Yum..... Dirty Rice...

I picked up some of the best andoille sausage from a place called Pooches just out side of New Orleans. Already I'm missing some of the great food that I had there on my vacation. Just a little doctoring and this turned out great.

Yummy breakfasts...

Finishing up the last of my unbelievably tasty Paul Robison tomatoes. One is along side a delicious crustless quiche from Trader Joes.

And nothing like breakfast in bed for Sunday football. A few eggs on tomatoes and toast with some chicken, sundried tomato sausage.

Post NOLA...

I've been a bit slack on posts since getting back from New Orleans. But, I haven't been starving. Most meals have been very healthy to make up for indulgences on my trip. Anyway, here are some standouts.

God, I love pizza. And this was one of my favorites.

Nothing like fresh winter squash with some grated parmasean.

Of course, my old standby of rice with veggies and grated cheese. My dog, Mattie is always happy having some of this mixed with her kibble.

A delicious apple crisp made with Honeysweet apples.

Some pictures from New Orleans trip

From hopping street cars to just wandering around. Here are some things from my New Orleans trip.

A very cute little girl on the St. Charles streetcar.

I heard an interesting story about Emeril from some locals.

A typical courtyard.

Jackson Square and the St. Louis Cathedral. Originally built in 1724 it had to be rebuilt twice — after a fire and then following a hurricane.

And, classic New Orleans transportation.

Electric Ladyland Tattoo, New Orleans, LA

Well, I guess this is somewhat food related.... it is a crawfish... playing the sax... with music coming out...

Anyway, I've always had this idea in my head of the perfect tattoo that would encompass what I love most about New Orleans... fantastic food and the best music. I worked with Cameron Sweet at Electric Ladyland Tatto and he is the best. After being recommended, he was enthused and came in on his day off to get this done. Showing tremendous talent, he took my idea and then drew it freehand on my calf. I thinks the results speak for themself. I am delighted and think it looks spectacular. Thanks again, Cameron!

The Corner Oyster Bar and Grill and Fleur-de-Lis Cafe

Breakfast on Wednesday was had at the Corner Oyster Bar and I had a Gumbo Omlette. Although the picture is deceiving, it was chock full of anduille sausage, chicken, okra, other veggies and a great creole sauce. The grits were so-so.

Corner Oyster Bar & Grill
500 Saint Peter St

New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 522-2999‎

On Thursday I wondered into the Fleur-de-Lis Cafe. Although I forgot to take a picture of it, I had a fabulous Seafood Omlette with really good hash browns. The omlette was full of crawfish, shrimp, mushrooms, green onions, bell pepper and cheddar cheese. Delicious!!

Fleur-de-Lis Cafe

307 Chartres Street

New Orleans, LA

504-529-9641

Hookah Cafe - New Orleans, LA

This was my destination for dinner on Wednesday. It was almost directly across the street from my hotel. It is a dark and mysterious place that promised good tapas and seafood. My waitress asked "if I was smoking tonight?"... After my eyes adjusted to the light, I noticed that there were several tables of people smoking from hookah's... "Not tonight." I responded. But it was very interesting to observe.

One of the things I "earmarked" for dining out was to have their fried green tomatoes. So I ordered their Fried Green Tomato Napoleon - A triple stack of fried tomatoes layered with shrimp, Louisiana crawfish and crab meat with a rich butter cream sauce. Incredibly good!

From there, I had the Marigny Bouillabaisse. It, too, was wonderful with tons of fish and seafood.

Finally, I had to indulge myself and had Pecan Praline Creme Brulee... probably the best thing I've ever had.

Hookah Cafe

500 Frenchmen St.

New Orleans

(504) 943-1101

El Gato Negro - New Orleans, LA

This place is located by the French Market and is highly touted as a VERY authentic Mexican restaurant. Originally, I tried to go there for breakfast as they serve Huevos Rancheros which is one of my favorite breakfasts and Mexican dishes. Unfortunately, as I was told at lunch, they only open and serve breakfast on the weekend.

That said, I had been riding the street cars all day and I was absolutely starving when I came back for lunch. I had a fish taco with rice and beans. I know the picture looks very plain, but that is the rustic quality of authentic Mexican food. Anyway, it was absolutely delicious and inexpensive. Highly recommended!!

And, I thought I would include a picture of a beautiful statue of Joan of Ark that is situated right next to the French Market.

El Gato Negro

81 French Market Place

New Orleans, LA 70116

504.525.9752

Adolfo's - New Orleans, LA

This is a real "hole in the wall" restaurant. It is located upstairs above a bar on Frenchman St. There is only a single door labeled Adolfo's... upstairs.

I felt the food here was very mediocre. On Tuesday, I started with Soft Shelled Crab done with a heavy butter, cheese and crawfish sauce. The sauce really overpowered the delicate taste of the crab. Then, a very non-descript salad. And then had the Red Snapper, again, in a very heavy cream, crawfish based sauce. It was OK, but I felt it didn't have the bang for the buck.

Also, take cash. I was having my salad when the couple next to me went to pay their bill and were told, "Cash only!". So, I had to get up during my meal to go to the cash machine across the street. It would have been nice to been informed of this by the waiter or a notice on the menu or sign on the front door.

Adolfo's

611 Frenchmen St.

New Orleans, Louisiana 70116

504 948 3800

Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro · New Orleans, LA

I got into New Orleans around 9:30 PM and was ready for a late dinner. Snug Harbor is a wonderful jazz bistro where you can sit at the bar for dinner while live music from the jazz show is piped in from the lounge in back. This gives you a chance to hear the music before you pay a cover and go into the show.

Actually, I had dinner here twice... on my first night and my last night. On monday I had the shrimp creole. On Thursday I had the Crawfish Etouffe. Both were absolutely delicious.

This place is just outside the French Quarter and is very "low key"... this is where the locals go. The staff are especially warm and welcoming.

Also, of note, across the street is a great jazz club called The Spotted Cat. There is FREE jazz there nightly and a bottle of Bud is only $2. Again, the locals and bartenders are fun and welcoming.

Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro

626 Frenchmen Street

New Orleans, LA 70116

504.949.0696

Tasty Tomato Sandwich

A week or two ago, I had a wonderful tomato harvest. It seems like I had a tomato sandwich, or a variation of it, every day for quite a while. Some good toast, mayo, fresh basil, garden fresh tomato's and salt and pepper makes for a very tasty sandwich