Out with the chicken

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says it might be a good idea to limit the number of fast food restaurants in the city.

It is true that poorer neighborhoods often suffer from a shortage of healthy eating options. If you want to eat healthy, you should make most of your meals from items purchased at a grocery store. Certain neighborhoods don’t have many grocery stores. The problem is then exacerbated because people in poorer areas are less likely to own cars, and thus can't transport groceries efficiently over long distances.

Problem is, prohibiting a new fast food restaurant from moving in won’t do anything to increase access to healthy food choices. It’ll simply deny a neighborhood of new jobs and property tax revenue. And it deprives residents of the benefits offered by increased competition in the fast food market.

Plus, Church’s Chicken is healthy. As long as you have a hankering for a side of corn on the cob. And nothing else.

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A Delightful West Bank Hole in the Wall: Paris Deli

Like many Gretna establishments, it was unassuming on the outside.

But the sign was new - we had walked that way several times before over the lunch hour, but we had never seen the sign trimmed in red, white, and blue or the lone table crammed against the front of the place.  We literally stumbled upon it.  Naturally, we had to try it.

It turned out to be one of those classic mom-and-pop New Orleans area hole in the wall restaurants.  The menu was limited in the cramped front ordering area with specials listed overhead, but the lone employee proved quite a treasure.

After ordering, we moved into the back dining area - which was replete with nets full of marine creatures.  Giant pufferfish, sand sharks, sizable shells, and even a seaturtle hung dry and browning in nets.  A pulldown backdrop of Polynesian isle palms filled the back wall between two wicker peacock chairs.

Then we heard the older lady up front speaking French.  When she came back to drop off the salads, we learned she was from Tahiti (makes sense, French Polynesia).  We started talking about breadfruit, and she was mystified as to how I knew about breadfruit and Tahiti.  I said Mutiny on the Bounty.  Then we learned that Marlon Brando's wife (I think) was from Tahiti, too.

The place was small and a bit dingy, but very intriguing.  The tableware was low-end, but sufficient.

Then my porkchop arrived in a pile of vegetables.  I was a bit trepidatious about the whole thing, but when I bit into the glazed, spiced piece of meat, I had the same amazed face as one of my companions across the table who had just ventured into the chicken.  It was uncommonly tasty!

Admittedly, another gent at the table found his "tripledecker sandwich" - a substitute for the item he ordered, which was found to be out of stock - less than satisfactory.  And the place seemed to close up as we left.  Or before we did.

But we had a fun time in the strange little nautical nook on Second Street in old Gretna with our charming, laughing host.  And we might have to go back.

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Where I Like to Eat in New Orleans: Breakfast

The Big Easy is famed for its food. However, some of the finest fusion and creole cuisine here is a bit out of the price range of a lowly loan-bound law student. With that - and my rather stifling academic schedule limiting my exposure - in mind, I figure I'll share a few of the places I recommend to friends and family when they're in town. Starting with the first meal of the day...

Breakfast:

+ The Bluebird Cafe - Prytania Street, Uptown
- A classic no-frills diner space with a friendly, interesting staff and a quick wait line outside. The omelets hit the spot, especially when accompanied with black beans and rye toast. You never know who might show up in the seats.

+ Surrey's - Lower Magazine Street
- The wait on weekends can be prohibitive, but the food is scrumptious. The bananas foster pancakes were memorable, and the fresh, relaxing atmosphere feels just right in the morning.

+ Betsy's Pancake House - Upper Canal Street, Mid-City
- The food's alright, but the atmosphere is one of the most intriguing mixing pots in the city. The place has character. With blue walls, crucifixes over the doors, and a range of clientele from churchgoers in their Sunday best to local law enforcement, the place is great for people-watching. Betsy herself will likely serve you, dressed in gold, accompanied by colorful, unscripted calls from the kitchen.

+ Oak Street Cafe - Oak Street, Carrollton
- The food isn't the best around, but the music from regular pianist Charles Farmer makes for a pleasant start to the day nonetheless.

+ The Coffee Pot - St. Peter Street, The Quarter
- While it's in the Quarter, and it's certainly more expensive, the outdoor courtyard seating is picture-perfect - if you hit it early on a weekday morning when it's not overrun by tourists. And even if it is, the staff is gracious and gregarious, and the menu sports some old school hard-to-find entries, like lost bread (done well) and calas. Omelets = delicious.

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Obama and 'Sweetie'

What a non-story.

Here in New Orleans, I don't know if a day goes by where I'm not referred to as 'honey', 'baby', 'sweetie', 'darlin', or even 'child' by people with the kindest of intentions.

Why just yesterday, I was eating lunch at Lil' Dizzy's downtown (so was Mayor Nagin) and the waitress said "And what'll you have, baby?" when she took my order in the vault dining room (I had a half po-boy, a cup of gumbo, and a Coke).

Nobody at the table blinked an eye. Not an eyebrow was raised. No whistles were heard.

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Wait - There is Such a Thing?

I guess so.

Apparently.

Indeed.

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