N'awlins pt1 and MORE!

Unlike last year, I'm actually going to finish this New Orleans blog. ALSO, the end of this blog features a really big announcement. Please don't just scroll to the bottom. Thanks. You already did, didn't you? Well please get yourself a nice cup of tea, wrap up in a blanket, and check out the rest of the blog anyway.

Joel, Brian, Shane, Josh, and myself journey to the Crescent City every year just after Mardi Gras. It used to be for reasons other than food, but now... well.... it's mostly about food. If you followed on facebook last weekend, this little trip down memory lane will provide the visuals to those status updates.

We stopped at Drago's for charbroiled oysters to start, as we do every year. I believe I posted pictures of these last year, so here's some pictures of the beers we had!

I'm turning into somewhat of a beer nerd, so we went with as much local beer as possible throughout the whole weekend. Bayou Teche's LA31 Pale Ale was a really easy drinking pale ale that paired great with the grilled oysters. Lazy Magnolia's Southern Pecan was my favorite of the weekend. I'm really starting to move more toward malty, caramel beers than the hoppy stuff. And Covington's Strawberry Ale was like a savory strawberry Fanta. Really not bad.

After charbroiled oysters, we went for... more oysters. This time at Felix's Oyster Bar. Here, as you ordered oysters on the half shell, they just shucked 'em and put them right on the counter. It was great. We had Abita's Andygator. The gentleman sitting next to me at the bar was kind enough to point out that this particular brew, was 8% ABV, after we had ordered it. It was super sweet, which in the beer world means, jet fuel.

And then we had dinner. At 11pm. (I told you it was about the food!) Sylvain came recommended from my pal Jenna. It did not disappoint.

 

Again, we hit up some local brew. I again went with a Bayou Teche, this time the LA31 Boucanée - a smoked wheat ale. I had ordered the beef cheek, so I thought this would be a nice pair. I was right.

Here is Joel presenting a lovely 2013 L'eau Du Robinet Nouvelle Orléans.

Here is a picture of (left) Shane's Slow-Cooked Pork Sandwich pickled collards, roasted garlic and chili oil. It was tasty, but not as tasty as my (right) Braised Beef Cheeks potato puree, sweet onions, field peas, natural jus. SPOILER ALERT! I'm going to show you the other dishes ordered, but, as usual, my dish won dinner.

 

Joel's (left) Pappardelle Bolognese parmigiano reggiano, house made durum pasta was good, but nothing to write... about. Brian and Josh both got the (right) “Chick-Syl-vain” Sandwich buttermilk-fried chicken breast, house made pickles which was just a really good chicken sandwich.

DAY  2

Yea. All that other stuff was the first night. I got up the next morning and hit up the ol hotel continental breakfast. Most people wouldn't count that as a real meal. So neither will I. This picture is the outside of Elizabeth's Restaurant which was recommended by a friend of Joel's. What a cool building huh?

 

As we knew that there was a full day of eating ahead of us, we started with some Praline Bacon and Boudin Balls, then went splitskies on our entrees.  

Shane and I shared the Duck Waffle Sweet Potato and Duck Hash on top of a Corn Bread Waffle with Pepper Jelly. Tasty, but really more like a sweet potato and duck mash than a hash. Also could have used more duck.

 

Josh and Joel went with the Grillades & Grits Smothered steak with Creole Gravy. This was really good. Maybe like 15 minutes over braised, but still a really good dish. 

On the way home from brunch, we stopped at Willie Mae's Scotch House for the best fried chicken ever. Yes. ON THE WAY HOME FROM BRUNCH WE GOT FRIED CHICKEN. Because that's how we do. Please note, this joint is NOT in a nice part of town.

Let's take a break. A little "Brand X" with Russell Brand, a truly awful show? No?

 

How about a little nap? No?

 

Well then, how's about that announcement I promised, and we'll finish the New Orleans blog tomorrow. Which you'll definitely want to read because we'll cover Cochon, Cochon's Butcher, Frozen Bourbon Milk Punches, Bourbon Street, and IHOP!!!!

As promised in my previous blog "Beer Coffee Steak Bacon Corn" I have some really cool news: Myself and my pals Greg and Mike have started a catering/event company!!! Not so much birthdays and bar mitzvahs, but more like beer tasting events and private parties. Of Course is the name of the company and we have an event planned already!!! 

April 6th at Hops & Grain Brewery, we are pairing six passed appetizers with six of their awesome beers. It is going to be a great time! Leave a comment on the blog for a coupon code for tickets to the event. Check out the website OfCourseTX.com for more info and tickets.