As I was heading out of New Orleans on my way to Houston, I decided to stop someplace to get a quick bite of lunch. I made my way down Prytania St., looking for a nice spot. Crepe Nanou? No, only open at dinner. La Thai? Madame La Bouffe isn't really impressed by that, so no. Then, I came across St. James Cheese Company. I sometimes haunted the place for the delicious cheese, but that was all I'd bought there before now. I knew it had sandwiches and salads and such truck, so I decided, since there was no where else, to stop by and consume something before I got stuck on the road with a McDonalds or other nasty chain restaurant.
I went inside, took a good look at the sandwich menu and chose my food. I decided on a classic grilled cheese, with potato chips and pears as sides. I chose my table, was graciously given a drink by the staff, and sat down to wait for my sandwich. I was't bored at all, though. I had a grand time looking at all the foreign cheeses (and tasting a couple as well!) There were also countless little jars of jams in interesting flavors sitting on a shelf, delicious-sounding flavors like fig and grape. There was also a good selection of delectable-looking crackers next to the jams, a basket of plump baguettes, and a whole case of cured meats next to the cheeses. I ended up buying some prosciutto, and Kaila, the member of staff I talked to most, sliced a gigantic pig leg on the meat slicer and let me watch. "I always say thank you to something like this-" Kaila gestured at the leg- "before I slice it, because it gave its life so we could enjoy prosciutto." A memorable quote.
My sandwich came after a bit, and I dove in immediately. This was, I decided, one of the best grilled cheeses I'd ever eaten, which is saying something, because I've eaten so many. The bread was multigrain and had lots of tasty seeds in it that broke up with thrilling crunches when I bit. The cheese was very melty and creamy, but still a pleasantly sharp cheddar. The chips were addictive, and very sweet and crispy. The pears were not creamy, but not completely hard, either. All in all, a delicious meal.
St. James is a great place to bring the girls (or guys) for a really yummy meal, and if you have kids, I recommend the meal I had, grilled cheese with chips and fruit, called the Mini Moo on the menu. St. James has my eternal approval. But that's enough New Orleans for now. Let us travel out West, and eat at even more great spots. Au revoir!
