Over the last two weeks I've been quite focused on revisiting food sites that were once damaged by the flooding in New Orleans. It was a small way to pay tribute to the business owners who fought through red tape, headaches and financial woes to reopen.
When possible, I brought a friend from out of town in hopes of introducing them to a little of what New Orleans mealtime has to offer. The most interesting visit was my second post K visit to Rocky and Carlo's in da parish.
The renovations were beautiful, the place was bright, clean and inviting. Far from the old days discussed in my cookbook. It was a welcome sight. The restaurant was packed- construction workers with tool belts in tow, business men in suits and ladies who lunch. It was the most diverse crowd I've ever seen dine together. The line to order snaked through the entire restaurant and there wasn't an empty table in sight. Waitresses walked by with trays piled high with mac and cheese, green beans and veal Parmesan. You could see the eager looks on the faces of people waiting for their meal. To my guest, it was an adventure like no other; imagine if he had seen the place before the storm, it would have truly been an adventure!
The activity reminded me of the visa card commercial where everyone danced and moved in sync, enjoying the activity and all working together like one. Orchestrated like a well oiled machine. That was until we ordered!
I dove right in ordering mac and cheese, green beans and veal...my guest on the other hand was the one who abruptly halted the flow of progress. When he ordered, it appeared as if all went silent! He committed the worst food sin possible to a New Orleaninan, he asked for a roast beef poboy WITHOUT gravy.
I swear I could hear gasps, dropped dishes and moans from the staff and other dining guests. There was a loud, "You not from round hear are ya dawlin?" yelled from the kitchen. Who in the world wouldn't want gravy on their roastbeef poboy?
The waitress thought she knew the reason...perhaps this gentleman didn't want to spill gravy on his tie, perhaps he had an appointment and needed to be neat and tidy. But there was no reason to miss out on a good poboy. In true Parish style and hospitality, she politely offered my guest full size towels or an apron if he was concerned about the mess. With this resolution the restaurant machine started moving again, thinking that all was well.
He said, "give me a catfish poboy." Wonderful choice I thought...as the restaurant humming began to get louder! Then he did it again, the halt of progress, to the amazement of restaurant workers, he asked what "dressed" means! Another look of frustration from the kitchen staff and a pleasant attempt at an explanation! While she explained, my guest was wondering silently if he could have his catfish grilled instead of fried. His next question didn't make it from his head to his lips...I think he knew the answer.
The line was stacking up behind us and beginning to stretch outside the door, it seemed as if people were staring and we would be the talk of the town all afternoon.
I bowed my head thinking about what an awful host I had been. I had not properly prepared this poor guy for his experience. I realized some people are just not as adventurous when it comes to food and perhaps Rocky and Carlo's isn't for everyone.
After lunch, I thanked him for joining me and hoped he'd find it in his heart to forgive me for throwing him into such a situation unprepared. He agreed it was an adventure like no other and happily left the restaurant with his go cup that says..."Rocky and Carlo's, Ladies Invited."
You can't win em all!
http://www.rubyslipperscookbook.com/
When possible, I brought a friend from out of town in hopes of introducing them to a little of what New Orleans mealtime has to offer. The most interesting visit was my second post K visit to Rocky and Carlo's in da parish.
The renovations were beautiful, the place was bright, clean and inviting. Far from the old days discussed in my cookbook. It was a welcome sight. The restaurant was packed- construction workers with tool belts in tow, business men in suits and ladies who lunch. It was the most diverse crowd I've ever seen dine together. The line to order snaked through the entire restaurant and there wasn't an empty table in sight. Waitresses walked by with trays piled high with mac and cheese, green beans and veal Parmesan. You could see the eager looks on the faces of people waiting for their meal. To my guest, it was an adventure like no other; imagine if he had seen the place before the storm, it would have truly been an adventure!
The activity reminded me of the visa card commercial where everyone danced and moved in sync, enjoying the activity and all working together like one. Orchestrated like a well oiled machine. That was until we ordered!
I dove right in ordering mac and cheese, green beans and veal...my guest on the other hand was the one who abruptly halted the flow of progress. When he ordered, it appeared as if all went silent! He committed the worst food sin possible to a New Orleaninan, he asked for a roast beef poboy WITHOUT gravy.
I swear I could hear gasps, dropped dishes and moans from the staff and other dining guests. There was a loud, "You not from round hear are ya dawlin?" yelled from the kitchen. Who in the world wouldn't want gravy on their roastbeef poboy?
The waitress thought she knew the reason...perhaps this gentleman didn't want to spill gravy on his tie, perhaps he had an appointment and needed to be neat and tidy. But there was no reason to miss out on a good poboy. In true Parish style and hospitality, she politely offered my guest full size towels or an apron if he was concerned about the mess. With this resolution the restaurant machine started moving again, thinking that all was well.
He said, "give me a catfish poboy." Wonderful choice I thought...as the restaurant humming began to get louder! Then he did it again, the halt of progress, to the amazement of restaurant workers, he asked what "dressed" means! Another look of frustration from the kitchen staff and a pleasant attempt at an explanation! While she explained, my guest was wondering silently if he could have his catfish grilled instead of fried. His next question didn't make it from his head to his lips...I think he knew the answer.
The line was stacking up behind us and beginning to stretch outside the door, it seemed as if people were staring and we would be the talk of the town all afternoon.
I bowed my head thinking about what an awful host I had been. I had not properly prepared this poor guy for his experience. I realized some people are just not as adventurous when it comes to food and perhaps Rocky and Carlo's isn't for everyone.
After lunch, I thanked him for joining me and hoped he'd find it in his heart to forgive me for throwing him into such a situation unprepared. He agreed it was an adventure like no other and happily left the restaurant with his go cup that says..."Rocky and Carlo's, Ladies Invited."
You can't win em all!
http://www.rubyslipperscookbook.com/
