Full Plate

Salade Niçoise from La Boulange de Cole Valley

Sadly, no time for blogging at this time. My mother broke her femur two weeks ago and my energies are devoted to ensuring her speedy recovery. Hope to be back soon.

Refuel Cafe in New Orleans

Whenever I'm in New Orleans, I make a point to have breakfast at Refuel Cafe at least once during my trip. Ever-charming proprietor Guthrie bravely opened the doors to Refuel only months after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the city.

Image from here.

He more than met his goal to offer gourmet coffee and delicious entrees to the neighbors in the River Bend district who are "hungry for something light, fresh, and different."

I have no problem getting a table during the week and off hours...

...when there's no line,

...but on the weekends, I am prepared to stand in line...

...and wait for a table.

My patience is rewarded with a delicious frothy cappuccino ...

Image from here.

...and I am reminded why Yelp reviewers declare the grits and cheese as the best in town. 

When I asked Guthrie whether he will share his secret to cooking grits, he cheerfully replied  "It's no secret, you just have to start the slow-cooked grits at four in the morning."

Image from here.

That's what I call a labor of love. 

The menu features other tantalizing dishes that are both savory...

Image from here.

Image from here.

...and sweet.

Image from here.

Image from here.

Refuel is located just around the corner from The Camellia Grill on South Carrollton and a brief walk from the St. Charles trolley stop at Fern Street.

8124 Hampson Street • At the Riverbend • NOLA • 504.872.0187
Hours: Tuesday-Friday 7am-2pm • Saturday and Sunday Brunch 8:30am-2pm

If you decide to visit Refuel, please be sure to tell Guthrie that Dutchbaby sent you.

New Year's at Hotel Monteleone

Whenever I visit New Orleans I love to stay at the Hotel Monteleone, not just because we are related to the owners, but because it exudes the essence of the city. It is easy to understand how it has earned the title of “Grande Dame of the French Quarter.” Its beaux-art architecture blends in beautifully with the rest of the Vieux Carre.

 

It is conveniently located on Royal Street (Rue Royale), home of some of the swankiest antique stores in New Orleans. A lobby display case features collectibles from Moss Antiques… 

…showcasing colorful oyster plates… 

…and fancy epaulettes in the original box.

Another display case boasts of the hotel’s rich literary history… 

 

…including a letter written by Tennessee Williams. 

 

The lobby flowers are always spectacular, but the lobby is at its finest in December, with the traditional Christmas tree… 

…and the antique grandfather clock… 

 

… all gussied up for the holidays. 

I like to tag the spot in front of the clock where the years have worn a dip in the marble floor.

 

The decorative wood panels by the elevators add a flair of elegance. 

 

 

*** 

One year ago, one hundred of our closest relatives converged upon the Hotel Monteleone for a family reunion. We decided that the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve was the perfect time to gather because all schools, universities, and many businesses are on holiday. 

When my husband and I were getting ready for the reception in our room upstairs, I watched the sun set from our window. I held my breath as I watched a barge make the impossibly tight turn at the bend of the Mississippi.

 

The reunion gathering was in a downstairs meeting room overlooking Royal Street.

 

The hotel’s catering staff did a spectacular job preparing and serving a delicious and beautiful buffet of fruits… 

 

… and crudités. 

The soup buffet offered a choice oyster artichoke, white asparagus and brie, and seafood gumbo served in demitasse cups. I can attest that all three soups were fantastic.

 

I can also tell you that the martini glasses with grilled artichoke heart with lump crab and avocado brunoise with radish sprouts and lemon for garnish were scrumptious. As for the shooters with tomato, basil, and dilled watercress pana cotta - my goodness, they were delicious.

 

I forgot to take photos of the barbecue buffet and I didn’t have room for the sliders, but I did stop to admire the gorgeous jewel-toned floral arrangements by Perfect Presentations.

 

Most of all, though, I loved catching up with relatives I hadn’t seen in a long time and meeting new ones that I never knew existed. 

 *** 

Two nights later, on New Year’s Eve, my daughter, my sister and I had a cocktail the Carousel Bar, where you can literally feel the room spinning every fifteen minutes.

 

Earlier in the week, my father-in-law reminisced about his courtship with my mother-in-law when they used to listen to Liberace play here.

After weighing all our options, we chose to bring in 2011 in the comfort of our room upstairs, watching the fireworks across the Mississippi while sipping mango bellinis. 

Here is a glimpse of the fireworks at Jackson Square about seven blocks away.




From the comfort of my home in Palo Alto, I wish you all a Happy New Year!

Broiled Figs with Prosciutto and Goat Cheese

We have an old fig tree in our back yard and this is one of my favorite ways to prepare them.

Broiled Figs with Prosciutto and Goat Cheese

• With a paring knife, slice an "X" at the bottom of each fig.
• Insert a dollop of soft cheese into the "X". Suggested cheeses: goat cheese, blue cheese (especially "Maytag Blue"), burrata, brie
• Wrap a slice of Prosciutto di Parma around each fig.
• Place under broiler until the edges of the prosciutto are crispy, around 5 minutes.
• Serve warm as an appetizer. 
• Lick your fingers.

Bouquets to Art 2011 - Opening Night Preview Party

While I'm editing the remaining photos of Bouquets to Art 2011, won't you take a few moments to enjoy the dazzling buffet brought to the De Young Museum by the talented crew of McCalls Catering for the Opening Night Preview Party?

Step into Wilsey Court and choose between the seafood or vegetarian paella, or a little of both.  

Make sure to leave enough room on your plate for a helping of  rack of spring lamb.

Of course, you must eat your vegetables. These are roasted to perfection. 

Chase it with oyster gazpacho shooters, or three or four, like I did. 

If you still have room, you can belly up to the carving station receive the world's friendliest service.

Now take a moment to admire the towering living sculpture created by Svenja Brotz of  Chestnut & Vine (top photo). This arresting design took center stage in the Piazzoni Murals Room. The epiphytic roots of the dainty yellow phaleonopsis look right at home in the nooks and crannies of the bleached grapewood. 

I know it's hard to ignore the buffet of desserts luring you. Will it be the strawberry cheesecake?

Or California berries in sabayone, with an optional dollop of whipped cream? Maybe with a meringue kiss?

Who could resist these profiteroles, either chocolate, vanilla, or coffee cream, served on a Tiffany blue plate? Go ahead grab the tongs and help yourself.

While you are digesting all this, I will be preparing the next few posts featuring the artistry of the Bay Area's best floral artists with their interpretations of the fine art inside the De Young Museum.