Seemingly forever, brothers John and Moe Thabata have run Rainbow Grocery (4837 Magazine St., 504-875-3635), the popular Uptown corner store best known for its extensive selection of everything from very cheap beers sold as singles to fine wines and the occasional bottle of Pampy Van Winkle and the like. If you live near or have ever been to a parade anywhere near the Magazine Street corridor chances are you have been to Rainbow at some time or another for a libation of some sort, a pack of smokes or a bag of chips. If they do not have what you seek just let John or Moe know and they will order it and stock it for you.
I like to serve up credit where it is due. Hence, I would like to give a shout out to Miss Shanita, the lady who operates the humble, minuscule kitchen in the back of the store. The menu here is simple – sandwiches on French, a bun, or toast; burgers, fried shrimp, catfish, or chicken breast tenders served with fries – but the quality and the care Miss Shanita puts into every order is remarkable. A few weeks ago, I ordered a dressed turkey and pepper jack sandwich on toast. It was a truly impressive thing to behold, especially for its $2.99 price tag. A few days later I ordered chicken tenders with fries. For $6.99 I had four hefty, deftly fried chicken breast tenders coated in a shaggy batter and served with a heaping side of extra-crispy fries. There was no way I could make it through even half of the order. So, two ate very generously for $6.99. Check it out. John and Moe let the website expire years ago so you will have to show up for an old-fashioned paper menu. Worth the effort.
the way I kicked off this blog I rarely eat either sandwiches or friend foods. I am more of a vegetable and salad type. That said, I love absolutely everything about True Food Kitchen, a bright, inspiring space located on the retail floor of The Julia in the Warehouse District. The health-conscious restaurant offers a menu of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options with a smattering of high-quality protein-oriented selections. True Food Kitchen is heavy on Mediterranean and Asian flavors represented in a plethora of choices for breakfast, starters, salads, pizzas (both traditional and gluten-free) colorful bowls, burgers, sandwiches, entrees, and inventive desserts. Dazzling plant and vegetable-oriented art pops vividly off a backdrop of natural wood and fiber surfaces and the kitchen uses seasonal, “sustainable,” and organic ingredients that are locally sourced as much as possible. With this in mind, getting over there to check out the new summer menu is high on my to-do list. It is loaded down with bright, fresh flavors and dishes at are a feast for the eyes.
I am having a grand time with NOSH, my new-ish monthly recipe-oriented column for New Orleans Magazine. This month I featured Smoked Ribs with Blackberry Barbecue Sauce from Chef Scot Craig of Katie’s Restaurant in Mid-City. Though the big barbecue holiday that is the Fourth of July has already passed us by it was raining. So, allow me to encourage you to haul out the grill and give these a shot this weekend. Unless it is raining…
Have a great weekend, everyone. Ya’ll play nice.
