Monthly Archives: June 2012

Around Town: New Orleans’ Second Distillery

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New Orleans (and even Louisiana) has long been a one horse town when it comes to legitimate, above the board, legal distilling.  Old New Orleans Rum was the only game in town.  But that has been changing in recent years as the craft distilling movement has caught on across the country.  Almost a full year ago, we were told by Todd Price of the Times-Picayune that not one, but two distilleries were on their way to New Orleans.  Our piece on Todd’s news gave the low-down on Sac-Au-Lait Distillerie, with no news on the second distillery.

Well here’s the low down on the other distillery from Todd’s piece.  Atelier Vie is a distillery set to open in the Art Egg Building any week now.  Having successfully secured their federal and city permits, Atelier Vie awaits approval from the fine State of Louisiana to begin distilling. [Update--State permits were obtained this morning].

Atelier Vie’s first product to the market will most likely be their red absinthe, Toulouse Red.  Toulouse Red will be a “traditional” red absinthe, which derives its distinctive flavor and color from hibiscus flowers. While there are serious plans for other spirits down the line, in particular whiskey, the company is dedicated to producing quality products and will only branch out when they’re satisfied that any expansion will not diminish the quality of their current offerings.

While the distillery is now fully legal and approved to begin distilling, it may be some time before their products make it to the shelves of a store near you. In the meantime, be sure to follow their progress on Facebook (here), Twitter (here) and the web (here).

Free Stuff: Zagat Restaurant Survey

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The Zagat Restaurant Survey for New Orleans has gone live. Normally, you’re encouraged to rate restaurants and comment on them with a two-fold carrot. First, if they deem you witty enough, your quote may be used in the blurb on the restaurant. Second, if you rate/comment on enough restaurants and provide your address, you’ll get a free book when it’s published. Probably so you can check to see if confirm you were witty enough to make the book. But is that enough for the premium content provided by people like you? Heck no!

Knowing that you all are dripping with good taste (I mean you’re here) and fountains of knowledge about the local restaurant scene, Zagat approached us with a sweet deal for you. In addition to getting in print and getting a book, they’re going to give you the shot at $100 for Whole Foods. Here’s how it was explained to us:

Each time [you] vote for a restaurant, it’ll be counted as an entry to win the $100 gift card from Whole Foods. The prize will be awarded to the person who writes the most witty, creative and informative review (judged by Zagat).

Additionally, if [you] vote for 10 or more restaurants, [you]‘ll be eligible to receive a free copy of the 2013 guide when it’s published next year (provided we’re given an address).

Just follow this link: https://sites.google.com/site/nolarestaurantblogcontest/ to get started. Just be sure to get on it, as the contest is only open until next Friday, June 29th. Be sure to check their website for the contest’s official rules and other legal stuff.

As part of our full disclosure standards, you should know we aren’t receiving a darn thing for this, just giving you all a chance to win $100 for something you’re probably going to do anyway.

Summer Drinks Made Easy: NYT/Meehan interactive drink page

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Summertime here is hot as can be, but you don’t need me to tell you that. When it gets that hot, people get lazy. We’re talking lazy all across the board, even down to what they are drinking. And who can fault that? When your brain is fried, it is just much easier to say “I’ll have a gin and tonic” than to internally debate whether you’re in the mood for a Pegu Club or possibly a Hemingway Daiquiri. Perhaps a Negroni or something a bit more Tiki. So the New York Times and Jim Meehan (of PDT fame) have combined forces to give us an interactive summer drink page. All you have to do is click and the page does the rest. It’s like cocktail roulette. All you’ve got to do is sit down and spin!

Here’s the link: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/06/12/dining/summer-drinks-generator.html#/?id=mai-tai_2-1-1

Also, if you haven’t gotten the PDT cocktail book, you really need to. It is rather fantastic.

Around Town: Art You Can Eat Series

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This Friday marks the start of Art You Can Eat at Cafe Noma (the Ralph Brennan restaurant that lives inside the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA)). Art You Can Eat “is an interactive demonstration of the tips and tricks behind classic and contemporary cooking, mixology and presentation, with special emphasis on professional techniques made easy.”

Every Friday at 7:00 for the next twelve weeks, a different chef from the Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group family (with occasional appearances by Leah Chase) will be holding court on a variety of topics for free (with paid museum entry). All they ask is that you please try to RSVP, which you can do here. That being said, they’re not going to kick you out if you forget to RSVP. The demonstrations are scheduled to run about 30-45 minutes and will include free samples of whatever the chef is whipping up and recipe cards so you can practice at home. And if you’re interested in making a night of it, Cafe Noma is open Fridays until 9:00 for dinner. I’d personally opt to head across the street to Ralph’s on the Park and enjoy one of the best restaurant views in the city.

Here’s the full Art You Can Eat Schedule:

June 8 – CHRIS MONTERO, Culinary Curator – CAFÉ NOMA
Bring ‘Still life’ Veggies to Life in your Kitchen!
Learn to pickle vegetables, cure bacon and make condiments at home.

June 15 – BRETT GAUTHIER, EXECUTIVE PASTRY CHEF – RBRG
Artistic License – Cocktails Reinterpreted as Dessert
Grasshoppers, Peach Bellinis and more!

June 22 – CHIP FLANAGAN, Executive Chef – Ralph’s on the Park
Louisiana Surf, Turf and Sparkle
Recipes from the rich bounty of Louisiana waters and wetlands

June 29 – GUEST PHOTOGRAPHER, TBD
Fabulous Food Photography
Tips and tricks for mouth-watering food photos, even with your camera phone

July 6 – CHIP FLANAGAN, Executive Chef – Ralph’s on the Park
Summer Grilling and Chilling
Gourmet Rubs, Sauces and Accompaniments for the ultimate July BBQ

July 13 – CHRIS MONTERO, Executive Chef – café b, with LEAH CHASE
Do it yourself Creole cream cheese, mozzarella and ricotta
ART-isan cheese traditions and tasting with special guest Leah Chase

July 20 – HALEY BITTERMANN, EXECUTIVE CHEF – Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group
The crossroad of Art, Science and New Orleans Cuisine
Do-it-yourself molecular gastronomy meets bananas foster and other New Orleans classics

July 27 – BRETT GAUTHIER, EXECUTIVE PASTRY CHEF – Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group
Offbeat Sweet and Savory Desserts
Overlooked ingredients transformed into fabulous desserts

August 3 – MICHAEL GOTTLIEB, Executive Chef – Red Fish Grill with LEAH CHASE
“Zecrets Z’herbs”
The Art of Roux Making and other Gumbo tales

August 10 – HALEY BITTERMANN, EXECUTIVE CHEF – RBRG with LEAH CHASE
The Soul of New Orleans
Modern twists on New Orleans classics and other family-friendly comfort foods

August 17 – THOMAS REGISTER, Beverage Specialist – Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group
Muddling and Mixing; The art of the cocktail
Enhance cocktails with infusions and garden fresh fruits and vegetables

August 24 – STEVEN MARSELLA, Executive Chef – Heritage Grill with LEAH CHASE
Take a Walk on the Lite Side…
Creole Classics undergo an extreme makeover…Will you miss the butter?