Best. Date. Ever.

[bam bam]

JAG and I checked into The Roosevelt around 2:30 on Saturday. The room, while a little cramped, is very stylish. Bathroom is a decent size. So after I ordered dessert in the room, and a quick stop at Rubenstein Bros., we went on our progressive dining dinner date.

At 5pm on the dot, we walked into Felix's. Mike was shucking oysters and warmly greeted us. We started off slow. Half dozen, but Mike made it a lucky 7. We washed them down with two Amstel Lights. We talked with Mike for a few minutes. Our next stop was French 75, the bar at Arnaud's but JAG didn't eat lunch and wanted something a little more substantial, so we made a strategic decision to hit GW Fins next.

As we walked down Bourbon Street, a bunch of drunks guys paraded by us and one of them yelled to me "your girlfriend is hot." To which I replied, "Thank you. I get that alot." JAG seemed somewhat confused since this was the first time anyone had said that to me in her presence.

Regardless, we arrived at GW Fins at 5:30. We ordered two Hendry Chardonnays and perused the menu. We had kind of made up our mind to go with the Scallops with the mushroom risotto. But the crabcake looked good as did numerous other options. Since I wear the pants in the relationship, I quickly quelled JAG's indecisiveness and announced we would be splitting the scallops and mushroom risotto. The food was brought fairly quickly. As JAG commented "How do they cook risotto so quickly?" It was a very solid dish, a good way to hit the early part of the meal.

So we then went across the street to French 75. The cigar smoke when you enter the bar hits you but, at least to me as a cigar smoker, in a good way. JAG and I have discovered on our previous adventures a really underrated dish here. The smoked pompano. We also have discovered the greatest drink of all time as well. The namesaked French 75. I could drink those things all friggin' day. Anyway, this was a nice spot to unwind, enjoy the atmosphere, although we were the only two people at the bar and have a light course. They gave us a more substantial plating than we recieved previously but the charge was only $5.95.

Our next stop was Mr. B's. This was the first time we encountered a packed house. We were able to find two seats at the bar though. We ordered a terrible Shiraz and it was served in too small a glass. When we planned this out, I was really unsure of how we were going to split the gumbo ya ya. Well, the waiter handled that by bringing us two bowls. JAG was not a huge fan. I loved it. But she did say she would like to come there for a full dinner at some point.

If you are in the FQ, on a Saturday night, I defy you not to take a detour or two from your plans. And so we did. JAG's friend owns an art gallery that was having an open house. We poured ourselves two glasses of wine and spent about a half hour wondering around looking at Monets (though I made it clear to all that I much prefer Manet), Rembrandts and Picassos. Very fun.

We were anxious to see see what the name for the bar at the Rib Room was going to be called as they unveiled the name on Friday night. Well, scoring zero points for creativity, they named the bar at the Rib Room, The Rib Room Bar. JAG has never eaten at the RR. I eat there quite a bit. My friends from undergrad love it. I explained to her the basic ZRib Room meal, gumbo or turtle soup, Rib Room salad, prime rib, baked potato and bread pudding for dessert. She sounded game. To that end, we just ordered two glasses of wine. I had the Schlumberger Merlot, JAG had a cab that I can't remember and we split a RR salad. We hung out there for awhile. Thoroughly enjoying the scene and as we exited the RR, we saw a second line parade down Royal Street.

Our next course was at Muriel's. And you would not believe that Obama has put us on the verge of economic collapse if you were in Muriel's Saturday night. There was not a seat to be found anywhere. Not in either dining room, the bar or on the floor. This place was beyond packed. We were able to grab two seats at the far end of the bar, but we were squeezed in pretty tight. I went with the Eberle Viognier, I can't remember what JAG had but it was red. We ordered the shrimp and goat cheese crepes. A great app.

At this point, JAG and I discussed bailing on our last course. We were both drunk and full and had she been dating a man of lesser fortitude, say BTG, the goal would have been unfulfilled. But alas, I encouraged her to push on and we went to Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse. We split the Filet with Oysters, Pontalba Potatoes and creamed spinach. We also had two glasses of The Prisoner. Although I am not sure why as both of us were drunker than Tulane Freshmen after their first Hand Grenade. We sort of devoured the dish. JAG loved it. I thought the steak was great but the accoutrements lacked any flair.

We ended the evening around 9:30. And we back to the hotel drunk and fell asleep.

[Yvette]

Loved the report.

What was the name of the art gallery?

[Jesse]

Sounds like a blast.

[justagirl]

It was a really fun night. The Roosevelt was gorgeous and dinner was so much fun. I loved just sitting at the bar at the Rib Room, what a fun place. It was good to see everyplace we went to after 6pm crowded.

The gallery detour was just perfect. Bam had commented that we started this too early in the evening, that it was too bright out to be this far into our plan. So when my friend flagged us in and offered a glass of wine, I thought "perfect!" There were a couple paintings I really liked but even though they were on 'sale' from $33,000 down to $12,000 Bam still wouldn't buy me one.

Dickie Brennan's was great too but by then I was so tired, drunk, full....that it was almost wasted on me, but I did enjoy it. I can't wait to go back to many of these places for dinner and to plan another progressive dinner with different destinations. This was such a fun date even if Bam wouldn't wear the LSU cuff links I picked out for him.

[LauraMc]

Sounds like you two had a great time. I wish my hubby were up for that sort of adventure. I have convinced him to spend the weekend at Harrah's for our anniversary this weekend though.
I've gotten him from "I'm not going anywhere I can't wear jean shorts" to a dinner at Irene's. He grew up in Old Jeff and has never ridden a street car in his life and he's agreed to do that too. Amazing how he's finally wearing down after 15 years together.

[kcdixiecat]

Sounds like you two had a great time. I wish my hubby were up for that sort of adventure. I have convinced him to spend the weekend at Harrah's for our anniversary this weekend though.
I've gotten him from "I'm not going anywhere I can't wear jean shorts" to a dinner at Irene's. He grew up in Old Jeff and has never ridden a street car in his life and he's agreed to do that too. Amazing how he's finally wearing down after 15 years together.

Are you sure you're not married to my sweetie Doug? They sound like the same man! LOL

[NoNoNanette]

They're flippin' TRIPLETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[justagirl]

Ladies, when Bam stops thinking my ideas are fun, I'll trade him in for BTG. But for now pretty much anything I propose still sounds like fun

[Tom Thumb]

JAG:
Go back to your old avatar's gal! You're looking more like them every day!!!