New Orleans restaurant diary

quote:

Originally posted by chezkatie


I am wondering about the amount of rice in this recipe. 1 1/4 pounds of rice sounds like an awful lot of rice for the amount of other ingredients. I would love to try the recipe but wanted to make sure that this is the right amount of rice.

That's what it says--I doublechecked. I think the idea is that "dirty rice" should be mostly rice, not jambalaya in disguise. The cookbook has a recipe for jambalaya too--but that's pretty long an complicated and a challenge for my typing ability.

quote:

Originally posted by fcbaldwin


BT,

Thanks for the great review. Brought back great memories of my last vist to New Orleans 10 years ago.

Rick F, I agree about Antoine's. It's wonderful. I haven't been to Galatoire's.

Another cool thing to do: Have a cocktail at The Carousel Bar in the Hotel Monteleone. The bar actually rotates very slowly. It's on Rue Royale in the French Quarter.

Frank

I stayed at the Monteleone once. My sister is in the business of managing professional organizations and running conventions and she gets comped there with some kind of fancy suite. But I made my own reservation and I think they put me in a former broom closet. I got a great rate so I don't blame them, but I didn't spend a lot of time in the hotel.

quote:

Originally posted by Rick F.

In-effin-credible review/travelogue! Many thanks.

A few quibbles about Galatoire's, though Jacque's son does have the gout: I obtained reservations, so seating was not a problem. The huitres en brochette were awful: all stale, terribly greasy. Place was both very hot & very noisy; as I am on oxygen, the former was a serious problem, the latter just a major annoyance. Service was good but not excellent, though all seemed happy to oblige when I expressed a need.

My summary? I probably won't go back, but I certainly wouldn't discourage those who would. A matter of preference rather than passion.

Finally, if possible go to Antoine's. Outrageously expensive and worth every cent. Enough to make me quit "eating out" locally and save my pennies for a once-a-year event there!

I've only eaten at Galatoire's in the winter. I only go to NO in the winter--I have no desire to be steamed to death. Judging by the number of ceiling fans, I've wondered if they even had air conditioning, but certainly I was never hot. With the ancient white tile floors, I agree it can get noisy. It's a really a turn of the 19th century idea of fine dining, but I personally love the food. I suspect the service depends somewhat on circumstances. Again, I go there early and in winter. I've seen the place nearly full, but not completely. I don't personally care for overly intrusive service--I like the waiter to bring my food, then leave me alone. But my intrusive is someone else's attentive. I suspect the waiters there gradually adjust to the requirements of anyone who eats there more than once, but they may get it wrong for one-time diners. There can be no doubt, however, that they are pros.

BT...glad you went to Dunbar's. I'll be headed there in spring.
Your meal descriptions made me want to go NOW.

RE: "Transfer skillet contents to large bowel. Add rice, salt, pepper and cayenne and mix well."

My bowel is fairly large but I don't think I can handle all that at once. I think I'll use a bowl instead.

quote:

Originally posted by Extreme Glow

RE: "Transfer skillet contents to large bowel. Add rice, salt, pepper and cayenne and mix well."

My bowel is fairly large but I don't think I can handle all that at once. I think I'll use a bowl instead.

That's a medical Freudian slip.

Wow, BT, that was a fabulous review. I don't know how I missed it three days ago, but it made my mouth water now that I found it.

Thanks!

Any chance you could include pictures in future reviews?

quote:

Originally posted by Pwingsx

Wow, BT, that was a fabulous review. I don't know how I missed it three days ago, but it made my mouth water now that I found it.

Thanks!

Any chance you could include pictures in future reviews?

I've got lots of pictures of the restaurants--not the food--but I'm not a good enough computer nerd to figure out how to post them since you can't upload attachments. I don't have a personal web site, though I could have if I had the time or smarts to create it (my ISP offers that). If you know an easy way around this issue, I'd love to hear it. A friend who does amature web design has offered to post the pictures to one of his sites, but I'm reluctant to bother him wityh that every time I might want to post a picture to Roadfood.

Wow! I could almost taste the food with you! Thanks for an enjoyable dining experinece, if only vicariously!

Isn't that why Caveman joined the group? To help up with computer issues?

quote:

Originally posted by wanderingjew

Sounds like a great trip, your travelogue will definetely be helpful for my up coming visit to NO in April!

If you're going to be there in April, check out French Quarter Festival, billed as world's largest jazz brunch. We go every year. Free music (mostly great jazz) super food (Known restaurants have booths with their signature dishes for $4-5)

BT, I just finished reading your NO diary. As I sit here waiting for 8 - 10 inches of snow to hit us, my mind is flooded with the memories I had of our stay in NO, 10 years ago. I think the first item of food I/(we - wife and I) had were the beignets @ Cafe Du Mond. We did find Cafe Beignet, but preferred Du Mond. Had them every day we were there. Nolas was great, although I can't remember what we had. I remember Farmers Market with all the crawfish and the locals selling everything from gumbo to sausages. For a "foodie" like me, the New Orleans French Quarter was heaven on earth.

edited for spelling