One of the good things about having friends working on Treme (the HBO show) is that they get out and experience the city in ways that non-Hollywood people sometimes forget to. Last night, after ‘tit Rәx and drinks at Cosimo’s, E and I went to see if we could squeeze in this newish place on Chartres (where the bakery La Marquise used to be, a few doors back of Le Petit Theater- or what’s left of the theater!) for dinner. Since she often goes there with her T coworkers, she got us in quickly and also could recommend items from the menu.
We started with drinks- me, a Moscow Mule (which is showing up on menus all over town all of a sudden) and she a French 75 (another favorite of mine) along with a fried eggplant appetizer (nice lemon tang) to start. Then to the shaved brussel sprout salad (good) and my entree, the duck confit with black-eyed peas and Maras farm sprouts (seemed odd to call them that- is Gerard still growing sprouts? I thought not…) and a nice bourbon mustard. E had the roasted beets on bruschetta which she thought had slightly overcooked bruschetta, so they agreeably toasted some new ones for her. We added another drink that was a pleasant gin based cocktail with orange slice (did not catch the name or the recipe) near the end. All very good, service was excellent and even though crowded, the place has a nice ambience and not overly smushed (even with people chatting up the Hollywood actor 2 tables down who was in for dinner.) So, a pleasant end to a pleasant day, and another restaurant to recommend in the Quarter and some duck for brunch today while Barkus rolls past.
Author Archives
Well it’s our weekend to be the hosts!
This Sunday, we gather in the Quarter for one of the top parades among local parade goers, Barkus. This dog parade is up there with Muses, Zulu and our new favorite, ‘tit Rəx. Barkus’ theme this year is “Mission Impossible- Canine Protocol, Armstrong Bark Reloaded” so look for a lot of Tom Cruise inspired black climbing outfits and cool sunglasses hanging off ears…
This is year 20 for the organization, and this parade grows more fun every year. And all done on behalf of animal protection causes. And for those who ask me where it is in the Quarter, don’t worry-you’ll find it on your own!
Barkus site
Right after you have your friends stake out your spot for the parade, head up to Frenchman for the best costume market of the year. This from its organizer, the Godmother of Flea Markets, Cree McCree:
I’m delighted to announce that Threadhead Records Foundation is the nonprofit sponsor for this year’s Carnival costume bazaar at the Blue Nile. THR’s generous support continues a Frenchmen Street tradition dating back to the first Carnival Creations Bazaar at Cafe Brasil in 1991. Cofounders Tracy Thomson and Oliver Manhattan are among the artists and designers displaying their wares at this fabulous city-sanctioned event, which rises from the ashes of the Great Blue Nile Costume Bust of Mardi Gras 2011.
Threadhead Records Foundation Presents:
21st Annual Carnival Costume Bazaar
Barkus Sunday * February 12 * 12 Noon – 5 PM
Blue Nile * 532 Frenchmen St.
504-948-2583 * Free & open to the publicA dozen of New Orleans’ most creative designers, hatters, costumiers and mask-makers offer a vast array of one-of-a-kind costumes, masks, accessories, props & festive Carnival creations.
Featuring: Oliver Manhattan, Tracy Thomson/Kabuki, Mo Lappin/Howlpop, Jonathan Woods/Calamity, Cree McCree/Cree-ations, Jessica Radcliffe/High Bohemia, The Hat Man/Charles Barkley, Christeen Wright/Avante Garb, Joy Patterson, Darlene Hargreaves, Kate McNee, Natalie Pierce and Veronica Russell.
A don’t-miss event for people who take Carnival seriously!
What a weekend to be on foot and in the sliver!
Envie
Mary’s Ace is open again
The loss of Mary’s on Bourbon seemed like a larger loss than just a store. Seemed like a layer of usefulness for the Quarter had been lost as well. So, the new location on Rampart and Orleans (with parking!) seems like something more gained than just a place to buy keys or nails; maybe a sign that the Quarter isn’t done yet as a place for neighbors and small businesses.
Texaco building on Canal to be renovated for low income seniors
Canal street needs to add a diverse set of residents and this project may be the kick off to that.
In any case, it has long been my contention that tax credits for Canal building owners that renovate their largely empty upstairs floors should be considered; those tax credits would be given with rent controls so that regular people can animate our main street.
However, the Texaco building has been empty for far too long-I wonder how long it will really take to renovate it? I also wonder if this is the beginning of the end of the Iberville housing; this article talks about moving seniors from there. Besides high-rises being sometimes difficult for seniors to navigate it makes me wonder if moving people from there is to change the community aspect of Iberville in order to hand it over to developers.
Gumbo
A classic version found on the corner of St. Ann and Chartres (aka Jackson Square). Stanley’s gumbo has loads of meat and seafood amid a nice dark roux that’s not too thick. That they offer the added potato salad is nice: I have turned some heads in parts of the city that don’t believe in potato salad in the gumbo, but once in a while I like it. I learned about it at a demonstration at the old Wednesday Crescent City Farmers Market by Wayne Baquet, the Creole restauranteur of Lil Dizzy’s and Zachary’s fame even though he says in this interview with Sara Roahen that he doesn’t use it.
Southern Gumbo Trail oral interview
Curfew for the few?
One of the city’s most original writers, CW Cannon takes on the curfew in this piece from non-profit journalism site The Lens and I think, nails it.
Here is the piece I’ll quote to those who argue for keeping kids out:
“This law isn’t about protecting them, it’s about protecting tourists from seeing them. If the price for getting people to come to New Orleans is hiding my actual New Orleanian family (or moving to a family-approved residential zone), whatever is left of New Orleanian “authenticity” will finally be dead.”
For anyone who wants to maintain the Quarter as the vibrant middle of the city, rather than as a genteel police state for visiting consumers, this curfew is a warning shot. I’d also add that the assault from the NOPD on informal gathering and cultural camps throughout the Quarter and the larger city has done little to nothing to reduce the heavy crime in the Quarter and beyond.
As someone who grew up in the Quarter and would walk to see my hard-working mom while she was still at her office at 8 or 9 pm, or walk to the schoolyard and play basketball at Royal and St. Phillip after dark (since we didn’t have a TV or even a yard), I would hope that those few kids being raised in the area could feel that the city center is as theirs as their own residential block when needed. To limit the Quarter to less hours for youth is to limit future residents and workers from becoming acquainted with their own town square, which could be its demise.
The Lens
French Quarter block by block 
You must be logged in to post a comment.