Martini Lunch
Remember the good ol’ days, when lunchtime meant a leisurely meal paired with rounds of martinis? Yeah, we don’t either, but fortunately, that’s all starting to change. Fine dining establishments around New Orleans are bringing back the three-martini lunch, offering 25-cent cocktails along with your midday meal. Whether you’re entertaining clients on a tiny expense account or you’re on vacation and looking to let loose, here are three places that are sure to please.

Café Adelaide & the Swizzle Stick Bar
The Deal: 25-cent martinis with purchase of an entrée.
Start your power lunch with a powerful cocktail. At Café Adelaide & the Swizzle Stick Bar, you can order up to three 25-cent martinis to accompany your lunch. Be sure to sample the Southern-style corn-fried oyster salad and shrimp courtbouillon. 

Antoine’s Restaurant
The Deal: 25-cent martini during lunch hours.
Make a reservation at Antoine’s Restaurant, where prix fixe lunch rings in at $20.11 and includes three courses of decadent dishes, such as oysters Rockefeller, breaded veal and meringue glacé. The daily martini rotates and is always only 25 cents. As it turns out, luxury doesn’t have to cost a fortune. 

Commander’s Palace
The Deal: 25-cent martinis with purchase of an entrée.
For dining in a historic landmark, Commander’s Palace is your place. This legendary turquoise-and-white establishment was built in the 1880s and is located in New Orleans’ mansion-filled Garden District. Don’t miss the upscale lunch, which touts rich Creole dishes, such as panéed veal and crawfish, couchon de lait and hickory-grilled gulf fish, paired with — yes — 25-cent martinis. 
 
Photo by Flickr/ifindkarma (Adam Rifkin)