Returning to the South presents a brand new set of eating options. What eating options? The annual culinary tradition known as Coolinary New Orleans returned for the month of August, offering cuisine that also showcases the history and culture of NOLA. Our choice: Seaworthy. As a large seafood fan, how could I pass up on a restaurant like this?




The interior was quite lovely and we were lucky enough to be seated right by the window for our meals. For starters, we tried their Fried Oysters and Ceviche. The aioli that accompanied the oysters was especially delicious, though the ceviche was a little more sour than I'm used to. The crisps that came with the ceviche were grit crisps, the consistency of which reminded me of chicharones chips. Two was not enough, would gladly have eaten a large bowl of them. For our brunch, Ben ordered the Gulf Coast Roll and I ordered the Seaworthy Benedict. Of course, Ben's order was a take on the lobster roll but uses local ingredients for our gulf. The sandwich was packed with gulf shrimp and blue crab. For mine, I had more fried oysters and that were topped with decadently poached eggs and caviar. Overall, a very seaworthy brunch.




While we were in the area, we also decided to check out the NOMA and St. Roch Market. There was an exhibit by Regina Scully, called Japanese Landscape: Inner Journeys. The exhibit paired paintings of 18th and 19th-century Edo-period Japanese artists alongside her contemporary works. I remember reading in one of the galleries that her earlier paintings recalled the mind to the Edo-period artwork. I believe the artist made several trips to Japan for further inspiration and study, the culmination of which can be seen at this exhibit. While I always advocate seeing the real deal in person, the opportunity is not always there, but thank goodness for the Internet in this case, eh?



We spent some time at the museum before we decided to beat some traffic and head back home. We had heard about St. Roch Market several months ago so used this opportunity to visit. It's basically a southern food hall featuring different vendors that are both diverse and delicious. We have been wanting to try Fritai so that was our first stop. Featuring Haitian food, we ordered the dish for which the store is named, the fritai: a sandwich of pork shoulder, avocado, mango sauce, and other veg between two fried plantains. We could see there was a hot sauce that we could have added but opted out at the last moment; in hindsight, I wish we had because I think it would have made the sandwich even more delicious. I think I would have preferred the fried plantains to be as crispy as the plantain chips the sandwich came with, but overall a good dish.

Also stopped by La Mezcla Mexicana because I was craving queso and elote. The salsa that came with queso was seriously SO GOOD. I immediately told Ben it was my favorite of all favorites but I don't think he believed me. I haven't had good salsa in awhile (which will hopefully be rectified when we travel to Austin soon) so I suppose a second visit to the place is warranted. The star of the order was probably the elote. Buttery, grilled, simple, yet oh so delectable. I'm salivating just thinking about that perfect cob. Second visit is positively warranted.






A little more recently, we dined at Flambée Café which opened not too long ago. Much closer to home and a cuisine that was both familiar and unique. It's a restaurant where one can enjoy the fiery French cousin of pizza: the Tarte Flambée. It's the Louisiana take on the Flatbread of France! They have both savory and sweet entrees. Their classic fire brick oven was easily viewed from the seating inside which was an exceptional idea because something about food rotating in a brick oven just seems so enticing, doesn't it? Ben ordered the Traditionelle and I ordered the Honey Poulette (pictured below). We paired it with their Chateau Leon, a Bordeaux wine that had me blissfully recalling my time in France. We have plans to visit the place again but with our Austin trip around the corner, we're saving all our eating-out dates for then.



I normally cook at home so when we have a chance to eat out, we make an effort to try something new or a tried-and-true favorite. I imagine the next food adventures will be all about Austin, my stomach is looking forward to that. Cheers until then!