I didn't know that New Orleans was nicknamed NOLA which was my mother's name. We loved our visit there pre-Katrina and have a CD (yes, old school) from Preservation Hall which we also loved along with the New Orleans Jazz Museum. When we emerged after about 3.5 hours the lady at the desk was incredulous that we had spent so much time in there!
I feel sad that we didn't make it to the jazz museum. I could imagine spending hours and hours there too. I know I would learn a lot. The history of this music is so bound up with the history of the city that when you're there immersed in all that great sound, it can't help but make you curious about how it came to be. Thanks so much for sharing your memories, Bev. How very cool that your mom's name was Nola!
As a few and far between sandwich guy nowadays, I still dream of oyster po' boys. New Orleans and the outlying areas are such a unique food culture. When I think about it, fusion food cultures like French + local cultures = Cajun / Creole is fascinating and unique. Whenever I have a Banh Mi I imagine what the Vietnamese did as a result of occupation was take the baguette and make a much better sandwich. I hope when you return you and your husband get a chance to watch pralines get made on an oversized marble slab in front of your eyes. Your writing made me realize how much I mix the unique feel of New Orleans. Fantastic profile Ruth.
Oh, thanks, Mark! Some of the best food is fusion food, and New Orleans is nothing if not the very best example of that, not only in its cuisine but in its music. Your comment on Banh Mi is spot on. NOLA folks claim their po'boy was a fusion and adaptation, with the bread being a kind of baguette that's adapted to the region's humidity and of course its varied contents reflecting its diverse heritages. I briefly witnessed pralines being made and wished I could have stayed longer--and made some myself! I don't own a marble slab, but that probably won't stop me from trying to whip up a few in my L.A. kitchen!
I still enjoy listening to Zydeco music once in a while. We are downsized so now parchment paper works just fine :) Funny you mention the humidity. I am sure the Vietnamese Banh Mi folks did the same thing to adapt French baguettes :)
Thanks, Mark! We didn't get a chance to hear any Zydeco music, but I know that's also part of the culture there. You're undoubtedly right about the Banh Mi sandwich bread too! I do love all the fusion dishes--though my waistline doesn't!😆
Loved reading about your trip, Ruth and all of your food stories. It’s such a wonderful city to visit and so much to do. I loved the Southern Food and Beverage Museum. Well worth going next time you’re there!
Thanks for this important reminder and the link to your excellent piece. There is a lot of poverty in the city, and though those we met stressed its resilience and spirit, the population hasn’t returned to its pre-Katrina levels and there are many areas—like the Lower Ninth Ward—that still haven’t recovered completely despite rebuilding efforts.
Wow! You crammed a lot in, Ruth! You hit the high points for sure. And personally, I think Commanders is overrated and a bit of a tourist trap. Looks like you found everything from Acme's to Dooky's and so much in between - yum! The cool thing about NOLA is--there's always the next time, and new eating challenges and fun!!! "Laissez les bon temps roller!.'
Thanks, Jeanine! It’s always a bit of a crap shoot when you have only a few days to explore a famous city like New Orleans. You want to visit the hot spots, but then you’re bound to run into a lot of tourists doing the same thing. Then you also want to wander off the beaten track. It’s easy to write in clichés and bore everyone, especially those who really know the place. But we do our best and know in the end it will only be, as my mother used to say, “a lick and a promise”—with the promise being that you’ll return soon and dig a little deeper.
Thanks, Jeanine! Nope, 2nd Line is apparently an institution in NOLA. Never saw the series Treme, but apparently some of the city’s great musicians were part of it.
Your description brought back lovely memories of our trip to New Orleans with the Association of Food Journalists. We did have a wonderful meal at Commander's Palace, with wonderful shrimp with grits and bread pudding.
Didn't know about those famous beans. Yours sound so good!
Looks like you had a fabulous visit, @Ruth, and found plenty of great food!
Your husband can definitely find something yummy at Commander’s Palace - I’m not a big spice or weird food eater either, and have always walked out of there happily fed 😉 plus the service is spectacular!
One of my favorite NOLA books is “Miss Ella of Commander’s Palace” which tells the story of the restaurant’s founder. What a woman - I’ve an idea you’d love it.
Thanks, Lori! I’m sure we would find something to love at Commander’s Palace. I was just fascinated by the offbeat menu items, but the restaurant is catering to a diverse range of a
palates and would need to have a menu to match—and does. Hopefully we’ll get to go back.
Thanks for the book recommendation about Miss Ella. I will definitely check it out.
Thanks for sharing the sights and sounds of New Orleans from your jam-packed four-day visit. I can't believe you squeezed so much in!! Will you be trying a gumbo and sharing the results? Glad to hear that you are steering clear of squirrel!
Thanks for commenting, Vicki! The visit was a bit TOO jam packed—I needed a vacation after my vacation!😆But it was worth it. And yes, I definitely would like to try making gumbo, though not with squirrel or possum—but probably one of the several Leah Chase made. The most famous is called Gumbo z’herbes and is usually served during Lent, so it’s definitely timely! The recipe in her book includes 10 vegetables and 5 kinds of meat! Not sure I could manage all that, but if/when I try, I’ll definitely blog about it. Have you ever made gumbo?
So jealous!I've been to the Crescent City many times, but I'm ashamed to admit I haven't made it to Dooky Chase's...yet😋
However, I did once eat at Leah's Kitchen, their outlet located at MSY airport. Such establishments are seldom remarkable, but I will say the jambalaya there was FAR better than versions offered at more celebrated, tourist-centric restaurants in the French Quarter.
The food is incredible in New Orleans. What a bountiful and lively visit you had and shared with us. Yum! Thank you, Ruth, for all the details.
Thanks so much for the comment, Sally! It’s such a fun city and, yes, the food (and drink!) are amazing!
🦞☕️🍹
I didn't know that New Orleans was nicknamed NOLA which was my mother's name. We loved our visit there pre-Katrina and have a CD (yes, old school) from Preservation Hall which we also loved along with the New Orleans Jazz Museum. When we emerged after about 3.5 hours the lady at the desk was incredulous that we had spent so much time in there!
I feel sad that we didn't make it to the jazz museum. I could imagine spending hours and hours there too. I know I would learn a lot. The history of this music is so bound up with the history of the city that when you're there immersed in all that great sound, it can't help but make you curious about how it came to be. Thanks so much for sharing your memories, Bev. How very cool that your mom's name was Nola!
As a few and far between sandwich guy nowadays, I still dream of oyster po' boys. New Orleans and the outlying areas are such a unique food culture. When I think about it, fusion food cultures like French + local cultures = Cajun / Creole is fascinating and unique. Whenever I have a Banh Mi I imagine what the Vietnamese did as a result of occupation was take the baguette and make a much better sandwich. I hope when you return you and your husband get a chance to watch pralines get made on an oversized marble slab in front of your eyes. Your writing made me realize how much I mix the unique feel of New Orleans. Fantastic profile Ruth.
Oh, thanks, Mark! Some of the best food is fusion food, and New Orleans is nothing if not the very best example of that, not only in its cuisine but in its music. Your comment on Banh Mi is spot on. NOLA folks claim their po'boy was a fusion and adaptation, with the bread being a kind of baguette that's adapted to the region's humidity and of course its varied contents reflecting its diverse heritages. I briefly witnessed pralines being made and wished I could have stayed longer--and made some myself! I don't own a marble slab, but that probably won't stop me from trying to whip up a few in my L.A. kitchen!
I still enjoy listening to Zydeco music once in a while. We are downsized so now parchment paper works just fine :) Funny you mention the humidity. I am sure the Vietnamese Banh Mi folks did the same thing to adapt French baguettes :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsMoZM34Mr0
Thanks, Mark! We didn't get a chance to hear any Zydeco music, but I know that's also part of the culture there. You're undoubtedly right about the Banh Mi sandwich bread too! I do love all the fusion dishes--though my waistline doesn't!😆
Loved reading about your trip, Ruth and all of your food stories. It’s such a wonderful city to visit and so much to do. I loved the Southern Food and Beverage Museum. Well worth going next time you’re there!
Thanks so much, Julia! I wish I’d seen that museum! As you say, there’s SO much to do.
NOLA is one of our favourite cities, Ruth so it was fun to read this and be reminded of many of its glories. It does however have its dark side. Here's our take: https://open.substack.com/pub/marcoandsabrina/p/new-orleans-louisiana-spring-2003?r=10ijux&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Thanks for this important reminder and the link to your excellent piece. There is a lot of poverty in the city, and though those we met stressed its resilience and spirit, the population hasn’t returned to its pre-Katrina levels and there are many areas—like the Lower Ninth Ward—that still haven’t recovered completely despite rebuilding efforts.
Colorful characters, food and surroundings! Another captivating food travelogue!
Thanks, Amie! Back to cooking in my own little kitchen. I brought home a lot of spices, but the people are really the magical ingredient.
Wow! You crammed a lot in, Ruth! You hit the high points for sure. And personally, I think Commanders is overrated and a bit of a tourist trap. Looks like you found everything from Acme's to Dooky's and so much in between - yum! The cool thing about NOLA is--there's always the next time, and new eating challenges and fun!!! "Laissez les bon temps roller!.'
Thanks, Jeanine! It’s always a bit of a crap shoot when you have only a few days to explore a famous city like New Orleans. You want to visit the hot spots, but then you’re bound to run into a lot of tourists doing the same thing. Then you also want to wander off the beaten track. It’s easy to write in clichés and bore everyone, especially those who really know the place. But we do our best and know in the end it will only be, as my mother used to say, “a lick and a promise”—with the promise being that you’ll return soon and dig a little deeper.
A challenge. But you covered so much ground in little time! And the 2nd Line!! I thought I was not only IN Treme, but in the series Treme!!
Thanks, Jeanine! Nope, 2nd Line is apparently an institution in NOLA. Never saw the series Treme, but apparently some of the city’s great musicians were part of it.
Your description brought back lovely memories of our trip to New Orleans with the Association of Food Journalists. We did have a wonderful meal at Commander's Palace, with wonderful shrimp with grits and bread pudding.
Didn't know about those famous beans. Yours sound so good!
Thanks so much for the comment and the share, Faye. Definitely visiting Commander’s Palace on our next visit!
Enjoy it!
Looks like you had a fabulous visit, @Ruth, and found plenty of great food!
Your husband can definitely find something yummy at Commander’s Palace - I’m not a big spice or weird food eater either, and have always walked out of there happily fed 😉 plus the service is spectacular!
One of my favorite NOLA books is “Miss Ella of Commander’s Palace” which tells the story of the restaurant’s founder. What a woman - I’ve an idea you’d love it.
Thanks for sharing your trip with us!
Thanks, Lori! I’m sure we would find something to love at Commander’s Palace. I was just fascinated by the offbeat menu items, but the restaurant is catering to a diverse range of a
palates and would need to have a menu to match—and does. Hopefully we’ll get to go back.
Thanks for the book recommendation about Miss Ella. I will definitely check it out.
She was the heart and soul of Commanders, yet never cooked a meal lol
Wow, now I can’t wait to find out her story!
Truly one of the most delicious cities!
Thanks, Amy! I agree,
Yum
Good funny!
Thanks, Judy!
What a post! The food! The pictures! The writing! (And now I really want a beignet 😋)
Thanks so much, Jolene—and thanks for the share too! 🤗
Thanks for sharing the sights and sounds of New Orleans from your jam-packed four-day visit. I can't believe you squeezed so much in!! Will you be trying a gumbo and sharing the results? Glad to hear that you are steering clear of squirrel!
Thanks for commenting, Vicki! The visit was a bit TOO jam packed—I needed a vacation after my vacation!😆But it was worth it. And yes, I definitely would like to try making gumbo, though not with squirrel or possum—but probably one of the several Leah Chase made. The most famous is called Gumbo z’herbes and is usually served during Lent, so it’s definitely timely! The recipe in her book includes 10 vegetables and 5 kinds of meat! Not sure I could manage all that, but if/when I try, I’ll definitely blog about it. Have you ever made gumbo?
So jealous!I've been to the Crescent City many times, but I'm ashamed to admit I haven't made it to Dooky Chase's...yet😋
However, I did once eat at Leah's Kitchen, their outlet located at MSY airport. Such establishments are seldom remarkable, but I will say the jambalaya there was FAR better than versions offered at more celebrated, tourist-centric restaurants in the French Quarter.
The Garden district witth it's quaint antique stores and funky eateries is my favorite place to walk in the city! Lovely!
Thanks, Ellen! We loved it! Can’t wait to go back!