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Mardi Gras and so much more in Houma, Louisiana

2/26/2017

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 In Cajun Louisiana, when you invite someone to come join you and have some fun whether it be dining or dancing, or just being with a group of people, the locals call that “passing a good time.” It sounds something like this…Hey cher, why don’t you and Marie come meet us at Boudreau and Thibadeau’s and let’s pass a good time?” 

In Houma, La., a real Cajun town just 57 miles southwest of New Orleans, passing a good time is what life is all about.
Houma is located in Terrebonne Parish, in the heart of the Louisiana wet lands, (Please read below about the vanishing wetlands) home to some of the best fishing, birding and hunting in the country. The state motto for Louisiana is “Sportsman’s Paradise, and Houma may have been the inspiration for that phrase.

This is a unique slice of America and provides its visitors with a little bit of everything that makes the Cajun lifestyle so interesting and entertaining.

It’s not often that you can fly into a large metropolitan airport, rent a car and in less than a hour be smack dab in the middle of a culture that holds onto its roots so rigidly. It’s as if Cajun existence is at stake. And truth be told that is what is hap pening in southwest Louisiana where the native born Cajuns who have lived and prospered in this part of the country for centuries.
Fading quickly are the French speak ing elders who made their living off the land either as fishermen, hunter/trap pers or farmers. It’s a sign of the times but for those living in Houma, the one overriding attitude you’ll find everywhere is summed
up in the phrase — “Laissez les bon temps rouler,” which means “let the good times role.”

Life in this part of the country is meant to be enjoyed and boy do they enjoy it!
 You can’t think of Cajun without thinking of the great food that comes from this area. Seafood is the main attraction and when you’re surrounded by water, it makes sense. Fresh fish, shrimp, crawfish, crabs and oysters are always in abundance for the Cajun cook, as these are the colors on their culinary pallet used to create delicious master pieces. As a side note, authentic Cajun cooking is not as spicy as legend has it. It’s more spicy-delicious than spicy-hot. Get a seafood platter at Boudreau and
Thibadeau’s Cajun Cooking and see why people come out “happy in the face.” If it’s season, you must try the boiled crawfish, a local favorite and a wonderful mix of spice and fun. Make sure you have plenty of cold Abita beer on the side. For dessert, the beignets topped with ice cream will knock you back in your chair.
www.bntcajuncookin.com
 A Bear’s Restaurant is family owned and operated and is also a local favorite. The place was packed when we were there and the menu features many authentic Cajun dishes. Be sure to try their shrimp gumbo and save room for bread pudding. Bayou Delight is the perfect name for this restaurant. Located outside of Houma on the way to the fish camps at Cocodrie, they serve fresh seafood and offer daily specials to the locals who love this place. The fried catfish was superb!
Eating out is a part of any vacation and Houma has many other wonderful restaurants in addition to its Cajun
heritage.  9858726306

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New Orleans in the Summertime

8/1/2016

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Picture

Lisa and I went to New Orleans for the Louisiana Food Association Trade Show.  It was a great show.  We brought home lots of samples and new ideas, and met lots of great people from Tony Chachere, Zatarains and Zing Zang.  Hey - we even got to meet Chef Paul Prudhomme! ​

​​We were also very interested to hear the panel assembled to speak in regard to the state of the seafood industry.  Everyone is obviously very concerned over the effects of the BP Oil spill.   One thing we got loud and clear ...  Louisiana seafood is safe.  Probably safer that it has ever been.  What a committed, passionate group of people.  The panel consisted of experts of Louisiana Fishieries Association, LSU, NOAA, FDA, EPA.  You name it.

We stayed at The Monteleone hotel and even caught the Satchmo Music Festival.  We enjoyed brunch at the Court of Two Sisters, had a great meal at Port of Call and enjoyed a dinner out with old friends at R& O's on the Lakefront.  I am happy to report that we saw some new activity in the form of repairs/rebuilding in the area still devasted by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005.  The Lakefront/Lakeview area was one area that is slowly rebuilding.  What a beautiful part of town, I'm sure it will be beautiful again. 
There's art and humor everywhere.  As well as real reminders as to water levels and damage from Katrina.  This artwork was inside Parkway Bakery that got flooded.  One of our favorite restaurants Liuzza's was under six feet of water and they have the water line marked inside the restaurant.  So glad so many of these great establishments were able to rebuild.
This was the first time in a long time that Lisa and I were in New Orleans by ourselves, had a few days to just relax and truly enjoy.  We filled up on some great food (of course) great music (spent some time in the Frenchman Street area which was just great going from club to club and hearing all kinds of live music), soaked up the history and architecture and took some great photos.  God how I love this city.

Where else but New Orleans would you just happen upon a parade going down the street on a random Monday night?

Yep, it was the kickoff of the new Maddon NFL video game that features the Saints.  This was the year that the Saints beat the Indianapolis Colts in the Superbowl by a score of 31 to 17.  Man!  
​What a game that was, and it was fun to celebrate the team again in this way.
​
Complete with floats, beads and bands.  Woohoo Geaux Saints! 
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    Authors

    Rick Parsons was born and raised in New Orleans.  Lisa Parsons' connection to this city goes way back as well.  Their love and passion for New Orleans is evident in their life and the food they love to cook and share with people.

    They love to travel and look forward to each and every trip.  Checking out the local vibes through music and food is the favorite to spend time.  They recently renovated a Minnie Winnie Camper and look to hitting the road whenever possible.  

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