Josh does not plan a vacation where one sits on the beach or in some courtyard and one drinks until they can't feel their legs. Josh plans very nice vacations where one walks until they can't feel their legs. He made us a schedule and we sort of stuck to it. I wanted to share some highlights. --other than being with him. We are that cute. See?
Saturday
We got into New Orleans on Saturday night. Bex (BFF from kindergarten) picked us up. Dropped things off at her house.
O! Vegasm for dinner. Really yummy New Orleans inspired greasy spoon in the back of a dive bar. The food was greasier than we typically eat. But I'd be fine if that was all we ate the whole trip. The
Vegasmic BBQ Sandwich was slamming. The fried pickles were a little too greasy and uninspired. The Cole Slaw was rocking the vegan mayo yummyness. Josh got the Jackfruit Rueben on Rye. I've never had Jackfruit before and I can't for sure say that I could tell you about the Jackfruit particularly, but overall the sandwich was tasty. Bex went with the O! Vegasm! Jambalaya and the vegan andouille sausage was something special. St Roch Tavern which host O! Vegasm was a fine little dive bar. They serve beers in plastic cups, which normally isn't my thing, but in NOLA you can take your drinks to go. Walking by a cop drinking a beer out of a plastic cup, so intense. Onward to Frenchman St. stopped in The Spotted Cat to see a Panorama Jazz Band (klezmer band) that Bex likes. She was spot on. And she was also spot on in an Improv show we went to.
Sunday
Took the street car to the Botanical Gardens. It was crazy busy because everyone else was trying to get to Jazz Fest. The Gardens were nice and peaceful after a hectic street car ride. Followed by brunch at the
Canal Street Bistro. I went with the breakfast burrito, tasty. Josh got the
Quinoa & Black Bean Salad and also reported back in the affirmative. Less greasy than O!Vegasm, but less "New Orleans"-ie? But definitely a good vegan breakfast option in NOLA. Afterward we wondered all around the French Quarter. Got some good deals at the flea market on gifts and sun glasses. Stopped by Pat O'Briens for some happy hour drinks on the patio. Very nice. The group of 8 next to us ordered the 3 gallon Hurricane, ridiculous. Pictures in the back right. I went with a modest (strong) mint julep. Pictured on the very far left.
For dinner we went to Moon Wok where we shared a Tofu Po Boy (Banh Mi) ($3!) and some vegetable dish (not particularly thrilling... what was it?). After dinner we met up with Bex to see a murder mystery play, inspired by radio drama, that was also very good! Shadow Box Theatre.
Monday
With Bex, Stella (my favorite dog to date), and Josh we walked to Surrey's Cafe for breakfast. My first experience of Migas. Good, but not fantastic. The grits a little salty. Josh got some tofu stir fry typical un-breakfast vegan food. Bex's breakfast burrito looked huge. I was a little jealous. Onto the street car. Stopped by the famous Cafe Du Monde for beignets, they don't really have vegan food. Then went on 2 historic house tours in the French Quarter. Interesting. I sort of really like that type of thing. Met up with Bex's friend Doc on the ferry to Algiers point. We bar hopped to 2 local bars and a snowball stand. The Old Point Bar was particularly well liked by Josh, however they ran out of the beer I wanted on tap. Doc was a great tour guide. For dinner we went to a little Vietnamese place by Bex's place on Magazine Street. They served up yummy, seemingly not too greasy food. Afterward we check into bed.
Tuesday
Went to Bex's restaurant for breakfast. Then off to explore Audubon park and the Fly. Checked out the Crescent City farmer's market. Liked it. Went to Jazmine for more Tofu Banh Mi. Good, but not remarkable. The air-conditioning was the most remarkable part after walking around the park all morning. Had a mid day coffee with Bex. Then off to the French Quarter for some African food at Bennachin. The appetizer Akara/blaked Eyed Pea Fritters were amazing and the tomato sauce they came with oh boy. The rest of the meal was a bit of a let down (especially for the price).
It was African food, not Ethiopian food. The main dishes were less stew like? Served with rice, not yummy injera. Stick to country specific restaurants next time? Then across town to Oak Street. We wanted to go to the Maple Leaf Bar, but they were charging $20 cover, so we passed. Went to Snake and Jake's. Low Key, smokey bar. Didn't make a proper whiskey sour, but did give us the Happy Hour price on well drinks even though it was 3 minutes after happy hour was over. It was the right choice.
Wednesday
Went to Juan's Flying Burrito for breakfast/lunch. Very satisfying! Also super cute and fairly cheap. Josh got the Super Green (A grilled mixed vegetable burrito, with green chile, spinach, onion, peppers, broccoli, jalapenos, mushroom, avocado and salsa wrapped in a lightly grilled spinach tortilla with or without dairy). It had his name all over it. I went with a wet burrito.
After lunch we got poured on on our way to NOMA for free Wednesday. Josh likes very different art than me. After the Museum we went to free Jazz at Lafayette Square/ YLC Wednesday at the Square. It was fun. Very festive atmosphere. I didn't price out a drink, maybe I should of? But the food was not veg friendly. After listening to some Jazz and doing some dancing we made our way over to for some New Orleans style Vegan food at Carmo. The server was extremely delightful. Splurged and got the soup of the day - Gumbo, extremely unimpressive. Our meals were amazing! It was just the opposite of the experience at Bennachin. I got the Rico and Josh got something off the daily menu!
Thursday
Woke up. One final breakfast at Slim's Goodies. Great end to a wonderful vacation. Bex took us to the airport and we were on our way back to Pittsburgh.
Then the big question, so what was the best thing you ate dolly? I really liked the Banh Mi at Moon Wok, but I was a little drunk when I ate it. Does that count? Because I'm a sucker for all things BBQ, I might have to go with the BBQ sandwich at O!Vegasm.
I'm pretty inspired by the food I ate. I've made Red Beans and Rice via FFVK, Banh Mi, and Burritos this past week. I want to do Gumbo, Jambalaya, & BBQ. And maybe more sandwiches for the summer time in general.
A recipe for you.
Spicy, creamy, tangy, cilantro goodness/ Vegan "Mayo" for your Banh Mi/ "Sour cream" for your Burrito.
Mix in a blender/ food processor/ with a hand held blender the following.
1 block silken tofu
1/2 tablespoon El Yucateco Green Habanero Hot Sauce (Josh's favorite)
1/2 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 tablespoon tahini
1/2 tablespoon lime juice
a bunch of fresh cilantro
2-3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
Enjoy.
