New Years Eve Lunch at Domenica

We had two main goals for New Year's Eve day.

Goal 1:  Take a nap sometime during the day.

Goal 2:  Do not drink yourself silly so at midnight, you don't even want a hint of a drink.  Or to smell someone else's alcohol.  

So we were very good at both of these.  The nap happened, and we were very good with our drinking.  

We hit up our pizza joint Domenica for the second time in as many visits.  

The place was definitely packed, and we were super lucky to get a table without a reservation.  I can't remember the pizza we had, but it was amazing.  I tried to sneak a picture of the executive chef, but he totally saw me.  And then came over to make sure everything was ok.  I mean, the person who invented that pizza was definitely worth trying to get a picture of.  

Champagne was free.  And we got that dessert.  I mean peanut brittle on top?  Can you beat that?  Um no.  The trip this time was filled with visiting old favorites; not so much trying to explore new ones.  There's still so many places to explore there, but sometimes you just want an old standby.

Absinthe Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

B and I have always wanted to try absinthe.  We knew that we weren't hitting up Amsterdam, where you can actually still get the kind that will make you hallucinate, but it is still possible in New Orleans to at least get a taste.

And to make your tongue numb.  No joke.  My tongue was numb for a good two hours after having this stuff.  So we hit up this fun little Pirate bar (right next to the church, no less), and find a great little place that will actually perform the entire process of absinthe.  The bartender did tell us we were lucky, and that since she was slow, she wasn't going to just give us the pre-mix; she was actually going to do the whole presentation for us.

She presented us with four bottles; each with a different proof.  We didn't go for the highest or lowest, but the two in the middle.  B took the higher proof, while I stayed with the lower one.  I did not need that much else to drink.

And it was actually pretty interesting.  It tasted a lot like black licorice.  

They actually do the whole thing with the sugar cube, and let the water drip on it.  I couldn't get a good angle on the water thing, but there are about four spigots, and it was neat when she had more than just one underneath it.

I wish I could remember the bartender's name.  She was a really sweet girl; and will definitely be taking Lindsey and Cait there when we got back to visit in March.  We get two newbies who have never been there before!  I can't wait!

Jacque-Imos - NOLA

Another Monday.  This one cold and rainy.  Yesterday it was 75 degrees...right now it's 36.  I absolutely hate cold weather.  My nose starts to run, my hands feel like ice, and I'm begging Stella to come and lay on me so I can get some free heat.  

It was a pretty decent Monday.  I got my mom's birthday package full of awesome Charming Charlie goodies, some Kandy Kakes and Butterscotch Krimpets, and an awesome candle that smells amazing.  B is out of town for a night this week, and I plan on bubble bath soaking with some wine, this candle, and some Adele.  That's right; sometimes you just need all three.  

I've been contemplating a lot with what to do with my life.  I know it feels like I talk about it a lot on here, but there just comes a point when you know you have to do something.  My mom suggest going to get certified as a personal trainer.  I'm thinking about actually looking into it.  We'll see.

To get on to better and more fun things: More New Orleans!  Hooray!  We got to actually rent a car to roam around Mid-City and uptown.  And of course  B had been doing his research and came across this place:  Jacque-Imo's.  We were told to go early; apparently the place packs out pretty quick.  We got there at 5, and we still had a forty minute wait.  

So worth it though...

That pie looking thing?  Yes, that is alligator cheesecake.  I wish I could tell you how great that thing was.  I mean, words can't do it justice.  Seriously, even if you aren't into trying new things, you would probably love this.  You know, only if someone didn't tell you what it was.  Amazingly good though.  I had a pork chop thing with some collard greens (that were also fantastical).  I can't even remember what B had.  By the time we actually got to sit down, we were a good ten drinks in from the day.  All I knew that is I was starving.

Definitely worth the forty minute wait.  And $70 for the car rental.