Month: February 2009

  • Pho Tau Bay

    Gretna, LA

    I’ve been losing my roots.. When I was younger I use to go eat Pho almost everyday. It’s cheap, delicious, and very satisfying. Lately I’ve been eating back at my childhood spot. The same spot where the owner is a Caucasian-American who speaks fluent Vietnamese and married to a Vietnamese woman. It’s where my mom use to yell at me and tell me stuff like, “That man is white and he speaks better Vietnamese than you do!”.. it’s where ,”Drink up all of the soup or you’ll be punished!” happened. Maybe that’s why I’ve been so reluctant to come back? haha


    Pho Nam Bo Vien

    Well there’s not much to say.. I have the Pho Nam Bo Vien or Beef Soup with Beef Brisket and Vietnamese Meat Balls. It’s the same as I remembered growing up. It’s a clean broth that coats your mouth and sits on your tongue! The beef if tender and the herbs are fresh. I’ve been eating very often, as of late. It’s a shame it took me this long to get back there!

  • Dinner is Served! (Valentine’s Edition)

    New Orleans, LA

    For me, Valentine’s Day was celebrated a day after the real holiday but worth every second of the wait! in the end I went off the beaten path a bit and decided to go with a variation of option “B”, I did Seared Salmon with Beurre Blanc, Bacon-wrapped Haricot Verts and Shrimp Risotto (instead of the leeks and whipped potatoes).. For first course I did a quick Roasted Lamb with Porcini Mushroom Bread Pudding and Creole Sauce. I think my girlfriend liked this one best. She was in love with the Porcini Mushroom Bread pudding, my personal favorite too..


    Roasted Lamb with Porcini Mushroom Bread Pudding and Creole Sauce


    Seared Salmon with Beurre Blanc, Bacon-wrapped Haricot Verts and Shrimp Risotto

    The Salmon was delicious.. You gotta be very careful when you cook this fish, it can go from perfectly cooked to completely dry in a matter of seconds. For the starch, I made the Shrimp Risotto by sauteing some shallots then cooking the arborio rice down in some white wine and chicken stock. To finish you sautee the shrimp and fold in some parmesan cheese.


    White Chocolate Ice Cream and a Chocolate Hazelnut Cheesecake

    For dessert I made a White Chocolate Ice Cream and a Chocolate Hazelnut Cheesecake.. a little too decadent? Naaah.. it’s Valentines Day.. now’s the time you really should indulge!


    Truffles a la Girlfriend! =)

    For Valentine’s Day my girlfriend made some truffles for me! They were very good!! She could have been a great chef in some other life.. haha I hope you guys had as good of a Vday as I did. And to the guys out there, at least once in your life, if you don’t already do it, cook a nice dinner for your girlfriend, fiance, or wife. She’ll never forget it!

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  • Valentines Day

    Anywhere, World

    So it’s that time of the year.. the time where you finally express your love for one another? lol Probably not, but this is the time of the year where you can go all out for that special someone and not risk looking ridiculously cheesy!

    So what’s the plan?

    1) Nice dinner out?
    2) Casual dinner out?
    3) Order take out?
    4) Cook a nice dinner at home?
    5) Order take out and make it look like you cooked a nice dinner?
    Unfortunately for me, I’ve left my girl friend with extremely high expectations.. which is only fair because I expect a lot out of her too. That’s the only way to keep things interesting, right? Because it is indeed Mardi Gras time down here in New Orleans.. it’s very difficult to get around downtown and get to some of our favorite restaurants. So I’ve elected to choose option 4, which is cook a nice dinner at home. Well seeing how she’ll be working Friday and I’m working Saturday, this will be a Sunday night deal.

    You the readers will get to have a say in how this will play out! I need you guys to help me pick an entree to cook..

    What should I cook for Valentines Dinner?

    A) Classic Roasted Chicken w/ Buttered Corn and Rice Pilaf
    B) Sauteed Salmon w/ Leeks and Whipped Potatoes
    C) Braised Beef w/ Fingerling potatoes and Carrots

  • Cafe Atchafalaya

    New Orleans, LA

    Cafe Atchafalaya is located in the Lower Garden District of Nola. As with many other restaurants in this great city, it’s in an old shotgun style house! This house has been renovated into an unpretentious cafe where the food is straightforward without all of the frills and bams!


    Fried Oysters

    For the appetizer we had the Fried Oysters served over a tasso cream sauce with shoestring potatoes. The oysters are lightly battered and fried just enough to preserve the plumpness and moisture. The tasso cream sauce is creamy and flavorful yet subtle enough so that it does not disturb the flavors of the oyster! Some of the better fried oysters that I’ve had in the city!


    Crawfish Atchafalaya


    Fried Catfish

    And for the entrees.. First up was the Crawfish Atchafalaya, Fettuccini tossed with Louisiana crawfish in lightly spiced cream sauce. It was very good, the flavors and spices were all there I guess I was just expecting a little more depth in the sauce? This dish can be a bit heavy and you may get bored of it so if you want to get this dish, share it and get a couple of apps? Just a suggestion! Fried Catfish with Meuniere sauce, Rice Pilaf and Sautéed Spinach. As simple as this was, the flavors were surprisingly delicate and delicious. The fish was crisp and sauce was tangy, sweet and savory!

    Overall a good experience! The decor was simple enough for a casual outing, yet romantic enough for a wonderful evening for two. The entrees average around $20 a person. It’s a little off the beaten path but look for the giant cast iron skillet on the side of building and you’ll be ok!

    Overall Rating:

    www.cafeatchafalaya.com


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