New Orleans, Day 1

After the ups and downs of hurricane Sandy, we arrived in New Orleans a little less than 24 hours after we had originally intended. Nevermind that, it was Halloween, it was our anniversary, and we were ready to celebrate. We got our first Sazerac at Hermes Bar. Hermes, as far as I can tell, doesn't have much going for it. The drinks they have on their cocktail list are all cloyingly sweet, and I've not heard good things about their food. But they make a good Sazerac. We had dinner at Herbsaint, in the Central Business District. We were very impressed by the appearance. It was nice and formal, but didn't seem stuffy. I was glad I dressed in slacks and and long-sleeve shirt. At Herbsaint we ordered the lamb neck and the duck leg confit. Both were excellent. The duck leg confit had a nice crust and good tenderness. Their cocktails were good, and overall we had a great experience here. We went out for Halloween after that, and none of the places we went were very memorable.

Quote of the Day

Apropos of my thoughts earlier:

I would argue the other way. The problem with art is that it can fool us into forgetting that we are mortal, flesh-and-blood creatures. The culinary arts, on the other hand, remind us that we are creatures of bone and guts, even as they delight us with creations no other animal could ever produce. Fine food is about the aesthetic of the immanent, not the transcendent. A mouthful of Frantzén’s diver scallops, truffle purée and bouillons transports you to heaven while never letting you forget it is a perishable place on Earth. Through experiences like these you come to know the potential intensity of being alive, what it means, as Thoreau recommended, to suck out all the marrow of life.

From Julian Baggini.

Small Plates: 10.15.12

Small Plates: 10.12.12

Bari Bari, a "European-style restaurant," is coming to 14th and R. [PoP]

Talk about spiking: Spike Mendelson is creating recipes for Captain Morgan rum. [Washingtonian]

The replacement for Town & Country, Edgar, coming soon to Mayflower Hotel. [PoP]

Radius, Mt. Pleasant's pizza joint, should be coming back next week. [Eater]

Small Plates: 10.11.12

Screwed over employees try unique ways to get money back from Chef Donna. [WaPo]

Daily Grill has a new happy hour menu. It looks fantastic, and reasonably priced. [Young & Hungry]

Maddy's Taproom opened Monday. It's got 40 beers and Tex-Mex food. [Borderstan]

The Coupe began 24 hour service last night. Good luck to them; hope it works out. [Eater]

Small Plates: 10.10.12

Yet another brewpub! Bardo is making plans to come to Bladensburg Rd, NE. [PoP]

After DC releases new regulations, food truck drivers worry they may have too few spaces. [WaPo]

Aaron Silverman, alum of Momofuku Noodle Bar, to open Rose's Luxury next year. [Young & Hungry]

The Coupe, from the owners of Tryst, is now soft-opened in Columbia Heights. [Washingtonian]

Sorry about the dearth of posting, I had computer issues. Also, I warned about the use of Mobile Roadway Vending locations to strangle food trucks here.

Small Plates: 10.05.12

Brewpub "Right Proper" will be coming to Shaw, specializing in funky beers. [Young & Hungry]

Cava Grill opened yesterday in Tenleytown, giving them a sorely needed option for lunch. [PoP]

Gina Chersevani's Buffalo & Bergen will be offering Jamie Leeds' knishes. [Washingtonian]

Daily Grill recently got a renovation and a new happy hour menu. [PoP]