Monday, October 12, 2015.
The Once And Future Cruise.
Our travel agent Debbie Himbert messaged me today to say that we have 35 people signed up for next fall's cruise from New York to Quebec City, via New England and the Canadian Maritimes. This is my favorite cruise itinerary, showing off as it does not only the fall colors but also the best lobsters, scallops and mussels in the world as we navigate through the islands and peninsulas. We seem to have picked a good time: we're getting free beverages (even cocktails and wine!) and amnesty from gratuities. And it's a year from now! That will be a busy time, right after what I hope will be the last wedding in our immediate family.
Naturally enough, the nuptials are Topic A for the Marys. Mary Leigh catches me up as we lunch at the Acme. It's our old Monday routine: red beans for me, wedge salad with blue cheese and tomatoes for her. At this time next year, that routine will probably have passed into pure nostalgia.
This evening is our final regular rehearsal for the Stephen Sondheim show this weekend. I can use some brushing up on the words. But where will I ever find the time? A lady who has large skills working with computers offered to take some of my load. Then she went through the behemoth that is NOMenu.com and wrote to wish me luck with it.
Tuesday, October 13, 2015.
Return To Maple Street, Then Departure.
The radio show is exceptionally lively today, except for the final hour. I have no idea why, but the five-to-six hour seems to have become a slack period. Maybe I ought to start up a daily serial with cliffhangers every day.
[caption id="attachment_49243" align="alignnone" width="480"]
Maple Street Cafe.[/caption]
To dinner at the Maple Street Café, where I have not been in quite a while, even though I do an ad-lib commercial for them every day. Nothing much has changed except that the menu has been redesigned, and very well at that.
[caption id="attachment_49240" align="alignnone" width="480"]
Redfish with artichokes, potatoes, broccoli, et al.[/caption]
I always begin with soup at the Maple Street, and alsways at least consider having seconds after the first cup. Tonight it's a chunky vegetable soup with an old-fashioned, homely style. Delicious. Then redfish with potatoes, turnips, mushrooms, and an orange butter sauce. It looked as good as it sounded, and tasted as good as it was generous.
[caption id="attachment_49242" align="alignnone" width="480"]
Caramel custard @ Maple Street Cafe.[/caption]
But the highlight of the evening is the caramel custard. Whoever makes it at the Maple Street Café has a fine hand indeed. With its perfect texture and sweetness, it rivals even the version at Galatoire's, which is hard to beat.
Jameel Qutob, who runs the place with his brother T.J., says that the Maple Café in West End will be closed by the end of the year, when the lease runs out. It did not do well for them. As consistently good as the Maple Street Café has been for some twenty years, attempts by the brothers to expand have come to not much. (Although I think Petra in Laplace is still there.)
Speaking of Maple Street. . . I hear on the radio today that the Maple Street Bookshop will close its books at the end of this year. They have been there for over fifty years, but longevity is no defense against the kinds of changes that have come to the dissemination of the printed word in recent years. I will miss the shop. I've bought many tomes over the years, and sold and signed many of my own books there.
Maple Street Cafe. Riverbend: 7623 Maple. 504-314-9003.
Maple Street Cafe.[/caption]
To dinner at the Maple Street Café, where I have not been in quite a while, even though I do an ad-lib commercial for them every day. Nothing much has changed except that the menu has been redesigned, and very well at that.
[caption id="attachment_49240" align="alignnone" width="480"]
Redfish with artichokes, potatoes, broccoli, et al.[/caption]
I always begin with soup at the Maple Street, and alsways at least consider having seconds after the first cup. Tonight it's a chunky vegetable soup with an old-fashioned, homely style. Delicious. Then redfish with potatoes, turnips, mushrooms, and an orange butter sauce. It looked as good as it sounded, and tasted as good as it was generous.
[caption id="attachment_49242" align="alignnone" width="480"]
Caramel custard @ Maple Street Cafe.[/caption]
But the highlight of the evening is the caramel custard. Whoever makes it at the Maple Street Café has a fine hand indeed. With its perfect texture and sweetness, it rivals even the version at Galatoire's, which is hard to beat.
Jameel Qutob, who runs the place with his brother T.J., says that the Maple Café in West End will be closed by the end of the year, when the lease runs out. It did not do well for them. As consistently good as the Maple Street Café has been for some twenty years, attempts by the brothers to expand have come to not much. (Although I think Petra in Laplace is still there.)
Speaking of Maple Street. . . I hear on the radio today that the Maple Street Bookshop will close its books at the end of this year. They have been there for over fifty years, but longevity is no defense against the kinds of changes that have come to the dissemination of the printed word in recent years. I will miss the shop. I've bought many tomes over the years, and sold and signed many of my own books there.
