New Orleans: Rambla

Rambla (in the International Hotel (has a street entrance))

The ambiance of this restaurant is wonderful from its rich red walls to its unique light fixtures. I love everything about this place the service was impeccable. The drink menu was extensive and unique. As was the dinner menu. Our server was very helpful with recommendations. We both ordered cucumber mint martinis, which were light and refreshing. This tapas style restaurant has its menu separated out into six areas Snacks, Salads, Charcuterie, Flatbreads, Small and Large. Here is our selection in order of the menu:

Chicharrones “Two-Ways” with Chimichurri and Charred Tomato Espuma

Roasted Heirloom Beets with Valdeon, Spiced Nuts, Sour Apple Jelly and Sugarcane Vinaigrette

Moroccan Spiced Pork and Duck Rillettes

Roasted Fig with Valdeon Blue Cheese, Serrano Ham and Bitter Greens

Spanish Style Pork Meatballs Toasted Pinenuts and Tomato Sherry Gastrique

I am really bummed that I did not take any pictures when we were here the presentation of the food was so unique. If you are ever in New Orleans you defiantly need to check out this place. Amazing!

New Orleans: Stanley

I have to first say a big thank you to my friend Shelley for all of her great recommendations of places to check out while I was done here. For dinner tonight, my colleague Braulio and I decided to try one out. The spot: Stanley. This is a very low key restaurant located in Historic Jackson Square. It over looks a pedestrian street and a park making it very cozy and quiet. The menu had a variety of breakfast options that are served all day, sandwiches, soup and salads and house made ice cream. I totally missed this on the menu, it is on my list for the next time I am down here. I ordered the Eggs Benedict Po’ Boy and Blood Orange Italian soda. Braulio order the soft shell crab po’ boy and we got a side of onion rings to split. I would defiantly recommend this spot, especially as a late night snack spot.

New Orleans: Palace Cafe

First day in New Orleans, and after a brutal afternoon stuck in the hotel lobby cranking out some work I finally made it to lunch. I didn’t go far, actually just across the street to a place called Palace Cafe. It had great outdoor space, so my colleagues Katie, Kriston and I grabbed a nice table in the corner. The menu looked great. I decided to skip a salad, which I usually would have ordered and went for the andouille sausage, local shrimp penne in a mustard cream sauce. I know what you are thinking “that is a heavy meal for lunch” it was and it was delicious! When my dish arrived the shrimp had a face (thank goodness it was only one) after a brief tutorial on how to dismantle the shrimp we were in business. The shrimp were tender and succulent and the sausage was spicy. The sauce was a perfect combination of the mustard and cream. Other dishes that were order were the shrimp salad, all the shrimp in this dish had faces. Yikes. And the risotto, which looked good and got good compliments from the Kriston.

This was a good spot, a bit in the middle of the touristy area. I am not sure if I would recommend this place. The food was good, but there are better places off the beaten path that are far better.

Rustic Bruschetta

So, tonight a Saturday night, and not feeling very motivated to make dinner. I rummaged around in the fridge to find a few ingredients mini heirloom tomatoes and cooking greens. I thought to myself bruschetta sounds really good. Light, healthy and quick.

I started off by sauteing 4 cloves of garlic in olive oil. Then adding the tomatoes, greens and some lemon juice. At the end, I added lemon zest and salt and pepper. Toasted up some bread and here you go.

yum!

Cake Cookies

This has got to be one of my most favorite recipes. They are quick and so delicious. The base to the recipe is cake mix. So, you can imagine all the different variations you can come up with. I have done chocolate cake mix with mint chocolate chips, lemon cake mix, red velvet with white chocolate chips, and spice cake with chocolate chips.

Recipe:
1 pkg yellow cake mix
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 (6 oz) pkg semi sweet chocolate chips

Combine all ingredients. Drop by the teaspoonful onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake 10 min at 375º.