This Is Where You Need To Go!

The next time you are heading to Birmingham, Al. or New Orleans, La. there are few spots I want to tell you about!

We had dinner at Helen’s Restaurant in Birmingham, AL. We shared Homemade Biscuits with Maple Butter, Pimento Cheese Tomato Tart, Peaches and Burrata, All the sides and Dessert. Butterscotch Budino and Lemon Meringue Tart.

A glorious and delicious lunch at Chez Fonfon, a French Restaurant. A must is to order the drink called the Orange Thing. As we were looking at the menu, several of us were thinking about the cheese burger because they are known for it. Then we spotted Chef Frank Stitt in the kitchen and we quickly changed our minds.

We ordered the Grouper with Gribiche, Trout Almandine, & Grilled Shrimp over Lemon Orzo. All the dishes were over the top.

You can not leave with out ordering a piece of the James Beard Award winning Dolester Miles famous Coconut Cake. If you are looking for chocolate order the Chocolate Ganache Caramel Tart.

My New Orleans stop was a quick field trip. I had been hearing about N7 a French restaurant and wine bar in the Bywater. When I arrived I was delighted with the charming atmosphere. The French blue restaurant is beautiful and we had a reservation on the covered porch. The wine list is impressive and overwhelming so be ready because it was several pages long and there are plenty of choices.

I had never had Escargot Tempura it is served with a Garlic Cream Sauce and completely divine. The house made Charcuterie board came with their smooth Duck Liver Pate. Plus, a very interesting compound butter -Miso Tarragon Butter.

The next day for lunch I checked out Pluck a restaurant and wine bar on Girod St. We were greeted by one of the sommeliers and we let her guide us through the wine choices.

She recommended a bubbly glass of Pet-Nat. a natural and low in alcohol wine. The Goat Cheese Croquettes are served with Caramelized Onions and a drizzle of Local Honey.

We ordered the Chef Choice Charcuterie Board. House cured ham, homemade butter, a game changer on a cheese board and homemade mustard and pickled vegetables. My first bite was the homemade butter on my slice of bread and topped with the house cured ham. That’s a sammie.

For my last stop in Nola, a friend called me to let me know about Laozi Custard Ice Cream (pronounced Lousy). To find out what days you can pick up on his porch you can follow him on Instagram and Facebook. So be sure and follow him. I lucked up because Thursday is one of the days he sells his ice cream.

His flavors are outrageous! I bought the “Butta Off Dead” buttered popcorn custard, layered with movie theater candy Snocaps, Reese’s Pieces and Butterfingers. My second flavor I bought was “Scotch Bakula” Rich butterscotch custard, butterfingers and butterscotch cream. Be sure and follow him and know what flavors and days to pick up this amazing ice cream. Bring cash!