Eggplant Banh Mi, Rouses Specials = Dinner Idea, Splurge of the Week

A three part installment for the Valuenola crew on this 3rd day of the week aka Hump Day:

1. Splurge of the Week: Poulet Grand-Mere (Herb Roasted Chicken) from Luke is unbelievable. At $19, this entree is on the expensive side for lunch, but great value for dinner.

2. Discovery of the week: Eggplant Banh Mi from Magasin was surprisingly off the hook. I am such a meat lover, but this sandwich was as good as it gets. There was a sweet twist in every bite. Not sure if the eggplant was deep fried, but I would like to tell myself NO.

3. Cooking in? Here is a way to prepare a delicious meal on a budget using the Rouses weekly specials that started today and run through next Tuesday:

- Corn beef Brisket Flats for $2.99 (per pound) are easy to cook in a crockpot & St. Patricks day is right around the corner.

- Green cabbage is $0.37 per pound this week

- Red Potatoes are $0.79 per pound this week

This has all the makings of a hearty and delicious Irish meal.

Have a good Hump Day!

Magasin Vietnamese Cafe Opens Today

I have been waiting 3 years for a good vietnamese restaurant to open up in Uptown and tonight is the grand opening of Magasin Vietnamese Cafe. Located @ 4201 Magazine, this quaint 1,500 sf space has just undergone a total renovation. This space used to be a dirty corner store that was a nuisance to the neighborhood. Now 4201 Magazine is a charming, hip, modern restaurant. Uptown needs good vietnamese and i have high hopes for Owner Kim Hung's first New Orleans venture. Pho's are $7.50 and up. The menu is comprehensive and authentic. See below. I cant wait to try it out!