Excellent dinner, even better music
Today was full of serendipity; tonight was no different. Around 6ish I got a call from jackwilliambell asking if I had any plans for the evening. No, said I. It seems that whumpdotcom is in town and was looking for dinner company. Jack picked me up, and after a near miss at Pike Place Market, the three of us headed over to The New Orleans Creole Restaurant in Pioneer Square. I've passed the place a million times but have never eaten there.
I'm sorry I waited so long.
For dinner, I had the Crabmeat John Baptiste: Large mushrooms stuffed with crabmeat and seasonings served with rice and a rich Creole sauce. It came with a New Orleans salad, corn fritters and red beans and rice. Oh. My. God. The goodness! Subtle and rich all at once, the mushrooms were just firm enough to offer a mild resistance and then a lovely, chewy finish. The sauce was a sort of thickened, creamy, mushroomy concoction. With the rice, beans and corn fritters, it was all wonderful. It may sound heavy, but I don't feel it at all. It was a fine meal, light and yet comforting, accompanied by a mad Columbia Crest Merlot.
To our great delight, there was live music as well. On Monday nights a New Orleans Quintet takes the stage. They were just terrific. They were joined tonight by a big, bearded, baritone singer who occasionally sprinkled some gravel in his tones--very tasty. When it was finally time to go, I found it hard to leave, and made a point of complimenting the singer and the band. They just made the evening in the end.
I'm sorry I waited so long.
For dinner, I had the Crabmeat John Baptiste: Large mushrooms stuffed with crabmeat and seasonings served with rice and a rich Creole sauce. It came with a New Orleans salad, corn fritters and red beans and rice. Oh. My. God. The goodness! Subtle and rich all at once, the mushrooms were just firm enough to offer a mild resistance and then a lovely, chewy finish. The sauce was a sort of thickened, creamy, mushroomy concoction. With the rice, beans and corn fritters, it was all wonderful. It may sound heavy, but I don't feel it at all. It was a fine meal, light and yet comforting, accompanied by a mad Columbia Crest Merlot.
To our great delight, there was live music as well. On Monday nights a New Orleans Quintet takes the stage. They were just terrific. They were joined tonight by a big, bearded, baritone singer who occasionally sprinkled some gravel in his tones--very tasty. When it was finally time to go, I found it hard to leave, and made a point of complimenting the singer and the band. They just made the evening in the end.