Several recommendations led me to eat at a restaurant in New Orleans called Jacque-Imo’s. It's pictured below, the building on the right.
Here’s my experience:
The hostess led me through the bustling kitchen where an array of smells (all mouthwatering) struck my nose with a pleasant delight.(Yes! Good recommendation!) Weezer’s Blue album played with the echo of dinner conversations and laughter (Love it!). The walls are covered with tree patterned wall paper. Chile pepper lights are draped in one corner. The lights on the wall are colorful decoupage-style sconces. The fan above my head had three different muted color light bulbs. Each table cloth is covered with a different floral table cloth (the tacky outdoor picnic table kind). By themselves? Tacky. Together? Eclectic.
I sat at a quaint table for two and chose the seat facing the kitchen/exit. I’m enjoying my tasty cornbread and taking in the ambiance. AND THEN…From behind me comes a 50-ish year old man…bald with a goatee and wearing a tacky Hawaiian print short-sleeved button down top. It was awkward from the minute he made eye contact with me. But he forged on –brave move considering the questionable look I was giving! He mentioned that “we” are just sitting over there and I was welcome to join them. He gestured but I didn’t dare look over my shoulder to see who “we” was. I politely said “Well thanks for the invite, but I’m fine here.” So he turned and walked away and up steps the hostess who must have been watching the whole thing. She said “Miss Cara (impressive that she remembered my name from the wait list) if anyone gives you a hard time, just tell me honey. Actually, tell Derek.” At that exact moment another restaurant staffer walked by, and the nice hostess stops to introduce me to Derek. Being a young and fit black man, I am more inclined to get his help if I feel threatened by the old men then telling the petite 45-ish hostess. Derek jumped right in, “Yeah, you just tell him that you are with me.” I responded that I should have told him to look at my ring finger (which I happily flashed). Derek’s response? “OH, that NEVER works!” Haha…too bad! Though truth be told, despite the awkwardness of it all, it can be nice to get some attention and makes for a great story…it makes a dinner for one much more exciting!
So I never did look behind me to see who “we” was. But I have a feeling I wouldn’t have wanted to. The incident became the gossip topic of the restaurant staff. When another waitress brought me my food she leaned in with her back towards the men and said “I am SO sorry about those men back there.” Hmmm. And then after I finished my meal and told my waiter that I was done and ready for the bill, he came back with my bill and cheesecake and said “I just had to bring you a little piece.” Sympathy cheesecake!?! Wow…those guys must have been BAD.
And gets worse! On my way out the door, I hear the hostess again, “Miss Cara?” …Yes? “Do you need someone to walk you out to your car?” Oh man…
I declined and made it out safely and never did see who the “we” was. I sure hope it wasn’t an old man with friends the male supermodels and professional athletes!
**I do need to mention that the food was amazing. I enjoyed my shrimp a great deal. However it was New Orleans style shrimp which I guess means it’s the whole shrimp…and I had no idea how to gracefully eat it. It was served with a spoon. Not sure how that was supposed to be used. I just used my fork and my fingers.
Here’s my experience:The hostess led me through the bustling kitchen where an array of smells (all mouthwatering) struck my nose with a pleasant delight.(Yes! Good recommendation!) Weezer’s Blue album played with the echo of dinner conversations and laughter (Love it!). The walls are covered with tree patterned wall paper. Chile pepper lights are draped in one corner. The lights on the wall are colorful decoupage-style sconces. The fan above my head had three different muted color light bulbs. Each table cloth is covered with a different floral table cloth (the tacky outdoor picnic table kind). By themselves? Tacky. Together? Eclectic.
I sat at a quaint table for two and chose the seat facing the kitchen/exit. I’m enjoying my tasty cornbread and taking in the ambiance. AND THEN…From behind me comes a 50-ish year old man…bald with a goatee and wearing a tacky Hawaiian print short-sleeved button down top. It was awkward from the minute he made eye contact with me. But he forged on –brave move considering the questionable look I was giving! He mentioned that “we” are just sitting over there and I was welcome to join them. He gestured but I didn’t dare look over my shoulder to see who “we” was. I politely said “Well thanks for the invite, but I’m fine here.” So he turned and walked away and up steps the hostess who must have been watching the whole thing. She said “Miss Cara (impressive that she remembered my name from the wait list) if anyone gives you a hard time, just tell me honey. Actually, tell Derek.” At that exact moment another restaurant staffer walked by, and the nice hostess stops to introduce me to Derek. Being a young and fit black man, I am more inclined to get his help if I feel threatened by the old men then telling the petite 45-ish hostess. Derek jumped right in, “Yeah, you just tell him that you are with me.” I responded that I should have told him to look at my ring finger (which I happily flashed). Derek’s response? “OH, that NEVER works!” Haha…too bad! Though truth be told, despite the awkwardness of it all, it can be nice to get some attention and makes for a great story…it makes a dinner for one much more exciting!
So I never did look behind me to see who “we” was. But I have a feeling I wouldn’t have wanted to. The incident became the gossip topic of the restaurant staff. When another waitress brought me my food she leaned in with her back towards the men and said “I am SO sorry about those men back there.” Hmmm. And then after I finished my meal and told my waiter that I was done and ready for the bill, he came back with my bill and cheesecake and said “I just had to bring you a little piece.” Sympathy cheesecake!?! Wow…those guys must have been BAD.
And gets worse! On my way out the door, I hear the hostess again, “Miss Cara?” …Yes? “Do you need someone to walk you out to your car?” Oh man…
I declined and made it out safely and never did see who the “we” was. I sure hope it wasn’t an old man with friends the male supermodels and professional athletes!
**I do need to mention that the food was amazing. I enjoyed my shrimp a great deal. However it was New Orleans style shrimp which I guess means it’s the whole shrimp…and I had no idea how to gracefully eat it. It was served with a spoon. Not sure how that was supposed to be used. I just used my fork and my fingers.
3 comments:
I can't believe you did take a look at the group of guys- I would have been so curious. Glad the staff had your back!! Be safe traveling alone.
I still can't believe this happened...such an awesome story!! I wish I was there to explore Nawlins with you!!
Funny story- I related it to colin too. Yeah, I agree with Megan- how did you not even look back for a millasecond to see who your admirers were? Cara, maybe you should stop playing Wii fit. You must be gettin' too hot for your own good! PS- Too bad Matt couldn't come with you this time. I thought you guys were going to try to have him come along on that one.
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