Walter Anderson Museum of Art - Ocean Springs, Mississippi

Walter Anderson Museum of Art
510 Washington Ave.
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
228-872-3164
www.walterandersonmuseum.org
Monday-Saturday: 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Sunday 12:30-4:30 p.m.

$7 for adults
$6 for seniors, students, military or AAA members
$5 for children between 5 -17
Free – children under five

By Jane Feehan

Walter Anderson Museum of Art is a must-see if you’re interested in regional art. Born in New Orleans in 1903, Walter Anderson moved to Ocean Springs in the 1930s. He worked at Shearwater Pottery, founded by his brother Peter. During the last 18 years of his life (d. 1965), the inspiration for much of his work came from nearby Horn Island. The museum showcases pottery and watercolors that capture Anderson’s love for nature.

Of particular interest is the adjoining Ocean Springs Community Center, home of Anderson’s largest mural, which became a United States National Treasure in 2005. The mural (see photos) reflects the Native American and European heritage of Ocean Springs. The center is still used for weddings and other functions. What a backdrop ... © 2010 All rights reserved.

Mediterraneo Bistro - Ocean Springs, Mississippi

Mediterraneo Bistro
1314 Government Street
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
228-872-3311
Open for lunch Monday-Saturday at 11
Dinner – call for hours – not posted
www.oceanspringsrestaurant.com/menu

By Jane Feehan

A first impression means everything; it’s critical to running a successful restaurant. Alarms went off on a visit to Mediterraneo when a handwritten sign on copy paper advertising New Year’s Eve was still posted two days later.

More.

I was annoyed by the waitress who handed me a menu just as I was pulling the chair out and beginning to sit down. Chair or menu? Geez. THEN I see greasy fingerprints and a speck of dirt on the bread plate, which I asked to be replaced.

The quintessential bad first impression got worse.

Their lunch menu wasn’t appealing – some tapas, po-boys (huh?) and a few other items. I settled on an order of hummus, and a trio of tapas, including crab cakes, spanakopita (Greek spinach pie) and Piquillo (pepper stuffed with honey goat cheese). The hummus was good, crab cakes gummy and the stuffed pepper seemed to be a reheated frozen rendition. The spanakopita was tasty, not outstanding. Olive bread served before the meal was so dry it crumbled apart as I buttered a small piece.

The dinner menu (see Web site above) appears to be more appealing but some of the items listed online are not available such as smoked seafood croquettes. Steaks, lamb, pork and fish entrees also served.

My first visit was a turnoff - enough to diminish chances of a second visit for dinner. Moderately priced. Full bar. © 2010 All rights reserved.

Bayou Country - Slidell, Louisiana

Bayou Country
1101 East Howze Beach Rd.
I-10 at Exit 261 (Oak Harbor)
Slidell, LA 70461
888-571-3200
Monday-Saturday 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (“or so”)
Sunday – call schedules vary
www.bayoucountry.com

By Jane Feehan

There’s a large eye-catching structure along I-10 (south side) in Slidell with “Pralines” prominently posted. A sign with the name of the establishment - Bayou Country – becomes readable only from its parking lot. No matter, it was the pralines I sought.

Upon entering Bayou Country, I discovered an unexpected world of shopping that almost made me forget why I stopped there in the first place.

This is a fun store with loads of products for the tourist or anyone fond of Louisianan or Cajun culture. There are gift baskets, “Slap Ya Mama” spices (read the reason for the name on the packaging), wonderful Louisiana cookbooks, including the mammoth Encyclopedia of Cajun and Creole Cooking by Chef John D. Folse, soaps, mugs, bar mixes, T-shirts, jellies and sauces – and much more.

Back to the pralines. Sold in a wide assortment of flavors and cooked up fresh daily, they're excellent. I had never sampled a chocolate version until my visit to Bayou Country – delicious.

A café on site serves up Louisiana favs including gumbo, po-boys, bisque, red beans and rice, and jambalaya. Having already eaten in New Orleans that day, I didn’t try the food. The apple pie and other deserts looked interesting.

The staff, extremely accommodating, seems to enjoy working there as much as the visitors do shopping. Items are also available through their Web site. © 2010 All rights reserved.

Bear's Grill and Spirits - Slidell (New Orleans suburb)

Bear's Grill and Spirits

550 Gause Blvd.
Slidell, Louisiana 70458
985-201-8905
Sunday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.–10 p.m.

By Jane Feehan

This casual Slidell eatery, one of two suburban New Orleans locations, earned its decades old reputation selling po' boys made of slow cooked, thinly sliced roast beef and 8 oz Bear Burgers crowned with a choice of toppings that include its signature BBQ sauce, Buffalo sauce, bleu cheese or “roast beef debris” gravy.

Bear's recently added seafood to the menu, a wise move to attract non-beef eaters. If a recent sampling is any proof, Bear’s will garner the same good reputation for its seafood creations.

One of the new items, a soft shell crab po’boy, is a winner. It came lightly fried and dressed with just the right amount of lettuce, tomato, pickles and mayonnaise. The tasty batter only enhanced the flavor – and texture – of the crabmeat. Bear’s homemade po’ boy bread is not the typical crusty French bread often used in New Orleans but a softer, less overpowering version that’s easier to manage and chew through. A generous portion of fries is included with small po’ boys, but is not part of a large sandwich order. Bear’s small sandwiches will satisfy most appetites.

Other seafood choices include oyster, shrimp po’boys or platters and a seafood combination platter. For dieters or light eaters an array of salads is available: chicken, the Ferdie (Bear’s roast beef version of a chef’s salad), Caesar and more. Fried jalapenos, Bear’s Famous Gravy Fries, cheese fries, Buffalo wings and other items are offered as starters.

For those who have room for dessert, try a Bear Paw Sundae – scoops of vanilla ice cream smothered in chocolate syrup and dotted with whipped cream – or a root beer float.

Bear’s provides a full service bar, a giant screen for sports enthusiasts and a happy hour, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Prices are inexpensive with the average entree $9-15. Good service. Take out and children’s menu available.
© 2009 All rights reserved.

Tags: Roast beef po boys Slidell

Drago's Seafood Restaurant - New Orleans

Drago’s Seafood Restaurant
2 Poydras Street (in Hilton New Orleans Riverside, across from Harrah’s Casino)
New Orleans, LA
504-584-3911 (No reservations)
Monday-Saturday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
www.dragosrestaurant.com


By Jane Feehan

Touted as the “Home of the Original Charbroiled Oyster,” Drago’s serves up perhaps the best of these mollusk delicacies in New Orleans.

Their charbroiled oysters, topped with a savory garlic butter and herb sauce are out-of- this-world good. So good, in fact, imitations of this recipe abound throughout NOLA.

How’s this for another one of their oyster favs: Fleur De Lis Oysters – sautéed with peanuts and a spicy red pepper aioli (garlic and olive oil). Yum.

There are plenty of other seafood favorites. I had and would highly recommend Half Stuffed Lobster accompanied with a scoop of a crabmeat stuffing. Mouth-watering tender lobster, perfectly cooked green beans and an exceptional salad with house-made dressing made for a great meal.

Their menu also features shrimp, pasta, poultry and USDA prime beef entrées. Children’s menu available.

Whether you’re seeking po-boys for lunch or lobster or fish for dinner don’t leave without sampling Drago’s charbroiled oysters.

Eat in the dining room, raw bar or in the lounge at the street entrance. There’s another location in Metairie. Both spots get crowded for dinner and no reservations are taken, so time it right. If you're self-parking in the Hilton garage, Drago's will validate the ticket, saving you a few dollars. Service: excellent. © 2009 All rights reserved.

Andrea's Northern Italian Restaurant - Metairie (New Orleans)

Andrea's Northern Italian Restaurant
3100 19th Street
Metairie, Louisiana 70002
504-8348583
Lunch: Monday-Saturday – 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Dinner: Monday-Thursday – 3 p.m.-9 p.m.
Dinner: Friday-Saturday – 3 p.m. -10 p.m.
Dinner: Sunday – 3 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Brunch: Sunday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Chef/Owner Andrea Apuzzo maintains a high profile at this establishment greeting customers and asking how they like the food. That’s usually a sign of good things to come. I enjoyed a bowl of gumbo with a few whole crab legs thrown in, a la New Orleans style, and a tasty dish of pompano covered in crabmeat and shrimp. This delicate fish didn’t need dressing up or flavor enhancing. Andrea’s light buttery lemmon sauce was enough … pompano is a wonderful fish and this is a good year for them. The piece served at this restaurant was larger than what’s usually found, courtesy of a good fishing season. Eggplant in Italian seasonings, green beans and cut potatoes accompanied the entrée.

Andrea will cook up special requests and pasta is made on site. In addition to seafood, his menu lists traditional Italian favorites – ravioli, lasagna, cannelloni, Ossobuco – as well as a selection of USDA steaks.

Andrea’s Capri Blu Bar is a little bit of Italy with its sky blue ceiling, ornate white molding, Italian Provincial furniture – and a group of neighborhood gents, obviously regulars, meeting for their nightly cocktail. Dress is casual but this is not a casual spot. Great for business or special occasions. Moderate to expensive. Service: Good.
© 2009

Crawfish Bisque - From "Cooking in Old Creole Days"

Crawfish Bisque

From Cooking in Old Creole Days,
(1904 R.H. Russell, New York) by Celestine Eustis

Take two or three dozen crawfish, throw them in boiling water for a minute or two, clean them thoroughly. Take off the heads, empty them, and clean them and wash them, keeping the fat part of the tails. Put them on a chopping board with the fat, a little chicken or veal, a little stale bread, chop it all fine together, flavor with pepper, red or black, a laurel leaf, or put in a bouquet of aromatic herbs for a few minutes, having tied it with a thread so as to pull it out. Brown all this in a saucepan with a spoonful of lard. Stuff the crawfish heads tight with this. Put them in a saucepan to simmer with a quart of bouillon for an hour or more, until you have a good soup. Serve hot.
--MME. JOSEPHINE NICAUD,
Who has been for over forty years in Ambassador Eustis' family.

Mahony's Po-Boy Shop - New Orleans

Mahony’s Po-Boy Shop
3454 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA
504-899-3374
Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m.- 8 p.m.
Thursday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
http://mahonyspoboys.com


By Jane Feehan

While shopping on Magazine Street I stopped at Mahony’s Po-Boy Shop and made it there just in time before the hungry hoards arrived. A glance at the po-boy menu would be enough to attract diners – Fried Green Tomatoes and Shrimp; Liver Cheese; Roast Beef and Gravy; Root Beer Glazed Chisesi’s Ham and Cheese …

The food was as good as it looked in print; the reason for the long line of people became perfectly clear. I ordered the Fried Green Tomatoes and Shrimp sandwich and it was a delicious 10 on a rank from one to 10. The shrimp were huge, and the tomatoes, fried in a light batter, were full of flavor. They serve some of the best onion rings I’ve ever had (except for my own): very thin, and crispy with barely any coating.

Desserts are served with two spoons or forks. They’re huge and are made in house. How about Sweet Potato Crunch Pie or Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Icing? Better order a small po-boy so there’s room. The sweet potato pie, topped with pecans and toasted mini marshmallows was outstanding. The bread pudding, a firm variety cut from a loaf, less so.

Patience is a virtue here. There’s a bit of a wait for staff to deliver the food after orders are placed at the counter. It’s worth the wait. Salads, daily specials, including red beans and rice, and a kid’s menu are available.

Mahony’s has been open a couple of years and it's already been featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. May it be the beginning of a long Magazine Street tradition. Full bar and with large TV. © 2009 All rights reserved.
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