bavila

Woohoo! You go, guys! Peer pressure -- so effective.

Just to report back -- we did Taqueria Corona for lunch and Dick and Jenny's for dinner. This was my first D & J's experience. It was excellent. I can dig a place that serves veal cheeks next to ice water in Mason jars.

I'll be in town tomorrow with hubby, 3yo daughter and 5mo son. Where should we eat? I'm thinking Uptown/Garden District for lunch (Dante Street Deli maybe?), as we'll be visitng friends there in the afternoon, and then for dinner we'll probably go Downtown/Quarter, picking up a muffaletta and olive salad to bring back to Lafayette with us.

Anjo's did our wedding cakes. I like them too, just don't get to their part of town much. Last time we were here I saw they had a few items at the Piggly Wiggly (or whatever grocery chain that may have bought them out).

Back in Lafayette after a few days in Dallas. We ate lunch in Shreveport on the way there and back, and I was kicking myself for not having contact davebr to ask about his place there. We looked for table service near the road, which amounted to Cracker Barrel and Applebee's. It's not like we expected much from them, but both were slow, especially Cracker Barrel -- 30 minutes to get a chef salad and a burger! And they weren't even full! Tomorrow we will have a breakfast feast at my friend's mother's house. Saturday is my cousin's wedding at a la carte. Thursday we should get some behind-the-scenes looks at Cafe des Amis. And I'm hoping to hook up with a friend who's a baker at Poupart's as he gets the baguettes in the oven around 5am or so. (Guess early rising infants can help in that category.) We'll also be going to NO for at least one day before we leave. So much to eat, so little time!

Well, we left Dallas today. Unfortunately, I'd left my list of recs at home in Maryland and didn't have internet accesss while we were there, so I had to try to go from memory. We hit Baker's Ribs. We were quite happy with the brisket, pulled pork and sausage we ordered. Sides were good enough -- beans, slaw, and potato salad. I really like the pecan cobbler though. Yuuummmmyyy. Next was the Blue Goose. On our server's suggestion we ordered nachos (just so-so), beef chile rellenos (good), and a pork dish ("alambre" something) with mushrooms and tomatoes (quite flavorful). The tortilla chips were quite good, but the refried pintos were bland. Last night we went to Gloria's, and got a kick out of the fact that they shared valet (complimentary) parking with Starbucks -- like you need a valet to get coffee. We were very happy with everything at Gloria's, especially since we were able to order our Don Julio margaritas for happy hour price ($8 vs $10). I like that refried black beans were served along with the chips and salsa, and our food was excellent -- chile relleno con queso, beef enchilado, and lechon asado accompanied by yucca, plaintains, beans and rice. The pork rocked, as did the mole(?) sauce on which it laid. We also visited the farmer's market, which didn't have much local produce since it is January. But prices and quality were good for what they had. We were disappointed that the meat market was not open while we were there, despite signs indicating it should be. This will be more fun to explore in the summer, I'm sure. The local crop Rio grapefruit we picked up were great. Thanks again, and we'll see you in another year or so!

Unfortunately, we leave the morning of Feb. 4th. I'll probably pick one up at Lilly's/Bella Luna. We have arrived in Cajun Country! Dinner tonight was mom's crawfish etoufee, green beans, and a neighbor's end-of-season satsumas. I would have taken a picture, but am not sure where my camera is just yet. Promise to take pics of some good stuff while we're here. I'm interested to get out into town tomorrow and see if I can feel any difference in traffic, etc. in the post-Kat-rita population.

Oh my, is that the REAL Marcelle Bienvenu? Cool... I'm looking forward to picking up your new book while I'm home. I should have included Charley G's in my original list. I actually used to work for Charlie when he had a share in Hub City Diner.

Thanks for all the tips. Though I have seen millet in grocery stores, it always surprised me, since a friend who was in the Peace Corps in Africa (Cameroon?) described it as something you would eat only if you had to. Maybe I should delve into the Bob's Red Mill site for ideas.

In a couple of other threads, Mayhaw Man has pointed us to the SFA's efforts to help rebuild some of New Orleans' great culinary institutions. I thought it might be a good idea to consolidate lists of volunteer opportunities. As a Tulane alum, I was just notified of Outreach New Orleans 2006, taking place this Saturday, January 21. If you know of ways to help, especially ways that will impact the culinary world, list it here.

Hubby and I just signed up for this big deal 90-day fitness challenge at our gym. Part of the initial materials includes some menu suggestions from the staff nutritionist. Here is the list of grains/cereals he reccomends: oats quinoa buckwheat amaranth millet brown rice wild rice I love quinoa, and know what I'd do with oats and rice, but I've never done anything with the others. Any suggestions?

Also pay attention to your disposal or sink area as a breeding ground or food source.

High school across the street from a hospital, eh? I went there too. No, the wine place is not Marcello's. I think it's Phillipe's. Closer to Pinhook, across from LGMC. One place I'm wondering about is Guama's on Jefferson. Anyone been there?

I haven't lived there for ten years or so, and when I did I wasn't exactly as in tune with my inner foodie as I am now. There are places I know and love. But I don't know much about anything that's cropped up since I've been gone. What restaurants are worth a trip? Any favorite vendors? Here's my list of places I'll likely visit on my trip down later this month: Old Tyme Grocery Cafe Vermillionville Dwyer's Cafe Cedar Grocery Poupart's ?-wine cellar on South College, can't remember the name the kitchens of several loved ones

Yes, the price is ridiculous. We og to Costa Rica every few years and eat tons of avocado there. We can usually buy a kilo there for what we'd pay for one avocado here.

What happened to my avocado? This has happened to me a few times, and always burns me up, as I often pay $2 a piece for these buggers. Is this evidence of freezing or just bruising? Something nastier? Thanks Edited to add: This is my first posted image. Not sure how to make it larger. But if you can't tell from the pic, the flesh is almost completely gray-black. It also had an almost pithy texture to it.

Thanks for all the recs, everyone. I haven't had time to delve into them yet, but I will. As for types of food, we go for just about anything. That said, we'll lean more toward stuff we can't easily get in Maryland -- Tex-Mex and BBQ. Probably boring to all of you... But we'll have ot balance this out with other flavors. Maybe some nice Thai, etc. I always appreciate knowing where I can get some nice fish and veggies for a lighter meal. And we won't be looking for Louisiana fare cuz we'll also be visiting Lafayette and New Orleans. Oh, and we'll also be visiting another friend in Richardson if there's anything fabulous there.

Hey y'all, Hubby and I will be in Dallas Jan 23-27. We'll be staying with his grandmother in the M Streets and visiting friends near the Galleria. We've got a 3yo and a 4mo and (therefore) a limited budget. Where's the best flavor value at restaurants in these areas? Also, for our home meals, I plan on doing some cooking, so where's a good place for produce, etc? We don't need exotics or anything fancy, but fresh and tasty always works. (In the past when we've visited, we've just let Grandma cook for us (loads o tortillas!), but we want to make sure we lay eyes on a few vegetables while we're there, so we'll give Grandma a little break that way.) Thanks!

I get bent over stuff like this too, but we have to remember that language (like cuisine!) is a living breathing thing. Edited because I'm apparently operating with only half a brain today!

Ok, since I DO have kids, and little ones at that, I don't have time to think up, write down, (and much less) achieve some of the lengthy resolutions you all have put forth. Bravo to everyone, however. And thank you for helping me solidify my own culinary goals for the year: -Hold a crawfish boil (to double as a fundraiser for Katrina relief) in the Spring, and a tamalada in the Fall. -Join a CSA. -Corollary to above: bring kids to work on CSA's farm. -Grow some kickass tomatoes. -Do some anthropological or historical food reading. -Try salsifry. -Eat and learn to better prepare loads of veggies. -Raise the bar on my home cooking/ingredient purchasing across the bar. -Get a stand mixer!!!!!!!!!!!! -In highchef's words, go "full circle". Visit New Orleans and inject a bit of cash into the economy. Get fed well in the meantime.

I've had 2 adult hospitalizations (was hospitalized for tonsillectomy at age 4 -- don't remember food, and likely only had liquids anyway), both for c-sections. I came somewhat prepared for the food the second time. After surgery, I was only allowed clear liquids until I had "good bowel sounds". This is probably the only time in my life I've been excited about eating Jello. Closest thing I got to solid food for almost 24 hours. Lots of super-salty "broth" from concentrate. Lots of not-100% juice in plastic cups with foil lids. A nurse puts a stethoscope up to my still swollen belly and says, "oh you've got great bowel sounds." Thanks, I guess. Onward to solids! Crackers at first. Maybe some milk. I think my first "meal" was the following morning. God bless eggs even if they are over cooked! I was in serious need of protein! Something I'd learned the first time was to avoid the super sugary and fat laden muffin and cereal cart. If you get a menu, choose the protein for breakfast! Dinner and lunch were in the lame, not nutritious, but still somewhat edible category. I chucked desserts -- too icky sweet for me -- like cherry pie and such. My faves were egg-salad on wheat (not whole, of course), chicken caesar salad, and manicotti. "Pizza" was horrid stale bread topped with dried out cheese product. Next time, I think I'll feign vegetarianism as I do on airlines, in hopes of getting more fruits and veggies, and maybe even something fresh.

Do you need a better reason?

I made one recently from Martha Stewart. It was basically mayo, dijon mustard and tarragon. Definitely creamy.

Had an avocado to finish off, so I whipped up Avocado and Pistachio Crusted Snapper and a little green salad (a very green meal). I totally forgot the panko in the crust, but didn't miss it. I'm sure it would have provided a nice crunch, though. Oh, and a kick ass flourless chocolate cake leftover from yesterday's New Year's Day lunch (which was seafood gumbo, black-eyed peas, and coleslaw).

Oh, well if we're going to include the stupidity of others... Don't come home in a drunken stupor, put a pizza in the oven, and then pass out on the couch.