The Cheapest Gourmet Lunch near the CBD

Downtown workers & New Orleaniens in general should be pumped about the recent addition of Rouses to the Warehouse District. It is a beautiful store that draws many parallels to Whole Foods. The design is creative and contemporary.

The produce looked amazing, the liquor selection was immense, and the prepared foods / hot plates had a line 20 people deep. I saw fried chicken, a dynamic olive bar, and make your own sandwiches.

It was exciting to walk through this store for the first times. Employees were very friendly and the facility was spotless. There was so much activity all around the store. There was even a lady dressed up as the chiquita banana.

With the South Market District breaking ground soon, the warehouse district is sure to be one of the top places to be in the 504 for many years to come.

*Helpful tip, there is a parking lot on the Loyola Street side of the facility. There is an outdoor lot along with 2nd and 3rd floor parking above the store.

Name that Po-Boy!

Slop or Heaven?

You be the judge?

Where am I?

Any Guesses?

Small Oysters from Luke to Report!!!

John Besh puts on a great happy hour, no doubt. Domenica, Luke, and American Sector all have great drink and food specials from 4:30-6 pm daily. But recently i went to take part in a Luke Happy Hour where it was half off drinks & 50 cent oysters and left very disappointed. The picture below shows an example of the oysters the Luke shuckers were putting out. I must have eaten five or so oysters that were the size of a dime. What's more, My mint julep was 80% ice. They do have great ice at Luke but when i order a cocktail, i am not looking for a head freeze. I just couldn't believe the shuckers would let oysters that pathetic reach a customers table.

What is even worse, is that i sent back one of the "dime" oysters and the waitress that was already doing a bad job looked at me like i had two noses. She tried to tell my client and i that Luke didnt have Oyster forks...what up with that?

Most of the oysters this time of year are of a decent size. If Luke wants to keep putting on an oyster happy hour with these oysters, they may want to try $0.13 oysters.

Disappointing.

Last Week's Food Related Activities

I spent Tuesday night of last week pickling cucumbers, carrots, ginger, green beans, garlic, and chile's. Some of the brine is actually infused with vietnamese pho broth.

Woke up Sunday morning at 4:45 AM to go fishing in Hopedale, LA which is only about an hour drive from New Orleans: 40 speckled trout, 20 redfish, 4 bullreds, 1 bass, 1 black drum, and a few sheepshead. Definitely a fisherman's paradise!

Podnuh's BBQ in Baton Rouge is the single best BBQ restaurant i have been to in Louisiana. The value is superb and the staff is very friendly. Huge meal for less than $7 is a must!