Last meal in New Orleans

This is Sheraton New Orleans where I stayed. This hotel is located in a very good condition (in the middle of French Quarter (which is on the right hand side) and Bourbon Street (which is on the left hand side). In addition, Starbucks Coffee is on the ground floor.

However, we had a big night on dinner last day.



Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail with Garlic Aioli and Herbed Crostini
Followed by
Lime Sorbet










Bronzed Atlantic Salmon Fillet topped with Crawfish Salsa and Nantua Sauce








However, it is an alternate serve since some got Roulade of Chicken filled with Spinach, Feta Cheese and toasted Pine Nuts, topped with roasted Garlic and Tomato Coulis



For dessert, it was in Platter Style consisted of New Orleans Floating Island, Croque en Bouche, and Chocolate Decadence Log

Dinner @ Sugar Mill

The Sugar Mill is located in New Orleans (near the Mississippi River in the historic Warehouse District. They specialize in large corporate hospitality events, private conventions (up to 200 booths) and trade shows with 22,000 square foot main floor.

Therefore, my corporate arranged this place for one of our company's dinner together with a chorus.

Dinner consists of :
Appetizer - Creole Corn Chowder : Sweet Corn slow cooked with Creole Seasoning & Spices served cold in a Bouillon cup & finished with Creme Fraiche and Fire roasted red Pepper Puree

Entree - Grilled Fillet of Beef : Petite fillet marinated with fresh harbs & garlic grilled over hardwood chips topped with Jumbo Rosemary Grilled Shrimp served with Roasted Garlic Demi Glace

Entree - Pommes de Terre : Sliced Potatoes backed with Chicken Stock & Herbs

Entree - Roasted Vegetable Melange : Colorful Spring Vegetables roasted with Virgin Olive Oil


At first I thought there would be 3 entree. However, it was shown as the picture (all 3 in 1 dish).

Information about Sugar Mill : http://www.sugarmillevents.com/

Everything is BLUE at New Orleans

Talking about New Orleans of Louisiana, everyone could have heard of Bourbon Street. Bourbon Street is a famous and historic street that runs the length of the French Quarter in New Orleans.




























Bourbon Street is home to many bars, restaurants, T-Shirt and Souvenir shops including few of strip clubs. It is normally quiet during the day. However, it becomes alive at night, particularly during the French Quarter's many festivals i.e, Mardi Gras (final day of carnival).

In Bourbon Street Bar, most of them has put the name related to Blues and decorated with Blue Lighting. This city is especially known for its strong association with jazz music (as a birthplace). However, the tradition of jazz in New Orleans has taken on various forms that have either branched out from original dixieland or taken entirely different paths altogether.

Besides, a normal bar where the live band in, I have found the cocktail shop. They are sold through Frosty Machine and shop has been decorated in fancy colours.

New Orlean Style Pies

Hubig's New Orleans Style Pies are fruit or sweet-filled fried pies coated with sugar. They are made in the heart of New Orleans and are considered a local delicacy. They are available in a variety of flavors, including Apple, Lemon, Peach, Pineapple, Chocolate, Coconut & Sweet Potato - however, at least 50% of available pies at the majority of locations are Apple or Lemon.

Where did I get this local pie from? They are served during conference coffee/tea break.

Home of Simon Hubig Pie Company : http://www.hubigs.com/

It's HOT in New Orleans

Cajuns are an ethic group mainly living in Louisiana (where New Orleans is). Of course, food culture in New Orleans are called cajun food. Cajun Dishs tend to be rural, more seasoned, sometimes spicy, and tens to be more hearty.
Of course, chili sauce plays major role here in New Orleans. Outstanding brand of chili sauce produced in Louisiana is Tabasco Sauce.

Tabasco sauce is a brand of hot sauce made from tabassco peppers (Capsicum frutescens var. tabasco), vinegar, and salt, and aged in white oak barrels for three years. It was produced by McIlhenny Company of Avery Island, Louisiana since 1868. Several new types of sauces are produced under the naame Tabasco Sauce including jalapeno-based green, chipotle-based smoked, habanero, garlic, and "sweet and spicy" sauces. McIlhenny also produces a Tabasco soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce. In addition, Tabasco also has merchandising products (starting from T-- as we may see in all tourist area & airport outlet.

However, there are also other brand of chili / hot sauce selling on shelf (not in supermarket but on souvenir shop) -- It appears to be strange name but communicated on hot taste...

Mississippi Steamboat Cruise

This is New Orleans' only steamboat "NATCHEZ". From what they said, this is the truly classic expression of the best of America's great steamboat tradition.


From Steamboat Homepage : "New Orleans Steamboat Company launched the NATCHEZ in 1975. The NATCHEZ is the pride of the Mississippi River and is as beautiful as her name. Many of her crew have been with her since her maiden voyage. Theirs is a whole new chapter in history of the river, and you can be a part of it. Her daily two-hour jazz cruises depart from the Toulouse St. Wharf (behind JAX Brewery in the French Quarter) at 11:30 A.M.; 2:30 P.M.; and 7:00 P.M."




At that day, we have a kind of cocktail reservation & jazz. It included of breathtaking view of New Orleans City, Indoor and Outdoor seating, Finger Foods prepared fresh on board, live jazz by the world renowned "Dukes of Dixieland".











Fried Finger Food were served as chicken, shrimp, spring roll served dipped with chili sauce.

About steamboat Natchez : http://www.steamboatnatchez.com/index.html

Voodoo Shrimp at House of Blues

I went to House of Blues in New Orleans. House of Blues is the home for live music (especially blues music and folk art) and southern-inspired cuisine. House of Blues (HOB) is a chain of music halls and restaurants founded in 1992 by Hard Rock Cafe founder Issac Tigrett and his friend and investor Dan Aykroyd. Now, current owner is Live Nation, the world's largest live entertainment company. HOB has expanded into the casino business, club in a showboat Hotel-Casino.

About House of Blues : http://www.hob.com/
House of Blues in New Orleans : http://www.hob.com/venues/clubvenues/neworleans/


About HOB's southern style food, there was a signature dish called "VOODOO SHRIMP WITH DIXIE BEER REDUCTION" -- it was a Pan Seared Shrimp in beer served with Rosemary Cornbread.


This could be a highlighted food from BOH since it was freshly made for us (which I had to queue for long) while other foods were in try for buffet.

So Louisiana (very southern) especially with a black guy cooked for us ... I called it "Live Cooking" at BOH (additional to live music afterward).

New Orleans : a Hurricane City

A hurricane is an extremely sweet alcoholic drink made locally in New Orleans. It made from lime juice, passion fruit syrup, and rum.

Actually it is the most popular drinks among tourists who visit New Orleans.

Hurricane Drink was originate invented at Pat O'Brien's Bar in French Quarter, New Orleans. It was created during World War II, when the liquor such as whisky was in low supply and bar owners were forced to order larget mounts of rum in ordert o get their quota of whiskey.

Pat O'Brien's Bar is located at 718 St. Peter, into a historic building dating from 1791. The location features several bars as well as a large outdoor courtyard in the rear with iron tables and white and green clad cocktail servers. The bar is home to the original Flaming Fountain (in the courtyard) also a large Piano Bar with live local entertainers.

Hurricane Recipe ( 1 serving )

1 ounce fresh lemon juice
4 ounces dark rum
4 ounces passion fruit syrup
Crushed ice
Orange slice
1 Maraschino Cherry
- In a cocktail shaker, add lemon juice, rum, passion fruit syrup, and crushed ice; shake vigorously for 1 to 2 minutes and then strain into a tall glass or hurricane glass.
- Garnish with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry.

Coffee in New Orleans

Coffee first came to North America through New Orleans back in the mid-1700's. It was the time when French brought coffee with as they began to settle new colonies along the Mississippi.

The uniqueness of coffee served in New Orleans is "The taste of coffee and chicory" -- it was developed by the French during their civil war which they imported coffee by mixing it with ground, roasted chicory root (which they could grow locally). It is added to the coffee to soften the bitter edge of the dark roasted coffee.

The original cafe in New Orleans must be "Cafe Du Monde" -- where I visited was the original one in French Market, French Quarter. This stand was established in 1862 and is open 24 hours.

Must try items at Cafe Du Monde are : Coffee (of course) and Beignets.
The recommended coffee of Cafe Du Monde are Black Coffee or Cafe Au Lait (which -- is black coffee mixed half and half with hot milk).

Beignets are square French -style doughnuts, covered with powdered sugar (icing sugar). The texture of beignets is like a Chinese "Youtiao or You Tiao" or "Pah-tong-kho" in Thai -- which is a long, golden-brown, deep fried strip of dough. However, Beignets have more of butter aroma.






To know more about coffee culture in New Orleans : http://www.frenchquarter.com/dining/CoffeeCulture.php

About Cafe du Monde : http://www.cafedumonde.com/main.html

American Dessert

As soon as I reached hotel in New Orleans, I ordered American dessert. Actually it was in the room service (late nite meal).

From the picture, there are a warm chocolate topped with Rasberry sauce and Vanilla Ice-cream (Haagen-Daz).

Actually I did not expect to be this big. There are 3 big scoops in a bow, and a big (approximately 2.5 inches height and 3 inches in dimeter). Ha Ha Ha, I finished it all -- it's so yummy (thick chocolate) !!!