Instead of our typical trip to Vegas to celebrate our delayed Anniversary, Mother Dear gave us the chance to explore a long dreamed of locale, NOLA. We had an almost perfect trip and New Orleans is all it’s purported to be. All of the downsides to any large city exist, but are clearly outmatched by the upsides. And then there is the food, my GOD, the food. We ate ourselves stupid, and regretted it a couple of times immediately afterward. But looking back, I wouldn’t have skipped anything.

It was our first trip, so it was a touristy trip. We tried the things you see on tv over and over instead of trying to find hidden gems. Especially shocking was how good SO MANY of the classics turned out to be. Only twice was I disappointed, and by disappointed I mean the place was only good. Much more often I was surprised by how much better the place was than expected, a rare treat repeated and repeated in the Crescent City. If you are from our neck of the wood, or anywhere else than NOLA, it is a completely different world, and one worth experiencing for multitudinous reasons. Vegas is a different world but it is a calculated and manufactured experience, New Orleans has evolved in a storied and historic manner into what it is, you can feel it everywhere you go. Nothing like it.      True Dat.
 

 
 


Central Grocery
 New Orleans, Louisiana    Date of Visit  12/14/15   
http://www.centralgroceryneworleans.com

We stopped here before looking for our hotel after arriving. They looked at us sadly…sold out. Undeterred we stopped after some sight seeing and beignets (after the second time that morning!), and picked up the classic and a couple bags of local chips and returned to the surprisingly beautiful courtyard of our hotel for some lunch in the warm Louisiana afternoon.
 



 


 
 


Purveyors Of Things Italian & NOLA
 

Not surprisingly, the Muffaletta (at least the original) is a really nice Italian sandwich. Round and dense loaf of sesame-crusted bread is loaded with cheese, salami and ham. Check.

The real distinguishing factor is the addition of the olive salad. When they say olive they mean olive and the rest of the garden in the pickled salad. Upon study we found at least a dozen veggies in addition to the olives, from cauliflower to capers to pimento and Italian herbs you have a supremely tangy and pungent condiment which, cuts right through the thick bread and rich fillings. The bread soaks up the pickling liquid and holds everything together which is why I imagine they don’t make them to order.

If I were to go again, I would get an extra cup the the olive salad and load it into the sandwich. It’s delicious and in addition to the bread makes the Muffaletta what it is, I just wanted more, fortunately, you can get it right there.
 

 
 
Thar She Be
 

Looks Delicious, Is Delicious, Just Wanted More Of The Special Ingredient
 
 
 


The Whole Meal Was Enjoyed
 


In The Surprisingly Gorgeous Courtyard Of Our Hotel
 

 
  Ratings  
 
Food

Service


Ambiance

What's Best

What's Worst


Overall
 
  B C B+ B+ C B+  
      The Quarter   Needs More Salad    
 
All Restaurants By Ranking Restaurants By Date These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things Steph's Favorite Things
Home List of Restaurants by City The Ratings What's Rated Random Thoughts