Author Archives: Jenny Sklar

November 1st 2011

The Musical Old U.S. Mint

Alcide "Slow Drag" Pavageau's three-string bass. Photo courtesy of the Louisiana State Museum.

Alcide "Slow Drag" Pavageau's three-string bass. Photo courtesy of the Louisiana State Museum.

“We’re not a nightclub; it’s a museum,” says Greg Lambousy, Director of Collections at the Old U.S. Mint. He’s talking about the brand-new third floor performance space, which is part of the Mint’s new focus on New Orleans music. Though the gorgeous new multi-purpose performance space, gently lined with geometric wood paneling, may suggest otherwise, Lambousy affirmed that the museum’s purpose is to support the music and performing arts community, not to compete with neighboring Frenchmen Street venues, as evidenced by the missing bar.

The performance space is also a state-of-the-art recording studio with a secluded, smaller studio for recording oral histories, and it has video recording and broadcast capabilities. It is a partnership between US Park Service—who record oral histories as part of the mission of the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park—and the Louisiana State Museum, which oversees the Mint.

“It’s a 50-50 split,” Assistant Superintendent Ranger Joe Llewellyn says, referring to the cost of the space. The two entities will also plan the programming for the space, which is still looking for a name. The park service will move its musical performances and educational programming into the third floor space during the day, and the Louisiana State Museum will use it to augment its programming at night.

Alcide "Slow Drag" Pavageau. Photo courtesy of the Louisiana State Museum.

Alcide "Slow Drag" Pavageau. Photo courtesy of the Louisiana State Museum.

While the first floor of the museum will continue to be dedicated to coins in recognition of the building’s historic function, the second floor will focus on the breadth of New Orleans music, from jazz to R&B to country and beyond. The museum has in its collection Fats Domino’s waterlogged piano as a reminder of the post-Katrina flooding, and it has a second damaged Domino piano that Lambousy plans to restore when the funds can be raised. The second floor will reopen on Friday, November 4 when the Mint continues the year-long celebration of 50 years of Preservation Hall with a show of Hall artifacts and photos. Among the pieces in the show are photos of some of the more famous players and lineups of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, as well as instruments played by members, including a well-worn three-string bass played by Alcide “Slow Drag” Pavageau in the 1940s and ‘50s.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the third floor and the completed renovations will start Saturday, November 12 at noon with a press event with the requisite government officials, followed by a second line to the top floor led by the Treme Brass Band. It starts a day-long celebration in the renovated Mint, and admission will be free.

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September 27th 2011

Good Deed on a Dime at Liberty’s Kitchen and Cafe Reconcile

For many of us, giving a donation to a charitable cause is a great idea in theory but a challenge in reality. If you’re not able to cough up that extra dough this month but want to do some good, look no further than Liberty’s Kitchen and Café Reconcile. These two philanthropic eateries are both non-profit organizations that teach life skills and job training to at-risk youth.

Boneless Fried Chicken from Cafe Reconcile

Boneless Fried Chicken from Cafe Reconcile. Photo by Jenny Sklar.

Less than a five-minute drive away from each other in Central City, these two venues are quite similar in their mission and their cuisine. Both serve many traditional New Orleans dishes as well as a variety of salads and sandwiches. Café Reconcile leans toward Southern cooking with an emphasis on comfort food, while Liberty’s Kitchen features more of a café menu. Both restaurants are inexpensive with no entrees that cost more than $10. Best of all, each dollar you spend helps keep these organizations alive.

Aside from the philanthropic aspects of these lunch spots, the food is phenomenal. Café Reconcile has the best “Boneless Fried Chicken” (chicken tenders under another name) I have ever had. For just $8.49, you get a heaping portion of golden, flaky, and crispy fried chicken breast served with your choice of two sides, like their awesome baked macaroni and cheese or garlic mashed potatoes, for instance. They also have a fabulous fried crawfish salad with remoulade for only $7.99, but it is nothing compared to Liberty’s Kitchen’s Cajun Shrimp Cobb Salad, which comes with blackened shrimp, smoked sausage, bleu cheese, avocado, hard boiled eggs, pickled onions, and grape tomatoes! A pretty fancy salad for just $8.95—I’m getting hungry just thinking about it.

Not many sit-down restaurants can feed you this well for under ten bucks, not to mention help you make a community contribution. Whether you want to do a good deed on a budget or just get a darned good meal that tastes like old-fashioned home cooking, these two spots are a good way to go.

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September 22nd 2011

The Last Supper of The Man Who Ate New Orleans

The Man Who Ate New Orleans[Updated] On October 21, Rev. Ray Cannata, star of the upcoming film The Man Who Ate New Orleans, will complete his goal of eating at every restaurant in New Orleans. The documentary follows this New Jersey minister’s ambitious quest to eat at more than 700 establishments in slightly more than six years. The last stop on his long journey is Besh Steakhouse, and as it is a rather momentous occasion his “Last Supper” will be celebrated in style at the St. Charles Hilton, with entertainment by Rebirth Brass Band.

Though the film sounds rather gluttonous and decadent, the Reverend has a philanthropic purpose mixed in. Cannata and his congregation have helped rebuild more than 500 homes in New Orleans and the net proceeds of the film will go towards helping rebuild the next 500 homes, and the next, and so on and so forth. In a recent exclusive interview with Michael Dunaway, the Director and Producer of The Man Who Ate New Orleans, he made it clear that the film is a call to action and more of a Man v. Food meets Extreme Makeover New Orleans than a simply a documentary revolving solely around food. Dunaway explained, “We are at a crucial point in post-Katrina New Orleans because the sense of immediacy in the rest of the country about saving the city is fading fast, but there are still years and even decades of work left to do. I want viewers to get a renewed sense of urgency about rebuilding New Orleans.”

To help in their rebuilding efforts, “The Last Supper” will be a benefit, as evident by the partially tax deductible ticket. Attendees will be the first to see a short from the documentary, and the event will serve a steak dinner with wine pairings, catered by Besh Steakhouse. Tickets are $200 per person and are available online.

Update September 23, 9:25 a.m.

In a comment below, Rev. Cannata says that he and his congregation worked on more than 500 houses; they didn’t “rebuild” more than 500 houses as first reported.

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September 14th 2011

In Good Company at The Company Burger

I have never been left so speechless after taking a bite of a burger. I’ve written many articles on specialty burgers, fast food burgers, diner burgers, but nothing compares to The Company Burger.

Hamburger from The Company Burger in New Orleans. Photo by Jenny Sklar.

Burger from The Company Burger. Photo by Jenny Sklar.

When you think of an average burger the word crunch rarely comes to mind, unless of course you are referring to the lettuce or bacon, but this is no average burger. As you take your first bite of this godly creation you’ll notice that there is a distinct crunch, no it’s not a potato chip or The Company Burger’s mind-blowing onion rings, it’s the actual patty. Between the perfectly-toasted golden bun and the crispy outer layer of the juicy, flavorful beef you get a bite that will take your breath away.

Their delicious antibiotic/hormone-free patties are accompanied by house-made bread & butter pickles, local onions, and of course gooey, melted American cheese. Their burgers are phenomenal served as is (undressed), but I highly recommend dressing them with their large array of homemade mayonnaises. Basil, Chipotle, Garlic, and even Bacon-aise are just a few of their complimentary decadent creations.

Onion rings from The Company Burger. Photo by Jenny Sklar.

Onion rings from The Company Burger. Photo by Jenny Sklar.

If you’re a purist and can’t bring yourself to harm the perfect burger with condiments they have a ton of sides worth checking out, including tater tots. For just $2 you can get French fries or the best darn onion rings I’ve ever had and dip them in these heart-attack and smile-inducing sauces. Definitely get the onion rings. You can never go wrong with super battered sweet red onions, especially when you dip them in garlic mayo.

I promise you won’t be disappointed by these burgers, they are completely worth the $6-$12. And if you are in the mood to give your taste buds a thrill you must try the pork belly corndog—that’s right, pork belly. Enough said. There’s a reason why there’s already a line down the street from The Company Burger (and a gym next door).

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September 6th 2011

A Buffet Revival at East Buffet

In these times of economic hardship, even food snobs need to get their noses out of the air and give those good ol’ fashioned all-you-can-eat buffets a second chance. This all-American creation has bred many restaurants with lackluster cuisine, but there are some gems hiding beneath the rubble, especially East Buffet on Severn Avenue in Metairie.

Seafood at East Buffet in Metairie. Photo by Jenny Sklar.

Seafood at East Buffet in Metairie. Photo by Jenny Sklar.

For a humbling $8.39 for lunch and $12.99 for dinner you gain access to over 9 different buffet stations, which serve everything from Chinese, Japanese, Korean BBQ hibachi, and even boiled seafood. I used to be very wary of these pan-Asian buffets, especially when they also served American food, which East Buffet does, but I must say that I was really impressed.

With so many different delicacies offered, I don’t think it’s possible for the chefs to achieve authentic flavors and preparations for each dish, but their Chinese food definitely kicks Panda Express’ butt, and their seafood is damn good. They offer heaping piles of boiled crawfish, crab, and shrimp, as well as chilled mussels, clams, and octopus—all included in the extremely affordable flat rate. Though the seafood at Deanie’s or Drago’s may be better quality, this is a great option for people on a budget with a hankering for shellfish.

Sushi at East Buffet in Metairie. Photo by Jenny Sklar.

Sushi at East Buffet in Metairie. Photo by Jenny Sklar.

When I visited East Buffet I was still a little uneasy about consuming sushi with raw fish at an all-you-can-eat venue, but luckily the buffet offered many rolls with cooked fish or vegetables, including a seaweed salad roll that was spectacular. The rolls are not what you would find at a traditional Japanese restaurant, but they are much better than grocery store sushi and great for the price you pay.

Expect to feel fat after you visit this lovely Buffet, as many of their most alluring dishes are deep fried or covered in fatteningly delicious sauces, including one of their sushi rolls! If you’re on a diet this may not be the best option for you, but there is a salad bar and healthier sushi options for the more health conscious diners, as well as French fries and pasta for the pickier eaters. East Buffet is not the place for a romantic dinner, but if you’re feeling cheap and hungry, it can satisfy both those needs.

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August 30th 2011

Cheap and Chill at Chill Out Cafe

If you have ever googled Thai food in New Orleans, you’ll see a disproportionate amount of Thai restaurants Uptown. This odd clustering of similar eateries leads to two unfortunate outcomes: 1. a 20-minute drive between many New Orleans residents and their favorite curry house, and 2. many wonderful noodle distributors get overshadowed by their neighboring competitors.

Pad Kee Mao from Chill Out Cafe. Photo by Jenny Sklar.

Pad Kee Mao from Chill Out Cafe. Photo by Jenny Sklar.

One such restaurant is Chill Out Café (729 Burdette St.). This Maple Street restaurant serves up Asian fusion and breakfast cuisine. The combo sounds odd but is actually genius. For starters, it opens up the restaurant to many folks who are not too fond of ethnic cuisine, giving diners the option to stick with familiar American flavors, while allowing their dates to try something a little more foreign. Moreover, it is an awesome way to cure the inevitable black hole syndrome that comes along with many people’s hangovers. What better way to coat your stomach than with some maple syrup and coconut milk curry?

But the best things on the menu are their fabulous Thai noodle dishes. Chill Out cooks up some of the best pad see ewe and pad kee mao in the city, and all for under $10. Both of these dishes are composed of wide, rice noodles, vegetables and a meat of your choice. pad see ewe is served with hearty broccoli and carrots and is the sweeter of the two, making it a great choice for people who are new to Thai food. The pad Kee mao is a spicier noodle dish made with chili and aromatic Thai basil, an excellent combo. Both are delicious and super affordable.

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August 23rd 2011

Chicken ‘n’ Waffles: Watch Out, Roscoe

For years, Roscoe’s House of Chicken’ N’ Waffles has been the most notorious restaurant to serve this interesting combo. Unfortunately for Louisianans, Roscoe’s is almost 2,000 miles away in Los Angeles, California.

Chicken n Waffles from Russell's Marina Grill in New Orleans. Photo by Jenny Sklar.

Chicken 'n' Waffles from Russell's Marina Grill in New Orleans. Photo by Jenny Sklar.

I had never had the opportunity to indulge in this odd and alluring delicacy until I discovered Russell’s Chicken and Waffles at Russell’s Marina Grill in Lakeview. This popular breakfast joint is not exactly where you would expect to find this famous dish, but don’t be dissuaded by their more traditional reputation. They serve up an awesome rendition of fried chicken and waffles with a spectacular maple-Dijon dipping sauce.

Unlike Roscoe’s, Russell’s serves their waffles with white meat chicken tenders. Though dark meat on the bone often is more moist and flavorful than white meat, Russell’s cooks up some really delicious (and juicy) chicken fingers that are great on their own and even better on a waffle. They have a nice, crispy fried batter, that is salty enough to achieve the kettle corn-esque salty-sweet dynamic, but not so savory that it clashes with the syrup. The texture of the crispy fried chicken really complements the fluffy waffle, but the best part of the dish is the sauce. The maple syrup inspired sweet and salty dipping sauce has a hint of Dijon mustard and horseradish hiding behind the maple flavor. Together, it is a phenomenal dish and a super filling breakfast.

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August 15th 2011

Say What?

With the summer coming to a close, many people are taking last second road trips to maximize vacation time. Though the swamps and bayous provide gorgeous scenery for these long drives, the food options are somewhat limited. If you’re tired of Cracker Barrel and the usual usual fast-food chains, try something different and give Whataburger a chance.

Whataburger. Photo by Jenny Sklar.

Whataburger. Photo by Jenny Sklar.

This fast-food joint serves up fantastic, slender burgers “just like you like it.” You get to customize all the toppings and condiments on your Whataburger, and even choose what kind of bread it comes on. They carry buns, Texas Toast, and even wheat bread—pretty healthy for a fast food chain. Your customized patty gets a little less healthy with the bacon and cheese add-ons, but the grilled onions and jalapeños add some flavor without the calorie calculator working overtime.

Then again, if you’re health conscious, you’re likely not going for fast-food burgers. Between this and the rest of the drive-thrus that line the American roadsides, this is the winner for the best-tasting burger to come through a window—certainly in this part of the country. Their burger is the closest thing I’ve found to California’s famed In-N-Out Burger in the South. The flattened patty complete with a slightly crispy outer layer goes perfectly with the melted cheese and grilled onions. If you have ever wanted to try an In-N-Out burger “Animal Style,” order up a Whataburger with all the condiments and add- ons. The similarities are uncanny. It may not be as cheap as other fast-food chains and not as tasty as the burger you’d get in a restaurant, but Whataburger is a great compromise between the two.

Unfortunately Whataburger does not have any locations in New Orleans; you’ve got to go on a road trip to get one. The closest are outside of Baton Rouge and Gulfport.

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August 10th 2011

Rice Behind Bars

You don’t have to go to a Chinese restaurant to find delicious fried rice. Instead of paying $8 to $12 for a plate of shrimp fried rice at a sit-down restaurant, you can get a Styrofoam box full of this scrumptious dish for under $3 at many corner stores around the city.

By Jenny Sklar

Though I often brag about convenient store fare, many offer the lackluster cuisine you’d expect. I have spent years doing the dirty work researching the hidden gems and throwing out the trash, and before you head to one of the less desirable locations, check out Vicky’s Supermarket on Magazine Street at General Pershing.

Don’t let the barred windows scare you away. They cook up some incredible food, and it’s so affordable it’s practically free! Vicky’s serves three different types of fried rice: shrimp, chicken and ham, all fresh when you order it. Unlike many other corner stores, nothing sits in a warmer or on a hot plate. The quality of the ingredients is only marginally better at restaurants, and the size of the shrimp is the only really noticeable difference. Vicky’s adds a good amount of egg and vegetables to their rice, making it a filling and more nutritious entree or side.

One of my favorite aspects of Vicky’s is its fried rice/french fry option. Instead of getting your sandwich, burger, or po-boy with fries, you can substitute fried rice for the same price. Though hot sausage and fried rice may sound like a strange combo, it can really hit the spot.

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August 5th 2011

Caribbean Carry-Out

Although many think of New Orleans as the northernmost city of the Caribbean, there is a surprisingly small number of Caribbean restaurants in town.  If you’ve got a hankering for some authentic Caribbean cuisine look no further than Coco Hut on Bayou Road. It is hard to miss this tiny restaurant with the giant BBQ pit stationed right out front on the sidewalk. As soon as you smell the spicy, smoky aroma billowing out of the pit, you know they mean business.

Though they carry many interesting delicacies like goat and oxtail, Coco Hut’s number one seller is their jerk chicken. This super blackened chicken is marinated in a sauce made of habanero peppers, giving even the “mild” version of this dish a bit of a kick. But if you like spicy food, definitely order the spicier version. This habanera dish is unique, as you can detect more than just the spice in its’ seasoning. The chicken simultaneously creates a “mouth on fire” sensation, while maintaining its more complex smoky chard flavor and fragrance, a balance which is hard to strike with such a spicy pepper. Unlike the jerk chicken most people know and love, this version of the dish is missing that sweet tanginess found in most jerk BBQ sauce, making the spice even more intense, so beware.

The jerk chicken plate comes with traditional Caribbean rice and beans, smashed and fried plantains, a side of cabbage and a small salad, all for $8.50. Everything is made to order in their tight kitchen space behind the register. Their portions are huge, so you’ll definitely be leaving with leftovers, which is no problem since their food is served in to-go boxes.

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