new orleans

A Gross Face

August 8, 2014 · 2 Comments

I haven’t quite committed to writing day 2 of New Orleans, because it is going to be really long.

Really long — as in the majority of our thirty things happened on that day, and it’s going to be a heavy picture post.

And lots of writing, and I’m just too lazy to do it.

So I will leave everyone with this picture for the weekend:

These were the most beautiful faces we made after trying the rum at the New Orleans rum distillery. Straight shots of rum. In all fairness, I made B make this face so I wasn’t alone. But it was gross.

It was. It was almost as bad as the shot on the street. In all honesty, I hate shots, unless they have names like Buttery Nipple or something. Straight liquoris definitely not my thing.

I’ll be going a little bit more red head this weekend — despite protests from B, because I really like it.

Hope y’all have an awesome weekend!

New Orleans Day 1

August 6, 2014 · 4 Comments

I guess I can’t even technically call it a day — we ended up getting into New Orleans around 10pm on Friday night. Which sort of sucks, but since that city is one that can hang well into the night, it’s normally not a huge damper to get in so late.

We had a huge list of 30 things to do for B’s thirtieth. I went into it thinking that it really wouldn’t be that much of a vacation, only because we were on a schedule — a pretty tight one at that.

Our first night we had a list of seven things to get done: And guess what y’all! We got every single one of them complete! Not that it wasn’t 3 in the morning when we were done or anything. I kid, it was. BUT huge plus… we didn’t get shot on Bourbon!

1. Buy a daiquiri in Slidell at a drive thru-daiquiri shop. We went to Daiquiri and Company. They had daiquiris, but Yelp steered us wrong in saying it was a drive-thru. We got one nonetheless — a shittier version of the banana one on Bourbon, but it served its purpose.

2. Eat a dozen oysters. We wanted Acme, but the line was out the door – so there’s another awesome place right down from there called Felix’s, where the oysters were just as delicious. And their horseradish was amazing.

3. Take a shitty shot on Bourbon. If you’ve ever been there, you’ve seen the vendors. The people that sell $2 shots on the side of the street, mainly in between bars. And they’re pretty much the most disgusting thing on Earth. B compromised and said I could do a Cherry Bomb, but lo and behold, they were out. So we did shots of rum. It was disgusting, and this was the only picture I got from the fine establishment where they were taken.

4. Have dinner at Killer Po’Boys. Check and mate. This awesome little place is located in the back of the Erin Rose bar and is cash only! We got the meatball po’boy, and it was amazing. Also from a previous trip, their potato salad is amazing.

5. Get a 3-for-1 at our spot. We go to Krazy Korner every time we’re there for some amazing people watching. We saw a homeless guy get in a fight with a car and almost get run over. The place never disappoints.

6. Hit up Bar Tonique for a unique cocktail. They’ve got an old-timey feeling full of old-fashioned drinks. I can’t even remember what I got (shocker by this point, I know), but I remember it had bourbon and was delicious.

7. Next on this expansive list was a trip to Frenchmen Street to hit up the Spotted Cat. I’ve only been here two other times, but every time we go there they have fantastic music. They are also cash only, so make sure you’ve got it.

8. Finally on the list for the night was to hit up Checkpoint Charlies. If you want a strong drink, definitely hit up this place. We, of course, were in no sort of mind to order another liquor drink, so we ordered an Abita Amber and snacked on cheesy tater tots. And when I say snacked, I mean pretty much inhaled. The bands in this place are always less well-known, but pretty amazing.

Okay, so I said seven things, but it was eight. We completed 8/30 tasks in the first night. We were pretty impressed with ourselves the next day. Also, tired with a bit of a headache. oh, New Orleans, you rarely lose night one.

New Orleans Oystah Fest

June 4, 2014 · 2 Comments

Shocker that I went to New Orleans this past weekend, huh?

I guess I should just buy a second home down there. Right, in my next lifetime I’ll be able to afford some property down there.

Buuut, until that time, I’ll continue to shack up at my friend L’s house every time I go down there. Love ya Linds! So this past weekend, New Orleans hosted its Oyster Festival. A bunch of restaurants come out with some of their dishes, some with oysters, some not, set up tents and you can go from tent to tent just eating and eating.

The weather was horrible, but that didn’t stop us from going out there. Everything was all cash, but of course, they had some ATMs stashed at various locations. The prices weren’t too horrible at the stands, and the most expensive thing was the chargrilled oysters from Dragos.

Even if you don’t like oysters, they had plenty of assorted po’boys, some sweets from Haydel’s bakery and beer. I’m not sure what else you could ask for out of life.

first night on Bourbon.

oyster stuffed mushrooms = heaven.

being a huge ass dork in front of the Drago’s firetruck.

the chargrilled oysters from Drago’s.

shrimp and oyster egg rolls with creole soy sauce from the Arnaud’s/Remoulade tent.

me and L watching the oyster shucking contest (the guy from Pesch won in case you were curious) — please disregard how terrible i look. rain = no makeup and curly hair.

L & her momma.

just because I’m 30 doesn’t mean i can’t play in a big mud puddle.

closing the weekend out at Tipitinas.

All in all it was a fantastic weekend, minus the rain of course. It had stopped by Saturday night, so our evening wasn’t completely ruined . We spent that night at the Maple Leaf Bar, then Tipitinas, then to a place I think was called Dos Jefes (do not quote me on this — I was a few vodka sodas in) to meet up with some friends.

I don’t have my next trip down there planned yet, but I’m sure it will be soon.

And of course all you lovely wee ones will get to hear all about it.

Dat Dog – NOLA

May 23, 2014 · 2 Comments

In anticipation of everyone grilling out and eating hot dogs, I think it’s time the world hears about Dat Dog.

They’ve got three locations in New Orleans – Freret, Magazine and Frenchman street. I’ve had Freret and Magazine, but haven’t yet made the venture to the Frenchman street location, although I have no doubt that it’s just as delicious.

Here’s how it works — you pick your hot dog, then you add any topping you want, and they range from normal yellow mustard to etouffee and guacamole.

Then they have the most delicious cheese and bacon fries, and their chili cheese fries are incredible, too. The weather was beautiful, so we sat outside. It was our Easter dinner that day, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Bonus? It heat up incredibly well as leftovers, even after the five hour drive home.

This place is a definite must go while you’re down there…umm, maybe more than once.

It was incredible.

I hope y’all have a very happy Memorial Day!!

Jazz Fest Part 2

May 7, 2014 · 2 Comments

At some point during the day, Rachel decided to show up. It was the point about five minutes before Springsteen took the stage.

Which was the whole reason we were there. It would have been such a travesty had she not made it in time. But it was a good thing that Bruce decided to be a diva that day and be a few minutes late; otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy it with my fellow Springsteen fan.

It’s hard to even enjoy The Boss without someone who appreciates him as much as you do. And when your Coke Zero bottle contains as much bourbon as it does Coke Zero? Makes for way more fun pictures.

The end of Jazz Fest. It was amazing. I can’t even tell you how seeing your favorite artist can change your life. I know it sounds crazy, but the level of excitement is way up there.

Jazz Fest….I can’t wait to go to you next year.