Starbucks is now wearing off so it’s time to get real food. Now if there is any place on earth that fits my palate, it would be NOLA. Gumbo, shrimp, crab, snapper, gator, steaks but the seafood is great…droolin’!
Curtis recommended Mr. B's Bistro. That was it. Nanna said “My grandson is called Mr. B!” No need to debate after that. If you have a Nanna in your family, you know what I mean. A restaurant with your grandson’s name means you are going. The stars have aligned, and all is right with the world. We get to Mr. B’s at 5:15, and they don't start serving until 5:30. We were asked if we would like to sit at the bar. Me at a bar?? Adult beverages?? Well ok, if y'all insist.
When you think of NOLA, first thing that comes to your mind is GUMBO, and that is one of my favorite things… GUMBO, chicken gumbo, shrimp gumbo, sausage gumbo, rabbit gumbo, duck gumbo, possum gumbo… ok, a bit far. Gumbo is like the town of NOLA itself. It’s a spicy, smooth, sweet, tasty stew which began, in the old days, as being what the cook could find to throw in a pot, and yes, a possum had to keep his guard up in those days. Mr. B’s has been in business for years, and has dang good gumbo. I picked the Seafood Gumbo, which was brought to the table in a stainless cup, then dumped into another larger china bowl. (We sell china and stainless bowls too.) The waiter brought a small loaf of French bread in a bag (Guess this was my baguette.) First taste, yum! The sweet shrimp taste with the spicy smoothness of the roux… I don't ever use the word “fabulous”, but it's about time. Seafood gumbo at Mr. B’s was fabulous.
Viv had the gumbo Ya Ya, which is a bit more spicy, and a little heavier bite, which was also outstanding. For our entrees, Viv had the pan-seared snapper with crab meat, served with shoe string veggies and a basil butter sauce. My one and only bite was great. I had one of my favorites, bacon-wrapped shrimp and grits. Ok, listen to this all, y'all shrimp and grit lovers. This is what the menu says, “a sauté of pecan-smoked, bacon-wrapped jumbo gulf shrimp served with CREAMY stone ground yellow grits and red eye gravy.” When they say “creamy”, they mean it. Never had any better anywhere. You can see the menu and their story at www.mrbbistro.com. The waiter asked about dessert at that point, and well, I never thought about dessert . Viv-“Ya wannna split a pecan pie topped with vanilla ice cream?” I didn’t want to be rude! Pecan pie arrived at the table and I grabbed my fork and shouted “ I claim this pie for the nation of Eric! Everybody stand back!” I shared reluctantly, but shared.
As I waddled out of Mr. B’s, again I think all is right with my world. Beautiful blond in one hand, just had a fabulous meal, feeling the sultry NOLA breeze on my face; what could go wrong ?? Little did I know what would happen next.
Night time, bed time, yes!!!! Being 52 in NOLA is much different than my 40th birthday. Thank God! It’s amazing how much smarter I’ve grown in twelve years. We are staying at the Marriot for the Pride Conference which starts, Wednesday morning, and all seems good. Remember what I said about the view being great and the pull down bed being speculative? Well, this is how that went. The bed was fair, the view was great.
