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re: Commander’s Palace in Nola
Posted by rsb831 on 2/26/25 at 1:38 pm
quote:
The new Emeril's is CERTAINLY better and would have at least 1 Michelin Star if it was in another city.
Went Saturday and agree 100%. It is a complete experience - food, service, atmosphere. Based on my Michelin restaurant visits, I would say it derserves 2. But with Texas not getting anything above 1, it's unlikely.
Wife and I discussed Saint Germain while there. The food is outstanding. The service and ambiance are good, but more casual. I'll return to SG more often than Emeril's. Emerils feels much more "special occasion" and its 4 figure price tag firmly places it there. But I felt we got our monies worth. SG is more approachable. both in style and cost.
I put Commanders in the "special occasion" category, not for the expense, but the experience of it. They do a great job of making it feel like a celebration. I'm not going there specifically for the food, but for the overall vibe. You have to try to not not have good time there.
2
re: What Kind of Salt Do You Use in Your Grinder?
Posted by rsb831 on 2/19/25 at 12:52 pm
Sel gris - if grinder is ceramic. Since it is moist, it will rust metal grinders.
re: Dubai and Istanbul with an Infant
Posted by rsb831 on 1/20/25 at 10:45 am
We stayed at the Sanasaryan Han in Istanbul in September. It's a new Marriott Luxury Collection property. It is in the old town, very close to the Spice Market. It is about a 15 minute walk to Hagia Sophia/Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar. It is a block to the tram, very easy to get across to Galata and Taksim areas. I thought the location was great and the hotel was nice. Spacious room and big bathroom, nice amenities.
It had been recommended that we split our time between old town and across the Golden Horn to get a better feel of the city. However, since we using points and staying 5 nights, getting the 5th night free made sense.
We booked a day tour with Metin Koca. Had seen him recommended on a few blogs. Great guide, hit all the main attractions and provided historical and cultural context that you would not get reading from a guide book. I also highly recommend Culinary Backstreet tours. We did the Two Markets, Two Continents and it was a highlight of the trip.
Istanbul was a revelation. It had been on my list, but it jumped to the top of favorite places I've traveled. The history is fascinating. The people were friendly, the food was amazing, and we never felt unsafe.
It had been recommended that we split our time between old town and across the Golden Horn to get a better feel of the city. However, since we using points and staying 5 nights, getting the 5th night free made sense.
We booked a day tour with Metin Koca. Had seen him recommended on a few blogs. Great guide, hit all the main attractions and provided historical and cultural context that you would not get reading from a guide book. I also highly recommend Culinary Backstreet tours. We did the Two Markets, Two Continents and it was a highlight of the trip.
Istanbul was a revelation. It had been on my list, but it jumped to the top of favorite places I've traveled. The history is fascinating. The people were friendly, the food was amazing, and we never felt unsafe.
re: South Louisiana Style Pot Roast with Pics
Posted by rsb831 on 12/8/24 at 6:42 pm
quote:
What’s the purpose of the honey?
quote:
Maillard
The poster most qualified to answer the question did.
re: NYC (Theater District) Dining
Posted by rsb831 on 11/11/24 at 2:23 pm
Bar Centrale on 46th next to Joe Allen's is a great little bar for pre or post theater drinks. They have food, but the atmosphere and cocktails are the reason to go. Due to its small size, reservations are recommended, but if you get there at 5 you can usually get a couple of seats at the bar.
As mentioned Gallaghers is a good option as is Aldo Sohm wine bar across from Le Bernardin.
And here is the Eater NYC theater district map. LINK
As mentioned Gallaghers is a good option as is Aldo Sohm wine bar across from Le Bernardin.
And here is the Eater NYC theater district map. LINK
re: Just saw online that Julia Hawkins 108 of BR
Posted by rsb831 on 10/23/24 at 2:00 pm
New York Times has nice obit. Her husband was chair of Petroleum Engineering
Julia Hawkins, who took up running after her 100th birthday and went on to set world records in the 100-meter dash, inspiring legions of older athletes, died on Tuesday in Baton Rouge, La. She was 108.
Her death, in an assisted living center, was confirmed by her daughter Margaret Matens, who said that her mother had arranged to donate her body to the Pennington Biomedical Research Center at Louisiana State University, which is studying longevity.
Ms. Hawkins was a force on the track, with her trademark flower tucked behind her ear and her arms driving behind her as she shuffled up her lane. She drew loud cheers from fans, who nicknamed her “Hurricane,” and frequent autograph requests.
Beloved by senior runners for her quick legs and her even quicker wit, Ms. Hawkins credited her children with introducing her to running. Her sons signed her up for her first track-and-field event, a 50-meter dash, in 2016, Ms. Hawkins said in an interview for this obituary in 2022.
Even though she had never competed on a track, Ms. Hawkins said that her children wanted to see how fast she could sprint.
Her inexperience did not show.
She ran 50 meters in a speedy 19 seconds at the Louisiana Senior Olympic Games, winning first place in her age group by default, as she was the only competitor over 100.
In fact, she is believed to be the oldest woman ever to compete in a sanctioned track event in the United States, according to the National Senior Games Association, which administers sports competitions for people over 50.
“I thought it would be neat to do it at 100,” she said, “and it was neat.”
After a century of living, her competitive running career had just begun. She competed in races across the country, setting world records in the 100-meter dash in the women-over-100 category, running it in 39.62 seconds in Birmingham, Ala., in 2017, and in the over-105 age group with a 1-minute-2.95-second finish in Hammond, Ind., in 2021, according to World Masters Athletics.
Ms. Hawkins, a longtime resident of Baton Rouge, also set American records in the over-100 categories in the indoor shot-put, the indoor 60-meter dash and the outdoor 100-meter dash, according to USA Track & Field Masters.
Ms. Hawkins’s longevity led track officials to establish a new 105-plus age category for her 2021 world record, said Del Moon, a spokesman for the National Senior Games Association.
She inspired many people, especially older runners, to “seize the impossible,” Mr. Moon said. “As an athlete and as a very wise woman, Julia Hawkins has given a gift to all of us,” he said.
Ms. Hawkins drew more national attention after every race. Interview requests followed, and Ms. Hawkins said she was often asked the same question: What is the secret to a long life?
Her answer, as she told The New York Times, was, “Marry a good man and your life will be wonderful, wondrous — that’s the name of the book that I wrote.”
Ms. Hawkins said she spent more than 30 years handwriting a self-published memoir, “It’s Been Wondrous!” The book, which was published in 2016, chronicles her first 100 years.
Julia Welles was born on Feb. 10, 1916, in Lake Geneva, Wis., the second of three children to Margaret (McGuire) Welles and Julius Welles. When she was a few months old, her family left Wisconsin and sailed from Chicago to Ponchatoula, La., where they ran a summer resort, Ms. Matens said.
Ms. Hawkins studied education at Louisiana State University. On her first day as a student there, she met a young man, Murray Hawkins, at an Episcopal Church party.
“As soon as I saw him,” she said, “I knew that was the person I wanted to spend my life with.”
Mr. Hawkins was serving as a civilian physicist with the U.S. Navy at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked on Dec. 7, 1941. He was commissioned as an officer, and he and Julia were married over the telephone on Nov. 29, 1942.
“He was afraid I might not wait till he got back,” she wrote in her book.
The couple later had two boys and two girls, and spent seven decades together until Mr. Hawkins, who retired as the chairman of the petroleum engineering department at L.S.U., died in 2013, Ms. Matens said.
In addition to Ms. Matens, Ms. Hawkins is survived by another daughter, Julia Battle; her sons, Warren Hawkins and Murray Hawkins III, who is known as Lad; her sister, Mickey McCall; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
When she was asked just about any question, Ms. Hawkins would bring the answer back to her husband.
Why was she so passionate about running, bonsai trees and reading? It was important to stay active and pick good things to do with her time, she would say, but do you know why Murray was sent to Pearl Harbor and how wondrous it was to share a home with him?
Together, she said, they loved to marvel at hummingbirds, sunrises and scintillating books, experiences she described with a favorite catchphrase: “magic moments.”
Ms. Hawkins always kept busy: She raised a family, moved to Honduras for a year in 1940 to teach the children of fruit company employees, and became a competitive cyclist in her 80s.
She also kept a lot of pets, including a monkey, an alligator, an armadillo, turtles, snakes and bunnies.
“We spent a lot of time in the yard,” Ms. Matens said.
In her 11th decade, Ms. Hawkins experienced a lifetime’s worth of magic moments on the track. “There’s something magic, sort of, about what happens to you when you get out there,” she said. “You just feel like your feet have wings.”
Julia Hawkins, who took up running after her 100th birthday and went on to set world records in the 100-meter dash, inspiring legions of older athletes, died on Tuesday in Baton Rouge, La. She was 108.
Her death, in an assisted living center, was confirmed by her daughter Margaret Matens, who said that her mother had arranged to donate her body to the Pennington Biomedical Research Center at Louisiana State University, which is studying longevity.
Ms. Hawkins was a force on the track, with her trademark flower tucked behind her ear and her arms driving behind her as she shuffled up her lane. She drew loud cheers from fans, who nicknamed her “Hurricane,” and frequent autograph requests.
Beloved by senior runners for her quick legs and her even quicker wit, Ms. Hawkins credited her children with introducing her to running. Her sons signed her up for her first track-and-field event, a 50-meter dash, in 2016, Ms. Hawkins said in an interview for this obituary in 2022.
Even though she had never competed on a track, Ms. Hawkins said that her children wanted to see how fast she could sprint.
Her inexperience did not show.
She ran 50 meters in a speedy 19 seconds at the Louisiana Senior Olympic Games, winning first place in her age group by default, as she was the only competitor over 100.
In fact, she is believed to be the oldest woman ever to compete in a sanctioned track event in the United States, according to the National Senior Games Association, which administers sports competitions for people over 50.
“I thought it would be neat to do it at 100,” she said, “and it was neat.”
After a century of living, her competitive running career had just begun. She competed in races across the country, setting world records in the 100-meter dash in the women-over-100 category, running it in 39.62 seconds in Birmingham, Ala., in 2017, and in the over-105 age group with a 1-minute-2.95-second finish in Hammond, Ind., in 2021, according to World Masters Athletics.
Ms. Hawkins, a longtime resident of Baton Rouge, also set American records in the over-100 categories in the indoor shot-put, the indoor 60-meter dash and the outdoor 100-meter dash, according to USA Track & Field Masters.
Ms. Hawkins’s longevity led track officials to establish a new 105-plus age category for her 2021 world record, said Del Moon, a spokesman for the National Senior Games Association.
She inspired many people, especially older runners, to “seize the impossible,” Mr. Moon said. “As an athlete and as a very wise woman, Julia Hawkins has given a gift to all of us,” he said.
Ms. Hawkins drew more national attention after every race. Interview requests followed, and Ms. Hawkins said she was often asked the same question: What is the secret to a long life?
Her answer, as she told The New York Times, was, “Marry a good man and your life will be wonderful, wondrous — that’s the name of the book that I wrote.”
Ms. Hawkins said she spent more than 30 years handwriting a self-published memoir, “It’s Been Wondrous!” The book, which was published in 2016, chronicles her first 100 years.
Julia Welles was born on Feb. 10, 1916, in Lake Geneva, Wis., the second of three children to Margaret (McGuire) Welles and Julius Welles. When she was a few months old, her family left Wisconsin and sailed from Chicago to Ponchatoula, La., where they ran a summer resort, Ms. Matens said.
Ms. Hawkins studied education at Louisiana State University. On her first day as a student there, she met a young man, Murray Hawkins, at an Episcopal Church party.
“As soon as I saw him,” she said, “I knew that was the person I wanted to spend my life with.”
Mr. Hawkins was serving as a civilian physicist with the U.S. Navy at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked on Dec. 7, 1941. He was commissioned as an officer, and he and Julia were married over the telephone on Nov. 29, 1942.
“He was afraid I might not wait till he got back,” she wrote in her book.
The couple later had two boys and two girls, and spent seven decades together until Mr. Hawkins, who retired as the chairman of the petroleum engineering department at L.S.U., died in 2013, Ms. Matens said.
In addition to Ms. Matens, Ms. Hawkins is survived by another daughter, Julia Battle; her sons, Warren Hawkins and Murray Hawkins III, who is known as Lad; her sister, Mickey McCall; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
When she was asked just about any question, Ms. Hawkins would bring the answer back to her husband.
Why was she so passionate about running, bonsai trees and reading? It was important to stay active and pick good things to do with her time, she would say, but do you know why Murray was sent to Pearl Harbor and how wondrous it was to share a home with him?
Together, she said, they loved to marvel at hummingbirds, sunrises and scintillating books, experiences she described with a favorite catchphrase: “magic moments.”
Ms. Hawkins always kept busy: She raised a family, moved to Honduras for a year in 1940 to teach the children of fruit company employees, and became a competitive cyclist in her 80s.
She also kept a lot of pets, including a monkey, an alligator, an armadillo, turtles, snakes and bunnies.
“We spent a lot of time in the yard,” Ms. Matens said.
In her 11th decade, Ms. Hawkins experienced a lifetime’s worth of magic moments on the track. “There’s something magic, sort of, about what happens to you when you get out there,” she said. “You just feel like your feet have wings.”
re: Paso Robles
Posted by rsb831 on 10/18/24 at 2:31 pm
Another vote for Tablas Creek.
re: Leaving Sunday to do the Mount Everest Basecamp Trek
Posted by rsb831 on 10/1/24 at 10:16 am
re: Mashed potatoes for 70. Anybody know how many pounds of taters that will require?
Posted by rsb831 on 9/12/24 at 3:29 pm
Super1 will sell you the vac sealed packages of mashed potatoes they put on the hot bar. Not the cheapest route, but easy and quick. They are pretty good, but I doctor them up with butter, sour cream, green onion and top with cheese and bacon for a twice baked casserole.
re: Buffet at the belliago
Posted by rsb831 on 8/16/24 at 9:59 am
Eater Las Vegas just published a review of all the on strip buffets. Bellagio was solid, but Caesars and Wynn were better.
I Ate at Every Buffet on the Las Vegas Strip in One Week
I Ate at Every Buffet on the Las Vegas Strip in One Week
re: The Michelin Guide is Coming to Texas
Posted by rsb831 on 7/17/24 at 11:49 am
quote:
March, Bluedorn, and few others will be looked at
It will be interesting to see how it affects the restaurants under consideration. Bludorn said one of the reasons he left NYC was the emphasis on keeping stars undermined doing what was best for guests.
Eater story on chef's reactions to the news.
re: Weekend in NYC
Posted by rsb831 on 6/15/24 at 12:54 pm
Couple of years ago tried getting into Don Angie’s by showing up about 15 minutes before opening, hoping to snag bar seats. There was a long line of people with the same idea.
Decided to walk over to Ci Siamo, Danny Meyer’s new place, and try the same thing. Was able to get last two seats at bar and we were not disappointed. Nice surprise was that Ryan, long time bar manager at Cure, served us.
Last year we put our name on the list at Via Carota around 6:00. Walked around the West Village and got drinks at Katana Kitten. Got text at 8:40 that table was ready. Great meal and sat next to John Mayer and Andy Cohen.
Still haven’t made it to DA. They recently opened a new Italian seafood spot, San Sabina, a couple of doors down.
Decided to walk over to Ci Siamo, Danny Meyer’s new place, and try the same thing. Was able to get last two seats at bar and we were not disappointed. Nice surprise was that Ryan, long time bar manager at Cure, served us.
Last year we put our name on the list at Via Carota around 6:00. Walked around the West Village and got drinks at Katana Kitten. Got text at 8:40 that table was ready. Great meal and sat next to John Mayer and Andy Cohen.
Still haven’t made it to DA. They recently opened a new Italian seafood spot, San Sabina, a couple of doors down.
re: The Killers at Tip’s????
Posted by rsb831 on 4/24/24 at 10:25 am
Somehow I got lucky. I was signed into TicketWeb and clicked refresh right at 10 and got two. There was a presale yesterday and someone on Reddit said half the inventory was sold then.
Now I don't have to choose between them and Jon Batiste on Friday.
Now I don't have to choose between them and Jon Batiste on Friday.
re: Lunch in Ruston?
Posted by rsb831 on 4/3/24 at 6:25 pm
Sunday will be limited. But the Mexican places and Johnny’s will be open. Beau Vines does a nice brunch. Trio’s can be good, but hit or miss.
On Friday, if the weather is nice, Heard Freighthouse has several food trucks. Bad Wolf BBQ is great as is Staple Sandwich. Grown & Grazed was the original, I like their breakfast more than the burger, but it is good.
Agree about Utility mentioned above
Lula Perl is a coffee shop that I hear good things about, but haven’t been. They post their lunch specials on FB and IG and they look really good.
And haven’t been to Griffs since the renovation, but it is a classic. Hopefully they didn’t change the grease. It will be open on Sunday.
White Lightning isn’t open for lunch but it’s the best restaurant in town these days.
On Friday, if the weather is nice, Heard Freighthouse has several food trucks. Bad Wolf BBQ is great as is Staple Sandwich. Grown & Grazed was the original, I like their breakfast more than the burger, but it is good.
Agree about Utility mentioned above
Lula Perl is a coffee shop that I hear good things about, but haven’t been. They post their lunch specials on FB and IG and they look really good.
And haven’t been to Griffs since the renovation, but it is a classic. Hopefully they didn’t change the grease. It will be open on Sunday.
White Lightning isn’t open for lunch but it’s the best restaurant in town these days.
re: Wild South
Posted by rsb831 on 4/3/24 at 10:30 am
Went a couple of weeks ago. Really enjoyed it. Menu changes every Friday, so no recommendations. A quail dish was memorable. Prepared two ways, roasted breast, fried leg quarters, beautiful presentation. None of the courses disappointed. Service was top notch.
Reminded me of Saint Germain at a lower price point and slightly more casual. Half the courses, but portions were larger so didn't leave hungry.
McNulty did a story a few weeks ago. Typically positive, even more effusive than usual. Here's a link, but paywall - LINK
Reminded me of Saint Germain at a lower price point and slightly more casual. Half the courses, but portions were larger so didn't leave hungry.
McNulty did a story a few weeks ago. Typically positive, even more effusive than usual. Here's a link, but paywall - LINK
re: Suggestions for Kauai
Posted by rsb831 on 3/12/24 at 2:37 pm
Here's a good review of the resort.
Grand Hyatt Kauai
In September, we did 3 nights at 1 Hotel Hanalei and 3 at the Grand Hyatt. For families the Hyatt is the right choice, but 1 Hotel was over the top luxury. Perfect for couples.
We used Na Pali Catamaran for a snorkeling tour and Blue Hawaiian out of the Princeville airport the helicopter tour. Both were great, and more convenient to the 1 Hotel.
The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook had good info and we used the companion phone app. It requires a subscription, so wait until just before you leave to sign up and don't forget to cancel when you return - I think it's like $10 for 30 days. It gives a running commentary and history on what you are seeing as you drive. Used it to take a couple of detours to waterfalls and also a day trip to Waimea canyon.
Have fun!
Grand Hyatt Kauai
In September, we did 3 nights at 1 Hotel Hanalei and 3 at the Grand Hyatt. For families the Hyatt is the right choice, but 1 Hotel was over the top luxury. Perfect for couples.
We used Na Pali Catamaran for a snorkeling tour and Blue Hawaiian out of the Princeville airport the helicopter tour. Both were great, and more convenient to the 1 Hotel.
The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook had good info and we used the companion phone app. It requires a subscription, so wait until just before you leave to sign up and don't forget to cancel when you return - I think it's like $10 for 30 days. It gives a running commentary and history on what you are seeing as you drive. Used it to take a couple of detours to waterfalls and also a day trip to Waimea canyon.
Have fun!
re: Best Nola lunch on a Monday
Posted by rsb831 on 2/28/24 at 11:29 am
Herbsaint is hard to beat.
Haven't been, but heard good things about Good Catch from the Pomelo people. Thai seafood.
Haven't been, but heard good things about Good Catch from the Pomelo people. Thai seafood.
re: Please tell me your experiences with Turo.
Posted by rsb831 on 2/19/24 at 2:35 pm
Re: Insurance - Just read a customer advocate column about an issue with Turo. Customer had bought the lower coverage with a 3K deductible. Car owner turned in a claim for questionable interior damage. Turo billed customer for 3K with no repair invoices. When advocate inquired, Turo agreed that damage photos were inconclusive and closed the claim. Good outcome but a hassle.
Advice was to use the Turo app to take pictures, inside and out, when picking up and dropping off car. The app photo service time and geo stamps pics.
Advice was to use the Turo app to take pictures, inside and out, when picking up and dropping off car. The app photo service time and geo stamps pics.
re: Coffee Thread
Posted by rsb831 on 2/2/24 at 1:22 pm
Has anyone gotten beans from Current Crop on Magazine street? You can roast beans onsite and they offer cupping and roasting classes. Looks interesting. LINK
I have Onyx out of Rogers, AR on auto delivery -Tropical Weather and Cold Brew.
I have Onyx out of Rogers, AR on auto delivery -Tropical Weather and Cold Brew.
re: I’m going to Patois
Posted by rsb831 on 1/25/24 at 11:12 am
quote:
Gumbo also top notch.
This.
Also, the duck confit salad (they vary it up) is outstanding.
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