Dear Nofie,
Your gang sounds like a fun bunch. And I'll bet that you all have been around the block a few times, just like old Blake. You've probably been to the area known as "Back-of-Town" many times. And now when you get there, you will know where you are.

The Vieux Carre is bounded by the river, Esplanade Avenue, Canal Street and Rampart Street. Behind Rampart Street toward the lake is back of town. "Back-of-Town" was what the area was called in the 19th century. Today we call the area Mid-City and Central City.

Development of the area was very slow because it was plagued with the usual problems: It was mosquito-infested, swampy, and three to 10 feet below sea level. As early as 1835, city officials were pondering ways to drain the area. No fools they, the men realized that the land would be valuable if it were not so wet. Bayou Road was one exception. A relative dry street that used to be an ancient portage, it was well settled before the Americans arrived.

One of the earliest and largest suburbs in the area was Faubourg St. John. Laid out by Barthelemy Lafon in 1809, it was part of the vast estate of Daniel Clark.

Even though there were two transportation canals in operation -- the Carondelet and New Basin -- during the 1830s, the land consisted of swamp, some dairies, and cemeteries. Streetcars began operation during the last quarter of the 1800s, and in the 1890s a pumping station was built at Broad and Bienville streets. When drainage improved, the area began to develop.

Hey Blake,
I know Galatoire's Restaurant is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2005. What is the story of its opening? Is the Galatoire family still involved in its operation?
Joel M.

Dear Joel,
Yes, indeed. This very year we are celebrating the founding of a New Orleans tradition: standing in line to eat. For 100 years, the great and the small have waited. When I wait, I think of John Milton and shamelessly vary one of his lines to read, "They also get served who only stand and wait."

To celebrate its birthday, Galatoire's threw itself a party in January. And they have reason to celebrate. When you think of how many restaurants come and go in New Orleans -- also known as Food City -- it's truly amazing to find that we have many that have lasted more than a century. Not the least of these is Galatoire's.

Like Antoine's (the oldest restaurant in New Orleans), which opened in 1840, Galatoire's has been a family operation since the beginning. The man responsible for the creation of the restaurant dynasty was Jean Galatoire, who came from France to America and then to New Orleans in 1900. He eventually became associated with Victor Bero who opened an eatery called Victor's at 209 Bourbon St. When Bero retired in 1905, Galatoire bought him out. He converted the restaurant to a more modern establishment and changed the name to Galatoire's. His wife Gabrielle -- "Madame Galatoire" -- served as the cashier, and the family lived over the restaurant in those days.

Before World War I, three of Jean Galatoire's nephews -- Leon, Justin and Gabriel -- came to New Orleans from Pau, France. Jean died without heirs in September 1919, and the three nephews purchased the restaurant that same year. For many years, the brothers operated the restaurant until Rene Galatoire, Leon's son, took over the management. He was followed by Justin's daughter, Yvonne Wynne.