Where Y'at?*

I learned a few things on my annual visit to New Orleans this year.

I learned to like bourbon. The liquor, not the street.
I learned that walking 4-7 miles every day meant I could eat or drink anything I liked and not gain an ounce. Which was good, because I may have overindulged a little.
I learned that I could totally fall in love with a po-boy. Spicy gravy and a slather of Creole mustard will do that.
I learned that not all Mardi Gras balls are created equal.
I learned that Cochon restaurant just keeps getting better and better. (Try a side of the shrimp and mirliton dressing...it is divine!)
I learned that not even near freezing temperatures and pouring rain will dampen the Carnival spirit in this city!



*How are you?


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Sunday Links

I've said it before and I'll say it again: If you go to New Orleans, you must try Cochon and Cochon Butcher.

An homage to a certain French fromage.

Sandal weather is almost here. Guess I better give myself a pedicure.

A million thanks to Lindsey for introducing me to the brilliantly colorful life of Will Taylor. I'm inspired!

Why didn't somebody think of this sooner?

A perfectly frothy cappuccino available morning, noon and night? I don't care how much it is frowned upon after 11am...  As Eleonora says, "screw the etiquette." Pin It

The Crescent City

My annual trek to the Crescent City begins tomorrow. At 3:15 AM. Oh joy.
After thirteen hours of flying time and more than eight hours of sitting in various airports I will finally land, very excited, yet exhausted from not being able to sleep in those instruments of torture they call economy class seats.

I try very hard not to complain about flying and to remember that it is only several hours out of my life, and so worth it to have the ability to get halfway across the world in less than a day, but when you're as short as I am, those headrests that are there to support the necks of normal sized people actually thrust the heads of us shorter people forward, causing agonizing neck pain after 11 hours on a transatlantic flight.

The other night I had a dream that the airline gave away my seat before I got on the plane so they offered me a big, roomy one in first class to apologize.
Ah, if only my dream would come true...

I'm not holding my breath.




Anyway....
You won't be reading about cheese and wine and France, or seeing any photos of the local markets, villages and vineyards for the next few weeks.

It will be all about New Orleans - friends and festivities, po boy's and Mardi Gras parades, and hopefully a visit to The Marigny Brasserie, the St. James Cheese Company (you can't expect me to go 3 weeks without at least some cheese, can you?) and Donald Link's new charcuterie place next door to the spectacular Cochon.

Then I fly off to Spokane, Washington, where I grew up, to visit family and friends and buy as much soft peanut butter brittle that can fit in my suitcase. My only disappointment about going to Spokane...no Trader Joe's to loot!


So I'll be around, posting photos and writing a bit from the road.

À bientôt.


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My Calender : January 25- February 6

January 25
Wake up at the godforsaken hour of 2:30 a.m. to be out the door by 3:30 a.m. to make it to Toulouse airport by 5 a.m. to board flight to Amsterdam at 6 a.m.
Spend five hours wandering around Amsterdam airport. Lots of shopping and the sushi bar opens at 9:30 a.m.
Board flight for Memphis, land in Memphis and spend 3 ½ hours wandering around Memphis airport. Pulled pork sandwich at Corky's BBQ?
Arrive New Orleans at 9 p.m. Go to my pied-à-terre in New Orleans (Ron and Michael's) and have homemade butternut squash soup that Michael is making. Possible walk to the Quarter to have a drink. Depends upon fatigue level.


January 26
Wake up at 4 a.m. (a normal occurrence after a flight to the States) and sit staring at the computer screen while I wait for the others to wake up so I can go downstairs and make some much needed coffee.
Go help Ron and Jerry pick out tuxedos at the Men's Warehouse for Jerry and Leah's upcoming wedding. Ron is best man so tux's have to match.
See friends in the Quarter.




January 27
Help load throws onto Krewe of King Arthur floats.



Got to the Quarter and watch Krewe of Barkus and wait for call from Michael who is in King Arthur parade to let us know when they're close to Canal Street so we can walk down to see him and several other friends riding on floats and catch some of the throws that we helped to load onto the floats earlier in the day.
Go to King Arthur Post Parade Event.


January 28
Rest. Jet lag should be gone by now.
See friends.
Eat fried shrimp Po' Boy, either at Elizabeth's or Deanie's.



Get Stateside errands done before the city is inundated with visitors.
Possible Scrabble game at Mary's.




January 29
Spend the day with Donna.
Possible trip uptown to the St. James Cheese Company because I'll be needing a cheese fix by then.
See what's new on Magazine Street.
Dinner out with Donna to celebrate our birthdays, which are just 10 days apart.


January 30
Nothing scheduled during the day. How is this possible???
Dinner at Jerry and Leah's.




January 31
Rest, get some work done, rest some more.
Possible lunch at Cochon.
Gather strength for the next five days.
Krewe of Muses parade rolls at 7 p.m.


February 1
Calvin arrives from Rhode Island.
Parades and quality time with Donna and Calvin.



Watch the city fill up with Mardi Gras revelers and Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler!




February 2 through 5
Many festivities to attend - too many to list.
Beans and Booze on Bourbon Party.





Societé of St. Anne parade.



Mardi Gras


February 6
Recover. Pin It

Eating My Way Through New Orleans

What a week!
The food fest began with lunch on my birthday last Friday at Cochon. First a Bloody Mary (I'd been craving one for weeks!) with pickled beans and okra and huge olives. Yum! I had grilled Gulf shrimp with chow chow relish for an appetizer then a smoked beef sandwich with crispy fried onions and remoulade mayo. The food was great, but unfortunately the service was really awful. However, it wouldn't keep me from going back.
The next morning, after a tour of our friend's new home and a drive around to see how the city is repairing, we stopped at Elizabeth's, home of praline bacon! We shared a plate and had a New Orleans take on eggs Benedict that used buttered French bread in place of English muffins and a spicy version of Hollandaise sauce.
There's a new little taco place in the Quarter, Jazz Taco's, where a friend and I ate Monday for lunch. Located in Exchange Alley, it has a few outdoor seats where we sat and listened to the parrots squawking while we munched on chips with fresh guacamole and salsa and ate some delicious tacos.
Monday night was spent at my good friend's, Mary and Tomio's house, eating jambalaya and red beans followed by some gorgeous, briochey King cake for dessert. I've always loved eating at their house, Mary is an excellent cook!
Deanie's Restaurant on Annunciation Street is just a few steps from where I'm staying. I'd heard mixed reviews and the mayor eats there all the time, so I wasn't too sure about the place. Well, it was great! I had the daily special of country fried chicken with sides of corn bread dressing, maque choux and a salad. There was enough food for two people. We also shared some scrumptious bread pudding for dessert. I never thought I would eat again, until I was tempted by some barbecue shrimp at our friend's for dinner that night. Pure buttery peppery heaven!
We enjoyed some more Mexican food yesterday at Nacho Mama's, on Magazine Street. I love this place! I had a very tasty shrimp and black bean burrito with homemade salsa.
That held us over until last night's meal at Liuzza's. Oh my god. The best gumbo! And fried green tomatoes with shrimp remoulade. And a big frosty mug of Abita Amber. It was so, so good.

I stepped on a scale yesterday, with surprising results. I've been walking a lot every day, so even with these huge portions, lots of butter and fried food, my weight hasn't changed a bit.

One more week of New Orleans food. I can't wait! Pin It