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| Fruit at Houston Farmers Market |
Boudin, Bourbon, Voodoo and the Feast of the Assumption - Essays and Interviews
Tuesday, September 21, 2021
My Visit to the Houston Farmers Market on Airline Drive
Saturday, July 17, 2021
Visiting ShyKatz Café on Galveston Island, Historical Architecture, James Waters House
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| ShyKatz French toast with Bacon |
“…ShyKatz Café is a laid-back place, with old-timey mismatched furniture and a paper towel roll in the center of each table to serve as napkins…” (Virginia Billeaud Anderson - BoudinandBourbon.com - checks out food and historical architecture in Galveston. Learn about ShyKatz Café.)
Sunday, June 27, 2021
Irmas Mexican Restaurant - Original Tex Mex – Visiting Irma Galvan
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| Irma Galvan at the
bar of Irma’s Mexican Restaurant |
"...Sometimes I feel sorry for people who live in places where there's no decent Tex Mex. Try to imagine having no options and being stuck with Tex Mex that is mediocre, or in some cases down right sorry..." (Virginia Billeaud Anderson - BoudinandBourbon.com recalls a recent evening at Irma's Mexican Restaurant in downtown Houston. We knocked back margaritas and had a fun visit with Houston's celebrated Irma Galvan, who serves authentic Tex Mex.)
Sunday, May 30, 2021
Romano’s Pizza - Italian Restaurant - Vinny Quarto, Frank Fragale - History of Calabria Italy - Montrose Neighborhood Houston
| Romano’s Fettuccine Frutti di mare |
"...accustomed to grabbing food at Romano’s on nights Donnie didn’t cook, and I hadn’t a clue how much that ritual meant to me until the nail salon’s fire pole-axed it.( Virginia Billeaud Anderson informs readers that Romano's Pizza and Italian Restaurant re-opened. Vincenzo Quarto (Vinny) and Francesco Fragale (Frank), born to two sisters in Calabria Italy, Antoinette and Caterina, are dishing out exquisite food. Read fun history of Calabria.)
Sunday, April 25, 2021
Unraveling Mint Juleps, Pat O'Brien's Patio, Julep Bar, Anvil Bar and Refuge
| Mint Julep on Patio
at Pat O' Brien's New Orleans. Image from Pat O Brien's Instagram #patobriens |
"..It was back in 1938 that Derby big-wigs consecrated the Julep as sacred hooch for the race..."(Virginia Billeaud Anderson - BoudinandBourbon.com discusses the history of the mint julep including its Persian antecedents, while perched on Pat O'Brien's architecturally exquisite patio and the bar at the Crillon. Dips into the Kentucky Derby and literary references, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Hemingway, as well as Houston’s Julep Bar and Anvil Bar and Refuge.)
Sunday, April 11, 2021
Eating Oysters at Topwater Grill in San Leon at Galveston Bay, Texas
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| Topwater Grill at Galveston Bay in San Leon |
"...Donnie wanted fresh oysters for lunch, so we ran down to San Leon at Galveston Bay on the Texas coast..."
Sunday, March 21, 2021
A Tribute to Legendary Wildcatter Jim Bob Moffett
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| Jim Bob Moffett. Image from Freeport McMoran announcement |
"When I heard that Jim Bob Moffett had kicked the bucket, I thought to myself we just lost one of the ballsiest guys in the history of oil and gas..." (Virginia Billeaud Anderson writes a tribute to legendary wildcatter Jim Bob Moffett, who despite humble beginnings, became CEO of multi-billion dollar Freeport McMoran and led the industry in Gulf of Mexico Shelf "ultra-deep" drilling. Moffett steered Freeport McMoran to discover the world’s largest gold mine, and third largest copper mine. Includes oil and gas history and Moffett's philosophy for success. T. Boone Pickens said Moffett's oilfield exploits rank him in the top five of any list of U.S. wildcatters.)
Tuesday, January 5, 2021
Interviewed John and Lillie Mae Norbert about Norbert’s Restaurant - and Broussard Louisiana
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| John and Lillie Mae Norbert at Norbert's Restaurant |
"...Which days do you serve home-made rice dressing? Sometimes on Wednesday, sometimes on Thursday..." (Virginia Billeaud Anderson - BoudinandBourbon.com talks to John and Lillie Mae Norbert about their lives, the history of Norbert's Restaurant, and the history of Broussard Louisiana.)
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
A Talk with George Graham of Acadianatable.com about his new cookbook "Fresh From Louisiana: The Soul of Cajun and Creole Home Cooking" - Interview
George Graham in his Kitchen. Courtesy George Graham
"...I poured a glass of bourbon and thought about George Graham..." (Virginia Billeaud Anderson interviews George Graham about Acadianatable.com and his new cookbook Fresh from Louisiana: The Soul of Cajun and Creole Home Cooking. And learned about Graham's food marketing background which evolved into a wide array of marketing services such as content creation, food styling and photography and video production and ad placement.)
Friday, September 25, 2020
Antoine’s Restaurant Re-opens Friday September 25
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Morvant’s Bar & Grill - Formerly Bero's Youngsville Louisiana - Interview - 97 Year History
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| Morvant's Bar and Grill - Youngsville Louisiana |
"...a cold beer and eat a hamburger or a fried shrimp po-boy or a tray of boiled crawfish and hit the dance floor while the Cajun band “Alligator Blue” performs “Tee Na Na” at Morvant’s Bar and Grill in Youngsville Louisiana.." (Interviewed Chip Hebert about the history of Morvant's Bar and Grill, formerly Bero's, established in 1924 in Youngsville Louisiana. Cajun food, cold beer, dancing.)
Sunday, July 5, 2020
Interviewed Carolyn Simon at Vermilion Bay Seafood, Tony Chachere Recipe
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| Vermilion Bay Seafood fresh shrimp bought from shrimpers |
"...Your alternative is a tasteless imported sorry excuse for a shrimp that was harvested in a pond farm in another country..." (BoudinandBourbon.com - Virginia Billeaud Anderson interviewed Carolyn Simon at Vermilion Bay Seafood about the history of her shrimp business.)
Thursday, June 4, 2020
Ryan Baptiste - The Light Beyond The Blight - Redbud Gallery - Echoes of New Orleans
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| Ryan Baptiste, “Southern Hospitality,” 2018, Oil on canvas, 38 x 46 |
"...she told me she considered Ryan’s Baptiste’s paintings to be exceptional..." (Virginia Billeaud Anderson interviewed Ryan Baptiste about his "Light Beyond the Blight" exhibition at Redbud Gallery. Ryan's light-filled images of human figures and New Orleans architecture allegorize spiritual essence.)
Sunday, May 31, 2020
Bar Boheme - Houston Bars - Drag Brunch - Architectural Preservation
My friend Hugo Ovalle has a talent for finding interesting places to drink. Abu Dhabi, Kazakhstan, Buenos Aires, anywhere he goes, Hugo’s radar plops him into interesting spots.
It was Hugo who introduced me to Bar Boheme, years ago. The night he did, I fell in love with a particular red leather couch, located on the right side of the large bar. Boheme patrons carry on about the fancy patios, and I’ll admit the patios are splendid, comfortably laid out and decorated with sculpture and greenery. In fact Houston Press readers rank Boheme’s patios “Best Bar Patio” in 2019. Nevertheless, when I go to Boheme, I always highjack my favorite red couch.
The virus, of course, interrupted that ritual for now. I believe though that very soon Governor Greg Abbott will open the bars, and things will get back to normal here in Montrose neighborhood.
Having two Louisiana brothers who own restaurants, makes me particularly aware of how painful these times are for bars and restaurants. Boheme’s response to the lockdown was to boldly service its customers with curbside pickup and free deliveries, until it was allowed to reinstate patio service, doggies included. On Sunday May 31 Boheme will host its kid-friendly Brunch with Drag Bingo, on the patio from 1pm to 4pm. The eye shadow and lashes on Angelina, Cyn City and Chloe give me a deep yearning to go to an expensive salon for pretty makeup.
Despite Houston’s sorry reputation for architectural preservation, my neighborhood has many preserved historic structures. The house I live in, for instance, dates to 1925. There is a house on my block that dates to the 1910. How admirable that Bar Boheme preserved its building, which dates to 1930. When you go, notice the striking asymmetrical brick patterns on the façade. Then shift your gaze to the roof to see, in my opinion, the building’s most stunning architectural feature, a decorative pineapple-style roof finial. I’m guessing the finial is made of limestone. Other historic buildings in the neighborhood have decorative features of this type. Perhaps you noticed the finials on the building that Hugo Ortega restored when he built Hugo’s Restaurant. I think that building dates to 1925.
The other Hugo, my friend with radar for interesting places to drink, lives in the neighborhood. Hugo and his beautiful family have an architecturally preserved home that dates to 1905.
Images are from Bar Boheme’s Facebook and Instagram.
Bar Boheme
307 Fairview St
Houston, Texas 77006
Barboheme.com
(Selected Articles on BOUDINANDBOURBON.COM)
Carolyn Simon, Vermilion Bay Seafood, Tony Chachere Recipe
https://www.boudinandbourbon.com/2020/05/bar-boheme-houston-bars-drag-brunch.html
Billeaud's Too, Calvin Trillin, and Jacking with Cajun Boudin
https://www.boudinandbourbon.com/2020/04/billeauds-too-calvin-trillin-and.html
Martha Stewart Visits Lucullus Antiques - Patrick Dunne - New Orleans
Jimmy Domengeaux Chats about His Louisiana Wetlands Photography Exhibition – Interview
A Closer Look at Christy Karll’s Painting “Swerve” – Interview
Thursday, May 21, 2020
Bayview Inn on Vermillion Bay at Cypremort Point Louisiana - Cranking Up
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| Bayview Inn - Cypremort Point - Vermillion Bay - Louisiana |
"...Bayview Inn at Cypremort Point on the Louisiana coastline has had miserable luck. Last summer Hurricane Barry walloped the establishment..." (After a hurricane forced the owners to rebuild, Bayview Inn at Cypremort Point on Vermilion Bay is reopening. The fuel dock, market and bar & grill with live music are back in business on Memorial Day weekend.)
Tuesday, April 7, 2020
Billeaud’s Too, Calvin Trillin, and Jacking with Cajun Boudin
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| Traditional Boudin links at Billeaud's Too |
"...By way of its prototype, sausage, boudin has an honorable history that reaches back to ancient times. Homer mentions goat sausage..." (Virginia Billeaud Anderson discusses Boudin dishes at Billeaud's Too in south Louisiana. She references Calvin Trillin's New Yorker article about boudin which mentions Billy Billeaud's boudin, the history of boudin, and boudin makers' innovations.)
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
Francis Bacon: Late Paintings - Museum of Fine Arts, Houston - A Tour with Alison de Lima Greene, Didier Ottinger Centre Pompidou
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| Francis Bacon, Triptych August 1972, 1972, oil and sand on canvas, Tate. © The Estate of Francis Bacon. All rights reserved. / DACS, London / ARS, NY 2019 |
Monday, November 25, 2019
Martha Stewart Visits Lucullus Antiques - Patrick Dunne - New Orleans
Martha Stewart and Patrick Dunne at Lucullus Antiques |
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Jimmy Domengeaux Chats about His Louisiana Wetlands Photography Exhibition - Jimmy Domengeaux - Wetlands - Interview
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| Jimmy Domengeaux, Bayou Benoit Day's End, 2016, ink jet print |
"Jimmy Domengeaux on the other hand cut through the crap and stated rather succinctly the reason he photographs Louisiana wetlands..." (Interviewed Jimmy Domengeaux about his Wetlands Photography Exhibition. Jimmy photographs south Louisiana's Atchafalaya Basin, swamps and marshes.)
Thursday, October 3, 2019
Rejiggering Blue Dog Café, George Rodrigue, Approachable Annie Café & Bar
| Blue Dog's Burger Special on Burger Night |
"...Reading between the lines, Blue Dog is placing bets on a younger hipper crowd..." (Virginia Billeaud Anderson highlights changes at Blue Dog Café where specialty cocktails, imported beer and live music will appeal to a younger hipper crowd. George Rodrigue's art remains. Similar changes made Annie Café and Bar in Houston more "approachable.")
Monday, September 16, 2019
Sharon Kopriva: No Small Thing - Hilliard University Museum - Damn, I Missed the Dinner
Sharon Kopriva, Breaking Bonds, 2019, 5 Panel Piece, graphite and collage on paper, 80 x 113 inches |
"...My Mom’s back was hurting from having to stand in the gallery, and she was becoming impatient for her martini, so I decided to decline Sharon Kopriva’s invitation to a dinner..."
Monday, September 9, 2019
Sharon Kopriva, Hilliard University Art Museum, To Hell with Time and Space
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| Sharon Kopriva, The Cardinal, 1994, Papier Mache and Mixed Media, 50 x 48 x 48 inches |
"...I’ll bet you an expensive bottle of booze, Sharon did exactly that when she floated through walls.."
Wednesday, August 14, 2019
Avesta Persian Grill's Pomegranate and Walnut Stew, Cyrus the Great, and Tajikistan
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| Avesta Persian Grill's wall mural with images of relief carvings from the citadel of Persepolis |
"Assyria, Greece, Mesopotamia, Babylonia, Central Asia, parts of India, Cyrus hoped, would roll over, or spread their legs in exchange for favorable terms as tribute-paying satrapies and vassals." (Virginia Billeaud Anderson - BoudinandBourbon.com visits Avesta Persian Grill to taste the pomegranate and walnut stew called Fesenjān, a dish that dates back two and a half thousand years and was prepared in the Persian Empire's royal kitchens at Persepolis.)
Sunday, July 28, 2019
Spending Time on the Patio at Hugos Restaurant, James Beard and Giotto
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| Chuleta de Puerco, double-cut pork chop with winter squash-chapulin butter crust and roasted vegetables |
"...wanted good marijuana from Oaxaca. Back then we called that coveted weed Oaxacan Gold. Now I’m an old broad who gets giddy over Oaxacan mole sauce.." (BoudinandBourbon.com writes about having food and booze on the patio at Hugos Restaurant, with some culinary history.)
Sunday, July 21, 2019
I Love Console Tables, Marie of France, King of Poland, Jayne Wrightsman and Italy
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| Chatsworth: The Attic Sale October 2010, Italian carved giltwood console table, made in Rome, mid 18th century, Sotheby’s Auction |
"Why, you might ask, do I give a damn about a frou-frou gilded, curly-leg, marble-top table, the sole purpose of which, is to be displayed against the walls of grand rooms..." (Fun historical background to a console table sold by Christies's Auction. It had been owned by Stanislaw, King of Poland, father of Queen Marie, who was Louis XV's wife.)
Thursday, July 11, 2019
Interviewed Mark Morales of Shutter Source Houston about Custom Made Shutters
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Custom made bedroom shutters manufactured and installed by Mark Morales - Shutter Source Houston |
"...Caesar would have looked through shutters to scrutinize torch lights below, while augurs read a sheep's liver for indications of trouble..." (BoudinandBourbon.com - Virginia Billeaud Anderson interviews Mark Morales about his custom made shutters. Article includes fun history of shutters used by ancient Persians, Greeks and Romans.)
Wednesday, July 3, 2019
Long Live Irma Thomas
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| Irma Thomas 2019 The Advocate.com Photo by Sophia Germer |
"...There can’t be a more poignant statement of loss than Irma's 'Wish Someone Would Care'... (Virginia Billeaud Anderson - BoudinandBourbon.com pays tribute to Soul Queen of New Orleans Irma Thomas with a few words about her life and music.)
Sunday, June 23, 2019
Dr. John’s Second Line Jazz Funeral - New Orleans - A Closer Look
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
Slobbering Cow: Questions for Amita Bhatt - Interview
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| Amita Bhatt, “No Straight Answers,” 48 x 48 inches, Oil on Canvas, 2015 |
"...you take partial inspiration from the Greek maenads, drunk frenzied bitches who’ll tear you to shreds..."
Monday, June 10, 2019
My Visit to Rays Real Pit Bar-B-Q Shack in Houston - A Closer Look
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| Rays Real Pit Bar B-Q Sample Mix of Brisket, Ribs, Sausage |
"The first thing I did was walk to the back of the building, to try to snoop around. I wanted to see the pit.." (Virginia Billeaud Anderson - BoudinandBourbon.com visits Rays Real Pit Bar-B-Q Shack in Houston, owned by Herb Taylor, Ray Busch and Maxine Davis. Learn about the food, River Falls, Rays House Rub and some Bar-B-Q History.)
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Notes on Irises, Van Gogh, Walter Annenberg, Louisiana Politics - Essay
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| Pam Zuschlag, "Irises," Photograph taken la Louvre Garden, Bonnieux, Provence, facebook 5-13-19 |
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
A Few Thoughts about van Gogh - Vincent van Gogh: His Life in Art - Museum of Fine Arts, Houston - Essay
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| Vincent van Gogh, Roses and Peonies June 1886, Oil on canvas, 23 ½ × 28 ½ inches (59.8 x 72.5 cm), Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo, The Netherlands. |
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Shrimp and Grits at Beaux Coo Daiquiris and Cajun Eats - One Year Anniversary
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| Beaux Coo's Sangria Daiquiri |
Thursday, April 11, 2019
Breathtaking Jewels, Elizabeth Taylor, Wallace Simpson, Christie’s Auction - A Closer Look
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| Sapphire and Diamond Ring, The octagonal step-cut sapphire is 50.55 carats, surrounded with baguette-cut diamonds. |
"...the sight of Wallis' 206-carat sapphire pendant would have sent me straight to the bar..." (Boudinandbourbon.com shows readers a few of the jewels Christie's will auction in New York, with mention of special jewels owned by Wallace Simpson and Elizabeth Taylor.)
Sunday, April 7, 2019
Hôtel Lauzun, Hôtel Lambert on Île Saint-Louis - Charles Baudelaire, Alexis de Redè - A Closer Look
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| Hôtel Lambert when Guy and Marie-Hélène
de Rothschild Resided from Alidad Instagram |
Friday, March 15, 2019
St. Patrick’s Day Devilry - A Closer Look at “da Channel” Irish Channel New Orleans
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Krewe of Rex - Hail Rex - St. Charles Avenue New Orleans Mardi Gras - Essay
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| Photograph Rex Ball Sheraton Hotel, year unknown, photo by Mike Posey. Image from Krewe of Rex website. |
"It wouldn’t do for King Rex to toast at some inelegant venue..."
Friday, February 8, 2019
Epicure Café's European Pastries - Habsburg Vienna - Persian Empire - Essay
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Epicure Café’s Tiramisu Cake |
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Sotheby’s On-line Sale Offers Lower Priced Old Masters
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
La Grange Bar - Fresh Pineapple, Memories of Whorehouses - Essay
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| La Grange Bar Watermelon Fresca |
Friday, January 11, 2019
Billeauds No. 3 - Grilled Bar-B-Q Meats and the New Orleans Saints

Thursday, January 3, 2019
My Tour of Menil Drawing Institute - An Unguarded Picasso - Where is Edouard Kopp - Essay
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| Image: Pablo Picasso, Spanish, 1881 – 1973, Portrait of André Salmon, 1907, Charcoal on paper, 24 ¾ × 18 ¾ in. (62.9 × 47.6 cm), Work on paper (Drawing), V 9100. (Courtesy of the Menil Collection) |
Friday, December 21, 2018
Fine Jewels Offered by Houston Jewelers - Beautiful and Different
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| Diamond and Sapphire Ring. Nazar's and Co. Jewelry. www.nazarsandco.com |
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| Victor Velyan 18K yellow Gold and white Gold ring with black opal and Diamonds. Lewis Jewelers. www.lewisusa.com |
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| Etho Maria Sharp collection 18K yellow Gold and Green Sapphire Drop Earrings. Saks Fifth Avenue Houston, The Galleria. www.saksfifthavenue.com |
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| TIFFANY AND COMPANY SCHLUMBERGER® Fish Clip Brooch with rubies, emeralds and sapphires set in 18K gold. Tiffany, The Galleria. www.tiffany.com |
https://www.boudinandbourbon.com/2020/04/billeauds-too-calvin-trillin-and.html
Martha Stewart Visits Lucullus Antiques - Patrick Dunne - New Orleans
Jimmy Domengeaux Chats about His Louisiana Wetlands Photography Exhibition – Interview










































