Acropolis Cuisine - Metairie, LA

Since my stomach has constantly been telling me please get me a Gyro asap and Acropolis Cuisine has been known to dish out some tasty Greek cuisine (I have been told to dine her a couple of times), I went to check it out.

I was by myself and not in the mood to eat alone so I decided upon carryout. At some restaurants, carryout customer don't get the same level of service as dine in customers but that was not the case here.  While waiting for my order and scoping out the scene, I could tell that it was a nice restaurant as appearances go and I would not hesitate to bring family or friends here. 

The Gyro had good flavor but the meat, a combo of beef and lamb,  was just a little too darn salty.  The pita bread was good, the tomatoes and lettuce were fresh and the tzatziki sauce was tasty. It was piled with so much meat, unless you have a hefty appetite, you will have a hard time finishing it. Overall, it was delectable. 

You have the option of steak fries or grilled vegetables as a side. I opted for the latter and really liked it. Whatever it is that they added to it, it was phenomenal!

I also ordered a Baklava to finish of my meal. It was delicious but super sweet. I could have done without all that honey but that is a typical Baklava addition. However, it was flaky, quality, and mmm mmm good.

Acropolis Cuisine
3841 Veterans Memorial Blvd Metairie, LA 70002
(504) 888-9046

Tomas Bistro - Central Business District - New Orleans, LA

We arrived at Tomas Bistro at about 5:30pm (since we had someplace to go afterwards). We had made a reservation in advance so we had no issues getting a free table but despite the fact that the restaurant has just opened, it was empty anyways. There was only one other table when we got there and only a handful of tables were there when we left at about 7:30pm. 

The ambiance is pretty much grandma's rustic dungeon. The only thing missing were doilies on the table but that was reflected in the window curtains anyways. I am probably not really in their age demographic so that was not much of a bother. What irked me was the darkness of the restaurant and it would have annoyed me more had I not been seated by a window.

The service was typical French; proper and uniformed. Service was good. Our server was knowledgeable and personable and more importantly, water remained filled. It really isn't a big deal but my OCD had me wondering why crumbs weren't removed from the table especially considering the type of service they appear to offer.

The drinks were good. I had a glass of Prosecco but my fiancé (I always say boyfriend and am struggling to get used to that) had not one but two Rum Punches. It had the right balance, although I will say the orange juice stood out. Still, it was tasty and refreshing. It was not particularly boozy to taste, but had the desired intoxicating effect. 

We started with the Crabmeat Pontchartrain. I get so excited when I have a dish with crabmeat and it actually has crabmeat. The avocado was fresh and the flavor was on point I was just a little salty that the portion was so small and I had to share.

After eating such amazing Rack of Lamb at a different restaurant, this one just didn't deliver (not to say it was bad). It came with Tomato Provencal and that didn't help its case. It was very mushy and kind of gross. 

The Rabbit Au Poivre was tasty, I'll give them that. It just could have been slightly more tender but had a lot of flavor. The problem was the sauce on top. It was too thick and I don't want to say it but was similar to something I'd expect from a mix (which at their prices I hope wasn't).

We finished the meal with the Maricabo Warm Flourless Chocolate Torte. I will put it this way, if you have a chocolate craving you will be satisfied. 

The food was overpriced and at those prices the food just does not seem as enjoyable as it should be. With so many restaurant choices in New Orleans you can definitely find someplace better to eat. It is by no means terrible just not a place I would ever tell someone to go to.




Tomas Bistro
755 Tchoupitoulas St New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 527-0942
www.tomasbistro.com

McHardy's Chicken & Fixin' - Seventh Ward - New Orleans, LA

I was trying to grab food at the Caribbean restaurant down the street but Mondays in New Orleans means your restaurant options are slim and I was denied my rice and peas. I knew McHardy's Chicken & Fixin' was right around so I headed there instead.

McHardy's offers take out service only, so there is no seating for dining in, just a couple of benches for customers to wait while there batch of chicken is being prepared.

The prices seem great at first but really in comparison, you get less (and smaller pieces) than the offering at similar restaurants that have higher prices so essentially it is ends up being almost the same thing value wise. Although, I will say I liked not being force to eat a large portion or eat food that isn't pumped with hormones for size.

This is chicken & fixin' so don't go expecting food that is extraordinary. I think the chicken could have used a little bit of seasoning/spice but I think what sets it apart is that it is cooked fresh for you. So, not only was it hot and fresh but thankfully not greasy or salty.

My opinion of the shrimp echoed the same sentiment, but I thought that the fries were only okay (they were soft with no crispy outer coating).

The woman at the counter was very nice, but this is get in and get out service anyways!



McHardy's Chicken & Fixin'

1458 N Broad St New Orleans, LA 70119 (504) 949-0000 www.facebook.com/pages/McHardys-Chicken-Fixin

2013 Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival

Date/Time:

Friday, October 18: 5:30pm – 8:30pm

Saturday, October 19: 12pm – 7pm

Sunday, October 20: 12pm – 7pm

Location:

Lafayette Square Park

504 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA

Cost:

FREE

The free festival features live local New Orleans music and barbecue from top New Orleans restaurants.  The Festival arts market features the creations of local New Orleans artists, crafters and artisans.

Lucy's Retired Surfers Bar - Marinated BBQ Lamb Rib Chops with Pepper Jelly 

Rouses Supermarkets - St Louis Style Ribs   

For More Information: 

www.jazzandheritage.org/blues-fest/

Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium - New Orleans, LA

Chocolate + Butterflies = a visit by me. I wasn't that interested in ever visiting the Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium but once I heard about Chocolate Covered Insect Day, the foodie in me said I'm down!

I really wasn't that into the museum exhibits. I'm not 5 so....., however if you have elementary aged children it will be a delight. Anything over that, I think they may find it to be a real bore.

The exhibit I really wanted to see was the Butterfly Garden (love them so much, got it tatted on my back). It was small. I have been to Butterfly World in Florida so even though it is wrong to compare the two (they are on two totally different scales), I just couldn't help but do that. Again my age demographic is probably it what made it suck.

What I did revel in was the insect tasting. If you refuse to try it, trust me it really isn't bad at all. 

Dipped in chocolate and made into sweet treats, it tastes just like the chocolate. The Chocolate Chirp Cookies and Tarsal Toffee was downright delicious (and no I am not crazy)!

Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium
423 Canal St New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 524-2847
www.auduboninstitute.org/visit/insectarium

New Orleans Museum of Art & the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden - New Orleans, LA

With Japan fest happening at the museum today, it was a great way to combine a first visit to the museum with the opportunity to experience Japanese art, culture, food, music, and martial arts. 

I was looking forward to seeing the Kaminari Taiko Drummers but came too late and left too early but I did get to see some laido Sword Drawing (which admittedly isn't as equally awesome).

After that, I didn't partake in too much of the Japanese demonstrations but took time to check out the art. Don't know if it was because so much was going on, on this day but I was having trouble finding much of the art interesting. 

I tend to like modern art so that may have contributed to the problem but the collections they had on the third floor were made up of a lot of different little pieces to look at so it held my attention a lot better.

Outside NOMA is the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden which I found to be more intriguing that the museum itself.

There was a lot of different sculptures nestled along the paths, lagoons and oaks. I could spend hours here lounging, reading a book, taking in the fresh air (in the Fall/Winter time).

But, above all that, for Japan Fest, this is where all the food vendors were located so I had to get in on that.

Chicken Teriyaki Combo - Ninja Restaurant

Breaded Beef Po'boy - Hoof and Cleaver

Japanese Jalepeno Taco - Woody's Fish Tacos

Blackened Fish Taco - Woody's Fish Tacos

New Orleans Museum of Art
Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden
1 Collins Diboll Cir New Orleans, LA 70124
(504) 658-4100
www.noma.org

2013 Louisiana Seafood Festival: Shrimp, Crab, Oysters, Crawfish and More

Date/Time:

Friday, October 11: 11am – 9pm

Saturday, October 12: 11am – 9pm

Sunday, October 13: 11am – 7pm

Location:

City Park Festival Grounds - New Orleans, LA

Cost:

FREE

The free festival features live music, local arts and crafts, and cuisine from several New Orleans restaurants.

Cafe Hope/Cafe Reconcile - Watermelon Lemonade

Borgne - Des Allemands Catfish Sliders with Green Tomato Chow Chow

Jack Dempsey’s Restaurant - Stuffed Crab & Baked Macaroni

Barcadia - Fried Peanut Butter &Jelly Sandwich

For More Information: 

www.louisianaseafoodfestival.com