Monday, September 3, 2018
New Orleans Southern Decadence 2018 vacation, day 4 of 8. The group rode Lyft XL to City Park. The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden was not open yet, so we walked around the park for a while. We returned to the sculpture garden but we realized that the southwest gate probably opens a few minutes after the main (southeast) gate opens. We walked to the main gate and entered and spent the next hour or so enjoying the garden. Next we rode Lyft XL crossing Bayou St. John to St. Louis #3 Cemetery. We walked in the cemetary for some time. Next we rode Lyft XL to Parkway Tavern for po-boys. Mango margaritas for Patrick and Andy. Iced tea for me. Patrick and I shared a roast beef po-boy. Fried oyster po-boy for Chris and Andy. Remi and Jesse ate a grilled chicken po-boy. Bread pudding with hard sauce and a banana pudding with vanilla wafers for dessert for Remi and Jesse. We rode Lyft XL to Carrollton business district where we walked and browsed in Blue Cypress Books. We stopped at Walgreens for water and a bathroom break. We rode the St. Charles streetcar inbound. Rain began to fall while the ride started, and it ended just before we arrived at Drip Affogato Bar. Patrick and I shared The Classique affogato (vanilla bean ice cream, crushed pistachios, sea salt, stroopwafel, and espresso drip.) Chris and Andy shared an affogato trio. Remi and Jesse shared a sampler platter of gelato. Next we walked to and visited Lafayette Square. We walked Julia Street, visiting a few galleries including Lemieux where we chatted with DeeDee. We rode Lyft XL home. Nap. The group rode Lyft XL to The Country Club for dinner. Cocktails: stress reliever for me, white negroni for Patrick. Patrick and I shared the crabmeat beignets for an appetizer, as did Remi and Jesse, and Chris and Andy shared the summer peach salad. Patrick had the duck fat roasted chicken for his entree, and unfortunately, we have no record of my entree, as it seems to have been left off the receipt without a charge, although Patrick seems to remember it being a pork dish of some sort. For dessert we ordered one chicory coffee affogato for the table. As we received our check we were starstruck to see Amber Martin, Daniel Nardicio, and company seated at a neighboring table. Afterwards we were given a guided tour of the pool area as well as—after it was cleared of guests—the chic and extravagent women's restroom with its custom fabrics and furniture, back-to-back sinks, private toilet stalls. The men's restroom is not as lavish. Rode Lyft XL home. While chatted in the kitchen at the Sonder, we enjoyed watermelon, a chocolate bar, and cider. Watched FOX8 news primarily for the excellent coverage of Tropical Storm Gordon, which was expected to eventually become a category 1 hurricane.