It's been a REALLY long time ...

I haven't lived in New Orleans for almost 25 years, so my information is kind of .... well, maybe a little stale. I have two questions.

1. Can someone tell me if the Friendly House, Camellia Grill, Barrow's Shady Inn, the Lakeview, Picou's Bakery, and/or Parasol's are still around? If so, are they still good? If not, what's filling these niches in the food ecosystem?

2. What's the best lakefront restaurant to get a big cheap tray of good boiled crabs?

Thanks,
An ex-Yat

I hate to admit, but Picou's Bakery no longer exists. My father had to close it down after my grandfather died. Do look in the future for another as he is planning on opening one. thank you for wondering if one still exists. I am proud to hear that my grandfather's legacy still lives on.

[gpicou]

Trey, It's been a decade since your reply, but I'm hoping you'll get this. I think we're related because my grandfather told me about his brother's bakery in New Orleans.

[Tpicou]

Ha oddly enough I came across this again. Is there a way you can send me a message on here so we can figure out if we're related?

[gpicou]

Well, my grandfather was Milton Picou, born to Henry and Blanche (Ruth) Picou, NO in 1894. I don't mind giving you an email address here- you can use [e-mail]. My stepmother is keen on this stuff, and has even tracked the family back to France, and visited the ol' home town, Brest.
I look forward to hearng from you, "cousin."

[hazelhurst]

Well, someone needs to re-open the shop....more politely I should say i WISH someone would. Picou's is another of that ever-growing list of "ain't dere no more."

[gpicou]

Well, if I had the magic family recipe, I surely would find a way to open up a shop. But I can't make pancake, if it don't comeout da box!

[rouxdauphine]

I miss Picou's donuts! It was one of the first things I looked for when we moved back to New Orleans almost eleven years ago.

[nlayton]

Trey,
Thought you might like to hear from another Picou's Bakery fan.
I moved from NOLA in 1982, but when I lived there I rode my bicycle to work up Esplanade to the LSU Dental School and would frequently stop at Picou's.
There really was something special about the donuts.
I haven't been back for over 10 years, but will be soon and wanted to visit Picou's. I'll keep my eye open for your father's new bakery. Hopefully he has the recipes. Best Regards,
Nancy Layton

Friendly house is non est as is Picou's--unless they moved somewhere else and no one told me. Have not been on the Lake in ages so you'll need someone else for that.

Parasol's is still there and the source of a big debate as to whether it is improved or not under New Ownership.

Other great Tulane-type hangouts are seriously changed (Rendon Inn) but some seem eternal (College In) BTW GOURMET gave up Domilise's in their recent listing of plaes. Always thought they had the best shrimp po boy

The Camellia Grill offers the best burger in town, matched with an unusual milkshake featuring a galaxy of tiny ice crystals, and the kind of soulful team service that made Motown famous in the 1960s. Open late in the Riverbend, it's probably exactly the same as it was 25 years ago.

One important change: Camellia Grill stopped using linen napkins about 18 months ago. Their napkins are now a high-quality, fabric-like paper, albeit still dinner-sized. Most everything else is still the same.

Yes, I was just there and was surprised by the napkins. As always, had a gut buster breakfast to rival any other. It's always on my list of "must eat" when in NO.

If you wake up with a hangover (a frequent occurrence in N'awlins, for some mysterious reason), a chili-cheese omelette from Camellia Grill will get you on the road to recovery. If you can hold it down, life will get better quickly.