New Orleans
Sit, Stay, Hangover.
A dog limps into a saloon and says, “I’m looking for the man who shot my paw.” At the end or the beginning of Conti Street, depending on your orientation, on the corner of Burgundy, lies a bar that is more truly New Orleans than any I can think of. They bill themselves as a sports bar, and they do play sports on their 12ft.HD TV screen, but we all know the truth. They are a local’s joint. This place is the heart into and out of which pumps the life blood of this city: the service industry! Any traveler should know that if you want the authentic scene in any city go where the waiters, bartenders, cooks and strippers go. And you’ll find them all here. In the afternoon for laid back conversation and recovery from the previous night’s antics the locals roll in and out. In the evening they all roll in, at all hours, to blow off steam and get a little crazy. Things really get rockin’ around 4AM.
bras and dollars on ceiling
“Four?” you say? Yes, this is one of the legendary places in the Quarter open 24/7/363 ½.
Dogballs and Tots
What keeps ‘em coming back? For starters their amazing menu featuring such things as Chili Cheese Tater Tots, Gravy Fries, The Gumbo Sandwich, The Salisbury Burger and their famous 12 hour smoked barbecue. When I ate there last I had the Dog Balls with tots. It’s a Swedish meatball sandwich with gooey cheese and plenty of gravy!
But the place also provides entertainment, sports, video poker, and the largest screen Golden Tee golf game in the city! They also have a laundromat! But what’s the real secret? Well, I’m sure that would be the twenty four hour two-for-one drink special! And this is a real drink special, not your Bourbon St. 
3-for-1 that gives you a choice of Bud or Miller and costs you $9.25 (three for one? and monkeys are flying out my butt). No, here at The Dog the bottled beer and the liquor, all the liquor, top and bottom shelf, are two-for-one twenty four hours a day!
Remember my article in the book “White Trash Chic?” Well you’ll feel right at home here with an excellent selection of the best of the worst: High Life, Natural Light, PBR, Dixie and Mickey’s.
On top of all of this The Dog is the focal point of many events of truly local flavor. On French Quarter Fest weekend (April 9-11) they will have their annual Crawfish Boil Bash that I spoke of in the previous blog. By far the crowning event at this bar is The Running of the Bulls, this year on July 9th at 8AM sharp! It features grandma’s secret Sangria recipe, 4000 people in white with red sashes, and a stable full of Roller Derby girls with wiffle-ball bats (the “bulls”). The event became world famous on its first year (www.nolabulls.com)!
Any time anything is going on, or nothing at all, you can bet there will be people of local flavor at the Three Legged Dog celebrating.
So if you’re in town and you need to be clean, fed, drunk and entertained, and you want to party like or with the locals…there is simply no better place than The Three Legged Dog.
Holy Crimson Crustacean Corpses Batman!
Crawfish at the Alpine
The evidence is all over, on the street, in the parks, under benches and in dumpsters. Little red chitinous cadavers in a pile or brown bag or strewn randomly like the aftermath of a mass killing spree. Which it sort of is. Yup, crawfish season is again upon us! It starts in March and proceeds through June. Unfortunately, due to the cold weather the little buggers haven’t been eating much and the season is slow. I was just at a site that quoted $3.32 a pound! But experts say the price is coming down.
Where to get ‘em? Well, ask a local as many bars around will have a boil going on the weekend. Places like Yo’ Mama’s Bar ( 727St. Peter). The Three Legged Dog (400 Burgundy) has an annual crawfish blowout in the summer: $10 all you can eat! Other places like the French Market Restaurant (Decatur and St. Phillip) and The Alpine (Chartres and Wilkinson) will have them on a more regular basis. And remember, when you ask, they are crawfish, crawdads or mudbugs, NOT crayfish (those are bait).
How to eat ‘em? Suck the head and pinch the tail! More specifically, rip the tail from the head and suck out all of the fat and juices that have absorbed all of the succulent spices from the boil. Grab the tail “fin” near the base and crush the last teensy bit of meat inside the shell. You will now be able to pluck the meat from the rest of the shell with your teeth. Don’t forget to fish out some onion, potato and corn from the boiling pot!
Crawfish are to New Orleans as wings are to Buffalo and crabs are to Baltimore. Hot, spicy, a whole lot of work for very little meat but they sure go great with a cold beer on a warm summer day!
Go here to hear local New Orleanian Ian McNulty talk about the coming season: http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wwno/local-wwno-887629.mp3
Fear and Loathing in New Orleans
We were about half way to Bourbon before the shots started to take effect. Greetings! Since this is my inaugural blog for the site I felt introductions were appropriate. Depending on which bar you’re at you might call me Chuck or Charles or Duffy. You might remember me from the New Orleans guide as the author of the “White Trash Chic” article. Since then so many things have changed. But that’s just part of living in this wonderful city of random merriment and spontaneous outbursts of parading.
As a tour guide I am constantly relating anecdotes, jokes, hauntings and the history of this fine city therefore blogging about it seems to be a perfect match! Now not only will I reach people already here but those who have yet to arrive. Consider me the “local in your pocket.” I’m going to blog about bars, restaurants, tours, history, architecture and what to do when you can’t remember the night before. I also write for a local satirical magazine so you can look forward to a slightly more irreverent tone in my blog. Information is good; entertainment is great! Don’t be afraid to let me know if you’re coming down. I’d be more than happy to meet you, show you around and let you buy my several rounds. But only in the coolest places, naturally! So read on ever mindful of the spirit of our fair city: laissez les bon temps rouler! Let the good times roll!
The Joint – best BBQ in town…
Whilst doing recovery work in the Ninth Ward, I would regularly drive past this “joint” and wonder what it was exactly. ”The Joint” really is the epitome of the “hole in the wall”. A girlfriend who lives in this residential and hipster area of the Bywater (along the river from the French Quarter) had these guys cater a party recently. The food was plentiful, inexpensive and unbelievably good. Meaty ribs, pulled pork that melts in your mouth and great, unfatty brisket. Home-made potato salad and simple slaw, all mouthwateringly delicious. Since that first taste of BBQ, I get a regular “pang” for this place. Best BBQ I have ever tasted in the city–not too sweet, not too spicy, not too fatty…just right. A little off the beaten track, but worth the small trip. Close to “Bacchanal” wine store, which is also an experience in itself. Make a day of it and take the drive over the industrial canal and see the ‘Make it Right” Brad Pitt development and the Global Green housing – its LEED Platinum heaven over there. Experience all the great work the badly hit area of New Orleans is getting.
For Thanksgiving this year “The Joint” are offering smoked deep fried turkeys. I think I will try one this year. Those “Turduckins” (deboned chicken inside a deboned duck inside a deboned turkey) are SO last year.
The Joint
801 Poland Avenue . Tel : 504-949 3232
Open Mon-Sat 11.30am-9pm
Mikes East West – back to the Parish
Much excitement in the city about the return of this loved restaurant couple to the parish of New Orleans after a very successful spell on the Northshore.
Mike’s East West is situated on the entire ground floor of the Lafayette Hotel at Lafayette Square on the Warehouse District/CBD border. Walking distance from the French Quarter for some peace and quiet away from the tourists and a wonderful business lunch spot. In the autumn and spring season of Wednesdays on the Square (free 12 week concerts at Lafayette Square) I am sure this place will be the centre of all the local commotion. East West has huge cocktail bar on one side and a restaurant in the other side of the original hotel lobby. It is apparently similar to the original version of Mike’s in both food and atmosphere with a new updated jacket.
Mike’s East-West contemporary and hip atmosphere and formula is nothing new and breaking to the world, but definitely something different and refreshing for New Orleans. Not a roux to be found, which can be a pleasant change for us locals. Small and larger plates of potstickers, a non traditional sushi bar and other Asian themed plates. Delicious Japanese beers, sparkling sake and sake flight tastings.
Fennelly chef owner calls his food “a global mix,” drawing on the cuisines of places he’s cooked, including Santa Fe, San Francisco, Hawaii and Cape Cod.
Dinner: Monday to Saturday, 5:30 to 10:30 p.m.
New Orleans, LA 70130
Coquette and “Wine Wednesdays”
In the year that it has been open, Coquette has became one of my most frequented restaurants in the city. A two storied quite chic bistro feel with brick walls and a long bar, which is my favorite place to eat. They have a small no stress menu heavily fish biased which is creative, light and yet totally New Orleans. Love the deep fried shrimp with arugula and sambal – one of the best dishes in the city and Wednesdays is fun for us imbibers, when they reduce all the wines per glass to only $5 (with exception of Veuve). Great bread and butter (which is the first test of any place in my books), great service and creative dishes that are not too expensive or rich.
The restaurant also boasts numerous original oil paintings of the recently deceased Louisiana artist Bill Hemmerling.
Highly recommended
Coquette Bistro and Wine Bar. Tel : 504 265 0421
2800 Magazine Street, 70115, New Orleans
Dinner Monday-Saturday 5.30-10pm
Lunch Wednesday-Saturday 11.30-3pm
Orleans Cuisine At Its Best
Look, all I gotta say is, “Bread pudding souffle with bourbon cream sauce.” It’s just the bee’s knees, I’m telling you. Now, it’s made fresh at Commander’s Palace, and fresh means it’ll take forever if you don’t order in advance. Advance, like, alert your server when you’re placing your drink order.
Not only does Commander’s boast (said boasting well-deserved) a mouth-watering menu laden in Louisiana flavor — items like potato-crusted sea bass, served over baby arugula with roasted artichokes and oyster mushrooms, or a sugarcane grilled pork chop served with Louisiana crawfish boudin and Tobasco onion rings — the service is simply the best. My every need was anticipated, and not once did I have to ask for a thing.
Commander’s Palace is comfortable, but classy, and does, indeed, suggest particular attire. A jacket is recommended during dinner hours, and I suggest you plan this meal well in advance — the place is always packed.
Commander’s Palace
1403 Washington Ave.
New Oleans, LA 70130
www.commanderspalace.com
Southern Chic Found at W New Orleans
There are very few places that can combine that classic New Orleans fare with New York sophistication. Zoe Restaurant and Lounge located within the W New Orleans on our own Poydras Street serves as such a place. Sticking to their infamous W “Whatever/Whenever” standard, the ambience at Zoe is a perfect balance of traditional fine dining with modern flare.
Serving traditional New Orleans favorites with that W twist, Chef Roberto Bustillo Jr. has recently added a new tapas menu to the mix, allowing guests to enjoy a plethora of his unique small plates. A three time Fleur de Lis award winner, Chef Bustillo also offers such culinary creations as Honey-Lavender Fresh Mint Crusted Rack of Lamb and Steamed Mero. Instead of the classic Duck L’Orange, Zoe offers Roasted Duck Breast with Rhubarb-Cherry Jus; a perfect example of Bustillo’s new and improved take on N’awlins comfort food.
Known for their chic bar area and numerous “W Happenings” events, Zoe is also the gracious host of our own Hungry?Thirsty? New Orleans Launch Party, scheduled this week on Monday evening, January 12. Doors open to the public at 7pm, and the first 50 guests receive a complimentary copy of our Hungry?Thirsty? guide. Come out and support your fellow N’awlins writers and rub elbows with the NOLA foodies over our signature Thirsty? Cosmopolitan!
Zoe is and will continue to thrive as a Big Easy favorite, so grab your friends and Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler!!!
Zoe
W New Orleans
333 Poydras Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
United States
Phone: (504) 525-9444
Irony Served Over Ice
As tourists in New Orleans, we were in search of the perfect Hurricane, the city’s signature rum punch drink, of course. We’d heard that as a native, you either loved Pat O’Brien’s or you loved The Blacksmith Shop. No one mentioned MRB or the fantastic, made from scratch Hurricane mix by a certain bartender.
We quite literally stumbled upon MRB, or Mississippi River Bottom, on our Haunted History Tour (Thanks, Miss Renee!), and decided that we definitely needed to come back another night of our trip. The problem was that the next morning we couldn’t remember where the bar was, or even the name of it, just these amazing Hurricanes, and a special lady bartender who’d grew up “riding her big wheel in her grand daddy’s bar”. We made it our mission our last night in the Crescent City to find this bar. We set out, bundled in coats and scarves, as true west coasters would, and tried to retrace the steps of our tour for about an hour. Just as we were about to give up and grab some food at Coop’s, we stumbled upon it once more.
We rushed in and greeted our friendly bartender, glad she was there to make us the same delicious Hurricanes again. We watched her pour light rum, dark rum, some more rum, a splash of red Hurricane mix, and a floater of 151 rum. Then she threw in a few maraschino cherries soaking in the Hurricane mix for good measure. Cheers!
We thanked her and asked her name, since we wanted to make sure we thanked her personally in the blog for a fantastically mixed, warm-you-up-on-a-cold-night, knock-you-on-your-butt-if-you-drink-too-many, Hurricane. “Catrena,” she said. Our jaws dropped in disbelief. The best Hurricanes in New Orleans are made by a bartender named Catrena?? Our writers’ minds could hardly stand the irony of the moment.
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Baccos in the Quarter with Dime Martinis
Not a place I would have picked for lunch, but last Thursday my bubbly girlfriend Amber insisted, and the 10 cents Martinis were a little convincing nudge in that general direction.
Baccos is one of the famous Brennan family restaurants here in town : Italian New Orleans cuisine and renowned famous for their “BBQ shrimp”.
The lunch special consists of a $15 2-course menu of soup or salad and then 3 delicious pastas….and as many “Dime” Martinis and the waitress sees it fit for you to drink.
I had the lemon Parmesan Salad – one of the best Caesars I have ever eaten – tangy fresh dressing, crispy romaine, generous shaved of fresh parmy and the world’s lightest melt in your mouth croutons.
As entrée the Roasted Chicken & Stracci – housemade pasta “rags” tossed with roasted chicken morsels, fresh spinach, and basil in a light tomato sauce, garnished with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
I am not a big pasta fan, but these home-made noodles was simply divine – with huge chunks of roasted chicken. I must say everything in the dish was cooked and balanced perfectly….by Friday I was already planning to go back for more.
Baccos is Bellisimo!!
