Lip Hair Legends

Enough time has lapsed in the 2006 Saints season for Chef to come straight. I'm a truth teller, after all.

The mustache is an appliqué.

Chef realizes this comes as a great shock to many in Café 641. And he appreciates the love he’s received from those who noticed the careful grooming and innovative coloring that goes into that swab of facial hair.

But Chef also believes that Who Dats deserve the truth. And the truth is, Chef hasn’t been able to grow large amounts of facial hair upwards of his upper lip since an unfortunate puberty-related incident that occurred when he was 13.

(Apparently, the product he used was not as seen on television and not intended for facial use.)

So here’s the truth: Chef’s 2006 mustache is courtesy of the fine costumers on Magazine Street near Napoleon, a few doors down from Ms. Mae’s.

This one don’t look like it’s got much life left in it, so Chef’s decided to request its enshrinement in the Who Dat Lip Hair Hall of Fame.

That means a new stache for the Carolina game and playoff run.

Chef welcomes styling suggestions for the new lip piece, and suggestions of other Saints’ mustaches of hall of fame caliber.

Notes from the North Pole

Chef got a text message from Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, asking for gift ideas for the kiddie set that sits in the Upper Terrace, Section 641. Seems that word got back to St. Nick that Chef and the Café 641 family were showing all kinds of seasonal spirit to the lil’ Who Dats sitting in our section during the Redskins game.

Chef appreciated the courtesy message, but didn’t know how to reply. Doesn’t S.C. know that those lil’ Who Dats already received the rare Golden Spoon award for their rowdy, non-stop “Deuce Upside Your Head” chants? I know it’s tough to buy for kids, Santa, but Chef thinks these lil’ Who Dats really just want a Super Bowl for Christmas.

Guess Santa got Chef’s text reply . . . Saints 30 Giants 7 . . . Eagles 23 Cowboys 7.

Thanks, Big Man.

A Place to Put Your Nuts

Another note from Chef’s Who Dat Christmas . . .

Chef thanks the family for what on first glance appeared to be a simple ceramic New Orleans Saints bowl. “Thanks, baby. Thanks, kids. I needed a . . . uh . . . another . . . er . . . bowl.”

“It ain’t a bowl, Chef,” the Mrs. corrected. “It’s a place to put your nuts.”

Let Me See Your Grill!

It’s been almost 16 months since Chef lost his custom Who Dat grill to the floodwaters of Katrina in his Lakeview home. After finding its remains in the muck of his back patio last October, Chef swore he’d never fire up a gas grill again.

Sous Chef lost his prized cooking station too, and he quickly swore off outdoor cooking for life.

Flash forward to Christmas morning 2006, and Mrs. Chef continues to amaze.

A joint gift to Chef and Sous Chef: the Weber Genesis Platinum series!

Chef doesn’t even know if he can handle the platinum – might be too much bling. But in the spirit of this very Who Dat Christmas, he pledges to give it a go, especially if Chef and family get back in the house for a Who Dat Super Bowl party in late January.

Shitshockey Mushrooms

When Mrs. Chef left the room just after the Manning-to-Burress-past-falling-Fred Thomas touchdown bomb on Sunday, Chef was baffled. Half-gasping, half-screaming, Chef beckoned the Mrs. back to the television to insure maximum Who Dat gris gris. Mrs. Chef replied, “Gotta cook. Gotta cook.”

Turns out, the Mrs. knows a thing or two about away game menus. About five minutes into the first quarter, she returned with a fresh baked pizza.

Chef muted the television for a proper explanation.

“This here is a Jeremy Shitshockey Mushroom Pizza. Enjoy, Chef.”

Now, Who Dats, the Mrs. does lots of things that turns the Chef on. But this stroke of culinary genius may take the cake. Shockey’s line: two catches, -4 yards.

AFTER:

Twas the Night before Who Dat . . .

Seasons greetings, Who Dats. This special message comes from our anonymous Upper Terrace relatives in Section 640. Much love from the Chef, 640. Ya'll warm Chef's heart.


Twas the night before WHO DAT when all through the south
Only screams could be heard from Eli Mannings’s mouth.

The Saints played superior and it was not fair.
A game that was perfect enough to frighten the Bears.

The Giants were beaten and now are in the red,
While visions of Super Bowl danced in Benson’s head.

Payton in his visor, and Gibbs in his white cap
Had just called a defense sure to produce a sack,

When out on the field there arose such a clatter
Fujita sprang from the bench to see what was the matter.

Straight to the quarterback, Will Smith flew like a flash
Right through the line and put ELI on his ass!

The ball came out and what do ya know?
It ends up in the hands of number ninety-fo!

Grant rumbled and stumbled into the End Zone
To help came on Carney for a point of his own.

A trip to the Super Bowl is better than a check from FEMA.
Finally everyone can try to forget Katrina!

Relocated, flooded, and put to shame
The Saints have recovered and brought back WHO DAT fame!

"It was Bush, and Colston, Horn, and Brees too.
And don’t forget that boy Devery who played at LSU!

The crowd came together with one big cheer from all…
“WHO DAT SAY DEY GONNA BEAT DEM SAINTS!”

--- From the noisy Who Dats in the Upper Terrace, Section 640

FAITH!

It's been two days now since our Black and Gold's division-clinching loss. And Lil Reggie's been droopin' at home, walkin' slow to the carpool line, falling asleep in class, leavin' the dinner table before dessert is served.

What's Lil' Reggie lookin' for, you wonder? The boy is searching for his FAITH!

Awright, lil' man. Let Chef help you out. Put the specs down. Stand up. Raise your golden spoon. And follow along . . .

I believe that winning is an attitude. I have FAITH. I am the eternal optimist, a Saints fan, a Roof Banger, a Doam Foam drinkin' Who Dat.

WHO DAT RESPONSE: THE SAINTS ARE COMING. THE SAINTS ARE COMING.

I believe in the power of a Cool Brees. I drop to my knees when Deuce goes upside your head. I weep when Reggie runs right bayou.

WHO DAT RESPONSE: THE SAINTS ARE COMING. THE SAINTS ARE COMING.

I believe in playoff runs, home field advantage, frozen ticket prices, and $100 deposits on my season seats.

WHO DAT RESPONSE: THE SAINTS ARE COMING. THE SAINTS ARE COMING.

I believe in Santa Claus, a Who Dat Christmas, and the slim chance that even Mr. Benson's coal, coal heart will be warmed by a Super Bowl ring.

WHO DAT RESPONSE: THE SAINTS ARE COMING. THE SAINTS ARE COMING.

I believe in saving my gameday appetite for Cafe 641. I break bread with my Upper Terrace family. I feast on Birds, Cats, Pirates, Cowboys, Gold Diggers, and fat hunks of Cheese.

WHO DAT RESPONSE: THE SAINTS ARE COMING. THE SAINTS ARE COMING.

I believe in the spirit of the Who Dat. I profess my Who Dat faith. I will return to these roof-banging seats in 2007. I will wave my golden spoon. I will be loud. I will stay for 4 quarters.

WHO DAT RESPONSE: THE SAINTS ARE COMING. THE SAINTS ARE COMING.

From the Café 641 Recipe Book . . .

You've Got Mail

Like 80,000 other Who Dats across the Gulf Coast, Chef found a present in his mailbox yesterday. A letter from Ebeneezer Benson and St. Rita. Chef ain't gonna lie about what happened next . . .

"I cried like a baby. I kissed that letter, man. I held it close to my chest. I fell to my knees and lifted my arms to the sky. I about peed my pants, man."

Then reality sunk in. Do you call in first to make sure your playoff ticket order doesn't get lost in the return mail? If you call, do you tell the Saints front office to mail the tickets? Do you pick the tickets up on Airline Drive in Chef attire? Do you kiss the sales representative?

What about after the tickets are in your hands? Do you open a safety deposit box at Whitney National? Do you check behind you when you leave the ticket office, to make sure no one's tailing? Do you tell your family? Your best friend?

Does a playoff appearance count as a 1-week doctor's excuse from work? Or in our case, a 4-week excuse?

Important questions, Who Dats. Very important questions. Consider them carefully. But only after you have framed the invoice:

Bless Dem Boys

It's been almost 20 years since Pope John Paul II blessed the Black and Gold in person at the Superdome. Still, Chef notices lingering traces of that powerful blessing.

Take yesterday, for instance. Realizing it was an away date for the Saints, Chef readied his crew for Mass at St. Stephens. Sous Chef pulled on his green cooking trousers; lil' Reggie layered his 25 black & gold jersey with a smart, white lycra undershirt; SuperSaintsGirl went with a subtle 3/4 length Saints shirt; and Cafe Diva stretched on her baby-doll "A Woman's Place is in the Dome" shirt.

Chef and family arrived just after 10:30 a.m., participated at appropriate times during Mass, and waited for the ever-important Prayers of the Faithful:
* For those discouraged by the size and length of their personal trials, Who Dats, we pray: * For those who take up the burden of working for justice, Hollis Thomas, we pray: * For the personal and spiritual development of those who seek victory, Our Black and Gold, for all our sick, Joe Horn, Marques Colston, we pray:

And you know what happened then? Cafe Diva sort of winked at Chef, like as the good Catholic school girl she was that she knew something he didn't. Chef looked up at the stained glass windows at the top of the church and was blinded by the glorious sunlight flooding through . . . small fleur de lis panels.

Then, in a moment of divine intervention, Cafe Diva led the offspring down the aisle for the Eucharist, received the Host, and . . . BAM! . . . it happened. A spirit appeared before Cafe Diva, made direct eye contact, and mouthed the words of FAITH: "Whooooo Daaaattttt"

The result? Saints 42. Cowboys 17. Sorry Bill.

Today's Blue-Plate Special: Big Tuna with a side of Cowboys Couscous

Chef's Who Dat Home Cafe has a few leftovers for any Cafe 641 regulars who might still be hungry after last night's Prime Time feast on America's Team. (Who Dats know we don't need America; we've got the Gulf Coast and a Bush that gets results.) These three dishes are all that's left:

1. Big Tuna with a side of Cowboys Couscous (*** But if you ain't a fan of Chef's Burned Big Tuna dish, we'll plate this Tuna anyway you like . . . Blackened, Boiled, Burnt, Barbequed.)

2. Prime Rib Romo

3. Beat Down Souflee (with compliments to Dillyberto for recipe)

Chef hires a stand-in for away games so he can fully enjoy the TV experience. Yesterday, the culinary stylings of PK were on display at the Chef Who Dat Home Cafe. PK cooked up Creamed Cowboy Corn flapjacks, topped with jumbo shrimp.

Let's Go Crazy

Still don't know how to behave after Saints victories? Take a cue from Chef and these fine Who Dats to the left captured on the exit ramps somewhere near Gate D after our flattening of the 49ers.

Listen carefully and you'll hear the gentle rhythms of Prince's "Let's Go Crazy" rockin' the box. Then watch how Who Dats roll.

Take notice Cowboys, Redskins, Giants, Panthers. With the help of Cafe 641, inspiration from the Who Dat Darth Vader krewe, and inspiration from the only Green Wave fan I'll admit to being friends with . . . Chef Who Dat will introduce the latest Upper Terrace dance craze on December 17: The Cafe Sway.

Offspring Curse Broken

Chef does not believe in gris gris, mojo, or that sort of thing. That’s why . . .

. . . Chef did NOT buy a dozen roses the night before the LSU Tigers were denied a New Years Day Rose Bowl appearance.

. . . Chef does NOT wear the same white undershirt before every Saints home game.

. . . Chef’s children are NOT forced to wear eye black while watching away games on TV.

. . . Chef’s son was NOT told that he would never set foot in the Dome if he ever said he was rooting for San Francisco on a Saints-49ers gameday.

. . . Chef does NOT find one deserving Who Dat to give away a free beer to on his walk up the Dome ramp on home games.

. . . Chef did NOT consider leaving his youngest son at home for the 49ers game after the Saints two-game home losing streak coincided with Chef previously bringing his other son and daughter to the Dome.

Chef does NOT roll like that.

Still Chef feels a helluva lot better now that son Sous Chef (pictured above) got the monkey off his back by breaking that Offspring Curse on Sunday against the 49ers.

Baby Matrix Stops Time . . . Benson Freezes Tickets

Could it be that PawPaw Benson is hitting the sauce before home games? Or, like all Who Dats inside and outside the Dome on Sunday, did Benson freak out after Saint Reggie’s team record-tying fourth touchdown against the 49ers? In either case, the Bush that loves NOLA and the Bush that NOLA loves back must have had some magical effect on Tom Benson.

In what seemed to be a pre-planned publicity op, Grinch Benson broke from the script during a timeout public address speech to the fans. He took the mic from granddaughter Rita Benson LeBlanc (some in Café 641, by the way, have an unhealthy attraction to Ms. Rita) and told us the Saints are freezing season ticket prices for the 2007 season.

Section 641 Who Dats immediately made a sacred vow to renew tickets together, en masse. In Row 41, Chef overhead two Who Dats promising to name their next born kin Cool Brees, Deuce-Upside-Your-Head, or McKenzie.

In the photo above, witness two Who Dats caught in the Café 641 time warp that occurred when Reggie “Baby Matrix” Bush scored his fourth touchdown and Ebeneezer Benson froze ticket prices.

To renew season tickets for 2007, go to the Saints site. To make the sacred vow to renew in Cafe 641, see Chef Who Dat at the Redskins game.

Meat and Potatoes

It's back to the basics time, Cafe 641. I think we all realize what's happened thus far for our Black and Gold. But, for a quick refresher, here goes:

1. We experienced Miracle Monday. Our lives were changed forever.

2. Our Saints went 5-1 to open the season.

3. Our Saints lost 3 of the next 4 games. We experienced occasional flashbacks to almost every Saints team prior to this one.

4. Our Saints flamed the Falcons 31-13. WGNO-ABC's Adam Norris uses Chef lingo to introduce his Sunday night highlights: "The Saints dine on Falcon Wings with a side of Squeezed Quarterback. . . ." (Okay, Adam neither asked for permission nor did he fairly represent something Chef would actually say. It's Blackened Falcon with Dirtybird Rice, Adam!)

5. At 7-4, the Saints sit awfully close to division title and legitimate playoff run.

Go back to #5, and take that in for a moment.

Okay, now consider how all this has affected our emotions up at the top of the Dome. We already are starved for oxygen in the Upper Terrace, the Dome Foam sells out faster here than anywhere else, and we regularly whip ourselves into frenzies over small 3-yard runs. I suspect we started to get a little demanding of our Black and Gold. Win. Win big. Win every game.

Hell, Chef himself painted his mustache gold and started monogramming his hat! If that ain't getting away from the basics, then I don't know what it is. Anytime Chef looks/sounds more like Terrell Owens or Chad Johnson than the meat-and-potatoes cook that he is, we have problems.

So it's back to the basics, Who Dats. Cafe 641 reopens on Sunday against the 49ers. We'll be serving Meat-and-Potatoes themed dishes. We're talking ground beef (Sourdough Sam Burgers?). We'll be dishing out one golden spoon to a fan from the Cafe who risked the ever-present Superdome security staff to rep his family. We'll be breaking good ol' fashioned Leidenheimer's french bread.

We'll be cooking up a NFC win.

Bird Beak Bisque . . . Part Deux

Game time 15 minutes away, and all Chef is looking for is a broken beak to top this tasty dish.

Not expecting any Steve Gleason magic this afternoon. Don't need any. Deuce for 100 yards. Joe for two touchdowns. And Fujita knocks down Vick more than once.

Good omens? Gris Gris? Emotional wins? Those are all nice. Especially in this beat-up city we call home.

But today is more about gut-check. More about lining up against the run. More about giving Deuce the ball 20+ times. More about good ol' fashioned Blackened Falcon with Dirty Bird Rice.

Kitty Litter

Chef's the first to admit that the Cafe's "Here Kitty, Kitty" menu didn't slow down Ocho Cinco enough in the 4th quarter. Maybe that's because we had too much going on in Section 641. Maybe our menu overwhelmed even our red zone offense. Maybe Chef shoulda stopped at passing out menus. Maybe there was too much eye black. Maybe Bengal Bagels were too hard to digest. Maybe the connection between Cheetos and the Bengals was too vague. Maybe the Harley biker who threatened to kick Chef's ass after a friendly fire Cheetos strike weakened our morale.

It's hard to say, really. It all makes Chef want to find a nice quiet corner with a litter box and cover up the poo that was the Saints on Sunday against Cincinnati.

But Chef has a strong feeling -- call it kitchen karma -- that the Who Dats are comin' back strong against the Dirty Birds! We all know about the potency of our offense and the potential of our three-and-out defense. But we also have the FAITH of the Who Dat fans!

Need evidence? Here's some highlights from Sunday in the Dome:

Section 641, Row 15: Straggler Bengal fans too overwhelmed by Chef's generosity. Actually accept and eat a carton of cat treats.

Section 641, Row 42: Ms. Mid City orchestrates the production of Bengal Bagels, a Black and Gold bagel force fed to opposing fans.

Section 641, behind Row 43: Chef Who Dat welcomes Mr. Clio and Dillyberto to Cafe 641. The olive branch is extended from Who Dats in Section 635 to the Roofbangers in 641. Pandemonium erupts.

Section 641, Rows 41 and 42: Golden Spoon Award winners Jacob, Proud Mary, and Ms. Mid City "cook up" a three-and-out on defense and Mark Simoneau's endzone interception of Pretty Boy Palmer.

Section 641, Row 40: The Cat Burgular slips past security and nabs the prize of the game: the 641 banner that will be transformed into signage for Cafe 641 Who Dats for the remainder of the season.

Section 641, Rows 20-42: The "Here Kitty, Kitty" Menu, featuring culinary innovations such as the Mangled Bengal Burger and Hearts of Palmer salad, are snatched up by hungry Who Dats.

Top Chef Challenge

In a rare break from tradition, Chef is opening his call for Sunday menu suggestions to Who Dats with seats outside of Cafe 641. In preparation for a season-defining defensive display, a break-out game from Joe Horn, and 100 yards rushing from Saint Reggie, I'm working on a cat-themed menu.

Calling on all Who Dats to think outside the dome foam on this one. When you think Bengals, what culinary masterpieces come to mind? When I say "Houzmandazeh" what appetizer do you think of? If you were a cat, how would you like to be cooked?

Bring your best. Remember, Winning is an Attitude!

Mild Concussion . . . Status: Probable

Chef’s response to John Carney’s miss from 32 yards out? See photo. A mild concussion after repeated strikes to the head with the same hand on which he wears his wedding band.

(To relive this moment along with Chef, think about your most frustrating moment from this afternoon’s nail-biter in Pittsburgh, then as hard/fast as you can, throw your hands up to your forehead in a “NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!” gesture. Be careful of hand jewelry.)

No complaints here on the Saints at 6-3. I’m not being too sunny cuz we ain’t happy in Café 641. And there’s still a chance for more head injuries later tonight when the reality of three turnovers fully sink in. Still, the Saints are 6-3. Take away three very real, very costly turnovers, and we’re 7-2. No matter what you do, we have a 1-game lead on the Filthy Falcons. And Chef eats bird like it’s candy.

Chef’s head wound already cleared for next Sunday against the Cincinnati Kittens. Get to the Upper Terrace and Section 641 early if you want to catch the Golden Spoon Award ceremony.

Chef’s got a busy week with a mid-week travel date to San Antonio, where I’ll be sure to piss in the Riverwalk and let the mayor know how much we appreciate his hospitality in 2005. Hey, S.A. . . . Cha-Ching!!!

Early menu suggestions are appreciated this week. This Sunday’s secret ingredient is . . . (drum roll, please) . . . CAT. (see last week’s post)

C’mon Who Dats! A little Ocho Cinco Soup? Carson Palmer Puddding? Feline Fettucini? Bring cat, will cook it.

Joe Horn: On the Virtues of Eye Black

Already tired of the Joe Horn golf sightings and the "Reggie ain't what he's supposed to be" chatter . . . so I've personally moved on to far more important topics. Eye Black.

Here's what Joe Horn tells us on the subject:
* Wear eye black at all times, home games, road games, golf games.
* Don't substitute the custom stuff for the real thing.
* Don't let your children watch the Saints without eye black.
* Don't attend Sunday mass without eye black.
* Don't eat eye black.
* Don't sit in the Upper Terrace without eye black (the Dome's new Energy Star bulbs have a killer glare).
* Don't limit your eye black to one stripe per eye -- work it in. Or better yet, find a lineman to slap your face a few times to smear it in.

Saint Reggie's Pre-Game Mass

Because we're still another two months from getting back into our house and because lil' Reggie makes his first communion this year, we've been attending mass at St. Stephen's on Napoleon on Sunday mornings on away games. Even with all five of us, we ain't so obvious: the twins with matching grey/black Saints t-shirts; lil' Reggie in uniform; wife in "A Woman's Place is in the Dome" shirt; me . . . well I like to keep it incognito.

Still you'd think the priest, a loaner from Portland, Oregon, would give us a little Who Dat at the Sign of Peace. We got more love from the battered Eagles fans staggering out of the Dome a few weeks ago. Nevermind, we like to roll down the windows at the corner of Napoleon and St. Charles on the way home, and give a loud "Who Dat" to the Fat Harry's early crowd.

Four Quarters

After the Ravens' let-down, 4-Quarter Fujita asked/demanded all Who Dats to stay in their seats through the end of the game. Win or lose.

No problem for Cafe 641.

Ms. "Proud" Mary (of Row 42, Seat 12) had both hands raised, each displaying four fingers at the start of the 4th quarter on Sunday, even with the Saints down 35-7.

Go 'head Proud Mary. You looking like a Golden Spoon candidate now!

Other Section 641 notes of interest . . .

GOLDEN SPOON WINNERS from Sunday, October 29
* Much love to D. (Row 40) for his new Gold, almost mohawk hairstyle and a 9 a.m. Superdome appearance on Sunday.

* More love to Super-Poet Jeanne (Row 42, Seat 8) for her menu contributions and Raven rhyme.

* Somebody tell Nacho Libre "Hulk" Hogan to wait until after the national anthem plays before he makes his grand Cafe 641 appearance. Can this Who Dat be stopped? Me thinks not.

Test Kitchen

Awright who dats. The bright side? We have three weeks in the test kitchen to perfect our Bengal-themed dishes.

We flame-broiled Falcons. Eagles, easy-over. We boiled the Bucs. And, yes, Ravens proved difficult to roast. But that's a one-game setback.

Cincy, Carolina, take notice: we also cook cats.

Post your best cat dishes here.

6-1! (Cafe 641 Calls It!)

And this from Cafe 641 Golden Spoon Candidate, Row 42, Seat 8:

(Rapped to the old-school children's rhyme, "Sing a Song of Sixpence")


"Sing a song of six wins
After one week was bye
4 and 20 blackbirds baked in a pie

When the pie was opened
the birds began to faint
Oh wasn't that a tasty dish
to set before the Saints

The fans were in the Superdome
cheering all the players
The sportscasters now no longer
were the nay-sayers

Coach Billick was in the locker room
cursing their poor show
When down fell the blackbirds
Edgar, Allen, and Poe"

(Come see the author on Sunday in Section 641, Row 42, Seat 8! She's promised to sign menus featuring her award-winning ditty.)

Now picture this 6-win flow going down in the Dome with all Chef's Roofbangers:



Awright Cafe Who Dats . . . I'll bring the lyric sheets and spoons, ya'll bring the noise. We cooking blackbird on the 29th!

Saints Gameday Menu Memories

I woke up this morning thinking it was Saints gameday, and by afternoon I found myself stumbling through the Quarter. My body was tuned automatically to another victory celebration, so it turned left on Decatur in route to free rounds at Molly's.

I eventually woke up when I smelled fried chicken at Fiorella's, which got me thinking about all the bird we've been enjoying at the Cafe 641 with the Roofbangers. At some point the Dirty Bird Rice mixes with the Bird-beak Bisque, which mixes with the Tailfeather Tacos, which after a while even sounds good with some ol' fashioned Scurvy Scaloppini and Boudin Buc Balls.

So in case you missed a dish, forgot to break bread with Chef and the Cafe family, or have been in a 5-1 daze of late, here's some photo highlights from Chef's fuzzy memory:


CHEF AERATES HIS BOILED BALD BIRD




THE SPRINKLER KEEPS HIS GOLDEN SPOON READY



WEEK 6 GOLDEN SPOON WINNER JACOB STIRS UP SUCCESS

Chef vs. The Green Legion

We appreciate the love, Green Legion boys. Coming a day early to earn your Friday night, Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon, Saturday night, and Sunday morning beers by staging a clean up in Central City. All smack aside, we appreciate your help. Thanks for coming and making things better here.

Just a few suggestions related to your game-day activities:

Next time ya'll "invade the Big Easy" and stage a bar crawl followed by pep rally followed by tailgate party followed by parade to the Dome, remember to ask for, at a minimum, a New Orleans high school marching band with boys in it. You may have felt good marching out of the Quarter behind a Mardi Gras-proven high school marching band. And certainly no disrespect to the XUP girls. The Xavier Prep Marching Band turns out for Carnival, but you Green Legion guys seem to have a sort of macho aesthetic, yes?

In case the Legion remembers it differently, here's how it went down . . .

1. Waves of swaying green men interrupt Chef Who Dat while serving his Hot Eagle Wings smothered in Louisiana Hot Sauce to a lovely young couple on the Superdome concourse.

2. Chef Who Dat responds by opening a bottle of his finest champagne to said lovely young couple.

3. Swaying green men intensify their number. At least one confirmed case of bird being shot in Chef's direction.

4. Chef finally obliges Legion, declares open season on birds.

5. Saints win.

Who Dey?

Okay, so ESPN calls the Saints final 16 plays to win the Eagles game it's "Drive of the Week." But, that's just some shameless attempt to plug a Chevy truck.

The Cajun Cannon knows what's real and told us so yesterday on his WWL show. A review of the issues with Bobby Hebert:

* Dey say a Who Dat delivered a halftime, locker-room style speech while standing at the urinal during the Saints-Eagles game. His message? "Ya'll heard coach. Bring it for 4!"

* Dey say that Cincinnati fans claim Who Dat is Who Dey and dey own it. What?!?! A Who Dat called in to suggest a corporate sponsorship of Who Dat hankies for the Bengals game on Nov. 19. Chef suggests all Who Dats put the Who Dey wiki to good use. Maybe a couple hundred revisions to their Who Dey entry?

* Dey say the Who Dats in Section 535 have been sitting during defensive plays. Bobby threatens to visit and cheerlead up and down the aisle.

You can't pick your family . . .

How important is the Cafe 641 family to the hysteria that breaks out each week at the top of the Dome ?

Good question.

The answer please, Chef?

Important enough to have two of its charter members selected as fans of the game by the Saintsations! Much love to ya, seats 7 and 8. Much love. And apologies for the accidental WHO DAT elbow to the head during the Falcons game.

Feel free to self-identify your photo -- but I'm reminded of Golden Spoon-winner Hattiesburg Hogan who gently told Chef after an embarrasing costume gliche . . . "Put your mustache back on beeotch! I'm embarrassed to look at you right now!"

Previous Menus

Miracle Monday . . . Sunday Brunch Favorites . . . Section 641 Sampler . . . Remember the first time you broke bread with Chef?

September 25, 2006
“This Bird’s for You!” House Specialties
Bird-Beak Bisque
Muffalconetta
Peregrine Poboy (sauteed falcon breast)
Blackened Falcon w/ Dirty Bird Rice
Falcon Fricassee
Bless Dem Boys Bread Pudding

October 8, 2006
“Pirate-Infused Brunch Buffet”

Pirate-Lite Items
Parrot Souflee
Arrrugula Salad
Pickled Pirate Lips

Haarghty Items
Hot Boiled Buccaneers
Boudin Buc Balls
Peg Leg Pirogue Platter
(boiled pegleg quarters in a buccaneer-bechamel sauce, served with diced simms’ spleen over scurvy scallopini)

Dessert
Bless Dem Boys Bread Pudding
(made famous on Miracle Monday!)

October 15, 2006
“Shoot the Bird Specials”

Starters
Boo Bird Bouillabaisse
Bald Eagle Boudin
Tailfeather Tacos

Entrees
Battered & Ball-less Bird-Meat Pie
The Boiled Bald Bird
(spicy combo of tasty boiled bird pieces – clipped wings, torn talons & broken beaks )

Desserts
Bless Dem Boys Bread Pudding
(2-0 in the dome! still works!)
Deuce Up-Side-Your-Head Cake
(I said, “deuce up side your head . . .”)

* all entrees served with reggie-right-bayou bread

Superdome Upper Terrace Seeks Menu Items

Cafe 641 (a.ka. Roof-bangers Ristorante) has issued a call for menu items for the New Orleans Saints - Baltimore Ravens game on October 29. We've already dismembered, boiled, and deep-fried two sets of birds (e.g. Falcon Fricassee; Bald Eagle Boudin), and Chef Who Dat's hungry for more. Halloween, Edgar Allen Poe, and innovative bird dishes are desired. Winning menu items eligible for Chef's Golden Spoon award.