Hard at work in NOLA

What a day, What a day!!!

Don’t I look like I’m hard at work? I was taking videos all morning with my flip cam and editing them for our blog. Have I mentioned I love my job?

Honestly the morning was pretty much a blur. I grabbed a plate of fruit, eggs, and bran bread from the buffet, but could barely find time to eat it!

Just as I would sit down to eat someone else would come up to me with a new question. I felt very important, but also very hungry.

I learned a thing or two when it came time for lunch.

I may or may not have hit the buffet before they let the general session out so I could secure a plate of food and consume it before the masses. That was I was free to mingle and answer everyone’s questions during the lunch break, instead of constantly being pulled from my food.

The buffet was full of many great options. I had filled my plate with salad, 1/2 a crab cake, ratatouille, potatoes, and a roll.

The cakes for dessert were gorgeous as well.

I had a very thin slice of carrot cake and a taste of the double chocolate.

Yum!

For our afternoon snack my supervisor, Shelley, selected the chocolate sampler.

At first I was planning on ignoring the chocolate sampler because I figured it would be the typical chocolate cakes, cookies, and candy bars, but then the chocolate dipped pretzels caught my eye.

When I heard chocolate dipped pretzels I was envision pretzel sticks, but boy was I wrong. Chocolate dipped soft pretzels? Thats new to me!

Shelley and I were very fascinated with the pretzels and each managed to snag a bite.

It was just like eating a chocolate covered donut. It was so rich, only one bite was needed and that one bite was fantastic!

We wrapped up day 1 of the conference around 5:00pm and I was free to enjoy the night with the birthday boy himself.

Derek had arrived in New Orleans earlier this morning and had spent the majority of the day lounging by the pool.

Derek is a steak man and thanks to a little research on Yelp, I had made reservations for the two of us at La Boca Steakhouse for the evening.

Good thing we were there for steak because steak was all they had. lol

I had read good reviews about La Boca and was pleased with the fact that all of the steaks come from organic, grass fed cows and the city and state the meat comes from is listed on the menu.

We began our meal with a glass of Malbec.

And some bread.

I know this place is known for steaks, but my salad was pretty kick-ass on its own.

I ordered the Ensalada de Frescas with the dressing on the side.

The arugula was peppery and had a lovely bite to it that was only enhanced by the sweet strawberries and salty goat cheese. It was very delicious and I had cleaned my plate.

I’ not a big red meat eater and have probably not ordered a steak at a restaurant in well over two years, but I figured if you’re in a place known for their steak than you get the steak.:)

I ordered the house special, which was a sirloin that had been marinated in lime juice and served with fresh avocado.

Before we dug in the server gave us our choice of knives.

We also had our choice of sauces. I can’t remember which was which, but the green one was my favorite.

With a  side of grilled asparagus.

My meal was fabulous, but I was most interested in whether Derek was enjoying his or not.

I quote “there are no words”

To round out our perfect evening they delivered a flourless chocolate cake in honor of Derek’s birthday.

Happy Birthday Baby!

We both left stuffed and happy. If you are looking for a quaint little restaurant that serves a delicious steak I highly suggest paying La Boca a visit while you’re in New Orleans.

Derek and I are now in our PJs chilling for the night. I have another early morning tomorrow as we enter the final day of our conference.

Good Night!!