Cheeky Gunnette: #10 - You used to live in a trailer.

Five Valentine’s Days together and I have to say, he’s still got it. I’m usually not easily surprised or impressed, but I would be doing him a huge disservice by not whole heartedly expressing my gratitude. Homeboy rocked it out this year.

And I can’t imagine allowing anyone else to rock it.

We began with brunch and tea at the gorgeous Windsor Court Hotel in the heart of downtown New Orleans. I am so in love with their courtyard.

And my goodness those finger sandwiches were to die for! If it weren’t for the incredibly sophisticated ambiance that bathed my surroundings and kept my caveman impulses at bay, I don’t believe the word “devour” would have been an act beneath me. Too pretty to eat? My ass!

I prefer my tea with plenty of milk. Perhaps I belong in England. Yeah, right. A country where it perpetually rains and of which consists no reputable food culture whatsoever? No thanks. My Burberry rainboots, cucumber sandwiches, and scones would get real old, real quick.

…

Dinner was at Restaurant August of the critically acclaimed John Besh. Not one of my favorites. I actually don’t know why the bf settled on this restaurant again. Nevertheless, you can’t really go wrong with shaved black truffles and gnocchi now can you?

Nothing else was particularly memorable enough to mention.. Although I really do appreciate trios. If it comes in threes, I’m intrigued. Seriously. This was some oysters done three ways bit. I find oysters dreadful so you’re going to have to do without a critique on this one. Like I said, I’m interested in the idea of trios.

After dinner we headed to the International House Hotel on Camp St. I find this boutique hotel so pleasant. It’s also a nice refresher from the other big, corporate boutique hotel of the name The W, which has, in the past few years, grown so congested on the weekends.

The aesthetics here is right up my alley. They do a great job of mixing an old-school New Orleans feel with fresh, contemporary lines. My future uptown New Orleans mansion on St. Charles will likely model itself after the interior of this joint. That is, once I accumulate some tens of millions of dollars first. I’m working on it, one loan at a time.

Have I ever mentioned how much I adore chandeliers? Because I do…antiques, black crystal chandeliers, art deco pieces…I loveeeeeeee. I don’t, for some reason, care too much for those really big pretentious chandeliers in grandiose establishments. Don’t question me. I don’t know why.

And it must seem as though all we ever do is eat and to that I say, “Why yes you are correct.” We snuck down from the hotel room to have a late dinner at Rambla. I am so impressed with the décor of this little tapas hotspot. They have these snug, high top wooden communal tables in the center of the restaurant that I would kill for in my own dining room. That paella, however, could use some serious seasoning or what we in New Orleans like to call “Tony” as in Tony Chachere’s seasoning. For a dish boasting chorizo sausage and saffron, I found it such a buzz kill. I wish New Orleans would step it up with some more Spanish options.

BBQ shrimp. This New Orleans staple fared much better with my taste buds. Points deducted, however, for inconsistencies on a return trip to the restaurant one week later. It made me look bad in front of my friends after much unfulfilled hype.

Ok enough with the food. The main reason this was a Valentine’s I will remember for the rest of my life? an even trade...