Guess that Dish / Restaurant - September Edition

Welcome back friends!

The weather is changing & eating outside has come back into style. I am so glad the summer of 2012 in NOLA is over and fall is here. So, with that in mind, please take a look at the photos and descriptions below. Can you guess that dish or restaurant?

Clues for Photo #1: This is just one of the reasons I have been having chest-pains as of recent. This classic New Orleans spot is right off the avenue. The kicker, Scott Kushner eats here for free until the end of time.

Clues for Photo #2: This New Orleans newcomer is one of the hottest spots on Magazine Street. Great Value! Very diverse menu with something on it for everyone.

Clues for Photo #3: This sandwich was a true monster as you can see. SO GOOD! I had never heard of this bywater restaurant. It is located in an amazing historic building.

That should be enough to feast your eyes on for now. Can you guess any of those spots or dishes? Bring it on!

New BBQ Restaurant on Magazine Street: Saucy's BBQ

There is a new Uptown restaurant located at 4200 Magazine Street. Saucy's BBQ took over the former Ignatius space. The layout and decor is extremely similar if not identical.

I tried Saucy's today for lunch & thought it was ok (77/100). I ordered the grilled chicken plate with smoked beans and spicy cole slaw.

The highlights were the smoked beans and two grilled chicken breasts. The downers were the slaw and two BBQ sauces.

One of the sauces was a traditional BBQ sauce and the other looked like a remoulade style sauce with a cream base. I started dipping my chicken into the smoked beans which was terrific. The smoked beans served as a much better sauce then the two actual bbq sauces.

As you can see, the menu is fairly diverse for a BBQ joint. Personally, I am thrilled to have another great takeout option in the uptown area. I always embrace BYOB restaurants as it definitely helps with keeping cost down at dinner. My lunch plate today, which was very filling, cost $9.72. I will definitely be back.

Small side note: I once ate BBQ every day for an entire year at a place called Bert's BBQ in Austin, TX. I ordered what was known as the Toe Man. Once If I made it to 1000 orders at Bert's, they promised to rename the Toe Man to The Case Man. Burt's burned down in 2007.

Johnny V's enters the Uptown Mix!

Adding to the "golden rectangles" mix of upscale neighborhood bistro's is Johnny V's on Magazine Street. This newly opened restaurant is directly next to Monkey Hill and Southern Runner.

The interior is like nothing I have ever seen uptown. Some may call it interesting while others may say it is a little tacky. Johnny's V's looks to be going for a french quarter courtyard setting which should be romantic and different. The space is definitely unique.

As stated in previous posts, I am not a fan of bistro's. The price to food ratio is no good. Johnny V's is no exception to the bistro theory as you can see from the attached menu photos. I would much rather spend this sort of entree money at Clancy's, Lilette, or Patois.

I was at a table of four and I cant say anyone at my table was overwhelmed with their food. Everything was very salty. This can happen with restaurants in their opening 3-6 months, so I will give Johnny's V's the benefit of the doubt. The menu seems innovative, but the execution was clearly off.

I dont know if I will be back to Johnny V's after my first go around. One thing is for sure, I wont go back on my own nickel & this is not the Splurge of the Week (SOTW).

Mardi Gras 2012

Where is the value @ during Mardi Gras? Easy...Popeyes Famous Fried Chicken.
Tip: Go to the Popeyes on Magazine. The Magazine store is far and away the best Popeyes in the city! And if you ain't ordering spicy, you might as well not order at all.

Other good values on the route include, Beignets from New Orleans Hamburger and Seafood on St. Charles Avenue which can easily be ordered on the way into using there incredible free restroom facility! This can become a Mardi Gras must on a nightly basis. The $2 pitchers @ Reginelli's on Magazine are also very helpful on Lundi Gras!

So i gained five pounds in five days, but it was totally worth it. Thinking about it, the best value of Mardi Gras is the people watching and amazing parades! Both free and very interesting.

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!

NEW TO MAGAZINE: The Daily Grind

Located inside of the historic Henry's Bar (5101 Magazine) is a brand new restaurant / grill called The Daily Grind (TDG). The Daily Grind will be opening it's doors for business this Mardi Gras & will be curing and saving hundreds of hangovers.

(Pictured above is Darren's beef taco = $3 per taco)

Owner & operator, Darren Gogreve prides himself on his fresh ground hamburger meat and homemade grilling sprays. He also features a vietnamese style Bahn Mi bun for many of his sandwiches. Burgers average around $8.50 a piece.

Darren is also experimenting with tacos, cheesesteaks, salmon burgers, tater tots, nachos, and other comforting food items. (Salmon burger photo below)

Darren puts a lot of effort and care into everything he makes & is a great guy to shoot the shit with. He decorated the restaurant interior in what can only be described as "Naturally Nawlins."

FYI, I am trying to convince Darren to put a baked potato on the menu as a healthier altnative to french fries, but Darren is not much of a listener when it comes to me. Please mention to him that a baked potato would be a great addition when you visit.

Definitely catch a beer, some video poker, and burger at this fantastic man-hole of a bar.

Food Thought of The Day: Island Food

Most New Orleans residents are well aware of the crazy success The Rum House on Magazine Street has had in it's first two years. There is barely a table open no matter when you try and get in. High schoolers & college students alike love their island inspired menu along with some beach'y drinks.

The founders and owners of the rum house had little experience in the restaurant world before opening on Magazine, BUT what they did have was a great idea. The Rum House fills a serious void in the New Orleans food offerings. They have a definite niche.

I ask you, who are their competitors? Could their location be any better?

So, my thought of the day is someone needs to open up another Caribbean inspired restaurant where the entrees are under $20 and the drinks are fresh, fruity, and cold.

It is time that the rum house gets some competition!