Well I'll be dipped...

I am a bit fanatical when it comes to anything Disney. I love the movies, the characters and the theme parks. Disney paraphernalia is dotted all throughout my house. In the kitchen alone you'll find Alice in Wonderland S&P shakers, a "villain-ness" cookie jar featuring Ursula, Maleficent and the Evil Queen from Snow White and several refrigerator magnets, my favorite being the Grim Grinning Ghosts from the Haunted House ride at Disneyland. So, given this personal information, it's easy to understand why a Disney freak like myself would be willing to spend upwards of $15 or more for only eight chocolate-covered pretzels shaped like everyone's favorite mouse.

What I won't do (again), however, is spend that same $15 at a local shop that claims it makes "the best chocolate treats in town" when all they do is take cheap, store-bought items like graham crackers or Oreo Cookies, dip them in chocolate and then charge almost 50 cents per cookie.  I can buy a whole box (eight) of chocolate dipped Oreo's at Walgreens for under $2!

On top of that insult, if you travel only a few blocks away, you'll discover real chocolatiers like Blue Frog or Sucre who both offer original and unique chocolates that are well worth the extra dough!

"Dip me once, shame on you - dip me twice, shame on me!" I won't be dipped again...

MiLa's perfect prix fixe...

A magical, French, eight-letter phrase has enabled this dirt-poor, wannabe local to enjoy some of the finest cuisine New Orleans has to offer. It's a phrase that I listen for, wait for and yearn for on a weekly basis in hopes that, yet again, I can set my taste buds a-flutter at a fraction of the cost.  That phrase, my friends, is prix fixe.

Naturally, there are prix fixe menus around town that still cost an arm and a leg, but every so often you will find one that is so perfect and affordable, a "special" prix fixe menu, you simply can't pass it up. Such was the case with my most recent meal at MiLa Restaurant. For my 82nd cheat (down 79 pounds), I enjoyed a fabulous, three-course lunch for only $20!

My friend Casey joined John and I at the elegant restaurant located on the corner of Baronne and Common Street in the CBD for a leisurely afternoon lunch. The dining room was absolutely gorgeous with deep blues and warm golden yellows and (my favorite) an array of dropped ceiling lights covered in drum shades of varying sizes. It was like being inside a very modern and sleek work of art. We were seated immediately, without reservations, at a table next to a tall, sheer-shaded window looking out onto Baronne Street. Right away, I knew I wanted to start with another lunchtime special offered by MiLa, a $3 vodka martini, a desire echoed by Casey and John.

Prepared to select from the prix fixe menu, John and I placed our order strategically so that together, we could try everything offered...but Casey went her own way and ordered from the regular menu. Before we were able to have a few sips of our cocktails, one of our servers arrived (it seemed we had three) and whisked out a basket of warm, sweet potato rolls and thin, wedges of cornbread served with fresh, sweet cream butter topped with sea salt and a pureed lima bean paste. Everything was declared delicious, even for Casey and John who both claim to dislike sweet potato.

For his first course, John selected the organic green salad with sunflower seeds, crumbled feta cheese and a lemon vinaigrette. About halfway finished, John shook his head in disbelief and said "I think this is the best salad I've ever eaten in my life!"  I chose the Root Vegetable soup which was light and creamy with a dollop of sweet crab in the center and topped with brioche croutons. Before it could be stolen away, I let John wipe up the last drops of my soup with his bread, much to the chagrin of the maitre d' who actually had the nerve to roll his eyes at me when I asked him to put the bowl down. Fortunately, his snooty attitude was the only minus in a lunch chock-full of pluses.

We oohed a bit when Casey got her entree, Fried Rabbit Tenderloin with brussel sprouts and roasted mushrooms. She kindly shared out bites of the crispy coated, juicy rabbit, though after tasting it, I would have been reluctant to let any of it go if I were in her shoes. John made quick work of his dish, a perfectly sauteed flounder fillet with a delicious, buttery lobster sauce and he helped me to finish mine, Braised Veal Cheeks served atop buttermilk spätzle.

Now, in all honesty, this was my first foray into veal cheeks and as well as spätzle, so I wasn't positive about what to expect. As it turns out, the incredibly tender, richly flavored meat fell apart at the lightest touch of my fork and the spätzle, almost the texture of gnocchi, was slipping about in a decadent, dark red sauce that had me smacking my lips.

We finished off our lunch with both of the desserts offered on the prix fixe menu. John had the Vanilla Bean Rice Pudding with rum-soaked raisins and I selected the Frozen Louisiana Yogurt with fresh strawberries and almond streusel (or "crumblies" as I like to call them). Both were light and refreshing, perfect for the season, but the big surprise for me was the pudding. I've never really enjoyed rice pudding, something about the texture always threw me off, but this was really wonderful and creamy. John favored me with glares every time I snuck another spoonful from his bowl, but I couldn't help myself!

I'll be keeping a lookout for the next fantastic deal from MiLa, maybe they'll to an affordable prix fixe for dinner? A poor girl can dream...

*By the way, just to illustrate how "small town" this city can feel at times, I saw one of our cool servers from MiLa the other night while waiting for the streetcar on Canal. He was strolling by in jeans and a t-shirt and it took me a moment to recognize him. I don't think he saw me, but just seeing him made me smile and remember my awesome lunch!

Pleasurable public transportation: It's not an oxymoron, it's the St. Charles Streetcar

I've never been a big fan of public transportation. Some of the most haunting memories of my childhood involve a frantic, sweaty race to the bus stop, a mere three blocks from my house, and helplessly watching the bus pull away from the curb just as I came within inches of the door. I still see the bus driver's face, a bitter, older woman who would yell at us for the slightest wrong and (seemingly) leave stragglers behind on purpose, getting a cheap thrill from making kids cry. Oh and the smell! Unwashed bodies pressed together, armpits in your face, terrible body odor and truly bad breath are also excellent reasons to stay off the bus.

I realize there are a tons of great reasons to use public transportation as well; it's inexpensive, good for the environment, reduces traffic levels, it's relatively safe and you get to be a passenger all the time, avoiding the stress of driving in traffic. But I just could never really enjoy it, if you get my drift. That is, I couldn't until I started using the St. Charles Streetcar.

Ever since our car died, John and I have employed the streetcar to get around and for the first time in my life, I actually revel in this classic and historic form of transport. Yes, you still get the strange odors, press of bodies and times when you miss the dark green streetcar by a hair, but it all washes away in the joy of riding slowly down the Avenue under the gorgeous Oak canopy, listening to the animated conversations of excited tourists pointing out their favorite grand mansion as it passes by.

I don't know about you, but after the federal flood when the streets were eerily silent and everyone was inside their homes, behind locked doors after dark -- one of the sounds I missed the most was the rumble of a passing streetcar. It simply wasn't New Orleans without it. It wasn't until the St. Charles Streetcar started running again that I finally felt like the city was really recovering.

Now, I look forward to taking the streetcar downtown. I'm all smiles waiting at the stop and even if we just miss one, we know another will be along in 15 or 20 minutes. I love sitting by the window, letting the warm air blow back my hair and cause my eyes to water. John always teases me, but I love talking to the people from out of town about New Orleans and when they realize I'm local, they ask all kinds of questions...looking for the best place to dine or have a few cocktails. I love the ambling pace and how the drivers will sometimes stop and chat with other drivers coming in the opposite direction, there is no sense of hurry or any frantic pace they have to set.

Just recently when we attended the French Quarter Festival, John and I got some really great shots of people and scenes inside the streetcar on the way downtown. John has a knack for getting sneaky shots of folk without their knowledge, but I think you can get an idea of how wonderful it is to ride! And what about our car, you ask? I don't even miss it...

Birthday wishes...

Last week, John's 27th birthday dawned on Thursday, April 14th. I had hesitantly asked him where he would like to dine for our cheat, my treat of course, preparing myself for the words "Taco Bell" to erupt from his lips, but he surprised me. A large, questioning smile spread across his face as he turned to me and asked, "Can we go back to Patois?"

Momentarily stunned, all I could think to say was "Uh, yeah!"

Both of us had become enamored of the excellent cuisine that could be had at this reasonably priced, comfortable, neighborhood establishment and found any reason we could think of to return. John's birthday just happened to be the perfect excuse. It was my 81st cheat and I am down a grand total loss of 78 pounds, having lost one I had gained last week.

Though John's birthday was on Thursday, we had to wait till Friday to dine at Patois for lunch. We arrived fairly early in the lunch hour and were not surprised to see the restaurant on the corner of Webster and Laurel Streets already bustling. We giggled a bit when we were steered to the exact table we occupied on our last visit and made promises to each other that from now on, we would actually request this little two-top near the small, iron-railed staircase when we inevitably dined at Patios again in the future.

Our server filled our wine glasses with ice cold water while we looked over the menu and decided, rather quickly, what we wanted for lunch. We were brought the same, delicious buttery rolls that were still quite warm and again, we waited till our appetizer arrived before eating them. This time, we chose the Moules Frites or steamed mussels and French fries, as we both distinctly remembered drooling over this dish when it arrived at a neighboring table.

The mussels tasted just as good as they looked, perhaps even better, steamed in a rich, garlicky Creole tomato broth that we sopped up with our rolls. We also stealthily scooped out every last, sauce-laden French fry from the bottom of the bowl and considered slurping it up like soup before our entrees arrived.

Though it was one of the most expensive dishes on the menu, I couldn't resist ordering the Almond Crusted Gulf Fish. The thick, white fish fillet arrived in all it's golden-fried glory atop potato galettes and buttered green beans surrounded by the most fabulous tasting lemony, buttery meuniere sauce that the waitress caught me sucking off of my fingertip.

John ordered the Patois Burger dressed with thick slices of smoky bacon, creamy bleu cheese and red onion marmalade. Though it was an excellent hamburger (you know I had a bite), John could only finish half of it, so we boxed the rest to take home. I had no such difficulty with my fish...

Even though John was stuffed, I couldn't leave without ordering dessert. I tried to choose something on the lighter side in order to induce my satiated boyfriend to try a few bites. I opted for the Berry Shortcake that turned out to be what tasted and felt like a split, sugar-topped scone filled with mascarpone cheese and assorted berries that had been steeped in a blood orange reduction. It was fantastic! Although I couldn't finish all of the cake, I scraped off all the berries and cheese while we waited for the check.

Though I thoroughly enjoyed my meal, this particular outing was all about John and I was thrilled to see that he was just as pleased as I was. Happy Birthday, my love!