What's Chicory?

Being back in New Orleans suddenly to be with family, has made me grateful for only living a 5-hour-drive away...and for real coffee.

At dinner Saturday night, my sister-in-law order a cup of coffee and when it was set on the table, the most amazing aroma drifted from the cup. And instantly, I was like “ah ha!” now that is something you can’t get in Birmingham. You can’t just order a cup of joe, even in the nicest restaurants, and get something as warm and delicious as a good cup of coffee and chicory like you do in NOLA.

Most restaurants in Birmingham, including Stitts’, serve Royal Cup coffee…yuck! Even most offices use Royal Cup because they are a big, local provider who can meet the demand and make it easy - forget taste! I guess they would be considered the equivalent to Community Coffee here in New Orleans, not that the two are anything alike.

But a good, thick cup of aromatic coffee - New Orleans style - is hard to beat and hard to come by outside the city.

Taste of NOLA in the Ham

So, usually I go back home to New Orleans about once a month. Well since 2010 started, I’ve been to NOLA about twice a month due to playoff games, the Super Bowl, Mardi Gras and a work retreat. So needless to say I’ve have been very well fed this year.

Last time I was home I was lucky enough to dine at some of my favorite restaurants – dinner at Jacque-Imo’s, lunch at Commander’s Palace (can we say 25 cent martinis?) and Galatoire’s – and show some Birmingham residents the taste of New Orleans.

It gave me an interesting perspective as I got to compare and relate Creole food and New Orleans restaurants to what is available in Birmingham. So it got me thinking about our amazing chefs and delectable dining experiences here in the Ham.

For example, Chef Tom Robey at Veranda on Highland reigns from New Orleans and worked in the Commander’s Palace kitchen. He even brought the Turtle Soup recipe with him. Chef Robey’s culinary repertoire includes Gulf Shrimp served in a traditional Etouffee Sauce with McEwen and Sons Yellow Grits, Seared Veal Tenderloin with Shallot Confit and fresh, flavorful meats – think andouille and boudin! Veranda is also famous for their Sunday brunch – serious yum! They also have a chef’s tasting room upstairs where you can arrange private dinners and even store your favorite wines. And having a dry, classic martini at "Papa's" bar makes you feel like you're in an episode of Mad Men.

Another Birmingham gem is Café Dupont with Chef Chris Dupont. Another chef from New Orleans who also worked at Commander's Palace, but he also had the opportunity to work with Susan Spicer at Maison du Ville. Chef Dupont has a modern, yet Southern take on his dishes and works will local ingredients while adding a hint of his New Orleans background with delicacies such as his Fried Oysters and Eggplant with Cayenne Butter Sauce, Horseradish Crème Fraîche and Soy Glaze. And of course I adore that he is located on Northside to add more dining options to downtown nightlife. I also recommend the Café Dupont bar for happy hour after work as well.

So if ever I'm home sick, I know just where to go to get a taste of New Orleans.

New Orleans/Bham Links

There are a lot of ties to New Orleans that I’ve found in Birmingham – people that are from there and now live here, or businesses that started in NOLA and now operate in the Ham.

One I find most interesting is Green Cream, a topical retinol gel whose formula was created by a New Orleans dermatologist, is produced and based here in Birmingham.

This is a miracle product that most people I know in New Orleans swear by. I just got a bottle of my own and am eager to see results. There is no prescription needed and can be bought over the counter (which I love, so you don’t have to pay for a doctor visit) and spas and skin-care specialists are even allowed to carry this product, so it is easy to obtain. It was even featured in national mags such as Vogue, Lucky and Self. I totally recommend you give it a try.