Ocean Springs.....Eats & Drinks

Why is it that I am always wondering where to eat and where to drink? Human nature? I guess. Ocean Springs has a number of charming restaurants and bars all located conveniently within walking distance downtown.

After some research by J, here are our choices:

Breakfast

Bayview Gourmet

Located on Robinson Street, the Bayview Gourmet menu includes over 20 benedicts, omelets, wraps, gourmet sandwiches, seafood items, salads, homemade soups, and specialty coffees.  I enjoyed the basic breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, grits, and a biscuit. J. dined on an omelet of spinach, cheese, tomatoes, and bacon. Great food. Great service. Cute atmosphere.

Lunch

LuLu’s Corner Cafe

Located on DeSoto Street, the LuLu's menu includes great homemade sandwiches and salads. I had the delicious E.V.: ham and pimento cheesesandwich grilled to perfection. J had the Hoot: grilled chicken, avocado, bacon, & tomato sandwich. Housed in a charming bungalow, I cannot wait to return to LuLu’s.

Happy Hour

The Office

Located on the corner of Washington and Government Streets in a stylishly renovated building, The Office is an upscale pub. Make mine a bloody mary, please!

Dinner

Manhattan Grill

Located on Washington Avenue, Manhattan Grill is a cozy, quaint, and upscale steak and seafood restaurant. Starting in the cozy martini bar, J & I had a round of martinis. The bartender was very friendly and welcoming. Great conversation! From the delicious lightly fried calamari to the fried shrimp over fried green tomatoes, the menu choices were innovative and tasty. J dined on one of the night’s specials-redfish over grit cakes. J & I were happy we stumbled upon this fine dining establish. The service and food selections were outstanding as was the ambience.

Happy Dining Ocean Springs-style, y’all!

To Geaux.....Cups, that is!!!

     This blog entry was inspired by a recent article I read entitled, "One for the Road: The Fine Art of Drinking on the Run" by New Orleanian Julia Reed in the Feb/Mar 2012 issue of my fav Garden & Gun magazine.



King Gator go-cups by Alexa Pulitzer (Bloody Mary bar)


     You see, living in Uptown New Orleans, I am very close to many popular restaurants, bars, and shoppes, so walking with a cocktail in hand is oh-so fashionable and oh-so necessary.
     Whether it be a simple red solo cup immortalized recently in the ever-catchy Toby Keith diddy or a plastic one caught from a Mardi Gras float, go-cups have taken on a mind of their own.
     Whether go-cups are custom-designed or store bought, my go-cups have become a staple for our frequent visitors, revelers, and neighbors. Many are inspired by the season---Halloween, Fall, Christmas, Mardi Gras. They have become an expected "prize" at our home and the talk of many conversations.
     Moving back to NOLA in 2008, I had a signature styrofoam go-cup designed with the fitting words, "to geaux" embossed with a crown.

My own custom-designed "to geaux" cups

     The Urban Dictionary defines "go-cups" in 3 ways:
           1. "a term used in New Orleans to refer to the plastic cups given by bars to patrons so that they may take their drinks off the premises as in to-go drinks at closing time"
           2. "a plastic cup-like vessel used for urination when access to a toilet is impossible" REALLY??? I guess one must "geaux" when they need to "geaux"....LOL!
           3. "a cup used to hold any beverage that one may take with them while they are out and about"

     Here are just a sample of the many special "go-cups" that I have on hand just in case I walk to many close destinations in beautiful Uptown:

Parade Punch

Mardi Gras On the Avenue

Throw Me Something

King Gator

Camp Crisco...Grand Isle to geaux (Camp of Chris & Co)

Cheers Y'all

Alexa Pulitzer Cheers... King Gator

Halloween...BOO Brew

Christmas....iconic streetcar

My own "to geaux"

     So whether it is plastic or styrofoam, the selection of go-cups is endless. In the words of country crooner TK, "Red Solo cup(or let's substitute "to geaux" cup---LOL) I fill you up. Let's have a party!"

     Raise your go-cup.... Cheers y'all !!!

Uptown Acorn Eats {La Crepe Nanou}

     On a cold winter's evening, the warmth and ambiance of La Crepe Nanou is always a welcome treat. La Crepe Nanou is described as " a romantic neighborhood bistro". Located just a few blocks from home, La Crepe Nanou is a destination of J & I.

The facade

     The menu features traditional French fare, crepes, cheese fondue, pate', salads, fresh fish, grilled and roasted meats, signature moules frites, and delicious dessert crepes.

Le menu

     The ambiance is warm and very French. Oooooo la la!

     J & I order our round of drinks- Ketel One vodka martinis. We also select our usual and oh-so delicious appetizer Soupe a la Oignon (onions with crouton and melted cheese) and the signature frites. All are "bon, bon, bon"!

Cheers!

French Onion Soup

Crispy fries

     For the main course, J orders the Crepe Sawmon- salmon, cream cheese, capers served with fresh steamed asparagus. I order the Crepe aux Ecrevisse- sauteed Louisiana crawfish tails in lobster sauce served with potatoes. Both are always excellent choices.

Salmon crepes

Crawfish crepes

     La Crepe Nanou is located in Uptown NOLA @ 1410 Rue Robert.

     La nourriture est toujours delicieuse! L'atmosphere est toujours chaleureaux! C'est l'un nos favoris a la Nouvelle Orleans!
     Translation: The food is always delicious! The atmosphere is always warm! It is one of our NOLA favorites!

J outside La Crepe Nanou

Happy yall alimentaire!

Happy Eating, Y'all!

Brunch at Mr. B's

     Located in the heart of the French Quarter at 201 Rue Royal, one of our favorite brunch spots on Saturdays or Sundays is Mr. B's Bistro.
     On a recent trip to the Quarter to meet BFF LK, J & I started our day with a delightful (as usual) brunch at Mr. B's.

     Mr. B's is famous for its "creole cuisine with focus on regional products".

     We started with a round of spicy and ever tasty bloody mary's (and at only $3.00 each they taste much better).

Cheers!

    Friendly waiters (well-trained and professional) and hospitable staff made our brunch experience so delightful. As the cocktails are brought to the table, a roll of hot french bread also arrives. You really cannot beat the taste and smell of hot french bread. Slathered with butter a la Paula Deen makes it oh-so much better!

J peruses his menu

     For appetizers, we ordered Fried Oysters--- plump Louisiana oysters deep fried & served with jalapeno tartar sauce. They are so delish. We also ordered the Gumbo YaYa--- a rich country-style gumbo made with chicken and andouille sausage.

     For entrees, J, LKK, & I ordered the following:

     I selected the Buffalo Chicken Salad--- "strips of fried chicken glazed with a honey laced hot suace placed atop mixed greens tossed with bleu cheese dressing topped with pickled carrots and crumbled bleu cheese."

      J dined on the Bistro Bacon Burger---" a 10 ounce wood grilled beef tenderloin burger topped with crispy bacon and white cheddar served on a freshly baked onion bun with the usual fixings, served with pommes frites. " Juicy goodness!

    BFF LK chose the Mr. B's Crabcake--- "a pan sauteed jumbo lump crabcake served with classic ravigote sauce". C'est magnificent!

    From Bloody Mary's to French Bread to Salads, Burgers, Seafood, and more, Mr. B's Bistro is high on our list of favorite brunch spots in New Orleans.

   Here are some other great pictures of the wonderful offerings at Mr. B's:

Barbequed Shrimp (My mom's favorite)

Shrimp & Grits, my dinner entree



Fish selection

Dessert menu

Signature bread pudding

    Next time you're in the Quarter, check out Mr. B's Bistro for a delicious brunch. I am a fan, and you will be too.

Happy Eating, y'all!