New Orleans Stuff: April 2008 Archives
Doctor Daisy and I were tweeting about Sacred Heart on St. Charles, when I was reminded of a paragraph from the school's "history" page:
Where to begin in terms of dissecting this oh-so-bigoted paragraph? The only yardstick by which one could argue that the Quarter was "in decline" in the late 19th century would be the one where you measure how many "original Creole" families were still left in the neighborhood. The reason the "established French, Catholic families" bailed from Da Quarters was because the Italians began living there in larger numbers. Just as the French Quarter really became the "Spanish Quarter" after the fire of 1788, by the 1880s, it had become the "Italian Quarter." Our Lady of Victory, located on Rue Chartres next to the Old Ursuline Convent, became known as "St. Mary's Italian" church as the Italian community grew in the area.
The problem with Sacred Heart being in the Quarter was that the young women who went there might have to associate themselves with the Italian boys and girls in the neighborhood, and that disturbed the parents. Better for them to move Uptown, where they would be closer to the folks who lived in the Garden District and Faubourg Bouligny, who were more "their kind."
I never dated any girls from l'Academie, but I did date Holy Angels girls. From where I sit, I'm very glad the French families bailed. :-)
In the late 19th century, the French Quarter was in decline. Most importantly, the established French, Catholic families from the Quarter and Esplanade Ridge, whose daughters were the mainstay of the student body, were moving across town into what was the American sector. In addition, second generation English and Irish families, who were already uptown, were seeking for their daughters a school that provided the same type of education that the religious had been providing downtown. It was therefore no surprise that the religious sought refuge from their deteriorating urban environment and turned their attention upriver. Demographically, the nuns and the city were moving in the same direction.
Where to begin in terms of dissecting this oh-so-bigoted paragraph? The only yardstick by which one could argue that the Quarter was "in decline" in the late 19th century would be the one where you measure how many "original Creole" families were still left in the neighborhood. The reason the "established French, Catholic families" bailed from Da Quarters was because the Italians began living there in larger numbers. Just as the French Quarter really became the "Spanish Quarter" after the fire of 1788, by the 1880s, it had become the "Italian Quarter." Our Lady of Victory, located on Rue Chartres next to the Old Ursuline Convent, became known as "St. Mary's Italian" church as the Italian community grew in the area.
The problem with Sacred Heart being in the Quarter was that the young women who went there might have to associate themselves with the Italian boys and girls in the neighborhood, and that disturbed the parents. Better for them to move Uptown, where they would be closer to the folks who lived in the Garden District and Faubourg Bouligny, who were more "their kind."
I never dated any girls from l'Academie, but I did date Holy Angels girls. From where I sit, I'm very glad the French families bailed. :-)
Since Saintseester went out to her town's AA ballpark yesterday, I thought I'd toss in some local sports trivia that involves both the Saints and baseball.
We got the Zephyrs because, prior to moving to New Orleans, the team was the "Denver Zephyrs." The AAA-club was forced to move because the city had just been awarded a MLB franchise, the Colorado Rockies. The team had to find a new home, and New Orleans was a prime target.
The city's last dalliance with minor league baseball was the last incarnation of the New Orleans Pelicans, a AAA club that played in Da Dome. Problem was, like with the New Orleans Jazz, Da Dome isn't economical to use as a venue for events that don't regularly pull in 40K+ paying customers. The team's bottom line was a disaster, and they went through the whole thing about suburbanites not wanting to go downtown for night games. The team folded, and, at some point, Tom Benson bought the rights to the Pelicans name.
At the same time the Z's were negotiating with the city, Benson had a fit of pique that someone other than him might own a sports franchise in the city. The Z's had some things to iron out, particularly the commitment from the state to build the new ballpark (which was done under the auspices of the Superdome Commission and using the hotel-motel tax). In that timeframe, Benson went out and bought a AA team and announced he was going to move it immediately to New Orleans. Thinking he had squatter's rights on the city, Benson thought it was a done deal.
But that's not how baseball works. If The Show trumped AAA ball in Denver, then AAA ball can trump a AA club in New Orleans. The MLB commissioner refused to approve the Benson deal, because the Z's were the bigger/higher club. Not one for following tradition or really giving a shit about the city, Benson actually sued Major League Baseball. arguing restraint of trade and such. The courts summarily tossed the suit, because The Show has so many exemptions built into the law that the owners can pretty much do whatever the heck they want.
All this led to some serious bad blood between the Benson and the Zephyrs organization. I hesitate to say bad blood between the Saints organization and the Z's, because I don't think the people that work for the old man truly dislike the baseball folks. Still, when the team's move was approved and the deal to build the park was firmed up, the baseball club was hoping to acquire the Pelicans name from Benson. He steadfastly refused, and also proved to be a minor annoyance to the club over the ballpark, because his training facility and team office complex is next door on Airline Dr. When someone pointed out to the baseball folks that the "Zephyr" was the big roller coaster at Pontchartrain Beach, that was it, there was a local connection, and we got our Z's.
Originally, the Zephyrs were affiliated with the Milwaukee Brewers, which is why they started with a blue uniform. That blue became more of an indigo over time, so the teams colors could look like purple-green-gold for carnival. The mutual animosity betwee Benson and the Zephyrs was so bad that the Z's kept their blue colors even when they became part of the Astros farm system. Usually a team will adopt the colors of their MLB club, which is why you have teams like the Iowa Cubs and the Louisville Redbirds. The Z's steadfastly refused to switch to the Astros' livery.
The Astros' colors? Black and Gold.
We got the Zephyrs because, prior to moving to New Orleans, the team was the "Denver Zephyrs." The AAA-club was forced to move because the city had just been awarded a MLB franchise, the Colorado Rockies. The team had to find a new home, and New Orleans was a prime target.
The city's last dalliance with minor league baseball was the last incarnation of the New Orleans Pelicans, a AAA club that played in Da Dome. Problem was, like with the New Orleans Jazz, Da Dome isn't economical to use as a venue for events that don't regularly pull in 40K+ paying customers. The team's bottom line was a disaster, and they went through the whole thing about suburbanites not wanting to go downtown for night games. The team folded, and, at some point, Tom Benson bought the rights to the Pelicans name.
At the same time the Z's were negotiating with the city, Benson had a fit of pique that someone other than him might own a sports franchise in the city. The Z's had some things to iron out, particularly the commitment from the state to build the new ballpark (which was done under the auspices of the Superdome Commission and using the hotel-motel tax). In that timeframe, Benson went out and bought a AA team and announced he was going to move it immediately to New Orleans. Thinking he had squatter's rights on the city, Benson thought it was a done deal.
But that's not how baseball works. If The Show trumped AAA ball in Denver, then AAA ball can trump a AA club in New Orleans. The MLB commissioner refused to approve the Benson deal, because the Z's were the bigger/higher club. Not one for following tradition or really giving a shit about the city, Benson actually sued Major League Baseball. arguing restraint of trade and such. The courts summarily tossed the suit, because The Show has so many exemptions built into the law that the owners can pretty much do whatever the heck they want.
All this led to some serious bad blood between the Benson and the Zephyrs organization. I hesitate to say bad blood between the Saints organization and the Z's, because I don't think the people that work for the old man truly dislike the baseball folks. Still, when the team's move was approved and the deal to build the park was firmed up, the baseball club was hoping to acquire the Pelicans name from Benson. He steadfastly refused, and also proved to be a minor annoyance to the club over the ballpark, because his training facility and team office complex is next door on Airline Dr. When someone pointed out to the baseball folks that the "Zephyr" was the big roller coaster at Pontchartrain Beach, that was it, there was a local connection, and we got our Z's.
Originally, the Zephyrs were affiliated with the Milwaukee Brewers, which is why they started with a blue uniform. That blue became more of an indigo over time, so the teams colors could look like purple-green-gold for carnival. The mutual animosity betwee Benson and the Zephyrs was so bad that the Z's kept their blue colors even when they became part of the Astros farm system. Usually a team will adopt the colors of their MLB club, which is why you have teams like the Iowa Cubs and the Louisville Redbirds. The Z's steadfastly refused to switch to the Astros' livery.
The Astros' colors? Black and Gold.
just noticed that Google Maps still identifies the UNO East Campus (the part from Franklin to the Industrial Canal, more or less) as "Camp Leroy Johnson." It was an army base by that name until the 1960s. I remember going through the unmanned security gates at the Franklin Ave. entrance with my dad as a kid.
Google Maps also identifies the traffic circle at the end of Elysian Fields Ave. by the lake as "Pontchartrain Beach." :-)
Google Maps also identifies the traffic circle at the end of Elysian Fields Ave. by the lake as "Pontchartrain Beach." :-)
Greta "Princess of Positive" Perry of Kiss My Gumbo and YatPundit
After going to Orleans Parish Juvenile Court to pay a two-year old traffic fine for my now-19 year old son (how does an attorney not send you trial notices for a year and a half??), I hung out downtown for the rest of the morning, because I had a lunch date with Greta from Kiss My Gumbo (and nola.com). She was chaperoning a field trip for her son's 6th grade class at House of Blues.
If I may digress for a moment, any of you who have elementary-school-aged kiddos should take a look at Greta's story about the field trip. I had no idea that HoB had that robust an education program. The cost was reasonable, and it sounds like the kids enjoyed the heck out of the morning. the other thing I really like about this sort of outing is that it put a busload of kids from the north shore into Da Quarters for a morning.
Anyway, back to lunch. Since the group was at HoB, I thought this would be a good opportunity to introduce Greta to Napoleon House. It was a lovely day, and fortunately we were able to sit outside on the courtyard. Like many buildings in the Vieux Carre, Napoleon House is built around a central courtyard. I haven't dined outside at NH in years, mainly because the courtyard was their smoking section for a long time. I'm no rabid anti-smoker, but I also don't like being in smoking sections. The smoke and tobacco smell is just too concentrated to properly enjoy a meal.
I ordered my usual, half a muff. Greta had a tuna sandwich that had olives on it. It looked yummy, and has inspired me to do something soon at home with grilled tuna and olive salad. Washing down a muffuletta with an Abita Amber on a gorgeous spring day while chatting up a hottie. I thank goddess for living a charmed life!
Our lunchtime chat focused on two cities, New Orleans and Boston. Sticking to the old Southern rule of not discussing politics, sex, or religion in polite company is often a good idea when someone as liberal as I am is getting to know a conservative blogger. When it comes to politics, there's not much upon which m'lady Princess and I agree. Sex was pretty much off the list of discussion topics, given that her son was in attendance, but we did talk a bit of religion, since both of us were born in metro Boston.
But our New Orleans chatting was a good reality-check for me. I believe in and work for social justice daily, but I refuse to wake up and go to bed angry.
So, I had to go to OP Juvie court to pay a traffic fine for my firstborn. That saga is an epic in itself, but no matter, the deed's done. I'm in the elevator lobby of the 2nd floor of the CDC building on Loyola Ave., downtown. I turn one way and it's all the courtrooms for city court. I see a NOPD Major in the lobby talking to another guy, and I ask them if they could point me to room 210.
I'm wearing my very-crimson Brother Martin High School "band parent" polo shirt today, so the cop points to the shield on the shirt, and says, smiling, "I don't know about helping out someone from Brother Martin."
The jibe had the intended effect, because it took me aback. He immediately started laughing out loud and pointed around the corner to give me directions.
I smiled back and just said, "Friggin Purple Knights."
:-)
I'm wearing my very-crimson Brother Martin High School "band parent" polo shirt today, so the cop points to the shield on the shirt, and says, smiling, "I don't know about helping out someone from Brother Martin."
The jibe had the intended effect, because it took me aback. He immediately started laughing out loud and pointed around the corner to give me directions.
I smiled back and just said, "Friggin Purple Knights."
:-)
When I'm not traveling, I usually do the morning carpool for my son and his friend who lives down the street. They're 8th graders at Brother Martin High School, a Catholic high school with a long tradition of educating young men in New Orleans. On the drive in, one of the interesting post-storm sights we see are school recruiting posters on the neutral grounds of city streets. The posters are trying to draw drivers' attention to new charter schools opening in the city. There are 40 charter schools operating in Orleans Parish this school year, with another seven slated to open next fall.
One series of signs along the road advertise "Sci Academy," the nickname for the New Orleans Science & Mathmetics High School. While there are many critics of the charter school concept, if we use the pre-storm failures of the city's public schools as a baseline, even the charter schools look good. I propose to make lemonade with the charter school lemons and open my own school: The New Orleans High School for Visionary Thinking, better known as Blog Academy.
The notion of a school that focuses on developing math and science skills makes a lot of sense at first glance. Improving the global position of American students in those subjects has been a goal of educators since the Eisenhower administration. In the late 1950s, the fear was that the evil red menace of communism was going to overrun us with slide rule-wielding Russian engineers. Ironically, the engineers and programmers overrunning us now are from the world's largest democracy, India.
We got to the moon. We bankrupted the Soviet economy. Americans invented the Personal Computer. We're always going to be overrun by others in terms of numbers. We need to think not in terms of a new generation of scientists but rather a new generation of visionaries who will then get all those engineers and programmers to work on projects of their creation.
That's where Blog Academy comes in.
Don't worry, we'll come up with a much cooler name for the school, so kids will wear their senior rings and letterman jackets (earned for activities like debate or Academic Games) with pride.
The hallmark of most math/science schools is the notion that the school will eschew athletics in favor of more scholarly extracurricular activities. That way there are no distractions from the mission of producing kids who can pass the Calculus A/B advanced placement test in their senior year. All math, all the time. I'd rather see the kids writing than calculating, frankly. Let's put aside the fact that the developers of Sci Academy's website can't even spell "privilege," since that's not a fair indicator. I want kids reading and writing as much as possible.
The best way to do that is not to make them write essays by hand, but to give them blogs. Each student will be required to participate in at least three writing projects: A personal journal, a daily blog whose content goes beyond that of the personal journal, and a community/team project. The personal journal is the student's first-person narrative. The content blog is where they will write their assignments for class, as well as any comments on politics, sports, lifestyle, celebrity gossip, whatever is on their minds. Team projects will vary, since it's important that these be more grassroots in nature.
All this blogging is going to require technical support. OLPC-style computers will be provided to each student. Tech-savvy kids will be recruited to mentor their classmates. The school will have a data center where servers will be installed and maintained by students. Those who are interested in working on the back-end technology will have ample opportunity to do so. Most likely, their blogs will be filled with geeky goodness as they work out problems with various platforms at various levels. Even the geeks will have to write. They'll get the foundation they need to continue geeking at the college level, including the biology and chemistry that will get them a BS degree. They'll learn the physics behind the electronics they geek with in the data center. And they'll get daily doses of the math that is the foundation of it all.
And the non-geeks will have to learn tech. They'll all learn enough math to at least understand their checking accounts and what carrying a credit card balance at 1.5% a month means. Those that want more will get more.
But they all will read and write. They'll be challenged to think, not to just calculate.
Because we will continue to produce visionaries.
One series of signs along the road advertise "Sci Academy," the nickname for the New Orleans Science & Mathmetics High School. While there are many critics of the charter school concept, if we use the pre-storm failures of the city's public schools as a baseline, even the charter schools look good. I propose to make lemonade with the charter school lemons and open my own school: The New Orleans High School for Visionary Thinking, better known as Blog Academy.
The notion of a school that focuses on developing math and science skills makes a lot of sense at first glance. Improving the global position of American students in those subjects has been a goal of educators since the Eisenhower administration. In the late 1950s, the fear was that the evil red menace of communism was going to overrun us with slide rule-wielding Russian engineers. Ironically, the engineers and programmers overrunning us now are from the world's largest democracy, India.
We got to the moon. We bankrupted the Soviet economy. Americans invented the Personal Computer. We're always going to be overrun by others in terms of numbers. We need to think not in terms of a new generation of scientists but rather a new generation of visionaries who will then get all those engineers and programmers to work on projects of their creation.
That's where Blog Academy comes in.
Don't worry, we'll come up with a much cooler name for the school, so kids will wear their senior rings and letterman jackets (earned for activities like debate or Academic Games) with pride.
The hallmark of most math/science schools is the notion that the school will eschew athletics in favor of more scholarly extracurricular activities. That way there are no distractions from the mission of producing kids who can pass the Calculus A/B advanced placement test in their senior year. All math, all the time. I'd rather see the kids writing than calculating, frankly. Let's put aside the fact that the developers of Sci Academy's website can't even spell "privilege," since that's not a fair indicator. I want kids reading and writing as much as possible.
The best way to do that is not to make them write essays by hand, but to give them blogs. Each student will be required to participate in at least three writing projects: A personal journal, a daily blog whose content goes beyond that of the personal journal, and a community/team project. The personal journal is the student's first-person narrative. The content blog is where they will write their assignments for class, as well as any comments on politics, sports, lifestyle, celebrity gossip, whatever is on their minds. Team projects will vary, since it's important that these be more grassroots in nature.
All this blogging is going to require technical support. OLPC-style computers will be provided to each student. Tech-savvy kids will be recruited to mentor their classmates. The school will have a data center where servers will be installed and maintained by students. Those who are interested in working on the back-end technology will have ample opportunity to do so. Most likely, their blogs will be filled with geeky goodness as they work out problems with various platforms at various levels. Even the geeks will have to write. They'll get the foundation they need to continue geeking at the college level, including the biology and chemistry that will get them a BS degree. They'll learn the physics behind the electronics they geek with in the data center. And they'll get daily doses of the math that is the foundation of it all.
And the non-geeks will have to learn tech. They'll all learn enough math to at least understand their checking accounts and what carrying a credit card balance at 1.5% a month means. Those that want more will get more.
But they all will read and write. They'll be challenged to think, not to just calculate.
Because we will continue to produce visionaries.
I didn't get to do much of FQF this year, because of my teaching schedule. I definitely needed a boost by Friday night, so we went to Liuzza's on Bienville for po-boys, and the downtown to see Bonearama. Bonearama is a band I would prefer to see in a club, when I'm on at least my third Abita Amber. We caught their FQF set so my 13-year old trombone player could see them live.
Starting the set with the National Anthem, the set was typical Bonearama, meaning it was off-the-wall. My faves were "Hang Up And Drive" and "Shake Your Rugulator." Good stuff!
Starting the set with the National Anthem, the set was typical Bonearama, meaning it was off-the-wall. My faves were "Hang Up And Drive" and "Shake Your Rugulator." Good stuff!
but that the heck, if urban farmers want to try their hand at it, the green space can only be a good thing.
(h/t Evelyn, via the twittertoobz)
Statue of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, better known as Padre Pio, located in St. Louis Cemetery Number Three on Esplanade Avenue at Bayou St. John. Padre Pio, who was reputed to be in possession of the Stigmata (the wounds of Christ Crucified), lived from 1885 to 1968, and was canonized by John Paul II in 2002.
Padre Pio was a Capuchin friar. The Capuchins had a big presence in New Orleans. Combine that with the large Italian community here, and it's easy to understand how his cult grew strong here. New Orleanians are big believers in the mystical side of Catholicism. The Lourdes, Fatima, and Guadalupe apparitions of the Virgin Mary are all honored here. New Orleans is still one of the hotspots for the Medugorje cult. There are dozens of shrines honoring saints in the metro area, including major shrines dedicated to St. Jude (at Our Lady of Guadalupe on N. Rampart) and St. Ann (at the church in Metairie bearing her name).
Being the extremely Catholic town New Orleans is, it's no surprise to see devotional statues such as this in a Catholic cemetery. This statue of Padre Pio is relatively new, erected in the spring of 2005.
The inscription on the bottom of the statue reads:
"This humble Capuchin friar surprised the world with his life totally dedicated to prayer and to listening to his brothers and sisters. His body, marked by the Stigmata, demonstrated the intimate connection between death and resurrection."
Beyond the basic fact that a statue of Padre Pio in one of New Orleans' oldest cemeteries makes perfect sense, I also choose to feature this photo today because St. Louis Number Three is where Dr. Ashley Morris, a well-loved member of the New Orleans blogging community who passed away last week, will be buried this Friday. Dr. Morris' life was cut tragically short, and he leaves behind a wife and three small children. The family is struggling with the burden of funeral expenses and other financial obligations. Please consider going to the "Remember Ashley Morris" website and tossing a buck or two or ten their way.
Ashley Morris passed away last week. Ashley was an Associate Professor of Computer Science at DePaul University in Chicago, but he never moved his family to the Windy City, preferring to live in New Orleans and commute to Chicago. Only a true New Orleanian and Saints fan would even consider doing such a thing, and Dr. Morris was both of those. In his neighborhood as well as the NOLA blogging community, Ashley was ever the activist and advocate for the city, never hesitating to call out politicians, businessmen, and other "leaders" in his blog. Most followers of Ashley's blog consider this to be his best post, but this one will be how I remember him:
Idea: crab boil flavored jellybeans. Full strength. Put one in every bag just to keep 'em honest. Then again, why not? They make licorice...Yeah you rite. I never had the privilege of meeting Ashley in person, in spite of the fact that we shared so many common interests. it was one of those things that I figured would happen when it happened, in spite of both of our crazy travel schedules.
As often happens when someone departs this plane of existence (relatively) young, Ashley left behind a wife and three young children. His funeral expenses (he passed away in FL, will be buried later this week at home) are going to be five-figures. If you can spare some change to help the family, please go here. Think of it as a virtual hat out on the street and Ashley's playing his drum.
I've been self-employed as an independent computer consultant since 1986. Cover-Your-Ass is what consultants do when the project craters. Clearly Blakely was in this for the money, and now that his work is being revealed as substandard, blame will be assessed everywhere but on the doorstep of the consultant.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW ORLEANS NATIVE ANNOUNCES THE OPENING OF A NEW RESTAURANT
BANQUETTE'S BLOGGER BISTRO
1-APR-2008
New Orleans, LA - A truly innovative restaurant concept opens today on the Lakefront in Gentilly. Banquette's Blogger Bistro offers imaginative takes on classic Creole dishes as well as new dishes created exclusively for Banquette's by the restaurant's executive chef.
Don't dismiss BBB as a theme restaurant, even though its name and high-tech capabilities may leave that first impression. Banquette, a self-described "local gal with attitude," has assembled a top-notch staff both in the front and back of the house. Her executive chef started his career on the line, cooking burgers at Port of Call, then pulling a late-night shift at Clover Grill. This experience in classic New Orleans cuisine landed him as a sous chef at Restaurant Antoine. He also spent time at Commander's Palace before being tapped by Banquette to open BBB.
Banquette (who never appears in public) has been a part of the local blogging community for a number of years, and wanted to develop a restaurant concept where her on-line colleagues could have a good meal and still get things done on the computer.
"The idea was kicked around for a couple of years," she said, in an e-mail interview. "A couple of people wanted to open up a computer-friendly restaurant, but they never got past the talking stage. A couple of them were unhappy when I decided to open the place on my own. It's OK, they're always welcome anytime."
What makes BBB blogger-friendly is the table layout in the main dining room. All tables are sized for two diners but only one diner is seated at each table.
"Turn a table-for-two sideways, and you've got room for a full Creole meal and a laptop," says Banquette. If, on the off chance two bloggers actually want to sit with each other, the staff can quickly push two tables together. Diners can bring in their own computers or use one of the top-of-the-line laptops owned by the restaurant. When making reservations, diners can request a MacBook, or a Dell notebook installed with either Windows or Linux. The restaurant has excellent connectivity to the Internet, implementing 802.11Z, a variant of the standard wi-fi protocol that's in development by the US government.
It's the restaurant's location that allows BBB to display both old-New Orleans charm and hi-tech prowess. BBB is located in the basement of the old Milneburg Lighthouse, located at the end Elysian Fields Avenue, across the street from the main campus of the University of New Orleans. With the university on one side and the lakefront technology park/complex on the other, there's ample bandwith rolling into the neighborhood.
"Nobody knew there was a basement under the lighthouse until right after the storm," wrote Banquette. I know a guy who was on the team that inspected the lighthouse's structural integrity when the water went down. They found a reinforced concrete bunker down there that was built during WWII, when the UNO campus was a navy base."
You enter BBB through the lighthouse, descending a winding staircase, and are greeted by a hostess in the foyer. Start with "Nola's Knock-down Martini" at the small bar off to the side. The bar has wired Internet hookups, as well as a full selection of top shelf liquors a complete stock of Abita beer, and Guinness on tap.
Even if you're not a computer type, the menu at Banquette's Blogger Bistro is appealing to local and visitor alike. Start with appetizers such as Humid Head Cheese or Oyster-Stuffed Artichoke Bottoms. For soups, "Kiss My" Gumbo, is available nightly. It's served in individual puff pastry bowls, making it a bit flaky. Soup du Jour possibilities include Trailer Trash Tomato Bisque, Ashley's Obscene Onion Soup, and B's Bouillabaisse.
Seafood pastas are a specialty of the house at BBB, including Lamenting Shrimp Linguini and Crawfish Maitri. From the grill, there's Squandered Salmon, Ray's Rack of Lamb or Charlotte's Chateaubriand. All entrees are served with the chef's choice of potato or rice and a creative vegetable side.
Even if you've had dinner elsewhere, come to BBB for dessert. The Yellow Bread Pudding may sound unusual, but the name comes from the creamy sauce ladled over classic bread pudding. If calories aren't a concern, be sure to try the Dangerous Doberge.
Banquette's executive chef has brought back a variation of his Marchand de Vin sauce fountain from a soccer-themed restaurant he opened several years ago. BBB's centerpiece fountain is a constant flow of heavy cream, which can be made savory as a rich sauce for dinner, or whipped up and sweetened for dessert.
Banquette's Blogger Bistro does not take reservations over the phone. Diners have to follow "Banquette" on Twitter to find out what the evening's specials are, and/or to reserve a table. It's also possible that the restaurant might not be open on a given night, if there's something else happening in town that has so totally distracted the staff and the bloggers that it's not worth opening up.
"Let's face it, it's easier to reach the on-line community on-line," Banquette replied. "There's no point in spending money on traditional advertising when trying to reach a 'Web 2.0' audience."
Banquette's Blogger Bistro opens somewhere between 7pm and 9pm nightly, when the staff is in the mood, and has been known to stay open until dawn.
********* (9-star rating from YatCuisine)
--XXX---
NEW ORLEANS NATIVE ANNOUNCES THE OPENING OF A NEW RESTAURANT
BANQUETTE'S BLOGGER BISTRO
1-APR-2008
New Orleans, LA - A truly innovative restaurant concept opens today on the Lakefront in Gentilly. Banquette's Blogger Bistro offers imaginative takes on classic Creole dishes as well as new dishes created exclusively for Banquette's by the restaurant's executive chef.
Don't dismiss BBB as a theme restaurant, even though its name and high-tech capabilities may leave that first impression. Banquette, a self-described "local gal with attitude," has assembled a top-notch staff both in the front and back of the house. Her executive chef started his career on the line, cooking burgers at Port of Call, then pulling a late-night shift at Clover Grill. This experience in classic New Orleans cuisine landed him as a sous chef at Restaurant Antoine. He also spent time at Commander's Palace before being tapped by Banquette to open BBB.
Banquette (who never appears in public) has been a part of the local blogging community for a number of years, and wanted to develop a restaurant concept where her on-line colleagues could have a good meal and still get things done on the computer.
"The idea was kicked around for a couple of years," she said, in an e-mail interview. "A couple of people wanted to open up a computer-friendly restaurant, but they never got past the talking stage. A couple of them were unhappy when I decided to open the place on my own. It's OK, they're always welcome anytime."
What makes BBB blogger-friendly is the table layout in the main dining room. All tables are sized for two diners but only one diner is seated at each table.
"Turn a table-for-two sideways, and you've got room for a full Creole meal and a laptop," says Banquette. If, on the off chance two bloggers actually want to sit with each other, the staff can quickly push two tables together. Diners can bring in their own computers or use one of the top-of-the-line laptops owned by the restaurant. When making reservations, diners can request a MacBook, or a Dell notebook installed with either Windows or Linux. The restaurant has excellent connectivity to the Internet, implementing 802.11Z, a variant of the standard wi-fi protocol that's in development by the US government.
It's the restaurant's location that allows BBB to display both old-New Orleans charm and hi-tech prowess. BBB is located in the basement of the old Milneburg Lighthouse, located at the end Elysian Fields Avenue, across the street from the main campus of the University of New Orleans. With the university on one side and the lakefront technology park/complex on the other, there's ample bandwith rolling into the neighborhood.
"Nobody knew there was a basement under the lighthouse until right after the storm," wrote Banquette. I know a guy who was on the team that inspected the lighthouse's structural integrity when the water went down. They found a reinforced concrete bunker down there that was built during WWII, when the UNO campus was a navy base."
You enter BBB through the lighthouse, descending a winding staircase, and are greeted by a hostess in the foyer. Start with "Nola's Knock-down Martini" at the small bar off to the side. The bar has wired Internet hookups, as well as a full selection of top shelf liquors a complete stock of Abita beer, and Guinness on tap.
Even if you're not a computer type, the menu at Banquette's Blogger Bistro is appealing to local and visitor alike. Start with appetizers such as Humid Head Cheese or Oyster-Stuffed Artichoke Bottoms. For soups, "Kiss My" Gumbo, is available nightly. It's served in individual puff pastry bowls, making it a bit flaky. Soup du Jour possibilities include Trailer Trash Tomato Bisque, Ashley's Obscene Onion Soup, and B's Bouillabaisse.
Seafood pastas are a specialty of the house at BBB, including Lamenting Shrimp Linguini and Crawfish Maitri. From the grill, there's Squandered Salmon, Ray's Rack of Lamb or Charlotte's Chateaubriand. All entrees are served with the chef's choice of potato or rice and a creative vegetable side.
Even if you've had dinner elsewhere, come to BBB for dessert. The Yellow Bread Pudding may sound unusual, but the name comes from the creamy sauce ladled over classic bread pudding. If calories aren't a concern, be sure to try the Dangerous Doberge.
Banquette's executive chef has brought back a variation of his Marchand de Vin sauce fountain from a soccer-themed restaurant he opened several years ago. BBB's centerpiece fountain is a constant flow of heavy cream, which can be made savory as a rich sauce for dinner, or whipped up and sweetened for dessert.
Banquette's Blogger Bistro does not take reservations over the phone. Diners have to follow "Banquette" on Twitter to find out what the evening's specials are, and/or to reserve a table. It's also possible that the restaurant might not be open on a given night, if there's something else happening in town that has so totally distracted the staff and the bloggers that it's not worth opening up.
"Let's face it, it's easier to reach the on-line community on-line," Banquette replied. "There's no point in spending money on traditional advertising when trying to reach a 'Web 2.0' audience."
Banquette's Blogger Bistro opens somewhere between 7pm and 9pm nightly, when the staff is in the mood, and has been known to stay open until dawn.
********* (9-star rating from YatCuisine)
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