495
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INSIDEPUB.com
COVER ARTIST HUNT SLONEM •
GRAYHAWK PERKINS • SANDRA SCALISE JUNEAU • OUTDOOR LIVING
MARCH-APRIL 2021 VOL. 36, NO. 2
March-April 2021 7
contents table of
Rooms with a View. Page 40.
Features
Departments
14 The Magic of Hunt Slonem’s Louisiana Cover Artist Hunt Slonem
10 Publisher’s Note 20 INside Scoop
26 Sandra Scalise Juneau St. Joseph Altar Devotee
24 IN Other Words If the Shoe Fits…
34 Grayhawk Perkins Native American Culture Bearer
62 Flourishes Extraordinary Gifts and Home Accents
40 Rooms with a View The Hood House
65 Inside Look
60 Joe Eagan Embracing His Family’s Legacy
page 26
68 Generous Hearts Chicks with Checks 70 Treasure Hunting on the Northshore 72 IN Love & Marriage
Outdoor Living 2021 44 Room to Grow 50 Grow and Share 52 Adventures in Herb Gardening
74 IN Great Taste Crawfish Tart with Phyllo Crust 76 Haute Plates 78 Inside Dining
57 Falling for Fungi
81 Last Bite Felix’s Restaurant and Oyster Bar
58 Outdoor Living Flourishes
82 Last Look
Editorial Contributors: Susan Bonnett Bourgeois, Grace Butzman, Cayman Clevenger, Hilary Creamer, Candra George, Karen B. Gibbs, Poki Hampton, Yvette Zuniga Jemison,
page 62
Sandra Scalise Juneau, Anthony “Chopper” Leone, Mimi Greenwood Knight, Grayhawk Perkins, Becky Slatten, Jay Theriot, Lauren Wintzel.
8
Inside Northside
Come on, Spring! I am not sure if it is pandemic fatigue, missing carnival, not being able to travel or any other of the numerous challenges we’ve been facing of late—but I am more excited for the coming of Spring in 2021 than ever. That could be what drew me immediately to the joy of Hunt Slonem’s work for our cover. He is a talented visionary and probably one of the most prolific artists in the country right now. A Tulane grad, he calls several Louisiana properties home, and that makes him one of our local treasures. At the invitation of my friend Molly, I had the chance to visit him in 2019 with my daughter Lauren, who is also an artist. We marveled at the way his work is placed throughout his restored country homes, adding richness and joy to the walls, halls and rooms. Much of the bounty in Louisiana wildlife can be found in Slonem’s work. Bunnies, butterflies and birds are among the subjects celebrated in his colorful and engaging creations. We punctuated our visit with Hunt Slonem by selecting a pair of his renowned bunnies for Lauren’s home. I hope you love his work as much as I do—and could there be a more appropriate cover for our issue that celebrates spring? Linda Franzo of Slidell is an artist of a different kind. I implored her to help as I embark on a brand new hobby, and I invite you to join me in the effort. She loves to share her passion for herb gardening, even serving as the current president of the New Orleans Herb Society. Her Passionate Platter gathers small groups for classes aimed at learning how to grow and use the bounty of a great garden. With her inspiration and guidance, I hope to bring a small patch of dirt at our new home to life. If you have a favorite crop, please let me know! Hoppy Easter!
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Inside Northside
March-April 2021 Vol. 36, No. 2
Publisher Lori Murphy lori@insidepub.com ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Editor Jan Murphy jan@insidepub.com Creative Director Brad Growden brad@insidepub.com Digital Communications Margaret Murphy ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Business Manager Jane Quillin jane@insidepub.com Operations Manager Margaret Rivera margaret@insidepub.com ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Advertising Account Executives
Barbara Roscoe Poki Hampton barbara@insidepub.com poki@insidepub.com
Pemmie Sheasby Hilary Creamer pemmie@insidepub.com hilary@insidepub.com Jonée Daigle-Ferrand Stacey Paretti Rase –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
On the Cover
Cover Artist Hunt Slo nem. Find more on page 14.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Contact
phone (985) 626-9684 fax (985) 674-7721 Advertising Sales sales@insidepub.com Subscriptions subscriptions@insidepub.com ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– INSIDE NORTHSIDE is published bi-monthly (January, March, May, July, September, November) by M and L Publishing, LLC, PO Box 9148, Mandeville, LA 70470-9148 as a means of communication and information for St. Tammany and Tangipahoa Parishes, Louisiana. Bulk Postage paid at Mandeville, LA. Copyright ©2021 by M & L Publishing, LLC. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written consent of publisher. Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts and artwork. Inside Northside Magazine is created using the Adobe Creative Suite on Apple Macintosh computers.
The Magic of Hunt Slonem’s Louisiana by Cayman Clevenger
HUNT SLONEM SITS in a chair that once belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte’s brother Joseph. “Believe it or not, he lived in New Jersey,” he tells me. Slonem is a baritone who speaks with a punctuated, deliberate cadence. He chooses his words carefully, and he loves sharing pieces of arcana, like the one about Joseph Bonaparte. When in Louisiana, Slonem can often be found at Madewood, his home on the banks of Bayou LaFourche about an hour south of Baton Rouge, outside of the small town of Napoleonville. It is one of three historic homes in Louisiana he is restoring and preserving for future generations—the others are Albania on Bayou Teche near Jeanerette and Lakeside in Bachelor, 14
Inside Northside
north of Baton Rouge. He has been enamored with Louisiana since his days at Tulane University in the 1970s, where his muses of art, history and architecture came together; they continue to define his career. Although you won’t find his signature on the front of any of his works, Slonem’s art is distinctly his own and instantly recognizable. He’s a painter, print-maker, sculptor, entrepreneur, educator, writer and conservationist. Four years ago, Lee Jofa, the high-end interior design firm, approached Slonem about launching his own luxury fabrics, wallpaper and carpet. “Charles E. Burchfield, who was one of the most important American watercolor painters, created wallpaper for most of his life and used that >>
wallpaper with his work in shows and museums, and I am following in his mold,” says Slonem. In a separate arrangement with Penelope Scott Kernen, Slonem designs scarves, bags and household goods for his “Hop Up Shop,” a nod to his famous bunnies. He once created a decorative tabletop for Tiffany & Co. and collaborated with Audi on the design of a one-of-a-kind A5 coupe art car as a fundraiser for cancer research. His works are featured in the most respected museums and private collections in the world. And although he’s based in New York, Slonem has devoted outsized attention to Louisiana. “When I got to Tulane, I was able to take courses that mesmerized me. I got an A in Italian Renaissance Art History from Professor Shapiro, which I consider the greatest accomplishment of my life,” jokes Slonem. “My favorite Tulane memory was taking Louisiana architecture from Sam Wilson.” Wilson, 16
Inside Northside
who is responsible for ensuring the rehabilitation of the Cabildo and the Pontalba buildings in Jackson Square, was widely considered to be the “dean of historic preservation” in New Orleans. It was in Wilson’s class that the young student from Kittery, Maine, visited Madewood for the first time, not knowing it would one day belong to him. Looking back at his time at Tulane, he says, ”It was a rich lifestyle just being enveloped by history, and not to be tacky, but ‘vestiges of grandeur,’ to quote Richard Sexton. It gave me a sensibility that has lasted my entire adult life of patina and the mixture of periods.” Slonem’s Louisiana homes are not tourist destinations but architectural gems. He has collected them, much like other treasures that have caught his fascination over time. When we spoke on the phone, there was a concert of tropical birds playing in the background. His legendary menagerie of more than 60 rare and exotic birds all live in the aviary
Slonem installed inside his 30,000-square-foot NYC studio. Almost all of his birds were unwanted pets or adoptions, and some are up to 80 years old. His passions—for art, for his birds, for collecting things and for architecture—animate his creativity. Today, Slonem is acknowledged as one of the most prodigious and in-demand living American artists. A productive day in the studio for him can yield numerous small paintings. He often spends days, sometimes weeks, perfecting larger works. “I am able to experiment with mediums a lot more, like diamond dust and metallics, because I am not struggling with endless subject matter searches,” he says. Indeed, although there are a number of subjects in Slonem’s repertoire, he frequently returns to his favorites. “I decided repetition was not a dirty word. I talk about the connection to the divine when looking at nature. When I was in India, I would go
on japa walks and look at nature— everything from the blades of grass to leaves on trees. And these things are completely dissimilar, yet they add up to something that’s recognizable and beautiful.” It’s an apt metaphor for how Slonem approaches his artwork. “I repeat subjects that mean a lot to me, like repeating a divine name or mantra.” He paints birds, butterflies, bunnies, bayous, flowers and other aspects of the natural world. His life’s work is a celebration of nature, so naturally, he is passionate about environmental conservation and wildlife preservation, both of which are critical issues in Louisiana. Another favorite subject is Abraham Lincoln, who Slonem has given a new life, presenting him in the vernacular of modernism and pop art. “Lincoln was one of our greatest presidents. He was a complete free-being and a great soul, and he changed American life in ways that were profound and >> March-April 2021 17
wonderful. I am fascinated by who he is and who he continues to be in our popular culture,” he says. “More than any other president, he’s had a profound and lasting effect on America.” Color is a defining characteristic of his career. In Slonem’s work, color abounds, but his love of color does not stop there—his homes, studio and wardrobe are bursting with color. In a world of beige and grey, Hunt Slonem is a luminous advocate for the transformative power of color. “The Egyptians and Romans painted sculptures bright colors. Color has been used for centuries,” he tells me. “The color palates of the 18th and 19th centuries were wild. Louisiana has a history of painting houses (the colors of) shrimp and pinks and lavenders and orange.” “We are in a color revival,” Slonem declares. “Color is candy for the eye; it is mystical: each color has its own properties of inspiration and joy. In an
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Inside Northside
age of grimness and bad news, we need color,” he says, making a connection with the news of the day. I asked Slonem about how he pioneered the artistic process of the cross-hatching used often in his work. This contemporary take on sgraffito, the Italian word meaning “to scratch,” involves scratching through a surface to reveal a lower layer of a contrasting color. “It was not an abstraction. It was a play on realism,” he explains. “It was the most daring thing I had done in my career: I am very traditional with my use of the brush most of the time, but now I use it to paint whiskers on bunnies and to portray bird cages.” Slonem also uses his cross-hatch method to portray the world through the lens with which he became quite familiar: seeing things through the grid of a cage. “I noticed that I had been living with a 40-foot bird cage for 45 years, and I came up with the idea as a nod to modernism. The grid is such a mark-maker of modern painting.” He explains the technique: “I just picked up the back of the brush, and at first, just used the back of the brush to make the marks of the cage as if I was watching everything through it. Then I started whittling the brush and doing a
finer pattern,” he says. ”Originally, it was a fivepart process of lines going in every direction and completely repetitive and completely the same. I sometimes feel like a robot making these marks, but I have simplified it in my work since then to preserve more color.” An artistic mark of a Slonem work is the antique, intricate, often gilded frames that frequently accompany his modern, vibrant paintings. “It came from necessity. I had a show at VCU in Richmond, and they wanted every piece to be framed; at the time, I could not afford contemporary framing,” he tells me. “I have been a devotee of flea markets in New York since the early ’70s, and I discovered that many antique frames fit the painting sizes I was using, particularly 8×10’s. So, I framed 99 percent of this show in antique frames and loved them. It is part of my art form to collect, so the rare, antique and unique frames are a natural complement to the work.” As a way of displaying his collection of frames, he created ”bunny walls,” which are now a major part of the Hunt Slonem brand. “They have even made wallpapers out of my bunny walls,” he says, coming full circle. Fifty years after Slonem arrived in New Orleans,
the artist continues to animate the rich culture of his adopted home state through his work. “I believe in the magic of Louisiana so enormously that it brings tears to my eyes. I have come back to Louisiana every year since I graduated from Tulane in 1973,” Hunt Slonem tells me. His affection offers many great gifts to our Louisiana community. Cayman Clevenger is an art attorney, fine-art appraiser and art broker. For more information about Hunt Slonem, see LouisianaArt.com.
March-April 2021 19
p resen t ed b y
Farmers Markets Abita Springs Art & Farmers Market Every Sunday, 11am-3pm Abita Springs Farmers Market, 22049 Main St. 8920711 ext 7. Camellia City Market Every Saturday, 8am-12pm Camellia City Market, 1808 Front St, Slidell. 640-7112.
Information is current as of February 15, however, all dates and times are subject to change due to
Every Monday, 10am-12pm Giddy Up
Saturday, 8am-12pm Covington City
Folsom, 82292 LA-25. 260-5060.
Hall, 609 N Columbia St. 966-1786.
Madisonville Maker’s Market Every
Covington Farmers Market - Wednesday Lunch Market Every Wednesday, 10am-2pm Covington Trailhead, 419 N
Sunday, 10am-2pm Madisonville Ball Park & Playground. 264-2328. Mandeville Trailhead Community Market
New Hampshire St. 966-1786.
Every Saturday, 9am-1pm. Mandeville
Folsom Farmers Market at Giddy Up
Trailhead, 675 Lafitte St., Mandeville.
March “Grease...The Musical” Through March
autobiographical trilogy: a portrait of the writer as a young teen in 1937 living with
13, Fridays & Saturdays, 8pm This
his family in a crowded, lower middle-
musical about American high schoolers
class Brooklyn walk-up. This bittersweet
features music in the rock ‘n roll style of
memoir evocatively captures the life of
the 1950s and is the basis for the 1978
a struggling Jewish household. Price:
film. Tickets are $27.50-$45, available
Adult - $19, Senior (65+) $17, Student
at cuttingedgetheater.com. Cutting Edge
(11+) $14, and Child (10 and under) $10
Adults, $20-$40; Children 4-18, $10, free
Theater, 767 Robert Blvd, Slidell, 649-3727.
Choose your seats at 30byNinety.com
for children 3 and under, Pickup Location:
“Brighton Beach Memoirs” Through March
Covid-19 considerations. More events can be found online at LouisianaNorthshore.com.
Recurring Events Sightseeing Carriage Tours of Covington Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Price:
20
Covington Farmers Market Every
316 E. Gibson St., Marsolan Feed &
14, Friday-Saturdays 8pm, Sundays
Seed, Covington, 788-0425
2:30pm Here is part one of Neil Simon’s
I n s i d e N o rt h s i d e
or by calling. 30 by Ninety Theatre, 880 Lafayette St., Mandeville, 844-843-3090. Vintage Market Days of Southeast
Louisiana, “Glitter and Lace” March
cucumber salad, homemade egg rolls,
12-14, Friday & Saturday, 10am-5pm;
and handmade fortune cookies. Seating
Sunday 10am-4pm For a weekend of
is limited to 25 adults. Admission is
shopping, food, and music in a charming
$60 per person, plus tax. Culinary
atmosphere, visit our upscale market of
Kids Northshore, 915 Marigny Ave.,
vintage and vintage-inspired collections
Mandeville, 727-5553.
for all ages. Friday’s early buying event,
Paddles on Paddy’s Day Pickleball
$10. Saturday & Sunday, $5. Florida
Tournament March 17, 9am-6pm Test
Parishes Arena, 1301 NW Central Ave,
your luck with Pelican Park’s first pickleball
Amite, Vintagemarketdays.com.
tournament, on St. Patrick’s Day! This
Northlake Nature Center Hiking, Biking,
one-day tournament will be conducted
Canoeing & More March 12, 12
in a round-robin format. Registration will
pm “All About Nature” Book Club with
be determined by skill level (beginner or
Moderator Bev Chase. The book club
intermediate) with space limited in each
meets to discuss Underland by Robert
division. Registration is $35 and is now
MacFarlane, a NY Times “100 Books
open and closes March 1st. Castine Center,
of the Year” and winner of the National
63350 Pelican Drive, Mandeville, 626-7997.
Outdoor Book Award and others. Bring
“Love Letters” March 19-27, Fridays &
your lunch and meet at the picnic tables
Saturdays, 8pm Love Letters is a play by A.
by the pavilion. Free for Members, Non-
R. Gurney that centers on two characters,
members-$5. Call 985-626-1238 or
Melissa Gardner and Andrew Makepeace
email Rue@northlakenature.org. Northlake
Ladd III. Using the epistolary form
Nature Center, 23135 Hwy 190 East,
sometimes found in novels, they sit side by
Mandeville, 626-1238.
side at tables and read the notes, letters
Shamrock Sprint 5k & 1 Mile Fun Run
and cards – in which over nearly 50 years,
March 13, 7am Kelly Kicking Cancer
they discuss their hopes and ambitions,
will host their 6th annual signature
dreams and disappointments, victories and
fund-raising event, the Shamrock Sprint
defeats – that have passed between them
5K and 1-Mile Fun Run. Kelly Kicking
throughout their separated lives. Tickets are
Cancer honors the memory of Kelly C.
$27.50-$45, available at cuttingedgetheater.
O’Mahoney’s life and spirit by funding
com. Cutting Edge Theater, 767 Robert
research to eradicate brain cancer. Price: $10-$35, see details at the events
Blvd, Slidell, 649-3727. “From the Fat Man to Mahalia: Paintings by
Facebook page. Covington Trailhead
James Michalopoulos” Starting March
Museum & Visitors Center, 419 N. New
25, Tuesday-Sunday 10:30am-4:30pm
Hampshire St., Covington, 237-1798.
James Michalopoulos, New Orleans’ most
Olde Towne Slidell Art Market March 13,
recognized living artist, conjures the moods
April 10, 4-9pm Slidell’s Olde Towne Art
and syncopation of jazz in this exhibition.
Market features work by “leauxcal” artists
This retrospective will span the artist’s most
and makers, along with live music, in the
recent paintings of street musicians to rarely
private lot at Green Oaks Apothecary.
seen works, loaned from private collections
2238 First St., Slidell, 285-5613.
across the United States–including the
Corks & Cooking Dinner - Adults Only
original painting for the Jazz Fest poster
March 13, 6-8pm Enjoy dinner as Chef
of Louis Armstrong, which hasn’t been in
Misty Marks walks you through a detailed
Louisiana in over 20 years. The exhibit will
course of culinary skills and techniques!
run through October 10th. New Orleans
The 3 course meal includes sushi rolls,
Jazz Museum, 400 Esplanade Ave, New >>
Inside Scoop Orleans, 504-568-6993. Tour de Lis Louisiana Ride/
and have come to life to set
Tour de Lis Louisiana will be
the record straight. Tickets
“healin’ through wheelin’”. It
are $27.50-$45, available
is part of the global race to
at cuttingedgetheater.com.
find a cure for cancer and
Cutting Edge Theater, 767
to extend the lives of cancer
Robert Blvd, Slidell, 649-3727. Cruisin’ the Castine Car Show
course is flat and fast, under
April 10, 2-9pm Over 200
mammoth, moss covered
vehicles are anticipated,
oaks. The race schedule
including antiques, classics,
and other details will be
muscle cars, trucks,
announced at tourdelisla.
motorcycles, Jeeps, side-by-
org. Fontainebleau State
sides, modern vehicles and
Park, 62883 Highway 1089,
more. Also on deck are food
Mandeville, (504) 733-5539.
trucks, vendors and fireworks
Olde Towne Slidell Antique
at 8pm. Registration is now
Spring Street Fair March
open at www.PelicanPark.
27-28, 10am-5pm The festival
com, or print your own
features over 200 booths of
form and send in at your
antiques, collectibles, arts and
convenience. Castine Center,
crafts, and antique shops,
63350 Pelican Drive,
plus great food and live music
Mandeville, 626-7997.
on three stages. Shops
Corks & Cooking Dinner -
and galleries in the district
Adults Only April 10, 6-8pm
carry antique and distressed
Enjoy dinner as Chef Misty
furniture, stained glass, art,
Marks walks you through a
pottery, jewelry, crystal, hand
detailed course of culinary
painted porcelain, collectibles,
skills and techniques! The
home decor, vintage
3 course meal will include
clothing, and Saints & LSU
Italian brick chicken, risotto,
merchandise. First, Second &
ceasar salad, and handmade
Erlanger Streets in Olde Towne
cannoli. Seating is limited to
Slidell, 788-7799.
25 adults. Admission is $60
April “Disenchanted, The Musical” April 9-24, Fridays and Saturdays,
I n s i d e N o rt h s i d e
so they’ve tossed their tiaras
Hike Race March 27, 8am
survivors. The ride/walk
22
portrayed in today’s pop culture
per person, plus tax. Culinary Kids Northshore, 915 Marigny Ave., Mandeville, 727-5553. Pirates of the Pontchartrain
8pm Not Snow White and
Festival April 10-11, 17-18,
her posse of disenchanted
12-7pm The Louisiana
princesses in the hilarious hit
Renaissance Village of
musical that’s anything but
Albright will be transported
Grimm. The original storybook
through space and time to the
heroines are none-too-happy
Golden Age of Piracy in the
with the way they’ve been
Caribbean. During the day
on both Saturday and Sunday the pirate shows, games, and merriment are great for families and other types of crews. On Saturdays, after sundown (7:30 PM) we will have Pirate Nights, a concert event for adults. Daytime admission: adults $20, under 13 years $12, and under 6 years free admission. Nightime Concert admissing: $30. Louisiana Renaissance Festival, 46468 River Road, Hammond, lapop.net. Covington Antiques & Uniques Festival. April 17–18, Saturday and Sunday, 10am-5pm. Enjoy antiques, vintage collectibles and crafts, architectural salvage, silent auction, appraisals, historic walking tours, and demonstrations. Hosted by: City of Covington – Office of Cultural Arts & Events and the Covington Heritage Foundation. The mission of the Foundation is to preserve the city’s culture, character and community. Covington Trailhead, 419 N. New Hampshire St., Covington. “In One Bed and Out the Other” April 17-May 2, Saturday, 7pm; Sunday, 2pm Gaston Dubois and his beautiful wife Hugette are bored with the monotony of married bliss. Fidelity is strained when the quietude of their Paris apartment becomes the playground for would-be and ex lovers. All seats are $20. Purchase online at playmakersinc.com. Playmakers, Inc. Community Theater, 19106 Playmakers Rd., Covington, 893-1671 “Women and Songs: Girl Groups of the 60’s” April 30-May 8, Friday & Saturdays, 8pm Tucked between the early street corner Doo Wop groups and the mid-60s British invasion was the phenomenon known as the Girl Groups. With names like the Teen Queens, Chantels, the Ronettes, Shangri-Las, Shirelles and The Crystals, they offered vocal harmonies that was eagerly embraced by a wide audience. Tickets are $27.50-$45, available at cuttingedgetheater. com. Cutting Edge Theater, 767 Robert Blvd, Slidell, 649-3727. March-April 2021 23
IN Other Words by Becky Slatten
IF YOU’RE A REGULAR HERE, you probably know that my husband and my mother are two of my favorite sources of material. I did borrow heavily from the pandemic for a few months, but it’s so old now it’s not even funny, and I’ve chosen to ignore its existence forevermore. However, I do have to credit “it” for making me so bored that I decided to inspect my shoe collection for those pairs which could better benefit society in someone else’s closet (or, if you ask my husband, the trash can). This endeavor subsequently brought me to the intersection of “I might be a shoe hoarder” and “my husband doesn’t understand women” or the corner of “Venus Avenue” and “Mars Street”—take your pick. My mother is on to me. Ever since I wrote that article about her garage sale, where I may or may not have publicly outed her as a hoarder, she reads every single issue religiously just to make sure she
If the Shoe Fits...
isn’t mentioned (hi, mom). As I explained in that particular piece, we now refer to her as a “collector” because she, understandably, doesn’t like being called a hoarder—the word usually conjures images of ratinfested homes packed to the ceiling with all kinds of useless junk, and my mother doesn’t have rats—haha. For the sake of journalistic integrity (and to maintain my position in her will), I must clarify that her home is exceptionally clean and very tidy (except for the newspapers), but she still owns every pair of shoes she ever bought. Mom did once give my sister a cute pair of loafers she never wore anymore, and when Cathy walked around in them for a few minutes, they disintegrated on her feet, clearly dead from neglect. So, as I sat alone in my closet attempting to part with some of my shoes, I had an unpleasant realization: I live in a glass house, and I’m holding a rock; I’m the pot, and mom is the kettle; I have a log in my eye, and she has the splinter—I am a hypocrite. But I’m also my mother’s daughter, and we love shoes. They’re kinda like old friends, aren’t they ladies? Or, in some cases, bitter but adorable enemies, especially if
24
I n s i d e N o rt h s i d e
we paid too much. How many wedding receptions were ruined by those killer strappy sandals that hurt so much they had to come off after two choruses of The Macarena? But we stubbornly wore them anyway, because they were perfect with the dress, and they were so pricey we had to justify them by calling them an “investment.” Now, here they lie in the box, like an archive in a museum, because we all reach that age when we finally know better. But give them away, you say?? Are you crazy? Next to the painful formal section, we find the diehard party department; these comfortable troopers have braved football games, crawfish boils, Jazz Fest, the French Quarter—in the rain, you name it, they’ve seen it all, and it shows—a lot. But we’ve been through so much together, I couldn’t possibly throw them out like a pair of old shoes—oh, wait. No wonder my husband thinks I’m crazy. Speaking of my husband, he also loves being the topic of my articles (hi, Scott). He’s as manly a man that ever lived, and I can prove this by counting his shoes; he has the exact number required for every occasion while also being adequately prepared for the odd contingency. He has one pair of boots: leather. I have 13: short, tall, taller, brown, black, suede, leather, rain. He just shakes his head and laments that no one needs that many boots, like need has anything to do with girls and footwear. Options and more options are the hallmark of a decent closet on Venus, and functionality and practicality rule on Mars, and that’s the way it’s supposed to be so we never have to fight over real estate in a shared walk-in. So at the end of the day, yes, I did part with some of my babies. My daughter boxed them up and took them away so I couldn’t change my mind, promising to find them good homes. I pleaded for an open adoption policy, but she refused, fearing I would stalk her friends to negotiate visitation. It hasn’t been easy, but some good has definitely come from this experience; for one, I’m much more smug in my glass house, and I get to lord it over my mom that I gave some shoes away, so that’s fun, and I’ve learned to invest more wisely in the future. In fact, an investment arrived on my front porch this morning! One can never have too many black boots.
Sandra Scalise Juneau photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com
St. Joseph Altar by Karen B. Gibbs Devotee
Saint Joseph Altar, Our Lady of the Lake School, Mandeville, LA, 1987.
Marc Juneau, Michael Mule, Allen Marquez Back row: Sandra Scalise Juneau, Reverend Monsignor Joseph L. Chotin, Gina Wischan, Joan Taravella. 26 Inside Northside
photo courtesy: SANDRA SCALISE JUNEAU
Front row: Greg Harris,
After her husband of 57 years died in 2017, Sandra Scalise Juneau wondered, “What is my life’s purpose now?” Before long, the answer came. Considered an expert on St. Joseph altars, Sandra has traveled the country sharing the history, traditions and foods of this beloved Sicilian custom. At the conclusion of one such presentation to the St. Tammany Council on Aging, the hostess told Sandra about a gathering the next Saturday for those interested in publishing a cookbook. That caught Sandra’s attention. More than once, she had thought about compiling into a cookbook her family’s time-honored recipes. And more than once, life got in the way. “My commitment has always been to my family first, so I tucked away that idea, somehow knowing that when the time was right, it would come together.” Despite a blinding rainstorm, Sandra drove over the Causeway to the event. There, she met Cynthia LeJeune Nobles, editor for LSU Press, with whom she shared her idea for a St. Joseph altar cookbook. That set in motion a flurry of emails between the two in which Sandra detailed her vision for the book. “It would definitely include centuries-old family recipes, vintage pictures and descriptions of altars as I experienced them in a loving Sicilian-Louisiana family. I also wanted to include the history, traditions and religious symbolism of the earliest Sicilian St. Joseph altars.” Meanwhile, Sandra placed her faith in St.
photo: THOMAS B. GROWDEN
Joseph that LSU would accept her book. At every altar she visited that St. Joseph Day, she wrote out her petition and counted on the ever-faithful St. Joseph to make it happen. And he did! Unbelievably, on March 19, an email arrived stating: Congratulations, LSU Press has approved your project. “It left me speechless!” says Sandra. “To have my book about St. Joseph altars approved on St. Joseph’s feast day was no coincidence.” You could say that Sandra’s devotion to St. Joseph is in her DNA, since both sets of her grandparents were born in Sicily. Growing up in the ’40s, Sandra spent many an hour in the kitchen of “Mommie”— Angelina Caronna Accardo, her maternal grandmother. There, they prepared foods for the trilogy of winter
feasts, beginning with St. Lucy (December 13), continuing with Christmas, and culminating with the feast of St. Joseph (March 19) and the family’s St. Joseph altar. St. Joseph altars originated during the Middle Ages as a way for Sicilians to thank St. Joseph for relief from a drought. Food on the altar went to feed the poor and needy. In the late 1800s, when Sicilians immigrated to New Orleans, they brought the custom with them. Items on the altar reflect typical Sicilian crops like lemons, wheat and figs. The foods symbolize the Holy Family. For example, the rose motif on baked goods honors Mary, the fish represents Jesus, and bread crumbs in the stuffed artichokes symbolize the sawdust from St. Joseph’s carpentry work. The ever-popular fava bean—aka “lucky bean”— >>
Top: Saint Joseph Altar, Benedict’s Plantation, Mandeville, LA, 2004. Below: Fruit Plate cuccidata, symbolizes Abbondanza, abundance.
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LA, 2018. Far right: Sandra Scalise Juneau teaching class at Chef John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University. 28
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top photo: ANTHONY “CHOPPER” LEONE
Altar, St. Anselm Church, Madisonville,
represents the plant that sustained Sicilians and their livestock during the drought. “St. Joseph altars are about promises, petitions and thanksgiving,” says Sandra. Families often promise, after a petition is answered, to have St. Joseph altars in thanksgiving. Such a promise is considered sacred and sometimes continues for generations. Sandra has vivid childhood memories of
photos courtesy: SANDRA SCALISE JUNEAU
Top: Saint Joseph
working for months with her grandmother and her Sicilian friends preparing foods for the family altar. “First, we’d bake things that could store well, like seed cookies,” says Sandra. “I’d roll and cut simple things from dough and put sprinkles on the cookies, just as my two great-granddaughters now do with me. We’d pack them in large tins and stack them in my grandmother’s dining room. The more delicate fig cookies and cuccidati (elaborately decorated figfilled pastries), we baked later.” Beginning nine days before St. Joseph Day, the ladies concluded their daily baking sessions by chanting the Litany to St. Joseph. “I can still picture my great-grandmother, my grandmother and all the ladies singing those beautiful prayers every night in the Sicilian dialect. There was such
devotion; it was mystical.” About a week before St. Joseph Day, out-of-town relatives arrived to help with final preparations for the altar. For many, the most beautiful part of preparing for a St. Joseph altar is the spirit of camaraderie that develops. It is the blessing—the sacred by-product— of this devotion. Sandra’s grandmother staged the St. Joseph altar in her home above the family grocery store, Accardo’s, on Clio and Liberty Streets. “The altar was open to family, friends and neighbors,” says Sandra. “Mommie fed every visitor a meatless meal (because it was during Lent).” As was the custom, guests left donations, which went to the parish church, St. John the Baptist. “After World War II, the crowds grew so large my grandmother moved the altar to the Convent of the Good Shepherd. One year, she fed over a thousand people!” The Sisters used donations from those altars to build a gym at their new Bridge City convent. While cooking and baking for the altar are socially rewarding, the traditions that occur the day the altar is blessed are spiritually inspiring. Beginning with the Tupa, Tupa—Sicilian for “knock, knock”—children representing the Holy Family reenact the Bethlehem story. In Sicily, it is done outdoors with children in costume, riding a donkey and parading through the streets with dance and music. Here, however, it is held indoors as a simple pageant. St. Joseph knocks on three doors, seeking shelter for his family. He is rudely refused at the first two but warmly greeted at the third with, “Come in and enjoy the feast prepared for you.” The door opens to reveal a beautiful, three-tiered, food-ladened St. Joseph altar. After the priest blesses the altar, he joins the children for a meal >> March-April 2021 29
Saint Joseph Altar Presentation, Delgado Culinary Arts School, New Orleans, LA, 2006.
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consisting of samples of every food on the altar, as well as the main dishes prepared in the kitchen. “When I was about five years old, Mommie asked me to be Mary for her St. Joseph altar,” reminisces Sandra. “It was a privilege that lives still in my heart.” In addition to treasuring the honor, Sandra relished the Sicilian food served that day. In fact, she ate her cousin’s share, too. The strange foods didn’t appeal to the mini-St. Joseph.
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Quite appropriately, after her grandmother died in 1967, Sandra inherited her pastry carving tools. “Even now, when I pick up her carving knife to make the cuccidati, it’s as if her hand is guiding me, like she’s there with me.” Indeed, Sandra has used these tools at almost every St. Joseph altar demonstration she’s conducted since then. “It’s almost like my path has been ordained,” she says. For example, two years after her grandmother’s passing, Sandra accepted an invitation to create a St. Joseph altar for Hallmark Card Company’s international festivals display in NYC. “We made all the foods for the altar in New Orleans, and Hallmark flew us and the cakes and pastries to New York.” One of the organizers, Mimi Sheridan, who later became the food critic for the New York Times, told Sandra someone should write down the recipes for the altar. That planted the seed for Sandra’s book. Later, when Mimi asked why none of her Sicilian friends in New York knew of St. Joseph altars, Sandra explained that it was a custom of South Louisiana Sicilians. Since then, however, the
photos courtesy: SANDRA SCALISE JUNEAU
tradition has expanded to other parts of the country. This is partly due to devotees, like Sandra, who seize every opportunity to spread the devotion. In 1984, for example, Sandra created a St. Joseph altar for the Italian Village at the World’s Fair in New Orleans. In 1995, she supplied the cuccidati that food art craftsmen replicated for the ItalianAmerican Cultural Center’s permanent St. Joseph altar in New Orleans. That same year, she coordinated a St. Joseph altar at Our Lady of the Lake School in Mandeville and wrote a booklet about the altar’s history and symbolism for the school children. The booklet was so well received that Sandra asked WLAE studios to make it into a video using her script and voiceovers. “That video has been invaluable when I give lectures,” she says. As her reputation spread, Sandra delivered lectures and pastry demonstrations at a variety of venues, such as LSU-BR, Southeastern University, Chef John Folse’s Culinary Institute and DeLaurenti’s Specialty Food and Wine in Seattle. Here, usually impatient tourists lingered six-deep to watch Sandra
masterfully carve a cuccidata. The original French Quarter Festival invited Sandra to set up a St. Joseph altar—and serve thousands of cookies—outside the U.S. Mint. Xavier University asked her to speak to the faculty and provide a hands-on demonstration for nearly a hundred freshmen students. Working in >>
Saint Joseph Altar, Convent of the Good Shephard, 1965. Pictured: Angelina Caronna Accardo, Nuncia Stillone Roppolo, Rosalie Caronna Canal.
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photo courtesy: THERESA CALAMARI
Above: St. Joseph Altar, Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Slidell, LA, 2020. Very Reverend Wayne Paysse and volunteers. Left: Saint Joseph Altar,
pairs, the students rolled dough for the fig pastry. After Sandra reminded them that their embellishments should represent their prayer to St. Joseph, one clever coed formed the dough into the shape of an A+—the grade she was hoping to get in the class. Sr. Dulce, “the healing nun,” invited Sandra to Baton Rouge for a lecture about St. Joseph altars. At the time, Sandra did not know of Sr. Dulce’s fame. “I was totally unaware,” she says. “While Sister was making fig cookies, I took her hands and told her she was doing it wrong and she should do it this way. Later, when I found out who Sister was, I couldn’t believe I had told those sacred hands how to make something.” Perhaps Sandra’s most memorable St. Joseph-related venture was a trip she and Roland took to Sicily with their twin granddaughters in 2007. During the
two-week visit, they met with Sicilian cousins for a demonstration on carving the cuccidata. “Their technique— “squartucciati”—means ‘lace-making,’” says Sandra. “Their work is exquisite.” After that trip, Sandra was eager to share those techniques. When Liz Williams, a fellow Sicilian and founder of the Southern Food and Beverage Museum in New Orleans, asked her to create a permanent St. Joseph altar exhibit for the museum, Sandra gave an enthusiastic Yes! “Sandra has the historical curiosity to learn from masters in Sicily and to read and explore in a way that has made her an expert,” says Williams. “She helped create a permanent St. Joseph altar—and arranged to have it blessed because she believes in details. She also showed us how to prepare the foods and gave us the prayers to say while making the cookies.” Remember that book deal with LSU Press? After a two-year labor of love, Celebrating with St. Joseph Altars: The History, Recipes and Symbols of a New Orleans Tradition, will be released in March 2021. Part of the Southern Table series, the book contains 60 traditional Sicilian recipes and 40 vintage
photos courtesy: SANDRA SCALISE JUNEAU
DiCristina’s Restaurant, Covington, LA, 2018.
photographs. “There’s also a how-to section for those who have never made an altar,” says Sandra, “including a stepby-step timeline.” Unlike every other book on the subject, this book is written from a Sicilian insider’s point of view. “I can’t begin to tell you how impressed I’ve been with Sandra,” says Nobles, her editor. “You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone more knowledgeable about her topic. LSU Press is proud that she chose us to publish this book.” In his forward to Sandra’s book, Archbishop Gregory Aymond wrote, “Her hope, as well as mine, is that as you read this book, you will be drawn not only to know more about the St. Joseph altar, but to more deeply appreciate the rich tradition and generous spirit of hospitality it embodies.” For a lady who once wondered what her future path may be, Sandra Scalise Juneau should wonder no longer. At 80 years old, she’s produced a book that honors her favorite saint, preserves her Sicilian heritage and passes on the St. Joseph altar tradition to future generations. That’s sure to make St. Joseph and her beloved Roland very, very proud.
Sandra’s book is available at Barnes & Noble and Amazon for $29.95. For signed copies, contact Sandra at 1ssj@att.net. March-April 2021 33
Grayhawk Perkins NOT MANY OF US CAN BRAG we’ve cooked nutria with Paul Prudhomme, performed with Amanda Shaw and palled around with Dr. John. Grayhawk Perkins has done all that— and so much more. In fact, if I could live three lifetimes, I doubt I’d accomplish half what he has. Yet, in his mid-60s, Perkins doesn’t seem to be slowing down. We managed to convince everybody’s favorite northshore culture bearer to stop long enough for a chat. It was a crisp winter day, and Perkins was working to restore the historic Otis House at Fairview Riverside State Park. As we settled into a sunny spot on the front porch steps, park visitors strolled past and Perkins had a ready smile and quick rejoinder for each. He’s worked for the state park system in many capacities for almost 30 years, and it’s clear he takes pride in the work. But he’s always maintained a part-time status so he can keep his finger in countless other pies. The musician, historian, artist, author, tribal storyteller, naturalist and educator was born in New Orleans and has lived on the northshore for 24 years, but he says, “Everybody claims me.” Of Choctaw and Houma Nation descendancy, his heart’s work is preserving the traditions of his people through music, storytelling, cooking, writing, crafts, artwork, and more. His never-met34
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by Mimi Greenwood Knight
a-stranger personality helps. After five minutes with Perkins, you feel like you’ve known him all your life. But it’s his seemingly boundless energy that’s most remarkable. During Perkins’ three decades with the park system, he’s also taught at the International School in New Orleans and Pathways on the northshore. He’s shared his Native American storytelling at “every library in the state” on his own and at schools and festivals through the non-profit Young Audiences. He’s performed benefit concerts with his childhood friend, Mac Rebennack (Dr. John, to the rest of us). For 40 years, he’s served as the Native American coordinator for the Jazz & Heritage Festival, helping develop the children’s and Native American areas. He’s taught seminars for every branch of the military, MCd the Native American Festival—as well as playing music and storytelling there—plus taught environmental studies and worked as a supervisor for Americore. He designed and created the Canne Brulee exhibit of a Mobilian village in Kenner’s Rivertown and has worked as a historical consultant for films and reenactments. And we haven’t even discussed his artwork. More recently, Perkins has begun traveling back and forth to the University of Alabama, where he’s become a regular, offering classes on Native American cooking and culture. >>
photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com
Native American Culture Bearer
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about all I’ve learned over the past 60 years and all I’ve been able to accomplish that they couldn’t, really. It’s quite humbling. And I can hear my grandfather’s voice saying, ‘There are 365 days in a year. You’ve got a lot of time at the end of your life to rest.’” Throughout his career, Perkins has amassed awards and recognition, but he says he actually can’t remember what most of them were for. He was given the St. Tammany Parish Cultural Artist Award in 2010 and recently received a Culture Bearer Award from the lieutenant governor. He received a key to the city of Lafayette and was declared an “honorary Lafayette Cajun.” In 1994, he was named Man of the Year by the Department of Tourism, Museums and Education, and he has a box full of medallions he’s received from different branches of the service. One honor that’s dear to his heart was being asked to
photos courtesy: GRAYHAWK PERKINS
He’s also taught college programs and played music throughout Europe. His music with Mezcal Jazz Unit out of France has been nominated for a Grammy, and he has two books of native tales about to be released by the University of Alabama Press. Lastly, (but not really), he’s working on rereleasing his popular 13 Moons CD, which combines traditional Mobilian chants with his original jazz orchestrations. And he still finds time to perform at Jazz Fest and Voodoo Fest. How does one man muster the energy for so many endeavors? “I try to work at things I can feel good about,” says Perkins. “I love interacting with the public. I really feed on it. When I’m working with kids—whether in the school or at festivals—I try to be a positive male model for the kids.” It’s not unusual, when Perkins is out and about, for a stranger to approach, hug him and tell him what an impact he’s had on his life. “I’ll never be a wealthy person, but you can’t put a price on something like that,” he says. Although his music has been Grammy nominated and his fans are eagerly awaiting his new books, Perkins has no time for chasing fortune and fame. His motivation comes from elsewhere. “It’s amazing to me that I’m working in the library system, when so many of my family members in the past weren’t allowed in public schools and public libraries because we weren’t white,” he says. “It makes me stop and think
perform the eulogy at Dr. John’s funeral, which he did in his native tongue. He says, “Mac was part Choctaw, and he was very proud of it.” Perkins is just finishing up two new books, Grayhawk’s Fables and Dare to be Scared with Grayhawk. The former is a collection of updated traditional native tales for all ages. “Grayhawk’s Fables are stories I grew up hearing,” he says. “Sometimes I only knew part of the story and had to research to find the rest. Or I might hear one part here and one part there and added in what I know. Then I brought them all into the 21st century.” Dare to be Scared with Grayhawk is retellings of experiences from his own life. “I never know how many stories there’ll be until I get finished,” he says. “I just keep gathering stories, and when I’m done, I know it.” Recently hospitalized for a foot injury, he used the time to write a dozen stories. Recently, after a storytelling gig where he’d performed some of these traditional tales, Perkins was approached by an elder. “He was crying, and he told me he hadn’t heard one of the stories I’d told since he was five years old. It’s an honor—and a duty—for me to preserve these stories and my people’s history. It’s something that drives me. Not because I want to write a book, or I want to be famous, but because I don’t want them to be forgotten.” It’s clear that Perkins has a muse in his wife, Robin. “She’s the most unbelievable person I know,” he >> March-April 2021 37
photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com
says. “She’s very supportive of anything I do. She’s my Jiminy Cricket—my conscience. There’s not a day that I don’t call her, even if I’m in France or New York. She’s truly one of the most special people I know, and I couldn’t be without her.” As far as his original music goes, Perkins says he finds inspiration in some unusual places. “I was
sitting in a coffee shop on Magazine Street in New Orleans and heard a sound I liked. I pulled out my digital recorder to record it and realized it was the sound of cars going through potholes on the street. But I was able to use it in a song. I even recorded the sound of my hotel toilet flushing and worked it into a song,” he laughs. “Everything has a rhythm, so
photos courtesy: GRAYHAWK PERKINS
cooking paddles, mostly for gifts, and drawing oneof-a-kind, mixed-media animal emblem art. “My wife will look around after dinner, and I’ll be gone,” he says. “She never knows where she’ll find me, working on music or drawing or carving or recording a story that just popped into my head.” Clearly, there aren’t enough hours in the day for Perkins to court all the muses that come a’calling. If you’ve been lucky enough to attend one of his interactive storytelling and music performances, you’ve encountered a true northshore gem, one we hope will be creating and sharing with us for decades to come. anything can be a musical inspiration.” Perkins admits there are some things he’s getting too old to do. So, he’s working to pass them along to younger people who show an interest. One of them is flint knapping, the making of flaked or chipped stone tools from solid rock. For years, he’s demonstrated this traditional craft to “kids of all ages” at schools and festivals. “I can’t do it anymore because of arthritis,” he says. “So, I’m passing it along to those who still can.” He does still enjoy carving wooden
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Rooms with a View The Hood House
photos: JAY THERIOT
by Poki Hampton MOSS-DRAPED CENTURIES-OLD OAK TREES, original wavy glass in the French doors and a stunning view of Lake Ponchartrain are what drew Cathy and Rick Hood to their charming c.1849 home four years ago. Many upgrades, such as the updated kitchen and swimming pool, had been added 14 years prior to their purchasing the house, but the main part is original. Cathy says, “The open living room-dining room and kitchen are the original footprint. A sleeping porch was at the back. We glassed in the back porch, making it useful all year round.” Cathy has used a French antique walnut dining table surrounded by French cane-backed chairs and an antique French sideboard topped with an ornate carved gold leaf mirror in the dining area. Off-white upholstery on the sofa combines beautifully with two comfortable arm chairs in a cream silk velvet. An assortment of luxurious pillows adds to the >> March-April 2021 41
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photos: JAY THERIOT
welcoming feel of the room. The breakfast room alcove has a view of the lake and the pool. A round hand-painted table from Provence is surrounded with a mix of French rush-seated chairs. Above the table is a rust and taupe chandelier, while two oversized French Walnut cutting boards hang on the wall. The sizable addition with a beautiful home office, master bedroom with luxurious en suite
bath, and a sitting room were part of the original renovation. “The very masculine office was very dark, with mahogany paneled walls and bookshelves. By painting all of the room Dove White, except the bookshelves, the room became much lighter, and the view of the lake popped.” The extra-wide hallway leading to the master bedroom looks out over the pool. The master bedroom has a small porch with a view of the lake. Soft beiges and whites are used in luxurious linens and pillows. An oversized French chandelier hangs over the king-sized bed. In the master bath, Cathy replaced the dark cabinets with white shaker style cabinets with designer hardware. The sitting room in the addition has two walls of windows overlooking
the backyard and pool area and a small porch. The beach vibe is enhanced by a collection of beach hats on the wall and a tall driftwood sculpture beside the white sofa. In what was the original attic, Cathy and Rick created two guest rooms and a large bathroom—complete with oversized walk-in shower and two separate vanities with farmhouse sinks mounted on antique cypress beams that make the upstairs show worthy. The guest cottage behind the main house is original to the c.1849 house. Today, it is an open-concept cottage with full kitchen and bath. Again, Cathy added her touch by creating a porch and replacing the stairs, making a wide, graceful entrance. A new roof gives the whole exterior a fresh look. Cathy and Rick designed and created the landscaping, adding palm trees and other tropical plants along with holly trees and ferns, bowing a bit toward formal in its lines but entirely relaxing in its character. They used limestone pavers for the pool surround and the walled side patio, which holds a built-in firepit. The space is perfect for Cathy’s morning yoga, weather permitting. The wrought iron fencing surrounding the property was designed by Cathy and beautifully executed by local iron fabricator Kevin Dean. “I love water,” says Cathy. “And we are so lucky to be able to see water from almost every room in this house. That makes me very happy.” March-April 2021 43
Outdoor Living2021
RoomGrow to IN SOUTH LOUISIANA, we are lucky to have outdoor spaces that are usable all year long. How defined you make those spaces can add value to your property and immense benefits to your family. Consider the areas in your outdoor space as if they were rooms to be defined, designed and decorated to fill a purpose. Casual, sophisticated, friendly or nurturing; large or small; public spaces or intimate ones? Are they to be used by the couple, the family or when gathering with friends? Having an understanding of what you will use most often sets the direction. Here are some helpful ideas to pull the concept together. If your backyard is a floor plan, how many rooms can it include? By dividing the space, you can offer the rooms a purpose and prepare them to fill it. These rooms will have floors, walls, sometimes even ceilings. They can be styled using color, texture, lighting and fixtures. One advantage of imagining outdoor spaces as unique rooms is that you can apply different design priorities to each, with less concern for the overall. For instance, using stone surfaces in your kitchen doesn’t preclude you from using warm woods in the living room. This is true for outdoor rooms, as well. A formal parterre garden in the courtyard doesn’t mean 44
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Opposite page: Adding a statement light fixture to the outdoor of your home, like the one seen here from Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights, is an easy way to elevate its appearance.
that the intimate space accessed from the master bedroom can’t have cushy seating and soft, warm lighting.
Defining the Space Just as the rug establishes the boundaries of the den, use the floor of your outdoor room to outline the space. A deck or patio in some areas can be in contrast to sod or ground cover in another. If this is a space that will be used by children, make it yielding to play but rugged enough for active use.
Creating the Walls Keep your overall look from becoming jumbled by establishing visual separation of the individual rooms. This can be done in several ways. Fences and screens can give your outdoor room an edge, which can be solid or soft, depending on the material used and the structure you choose. Privacy fences have long made good >> March-April 2021 45
Above: Ryan Hale of Secure Access credits fencing with adding a sense of privacy, definition, and security to your home. Below: Advanced Sheet Metal uses a variety of metals to create a polished installation for your home.
neighbors, but sometimes the airy result of an iron fence gives definition without making the area completely blocked off. Living walls are amazing, but they require you to know the growth patterns of plant choices when installed in your area. If it is a bush that grows to 4 feet, don’t use it in a border that needs the privacy created by a 6-foot hedge. Ask for recommendations from the professionals!
Reigning in the Sky Creating a ceiling isn’t always necessary or practical in outdoor rooms, but it can lend a space intimacy and make the outdoor room usable in all kinds of weather. Many Louisiana homes use cypress and pine beadboard over outdoor dens and kitchens. For added elegance, the patina of softly weathered copper can elevate the space. It is just one of the options available for awnings, as well. If an actual roof isn’t in your plan, lighting can often fill in this design request. Creating a space under the canopy of a perfectly lit oak tree is one example, but without one you can have bistro lights tent the space or employ well-placed spotlights and downlights. Supporting the lights or in lieu of them, pergolas and arbors can stand alone or be draped in >>
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Above: “Different surfaces and lighting styles are used to entice visitors to this patio,” says James Kinchen of All-Star Lighting & Landscaping. Below: Many northshore homeowners expand their living area into great outdoor spaces. This Mendoza Construction kitchen beckons from the adjacent pool.
wisteria or jasmine. One consideration for climbing perennials is the upkeep required to enjoy them long-term. Many options can go quickly from perfect to overgrown and even invasive, so choose carefully. For a lighter look, perhaps a canvas canopy or beautiful umbrella is the finishing touch.
The Color Wheel Everything we need to know about color we learned in grade school. The color wheel that taught us primary and secondary color interaction set the basic principles in garden planning as well. Using complementary colors enhances the effect, i.e., blue and purple or red and orange. Garden plantings of annuals or perennials are decorative flourishes that bounce off the base colors in the design put forth by the hard surfaces and large-scale plants and trees. The mood of an intimate space in soft blues is in contrast to the brights used in an active or play area. Another benefit of adding color to your garden can be the butterflies it attracts! These elements of design are building blocks you can use to create rooms your family and friends will enjoy for years to come. Mix and match the choices to bring your outdoor rooms to life.
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Outdoor Living2021 Grow and Share
Linda Franzo.
THERE IS A COTTAGE in the heart of Olde Town Slidell that has inspired northshore cooking for many years. When she opened Passionate Platter in 2000, Linda Franzo combined her love for gardening with a passion for sharing the bounty of her garden with others. Touring the garden with her is like going on an inspirational field trip. She makes you feel like we are all capable of herb and vegetable gardening. The first bit of advice she gives is to grow what you love. Her plantings are placed in thematic zones. For instance, the Herbs de Provence section is filled with herbs often used together in cooking that require the same amount of water, sunlight and tlc. The same is true of the Cajun and Italian sections, and so on. What region speaks to you? Linda can help you bring that into your garden, selecting the right varieties and giving you tips to get started. Her seedlings often take root in roasting pans tucked into large ziplock bags. Eventually, they are transplanted into pots on the patio. Another feature of her garden is an arbor that might inspire featuring the climbing Peggy Martin rose. Linda says that this hardy variety is a special rose that was propagated after Katrina. The tough-as-nails stunner survived underwater for two weeks in the aftermath of the storm. Her rambling pink blooms make quite a statement. highlight of your tour through the Passionate Platter garden is the “hands on, crush this and smell it, nibble on the leaves” invitation. Linda uses all organic products in the garden, so nibble away! This great idea is good for her grandchildren and pets as well. To schedule a cooking class with friends, reach out to Passionate Platter at (985) 781-4372. 50
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Outdoor Living2021
s e r u t n e v d A in rb Gardening He by Mimi Greenwood Knight
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FOR ME, THE PERFECT SUMMER MORNING looks something like this: waking at the crack of dawn, pouring myself a cup of coffee and wandering out into the vegetable garden to gather whatever I can. Everything’s dewy from the night before, and the garden is mercifully still in shade. I fill my basket with whatever’s ready, take it inside and cook some up for breakfast with a free-range egg or two. Eggplant, okra, bell pepper, asparagus, maybe a melon, each day’s a little different. And the excitement of remembering I started it all from seed, just weeks ago, never gets old. It’s a summertime miracle every morning. I’ve only been gardening a few years, and except for a pot of mint or some rosemary here and
there, I hadn’t really tried my hand at herbs. It was time to remedy that. So, for Christmas last year, I asked Santa for built-in herb boxes across the back of our deck. A foot wide and 22-feet long, they’re the ultimate in aromatherapy. And what could be better than cooking with herbs I just picked? Once the boxes were constructed and filled with soil, I enlisted the help of “The Herb Lady” who came from Ponchatoula with a trunkful of annual and perennial herbs and loads of great advice. She gave me a quick tutorial on each herb as we planted it and an invitation to request whatever I wanted her to start for me for next season. For the first couple of weeks, all I did was admire—and smell—my herbs. The Herb Lady >> March-April 2021 53
told me the more I used them, the better they’d grow, but I couldn’t bring myself to start whacking away. I began gingerly “borrowing” a little fresh mint for mojitos; cilantro, fennel, and chervil for green salads; and rosemary, thyme, and sage for marinades. I gingerly snipped and pinched strategically in places I thought it wouldn’t
show. But guess what? It all came back—in spades. The Herb Lady was right. This stuff wants to be used. I’m getting braver now, and I’m learning a lot. Here’s a quick rundown of what I’m learning. Begin by planting the herbs you like and use the most. Rosemary, oregano and thyme are pretty much foolproof to grow. So are chives, basil, parsley, and cilantro. And mint is crazy hearty. But be warned. If you give mint an inch, it’ll take a mile. Best to contain it in pots. Some herbs are perennial (sage, thyme, rosemary, chives, mint). Some will need to be replanted annually (basil, dill, cilantro, parsley). Some grow in summer (mint, chives, dill, tarragon, and my favorite, basil) and some in winter (parsley, cilantro, chamomile, dill, oregano, borage, chives, garlic). Many are also good companion plants. Chives in your rose bed, for instance, can ward off the nemesis Japanese beetle, reduce black spot and enhance the growth of your roses. Dill attracts beneficial insects to the garden, including ladybugs, butterflies, honey bees and wasps. And certain herbs deter fleas, ticks, ants, mosquitos >> continued on page 56
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Is Fresh Always Best? Fresh herbs aren’t always your best choice. Unless you’re growing them yourself, they can cost a fortune at the grocery store. You’ll likely use a pinch in your recipe. Then the rest will spoil in the produce drawer. Of course, fresh herbs are preferable if you’re making a green salad or pasta salad. And leafy herbs like parsley, tarragon, and chives are better fresh. But if you’re making a sauce, stew, or soup that will cook a while, dried herbs are fine. In fact, oregano, marjoram, thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, curry leaf, and fennel seed are actually better when dry. Dried herbs do lose potency over time, though. So be sure to toss them and buy more, after a year.
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and other pests (catnip, lavender, garlic, chives, rosemary, basil, and mint). Most herbs look lovely growing in pots or as edible borders in your flowerbed. But however you choose to grow them, they’ll do best with six to eight hours of sun, rich soil and good drainage. While growing from seed is cheaper, there’s no shame in your game if you buy established plants from Whole Foods or Fresh Market; Home Depot or Lowe’s; a local nursery or feed and seed; or farmer’s market. Once they’ve taken root and started growing, the more you snip and use them, the heartier they’ll be—really. I’m also having fun preserving some of my herbs to share with friends. Oregano, rosemary, thyme, bay and dill all dry beautifully because they don’t have a high moisture content to begin with. Even dried, they’ll be fresher than the dry herbs you buy at the store. To dry your herbs, harvest them early in the day, wash them, and pat them dry. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in a 150-degree oven with the door slightly ajar for about four hours. (Oh, the aroma!) Or you can hang them to dry or dry them in a dehydrator. You can also have fun preserving your herbs in recipes such as pesto, herb vinegar, or herb butter; all make lovely gifts. Or freeze them on a cookie sheet to store in airtight containers or in silicon ice cube trays with ¼ herb to ¾ olive oil. Whether you grow them in pots, raised beds, or in the ground, indoors or out, and whether you use them fresh, dried, or frozen, there’s nothing like your very own herbs to make your recipes really sing. And growing them can be a source of health, pride, aromatherapy and beauty. 56
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MONEY DOCTOR
photo: LAUREN WINTZEL
Don’t Play Games Q A
Falling for Fungi It all began with passion and desire—a passion for growing
W. Mike Stewart AIF, RFC
Steve asks: I see a lot on the news about GameStop, What happened and can I take advantage of it?
A Hedge Fund named Melvin Capital Shorted an extraordinarily large position in Game Stop. Driving the share price down which
mushrooms and a desire to be home with their kids. Linda Bonomo Myers
is the point of shorting a stock. To short a stock you borrow shares from
started experimenting with growing them at home. The more they learned,
buy back the shares at a lower price, and pocket the difference. If the stock
and her husband, Kiefer, both had a fascination with mushrooms and
the more they wanted to know. They found a supportive online community
of mushroom growers who welcomed them and encouraged their interest. Before they knew it, they had a small but professional enterprise
growing mushrooms on their property, just north of Covington. “We started with a tiny grow tent Linda gave me for Christmas,” says Kiefer. “It only
grew one mushroom but that was enough. We were hooked!” They began expanding their setup to include a lab with a sterilizer, a sonic humidifier and professional filtration. They moved a shipping container onto their
property and built it into a fruiting room where temperature, humidity, CO2,
someone else, then immediately sell them. If the stock drops in price you price goes up, you lose because you must repurchase at a higher price.
A group of online forum users on the website Reddit spotted this
short position and to punish this risky gamble that the hedge fund took they organized through the use of the forum to “buy, buy, buy” GameStop stock and force the price up. The Hedge Fund “doubled down” on the short position and caused a “feedback loop” driving the price higher and higher.
The thing I want you to understand about investing is that it is
and lighting are all carefully controlled as the mushrooms grow.
investing, not gambling. Trying to take advantage of these situations
mane, black pearl, king trumpet and other mushrooms, as well as mushroom
putting your bet on “red”. There is no way to evaluate the outcome
Gretna Farmer’s Market on Saturday and signed up a couple of restaurants
fact that a company can be evaluated on many aspects of its product,
Myers Family Mushrooms began selling blue and pink oyster, lion’s
when they occur can be as dangerous as going to the casino and
tinctures, at the Abita Springs Art and Farmer’s Market on Sundays and the
because no one can predict the future. Investing is different in the
and a wholesaler. Linda stepped into the role of The Mushroom Lady, the face
position in the marketplace, amount of debt they utilize, competency of
of the company, while Kiefer stayed home and involved the kids in as many aspects of the business as he could. They proved to be quick studies, and it became a family business in every sense of the word.
“Our dream was to be home with the kids and this business has
allowed us to do that,” says Linda. “We see a lot of the same customers each week, and they tell us our mushrooms and tinctures are helping regulate
their blood pressure and mood and making them feel better in other ways. That’s a great feeling. We’ll probably never get wealthy selling mushrooms
management, etc. Given a proper time frame, being diversified in well evaluated companies will provide a strong possibility of success.
Events like these get big media coverage, look flashy, and give you the
fear of missing out. However, they almost always end badly for everyone involved. Investing, not gambling, is the only proven way to have success. You have financial questions? Call or email Mike today.
but spending our days together as a family is a different kind of ‘rich’.” “People contact me now asking advice about starting their own
mushroom business or just growing them for themselves,” Kiefer says. “It’s one of my favorite things to do, to help others get started.”
The entrepreneurial spirit has awakened in the oldest Myers child,
Amelia, too. The sixth grader spent her Christmas money this year on a
tent, rack, grow light, seed trays, and seeds to start her own sprout and
microgreen business she plans to run with her little sister, Voli—a business they’ll call Sprout Sisters.
W. Mike Stewart AIF, RFC • Wealth Management Services 985-809-0530 • wmsgroup@advisormike.com Check out Research Materials and Video Library at: www.advisormike.com March-April 2021 57
Outdoor Living2021
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1. Farmhouse galvanized metal frog planter,
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2-piece set. Variety of animal planters to choose from, starting at $75. Redoux Home Market, Mandeville, 674-8811. 2. Woven Tropez Outdoor Swivel Rocker Sofa Chair featuring an intricate rope weave design and removable upholstered cushions in weather-resistant fabric. V Home & Interiors, 4
Mandeville, 231-7411. 3. One of a Kind, vintage terracotta artifact, $350. Greige Home Interiors, 875-7576, greigehome.com.
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5 4. Biltmore Gala Lantern with copper pier mount available in 3 sizes. Starting price, $887; gas or electric. Gulf Coast Lanterns, Covington, 800-910-3275. 5. Assorted summer lanterns, starting at $39.95. DeLuca’s Fine Jewelry and Gifts, Covington, 892-2317, delucasjewelry.com. 6. Garden Angel, $125. mélange by kp, Mandeville, 807-7652, mymelangebykp.com. 7. Flying Lotus Solar Vertical Wind Spinner, 76” high, includes ground stake, $179. Outdoor Living Center, Covington, 893-8008. 8. Grillware Fish Griller, $63. Niche Modern Home, Mandeville, 624-4045.
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Embracing His Family’s Legacy
This article was adapted from one that originally appeared in the January 2020 issue of American Funeral Director, published by Kates-Boylston Publications. 60
JOE EAGAN IS THE FIRST to say that he entered the family business somewhat reluctantly when he was 15. When Hurricane Katrina struck, Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home wasn’t damaged. “My father needed any help he could find,” says Eagan. “So I began to help maintain the grounds and change light-bulbs.” Fast forward to today. That somewhat-reluctant-to-work in-a-funeralhome teen is now 29 years old, a sixth-generation funeral director and manager of three metro New Orleans properties and Grace Funeral Home and St. Lazarus of Bethany Memorial Garden in Covington. And yes, he still changes lightbulbs. “It’s (funeral service) never monotonous— there’s always a new experience or operational challenge to work through,” Eagan points out, “and I can’t imagine that I would have the same rewarding experiences if I were doing something else.” In 1864, Eagan’s great-great-great-grandfather, Ambrose Leitz, a German immigrant, opened a
Inside Northside
photos courtesy: JOE EAGAN
Joe Eagan
cabinet shop in New Orleans. He also made coffins, and the shop evolved into the oldest and largest family-managed funeral home and life insurance companies in New Orleans, with three funeral homes and three insurance companies. While the flagstone funeral home at Magazine and Phillip closed in 1992, locations in Metairie and Marrero continue. In 2019, Leitz-Eagan celebrated its 165th year, making it one of the older continuously operating funeral homes in the country. It’s a legacy that Eagan is proud to embrace. “While working in the business during high school, I soon began to appreciate not only the legacy and significance of my family’s business, but also the value of providing sincere care to families after the passing of a loved one.” In 2005, the Leitz-Eagan Companies was under the ownership of the Alderwoods Group. In 2006, Service Corporation International acquired Alderwoods, and later opened a funeral home in Metairie. Eagan says, “I began to take much interest in the business, as well as the operational aspect of the company.” After graduating from Louisiana State University, he began his funeral directing apprenticeship and enrolled in the University of New Orleans’ MBA program. In 2014, then-24-year-old Eagan was offered the opportunity to manage SCI’s three metro New Orleans properties. Today, Eagan oversees both Leitz-Eagan funeral
homes as well as H.C. Alexander Funeral Home in Norco and Grace Funeral Home and St. Lazarus of Bethany Memorial Garden in Covington. “I’ve grown quite a bit in the past five years—both professionally and personally. The experience of operating three funeral homes, as well as the new business on the northshore, has been unique.” The northshore business, Grace Funeral Home and St. Lazarus of Bethany Memorial Garden, opened in May 2019 and spans more than 50 acres of land leased from the Archdiocese of New Orleans to SCI. “The archdiocese recognized the need for a Catholic cemetery on the northshore,” Eagan explains. SCI collaborated with the archdiocese and built, maintains and manages the funeral home and cemetery. The project was designed to preserve more than 16 acres of nearby protected wetlands and complement the adjacent Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church and St. Anthony’s Gardens, a senior living ministry of the archdiocese. Grace Funeral Home, an 8,500-square-foot facility, features a multicultural chapel and visitation and gathering areas. St. Lazarus of Bethany Memorial Garden can accommodate 800 cemetery plots, 300 mausoleum crypts and 200 cremation niches. People of all faiths are welcome to use the facility. As a lifelong resident of the area, Eagan says, “We bond together during celebratory times and during times of hardship. Often, we find ways to turn times of hardship into celebratory moments. We have planned funerals ranging from crawfish boils to second-line parades. Personalization is a big factor these days.” There is no question that funeral service has changed in the past 15 years or so. “Most obviously, cremation continues to be a rising trend,” says Eagan. “What remains the same (and hopefully always will) is that we, as funeral professionals, never take our roles lightly. We seek out ways to comfort and serve at every point of our interaction with families and commit to relieving at least some of their burden. “When my family’s firm began, the business was very much relationship-based. People counted on the ‘undertaker’ for guidance and help more than anything of a tangible nature. I think we’ll see a continued emphasis on relationships going forward.” It doesn’t take Eagan long to answer when asked where he sees himself in the next five years. “I’d like to continue to grow with our company and work to create strong and sustainable businesses that will be well positioned to serve their communities and clients well into the next generations.”
Southern Orthopaedic Specialists When it comes to treatment, the dedicated team of highly-trained physicians at Southern Orthopaedic Specialists remain focused on their top priority – to help patients recover safely and quickly so they can return to their active, independent lives as soon as possible. The New Orleans-based independent, private practice originated in 1945 and, more than seven decades later, has grown to a team of 10 physicians with over 140 years of combined experience in the practice of orthopaedic surgery. Along with on-site physical and occupational therapists, they are committed to providing multi-disciplinary care for all musculoskeletal disorders including sports injuries, arthritis and fracture care. They have continuously treated patients of all ages, including high school, college and professional athletes, with the latest comprehensive and personalized care to minimize pain and accelerate recovery from both surgical and nonsurgical procedures. In December 2020, Southern Orthopaedic Specialists opened a new clinic in Slidell, where they provide the same level of high-quality care and services offered at their two Southshore locations in Uptown New Orleans and Metairie. “It just made sense,” said Dr. Timothy Finney, MD, a board certified orthopaedic surgeon with the practice. “We can now offer our patients, who reside in St. Tammany Parish and along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, a more convenient location for treatment.” The staff at Southern Orthopaedic Specialists remain committed to providing the region with access to the highest quality orthopaedic care by maintaining focus on the safest, proven techniques and advancements in musculoskeletal care.
Southern Orthopaedic Specialists is located at 1810 Lindberg Drive in Slidell. 504.897.6351 southern-ortho.com March-April 2021 61
Flourishes 2 1
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1. Bianca 6 light pendant with black rope and patina brass finish. Southland Plumbing Supply, Covington, 893-8883; Metairie, 504-8358411; southlandplumbingsupply.com. 2. Mosaic Fly-Thru Bird Feeder with vibrant glass pieces, 9” diameter. $29.99. Outdoor Living Center, Covington, 893-8008. 3. Linking Trellis double-bulb ceramic vase. Large, $125; small, $95. Greige Home Interiors, Covington, 875-7576, greigehome.com. 4. Set of two painted metal long bunnies, $110.
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Redoux Home Market, Mandeville, 674-8811. 5. These Malibu planters offer clean, contemporary shapes with a textured finish in pure white. Made from a composite of ground stone and other natural materials. Available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and textured finishes. Sizes shown here are 19.5”w x 39.25”t and 15.5”w x 31.5”t. V Home & Interiors, Mandeville, 231-7411. 6. Governor Lantern available in both gas and 6
electric, $675. Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights, Mandeville, 249-6040. 7. The Eggmazing Egg Decorator holds and spins the eggs while you decorate. Each kit contains one egg decorator and eight colorful nontoxic markers, $25. Olive Patch, Covington, 327-5772.
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March-April 2021 63
Flourishes 1
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1. Blue Dahlia vase, $65. Niche Modern Home, Mandeville, 624-4045. 2. Seasonal arrangements starting at $65. Florist of Covington, 892-7701, floristofcovington.com. 3. Hexagon Eslava Street Lantern with black aluminum surface-mount post, available in 4 sizes; gas or electric; 3
starting at $1,046. Gulf Coast Lanterns, Covington, 800-910-3275. 4. Carved wooden candlesticks. Large, $95; small, $75. mélange by kp, Mandeville, 807-7652, mymelangebykp.com.
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INside Look
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1. Platinum emerald and diamond ring, $16,000. Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, Metairie, 504-832-0000, lmfj.com. 2. Mint green Swiss dot ruffle dress with tie waist, $84. Also available in white. Columbia Street Mercantile, Covington, 809-1789 & 809-
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1690. 3. Another best seller from Söfft, $109. Shoefflé, Covington, 898-6465.
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INside Look 2
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1. American Darling brown cowhide duffel bag with turquoise acidwash look, $229. J Ashley Boutique, Mandeville, 778-0965. 2. 14 kt yellow gold ring with 1.17 ct tw emerald-cut and round diamonds, $5,995. DeLuca’s Fine Jewelry and Gifts, Covington, 892-2317, delucasjewelry.com. 3. Lullaby Set Little Bunny Foo Foo boy’s diaper set, short set and girl’s dress with bunny embroidered face and floppy ears. Kiki and Lolli, Covington, 900-2410. 4. Konstantino sterling silver and 18 karat yellow gold London blue topaz post earrings, $1,140.
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Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, Metairie, 504-832-0000, lmfj.com. 5. Eden Forest Candle that is a blend of grapefruit, ginger, and green tea; in a hand blown opalescent glass that contains large inlays to recall leafy plants. The Lifestyle Store at Franco’s, Mandeville, 792-0020. 6. Stacy Adams shuffle slide features a patterned rubber upper with the Stacy Adams emblem and a molded footbed for all-day comfort. The Chiffarobe, Franklinton, 207-2200, thechiff.com. 7. Traveler makeup bag, $44. The Villa, Mandeville, 626-9797.
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Generous Hearts by Susan Bonnett Bourgeois
the name Camellia City Chicks with Checks and it is dedicated to harnessing the power of generous women to improve lives in their community. They believe they are abundantly blessed to live in the Slidell Community and that to whom much is given, much is expected. “A few of us had been members of other giving circles that focused on a broader region. We would sometimes be disappointed because we felt like the changes that our dollars brought were in communities other than our own, so we decided to start one in our own backyard,” said founding member Dr. Jill Donaldson.
Chicks with Checks Slidell women circling back with collective giving
Laurie Panzeca, Jenifer Besh, Nicole Burke, Wendy Keller (Organizer with Our Friend’s Closet, the first gift recipient), Stephanie Berault, Jennifer Whitehouse, Kendra Wadleigh, all of Camellia City Chicks with Checks. 68
CREATING TANGIBLE, deliberate and immediate impact: This is the benefit of collective philanthropy groups like Giving Circles. They help to alleviate concerns and uncertainty for an individual giving back because it’s a collective effort that empowers members to really give in a strategic and intentional manner. They are afforded the opportunity to research, discuss and truly understand the issues that are impacting their community at exactly that moment in time. Neighbors coming together to pool their resources and direct them to the needy is by no means a new idea. But the popularity of Giving Circles has skyrocketed over the last decade with nearly 150,000 members in the U.S. alone, and that number is expected to grow to 350,000 in the next five years, numbers that will generate more than $1 billion in donations. In Slidell, that collective giving power goes by
Inside Northside
Like minded, enthusiastic and proactive, each of the 52 members (and counting) commits to donating $400 per year to the organization and meet quarterly to interview local qualified nonprofits about their mission and impact on the people of East St. Tammany Parish. Eligible nonprofits are nominated by members and vetted before being invited to participate. At the end of each meeting the members hold a blind vote, and the winner gets all of the donations for that quarter. Membership dues, donations and funds are collected and distributed by the Northshore Community Foundation. “We love the way that this group is structured. Having it housed at the Foundation makes it so much easier for us to do the actual giving part and not have to worry about the back office work. It also allows members who prefer to stay anonymous donors to keep it that way,” said Stephanie Berault, one of the founding members. Having now donated to eight organizations in the East St. Tammany area, their first collective gift went to Slidell nonprofit Our Friend’s Closet, which donates basic care items to local underserved students in the Slidell community. “We get all of our funding through private donations with 100% of the collected funds going directly to providing basic care items to less fortunate students in our community. The generous donation from Camellia City Chicks with Checks allowed us to add to the number of schools we serve thereby increasing the amount of students we are able to help. We started with two schools in January 2017,
photo courtesy: CAMELLIA CITY CHICKS WITH CHECKS
How It Works
and we are currently delivering hygiene and basic care items to over 60 schools in the area now,” said Wendy Keller, one of the two volunteer organizers of the West St. Tammany nonprofit.
Strengthening Community Going on their third year now, to date, the group has given out more than $40,000 to organizations impacting the Slidell area. From helping the homeless find shelter to assisting with disaster recovery and the rebuilding of damaged homes, the giving circle is laser focused on the organizations who are working to make Slidell the best that it can be. Most of the organizations who come and pitch to the group are nonprofits that the members have never heard of, so it is eye opening to see some of the silent work that goes on. They also know that their dollars are making a big impact. “We always leave the meetings inspired that there is so much good going on in our community. We feel empowered, like we really can make a significant difference even though we are also having a lot of fun, “ said Jenifer Besh, founding member of the CCCC. By promoting a philanthropic culture, cutting through the red tape, bringing their collective knowledge base and contacts together under one roof and giving strategically and immediately, the Camellia City Chicks with Checks feel that although individually they can each make a small difference, together they can make a huge impact on the lives of their neighbors in East St. Tammany Parish. If you would like to join the Slidell giving circle or are interested in setting up one of your own, visit northshorefoundation.org/camellia-citychicks-with-checks March-April 2021 69
by Hilary Creamer Admittedly, I have never had much of a green thumb. This has not deterred me from trying to recreate the New Orleans Botanical Garden at home each spring. This year, finally having learned my lesson (I hope), I have decided to stick to hard-to-kill plants. So, succulents it is! Taking a slight detour from my usual dishware path, I recently began hunting vintage ceramic planters. Generally small in size, they are BIG in character and a great fit for a small succulent or cactus. But why stop at plants? I have repurposed some of these adorable treasures for everyday use, holding things such as coins, lipsticks, dryer sheets and other household items. Why not shop local for something unique and fun to repurpose? I am also using this old ice cube tray as a seed starter for some flowers because, well, I am still a little optimistic. Shop small. Shop local. Shop often. Happy Hunting! ♥︎ Hilary All of these planters were purchased at local antique shops. Check out our listing and tell them Inside Northside sent you! If you are also a treasure hunter, I would love to know which trophies you prize most. And if you enjoyed this hunt and want to see more, let me know at hilary@insidepub.com. 70
Inside Northside
Clayton House Marketplace 1600 Collins Blvd., Covington. 985-892-6368 claytonhousemarketplace.com Clayton House Marketplace is the home of 80+ small businesses in one convenient retail location. Their store is over 30,000 square feet and contains everything from locally crafted furniture, artwork, and gifts, to one-of-a-kind collectables and furniture. C.J.’s Antiques & Collectibles, 160 SE Railroad Ave., Ponchatoula. 985-386-0026 cjsantiques.com Step back in time and experience a vast and everchanging inventory of vintage items, collectibles, antiques, and so much more. Since relocating to Ponchatoula in 1993, we’ve built a reputation for our exceptional curation of one-of-a-kind items. Bring your friends and family, -- our 15,000 square-foot space has something for everyone.
Northshore Antique Shops
MADISONVILLE Acadian Home Fashions 300 Covington St. , 985-792-7007
ABITA SPRINGS Attic To Awesome 22107 Hwy. 36, Ste. B 985-888-1870
MANDEVILLE Mae's Antiques 420 Girod St., 985-373-1857
COVINGTON Clayton House Marketplace 1600 Collins Blvd., 985-892-6368 Copper Rooster 222 Lee Ln., 985-892-5171 Cottage Antiques 205 Lee Ln., 985-892-7995 Eclectic Inn 214 Lee Ln., 985-327-9788 On a Whim 826 Rutland St., 985-960-2117 Patina Interiors 4001 Hwy. 190, 985-892-3733 Retreat Home & Lifestyle 1501 N. Hwy. 190, 985-892-8202 DENHAM SPRINGS Denham Springs Antique Village N. Range Ave., 225-665-4666 DSantiquevillage.com
S&S Consignment 813 Florida St. , 985-626-8881 Tallulah’s Vintage Market 149 Girod St. , 985-951-2300 White Elephant Trading Co. 1953 Hwy. 59, 985-624-5200 PONCHATOULA B2 Antiques 145 W. Pine St., Ste. D, 985-634-4747 CJ’s Antiques & Collectibles 160 SE Railroad Ave., 985-386-0026 Roussel’s Fine Jewelry & Antiques 177 West Pine St., 985-386-9097 Trail's End Antiques 157 East Pine St., 985-386-5776 SLIDELL Slidell Historical Antique Association 985-265-4551 slidellstreetfair.com
Trail’s End Antiques 157 East Pine Street, Ponchatoula. 985-386-5776 trailsendantiquesla.com Trail’s End Antiques has been in business since July of 1997. “Something for everyone.” Here you will find a wide array of glassware, furniture, cast iron skillets, pots, and much more! Looking for something fun? Check out their collection of man toys, old gas pumps, porcelain signs, and more. Roussel’s Fine Jewelry & Antiques, 177 West Pine St., Ponchatoula. 985-386-9097 Roussels.com Roussel’s is a family owned and operated business that offers you a retail shopping experience like no other. Here at Roussel’s, we offer custom Fine Jewelry, Jewelry Repair, Cajun Gifts, Scents and Candles, Exquisite Antique Furniture, and a large selection of Antique Collectibles. We’re a one-stop shop for everyone. So come on in and find your treasure of a lifetime. Denham Springs Antique Village DSantiquevillage.com We invite you to take a leisurely stroll and shop with us at the Denham Springs Antique Village. Over 25 locally owned shops in a two-block area. Antiques to boutiques, bookstores to gift stores, jewelry to art—we have it all! Schedule a painting, pottery or stained glass class for you and your friends. Sit and sip a specialty coffee and/or enjoy a wonderful meal at one of our restaurants. March-April 2021 71
Hollard-Brechtel
The outdoor nuptials of Kimberly Dawn Hollard
M A R R I A G E
and Benjamin Matthew Brechtel were held on the back courtyard of Abita Roasting Company in Madisonville, hosted by college friend Brent Belsom. The Honorable Michael North, Federal Magistrate Judge, friend of the bride and groom, presided over the ceremony. The bride wore a Maggie Sottero strapless sweetheart lace ballgown with chapel train complemented by a lace
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jacket and custom embellished sneakers; her fur wrap was provided by Sissily Deigns. An heirloom cameo loaned by close friend Jennifer Evans completed the look. Golden bees adorned the bride’s hair as a nod to her mother
L O V E
(affectionately called the ‘Queen Bee’). Bridal party hair and makeup was courtesy of Redoux You Salon and Jackie Woodrow Makeup. The bridesmaids wore personally selected gowns in shades of rose gold and blush and chestnut fur
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wraps, courtesy of Revelry. The groom and his attendants wore sandstone-beige day suits from Top Hat Tuxedos. Flowers for the ceremony were from Delphine Floral Design in Covington. The bride’s bouquet was a mix of cream hydrangea, Ohara garden roses, and seeded eucalyptus; the bridesmaids carried lavender and blush peonies and Italian ruscus. At the small reception, guests dined on brunch fare, including ARC’s signature shrimp and cheese grits, crab cakes Benedict, wildberry pecan salad, southern pecan baked brie, a custom charcuterie board, wine, champagne and local craft beers. The two-tiered cake was a traditional almond wedding cake from Maple Street Bakery in Abita Springs. Favors for the guests included lemon cookies with the letter B and the wedding date in the shape of a quartrefoil from Kates’ Custom Cookies. Popped bottles of Veuve Clicquot Brut and Rosé capped off the day, with the bride, groom, and children taking a stroll down Water Street before saying farewell. A future celebration is planned with friends and family who couldn’t be in attendance. Music for the evening was provided by family friend Willie Mendez of LNM Audio; photography by Candra George Photography; videography and streaming services by TLC Videography. In light of the current pandemic, a honeymoon to London (so the groom can see his beloved Arsenal FC) and Iceland has been temporarily postponed. Both from Metairie, the couple now makes their home in Mandeville with their children and dogs—Deuce, Remy and Buddy D. 72
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March-April 2021 73
IN Great Taste by Yvette Zuniga Jemison
Crawfish Tart with a Phyllo Crust Servings: 8 8 sheets thawed frozen phyllo dough, 12 x 17 inches each 1 stick of butter, melted 3/4 cup mayonnaise 1/2 cup sour cream 2 tablespoons rinsed capers 1 tablespoon lemon zest 1 teaspoons garlic powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon black pepper 1 pound crawfish tails 8 ounces grated mozzarella cheese
Crawfish Tart with a Phyllo Crust IT’S CRAWFISH SEASON, the time of year when burners are igniting for crawfish boils. This Louisiana ritual often leads to leftover crawfish. Whether you have freshly boiled crawfish tails or a pound that has been tucked away in the freezer, we have a recipe for you to make excellent use of them. It’s a crawfish tart that is all about its super-flaky, easy-to-create crust of tissue-thin, butter-brushed sheets of phyllo dough layered and gathered into a free-form crust before you add the creamy crawfish filling. You’ll find this crust much easier to make than a traditional crust. This luscious tart is equally delicious served hot or at room temperature. What better way to eat crawfish than nestled into a phyllo crust? 74
Inside Northside
1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Butter a cake pan that is 9-inches round with 2-inch sides. 2. Place 1 sheet of phyllo on a work surface and lightly brush the entire surface with butter. Starting at one short end, fold the sheet in half and brush the top with butter. Transfer the folded sheet to the pan, butter side down. Gently press the dough into the bottom and sides as you lightly gather and crumple the dough. Repeat with the remaining phyllo and butter, arranging overlapping layers to evenly cover the bottom and sides of the pan. 3. Set the pan on a baking sheet and bake until the crust is light brown on the bottom and golden brown on the edges, 15-20 minutes. Let the crust cool completely. 4. Make the filling by mixing the mayonnaise, sour cream, capers, lemon zest, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a medium bowl until well combined. Fold in the crawfish tails and cheese until well combined. 5. Spoon the filling into the cooled crust, and set the pan on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until the filling is heated and the cheese has melted, about 30 minutes. Serve warm or room temperature. We’d like to see how you enjoy leftover crawfish, so share your creation by tagging us on Instagram at @InsideNorthside and @y_delicacies. For more recipes, go to YDelicacies.com or follow on Instagram at @y_delicacies.
Haute Plates
A selection of restaurants and haute dishes found around the northshore and beyond.
Creole Tomateaux
Desi Vega’s Steakhouse
MANDEVILLE • 951-2650
COVINGTON • 276-4994
1851 FLORIDA ST.
1950 HWY 190
CREOLETOMATEAUX.COM
DESIVEGASNORTHSHORE.COM
There’s nothing better than
Our USDA Prime steaks are
Half Shell Oyster House
Nothing Bundt Cakes
70367 LA 21
1111 GREENGATE DR. #D
HALFSHELLOYSTERHOUSE.COM
NOTHINGBUNDTCAKES.COM
COVINGTON • 276-4500
Local Gulf oysters and a variety
COVINGTON • 888-6555
Our goal is to bake a cake that
carefully selected, hand cut and aged for
of Gulf Coast seafood with a New
not only reminds you of home but also
back atmosphere. From fresh fried
tenderness, then seared to perfection
Orleans flair and influence that
opens you to a new world. And while
seafood, to our famous Fried Green
and served on a sizzling plate. Start
extends throughout our ambience
that’s no easy request, the handcrafted
Tomateauxs, to overstuffed Po-boys, to
your meal off with appetizers such as
and menu. Steaks, chicken, pasta and
recipes are more than up to the task.
appetizers, desserts, and everything in
fried green tomatoes, turtle soup or
so much more. Lunch, dinner, daily
Each recipe uses the finest ingredients
between, we have a little something for
bacon-wrapped gulf shrimp stuffed with
happy hour, Sunday brunch.
to bring you Bundt Cake perfection.
everyone. Catering available.
crabmeat.
enjoying a down home meal in a laid
Pat’s Rest Awhile
Pat’s Seafood
2129 LAKESHORE DR.
1248 N. COLLINS BLVD.
FACEBOOK.COM/
STE 400, COVINGTON
MANDEVILLE• 951-2173 PATSRESTAWHILE
Casual, waterfront seafood
AND 70456 LA #21,
892-7287 • 892-7287
Fresh local seafood and a large
Peace, Love, & Little Donuts
Si Señor Taqueria
COVINGTON • 400-9780
SISENORTAQUERIA.COM
70493 LA-21, STE. 100
PEACELOVEANDLITTLEDONUTS.COM Great place for friends or
1905 W. THOMAS ST., STE. V HAMMOND • 393-0090
Whether you are looking for an enhanced dining experience or a
restaurant and bar helmed by renowned
offering of deli to-go items, such as
family to gather in the morning or
happy hour, Si Señor Taqueria is the
chef Pat Gallagher. Enjoy local favorites
boiled crawfish, gumbo, crawfish pie,
afternoon. Enjoy over 60 flavors of
best spot for authentic Mexican dining
such as Gulf Fish Almondine, Oysters
corn and crab bisque, crabmeat au
donuts, coffee, juice and a variety of
in Southeastern Louisiana. Experience
Rockefeller and Gumbo, alongside classics
gratin and po-boys. On-site catering
other drink choices. The atmosphere
our upbeat atmosphere while enjoying
such as grilled steaks and burgers, while
available.
will leave you feeling like a hippie in
our fresh cocktails, like the House
the ‘70s.
Paloma with fresh agave nectar.
overlooking Lake Pontchartrain. 76
Inside Northside
one thirteen 113 N. OAK ST.,
HAMMOND 402-3481
ONETHIRTEENRESTAURANT.COM One Thirteen seeks to enliven the senses through an inspired midcentury modern setting, graceful service and new American cuisine that simply tastes delicious. Menu items include chicken, beef, seafood, wood-fired flat bread, and housemade desserts.
Tchefuncte’s
407 ST. TAMMANY ST.
MADISONVILLE • 323-4800 TCHEFUNCTES.COM
Overlooking the river, Tchefuncte’s celebrates the highlights of the season, rooted in classic Southern cuisine. Executive Chef Michael Gottlieb sought the world’s best ingredients and found most in the Northshore area. Tchefuncte’s partners with community purveyors for the best seafood, meats and produce. March-April 2021 77
New Orleans and the northshore are home to more great restaurants than we could hope to list here. For a comprehensive listing of restaurants in the New Orleans metro area, please refer to Tom Fitzmorris’ nomenu.com. In this guide, you will find some of the best bets around town. Tom’s fleur de lis ratings are shown.
Bear’s Restaurant aa Po-boys, 128 W. 21st St., Covington, 892-2373 Beck ‘n’ Call Cafe 534 N. New Hampshire, Covington, 875-9390 Blind Tiger 19124 Rogers Ln., 9002443 Bud’s Broiler aa Hamburgers, 1250 N. US 190, Covington, 985-803-8368 Buster’s Place aa 519 E. Boston St., Covington, 809-3880. Seafood,
ABITA SPRINGS Abita Brew Pub a 72011 Holly St., Abita Springs, 892-5837 Abita Springs Café aa 22132 Level St., Abita Springs, 400-5025 Camellia Café Traditional seafood and New Orleans cuisine, 69455 Hwy. 59, Abita Springs, 809-6313 Mama D’s Pizza & More aa 22054 Hwy. 59, Abita Springs, 809-0308
po-boys, steaks. Open seven days a week. Lunch, dinner. MCC. Carreta’s Grill a Mexican, 70380 LA Hwy. 21, Covington, 871-6674 CC’s Coffee House Coffee and pastries, 1331 N Hwy 190., Covington, 900-2241 The Chimes aaa Cajun, 19130 W. Front St., Covington, 892-5396 Coffee Rani aa Soup and salad, 234-A Lee Ln., Covington, 893-
COVINGTON Abita Roasting Company 1011 Village Walk, Covington, 246-3345 Albasha aa Mediterranean, 1958 Hwy. 190, Covington, 867-8292 Annadele’s Plantation aaaa 71518 Chestnut St., Covington, 809-7669 Apres Lounge 1950 N Highway 190, Covington, 276-4994 Barrel Wine Bar Wine, small plates and more, 6x9305 LA 21, Ste. E, Covington, 272-8485
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6158 Columbia St. Tap Room & Grill aa 434 N. Columbia St., Covington, 898-0899 Copeland’s aa Creole, 680 N. US 190, Covington, 809-9659 Dakota aaaa Contemporary Creole, 629 N. US 190, Covington, 8923712 Desi Vega’s Steakhouse1950 N Highway 190, Covington, 276-4994 Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, 69292 Hwy. 21, Covington, 871-2225
DiCristina’s aaa Italian, 810 N. Columbia St., Covington, 875-0160 DiMartino’s aaa 700 S. Tyler St., Covington, 276-6460 Don’s Seafood Hut aa 126 Lake Dr., Covington, 327-7111 The English Tea Room aaa 734 Rutland St., Covington, 898-3988 Fat Spoon Café aa 2807 N Highway 190., Covington, 893-5111 Gallagher’s Grill aaaa Contemporary Creole, 509 S. Tyler St., Covington, 892-9992 Garcia’s Famous Mexican Food 200 River Highlands Blvd., Covington, 327-7420 Habanero’s 69305 Highway 21, Ste.
Meribo Modern Italian, 326 Lee Ln, Covington, 327-5407 Mugshots Grill & Bar 300 River Highlands Blvd., Covington, 893-2422 New Orleans Food & Spiritsaaa Seafood, 208 Lee Lane, Covington, 875-0432 New Orleans Style Seafood Restaurant & Market Seafood platters, gumbo, burgers and more! 1536 N Highway 190, Covington, 888-1770 Nonna Randazzo’s Italian Bakery and Cafè 2033 N. Hwy. 190, Ste. 5, Covington, 893-1488 Outback Steakhouse aa Australianthemed cuisine. 60 Park Place Dr.,
600, Covington, 871-9760
Covington, 893-0505. MCC.
1331 N Hwy 190, Ste. 100,
Ox Lot 9 aaa Contemporary, 428 E
Covington, 900-2124 Half Shell Oyster House 70367 Hwy 21, Ste 100, Covington, 276-4500 La Carreta aaa Mexican, 812 Hyw 190, Covington, 400-5202 La Casa de Sabores 324 East Boston St, Covington, 900-2297 Lola aaa 517 N. New Hampshire St., Covington, 892-4992 Mattina Bella aaa Breakfast, 421 E. Gibson St., Covington, 892-0708 McAlister’s Deli 206 Lake Dr., Ste. 15, Covington, 898-2800 Megumi of Covington aaa 1211 Village Walk, Covington, 893-0406
Boston St., Covington, 400-5663 Pat’s Seafood 1248 N. Collins Blvd. and 70456 LA #21, Ste 400, Covington, 892-7287 Peace, Love & Little Donuts 70493 Highway 21, Ste 100, Covington, 400-9780 Pot & Paddle 70493 Hwy 21 Stuite 800, Covington, 234-9940 Pyre 70437 LA-21, Suite 100, Covington, 888 -6129 PJ’s Coffee & Tea Co. 70456 Hwy. 21, Covington, 875-7894 Pizza Man of Covington aaa 1248 N. Collins Blvd., Covington, 892-9874
i Raising Canes 1270 N. Hwy. 190, Covington, 809-0250 Ristorante Del Porto aaaa Italian, 501 E. Boston St., Covington,
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Orlando’s Seafood, 304 Hwy. 22 West, Madisonville, 845-4446 Tchefuncté Restaurant 407 St Tammany St, Madisonville, 323-4800
875-1006 Sweet Daddy’s 420 S. Tyler St., Covington, 898-2166 TCBY 70488 Hwy 21, Covington,
MANDEVILLE The Barley Oak Serving 130 styles of beer, 2101 Lakeshore Dr., Mandeville, 727-7420
892-9000 Vasquez Seafood & Po-Boys a 515 E. Boston St., Covington, 893-
Beach House Neighborhood Cafe, 124 Girod, Mandeville, 624-9331 Bistro Byronz aa American, 1901
9336 Yujin Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar aaa 323 N. New Hampshire St., Covington, 8093840. MCC. Zea aaa American, 110 Lake Dr., Covington, 327-0520
Highway 190, Mandeville, 9517595 Bosco’s Italian Café aaa 2040 Hwy. 59, Mandeville, 624-5066 Café Lynn aaaa Contemporary Creole, 2600 Florida St., Mandeville, 624-9007
HAMMOND Brady’s 110 SW Railroad Ave., Hammond, 542-6333. Don’s Seafood & Steak House 1915 S. Morrison Blvd., Hammond, 345-8550 Jacmel Inn aaaa 903 E. Morris St., Hammond, 542-0043 Kirin Sushi 223 S. Cate St., Hammond, 542-8888 La Carreta Authentic Mexican Cuisine 108 N.W Railroad Ave., Hammond, 419-9990 One Thirteen Restaurant New American cuisine, 113 N Oak St, Hammond, 402-3481 Salty Joe’s BBQ 43344 S. Range Rd, Hammond, 956-7099 Si Senor 1905 W Thomas St, Hammond, 393-0090 Streetside Market 201 W Thomas St, Hammond, 318-7370 Tommy’s on Thomas Pizza, 216 W. Thomas St. Hammond, Tope là Contemporary delights, 104 N. Cate St., Hammond, 542-7600 Yellow Bird Café 222 E. Charles St., Hammond, 345-1112 LACOMBE Sal and Judy’s aaaa Italian, 27491 Highway 190, Lacombe, 882-9443 MADISONVILLE Abita Roasting Company 504 Water St., Madisonville, 246-3340 The Anchor 407 St Tammany St, Madisonville, 323-4800 Keith Young’s Steak House aaaa
Ceasar’s Ristorante aa Authenic Italian cuisine, 408 N Causeway Blvd, 951-2626 Coffee Rani aa Soup and salad, 3517 Hwy. 190, 674-0560 Coscino’s Pizza aa Italian, 1809 N. Causeway Blvd., 727-4984 Creole Tomateaux Authentic Creole Cuisine, 1851 Florida St., 9512650 Daisey Dukes 1200 W. Causeway Approach, Ste 13, 951-2140 El Paso Mexican Grill 3410 US 190, 624-2345 Fat Spoon Café aa 68480 Hwy. 59., 809-2929. Fazzio’saa Italian,1841 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, 624-9704 Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar 2891 Highway 190, Suite D. Mandeville, 778.2176 Franco’s Grill Fresh organic foods, 100 Bon Temps Roule, 792-0200 George’s aaa Mexican, 1461 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, 6264342 Girod Street Market and Deli Private Chef/Catering available. 528 Girod St., Mandeville, 985-629-4260 Gio’s Villa Vancheri aaa 690 Lafitte St., 624-2597 La Carreta aaa Mexican, 1200 W. Causeway Approach, Mandeville, 624-2990 La Madeleine aa French, 3434 US 190, 626-7004 The Lakehouse aaa Contemporary Creole, 2025 Lakeshore Dr., Mandeville, 626-3006
Steak, 165 LA 21, Madisonville,
LaLou Breakfast, 200 Girod St., 231-7125
845-9940
Leonardo’s Trattoria & Pizzeria
Morton’s Boiled Seafood & Bar aa 702 Water St., Madisonville, 845-4970
Authentic Sicilian dishes, 2625 Florida St, 788-2550 Little Tokyo aaa Japanese, 590
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Impastato’s aaaa Creole Italian, 3400 16th St., Metairie, 504455-1545 Legacy Kitchen aa American. 759 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 504-309-5231 Riccobono’s Peppermill aaa Creole Italian, 3524 Severn Ave., Metairie, 504-455-2266 Ruth’s Chris Steak House aaaa Steak, 3633 Veterans Blvd., Metairie, 504-888-3600 Shogun aaaa Japanese, 2325 Veterans Blvd., Metairie, 504-8337477 Vincent’s aaaa Creole Italian, 4411 Chastant St., Metairie, 504-885-2984 PONCHATOULA Middendorf’s Seafood Restaurant 30160 Hwy. 51, Ponchatoula, 386-6666 La Carreta aaa Mexican, 147 N.W. Railroad Ave., Ponchatoula, 370-0930
Dalwill Dr., Mandeville, 626-8188 Raising Canes 3801 Hwy. 22, Mandeville, 674-2042 Rip’s on the Lake aa 1917 Lakeshore Dr., Mandeville, 727-2829 Rob’s Rockin’ Dogs 2890 E Causeway Approach, Ste B, Mandeville, 231-7688 Rusty Pelican aa 500 Girod St., Mandeville, 778-0364 Times Grill a 1896 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, 626-1161 Trey Yuen Cuisine of China aaa Quality China cuisine with Louisiana flair, 600 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, 626-4476
SLIDELL A Touch of Italy Café 134 Pennsylvania Ave., Slidell, 639-0600 Assunta’s aaa Italian, 2631 Covington Hwy., Slidell, 649-9768 Blue House Grill Sandwiches, 2170 Gause Blvd W., Slidell, 288-5544 Cafe Luke Breakfast and brunch favorites plus Dinner Theatre, 153 Robert St., Slidell, 707-1597 Camellia Cafe aaa 525 Hwy. 190, Slidell, 649-6211. Carreta’s Grill a Mexican, 1340 Lindberg Dr., Slidell, 847-0020 Copeland’s aa Creole, 1337 Gause Blvd., Slidell, 643-0001
METAIRIE Acme Oyster House aaa Seafood, 3000 Veterans Blvd., Metairie, 504309-4056 Andrea’s aaa Italian, 3100 19th St., Metairie, 504-834-8583 Andy’s Bistro aaa American, 3322 N. Turnbull Dr., Metairie, 504-4557363 Austin’s aaaa Creole, 5101 West Esplanade Ave., Metairie, 504888-5533 Caffe! Caffe! aa Breakfast, 4301 Clearview Pkwy., Metairie, 504885-4845; 3547 N. Hullen., Metairie, 504-267-9190 Carreta’s Grill a Mexican, 2320 Veterans Blvd., Metairie, 504837-6696; 1821 Hickory Ave., Harahan, 504-305-4833 Drago’s aaaa Seafood, 3232 N. Arnoult Rd., Metairie, 504-8889254
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El Paso Mexican Grill 1100 Robert Blvd., Slidell, 445-1450 Gallagher’s on Front Street 2306 Front St., Slidell, 326-8350 Nathan’s aaaa Contemporary Creole, 36440 Old Bayou Liberty Rd., Slidell, 643-0443 Palmettos on the Bayou aa 1901 Bayou Ln., Slidell, 643-0050 Peck’s Seafood Restaurant 2315 Gause Blvd. E., Slidell, 781-7272 Restaurant Cote 2219 Carey St., Slidell, 985-288-5440 Speckled T’s Seafood, 158 S Military Rd., Slidell, 646-1728 The Blind Tiger Slidell 37330 Lakeshore Marina Dr., Slidell, 707-1082 Times Grill 1827 Front St., Slidell, 639-3335 Vera’s aaa Seafood, 2020 Gause Blvd W., Slidell, 690-9814 Zea aaa American, 173 Northshore Blvd., Slidell, 327-0520
Last Bite
Felix’s Restaurant and Oyster Bar
by Grace Butzman
IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A PLACE to get fresh Louisiana oysters and have them shucked right in front of you, look no further than Felix’s Restaurant and Oyster Bar in Mandeville. With pride in serving the freshest oysters harvested from the beds of Louisiana, Felix’s truly stands by its motto: “When you go out for oysters, go all out.” Felix’s, a local favorite since the 1940s, originally opened in New Orleans. It put the New Orleans oyster bar on the map, drawing a crowd of loyal customers who loved to get salty oysters from a restaurant that was constantly developing new ways to prepare them—like Felix’s oysters Rockefeller and Bienville. But Felix’s doesn’t have only oysters. The menu offers Louisiana favorites like crawfish étouffée, shrimp and grits, and various po-boys and pastas. When in season, be sure to grab one of Felix’s boiled seafood plates served with potatoes and corn on the cob. Top your meal with options like Creole pecan pie or New Orleans-style bread pudding. In addition, Felix’s has a new, special Lenten menu with items like crawfish artichoke dip and red fish meuniere. Come enjoy these dishes in the friendly, open atmosphere with live outside music during 4-6:30 happy hour or whenever your cravings for fresh oysters and seafood call. Felix’s is located at 2891 Hwy. 190 in Mandeville, 778- 2176. March-April 2021 81
Last Look by John Snell
The irises of Lacombe’s Big Branch Marsh by FOX 8’s John Snell. 82
Inside Northside
