Etcetera

Meet : ‘NOLA’ pillows at Plum. Pillow goddess, Alexandra Ferguson, has NOLA’fied her eco-friendly pillows, made of organic cotton, hemp, and recycled water bottles, exclusively for Plum. Each 14 x 18 cream pillow ($92) , embossed with colorful lettering reading: NOLA, is a stylish, comfortable, and environmentally conscious way to incorporate New Orleans into your home.

Eat : The pretzelatta. Gracious Bakery has put a spin on the Big Easy’s iconic mufaletta; it’s mash-up showcases what Gracious does best: bread. The sandwich ($9), consisting of coppa, smoked ham, provolone, and olive salad layered on a perfectly chewy pretzel baguette, is like the cool European cousin of portly, traditionalist counterpart. Yes, we all have a special place in our hearts, or, rather, our bellies, for the classic at Central Grocery, but Gracious’ lighter rendition is certainly worth a bite, or ten.

Drink : Domenica‘s eggnog. It’s hard to find an eggnog that’s downright bad (that wasn’t a challenge). That said, eggnogs are not all made equally. The Adonis of the species in NOLA would have to be Domenica pastry chef Lisa White’s version — a boozy amalgamation of spiced New Orleans Rum, Italian Amaretto, and brandy, swirled together with a rich blend of eggs and cream, of course — which has been brewing for the past few weeks. The drink will be available ($10/ glass $45/bottle through the end of the month).

Fête : At Fulton Alley. A classy bowling alley? Despite the oxymoronic nature of the combination, Fulton Alleys has executed the concept without turning itself into self-pointed joke. Aesthetically, Fulton, offers a welcomed alternative to the sticky plastic chairs and pungent locker room smell of most lanes; expect polished wood, smooth leather, brick walls, and light fixtures that have neither fluorescent bulbs nor sketchy looking fans. As for the food: you won’t be forced to play Russian roulette with starvation and food poisoning; Fulton swaps out the traditional Velveeta nachos and tepid beer with suspended mystery particles for tapas and cocktails.

They offer a happy hour with $6 select cocktails and half off tapas (ranging from $2.50 – $5) Monday – Thursday, from 5 – 7 PM, and Friday, from 11 AM – 7 PM. Bowling starts at $15 per half hour; $4 for shoe rental.

Laugh : At beef jerky business cards. We’ve all been there: you have 950 business cards still sitting on your desk, in your briefcase, or the back compartment of your wallet, when a job promotion (hopefully not a demotion) or relocation renders them useless. What do you do with them? Now you can eat them. Meat cards has recently begun manufacturing edible beef jerky business cards with a one year shelf life. Prices are still negotiable. If you happen to be in the market for other edible stationary, Meat cards produces jerky birthday and holiday cards as well.

Chelsea Lee is associate editor if Nolavie. Email comments to her at chelsea@nolavie.com.