Garlic. You can almost smell it as you cross the Huey Long Bridge from New Orleans. Just follow Route 90 until things thin out, and Mosca's will be on the right.

Mosca's is New Orlean's Italian. Their two most famous dishes are the crab salad and oysters mosca, shown above. There's not that much crab in the crab salad, and it is expensive. But once you dig in, you won't miss the crab.

Oysters Mosca are addictive. Fresh oysters, bread crumbs, parmesan, and garlic baked together. Unfortunately I was with a big group and had to share. Next time I'm getting a plate all to myself.

Dessert - one of those dishes you only find in the south - Pineapple Fluff. Pieces of pineapple mixed into what may be whipped cream.

April, 2009