Black (and Gold) Friday

1) Shop local today.  You can start by grabbing your ticket to The Truck, the Brewer, and the Blogger II: a pop-up beer dinner at the Tin Roof Brewery in Baton Rouge.  The menu and tickets are available here: http://tbbii.eventbrite.com.  The dinner, on November 29th, supports your local food blogger, local food truck, and local brewery.  It doesn't get better than that!

2) Geaux Tigers!

3) Who Dat?!  The Saints play on Sunday and a perfect way to celebrate the occasion any day of the week is with the Saints inspired cocktail at Whiskey Blue at the base of the W Hotel on Poydras in New Orleans.  The cocktail mixes a delicious anejo (old, or aged) tequila with sambuca to create a color contrast that's kinda black and gold (or Purple and Gold if you want to go today to cheer on the Tigers!).  The bartenders add a few gold flakes to the top just to class up the cocktail even more.  I really enjoyed the beverage when I got to try it earlier this football season.  You wouldn't think tequila and sambuca could be so delicious, but it works!

4) Did I mention to shop local on Black Friday?  Avoid the chains and big box stores.  Support your neighbors!

Ninja Snowballs / Bite and Booze Submit a Flavor Contest: ROUND 4

NAVY BLUE BRACKET (ROUND 4):

Submit Your Flavor Contest - Round 4 from Contrast Films on Vimeo.

Find more information about the Ninja Snowballs/Bite and Booze Submit a Flavor Contest HERE.

Juan's Flying Burrito Creole Taqueria

Way back before the Saints won the Super Bowl (as in the day before), a group of friends I were out on the town in New Orleans and decided to grab some eats and drinks at Juan's Flying Burrito "Creole Taqueria" in the lower Garden District.  Joining me in the debauchery were Daniel "Nunee" Nunes, Brent, Brandon, Celeste, and couple from California (well one was from Nola and the other came from Cali, I think) that invited us to sit at their table with them so we didn't have to wait for a table of our own.  Yeah, it looked like we were in for that kind of night!

Juan's Flying Burrito "Creole Taqueria" on Magazine St. in New Orleans

After settling in at the large booth near the entrance of the restaurant, we found ourselves waiting for service.  When the waiter finally came he told us about their $1.10 Pabst Blue Ribbon drink special, so I promptly order two of them.  Puzzled, the waiter asked if I really wanted two at the same time.  I said yes, I really do, and I'll probably finish both of them before he could return with two more!  Then Brent ordered shots because, well, Brent orders shots.  Being that we were in a "Creole Taqueria," Brent logically concluded that those shots should be Patron.  Oops!

Shot of Patron, Two $1.10 Pabst Blue Ribbons

I was correct about the slow service.  Apparently it is part of the customary charm of Juan's.  They also forgot to bring out our chips and salsa.  It took asking for it 2-3 times before it finally showed up, and then I believe they sent out something on the house because of the mess up.  At least they got that part right!  My memory of the whole things is a little fuzzy because I ordered another double-dose of PBRs and chose to enjoy the company rather than fuss about the service.  At least they acknowledge the slow response times and are aware of it though.  As our waiter very sarcastically pointed out, "we're (Juan's) known for our impeccable service!"

Pork 'n' Slaw Tacos

Several rounds of drinks later our grub finally arrived.  I went with the trio of pork 'n' slaw tacos.  These bad boys came with tender, shredded pork, jack and cheddar cheese, spicy slaw, and salsa fresca for only $6.95.  The wait wasn't short, but to their credit the place was slammed with a lively crowd, and the food turned out to be good and cheap.  We really had a blast interacting with our waiter and the random people that allowed us to join their table.  The tacos themselves were served in hot and chewy flour tortillas that acted as a superb vessel for transporting the tasty pork and slaw from the wax-papered basket to my mouth.  I ate all three tacos and afterwards certainly felt full and satisfied.  I wouldn't hesitate to go back to Juan's again as long as I'm looking for a good time and not in a hurry!  

Things To Do
New Orleans

St. Charles Tavern After the NFC Championship Game

I happened to be in New Orleans this year for both the NFC Championship Game and the Super Bowl.  Surprisingly, I actually remember both of the games and the good times I had.  I guess I'm growing up... a little.  The atmosphere in New Orleans for the NFC Championship Game against the Minnesota Vikings wasn't just electric; it was like nuclear-powered energy flowing through the entire city.  While I didn't get to actually go to the game, I had an amazing time tailgating on Poydras and enjoying the festivities.

Home Sweet Dome

While the day was spent drinking cheap beer, tailgating, eating jambalaya and fried chicken, and general tomfoolery, things settled down when the game came on.  After intense hours of watching a TV outside with static every time a helicopter flew overhead, the game came down to an overtime field goal by Garrett Hartley, and the city erupted into joyous pandemonium!  Below was the scene on Poydras street, just minutes after the field goal split the uprights.  The Saints were going to the Super Bowl!

Party on Poydras

After many more hours of jubulant celebration and following Megan's pom-pom that led use to Bourbon Street, Brandon, Megan, and I eventually wandered back towards Brandon's apartment where we made a stop at a local 24 hour joint: St. Charles Tavern.

St. Charles Tavern

St. Charles Tavern sits in the Lower Garden District of New Orleans, just minutes away from both uptown and downtown locations.  The Tavern was established in 1917 and has been serving breakfast, burgers, and New Orleans' famous poboys ever since. 

Famous Tavern Hash Breakfast

I glanced rather incoherently at the menu and quickly picked out the Famous Tavern Hash Breakfast.  Hey, if it is famous, I might as well try it, right?  The breakfast came with chicken and andouille hash, scrambled eggs, grits, and a biscuit.  Needless to say, I stuffed every bit of that late night snack right now my pie hole, and it all tasted glorious with one exception.  The biscuit truly disappointed me.  It came out already sliced in half, and with an extreme lack of flakiness that makes biscuits so delicious.  As for the hash, wow!  This mixture of potatoes, sausage, chicken, onions, bell peppers, and more was right on.  The hash made me happy on its own, but after throwing in the grits and eggs, I was in gluttonous heaven.  But hey, it's alright, because the Saints were going to the Super Bowl!  Who Dat?!

Super Bowl at Cooter Brown's in Nola! WHO DAT??

Hey!  Anybody remember when the Saints won the Super Bowl?  Well I sure do, although I was pretty hammered when it happened!  It all started at Brandon's apartment in New Orleans where I had a shot of Wakey Whiskey with him before heading to Cooter Brown's with Brent and Daniel.  We were running a little late as we wanted to be there when the doors opened at 11 A.M., but luckily Andrew and Megan were there already to hold a spot down.  We arrived before noon and promptly began chanting Saints cheers and "Put on the game!"  Did I mention that this was about six hours before kickoff?

Cooter Brown's Tavern and Oyster Bar, New Orleans, La

While Brent dealt with his hangover and Daniel drank his water, Andrew and I began sharing pitchers of delicious brew.  I started things off with a pitcher of NOLA Blonde.  NOLA, which is synonymous with New Orleans, Louisiana, in this case stands for the New Orleans Lager and Ale Brewing Company.  NOLA Blonde is a pretty decent American blonde ale with some nice, citrusy hops.  We drank merrily as we downed the pitcher and went back for Andrew's selection.

NOLA Blonde

Before my beer-induced obnoxiousness got too out of control, I decided it would be a good idea to sample some raw oysters.  After all, Cooter Browns is an oyster bar, and I happened to be in New Orleans.  There isn't much better!  These salty, slick, fresh Gulf oysters made me extremely happy as I continued with my pregame preparations: more drinking, of course!

Raw Oysters at Cooter Brown's Tavern and Oyster Bar

The oysters were a true treat.  I mixed up some ketchup, horse radish, Crystal hot sauce, and worcestershire sauce to dip my oysters in.  After dipping them, I placed the mollusks on saltine crackers and then added a special treat.  I placed a few drops of Crown Royal to the oyster and then plunged the entire collection of flavors and textures into my mouth.  It was like heaven on my tongue!  It turns out that whiskey and horseradish are perfect compliments!  Who knew?!

Coonass Special and Cheese Fries

Needing to soak up a little beer for reasons that will soon be disclosed, I went to the food counter and picked out the most famous sandwich that Cooter Brown's offers: the Coonass Special!  This delightful poboy comes with Mrs. Wheat's meat pies, provolone cheese, and gravy, served on French bread.  Meat pies on a sandwich is a great idea, and gravy adds so much more!  Oh, and what's better than cheese fries to help absorb some liquor?

With a little food, Brent's spirits picked back up and he quickly joined Andrew and I in our inebriation.  The two of them had agreed on a menu of drinks to go through, and being a fan of drink menus, I decided to join in.  On the menu were shots of Jager, Patron, and Timberwolf, a glass of Crown and water, and chugging pints of Abita Andygator.  Rough, yes, to a normal man.

Abita Amber

Sticking with Louisiana beer, I had a pitcher of Abita Amber at some point.  I know that because I have a picture of it.  Also consumed before the Super Bowl was a pitcher of NOLA Hopitoulas.  This IPA is brewed with six malts and six hops, then is polished off with some additional dry hopping.  The name comes from a famous street in New Orleans called Tchoupitoulas, and clearly there is a reference to the amazing hops in the beer.  Hoptastic!  We were joined by Brandon, who had been studying since we left his apartment, Amanda, and Katie in time for more drinks... and then... hours later... THE GAME!

Oh yeah, remember when the Saints won the Super Bowl?!  Somehow I was still conscious for the entire game, and the after party!  Go me!  WHO DAT?!

Saints Superbowl Victory Celebration from Cottage Films on Vimeo.

Things To Do
New Orleans