It’s always a joy to visit my son, Jay, and his family here in “The Big Easy”. My election as a trustee at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary has made it possible to visit at least two extra times per year. Having lived in Baton Rouge three decades ago, I had become familiar with the Crescent City, having visited here a number of times. We were obliged to take all of our out of town visitors for a quick trip to New Orleans and see all the sights – and there are many sights to see.
New Orleans is much more than the French Quarter. It is a fascinating city, surrounded by water, and built mostly below sea level. It has a long and storied history as Spanish and then French territory. The architecture is beautiful. Most folks are familiar with the balconies of the old buildings in the Vieux Carre, and the stately mansions of the Garden District. The colorful shotgun style homes that line many of the streets are accented by ancient live oaks, and the wide boulevards with an occasional pine tree add character to the landscape.
Lake Ponchartrain serves as the northern border of the city and the curving Mississippi River creates the southern boundary, and hence the “Crescent City” moniker. The people are friendly and interesting, and the native New Orleanian’s accent is distinctive. They sound as though they may be from Brooklyn rather than the Deep South. There are parks and a marina, art galleries, museums, streetcars and a beautiful zoo that all add to the beauty and character of New Orleans. Live music is everywhere and the soundtrack for New Orleans includes Jazz, Dixieland, Cajun, and Zydeco.
And there are the restaurants!
Jay used to take us to the Cheesecake Bistro on St. Charles, but alas, after Katrina, the bistro is no more. However, local sources say that there are now more eateries up and running than there were in the pre Katrina days. Seems hard to believe but look around and there are restaurants EVERYWHERE. From his television fame, everyone knows Emeril Lagasse, but his places are just two of the multitude of great places to eat in New Orleans. One couldn’t hope to visit them all in a lifetime, so most folks find a few favorites and frequent them whenever possible.
I’m not about haute cuisine, nor do I live for fast food, but I do love that vast middle ground between the two. New Orleans has many such eateries from which to choose.
One can enjoy the red beans and rice at Café Mespero or the catfish at Ralph and Kacoo’s in the Quarter. (be sure to try the fried pickles and alligator from the appetizer menu at R&K’s) Perhaps you may wish to try the shrimp, gumbo, and jambalaya at Mother’s Restaurant on Poydras Street. Good stuff! Hungry for a delicious filet mignon and some Jazz music? Try Snug Harbor on Frenchman Street in the Marigny district. The best cheeseburger and baked potato you ever put in your mouth awaits you at Port of Call on Esplanade. Want a delicious Po Boy? Sammy’s on Elysian Fields is my favorite. How about a Pizza or Muffaletto? Try Mo’s Pizza across the river in Westwego. Or if you just want a snack with a real taste of New Orleans, the Bignets at Café Dumonde will leave you satisfied - and covered with powdered sugar!
If I lived in New Orleans, I would weigh 400 pounds!
Tonight, when our Seminary Trustee meeting concludes, we will enjoy a Seafood Buffet in the dining room at the seminary and finish up with coffee and dessert at Café New Orleans in the Hardin Student Center on campus. Café New Orleans offers 72 different blends of coffee. 72!!! I wouldn’t have thought that possible. Loretta Scroggs, who is a member of Jay’s church, manages the coffee shop, and she’ll have a couple of pounds of fresh ground coffee (blend of our choice) for each of us to take home. Linda has told me to make sure I come back with “Columbia Supremo” blend. I learned long ago not to cross her up on her coffee!
I will write later tonight about our Trustee Meeting itself. But for now, it’s off to the campus gym and weight room to try to work off last night’s meal.
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