My friend Sue Strachan has a book out. It’s called the “Café Brulot,” and it’s about what it says on the tin, but in much more detail and more entertainingly than the topic would suggest. Sue is a great writer, and I’m looking forward to reading the book.
Les Dames d’Escoffier will host a Thai dinner on Oct. 27, starting at 6:30 p.m. Here is an excerpt from the press release I received about the event:
As part of their Global Culinary Initiative, the New Orleans Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International invites you to explore authentic regional Thai cuisine with a special dinner at Thai D-Jing on Wednesday, Oct. 27, at 6:30 p.m. The restaurant, located at 93 5th Street in Gretna, is helmed by Chef Suda Ounin and husband/partner Jeerasak Boonlert and serves a variety of Thai specialties. Ounin is a classically trained chef who cooked in Thailand and in New Orleans kitchens before opening Thai D-Jing in Gretna in 2020.
The multi-course tasting dinner, priced at $65 per person (includes two glasses of house wine or beer, tax, and gratuity), will showcase an array of authentic dishes from the four regions of Thailand.
The menu looks incredible: crispy catfish salad with green apple, “northeastern” sausage, betel leaf salad roll, tom yum seafood soup, massaman curry beef, chicken on a stick, steamed rice and steamed coconut custard for dessert. I have heard nothing but good things about Thai D-Jing and I am hoping I can make it for the meal. You can make a reservation here.
Red Fish Grill will host a Halloween brunch from Friday, Oct. 29, through Sunday, Oct. 31, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.. Chef Chris Vazquez has designed a three-course menu, for $35, that looks pretty good. It’s not on the website that I can see, but I’ll share what I got from the restaurant:
Start with sinfully delicious dishes like the graveyard oyster gratin with leeks, smoked mozzarella, salsify, and herb breadcrumbs or the Mummy alligator sausage tucked inside a puff pastry and served with a three mustard sauce. You’ll be under a serious spell with the second course selections, including the pumpkin brain pasta featuring pumpkin, sage, lump crab meat and parmesan or the Blackened Widow Gulf fish accompanied by parmesan Brussels sprouts, celery root apple puree, roasted pecans, and gremolata. A terrifying twist on dessert comes in the form of the Green Goblin a green vanilla soft serve topped with Halloween sprinkles, served in a homemade chocolate waffle cone.
In addition, you can order “bottomless Boo-zy Cocktails” for $25, with a two-hour time limit, with the purchase of an appetizer or entrée and only until 2:00 p.m. Oh, New Orleans.
I hope you have been enjoying the pleasant weather (he said, as the clouds gather) and that you are enjoying our city’s outstanding restaurants. On the latter topic, if you’d share your experiences with me, I’d be grateful.
