If the French Quarter is known world-wide for New Orleans’ greatest concentration of fine architecture, then perhaps all history books should mention that this neighborhood also contains New Orleans’ greatest concentration of remarkable food. In early April, the chance to taste innumerable flavors and cooking styles representing much of Louisiana’s food history grows exponentially with the arrival of the French Quarter Festival.
The French Quarter Festival, home of the “world’s largest jazz brunch,” steps up as a rite of spring for 250,000 locals and tourists alike. Where else can one enjoy some of the best food in the neighborhood this city is most proud of? Excellent weather, inspiring music and delicious food arc the three things required to maximize the average festgoer’s experience. This three day event takes place April 9-11. 60 food booths will be located in three specific areas, Jackson Square serving from 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Woldenberg Riverfront Park and the Toulouse Wharf, serving from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. The weekend activities will kick off on Thursday night with a “fun raiser” at the Storyville District (125 Bourbon Street, 410- 4100). Attendees will enjoy the benefits of a party buffet featuring many of Chef Devlin Roussel’s more successful new menu items and an open bar for just $35.
The jazz brunch menu for this celebration includes hundreds of different food items to choose from.
Begin in the heart of the celebration in Jackson Square by sampling some local venues’ most popular food items. Vaucresson Sausage serves up their ever-popular festival Crawfish Sausage or Hot Sausage Po-Boys ($4) and Cajun Boudin ($3). Tujague’s will be cooking up Brisket of Beef with Horseradish Sauce ($3), Entice your friends to share their food with you by choosing Trey Yuen’s Crawfish with Lobster Sauce ($4). Still hungry? Try one of Mrs. Wheat’s Cajun Meat Pies ($2.75 or 2/$5) or a piece of Key Lime Pie ($2.25) for dessert.
Emerge from Lenten diet restrictions in Woldenberg Park starting with the Praline Connection’s soft and delicate Grilled Chicken Livers with Hot Louisiana Pepper Jelly ($3) or their true Southern Mustard Greens and Rice ($3). Margaritaville Cafe will tempt you with their Jamaican Jerk Chicken Sandwich ($4). The House of Blues pays homage to Tobacco Road dishes with a Pulled Brisket Sandwich ($3). Sip on the best daiquiris by the river where New Orleans Original Daiquiris continues its reign over the local daiquiri scene with their Pina Colada and Jungle Juice daiquiris ($3.75 or $5). Go for the original! Accept no substitutes!
Finish off the last French Quarter Festival before the millennium with a third course at the Toulouse Wharf food booths by sampling Crawfish Bread and Spinach & Artichoke Bread ($4) from Creole Celebration. Envision this festival as the closest one can get to a chefs tasting menu in shorts and sandals. While locals and tourists alike will work the streets in search of new delicious dishes at the French Quarter Festival, the topside of the Quarter has bright spots to check out along Dauphine Street. Many locals will survey the scene from a table in the Quarter Scene Restaurant (900 Dumaine Street; 522-6533) just as Tennessee Williams did many years ago. This perspective on the world at the corner of Dauphine Street includes a large menu filled with breakfast, lunch and dinner choices.
Most significant are QSR’s breakfast specialties including a grand reinterpretation of the Southern breakfast staple Cajun Corned Beef Hash ($6.95). Breakfast foodies will be delighted to find the emphasis in this dish is on corned beef and not potatoes. Large cuts of corned beef are sauteed with fresh green peppers, onions and home fries sharing the plate with poached eggs. The Caribbean Waffle ($5.95) is composed of a heart shaped Belgian waffle piled with fresh tropical fruit, whipped cream and crunchy chopped pecans. The Biscuits and Gravy (S4.95) deserves proper attention as two fresh baked flaky, buttermilk biscuits are covered with creamy breakfast sausage gravy. Usually considered a side order, this generous dish can be a main course. The QSR serves breakfast until 3:00 p.m. for those that start their day a little later or finish their late nights well into the following afternoon.
Entree sized salads complement the rest of the menu as this establishment claims these salads are “bigger than a Mardi Gras float and even fresher than some of the spectators.” The twists on traditional salads include the Orpheus ($8.95), a Cobb salad finished with boiled shrimp; the Bacchus, a Caesar salad dominated by garlic and topped with fried oysters. The Venus ($6.95) reveals an attractive bed of mixed greens with roasted breast of turkey, Swiss-cheese, Kalamata Olives, Creole tomatoes and fresh sliced avocado. All QSR salads are best selected with the house dressing of fat free Raspberry Vinaigrette.
The remainder of the menu includes traditional New Orleans dishes and daily specials. On any morning there exists no better place to enjoy generous choices from a large menu. Beat the boisterous weekend breakfast crowd by coming early. QSR finds success in simplicity with a little individual flair in service tossed in. QSR is open 8 a.m.-midnight daily and closed on Tuesdays. Take a closer look at QSR by linking to http://www.crescentcity.com/qsr or www.crescentcity.com/qsr.
Just down the street, the Moon Wok (800 Rue Dauphine; 523-6910) should be welcomed with open arms to French Quarter international food palettes. This Chinese cafe opened the day after Christmas. Settle into the tasteful art deco dining room with a healthy appetite. The warmth of The Moon Wok staff guarantees a positive experience. One can find anything on this menu one might expect from a modern Chinese restaurant. Their spicier dishes rise to the top of the menu and would make General Tso proud. First time diners should try the Eggplant with Pork in Garlic Sauce ($7.25). Soft strips of stir fired eggplant are mixed with tender lean slices of seasoned pork in a hearty brown garlic sauce. The Kung Pao Shrimp ($8.95) unites fresh sauteed shrimp with crunchy whole peanuts, baby corn, broccoli, carrots and Enoki mushrooms. Take note! Not a sprinkle of MSG will be found anywhere on this menu, allowing the real flavors and exacting preparation to shine. The Moon Wok also offers a great Lunch Combination ($6.95) including a choice of entree, shrimp fried rice, egg roll, fortune cookie and almond cookie available from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. daily. The Dinner Combination ($8.95) includes all listed above plus egg drop soup and is available from 3 p.m.-midnight. Feeling more adventurous? Try any of the sixteen offered Chef Specialties priced from 57.25-510.95. Attention to detail continues in the beverage list, try one of their Big Ass Iced Teas ($1.25) choosing from Black Tea, Passion Fruit or Green Chinese Gun Powder flavor. All major credit cards are accepted.
