Creole Tomato Fest 2014

The Creole Tomato Fest continues to evolve in its 28th year. Now that the Cajun-Zydeco  Festival has moved to next weekend, the Tomato Fest has moved almost entirely to the French Market, but this year the layout was a lot easier to manage (thank goodness). With more manageable lines and crowds, we ended up eating far more starting with a beautiful Creole Tomato, Burratta Cheese & Pesto Sauce ($6) from The Three Muses.

Preparing for Mardi Gras

Carnival season is days away and the city is bustling in preparation. Bunting, wreaths and decorations in purple, green and gold are going up on homes and stores. The potholes on St. Charles are being filled to make ready for floats to roll. Krewes are meeting to discuss upcoming parades and balls. Bands and dance troupes are practicing in parks and fields. Bleachers are being constructed and barricades are piling up on corners along the route.

Every year, I’ve used this time to redecorate my Christmas tree and wreath and bead my fence. This year, I have a much longer list because this year – I’m in 3 of the parades!

Po-Boy Fest, Saints and Treme

What a day to live in New Orleans. Sunday was the 6th annual Oak Street Po-Boy Festival. About 50,000 people pack into a few blocks lined with po-boy vendors and try as many different po-boys as they can, washing it down with plenty of Abita Beer. I’m not really into sandwiches and yet I really look forward to this fest every year. Like the Got Gumbo? event at the Royal Sonesta, over 30 vendors bring at least one po-boy offering so the level of creativity can be outstanding and you never know what flavor combinations you might find.