One of the things that I love about New Orleans is that almost every neighborhood is like its own little city. Lakeview is a thriving New Orleans community that has its own farmers and arts market monthly. The Harrison Avenue Marketplace routinely draws over 3,000 attendees. Its 72 vendors offer fruits and veggies, hot food, flowers, and art and crafts while local musicians entertain you with their tunes. This month, the music offering is the annual recital concert of the Progressive Guitar Studio (PGS). As they play, PGS students and alumni showcase New Orleans' musical traditions and give us a hint of who might be the next Deacon John or Tab Benoit.
When you visit the Harrison Avenue Marketplace, you will experience the magic that makes New Orleans a beacon for travelers. There is a special spirit that permeates the place. Once there, you will feel as if you are hanging out with old friends, friends who live life to the fullest.
While you are in the neighborhood, you have to visit Robért Fresh Market, a local grocery store like no other. At Robért Fresh Market you can buy prepared foods like corn-meal crusted catfish with jalapeno tartar sauce, Cajun potato salad, muffalettas, crawfish étoufée, and dressed po-boys. You can also find chicken Caesar salad, BLTs, freshly made sushi, locally grown organic produce, and more. While you are there, pick up some Abita beer, New Orleans' favorite brew, or order a Mardi Gras king cake to be sent to your house.
When you are done shopping, get a cup of coffee at the Chateau Coffee Café, located next door to Robért's. It is a neighborhood institution and offers outdoor and indoor seating for your pleasure. Pastries as well as light meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served there.
Lakeview has much to offer the intrepid traveler. Harrison Avenue Marketplace is one of the highlights, but you will also enjoy browsing the boutiques that line Harrison Avenue. If you make it to the shopping center where Robért's and the Chateau Coffee Café are, then you will find other businesses ready to serve you. Just behind the shopping center lies the great Lake Pontchartrain where you can stroll along the shore, checkout a lighthouse, or partake in any number of outdoor water activities: sailing, kayaking, and fishing to name a few. This Saturday and Sunday, you can also go local by participating in the the 14th Annual Save Our Lake & Coast Fishing Rodeo.
Begin your Lakeview adventure at the Harrison Avenue Marketplace, but do so before summer comes. After May 12th, the market will take a two month summer break. Admission is free of charge.
Practical Info:
Directions
Click here for driving directions to the market. If you plan to come by public transportation, you will want to catch the #45 Canal Blvd. bus or the #49 Lil' Easy shuttle. Both pick up at City Park and Canal Blvd. (You can get to this location by taking the Canal Street Car Cemeteries lines #47 and #48 or by catching the #45 Canal St. bus from downtown.) If you want to take the shuttle, then you need to make a reservation an hour in advance by calling 504-827-7433. You can also walk or bike the mile and a half from City Park and Canal Blvd. to Harrison Ave. Once you reach Harrison, turn right and you will see the market ahead.
Robért Fresh Market and Chateau Coffee Café are located a mile and a half north of the Harrison Avenue Marketplace. Continue up Canal Blvd. towards the lake until you reach Robert E. Lee Blvd. Make a left. Go a few blocks until you see the Chateau Coffee Café on your right. Robért Fresh Market sits behind the café. You can also take the #49 Lil' Easy shuttle to get there. Just remember to call 504-827-7433 at least one hour in advance to reserve your spot.
Locations and Hours
The address for the Harrison Avenue Marketplace is 801 Harrison Ave. The next market takes place on Wednesday, May 12th from 4:30 p. m. 'til 8:30 p. m.
The addresses for the grocery store and café are 135 and 139 Robert E. Lee Blvd. respectfully. Robért's is open from 7:00 a. m. 'til 9:00 p. m. daily. The café is open M - F from 6:45 a. m. 'til 8:00 p. m. To reach Robért's call 504-282-3428. To reach the café, call 504-286-1777.
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