A rainy afternoon at Le Meritage

About a month ago, I got a press release announcing "Start Your Dinner at Noon" promotion at Le Meritage and I screamed aloud in ecstasy. John turned away from his computer to ask what the hell was wrong with me and when he spotted the new lunch prix fixe menu open on my desktop, he smiled at me and asked "So, when are we going?"

The first time we visited Le Meritage, which seems oh so very long ago, was one of those perfect dining experiences that remain permanently etched in our memory, something we continue to measure future meals against. The only difficulty that I could not overcome with this particular restaurant, was that of price. Now I'm not complaining really, I believe that the whole concept is a worthwhile experience, especially for the "wine noobs" like myself. Only, it's something I simply cannot afford to indulge in on a daily basis, or even weekly...monthly? Then I see this new menu offering three courses for $21! Naturally, the wine pairings aren't included in the cost, but still!

Last Friday John and I arrived for lunch rather late, around 2PM, right as a heavy summer rain started to fall.  We sat off to one corner next to the window and it was very private, though there were only two other tables occupied at this late hour. I got so excited about the prix fixe, I asked if I could add another course (cuz I'm a little piggy) and the server was totally accommodating.

Just before John took way too many pictures of the cutlery laying in different patterns on the linen tablecloth, our first courses arrived. John had the Tuna Tartare Napoleon served in a neat cylindrical shape with bright green guacamole on top, a second layer of crisp kernels of corn and finally, a thick layer of seasoned and citrusy raw tuna all balanced on a crispy fried tortilla square. It was paired with a Santa Barbara Chardonnay. I greedily eyed his plate while quickly slurping my own, velvet vichyssoise with a tasty little heap of sweet crab meat in the center. Our server suggested I have California sparkling wine or "blanc de blancs," which was tasty, but bubbly always goes straight to my head.

Good thing my next course was a bit heavier. Along with my soup, it was one of the day's specials and my most favorite crab cake...in the world. Seriously. It's a small tower constructed entirely of jumbo lump crab meat and big, luscious crawfish tails topped with a fresh wedge of avocado. The whole creation is held together by some mysterious force of nature because it is almost entirely devoid of breadcrumbs. You know that ingredient that seems to overwhelm most other crab cakes, thereby making them almost inedible? To me at least...

Being a bit obsessed with salads lately, John's second course was a baby cabbage salad with golden raisins, Parmesan, sliced almonds and truffle vinaigrette. It reminded me of coleslaw, but with a stronger bite and not as much "juice," but still delicious.

For our next course, I actually chose a Malbec, all by myself. The funny thing was, John got the same wine, but when they brought both glasses to the table, one tasted distinctly deeper and more layered than the other. According to the server, they were from the same bottle...was I trippin'? I may never know. Regardless, the good glass was wonderful and paired nicely with our dishes. John had the braised beef short rib and kept mumbling something about sauce as he licked his plate clean and I enjoyed the sauteed puppy drum with a fried green tomato balanced on top. There was also a citrus-laced lima bean succotash that I think I might have enjoyed more than the fish.

At last, it was time for dessert. John had a thick, chocolate "pot de creme" and I had Georgia peaches & cream. As basic as that dessert is, I had never actually eaten it before and I was amazed at it's simplistic fabulousness (yes, that's a word...just go with it). Paired with a rich, syrupy Moscato and a light, fruity Sauternes, they practically felt like two desserts for each of us!

Was it a coincidence that the rain stopped just as we stepped outside after yet another memorable meal at Le Meritage? I don't think so...

Deference to the divine: St. Mary's Assumption Church

A few weeks ago, I had the divine pleasure of attending a wedding at St. Mary's Assumption Church on Josephine Street. A co-worker and friend whom I've known for the past seven years finally tied the knot with his lovely girlfriend, a woman he'd been dating for the past several years. I believe Leigh and Bevin are currently floating around Europe on a cruise ship for their honeymoon - I wish them nothing but the best...

...and the best is how their marriage began. St. Mary's is the most elaborate, most ornate and most awe-inspiring church I have been in since visiting the cathedrals in Paris many years ago.

Built in 1860, this cathedral was constructed for the overwhelming influx of German immigrants into New Orleans. It is also home to the largest shrine built in dedication to the Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, a German priest (and missionary) who died while serving the local congregation. While caring for victims of Yellow Fever, Father Seelos contracted the disease and passed away in 1867. Many years later, he was beatified by Pope John Paul II in April of 2000.

Stepping inside and gawking at the soaring ceilings, huge columns, aged wood pews and glorious altar, I felt a strange sense of familiarity. It wasn't until later while researching the church that I discovered local author, Anne Rice, had actually referred specifically to this church in one of her novels (and my favorite book by her), The Witching Hour. The two main characters in the novel get married at St. Mary's Assumption and Rice is not shy with colorful detail. No wonder it seemed familiar!

One particular detail (among so very many) that caught my eye was this elaborate pulpit that seemed to hover high above the seated guests. To be completely honest, at first I thought it was simply another column, made more embellished by its proximity to the altar. It wasn't until one of the speakers climbed the steps behind it and appeared above the colorful statues that I realized its real purpose.

In 1974, St. Mary's Assumption was dedicated as a National Historic Monument and, as I understand, they often give tours and I think I might just have to check it out. I would love to know more about the cathedral's history, not to mention the massive organ that dates back to 1861...

Feelin' Caribbean at Baru Bistro & Tapas

I've never been on a Caribbean vacation. The closest I've come to warm, tropical water and white, sandy beaches with shady palm trees is Destin...and that was only once. The other day, I was having a serious yen for all things "tropical." I pictured myself with a colorful cocktail in hand, complete with mini umbrella and excessive amounts of fruit, laying around in the balmy shade and picking at tasty finger-foods at an extra-leisurely pace. That's when I decided that John and I should finally visit Baru Bistro & Tapas on the corner of Amelia and Magazine Streets for my 92nd cheat. I gained three pounds from last week (am I giving up?), of course I went anyhow...

Though the corner bistro's interior was dim and cool, I wanted to sit outside. Yes I know there is still roadwork being done on Magazine, but all the boys were eating their lunches in the shade and their machines were quiet. I was all but rubbing my hands together in delight as I pictured the "fruit-tastic" cocktail I was about to order when I spotted a small, paper sign in the window. It is still BYOB at Baru, but this didn't stop the table next to us who picked up some wine on the way over...something to remember next time.

No matter, I really wasn't missing the booze all that much while sipping on a couple of fresh fruit spritzers. We guzzled our way through mango, strawberry and (my favorite) pineapple, but all were delicious. John thought we should just order a whole mess of tapas, and I agreed on the plan, selecting five different dishes to share and saving a spot for dessert.

The special that day just sounded too irresistible to pass up and I am oh-so glad we didn't. The mejinllones en escabeche or cold, marinated mussels were plated in "cake" form with a small dice of mangoes, peppers, chives and cilantro, and served with thick slices of toasted french bread. As we guzzled and scarfed, another plate of "atun tartare" - Yellow fin tuna, creamy avocado and coconut oil -  blessed the table, complete with warm, white corn tortilla chips.

Other diners might have thought the pace of the kitchen was a bit hurried, but we were having no trouble keeping up. The next two dishes, two hot tapas items, arrived just as we crunched the last chip. The croquetas de pascado or white fish potato croquettes were fried to a golden brown and each was nestled in a spicy pool of tartar sauce that reminded me of deviled eggs. The other dish, arepas con lechon, was a marvelous, layered creation featuring a thick, black bean spread sandwiched between two, crispy white cornmeal cakes and topped with a neat pile of pulled, marinated pork and creamy queso fresco. Both dishes had three items per plate and instead of splitting the last one, we had to choose which item we wanted two of. I couldn't resist the fried balls of bliss though and John was happy gobbling down some more of that juicy, pulled pork.

Selected due to it's reputed popularity, I was a little bit nervous about the final dish. But after the first bite of  mazorca - freshly roasted corn kernels of floating in melted "salao" cheese and "pink sauce" and topped off  with crunchy potato sticks - I was sold. For the life of me, I knew not what was in the pink sauce (I want to guess there was palm oil involved), but I had no clue about "salao." It was simply delicious and we had inhaled more than half before our server arrived with the proper utensil for the job, a spoon.

[Side note:   At home, I looked up both Spanish terms. Mazorca, as far as I can tell means "ear of corn," but it is also slang for "smiling from ear to ear" and salao means "salty," but it also means to have terrible luck. Is there a joke I'm missing here?]

It was time to put a cap on our feeding frenzy, even though I was sorely tempted to add the ceviche to our order. Heaving a sigh of relative regret, I chose our dessert, Baru's Quatros Leches cake. An extremely airy version of pound cake was soaked in the usual three; condensed, evaporated and heavy cream. Plus, there was a thick layer of foamed crema for the icing and fanciful drizzles of a fresh berry puree. It was incredibly delicious and is playing a close second to my favorite Tres Leches from Maya's on the other end of town...but on the same street. The only disappointment at Baru came with the check. It just seemed a little too big a bite out of the wallet for an "alcohol-free" tapas experience.

By the way, doesn't it seem like everything is on Magazine these days? Perhaps I need to make a greater effort to branch out.

I can't believe it's finally over...

In case you haven't noticed, I haven't had the opportunity to post as frequently this month for one, overwhelming reason...I had jury duty. Now, for my readers who do not live in Orleans Parish, criminal court jury duty demands that you appear two days out of the week, either Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday, every week for an entire month. That's right, you read me correctly. For the entire month of June, I had to appear at the courthouse on Tulane and Broad at 9 AM (8:30 AM if you want a good parking spot in the Jurors Lot on White Street) every Tuesday and Thursday.

After checking through security, you head into the basement where you sit in a highly air conditioned room with approximately 200 - 300 other people waiting patiently to be picked to serve. A digital display will show a number between 1 and 12 every morning...usually 12. It means that there are 12 courts who may need to select a jury and you, the patient citizen, will wait, sipping coffee until that number reads 0 (zero).

Now you may be thinking, "Well, that doesn't sound so terrible. Once you get selected and serve on a jury, your duty is over...right?" Wrong! After serving, you must return to the "Jury Pool Lounge" and wait till they either call you to sit again on a different case or finally let you go home...for the day. Oh yes, you must return and finish out the rest of the month.

Yes, jury duty in Orleans Parish can be tedious, dull and tiresome. But, I have to admit, I had some interesting events occur as well. First of all, there is an older gentleman who comes in every morning serving treats like mini-pecan pies, fresh pralines and other goodies for a couple of bucks each. Interestingly enough, I discovered in a short conversation with him, that he used to mix drinks at Commander's Palace back in the 60's during his youth...even though at that time, it still wasn't an accepted practice to allow African Americans to make cocktails.

Second, I got to spend a lot of time chatting with Tim McNally, a friend whom I'd worked with before at my previous employment. Tim is a wine enthusiast who (among other things) writes a column for New Orleans Magazine called "Last Call." The hours literally sped by while Tim and I talked about everything from the cost of broken air conditioning systems to the latest episode of Treme. Naturally, we also talked a lot about food...

Since I'd never served before, I was also extremely interested in the whole jury selection process which turned out to be quite an eye-opener. Though I probably should have expected it, I never realized how personal a process it actually was and at times, I felt I was airing my dirty laundry (so to speak) to the entire courtroom. But I see now that it was necessary. After all, there is no way I'd be fit to serve on a case that was, for example, concerning assault with a deadly weapon, if I had been recently the victim of just such a crime.

Regardless of the benefits, educational and otherwise, I am relieved that my duty is finally over. At the end of our service today, we all received the pictured "Certificate of Appreciation" which says:

"On behalf of the citizens of Orleans Parish in recognition of your very substantial, and important contribution to the administration of justice by serving as a juror during the term of June 2011."

I'm holding on to this little beauty, not only for posterity, but just in case I get called again before my two-year interval is up!