Dave and I took a kids free road trip last weekend to New Orleans with our good friends Tom and Amy and we had a fabulous time eating, drinking and exploring one of our very favorite cities. A highlight of our trip was jazz brunch in the courtyard at The Court of Two Sisters which for us, lived up to the hype we have heard for years about the restaurant. Housed in a historic French Quarter property built in 1832, the building has served various purposes including a shop operated by the namesake sisters Bertha and Emma, several different restaurants and a speak easy prior to becoming the current Court of Two Sisters Restaurant in 1963. 
Intriguing historical tidbits greet you at The Court of Two Sisters from the moment you step inside. The wrought iron entry gates were made in Spain especially for The Court of Two Sisters and are said to have been blessed by Queen Isabella with charm that passes on to anyone who touches them. We of course made sure to touch them on our way inside! Other legends about the property tell that the pirate Jean Lafitte participated in three different duels in the courtyard during one (very busy!) night killing all three opponents. The courtyard wishing well is also said to have been used by the Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau as she lived nearby. As with many buildings in New Orleans, you just feel like you are in a place with many memories when visiting The Court of Two Sisters.
The Court of Two Sisters Jazz Brunch
Knowing how popular the Court of Two Sisters jazz brunch is, we made sure to make advance reservations for our Friday morning visit. Only a few tables were full when we arrived for our 9:30 seating, but the courtyard was bustling by the time we finished eating brunch. Sheltered by sweeping boughs of wisteria entwined with lights, the courtyard has amazing ambience. And being serenaded by a jazz trio brought the experience to another level. Service was friendly and prompt and we quickly were served coffee and ice water while our waiter described the brunch offerings.
We started our brunch at The Court of Two Sisters with cocktails. It may have only been 9:30 in the morning, but hey, we were in New Orleans! Dave and Amy each ordered a Bloody Mary which they said were tasty and I had an absolutely yummy Peach Bellini. After sipping our cocktails for a bit, we were ready to eat. 
Served buffet style, the brunch offerings at The Court of Two Sisters were varied and plentiful and everything we tried was delicious. The cold buffet table offered boiled shrimp with several sauces, fresh fruits and vegetables, various pasta salads and assorted pâtés. Several breads were available as well including cornbread and delicious flaky biscuits. Knowing I had to pace myself, I only tried a bit of each item I wanted, and all were wonderful.
The items offered on the hot buffet were also scrumptious. From hashbrowns, piles of various breakfast meats, turtle soup and gumbo, it would be impossible to not find something you love at The Court of Two Sisters Jazz Brunch. I especially loved the grillades and grits which is one of my favorite brunch dishes in the whole world. We also enjoyed the made to order omelet station where I ordered a bacon and mushroom omelet and Amy ordered Eggs Benedict. And if that’s not enough, numerous assorted desserts were also offered including bread pudding with whiskey sauce, king cake and other pastries. I had the bananas foster which was amazing!
We very much enjoyed the jazz brunch at The Court of Two Sisters and I would happily recommend the beautiful restaurant for any special occasion. The delicious food, intriguing setting, beautiful live music and friendly service all made for a memorable meal. And while somewhat pricey at $30 per person (which included coffee and tea), the experience was well worth the price for us. Fat and happy, we rolled out of The Court of Two Sisters ready to explore New Orleans.
Happy Travels and Laissez les bon temps roulez!
