^{(source: barbombon.com)}
This past Monday after my shift I decided to switch it up a bit. Normally I just take myself shopping around Rittenhouse when I'm done working, but decided to switch up my routine and check out a new restaurant. I've been hearing about this place a lot recently (and seeing a lot of pictures on instagram as well) and decided it was worth checking out. I convinced my boyfriend to join me, but if he had known the premise of the restaurant prior hand, I don't think he'd have been as keen. Bar Bombon is a strictly vegetarian restaurant, offering only plant-based proteins (and John is probably as omnivorous as they come).

We ended up sitting outside because it was so nice out and probably our last chance to take advantage of the weather like that till spring, but the inside decor was super cute (from what I saw on my way to the bathroom hah!). Our server was training someone and probably could have been more attentive, but I understand he also may not have wanted to be all over our table because we were really undecided on what we wanted.


I got their quinoa aztec salad, which has quinoa, butternut squash, currants, citrus (orange and grapefruit supremes I believe), and pumpkin seed vinaigrette, on mixed greens. I'd never had currants before but I definitely don't hate them as much as traditional raisins, and the mix of ingredients all worked together well. I may even attempt to recreate this salad on my own time. John got a "beef" burrito, and while not being a huge fan of fake meats, ate half of it without much complaint. I think he was surprised that it was a decent substitute for meat. I'm definitely going to have to take him to a steakhouse next to make up for this place, but I can at least attest to him being a good sport!

The food there is a little pricey, but because of the type of food they serve as well as their location (right off Rittenhouse park), it's to be expected. I think I'll definitely take a trip back to try out some more dishes, just with one of my veg*n friends instead of my boy. :)

And how could I resist selfie-ing in their cute pineapple bathroom?!

^{I have so many variations of pictures like this.}

I'm not a huge partier anymore, so after puking for a few hours my first full day in town, I was pretty much over getting hammered at all... in the city where it seems like that's all people do? I noticed that unlike Philadelphia, which has a pretty decent mix of entertainment for tourist and non-tourist crowds in general, everything in New Orleans seemed geared toward visitors. I did find a small corner of boutiques on Magazine and one decent vintage store off Frenchmen, but most shops just seemed to feature "GREETINGS FROM NEW ORLEANS" paraphernalia or mardi gras style masquerade masks. Learning curve!

I honestly wasn't sure how to write about my trip here so this is largely pictures. I didn't get to see as many (any) sights like graveyards, spooky tours, and museums as I would have liked to because I waited around for other people instead of going off on my own in the beginning of the trip, and the end of my trip got rained out; I don't think I will be returning to New Orleans in the near future to remedy that though, as my overall experience left me more bitter than a vacation should. What I did see of the city was gorgeous and bright; even the buildings that had been left abandoned had a beauty to their decay. There were plants EVERYWHERE, and I wish I could've snuck them all back in my carry-on, but I unfortunately packed 4 too many pairs of shoes.

^{Just left to its lonesome; they even left their boat! I wanted to lay in the branches of all the trees I kept seeing just covered in moss.
Blue Dream Vintage Boutique. kinda pricey but I was just stoked to finally find a decent store I actually bought stuff. Art from a gallery I passed. Unfortunately I didn't write down the artist's name. This rad bar called the Dungeon off Bourbon that you can miss if you aren't looking for. Really. It's a little hole in the wall bar that plays metal music and is lit up in all red light. You're not supposed to take pictures in there but no one listens anyway. See? Dreamy Weenie - Pothole Dog: Potato salad, chili & cheese! So much green, I was just aching to curl up in some moss A crazy Halloween party at this weird old money plantation house that looked out of a movie.
I was way too sober to properly enjoy it but the place looked cool. John and Steve playing pacman in The Other Bar We spent Halloween at a strange Mermaid themed warehouse party.
I didn't take enough photos here because I felt like nothing properly conveyed the atmosphere. Partial Halloween reflections. Napoleon House - Cheese boardt Napoleon House - Ratatouille Calzone A night market off Frenchmen we stumbled onto.} I took a lot of photos the handful of times I was able to get out so it looks like I had a much more eventful trip than I did, hah (I guess that's the nature of social media though, right?!?) By the end I was truly ready to be back in my own bed, in my own town. My only advice is this:

If you're getting an airbnb in a city you've never been to, double and triple check your friend's suggestions. What you may save in cost by being slightly out of the way you may end up paying in transportation (we spent at least $200 on uber in 3 days. $200.)

If you want to go see things, do it.