FINAL DAY...CHEERS TO NOWFE

LAST DAY!!!! Saturday, May 24

Wining down and already looking forward to next year. This is my all time best wine/food festival. But don’t know how much the old tummy can handle.

Number one rule…MODERATION. But it’s soooo hard to resist all the temptations.

Skipped the morning seminars saving everything for the Grand Tasting at the Superdome.

Took a ride to Cochon’s Butcher shop and had the Banh Mi, a Vietnamese poboy with head cheese, pork pate and fresh herbs instead of lettuce. The Cuban sandwich is also an excellent choice. Darn should have taken a picture, you can tell I’m slowing down. Go see for yourself at 930 Tchoupitoulas, New Orleans LA 70130 504-588-PORK,
mon-thu 10–10, fr+sat 10-11, sun 10-5901, more info and menu at cochonbutcher.com.

The Grand Tasting was…well…Grand! The event has taken more of an entertainment venue with Bonerama and Andrew Osborne on stage blasting good vibes revving up the huge crowd. Ran into Chef Lazone Randolph with Brennan’s restaurant…always a blast to talk to Lazone. We stood behind the Banana’s Foster (bananas with brown sugar sauce poured over Blue Bell ice cream) and watched hundreds of “fosters” fly off the counter.

Mark Newman (editor of Southern Breeze magazine) joined us, then Lee Froehlich and we had our own private party tapping into the back door of the nearby wine booth. Later a parade passed with Warren Easton Band and it felt like Mardi Gras again. Mini floats with chefs on board threw beads and the party was going into high gear. After the parade the band Bonerama kicked it up a notch.

Time to move on and get dressed for the Le Meritage vinter. Jyl Benson (PR gal pal) was the perfect host. Chef Michael prepares a very refreshing and laid back menu and has just been voted “Chef’s to Watch” by Louisiana Cookin Magazine. I had the house salad with a bouquet style presentation, nothing like I've ever seen, the whole table was talking about it, should have taken a picture. And the Tuna was pure heaven. Very fine job Chef!!!

The weather was great all weekend after predictions of “doomsday” thunder boomers. A group of us took advantage of the beautiful evening and hit the French Quarter bars. Started at Molly’s Irish Pub and had a Guinness…what else?! Then over to Pirates Alley near the St. Louis Cathedral, great patio to people watch, then a nice walk to Jean Lafitte Blacksmith Shop…my all time favorite bar in the Quarter.

It’s Sunday morning, the coffee’s gone, finished the Omni Royal Pralines and watching the chimney swifts playing tag outside my window. God I’m going to miss this place.

Big THANKS to Liz Goliwas and Cary Alden.

CHEERS NOWFE…JOB WELL DONE!!!!