Gastronomy in the Crescent City

First of all, I do apologize for the lack of updates. All the good intentions are intact, trust me. I just usually end up with one of two scenarios: an interesting observation and no Internet connection or an Internet connection with tremendous writer's block. Yes, there is such thing as writer's block for amateur bloggers! Who knew!?!? When the scenario of an idea combined with no connection arises, Adrianne (and my friend Dave Curry) suggested I pre-write my blog posts in Microsoft Word and then paste them when the Internet returns. Well, that just made way too much sense and I have never tried it.

Anyway, I have hesitated on this post regarding the F word for some time now. I have hesitated because I am not even close to feeling like a local yet. I have hesitated because of an uneasy feeling about the possible response from my friends here in New Orleans who might actually read this post. I can picture them patting me on the back and saying in a kind but annoyed tone, "Jason, you don't have the faintest idea of what you're writing about." You see, food (the F word) in New Orleans is pretty darn sacred. It's something that the locals, rightfully or not, believe the city has mastered and is something that does not rely on national or international trends. What do I mean by that? Well, really good Mexican is somewhat hard to find here. Really good BBQ (as defined by Southern standards) is not plentiful or really ever talked about. There are some good Sushi places but there are only three or four that people consider acceptable. Those are a few cuisines that are missing, yet even without them, the city is truly a food lover's dream. You see, New Orleans food is so uniquely New Orleans that it alone justifies why New Orleans is called America's Most Unique City.

As a guy from Atlanta, adjusting to food in New Orleans has been an immensely pleasurable challenge. Here are just a few observations that will (the whole point of this blog) hopefully make some of you come visit sooner rather than later.

Seafood
First of all, we don't see much fish and seafood on menus in Atlanta. We actually have fish and seafood places in Atlanta (like Atlanta Fish Market) and we say things like, "who has good seafood?" to one another. Down here below sea level, seafood is everywhere and the ways in which it is presented are mind blowing. Soft shelled crab, chargrilled oysters, BBQ shrimp (not what you think it is), redfish and more and more and more. It's on every menu and as an outsider, I go for it every chance I get.

Po Boys
Let me just get this out there to anyone considering a Po Boy restaurant - your bread had better be top notch or you'll never make it. The bread that these Po Boys are served on is what makes them special. Here's the other thing about Po Boys. They are the most ubiquitous item in the city. Everybody and their brother sells Po Boys. Seriously. You drive by the Shell gas station and you see along the front of the building ICE BEER SNACKS PO BOYS CIGARETTES. I love the Po Boy sandwich and I will take you to get the best one ever. And then we'll go some place else for the second best one ever. Or was it the best and the first one was second best? Just remember, it's all about the bread.

Coffee and Chicory
Let me just get this out there. Coffee and chicory is terrible. I love this city so much and they usually knock everything out of the park when it comes to taste, but this stuff is awful. It's like you should hear people say, "back during The Great Depression, times were so hard we had to drink coffee and chicory." It is still interesting to see it on the shelves in the grocery store.

Sno Balls
I didn't leave the w out of snow on that one. They're called Sno Balls and they are what the rest of the world would call a snow cone. They sell them everywhere. There are entire businesses that specialize in nothing but sno balls. There are little stands set up around town selling them. Strange, huh? Remember this. It gets hotter than hell fire down here in New Orleans and a cup of shaved ice with some flavor like raspberry added sometimes really hits the spot. I don't expect any or many of you to buy a plane ticket tomorrow to come experience this, but it is uniquely New Orleans and should be mentioned.

Remember what I wrote about the locals taking pity on me for trying to write about food in New Orleans? Well, that's precisely why I am going to stop this entry right here. I need some more time to think through this topic and will add to these thoughts when I am more well versed in how this topic should be communicated.

In the meantime, I will mention a few restaurants that absolutely ROCK in case you have a friend coming to town and you want to give them some names of places where locals go instead of the expected Commander's Palace, Brennan's, etc.

Dante's Kitchen - all locally grown vegetables and locally caught fish and seafood. Outstanding.

Coquette - has only been open for five months and is incredible. It has a very simple menu in a small, simple dining room with wonderful thought put into every thing they offer. I love this place!

Vizard's - this is a great place that has an eclectic yet expensive menu. It's good for a splurge night out on the town. They have a dessert that is chocolate cake infused with blue cheese. It's pretty amazing.

Domilise's - remember those Po Boys and the bread and all that? Check this place out. It's a total hole in the wall and it is delicious.

Well, that's it for now. But just remember...you love food. I love food. New Orleans loves food. Come visit and let's eat!

Thanks for reading.

Joy in the Crescent City

People driving down Perrier Street in New Orleans last night were met with an unexpected sight. They witnessed a balding man in his mid-30's doing some sort of jerky, uncoordinated, boogie down dance in the middle of the street. He danced the way someone might dance during a Friday night tent revival in Mississippi. He didn't seem drunk and there was no music playing. He looked like he had just scored a touchdown, but it was the second week of May. He tried to do a handstand but that didn't really pan out. Who was this man and what had driven him to such joyous, awkward celebration? Well, that was me and I was celebrating the fact that we finally found a place to live. Yes, the search is over. The eagle has landed. Amen.

(I wasn't really dancing. It was way too hot to dance in the street yesterday.)

We didn't just find a place to live. We found a SWEET place to live and it was well within our price range, in a safe area and full of that architectural charm New Orleans is known for. We also have two off-street parking spots. That is almost unheard of for renters here in New Orleans. I feel a little like kicking myself in the butt for all the bitching I did about finding a place to live. (I am not limber enough to kick myself in the butt...bad knees.) Yes, it certainly was hard and we looked at six billion places (that's a high estimate) and we met some freaks along the way and learning a new city is a challenge. But, it worked out and I should have just known that! I swear, if someone ever invents a time machine, they are going to sell a ton of those things.

Here is a picture of our new abode:




We have the upstairs section of the house and it includes a huge front porch, a backyard, working fireplaces and tons of storage. Here's the best part. We can't move in until July 15th because of all the "improvements" the landlord needs to make. Like what? Well, there was a brand new refrigerator and a brand new stove both sitting in boxes that he will be installing. We can walk to the streetcar and are close to a small park and very close to tons of great bars and restaurants.


It's just great the way things work out sometimes. Sometimes they don't, of course. But you have to take your small victories and spike them in the end zone and do your terrible touchdown dance. And, of course, you have to use them like a shield when you got knocked down in the dirt. That will happen - guaranteed! I read somewhere that today is the anniversary of Bob Marley's death. He used to sing that great line "every little thing's gonna be alright". Thanks, Bob. Thanks, New Orleans.

Thanks for reading.

Internet in the Crescent City

For anyone who has been reading this and wondering why I have not been posting, please know that I fully intend to update this blog as much as I can.

Here's the deal, though. I got booted off the wireless Internet network I was stealing from a neighbor. The nerve! Here I am trying to keep a blog updated while spending zero dollars on Internet per month and some stranger who goes by Boilermaker denies me. The jerk store called. They're almost out of you, Boilermaker.

I do have Internet at work but blogging from work in this economy would be downright idiotic. Don't think I haven't been tempted!

Anyway, please be patient. I will update soon.

Thanks for attempting to read.