Back from New Orleans

Hello everyone, hope the summer is a hot one! Here in Ohio it's been great. Some may think it's too hot but as one woman from New Orleans said to me, "honey you don't have to shovel heat!"

Speaking of the crescent city, I have just recently returned from my trip. Part business part vacation and as usual I had a great time. The city was great, the people were great and every time I go I try something new to eat....and I can not say enough about the food! I mean, it's good, really good. I went to Mr. B's in the French Quarter, I had heard from my fellow Nola junkie that their BBQ Shrimp was the best ever. So, in going with the flow of having true creole, Louisiana cooking, I ordered it, they bring you a bib people, a full staff of three servers at your beck and call, polite as if you were their own mother and they put a bib on you. Now I look at my friend as I have this thing covering my very nice black dress, and she assures me everyone wears it when they order this and the staff, witnessing my hesitation as I have flash backs of strapping these things on my kids, tells me it is well worth it.

They bring this massive plate out, some of the prettiest prawns I have ever seen. That's all that is in there, prawns, giant prawns and a lot of them swimming in this brown sauce and some bread. I taste them..............I have been to heaven. Now I'm from the Adriatic coast, I have had fish so fresh, my cousin caught them that morning, I have had some of the best prawns in some of the best sauces, but these were different. These were the sweetest, juiciest prawns I have ever tasted. Well worth the bib as I use my fingers to peel each one and dip them in this sauce that is nothing like a BBQ sauce that come from a jar, I have no idea what to call it except nectar for these heavenly creations.

Okay, I know we talk about art, but as a foodie I feel it is just as important to at times discuss the culinary arts, so if you are ever in New Orleans, so far three places I recommend that I go to every time I'm there: Nola, (Emerile's place, always great food and the best service!), Bayona (just delicious, best desserts hands down) and Mr. B's (for the obvious reasons already mentioned and their fantastic bread pudding that makes the next day work out well worth it). My list will grow as I go back, which I plan to do. I'll let you know what find.

In other news, another art theft? This time at the Aberg Museum in Stockholm, the poor items of desire were Lichtensteins and Warhols. However, their biggest mistake (as if that wasn't big enough), was the theft of a vintage poster of Donald Duck, yep, Disney. So, if caught, their punishment, rightfully so, will be severe but I sure would like to be a fly on that courtroom wall when the idiotic losers face the Disney Legal Team. Paybacks are a ....well you know.

What else? Oh back to New Orleans, the auction held for the PBS station to raise money for a new station was a real success, our gallery, not to toot our horn but what the hell, contributed many local works and they sold very well. A nice thing to see for such a deserving cause. The city itself is full of heart, determination, passion, energy and life. They rebuild every day, the preserver every day and each time I go back, more stores, more art, more life is back.

Take care to all, have a great weekend!