rebirth of a brand

A story in the New Orleans Times Picayune caught my eye.  The Haspel family, creators of the American seersucker suit had re-purchased the rights to their company, and now back in family hands they were recreating their storied past with a new line of American made suits.  I had to see this for myself. For the past decade Haspel has made crappy clothes with shoddy material.

Being a hopeful fellow in need of a seersucker suit yet unwilling to pay BB's tariff, I've booked passage to Perlis in NOLA. I figure if there is any hope in their resurrection it must come this year.  Uncle Harry invited Mrs. T and I down for the weekend. It would be ungracious not to accept, besides I'm hungry.  See you Monday.

Toad

PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND

In New Orleans you can count on 2 things. You will see a famous face in a crowd and know the locals aren't going to press. Of course it's expected that kings, queens and notables would be there, they get hungry too.

My favored people watching site is the venerable Preservation Hall, which celebrates its 52nd anniversary today. Preservation Hall hasn't changed much in the 40 plus years since my first visit to the French Quarter. The Hall is still a fire trap and still doesn't serve alcohol, but now the musicians are younger than I, and not always local. The music is, as always, top notch.

As with most New Orleans traditions, the past few years have been difficult for Preservation Hall. The touring Preservation Hall Jazz Band has been the savior, not only for the hall, but for the musicians as well. It's one of the best paying musical gigs going. Should they appear in your town adjust your busy calendar, take the kids and make it a must see.

Toad

Wanderlust. Nola Edition

It feels like ages since we've taken any time off. Our plan for the month of June was to tackle projects long put off and then enjoy the rest of summer lounging by the pool. June projects have stretched into July and now into August. It's too hot to play outside, yet vile temps haven't stopped our vacation planning.

I've also be thinking about food. Specifically good eats. For weeks I've been considering how best to approach Uncle Harry about putting us up in New Orleans for a week or so, while we made the rounds. Only a fool would leave Mayberry in August to go to NOLA, so the current thinking is mid September. That will give us chance to visit Louisiana's famed fall rainy season along with the New Iberia Sugar Festival. Harry will grumble but eventually he'll give in, so long as we promise to take him to lunch.

The fish of the day at Galatoire's is his last meal of choice, and believing any meal may be his last, he worships there often. Should you visit Galatoire's, take a local, the service improves when the waiters needn't translate the menu, and dress up for dinner.

Tourists, having heard of the famed lunch time atmosphere, line up for lunch much too early, as if expecting a show. I suggest 3:30 as the perfect start time for a convivial repast. Afternoon cocktails taste better, and your sense of self indulgence throws restraint to the winds. Have dessert too. Let your Puritan ancestors spin. If need be, begin with the shrimp or oysters down the street at Felix's, should you need something to tide you over. It's worth the wait.

My mind was cluttered with memories and menu planning when I received a "guess where I am" email with a photo attachment (photo at the top). Harry's table was ready, the guests were met, the feast was set, and he was well into his second restorer. Wherever Harry lays his Borsalino is his home and for that 1 minute I hated him. Having him to put us up just became easier.

Toad

PS: I was privately taken to task for suggesting that visitors to Mayberry may be forgiven for believing the Mayberry Olympics and World Fair were recent events, not something that occurred 108 years ago. I got my evens when a Mayberry World's Fair story appeared on the front page of the local paper Tuesday. Locals just won't let that story die.

zone maps

2012 Zone Hardiness Map

Every few years the US Department of Agriculture revises their Plant Hardiness Zone maps. The maps are an invaluable resource to gardeners and nurseries, and are a reliable guide for understanding what plants are able to overwinter in a particular area of the country. Its folly to attempt to create a garden of plants that won't thrive in your neighborhood. The maps are revised, and provide anecdotal evidence to non-believers, that winter temperatures in the US are on the rise.

When I began gardening in the early 90's all of Missouri was situated in USDA Zone 5, which meant that winter low temperatures would hit -10 degree Fahrenheit (-23 C). Today, the same garden sits in Zone 6, with winter low temps 5-10 degree warmer. Since the 1990's map, zone changes have inched northwards 10 miles per year.

I have always wanted a southern garden but I like it here and and am unwilling to move. However, if the current rate of change continues, the Fashionista can spend her dotage with a New Orleans garden without having to leave home.

The Arbor Day Foundation has a wonderful interactive map demonstrating the changes here.

Toad

white linen night

Should you find yourself in or around the Crescent City tomorrow evening don't forget to participate in one of New Orleans's newer summer traditions, White Linen Night. Held in the Warehouse District (400 Julia Street) along Gallery Row, White Linen Night is a combination block party, art walk and fund raiser for the contemporary Arts Center. 20,000 or so are expected, so dress up, bring a bit of cash to help a worthy cause and eat and drink the evening away with kindred souls.

Should you attend, take lots of photos and SHARE them here, please.

Toad

Tonight Only

For one night only, New Orleans resident, Harry's Shearer's film, The Big Uneasy, which details the man made disaster of Hurricane Katrina, will be shown in theaters nationwide.

Tonight is that night.




Toad

Nahlins

About this time last month I mentioned Mrs. T and I were off to New Orleans for several days. We leave Monday. Darling daughter Katy will be in full charge around here in my absence. We'll return late Thursday.

Judging by our itinerary we are going to eat ourselves into culinary comas. Breakfast at French Market or Court of Two Sisters.

Luncheon at Commanders Palace. Dinners at Brennans, K Paul and Brousards.

Should you have any great shopping or sight seeing suggestions pass them on. My only plan thus far is to stop by Perlis to try on the GTH White Linen Suit I ordered last spring. It finally came in. Hopefully, I''ll get to visit Julia Reed's House on First Street as well.

Toad

I've gone straight to summer

In my dream its always Friday afternoon. Early summer, Decoration Day has gone, and Independence Day is near. New Orleans' humidity is just bearable.

After a cold beer and appetizers at Felix's, I cross the street and head towards my waiting table in the deepest Siberia of the second floor at Galatoires. I'm ready to spend a long afternoon tackling the worlds problems, solidified by its best cuisine.

Luncheon is long and slow, the waitstaff attentive, the companions convivial. A most excellent afternoon. Too soon, it's time to walk home, have a short cigar and a nap. Cocktails will be along before you know it. A rather louche life, I'd say.

The part I like best comes at the end of luncheon. You pay your respects to the management, and walk out. None of that foolishness about settling the bill. It appears at your office at the end of the month. When you let the clerk deal with it, its eating free.

I haven't had that dream since about this time last year.

Summer, Friday afternoon, at Galatoires, is the natural home of white linen suits. In most American communities they are an acquired taste, little sampled. In New Orleans they are virtually required.

The moxie required of the average adult male to pull off GTH pants with aplomb, withers in the face of a new white suit.

Few can pull it off. I find garments like this more enjoyable the older I become. Think Hal Holbrook as Mark Twain or Sydney Greenstreet in Casablanca, rather than Tom Wolfe. Perhaps, it's easier to forgive older eccentrics.

I need to have my white suit altered, in case I find myself in gastronomic heaven anytime soon. The best accompaniment is years of wear, along with the battle stains of too many a good meal. To that end I need to find a quick way to make a new linen suit look 10 years older. Preferably without the stains. I'll take care of that myself soon 'nuf.

Toad

Photos from The Sartorialist, and Theselby(Tom Wolfe)