What gift should I bring from New Orleans to my hosts in NYC?
July 31st, 2010 | 
Author: I’ll be a houseguest and I want to bring them some local goodness. What do you think would be something good that they don’t have up there?
homemade pralines? do they have pralines up there?
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A local New Orleans Style Cookbook, paraliens, mardi gras beads, PICTURES, something for the French Quarter, ect.
But whatever you chose, do NOT bring them the beignets in a box that you can make at home. Trust me, its WAYYYY more trouble then it’s worth. My dad is an awesome chef, and he tried to make them and yeah, not a good result. So unless the people are amazing cooks, I wouldn’t go with the beignets in a box.
Just when I think, "surely they don’t have this here," I’ve been proven wrong. Heck, I saw a Jazz & Cajun Fest advert in the middle of nowhere West VA about a month ago when I was on vacation. Now as to how Cajun it really was I have no idea seeing how I didn’t go. You know how horribly wrong these things can go. There you are out of town and see a place that does po-boys so you head on over, take a look and find that they stuck some frozen Gordon’s popcorn shrimp on a hot dog bun. Anyways I said all that to point out that even if they have pralines, would they really be pralines? Could they even compare? I think you would be safe bringing pralines.
Other suggestions:
Gift basket with a local cookbook with local ingredients like file’ powder, Tony Chachere’s, etc.
Muffalettas packed in dry ice have always gone over well for me
If they are into wine try Amato’s strawberry wine, http://www.louisianatravel.com/amatos-winery
Check out Gordon’s of Metairie and other like stores for scented candles, drink coasters, hand towels, etc. and make a bath basket
Head to the French Market or Magazine St. for novel souvenir type thingies
You could try to bring king cake, but 1. It’s not king cake season and 2. I have never had a king cake travel well when I take one with me
I used to bring beads and stuff with me for the kids, but kids not familiar with Mardi Gras have no idea what to do with them after about 15 minutes. So they usually end up getting Roman’s Candy or pralines instead.
Beignets & muffalettas are best when fresh so they’re out of the question.
Pralines, though, keep well enough for the trip.