Nola – Weaken the hurricane, not the crawfish
It’s amazing how Wikipedia updates its stuff so efficiently, there is no way we could have read our encyclopedia about a hurricane the same day it is hitting the coast of Louisiana if we were trying to 10 years ago (or if we’re in New Orleans right now, as there’s no power anyway). On my flight back to Houston, I remember how happy I felt to see the plane streak through thick fluffs of cloud, as I was too filled with sunshine in California any small shade of tree was a blessing. For a whole week after that Houston was soaked. It rained and rained and rained. And now Louisiana too is getting a bath. How about California? As dry as a frying pan.
As we waved goodbye to our friendly hostess at Cafe Renaissance, we still had some room for dessert (or so we thought, little did we know the Persian food had a surprisingly delayed effect), so we set out for Nola a stone’s throw away, hoping to get some beignet. This was not my first attempt to try the French pastry that I’ve heard about during commercials on the Little Saigon Radio, and it won’t be the last. Nola (short for New Orleans, Louisiana) was out of beignet on a Saturday afternoon at 6pm. The waiter kindly told us so and assured us if we came back the next day there would be some, so albeit the guilt we felt and the balcony seat we got, we thanked him for the water, stood up and left. Perhaps it was our fault for not coming back the next day, but we returned on Monday, asked for beignet, our sweet waitress disappeared into the kitchen, then came back gently apologized that their frying pan had broken, hence no beignet. She also did not forget to assure us that if we came back later in the week there would be some. At this point I started to wonder why they hadn’t just taken the beignet off the menu and avoided all the troublesome customers like me. But anyway, we were hungry so we stayed and ordered jambalaya and etouffee, which were as Cajun as you can get.
For dishes this red, nothing but a white plate can enhance the color so well. The jambalaya above was as spicy as it looks, although not intolerably tear inducing spicy. It would have been nice if the sausage cuts were a little more generous, though. (I know, you can’t see any sausage in the picture.)
I thought the etouffee was good. Mainly because of the rice. Sadly it’s not Cajun rice, but basmati rice mixed with green onions. The little curled up chaps are the crawfish, not too intimidated by two big shrimps also curled up and lots of marshmallowy chunks of scallops. No offense to the scallops, but I think their texture didn’t quite belong there. Nonetheless, I finished everything on my plate except the green onions and their white bulbs. See the dinner menu for more of what’s in there.
We didn’t have to wait very long for our food, but we had to wait quite a while for our bill. Such is the loving attention of the restaurant: they didn’t want you to leave. It was early in the evening, the restaurant only had a few tables occupied, both up and downstairs. Some waiters casually leaned against the wall chatting away the hour, a few waitresses walking around in miniskirts, putting colorful Mardi Gras beads on the tables. It was such a peaceful scene. Despite our obvious display of finished plates on the table, no one came our way with a black leather envelope. At first we were unsure whether we needed to go to the cashier to pay, but we asked and a waiter lackadaisically delivered the bill to our table. Meanwhile our waitress was nowhere to be found. We put in the card, and waited some more. Finally our waitress came to take the card and let us sign, and we were released. Restaurant California. Perhaps the Eagles came here before?
Did we come back to try again for the beignet? We’re not that desperate over a dried well. Well, if you’re drinker, it’s definitely not dried. The food is decent, but I’ll patiently wait until I can go to New Orleans to try New Orleans food. Until then, we’ve bid farewell to fake Palo Alto Nola (Panola? Nopa? Anyway…).
Address: Nola’s Restaurant and Bar
535 Ramona Street
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 328-2722
It’s exhausting to search out knowledgeable folks on this matter, however you sound like you understand what you’re talking about! Thanks
1Hello. excellent job. I did not anticipate this. This is a fantastic story. Thanks!
2I couldn’t resist commenting
3I truly enjoy reading through on this web site, it contains excellent content. “Don’t put too fine a point to your wit for fear it should get blunted.” by Miguel de Cervantes.
4I have recently started a blog, the information you offer on this site has helped me tremendously. Thanks for all of your time & work. “There can be no real freedom without the freedom to fail.” by Erich Fromm.
5Hey there! Do you know if they make any plugins to safeguard against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any suggestions?
6Very nice info and right to the point. I don’t know if this is in fact the best place to ask but do you folks have any thoughts on where to hire some professional writers? Thanks 🙂
7Hi there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and found that it’s truly informative. I am going to watch out for brussels. I will appreciate if you continue this in future. Numerous people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
8Today, I went to the beachfront with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is entirely off topic but I had to tell someone!
9Today, while I was at work, my sister stole my iPad and tested to see if it can survive a 30 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is entirely off topic but I had to share it with someone!
10I savor, lead to I discovered just what I used to be having a look for. You have ended my 4 day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye
11I’ve been absent for a while, but now I remember why I used to love this site. Thanks, I’ll try and check back more frequently. How frequently you update your site?
12This website online is mostly a walk-through for all the information you wished about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse here, and you’ll definitely discover it.
13Rattling wonderful info can be found on web blog.
14Woah! I’m really enjoying the template/theme of this site. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s challenging to get that “perfect balance” between superb usability and visual appearance. I must say you’ve done a very good job with this. Also, the blog loads super quick for me on Safari. Excellent Blog!
15Very interesting subject , thankyou for posting.
16I’m really enjoying the theme/design of your blog. Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility problems? A few of my blog visitors have complained about my website not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Firefox. Do you have any tips to help fix this problem?
17I like this internet site because so much utile stuff on here :D.
18Thank you, I’ve just been searching for information approximately this topic for a long time and yours is the best I’ve came upon till now. However, what in regards to the bottom line? Are you certain in regards to the supply?
19Terrific work! This is the type of info that should be shared around the net. Shame on the search engines for not positioning this post higher! Come on over and visit my web site . Thanks =)
20Thank you, I have just been looking for info about this topic for a while and yours is the greatest I have came upon so far. But, what about the bottom line? Are you certain about the supply?
21I like this post, enjoyed this one regards for putting up.
22Hey very cool website!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Superb .. I will bookmark your site and take the feeds also?KI’m satisfied to seek out so many helpful information here within the put up, we need work out more techniques on this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .
23After research just a few of the blog posts on your website now, and I really like your way of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark web site list and might be checking again soon. Pls take a look at my web page as effectively and let me know what you think.
24Glad to be one of many visitants on this amazing site : D.
25Great wordpress blog here.. It’s hard to find quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate people like you! take care
26There is noticeably a bundle to know about this. I assume you made certain nice points in features also.
27Some genuinely nice and useful information on this site, also I believe the style and design holds good features.
28What’s Taking place i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It absolutely helpful and it has aided me out loads. I’m hoping to give a contribution & help other users like its aided me. Great job.
29Very good written post. It will be useful to anyone who utilizes it, including yours truly :). Keep up the good work – i will definitely read more posts.
30Hello there! Quick question that’s completely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My blog looks weird when viewing from my apple iphone. I’m trying to find a theme or plugin that might be able to fix this issue. If you have any suggestions, please share. Cheers!
31Excellent blog you have here but I was curious if you knew of any message boards that cover the same topics talked about here? I’d really love to be a part of group where I can get opinions from other experienced people that share the same interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Appreciate it!
32Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of this blog. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s hard to get that “perfect balance” between superb usability and visual appearance. I must say you have done a awesome job with this. Additionally, the blog loads extremely fast for me on Firefox. Superb Blog!
33Saved as a favorite, I really like your blog!
34I intended to compose you the little bit of observation to finally say thank you as before for these great pointers you’ve featured in this article. It was really surprisingly generous of people like you in giving unreservedly just what numerous people could have offered for sale for an electronic book in order to make some bucks on their own, and in particular now that you might well have done it in the event you considered necessary. These guidelines likewise acted to be a fantastic way to realize that the rest have the same keenness just as my own to see great deal more related to this problem. I think there are millions of more fun situations ahead for many who scan your website.
35whoah this blog is wonderful i love reading your posts. Keep up the great work! You know, many people are looking around for this info, you can help them greatly.
36I like what you guys are up too. Such smart work and reporting! Carry on the superb works guys I have incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it will improve the value of my site :).
37You have mentioned very interesting points! ps decent web site. “Choose your friends carefully. Your enemies will choose you.” by Yassir Arafat.
38You are my intake, I possess few blogs and often run out from post :). “Analyzing humor is like dissecting a frog. Few people are interested and the frog dies of it.” by E. B. White.
39Simply desire to say your article is as surprising. The clearness for your submit is just spectacular and i can assume you are an expert on this subject. Fine together with your permission let me to seize your feed to keep updated with impending post. Thank you a million and please continue the rewarding work.
40I am now not certain where you are getting your info, but great topic. I needs to spend some time finding out much more or working out more. Thanks for wonderful information I used to be on the lookout for this info for my mission.
41Sweet site, super style and design, really clean and employ genial.
42I am often to blogging and i really appreciate your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your site and keep checking for new information.
43What’s Happening i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It absolutely useful and it has helped me out loads. I hope to contribute & assist other users like its aided me. Good job.
44I was very happy to find this net-site.I wished to thanks in your time for this excellent read!! I positively having fun with every little little bit of it and I’ve you bookmarked to check out new stuff you weblog post.
45But wanna comment on few general things, The website pattern is perfect, the written content is really good : D.
46You could definitely see your expertise in the work you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. Always go after your heart.
47I discovered your blog site on google and check a few of your early posts. Continue to keep up the very good operate. I just additional up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Seeking forward to reading more from you later on!…
48