This is going to shock no one but I basically built myself a New Orleans bloody: extra horseradish, liberal Tabasco, pickled okra, beans, everything I could stuff in there.
Saxon & Parole.
Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World, A Behind-The-Scenes Tour of Where Mardi Gras Floats & Props Are Made (via laughingsquid)
I went to a fraternity date party here once. Wild!
The Alabama Shakes perform “Hold On.” Discovered via NPR’s All Songs Considered music of 2011 roundup.
Yeah, I’m going to need to see this band in concert immediately.
(They would make a fantastic Jazz Fest band, and would really feed my temptation to go next year. Just puttin’ that out there, universe.)
A little bit of culinary history for ya (my favorite kind).
PS: We’ve got unions to thank for the five-day work week AND America’s greatest sandwich. Have you hugged a union member today?
1929: The po-boy was created in New Orleans
The po-boy was created during the transit strike, when 1,800 unionized streetcar drivers and motormen left their jobs and protested in the streets.
Spending months on the picket line with no pay, the Martin brothers vowed to serve the strikers free of charge, and they concocted a hearty meat sandwich, on a new thinner and crispy bread, which was easier to cut into equal slices. They called it the “poor boy.”
(via cajunboy:jlangenbeck)
I had no idea there was a cat circus in New Orleans but there is and it’s AMAZING! This cat band is rocking the fuck out!
Ok guys, apologies, today is supposed to be all Muppets, all the time.
But…
CAT CIRCUS.
Tomorrow is the anniversary of Katrina making landfall in New Orleans. New Yorkers today should reflect on that, and feel blessed and thankful.
Tomorrow is the anniversary of Katrina making landfall in New Orleans. New Yorkers today should reflect on that, and feel blessed and thankful.@somebadideas (via kateoplis)
Good lord, trust me. I do. The end of August is always filled with thoughts of Katrina.
We dodged a bullet, which is another way of saying we got lucky. It wasn’t the first time I saw those flood maps of NYC. Working in sustainability, I see them all the time, and unfortunately, as we experience stronger storms in the coming years, so will you.
Don’t mind if I do.
The irony is I’m meeting my Tulane girls — and this is our first hurricane together. I missed one that blew through Nola in Sept. 2002 because I was doing JYA in Dublin. Everyone evacuated to a friend’s place a few hours north (a former cotton plantation) and got drunk at the local redneck bar and had a blast. I was so jealous. The hurricane hit on my 21st birthday & I felt like it was kinda meant for me. Instead I was trying to convince Irish bartenders that a 21st bday means anything (and they should give me free shots). “Well you’ve been drinking for years, right? So what’s the big deal?” True, but….
camalittle asked: Hi Nora!
My boyfriend's parents live in NOLA, and we loooove visiting (normally I'm a vegetarian, but I throw out the rules down there because omg the food the food the food!). Problem is that they have their fav spots to eat and have fun, and we never really break out of those places (Bouchon, Camellia Grille, etc). These places are great, but I'd like to do a little exploring on my own and maybe introduce my boyfriend to some of the awesome-looking places I've read about on your blog (his parents moved there after he was in college, so he only knows where they've taken him on visits, too).
Any short list of restaurants that must be visited while in NOLA? Thank you thank you!
Well you clearly have very good taste in boyfriends. (Don’t tell me it was an accident his parents just happened to live in one of the best cities in the world to visit. :)
I don’t know of any undiscovered gems. But here, in no particular order, are my go-to’s (or should I say, geaux-to’s):
Jacque-Imo’s: really fun and decadent (and near Camellia Grill). This was hands-down my favorite restaurant in college. I even wrote a big story about Jack for the school magazine. Can’t go wrong with the alligator cheesecake.
Crabby Jack’s: the super-casual Jacque-Imo’s off-shoot. Haven’t been in years but I used to go nuts for the fried green tomato po-boy.
Cake Cafe: terrific breakfast and affords you the opportunity to explore the Marigny.
Domilise’s Po-Boys: arguably the best po-boys in the world.
I also adore the po-boys at Guy’s, a tiny little spot on Magazine (the grilled shrimp is fantastic and you can’t get it anywhere else), and Acme Oyster House.
Herbsaint: Chef Donald Link’s elegant take on traditional New Orleans food.
Cochon: another Link joint. If you’re going to cheat on your vegetarian ways, this is the place to do it. This place is hyped — and for very good reason.
Cochon Butcher: the awesome yet refined casual off-shoot; I know a number of people who prefer Butcher to the restaurant.
August: we had one helluva meal there; worthy of a blow-out occasion.
Stanley: the Jackson Square restaurant is gorgeous and serene and the menu is a crowd-pleaser.
Matt and Naddie’s: I haven’t been in ages but it was one of my favorites back in the day. A really charming and consistent place at the river bend.
In the same vein: Dick and Jenny’s. Homey, fun atmosphere with excellent food (though again, I haven’t been in years).
Frankie and Johnny’s: does not get any more old-school than this. And I mean that as the highest compliment.
Mother’s: try not to eat so much that you throw up, though.
Dominique’s: a new, very parent-friendly place in a lovely old house on Magazine. The lamb was out of this world.
Taqueria Corona: there’s just something about their fish tacos! Juan’s Flying Burrito is tasty, too.
So, Nola and Tulane friends, what did I miss??
UPDATE: Thanks, Erin — you’re right. The 25 cent martini lunch deal at Commander’s Palace makes for a very good time. A little too good….
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