Hard Target - Movie Review

One more great New Orleans movie review by The Lightning Bug: Hard Target

ANGEL HEART - Movie Review

Another great review of a New Orleans movie from The Lightning Bug's Lair - Angel Heart

Mardi Gras Massacre - Movie Review

Check out this review of a New Orleans Movie done by The Lighting Bug.

Mardi Gras Massacre

J.D.'s REVENGE - Movie Review

Today and for the next several posts, I will be providing links to some great reviews of New Orleans Movies done by The Lighting Bug.

Here's today's link to J.D.'s Revenge

AIN'T DERE NO MORE

Big Daddy's
Minnie's Catfish House
BJ and Peggy

2009 Trip Day 26- June 7

There really is no Day 26. Up at 7 am. We will get breakfast at Croissant D'or and hopefully be on the road by noon or sooner. We made it home in around 11 hours. Amazingly the traffic in Atlanta was not too bad. Actually, traffic wasn't too bad anywhere and we had no hold-ups.

2009 Trip Day 25 - June 6

We started the day once again at Croissant D'or. The only variable was that they were out of cheese danish, so Zack had an apple croissant. We walked through the market after breakfast and then Zack went out and did some shopping and Peggy got us mostly packed.

We ate lunch at Acme. Zack had a Peacemaker poboy (1/2 shrimp and 1/2 oyster with Tabasco mayo) and Peggy and I had an oyster poboy with Tabasco mayo and an order of boo fries (fries with cheese and roast beef gravy) and we also split a piece of bananas foster cheesecake for dessert.

After lunch we walked back up Royal and and I got some video of most likely the worst street performers in New Orleans. The guy is not too bad, but the girl can't sing and DEFINITELY can't play a trumpet. They are so bad, it's just funny to me.

We had been invited to John and Karl's for cocktails. Their friends Julie and Kenneth were also there. John ordered some pizzas from Angeli's while we were there. Karl and John gave us a big piece of stained glass with a fleur des lis in the center and we hope to get it home in once piece. We had such a great time on our last night in New Orleans. What great friends, it's just too bad that we are so far apart. We miss them already.

2009 Trip Day 24 - June 5

I lived it up today at Croissant D'Or and got a ham and cheese croissant. Peggy got the usual raspberry croissant and Zach had a cherry danish.

We drove out to Jefferson and went to the Salvation Army Thrift Store. We all got several things. On the way back, we went over to The Joint and had BBQ sandwiches, potato salad and mac and cheese. Plus Zack had a piece of key lime pie that was homemade. He said it was good, but he didn't offer us a bite, so I can't say for sure! He said it was so good, he wasn't going to offer us any unless we asked.

After we left The Joint, we rode to see the "Make It Right" houses that Brad Pitt was having built.

On the way back we stopped at a Nursery on St. Claude in the Bywater - Harolds. Our friends John and Karl had told us about this place. It looked small from the street...but once you got around back, it was huge and was just filled with plants.

Then we made it back to the FQ and got a fairly good parking spot. Zack went out be-boping the FQ and I had a short rest. Peggy said she could use something sweet and we decided to go to The Palace and get some white chocolate bread pudding. Between 5-7 weekdays, you can sit in the bar and order from a special 5.00 menu. The bartender has to wait the tables in the bar and he seemed a little put out with that fact. However, he did get a little more friendly toward the end of our snack.....of course that probaby has something to do with the fact that he knew tip time was approaching.

We tried to go to DBA, but they were packed....and I mean packed in...so we just shopped around in the FQ and we were in luck, since the Dragon Master Showcase...the acrobatic comedy dance troupe was performing on Bourbon Street. We further entertained ourselves by checking out The Hustler Store and watching a little of the brass band, on the corner of Canal and Bourbon.

Our plan was to eat at Acme, but the line was huge, even though it was getting a little later in the evening. We changed our plans to Remoulade. Peggy and I had our usual - Meat Pies and Boudin. Zack had stuffed crab with crab boiled potatoes.

On the way back to the apartment, we decided to make a detour to Cafe Du Monde for cafe au laits. Plus Zack and I did some water shots....I believe he won this round.

2009 Trip Day 23 - June 4

We started the day at Croissant D'Or, since we were having and early lunch with Bill at K-Paul's.

We met up with Bill at noon and walked down to K-Paul's. Bill had Mirliton Crawfish and Beef Casserole (Fried Mirliton Slices Covered with Beef, Crawfish, Onions, Peppers, Garlic and Seasonings, then Baked. Served with a Cheddar, Monterey Jack and Smoked Gouda Cheese Sauce). Zack had the K-Paul's In House Made Hot Sausage Po Boy (Fresh Ground Pork Mixed with Caramelized Veggies, Made Into Two (2) Patties, Fried and Served on 8" Buttered French Bread) and sweet potato fries. I had 1/2 of an Oyster Po Boy with onion rings and Peggy had the other 1/2 of the Po Boy and Onion rings. Below is a photo of my half. Everything was good and everyone seemed satisfied and best of all, it was Bill's treat!

We drove out to Magazine Street and checked out Funky Monkey and Fun Rockin' and then we drove over to Williams Plum Street Snoballs, whose actual address is on Burdette St (they are on the corner of Plum St and you actually enter on Plum). Peggy had a nectar cream and I had a strawberry shortcake cream, both were tasty. We then headed back into the FQ.

We went to DBA to see Paul Sanchez. Tonight he was accompanied by Jason Butler. Very talented and as always a great night of entertainment.

After we left DBA, we went to La Peniche. Zack had eggs, bacon, grits and toast. I had a roast beef sandwich (they have great tasting sliced roast beef) and Peggy was able to get her banana, peanut butter waffle.

2009 Trip Day 22 - June 3

We started the day at Croissant D'Or. Peggy and I had our usual raspberry croissants and split a coke. Zack had a cheese danish and a coffee. This is a great cheap breakfast, just barely over 8.00 for the 3 of us.

We got to go to lunch at The Green Goddess with John and Karl, our favorite New Orleans dining companions. I had the New Orleans Bangers and Mash. Peggy had the Louisiana Blue Crab Melt. These two dishes are described in another post from a previous Green Goddess visit. Karl had the Cuban Luau Sandwich (Artisanal salame, pulled pork, manchego, pickled banana peppers & roasted pineapple on pressed ciabatta). John had The Crawfish Boil Salad (Warm crawfish, corn & artichokes, with spicy crab-boiled potatoes and roasted garlic aioli over arugula.). Zack had a special of the day Boudin patties topped with crawfish etoufee). The we all split a strawberry creme brulee (which the waitress was nice enough to comp us). What a great meal.

I think the places I will miss the most are Croissant D'or, The Green Goddess, Yo Mama's, Acme, Joey K's, Napoleon House, Mona Lisa......OH HELL....about everywhere we have eaten.

We went to Lafayette Square for the Wednesday music, but no Paul Sanchez and NO snoball....they ran out of ice....and we went early. Zack had a piece of pizza and a couple of beers and I had a cochon du lait poboy and Peggy took a few bites of it.

So after the long walk down and the long walk back, we then walked to DBA to see the Tin Men, but tonight they called themselves the Slim Men....Alex McMurray was missing tonight and they had St. Louis Slim....he was ok....but no Alex McMurray.

After leaving there, we went by El Gato Negro, but they were closed for repairs, so we swung around a couple of blocks and ate at Mona Lisa. We had our regular 2 salads and a white pizza. Zack had spinach artichoke dip with bruschetta....it was on the menu as a special appetizer and it was huge.

2009 Trip Day 21 - June 2

We were going to have a light breakfast at Croissant d'Or, but found that they were closed today. We went by Cafe Envie and Zack and Peggy got coffees and we came back to the apartment and I had a little bite of cake and Zack ate a doughnut he got from Dorignac's yesterday.

We drove out to Broadway (just beyond Tulane and Loyola) and went to Mushroom records. This is a really cool place. You have to climb a steep flight of stairs to get upstairs to their store. Once you are there, they have piles and piles of cds, records, and movies. I got a couple of videos and maybe a rare record - The Refreshments ep on blue vinyl. I couldn't tell what the price was 10.99 or 19.99 and Peggy asked at the counter and the girl said 10.99, but that they could probably do better and she called someone else over who said sure - 4.99 - that was a great discount. I also got a couple of videos and Zack got a video and a couple of buttons.

Lunch was at Cafe Reconcile. Our greeter was so short, I didn't realize that she was even there at first. She was also our waitress and was the best wait person we have ever had there. Zack had catfish, mac and cheese and collard greens. Peggy had catfish, garlic mashed potatoes and sweet corn (which tasted fried). I had the smothered pork chop....it was smothered in gravy :-) plus garlic mashed potatoes and mac and cheese plus we had a couple of pieces of jalapeno cornbread. Then Peggy and I split a bananas foster breading pudding and Zack ate one on his own. With 3 drinks, the bill was 36.00 - a steal of a deal in New Orleans. And we were all stuffed. So stuffed, I think I went into a food coma and had to have a short nap when I got back to the apartment.

Rained during the afternoon, but we were finally able to get out around 5 and we strolled Decatur Street looking in some junk/antique shops and t-shirt shops.

We headed on down to Yo Mama's to get our cheeseburger fix. Peggy and I split a cheddar burger with an extra potato and Zack had the same for himself. The cheeseburgers were mighty tasty, but once again the potatoes could have used a little more baking.

We had a short rest at the apartment and then walked Hank and left to go to the new Rock N Bowl. We are mainly going to see if it resembles the old Rock n Bowl.

First the adventure of finding the new Rock n Bowl. Zack and I both said it was on Carrollton. We rode down Carrollton and couldn't find it. I finally wound up on some side street and saw a Xavier University Cop. I got out and asked him for directions to the new Rock n Bowl. He gave me great directions......back to the old site of Rock n Bowl. I got Zack to call information and as he was telling us the directions....that it was at the corner of Earhart and Carrollton and that was exactly where we were sitting, stopped at a red light. After I figured out where to park, we finally made it inside.

It looks a lot like the old Rock n Bowl, but bigger and newer. Eddie Zip was playing. He was ok, but the best parts of his show was when he let the other two members of the band sing.

Back to the FQ and hunting down a parking spot. Finally found one that I was semi-comfortable with and made it in around 11:30. Peggy and I finished out the night with cakes that we bought at Dorignac's the other day.

2009 Trip Day 20 - June 1

We thought about going to Petunia's, but Zack finally said he really wanted the peanut butter/banana waffle from La Peniche. Since they were going to be closed for the next 2 days (they're open 24/5) and it was good as always. Peggy had the blueberry pancake and I had gravy biscuits and a fried egg.

We went out Airline Highway to Bridge House Thrift and got a few things. Then we found our way over to Vets and went to Dorignac's. Picked up some items to carry home and a few things from the bakery for later tonight.

On the way out for lunch, we saw our friend Ron at Preservation Hall and he invited us to be his guests tonight at The Hall.

We ate at Napoleon House. We split a muff between Peggy and myself and Zack had a veal parmesan poboy. We all drank Amber Bock Beers.

We went down toward Decatur and went to Urban Outfitters. Peggy got a hat that actually fit her. Then we went down a few doors to Peaches Records where everything is overpriced and the staff is rude. Avoid this place - Go to Louisiana Music Factory for a nice staff with a great selection.

After a little rest, we went to Preservation Hall. The guy at the gate called Ron to check if it was ok to let us in. It was a great show and someone requested Clint Maedgen sing "Complicated Life" and I requested " Shimmy Like My Sister Kate" since I had seen Walter Payton sing it at Louisiana Music Factory. Not only are his vocals good, but he does a great presentation of the song. We left after the first set, since we had to get dinner.





We went to Acme and Peggy and I split a dozen charbroiled oysters and Zack had a bowl of seafood gumbo(I got a taste and it was.....tasty). Plus he had an order of hush puppies.

We stopped by Cafe Du Monde and we all had a cafe au lait.

2009 Trip Day 19 - May 31

Zack arrived around noon and after he got settled in, we went to The Green Goddess for lunch. I had the Seafood Frittata (Fresh lump crabmeat, Louisiana crawfish, green onions in 3 egg frittata with romesco croutons). It was just ok and I think it could have used a little salt. But since everything else here has been excellent, I'm going to chalk this one up to just not to my taste.

Peggy got the Louisiana Blue Crab Melt (Lump crabmeat, “due latte” robiola bosina cheese, ciabatta) and it was super good.

Zack had the Louisiana Bangers and Mash (Marciante’s duck sausage over mashed Louisiana sweet potatoes, finished with Steen’s cane syrup) which was also super good.

We walked around some and got a couple of strawberry lemonades at the French Market.

We tried to go to El Gato Negro, but they were still busy, so we went back to Mona Lisa, since it is close and we had to leave for The Bingo Show shortly. Zack and Peggy split a Spinach Pizza (spinach, tomato, mozzarella, onion, mushroom, feta cheese) and I had a meatball sub, which was huge.

The doors for the Bingo Show opened at 9, show was supposed to start at 10. We got there a little after 9 and found that seating was limited. The show finally got started around 10:45 and of course it was worth the wait. You know if you can keep an old guy on his feet for almost 2 hours, it's has to be good. We got to stand pretty close to the stage and Peggy and I got to dance a little with Ron. The show lasted until about 12:30 am. The Bingo Show cannot really be described, it has to be experienced. Our friend Ron is in the photo below.