New Orleans :: Days 1-2

drinks ::
Carousel Bar
Monteleone Cocktail

dinner ::
Cuvee
Many review books refer to this as a restaurant that could almost be called the best in town. And perhaps because of that expectation I was disappointed. The staff were friendly, and the menu was well planned, but it was lacking that extra umpphff that would have bumped it from 85% to 100%. But I'm a picky audience.

• shrimp napoleon, with fried mirliton
  
• (husband had) pork belly - after having michael symon's a few weeks ago, was not impressed.
  
• duck confit leg, seared duck breast, drizzled with an oregano-lemon sauce (needed more of this intensity and acid on the plate), sat on a warm white bean and frisee salad
• housemade praline ice cream (nice intensity- but again nothing to push it over the top)
  

breakfast ::
Cafe du Monde

• cafe au lait
• traditional beignet

lunch!!! ::
Jazz and Heritage Festival


(click on the link above, then the food tab at the bottom, then the 2010 Jazz Fest Food List. prepare to be amazed. and hungry)

• shrimp and grits
• sausage and chicken gumbo

• boudin balls - with tabasco and creole mustard

• crawfish beignets *** a clear favorite

• cracklins (had to try them once - despite my love of pork that'll probably be enough for me. or maybe i just need to try another thinner warmer version.)

• sweet iced tea
• pralines

I wanted to keep trying other things, but between the heat and the crowds, I was feeling a little bit queasy, so I had to stop. Or it would have been ugly.

dinner ::
Commander's Palace

Divine.

• artichoke salad
• spring vegetable tart - layers of seasonal vegetables, soft brie-like cheese, puff pastry, surrounded by a savory tomato based sauce
• creole bread pudding souffle - more like a bread pudding topped with a delicious meringue, drizzled with a whiskey cream sauce.