Local Snowball Short List

There’s no season like snowball season in New Orleans! Snowballs are a delicious combination of finely shaved ice and decadent cane syrup, available in more flavors than you can imagine, that come together as the perfect treat.

Get one to go and enjoy it at the lake, or have one at home on your balcony. No matter how you enjoy them, each icy spoonful of a snowball is delightful when the weather heats up. Getting one is definitely a must-do summer activity in New Orleans!

Keep reading for our list of some of the best snowballs in the Lakeview, Metairie, Elmwood, and Harahan areas. What’s even better is they’re close to several 1st Lake Properties like Bella Ridge, Millstream, and more!

Casey’s Snowballs

Says one Yelp reviewer, “The ice doesn’t clump, they don’t skimp on the syrup, and the flavor choices are vast and unique.” Could you ask for anything more in a snowball stand?

Casey’s Snoballs in Metairie is located on West Esplanade Avenue, so it’s a great option for a to-go snowball you can enjoy at the lake. We’re partial to nutty flavors like almond cream, and exotic choices like orchid vanilla, but you’ll find plenty of classics like nectar, lemon, and wild cherry.

 

Sal’s Sno-Ball Stand

Tree stump seating sets this Old Metairie snowball stand apart. Sal’s stays open late, so if you get a snowball craving at 10 p.m.– and really, who could blame you? – you can still get your fix.

Fun flavor names like Robin (ice cream and nectar), Pink Squirrel (nectar, almond, and cream), and Joker (grape, blackberry, and raspberry) will delight youngsters and adults alike. Sugar-free options are available for those looking to stay trim, but it’s hard to resist toppings like condensed milk – again, who could blame you?

It’s one of our favorite spots in Metairie and definitely worth checking out!

 

Ike’s Snowballs

Ike’s is located in Mid-City, and it’s just a quick drive – or a fun bike ride – from Metairie Road on City Park Avenue.

We love Ike’s because of their doggie snowballs. A chicken snowball doesn’t sound particularly appetizing to us, but we know your four-legged friends will love them.

Don’t have a pet? Trust us, you’ll still want to go to Ike’s. It’s open year-round, and it offers juicy flavors like watermelon, strawberry, and pineapple that are sure to satisfy. You’ll find plenty of outdoor seating here, although another option is to order your snowball to-go and enjoy it at City Park!

 

NOLA Snow

With a convenient location on Harrison Avenue in Lakeview, NOLA Snow is a great place to grab a snowball before heading to the lakefront.

Kids love their cotton candy and bubblegum flavors, and mellower flavors like nectar and wedding cake please more grown-up palates. The ice is particularly soft and fluffy, but if you prefer something denser, any snowball flavor can be served as a milkshake or malt instead.

Soft serve ice cream, floats, and stuffed snowballs are also available – definitely bring your sweet tooth.

 

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Here’s What’s Open Now!

Now that Louisiana is in Phase Two of re-opening, you’re probably wondering which restaurants, stores and parks are finally open! See our list below and let us know if you have any spots to add! 

Restaurants:  

Metro New Orleans Area –

Andrea’s Restaurant, currently offering indoor/outdoor seating

Bobby Hebert’s Cajun Cannon, currently offering indoor/outdoor seating

The Ruby Slipper Old Metairie, currently offering indoor/outdoor seating

Saba, currently offering indoor/outdoor seating

Superior Seafood, currently offering indoor seating

Copper Vine, currently offering indoor/outdoor seating

Bistro Byronz, currently offering indoor/outdoor seating

Coffee Rani Covington & Mandeville, currently offering indoor/outdoor seating

Here are the full lists of open St. Tammany, Jefferson and Orleans Parish restaurants 

Baton Rouge Area –

Bistro Byronz, currently offering indoor seating

Superior Grill, currently offering indoor seating

Here is a full list of open Baton Rouge restaurants 

Shops:

Metro New Orleans Area –

Lakeside Shopping Center, several stores open & offering curbside pickup with reduced hours

Riverwalk New Orleans, several stores open & are currently offering curbside pickup

Canal Place, several stores open & offering curbside pickup

River Chase & Fremaux Town Center, several stores open & offering curbside pickup

Pinnacle Nord du Lac Shopping Center, several stores open & offering curbside pickup

Baton Rouge Area –

Perkins Rowe, several stores open & offering curbside pickup

Mall of Louisiana, several stores open & offering curbside pickup

Outdoors:  

Metro New Orleans Area –

Audubon Nature Institute

Grand Isle State Park

Lafreniere Park

Fountainbleau State Park

See which St. Tammany, Jefferson and Orleans Parish campgrounds & parks are currently open

Baton Rouge Area –

BREC’s Bluebonnet Swamp Trail

BREC’s Dog Parks, several locations open

See which Baton Rouge campgrounds & parks are currently open

Travel:  

Metro New Orleans Area –

Louis Armstrong International Airport 

See which St. Tammany, Jefferson and Orleans Parish hotels are currently open

Baton Rouge Area –

Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, currently operating with reduced flight frequency

See which Baton Rouge hotels are currently open

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Perfect Potluck Side Dishes

If you’ve got a summer soiree to attend, chances are you’ll want to bring a side dish. Check out three of our favorites below, perfect for potlucks, a 4th of July barbecue, a Labor Day Weekend cookout, or any other summertime event.

Potluck Summertime Side Dishes

Coleslaw with Apple and Yogurt Dressing

Skip all that mayo in favor of healthful, nonfat Greek yogurt. Green apple adds a sweet, tart note. Pro tip: make the dressing and cabbage mix ahead of time and store in separate bowls, then mix together when you’re ready to serve.

Ingredients

• 8 cups mixed shredded red and green cabbage
• 1 12-oz. bag broccoli slaw mix
• 1/2 cup shredded carrots
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced scallions (about 4)
• 1 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon grated garlic
• Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
• 1 green apple

Recipe

• Combine red and green cabbages, broccoli slaw, carrots, and scallions in a large bowl, and toss to mix.
• In a medium bowl, whisk the yogurt, mayonnaise, vinegar, lemon juice, and garlic until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Last, cut the apple into matchstick-size pieces. Add apple to slaw mixture and toss to evenly incorporate. Add dressing and toss to evenly coat.

Grilled Corn & Cheddar Quinoa

Quinoa is a complete protein that pairs well with just about any meat or seafood you can think of. This version from How Sweet It Is has subtle Tex-Mex flavors, but you could swap for a milder cheese like Mozzarella.

Ingredients

• 1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 4 ears of grilled, sweet corn
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 4 ounces cheddar cheese, freshly grated
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Recipe

• Preheat the grill on high. Shuck the ears of corn, brush with olive oil, and season with about a half teaspoon of salt and pepper. Wrap each ear in aluminum foil and grill for about 5 minutes each “side,” rotating corn about 5 times throughout the grilling process. Cool, and remove kernels.
• Meanwhile, add quinoa and chicken stock to a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for about 15-18 minutes. Once done, immediately stir in butter, cheddar and remaining salt and pepper. Add in corn and stir to combine. Top with fresh cilantro and serve.

Antipasto Skewers

There’s a “recipe” for this brilliant idea from A Pretty Life in the Suburbs below, but we think you could add just about anything to the skewer that suits your fancy — prosciutto, black olives, and Buffalo mozzarella would all be great contenders.

Ingredients

• Olives – I used Kalamata Olives and Feta Stuffed Green Olives
• Salami
• Artichoke Hearts
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Cheese (cheddar, feta, or mozzarella)
• Three Cheese Tortellini
• Italian Salad Dressing

Recipe

• Cook tortellini according to package directions, pour on Italian salad dressing and marinate for a few hours (it’s OK to marinate overnight).
• Skewer the ingredients in what order suits your fancy.
• Enjoy!

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Giving Back to Our Community

Our 1st Lake team is committed to helping our Greater New Orleans community by working with and donating to local non-profits.  Over the past few weeks, we’ve continued to serve alongside Second Harvest Food Bank, Jefferson Chamber, and Pigeon Caterers to provide food for families and frontline workers in our community.

Since January, we’ve also had the privilege of working with local groups like Wounded Warriors and ARNO. Our teams raised  $4,417.42 for our veterans and we raised $5,433.16 for the animals of ARNO. 

This week, we participated in Bites for Knights by donating $1,000 to provide meals to the frontline workers at Ochsner Hospital! In 2020, we’ve provided over 20,000 meals through Second Harvest and we’ve donated over $5,123.42 to help feed those in need! Each dollar donated provides four meals!

We’re looking forward to continued partnerships with these organizations, so we can keep strengthening our community from Jefferson Parish and beyond. 

 

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Business Resources for 1st Lake Commercial Tenants

1st Lake Commercial Properties is committed to being a resource to our tenants, especially now. If you need anything from our commercial team, you can continue to contact us phone or email with any questions or comments.

Below, we’ve compiled a list of resources for you that can offer further assistance during this time. 

Business Resources: Open Safely – Louisiana Protocols for reopening  BizNewOrleans Greater New Orleans, Inc. Jefferson Chamber of Commerce Entergy Charitable Relief Foundation – “Entergy shareholders are committing to $700,000 to the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund to help qualifying customers  with basic needs such as food and nutrition, rent and mortgage assistance, and other critical needs until financial situations become more stable.”   Resources for Financial Assistance: Coronavirus Loan Comparison Chart Small Business Loans Louisiana Unemployment and Benefits Louisiana Restaurant Associations (LRA) For Employee Relief Fund La. Workforce Commission helping those with reduced hours or not working, email:  EmployerServices@lwcla.gov American Jobs Center: 1801 Airline Hwy, Ste F, Metairie, LA 70001, 504-838-5678   Government Resources: Centers for Disease Control Centers for Disease Control Corona Virus disease US Dept of State Travel Advisory Louisiana Government   Jefferson Parish Council on Aging   Jefferson Parish

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