Trip Report- Satchmo SummerFest and BBQ Shrimp Safari 2007

This was my first visit to Satchmo SummerFest which is a relatively new event. Satchmo SummerFest started out as a one-time salute in 2001 to commemorate Louis Armstrong’s 100th birthday and reaffirm his vital role in the development of American musical culture. The festival was so successful it was continued as an annual event. Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong was born in New Orleans on August 4, 1901. The festival was from Aug 2-5.

I flew into Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport Thursday morning. The airport was renamed after Louis Armstrong in honor of the centennial of his birth on July 11, 2001. I was meeting some of my college buddies to enjoy New Orleans again.

During the summer in New Orleans, heat management is a requirement. The heat and humidity will drain the life blood and all the energy right out of your body. Frequent breaks in air conditioning, plenty of water to drink and naps during the day between 2 PM and 5 PM will help you survive. When the sun goes down around 7:30 PM, it is much cooler.

Checked into the Frenchmen Hotel at Frenchmen St and Decatur/Esplanade. The location was great as the Old US Mint is directly across Esplanade from the hotel. There are 6 music clubs all around within 2 blocks. Checkpoint Charlie is open 24 hours and was only steps away. The Frenchmen had a small pool and hot tub in the courtyard which had some nice breezes. Every morning, they had complimentary pastries and coffee. They even had Community chicory coffee. The staff was very nice. We tipped housekeeping $5 every day. My only complaint was the shower was small. We had a private 2nd story balcony on Frenchmen St. that faced toward the Old US Mint so you could hear all the outside music within 2 blocks.

The Satchmo Summerfest started with a street party on Friday on Frenchmen St. There were several bands playing all night long. Va Va Voom featuring Jack Fine played at Tomatilla’s which is right next to our hotel.

The music at the Old US Mint started at 11 AM and finished at 7 PM on both Saturday and Sunday. There were 3 stages with Traditional Jazz (Dixieland), Contemporary Jazz and Brass Bands. My favorites were Dr. Michael White and the Liberty Jazz Band, Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ swingers and the Treme Brass Band.

Sunday night, there was a band playing at Checkpoint Charlie that was still playing at 3 AM.

Food Report:

Our first restaurant was in Bayou St. John in Mid City to eat at the Parkway Bakery and Tavern. Their specialty is Po Boys. Shrimp on French was my choice. Excellent Po Boys as good as my first visit here in March.

We ate dinner Thursday night at Coop’s place on Decatur St. in the FQ. Started off with a Sazerac. Their Jambalaya is great. It has a smoked tasso (ham) which is delicious.

Ate a very relaxing lunch at The Napoleon House on Friday. Half a muffaletta and a Pimm’s Cup was just what I needed. I just love the classical music they play here.

Friday night, we ate at Pascale’s Manale in uptown. I wanted to try the BBQ shrimp at the New Orleans restaurant that invented the dish. I did not like the sauce because it was too watery. The shrimp was good but I have had better versions of BBQ shrimp.

Ate lunch at Fiorella’s on Saturday. This place is a little grungy but the fried chicken and macaroni and cheese is great.

Saturday night, I had to try the BBQ shrimp at Mr. B’s Bistro in the FQ. I had heard lots of great praises for Mr. B’s, especially the BBQ shrimp. Frommers’s gives the best BBQ shrimp award to Mr. B’s also. We got there late at 9:15 PM and sat at the bar. We barely got our orders in before the 9:30 PM cutoff to place kitchen orders. What a difference from Pascale’s Manale. The 8 shrimp were huge and came in a rich, creamy, buttery spicy sauce. I used all the French bread to soak up as much sauce as I could. It was absolutely fantastic. I will remember that meal for the rest of my life. It was so good.

Monday, we had lunch at the reopened Camellia Grill. The wait was about 20 minutes. The place looks exactly the same as before. I had been here just once in March 2004. I had a ham and cheese omelet that was the size of a rolled up newspaper. It was so good to be here again. The waiters are fun to watch.

We also drove to the Lower 9th ward to see Fats Domino’s house on Caffin Ave. It has been restored and is a museum. Sadly, many houses in this neighborhood are still deserted.

Planning to bring the family in March 2008 during St. Patrick’s / St. Joseph’s weekend.

Porc

Trip Report- Satchmo SummerFest and BBQ Shrimp Safari 2007

Great trip report, and now you have me craving BBQ shrimp!

Trip Report- Satchmo SummerFest and BBQ Shrimp Safari 2007

Porcupine150..as always a fine trip report and as usual you got me hungry even though I had breakfast 90 minutes ago. You can%26#39;t beat the BBQ shrimp at Mr. B%26#39;s or just about any dish-even their steak burgers are the best.

Terrific trip report, Porc. Thanks!

I%26#39;m contemplating a St. Joseph%26#39;s Day / Super Sunday trip.

I%26#39;d love to visit some St. Joseph%26#39;s altars this year. Does anyone know how to track down altars that are open to the public?

Thanks, porcupine, for the great trip report. ';Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ swingers and the Treme Brass Band';.... that%26#39;s FINE. (My feet are tappin%26#39;, unconsciously).

I have had the BBQ shrimp at both restaurants, and don%26#39;t remember the Pascale%26#39;s Manales%26#39; being too watery, but it%26#39;s been many years (and pre K, as well). Is %26#39;Uptown T%26#39; still shucking at the oyster bar? He is a blast.

Mr. B%26#39;s Mmmmmmmmmmmmm,, now you%26#39;re talkin%26#39;.

On another subject, you mentioned a drink, Woodford Plantation at Tujaque%26#39;s, in one of your previous posts a month or so ago. Did you have another this time.? And, could you elaborate on the contents? Is Woodford for Woodford Reserve? I%26#39;d probably be interested in one ;-) of those in the near future.

TIA

Hi Gumbo, I don%26#39;t know what they use to make the Woodbridge Plantation. I believe it has whiskey in it but you could not really taste it. If you really want to know, I would call Tujaque%26#39;s and I bet the bartender would tell you the ingredients for that wonderful drink.

I went by there this month and the bar was closed at 9:30 PM. I wanted to try that drink again. Oh well, maybe next visit.

Sorry, it is Woodford Plantation. If you find out, please post it here. Next time I go, I will ask for the ingredients.

Cheers !!!

Thanks, porc. I%26#39;ll be there in October, and usually stop in at Tujaque%26#39;s to visit the bar and have a beer and a brisket sandwich. I was curious about the Woodford Plantation since I enjoy bourbon (in any form) and had never heard of that drink before reading your post. Maybe it%26#39;s a drink that they came up with.

So, if I get there before you, I%26#39;ll post the ingredients.

GumboK...the last time in that area we checked and Tujagues wasn%26#39;t serving the brisket sandwich in the bar anymore..maybe someone else has an update on that.

I love your trip reports! So glad you made it back to Parkway. Have you had their roast beef? It really is worth all the hype!

Sorry about your experience at Manales. I still haven%26#39;t been there after living here for 7 years - but it sounds like if I want BBQ shrimp then Mr. Bs is the place to go!

Great report!! :)

Slate...re: St. Joseph%26#39;s Altars, there is a link on the following website

italianamericanmarchingclub.org

You also MIGHT be able to get more info from the archdiocese website, which is archdiocese-no.org They have listed altar sites in previous years.

Not sure when the websites will update for 2008...the IAMC will also post info about the St. Joseph%26#39;s Day parade.