sHTo P aLK
BY LINDSEY DARNELL
SHOPPING NEWS BY MISSY WILKINSON
Vine Dining n 2003, chef Milton Prudence left one New Orleans dining institution to create, along with owner Tommy Andrade, what is becoming another institution. “Milton Prudence was the chef at Galatoire’s for a long time and has been with us since we opened the door,” says Will Lloyd, assistant general manager at Tommy’s Cuisine (746 Tchoupitoulas St., 581-1103 www.tommysneworleans.com). “He’s one of the best Creole chefs in New Orleans.” Epicures will delight in Prudence’s menu, which includes entrees like lightly battered and fried soft-shell crab served over linguini in a Reggiano crawfish sauce. “We’re famous for our oysters,” Lloyd says. “One of our specialties is the Oysters Trio.” This appetizer is a sampler of a half dozen oysters, including oysters Tommy (baked with Romano cheese, pancetta and roasted red pepper), oysters Rockefeller (cooked with spinach, fresh herbs and herbsaint) and oysters Bienville (prepared with crawfish, shrimp and fresh herbs). The restaurant’s ambience matches the rich and savory dishes. Featuring soft lighting and wood paneling, the warm but expansive space includes a restaurant and private rooms and is capable of accommodating 300 guests. Tommy’s Wine Bar is adjacent to the dining space. “We can have six private dinners going on at one time, and we often do,” Lloyd says. “There’s a separate entrance to the wine bar, but (the bar and the restaurant) actually connect. You can order everything off Tommy’s Cuisine at the wine bar.” The wine bar offers 55 wines by the glass and 150 bottles, as well
The “Green Light District,” which is located in the 2000-2100 blocks of Magazine Street and includes businesses BRANCH OUT, CANOPY, GREEN SERENE, JACKSON RESTAURANT, SPRUCE, UNIQUE PRODUCTS and ZUKA BABY, holds a shopping event from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8. There will be live music by Miss Mec & Belizaire, Christmas trees on display, raffles, sales, free snacks and pictures with Santa.
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as a selection of cheeses and Tommy’s Wine Bar features pates. Thanks to a high-tech 150 wines and live piano pouring system, every glass music on weeknights. tastes like it came from a freshly opened bottle. “We have a Cruvinet, the first wine pouring system of its type,” says Lloyd, a certified sommelier. “It actually pulls nitrogen out of the air and pumps it into the bottle to preserve the wine for up to six weeks.” Tommy’s has a piano player on weeknights and bands on weekends, so oenophiles can enjoy live music as they savor the wine and the atmosphere. “On Friday night, we have a jazz band, and on Saturday night we have a Latin band,” Lloyd says. “The wine bar is really gorgeous — lots of space, the leather seating, the art work. It’s beautiful. It really is one of the hidden gems in the city.”
New Orleans-based T-shirt company SHULTZILLA (www.shultzilla.com) celebrates its two-year anniversary. Now through Dec. 19, enter promo code HAPPYBDAY at checkout to receive a 20 percent discount.
MERRIMENT ON MAGAZINE ST.
fragrance products Hawaian Gardenia with other white flowers
All proceeds from sales of RAISING CANE’S (citywide; www.raisingcanes.com) plush Labrador retriever benefit local pet welfare groups. Visit any store location to purchase the toy. Last year, Raising Cane’s raised more than $25,000 from sales of the limited-edition plush puppy.
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605 METAIR IE ROAD MON - SAT 10A M - 6PM
504-309-8778
Open Sundays in December 12-4pm
Open Mon-Sat 11am-9pm
(504)322-2931 • bra fitting available
701 Metairie rd • Old Metairie Village
3001 Magazine St. · 891-0997 www.joeyksrestaurant.com
Gambit > bestofneworleans.com > december 06 > 2011
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THE RITZ-CARLTON (921 Canal St., 524-1331; www.ritzcarlton.com) and MARRIOTT HOTELS OF NEW ORLEANS (citywide; www.marriott.com) have partnered with homeless shelter OZANAM INN for a toy drive. Visit driveway donation boxes at the hotels now through Friday, Dec. 9 to drop off new, unwrapped toys and winter clothes.
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