Hello my writing fiends,
Follow me on my four day New Orleans Food & Wine Experience sojourn discovering the best food and wine in the country in the culinary capital of the world.
If you're looking for a creative palette, may I suggest the magic of New Orleans? A true southern belle, she's endured some of the south's most grueling battles, and still remains a gracious host.
Her elite kitchen kings prepare a carousal of fine foods along a fairytale trail of foie gras and sweetbreads. Even her "place-setting" skyline serves a dome saucer with sky-high tumblers. And while most admire her curvaceous iron-laced balconies, the real beauty is perched high above the rooftops. A swarm of chimneys rise above slated roofs in a family of centuries-old brick facades with faded wall-size ads. The colonies of diving chimney swifts slice the air with the grace of synchronized swimmers. Their gleeful chirps play harmony with the bouncy tunes of the Calliope and distant tolls of St. Louis Cathedral.
A commanding view normally reserved for Europe's prestigious countryside comes alive at the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel. From the room's spacious French Door windows to the seventh floor pool side balcony and observatory, each turn of the compass brings a different story. To the south the Cresent City Connection stands guard over the mighty Mississippi, the St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square hold court on the east side, and the north and west bring a mix of skyscrapers and historic hotels with whispers of street musicians singing jazzy blues.
DAY ONE…
Wednesday May 20
Omni Royal Orleans Rib Room Dinner
Reminiscent of England’s culinary battlegrounds, a battalion of crystal wine glasses, sterling utensils and palace size tables take part in a three hour dining extravaganza. More than 100 people dined on delicacies prepared by the Rib Room's executive chef Anthony Spizale and sipped fine wines from the Trinchero Family Estates where, Barry Weis, a New Orleans native and Trinchero's Vice President of Trade Communication shared some of his early years of imbibing. From sipping $.50 "contractor" happy hour specials at Schwegmann’s Grocery store to the exquisite grapes of Trinchero's Nappa Valley vineyard, Weiss introduced the evening’s six selections.
Chef Anthony and his kitchen mastered a superb five course meal:
Crab, Shrimp and Crawfish Short Stack served with Vista Montone Chardonnay
Chef's Garden lettuce salad paired with Mary's Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc
Herb Poached Louisiana Speckled Trout teamed with the Vista Montone Pinot Noir
Twin Filet Mignon topped with crabmeat & asparagus and Mario's Reserve Meritage
And drum roll please...Chocolate Glazed Chocolate Tart with Terra D'Oro Port
The tart's smooth finish brought memories of mamma's fudge bowl; some of us slipped a portion wrapped in tin foil in our purses for a late night snack.
The Rib Room serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with a wall of windows along Royal Street. A favorite of New Orleans notables and politicians, along with a hot spot for business deals, it is said that the plan for the Superdome was contrived in the basement wine rooms reserved for private parties.
Excellent food, wine and charming conversations about New Orleans memories offered a fitting beginning to the NOWFE royal event.
DAY TWO…
Thursday, May 21, Royal Street Stroll, Monteleone Carousal Bar 60th birthday, and FEASTIVAL.
Celebrating 60 years of spinning around the Monteleone, the Carousal Bar was a creative nook for literary greats Truman Capote, William Faulkner and Tennessee Williams. And for Liberace fans, he was the first to tickle the keys on the resident piano. Join the party and witness a celebratory pyramid of a 1000 cupcakes followed by the Royal Street Stroll.
Check out my blog tomorrow for a roving report of Deb's mischief and mayhem.
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