Guess that Dish - 7th Ward Style

Congrats to Scott Kushner. Last weeks lucky winner. What a man!

Random thought of the day: I am constantly over eating and eating too fast...and I think, how can I slow myself down? I have the solution: miniature silverware...I ate a meal the other night with a lobster fork & it really helped. Chop sticks also help slow me down.

Last week's featured restaurant was Sylvain which is truly something special. It can be done with Value in mind but can get out of control fast. Unbelievable atmosphere. BIG FAN!

This week is all about guessing both the restaurants and dishes featured. And, we're off....

Clues for Photo #1 - I bet you didn't know this uptown restaurant does brunch on Sundays... Oh and did I mention they do Happy Hour all day Sunday. Frozen mimosas (made with orange sherbet) are amazing.

Clues for Photo #2 - Same spot. Photo gives away the restaurant, but can you GTD?

Clues for Photo #3 - New french quarter restaurant to the NOLA scene. Value is not associated with this place, but can you say SPLURGE OF THE WEEK. Unbelievably cool and progressive atmosphere.

Ok - bring it on! And for bonus points, email me what ward each restaurant is located in...

BBQ in the Bywater

Nothing could be better than getting a bunch of good people together for an afternoon BBQ. Even if it's 90 degrees & super humid. And even better than a regular BBQ, is a BBQ with a bunch of local New Orleans chefs who absolutely know what they are doing! Well, this is what I was lucky enough to attend yesterday!

You may be asking yourself, what is that shelter /bunker pictured above? That's no bunker. It's a hand built slow-cooker built for slow cooking a large piece of meat.

Pictured above is a whole lamb provided and cooked by Two Run Farm. The lamb was placed on a spit at 2 pm Sunday afternoon and cooked for 6 hours! You would not believe the aroma this lamb & slow-cooker produced.

Most of the attendees of this Sunday BBQ, brought a dish to share with the group. Classic potluck. There was salsa, guacamole, cucumber salad, macaroni salad, green bean salad, and much more. The spread was one of the best I have ever seen. There was a keg of Abita and an amazing strawberry & watermelon liquor drink that was topped off fresh spritzer. Perfect for cooling us all down on this horrible July day.

And then GOD said, "let there be burgers!" Oh Yeah! These patties were just like I like 'em - thick. This made me rethink my philosophy on BBQ's. The proper BBQ should have two meats cooking:

(Attack the menu from two angles)

1)Fast meat (ie. burgers) that can be ready in a flash to prevent the group from getting hungry

2) A low and slow meat that keeps the group excited for what's still to come.

ValueNola approves of absolutely everything involved with this BBQ. Great job Two Run Farm! This Sunday get together made me want to say " Goodbye Uptown, Hello Bywater!"

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).

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!