Home FOOD & DINING Weekend Cheat Sheet: October 2016

Weekend Cheat Sheet: October 2016

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As Arts for Art’s Sake kicks off October, it’s good to remember that our city inspires and attracts creatives both near and far — check out the aesthetic beauty around us from paintings and sculpture to cocktails and the culinary arts!
nolmturkeyandthewolffriedbolognasandwicheditFriday

Lunch at: Expect originality and scrumptious style at the casual Lower Garden District sandwich shop, Turkey and the Wolf. Opened recently by chef Mason Hereford, formerly of Coquette, and his partner in crime cocktail czar Lauren Holton, this new restaurant features creative sandwiches, delicious dishes that are “not sandwiches” and a killer cocktail menu to boot. Located on the corner of Jackson Avenue and Annunciation Street, Turkey and the Wolf offers dishes like a fried bologna sandwich with house made potato chips and American cheese on thick-sliced white bread or “tacos inauthenticos” with hog’s head cheese, jalapeños and Valentina hot sauce. Finish off lunch with a Bless Your Bones cocktail made with honeysuckle vodka and house made coriander liqueur, or a bowl of vanilla soft serve with tahini and date molasses. 739 Jackson Ave., (504) 218-7428, turkeyandthewolf.com

Ruminate at: On that strange little triangle of green space between Magazine Street and Sophie Wright Place lies Sophie B. Wright Park, one of the city’s dedications to a phenomenal woman who gave everything of herself for the people of New Orleans. Not only did she begin teaching at 14, she started free schools, including the Home for Incurables, a care facility for disabled and terminally ill patients. She was also highly active in the prison reform movement of the time and campaigned to build public playgrounds around town. The statue of Sophie B. Wright that sits in the center of the park was installed in 1988 and was created by artist Enrique Alferez, best known for his art deco style. 1923 Sophie Wright Place

Sip at: Widely recognized by Lower Garden District denizens as one of the coolest dive bars in the city, The Saint Bar & Lounge is a cool spot to grab a Miller High Life and a shot of Jameson, and chat with the bartender, while enjoying tunes from a killer jukebox. The Saint doesn’t open till 7 p.m., but it stays open practically ’til dawn, and, if you’re lucky, you’ll pop in on a night when they feature a new DJ or run a drink special. Located on the corner of St. Mary Street and Hastings Place, The Saint is housed in a nondescript, two-story building, and, if you aren’t keeping an eye out, you just might miss it. 961 St. Mary St., (504) 523-0050, thesaintneworleans.com

Saturday

Revive at: Located right next to the famed Casamento’s Restaurant on Magazine Street, Hey! Café & Coffee Roastery is a cool coffee shop or “nano-roaster” that roasts their own blends, aiming to serve the perfect cuppa joe from beginning to end. Aside from offering an incredible cup of coffee (like a nitro cold brew), Hey! Café also serves munchables from different pop-ups like sweet pies from Rock Paper Pie or a vegan brunch with banana chocolate chip pancakes and a breakfast biscuit sandwich with portabella mushrooms. You’re bound to encounter the work of local artists at Hey! Café, and feel free to bring your four-footed friends as dogs are definitely welcome. 4332 Magazine St., (504) 891-8682, heycafe.biz

Explore the brilliant hues of Louisiana at: Texas-born painter Becky Fos discovered her talent one day when she decided to paint the walls of her home and realized that she had an artist’s eye. Her works — like a cross between the vibrant color of Terrance Osborne and the impressionistic style and movement of James Michalopoulos — bring to life the object, places and personalities of New Orleans. Some of her most popular pieces feature the almighty Gulf oyster and brightly hued pelicans perched atop city street signs. Her gallery, Gallery B. Fos, opened early last year and doubles as an art studio — so you can look all you like, but please don’t touch as many of her pieces are drying on the wall. Gallery B. Fos is open Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 3956 Magazine St., (504) 444- 2967, beckyfos.com

Dine at: Located in the ivy-covered building that once housed Martinique Bistro, Avo is a “regional Italian restaurant” helmed by local chef Nick Lama. A third-generation Sicilian, Lama grew up watching his mother and grandmother skillfully prepare the cuisine of Italy, and it is this generational and aromatic experience he brings to Avo. This cozy, dimly lit restaurant offers diners dishes of charred octopus with watermelon and mango; fried squash blossom salad with ricotta and grilled zucchini; lobster and pea risotto with freshly grated Parmesan; and seared scallops with farro, crisp kale and avocado crema. Bring your exquisite meal to a sinfully sweet end with an icy Basilico with limoncello, vodka and basil, or opt for an Affogato made with rich espresso and vanilla gelato. 5908 Magazine St., (504) 509-6550, restaurantavo.com

Sunday

Brunch at: Because one is never enough, owner and small-batch brewer Geoffrey Meeker opened French Truck Cafe Uptown on Dryades Street in addition to his coffee shop and roasting facility on Erato Street in the Lower Garden District. Along with their premium, small-batch roasted coffee, the bright yellow double-turned-cafe offers both breakfast and lunch items that are worth whiling over. Along with a steaming cup of espresso or a “grand cru” pour-over, sink your chops into a waffle sandwich with egg, prosciutto and goat cheese, or a B.N.B: bacon, Nutella and basil on toasted Gracious Bakery ciabatta. 4536 Dryades St., (504) 298-1115, frenchtruckcoffee.com

Explore new horizons at: Discover the works of artists connected to the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts at 5 Press Gallery, including visiting artists, and past and present faculty and alumni. Located smack between Bywater and the Marigny, the gallery offers regular exhibitions, art markets and workshops open to all. Enjoy works featuring everything from photography and oil painting to film and sculpture. 5 Press Gallery is open Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Be sure to check the website or Facebook page for upcoming exhibitions and art markets. 5 Press St., (504) 249-5624, 5pressgallery.com

Relax at: From Neal Bodenheimer, Kirk Estopinal and Nick Detrich, the masterminds behind the popular Freret Street craft cocktail bar Cure, comes Café Henri, a neighborhood restaurant in Bywater. Located in the space that once housed Booty’s, this casual, family oriented eatery features classic comfort food and home-cooked meals like burgers and Johnny cakes, a wedge salad and buttered soba noodles, or brisket lasagna and seafood linguine with Gulf shrimp and oysters. Satisfy your sweet tooth with a trio of cookies or a dark chocolate tart, but don’t neglect the drink list featuring mom and pop-type cocktails like a rum and coke or a cool Tom Collins. 800 Louisa St., (504) 302-2357, henri.cafe