Dispatch From New Orleans

My New Orleans Foodie Dispatch — now on AOL's travel site — click image below

Eat well, help youth at Cafe Reconcile in New Orleans

Most of us eat very well in New Orleans. But when we have lunch at Cafe Reconcile we are also doing good.

Cafe Reconcile is a nonprofit whose mission is to teach work and living skills to at-risk youth from ages 16 to 22. The students learn the fine art of New Orleans cooking and the fine art of living. Last month, 12 students graduated from the nine-week program, bringing the total graduates to more than 500 since the program started in 2000. Graduating is a big deal. Finishing anything for young adults affected by poverty, dropping out of school, drugs, violence and other challenges is monumental.

Read the rest of the story at theinsider.tripvine.com

Whatcha Eatin'? — New Orleans Saints Quarterback Drew Brees

 After watching quarterback Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints dominate the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football (38-17), you've got to wonder:

What is this guy eating?

Not too long ago, Men's Journal asked Drew about his favorite foods, among other things. And down here in New Orleans, whatcha eatin' is often the topic of the day, interspersed with whatcha eat yesterday and whatcha planning to eat tomorrow.

See the whole story at theinsider.tripvine.com

Saints vs. Patriots Naked Pizza Throwdown

When the undefeated New Orleans Saints face the three-time Super Bowl champions New England Patriots on Monday Night Football, you may notice fuzzy allegiances.

On one hand, New Orleanians will head to the Superdome for their legendary tailgate parties and then to the game, where their team will whoop the daylights out of the Patriots.

Or, lacking Superdome tickets, rabid Saints fans will don their Saints shirts and hats and run all over town buying snacks for the 7:30 p.m. game on ESPN.

See the whole story at theinsider.tripvine.com

Last Minute Holiday Recipe — Cranberry and Satsuma Chutney

This recipe comes to us from the Red Fish Grill in New Orleans at 115 Bourbon St. in the French Quarter. This very dish will be served at the Red Fish Grill for Thanksgiving.

In case you're not familiar with satsumas, they are like tangerines and are massively loved around here. On nearly every boulevard in New Orleans you find a fruit and vegetable stand with a giant sign announcing that satsuma season is here. For a New Orleans holiday menu, it's nice to include Satsumas. And this is best made a day ahead of time, so get going.

Read the recipe at theinsider.tripvine.com

Q&A — What Is the Quintessential New Orleans Thanksgiving Menu?

Dear Kathy: I want to cook up a New Orleans Thanksgiving dinner for my family and friends. What should be on the menu? - Hungry in Mid-America

Dear Hungry: Great question! However, with a New Orleans theme, you might have more dinner guests than normal. So consider yourself warned.

For inspiration, I checked out some of the menus of more than 50 restaurants in and around New Orleans that are serving Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday (according to Tom Fitzmorris at New Orleans Menu). Here are some of your menu choices and the restaurants that are serving them:

First Course (sometimes called "starters" in New Orleans):

• Turtle soup (Ralph's on the Park)
• Gulf oysters on the half shell (5Fifty5)
• Shrimp Remoulade (Bacco)
• Autumn chicory salad (MiLa)
• Oyster & Artichoke Soup (Bacco)
• Acorn Squash Soup (Bacco)
• Buttermilk potato puree (MiLa)
• Crab beignets (Ralph's on the Park)

Read the rest of the story at theinsider.tripvine.com

(Photo: Food Porn Daily)

New Orleans Saints apron for about 10 bucks

 

New Orleans Saints Apron

Welcome Home Thanksgiving Celebration @ Make It Right

Join Make It Right for a Welcome Home Celebration for families returning home to the Lower 9th Ward and an open house to  inform the community at-large about the features and  benefits of owning a Make It Right home and the process  for becoming a MIR homeowner.

• Date: Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009
• Time: 2:30 - 5 p.m.
• Location: LANDSCAPE RESOURCE DEPOT: 1742 Deslonde (Corner of Deslonde & N. Roman)

via www.helpholycross.org

Daily Deal — Capuccino and Pannini for the Cold Weather

What is it here? Around 60 degrees? And New Orleanians are busy shivering and complaining about the frigid weather. Don't hate us, northern states. Come and join in.

See the whole deal at theinsider.tripvine.com

4th Annual Draw-a-Thon this weekend at The Green Project

Press Street's Fourth Annual 24 Hour

DRAW-A-THON    

     @ the Green Room above the Green Project 2831 Marais Street     

                          Free and Open to the public.  All materials are provided.

^{6:30am-12:00pm  
THE DRAWING ROOM 
Kid-centered activities in a room covered with paper! Featuring: Optical Illusion Drawings, Creature Battle Draw with Luke, Making Recycled Sketchbooks with Laura Richens}

^{9:00 am-1:00 pm  
Drawing with Textures, What Could It Be? with Megan Roniger of The Front}

9:00am - 11:00 am
Watercolor Crayon monoprint workshop with Jenny LeBlanc of Hot Iron Press/The Front

^{12:00pm - 2:00 pm 
Drawing with Light: use a flashlight to make digital prints with Times-Picayune illustrator Kenny Harrison}

^{1:00pm - 3:00 pm
Cut-outs with NOCCA student Chloe St. Etienne}             

^{2:00 pm - 4:00 pm  
Video artists Courtney Egan and Kourtney Keller will help you create unique works of art-- directly onto a giant loop of film}

Meaty matters — from Where New Orleans

You say you’re a meat-and-potatoes kind of person? Here are five great takes from New Orleans restaurants:

1. At Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse (716 Iberville St., 504-522-2467), the 14-oz. rib eye is grilled over an open flame, topped with Abita beer-barbecue shrimp, and finished with roasted-garlic mashed potatoes.

See the whole list at www.wheretraveler.com

A po-boy even a vegetarian can love — from NOLA Eats

This week I got some flack from other NOLA Tweeters when I criticized the New Orleans Po-Boy Preservation Festival for not having many veggie options. 

 According to the menu published online there will be one veggie-friendly po-boy on offer at the festival this weekend. Compare that to the nine vendors offering their version (or versions) of the roast beef po-boy.

The whole story at nola-eats.com

Vote for CNN Hero of the Year

Drumsticks in hand, Derrick Tabb has found a way to transform New Orleans children from troublemakers to tuba players.

Derrick Tabb's program provides free tutoring, instruments and music instruction to more than 100 students.

Tabb, wearing a gold chain and a baseball cap, doesn't look the part of a typical band teacher. But every weekday evening in the French Quarter, he beats out the rhythm on his music stand as students play their chosen instruments. In doing so, he gives them an alternative to New Orleans' rough streets.

via www.cnn.com

Vote here

90-Second Witness — Today in City Park — Oct. 24, 2009

Walking past a tomb in Greenwood Cemetery

See more about Greenwood Cemetery

Signs and bumper stickers — Thoughts on New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin