Sylvain and such November 29, 2010

I finally feel as though I have a moment, as well as something worthy of blogging, so here goes.

I was in a bit of a slump for a while.. I was not enjoying my job at a restaurant in NOLA, and was not making any money at it either, so it affected my whole morale..I was beginning to feel as though I could not enjoy living in NOLA.  I had no money or freedom to do anything, so it put a damper on everything.  Summer time/ July-Septish is very slow in NOLA. Its so hot, so not many tourists, and the BP oil spill didnt help any with business, especially  as  server at a seafood restaurant.  BUT… about a month ago I started my new job at Sylvain, this fantastic gastro pub on 625 Chartres St.  I had always been hesitant before to work in the French Quarter because parking is such a hassle and its lots of “obnoxious tourists”.  All my neighbors knew I was not happy at my previous job and had been looking for months for a new one, but to no avail because it was so slow everywhere..My neighbor Joanna had gotten a job at Sylvain via Craigslist, and told me about it.  In a matter of a week I had like 5 interviews at different places.. Well I had been applying and interviewing before, and in NOLA there seems to a quite the demand for jobs, esp in food service industry, so, the likelihood of getting called in or actually getting a job is kinda slim.  At Sylvain, I interviewed and literally 2 hours later the manager called me to give me my fixed schedule!  It was great.  At first I was hired as a backwaiter mainly, with one server shift, which I wasnt thrilled about, but the restaurant was brand new, hadnt even opened yet when I got hired, so everything was evolving and I was just ready to get out of my old job.  I am SO happy I took the job.  It is a wonderful restaurant with fantastic management, food, atmosphere,chef,  coworkers, etc.  The food is all made in house with local produce and sustainably raised, vegetarian fed animals.  A few of the very popular menu items: shaved brussel sprout salad: literally shaved raw brussell sprouts, like gourmet shredded cabbage with cubed apples pieces, shaved pecorino and toasted hazelnuts.. SO yummy.  Entrees: duck confit, cured over night then cooked in its own fat, pan fried crispy, leg of dug served with roasted beets and arugula salad and stewed white beans. everytime i serve it, all i get back on the plate is  a bone.. amazing! also have craft cocktails, housemade syrups, fresh squeezed juices. delicious.  you should def come check it out if you are in nola. you WILL not regret it  sylvainnola.com.

i am also working very part time at Cafe Beignet on Bourbon st.  Ive always wanted to work at a coffee shop, and they were really cool about me being so part time.  Co workers are cool, its pretty slow and def ALL tourists as customers, but its pretty fun.  Right across from the Royal Sonesta Hotel.  Its got courtyard seating and full menu all day long, including out BEG NETS, as most people mispronounce them, and out Cafe O LETS… ha.. I try to humor the mispronounciations, as I  hope i will be a tourist to many more places in the future, esp EUROPE!!!… ..someday.

i was able to move into the apt upstairs that I mentioned in my last blog.  so i am still living in the fourplex at the compound with all my awesome neighbors. my apt is super sweet.  its a shot gun, with a front room, middle room with a mantle, lofted bed, and lots of shelving and craft stuff everywhere! ha.. then my kitchen with my tub in the kitchen,and then my toilet basically connected to my balcony.  its a great eclectic space.  i have a few more little projects, shelves in my kitchen, and painting my front room walls before i take pics.

recently put in some carrot and radish seeds in the garden.  also have lots of lettuces, kale, beets, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, cilantro, fennel, and dill planted as well. the weather is sometimes warm, sometimes cool. ha. very inconsistent. but not miserably hot.  ive been loving biking to work in the quarter. its a nice little twenty minute ride or so, and then i dont have to deal with parking! perfect!

well. that’s all for now.  ive got a few more things to write about, but ill put those in a few more posts so its not too lengthy

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