Beignets [On The Road: New Orleans]

One thing that everyone will tell you when going to NOLA is that you must try the beignets. There are plenty of options in the French Quarter but the most famous without doubts is Café du Monde big queues, open 24 hours, popular for tourists and locals, so if you’re up early or queue friendly type of guy, enjoy the 1862 NOLA café landmark, I tried to join a couple times but the queues were prohibited so I went to Café Beignet, two locations in the French Quarter one bigger than the other with daily live jazz. 

Bourbon St Location

Royal St Location

Beignets or fritters are a pastry making choux paste deep fried, and then dusted with confectioner’s sugar, brought to Louisiana by French colonists now they are integral part of home style creole cuisine, and declared the official state doughnut in 1986. 

Beignets

The beignets were made to order, crispy, golden colour, covered in sugar, they were superb, perfect breakfast, great sweet balance, not oily, hot, goes excellent with a latte. 

Breakfast time

Doughnuts remind me the Seinfeld episode “The Note” 

Kramer: I just saw Joe DiMaggio in Dinky Donuts. You know, I looked in there and there he was having coffee and a donut 

Jerry: Joe DiMaggio? In Dinky Donuts? 

Kramer: Yeah, Joe DiMaggio 

Jerry: I'm sorry, if Joe DiMaggio wants a donut he goes to a fancy restaurant or a hotel. He's not sitting in Dinky Donuts 

Kramer: Well maybe he likes Dinky Donuts 

George: I don't even like to sit next to a man on an airplane because our knees might touch 

Jerry: I can't see Joe DiMaggio sitting at the counter in little tiny filthy smelly Dinky Donuts 

Kramer: Why can't Joe DiMaggio have a donut like everyone else? Jerry: He can have a donut, but not at Dinky

Cafe Beignet

T: +1 504 524 5530

Cafe

Approx Damage: $10pp

Area: French Quarter

New Orleans

---

View Larger Map Get Directions View Bird's Eye

---

A Weekend In NOLA [On The Road: New Orleans]

During my last visit to the US I had the unique chance to visit New Orleans, the city was on the top of my must visit, the reasons quite a few but I summarise them in food and jazz. One of the most unique city in the US, French influence, great cuisine, birthplace of Jazz, running across the Mississippi river, kept the spirit high after the devastating events of Katrina, great hospitality, and don’t forget the party atmosphere in the French Quarter with one of the most famous events in the world the NOLA Carnival or Mardi Gras. 

Louis Armstrong Park

Things to do includes going party till late in the French Quarter and Bourbon Street and don’t forget your beads, enjoy any of the celebrity chef restaurants around town, ride in any of the 19th Century Streetcars, have a beignet in Café du Monde, submerge in a night of jazz in one of fantastic clubs, eat at least one amazing Po Boy sandwich, or get a bag of the local Zapp’s the Voodo Chips what in this side of the world we call crisps. 

Street musicians

French Quarter

Bourbon

Zapp's

Beads

Great city, mental party, awesome music, and delicious food, do you need more reasons to go?

More jazz

Jazz reminds me when Elaine went out with a Sax player in the Seinfeld episode “The Rye” 

Jerry: So I take it he's spongeworthy? 

Elaine: Oh, yeah 

Jerry: Well, he's a musician. I guess they're supposed to be very, you know, uninhibited and free 

Elaine: Well, actually, he's, he's not that way at all 

Jerry: Oh, no? 

Elaine: Yeah. In fact, he... 

Jerry: Come on, come on 

Elaine: I don't want to! 

Jerry: Elaine, you're among friends 

Elaine: Well, actually, he, um, doesn't really like to do... everything 

Jerry: Oh 

Elaine: Yeah. It's surprising 

Jerry: Yes, it is. It is surprising. Does that bother you? 

Elaine: No. No, it doesn't bother me. I mean, it would be nice. I'm not going to lie to you and say it wouldn't be nice 

Jerry: Sure. Why not? You're there

Elaine: Exactly

New Orleans

Louisiana

---

View Larger Map Get Directions View Bird's Eye

---

We can be heroes just for one day

I love jazz spots in London, even more if it’s a local band playing in a pub. That’s the case of The Fallen Heroes, they are the residents of The Blue Post, a traditional English pub, home cooked food including Sunday roast, good selection of beers including ales, pretty packed when the band is playing every Sunday from 4 to 8pm. Free admission, so no cover, however, as soon as you get to the pub Angie the bouncer will make sure you get a drink if you want to stay to enjoy the music. 

The place

Inside

A 5 piece band as they were playing that night, Sax, Trombone, Guitar, Bass, and Drums. From time to time let guest musicians to perform with them. The Martyn brothers founded the Heroes, they grew up in NOLA and after 10 years playing there they came back to London to play a funky jazz with some ska and blues into the mix giving a unique and characteristic sound. 

Getting ready

Let's Roll

Bar time

The brass section

Grand finale

So be prepared to enjoy good music, have a pint, and if you fancy even jump while the band is playing The Monkey. 

Groupies

Monkey reminds me the Seinfeld episode “The Face Painter” 

Kramer: Hey, Jerry? You're a smart guy, right? 

Jerry: No question about it 

Kramer: Alright, you know I'm supposed to go on this special tour today with George's girlfriend 

Jerry: At the zoo? 

Kramer: Yeah, but before I met up with her, I stopped to look at the monkeys, when all of a sudden I am hit in the face with a banana peel. I turn and look and there is this monkey really laughing it up. Then someone tells me that he did it. Well, I pick up the banana peel and I wait for that monkey to turn around. And then I let him have it 

Jerry: Kramer, you threw a banana peel at a monkey? 

Kramer: Well, he started it! 

Jerry: It's a monkey, Kramer! 

Kramer: Well, he pushed my buttons, I couldn't help it, Jerry 

Jerry: Well, I still think it's wrong 

Kramer: Alright, alright, fine. You take the monkey's side, alright, go ahead

The Fallen Heroes

T: 084 5612 9555

Jazz Band

The Blue Posts

T: 020 7437 1415

Pub

Area: Soho

Borough: City of Westminster

---

View Larger Map Get Directions View Bird's Eye

---

NYC + Live Jazz + Ribs = Blue Smoke

I went to NYC and had the chance to catch up with a good friend from my MSc, the Chief as we call him took me to a barbecue place called Blue Smoke, part of Danny Meyer’s USHG group which includes great restaurants in the city such as Shake Shack, and Union Square Cafe. I immediately became a believer of the place, live Jazz downstairs, mouth watering pit barbecue, a bake shop, and the command of Chef and pitmaster Kenny Callaghan. 

The Place

Inside

Lunch Time

I have been a couple times, and I ordered both times basically the same, so you can imagine how good it is. First chipotle chicken wings, a classic, blue cheese dip, these wings are between the best I have had, the chipotle gives a great flavour, and the blue cheese is dense and rich. Finally I got the rib sampler with a side of Mac & Cheese, so you don’t have to decide which rib style to order, Memphis baby backs, Kansas City spare ribs, and Texas beef ribs, all together coexisting, it’s awesome, the combination of styles is like porn in your mouth, juicy spicy and sweet from KC, lean Memphis style, an smoky salty and peppery Texas style. 

A Local Pint to Wait

Wings

Ribs

Mac & Cheese

A great place, excellent food, good service, nice local beers on tap, and the chance of listening Jazz only stairs away, in conclusion my kind of place. 

Door to the Jazz

Chicken reminds me the Seinfeld episode “The Chicken Roaster” 

Kramer: What? 

Jerry: The light! 

Kramer: Oh the red, it’s the chicken roaster sign, its right across my window 

Jerry: Can't you shut the shades? 

Kramer: They are shut

Blue Smoke

T: +1 212 447 7733

Area: Flatiron

Borough: Manhattan

Twitter: BlueSmokeNYC

---

View Larger Map

---

When The Saints Go Marching In

It’s amazing when you are able to discover hidden treasures in the city. An acquaintance recommended visiting the Lamb and Flag pub in Covent Garden. I’d been there before on weekdays but this person specifically told me to go on a Sunday afternoon, the thing is that on that day after seven there is a band playing Dixieland all night long.

Lamb and Flag

This early 20^th century Jazz developed in New Orleans can be enjoyed in this small and cosy pub in central London, nothing better than a Guinness and the sound of a brass section (trumpet, clarinet, saxophone, and trombone) with the rhythm section of a guitar and a bass.

The Band Playing

Apparently this resident band has been playing in this famous public house since 1993. The pub claims to be the oldest one in Covent Garden and to be frequented by Charles Dickens and John Dryden, built in 1623, as soon as you see it you can recognise an old and traditional atmosphere.

The Band Playing

So remember if you want to hear New Orleans Jazz, Hot Jazz, or Early Jazz don’t hesitate to go to the Lamb and Flag (33 Rose Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 9E) on a Sunday night.

You might even bump into the Jazz saxophonist that Elaine was dating in the Seinfeld episode “The Rye”.

Jerry: Hey, you'll never guess who I bumped into. This guy Clyde. He's in your friend John Germaine's band there.

Elaine: So what did he have to say?

Jerry: Nothing. I told him you two were pretty hot and heavy.

Elaine: Hot and heavy? You said hot and heavy?

Jerry: Yeah.

Elaine: What did you do that for?

Jerry: What?

Elaine: What if he tells John? Then John's gonna think that I think that we're hot and heavy. I don't want John thinking that I'm hot and heavy if he's not hot and heavy.

Jerry: Oh

Elaine: I'm trying to get a little squirrel to come over to me here. I don't wanna make any big, sudden movements. I'll frighten him away.

On the hook with 'Round Midnight

It’s amazing how you can find little hidden places by chance. The other day I was on Angel waiting for a friend so I decided to wander around the area, and what was my surprise I bump into this small, cosy, and lively place. As they describe themselves “Islington’s only dedicated Jazz and Blues venue”, and what a better name than ‘Round Midnight (13 Liverpool Road, Angel N1 0RW) no other than Thelonious’ masterpiece. As soon as I get in I heard Eric Ranzoni playing on the piano, and later had the chance to listen JC Moody & the Usual Suspects. They have a complete line up for the entire month, everyday a different artist playing live, Sunday afternoon jazz sessions, and on Thursday nights blues jam so you turn up with your instrument at 8 p.m. to play with the band. I took a table near the stage, I had a couple pints, and relaxed listening the live music in this amazing atmosphere, and if you’re hungry a good selection of burgers, chicken wings, or a mixed platter with wings, chips, and onion rings. In conclusion ‘Round Midnight is a place I definitely will become a regular.

'Round Midnight

I watched a couple days back and episode of how I met your mother (Hooked) and I got flashbacks, it’s amazing but true, that happened to me, and to some of my closest friends as well, the worst thing is that there is no escape. It’s amazing how people never realise that they’re completely hooked with somebody else, HELLO!!! They’re using you! Isn’t it obvious? No matter what, they still believe there is something there, somehow in the near future that person that is most of the time unavailable for you but obviously there when she/he needs something, is going to realise that you’re the right person. Well guess what, that’s not going to happen. So my friends if your instinct tell you that something is wrong, start listen to it, I know is difficult, I never listen to it, and probably won’t in the future, as people says hope is the last thing to lose, isn’t it? So I would recommend watching the episode.

When you realise that you’re on the hook is like when a baseball pitcher is going to be replaced, he knows he’s done but he still wants to pitch and end the inning, like in the Seinfeld episode “The Mango” where George confessed he had problems performing in bed the night before.

George: She gave me the hook.

Jerry: You got the hook?

George: It's like the manager coming out to ask you for the ball

For now I’m going to call that girl I know she’s not available and ready for a relation (right now) but she will in the future... yeah right!!!

JC Moody & the Usual Suspects on stage at 'Round Midnight

Finally, talking about eating out, I have a friend (yes she’s one of the unavailable ones so cut me a break ok, LOL!!!), anyway she’s having this game with their friends where each one of them organise an eating night out in a restaurant, the fun part is that none of the others have any idea of where are they going or even what type of food the restaurant serves, it’s like a blind restaurant game or a russian restaurant roulette, I find it quite interesting, so I’m planning to do it with some of my friends (pretty sure Taylor will take us all the time to Noodle Oodle), even better I could do the same concept also with pubs, like a secret pub experience, nowadays everything is secret, secret underground restaurant, secret markets, secret relationships, so let’s see what happens in the next posts.