The Praline Connection





As a connoisseur of fine southern cooking and soul food being my favorite, Geoff and Joe couldn't wait to take me to the Praline Connection. From the way they explained it on the way I was expecting something a little darker and more dangerous than what we walked into but don't let the niceness fool you, this is some good down home soul cooking. Located on Frenchmen St. in New Orleans, we had to hike a bit off of the beaten Mardi Gras path but that is where you usually find the good eats.






Geoffery got the fried chicken dinner with a side of collard greens. The chicken was perfect with just enough heat in the batter to give you a sweat. The fryers must be kept fresh because this chicken was wonderful, the skin just tight enough not to pull off during your first bite. How about those greens!?!?! I could eat those greens all day. I am a true believer that no matter how good the rest of your food is your greens make or break a soul food shop. This place has been here for over twenty years. Their motto is that their food is "Pure D Good"

Joe got the alligator sausage sampler which came with it's own style of cocktail sauce which was completely unnecessary. Cooked crisp and bite sized, these succulent little bites were a perfect snack.

I was in the mood for more than a snack and opted for the smothered pork chops with red beans and rice. The chops tasted as though they were deep fried because they were so juicy. The beans were plentiful and had that creamy texture I have come to love in New Orleans. Fantastic meal, can't wait to go back.

Praline Connection is at:
542 Frenchmen St
New Orleans
504 943 3934

www.pralineconnection.com

The GATOR ME CRAZY












Gator Me Crazy rests on the outer crust of the Quarter in New Orleans, just across from the French Market. We were headed elsewhere but after a Saints' Super Bowl victory the night before the lines were either extreme or the places were just closed. We followed a bit of advice and ended up at this little eatery on Decatur St. The menu is handwritten on a chalkboard above the counter. The owner is cooking and the waiter (who is definatley northeast of St. Anne's Lavender Line) were the only employees and we were the only customers so it worked out perfect.




























Under the advisement of a true local, I was instructed to head to Gator Me Crazy if I wanted a great local breakfast that wouldn't break the bank. I think this is what he said through bites of last nights sushi...I took him at face value, the man looks like he knows what he is grunting about.





































The alligator sausages were something to go back for. Crisp skins, slit down the center and grilled through, these were the perfect compliment to our breakfast. Just so you know, if your eggs are a little underdone don't bother trying to send them back.

The alligator jambalya was absolutely wonderful. With succulent pieces of crawfish and alligator floating abundantly throughout.

The 'Cajun Donuts' (copyright infringement??) were as good as any beignet I had eaten all weekend. And although chickory coffee is "gross" and not on the menu, their cafe au lait is quite good.



819 Decatur St
New Orleans La
504 527 0051

Another favorite

Here is another spot in New Orleans that had fantastic food. Being that this was Super Bowl Sunday it was amazing that we found an open restaurant that wasn't already spilling over into the streets. As we walked down Chartres, Geoff and Joe both had mentioned the Chartres House Cafe. We walked in and were seated immediately. This is a very nice restaurant. Very old with some updates including a big back room which is where we sat and a revamped balcony where you can eat overlooking all the revelry.

Geoff and I both ordered the muffoletta. Me because I heard it was the best in the Quarter...Geoff because he's had it before. They came out and were piled with fries. I was skeptical at first, something just didn't seem right. I chalked it up to never having had the 'best muffoletta' ever and proceeded to dig in.

Something just didn't seem right. The bun was perfectly toasted, the olive tapinade had the right amount of crunch and tang...something was still amiss. The patty underneath truly left something to be desired. So I asked Geoff who was thouroughly enjoying his why he seemed to be having so much enjoyment whilst I was not getting it.

Geoff didn't say much, he just kept destroying his sandwich while making noises I can't spell. Still a bit annoyed that he's having all the fun I ask our waiter to come over and see if he can shed some light on my situation.

It turns out that I was given the wrong sandwich. Somehow I was served the vegetarian version and the patty under the tapinade was really just a deepfried pressed veggie burger. He quickly replaced my sandwich with a true New Orleans staple and I was soon making the same sounds that Geoffery was making. I will admit, I have had meatier muffolettas while in New Orleans but the quality of meat made up for the quantity in the first bite. The tapenade was also first class, just enough bite was left in the vegetables and the heat vs olive mixture was perfect.




If you saw the empty soup cup it was the crawfish ettoufette that was part of Joe's crawfish platter which was very good. The platter was great but could have been a lot better if they didn't depend on so much fried filler. The meal (once remedied) was a great lunch. Would highly recommend.

Chartres House Cafe
www.chartreshousecafe.com

601 Chartres StNew Orleans,

LA 70130(504) 586-8383