UYE: Meat and Greet

I must admit that when Shannon suggested getting a bunch of Unilocalers together on Holy Thursday to eat, drink and be merry, I was a bit skeptical. Would people really show, or would Shannon and I have to eat our BBQ alone? Fortunately for me, it turned out to be a lot of fun with great company. Plus I got to experience three new places I had yet to try.
The first stop of the night was The Joint. Having never been, but always wanting to go, this was a perfect place to start the night. I was excited to see some of my favorite Unilocalers arrive. Shannon, Larissa, Lindsay A., Jen L., Anita and new, yet super cool Unilocaler Mande all showed up, ate and contributed to a relaxing, yet entertaining meal.
Next up was Bacchanal. Shannon insisted we walk which was a nice change of pace. Strolling through the abandoned streets of New Orleans has always been one of my favorite past times. Bacchanal was an interesting place. It is also where two more of my favorites joined in for the fun. Joi and Emily joined us for more great conversations, great drinks and even some live music.
Up next was Saturn Bar. We unfortunately lost Jen L., Anita and Lindsay because they are responsible adults, but the rest of us soldiered on. Saturn bar was the most interesting of all the venues, but it is the people who make an event fun. Fun fact: Nicholas Cage used to hang in the Saturn Bar. there are pictures of him on the wall with long almost mullet like hair.
This was another fun event, if I do say so myself. I always enjoy hanging with other Unilocalers, and I really enjoy that our community is growing better each day.
I look forward to the next UYE. I will give everyone more notice next time.

It all started with an old-​school picture of a hypnotizing Burt Reynolds staring back at me. «You know you want to go to a UYE that celebrates meat, Lindsay. Now stop being a hermit and go hang with some of your favorite Unilocalers in the Bywater!» Whatever you say Burt. I am so glad I followed his sage advice.
The Joint produced some amazing BBQ once again and Bacchanal was a great way to relax and chat after dinner. Of course the company is what makes the UYE. The cast was extremely strong last night with some of my favorite characters: King John, Jen L., Anita, Larissa, Joi, Emily, Shannon, and my new favorite person Mande. A beautiful NOLA night full of laughs, BBQ, and wine. Well played Burt, well played.

I beat John on the FTR on his own UYE. As a non meat eater, I was concerned that I would not enjoy myself at the Meat & Greet, but it was great. The Joint had sides that I could eat. And I love their new space. Bonus points for being able to wander over to Bacchanal without getting in cars.
And, of course, the Unilocalers are what make any event. It was awesome to spend time with John, Lindsay, Anita (best date ever), Larissa, Shannon and to meet our new besty Mande. Sorry, I couldn’t spend more time with Joi & Emily since they were arriving as we bailed.
Yay for fun UYEs!

The mood was right. The weather was right. The wine was right. And the company… well, this *was* a Unilocal NOLA UYE («Unofficial Unilocal Event» to the newbies:) so the company was just right… nay, superb.
I can’t speak to the meat. I won’t speak to the meat. Skipped the Joint due to prior engagements, but I joined up with John LH and crew at Bacchanal (separate review coming… thanks, John, for giving me the perfect opportunity to check ‘em out!) and I think I could have stayed there until dawn and still would have had to be given the hook to leave.
But leave, we did and thanks to Shannon, I am now aware of the institution that is Saturn Bar (yet another review forthcoming). If I didn’t have an early start to my day today, no doubt I would have lingered much longer than I had intended (just a quick drink, I swore. As if I could resist the persuasive company of NOLA Unilocalers).
I so love our UYEs. Here’s to the next one!