I'm back in New Orleans for a couple of weeks to liveblog this year's Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival, which is looking to be one of the best in a long time. Panelists and speakers this year include Calvin Trillin, Michael Lewis, Haven Kimmel, Yusef Komunyakaa, Sharyn McCrumb, and John Waters. There's also a panel with the queen mother of Creole cookery, Leah Chase, theater productions, master classes, and about 12 parties, dinners, and receptions.
And tomorrow: lunch at Liuzza's, one of the great neighborhood restaurants that got creamed when the levees broke, but is now open in all its artery-clogging glory. Fried dill pickles, hot sausage po-boys, "Frenchuletta" sandwiches, and frosted schooners of beer. I'm so glad they've reopened, but -- like everything in New Orleans these days -- it's pretty damn bittersweet.
Kevin,
Your blog is terrific. I used to live in NOLA (am in PDX now), so it's nice to hear updates. Enjoy Liuzza's! It hadn't reopened yet last time I was there - I miss those pickles! (The ones at Bernie's up here just aren't quite right.)
Posted by: MC | March 23, 2007 at 11:30 AM
Thanks! If you'd like to meet up for a cup of coffee or something when I get back, just let me know - would be nice to visit with someone from the still-wonderful world of Dysfunction Junction.
Posted by: Kevin | March 23, 2007 at 06:20 PM