Musings on food, cooking, and dining by a New Orleans Foodie

For those of you that couldn't hear me, I was doing my best Jerry Seinfeld imitation. Actually it wasn't even that great of an impression, but I enjoy his brand of real life situation comedy and figured that phrase was a good opener for today. So, who are these people, you ask? The people I'm referring to are my readers. Well, I guess that's you.

As much as I enjoy writing about food and putting it on this web page, I do find another activity (one of the many) amusing: reading the "referrals" page on my hit counter service. Let me explain. For those of you who have made it to the bottom of my page, you've seen the hit counter. Every time I get a visitor, there are numerous details recorded by the service and one of them is the place that a visitor clicked on a link to my site. For example, if you do a search on Google and my site pops up and you click on the link, I can see that the search yielded my site in the results. Cool stuff huh?

I find it invaluable in promoting my site, as I can see where a lot of my readers originated. Lately I've received a bunch of hits from a link at www.appetites.us, a New Orleans food based blog written by Robert D. Peyton. He stumbled across my site a while back and has given me some very kind words. I can't remember how he found out about my site (I think I e-mailed him) but I had been reading his and enjoying it for quite some time. Another great referrer has been the food porn watch, a site that tracks food blogs for the most recent updates.

While I do get many visitors from other sites, I've been a little shocked at how high my site has placed on searches done through Google. Just the other day my site came up in a search for "homemade margarita mix." Funny that it was only a day after I wrote an article and posted a recipe for the mix. Another search that brought a visitor to my site was that for "Superior Grill queso dip." Unfortunately I didn't have the recipe posted (I do now - here), but I've added quite a bit to the cash flow of Superior Grill as a frequent purchaser of their luscious cheese dip. And since the dip was mentioned in my writing, voila, it popped up as the number two listing. I also got a hit from someone who searched for "GW Fins biscuit." I assume they were looking for the recipe, as those things are delicious, but no luck here. I have eaten there before but unfortunately don't have the recipe.

Last, I receive hits now and then from people who type in "UptownKevin" or even my full name into Google. I guess I have no reason to be worried, but I can only wonder what kind of background check is going on behind my back. Oh well, its all public information and I should be proud that I've been quoted in some financial trade magazines (back in the day). Maybe now is a good time for me to Google myself and check into what all the hoopla is about.

Anyway, as amusing as the task is, I do appreciate every reader. If you haven't signed my guestbook, I would love if you did so. This whole project started as a place for me to put my recipes up for friends and family and has turned into somewhat of a friendly monster. As long as I can provide benefit and entertainment, I'll keep writing. But the fact that my family is only so large and I continue to get visitors from around the country, I often lay awake at night wondering, who are these people?

Second in my series of birthday dinners came on my actual birthday - October 26. I was enjoying happy hour at Vega last Friday with my buddy Mike when he asked me why I didn't tell him my birthday was coming up. Hmmm, I don't think I really told anyone, so I was pretty shocked when I found out he knew. But I digress...

Since I didn't have any firm plans for that special Tuesday, he said he would take me out where ever I wanted. Of course the first place to come to mind was Dick and Jenny's. After all, I've been trying for two years to make it there and still haven't succeeded. But then another thought came to me and I had made my decision - Clancy's. A classic New Orleans restaurant in the middle of a neighborhood that just screams "celebration." And celebrate we did.

We had 7:15 reservations and showed up right on time to be escorted to our table. I'm sure it looked funny for two guys to be dining together on a Tuesday, but what the hell, Mike's married and I'm recently a chronic single guy. Anyway, we sat upstairs in the non-smoking area, which turned out to be the only dining mistake of the evening. If I could do it over, I would've chosen to sit downstairs with all of the action. After a couple of cocktails, we split an order of their famous appetizer, the Oysters with Brie; four fried oysters, each topped with a chunk of brie cheese and placed atop a bed of cooked spinach. They were absolutely delicious and I highly recommend them. For my entree, once again I had to go with the famous Smoked Soft Shell Crab. Sounds kind of funny to smoke a soft shell crab, but fear not, they fry it after smoking. It was the first time I had the opportunity to try the dish and I was stunned at the complexity of the smoke flavor and the fried crab. I think I enjoyed every bite just as much as the first. Last, I finished off my meal with a slice of, take a guess... their "famous" lemon icebox pie. The only difference was that mine came complete with a candle. Oh yea, and everybody in the room sang for me. I was a few cocktails in so I didn't really mind. The room in which we dined was cozy, with only room for four tables, but it gave us the opportunity to mingle. Shocker, huh? You could put me next to a potted plant and I could make friends in a matter of minutes. But we met two great couples who were visiting New Orleans and I was even able to exchange some dining tips. So if either one of you are reading, please send me a quick message, I'd love to know how the trip turned out.

Since it was early when we finished eating, we walked down to sit at the bar and have just one cocktail. And one cocktail we had; one after another to be exact. But as much as we indulged, I enjoyed having a great dinner with friends and tasting every bite of food from such a classic institution. I think Clancy's just might be my new favorite restaurant.

Last night my parents took me out to dinner to celebrate my birthday (it's today). Due to scheduling conflicts, it was the second year in a row that we ended up dining out on a Monday night, and the second year in a row I didn't make it to Dick & Jenny's (they are closed on Monday nights). Last year we had a fabulous dinner at Jacques-Imo's Cafe and for this year I chose Mat & Naddie's, which turned out to be an excellent choice.

Mat & Naddie's is located in the river bend area and occupies an old cottage that has been beautifully turned into this gem of a restaurant. The indoor dining room, though wide open, is abridged with a large brick fireplace stemming from the floor to the ceiling in the middle of the room. The feeling is cozy yet elegant, with white tablecloths and candles on the tables. The white paper covering each table and the rustic hardwood floors present a casual, but upscale environment. But enough about the ambiance, the food is the highlight.

We started off with some grilled oysters, the shrimp and crawfish cake and an order of mussels. Yes, I know it's not the best idea to order mussels on a Monday, but I trusted that the chef wouldn't let me down; and he didn't. My first bite of steamed mussels was a bit of a shock to my palate and I tasted the licorice flavor that came from the Herbsaint laced sauce. Even though I read the menu, I didn't expect that flavor in the steamed mussels. They were good, but just not my bag. The crawfish and shrimp cake was outstanding, as were the oysters, grilled and topped with butter, garlic and parmesan cheese. A soft loaf of wheat bread accompanied the appetizers, giving me a medium in which to soak up the excess sauce left from the oysters and mussels.

After a few minutes of digestion time we ordered entrees. My dad chose the grilled pork chop, my mom had the shrimp tankatsu and I had the filet mignon. All three were outstanding, but I was happy with my steak. It was done just as I ordered (med-rare) and was covered with a compound bleu cheese butter sauce and accompanied by steak fries. I don't usually order steak at a "non-steak" restaurant, but that dish was calling out my name. The pork chop was good, but I'm not as big of a pork fan, so I wouldn't have enjoyed it as an entree. I did have several bites. I found the shrimp to be a great surprise. It was my second choice on the menu and I was happy that my mother ordered it. The jumbo shrimp were golden fried in a light breading and served with jasmine rice and a red chili sauce. The chili sauce really made the dish and worked as a perfect compliment to the breaded shrimp and the jasmine rice.

Finally it was time for dessert and my choice was easy; cheesecake. If there is cheesecake on the menu, there's a good chance I'll be ordering it, and last night was no exception. I secured the last slice of cheesecake in the restaurant and rightfully so, it was my birthday meal, damnit! The cheesecake was light and fluffy with a tasty graham cracker crust and topped with slivers of almonds and caramel. It was a vacation for my taste buds.

Mat & Naddie's might not have been my first choice for dining out on my birthday, but it should have been. As an acquaintance of the owner, Steve Schwarz, I had been telling him for quite some time that I wanted to eat at his restaurant. When I finally made it, it was for a special occasion and they helped make it one that I would remember. The wine list is extensive and complete, the ambiance is cozy, rustic and romantic; and each dish on the menu has a distinct flavor yet is equally appetizing. If you haven't tried it yet, I suggest you get there soon.

For a young single guy, I do a lot of cooking; and I think I'm pretty good at it. Almost everything I make turns out pretty damn good and if it isn't great, at least it's edible. Note that I said "almost."

Everyone knows that I make great margaritas (yea, I'm humble about that fact) and it's one of my specialties. Last night I took the time to squeeze a bunch of lemons and limes to make a batch of homemade margarita mix. I felt like a cross between Mr. Wizard and Alton Brown, but that's beside the point. Last week I stopped at Loubat kitchen supply to pick up some plastic containers like we use at bars and restaurants to pour juices, and I was itching to fill one up with my custom mix.

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The mix actually came out fantastic, here are the proportions:

4 parts fresh squeezed lemon juice (with pulp strained)

1 part fresh squeezed lime juice (with pulp strained)

1 part key lime juice (no way I'm squeezing them - buy Nellie & Joe's brand)

Mix in a container and shake before use. Use just as you would any other juice as instructed in my recipes.

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Ok, so here's the kicker. After a few margaritas, I wanted to try an impromptu mixture with mostly lime juice. Big mistake. Just a little to tart, even with the water added; and the lemon juice; and the key lime juice. Nothing would fix it. Nothing. And I wasn't going to throw it away and waste the tequila. So I drank it. My friend Kellie sent me a text message today with the suggestion I call it the "sourpuss" margarita. Good idea, but don't count on it going on my recipe page.

Friday, October 15, 2004

Friday morning brought a gust of cool air and my first trip to downtown Chicago. We got a late start so I skipped breakfast in preparation for lunch at Frontera Grill, the world famous Mexican restaurant owned by Rick Bayless. If there was one meal I was looking forward to, this was it. Most who know me well are familiar with my infatuation with Mexican and Latin American influenced food, and Frontera Grill is the mecca.

After a quick trip to Binny’s (liquor store) to scope out the tequila selection, Tom and I arrived only minutes after the restaurant opened at 11:30 am. We parked ourselves at the near empty bar and scanned the surroundings. The bar area was elegant, cool and clean with an admirable selection of tequila. Our bartender David handed us a couple of menus and glasses of ice water and inquired about our drink orders. Little did he know he had some expert drinkers at his bar, not the usual iced tea drinkers that pop in for a quick meal on their lunch break.

Each of their margaritas at Frontera Grill is hand shaken and served “up” in a cocktail (martini) glass. These are “real” margaritas but also come with a “real” price tag. Our first round of margaritas was the Topolo Margarita ($7.75), made with Sauza Commenmorativo, Gran Torres orange liquor and a fresh lime juice mix that they make in house. After David shook our margaritas and poured them, I stared in awe at such a beautiful cocktail. The second I put my lips to the edge of the glass and took my first sip, I knew I was hooked. It had to be one of the best margaritas in Chicago, and likely one of the best I have ever had, rivaling those in Houston, Dallas and San Antonio.

Four our lunch we planned to take it easy. We started with two appetizers, the fresh made Guacamole ($7.50) and the Tostaditas de Seviche ($8.50), crisp little tortillas piled with lime-marinated halibut, manzanillo olives, tomato, serrano and cilantro. Both were out of this world the flavors were complex and layered; the perfect companion to a great cocktail. Not quite full yet, we decided to split an entrée off of the Topolobampo menu, the more upscale restaurant attached to Frontera Grill and also owned by Bayless. We selected the Chile Ancho Relleno ($9.50), marinated ancho chile stuffed with homemade Oaxacan chorizo sausage, poblanos and potatoes; doused with tangy escabeche of red onions, carrots, apple vinegar and extra virgin olive oil. It turned out to be Quite a fireworks show for the palate. Though I am no expert, the chorizo was outstanding and my thoughts were confirmed by Tom, who raved out the flavor. The bill for our food was surprisingly inexpensive, right under $30. After tax, tip and margaritas, we escaped from Frontera Grill for right around $120; and it was worth every penny. Although we were in downtown Chicago, I might as well have been in heaven.

After some more sightseeing and walking, we stopped in to the Grill on the Alley for a couple of drinks. Tom worked there in the past and it was fun for both of us to be recognized and for him to catch up with some old friends. A couple of drinks turned into many, and my “last one” was repeated several times; the draft beer was just so cold, and a bargain at $4.75 each. I took some time and wrote postcards to family and a couple of friends and had great conversation with some of the other bar patrons. When the bill came, it was obvious we were being taken care of, and it’s a good thing.

Our last stop of the evening was to the Hotel Monaco to see Tom Fitzmorris doing a live broadcast of his radio show. Coincidentally, he had arranged an eat club trip to Chicago the same weekend I was there. It was good to see a lobby full of friendly people partaking in the complimentary wine tasting while Tom broadcasted his show. The highlight of the evening was that I had an opportunity to sit in the hot seat and talk with Tom live on the air for several minutes. Maybe it will boost me into a new degree of stardom… hmmmm, probably not. If you didn’t hear it, oh well, neither did anyone I know personally, but I had a great time.

It’s official, I’ve returned from my fabulous trip to Chicago. While my time in Chicago consisted largely of eating and drinking, my experience was from a different perspective than most tourists. Sure, anyone can fly to Chicago, stay in a hotel and eat at the nicest restaurants, but I drove a U-Haul up north, stayed in the ‘burbs (Berwyn) and had the REAL Chicago experience. Instead of boring you with the details, here’s a day by day synopsis of the highlights.

Thursday, October 14, 2004

We made it through some heavy traffic in the U-Haul and arrived at my friend’s parents house in the early afternoon. I was so excited to have made it so far and the adrenaline was pumping, I figured we could take care of business and jump on the L train for a cool downtown jaunt. Unfortunately the adrenaline ran out. After unloading the cargo into a storage unit and returning the truck, we were both beat. Instead of going downtown, I decided I needed some margaritas, so we took a cab to Lala’s, a Mexican restaurant with several locations, including downtown as well as in Berwyn. We sat at the bar and had “medium” sized margaritas that turned out to be the size of small fishbowls. Apparently the restaurant discontinued their “large” size due to frequent intoxication of their customers. In the end, we had four each and split some guacamole and a fajita steak tampequena and called it a night.

Thanks to Christopher Columbus and a federal holiday, I had yesterday off from work, giving me a three day weekend. In celebration of the great Columbus, I decided to celebrate by eating at a few local establishments. Since my buddy Tom will be moving back to Chicago tomorrow, I gave him the opportunity to pick a lunch spot. His immediate choice was Liuzza's by the Track. We each had a cup of their fantastic gumbo and then split a BBQ shrimp poor boy. If anyone does gumbo right, it's Liuzza's by the Track. The roux was light brown, seasoned well and packed with a seafood, chicken and andouille. Almost everything was cooked in the gumbo except the shrimp, which were added in just before serving, preventing them from becoming mushy. We followed the gumbo by splitting their famous BBQ shrimp poor boy; probably the sloppiest sandwich I've come across. It consists of a long loaf of French bread (poor boy bread) that is hollowed out and filled with small shrimp cooked in the "New Orleans BBQ shrimp" style. I mention this because the BBQ shrimp dish usually has large shrimp that are still in the shell with their heads on. Fear not though, these are small shrimp that don't need to be peeled. You can eat the whole thing. The sauce was rich, peppery and contained a lot of butter, worcestershire sauce and cracked black pepper. The poor boy was huge and was enough for two of us to split, so be careful when ordering this sandwich by yourself.

Lunch was lighter than usual for a reason. Happy hour began our appetizer tour. Our first stop was to Vega Tapas Cafe on Metairie Rd (see my review). We sat at the bar and enjoyed a few drinks along with a couple of fantastic "little plates." Between us we ordered my favorite, the corriander tuna and one of my new favorites, the pork empanadas. Both were unbelievable! But it was time to move on.

Our second and final stop for the evening was Drago's. For a Monday night the place was packed with a combination of locals and convention-going tourists. We got lucky and commandeered two seats at the bar as some other patrons were leaving. Immediately on the schedule were a couple of ice cold beers and dozen of Drago's famous char-broiled oysters. Our first dozen was done just right, each little oyster in its shell, soaking in the hot butter-garlic sauce. They went down easy. A few minutes after we arrived I looked down the bar to spot a friend of mine, Kevin R. Roberts socializing with some of the regulars. He came over and we talked for a while, learning that he was there doing some research for the next edition of his book (don't worry, it's a long way away). After chatting for a bit, he left and Tom and I were ready for our next dozen oysters. Those oysters should come with a warning similar to the old Lay's potato chip slogan "no one can eat just one, dozen."

It wasn't long before we were done for the evening and for the first segment of the tour. Although Tom will be back in Chicago I am confidant I will find a new dining "partner in crime" to help with the next installment of the Appetizer Tour '04. Any takers?

Well, yesterday I blew another fifty bucks on ten pounds of powder; and all for the sake of health. Ok, so maybe it wasn’t just powder, it was two jugs of whey protein that I ordered from DPS Nutrition, my favorite store for bodybuilding supplements and vitamins. Though not a dietary necessity, I felt that the money was well spent, as it keeps me healthy and helps with building muscle. Though a bit pricey, the whey protein supplements are necessary because I can’t ingest enough protein by eating chicken breasts and tuna fish (which aren’t exactly cheap either)! Aside from the supplements, a usual trip to the grocery store costs a pretty penny. For some reason (or for many reasons), lean meats, fish and fresh fruits and veggies tend to drain the pocketbook a lot quicker than cheap frozen junk food. Why is healthy food so expensive?

It’s unfortunate that I can go to the store and get three frozen pizzas for six bucks and have food for a week, but if I wanted to eat fresh food it would cost ten-fold. Back in college my grocery bills were a fraction of what they are today. That’s tough to swallow. But every time I look at the total on my receipt, I think about what is going into my body; and that is a bit comforting. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not a health food nut; far from it in fact. I enjoy the unhealthy pleasures of life just like the next guy: a sausage pizza, Popeye’s Fried Chicken or a fried seafood platter. My point is that it is important for us to keep a balance between healthy eating and “recreational” eating.

If I was in charge of the world (I never will be), I would make junk food a luxury and healthy food cheap. In theory it sounds like a good idea, but for now it seems to be wishful thinking. Oh well, next time you think about that frozen burrito for forty-nine cents, turn around and spend twenty times that amount on a healthy burrito with freshly made ingredients. It may blow your budget, but it won’t blow your health. What’s more important to you?

The portions of food served in restaurants are out of control! Lately I've found there are very few restaurants that have reasonable portion sizes; they tend to be either too large or too small. I've always been a pretty big eater, but the older I get, the more I prefer quality food over a large quantity. However, society seems to be dictating otherwise. This point is emphasized by the increasing size of fast food "value meals" and the growing number "buffet style" restaurants popping up across the suburban landscape.

I'm a guy who likes to get a good value for his dollar, but it often becomes obscene. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining about the lack of value at some restaurants, but rather the restaurants that sacrifice the quality to increase a portion. As I mentioned yesterday, I stuffed my face with a regular roast beef poor boy that was a whopping ten inches! It was a great value, but just a little too much food. On the other hand, there are the fancy restaurants whose $20- plus priced entrees couldn't feed a small child.

Sure, obesity is a national epidemic, but whose fault is it? Yes, the restaurant portions are getting bigger, but should we be eating them? It's all a matter of self control; and I admit that I'm lacking a bit of self control at the moment; why do you think I spend so much time exercising. At one time, I did have a plan that worked and if you are lacking self control in a restaurant, try it. Next time you dine out and order a large entree, ask for a go-box with your meal. Split the entire entree down the middle and put half in the box to take home. Then clean your plate! It's an easy plan that works, but unfortunately my roast beef sandwich would've gotten soggy from the gravy, so I ate it all. Oh well, don't do as I do, just do as I say. :)

My work today brings me to Kenner to a bank branch that needed someone to fill in. I got up early and did some cardio on the bike so I was starving by 11 a.m. Being "away from home," so to speak and my lack of a packed lunch, I figured I would walk down the block and get a poor boy from LaBella's Restaurant and Bar (2219 Veterans Blvd., Kenner, 504-466-4675).

Although I hadn't eaten there in years, my history with LaBella's goes back to my childhood. A close friend of mine worked there for years making sandwiches and doing catering jobs, and I went to high school with one of the LaBella kids. The food had always been good and consistent Italian-New Orleans influenced cuisine. Today I was in the mood for a roast beef poor boy. I ordered the regular roast beef ($5.75) which turned out to be 10" long and an order of fries ($1.50). What I got was one of the better roast beef poor boys I've eaten in quite a while and entirely too much food. I'm a bit uncomfortable sitting here writing and thinking about it. The roast beef was hot and sliced thin, as I like it, with just enough gravy to make it a little sloppy. It took me a total of eight napkins to finish the sandwich. The bread was good and soft, with seeds on the top but was unfortunately not toasted at all. However, that was easily forgivable. The fries were cut thick and fried almost perfect, soft and light on the inside and a little crispy on the outside, lightly salted and seasoned with some red pepper. There were so many I couldn't even finish the order.

For those residents or employees in Kenner, LaBella's is probably one of the better lunch places around. The place has been around and in the family since 1966, so they have a loyal following that won't quit on them. In addition, they do a fantastic catering business and a decent casual dinner menu. If you are in the area, give it a try; just get there early to beat the crowd.

I friggin' ate! A lot. In retrospect, I think my whole weekend revolved around eating and drinking. So here is the short version -

Friday I met up with the crew for some happy hour drinks at Superior Grill. A few margaritas later we were back at my house mixing up some top shelf Platinum Margaritas, my specialty. After one round, four of us drove over to Santa Fe (801 Frenchmen Street @ Dauphine Street, 504-944-6854) The wait was only 15 minutes or so, so we grabbed a round of drinks that included a house margarita for me. After getting a table, we ordered queso dip and a carafe (1/2 liter) of house margaritas, and that is where things started to get hazy. WARNING: there is something potent in those margaritas. I know, I know, I had been warned about them, but they kicked my ass. My friend David said that they contained 151, and I think I believe him. I make REAL margaritas, which contain 3 1/2 oz. of 80 proof liquor, and they don't hold a candle to the potency of the Santa Fe margaritas. You have been warned. The food was fantastic; why wouldn't it be? I had the Santa Fe combination plate, but I'll spare the details until next time (the truth is that I don't exactly remember how good it was... it was good though). Unfortunately, my inadvertent intoxication spread to two others in the group, so I wasn't too embarrassed. The only one with a clear recollection was Phil, the driver, who sipped on Mexican beer all night.

To keep in the routine, I did make it to the gym on Saturday and had a great workout that left my chest and shoulders a bit sore. About 2 o'clock, Tom and I drove to Harahan to Dockside Seafood to hang out, watch the LSU game (you didn't miss anything) and eat some raw oysters. Lunch turned into a couple dozen oysters ($3 a dozen), a half of an oyster poor boy and quite a few draft beers ($1.25 each).

Sunday was another cooking day. On Friday night in a moment of sobriety I decided that we could fry fish at my house on Sunday. My friend David is a super outdoor cook and had an easy rig to bring over to help fry, and I had a few packs of trout in the freezer that I wanted to use. We ended up with quite a gang and smorgasbord of food, including fried trout, homemade onion rings, homemade salsa, potato salad from Whole Foods and a whole lot of beer (you knew I would throw that one in there, didn't you?). When shopping at Sav-A-Center on Sunday morning, Tom and I stood in the bakery section arguing about an easy and affordable dessert. I put down my foot down (ok, so he really didn't care one way or another) and we bought a small cheesecake so that I could make a raspberry coulis for a topping.

One of my neighbors stopped by Sunday to borrow some milk, and to return the favor, she dropped off some shrimp and okra gumbo that they had eaten that day. So for lunch today I had gumbo and potato salad; and for dinner I made some fish tacos with some fried trout. Ahhh, the magic of leftovers. Back to the gym and back to reality!

Yesterday after work I went and met a friend at Fat Harry's to split a couple of pitchers of cold beer. After a couple hours of hanging out and talking philosophy (do you believe that?), it was time to eat. In the mood for some seafood, we drove over to Casamento's (4330 Magazine St., 504-895-9761). Walking into the place was both a shock and a blast from the past. For those that haven't been, Casamento's is a narrow, brightly lit restaurant that is lined with pristine pastel colored square tiles from floor to ceiling. The feeling is a bit between dining in an operating room and a large shower. The tiled floor and walls have been around for many years and still give a spotless disinfected feel to the place.

Aside from the lack of ambiance, the food is fantastic. The menu is small and simple, predominantly comprised of a few fried dishes. We started out with a dozen raw oysters on the half shell ($7.50) that were outstanding, but I felt the price was a bit high. We wanted to get a taste of a few different things, so for an entree we split a seafood platter ($19) and opted to add a soft shell crab (extra $4). Even though I am a big eater, the platter was just big enough to satisfy me and prevent me from overeating. That's probably one of the reasons I enjoyed the meal so much. The seafood came out hot and fresh without even a hint of grease. I was quite shocked, as I am used to substandard fried seafood in a city that should have it perfect. Casamento's seafood platter was pretty damn close.

Though we didn't have one, the oyster loaf is one of the most popular dishes at Casamento's. While poor boy sandwiches dominate the fried-oyster-sandwich playing field in New Orleans, Casamento's serves their loaf on a Texas toast- style bread that they call "pan-bread." Although a variation from the norm, it is wildly popular and even takes second place on Tom Fitzmorris's oyster loaf "top ten" list. On the beverage front, we chose to wash down the fried seafood with some Abita Amber at bargain prices of $2.60 each. And last but not least, I couldn't finish such a fulfilling meal without a slice of Eli's cheesecake from Chicago ($2.70), my favorite dessert.

It was about 9 p.m. when we were walking out, just as the restaurant was closing. On the way out of the door, we ran into a tired looking woman also on her way out. "That was y'all that had the seafood platter?" she questioned. "Yep," we replied; "that was me who cooked your meal," she countered. I told her how much we enjoyed the food and how well it was fried. With a smile and a look of satisfaction, she said "it's all about the temperature of the oil." And she was right. The best part about Casamento's? Running into a cook that probably makes only 7 or 8 bucks an hour that takes so much pride in the food she cooks. Now that's a restaurant I like to visit.