See Nola

Fair Grinds Coffee House

3133 Ponce De Leon (Mid-City) 504.913.9072. 7 Days: 6:30am to 10pm. Credit Cards. Southern boomers glance over their papers and gab about the time they went to the Beatles concert at City Park Stadium or the status of the Saints or social responsibility. This isn't a place for introverts. Primary colors and permanently sunny dispositions powered by speed grade coffee wipe any trace of pipe-stained, contemplative cafe culture out the door. Everyone is encouraged to join the rambling, continuous conversation. Putting aside reverence or revulsion for aging hippie culture, Fair Grinds -- with its belt driven fans twirling overhead, gently weathered bead board walls, friendly service and support of local literature -- makes a strong case for a world populated by businesses run by locals sensitive to local culture and context. Poetry/music shows upstairs, vegan treats and fair trade coffee served downstairs. Outside seating.  

1/13/10 N. Rocheblave St. 4:51pm

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Pascal's Manale Restaurant

1838 Napoleon Ave. (Uptown) 504.895.4877 Wednesday to Friday: 11:30am to 2pm. Monday to Saturday: 5pm to 'till. One of thirty or so past-its-prime, wood paneled, neighborhood hang-out, we-only-go-there-on-special-occasions, old-line New Orleans restaurants that's powered by an old, heavy pendulum dropped a long time ago. In this case: 1913. In the 1950s, they created a dish known as "BBQ Shrimp" whereby shrimp are sauteed in two pounds of melted butter (plastic bib provided for butter back-splash). It's famous. We've never had BBQ Shrimp at Pascal's. In fact, following the advice of some locals, we've never sat down at a Pascal's Manale table. We have ordered a bourbon and coke at the bar, and then paid, upfront, for oysters (in cash, 'cause cash only at the bar) and gotten, in return, a plastic token, which we then redeemed at the beautiful white marble counter across the room ... for a baker's dozen of fresh shucked. Their oysters are delicious, classical, cold, fresh. Perfect for an afternoon of no work.