Farewell 2009

After spending a beautiful warm and sunny day in the Quarter we came back to the RV to get all fapitzed (dressed up) for New Years Eve.  Of course you all think women change clothes a lot, well you don't know my husband.  He was all dressed in a fabulous glittery black and silver sweater when he realized his sportcoat shrank!!  Imagine that.  I guess eating and drinking our way through New Orleans caught up with him.  So he put on a warmer sweater and his leather jacket as a shield against the cold.  We still left with plenty of time to get to Brightsen's for our 10PM seating.  However we got just a teesy bit lost.  Actually we were just heading the opposite direction on Carollton Street from the way we had to go.  As soon as we realized it we turned around and found the restaurant with no problem.  Sandy welcomed us, she is the Chef/Owner Frank Brightsen's sister and we knew her from 3 years ago when we were there.  We were seated at a cozy table for two, presented with festive tiara and top hat and champagne was poured, and poured, and poured!!!  The menu was beautiful with choices in all of the five courses.  First we had Smoked Salmon Canapes with Horseradish Whipped Cream and then Oyster Soup with Spinach and Brie.  With tastebuds a tingle we proceeded to our third course.  Steve and I decided to each order a different dish and share, so we chose the Baked Oyster Trio - LeRuth, Fennel & Bienville, and the Pan-Roasted Quail with Roasted Vegetables, Foie Gras & and Apple Cider Pan Gravy.

So far everything had been delicious and filling.  By the time our fourth course came I was starting to get full.  I did manage to finish about half of the Grilled Beef Tournedos with Tasso Marchand du Vin Sauce and it was too yummy to waste so I brought the meat home for Hershi as a treat to start the New Year.  Even here, at Brightsen's, we made new friends.  Nicole and Warren not only share our love of good food but of Yorkies too.  With homes in New Orleans and Manhatten I know we will see them again!!  We both, by some miracle, did have room for dessert and they were both to die for.  We shared their famous Double Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Sauce and the Cafe au Lait Creme Brulee polishing it all off with some more of the bubbly.  It was the perfect way to ring in the New Year 2010!!