GQ Magazine: Alan Richman's hit piece on New Orleans

YES, WE’RE OPEN
Alan Richman hits the streets of New Orleans to see how the country’s most distinctive cuisine has fared after Katrina

(snip)

"I think people either take to the city or they do not. They buy into the romance, or they abhor the decadence. I know where I stand.

New Orleans was always a three-day stubble of a city, and now, courtesy of Katrina, it’s more like ?ve. The situation is worse, of course, in the devastated areas, where the floodwaters and the winds did their work. I know we are supposed to salvage what’s left of the city, but what exactly is it that we’re trying to cherish and preserve? I hope it’s not the French Quarter, which has evolved into a illogical mix of characterless housing, elegant antiques stores, and scuzzy bars, a destination for tourists seeking the worst possible experience. The entertainment values are only marginally superior to those of Tijuana, Mexico.

Of course, there’s the food. I’m not certain the cuisine was ever as good as its reputation, in part because the people who have consumed, evaluated, and admired it likely weren’t sober enough at the time of ingestion to know what they were eating..."

(snip)

http://men.style.com/gq/features/full?id=content_5165
_____________________

That SOB better stay outta Pirate's Alley.

we don't need Alan Richman in New Orleans anyway.

Orleans is unique and should remain so.

And all this time I thought N.O. schools sucked! :dunce:

Richman's view of the Quarter: "characterless housing" = recent development between Canal and Iberville, technically not even part of the Vieux Carre anymore; "elegant antiques stores" = upper Royal St.; and "scuzzy bars", obviously, upper Bourbon St. In short, a first-timer's view of the Quarter: strike that, a clueless first-timer who hadn't even read a decent guidebook like Frommer's or Fodor's before he landed.

GQ should demand its advance back.

Brah! :D