oliveDC

My cabbie yesterday said Madjet (down the street from Dukem, I think) and Etete are his favorites. He said the owner of Madjet is careful to get the right spices. Dukem is my current fav but I haven't been to Etete and think I need to go. Thanks for the informative post, giant shrimp.

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06/21/06 - Dukem (MelGold)

The City Museum grounds, on Mt. Vernon Square, are directly across the street and are pretty nice and grassy. Acadiana had some outdoor seating at the opening party, though I'm guessing that area might be somewhat of a madhouse tomorrow (in a good way).

The story I got was that they opened a few months back in soft mode and were tweaking the menu some in preparation for a grand opening. The promo is part of their official grand opening, I guess to attract some attention.

Has anyone actually been?

Here's the lowdown from the Biz Journal.

If your friend can wait until Tuesday, I'm sure Acadiana will be pouring them.

before i impress my guests from out of town, will someone please tell me how to pronounce htipiti, kilokithokefteses, midye and mavrofassola me loucaniko?

Just grunt and point.

It's funny just how often I end up recommending Zaytinya to people in various situations.  Even though I don't love the place, I end up sending people there all the time (and they always enjoy it, too).

Cheers,

Rocks.

Zaytinya is the answer — it's trendy, can be loud, great food, easy on the wallet. It's my go to for impressing cheap out of town friends. And you can walk to Indebleu, Fado, RFD, mega-club Home, oh yeah, Coyote Ugly if you're so inclined.

Todd Kliman's column this week poses a question I've asked myself numerous times: What's Morou doing at a place like Signatures? I think it's one of the biggest chef/restaurant mismatches in the city.

But props to Morou for the praise from Todd. The last two lines are great: "Boycott Abramoff. Free Morou."

Sthitch and oliveDC:

  For my future reference, I read quite a bit about Calabash style dining while I was down there. Would it be worth a road-trip down the coast? Or will I find just as good in Carolina Beach, Holden and Topsail?

To be honest, all Calabash dining amounts to is deep fried seafood served in portions large enough to induce cardiac arrest. If you've found a good fried seafood place to get your fix, then there's probably no point in driving down there. That said, it can be fun working through your heap of greasy seafood in one of the dingy places down there.

Acadiana's working on a big one - area chefs making po'boys and selling them for $25 at a half-day event. All money goes to the Red Cross relief effort. I'll have specifics probably tomorrow as to date, time, participants...

I just recieved a preview menu. Some highlights (okay, so most of it looks good to me):

Soups

Smoked Chicken and Andouille Sausage Gumbo

7

 

Classic Turtle Soup

Traditional Garnishes, Dry Sherry Splash

8

 

Oyster Rockefeller Soup

Spinach, Pernod and Brie

8

 

Trio of Soups

Demi-Tasse Tasting of our Three Soups

 

Appetizers

Baked Oyster and Fresh Artichoke Gratin

Cured Country Ham, Parmesan Brioche Crumb

11

 

Fried Green Tomatoes

Spiced Boiled Gulf Shrimp Remoulade

11

 

Iced Louisiana P & J Oysters on the Half Shell

Cocktail Sauce, Saltine Crackers

9

 

Trio of Deviled Eggs

Crabmeat Ravigote, Shrimp Remoulade, Louisiana Choupique Caviar

9

 

Charbroiled Louisiana Oysters

Garlic Butter, Parmesan Romano Cheese, Warm French Bread

10

 

Pan Seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras

Pain Perdu, Mayhaw Jelly

14

 

Duo of "Pies"

Natchitoches Meat Pies - Black Pepper Buttermilk Dipping Sauce and Louisiana Crawfish Pies

9

 

Entrees

Aunt Boo's Fish Camp Crawfish Stew

Louisiana Mahatma Rice, Crawfish Hushpuppies

20

 

Pan Roasted Duck

Dirty Rice, Collard Greens, Cane Syrup Pepper Jelly Glaze

21

 

Grilled Gulf Redfish

Seafood and Andouille Jambalaya Risotto, Smoked Red Bell Pepper Sauce

22

 

Jumbo Lump Crabcakes

Pickled Okra, Mirliton and Roasted Corn Relish, Chipotle Remoulade

26

 

Pan Seared Louisiana Black Fish

Crabmeat Maque Choux, Creole Mustard Sauce

21

 

"Grillades and Grits"

Sautéed Veal Medallions, Creamy Jalapeí±o Cheese Grits, Wild Mushroom Pan Gravy

26

 

New Orleans Style Barbeque Shrimp

Garlic Butter, Black Pepper, Worcestershire Sauce, Warm French Bread

22

 

American Red Snapper

Sweet Corn Pudding, Toasted Almond Creole Meunière Sauce

24

 

Sweet Onion and Andouille Crusted Scamp Grouper

Brabant Sweet Potato Hash, Green Onion Butter

23

 

Grilled Beef Tenderloin Filet

Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes, Tasso Marchand du Vin Sauce, Blue Cheese

27

 

Blackened Yellowfin Tuna

Grit Soufflée, Creole Cream Cheese Spinach, Shrimp ètouffée

25

 

Dessert

(all desserts 8)

Bananas Foster Filled Crepes

Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

 

Praline Crème Brí»lée

 

White Chocolate Bread Pudding

Macadamia Nut Ice Cream

 

Nectar Cream Soda Float

 

Vieux Carré Beignets

Chicory Coffee Pot de Crème

 

plus more...

My uncle owns a place called the Red Drum Taphouse near mile 10 or 11 (?). Local hangout with great fried oysters. I haven't been in about five years, but if they're still around, you may also want to check out Tortuga's Lie for some local color.

Robert's chicken salad sandwiches and Trolley Stop dogs sustained me through many a summer at Wrightsville. Glad you had fun down there.

We've been going to Holden Beach about 30 miles south for as long as I've been alive. One of our favorite parts? No restaurants (well none worth patronizing - my favorite is one with a giant shark crashing through the front...very inviting). Just Cap'n Pete's seafood under the bridge for fresh off the boat shrimp, fish and crabs.

It's funny how some people's idea of vacation is never cooking and for others it's having time to cook every day.

PS - As an NC native, I LOVE your signature Stitch.

The Acadiana grand opening was planned as a benefit for America's Wetland: Campaign to Save Coastal Louisiana and the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center. I'm wondering of it will turn into a disaster relief fundraiser.

I'm cautiously optimistic that this has developed into the best possible scenario compared with what was expected yesterday. Watching with bated breath and hoping those levees hold back the water. ...

Tried out the dog in question, and it was juicy and flavorful, but I would've never known it was Kobe beef if it didn't say so on the menu. Tasted like a pork dog to me. The best part though was the plate of about 10 condiments...two mustards, pickled onions, kim chee, tomato marmalade and more...and it was great fun dressing up the dog with so many choices.

We also had the "no breadcrumb" crabcake -- crab salad wrapped in a spring roll wrapper -- which worked surprisingly well, and the shrimp and grits. The shrimp and grits were very tasty with plenty of garlic flavor and plump shrimp cooked just right. The meal was complemented by great, tangy margaritas, served up.

Looking forward to going back for more cocktails and the "pork and beans" (yes, comfort food seems to be the new latin-asian fusion), which looked great on the table next to us. A big pork shank with I can't remember what kind of beans. I think I underestimated Creme and am glad to have it in the 'hood.

Has anyone been to Town Hall yet? I want to try it but I am curious if anyone had a review of it yet.

Also, is anyone else as excited about the opening of Acadiana as I am? After living in New Orleans for a few years..I have been craving some good New Orleans food!

DCist had something about Town Hall yesterday. And, yes, I'm extremely excited about Acadiana. Oysters, hurricanes, barbecue shrimp...mmm.

Congrats to oliveDC on this shout out from Tom!

Much appreciated, crackers.

Welcome Amy! I'm a fig fan too.

Oh, and fresh soft shell crabs, which I guess have pretty much ended already.

I don't buy tomatoes pretty much Oct-May, save the little grape guys. I just can't do it. It makes me so sad. I've also been disappointed that most of the peaches at Whole Foods this summer have been from California. They finally got some Virginia peaches, but I mean come on! How many nearby states are in peak peach season? Give me some NC, SC, MD peaches! They have had some great MD corn though.

I have a friend who pronounces it zan-TAN-ya. It drives me nuts.

I posted about it here. The menu is sort of a comfort food amalgam...shrimp and grits, Kobe beef hot dog, oven roasted chicken "served with a large portion of love and white rice."

The space is pretty nice inside. I'd probably be more inclined to stop in for drinks than a full dinner, though. Not much on the menu really appealed to me, but I'll probably give it a try soon.

Three pages and no love for Stoney's? That's some good drunk food in decidedly modest surroundings.

Did I hear Tom S. mention Stoney's was closing? Forgive me if I made that up but I could've sworn...

I think of the Saloon on U St. as my local, don't-care-what-I'm-wearing dive, but then again, I guess you can't be a dive if you have all those fancy, schmancy German beers. Still love the dark, dingy feel of the place...and the do-gooder owner. Oh, and the slick with butter grilled cheese (provolone with tomato for me).