kestrel reporting in from the Big Easy, that better-than-ever city

[kestrel91316]

of N'awlins.........

I have my first trip post here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=155&topic_id=3756&mesg_id=3825

NOLA is definitely up and running. It's lovely. There are some pieces of modern buildings in various places that look like still-unrepaired Katrina damage, but overall it's nice.

The locals are all really nice that I have seen so far.

I think I need a Hurricane or Sazerac to help me sleep tonight - I am exhausted and yet wound up tight at the same time, lol.

[azureblue]

1. while you are there

go out to the Lakefront, Lakeview, around UNO, and take some pix. The area is still in ruins.

[kestrel91316]

6. I'm carless, so no excursions. I am going to head down to the cathedral and

Cafe Dumonde by the river and take my camera along this evening when I get out at 5. Well, I will drop the laptop off at the hotel first.

Had great crabcakes and greek salad at Oceana last night. Had nicely passable chicken gumbo at the food court in the convention center for lunch today. I am eyeballing Mr. B's for dinner tonight, but will probably wander and see what suits my fancy.

So many eateries - so little time.

I made some new friends last night - took up with some Army veterinarians in the FQ and drank and yakked our way around, winding up at Pat O'Brien's. GREAT little blues club called (what else?) the Blues Club, too.

[shrike]

10. Ah, Oceana

Our last time in NOLA, pre-Katrina, we got talked into that place by a guy handing out menus on the street. After we were seated, this old guy walked up to us and said, "We serve the best food in New Orleans." Yeah, yeah, I thought. I don't know if they serve the BEST food, but our meal was by far the best we had while we were there. I believe I had jambalaya with alligator tail in it. DH had blackened steak.

Good to know they're still around, and serving good food.

[kestrel91316]

12. I got waited on by probably the same old guy, balding, maybe the owner,

maybe Greek (hence the Greek salad). The crab cakes were nice and spicy and I had one of my food orgasms. The place was a sort of weird hole-in-the-wall. But so was Mother's, and that food was awesome.

[TomInTib]

2. Shake it on down, kestrel.

Go on down to Tipitina's and tell 'em Tom says hey.

Pass a good time, 'chere.

And have a fine trip home.

[MuseRider]

3. Have a lovely time!

I love NO, been a while but I love it. I always planned on taking that Ghost Tour when I got back.

Relax, your trip there sounded awful. So many nice people and such fun things to do.

[southern_belle]

4. Ride out east on I-10 and check out

East New Orleans, heading towards Slidell. There are still many abandoned homes and apartment complexes. It still gives me the chills.

[kestrel91316]

5. I'm carless and short on time to boot, so am in the FQ and surrounds.

I walked around the FQ so much last night, my blisters have blisters, lol. Finally got some sleep, had some good food and drink, ready for more of same tonight!

Oh, yeah, I have 6-7 hours of lectures today. Fortunately we have everything on CD ROM so note-taking is a lot less these days!

The people are all wonderful.

[Hekate]

7. Please keep sharing. You really make me want to go!

:hi:

Hekate

[kestrel91316]

8. Ok - next installment:

Sat in lectures all day, ready for fun. I walked back to the hotel through the Warehouse/Arts District, past Emeril's where I picked up a menu. I really think I'm gonna call Mr. B's to see if I can get a table there, especially if they have soft-shelled crab.

There are LOTS of little and some famous eateries in the Warehouse. And lots of balconied condos and apartments I would love to live in. I passed through Lafayette Square, and took lots of pics all the way home. I found the stone facade of the Court of Appeals building fascinating.

I am cooling off and drying out now - it's a bit hot and muggy for my traditional brisk walks, lol. I thought I would raid the fridge in my room for a small bottle of chardonnay, but now the cork puller is in the cork and I can't get the cork out due to my obviously inferior hand/arm strength. I need to take it down to the concierge desk for THEM to deal with, since I have now PAID FOR the darn thing.

I guess I'll eat the pretzels first and call Mr. B's.

The gumbo at lunch really was tasty, for your basic cafeteria fare. Either that, or I have no taste or class, lol.

[kestrel91316]

11. Ok, so I called Mr. B's and the guy said "I don't have any reservations,

but we take walk-ins so come on down" - which I took to mean that I might have a chance at dinner there, and if not I will just go around the corner to Acme. They are very highly rated, and I think it could equal some of the meals I had in France, so I am eager.

Am I a woman with a plan, or what?

Oh, and the bartender downstairs had to use his own corkscrew to pull the cork on my lovely little bottle of Fetzer chardonnay. Mine wasn't cutting it - the cork was really in there. I confess to eating all the pretzels before I even got started on the wine. The only question is, finish it before or after dinner? Oh, and do I get bread pudding for dessert? Or some other delight?

I am already buzzed so I vote for finishing it later. Off to the Quarter to buy a voodoo doll for my assistant.

[JackBeck]

9. I'll be down there on Tuesday.

Third time since November.

How hot is it down there right now?

[kestrel91316]

13. It's in the low 90s during the day, and humid, but not as bad as the

heat and humidity I experienced in Charleston SC back in one summer in the late 70s.

It was actually fairly dry today for part of the day. Comparatively speaking.

I just need to remember to NOT walk briskly. Slow strolling is the order of the day. Or waddling, as the case may be after a few more meals here.....

[NightWatcher]

14. tomorrow go to Central Grocery and pick me up a mufaletta

or eat it yourself and tell me how much you love it

[kestrel91316]

15. I may just do that for Tuesday lunch. I have an opening then

and am taking suggestions, lol. I am playing hookey that day, taking the streetcar down St Charles all the way (does it go through the Garden District? I hope?) and back, then St. Louis cemetery.

What does a muffaletta come with? Is it a standard recipe, or are there options for fillings/layers?