Eat Well Food Mart - Broad & Canal

I get sick of driving to Harahan and Gretna to get vietnamese food. I realize that soon there will be two new vietnamese restaurants on Magazine, but i am always in search of vietnamese food in Orleans Parish.

Recently, through the help of a friend, i found the Eat Well on the North West Corner of Broad & Canal. Yes, across from the Family Dollar. This convenient store is very deceiving. I have observed one family operating this entire operation which is pretty extensive and impressive. The family looks to be of asian decent and each one is extremely friendly. The store is clean and doesn't quite fit the general idea of a convenient store.

The secret is in the rear of the store where the family cooks up delicious vietnamese cuisine. My go to is the chicken vermicelli salad. This tasty entree is plenty of food and only costs $7. Quick tip, add grilled onions. Second quick tip, bring your own cup and choose a drink from their extensive beverage cooler.

There is a small section to eat the food in the shop, but the Eat Well is also a great place to take out. The neighborhood is not the best, but the food well makes up for it.

Try it out!

Vietnamese DIVES

Due to my continued obsession with vietnamese food I am constantly in search of new vietnamese restaurants and cuisine. Most the traditional restaurants like Kim Sun and Pho Tau Bay get old after 5-10 visits. I know, i am husky. This constant eating out and trying to get further out of the box has brought me to more authentic spots for vietnamese cuisine like Tan Dinh and Kim Ahn Noodle House.

But after 40 visits to Tan Dinh, i am ready to start the adventure all over again.

Last week i tried an amazing vietnamese restaurant. Tucked in the exotic and historic Bywater / Marigny neighborhood is the Lost Love Lounge. This hip and happening local bar has comfortable seating, a nice TV, and interesting conversations and people everywhere you look. What is particularly interesting is that in the back of the bar is a dim / quaint vietnamese restaurant.

The prices at the Lost Love Grill were about $1 higher for each item than a traditional vietnamese spot, BUT it was totally worth it. To get a laid back, dark and stormy, bar atmosphere is priceless when the time is right.

All the traditional, made for american, vietnamese dishes were on the menu. The very noticeable chef in the kitchen was most definitely authentic. He had one of those dark Fumanchu beards that he continued to stroke as he tasted the pho broth throughout the night. It reminded me of the sensei in Kill Bill. The springrolls, buns, and pho's were all very tasty and came out fresh and quick. What stood out the most was the guy handling the ordering at the cash register from New Zealand. This guy was fascinating. First of all, how did he end up at the lost love lounge? I dont recall this chaps name but he was extremely friendly and very helpful. I realize this sounds weird, but you will understand once you make to L3.

I hope this post makes you hungry for my next post which will focus on other strange places in the city to find vietnamese.

Oysters and Pearls!

Man, that was one bad mother shucker!

I am happy to report that oyster season is back!

Yes, Cassemento's is officially open for the foreseeable future. Cassemento's, located in the 4300 block of Magazine, is home of 5 time shucking champion, FIVE TIME MIKE.

Other great shuckers in the 504 include Hollywood down at the Acme oyster house & Uptown T over at Pascal's Manale.

My favorite of the three restaurants mentioned above would have to be Cassemento's, but my favorite shucker is definitely Uptown T.

It is important to note that a good oyster shucker is not merely defined by his or her ability to shuck a quick oyster, BUT also the ability to carry on an entertaining conversation during the process with the customers. All three Master Shuckers of NOLA can carry a great conversation and some.

When going to Cassemento's, be sure to go to the bathroom. This trip comes with an epic walk through the kitchen where you can observe the food being cooked. If you look closely, you can see years and years of flavor and love in every pot and pan.

I am glad the months with R's are back again as it not only means great weather, but OYSTERS to go on top!