Chris, good to hear from you again. I was wondering what happened to you. although I hardly post, I have been reading and living vicariously through others people's trip reports.

Good luck on your new endeavour with Pellicano. Will check out Ten Tables next time we are down there. Sounds like Paulie is a good chef.

Patrick,

Thank you, I appreciate it.

Believe it or not, I have met or kept in contact with a decent amount of people using this website. It's a great thing.

Will look up Pellicano next time I'm over there. How did Kenner do through Katrina?

Hello Chris,

Thanks for the update. All the best with your restaurant in New Orleans! (tu)

--Islander

I visited there in March and it looked like lots of things that should've been knocked over years ago were finished off by Katrina. At least in Kenner and a few other places, it didn't look as bad as I first had thought. The whole city is in repair but I see it as a diamond in the rough. I think it will be better than it was before once it is rebuilt. There are so many opportunities for skilled workers that I find it hard to believe that there wont be a new injection of professionals and residents. The majority of the damamge that I saw was from flooding from the failed levies and blown off roofs. I am excited about moving there in the fall. There is no doubt that the food in the city is remarkable, even now, and it will only get better. I hope to be a part of that. I am a firm believer that competition only makes you bring your game up that much farther. After being land locked for almost a year, it will be nice to be able to get fresh fish from local fisherman, again. If anyone reading this knows of local fisherman or local farmers that would like to do direct business with me in Kenner, please email me! Thank you.

Hey Chris - Congrats on your new endeavor! Would love to check it out the next time I'm in NOLA. Glad to hear they're making progress in the area. I agree; I think many areas will be better & more prosperous than before once rebuilt.

Have you heard anything from Jeff & Melissa M? We met them at Tamarind Court during our July '04 visit, which was just before they left STJ. I know they were going back to New Orleans. We've been wondering how they fared, especially since Katrina. Hope all is well...

I took over New Orleans night for Jeff at the Tamarind. He tried to use his night as a way to bribe me into buying his recipes and such. I guess they pissed off a great deal of people before they left the island and I believe long after they left, there was a worthless check at Starfish Market hanging in their honor. Another example of small island living exposing people for their true character. I was next door neighbors with Jeff and Melissa for years and they were not very nice IMHO. From what I heard, Jeff and Melissa broke up but I can't confirm that.

Wow..STJ to Minnesota...big difference! 😉 Good luck with the new restaurant! Sounds like an exciting adventure!

Sorry to hear all that - too bad. Melissa did tell me that you were neighbors. She also cited the cost of living as the reason they decided to leave. I guess island living brings out the best and worst in people.

Thank you for your words of encouragement, everyone!

In three years it has been:

Minnesota to St. John to Minnesota to British Columbia to New Orleans.