Hello From New Orleans

Hello From New Orleans originally published on Food and Fond Memories on December 28, 2009 by sandyaxelrod Leave a Comment (Edit)

Hello From New Orleans

Steve, Hershi and I arrived in New Orleans yesterday and settled in to our RV berth at Ponchartrain Landing RV Resort by noon.  The weather is a bit cooler than Florida days in the mid to upper 50’s nights in the 40’s.  Our site is quite lovely as we look out onto a large body of water that leads directly to Lake Ponchitrain.  It’s really funny but just like we have to immediately go to the White House Sub Shop when we get to Atlantic City, New Jersey we have to go to Domilice’s in New Orleans for Po’ Boys.  It was late in the day, about 3PM by the time we got there but it was still crowded.  We had to wait for about a half hour but it was well worth the wait!  While waiting in line we made friends with a lovely woman from California who was in town visiting her son who goes to Tulane.  In fact since there are so few tables and so many people we had her join us at our table for lunch.  The sandwiches were as delicious as ever light fresh French bread piled high with lettuce, tartar sauce, fried oysters, pickles and hot sauce.  Okay I’m making myself hungry just writing about them.  And I thought I would never be hungry again after this mornings breakfast!

We actually ate in our RV last night because we knew we would be having a huge meal this morning.  We had a 10:30AM reservations at the legendary Commander’s Palace which has been in business since 1890.  It is still owned and operated by the Brennan family.  The gracious service began outside at the front door.  A doorman opened the door and welcomed us.  We were escorted to our table in the garden room by passing through the kitchen and courtyard into the sunny and beautiful dining room with an atrium.  We started our breakfast feeding frenzy with Steve’s Bloody Mary and my Mimosa.  The Bloody Mary was the best Steve ever had.  It was brought to the table with Old Bay Seasoning rimming the tall glass and a garnish of pickled okra and hot cherry pepper poked through with a sugar cane skewer.  Then they poured the Absolut Vodka which was frozen in a ring of ice to keep it icy cold!  Next a server presented a plate of Garlic Parmesan Bread which was buttery, cheesy and yummy.  At this point our waiter Philip explained the menu to us and Steve mention to him that I write a food blog.  After that we were treated like royalty.  There were so many amazing choices that it was hard to decide what to order, but we managed.  Steve had the Wild Shrimp Remoulade appetizer, White Truffle Scrambled Eggs on Pesto French Bread entree and Molten Chocolate Cake for dessert.  I ordered the Oyster and Absinthe Dome, the Pecan Crusted Gulf Fish (Drum) with Corn and Crab and the Creole Bread Pudding Soufflé.  Before the appetizers came our waiter brought us oyster shooters, a shot glass with a raw oyster in a Bloody Mary saying that they thought we would like them since we ordered Bloody Marys and Oysters.  Then after our exquisite appetizers the waiter brought us another lagniappe (something extra), this time it was a Holly Berry.  A drink that tasted like a sweet Cosmo in a shot glass with a cranberry.

About this time we overheard the couple next to us mention the Eagles game so we asked if they were from Philly and they were.  After that we talked on and on about food and restaurants.  As it turned out Jenny and Sam had brought their three sons to New Orleans to show them the city they fell in love with when they went to college here at Tulane.  We had so much fun talking with them that I know we have made new friends.

While we were dining a lovely woman who we assumed was a member of the Brennan family was walking table to table chatting with all of her guests.  When Lally came to our table she complimented me on my Pearl, Tourmaline and 18K gold Fleur de Lis necklace.  I told her I was the artist and she said “every woman in New Orleans should have one!”  That would be fine by me.  Our entrees came and they were divine!!!  It is easy to see why this place is so legendary.  Pardon the pun but the desserts were the icing on the cake.  I was so full that I couldn’t eat another bite.  Thank goodness we were smart enough to make a 10PM dinner reservation at Restaurant August which is one of John Besh’s restaurants because maybe by then we will be hungry.