Tour With Nate - New Orleans

08/29/2025

I’m not a fan of plantations at all, but the Whitney Plantation is my absolute favorite.

08/14/2025

Please support this amazing cafe.

From Craig J. Nero – Owner of Who Dat Coffee Cafe

Fifteen years on this amazing corner… thirty years in this incredible community. I’ve been blessed beyond words to call this place home, surrounded by some of the most amazing people I’ve ever known.

But I have to be real with y’all—this summer has been brutal, and the challenges we’re facing feel heavier than ever. Back in 2014, when Airbnb arrived, we were a tight-knit neighborhood. We begged the city to monitor and regulate them, but nothing was done. Over the past 11 years, we’ve had to adjust our business model more times than I can count—surviving shifts in tourism, the pandemic, and everything in between.

Since, the city’s decision to finally regulate them it has pulled the rug out from under a huge part of our business plan—something they allowed us to grow but now they cut off more than 50% of them—without regard for the small businesses that fought years ago to avoid exactly this. And the truth is, we can’t fully recover from the impact.

I have employees who’ve dedicated over a decade of their lives to this cafe, and I’ve always made sure they could rely on me. But right now, I’m at a crossroads. I’m trying to decide—do I risk it all to keep going, or do I step away proud of the time we’ve had?

I don’t want to close. This cafe is my child, my life, my passion. But I can’t ignore the reality in front of me. I’m sharing this because I believe in being honest with my community, and because I need your help to make it through this summer and into the next chapter—whatever it may be.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for 15 years of Who Dat Coffee Cafe, and for the love I’ve felt in 30 years of living here. This place has been my home, my heart, and my family.

— Craig

08/14/2025

The 1811 Slave Revolt Trail
A Louisiana's River Parishes Experience

On January 8, 1811, at Woodland Plantation (now the 1811 Kid Ory Historic House), Colonel Manuel Andry awoke to a group at his bedside wielding weapons, led by slave driver, Charles Deslondes. After attacking Andry with an axe and killing his son, the group secured militia uniforms and some weapons, and as they gathered with others from nearby plantations, began what would become America’s First Freedom March. Fueled by stories of a successful slave revolt in Haiti and the cruel treatment of the enslaved on Louisiana sugar plantations, the insurgents would take advantage of the distractions the Mardi Gras season provided and incite between 200 and 500 slaves to take up arms against their oppressors and take their shot at freedom.

Experience their story

America’s First Freedom March On January 8, 1811, at Woodland Plantation (now the 1811 Kid Ory Historic House), Colonel Manuel Andry awoke to a group at his bedside wielding weapons, led by slave driver, Charles Deslondes. After attacking Andry with an axe and killing his son, the group secured mi...

08/14/2025

COOLinary New Orleans
August 1 - 31, 2025
Cuisine is an integral part of the history, fabric, and culture of New Orleans. Each summer, restaurants across the Crescent City take part in the culinary extravaganza known as, "COOLinary New Orleans." Some of New Orleans’ finest dining establishments participate by offering specially curated prix-fixe menus at unbeatable prices.

Treat yourself to multi-course, prix-fixe meals with prices as low as $28 or less for two-course lunches and $58 or less for three-course dinners and brunches. No matter what your taste buds are after, there’s no better time to tackle your NOLA food wish list than from August 1 - 31, making COOLinary New Orleans the most delicious summer tradition.

See the over 100 participating restaurants and their COOLinary menus here https://www.neworleans.com/coolinary/listings/?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwMKzX9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHmHA6A70wQQF_aL1id_RxYsYq5UDvZ98lW5g4akwTZ2dOpdAQDOdgdHnncDb_aem_QbHbn-bHHZxobgNB289iHw

08/07/2025

New Orleans Calas or Creole Rice Fritters came from West Africa with the enslaved people. Most people haven't heard of Calas, but they're one of the oldest sweet treats in New Orleans. They were made with leftover rice, yeast, rice flour, powdered sugar, and spice (cinnamon), fried fresh and sold hot in the streets.

Enslaved women and free women of color would carry these in large woven baskets on their heads, selling these on the streets and in, what is now known as Congo Square, in the French Quarter. The Code Noir or the Louisiana Black Code, created in 1724 by the French, regulated slavery as well as religion and was only in New Orleans and not the rest of the south.

This code was largely based on a similar code created for the French Caribbean colonies in 1685. The code gave the enslaved people, in the city, a “day off” which was every Sunday from sun up to sundown. It allowed many enslaved women and men to sell items for profit. It wasn’t until the Spanish took over In 1762 that they could actually use their profits to buy their freedom.

The Cala Ladies would line the baskets with a cloth and pack a thick layer of powdered sugar on top of the cloth in the bottom of the basket. Pack it tight up on the sides about half way up. Dry calas were then added. More powdered sugar packed on the sides to the top and more calas. Then, covering the top with a cloth.

So, the powdered sugar was used as a type of insulation to help keep them warm as well as adding an extra sweetner to the calas. Condensed milk became a popular topping in the late 1800s. Honey or cinnamon was also used as a sweetener.

My guests get to try these delicious treats on my food tour. Have you tried them? This video features Marisa Demasiliere, owner of Risa’s Cuisine, a proud New Orleans native with deep Louisiana Creole roots. The next time you’re in New Orleans, join me on my Food Walking Tour! For more info, visit tinyurl.com/tourwithnate-foodtour.

07/28/2025

Visiting New Orleans? Experience the delicious tastes of the city on a food and history tour in the French Quarter! Click here to book your Food Tour or Food & Cocktails Tour With Nate 👉🏾 https://tinyurl.com/TourWithNate-FoodTour.
Be sure to request “Nate” as your guide.

07/28/2025

New Orleans is packed with black culture and history. Especially the food. Here’s a list of Black Owned businesses and restaurants in New Orleans. This list was created by Where Black NOLA Eats.

07/24/2025

Did you know the blocks that make up the 100 block off of Canal Street from Decatur to North Rampart are not under the purview of the Vieux Carre Commission. VCC starts at the 200 block off of Canal heading into the Quarter. It’s not technically considered the “French Quarter” until you reach the 200 block at Iberville St.⚜

For those who don’t know, the Vieux Carre Commission is our preservation society for the French Quarter.

07/21/2025

Remember this post about ?

07/21/2025

Remember Madam LaLaurie from American Horror Story: Coven? Well here’s the actual house in the French Quarter. The one that was used in the series is about 3 doors down from this one.

07/01/2025

Who’s attending Essence Fest this weekend! The city is about to be lit and full!

06/28/2025

Did you know that you could cruise from New Orleans?

Let’s Go!!! Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas returns to New Orleans! Starting November 1, 2026, Royal Caribbean will offer 6 & 7 night itineraries aboard the beautiful and exciting Mariner of the Seas! These itineraries include ports in Mexico, Belize, Jamaica, and Grand Cayman! Cabin rates start at $698 per person!

Book your stateroom now! Payment options are available to fit almost any budget. Pay all at once, pay monthly, or just start with a deposit today and pay the balance closer to your cruise date. The choice is yours!

Visit natealston.inteletravel.com to book your cruise today!

And if you’re sailing out of New Orleans, arrive a couple days early and explore the beautiful and vibrant Big Easy! Take a food tour with Tour With Nate and taste your way through the French Quarter! Take a swamp tour. Explore our many museums and more. Cruise With Nate can handle all of your flight, hotel, and excursion needs. For more information or if you have questions, leave a comment below, or DM, or email [email protected].