Newsletter 52 - January 4 to 10, 2011

NOLAlicious #52, January 4 to 10, 2011

2011 is off to the races with bursts of cold weather, the Saints in the playoffs and less than two months until Festival Season begins for another great year in the Big Easy. As the year rolls around to the great refresh, many of us find it’s the time where we all take stock, plan and prepare for what is to come. Here at NOLAlicious, we’re taking stock of the year past and the year upcoming and making our own resolutions. Funny thing is no matter what we prepare for, this year will bring many surprises. If only I was a betting man.

Personally, I don't believe in New Year’s resolutions. Why wait until a new year to do the things you’ve always wanted to do? Every day is an opportunity to make a change, to do the hard thing, to start a new pattern and be a better version of ourselves. If you didn’t make resolutions this new year, or you’ve already broken yours, don’t fret; the year is young. There’s still plenty of time and opportunity to make new patterns.

But note: it’s often said it takes 21 days to establish a new habit. Whether you believe in that or not, just remember that Mardi Gras is right around the corner and the gluttonous joy that it brings. Better start establishing those new habits now, so you can feel good about breaking them.

Happy New Year,

Taylor and the NOLAlicious team.

P.S. Start the new year right and order the NOLAlicious 2011 calendar. Packed with your favorite photos from past issues of NOLAlicious, this makes the perfect gift to start the year for that special someone, family, friend and coworker. Order online now!

NOLAlicious Picks

EAT  We’re so in love with local junk food legend Elizabeth’s - the dining room is packed to the perfect cozy fullness, and the food takes just long enough to get you drooling. Split their gooey, steaming stack of strawberry-stuffed french toast with a friend and slap a side of their infamous praline bacon on the side, and you’ve got yourself a brunch sent straight from above. Hefty carnivorous sandwiches and monstrous traditional southern plates are Elizabeth’s specialty, and their motto, “Real Food Done Real Good” is about all you need to know. 601 Gallier St. Closed Mondays.

GO  The New Year is upon on and you know what that means: time to start the carnival season. This Thursday is Twelfth Night, the traditional kick off of Mardi Gras season. There will be many parties around the city but one we recommend is the traditional The Phunny Phorty Phellows “The Heralds of Carnival”. The costumed and masked krewe assembles at the Willow Street Car Barn at 6:30pm. At 7pm sharp, the Phellows board the streetcar and began their ride to “Herald the Arrival of Carnival” down the St. Charles Ave. Streetcar Line. Free. Wear a costume and get in the Carnival Spirit!

DO  There is always a dance party in New Orleans to stumble upon, and one of our favorites is The Stooges brass band’s white-hot set every Thursday at the HiHo Lounge. Admission runs between the oh-so-affordable $2 to $5 during touristy days, but is always worth every penny. Their exuberant jams are butt-rocking perfection, particularly their ode to the Uptown and Downtown crews (“Where Ya From”), and tasty riffs on top 40 hits. 2239 Saint Claude Avenue. Shows starts at 9:30pm.

SEE  Laugh your way into 2011 and check out the Jefferson Performing Arts Society Presents - Meshuggah-NUNS! The Ecumenical Nunsense! This hilarious show opens January 7th and runs through the 23rd. From Sister Amnesia’s attempt at magic to the sing-along Fiddlerspiel, this show is a boatload of comedy and fun! Friday and Saturday shows at 7:30pm. Sunday shows at 2pm. At the Teatro Wego! Theatre. Tickets $30.

GO  Nothing stirs up a Tuesday night like a lady in a drag, so ditch the ordinary and hit up the weekly drag king variety show presented by Carnival Kings at Bourbon Pub’s upstairs bar, Parade. The fabulous women strut, swagger and serenade you in their finest masculine get-ups, plus each night features great drink specials. LGBTQ friendly and open to all ready to celebrate gender-bending with a good old-fashioned variety show throw down. 801 Bourbon Street. Show starts at midnight.

LAGNIAPPE  New year, new you! If you’ve been thinking about taking up a new activity for your personal health, check out Freret Street Yoga. This new addition to the ever expanding Freret Neighborhood offers classes for all levels. It is owned and run by native Geoffrey Roniger, an extraordinary skillful and knowledgeable teacher, who has just returned home after teaching in the SF Bay Area for the past decade. Check them out to find a class that works for you. Drop-in classes begin at $15. 4608 Freret Street.

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