Brunch of Love 4 Recap

If you are in New Orleans and haven’t heard about the organization She Loves…you may be living under a rock! She Loves is a non profit organization who’s mission is to empower young girls to curate a life She Loves. They host a number of programs for young girls which include, summer workshops, vision board parties, girls night in events and more!

I first learned about the organization through social media and decided to attend the 2nd Brunch of Love event where I met the founder and executive director, Keamber Andry. Her energy was radiant and the way she spoke about the organization inspired me to join in on her mission. We had a meeting at Drink Beauty and the rest was history! I am now a board member and full on ambassador for the organization.

This year’s Brunch of Love event which is our premiere fundraising event was a big hit! The event took place at the historic Treme Market Branch and featured a modern and tasty multi-course brunch menu from Influencer and Chef Eryn A’leah. Heavy hitters DJ Keith Scott and DJ Legatron Prime kept the party rolling and there was also a special performance by Kayla Jasmine who’s featured on HaSizzle’s song, “Wanna Be Love”.

Photos by: bigsyddyy

There were bomb photo moments and good energy all around. I want to give a special thanks to everyone who attended the event and donated on my behalf. Your support doesn’t go unnoticed. She Loves is always on the look out for volunteers and more Sheroes so if you are interested getting involved or donating, visit https://www.youareperfect.org/get_involved!

Back to Broussard's Brunch Review

I’ve been to Broussard's Resturant & Courtyard a number of times. When people ask for a good bougie brunch suggestion, they are always at the top of my list. Located in the French quarter, the Resturant definitely checks off my list for photo-worthy plus they have mastered the champagne to orange juice ratio for their bottomless mimosas. The food is always yummy and the customer service is always great. The only trouble you may run into is parking so it is my suggestion that you Uber or you can park at the Royal Sonesta which is a block away and get your parking validated.

However, when I went to brunch recently it took me a minute to find parking because the street was blocked for the main parking lot entrance for the Royal Sonesta and when I did make it to the other entrance, the parking lot was full…sigh. Luckily I had some flats in the car and slipped on my heels when I got closer to the restaurant because I had to walk a few blocks. #SlaySmarter not #Harder.

I started my brunch experience with a 1940: Isadora Duncan per the waiter’s recommendation. Ya’ll…it was hella good! It was made with Knob Creek Bourbon, Blackberries, Lemon, and Honey-Sage Syrup. It was perfect for the heat that was waiting for us on the courtyard.

For appetizers we went with the Oysters Broussard which were Crispy Oysters with Bacon, Creamed Spinach, and Crystal Aioli which were pretty good but the star of the entire brunch experience were the Fried Brussels Sprouts which were prepared with Whipped Brie, Bacon Jam, and Green Apples. Now I initially thought Cheesecake Factory had the best Brussels Sprouts but Broussard’s came over and yanked the crown.

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For entrees we went with the the Steak & Eggs which was a Grilled Ribeye Steak, Tasso & Leek Hash, Scrambled Eggs fried hard, Creamed Spinach and Sauce Choron. We ended up waiting so long for the steak that I thought they had to go and catch the cattle Chile lol. Not only did the steak take forever but it arrived well done and I ordered it at a medium temperature. What saved this experience was the staff recognizing the mishap without me having to say a word. They took care of my entree and we received complimentary gumbo and their signature table side Bananas Foster. This is the first time I have ever had an issue with my order and I love the way they handled the situation so I will definitely be back!

For my look I wanted something super cool and light because I know we were going to be dining outdoors and if you know anything about New Orleans heat….chilleee let’s just say the lil umbrella didn't do much for us. Nonetheless we had an amazing time. We were serenaded by the three piece band and the courtyard was perfect for pictures!

Dress | SHEIN

Shoes | SHEIN

Messina's Runway Cafe - Review

So I’ve been to Messina’s Terminal for a wedding and the food was delicious so I had high expectations for brunch when I decided to go to the Runway Café. Let me tell you…they didn’t disappoint! I was happy we made it there before the crowd because we were able to snag a table right by the window where we could see the airplanes land and take-off (no Migos)..it was a nice view. We wanted to start the brunch off with their Hangar Bellini which is Cupcake Italian Prosecco blended with Peach Essence, however we had to start with a mimosa because they didn’t have the mix yet. We eventually did get the Hangar however it tasted exactly like the mimosa we had just drank…so not sure if it was the exact recipe. They do have bottomless mimosas for $15…as well as bottomless Hangars and Bloody Mary’s for $18.

On Saturdays and Sundays you get the option of ordering from the breakfast and lunch menus. We started off with the special soup of the day which was the Corn & Crab Bisque. It was hella good with fresh crabmeat. My mom just kept saying mhmm mhmm mhmm…haha. We both agreed we should’ve gotten a bowl instead of the cup.

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For an appetizer we got the Buffalo Fried Oysters, the sauce was house made and it was topped with Bleu Cheese crumbles. I typically get my sauce on the side when I am unsure but this was pretty good. It was a combination I never would’ve thought of and I am glad I tried it.

For entrees my mom got the Shrimp & Grits which was served with cheese and a biscuit. My mom said it was to die for..haha which I can agree after I tasted it. I went with the Pain Perdu (French toast) and added the Praline Sauce with a side of bacon. The French toast is prepared with French bread and it’s pretty good. The sauce definitely took the dish up some notches.

Overall I had a great experience. My waitress was super good and very knowledgeable. When I think about it the entire staff was pleasant. I will definitely be back to try more items on the menu!

Birdy’s Behind the Bower Review

First of all let me tell ya'll... getting a weekend brunch reservation at Birdy’s Behind the Bower was like trying to get into one of the hottest nightclubs in LA lol. So I had to make my reservation two weeks out!

Located on Magazine, the restaurant is beautiful with an indoor and outdoor dining option. I reserved outdoor dining and the atmosphere was lovely. They also had some bomb music playing...loved the range. I even heard a little Biggie. I went with a mimosa and my brunch date went with the Frozen Grey Goose which she said was good but packed a punch!


We started the dining experience with a Brunch Board which included donuts, granola, bacon, hot coppa, bubble waffles, fruit, seasonal jam, mini cookies, house syrup, triple cream cheese, and soft boiled eggs..I'm talking the works! It tasted as pretty as it looked! Now this can easily be shared with more than two people and it would have definitely filled us up but I was being big-eyed so I ordered an entree. Besides, how can I give ya'll a thorough review if I didn't try something else.

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I decided to go with the Fried Chicken Biscuit which was a crispy chicken thigh, with country gravy that contained chicken sausage, jalapeno, and cane syrup over a biscuit! Now I was skeptical how cane syrup would match up with those other ingredients so I asked for my sauce on the side. HOWEVER, as you can see I poured that sauce all over that chicken chile because it was really good! My brunch date got the Bacon, Egg, and Cheese biscuit which she enjoyed.

Overall I had an amazing experience. Our waitress was very pleasant but I think she was a bit overwhelmed with the amount of tables she had because we had to look for her a few times or ask other waiters for stuff.
This place checks off my list for being cute, photo-worthy and they do have a bottomless mimosa option for $18. I will definitely return to Birdy's Behind the Bower!

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For my look I kept it simple with white tee from Old Navy, tie-dye skirt from It’s Fashion, lime green mini bag, heels, and sunglasses from ASOS!

Brunch - Copper Vine Wine Pub

Copper Vine Wine is stunning! There is indoor, outdoor and balcony seating available. I had the pleasure of sitting in the outdoor area that looks like a tropical oasis with all the beautiful plants. The decor inside the restaurant is also very modern and chic. Besides being extremely picture worthy, the food is really good too. It’s rare that you can find a brunch spot that checks off all the boxes on my checklist.

I think people are starting to take notice of this gem, so if you are thinking about checking it out be sure to make reservations. For this brunch I didn’t go with a typical mimosa. I went with a sweet red wine called Lambrusco Dolce Fiore and it was delicious.

We started off with snacks the LA Crawfish Beignets and the Jumbo Lump Crabmeat Deviled Eggs! I especially loved the beignets, the eggs were okay. I mean I wasn’t expecting anything spectacular, after all it’s just a deviled egg.

My cousin and God-Daughter got the Wild Shrimp and Grits which included Sauce Piquante, Roasted Peppers and Pickled Onions. They both enjoyed it but my God-Baby eats like an adult..haha. I will say this isn’t a kid-friendly restaurant. I went with the Seared Gulf Fish with Summer Squash, Corn, and Butter Bean Succotash. It was light and fresh but equally delicious.

We definitely enjoyed our experience. Our waitress was very pleasant and knowledgeable about the menu. I love that. Be sure to check out Copper Vine Wine and tag me (@thejdbrunchseries) in your photos when you go!




Nola Caye x Tableau - COOLinary

Hey Ya’ll Hey! I’m back with 2 new COOLinary suggestions! If you don’t remember from my last post, during this time, some of New Orleans’ finest dining restaurants offer special curated 2 and 3 course meals at unbelievable prices. To learn more about the COOLinary experience and participating restaurants, click here. It runs August 1st - September 13th.

First up, Nola Caye! It’s a Caribbean inspired chic restaurant located in the Warehouse & Arts District. It was pretty busy when we went so I would suggest making a reservation. They do give you the option of eating outside due to Covid. Of the three courses, I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the Chicken Tortilla Soup! Overall the dishes were pretty good, the customer service was great annnnd they have Bottomless Champagne or Mimosas for $16! This three course meal was only $39.

Next up, Tableau! I’ve talked about this restaurant pre-covid and it’s a vibe. I’m extremely in love with the balcony view overlooking the French Quarter. It’s definitely photo worthy and the food is delicious as well. A little pricey but hey you are paying for the full experience. They are currently offering a three course brunch menu for only $30. However, I ventured off a bit because I wanted the Creole French Onion Soup. I know you’re probably wondering who gets a soup to sit outside in New Orleans heat?! Me that’s who and I’m glad I did it lol. I kept it light with a Veggie Omelette and added shrimp on the side. The meal was refreshing especially with the fresh fruit on the side. They also have $12 mimosas carafes. I will say I like my mimosas light skin so they do need to work on their Champagne to OJ ratio. Everyone knows its 90% champagne and 10% orange juice!

Take advantage of COOLinary this weekend or next and let me know what restaurants ya’ll decide to try! Happy Brunchin’….talk to ya’ll later!

Back Like I Never Left - Apolline Brunch

I have to admit I’ve been skeptical about making a return to the dining scene amid the Covid-19 scares but with several precautions being put into place with local restaurants I felt it was safe enough to finally step out. And what better time to step out than COOLinary in New Orleans! During this time, some of New Orleans’ finest dining restaurants offer special curated 2 and 3 course meals at unbelievable prices. To learn more about the COOLinary experience and participating restaurants, click here. It runs August 1st - September 13th.

So of course I have to hit up all the restaurants serving brunch! My first choice was Apolline Resturant on Magazine Street! It was a beautiful Sunday, on today so I decided to sit outside and soak up some sun AND bottomless mimosas! They are offering a three course menu.

First Course

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It was the perfect summer salad. It was evident that the croutons were housemade. They were fresh and delicious. The fresh burratta cheese was new for me I’ve never tasted it before so I have nothing to compare it to but it was pretty good. The black pepper that is on the salad was added table side.

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So initially I thought soup in the summertime Jazmine, I don’t know but it was light and airy. I believe it was because of the citrus which was a nice touch. I would choose the soup over the salad if I had to pick. Also the black pepper was added at the table.

Second Course

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Believe it or not, I am not a french toast kind of girl but Apolline, you have made me a believer! Now I’m going to compare everyone’s french toast to theirs…haha. The french toast was bomb with or without the syrup and the crispy chicken confit was exactly that, crispy and fried to perfection. I got my raspberry coulis on the side and decided not to add it. I knew dessert was up next and that contained raspberry as well.

Third Course

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My mom took a bite and said “Oh My God” and “Mhmmm Mhmmm Mhmmm” and yea that just about sums it up for me too.

Listen If the pretty plates or my descriptions haven’t convinced you yet, how about these 3 courses were only $30! Yes, now if ya’ll don’t take advantage of the COOLinary experience well chile I just don’t how else to add a little culinary excitement to your lives. I thororughly enjoyed my time at Apolline, I can always count on them for good hot food and excellent customer service. Stay tuned for my next pick on my COOLinary tour! I’ll talk to ya’ll later!

JD Brunch Series - Ralph's on the Park

I chose Ralph’s on the Park restaurant for this month’s JD Brunch Series, if you didn’t know my monthly brunch series is made up of local bloggers. We come together and discuss our blogging experiences and the importance of collaborating as women. It’s always a good time because as you can imagine the conversations always veer off of blogging. You can keep up with these ladies via Instagram : Natalie, Kin, Dev, Chaila, Sydney, Yadie, and Whitney.

I had high expectations for the Brunch at Ralph’s on the Park. It’s a very busy restaurant so I would suggest making a reservation. They can do large parties up to 12 and they do split checks (hallelujah). Our waitress was really pleasant so they get an A+ for service. The $15 bottomless mimosas also have the perfect champagne to orange juice ratio, however the food was just okay. Maybe it was just what I had because the other ladies said their food was pretty good. I ordered the Southern Schnitzel which was Paneed Chicken Breast, Fried Eggs, Chicken Sausage Cream Gravy, and Red Bean Purée. I wasn’t impressed with the plating either. I am however willing to give them another try and order what was on my first mind…the Steak & Eggs. Side note: Businesses, this is why it’s always best to give great customer service because even though I wasn’t blown away by my dish, I am willing to return and give them another try.

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Check out some of the other dishes below.

I paired my White Blazer that I purchased from Pretty Little Thing with my Fringe Pants that I am absolutely in love with from SHEIN and white boots that I purchased year before last from It’s Fashion. I love the way the look came together.

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Check out some brunch style from the other ladies!

JD Brunch Series - Cafe Sbisa

Cafe Sbisa has been on my radar for a minute and with the beginning of Black Restaurant week being right around the corner, I figured it would be a perfect time to go. It’s located in the French Quarter, a few blocks away from the French Market. The restaurant has two floors with a large bar on the first floor and a smaller bar on the second floor. It gave me a 1920s feel.

Art at Cafe Sbisa

Art at Cafe Sbisa

It was pretty dark on the second floor so it wouldn’t be ideal for pictures however there is a balcony overlooking the quarter.

The JD Series on Cafe Sbisa’s Balcony

The JD Series on Cafe Sbisa’s Balcony

I went in with really high expectations for the food, however I was a little underwhelmed. I ordered the Crawfish and Andouille Omelette with wild mushrooms and a creole sauce. It wasn’t bad. Overall I think the plating could’ve been a tad bit better as well since it is a fine dining restaurant. Check out my dish and some of the other dishes below:


Cafe Sbisa Crawfish & Andouille Omelette

Cafe Sbisa Crawfish & Andouille Omelette

Now the customer service was on point and our waiter kept the bottomless rolling. We didn’t have to look for him because he was on it. He also has the mimosa ratio down with 80% champagne and 20% orange juice!

I always enjoy the brunches. It’s great to have a network of successful and confident women. These ladies are all about supporting each other and strongly believe in collaboration over competition. The vibe is always great and I look forward to these monthly meet-ups!

Now ya’ll know I always tell ya’ll to stop sleeping on the cheaper stores! I always tend to find a few gems! My “Overdressed” t-shirt can be found at Pretty Little Thing, the skirt came from It’s Fashion and the shoes are from Citi Trends…yes Citi Trends!

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My photographer Britt wandered and found some other picture worthy areas in the restaurant. Check out some looks from the ladies!

JD BRUNCH SERIES – March (SALON BY SUCRÉ)

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If you knew Sucré had a restaurant raise your hand. No? What about you? Salon Restaurant by Sucré is located in the french quarters. Sucré is on the first floor and Salon is on the second. The restaurant is not very large but the restaurant is super chic with various paintings on the wall and there is also balcony seating. So it definitely got a check for photo-worthy. The hostess complemented us and was super sweet. We were seated exactly at our reservation time which is always a plus. While we browsed the menu, I ordered a Bottomless Mimosa. I was told that they don't do bottomless for large parties. So large parties be aware, you won't get the overindulge in my favorite brunch beverage.

The menu was super cute. It’s more like small plates, so you may have to order a few to get a filling. I ordered the Breakfast Sandwich which was Herb Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Cheddar, and Tomato Relish on bun. It was really good. It didn’t come with a reasonable side so I was glad I decided to add the Salon Grits starter which I added Shrimp to. The grits were okay. Check out some of the other dishes below.

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The cons of this visit were that it was a little misleading to advertise Bottomless Mimosas and then notify us when we got there that it wasn’t available to larger parties. Also they don’t split checks for larger parties so make sure you bring a mathematician. So what have we learned here? Don’t go to Salon by Sucré with a large party…haha just kidding. Overall I had a good experience and would be willing to give them another try for dinner. Those options looked delicious! I couldn’t visit Sucré without getting something sweet so I chose to try their Turtle Cheesecake Gelato, it was divine!

Check out some Brunch Fashion below!

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JD BRUNCH SERIES – FEBRUARY (KINGFISH)

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Due to technical difficulties I didn't get many quality photos and I considered not posting but I just had to share my best JD Series Brunch experience thus far! Kingfish which is named after the late Huey P. Long is located in the French Quarters. The restaurant came up as a suggestion to me twice so I did a little research to see if it had at least 3 Things on my Must Have List when Brunchin with a crew. They actually had 4:

  1. Photo worthy area
  2. Food looks good
  3. Bottomless Mimosas
  4. Split Checks
The hostess was very pleasant and we were seated at the time of our reservation. We had the pleasure of being served by the dynamic duo Karl and Kelsey (spellcheck). Ya'll they were like special agents when it came to refilling the mimosa glasses. It was like they read my mind! It has been my experience in the past that I would have to look for the waiter when it was time for a BOTTOMLESS refill...not at Kingfish. We have a mommy-to-be in the crew as well and she was especially pleased with her Mocktail! David the manager on duty was super helpful and checked in to see how our experience was going.

JD BRUNCH SERIES – JANUARY (DTB)

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 Special shoutout to my loves for attending! Be sure to follow them and keep up with their blogs/vlogs! Samjah of Style & Energy, Kineatra of Naturally Nex,  Tracey Wiley, Kierra of Jus Kierra, Whitney of Whitney J. Decor, Derra Howard, Dev of Dev and the City, Felicia T. Simpson, Yadie of IV Grey, Chaila of Baeology, Ashlee of Ashlee Rene Hair, and Sumya check out her style here!