From a NY Times blog - (see full posting at bottom) - a New Orleans resident - wiped out by Katrina - before moving to California - talks a chef/owner into cooking supper for his family in exchange for a bicycle that Katrina has missed - it was one hell of a meal -
What better restaurant recommendation for the first night in post-Katrina New Orleans -
Called The Pelican Club and asked if I could get a table - the hostess chuckled as she replied "no problem" -
Friday night - on Exchange Place - just one block from Bourbon Street - the street was very quiet - looking into the restaurant - it appeared almost too empty - a moment's hesitation - we decided to go for it walked in - the right decision - a great decision -
It was a menu that you wanted to order everything from - we picked - ordered too much - here are the winners -
Pelican Club Baked Oysters on the Half Shell - served with Niman Ranch Apple Smoked Bacon, roasted red peppers, Parmesan cheese and garlic herb butter with chipotle mayonnaise - just amazing - knocked the Charred Oysters at Acme for lunch out of the ball park -
Seared Yellowfin Tuna and Jumbo Sea Scallops - served rare or medium rare with a roasted red pepper “au Poive” sauce, mashed cauliflower and Yukon gold potatoes, asparagus - perfectly done - Emma loved it -
Grilled Black Drum with BBQ Jumbo Shrimp with Brabant Potatoes and Baby Vegetables - the vote was "different" - overwhelmed at the polls by my dish -
Panned Gulf Fish with Louisiana Crawfish Ettoufee Sauce and Jalepeno Hollandaise - served with Peruvian purple potatoes and baby vegetables - this was one of the most delicious and luscious dishes I have ever experienced - rich flavors with contrasting sensuous textures - firm yet delicate Gulf Fish and molten Crawfish Ettoufee that the chef brings together - you combine them on your fork and slowly savour each bite - it rose above everything - ironically - the dish referred to in the blog - just wondrous -
Yes - we drank wine - a very eclectic list that notes the singles out "Unique Whites" and "Exotic Reds" - settled on - Matinborough Vineyard - Chardonnay - New Zealand - 2002 - mellow Oak - good fruit - several degrees from traditional California Chardonnay octane - this wine is a "buy a case" -
Summary ??? - thank you David Triche - read your local restaurant blog - above and beyond what the restaurant critic writes - thank you Richard for Panned Gulf Fish with Louisiana Crawfish Ettoufee Sauce and Jalepeno Hollandaise - its a work of art - and - keep cooking as we can't wait to come back -
Enjoy
HBH
New York Times - DIning - New Orleans - Comments - 08/23/06 - I was a resident of New Orleans at the time the levees broke. My home in Lakeview was destroyed and among the things that were ruined was my collection of bicycles. One was a classic Italian racing bike. I was ready to put them in the FEMA pile when I met a man who said he knew a restaurant owner who collected bikes. This man, Richard Hughes, would trade a dinner for the bike. The restaurant he owns is called the Pelican Club. I called Richard and brought him the bike. He agreed to take the bike in trade for dinner for my family. He just wanted me to assure him that I would tip the staff and, of course I agreed.
We
went to the Pelican Club on a Thrusday evening. We started with the
crab and crawfish cakes and the barbequed shrimp. They were great. For
an entrees my wife had “Trio of Duckling Duck leg confit, grilled duck breast and barbequed duck with a Louisiana navel orange and cane vinegar sauce
and served with coconut Basmati rice and I had Panned Gulf Fish with
Louisiana Crawfish Ettoufee Sauce and Jalepeno Hollandaise. Both had
elements of traditional New Orleans cooking with other influences.
Anyway the food was great, the room pleasant and the staff terrific. We
lost our jobs and home in New Orleans and have relocated to Scaramento,
Ca. I will always remember the meal I traded for a bicycle.
David Triche
posted on August 23rd, 2006 at 3:17 am
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