Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Fat Tuesday

In order to avoid my unwelcome "visitor" I went to sleep after dinner last night and I'm still a little groggy this morning so forgive me if this doesn't make any sense. As if I ever do.

On the way to work this morning I heard on the radio today is Fat Tuesday. Immediately I'm interested thinking it's a Weight Watcher's sponsored event that I need to participate in. Maybe like the million man march, but for us plump people.

Yes, plump. Don't judge.

Anyway I soon realized that I would not be walking next to my spandex bound sisters-in-weight-loss and that they were talking about THE Fat Tuesday in New Orleans.



Duh.

I have never been to THE Mardi Gras but we have been to New Orleans pre-Katrina. Bourbon Street was crazy on a random weeknight so I cannot even imagine what Mardi Gras is like.

We spent some time there drinking hurricanes and gambling in the casino. We stayed in a nice, historic hotel across from one of Emeril's restaurant and rode in a limo to the port. We were there a couple days before our cruise ship left and enjoyed every dang minute of it.

But if you ask S, he will tell you to never order "the special".

One of those nights we were wandering around and came across a restaurant on one of the side streets. I cannot recall the name, but I know it was two story and the smells coming from their doors beckoned us to come inside.

Once seated the waiter described "the specials" and then left us to make a decision. When he returned he brought us a sample of "the special"...and we were sold. "Specials all around!" we replied.

Well, except for me since "the special" involved some sort of seafood and I loathe all types of seafood.

The food was served and the table fell silent. I ate my Florida-sized plate of pasta and the others devoured "the special". We all ate until we could barely breathe anymore. Then the waiter cleaned the table and brought our check.

S learned on that day that you have to ALWAYS ask how much "the special" costs or you may be at risk of a heart attack once you see the check.

And that is the story he tells when whenever we talk about our trip to New Orleans.

My story? Let's just say it involves some nudity.

And that's all you are getting from me.

26 comments:

The Four Week Vegan said...

LOL, so spill the beans how much was the special?

My step-brother and wife went out for their anniversary and the two of them cost over $300 before tip - I about died - I would NEVER pay that much for a dinner.

Carrie said...

We've had one dinner where we spent an outrageous amount. It was a fine restaurant, with a tuxedoed maitre'd, leather highback chairs, and fine linens.

It was the night my husband asked me to marry him and it was a HUGE surprise! The food was exquisite and the atmosphere was incredible.

Back in 1996, we spent $300 for the two of us (how much do you think that would be these days--$500 bucks?). I still can remember EVERY detail of that evening, including exactly what we ate and drank!

Did I mention that between the two of us, we were bringing home about $700/month?? My hubby saved up for a loooong time to take us there!

I suppose you paid for a memory as well!! " )

Anonymous said...

Did you flash some titties for beads?

How much was "the special" anyway?

Cristin said...

Would love to hear more about the nudity! I'm also a hater of all food from the sea... and I grew up on the coast...

Anonymous said...

Fat Tuesday stuck up on me this year as well.

New Orleans sounds fun - I'll have to make it there someday.

Melissa said...

LOL...what a great post!

Happy Fat Tuesday :P!

Donnetta said...

Nawlins is one of my favorite places! I love me some hurricans and can't beat the ones at Pat O's. I've been numberous times but never for Mardi Gras. I get in plenty of trouble when it's NOT the craziest time of the year.

You gotta fess us to the cost of the special!

The Royal Family said...

HA HA HA you make me giggle

Ash said...

I was pleasantly surprised to read the "surprise" involved prices, and not fish eyeballs.

You never know in N.O.

Em - clickity, click...

Tamara Dawn said...

Back at ya, lol!

April said...

I've been to New O one time and watching my parents reaction to it all was the funniest thing. It was some special weekend and I think we were the only straight people there.

Lump said...

what? you loathe seafood? I will eat whatever you don't. I PROMISE! :)

Denise Grover Swank said...

How funny@ I agree with Eudea-Mamia I was worried that the "special" would be something completely disgusting, although since you hate seafood, it actually was.

Hope you feel better soon. I'm about to join you.

Denise Grover Swank said...

How funny@ I agree with Eudea-Mamia I was worried that the "special" would be something completely disgusting, although since you hate seafood, it actually was.

Hope you feel better soon. I'm about to join you.

Kathy B! said...

They always do that! They don't TELL you the price, they make you ask. And that always makes me feel like a cheapskate! I guess I'll consider myself warned!! So how much was that special anyway?!

Shannon said...

Not a fan of seafood here, either. I can do fried popcorn shrimp... and that's about it.

I've been to NOLA once before... it was two weeks before Mardi Gras, though. They were getting prepared, but no craziness going on. At least none that I saw!

Anonymous said...

Never been to New Orleans, hate overpriced restaurants and ....
I do want to hear about any and all nudity, sex, drinking and hhmmmm... what else?

Margaret said...

Here in rural Okie land, we don't have restaurants that cost that much. I have been to one in Boston though. For our group the meal came to $500. Lucky for us my cousin was the chef, so we weren't paying the bill.

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

How can you write this post and not include the price of the special or the story about being nekkid? It's just wrong.

My husband has ordered the special beer before. $8 for a glass of beer is not a good special...

Cathy said...

A few 22 years ago I also drank Hurricanes. I don't remember what else we did cause I was drunk off my but..Puked in Pat O'Briens and tore my belt loops off from friends trying to hold me up. Woke up with a black eye cause I hit the towel rack when I almost...passed out. Oh, those were the days. I would go back 22 years in a heart beat.. this time I would have flashed the guy.

Candice said...

I've got my own fat Tuesday around these parts, and it's all thanks to those darn Girl Scouts! Curse them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Carey-Life in the Carpool Lane said...

No special for me please! I 'll just have what Brandy's having...

Anonymous said...

I left you some clicky love <3 :)

Mrs. Jelly Belly said...

It's been my experience that too many hurricanes always leads to "some nudity". That's just the way it goes. Did you have to buy a new suitcase to bring home all of your beads? :)

Aleta said...

Mardi Gras this year was great ~ supposedly the largest crowd in a long time (even pre-Katrina). I was so happy to see everyone enjoying themselves and having a good time. Thanks for visiting New Orleans post Katrina and offering your support ~ we natives REALLY appreciate it! We love our city and the history and.. the food... omg... the food.

Anonymous said...

Never been to New Orleans and post-Katrina...let's just say, I'm not pressed.
My girlfriend has a hilarious story about getting the "special" while in Italy. Between the 'special' price and the exchange rate....they had a big surprise when they got their credit card bill.