Friday, July 23, 2010

The Butch Cookbook Update

From Sue Hardesty:

Our cookbook goes to the movies. Appearing in The Perfect Family motion picture, the butch cook book has a cameo scene when the mother (Kathleen Turner) picks up the butch cook book and looks at her pregnant lesbian daughter (Emily Deschanel) for an explanation. The movie is due out this winter. Don’t miss it!

The cookbook is also in a contest. The Huffington Post is running a great contest posted by Rebecca Marx who writes Village Voice’s “Fork In The Road” food blog. We think one of these is way better than the rest -- the butch cook book. Join in the fun and see if you agree. Vote by clicking on the Huffington Post website: Cookbooks You Didn't Know Existed.

1. The slide of the butch cook book should appear (cookbook #4). Vote number 10 (amazing) above the butch cook book slide on the right side of the screen.
2. If you would like to send your top five favorites to your friends, click on Choose Your Top Five Slides.
3. When this screen opens, drag your choices to the open frames.
4. When you have selected your five favorites, click on share.

Please remind all your friends who wish to purchase the butch cook book, the website is www.thebutchcookbook.com Also the butch cook book is on L-Book in Paperback, Audio mp3 and five eBook formats. Or contact us at 541-265-4516



P.S. Free with every purchase of the butch cook book: "The Femme Cook Booklet" has more great recipes from a baker's dozen of your favorite writers and femme partners of butches who appear in the butch cook book. Enjoy great chili from Katherine Forrest, or easy-to-make bread from Ann Bannon. Or fun drinks described by Ellen Hart and Karin Kallmaker. All in all, a great continuation of the butch cook book.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

The Marigny Brasserie

After a meeting at the LGBT Community Center, I decided to stay in the Faubourg Marigny for dinner. On Frenchman is the Marigny Brasserie. Every time I go there, I am wowed by the meal and service. This visit was no exception.

We started with a Pimms Cup and it was wonderfully refreshing. I had the pork grillades and grits with collard greens. Instead of the usual large hunks of meat, they used pulled pork. The grits were nice and creamy and were a nice counterpoint to the spicy meat. I'm not much of greens fan but these were better than edible. My dining companion had a veal with summer vegetables that was the night's special. Amazingly enough, every item from the meat to the squash to the rest of the veggies were cooked perfectly (nothing limp and soggy).

We ended the meal with a chocolate torte with blueberries. Dense and delicious.

The waitress was funny and helpful and was quick to provide refills without interrupting our conversation.

I very heartily recommend stopping by for lunch or dinner.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Pascale's Manale

Within walking distance of my house is a fabulous place that serves 'the original bbq shrimp.' I don't know whether that's accurate or not, I just know that what they serve at Pascale's Manale is incredible.

I started with the turtle soup and my dining companion with the gumbo. Both full bodied with lots of meat. We then had the BBQ shrimp with a nice bottle of Sauvingon Blanc. You get a bib to keep the mess off, as you have to dehead and peel the shrimp before consuming but the flavor of the sauce is incredible. We used lots of the fresh bread for dunking so not a drop was wasted.

We ended with their bread pudding. It isn't heavy like a lot of them and the rum butter sauce was a lovely addition.

The service is also top notch with staff that are attentive without being obtrusive. Water, tea, bread are quickly refilled and replaced, wine topped off, plates of shrimp shells whisked away as they become full.

If you're looking for a taste of New Orleans in food and service that doesn't break the bank, this is the place to go. It is just a plus for me that I can walk home after the meal.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Stanley Restaurant

On the corner of Jackson Square is Stanley Restaurant where La Madeleine used to be. It is a good place to people watch and to eat one of the best breakfasts in the Quarter. We got there closer to lunchtime but that didn't stop me from ordering breakfast.

I had the Bananas Foster French Toast and, other than the bananas just being sliced over the dish and not flambe'd in brown sugar, it was delicious. The French Toast was both crispy and soft and the added scoop of ice cream was a nice counterpoint.

My lunch companion had the lump crab po-boy and ended up eating the second half without the bread. She really enjoyed the slaw and the flavor of the crab.

Definitely a nice place to stop in after a night of partying and when you want something more than beignets to start the day.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Bywater BBQ

So the first thing I learned when checking this place out is to not order the barbeque at Bywater BBQ. I read that on two blogs and heard it from a good friend and could tell by my nose when there was no smell of smoke outside or inside the place. I can also say, from personal experience, not to order the catfish special either. The fries that came with it were limp and virtually tasteless. The sauce and breading on the catfish were equally bland. The only good thing I had was the praline ice cream from New Orleans Ice Cream company.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Meauxbar Bistro

I went out with a group of friends today for Dining Out for Life. This year had 67 restaurants in the Greater New Orleans area that donated 25% of the day's proceeds to the NO/AIDS Taskforce.

We went to Meauxbar Bistro and it was a very good choice. A small place with an incredibly diverse menu. I had the gazpacho to start and it was one of the best I've ever had--perfectly seasoned and a lovely consistency. I followed that up with their version of Mac and Cheese--Gruyere cheese, truffle oil and a major yum. I exchanged bites of mine with my friends to enjoy the Drum cooked in parchment with curry and coconut milk and the rabbit fricassee. Both were very good with well balanced flavors. I ended the meal with their lemon tart and it was refreshing and delicious.

I definitely would recommend a trip to this bistro. The waitstaff was well informed and attentive, the cocktails were generous, the menu was diverse and the food marvelous.