Right in the middle of a pedestrian alley between the Louisiana Supreme Court and the Monteleone Hotel, you’ll find Green Goddess, a restaurant working under the “small is beautiful” motto.
Chef’s Paul Artigues and Chris DeBarr create Louisiana seafood with globetrotting samplings of ingredients, an homage to the port city. The “Shrimp Wearing a Grass Skirt” (pictured) consists of roasted Louisiana shrimp wrapped in shredded phyllo with New Orleans barbecue shrimp sauce, roasted pineapple and young coconut slaw. The global inspiration doesn’t stop with food; the restaurant also serves drinks from around the world including Brazilian cashew fruit juice and African coffee berry juice.
Because of the limited space, patrons are advised to arrive early. Reservations are not accepted. The Green Goddess is open everyday, except Tuesday, for lunch and brunch. Dinner is served Thursday through Sunday.
– Samantha Hyde
Information, 307 Exchange Place, 301-3347, www.greengoddessnola.com.
Jamba Juice comes to town
Jamba Juice has recently opened its first Louisiana location in New Orleans. The shop uses real whole fruit and real fruit juice in its smoothies – avoiding trans fat, artificial preservatives and high-fructose corn syrup.
Owner Charlie Rareshide Jr. calls it “the number one top-of-mind smoothie brand with better-for-you, great tasting specialty beverages and food.” The store offers more than 30 made-to-order whole fruit smoothies, baked pretzels, organic steel-cut oatmeal, California Flatbreads™ and several other better-for-you snack options. This spring Jamba Juice is featuring a line of fruit- and vegetable-based smoothies, including Apple ’n Greens, Berry UpBEET™ and Orange Carrot Karma.
Jamba Juice also provides non-dairy, non-gluten, vegetarian and vegan items. For those on a diet, the shop has a selection of Jamba Light™ smoothies. The store is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. – Natalia Le
Information, 930 Poydras St., Suite 102; 304-4210
Hand Grenade®: Making a bang on Bourbon Street
As a stop for tourists and locals alike, Tropical Isle brings in a large crowd for its drinks and live music. It is known worldwide for “New Orleans’ Most Powerful Drink,” the Hand Grenade®, a potent fruity drink that comes in a tall souvenir cup with a base shaped like a hand grenade.
During the 1984 World’s Fair, Earl Bernhardt and Pam Fortner were involved in the Tropical Paradise concession stand together; a month later, the two decided to go into business. They brought Tropical Isle to the French Quarter, where it would become a popular spot for live music every day of the year. Bernhardt says, “We’re really big into music here. We employ more than 60 musicians.” Tropical Isle features Trop Rock music, which is a Jimmy Buffett-type of music that combines tropical and rock styles. – N.L.
Information, 435 Bourbon St., 600 Bourbon St., 610 Bourbon St.; 721 Bourbon St.; 523-1927.
