia:

The Franklin Fountain: This old-timey ice cream parlor dishes up some of the best and most authentically Philly-style ice cream in town. The old school soda fountain theme, from bow tied servers to the antique cash register, adds to the charm, but it’s the achingly delicious handmade flavors, like Teaberry gum, that will keep you coming back.

Portland:

Cool Moon Ice Cream: Sure, you could go to Salt & Straw like everyone else. Or you could skip waiting in a forty-minute line for overhyped “artisanal” ice cream and just head into Cool Moon. Much more family friendly and still offering intriguing flavors made with local natural ingredients, Cool Moon will satisfy your cravings while the rest of those people are still waiting.

San Antonio:

Justin’s Ice Cream: Hometown boy Justin Arecchi’s ice cream has been called a national treasure by President Clinton. After a four-year absence, his new family-run ice cream shop has reopened right on the River Walk, making it a breeze to sample the same cool treats that have been enjoyed by kings and dignitaries.

Seattle

Molly Moon’s: The ever-popular chain of modern-rustic ice cream shops are frequently wrapped with lines of people, and for very good reason. Molly Moon starts with a base of Snoqualmie ice cream and mixes in a wide variety of locally-sourced ingredients to create unique flavors like honey lavender and balsamic strawberry. You can also find many vegan-friendly sorbets and coconut milk-based treats.

 

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Top 5 New Orleans Activities

Posted on March 17, 2015 by Stay Alfred Vacation Rentals — No Comments ↓

New Orleans is one of our all-time favorite cities to visit! It has the perfect combination of family fun and activities for grown-ups. The party never stops and there is always another restaurant to try, drink to sample, and hotspot to explore! Here are a few of our favorite things to do in the Big Easy, and you can even bring the kids along with you:

1. Listen to Live Music: New Orleans is one of the best cities in the world to see live music. After dinner, head over to the Faubourg Marigny just a block over from the French Quarter and see who’s playing. The best collection of funky nightclubs are along Frenchman Street and there is always a great selection of music to listen to, from modern jazz to reggae. The doors at most clubs stay open so you can sample the tunes from the street before you head inside.

2. Take a Tour: One of the best ways to experience first-hand the rich cultural history of one of the country’s oldest cities is to take a guided tour. There are a huge variety of tours that appeal to every interest. You can find literary tours, haunted tours, voodoo tours, swamp tours, cemetery tours, architecture tours, vampire tours, even Katrina tours.

Canal St. Streetcar. Source: Flickr user faungg’s photo

3. Ride a Streetcar: The New Orleans Streetcar is the preeminent mode of transportation in the Crescent City, as well as the oldest continuously operated street railway system in the world. Traveling through the middle of the major streets of St. Charles, Canal, and Carrollton, the streetcars are an affordable way to soak up the sights as you move closer to you end destination. $1.25 gets you aboard and an unlimited day pass is $3.

4. Take the Ferry to Algiers Point: Just across the river, but miles from city life, lies New Orleans’ second-oldest neighborhood: Algiers Point. A short ride on the Canal Street ferry (free for pedestrians and cyclists) will take you to this quiet haven of eateries, shops, galleries, and watering holes. Much of the beautiful architecture dates back to the early 1700’s and from the levee you can glimpse the best views of the city skyline to be had anywhere.

5. Browse the French Market: Reminiscent of some European markets, this open-air mall features shopping, dining, and music in a tradition that is uniquely New Orleans. From Cafe du Monde near Jackson Square to the market at the end of Esplanade Avenue, there are five blocks of specialty retail shops and a community flea market with locally made jewelry, clothing, and art. Insider tip: most Cajun/Creole seasonings they sell here you can find at a local supermarket for a fraction of the price.

Are you planning a trip to New Orleans? Click here to view all of our great downtown vacation rentals

America’s Best Fried Chicken

Posted on February 24, 2015 by admin — No Comments ↓

Fried chicken is of those ubiquitous American meals that can serve any purpose, from Sunday night family dinner to a leisurely picnic in the park. And there are probably as many different recipes for fried chicken as there is places to eat it. Some lucky folks at Thrillist had the chance to scour the country in search of the best fried chicken in America, and it turns out there’s a few places on their list that are in Stay Alfred cities (and a couple in cities we’re looking at)! We thought we would share these finds with you, in fact you’ll probably get to try them before we do!

The following was published 2/20/15 by Kevin Alexander and Liz Childers at Thrillist:

 

Portland, OR: The People’s Pig

“People’s Pig answers a question few have asked, yet probably should: what would bacon taste like if bacon was made from fried chicken? The answer is the Smoked Fried Chicken at this food cart turned brick-and-mortar, which gives the boneless bird a light wood-based sauna session before it’s dunked in batter and fried. Not bad for a place that made its name with porchetta and BBQ. There’s a lot of great fried chicken in Stumptown (big love to Dub’s and Reel M Inn), but the People’s Pig gets mad love for taking something as beloved as fried chicken and transforming it into something utterly different and magnificent.”

 

Nashville, TN: Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack

“Yes, we know it’s technically hot chicken. But that hot chicken is fried, right? And Prince’s, on the North side of Nashville, just happens to be the best damn spicy fried chicken in America. If you can spare a couple of hours to deal with the line, hit up Andre Prince’s ode to the spicy side of the bird and get a whole chicken, some extra pickles, and bread. We like it “hot,” which is just enough to make us sweat, but not enough that it feels like you’re being punished for eating. And don’t worry about finishing the whole bird. We just wanted to leave you enough to take some home with you.”

 

Willie Mae’s Fried Chicken. Flickr/the foodhoe

New Orleans, LA: Willie Mae’s Scotch House

“New Orleanians are wont to throw around words like ‘legendary’ and ‘institution’ and ‘classic’ when it comes to their restaurants that can lay any kind of claim to those adjectives. But, well, Willie Mae’s fried chicken deserves it. That crispy, spicy chicken was enough to drive crowds of volunteers to tend to the nearly half-a-century old restaurant after Katrina flooded through, and its melt-in-your-mouth skin and juicy meat are enough to beckon even the most tourist-averse locals to wait in the lunch line on a weekday for a plate, plus a side of salty, smoky red beans and rice. So, yes, Willie Mae’s Scotch House is a legendary, classic institution — not just of NOLA, but of the South.”

 

Austin, TX: Top Notch

“Sure, you can’t start any conversation about Top Notch without mentioning its iconic placement in Dazed & Confused, but there’s a damn good reason the old-school drive-up joint’s in the movie to begin with. Since 1971, it’s made Austin’s finest fried bird. And as the city’s food scene has evolved into more haute takes on comfort classics, Top Notch still does what it’s always done: it makes a perfectly crisp, salty, old-school chunk of chicken that’s golden fried and bursting with juice. That’s the good thing about Top Notch. You keep getting older, but that chicken stays the same.”

Are you planning a trip to any of these cities? Click here to view all our our great vacation rentals.

Our 5 Favorite New Orleans Restaurants

Posted on January 31, 2015 by admin — No Comments ↓

If it ain’t got okra, it ain’t gumbo!

Few cities in the world can match the rich culinary tradition of New Orleans. French, Spanish, Italian, African, Creole, Cajun, and Southern influences all blend together into a perfect storm of delicious foodie heaven. You can spend your entire life exploring all the different facades of New Orleans’ culinary world. Of course, we know you don’t have that kind of time, so we put together a short list of our favorite places to eat in the Big Easy. Consider this the crib notes; by no means complete, but enough to get you started. We’d also love to hear what some of your favorites are, so don’t be shy!

  • K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen: Chef Paul Prudhomme is the godfather of Cajun cuisine and his French Quarter restaurant is practically a New Orleans institution. His recipe for blackened redfish almost single handedly put the species on the “endangered” list. In a city with such a rich culinary tradition, K-Paul’s ranks right at the top. Must Try: Blackened Drum and Bread Pudding with Hard Sauce

  • Red Fish Grill: Part of the Brennan family restaurant dynasty, Red Fish Grill offers a respite from the chaos of Bourbon Street. as well as some of the best seafood in New Orleans, which is to say, some of the best seafood anywhere. The BBQ oysters are world-famous (although they’re more buffalo wing-style than true BBQ). Must Try: Alligator Sausage & Seafood Gumbo

  • The Ruby Slipper: This bustling diner serves a plethora of breakfast and lunch options, from traditional fare to dishes imbued with that New Orleans fare. They have several locations close to downtown and are regularly voted “Best Breakfast” in the city. Must Try: Bananas Foster Pain Perdu (French Toast)

  • Cochon Butcher: New Orleans is a big-time sandwich town, from muffalettas to po’ boys of every type, which makes Cochon Butcher’s place as one of the best shops in town all the more impressive. They cure their own meats in-house and also feature a great wine and beer selection. Must Try: The Gambino

  • Clover Grill: It’s not the fanciest place to get a greasy burger and chili fries in the town, but it’s open 24 hours and offers some great people watching. Probably best to save this one until after you’ve been partying all night in the French Quarter, and leave the attitude at the door. Must Try: A few Hurricanes before you get here.

Still planning your trip to New Orleans? Click here to view all of our great New Orleans vacation rentals.

Family Fun at Mardi Gras?

Posted on December 4, 2014 by admin — No Comments ↓

Photo by Elaine Warner, Slice Magazine

Despite what you may have heard, Mardi Gras is not just a giant street party filled with bare-chested women and crowds of drunken men leering at them. In fact, many New Orleans residents will take exception to the way that the event has often been portrayed in the media. Mardi Gras is actually a great family festival (as long as you avoid certain areas).

The main focus of the celebrations is the parades, which begin two weeks before Fat Tuesday. Each parade is put on by a Krewe which spends all year and thousands of dollars building and decorating their elaborate floats. The most famous Krewes like Zulu, Bacchus, Endymion, and Rex have their parades on the weekend just before Fat Tuesday, but the times and routes vary so be sure to check a parade schedule to find the best ones.

One of the most popular places to watch the parades is around St. Charles St. and Napoleon Ave. Many local families have been coming here for years and they show up early for a full day of picnicking and barbeques. If you want to avoid huge crowds, head to the suburban area of Metairie where to parades tend to be more kid-centric. The Mystic Krewe of Barkus puts on a dog parade that is a must-see for children and adults alike.

No matter where you go, be sure to bring something to keep all the “throws” you’re bound to collect (those cloth grocery bags work great). Each Krewe has their own unique trinkets they throw out, everything from toys and stuffed animals to elaborate medallions and painted coconuts, and of course beads. One thing to remember about the medallions: they are highly prized and experienced parade goers tend to stomp on them to claim ownership, so watch your fingers!

Another tip: most restaurants and hotels along parade routes only allow their bathrooms to be used by patrons. Be sure to scout out public restrooms before you need them, although many restaurants also sell all-day tickets that include food and use of their facilities.

The only place you might want to avoid if you’re with children is the French Quarter, where the spring-break adult party crowd tends to congregate. But no big parades actually go through that area anyway due to vehicle size restrictions. So don your masks, eat some King Cake, and find a good spot to watch all the amazing festivities. Your kids will never forget it!

Looking for somewhere to stay during Mardi Gras? Click here to see all of our New Orleans vacation rentals.

Stay Alfred Doubles New Orleans Vacation Rental Inventory

Posted on November 13, 2014 by admin — No Comments ↓

The living room of a Stay Alfred vacation rental at The Maritime Building

SPOKANE, WASHINGTON - The nationwide vacation rental and corporate housing firm headquartered in Spokane, Wash., Stay Alfred, has doubled the number of New Orleans vacation rentals it manages.

The vacation rentals in The Big Easy boast all the amenities Stay Alfred guests have come to expect, including modern furnishings, equipped kitchens, wi-fi, cable, DVD players, linens, laundry and ironing facilities, air conditioning, secure parking, balconies, and a state-of-the-art fitness center. Guests also benefit from the industry-leading customer service for which Stay Alfred has been honored with the “Top Rental Manager” award by Travel + Leisure’s Top Vacation Rental Site, FlipKey.

These units are located at the center of the action in the Crescent City-Bourbon Street and Canal Street are 3 blocks away and the Superdome, House of Blues, and Audubon Aquarium of the Americas are all within three-quarters of a mile.

This expansion of Stay Alfred’s already sizable New Orleans presence was a natural step for the nationwide vacation rental company.

“Stay Alfred is one of the top vacation rental brands in the markets we already occupy,” said Jordan Allen, president. “With this move, we manage more vacation rentals in New Orleans than we do in Nashville-which had been our second largest market, behind our Seattle vacation rentals.”

Stay Alfred manages vacation rentals and corporate housing in Bellevue, Wash., Denver, Colo., Nashville, Tenn., New Orleans, La., Portland, Ore., and Seattle, Wash.

The New Orleans vacation rentals can be viewed online and even booked with Stay Alfred’s convenient, industry-leading one-click booking feature at StayAlfred.com. Reservationists can be reached at 866-232-3864.