Category Archives: food

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Tennessee in New Orleans

One of the most enjoyable weekends for the French Quarter is almost upon us. The Tennessee Williams Literary Festival is a treat for readers, writers, theater-goers, movie buffs, New Orleans historians, mint julep aficionados, good food and talk enthusiasts, and public spectacle lovers (see Stella and Stanley contest).
I have been attending and/or volunteering for over 10 years and find that I add 3-4 useful things to my brain every year, while also enjoying the camaraderie of being with artists of every stripe in one lovely, walkable area of the city.
The headquarters will be at the Royal Sonesta this year with events scattered throughout the old city as always. I am glad to see the Williams Research Center on the venue list; more people need to get through those doors to see their exhibits.
I think the best deal is the weekend literary panel pass, but this year I have added the Southern Rep’s world premiere of 3 one-act plays from Mr. Williams (introduced by Zoe Caldwell), and a master class on Friday morning. Take a sick day to get your artistic health renewed….
http://www.tennesseewilliams.net/

Just look at that face; How can you not want to find at least one thing to attend this year and/or to simply donate to support our brilliant arts community while honoring the legacy of our favorite adopted son?

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Verti Marte brethren

So, as we wait for one of our standbys to reopen in the French Quarter after the fire that took out Verti Marte last month, do see some of the others that have food and characters meanwhile:
Matassa’s (St. Philip and Dauphine). Louis and Johnny are usually hanging out in front while in back (watch that bump by the dairy counter) they’re cooking up solid meals. Beans, chicken, catfish and much more.
Quartermaster, better known as the Nelly Deli (Ursuline and Bourbon)- their sides are tasty; burgers, lasagna too. I think their breakfast is really great to take over to the Moonwalk with a Cafe au Lait from CdM on your way.
St. Peter St. (between Royal and Bourbon) has some stuff too now with Yo Mama’s famous burgers there and a rejuvenated Rouse’s Supermarket (I laugh when I hear complaints about higher prices for the food there- we’re talking less than 30 cents usually, if at all and they have brought more fresh foods, some local and a much cleaner store to the very small population of the FQ. Work with them and make it better by asking for items you don’t see and comparing prices).
Some items at the store at St. Philip and Royal can be good (red beans are usually excellent) but look closely as their food dries out under those lights.
Felipe’s on Decatur is a cheap good meal, especially when you get there during happy hour for your drinks.
Deja Vu’s food counter can be an incredible deal; spaghetti is usually very good.
Basically, all of these have to go menus that give you at least 2 meals worth of food for under 10 bucks.

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Muffalettas and catfish

Serious question: is there good food to be found in the French Quarter under 10.00?

Answer: yes.

Today, I went to the French Market to buy chopsticks ( I also buy my sunglasses, luggage, wallets and a few other things, quite a useful place when you get over the longing for the lost farmers market there) and when I left, I walked down Decatur to Central and got a half muffaletta, then scootered to Matassa’s for baked catfish, baked mac and green beans.

Took them both home to divide up into meals, and I have probably 4.5 meals here.

7.63 at Central

9 something at Matassa’s.

catfish looks great (see picture) and seems like 2.5 meals to me, based on past experience with their food.

As for the muffaletta, I will take a quarter when I go kayaking and sitting on bayou st john tomorrow with a beer and that sandwich with my feet up. the other quarter will probably be lunch on Sunday with another beer, after gardening.

All done in the lower Quarter, which means parking along the levee/Mint.  Dodging the slow folks on Decatur and wondering who all those crazy ass people that are sitting in bumper to bumper traffic on a beautiful day, instead of walking from a few blocks away.

2.5 meals from one order of baked catfish, baked mac and green beans.