Cock-A-Doodle-Don't!!

We have WILD ROOSTERS in Algiers Point.  Apparently, they usually hang out in the grassy median a couple streets down from us, but one has found his way into my neighbor's yard and it will not.  quit. crowing.  Seriously.  We live in the city.  How do roosters just go wild??  Did someone import a bunch and just let them go??  I'm pretty sure that New Orleans has some sort of "no-livestock-allowed-in-your-backyard-ordinance" (although Louisiana is a weird state based on Napoleonic law, unlike the rest of the United States) - but that bird has got to go.

I think my neighbor wants to blow it away with a double-barrel shotgun.

Coq Au Vin, anyone???

^^  The Cock 

(Please note the paper plate full of food.  Apparently, our other neighbor is feeding the fucking thing.)

Neighborly Love and an Epiphany.

So... all day today, whenever I went outside (which was often - because the weather was awesome and I wanted to give the Choggie some sun-time), I could smell this delicious aroma.  Garlic, oregano, sausage, tomatoes... it smelled heavenly.  I'd just get a good waft of it and then it would go away and I'd think "damn, I must be craving spaghetti" or "maybe I ought to make a good tomato-basil soup for dinner tonight" and other such ideas.  Of course, since I'm on my own for the rest of the week (and Choggie has her Crunchy-O's), I ended up eating a caprese salad for dinner with a VERY exciting cup of Jello-Fat-Free-Sugar-Free chocolate pudding (which is surprisingly decent).  Living on the edge, I tell you!!

Although it may seem surprising to some, New Orleans is such a food-oriented city, that I often come across delicious smells just in my neighborhood walks.  I don't take it for granted - I just enjoy it and simply keep movin' on.

So, later on this evening (about 9:00 or so), I decide to run down to our local Ghetto Mart and pick up a diet root-beer (as a treat and to get out of the house and see some of the cray-crays - if you know what I mean).  I see my neighbors out on their porch, hanging out, and tell them that I'm running to the Ghetto Mart and ask if they need anything.  Nothing going, so I get into my car and off I drive.

When I come back, S. calls me over and says they have something for me.

A quart of the home-made spaghetti sauce with home-made meatballs and Italian sausage that he has been simmering all day.  That wonderful aroma had been emanating out of their house.  When S. handed me the quart of sauce, it was still warm.  Have I also failed to mention that S. worked for Emeril for almost ten years??  This sauce is to die for.  I tried a big ol' spoonful when I got back to the house - and fuck the pasta - I COULD have very easily eaten that simply by itself.  OMG.  I put it in the freezer so that:

1. I wouldn't eat the entire quart before husby came home from his business trip.
2. I wouldn't eat the entire quart.
3. I would be a good wifey and share.
4. I wouldn't have to make my own labor-intensive sauce, therefore giving me a break from cooking.

The sacrifices I make!!!  ;0))

Since I bake occasionally, I do like to try new things out and share with our friends, so L. came out with a bag containing some of my baking dishes.  And what was on the bag??

^^  Winn Dixie bag currently on my counter...

I'm not posting this picture just for the fleur-de-lis (although I do love how they are on everything here), but for what it says underneath the Winn Dixie logo. The bag reads "Official Supermarket of the New Orleans Saints".  Now who would've thunk it????  I didn't even know that any of the NFL teams had their own special supermarkets!!!  And the Saints are sponsored by the Winn Dixie, no less!!  

Way back when, during the time we lived in eastern North Carolina, we had two of these stores in town.  One was right around the corner from us - so if I needed to dash on out for some milk, eggs, beer, or whatever - it was convenient.  Jokingly, our slang name for them was the Winn-Dick-Me - because the prices were astro-fucking-nomical for food.  They went Tango Uniform (our slang for "Tits Up") before we moved to Germany - and for some strange reason, I thought that the entire company had closed down.  

Apparently not.  

And now, I *fully* understand why their prices were so high... apparently they had been THE "Official Supermarket of the New Orleans Saints".  And the Saints didn't win shit for years and years and years (they used to be called "The Ain'ts" and fans were known to wear paper bags over their heads when they went to the see them play at the Super Dome)... so clearly, the Winn-Dick-Me had been backing a losing team!!  No wonder why their prices were so high and the stores in our area closed!!**

Nothing feels better than an epiphany.  

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**Disclaimer:  I don't know why the stores in our area of North Carolina closed... but this just seems to be as good a reason as any.  

Shoes and a Blimp.

Let's discuss proper footwear for the French Quarter, shall we??  On my romp through the French Market (bought some freshly-made Pico de Gallo, vine-ripened tomatoes, and green bell peppers) I couldn't help but notice what type of shoes people (especially women) were wearing.

Cringed at the chick hanging on to her old man for dear life while she wobbled in her 6-inch-spike-hooker-heels, winced at how a woman was walking on platforms - on cobblestones, and witnessed another poor fashion victim wearing fancy sandals who was watching every step she took to avoid falling.  New Orleans has BAD sidewalks and even worse streets.  The city is below sea level and so the plumbing and everything else is odd.  And it's like most typical American cities - always under construction.

The ONLY way I would wear some fancy-schmancy shoes out would be if I were getting into a limo or a cab from the hotel/motel/inn that picked me up where I was staying (and then going to a restaurant/pub/gastro-pub) and picking me BACK up and deposited me at my hotel/motel/inn.  No walking involved.  Absolutely NOT.  Even in $32.99 pumps from Payless - not happening.  I have seen ruined Jimmy Choos shoes in trash bins - and that is a sad, sad thing.

So, this is what I wear:

^^  $20-buck-Chuck One Stars

These cheap-ass Chuck-Taylor One Stars from Target.  Once they are broken in, they are surprisingly comfortable.  The rubber soles, tips, and additional rubber AROUND the shoe protect your feet from some of the street nastiness.  And, because they are canvas - they can be washed!!  I prefer the slip on style so I don't have to worry about laces getting all nasty and dragging around in the dirty streets.  

Oh, and that is the Choggie's rear-end and tail.  She wouldn't budge.  Probably not even for chicken.  Apologies for not cropping out the dog's ass in the picture.

And, then, sitting on my back porch after all my shoe contemplation...  I see...

^^  A Blimp!!

I think it's a DirectTV blimp because they've got some stuff going on with the Super Bowl coverage and all.  And even though it's a down-and-dirty iPhone photo, I still thought it was pretty neat.  From what I understand, there should be planes doing sky-writing over this weekend, so I hope to catch some shots of that (and maybe a parade or two).

But just remember, people...  pick your shoes WISELY.

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There is...

No excuse for letting such a long time lapse between posts.  My apologies.  Things have been happening so quickly... the beginning of the Mardi Gras season, the pausing of the parades for the duration of the Super Bowl XLVII (which will be happening on February 3rd - for those not in the know - like yours truly).  Husby left to go to St. Louis on business on Monday (driving) and the poor bastard will be getting back into New Orleans on Saturday, February 2nd.  Just the traffic is making me shudder and I *love* living in a city.  I have NO plans to go NEAR the French Quarter until at least a week after Fat Tuesday.  From what I've been told, it will probably take that long just to clean the city up...

So what have I been up to??

I'm working on my deck/courtyard area off of my kitchen.  It's a mess.  So far, I've gotten it raked, picked up, pruned some of the elephant ears, and picked up a gem of an "ashtray" (in a city where smoking is pretty much still the norm, it's near IMPOSSIBLE to find a good ol' ashtray - I'm thinking I might have to hit up the flea mall, because the Doll-ah Store didn't have any).  So, I'm using some crystal looking bowl-thing (tackiest I could find) as an "ashtray" for my patio.  Please, enjoy the stunning photo:

And, please... don't let the crappy iPhone photo fool you.  It is, indeed, fugly and it's already been used once (why bother washing it out??).  I figured the ridges would help to keep a burning cigarette in place - and if it holds up to muster, I just might spend an additional $1.00 (+ the 9% sales tax) on another one just like it.

Also, I'm trying to find some smaller palm trees, ferns, and greens to do some container gardening and liven up the space.  The problem is, I have the "black thumb of death".  I look at a plant and it just withers away.  So, if anyone has any suggestions for hearty outdoor plants that might survive my owning them, please send them along.

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Dive Bars?? Why, yes!!

A really good dive bar makes me happy, happy, happy (thank Phil Robertson from the show "Duck Dynasty" for that little quip) and I would frequent them far more often if I could.  These are my favourite three in The French Quarter .  Just how do I define the term "dive bar"??  My personal criteria is as follows (and in no particular order):

• Smokey, low-lighting, mis-matched furniture, linoleum or old wood floors.
• A pool table or two, some electronic trivia machines, and old-ass pinball machines.
• The beer is icy cold out of the tap - and the price for one (or five) won't tap your wallet.
• Regular clientele, regular bartenders, and some allow dogs - on leash, of course.
• Friendly service, quick refills, and some sort of snacks and/or munchies.
• No really loud, deafening noise (music/band) as in "I-can't-hear-myself-think".

All of these hit the four- ☆☆☆☆ mark (in my opinion):

Fahy's Irish Pub

540 Burgundy Street

New Orleans

70112

Located in:  The French Quarter

Serving up beer by the pint, mixed drinks in plastic cups, ice-cold Jagermeister shots, and with a small selection of bagged chips and candy bars, this is a great place to kick back and people watch.  Fahy's is situated on the street corner and the floor-to-ceiling shutters are open most of the day.  Patrons who bring their dogs here are provided with bowls of water for their pooch's hydration needs.  :0))  The owner's dog runs around leash-free, loves to get attention, and is well-mannered.  Smoking is permitted here, but children are not *encouraged* as clientele as there is nothing to offer them in the way of food, drink, or entertainment.  There is a pool table and a very good portion of the people who frequent Fahy's are, indeed, neighborhood locals.  

 ^^  Street view with the shutters closed

^^  Area in the back of the bar, near the uni-sex bathroom (which is clean)

The Three Legged Dog

400 Burgundy Street

New Orleans

70112

Located in:  The French Quarter

This is the place to go for bar food (wings, fried mac and cheese, jalapeno poppers, burgers, some sandwiches, nachos).  They NEVER close.  The pub is open 24/7/365.  There is a huge television behind the bar and the patrons all vote on what movie they want to watch and heckling is encouraged.  The beer and drink prices are very reasonable, as is the food - and you can simply stumble a block and a half from Fahy's to get some vittles (if you'd like more than chips, that is!!).  It can get a bit loud and rowdy at times (especially during the weekend), but it is a great pub to hang out at during the week.  If you're sick of being rooked on Bourbon Street and want to get away from all the hustle and bustle, The Three Legged Dog is a great pub to visit.  It's a bit off the beaten path, but that's what makes it so great.

 ^^  Daytime divey-ness exposed!!

^^  Don't forget to grab a tee-shirt while you're there...

Coop's Place

1109 Decatur Street

New Orleans

70116

Located in:  The French Quarter

Coop's looks just like the sort of pub you wouldn't voluntarily try from how it looks outside.  And the bar is pretty small - they don't offer any beers on tap, everything is bottled or canned.  It's also a tiny restaurant, but let me tell you - the food is FANTASTIC and the menu selections are not your typical pub fare.  My favorite thing to eat there is the Smoked Duck Quesadilla and my husband is partial to their Rabbit and Sausage Jambalaya.  We'll typically drink an icy-cold Abita beer with our food and the bartender makes a mean Bloody Mary.  Coop's Place is probably the best pub to go to when you're feeling a tad hung-over from the night before.  It's not loud, no blaring music or televisions...  just a fantabulous place to go and enjoy the food and relax.

 ^^  And yes, alligator IS featured in quite a few dishes on the menu...

 ^^  I don't know when this was taken, but the paint actually looks new!

^^  And the icy cold deliciousness of an Abita Purple Haze...

All of these dive bars have very different atmospheres and offer a more "local" experience compared to the crazy touristy places also found in the French Quarter.  Neither Fahy's Irish Pub or The Three Legged Dog boast websites - but plenty of reviews can be found on Google, Urban Spoon, and Yelp.  Coop's Place does have a site - and you can view the menu and prices online.  

Coop's is only a short couple of blocks away from the French Market (a large covered market that sells fresh produce - and also offers vendors selling food, coffees, snowballs, and handmade gifts).  It's a great place to browse after enjoying a delectable lunch.

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Out to eat: Three Restaurant Suggestions for Child-Free Dining

New Orleans is chock-full of fantastic restaurants.  From total dives to elegant establishments, this city boasts all.  My husband and I are very happily child-free-by-choice* and prefer to eat at places that typically cater to the adult set.  Very rarely do we eat at "family-oriented" restaurants - not because we're too la-tee-dah to do so, but because we're not interested in dealing with the possibility of having our meal disturbed or even ruined by uncontrolled and mis-behaved children.

Regardless as to whether or not you have children (believe it or not, some parents do enjoy spending time together sans children), here are three great places to consider dining at if you're vacationing or even live in New Orleans.  All offer the freshest seafoods, meats, and local ingredients and their menus are based on when the best of the best are available and in-season.

Keep in mind that these three establishments require a higher-end dress code (business casual +).  Shorts, flip-flops, tank-tops, and logo tee-shirts are not acceptable for dinner dining.

The Pelican Club

312 Exchange Place

New Orleans 

70130

Located in:  The French Quarter

~Reservations Recommended~

This restaurant has great bar seating, large restaurant area, and you can eat al fresco (patio dining).  Upscale dining with great ambience (although it can get boisterous on the weekend) - very attentive and knowledgable wait staff, The Pelican Club offers not just an A La Carte menu, but also offers a 4-course Prix Fixe Reveillon Menu (the prices are spot-on for all the dishes available), and....  for those who DO want to drag Junior out for an evening, a children's menu - and I've yet to put my eyes on anyone under the age of 12 (see the disclaimer at the end of this post).  

^^ The Pelican Club entrance (al fresco dining is set up here, also)

^^  One of the dining rooms out of four (to include the bar area and outdoor seating)

Commander's Palace

1403 Washington Avenue

New Orleans

70130

Located in:  Garden District

~Reservations Recommended~

Admittedly, I'm a bit biased because this is where we had our wedding dinner.  This restaurant is an institution - and some very famous chefs have started their careers here (Chef Paul Prudhomme, Chef Emeril Lagasse, and Chef Joey Altman - just to name a few).  The menus change to reflect what is in season and even better...  Commander's offers not just a three-course prix fixe menu, they also offer a tasting menu for a set price.  Reservations are recommended and you may want to ask if they are hosting any politicians or celebrities, as the dining areas will be overly crowded.  Please note - there are no booster seats and no kiddie menus provided here.

Also, Commander's Palace is owned by the Brennan Family.  They also have several other restaurants throughout New Orleans... each is different and stands on it's own merits.  I will most certainly include them in future reviews.

^^  Commander's Palace

Irene's Cuisine

 539 Saint Phillip Street

New Orleans

70116

Located in:  The French Quarter

You can smell the garlic coming from this restaurant a couple of blocks away.  Delicious entrees and an enticing dessert menu makes this stop a must.  I wouldn't advise it for a romantic meal (Commander's Palace is the place to dine with your sweetie - and if it's for a birthday or anniversary or other special occasion, be sure to let them know when you call!) as the venue is quite small and crowded.  Well worth the wait - order a drink from the bar and enjoy the bustling ambience.  Please note - there are no booster seats and no kiddie menus provided here (possibly because there isn't a whole lot of room available).  

 ^^  Irene's Cuisine

 ^^  Lit up at night!!  

^^  One of their beautiful tempting desserts - save some room!!

Although all these restaurants are on the expensive side, you certainly get what you pay for.  Servers and waitstaff that are attentive, professional, and personable... food that is prepared by some of the best chefs New Orleans has to offer, food cooked to your specifications, and most will work with customers who have special dietary needs.  

Disclaimer:  These restaurants do not typically cater to children under the age of 12 (unless it is for a private party - which will be in a separate dining room area).  I have never been in the presence of an infant, baby, or toddler on any of my visits.  

Please let me know your thoughts in the comment section if you do get a chance to visit any of these restaurants.  Coming up in a future post, I'll be reviewing some of our most favourite (and surprising) dive bars/gastro pubs...

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So wrong. Why can't I stop laughing??

To any "regular" readers I have, please don't get too excited about two posts two days in a row...  I'm not that motivated yet and I just quit eating fast food for the month of January (I couldn't commit to a whole year - didn't want to set myself up for failure) - I'm a bit grumpy because of the carby-carb high I'm sorely missing.  One of my friends who quit cold turkey (carbs - NOT booze or cigs) said that if I could make it for five days, I'd probably be okay.

So, I'm trying.

Anyhow, my stupid New Year's Semi-Resolution is not supposed to be the topic of this post.  The picture featured below is.

^^  "IN CASE OF RAPTURE CARS YOURS!"

I came across this little gem somewhere on Pacific Avenue in The Point while I was walking the dog.  I actually had to stop and look twice.  At first I was looking down at the plate and the top of the trunk had shielded the first part of the statement...  so all I read was "CARS YOURS".  So, I put the dog and reverse and had another look.  And laughed and laughed and laughed.  I have seen other plate surrounds concerning The Rapture and most of them were on the lines of "When The Rapture Comes You'd Better Grab My Steering Wheel" or some other such nonsense.  Now this???  Utterly hilarious because the owner apparently doesn't care who gets Raptured with them...  they just want the rest of us sinners to KNOW that it is perfectly fine to take the car.  

And I'm a-okay with it... including the piss-poor grammar.  

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New Year's Day - French Quarter Craziness.

There are some people who think that what you opt to do on New Year's Day is indicative of how you'll be spending the rest of your year.  IF that is true, I hope to have a year filled with more *adventures* like today.  

The only weird thing is just how BUSY New Orleans (especially the French Quarter) really is during this time of year.  I didn't pick up our local newspaper to see what was going on in the city, so we ran into a shit-ton of fans here for the Sugar Bowl and quite a few of them looked like the walking dead from all the New Year's Eve partying.  I love people watching - and it's interesting to see things from a "local" perspective.  

We took the Canal Street ferry from The Point.  I realized when we were crossing over the great Mississippi that I didn't have any pictures of the skyline taken during daylight hours.  So, I took a couple with the trusty iPhone and finally added them to my iPhoto stuff.  It really was a gorgeous day to take pictures.

Our first stop was to grab some lunch.  Husby and I headed down to St. Louis Street - and to Johnny's for red beans and rice with spicy sausage (DH) and for a turkey club po'boy for me (dressed - but with no mayo).  Luckily we got there when we did because by the time we left, customers were almost to the end of the block.  We took ours to go and decided to "picnic" in Jackson Square as it wasn't too far away and considerably less crowded than Johnny's (good luck finding a table there...  GAH!).  It was so crazy in the Quarter that I didn't even get to feed any pigeons...  there were none to be found.  :0((  

After that, it was off to Gallery Rinard to pick up this year's Mardi Gras print and to visit with a friend who works there (I hadn't seen her since 2009 - and I finally got a chance to catch up *in person*).  There are a couple of pieces there that both husby and I like... it's still an odd feeling to actually know that I can walk a couple of blocks and voila!!  I can buy a new piece of artwork or get a po'boy or buy seasonings and spices that are not typically found in groceries outside of Louisiana.  

When we got home, we decided to just chill out and watch "The Big Lebowski".  I absolutely die laughing at that movie every time I watch it.  

The Dude abides!!!!  ;0))

Some pics of our day...

 ^^  The NOLA skyline during the day from the Canal Street ferry...

 ^^  Another view of the city from the ferry...

 ^^  We walked right past the House of Blues.

 ^^  Picnic in Jackson Square!!

 ^^  Right behind our park bench...  with the live oaks, it's hard to tell that it's winter here!

And for a stunning, final visual...  and it IS New Year's Day...

^^  Out with the Old and IN with the NEW!!!  (Looks like the sleeper sofa irritated someone's dog)

Happy, Happy, Happy New Year!!!  

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