After surviving the banality of the Denver airport and 1 lost garment bag ((it has since been found and delivered to the hotel)) we’ve arrived in New Orleans. At the airport we met up with Chuck and Wes, & Jeff Morganthaler who happened to arrive at the same time we did. We split a cab with Trader ((with a perfect crazy/nice/ranting cab driver to boot)).
I had a Vieux carré at the Carousel bar ((tasty – but as it was my first, I have no comparison)) and met up with Rick, Jay, My compatriot in naming Craig (the Good Dr. Bamboo), Paul Clarke, Mr. Morganthaler, and Seamus. We headed off for a bit at Coop’s place. Perfect Choice, Paul. A belly full of fried seafood, gumbo and jambalaya made a good ballast.
We hit Arnaud’s French 75 Bar where we met with more who’s-who of the blog and non-blog cocktail scene. Matt came along presently and after a french 75 ((good but not great)), a cigar ((Montecristo No.3)), a Negroni ((fair)), and Gabriel‘s arrival ((with the lovely Joana)) we headed to a location not to be discussed. ((Thanks, Gabe – now we’ve lost the blackmail ability. First rule of Drink Club, man.)) We bumped into Ed Hamilton on the way out which was lovely.
Going via Bourbon street to the non-disclosed location, I couldn’t help notice that the block that most smelled sewer-like happened to be the block with the live sex act clubs, Larry Flint’s Barely Legal, and other assorted gentleman’s clubs. It was such a mix of wonderful and horrible: Gaudy, tawdry neon are contrast against shuttered 300-year old windows. The moist heat of the evening was interrupted by cool breezes escaping from the open doorways of the aforementioned establishments. Garbage binge drinkers surrounded the group of cocktail snobs in the birthplace of the cocktail. It is beautiful and shocking and hideous and profane and I love every single damn thing about it.
We finished off the evening back at the Carousel bar. We closed it. Martin Cate dropped by and it was good to play catch-up with him.
Now for today’s fun. I’ve already missed the blog breakfast event (9:00am? Are you serious?). We’ll be toasting the Sazerac at 2pm. Join us, won’t you? I want to find a Rum Swizzle today.
P.S. Anyone have an SD card reader? Just realized this laptop ((thanks, TriMet)) is free of one. The USB cable is resting comfortably back on the table at home.
Shitshitshit! Sorry man, I wasn’t present when the Vow of Silence was discussed. I can honestly plead ignorance, and plead that I find it ridiculously ironic that we drank there.
umm… so how’s it going? 🙂
btw – I got a real live bottle of Creme de Violette yesterday from the WSLCB! amazing, eh?
I have just the drink for that. Zorn at thatch made it: The sen sen. I’ll post the recipe later.
god i miss new orleans. i can almost smell it when you write…that fabulous mix of sacred and profane.