An enthusiastic cook at heart, as August rolls around I want nothing to do with the heat boiling in my kitchen. These days I am prone to skipping meals altogether or I might just pick them up at Made (aka Simone’s) Market (8201 Oak St., Suite 2), a hyper local market with plenty of area produce, an extensive selection of grab and go meals, a well curated wine selection, and a changing roster of on-site events to engage customers. Every Thursday brings a different pop-up. Tonight it’s dinner and dessert from 5-7 p.m. when the store will offer free samples of new wines including Fable Chardonnay, L’Oliveto Rose of Pinot Noir, Chateau Croix de Reverdi Haut-Medoc 2015, Rive Droite Cotes du Rhone 2017, and Laurent Perrachon Beaujolais Blanc. Tuesdays bring taco and beer specials and Wednesdays from 12-3 hot lunch specials are offered from noon-3 p.m.
In enthusiastic response to having been included in Forbes’ recent article “18 Ways to Enjoy Oysters,” last night Saffron (4128 Magazine St., 323.2626, saffronnola.com) kicked off a new summer “Oyster Hour” that will continue daily from 5-6 p.m. when a trio of the restaurant’s unique take on char-grilled oysters can be had for $7 along with their signature Old Fashioned cocktails for the same low price. The special is offered only at the bar.
I am giving advance notice on some hot dining events that are certain to sell out quickly. Next Saturday, Aug. 17, Copper Vine’s (1001 Poydras St., 504-208-5958, coppervine.com) “Between the Vines” wine dinner series will resume with a Rosé Soirée, a celebration of rosé, seemingly everyone’s favorite summer libation. In-house sommelier Lydia Kurkoski has chosen wines from around the world to pair with a menu crafted by Executive Chef Mike Brewer and Chef Amy Mehrtens. Ten percent of event ticket sales will benefit Dress for Success New Orleans to support local women in their journey to economic independence. In addition Copper Vine is donating 10 percent of all tap rosé sales for the month of August to Dress for Success. Priced at $55 per person (including tax and gratuity), next weekend’s dinner seems like a bargain:
To Start
Char grilled oysters, fennel butter, Tabasco pulp gremolata
Pairing: Reserve de Bertrards Elegance
Bites
Grilled whole prawn skewers, cane & habañero glaze, tropical jackfruit chutney
Pairing: Vino Rosé
&
Grilled melon, lime kosho, smoked sabayon, toasted dry chili
Pairing: Loz Vascos
Main Course
Bone-in beef rib, Sungold tomato jam, shiso chimichurri, crispy shallot rings
Pairing: La Nerthe
If you are feeling it for Beyoncé, head to Arnaud’s (813 Bienville St., 523-5433, arnaudsrestaurant.com) on Sept. 1 for a celebration of her birthday. In continuation of its spirited summer celebrations, the restaurant will pay tribute to Queen Bey’s Big Day with a specially-themed brunch, with seatings from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. In addition to the restaurant’s a la carte brunch menu, guests can enjoy a special, four-course menu, as well as themed cocktail selections. The spirited affair will be further accentuated with performances by some of New Orleans famed drag queens, including: Laveau Contraire, Debbie with a ‘D’ and Coca Mesa. The Bey Day Brunch menu, $36, inclusive, includes:
Amuse-Bouche
“Back to Business” Buttermilk Biscuit
Appetizers (choice of)
“Crazy in” Lettuce
Butter lettuce with spiced walnuts, Roquefort cheese and champagne vinaigrette
OR
Seafood Gumbo
Served with a “Halo” of rice
OR
Tomato Pie, “Boy Bye”
Served room temperature with a petite salade
Entrées (choice of)
Shrimp and Grits
Louisiana shrimp flash-fried and served with creamy stone ground grits and
Garlic Meunière Butter “Love on Top”
OR
Poached Eggs
Fried green tomatoes, smothered greens and a Tabasco Choron “Ring the Alarm” Sauce
OR
Pork Tenderloin
Seared pork tenderloin with jalapeño polenta, butter beans, tomato confit and
“Irreplaceable” Creole Mustard Glace
Desserts (choice of)
Lemon Poppy Seed “Cake by the Pound”
Lemonade glaze
OR
Bey-Hive Baked Alaska
Praline ice cream
OR
Let’s Get “Chocolate Wasted”
Flourless chocolate truffle torte
Have a great weekend, everyone. Use it to celebrate the people and the community you love.