One of my dining companions recently had this awesome dish: fried shrimp at S&J Oyster Bar, Blue Dome District.
I miss Carnival season on the Gulf Coast.
Not that my family was big on it (at all), but the shrimp boils and king cakes and general revelry from New Orleans to Mobile was a blast.
So I was pretty dang delighted when food writer Nicole Marshall Middleton suggested lunch with our darling TV editor, Rita Sherrow, at S&J Oyster Bar -- especially because I hadn't been yet.
Before I even entered the door of their relatively new downtown digs at 308 E. First St., I knew I wanted a shrimp po'boy. I'd eat one any time of year, but I especially enjoyed shrimp po'boys at various spots in the French Quarter when I was in college.
S&J's serves their po'boys with tartar and cocktail sauce, which isn't the way they do it at my favorite places in New Orleans. Down there, they ask if you want it "dressed," which means mayo, tomato and lettuce. But I asked for a side of mayo, slathered some on the buttered French bread myself and enjoyed it thoroughly, along with some yummy S&J gumbo. Next time (and there most definitely will be a next time), I'll try the etouffee -- and, if someone else is driving, a hurricane, perhaps.
This Mardi Gras season, which ends midnight on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 12, I hope to have a few more dishes reminiscent of my good times in New Orleans. Here's my wish list ...
Hebert's Specialty Meats2101 E. 71st St.I'm hankerin' for their red beans and rice and a crawfish po'boy. But I've never had their Turducken, so I may have to change my mind. Decisions, decisions ...
Wild ForkUtica SquareIt's imperative I order some beignets at some point. Hopefully, it'll be just warm enough to sit outside on the patio, close my eyes and pretend I'm at Cafe du Monde.
Doc's Wine & Food3509 S. Peoria Ave.I've already mapped this out: One evening, it'll be a side of jambalaya and the Southern bread pudding; then I'll have to come back for the chicken jambalaya, and spinach and andouille dip. And that's just dinner -- haven't even thought about lunch or brunch yet. Mmm ...
Peace, love and laissez les bon temps rouler ... XOXO
