Wow.

First, make reservations… Or be prepared to wait for nearly an hour. However, even if you wait, rest assured, it is worth it. (A shocking sentiment from someone who refuses to wait for almost anything.)

The menu is creative and fun, and full of R-rated puns. Cocktails abound, but I went for a coffee with homemade kaluha. In my family, we always made kaluha, but it is not something I often see. And, the coffee — which is a special home grind — is not only the best coffee I may have ever had in my life, but it also comes in a chocolate-rimmed glass. Delicious!

I actually went in expecting to get their delicious Key Lime yummy, but my one weakness beyond Key Lime is cheese… especially in a grilled cheese. So I had their Dark Chocolate and Brie Grilled Cheese with Cold Strawberry Champagne Soup.

OMG.

Insanely, incredibly, astoundingly good.

For starters, the soup may be the reason that both strawberries and champagne were created. Truly, that combination may be both of their raisons d’etre… and it never previously occurred to me that either one needed one.

And then the sandwich. The glorious, delicious sandwich. With sugar and cinnamon toasted into the soft bread, the over-all effect is sweet without being coy. The brie is warm and gooey, and a perfect counterbalance to the semi-melted dark chocolate.

Sensational. I deliberately waited to go to Better Than Sex until my last night in town to avoid blowing either my financial and caloric budget for my time in Key West. This was clearly the smart, if lamentable, choice. If I had gone the first night, I would have been back each night to sample most of the menu.

As it stands, it is now one more reason to return to Key West.

Naples, FL. Very cute, and I can see why it’s such a vacation spot this time of year for those from the colder northern reaches. A little too cute for what I was in the mood for, though, so I stuck to a drive-by instead of a sit-down/walk-thru.

Christmas with Jen, Andi, Nilla and the felines. Quite a lovely way to spend a blistery Atlanta Tuesday.

Is it weird that when I travel to a new city, one of the things I am most likely to buy as a souvenir is a cookbook? Or, in the case of New Orleans… FIVE cookbooks?

In the true spirit of my “spontaneous” vacation with “no plans allowed” I have decided that instead of heading straight to Florida today, I’m going to detour through Atlanta to see Jen and Andi.

Last night, after Christmas Eve dinner in the French Quarter, we got back on the road and pushed through to Mississippi and then Alabama. Got all the way to Montgomery last night before stopping at midnight.

It should be about two and a half hours or so to make it to their place today. After we spoke on the phone last night, Jen texted me lamenting that the only alcohol she has on hand is beer. Fortunately for her, I have a bottle of St. Francis wine from Sonoma County with me.

Merry Christmas all! Back to the open road!

Christmas Eve dinner: jumbalaya in the French Quarter, sitting outside in 75 degree weather on a patio, listening to jazz with Zeka in my lap. Perfect.

I don’t know why, but when I think of cities I’d seriously consider living, New Orleans never quite makes it to the top of the list. Maybe it’s due to my only seriously considering “tech cities”— which I’d never classify NOLA as being. But in walking around the Quarter, I kept thinking, “Why isn’t this on my list?”

I think it is.

OTOH, I’m also pretty sure that if I lived here, my perpetual battle with my weight would be a lost cause.

I’m not sure what makes me happier about New Orleans: food, art or jazz.

Zeka had mixed feelings about having to hang out in the bag. Fortunately, I only made her do it during the shopping and dining part of the excursion. Oh, wait. That’s right. ALL time in New Orleans is spent either shopping or dining. Poor Zeka.

Nothing quite like the French Quarter for the holidays.

Just for Matt. :-)

Welcome to New Orleans!

Zeka on a Christmas Eve drive across the Bayou… in sunny 78 degree weather!

Ever since I picked up my car in November, I’ve been annoyed as Sirius Radio for being so inconsistently listenable. For some reason, though, since the road trip began, it’s been great.

And, in classic “middle-aged stereotype” fashion, 80s on 8 and 70s on 7 are making me ridiculously happy.

I don’t think Zeka is appreciating my singing. Very disruptive to her napping.

I lost count of how many of these there were all over Louisiana. Not sure this will ever stop being weird to me. They ALL had drive-thrus.