In honor of one of the Paramedic's birthdays, several of Dustin's fellow medics (except him, he had to work) gathered at Bacchanal on Poland, and I was invited to come along. Driving down North Rampart at dusk, I had a wave of..... I don't know exactly what. I drove past the way we used to come into town every time we visited, and I remembered that feeling of excitement and anticipation that used to sweep me once we made the curve past the Police station. Looking at the three story buildings with iron balconies in the fading light, I was glad that I lived in New Orleans.
And after I got through feeling all giddy- and paying entirely too much for gas at the nearest station- I found Bacchanal's. It's a nondescript little place on a corner, but once you go in, you see that it might just be something special. There are wine racks everywhere, as well as a few coolers filled with beer, water and cheeses to accompany your vino. Behind the cash register there's a chalk board with a few selections, and I wish I could remember what I got. I had only one glass, but it was superb. A white wine that was crisp and fruity, but not really sweet. I thought I tasted elderberry, which is a flavor I love and miss very much from when we used to forage the berries out of the wilderness ourselves to turn into jelly when I was a kid. I followed the party out into the patio area. The ground is uneven, the trees and shrubs are exactly where God put them, the tables don't match and the tiki torches and strung lights are set about haphazardly, but it was beautiful. Everyone else had already eaten (I swear, I was only 10 minutes late! People trying to make me look bad...), so I didn't order anything, but they do offer some sandwiches, cheese plates and other light offerings. The ladies room was pretty clean, has a fuul length mirror and the hot water works, so they get a good score on that front. We stayed for a little over an hour, but just about the time the jazz band started playing on the little wooden stage in the corner, the party was ready to move on.
Since I'd missed out on the sandwiches, I decided to fulfill a constant craving I have and went to the Avenue. The guacamole watch board had a smiley face, so we were good to go. I had a Coke and my guacamole and got ready to meet back up with everyone else.
The party had moved to St. Joe's on Magazine. So.... That's where I went. I'd never been, and it was quite a place. I'm not entirely sure that all the crosses hanging from the ceiling are exactly kosher (religious pun not really intended), but I liked the church pews next to the pool table and the cherubs behind the bar. The bathroom walls are also quite unique, with bits of broken tiles and mirrors mosaiced into them. The back covered patio area is amazing. The rafters are filled with red Chinese lanterns, there are candles and Asian religious-type statues above the bar. Absolutely beautiful. Almost as beautiful as the blueberry mojitos. They were the best, hand muddled right there while you watch. We enjoyed sipping our Southern libations and heckled a friend who was trying out her speech for her upcoming volunteerism as a tour guide. With the exception of getting walked in on in the unique yet tiny, no-door-latch-having bathroom, it was a lot of fun.
At almost midnight, when the party began to disperse, a few of us decided to go in search of some late night vittles. Someone said the midnight buffet was about to start at Harrah's, so we made our way thus. But there was apparently some sort of event going on at the casino, which means no parking for us. So we followed the other car to a little restaurant on the corner of Dauphin and Touro called La Peniche. Curtis and I, deciding that the name sounded awfully stuffy, agreed ahead of time that we would certainly not be paying $25 for a crepe. Luckily, this place turned out to be the perfect end to a night out. Low prices and good food are always a happy couple in my book. Everyone got something totally different. One girl got chicken-fried chicken and scrambled eggs, and I got biscuits and white gravy with a small side salad. While the biscuits were a bit hard, it was very good. For five people to eat their fill, and still have food on (a few of) their plates, it came to about $70. With parties of 5 or more, the gratuity is added in automatically (and they don't split checks, so don't ask), but we left our change for him anyway. If you ever find yourself hankering for an omelet and a po-boy at 2 am, and are brave enough to leave the Quarter (did I mention I saw two hookers make the block as I ate my biscuits?), then by all means give this place a try!
One of the many perks of having a friend share a wall is that when you got out together, along with her boyfriend usually being the designated driver, you don't have to feel like you're imposing when it's time to go home. You simply walk up your side of the steps and go inside.
No comments:
Post a Comment