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APALA @ LibLearnX 2023

APALA LibLearnX 2023 Meet-Up Dinner

The official APALA LibLearnX Meet Up dinner will be on Saturday, January 28th at 5:30 PM CT/Central Time. All who plan to attend should RSVP by emailing Nicollette Davis, Local Arrangements Committee member. Email address: nicollettemdavis@gmail.com. Please be sure to register by Monday, January 23rd. 

For more information about Dooky Chase including the menu and history, please visit their website: https://www.dookychaserestaurants.com

Participants are expected to cover the full costs of their meal. The restaurant’s dress code is business casual: https://www.dookychaserestaurants.com/_files/ugd/23e0f1_9055a337d88c4a6ba08225a88cf5d408.pdf

Some details may be subject to change. We will reach out to registered participants, as needed.

APALA LibLearnX New Orleans Guide 2023

Welcome to New Orleans, Louisiana! Louisiana is home to many great things including culture and great food. As you arrive in town in late January, be prepared to not only enjoy LibLearnX but also be a part of one of the liveliest cities in the country. January is the early season for crawfish in Louisiana. Boiled crawfish is a local favorite and from now until around Easter, crawfish boils are all around us! This is also the time of year southern Louisianians start to amp up for Mardi Gras which will be on Tuesday, February 21, 2023! In fact, there will be a Mardi Gras parade happening on Saturday, January 28th. The Krewe of Chewbacchus will roll at 7:00PM! Next, don’t forget to grab yourself a king cake! Check out the Ultimate New Orleans King Cake Guide to plan your sweet treat destination.

The conference hotel, Le Méridien, is less than a mile away from the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The Convention Center is a large space and there might be a generous amount of walking. January is typically a cooler time in Louisiana and usually temperatures are above freezing. The humidity is often a major factor so please plan accordingly. We suggest bringing along rain boots as rainstorms are common and water puddles are plentiful! 

The APALA LibLearnX Local Arrangements Committee has compiled a short list of places to eat and see in the area. This list is not exhaustive as it is a bustling city with lots to do. This list can be a starting point as you explore the area. 

We will have a local meet up for dinner at Dooky Chase (2301 Orleans Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119) on Saturday, January 28th at 5:30PM CT. If you would like to attend, please send an email to Nicollette Davis (nicollettemdavis@gmail.com) by Monday, January 23rd to RSVP.

We hope that your stay in New Orleans is fun and festive (and also informative at LibLearnX). Laissez les bons temps rouler! (Or, let the good times roll!)

Respectfully Yours,
The APALA LibLearnX Committee 2023

This resource was assembled by the APALA Local Arrangements Task Force for informational purposes only. No endorsement expressed or implied.

Area Dining

Name of VenueLocationCuisine/MenuWill it Require Travel?*AAPI or BIPOC owned?
Dooky Chase2301 Orleans Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119Menu price unless there’s 20 or more in the groupYes – By vehicle. It’s close to many local hotelsBlack owned
Shogun2325 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Metairie, LA 70002Oldest GNO Japanese restaurant, offering an extensive array of traditional and contemporary sushi, hibachi, robataYes, located in the suburb of MetairieAAPI
Nine Roses1100 Stephens St, Gretna, LA 70053Massive menu of Vietnamese and Chinese-Vietnamese options, as well as Vietnamese BBQ grillsYes, located on the Westbank, take first exit Stumpf BlvdAAPI
Big EZ Seafood1632 Lafayette St, Gretna, LA 70053Serving Viet-Cajun crawfish and other seafood optionsYes, located on the Westbank.AAPI
Dong Phuong Bakery14207 Chef Menteur Hwy, New Orleans, LA 70129James Beard award winning Vietnamese bakery. Order ahead for one of their award winning king cakes, but don’t forget the banh mi and pate chaud.Yes, New Orleans East.AAPI
Gin Korean Barbecue3012 N Arnoult Rd, Metairie, LA 70002Some of the best Korean BBQ that New Orleans has to offer. Yes, MetairieAAPI
Gyu-Kaku400 Lafayette St #101, New Orleans, LA 70130Japanese BBQ!Central Business District area.Japanese
Phở Tầu Bay Restaurant1565 Tulane Ave, New Orleans, LA 70112One of the earliest established GNO Vietnamese restaurants, known for pho. MenuYes.Yes. One of the earliest established GNO Vietnamese restaurants, known for pho
Saffron4128 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 701152018 James Beard Nominated restaurant. Modern Indian FoodYes, requires transportationYes

All the boba/bubble tea options: in New Orleans, it’s bubble tea

Name of VenueLocationPossible CostWill it Require Travel?*AAPI or BIPOC Owned?
Frosty’s3400 Cleary Ave, Metairie, LA 70002First area bubble tea shop. Fried chicken wings are huge and delicious 
Feng Cha2131 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130Various costs, but usually less than $20 for a drink and snack.Accessible by transportation or walking from conference or conference hotel.
Kung Fu Tea3348 W Esplanade Ave S Suite, Metairie, LA 70002Various costs, but usually less than $20 for a drink and snack.Yes, to Metairie. This is about a 10-15 minute trip from the conference hotel.
Share Tea3325 Severn Ave, Metairie, LA 70002Various costs, but usually less than $20 for a drink and snack.Yes, to Metairie. This is about a 10-15 minute trip from the conference hotel.
Vivi Bubble Tea3000 Severn Ave., Metairie, LAVarious costs, but usually less than $20 for a drink and snack.Yes, to Metairie. This is about a 10-15 minute trip from the conference hotel. It’s a chain, with locations across the U.S. 

AAPI Owners and Chefs:

* Lyft, Uber, Streetcars, and Buses are available for transportation in the New Orleans area. Some areas are walkable as well. If you are traveling by personal or rental car, please note that parking can be scarce in many parts of the city. Street parking, parking lots, and parking garages are sometimes options, but usually require a small fee.

Other Places of Interest

Name of VenueLocationPossible Cost(s)Will it Require Travel?*AAPI or BIPOC owned?
Baldwin & Co. (Bookstore & Coffee Shop)1030 Elysian Fields Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117Cost of books, food, coffeeFrom hotel, yes. There’s a bus on route. Black owned
New Orleans Chinatown 530 Bourbon St (exterior façade only, no entry)Cost of items. Could be a great place for souvenirs.Yes. It’s a walkable area. 
Terrytown Cafe2018 Carol Sue Ave, Terrytown, LA 70056Accessible by vehicle.No.
The National World War II Museum945 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130Must purchase tickets for entry: https://www.nationalww2museum.org/ Accessible by vehicle or walkable, if comfortable.No
Lower Ninth Ward Living Museum5909 St Claude Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117Free entry. Hours are 12-5pm Tuesday-SundayTransportation is needed to access. No
Fleurty Girl (Gifts, Accessories, Souvenirs)3137 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115Cost of items.Transportation is needed to access. Note: There is also a location inside the airport. 

* Lyft, Uber, Streetcars, and Buses are available for transportation in the New Orleans area. Some areas are walkable as well. If you are traveling by personal or rental car, please note that parking can be scarce in many parts of the city. Street parking, parking lots, and parking garages are sometimes options, but usually require a small fee.

Historical Landmarks

General Helpful Information/Links

City Information

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Public Transit