Initially I was going to chronicle the foods that I ate, day by day and the eateries that supplied them. But...as I got to thinking; I wasn't lucky enough to have exceptional meals at every location, so I figured that I would just highlight the best of the best and leave the worst alone. Seems positive and fair right? Right! Ready? Here we go...
Hear me and hear me now...ARE YOU LISTENING?!?! If you are ever in the area of New Orleans; and happen to be walking to the French Quarter, and you do not got to Ruby Slipper for breakfast, brunch or lunch...realize that you shortchanged yourself; turn right around and go! Now!!!! That is an order! The restaurant is very open and unpretentious, the hostess, the bartenders, the servers and the managers are all very welcoming and extremely happy to be there, and the food was absolutely phenomenal! Combine all of that aforementioned list and the end result is a fantastic dining experience!
I will set the scene: Father's Day, at about 9:45 in the morning; and there was not only a line out the door to get bloody mary's and mimosas, but also a collective 50 or so people waiting to get in; all that were of age had drinks in hand, and were: talking, waiting...commis-erating (of course in the tune of Blink 182's song)...that should tell you right there as to how good this place was. As we put our name in for the table, we requested "first opening" (which gave us the choice of bar, inside or outside), and heard our unfortunate wait time...an hour to an hour and a half. At that point we were pot committed and decided to hang around; all the while knowing that we would be there, just waiting (oh and sweating in the humidity) for the better part of that hour and a half. Thankfully, I had a feeling; you know those feelings you get that you feel from your toes to your nose that a place or a situation is just going to go right? I had that feeling and although my stomach lining was definitely eating itself...we would wait, and it would be worth it.
Finally the hostess bellowed, "Felterbusch; Dr. Felterbusch...party of two!" Of course that isn't my name but it is fun watching people and their reactions when they finally figure out just what I did (thanks BD, you know who you are) and the all knowing smile lights up their face; all the while thinking that I am a huge jackass...but it makes it fun for me, so I don't care. As I gave the crowd a real good "neener neener" just like any mature four year old would do, we followed the hostess into the restaurant where our seats were awaiting our butts.
We sat at the bar, and I don't know if it is just the Southern hospitality in general or that I apparently like being called "hun"; it again hit me that this was going to be an experience. After we gave our drink order to the 55 year old bartender (I feel the need to tell you that he was a dude with a beard and a pot belly that would make Peter Griffin jealous)...I began to ponder if I really do in fact like being called "hun" by the service staff. More on that later...I need to eat!!!! I perused the menu and the specials board and looked up, and wouldn't you know it, Peter Griffin's doppleganger had been replaced by a female that just so happened to look like a mix between Rod Stewart and Roseanne Barr...this place was something else. Oh, and for the record, I liked being called "hun" again. I asked Rod-anne what her favorite dish on the menu was. Now, sometimes there is a pause (which is never good) and that let's me know that the server is just being polite and not wanting to say anything bad about the employer that pays their rent; which I completely understand and appreciate...but it still leaves me in a quandary as to what to order. Thankfully, Ms. Stew-Barr did not even flinch. She said, "the chicken St. Charles is a must; and if you are feeling something sweet, the banana's foster French toast is to die for." Well fine, threaten me with a good time! We may have gotten both, as well as the special of the day and banana, walnut pancakes. Now before you think that once again we are gluttonous pigs...those meals were spread out over two days because we went back! This place was amazing and I am smart enough to know, that when you find a good thing on vacation; go as many times as you can!
The special and the chicken St. Charles both had poached eggs and biscuits. Now, I am not typically a fan of a poached egg because if it is done wrong it sucks; and if it is done right it is mediocre at best...but what the hell, I was going to give it a whirl just because I knew that if the egg was a disappointment, that the biscuit most certainly would not be! The special also had alligator sausage which I was very interested to try. Okay...ready? Set...GO! We dug in. The alligator sausage was just what you would think it would taste like; a little gamey and like it came out of dirty water...which it did...nailed it! The egg was exactly as I thought it would be, so at least I wasn't disappointed. Now here is where things still amaze me...the biscuit! What in the hell do they do down there in NOLA to create the best biscuit ever known to man? I need to know! Most people when they talk about the best biscuit ever respond with the cornerstone of the experience being attributed to the flakiness. Now, I would not disagree with that, but the biscuits here, at Ruby Slipper, were not inherently flaky; but there was just an indescribable tenderness and texture to it. As close to perfect as I have ever had for a biscuit...truly amazing! Then you acccompany the aforementioned biscuit, with the crispiest batter ever on a fried chicken and it will make you want to eat until you pass out. I am not kidding! I ate mine and then the rest of Leasa's and then we still had the French toast to tackle. Never being one to back down from a challenge, (and of course needing something sweet after the savory adventure; in record time we took the French toast down! It was very, very good! It could not hold a candle to the two other plates that we had; but it was amazing to say the least.
I had every intention of eating like a complete, utter, pig when I was in New Orleans (as a matter of fact, I do that on every vacation). If it is at all possible that I can work out or run to start the day, then I absolutely do so; so as to not gain five pounds every 24 hours while on holiday. If I can get a quick three to five mile run in, as well as walk everywhere instead of taking a taxi or the bus; then I can at least have some solace, knowing that if nothing else, I am maintaining the physique that I came with. It is a good way to approach eating in general really; work out to eat, run to eat, bicycle to eat, (seems to be a pattern here) etc... That was absolutely the mantra in NOLA and I don't regret any one bit of it! It was an amazing time and I strongly recommend that everyone go if and when they get the chance. Life is far too short to not get out and see the world...and to experience a new culture via the food available is the way I choose to do it.
Other absolute mentionables for food exploration would be: Cafe du Monde for their world famous beignets! Winks for their buttermilk drops. Felix's for the oysters (the oysters Beinville were my favorite) and the comedy side show; and always...always stop when you hear music. Take a second to watch the locals put their blood, sweat and tears into their side show for your entertainment...they truly are awe inspiring!
Next and final stop in my NOLA experience is: The Butcher...and yes...I may have saved the best for last! Until next time...be safe; spread kindness when you can; and for the love of everything...EAT!!!!
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