Horsing Around

Last year, my sisters came with me to check an item off my Bucket List. We went to the Kentucky Derby. We were rookies and could have done it way better. If I ever return to the real deal, I now know the ropes. This year, I had a chance to wear my hat again, since it rained the entire time last year (a trademark of the Derby I am told) but I did it in a much more contained environment. Way cheaper too.

Galatoire’s (and many others around town) had a Derby Watch party, with tickets in the same two categories: Grandstand and Club House. The Grand Stand was $30 for open seating, limited menu, drinks from a cash bar only, and passed apps. The $50 club house included a drink, your own seats, and access to the full menu, as well as passed apps. I’m glad the Club House was sold out when I inquired because the lower tier was a better deal for us. No one in my party drinks, we went early to park anyway, so we ate first, and the passed apps at the event were generous.

The watch party was next door at 33 Bar & Steak, which has the bar  (which I prefer, and a back dining room.) Cheap tickets were in the bar, and there was not enough seating there. We chose the dumbest possible seats, requiring us to continually tap oblivious people standing in front of the screens who didn’t realize they were not transparent.  Pass around apps came immediately, and they continued throughout the three-hour party. Trays of perfect Pommes Soufflé with Bearnaise sauce were as welcome the fifth pass as they were the first.

These apps were not only plentiful, they were very good. A grilled cheese triangle was absolutely irresistible. Extra toasted, the melted cheese really hit the spot.

The Pommes Soufflé were some of the best I have had.

I’m not a fan of deviled eggs, but these were fluffy and had a large dollop of caviar as a topper.

There was a little menu on each table of specialty drinks and appetizers. Hot Brown sliders were on this menu. and we got this duo for $14. 

Last year, my sister and I shared a Hot Brown at The Brown Hotel while we waited for the other two sisters to arrive. It’s a great sandwich, very rich with Mornay sauce, bacon, and turkey served open-faced. These sliders were served as sliders, but were delicious. The buns were very nice.

We went next door to 33 Bar and Steak after a visit to the main dining room at Galatoire’s. We got Pommes Soufflé and The Galatoire’s Goute with some Oysters en Brochette.

There were three of us, and the other two rarely go to Galaoire’s, so these dishes were even a bigger thrill to them than they were to me. After as many visits to this place as there have been for me, I’m still thrilled to eat at this particular Grande Dame.

By the time we left Galatoire’s and went next door, the space at 33 in the bar was beginning to fill up. The apps started as soon as we sat. The bar was packed, and as many people were standing as sitting. There were two screens for viewing, but the sound was missing. There was a backdrop for pictures as you walked into the door. Hats were plentiful, though no one was wearing anything as extravagant as at the real Derby.

None of that mattered. It was a great time, the food and drinks flowed, the crowd was jazzed, the race was an upset, and another Kentucky Derby hit the record books. Comparatively, this one was a bargain, and a lot less effort.