BONUS POINTS: Late kitchen, cozy Quarter vibe

If you didn’t know to look for this inconspicuous gastropub/cocktail joint, you’d likely miss the semi-secret entrance altogether, even in broad daylight. But at night, the boisterous energy from the always-packed room draws you right in. Sylvain blends a solid yet unfussy bar-style menu [...]]]> 625 Chartres Street
Tel: 504 265 8123
www.sylvainnola.com

BONUS POINTS: Late kitchen, cozy Quarter vibe

If you didn’t know to look for this inconspicuous gastropub/cocktail joint, you’d likely miss the semi-secret entrance altogether, even in broad daylight. But at night, the boisterous energy from the always-packed room draws you right in. Sylvain blends a solid yet unfussy bar-style menu with an ambitious cocktail selection and an added bonus of late-night food service (a surprising rarity in the Quarter). Nosh on a solid locally-sourced charcuterie plate or tangy beets on a rich chevre-smeared bruschetta or dig into more substantial fare like tender braised beef cheeks or crispy duck confit with creamed blackeyed peas. On temperate evenings, groups can retire to café tables in the secluded rear courtyard and work their way through a rotating selection of experimental and classic craft cocktails. Fans of culinary contrast can snack on the kitchen’s signature combination — a huge serving of perfectly crisp French fries served with a bottle of Veuve Cliquot champagne.

BONUS POINT: Great bartender, astonishing cocktails

Despite being attached to a landmark Creole restaurant, Arnaud’s French 75 somehow maintains its own vibe and identity, especially among traveling cocktail geeks. Head bartender Chris Hannah, bald of head and dry of wit, presides over the sumptious, parlor-like space with an impressive knowledge of the classics and [...]]]> 813 Bienville Street

BONUS POINT: Great bartender, astonishing cocktails

Despite being attached to a landmark Creole restaurant, Arnaud’s French 75 somehow maintains its own vibe and identity, especially among traveling cocktail geeks. Head bartender Chris Hannah, bald of head and dry of wit, presides over the sumptious, parlor-like space with an impressive knowledge of the classics and a penchant for experimentation. If you’re in a particular mood, order up a frothy Ramos Gin Fizz or La Louisianne for a pitch perfect rendition. Or if Hannah’s behind the bar, tell him your mood and let him concoct an appropriate libation to match it.

Daily 5:30 to 11 pm

Welcome to the city. In the past few hours, i’ve gotten a head full of code talk and it dawns on me that you folks might well need something to eat.

I’m Pableaux Johnson, the guy that’s been roaming around with the Mongo Camera of the Apocolypse,  and a new friend of Lullabot Nation. [...]]]> My Fair Druploids,

Welcome to the city. In the past few hours, i’ve gotten a head full of code talk and it dawns on me that you folks might well need something to eat.

I’m Pableaux Johnson, the guy that’s been roaming around with the Mongo Camera of the Apocolypse,  and a new friend of Lullabot Nation. I’m also a local here who wrote a couple of books on Louisiana food and a food/travel writer. I’ve spent the past buncha years eating out here and don’t want you to have even one substandard meal during your stay.

Hence the site.

Peruse it at your leisure — prepared in 30 minutes flat — and hopefully find a few good recommendations, place or two you wouldn’t have found on your own, and some good tips to boot.

It’s currently in sketch form, so forgive the lack of consistency. Also (for GOD’S SAKE) ignore the fact that it’s built in WP. I’m fluent in that OTHER framework, but at least i’m learning…

best and hope it helps,
Pableaux

Any kitchen can stay open 24 hours, but it takes special one to become a bonafide temple of drunkfood.

Located in the quiet section of the Vieux Carre, the Verti Marte is a somewhat claustrophobic, approachably seedy takeaway establishment that never [...]]]> 1201 Royal Street, French Quarter, New Orleans Open 24 hrs, 7 days a week phone 525-4767

Any kitchen can stay open 24 hours, but it takes special one to become a bonafide temple of drunkfood.

Located in the quiet section of the Vieux Carre, the Verti Marte is a somewhat claustrophobic, approachably seedy takeaway establishment that never gave up its grocery store roots. The busy kitchen hits its stride in the post-post-midnight hours and churns out  an impressive range of cheap and satisfying fare — greasy, cheesy, saucy or crunchy; served on French bread or in transparent plastic containers; sweet, savory or salty. Whatever your post-crawl craving, the Verti Marte can usually satisfy it.

The Verti’s wide list of options caters to various states of impairment  — point-and-serve dishes liked cheesy au gratin potatoes or smothered cabbage speak to the visual crowd, while customized poboys favor those who can string their preferred list of ingredients into a coherent order.

One of my favorite poboys is an inspired Verti Marte classic: fried oysters with crispy bacon and cheddar, dressed.  The tender, subtly salty shellfish merges with crunchy cured pigflesh, a layer of iceberg and tomato; the whole magilla smoothed out with a layer of tangy cheese and a generous dollop of mayo. It’s one of those combinations that could only be created by a off-duty cooks midway through a post-shift bender.

For all its local fame, the Verti Marte has got to be a mixed blessing for its neighbors.

On the up side, there’s the advantages of an outstanding 24-hour neighborhood grocery at walking-distance disposal. The benefit of a hard-working neighborhood kitchen that never shuts down; a deep poboy list,  a cooler filled with prepared vegetable dishes, and a full breakfast menu served anytime. Free delivery in the French Quarter and the nearby Faubourg Marigny.

On the down side, there’s the constant stream of night owls who seek out this renowned drunkfood destination. Wobbly crews of eighth-round bar hoppers seeking a little early morning sustenance. Marathon pub crawlers who manage to turn any horizontal surface into a nocturnal picnic area.

Now, I’m not saying that you’d do this stuff yourself, mind you, but for the sake of neighborhood harmony, take your macaroni and cheese away from the Marte before you start oohing and aaaahing over its ballast-providing magic. Poboy lovers are a bit luckier, since they can munch and moan in motion.

Whatever your pleasure, be respectful of the temple so it’ll be there the next time you need to make a late night pilgrimage.  Otherwise, you might just have to settle for slice pizza or Neon Zone slider-burgers, and nobody really wants that, do they?