Lüke: A Chef John Besh Restaurant - Central Business District - New Orleans, LA

If you are looking to be impressed by French-German dishes in New Orleans, please go to Luke Restaurant, I know I was. 

The restaurant is located in the Central Business District, next to the Hilton and in the former Masonic Temple Building, so there is that historic vibe to the restaurant. The front room is a lot more grand than the back room (where we were seated), but that is offset by views of the open kitchen. 

Apparently they only want to seat people with reservations, so since we did not have one, we were refused seating until 9:15pm (it was 6:45pm) but with a little back and forth, we ended up waiting only 15 minutes before we were seated. However, as we walked through the restaurant to the back room, way too many tables were empty that it made no sense that they acted that way. A lot of tables still remained empty throughout the meal.

I decided to start out my meal with a cocktail. I originally wanted the Mint Julep but they were out so I had the Riverbend (vodka, lemon juice, basil syrup, blueberries & ginger ale) at the recommendation of the server. It was a relatively sweet cocktail, with the ginger ale being the most powering flavor, but you could still taste the alcohol.

My friend choose a regular starter and ordered a cup of the Crawfish Bisque. She ate all of it so I am assuming she liked it, but she did complain of a sour aftertaste.

My boyfriend skipped the appetizers and went straight for the entree. He always seems to find the most basic item on the menu and order it. He had the Luke Burger (bacon, caramelized onions, tomatoes, Swiss cheese) and was raving about it. One thing I can tell you, it was a very good size. 

My friend had the Jumbo Louisiana Shrimp "En Cocotte" with lump crab meat, roasted jalapeño cheese grits, andouille & green onion sausages. She loved it.

I have an obsession with mussels so I had the classic Moules et Frites. Although only having two simply ingredients (garlic & thyme) in the broth, the flavors stood out and the taste was a lot bolder than others I have had with a lot more ingredients. The house-made fries were scrumptious. These are the best kind.

Even with all that food, we still made room for dessert. We first had the Bread Pudding which was delicious but quite sweet. I am also not a fan of over sauced foods.

One wasn't enough so we also ordered the Bourbon Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee. It was superb and not too sweet which is a plus for me. The little cookies on top added nothing to the dessert and if anything could have been left off.

All that good food, I still have to give props to our server. He was amazing and engaging. The front desk soured the mood a little bit a first but he more than made up for it. I couldn't have asked for anyone better.


Luke Restaurant

333 St Charles Ave New Orleans, LA 70130 (504) 378-2840 www.lukeneworleans.com

Make wy for Gay St. II: Harford Avenue

In my previous post regarding the reopening of Gay St between Orleans St. and Broadway, I hinted that Harford Avenue and its Hillen and Esnor St. counterparts were in for a change as well. If you were under that impression and felt short changed at the end of my last post, you're in luck. I will describe in detail my plan to overhaul Harford Avenue and get more vehicular traffic going through that part of town thus allowing for redevelopment and population growth.

For the sake of this post lets say that Harford Avenue begins at the JFX. It continues on as Pleasant St. going westbound through Downtown or as Holiday St. going southbound and ending at Pratt St. by the Harbor. On the other side of the JFX, Harford Avenue is known as Hillen St. Hillen St. is currently a one way St. that only goes southbound. The first change I would make is to change the name from Hillen St. to Harford Avenue in order to streamline the road.

I would also like to point out that for a City Street Harford Avenue and its Hillen St. and Esnor St. alter egos are VERY wide considering they spend most of their existence as one way streets whether it be north or south. Given that the road is very wide, my proposal to make it a two way street from the Fallsway to North Avenue isn't that far fetched.

Adding northbound traffic to Hillen St./Harford Avenue will play a key role after the demolition of the JFX and the redevelopment of the Edison properties, now serving as surface level parking. I would also like to point out that Esnor St. is what Gay St. turns into at Orleans St. rather than going straight through Oldtown Mall. As I have stated in my previous post, Gay St. will reopen to vehicular traffic as a one way northbound which will make Esnor St. between Orleans St. and when it joins Hillen St. utterly and completely useless. Also Hillen St./Harford Avenue will play host to two way traffic so Esnor St. will become even more useless. When redeveloping Oldtown Mall Esnor St. can just fade into the infrastructure or become a local service road.

Harford Avenue currently exists as a two way street for a couple of blocks between Madison St. and Biddle St cutting through LaTrobe Homes. Here is where the width of the road can be of benefit. The road can be made more attractive by adding a landscaped median, bike lanes, and on street parking making the road four lanes two in each direction with the landscaped median giving way to left turn lanes when needed.

Above the Biddle St. intersection things begin to get messy. At this point Harford Avenue becomes a one way northbound street while southbound traffic uses Aisquith St. from North Avenue to Biddle St. I think this traffic pattern diverts traffic and perhaps even Residents from this part of the City. When traveling Downtown from Northeast Baltimore on Harford Road it becomes problematic not to be able to continue on Harford Avenue south of North Avenue. instead one must make a right on North Avenue and then a left on Aisquith St. for a few blocks until it meets Biddle St. and then Aisquith merges BACK onto Harford Avenue! That seems pretty stupid and unnecessary right?

Luckily there's an easy fix for this; just keep Harford Avenue as a two way street for its entire duration. The road is wide enough for it and below Biddle St. it can be narrowed to make it a seamless transition. This will make a clear cut highway free two way route from Northeast Baltimore and beyond into Downtown, something that doesn't currently exist. There have been some new homes built along here which have been beneficial but the area as a whole is still rundown with vacant boarded up row homes. I believe that this new streamlined traffic pattern will spur new investment and development in the area as it is now put back on the map.

Now that we've made way for Gay St. we must also make way for Harford Avenue and reconfigure it so it serves a through route between Downtown and the Northeast. I'm sorry that it took so long to write this post.

The Joint (Always Smokin') - Bywater - New Orleans, LA

Memorial Day is an extremely important day, since it is one that is dedicated to remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. However, it is also a day for beaches and barbeque. Being away from Florida, I was missing out on the beach, but this is New Orleans, so there was no reason to miss out on some barbeque. I did some research and it led me to The Joint.

With a name like The Joint, I was excited and expectations were high. The restaurant is located in Bywater and on the outside isn't very fancy, and the inside isn't fancy either, but its a barbeque joint and with fun decor and picnic tables as seating, you feel relaxed eating there and hanging out for a little while.

In any case, the food was gone with the wind fabulous! My mom was in town and we both ended up having the Pulled Pork since the Chicken she really wanted was out. The pork was deliciously smoked and tender. In three words - slow roasted, seasoned and savory! The sauce came on the side; there was 3 options. For my sides I had the Mac & Cheese and Coleslaw. The Mac & Cheese was good and so was the Coleslaw. I liked the Coleslaw because it wasn't doused in mayo and you could actually taste the vegetables. My mom had the Mac & Cheese also and the Baked Beans which she thought were really amazing!

My boyfriend ordered the half-rack of Ribs and loved it! The meat had that yummy smoked flavor and was very tender and juicy but not overcooked to the point where they were falling off the bone. It is the kind of great ribs you expect in the South.

The food was scrumptious, the prices affordable and the portions more than one can handle. I want more, I want more!!!



The Joint
701 Mazant St New Orleans, LA 70117
(504) 949-3232
alwayssmokin.com

Rok:Brgr burger bar + gastropub - Fort Lauderdale, FL

Rok:Brgr is located in the popular area of downtown Fort Lauderdale where most of the clubs and other popular bars are located. Despite this fact, Rok:Brgr still manages to stand out and have a strong following, much so that they even opened a second location in Miami.

Rok:Brgr has a great selection of unique gourmet burgers. In their words, this is where you will find a ultimate burger experience with over 17 signature burgers and a “create your own” burger section. On my visit, I went with the Bacon Jam Burger which consisted of all types of goodness including a 10oz. certified angus beef “PRIME” patty, creamy brie cheese and maple bourbon bacon jam on a brioche bun. It was a juicy and huge burger! The burger was pretty pricey, but was worth it. 

I had my burger with the Truffle Fries. It really isn't anything special, more like Fries with a load of parmesan-reggiano on top, but it was okay.

My boyfriend, who was dining with me, kept it simple and ordered the Classic Burger with Handcut Fries. Although the standard burger, the quality of the ingredients shined through and you tasted the gourmet deliciousness of the burger.

Burgers may be the main focus, but this is still a gastropub, so they do have a nice selection of craft beers and offer a few homemade cocktails.

There are a few other popular gourmet burger places that compete with Rok:Brgr but in Fort Lauderdale, no one can touch Rok:Brgr. Mouthwatering burgers, lushworthy drinks and noticeably good service make you want to come here.


Rok:Brgr
208 SW 2nd St  Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
(954) 525-7656
www.rokbrgr.com

Bru's Room Sports Grill - Pembroke Pines, FL

If you're looking to watch sports, there are numerous sports bar and restaurants you could go to, but one that that I seem to see all over South Florida is Bru's Room Sports Grill. I decided to hit up the Pembroke Pines location to see what it was all about.

Beyond just being a bar, Bru's Room Sports Grill is a large space with plenty of seating outdoors, indoors, and by the bar. The sports grill also has a ridiculous number of televisions (over 65), so they are most likely playing whatever game you'd like to see. 

The food is decent pub grub, nothing amazing but certainly not bad. I most recently had the Slider and Wing Combo with Buffalo Chips. The chips were awesome, the wings were pretty good, but the burger could have used a little moisture or anything period. The sliders were a definite hell no!

My friend ordered the Philly Cheese Steak. It was actually one of the better tasting Philly's I have ever had. The bread, steak, and cheese were on point. Soft, tender and delicious! The French Fries it came with were pretty standard.

Our server was friendly but inattentive. I felt like she and some of the other servers cared more for the regulars and the hot guys they wanted to hook up with.


Bru's Room Sports Grill
10060 Pines Blvd Pembroke Pines, FL 33024
(954) 239-4550
www.brusroom.com

Salú Restaurant - Small Plates & Wine Bar - New Orleans, LA

If you are looking for a cool happy hour spot in a classy setting perfect for catching up with girlfriends or meeting a client and away from the traditional debauchery, then you have to check out Salu. 

Their happy hour includes Classic Margaritas, Mojitos, Sangrias and Caipirinhas at half price (currently $2.50). And for a dollar more you can add a seasonal flavor such as mango, blackberry or orange, but if that is not your thing, they also have deals on specialty drinks and beer.  

Classic Mojito

Classic Caipirinhas

If you happen to get the munchies, they also offer a special discount on all Mussels and Flatbreads. They have more than enough options to choose from, but I decided on the Chorizo Mussels (housemade Chorizo, Beer, Garlic and Roasted Tomatoes). It was good but I wish it were a lot spicier; the broth needed to infuse the flavors a little more.

My friend decided to get the Steak and Cheese Flatbread (slow cooked Onions and White Cheddar). I liked the crispiness of the bread and the quality of the steak and cheese. It was really good and not greasy.

Oh, and the service is amazing too. Salu has some great, funny and friendly wait staff. Salu's happy hour happens every Monday thru Friday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm.

Salu Restaurant
3226 Magazine Street New Orleans, LA, US, 70115
(504) 371-5809
www.salurestaurant.com

Stellar a finalist in AUT awards

Stellar Consulting Group has been selected as a finalist in the 2013 AUT Business School Excellence in Business Support Awards.

Stellar joins other finalists in the Business under $5M Turnover – Management Services category.

For Dean of AUT Business School Dr Geoff Perry, being aligned with the awards provides an important opportunity to build on the School's existing engagement with industry.

Dr Perry said: “The Excellence in Business Support Awards are regarded highly among industry, providing organisations the chance to benchmark their performance alongside others in their field. As a Business School, it’s important for us to celebrate the businesses that contribute to the economic development of our region, so that together, we can continue to add value to the changing world of business.”

The entry and evaluation process of the awards enables finalists to reflect on how effectively their organisation achieves business excellence in all key areas including leadership and planning, customer and market focus, provision of business support, evaluation and improvement, and business results.

The winners will be announced on 5 September at a black-tie gala dinner in Auckland. The AUT Business School Supreme Award will be chosen from the category winners.

Video from last year's awards:

Evaluation of all entrants will be overseen by the New Zealand Business Excellence Foundation using the international Baldridge criteria. Evaluators are drawn from the Management Department of AUT Business School.

The Excellence in Business Support Awards are the only national performance measure available to New Zealand business support organisations. Now into their eighth year, the awards continue to produce high quality finalists from a large number of strong entries. The awards were set up in 2005 by Sarah Trotman, now Director of Business Relations at AUT Business School.

Parran's Po-Boys & Restaurant - Metairie, LA

Sometimes a girl just wants a sandwich! I have driven past Parran's Po-Boys so many times before but today I was going to go inside. The restaurant is located in a small shopping center with a small storefront, so I was surprised by how nice and inviting the restaurant was. It was cute and colorful, much different than the plain sign you see on the outside!

On my first visit, I ordered the Seafood Muffuletta. They claim to be the home of the original Seafood Muffuletta so you know I had to try it. The wait to get the food was a little ridiculous, but the restaurant was packed and it was shortly after opening and lunchtime. I waited in anticipation for my food and once I finally got to sit down and eat it, I was a little disappointed. The sandwich was huge, which I guess is a plus but I found the bread to be a little dry (like it was yesterdays bread). The sandwich was packed with fried Shrimp, Catfish and Oysters (more like one oyster). Their homemade Cajun Mayo redeemed it a little bit but a sandwich with fried ingredients, lettuce and tomato can only impress you so much when the bread isn't on point. My boyfriend had the Blackened Chicken Breast Po-Boy (not pictured) and loved it so we ended up going back a second time.

On my second occasion, I switched it up and ordered the Beer Battered Crawfish Tail Po-Boy combo with Red Beans & Rice. The sandwich was a little bit better than the last time since the bread was fresher. The Red Beans & Rice was good. It was a little too soupy for me but the flavor was good.

I am a little unsure how much I like this place, but my boyfriend loved it and the amount of people there on my first visit indicates that other people love it too. All I can say is check it out and you decide for yourself.

Parran's Po-Boys & Restaurant

3939 Veterans Blvd Metairie, LA 70002 (504) 885-3416 parranspoboys.com

Churros Cafe Cuban Restaurant - Metairie, LA

Since I am from South Florida, Cuban cuisine is just a part of my culture. Being in Metairie I was starting to feel a little deprived and so I sought out a place to fill that void in my life. With a little searching, I discovered Churros Cafe and headed to the small restaurant to get some food.

Located in a strip mall, visually it left much to be desired so I found it best to just grab my food and go, although next time I will probably dine in. It seems that they specialize in Cuban sandwiches but offer Empanadas and simply things like soups and salads. In addition to that, they also have daily lunch specials. I happened to go when the special for the day was Cuban Steak with Red Beans and Rice. I was surprised that they did not have black beans and instead red beans but since red beans are such a staple in New Orleans, I wasn't too surprised. The food was good and met my expectations. The steak was tender and the flavor of the food overall was on point.

I also ordered a side of plantains. They were tasty and sweet, I just don't like when they are cut so thick.

I finished off my meal with Churros. These were some really amazing Churros! They claim to make them from scratch and my mouth agreed. They were great and would have been even greater had I had some chocolate to go with it.

Although the food isn't what I would call "authentic" Cuban food, with the Southern twist, it created a nice take on Cuban Cuisine that I enjoyed. I cannot wait to go back.


UPDATE - 5/13/13

I went back to Churros Cafe and tried another one of their lunch specials, the Roast Pork, Congri & Yuca. Overall it was another good meal. The rice was amazing and the yuca had great flavor (although a little overcooked). The pork was delish!

Churros Cafe
3100 Kingman St Metairie, LA 70006
(504) 885-6516