October-November 2017 Issue of Inside New Orleans

450

$

K&B PLAZA •

HEADS & TAILS •

POYDRAS BRIDES •

CULTURAL GUIDE

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2017 VOL. 4, NO. 5

October-November 2017

Publisher

Vol. 4, No. 5

Lori Murphy

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Editor-in-Chief Anne Honeywell

Senior Editor

Managing Editor

Jan Murphy Leah Draffen

Contributors are featured on page 16.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Art Director

Graphic Designer

Brad Growden Jennifer Starkey

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Business Manager

Senior Account Executives

Candice Laizer

Jane Quillin Poki Hampton Barbara Roscoe

Account Executives

Barbara Bossier

Jonée Daigle-Ferrand

Corrinn Fisher

Amy Taylor

Susan Wormser

Advertising Coordinator

Margaret Rivera

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Advertise phone

(504) 934-9684

fax (504) 934-7721 email sales@insidepub.com ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Contribute Please send items for Inside Scoop to scoop@insidepub.com.

Photos for Inside Peek, with captions, should be sent to peek@insidepub.com. Submit items for editorial consideration to editor@insidepub.com.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

On the cover

Contact

mail P.O. Box 6048

Metairie, LA 70009 phone

(504) 934-9684

fax (504) 934-7721 Artist Nancy Hirsch Lassen Rigs in the Gulf Find more on page 18.

website www.insideneworleans.net

Subscriptions 1 Year $18 2 Years $30 email subscriptions@insidepub.com

INSIDE NEW ORLEANS is published bi-monthly (February, April, June, August, October, December) by M and L Publishing, LLC, PO Box 6048, Metairie, LA 70009 as a means of communication and information for greater New Orleans, Louisiana. Bulk Postage paid - New Orleans, LA. Copy­right ©2017

by M & L Publishing, LLC. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written consent of publisher. Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts and artwork. Inside New Orleans Magazine is created using the Adobe Creative Suite on Apple Macintosh computers.

contents table of

page 79

page 32

page 84

Features 18 Lushness and Lines Cover Artist Nancy Hirsch Lassen 32 Infused with Art

The Besthoff Collection of K&B Plaza 40 Collected and Curated

Q & A with Penny Francis and Casi Francis St. Julian 56 Generations of Gems

Boudreaux’s Jewelers 66 Cultural Guide 2017-2018 84 The Poydras Brides 88 Serving Up Thankfulness

Chef Brandon Green page 90 8

Inside New Orleans

90 Meet Mike VII

There’s a New Tiger in Town!

contents table of

page 73

Departments

12 Publisher’s Note 14 Editor’s Note 16 Contributors 24 INside Scoop 30 INside Story Auntie Karoo 39 Traces C. Allen Favrot 46 IN the Bookcase

The Other Girl by Erica Spindler 48 Travel The Henderson New Luxury Resort on Florida’s Emerald Coast

79 INside Look Fall Spice 97 Wine Cellar The Business of Wine 98 IN Great Taste Fall Back into Comfort Food 101 INside Dining

60 IN Other Words Who Ya Gonna Call?

62 IN Better Health With Rick Jennings

114 Last Bite

Andrea’s Restaurant

page 98

Inside New Orleans

73 Flourishes

Extraordinary gifts and home accents

105 INside Peek Featuring: A Summer Night in Southport Real Men Wear Pink Dat Dog National Hot Dog Day Celebration Antiques Roadshow Weekend

52 At the Table Lobsters & Scallops & Mussels— Oh My!

10

64 Traces J. Wayne Leonard

October-November 2017 11

Harvest Cup Polo Classic

by Lori Murphy Every fall for the past 20 years, the Junior League of Greater Covington has hosted one of the premier events in our region, the Harvest Cup Polo Classic at Summergrove Farm in Folsom. If you have never been, tickets are available online until October 6th at jlgc.net. Order your tickets today, you won’t regret it.

The event is on Sunday, October 8, 11:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. The expansive playing field, 300 yards long, is encircled by a low barrier to keep the ball in play. There are eight polo ponies thundering across the field with riders swinging a mallet at the ball, which can travel up to 100 miles per hour. If you are sitting on the sidelines, it is best to keep your eyes on the field, though there are plenty of festive diversions.

At halftime, there’s the divot stomp, where patrons of the match help replace the grass churned up by the hooves and mallets. The Harvest Cup also features a Pretty Woman hat contest at halftime, so come prepared! You’ll enjoy music, great food and bidding at the silent auction tent. Veuve Clicquot is pouring champagne, and there is a Rolex raffle from Lee Michaels Jewelers.

All the fun of dressing up and partying pale in significance to the important work the day makes possible. The Harvest Cup Polo Classic is the primary fundraiser for the JLGC, supporting efforts that range from Girls’ Health Day and Project Homecoming to the Children’s Museum of St. Tammany.

We are proud to be community partners for this special event with Lee Michaels, Champagne Beverage and the United Way. Presenting sponsor kudos go to Latter and Blum. See you at the match!

ps… Practice your gallery clap, and cheer for the Inside Publications team. And stiletto heels are a rookie mistake!

Editor’s Note

by Anne Honeywell I attended my first opera, Madame Butterfly, when I was five years old.

I wore my green velvet dress for this momentous night out with my father, who donned his best suit. This was a planned event: “It was time for Anne to experience opera.”

A big deal. I was getting to go and see where my parents went all the time—to the “opera.” What did that mean? I sat still in my seat in the grand Municipal Auditorium, ready for the “show.”

Well, this performance was different from anything I had ever seen. Dad explained here and there, but to my surprise, I began to understand what was happening, even though I couldn’t understand the language. The “show” was simply beautiful.

I was fortunate to grow up with an appreciation for the arts. My parents were big supporters of the New Orleans Museum of Art, The New Orleans Opera House Association (as it was known back then), the New Orleans Symphony (now the LPO), Le Petit Théâtre—and the list goes on.

Every fall, our Cultural Guide (page 66) celebrates the fabulous variety of local opportunities to experience the arts, including highlights from JPAS, The New Orleans Opera, New Orleans Ballet, the New Orleans Museum of Art, The Historic New Orleans Collection and a myriad of theatre listings. Entire seasons at your fingertips.

If you aren’t a supporter of the arts, give it a try. Spend the day at a museum; buy some tickets to a performance or a concert. And if you haven’t experienced live theatre or opera with a child, put it on your list of things to do. It will be memorable … for both of you.

Enjoy the cultural season! Bravo to the New Orleans arts!

14

Inside New Orleans

October-November 2017 15

Contributors Our contributors give Inside New Orleans its voice, its personality and its feel. Here we are proud to highlight a few of them so that you can put a face with a name and get to know them.

Other Voices: Sara Essex Bradley, Leah Draffen, Tom Fitzmorris, Candra George, Shauna Grissett, Thomas B. Growden, Michael Harold, Anne Honeywell, Yvette Jemison, Joey Kent, Tracey Louthain, David

Yvette Jemison Yvette’s passion for all things culinary extends back to her childhood growing up in a military family. Her recipes and home cooking are influenced by the many places she has lived.

She was immersed in the TexMex cuisine of South Texas and has experienced food from Native American Indian reservations to the street food of Turkey. She often attends cooking classes while traveling with her husband and two daughters and has truly enjoyed a well-seasoned life.

Yvette presents some fall-friendly recipes on page 98.

Tompkins and Michael Williamson.

Mimi Greenwood Knight

Bill Kearney

Becky Slatten

Mimi Greenwood Knight is a mother of four and a freelance writer with over five hundred articles and essays in print in national and regional magazines, devotionals and fifty anthologies, including two dozen Chicken Soup for the Soul books. She lives on a small hobby farm in Folsom with her husband, David, where she enjoys gardening, beekeeping, Bible study, knitting, and chicken wrangling. In this issue, Mimi writes about the Besthoff art collection at K&B Plaza (page 32) and tells the story of the Boudreaux family of jewelers (page 56).

Bill Kearney believes if you like a wine, it’s a great wine—and the best wine is shared with friends.

For more than 20 years, he has added wines from many regions, grapes and friends to his private collection. Recently certified as a sommelier, he serves as the wine director for Galatoire’s Restaurant, Galatoire’s Bistro and 33 Bar and Steak, where he is also a partner. A graduate of Tulane, Bill is president of Yenraek, a governmental affairs firm. On page 97, Bill tells a story about the business of wine in Wine Cellar.

Becky Slatten is a native of Natchitoches, an LSU alumna, the mother of three children and a newlywed.

She divides her time between the northshore and New Orleans, writing for both Inside Northside (since 2007) and Inside New Orleans. Becky loves telling the stories of people and events unique to the area and puts her own twist on topics in IN Other Words—in this issue, she tells about a New Orleans Halloween adventure on page 60.

16

Inside New Orleans

October-November 2017 17

“Of all the arts, abstract painting is the most difficult. It demands that you know how to draw well, that you have a heightened sensitivity for composition and for colors, and that you be a true poet.

This last is essential.”

- Wassily Kandinsky

Lushness and Lines

by Shauna Grissett

18

Inside New Orleans

NOT ONLY IS ABSTRACT ART difficult to create, it can be difficult to understand conceptually—hard to grasp, like trying to hold onto the wind. Broadly, the movement is concerned with color, line, form and texture and is feeling-based rather than reality-based.

The art is expressive and gestural, and the artist paints or creates when driven to communicate what he sees or tells, stirring up emotion in the viewer. Abstract expressionism is an emotional collaboration between the artist and his audience, this interaction being the goal; hopefully, the observer either loves it or hates it or remains indifferent. The range of articulation in terms of abstraction in art is endless.

Nancy Hirsch Lassen, whose work Rigs in the Gulf appears on the cover of this issue, is a highly accomplished abstract expressionist painter. Her work is collected widely in both >>

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

Cover Artist Nancy Hirsch Lassen

20

Inside New Orleans

photos: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

private and corporate collections across the country. It takes years of training for the artist to learn the craft in order to let go of the “real” world and put what is inside the heart and mind on canvas.

Lassen talks about the perception of abstraction: “People ask me about abstract art all the time, and they don’t always understand it. They’ll say, ‘anyone can do that.’ But it’s very difficult to come up with something out of thin air, so much harder than people understand. It would be much easier for me to paint what I see, what is right in front of me, an apple for example, or a still life.”

Lassen, a Baton Rouge native, attended Newcomb College and received

her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1975, majoring in fine arts (concentration: painting) and minoring in art history and Spanish. After graduating, she remained in New Orleans and started her own design firm, Interiors & Extras, now in its 32nd year. Lassen didn’t paint for almost 30 years— almost hard to believe—but worked instead as a successful interior designer. Although she still works as a decorator, the talented Lassen has added “painter” to her résumé, explaining, “I pretty much hadn’t painted since I graduated from college, back in ’75. Then, in 2004, I started taking painting classes again at the Academy (The New Orleans Academy of Fine Art) with Nell Tilton when my daughter went off to college.”

The first seminar Lassen took at the Academy, in abstract acrylic painting, proved to be serendipitous as well as life changing. Not only did it reawaken her love of painting, she also made lasting friendships with the women in her class. “We just adore each other. We paint together, inspire each other, root for each other and take workshops together. It’s a group of awesome women with like interests. We’ve all been very successful, and most of us show in galleries around town.”

The close-knit group of women has even shown their art together, this past April at Gallery Degas on Julia Street. “We called the show Fivefecta, as in ‘trifecta.’ It was so much fun!” Lassen continues her work at the Academy; she won the prestigious Director’s Award in May. It was the first time the Academy bestowed the honor upon an abstract painter, and this is something about which Lassen is particularly proud.

In addition to classes at the Academy, Lassen attends workshops regularly, time permitting, and has taken many seminars from Krista Harris, Steven Aimone and Bob Burridge. She remarks that she learns not only from the artists’ teaching but also from the students in attendance. Lassen just returned from a workshop given by Krista Harris in Telluride, Colorado, “I love her work; she’s just brilliant. Krista does a lot of cerebral preparation before she starts working and then interprets it. She’s very inspirational to me.”

While most of Lassen’s paintings are abstract, some of her work is readable; her first show was focused on trains. “The show’s theme was trains and was representational for the most part, even though some people didn’t realize it. (Going Places can be seen on Lassen’s website.) Because I’d been working on Metairie Road for so many years, I had to do trains, since I crossed the tracks every day. I’m fascinated with trains.”

Lassen is drawn to two contrasting themes in her paintings, the beauty and lushness of the natural world and the lines and forms of the man-made, technical world that we traverse every day, and she ricochets back and forth between the two. The artist outlines her evolution into these two very different subject matters: “I started out doing landscapes, where the canvas was divided into thirds and it was either a high horizon or a low horizon and it was all about a color scheme that I liked. Then, I went from abstract landscapes to total abstraction. But the turning point for me, the beginning in terms of my industrial paintings, was when we were studying ‘line’ at the Academy. I looked out of the window and saw all of these telephone lines going crazy and making these loopy-d-loops, and I was absorbed.”

Regarding medium, the painter works with a combination of acrylics, collage, glazes, oil pastels, pencils and ink. She explains her process: “Usually, I >> October-November 2017 21

22

Inside New Orleans

‘That’s a keeper, I love it.’ Other times, a painting will take years.

I’ll look at a painting on the wall of my studio and say, ‘Oh my God! There’s a bird in the middle of my painting! How did that happen?’ So, I’ll get rid of the bird. But then I discover it was a better painting with the bird. Then, I’ll hang it on the wall and ask myself, ‘What do I do with it now?’ The challenge is to keep the excitement of the process evident in the final product—fresh and exhilarating.”

Lassen has had a busy summer traveling to New York, London and Poole, England, and Edinburgh, Scotland, taking photos of inspirational details, colors and architectural features all along the way, invaluable research for future works. “I took hundreds and hundreds of photographs. I was in New York and was fascinated with all of the water towers; they are just the coolest things. Then, I spent a month in London and couldn’t get enough of all of the really interesting chimneys. In Poole, there was a bridge that was painted in these awesome colors! When you look at all of these lines and shapes, before you know it, you’re looking at the entire world as paintings!”

After she returned home from overseas, she drove out west on Highway 50, called the “Backbone of America” by Time magazine in its July 7, 1997 issue and

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

begin by ‘activating the canvas.’

This is the same for many abstract expressionist painters; I begin with lots of line, brushstrokes and glazes and then follow the paint’s lead. If you don’t like the medium, you paint over it. It’s the layers and layers underneath that give the piece its history.”

This building up—the adding and subtracting of paint, mark and medium to the canvas—is what makes the painting’s surface rich with texture, movement and color. Lassen is masterful in her use of vibrant color; she says, “I adore color—that’s my passion and, I think, my special gift. I especially love the juxtaposition of color and the evolutionary interplay of color on canvas.

Orange is my favorite color, and next would be some form of green and then purple. It’s just like if an outfit needs a little something extra, you add a great pair of shoes or bright lipstick. So, if a painting needs a little pop, my go-to is orange.”

Unlike being a lawyer or doctor, there are no hard and fast rules for artists. How do you know what colors to use? How long does it take to finish a painting? When do you know if a painting is finished? An artist just knows innately the answers to these questions without having to look them up in the Physician’s Desk Reference or on Westlaw.

“Sometimes, I’ll do something really quickly and say,

deemed “The Loneliest Road in America” by travelers on the Nevada portion of the route. “There would be miles and miles of nothing except for stunning natural beauty. I took so many photos of basically the same thing, more natural wonder, that I finally stopped taking pictures and just wrote down the beautiful colors I saw for reference. And, then out of the blue, when we were driving, we’d come upon a little town, in the middle of nowhere. The first thing you’d see, in every town we’d come upon, would be a junkyard. All of this amazing nature and then, in sharp contrast, there’d be a scrapheap with all of these cool industrial lines and shapes.”

These two divergent themes about which Lassen continually paints are obviously deeply embedded in her, and she’s automatically attracted to them as she lives her life, whether in London, England or along Highway 50.

Lassen has an upcoming show at Gallery Degas in April 2018. She is currently represented by Gallery Degas; the Kessler Collection at the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Birmingham, Alabama; the John Richards Collection in High Point, North Carolina; and Bev’s Fine Art in Raleigh, North Carolina. She has been a finalist in the Bombay Sapphire New Orleans show three times. Recently, 48 of her paintings were commissioned and installed in the new University Medical Center in New Orleans.

Lassen’s work is also in the collections of the Federal Reserve Bank, New Orleans; Sloan Kettering, New York; and the New Orleans Museum of Art gift shop. Many of her paintings have been featured in movies and television shows filmed in the New Orleans area; she leases work to the movie industry through NOLA Props. Lassen’s work can be seen and/or purchased by contacting the galleries mentioned above or by contacting the artist directly at 504-813-7340 or nancyhirschlassenartist.com.

October-November 2017 23

New Orleans Heart Walk

INSIDE a handy guide to events and entertainment in and around New Orleans

October Regional Artist. Works of Martha Wright Ambrose. The Atrium Gallery,

Blvd, Metairie. 7-10pm. $50-$100.

$95. wyes.org.

upontheroof2017.brownpapertickets.com.

6 Forever Green Golf Classic. Supporting

6-8 Gentilly Fest. Music, food, art and kids’

100 Christwood Blvd, Covington.

Girl Scouts Louisiana East. Bayou Oaks

activities. Pontchartrain Park, 6500 Press

christwoodrc.com.

City Park South Course, City Park.

Dr. Oct. 6, 6-10pm; Oct. 7, 12-9pm; Oct.

Foursome, $1,000; single player, $250.

8, 12-7pm. Free. gentillyfest.com.

1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Redline. Live rock-n-roll music at The Blue Crab, 7900 Lakeshore Dr. 6-9pm. 284-2898. thebluecrabnola.com.

3 WYES Season of Good Tastes. The 26th

24

Caribbean Room, 2031 St. Charles Ave.

355-5871. forevergreengolfclassic.com.

6 Up on the Roof: Taste from the Top.

6-7, 13-14, 20-21 Oktoberfest.

Sponsored by the Deutsches Haus.

Food, beer, wine, specialty drinks

German food, beer, dachshund dash,

annual WYES Season of Good Tastes

and music by the Bucktown All-Stars.

music and culture. 1700 Moss St.

kicks off with a wine pairing dinner at the

Esplanade Garage, 4200 Houma

deutscheshaus.org.

Inside New Orleans

photo courtesy: AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION

1-28 The Rediscovery of a Southern

November 11 New Orleans Heart Walk. The American Heart Association’s 1-mile walk event to raise funds and celebrate progress in the fight against heart diseases and stroke. Join the Heart Walk, start Heartwalking and make the commitment to lead a heart healthy life and become healthy for good. Champions Square. Check-in, 9am; walk, 10am. heart.org.

6-8, 13-15, 20-22, 27-29 The Myrtles Halloween Experience. The Myrtles Plantation, 7747 Hwy 61, St. Francisville. (225) 635-6277. stfrancisvillefestivals.com.

6, 27 Friends of the Cabildo Concert Series. Oct 6, Deacon John; Oct 27, Walter Wolfman Washington. Old U.S. Mint, 3rd floor performance space, 400 Esplanade Ave. 7pm. 523-3939. friendsofthecabildo.org.

>>

October-November 2017 25

Inside Scoop 7 Art for Arts’ Sake. Galleries, shops and exhibits. The Warehouse Arts District, the Contemporary Arts Center and Magazine Street. 6-9pm. cacno.org.

7 Beignet Fest. New Orleans City Park festival grounds. 10am-6pm. beignetfest.com.

8 Harvest Cup Polo Classic. Live polo

community programming. Raising Cane’s River Center, 275 River Rd S, Baton Rouge. hollydays.org.

19 Kickin’ Parkinson’s. Over 25 local restaurants, premium bars and specialty drinks, silent auction, live music by Bag of Donuts. Benefiting Team Fox

matches, Lee Michaels Rolex Raffle, live

Louisiana. Stone Creek Club & Spa, 1202

and silent auctions, live music, fabulous

Ochsner Blvd, Covington. 7pm. $150.

food and libations. Summergrove Farm,

kickinparkinsons.com.

16191 Hwy 40, Folsom. 11:30am. harvestcuppolo.com.

11-19 New Orleans Film Festival. Hosted

19 Lambeth House Foundation Gala.

Cocktail reception with hors d’oeuvres

by Antoine’s, Arnaud’s and Calcasieu;

by the New Orleans Film Society.

dinner buffet prepared by Lambeth

Multiple venues. Tickets, $9-$35.

House’s Executive Chef Jacques

neworleansfilmfestival.org.

Saleun; silent and live auctions; music

12 Ozanam Inn Gala. Honoring the Deans of LSU and Tulane Schools of Medicine and LSU School of Dentistry. Crazy Lobster Bar & Grill, 500 Port of New Orleans #83. ozanaminn.org.

12 Tocqueville Award Celebration. Hyatt

by 5 eaux 4. Lambeth House, 150 Broadway. 6-8:30pm. $150. 872-9720. lambethhouse.com.

19 Ogden After Hours and Solidary and Solitary Opening Reception.

Opening of Solidary and Solitary: The

Regency New Orleans, 601 Loyola Ave.

Pamela J. Joyner and Alfred J. Giuffrida

Reception, 6pm; dinner, 7pm. Cocktail

Collection. Live music, specialty

attire. unitedwaysela.org.

cocktails. Ogden Museum of Southern

13 Spend the Day at UA! Live a day in

Art, 925 Camp St. 6-8pm. Members,

the life to find out what it’s like to be an

free; nonmembers, $13.50. 539-9631.

Ursuline girl. Ursuline Academy High

ogdenmuseum.org.

School, 2635 State St. 866-5292.

Register at uanola.org.

13-15 Crescent City Blues & BBQ

20 18th Annual Golf Classic. Network with Jefferson Chamber leadership, board members and more. TPC Louisiana,

Festival. Lafayette Square. Oct. 13,

11001 Lapalco Blvd, Avondale.

5-8:30pm; Oct. 14-15, 11am-8:30pm.

jeffersonchamber.org.

Free. jazzandheritage.org/blues-fest.

20 Blue & White Friday Night. Jesuit

15 Day of the Girl. Girls ages 7-12. Longue

High School, 4133 Banks St. 7-9pm.

Vue House & Gardens, 7 Bamboo Rd.

Registration now open. jesuitnola.org.

488-5488. longuevue.com/day-of-the-girl.

15 Third Sunday Concert Series.

20 Pasta and Puccini Fundraising Gala.

Presented by the Wendell and Anne

Schumann and Franck violinist Zorica

Gauthier Family Foundation. Sheraton

Dimova and pianist Liliia Oliinik.

Hotel, 500 Canal Street. Doors open,

Christ Episcopal Church, 120 S. New

6pm. Black tie. 885-2000. jpas.org/gala.

Hampshire St, Covington. Doors open; 4:30; concert, 5-6pm. Free. (985) 892-3177.

18-21 Hollydays. Four days of shopping

20 Taste of the Tournament. Gala and auction presented by the Fore!Kids Foundation. Partnered with the Louisiana

and special events to benefit the

Hospitality Foundation and Acme

Junior League of Baton Rouge and its

Oyster House. Club XLIV at Champions

Square. 7-11pm. Cocktail attire. 342-3000.

501auctions.com/forekids.

20-21 Southern Garden Symposium.

Gardening workshops and more.

Afton Villa Gardens, 9047 Hwy 61; and Hemingbough, 10591 Beach Rd, St. Francisville. (225) 635-3738. southerngardensymposium.org.

20-22 Ghosts in the Oaks. City Park. 4839376. friendsofcitypark.com.

21 Fall for Art. Art by dozens of artists, live music, shopping, fine dining and more.

Downtown Covington. 6-9pm. 892-8650. sttammanyartassociation.org.

21 Open House. Eight weeks through grade 12. St. Martin’s Episcopal School, 225 Green Acres Rd, Metairie. 10am. stmsaints.com/openhouse.

21 O What A Night! Presented by Hearst and WDSU-TV. Fine cuisine, Southern art and live music by Jeremy Davenport and Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Ogden Museum of Southern Art, 925 Camp St. 6-11pm. Black tie. ogdenmuseum.org.

21-Jan 20 Luxury & Leisure in Britain in the 19th Century. M.S. Rau Antiques, 630 Royal St. (888) 557-2406. rauantiques.com.

22 The Garden Party at Summergrove Farm. Hosted by David Fennelly and Carlos Sanchez. Benefiting New Heights Therapeutic Riding Center. 1-5pm. newheightstherapy.org.

23-27 Panache Find Your Fit Event. In conjunction with the global Panache campaign to celebrate bra fit. Bra Genie, 2881 US 190, Ste D-3, Mandeville, (985) 951-8638; 7539 Corporate Blvd, Ste 180, Baton Rouge, (225) 223-6114. panachelingerie.com/findyourfit. thebragenie.com.

25 Chancellor’s Breakfast. Breakfast with Chancellor Joan Y. Davis, J.D. Delgado Community College, City Park Campus, Student Life Center, 615 City Park Ave. 7:30am. dcc.edu/breakfast.

26 Poydras Home Bicentennial Gala and >> October-November 2017 27

Inside Scoop Juried Art Competition & Sale. Music

by Deacon John, food, drinks and art.

28-29 Yellow Leaf Arts Festival. Parker

Show continues Oct 27, 10am-4pm. 5354

Park, Commerce St, St. Francisville. (225)

Magazine St. 6-8pm. poydrashome.com.

635-3665. stfrancisvillefestivals.com.

26 Ursuline Academy High School

29 Milne Fall Festival. Alexander Milne

Open House. Pick your path at UA

Developmental Services, 1065 Milne

so you can meet students, explore

Crl, Covington. 1-4pm. (985) 327-6550.

campus, and ask the questions that

milneds.org.

interest you most. Ursuline Academy High School, 2635 State St. 866-5292.

Register at uanola.org.

27 Business & Breakfast. Jefferson Chamber event at Copeland’s, 1319 W Esplanade Ave, Kenner. 7:45-9:45am.

November 1-Jan 20 Luxury & Leisure in Britain in the 19th Century. M.S. Rau Antiques, 630 Royal St. (888) 557-2406. rauantiques.com.

2, 14 Admission Open House. Nov 2, Pre-

Designer Reception, $125. Luncheon, $145; members, $125. 488-5488. longuevue.com/symposium.

2-5 Harvest Wine and Food Festival.

Produced by Destin Charity Wine Auction. Watercolor, Florida. dcwaf.org.

3 Boudin, Bourbon & Beer. Champions Square. 6-10:30pm. Adults 21+. boudinbourbonandbeer.com.

3 Crusader Jr. High Band Night. Brother Martin High School, 4401 Elysian Fields Ave. 7pm-til. 283-1561. brothermartin.com.

3 St. Martin’s Episcopal Golf Tournament. Cypress Lakes Country

Chamber members, $10; future members,

K; Nov 14, Grades 6-12. Metairie Park

Club at Ormond. Check-in, 9:30am; start,

$20. jeffersonchamber.org.

Country Day, 300 Park Rd. 6:30pm. 849-

11am. stmsaints.com/golf.

27-29 Louisiana Seafood Festival.

Benefitting the Louisiana Hospitality

3110. mpcds.com.

2-3 Design Symposium. Featuring

Foundation. Woldenberg Park, 1 Canal

prominent interior designer Richard Keith,

St. louisianaseafoodfestival.com.

antique textile designer Rebecca Vizard.

27-29 Voodoo Music + Arts Experience.

Kendrick Lamar, Foo Fighters, The Killers

28

and more. City Park. voodoofestival.com.

Inside New Orleans

4-30 Jim Seitz Opening Reception. The Degas Gallery, 604 Julia St. 6-8pm. 8269744. jimseitz.com.

4-5 Peter Anderson Festival. Presented by

Designer Reception, Nov 2, Longue Vue

Blue Moon. 400 fine art, crafts and food

House & Gardens, 7 Bamboo Rd, 5-7pm.

vendors. Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

9am-5pm. peterandersonfestival.com.

8 Open House. Jesuit High School, 4133 Banks St. 4:30, 5:30 and 6:30pm. jesuitnola.org.

8, 15, 29 Ursuline Academy Elementary

Metairie Rd, Ste 102, Metairie. 835-5250.

Veterans Memorial Blvd. 7:45-9:45am.

febeclothing.com.

Chamber members, $10; future

9-12 A Taste of Jefferson. Jefferson Chamber of Commerce. Nov 9, Vinters’

members, $20. jeffersonchamber.org.

17 Friends of the Cabildo Concert

Dinners; Nov 10, Grand Tasting event;

Series. Kristin Diable. Old U.S. Mint, 3rd

School Tours. Tour campus, experience

Nov 11, Premium Tasting event; Nov 12,

floor performance space, 400 Esplanade

class in session, learn about the application

Champagne Jazz Brunch; and more.

process, and find out why Ursuline is right

jeffersonchamber.org.

for you. Ursuline Academy, 2635 State St. 866-5292. Register at uanola.org.

9 Open House. Brother Martin High School,

Ave. 7pm. 523-3939. friendsofthecabildo.org.

18 Celebration of the Crest

10 Ochsner Moonlight and Miracles

Extravaganza-Puttin’ on the Ritz.

Gala. Benefiting Ochsner Cancer

Presented by Brother Martin High School.

Services. Mercedes-Benz Superdome,

New Orleans Marriott, 555 Canal St. Patron

4401 Elysian Fields Ave. 5-8pm. 283-

1500 Sugar Bowl Dr. 6-pm-midnight.

Party, 6-7:30pm; main event, 7:30pm-12am.

1561. brothermartin.com.

Tickets, $400. 842-7113. ochsner.org.

284-6700. brothermartin.com.

9 Southern Dominican Gala. Honoring

11 New Orleans Heart Walk. The

22-Dec 30 Skyscapes. Artist Billy Solitario’s

Yvonne Alciatore Blount and Roger Shondel.

American Heart Association’s 1-mile

2017 show. LeMieux Galleries, 332 Julia

Messina’s at the Terminal, 6001 Stars and

walk event to raise funds and celebrate

St. 522-5988. billysolitario.com.

Stripes Blvd. 837-2129 ext 8. opsouth.org.

progress in the fight against heart

9 STAIR Affair 2017. The Tale of Peter

24-Jan 1 Celebration in the Oaks. City Park.

diseases and stroke. Champions

483-9415. celebrationintheoaks.com.

Rabbit theme. Home of Liz and Terry

Square. Check-in, 9am; walk, 10am.

Creel, 3102 Prytania St. 7-9:30pm. 899-

heart.org.

0820. stairnola.org.

9-11 Finley Trunk Show. FeBe, 474

17 Business & Breakfast. Jefferson Chamber event. Bonefish Grill, 4848

Send your event information to scoop@ insidepub.com to have it featured in an upcoming issue of Inside New Orleans.

INside Story

by Michael Harold

my aunt, Karolyn Westervelt. I hesitate to say, “may she rest in peace,” because “peace” was the last word anyone associated with Aunt Karoo. It’s astounding the number of people who approach me to say how much they miss Karolyn. I can’t help agreeing. Although she was only my aunt—through her first marriage to my mother’s brother—I always considered her like an Auntie Mame, adoring her more than a blood relative. Now that the other aunts are gone, I can safely admit that she was my favorite.

Like many popular people, she had multiple nicknames: Toots, Karoo, Karola and others. Always smiling and frequently bawdy, Karolyn was the epitome of style—from her clothes to her houses.

Everyone was made to feel welcome at her home, and the minute you showed up at her door, a cold drink and a crisp monogrammed linen napkin

Auntie Karoo ON A LATE SUMMER EVENING inside the famous Rex Room at Antoine’s, a glamorous hostess in a satin dress and long strand of pearls threw off her shoes and shinnied to the top of the long dinner table. The evening was a special one. It was the hostess’s annual birthday celebration, which she co-hosted with her best friend, Judy, who shared the same special day. With the grace of a ballerina, the birthday girl danced across the entire length of the table, avoiding the half-eaten loaves of French bread, empty plates of Baked Alaska, and wine glasses while waving a scarf in one hand and holding a glass of champagne in the other. Seated around the table were thirty of her closest friends, who rose to their feet in applause when she elegantly stepped off the table and curtsied to the portraits of former Kings of Carnival flanking the walls. Miraculously, not a drop of alcohol was spilled.

The formidable hostess was none other than 30

Inside New Orleans

would be placed in your hand.

One thing my own mother and Karolyn had in common was the remarkable ability to misapply words or combine two words to create their own.

Karolyn’s malapropisms were as colorful and rich as her fine clothing and furniture. And, rather than shy away from conversation, she embraced her blunders with aplomb. Rather than sashay or saunter, she once told a friend that she would “sauté” on over to Langenstein’s to buy crabmeat.

She accused her ex-son-in-law of “annihilating” her daughter from all of her friends. And she once visited Sweden and Denmark, but not Scandinavia. I have been known to throw out some humdingers myself, but nothing compares to Karolyn’s Hawaii vacation. On the day before a flight to Honolulu, she drove downtown to the Whitney Bank’s foreign currency desk to exchange dollars for Hawaiian money. Her son, Bert, never

let her live it down, and in fact, he eulogized the story before hundreds of her friends. To this day, I’ve never been to a funeral where people laughed more than Karolyn’s.

I know it’s patently unfair that some people get away with murder while others pay dearly for petty crimes.

Likewise, someone with racy humor might be labeled crude or vulgar, whereas another person is lauded as bawdy and effervescent. Karolyn was the lucky one. With her, anything offcolor turned to gold. After all, this is a woman who once entertained tourists at a fashionable hotel when she appeared on her bedroom balcony in a fluffy white robe and endearingly yelled to her husband in the garden below, “Well, buongiorno a**hole.”

Of all her celebratory birthdays, the most memorable took place the night she rented a private dining room at a local steakhouse. Her friends decided to surprise her with naughty gag gifts, which she opened after sipping many nourishing drinks. After dinner, on the way out of the restaurant and with a flock of giggling onlookers, she slyly dropped one of the gifts, a vibrating “toy,” into the lobster tank. As it sunk to the bottom, the device trembled and rocked among the poor lobsters. The next day, Bert returned to pick up an umbrella and found himself staring at an empty lobster tank. “Apparently, some drunk jackass killed them all last night,” commented a passing waiter.

Needless to say, an anonymous cashier’s check was sent to the steakhouse … and not in Hawaiian money.

October-November 2017 31

IF YOU’RE A CONNOISSEUR of visual art, New Orleans is an exciting place to live. If you’re a novice, the city offers almost endless opportunities to whet your appetite and start discovering what you like. Between scores of traditional galleries on Royal, Julia, Magazine and St. Claude and informal displays in courtyards, storefronts and private homes, it’s easy to encounter almost every known school of art within the city, even if you’re not looking for it.

In the world of visual art, my daughter, Lee, and I are somewhere between aficionados and greenhorns. We know what we like—even if we don’t always know why—and we have a thirst for learning and experiencing more, more, more. Experts we are not. Bumping around the city, we’ve often been surprised by art when and where we least expected it, but never as surprised as the day we stumbled upon an extensive, private collection of Sydney and Walda Besthoff and had it all to ourselves.

It was a perfect spring day and baby girl and I decided to walk the blocks from her Baronne Street apartment to the Ogden Museum.

Caught up in conversation, we didn’t notice we were passing K&B Plaza, almost to Lee Circle.

I spotted a kooky bench shaped like a human hand and convinced Lee to, quick, run up the steps and pose so I could take her picture sitting on it. She did, and I snapped off a few of her.

We traded places and she snapped a few of me.

That’s when Lee noticed an art installation >> 32

Inside New Orleans

Sydney Besthoff surrounded by his collection at K&B Plaza.

photos: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

by Mimi Greenwood Knight

Infused with Art

The Besthoff Collection at K&B Plaza October-November 2017 33

in the lobby of the building, an elaborate Mardi Gras ball tableaux-type costume.

(I still don’t think it had registered where we were.) We crept up to the glassedin lobby, cupped our hands against the glare and focused on more and more pieces displayed around the lobby. As we ooohhed and aaaahed and pointed pieces out to each other, peripheral motion caught my eye, and I looked to see a glass conference room jutting out to our left where men and women in business attire were smiling and waving us into the building. Yikes! We’d been spotted.

Debating whether to run away like street urchins or accept their invitation, we heaved opened the massive glass doors into the lobby and were greeted by a grinning security guard who almost seemed to be expecting us.

We enjoyed a closer look at the two dozen or so pieces of canvas and sculpture scattered about the lobby. Then, the guard invited us not only to make our way up to the seventh floor and enjoy more artwork but to help ourselves to the coffee table books depicting the collection that we’d find at the end of our tour. On the elevator, Lee stared straight ahead and said in a deadpan voice, “You do realize we’re never leaving this building alive, right?”

She had a point. The whole thing did feel a bit like a Twilight Zone episode, especially after we spent well over an hour touring the collection upstairs and returned to the lobby to find not a living soul; no guard; no business types; just a cavernous, empty lobby. I half expected Rod Sterling to step out of the inky shadows.

Back home, the whole episode felt like a daydream, but I decided to do a little research. I called K&B Plaza and was transferred around a bit until I heard the friendly voice of Heidi Gainey, who turned out to be an assistant to Mr. Sydney Besthoff III. Former CEO of K&B Inc., Besthoff, >> 34

Inside New Orleans

October-November 2017 35

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

36

Inside New Orleans

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

with his wife, Walda, have been called two of America’s top 100 collectors. To my surprise, three minutes later I was on the phone with Besthoff himself, who couldn’t have been more enthusiastic about my coming back for another tour of his collection, this time with him as my guide.

Who could refuse?

Most New Orleanians, and many visitors to the city, are familiar with the Besthoffs and their nearly five-acre sculpture garden behind the New Orleans Museum of Art. Their collection there has grown to include more than 60 eclectic, oversized sculptures. But far fewer know about the equally impressive, 100-pluspiece collection housed at K&B Plaza and open to the public every week day.

At the agreed-upon time, I met Mr. Sydney, a dapper gentleman with a kind spirit and an almost paternal pride in his art. He escorted me around, introducing this art neophyte to each

of his acquisitions. He told me how he and Walda had begun collecting art in the 1960s, when they became enamored with the then-new photorealism movement. “The art world is so big,” says Besthoff.

“But photorealism was relatively small, so it was a good place for us to start.” They began acquiring pieces. To this day, photorealism is strongly represented in this collection, much of it Americana themed with images of storefronts, movie theatres and vintage automobiles. “It’s still very much an interest of ours,” he explains.

The real beauty of the plaza collection is its diversity. It’s hard to imagine there’s a school of art that isn’t represented. Pieces are displayed in all the public areas of the building, with the majority on the ground floor and the seventh floor, where Mr. Sydney’s own corner office overlooks Lee Circle, and several massive sculptures are displayed on the plaza surrounding the building.

Over the past fifty years, the collection has grown to include everything from stoic oil paintings with traditional themes to abstract acrylics and foundobject sculpture. There’s motorized mixed media,

beadwork, holograms, stained glass, pottery, even a gold-plated piece. There’s a 40-foot mobile, collage, wood carvings, tapestry, and origami. There are computer-generated pieces and one nude that’s so lifelike the artist included every pore and hair follicle.

There are artists of international renown and local currently undiscovered artists.

One area of the seventh floor resembles a more traditional gallery and includes what Besthoff calls “K&B Corner,” filled with memorabilia from the 90-year history of the brand, several awards the Besthoffs have won and a primitive canvas that claims an entire wall depicting the history of Louisiana. It’s intriguing to realize that one couple was attracted to so many diverse creations. Ask Besthoff which piece is his favorite and he’ll tell you, “My favorite is always the last one I bought.”

For him, a piece of art is worth acquiring if it’s something he enjoys from different angles and something that’s interesting enough to stick in his mind. “It’s intuitive,” he says. “I know if I like it, and I know if I don’t.” Although the pieces in the NOMA sculpture garden are selected by committee, he and >>

38

Inside New Orleans

For decades, Sydney and Walda Besthoff have been important business and cultural leaders in New Orleans. Sydney served as chairman and CEO of K&B Inc., a retail drug store chain throughout the Gulf South. Founded by his grandfather in 1905, it eventually expanded to 184 locations before being sold to the Rite Aid Corporation in 1997. (You might be a native New Orleanian if you know exactly what shade “K&B purple” is.)

Mr. Besthoff was a founder and past president of the Contemporary Arts Center of New Orleans and has served on the boards of numerous business and arts organizations, including New Orleans Museum of Art, First National Bank of Commerce, National Association of Chain Drug Stores, Boy Scouts of America, New Orleans Symphony, United Fund, and Newman School.

In 1978, Mr. and Mrs. Besthoff established the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Foundation, a private foundation dedicated to cultivating public interest in the arts, particularly in contemporary sculpture.

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

Walda—or sometimes just he—select the pieces for the private collection alone. “At NOMA, it’s Walda and I plus the museum’s director, Susan Taylor, and sometimes the architect. Everyone has veto power, so we really all have to agree on a piece,” says Besthoff.

“Artists approach us now and ask to be included.

But this collection is whatever caught our attention and held it; whatever we couldn’t walk away from.”

And while the NOMA collection continues to garner national awards and has taken its place among the world’s most celebrated art installations, few people know about the collection housed at 1055 St. Charles Avenue. There are no lines of patrons scuffling through; no guided tours; no admission fees. But from the enormous Isamu Noguchi galvanized steel sculpture heralding the front entrance—the one that inspired the sculpture garden to begin with—to the tiniest folk art trinkets lining the front reception desk, this collection is worth the time it takes to drink it in and stretch your artistic sensibilities. It’s open during work hours Monday through Friday and well worth a visit.

Traces

by Michael Williamson

C. Allen Favrot

photo courtesy: UNITED WAY OF SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA

United Way of Southeast Louisiana’s Tocqueville Society Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient

When it comes to all-time greats in their respective fields, I think of Michael Jordan, Jack Nicklaus and C. Allen Favrot—in no particular order.

Few individuals measure up to C. Allen Favrot’s reputation in the philanthropic community of New Orleans. He is truly a living legend, logging more than 65 years as a volunteer of United Way and countless other nonprofits throughout the region.

It’s hard to imagine spending one career with a single employer, much less two. But Mr. Allen has never wavered in his dedication to grow United Way’s capacity to improve lives and make a lasting difference in Southeast Louisiana. He has served in nearly every role on every imaginable United Way committee since holding his first leadership position in 1961, and he set the mark as our 1981 Fundraising Campaign Chair, leading the first annual effort to break our $10M threshold.

In 1985, Mr. Allen introduced the prestigious Tocqueville Society to Greater New Orleans in an effort to expand high-level personal giving to tackle our community’s most serious issues. Our current Tocqueville membership includes more than 150 civic and philanthropic leaders who understand our

community’s challenges and want to be a part of the solution—all thanks to Mr. Allen. More than 30 years after the inception of the group, Mr. Allen can be credited with a fundraising portfolio totaling in the tens of millions.

And come this October, United Way of Southeast Louisiana’s Tocqueville Society will honor him with its Lifetime Achievement Award at its annual gala.

There is no singular person more deserving of the Society’s inaugural lifetime achievement recognition than Mr. Allen. The fact is, there may never be another individual worthy of this remarkable honor. After all, he is the alltime greatest.

If you think this award marks an end to an illustrious career of service—think again. Just as he has done over the last six decades, his persistence will continue to be a fundamental key to the growth of our Tocqueville Society. When he’s in our offices, he’s scouring the papers, business sections, industry magazines and phone books to round up new prospects.

Some might call his style old school, but I consider it to be the standard by which all others are measured.

Few people can look back on a career of service that spans six decades.

Even fewer can do so with the ability to say they effected real change in the lives of others. I wish I could find better words to describe his commitment and service to our United Way and the people of New Orleans. But, the truth is, he’s C. Allen Favrot. The one and only.

Enough said.

Michael Williamson is the President and CEO of United Way of Southeast Louisiana.

October-November 2017 39

40

Inside New Orleans

photo: SARA ESSEX BRADLEY

Collected and Curated Q & A with Penny Francis and Casi Francis St. Julian

by Anne Honeywell

ECLECTIC HOME EMBODIES its namesake: elements from a variety of resources, systems and styles. Owner and principal designer Penny Francis and her daughter, Casi Francis St. Julian, carry the namesake through each and every design project.

“Together we approach projects by first understanding the client, their environment and how they live to create spaces that are truly a reflection of them,” says Penny.

A member of both ASID and IIDA, Penny opened Eclectic Home on Oak Street in 2000 to fill a huge void of diverse home products in this market and to help showcase her unique style.

Casi works alongside her mother as a senior designer. Casi is also a lover of the world of interiors. She is a graduate of the Savannah College of Art & Design with a BFA in Interior Design.

I sat down with Penny and Casi for a little Q and A on Interior Design.

INO: What sets you apart as designers?

EH: Though formal, traditional décor tends to be the norm in New Orleans, the city’s diverse mixture of cultures and styles support our October-November 2017 41

>>

INO: Who was the first interior designer to make an impression on you?

EH: Dorothy Draper. I am still very obsessed with black and white checker-board floors, which she was known for amongst so many other forward-thinking combinations of color, pattern and texture.

The first designer to make an impression on Casi is Kelly Wearstler. She pushes the envelope and explores using unexpected materials and combinations.

42

Inside New Orleans

photos: SARA ESSEX BRADLEY

design philosophy. We have an appreciation for the architecture and history, but our dÊcor doesn’t have to all be from one period or style. We juxtapose styles in a way that they come together looking collected and curated.

INO: What are some of the things that influence you, aside from furniture and décor?

EH: Inspiration is everywhere. The smallest things can be inspiring, like a vintage necklace recently, the handle design of an old hair brush or shadows cast from trees. Being present, paying attention to the world around you will provide inspiration.

INO: What would you tell someone who doesn’t have a big budget?

EH: For customers who don’t have a big budget, we always recommend painting a room. Paint is the smallest investment with the greatest amount of return. Also, new throw pillows or rug and layers of lighting with new lamps or chandelier are all small, relatively inexpensive changes that offer big impact. Reupholstering accent chairs can make a huge difference. It can often times be unrecognizable. Restyling bookcases and your collectables also have a great effect, and there is no cost in doing that.

INO: Is there a favorite room you have designed?

EH: Yes, most recently we designed a living room

for a cottage in the French Quarter. The client downsized and had a great deal of art and furnishings. The challenge was editing those pieces while replacing others and not having a room that was cluttered or looking like a showroom. The mix of vintage and antiques from mid-century to neo-classic makes for an amazing space. It’s rich in color and interior architecture.

The result is a sophisticated, functional, curated room that takes my breath away.

INO: What is one thing in modern interior design that you deplore?

EH: The same look over and over again. When that is done, clients tire of it more quickly and spend more time and money starting over because there is no originality.

INO: Is there something you will never, ever do when it comes to interior design— something you always avoid?

EH: Copying a room from the internet. Social media is wonderful for inspiration but not imitation.

Interiors should be a reflection of the homeowner.

>>

October-November 2017 43

knowing where to look first because it’s all just so delicious...

INO: Design rule you love to break?

EH: None. We approach each job with open minds just waiting to explore using new materials and resources available to us.

INO: What is your favorite room in the house?

EH: Bedrooms. They are sanctuaries. A place to retire and revive.

INO: Favorite materials or textures?

EH: Wall coverings with texture as well as modern takes on classic designs that are somewhat over scaled.

INO: Favorite interior design-related word?

EH: Cohesion.

INO: What qualities do you admire most in a room?

EH: We love rooms that have a diverse collection of furnishings and design elements, such as color or pattern that bring it all together.

We love one unexpected piece as well as not 44

Inside New Orleans

INO: And Casi?

EH: A self-portrait of artist John Scott.

INO: Any final words, Penny?

“At Eclectic Home, we pride ourselves on exploring new materials that are otherwise unavailable to see how they can evolve in a space. The store explains my point of view as a designer and allows me to showcase what I truly am—eclectic!”

photos: SARA ESSEX BRADLEY

INO: What colors do you use the most?

EH: Taupe, gray, black, white, shades of blue.

INO: What is your most treasured possession?

EH: A pair of antique Czech cut-glass decanters from my grandmother that I had always admired. She would have beautiful Thanksgiving dinners where she would use them. They were from her grandmother and special to her as well.

IN the Bookcase

The Other Girl

by Erica Spindler

A RITUALISTIC MURDER of a college professor sends a small-town cop back into the trauma she thought she’d left far behind her. As the torments of her past and the horrific murder case become intertwined, the seasoned cop will be forced to give this case everything she’s got, if it’s the last thing she does ...

In her chilling new thriller, The Other Girl, Mandeville’s own Erica Spindler once again proves that she is a master of suspense.

Officer Miranda Rader of the Harmony, Louisiana, Police Department is known for her honesty, integrity, and steady hand in a crisis—but that wasn’t always so. Miranda comes from the town of Jasper, a place about the size of a good spit on a hot day, and her side of the tracks was the wrong one. She’s worked hard to earn the respect of her coworkers and the community.

When Miranda and her partner are called to investigate the murder of one of the town’s most beloved college professors, they’re unprepared for the brutality of the scene. This murder is unlike any they’ve ever investigated, and just when Miranda thinks she’s seen the worst of it, she finds a piece of evidence that chills her to the core: a faded newspaper 46

Inside New Orleans

clipping about that terrible night fifteen years ago. The night she’d buried, along with her past and the girl she’d been back then. Until now that grave had stayed sealed, except for those times, in the deepest part of the night, when the nightmares came: of a crime no one believed happened and the screams of the girl they believed didn’t exist.

Then another man turns up dead, this one a retired cop. Not just any cop—the one who took her statement that night. Two murders, two very different men, two killings that on the surface had nothing in common— except Miranda. Will she find the killer before it’s too late?

More evidence emerges, and Miranda finds herself under the microscope, her honesty and integrity doubted, her motivations questioned.

Alone, the way she’d been all those years ago, Miranda realizes she must face her past to find the truth—before it’s too late.

For her … and the other girl.

Erica Spindler Catching a summer cold changed Erica Spindler’s life forever. Up until that fateful malady, Erica planned on being an artist. She had studied for that profession, earning both a BFA and MFA in the visual arts. Then in June 1982, she stopped at a drugstore to pick up cold tablets and tissues; the cashier dropped a free romance novel into her bag. Once home, with nothing to do but sniffle and watch daytime TV, she picked that romance up—and was immediately hooked.

For the next six months, she read every romance she could get her hands on. Sometime during those months, she decided to try to write one herself, but it was when she leapt from romance to suspense that she found her true calling.

Erica has published more than thirty novels all over the world.

Critics have dubbed her stories as “thrill-packed, page turners, whiteknuckle rides, and edge-of-yourseat whodunits.” A USA TODAY, New York Times and Amazon.com bestseller, Erica and her novels have won many awards, including the prestigious Daphne du Maurier Award for excellence.

Erica and her husband met in art school. They traveled to New Orleans to see the King Tut exhibit at the New Orleans Museum of Art. Without advance tickets, they had a choice: wait in line all day or spend the day sightseeing. They chose the latter and fell head-over-heels in love with New Orleans—and, eventually, the northshore, where they live with their two sons.

October-November 2017 47

The Henderson

New Luxury Resort on Florida’s Emerald Coast

by Tracy Louthain

48

Inside New Orleans

into this project,” says Bill Dunavant III, president and CEO of Dunavant Enterprises. “After a decade of development and meticulous planning, our family is thrilled to offer a level of luxury that was previously unavailable between New Orleans and Sarasota.”

The Dunavants wanted to bring something truly authentic and special to the Gulf Coast, and there are many personal touches. From the collection of vintage Destin photographs that grace the hallways to 465 original works of art created by 13 local and regional artists, the resort reflects the beauty and personality of the Emerald Coast.

The Henderson’s wood shingles and steep gable roof lines complement the original Henderson Park Inn, which is located to the south of the new resort complex. Enhancing the resort’s beauty is the five-star service. Managed by Salamander Hotels & Resorts, the staff at The Henderson is gracious, welcoming and makes each guest’s stay nothing short of spectacular.

From running to our car in valet for our sunglasses to preparing a special cocktail at the spa, the thoughtful

photos: MODUS PHOTOGRAPHY

Cruising over the Mid-Bay Bridge, the Choctawhatchee Bay glistened like a million diamonds in the afternoon sun. The time had arrived for our romantic escape to The Henderson, a Salamander Beach & Spa Resort. Located along Florida’s Emerald Coast, Destin’s newest luxury resort is nestled between white, sugar-sand beaches, the Henderson Beach State Park and the charming Crystal Beach neighborhood.

Towering above the street, The Henderson appeared as a majestic manor. As we entered, the grand living room was stately yet unpretentious. With walnut floors, reclaimed-wood beams defining the vaulted ceilings and Old-World style chandeliers, the interior felt like it has been part of the coast’s landscape for decades. It was late afternoon when we arrived, and the floor-to-ceiling windows filled the room with natural light while providing a spectacular view of the 200-acre Henderson Beach State Park.

Owned by Memphis-based, family-owned business, Dunavant Enterprises, Inc., The Henderson has been a labor of love. The project was a vision of the family for more than a decade and took two years to build. “An incredible amount of work has been invested

team provided exceptional service with a smile.

Our Gulf-side room overlooked the preserve. With a comfortable couch on the terrace, we were drawn outside to feel the warm coastal breeze.

The spacious room was beautifully decorated, and shutters adjacent to the bath tub open to the bedroom, offering views of the preserve.

Next, we headed down to the adult pool to bask in the warm Florida sun.

Greeted by the courteous staff, we were escorted to pool chairs and offered towels, water and anything else that would make our stay more enjoyable.

The resort features two pools—an adult pool and a zero-entry, family pool with splash pad for the kids. We stayed long enough to soak up the sun and find relaxation listening to the pattern of the water spraying from the fountains.

Horizons, the lobby-level lounge bar, features hand-crafted cocktails, wine and local craft beers, among the options.

With its rotunda design, marble fireplace and spectacular views of the park and the Gulf in the distance, Horizons is the ideal indoor setting to watch the sunset. “The H” and a “Spicy Mule” are two signature drinks that infuse jalapeno, adding a spicy kick to our sunset libations, and the complimentary barbecue pecans and roasted black-eyed peas are a delicious accompaniment. We were told that the Henderson also hosts a Salutation Celebration on the 5th floor Sunset Vista with Captain Joe ringing the bell at sunset.

For dinner, we headed to the main dining room, Primrose. Named after the area’s oldest commercial fishing vessel, Primrose is dressed in nautical hues and serves fresh, local cuisine.

Led by Executive Chef Michael Katz, the Primrose menu ranges from fresh seafood and sushi to prime steaks and >> October-November 2017 49

chops. After dinner, the park-side firepit provided a relaxing, outdoor gathering spot for after-dinner drinks.

Beginning the next day with a long leisurely walk on the soft white sand beaches was a joy. Nestled along the state park, this stretch of beach offers pristine, untouched beauty. Breakfast at Primrose was filled with health-conscious choices as well as some decadent options. We opted for The Hammy, the signature ham, pineapple and egg sandwich.

With each paid room night, guests have the choice of two hours of select activities, including stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, beach bikes, kick boards, fitness classes and nature tours.

We opted for the beach cruisers and headed out to explore the Crystal Beach neighborhood. Pedaling by colorful beach cottages, we traversed the coast, stopping at beach access points along the way.

The centerpiece of The Henderson is the Salamander Spa, bringing together health, wellness and relaxation, a theme that permeates throughout the resort.

In addition to the fitness center, the spa also offers wellness classes and programs.

However, on this day, we were visiting the spa for purely indulgent reasons. We began our services with “couple’s playtime.”

The 90-minute couple’s experience is ideal for busy couples craving time together.

Entering the private suite, couples are welcomed with a big Jacuzzi bubble bath, chocolate-covered strawberries and decadent treats. A bowl of vegetable-based mask let us apply each other’s facial. One of 50

Inside New Orleans

photo: MODUS PHOTOGRAPHY

only a few spas in the United States that offer ocean views, The Henderson’s luxury suite features a terrace where guests can lounge outside overlooking the park.

Next, we entered a special treatment room for a couple’s massage. With a blend of relaxing techniques and deep tissue massage, the therapists worked their magic while we enjoyed a quiet moment together. Private men and women lounges with steam room, experience shower Jacuzzi and more await guests after their service. For ultimate relaxation, hide away in the Lavender Lounge, overlooking the park, with a glass of Lavender Bubbles, a mix of lavender simple syrup, La Marca Prosecco and Miraval Rose. The finale was a visit to the salon for a pedicure.

The delicious service includes coconutbutter scrub and pineapple hydrating lotion—it’s like a Pina colada pedi.

No car, no worries. The Henderson also offers car service to nearby shopping and dining options, including the Destin Harbor. Before departing, we took one last moment to sit on the veranda and enjoy the coastal breeze while banana leaf fans gently circled overhead. We agreed that we must return with the kids. With its family pool, Sprinkles Ice Cream shop, Kids Club and white sand beaches just steps away, The Henderson is well suited to cater to entire family.

The Henderson is located at 200 Henderson Resort Way in Destin.

(855) 741-2777. hendersonbeachresort.com.

October-November 2017 51

At the Table

by Tom Fitzmorris

ALL THE MOST WISTFUL, moving songs I know involve the same two elements: the arrival of autumn and the departure of things you did last summer. The only things remaining are the unique foods of fall.

Although I almost never leave our local waters in composing these columns, the things I ate during trips to New England and the Canadian Maritimes stay with me the whole year through. The New Orleans Eat Club—an ad hoc assemblage of my readers and radio listeners—has accompanied me during five cruises from New York to Quebec, digging daily into the foods of the region.

While our own seafood cuisine stands up against any other, the edibles of the Northeast are classy enough that they have become very popular in our local restaurants, too.

Most noteworthy of them are lobsters, scallops and mussels, all of which are near the top of any list of American seafood delicacies.

I was inspired to learn about the piscine picture in New England when, many years ago, I jumped on US Highway 11 at Powers Junction in eastern New Orleans. I headed northeast on a vacation with no other aim than to remain on US 11 all the way to the Canadian border. That done, I headed toward Cape Cod where, for the first time since I left New Orleans, I found 52

Inside New Orleans

illustration: GRETCHEN ARMBRUSTER

Lobsters & Scallops & Mussels– Oh My!

the cooking interesting. Everywhere I went for dinner, I talked with chefs who complained about the end of the high season and the end of their jobs. I sent a lot of these guys down to New Orleans, where openings were many. In exchange, they gave me a course on the food in this land of quaint little villages here and there.

So much did I like the area that I was disappointed

when my hotel shut down for the year. I had developed a liking for the seafood of the region. In addition to the mollusks I mentioned at the beginning, here, too, were fish that were new to me. Cod, naturally, but also haddock and scrod. Also, there were oysters of the same species we have in Louisiana, but smaller and a bit more assertive in flavor.

Something new every night. I walked around singing wistful songs and eating lobster rolls.

It took a few decades before the first New England seafood of quality made its way to New Orleans. In the same way that our redfish, crawfish, shrimp and soft-shell crabs were flown out to the rest of the country, we have adopted scallops and mussels. It wasn’t easy for the chefs who tried to serve such things. Typically, they ran mussels as a special and wound up having to eat most of them.

The local customers weren’t interested yet.

And not even chefs knew much about scallops. The little ones are most often fried and pretty bad. The big ones—I’ve seen a few the size of small filets mignon— are tender and delicious enough to become common, at prices that make three or four of them qualify as an entrée. And a gourmet entrée at that.

Even New Orleanians with a taste for scallops don’t understand them fully. The part we eat is the muscle that the scallops use to hold their shells closed.

(They can also flap the shells and sort of fly through the water.) This muscle is analogous to the one that oyster shuckers cut while plying their trade. Also inside the scallop shells (which are depicted on the sign of every Shell gas station in the world) are sometimes roe and a lobe that’s like the best part of an oyster. Neither of these is particularly good.

But of all the problems that chefs get wrong in serving scallops, the worst is that the whole thing gets scraped along the sea bottom during the harvest, and even a little bit of sand gives a gritty texture. This can be avoided by rinsing the scallops very well before seasoning and searing them.

Even the best chefs don’t always seem to know this.

While scallops are now easy to find, the two best restaurants for them have been very consistent for a long time. Mr. B’s puts a savory crust on the top and bottom of >> October-November 2017 53

a

t

t

h

e

t

a

b

l

e

Above: Scallops.

Right: Bounty Of The Sea Cajun boiled seafood bucket from The Crazy Lobster.

54

the scallop that is always perfect. Meanwhile, learning how to do scallops seems to be a required course for working in the kitchen at Gautreau’s. If you want to convert a friend to liking scallops, those are the places to go.

Mussels are a bit trickier. The big problem is that two batches of mussels have a way of varying wildly. The good batch will have plump musselmeats about the size of your thumb’s nail part. It will have some mussels with a creamy color (female) and others a pail orange (male). If you see this color differential, you almost always have great mussels. If not, the mussels will shrink alarmingly while cooking to the point that it becomes hard to get an actual musselmeat on your fork, and you become a dreamer with empty hands.

Chefs think this is a secret, but it isn’t: mussels are cheap, and an entrée portion of them should include at least two dozen mussels. Few New Orleans restaurants will give you that many.

Cape Cod or Nova Scotia mussels come in that number. If you’re eating mussels in Belgium—the mussel capital of the world—you’ll get a bucket of them with some four dozen shells to open, its contents to savor.

The European style of serving mussels includes

Inside New Orleans

photo: DAVID TOMPKINS davidtompkinsphotography.com

pommes frites, cut and fried to order. Why they put the fries on top of the mussels is a mystery. It makes the fries limp. Tell them to serve the fries first with your cocktail or wine.

Lobster is the best known of the New England and Canadian seafood bounty we now find around our town. The crustaceans have been familiar in New Orleans since Tom Pittari introduced them to New Orleans eaters in the 1950s. His restaurant on Claiborne Avenue was the first place where live (or dead, for that matter) lobsters were served routinely. At the time, New Orleans eaters could get Caribbean spiny lobsters, but they are much inferior to Maine lobsters. (Speaking of which, most lobsters in America come not from Maine, but Canada.)

Drago’s is now the place for lobster in our town, with not only many treatments of the crustaceans, but affordable prices. Lobster is hard to find in the French Quarter, but two restaurants there can satisfy

an appetite for the crustaceans: New Orleans Creole Cookery and The Crazy Lobster.

If you ever find yourself on my New England cruise (I do them every two or three years) or one like it, you’ll go to a place called Peggy’s Cove, right in the middle of the lobster fishery in Nova Scotia. There you’ll also find roadside eateries serving what I think you’ll find are the best lobsters of your life.

It’s good to live it again.

That last line is from one of the many songs about autumn and lost romances that I’ve embedded in this column. Have fun looking for them, and send me any you thought of yourself. And if you ever cross my path in autumn, ask me to sing a wistful song for you.

Generations of Gems NEW ORLEANS IN THE EARLY 1930s was a world apart. Ladies strolled Canal and Baronne Streets in their hats and gloves, stockings and high-heel shoes; men in straw hats and seersucker suits. Vendors announced their wares from horse-drawn carts.

And everyone knew the name of their local grocer, butcher, and bartender.

It was a different age when, whatever one’s craft or trade, it was undertaken with pride, to the best of one’s ability and products were constructed to last a lifetime. It was during this stalwart era that Gilmore Boudreaux discovered his love of jewelry making. Working first as a craftsman behind the scenes, creating one-of-a-kind jewelry for some of the top jewelers in the city, Gilmore opened the first Boudreaux’s Jewelers in 1933.

56

Inside New Orleans

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

by Mimi Greenwood Knight

Boudreaux’s Jewelers And so began a family tradition of excellence that now spans four generations. The newest to take up the mantle is Brandon Boudreaux, who at 26 is lead jewelry designer and unofficial family historian. “My great-grandparents owned the building where the first jewelry store was located,” he says. “The bottom floor held the store. The next two floors were jewelry manufacturing. And the family lived on the top floor.”

Boudreaux’s Jewelers was soon the exclusive jeweler for the Archdiocese of New Orleans. “We constructed their chalices and other religious items,” >> October-November 2017 57

says Boudreaux.

“Many of them are still around today. Even though we relocated the New Orleans store to Metairie, in the ‘80s, we still have customers tell us how well they remember the original store. They talk about their parents bringing them in and buying them a piece of jewelry for their first communion or confirmation, then going across the street to see the Christmas decorations at the Roosevelt or the Fairmont.”

Now with three Boudreaux’s Jewelers locations, the business is still very much a family affair. “My father and I oversee the whole operation from our main location on Metairie Road,” says Boudreaux. “My Uncle Tommy and my grandfather, Donald, manage the Mandeville store and my Uncle Donnie manages the Baton Rouge location.

My grandmother handled the books for years until she retired. My younger brother, Robert, is still at LSU but will go on to do his gemological studies, then join us. We also have employees who’ve been with us for decades and are basically family too.”

Together they carry on the tradition begun by Gilmore Boudreaux almost 85

years ago. “We’re known for our custom pieces and our Boudreaux signature collection,” says Boudreaux. “We have a GIA-graduated gemologist at each location and can create truly unique custom pieces according to customer specifications. We even use a 3-D printer to show them a model of their piece before we make it.”

Boudreaux says that, although technology is playing a larger role in jewelry making, technology can never replace a master craftsman. “It’s exciting for me when someone comes in, shows me a piece of jewelry, and tells me, ‘Your greatgrandfather made this for me’.” Boudreaux said. “We never want to forget that the Boudreaux name is going on each piece we create. My name is going on there. I keep that in mind as I sit down with paper and pencil to sketch out a piece of jewelry I’ll be making for a customer. I want them to be just as proud to show it to my son or grandson someday.”

You’ll find Boudreaux’s Jewelers locations at 701 Metairie Road in Metairie, 4550 Highway 22 in Mandeville, and 7280 Corporate Boulevard, Suite B, in Baton Rouge.

IN Other Words

by Becky Slatten

Who Ya Gonna Call?

3:25 - Arrival Upon arrival, we checked into our hotel room and set about testing our “equipment” (i.e., iPhone ghost apps). Almost immediately, eerie things began to happen. The bathroom air vent came on all by itself, and The Editor began speaking to the suspicious vent to make contact with any ghosts hovering in there. We also attempted to conduct some EVPs (electronic voice phenomena for you ghost-show novices).

However, our “equipment” was not exactly cooperating, as the ghost apps clearly state they are for “entertainment purposes only.” We remained undeterred. We next decided to get in touch with any entities hanging out in the lobby; once there, we immediately felt the spirits calling 60

Inside New Orleans

us to the bar, so we rushed over to get a couple of “readings” with our complimentary drink coupons.

4:00 - The Tour Gio, one of our charming hotel managers, acted as our personal tour guide and escorted us to the most active spots in the hotel. (The hotel offers a guided ghost tour to the public on Thursday evenings.) He pointed out the general location of the famous phantom blood stain on the grand staircase, and we also watched for the ghostly dancer in the ballroom, though neither materialized for us—nor did our “equipment” cooperate, which we were getting used to even though we were utilizing it strictly for “entertainment purposes.” Gio shared with us his personal paranormal encounters while walking the hotel halls late at night, and we hoped to have a similar experience later in the investigation. Meanwhile, he gave us access to one of the more “active” guest rooms on the 6th floor and a couple more complimentary drink coupons, so we went back to the bar to make “contact” with some more spirits.

6:00 - The Dinner Muriel’s in Jackson Square also has a long-haunted history, so we chose to dine there in hopes of being joined by some long-dead residents. Unfortunately, none showed up—at least we don’t think so. Our “equipment” malfunctioned, so it’s impossible to really know, but our food was delicious, and we enjoyed a nice bottle of wine. Manager David Gesser kindly offered us a tour of the very beautiful and spooky second floor, where many documented sightings have occurred. Sadly, we experienced nothing out of

photo: CLAYTON HARRISON

MY EDITOR AND I, in observance of our second favorite holiday, Halloween, conducted our own Paranormal Investigation at a local haunted hotel.

With my deadline looming, as usual (see January article about Procrastination), I called one of the most widely acknowledged haunted locations in the city, The Bourbon Orleans Hotel.

Once an opera house and an orphanage, the hotel is aptly located in practically the dead center of the French Quarter. General Manager Mark Wilson graciously offered us accommodations for the night, and we immediately began making the necessary preparations to document the existence of life after death by downloading some highly unscientific ghost-hunting apps on our iPhones. We also bought a bottle of wine. We were ready for anything.

the ordinary, so we headed to our next adventure: The Haunted Pub Crawl.

8:15 - The Haunted Pub Crawl The scariest part of The Haunted Pub Crawl was actually some of the creepy vagrants lurking around the Quarter after dark. We were in a small group, and our guide, Doug, regaled us with an entertaining haunted history of several local bars. And we had a drink or two.

10:30 - Nighttime Hotel Investigation Following The Haunted Pub Crawl, we decided to pay a visit to our new best friend and bartender, Camille, for one final “reading” at the Bourbon O bar before heading to the very active 6th floor for our late-night investigation.

Armed only with liquid courage and some bogus “equipment,” we entered room number 642. And the fan in the bathroom came on all by itself. We were naturally ecstatic to experience yet another paranormal bathroom event until later when Eric, who works on the 6th floor, apologetically explained that all the bathroom air vents are motion activated. But I got to make fun of The Editor for talking to an air vent, so it wasn’t a complete waste of time.

In summary, no, we didn’t see a ghost, hear a ghost or feel a ghost—the only “cold spots” we felt came directly from air conditioner vents. And while we were a little disappointed that we didn’t come away with any evidence of the supernatural, I can say this: when it comes to “for entertainment purposes only,” you can’t beat ghost hunting in the French Quarter. Boo y’all.

October-November 2017 61

IN Better Health

Health Concern: Severe periodontal disease, multiple carious teeth.

Treatment: Implants.

Rick Jennings and Dr. Michael Block.

WHEN RICK JENNINGS first visited Dr. Michael Block at The Center for Dental Reconstruction, he was suffering from gum disease and loose teeth. “My dentist in Covington stated that I needed to have my teeth pulled and then gave me options for teeth replacement, including implants. She recommended I visit Dr. Michael Block,” says Rick. “After consulting with Dr. Block, the procedure for inserting the implants began.”

In the past, patients with poor quality and quantity of bone suitable for placement of dental implants were ineligible candidates. However, today’s technology allows restorative dentists to grow bone where it is needed by bone grafting. Bone can be taken from a tissue bank, from animals, or your own jawbone. Bone grafting offers the chance to restore functionality and aesthetic appearance.

“His upper teeth had decay and bone loss,” says Dr. Block. “He did not want to wear a removable set of teeth so implants were a great option.” The four62

Inside New Orleans

step process began with the removal of his upper teeth. From there, six implants were placed and a complete set of upper teeth. After four months of bone implant integration, a final screw-retained set of teeth was put in.

Dental implants provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel and function like natural teeth. The implants are titanium screws that are surgically placed into the jawbone where teeth are missing. The metal anchors serve as tooth roots. The bone then bonds with the implants to create a strong foundation for the artificial teeth, while small posts protrude through the gums are then attached to the implants providing stable anchors for the artificial teeth.

“The total procedure was highly successful and my implants and permanent mounted dentures are great.

It’s like having a complete set of natural teeth,” says Rick.

“The outcome has been an excellent restoration of facial esthetics and full chewing function,” adds Dr. Block.

photo: DAVID TOMPKINS

with Rick Jennings

Traces

“It is very important to transcend the places that hold us.”

– Actor Denzel Washington as Rubin Carter

J. Wayne Leonard 2017 United Way Tocqueville Award Recipient Above: Entergy’s commitment to improve the lives of low-income customers led to recognition in 2002 of then Entergy Chairman and CEO Wayne Leonard (center,

TRANSCENDING THE OFFICE of corporate leadership is a hallmark of Entergy Corporation’s longest-serving Chairman and CEO, J. Wayne Leonard. A self-described “film buff” who uses movie references to illustrate his forward-reaching ideas, Leonard led the electric utility for 14 years before retiring in 2013.

During that time, he streamlined the company’s interests to the core objective of providing affordable, reliable electricity, steering the company to record profitability. He also realized the Fortune 500

pictured with Entergy employee Paula Odom, right, and former employee Laurie Sapp, left) with a humanitarian service award from the National Energy & Utility Affordability Coalition.

Right: J. Wayne Leonard speaking at the White House.

64

Inside New Orleans

company could make a real difference for customers and communities.

Spearheading the company’s corporate social responsibility program, Leonard sharpened its focus on educational, health and financial opportunities for the 25 percent of customers living in poverty. He quickly became recognized as a knowledgeable, outspoken advocate for addressing climate change. Many environmental experts and officials noted there wasn’t a place or group Leonard wouldn’t debate or offer his views.

In 2001, he committed Entergy to a successful program of carbon reduction by offsetting high-emission plants by acquiring more efficient natural gas units, nuclear plants and common-sense practices like planting trees, all while keeping customer rates low.

Leonard’s vision and leadership were never more apparent, though, than through hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

The storms devastated vast portions of the utility’s service area, knocking out power to 1.7 million customers and uprooting lives.

Leonard’s response stood in stark contrast to layoffs and relocations of other businesses that threatened New Orleans’ viability. He reorganized the company overnight, establishing a department to provide hundreds of displaced employees and their families with food, housing and schools during eight months in temporary work sites.

His mission was to stabilize the Entergy workforce by assuring that every employee had a job, which allowed them to serve customers during long work hours and devote the time needed to rebuild their communities.

photo courtesy: UNITED WAY OF SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA

in the movie, The Hurricane.

He successfully fought for federal funding to reduce rates for New Orleans customers, accelerating the return of residents and businesses. Despite substantial overtures from other states, Leonard’s commitment to New Orleans led to the return of Entergy and its employees to help rebuild the city.

In 2010, he was named one of 30 “Driving Forces” by New Orleans CityBusiness for community contributions. He received a lifetime achievement award in 2011 from the National Wildlife Federation. He also received the first-ever Community Action Partnership’s Corporate Champion Award for low-income efforts.

Today, Leonard’s vision and early actions are paying off for customers and communities. Entergy shareholders invest $16 million annually in community improvements, landing the company on lists like The Civic 50 and 100 Best Corporate Citizens.

Each year, United Way’s Alexis de Tocqueville Society holds a celebration to honor an outstanding individual: a philanthropist who leads by example to create a better community for all. This year’s distinguished recipient is J. Wayne Leonard.

“Mr. Leonard is uniquely deserving of the award. He initiated groundbreaking efforts at Entergy to combat the debilitating impact of poverty on the lives of generations of families. His leadership in prioritizing the needs of low-income customers at Entergy continues to inspire all of us in our pursuit of United Way’s mission to eradicate poverty,” says Michael Williamson, President and CEO of United Way Southeast Louisiana.

October-November 2017 65

photo courtesy: NEW ORLEANS BALLET ASSOCIATION

Ballet Hispánico.

Escape to Margaritaville.

Westminister Abbey Clock featured in M.S. Rau Antiques’ Aristocracy photo: MATTHEW MURPHY

exhibtion.

CULTURE, LEISURE AND LUXURY are naturally New Orleans. So, it’s inevitable that the arrival of the Cultural Season is met with much excitement and eagerness. In perfect timing with the season and the soon-to-be 300th anniversary of New Orleans, M.S. Rau Antiques celebrates our culture and luxury with an interesting view into the evolution of leisure in 19th-century England. Exhibiting this age of socioeconomic, cultural and artistic change fits right in with this year’s powerful line up of cultural performances. View Aristocracy: Luxury and Leisure in Britain on Oct. 21 through Jan. 20. For more information, visit rauantiques.com. >> 66

Inside New Orleans

Broadway in New Orleans The East Jefferson General Hospital Broadway in New Orleans opens its curtain with pre-Broadway premier, Escape to Margaritaville on Oct. 20-28.

See The King and I, Nov. 14-19; Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, Dec. 19-24; An American in Paris, Jan. 30-Feb. 4; The Color Purple, Feb. 20-25; Rent, April 17-22; and Waitress, June 12-17. Outside of the seven-show season, see The Phantom of the Opera on March 14-25. For tickets, times and details, call 800-218-7469 or visit broadwayinneworleans.com.

The Civic Theatre The Civic and the Bowery continues its season with Grizzly Bear on Nov. 12 and Primus: Ambushing the Storm Tour on Nov. 13. Catch The Shins on Nov. 14 followed by DJ Soul Sister’s 15th Annual New Year’s Eve Soul Train on

68

Inside New Orleans

Dec. 31. For ticket information and show times, call 272-0865 or visit civicnola.com.

Contemporary Arts Center New Orleans On Oct. 13-15, watch Trisha Brown Dance Company’s performance Trisha Brown: In Plain Site. Performances continue Nov. 9-11 with GO FORTH by Kaneza Schaal and MÖNSTER OUTSIDE by Sidra Bell Dance New York on Nov. 17-18. Beginning Nov. 18, view Prospect.4: The Lotus in Spite of the Swamp ending Feb. 25; view Sarah Morris, March 22-June 17; and Jockum Nordström: Why is Everything a Rag, March 22- June 17.

Join the Contemporary Arts Center New Orleans for Art for Art’s Sake on Oct. 7 from 6-9pm. For performance times and more information, call 528-3805 or visit cacno.org.

Jefferson Performing Arts Society The Jefferson Performing Art

Society will begin its cultural season Oct. 6-15 with Chicago. On Oct. 27-Nov. 5, Caroline, or Change; Dec. 8-17, Tuck Everlasting; The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Feb. 23-March 4; Catch Me If You Can, April 13-22; and Alice in Wonderland, May 18-20. For more information, call 885-2000 or visit jpas.org.

Le Petit Theatre Du Vieux Carre The theatre celebrated its 101st cultural season on Sept. 15-Oct. 1 with Once On This Island. Disenchanted! rolls Nov. 3-19; A Streetcar Named Desire on March 9-25; An Act of God on May 11-27; and Crowns on June 15-July 1.

For more information, call 522-2081 or visit lepetittheatre.com.

Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra The Louisiana Philharmonic

photo courtesy: NEW ORLEANS BALLET ASSOCIATION

Orchestra continues its 2017-2018 season on Oct. 19 at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center with Beethoven Violin Concerto with Mendelssohn’s Reformation; on May 17, hear Beethoven’s Beginning with Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 17. At the Orpheum Theater: Beethoven Violin Concerto with Mendelssohn’s Reformation, Oct. 20; Prieto Conducts Dvorak 7, Oct. 27; Pops-Specials: Star Wars and Beyond The Music of John Williams, Nov. 3 and 5; Tchaikovsky’s ‘Pathetique,’ Nov. 16 and 18; Baroque Christmas, Dec. 14; Romance and Fantasy, Jan. 4; Brahms Symphony No. 1, Jan. 12-13; Jurassic Park Film with Live Orchestra, Jan. 20-21; Big Easy to the Big Apple: Philip Glass Festival Carnegie Hall Program, Feb. 22 and 24; Pines of Rome and Bela Fleck, March 15 and 17; Simply Sinatra, March 24; Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with Shostakovich’s 10th Symphony, April 6; Bach Easter Oratorio, April 12; Purple Rain: The Music of Prince, April 21; Beethoven’s Beginning with

Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 17, May 11; and Carmina Burana, May 18-19.

At Loyola University’s Roussel Hall enjoy family concerts: Halloween Spooktacular, Oct. 15; The Music of Harry Potter, March 4; and A Musical Menagerie, April 15. For music al fresco, hear Fidelity’s Swing in the Oaks at New Orleans City Park on April 24 and Swing in the Park at Lafreniere Park on May 3. On Nov. 30, the Yuletide Celebration will be presented at the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner. Musical Louisiana, produced in collaboration with The Historic New Orleans Collection, can be heard March 21 at St. Louis Cathedral. For more information, call 523-6530 or visit lpomusic.com.

Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts On Oct. 15, the Mahalia Jackson Theater presents John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous; on Oct. 23, Evanescence: Synthesis Live with Orchestra; on Nov.

Roméo & Juliette.

14, Tori Amos; and on Nov. 26, Peppa Pig Live Surprise. The New Orleans Ballet Association and New Orleans Opera performance dates can be found in their listings. For show times and ticket information, call 287-0350 or visit mahaliajacksontheater.com.

Newcomb Art Museum of Tulane View Unfamiliar Again: Contemporary >>

October-November 2017 69

Women Abstractionists ending Dec. 23 and on Jan. 17-March 25 see Clay in Transit: Contemporary Mexican Ceramics. For up-todate exhibit information, call 865-5328 or visit newcombartmuseum.tulane.edu.

New Orleans Ballet Association The New Orleans Ballet Association kicks off the season Oct. 21 with Ballet Hispánico at the Mahalia Jackson Theater.

On Nov. 10-11, watch Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, co-presented with The NOCCA Institute at NOCCA’s Freda Lupin Memorial Hall. At Mahalia Jackson Theater, watch Tango Fire on Jan. 27, Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo in Roméo & Juliette on Feb. 24, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago on April 7. For show times and more information, visit nobadance.com.

New Orleans Museum of Art On view until Oct. 8, Jim Steg: New Work and Regina Scully’s Japanese Landscape: Inner Journeys; ending Nov. 19, African Art: The Bequest from the Françoise Billion Richardson Charitable Trust; ending Dec. 31, Orientalism: Taking and Making. On Oct. 6-Jan. 7, view East of the Mississippi: Nineteenth-Century American Landscape Photography and Nov. 4-April 8, Personalities in Clay: American Studio Ceramics from the E. John Bullard Collection. For more information, call 658-4200 or visit noma.org.

70

Inside New Orleans

photo: MATTHEW MURPHY

An American in Paris.

New Orleans Opera Celebrating its 75th anniversary, the New Orleans Opera continues its season on Oct. 6 and 8 with Mascagni Cavalleria Rusticana and Leoncavallo Pagliacci; on Nov. 10 and 12, Orpheus in the Underworld; on March 9 and 11, Terence Blanchard’s Champion: An Opera in Jazz; and on June 1 and 3, Menotti’s The Medium. On April 20 and 22, join the Opera for the 75th Anniversary Celebration: 75 Years of Glorious Singing With the Great Stars of New Orleans Opera. For ticket information, call 529-3000 or visit neworleansopera.org.

Ogden Museum of Southern Art View Louisiana Contemporary presented by the Helis Foundation until Oct. 15; ending Oct. 26, The Colourful South: William Christenberry, Birney Imes, William Greiner, William Ferris and Alec Soth; ending Oct. 26, William Eggleston: Troubled Waters; and ending Jan. 21, Solidary and Solitary: The Joyner/Giuffrida Collection presented by the Helis Foundation. Prospect.4: The Lotus in Spite of the Swamp opens Nov. 18-Feb. 25 and on Dec. 7-Jan. 28, Photonola Currents 2017. On Oct. 21, join the Ogden for O What A Night! presented by Hearst and WDSU-TV. For tickets and more information, call 539-9650 or visit ogdenmuseum.org.

Orpheum Theater In addition to the many Louisiana

Philharmonic Orchestra performances, the Orpheum Theater presents Ponderosa Stomp 13, Oct. 6-7; Champions of Magic, Oct. 12; In This Moment: Half God/Half Devil Tour, Oct. 13; Herbie Hancock, Oct. 15; Old Crow Medicine Show, Nov. 9; GRiZ, Nov. 11; alt-J, Nov. 13; and Orpheum Holiday Spectacular with the 610 Stompers, Dec. 9-10. For more information and tickets, call 274-4870 or visit orpheumnola.com.

Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts Rivertown Theaters’ season continues with The Odd Couple on Nov. 2-19; on Jan. 12-28, Million Dollar Quartet; on March 2-18, Steel Magnolias; on May 4-20, Little Shop of Horrors; and on July 12-22, Beauty and the Beast. For tickets and information, call 461-9475 or visit rivertowntheaters.com.

Saenger Theatre The Saenger’s season includes PJ Masks: Time to be a Hero, Nov. 1; Hal Holbrook-Mark Twain Tonight, Nov. 2; Jim Gaffigan: Noble Ape Tour, Nov. 3; So You Think You Can Dance Season 14 Tour, Nov. 5; Adam Trent: The Next Generation of Magic, Nov. 9; ZZ Top, Nov. 12; Hip Hop Nutcracker featuring MC Kurtis Blow, Nov. 28; The Avett Brothers,

Dec. 1; The Legend of ZeldaSymphony of the Goddesses, Dec. 15; Moscow Ballet’s Great Russion Nutcracker, Dec. 26; and Wild Kratts Live, Jan. 24. Broadway in New Orleans performances can be found in its listing. For show times and tickets, call 287-0351 or visit saengernola.com.

Southern Rep Theatre On Sept. 27-Oct. 22, Fun Home kicks off Southern Rep’s season. Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberly, Nov. 29-Dec. 22; And Tell Sad Stories of the Death of Queens by Tennessee Williams, March 21-April 1; All the Way, Feb. 28-March 25; and Eclipsed, May 30-June 24. For locations, tickets and details, call 522-6545 or visit southernrep.com.

The Historic New Orleans Collection View A Most Significant Gift: The Laura Simon Nelson Collection ending Nov. 4; Storyville: Madams and Music ending Dec. 9; Giants of Jazz: Art Posters by Waldemar `Swierzy from the Daguillard Collection ending Dec. 30; and The Seignouret-Brulatour House: A New Chapter ending Dec. 31. Opening Feb. 27-May 27, New Orleans, the Founding Era. In continuum of THNOC’s Concerts in the Courtyard, hear Robin Barnes on Oct. 20 and Javier Olondo & AsheSon on Nov. 17. For more information on events and exhibitions, call 523-4662 or visit hnoc.org.

October-November 2017 71

International High School of New Orleans International High School of New Orleans was founded in 2009 by a group of

parents who pursued an internationally-minded education for their children. They

believed that students needed to learn to compete academically on a global scale, yet

maintain their connection to the local community. Located in the heart of New Orleans’ vibrant Central Business District (CBD), IHSNO offers a challenging and inspiring education to students in Grades 9-12.

Accredited by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, IHSNO

makes the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme available to all Louisiana residents, creating a truly diverse learning community. With over 40 nationalities,

students have a unique opportunity—an international curriculum delivered by a firstrate, committed faculty in one of the most beautiful and culturally rich areas of the

United States and the world. The vision is to inspire students to be compassionate and productive global citizens who positively impact the world.

Our scholars experience intercultural appreciation on a daily basis by being

exposed to different world languages informally through their peers, or by formal language instruction. Arabic, Mandarin, French, Spanish and Vietnamese are the languages students can choose to learn or enhance while at IHSNO.

As an accredited International Baccalaureate World School, IHSNO principles

are aligned to the IB Learner Profile. We encourage and celebrate students and staff members who are Open Minded, Inquirers, Caring, Knowledgeable, Thinkers, Risk Takers, Principled, Communicators, Balanced and Reflective. Holding the values of

IB, we aim to develop internationally-minded people who recognize their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet.

“I am proud, yet humble to be part of the educational growth of our students. As

an open access IB school, I believe that our greatest contribution to better the world is to provide our students with access to quality education, and support to achieve their greatest,” says Head of School Sean Wilson. “I am honored to be entrusted with the young lives that enroll in our school and witness their growth to greatness.”

IHSNO is located at 727 Carondelet Street. 613-5703. ihsnola.org.

72

Inside New Orleans

Flourishes 1 1. Opalescent landscape giclée in very soft, serene tones of lilac, blue, and greens, framed in an acrylic box; 17’’W X 40’’H X 3.5’’D, $798 each. EMB

2

Interiors, Mandeville, 985-6261522. 2. Porcelain serving dish, scratch proof and dishwasher safe. Judy at the Rink, 891-7018.

3. The Good Egg Swivel chair

by Milo Baughman, $4,450.

Virginia Dunn, 899-8604.

4. Napkins inspired by the

3

abstract paintings of Laura Park, $10 each. Beaded coral napkin ring, $25 each.

Hazelnut, 891-2424. 5. Silver 4

leaf driftwood sculpture on black stand, $225. Niche Modern Home, Mandeville, 985-624-4045. 6. My First Little Black Dress, $16.95. myfirstlittleblackdress.net.

7. Design your own custom storage ottoman in fabric or leather. 21” x 21” x 21”, as

5

shown in embossed gator, $1,450. The French Mix by Jennifer Dicerbo, Covington, 6

985-809-3152. 8. Memoirs freestanding bath with center toe tap by Kohler. Southland Plumbing Supply, Metairie and

7

Mandeville, 835-8411.

8 October-November 2017 73

1

Flourishes

2

3

1. One-of-a-kind, hand-knotted 100% wool Serape design rug with wonderfully rich colors using all natural dyes and measures 9’ 2” x 11’ 7”. NOLA Rugs, 891-3304. 2. Garnier Thiebaut Egyptian cotton French tea towels, $28 each. The Linen Registry, Metairie, 831-8228. 3. An original oil painting on canvas, $700. Studio Solitario, 905-4175 or billysolitario.com. 4. Georgian Collection Lanterns in bronze 4

finish, 20”, 26” and 32”, $190 to $400. Outdoor Living Center, Covington, 985-893-8008. 5. Wesley Hall Chandler Chair with bridle banding in coral leather, $2,692 as shown. Susan Currie Design, 237-6112.

6. Durable Ace Hotel New Orleans totebag, $25. Ace Hotel, 900-1180.

6

5

74

Inside New Orleans

October-November 2017 75

76

Inside New Orleans

Flourishes 2

3

1 1. New Beginning, 30” x 30” acrylic and silver leaf

by Jim Seitz. New Beginning will be part of the November exhibit at Degas Gallery. 2. Cayce Chair 19.5”W x 22.75”D x 35.5”H, $2,299. Eclectic Home, 866-6654. 3. New Orleans Tote, designed exclusively for Hazelnut, with natural canvas and four-color print on both sides featuring New Orleans icons, $38. Hazelnut, 891-2424.

4. Local-themed kitchen towels, $14.

Auraluz, Metairie, 888-3313. 5. Triangular antique Morrocan rug ottoman 17” high, $1,600. Rug Chic, Mandeville, 985-6745

1070. 6. Gilded Pagoda napkin rings with 4

fresh water pearls, set of two, $175. Sotre, 304-9475. 7. Weather white console table with hand-painted acanthus leaf designs, wood-tone top, painted hardware and two adjustable wood shelves. American Factory Direct, Covington, 985-871-0300.

6 7

October-November 2017 77

78

Inside New Orleans

INside Look

3

2

1

4

Fall Spice 1. Boudreaux’s Louisiana Collection diamond pendant, $595. Boudreaux’s Jewelers, Metairie, 831-2602. 2. 14k rose and yellow gold brown diamond earrings with white diamond halos, $3,000; 18k rose gold and diamond bracelet from Roberto Coin’s Princess Collection, $5,900. Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, Metairie, 832-0000.

3. Luxurious terry cloth robe, $119. The Pontchartrain Hotel, 800-708-6652.

4. Long-sleeve knitted chenille sweater with

5

crew neck and scalloped hem, $49. The Lifestyle Store at Franco’s, Mandeville, 985792-0200. 5. Elena Ghisellini Small Angel Jet Setter in calfskin, $1,200. SOSUSU Boutique, 309-5026. 6. Louisiana Houma Indians’ Wetland Crafts brooch made of alligator garfish scales, $30. The Shop at The Collection, The Historic New Orleans

6

Collection, 598-7147.

October-November 2017 79

INside Look 1

2

Fall Spice

3

1. “Lawrence of Arabia” headpiece made of brass, rhodium, hand-painted enamel flowers, and Swarovski crystals from the Paris by Debra Moreland collection. Le Jour Couture, 4

608-6227. 2. Silk charmeuse blouse with cutout neckline. Elizabeth’s, Metairie, 833-3717.

3. 18K Panthère ring by Cartier encrusted with white diamonds of fine E color and VVS1 clarity, green emeralds and sleek black onyx, $44,500. M.S. Rau Antiques, 2245132. 4. Reserve collection tailored fit, flat front corduroy dress pant; shown in Tan and Cinnamon, $200. Jos. A. Bank, New Orleans and Metairie, 528-9491. 5. Joie Lahoma

5

chunky leopard-print, calf-hair heel with adjustable ankle strap, $298. FeBe, Metairie, 835-5250.

80

Inside New Orleans

October-November 2017 81

INside Look 1 2

3

Fall Spice 1. Women’s Saints shirt, $34; girl’s dress, $28. Auraluz, Metairie, 8883313. 2. Gold Metallic A-line Mango Shift Dress with an intricate laser cut overlay, $208. Palm Village, a Lilly Pulitzer signature store, Mandeville, 985-778-2547. 3. Platinum and 18k yellow gold, white and cognac

4

diamond ring. Adler’s, 532-5292.

4. Very Voltile open-back, peeptoe stacked heel in Bolten, $62.

5

The Lifestyle Store at Franco’s, Mandeville, 985-792-0200.

5. Sleeveless Mock Scuba top with pull-on skort in Pretty Snake print. Beth DePass Kevan Hall, kevinhallsport.com.

6

6. 18k yellowgold bangle bracelets contain pink and orange quartz, $1,000 each. Friend & Company, 866-5433.

82

Inside New Orleans

Through an exploration of the elaborate leisure culture that defined the era, the exhibition will reveal the complex ways in which the country’s aristocracy displayed—and ultimately preserved—its vast wealth and social power in the face of a rapidly changing economic structure. “It’s a really beautiful collection of pieces, some of which are on loan from private collections and have never been shown before in public,” says Amanda. “It will be our largest exhibition to date, with upwards of 100 objects.”

The remarkable range of works on display attest to the grand lifestyles of Victorian England’s most influential and affluent citizens. From a rare royal commission by Edwin Henry Landseer to an extensive porcelain dinner service once owned by the Duke of Hamilton, the exhibition offers an intriguing glimpse into the sensations and spectacles of this superlative period.

Amanda says, “We’re excited to have this exhibit open to the public free of charge. What better way to usher in New Orleans’ 300-year anniversary than with an exhibition on leisure and luxury—two areas where I believe New Orleans excels.”

William Rau and M.S. Rau Antiques

Aristocracy: Luxury and Leisure in Britain An Exhibition

M.S. Rau Antiques’ newest exhibition,

“Aristocracy will be the most ambitious public

Considered one of the world’s foremost experts on 18th- and 19th-century antiques and fine art, William Rau is President, CEO and thirdgeneration owner of M.S. Rau Antiques of New Orleans. Over 105 years old, M.S. Rau Antiques is

Aristocracy: Luxury and Leisure in Britain, highlights

exhibition from M.S. Rau to date,” says owner Bill

one of the largest premier fine arts and antique

the evolution of leisure in 19th-century England.

Rau. “It weaves a compelling narrative about the

galleries in the world. William Rau’s extensive

The show illuminates the spectacular age of

intersection of entertainment and innovation and is

knowledge of the international art market has not

socioeconomic, cultural and artistic change through

the first of its kind to explore the culture of Victorian

only allowed him to help clients cultivate museum

a wealth of art and superbly crafted objects,

leisure on such a grand and comprehensive scale.”

quality collections, but it has also afforded him

including furniture and fine art, as well as important

An exciting time for technology, science and

the opportunity to amass the remarkable and

pieces of provenance. “We delve into the idea of

the arts, British culture of the Victorian age found

important works in this comprehensive exhibition.

a Victorian tight-laced society and begin picking it

itself at a crossroads, awakening to change with

Exhibit on display from

apart,” explains curator Amanda Wallich. “Through

echoes of the past still visible. While strict rules

October 21 – January 20, Mon - Sat.

four main themes—the Great Exhibition, the London

of etiquette still governed society, entertainment

9:00am – 5:15pm.

Season, the Country Estate and the Grand Tour—we

emerged as a driving socioeconomic force that

explore the central role that leisure played in the

became a central facet of aristocratic life. “Many of

everyday lives of Victorian England’s wealthiest

the objects in the exhibition embody the opulence

families.” The exhibition, which is free and open

and luxury of the era, while others display the

to the public, will debut on Saturday, October 21,

incredible creative ingenuity of Victorian craftsman,”

2017 and run through Saturday, January 20, 2018.

says Amanda.

M.S. Rau’s Gallery is located at 630 Royal Street in the French Quarter.504-273-7391. rauantiques.com.

October-November 2017 83

84

IN THE 1700S, WHEN LOUISIANA was still under French rule, it was customary here and in France for a bride to bring money, goods or an estate to her husband at marriage. This bequest, usually afforded on the bride’s behalf by her parents, was known as a “dowry,” a practice that still exists in many countries to this day. A dowry was designed to be an endowment of sorts for the bride, her “portion” she could utilize if her husband or the marriage met an untimely end. Sanctioning a marriage without this requirement was not to be contemplated unless the suitor was an unquestionable “man of means.”

Julien Poydras was a young man of little means when he asked his sweetheart to marry him in the summer of 1759. Marie believed in him, his dreams and the man he would become, so she quickly said “yes.” The two planned to chart their own course away from the itinerant farm life their parents knew in the port town of Rezé in the Brittany region of northwest France. It seems nothing would stop Julien and Marie. Nothing, that is, except her parents. They had no dowry to offer, and Julien lacked the status of wealth necessary for them to forego that option, so the young couple was denied their dream, and Julien

Inside New Orleans

was left broken hearted.

Facing an impossible future without the love of his life beside him, Julien joined the French navy.

He would make a name for himself as a warrior, come home a hero and win over Marie’s parents. Six months later, in his first engagement of battle, Julien was promptly captured by the British. So much for that plan.

Finding himself a prisoner of war in the final months of his teenage years was quite the wakeup call for our hero. In a show of bravado, Julien managed to escape his captors and stow aboard a merchant ship bound for Santo Domingo (now the Dominican Republic). As he watched the shores of England receding in the morning mist, he vowed to return to Rezé as soon as his fortune was made and claim Marie for all time.

Eight years passed in a heartbeat. Somewhere along the way, Julien learned Marie’s parents had married her off to a Frenchman with plenty of francs. With no reason to go home, he set his sights on America, and it was a bitter, determined man who stepped off the dock in New Orleans during the summer of 1768. Julien had learned the ways >>

photo courtesy: JOEY KENT

by Joey Kent

photo: SARAH WARD

The Poydras Brides Brittany and David Speights.

October-November 2017 85

and means of merchants during his tenure in Santo Domingo and began his career in earnest, peddling island trinkets and wares to plantation owners along the rivers of Louisiana. “Julie,” as he came to be known to his friends, was adept at trade and was soon bartering with military outposts throughout the Mississippi valley, offering European goods and returning from Texas or Arkansas, Missouri or Mississippi in boats teeming with cotton, salt, pelts and other commodities. With his proceeds, Julie invested in land, and his wealth began to grow.

In the spring of 1805, Congress established the Territory of Orleans, and in 1809, Julie was elected the second delegate to Congress from the region. He was instrumental in Louisiana’s push for statehood, serving as president of the first state constitutional convention and later as a U.S. Congressman and Senator. Two streets in the New Orleans’ central business district still bear his name: Poydras and Julia (spelled “Julie” on the earliest maps).

86

Inside New Orleans

The distinguished gentleman, Julien de Lallande Poydras, went on to achieve in life his every dream, save one. He never married, and upon his death in 1824, he made two bequests of special note. In his hometown parish of Pointe Coupee, he willed the sum of $30,000, the interest to be used “for a dowry for indigent girls of the Parish.” A similar bequest was made in the parish of West Baton Rouge.

Point Coupee eventually shifted the funds toward the building of several schools and to the maintenance of the Julien Poydras Museum and Arts Center, but the Poydras dowry lives on to this day in West Baton Rouge.

Over the years, the parish has added to the Poydras principal from oil royalties and land sales related to the benefactor, and each spring the interest is divided among all couples married in the parish the previous year. The requirement of poverty has been dropped, but the bride must have lived in the parish for at least five years. The parish treasurer’s office handles the business of issuing the checks, which are always made out to the groom.

“But, it’s mine! The whole thing’s mine!” is a lament Debbie Gremillion has heard more often than not in her job as one of the clerical specialists who oversee the administration of the Poydras dowry payments each year.

“They’ll tell me their husbands are serving overseas in the military, so to just make the checks out to them. I say, ‘Sorry, it’ll be here when he gets back.’ The checks never go stale.”

In the mid-1800s, the Poydras dowry could be a real game changer. Three couples were awarded nearly $1,000 each in 1841 at a time when land could be had for fifty cents an acre. In the modern era, however, the windfall averages anywhere from $50 to $150 per couple, depending on the interest rate and the number of applicants each year. “Our check was between three and four hundred dollars,” says Debbie, herself a Poydras bride some years ago. “I think we bought a washer/dryer set. Most couples these days use it for a nice dinner or a night in a hotel. One groom told me he was gonna use the money to pay for a deer mount. His bride wasn’t too happy about that, but it was his to spend.”

When a couple applies for their marriage license in West Baton Rouge parish, they are presented an additional one-page information sheet on the Poydras dowry. In 2015, David and Brittany Speights were one

such couple. The dowry is well known to the brides of West Baton Rouge parish, as much a part of engagement traditions as bridal showers and the hunt for the perfect wedding dress. “Every girl around here knows about it,” says Brittany. “I was reminded ‘Don’t forget your dowry!’”

“I’m gonna get my money, right?” David recalls asking his bride with a smile on his face. “I thought it was pretty cool going to the guy.” The couple said they had fun speculating how much the check might be and what they would do with it. As one of twenty couples awarded the dowry in 2015, the $99.18 they received went into savings, ultimately helping to pay for their First Anniversary trip to Galveston.

“What a wonderful thing,” Brittany concludes. “It is truly unique.”

The American playwright Richard Hovey said, “There is no sorrow like a love denied, nor any joy like love that has its will.” For Julien Poydras, a love denied led to a pledge whereby love found its will, time and again.

From the streets of New Orleans that bear his name to the outlying parishes of Pointe Coupee and West Baton Rouge, his legacy lives on. The Poydras brides are now many, and joy reigns supreme.

October-November 2017 87

Serving up Thankfulness photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

Chef Brandon Green

SEAFOOD-STUFFED MIRLITONS. That’s what Heads & Tails Seafood & Oyster Bar Executive Chef Brandon Green looks forward to on Thanksgiving Day. “It’s my favorite to eat and my favorite to prepare. Instead of a casserole, I gut the mirliton and stuff it with seafood.” But Chef Brandon’s seafood-stuffed mirlitons aren’t just for Thanksgiving. They’re a Thursday special on Heads & Tails’ menu.

In addition to Thanksgiving, also on this year’s November calendar is the first anniversary

photo courtesy: Heads & Tails

by Leah Draffen

88

Inside New Orleans

of Heads & Tails. “When opening, we knew we wanted to serve classic Cajun and Creole dishes in a comfortable, yet polished setting,” says Chef Brandon. “My background is in fine-dining cuisine, and owner Shelley Flick’s is in her family’s business, R & O’s. We wanted to merge the two to create a sophisticated family atmosphere that offers rustic Louisiana classics.”

Before joining Shelley in her new vision, Brandon worked in the French Quarter finedining scene as well as Nottoway Plantation. He says, “It has been fun learning this neighborhood market. It’s much different from the seasonal and celebratory markets of fine dining where it’s visitors or people who come for special occasions. I’m seeing customers visit more than once a week. It has been surprising and rewarding to go out and shake their hands.”

The family atmosphere has thrived well in Harahan, which is natural because of Chef Brandon’s upbringing in Marrero. Instead of cartoons on Saturday mornings, Brandon watched cooking shows with his grandmother. “She sat me on the counter and taught me to cook a roux before I knew how to ride a bike,” he says.

He learned all the basics of Cajun and Creole

cooking from his grandmother, whose namesake is now a dish at Heads & Tails—Eggplant Barbara. While Chef Brandon cannot choose a favorite dish on the menu, it’s the first to come to mind. “All of my dishes are like my children,” he says. “I can’t just choose one, but the Eggplant Barbara is a favorite. I stack fried eggplant rounds layered with sautéed seafood on linguini tossed in a crawfish cream sauce.”

Another dish that has become a neighborhood favorite is the Pan Sautéed Snapper. “Now on our regular menu, it was once a special that had a great response. It is fresh snapper topped with shrimp, artichoke hearts, mushrooms and capers with mashed potatoes and broccolini with a lemon beurre blanc sauce.”

Other favorite specials have become mainstays on the menu, which includes BBQ Shrimp and Grits, Redfish Pontchartrain, Boudin Stuffed Pork Chop and Crawfish Beignets. “It has been a matter of trial and error for us. We’re learning what our customers want and like in this setting,” Brandon explains. “We’re taking any and all feedback to perfect what we’re doing.”

As the one-year anniversary successfully arrives, Chef Brandon is thankful for those who have visited and especially for those who continue to return: “My favorite part of the business is customer satisfaction.

It truly is fresh, fine dining-quality food without the price and trip to the French Quarter. We’re ‘right down the road’ from just about anywhere.

“Ever since I can remember, I’ve wanted to be a chef. I wanted to make people smile by cooking for them,” says Chef Brandon. “There was never another option for me.”

October-November 2017 89

Meet

e k i M VII

On the first day of LSU’s fall semester, the university welcomed more than just its newest freshman class. That morning, LSU also officially named its new tiger mascot Mike VII. Previously known as “Harvey,” the rescue tiger, who has both Siberian and Bengal characteristics, was donated to LSU from a sanctuary in Okeechobee, Florida, called “Wild at Heart Wildlife Center.” He is nearly a year old and has been a welcome addition to the campus community.

Mikes IV, V and VI were also donated to LSU from rescue facilities. LSU has not purchased a tiger since Mike III in 1958, and LSU does not support 90

Inside New Orleans

photos courtesy: LSU

There’s a New Tiger in Town!

the for-profit breeding of tigers. By providing a home for a tiger that needs one, LSU hopes to raise awareness about the problem of irresponsible breeding and the plight of tigers kept illegally and/or inappropriately in captivity in the United States.

The tiger habitat and LSU’s animal care plan are licensed by the USDA. The facility, tiger and animal care programs are inspected annually to ensure that they comply with the Federal Animal Welfare Act and other USDA policies and guidelines.

Responsible care for live exotic animals has evolved throughout the years, and LSU has evolved with it, as evidenced by the renovations to the tiger habitat in 1981 and the construction of an entirely new habitat in 2004-05. In that vein, LSU has decided that the tiger will not go into Tiger Stadium on home football game days. He will be out in his yard seven days a week. By having Mike in his yard on game days, it ensures that fans can see him throughout the day.

As further evidence of LSU’s dedication to providing the best, most responsible care for tigers, LSU is working to have the tiger habitat accredited as a tiger sanctuary.

Becoming an accredited sanctuary means that LSU has met high standards of excellence in animal care and is operating ethically and responsibly.

LSU believes that these changes are in the best interest of the longevity and ethical management of the LSU tiger mascot program.

This and other information on LSU’s tigers can be found online at lsu.edu/ mikethetiger. You can follow Mike on Facebook (facebook.com/mikethetiger), Twitter (@mikethetiger) and Instagram (@mikethetiger_lsu).

October-November 2017 91

E X C E P T I O N A L

P R O P E R T I E S

E X C E P T I O N A L

94

Inside New Orleans

P R O P E R T I E S

E X C E P T I O N A L

96

Inside New Orleans

P R O P E R T I E S

Wine Cellar

by Bill Kearney THE WORLD OF WINE is extremely big business with an international appeal and relatively few boundaries or borders of appreciation. Customers from around the globe seek to find the flavor and style of their choice among the vastly different styles and profiles of wine. While America has eclipsed the French as the number-one global consumer, demand and consumption are seeing meteoric increases around the world. Accordingly, the business of wine has encountered fundamental shifts, as consolidation and acquisitions have also seen a frenzied pace. The prices that are being paid, while befuddling, are also concerning, as the inevitable result is an increase in the price of the product.

Consider the following market developments that have occurred within the last few years. Gallo Winery is the largest producer of wine in the world, with over 80 unique brands. It is privately held by the descendants of the

mention that this purchase involved no real estate? But they were just getting started.

In 2016, another announcement was made by Constellation that they had agreed to pay the princely sum of $285 million for a wine company called The Prisoner.

The Hunneus family, which has several holdings such as Faust, Quintessa and Flowers, had purchased The Prisoner several years earlier for $40 million. In 2017, Constellation ponied up the comparatively paltry sum of $60 million to acquire Schrader Vineyards. Schrader sells for about $250 a bottle, but one again, there was a noticeable lack of real estate involved in these huge purchases.

If the two largest companies in the world have been this active in scooping things up, rest assured that there has been considerable activity by others. Here are but a few that might be interesting. The heralded châteaux of Bordeaux,

famous Ernest and Julio Gallo. While they do not comment on the cost of their acquisitions, they have completed two significant purchases. Gallo came to terms with Orin Swift to buy his wine company, which included the Orin Swift brand, inventory and tasting room. Upon completing that deal, Gallo then turned around and purchased 600 acres of vineyard. That acquisition included the famous Stagecoach Vineyards, which is the largest contiguous tract of vineyards in Napa Valley. Stagecoach grapes are sold to over 90 different wineries, including heralded producers with names like Caymus, Duckhorn and Pahlmeyer; the terms of the deal specified that Gallo would honor existing contracts.

While the financial figures of the Gallo purchases were not released, the following can give some context to the likely figures. Don’t think that the number-two producer in the world of wine is sitting idly by as its competition is growing. Constellation Brands has made several forays into the world of wine, and those prices are released. In 2015, Constellation agreed to purchase Meomi Pinot Noir and Chardonnay for the price of $315 million. It was estimated that this price was a 24-times multiple of current and future earnings. Meomi had been started in 2006 by a member of the Wagner family who owns Caymus. Did I

France, have also been ripe for plucking. Classified growths like Haut Batailley and Phelan Segur have been targets as their ownership has switched hands. Robert Parker recently sold his Oregon property called Beaux Frères to an international wine-holding company, Henriot. With such frenetic buying comes great concerns of pricing and what this all means for us as consumers.

Even with a severely weakened Euro, prices for French wines have not seen the normal correction that was anticipated in light of the currency exchange. The problem is that someone is going to have to pay for the market developments, and one need not look further than a mirror to hazard a guess as to who that might be. Burgundy pricing has become silly with China switching its allegiance from Bordeaux. I used to pride myself on knowing most producers from Napa Valley. It now seems like there is a new one every day and another winery boasting of great scores and prices of $100 and up per bottle.

We shall see where all of this takes us, but history and economic models are not promising; the inevitability of continued price escalation seems profoundly certain.

I am concerned about what the future holds, but in the meantime, keep enjoying your favorite glass.

The Business of Wine

October-November 2017 97

IN Great Taste

by Yvette Jemison

Fall Back into Comfort Food There’s no denying it’s fall. The air gets a little crisper with each passing day, and tasty fall dishes begin to appear. After a season of warm-weather grilling, it’s finally cool enough to turn on the oven. It’s the ideal time to invite some friends and share a cozy meal filled with the comforting flavors of the season.

This garlic-studded roast is easily prepped and slow roasted until fork tender and falling off the bone. Serve it on a bed of creamy grits to capture all those garlic-infused juices. If you’re lucky enough to have leftover roast, it can easily be shredded or chopped. The flavorful leftovers are a great addition to crowd-pleasing favorites such as pulled-pork sandwiches or loaded nachos. When there’s a chill in the air and you’re craving roasted dishes, turn on the oven, because after all, fall is the official start of roasting season.

98

Inside New Orleans

photo: YVETTE JEMISON

Garlic-Studded Pork Roast and Creamy Grits

Garlic-Studded Pork Roast Servings: 8 6 lb. Boston butt pork roast 10 cloves garlic 2 Tablespoons chili powder 1 Tablespoon kosher salt 2 teaspoons black pepper 1 1/2 cups water, divided 1 red onion, thinly sliced 1 cup cilantro leaves and tender stems, coarsely chopped

Special equipment: large Dutch oven with oven-safe lid 1. Arrange oven rack to fit Dutch oven and lid. Preheat oven to 350° F. 2. With the fat cap side up, place the roast on a cutting board. Using the tip of a paring knife, poke 5 slits evenly spaced on the fat cap. Stuff a garlic clove into each slit. Flip the roast with the fat cap side down. Poke 5 slits evenly spaced on top and stuff a garlic clove into each slit.

3. In a small bowl, combine the chili powder, salt and pepper. Rub roast with the seasoning mixture until completely coated on all sides.

4. With the fat cap side up, transfer roast to a Dutch oven. Add 1 cup water to the bottom of the Dutch oven. Bake roast, uncovered, until the top is brown, about 45 minutes.

5. Add another 1/2 cup of water, cover with a tightly sealed lid. Bake until the roast is fork-tender, 3-3 1/2 hours.

6. Uncover and bake until the top of roast is crispy, about 15 minutes.

7. Remove from oven, and let roast rest 30 minutes before serving.

8. Reserve drippings to drizzle on sliced or pulled roast when serving. Just before serving, toss onions and cilantro together. Serve roast on a bed of grits and top with cilantro and onions. >> October-November 2017 99

Creamy Grits Servings: 8 4 cups chicken stock 3 cups heavy whipping cream 1 1/2 cups stone ground grits

1. In a 4-quart, heavy-bottom pot, stir stock, cream, grits and salt until combined.

2. Stirring frequently, cook on medium heat just until it begins to reach a boil. Immediately reduce heat to a simmer, and stir well.

3. Cover pot and simmer, stirring only if needed, until grits are softened, 20-30 minutes.

4. Turn off heat, stir and let sit covered until grits are tender and thickened, about 20 minutes.

For more recipes go to Ydelicacies.com and @y_ delicacies on Instagram.

100

Inside New Orleans

photo: YVETTE JEMISON

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

i Vincent’s aaaa Italian, 7839 St.

INside Dining New Orleans is home to more great restaurants than we could hope to list here. For a comprehensive listing of restaurants in the New Orleans metro area, please refer to Tom Fizmorris’ nomenu.com. In this guide, you will find some of the best bets around town.

Tom’s fleur de lis ratings are shown.

CARROLLTON, RIVERBEND AND BROADMOOR Babylon Café aaa Middle Eastern, 7724 Maple St., 504-314-0010 Barcelona Tapas aaa Spanish, 720 Dublin St., 504-861-9696 Basil Leaf aaa Thai, 1438 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-862-9001 Boucherie aaaa Southern Barbecue, 1506 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-862-5514 Brigtsen’s aaaa Contemporary Creole, 723 Dante St., 504-861-7610 Cooter Brown’s Tavern aaa Sandwiches, 509 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-866-9104 Cowbell aa Hamburgers, 8801 Oak St., 504-866-4222 Dante’s Kitchen aaaa Eclectic, 736 Dante St., 504-861-3121 Dat Dog a Craft Hot Dogs,

5030 Freret St., 504-899-6883

Hana aaa Japanese, 8116 Hampson, 504-865-1634 Jacques-Imo’s aaa Cajun, 8324 Oak St., 504-861-0886 Lebanon’s Café aaa Middle Eastern, 1500 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-862-6200 Louisiana Pizza Kitchen aaa Pizza, 615 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-866-5900 Maple Street Café aaa Creole Italian, 7623 Maple St., 504-314-9003 Mat & Naddie’s aaaa Eclectic, 937 Leonidas St., 504-861-9600 Mikimoto aaaa Japanese, 3301 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-488-1881 Mona’s Café aa Middle Eastern, 1120 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-861-8174 Panchita’s aaa Central American, 1434 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-281-4127 Pupuseria La Macarena aaa Central American, 8120 Hampson St., 504-862-5252 Riccobono’s Panola Street Café aa Breakfast, 7801 Panola St., 504-314-1810

Charles Ave., 504-866-9313 Ye Olde College Inn aaa Neighborhood Café, 3000 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-866-3683

n

s

i

Antoine’s aaaa Creole French, 713 St. Louis St., 504-581-4422 Arnaud’s aaaa Creole French, 813 Bienville St., 504-523-5433 Bayona aaaa Eclectic, 430 Dauphine St., 504-525-4455

CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT Blue Room aaa American, 123 Baronne, Roosevelt Hotel. 504-648-1200 Bon Ton Café aaa Cajun, 401 Magazine St., 504-524-3386 Borgne aaa Seafood, 601 Loyola Ave. (Hyatt Regency Hotel), 504-613-3860 Café Adelaide aaaa Contemporary Creole, 300 Poydras St., 504-595-3305 Chophouse aaa Steak, 322 Magazine St., 504-522-7902 Desi Vega’s aaaa Steak, 628 St. Charles Ave., 504-523-7600 Domenica aaaa Italian, 123 Baronne St. (Roosevelt Hotel), 504-648-6020 Drago’s aaaa Seafood, 2 Poydras St., 504-584-3911 Herbsaint aaaa Creole French, 701 St. Charles Ave., 504-524-4114 Liborio aaa Cuban, 321 Magazine St., 504-581-9680 Lucky Rooster aaa Pan-Asian, 515 Baronne St., 504-529-5825 Lüke aaa French, 333 St. Charles Ave., 504-378-2840 MiLa aaaa Eclectic, 817 Common St., 504-412-2580 Morton’s The Steakhouse aaa Steak, 365 Canal St. (Canal Place Mall), 504-566-0221 Mother’s aaa Sandwiches, 401 Poydras St., 504-523-9656 Poppy’s Crazy Lobster Bar & Grill a Seafood, 500 Port of New Orelans Pl., Suite 83. 504-5693380 Poppy’s Time Out Sports Bar & Grill. Hamburgers. 1 Poydras St. (Riverfront). 504-247-9265 Restaurant August aaaaa Eclectic, 301 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-299-9777 Ruby Slipper Café aaa Breakfast, Neighborhood Café, 200 Magazine St., 504-525-9355 Ruth’s Chris Steak House aaa Steak, 525 Fulton St., 504-587-7099 Windsor Court Grill Room aaa

Bombay Club aaa Contemporary Creole, 830 Conti St., 504-577-2237 Bourbon House aaa Seafood, 144 Bourbon St., 504-522-0111 Brennan’s Contemporary Creole, 417 Royal St., 504-525-9711 Broussard’s aaaa Creole French, 819 Conti St., 504-581-3866 Court of Two Sisters aaa Creole French, 613 Royal St., 504-522-7261 Crescent City Brewhouse aaa Pub Food, 527 Decatur St., 504-522-0571 Criollo aaa Creole French, 214 Royal St., 504-681-4444 Dat Dog a Craft Hot Dogs, 601 Frenchmen St., 505-309-3362 The Davenport Lounge Small bites and cocktails, 921 Canal Street (The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans) 504-670-2828 Deanie’s Seafood Seafood, 841 Iberville St., 504-581-1316 Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse aaa Steak, 716 Iberville St., 504-522-2467 El Gato Negro aaa Mexican, 81 French Market Place, 504-525-9752 Frank’s aaa Creole Italian, 933 Decatur St., 504-525-1602 Galatoire’s aaaa Creole French, 209 Bourbon St., 504-525-2021 Galatoire’s 33 Bar & Steak aaa 504-335-3932 Gumbo Shop aaa Creole, 630 St. Peter St., 504-525-1486 GW Fins aaaa Seafood, 808 Bienville St., 504-581-3467 Irene’s Cuisine aaaa Italian, 539 St. Philip St., 504-529-8811 K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen aaaa Cajun, 416 Chartres St., 504596-2530 Kingfish aaaa Cajun, 337 Chartres St., 504-598-5005 Louisiana Bistro aaa Contemporary Creole, 337 Dauphine St., 504-525-3335 Louisiana Pizza Kitchen aaa Pizza, 95 French Market Place,

504-522-1994

504-522-9500 M Bistro aaaFarm to Table

Acme Oyster House aaa Seafood, 724 Iberville St., 504-522-5973

e

d

i

n

i

n

g

Mr. B’s Bistro aaaa Contemporary Creole, 201 Royal St., 504-523-2078 Muriel’s aaaa Contemporary Creole, 801 Chartres St., 504-568-1885 Napoleon House aa Sandwiches, 500 Chartres St., 504-524-9752 New Orleans Creole Cookery Classic Creole, 510 Toulouse St., 504-524-9632 NOLA aaaa Contemporary Creole, 534 St. Louis St., 504-522-6652 Palace Café aaa Contemporary Creole, 605 Canal St., 504-523-1661 Pelican Club aaaaa Contemporary Creole, 312 Exchange Place, 504-523-1504 Port of Call aaa Hamburgers, 838 Esplanade Ave., 504-523-0120 R’evolution aaaa Creole French, 777 Bienville, 504-553-2277 Red Fish Grill aaa Seafood, 115 Bourbon St., 504-598-1200 Rib Room aaa American, 621 St. Louis St., 504-529-7045 SoBou aaa Contemporary Creole, 310 Chartres St., 504-552-4095 Stanley aa Breakfast, 547 St. Ann St., 504-587-0093 Ted Brennan's Decatur Classic French Creole, 309 Decatur St., 504-525-7877 Trinity aaa Contemporary Creole, 117 Decatur St., 504-325-5789 Tujague’s aaa Creole, 823 Decatur St., 504-525-8676 Vacherie aaa Creole Homestyle, 827 1/2 Toulouse St., 504-2074532

Steak, 215 Bourbon St.,

American, 300 Gravier St.,

FRENCH QUARTER

d

GARDEN DISTRICT Caribbean Room 2031 St. Charles Ave., 504-523-1500 Commander’s Palace aaaaa Contemporary Creole, 1403 Washington Ave., 504-899-8221 Coquette aaaa Creole French, 2800 Magazine St., 504-265-0421 Delmonico aaaa Contemporary Creole, 1300 St. Charles Ave., 504-525-4937 Juan’s Flying Burrito aaa Mexican, 2018 Magazine St., 504-569-0000 Mr. John’s Steakhouse aaaa Steak, 2111 St. Charles Ave., 504-679-7697 Sushi Brothers aaa Japanese, 1612 St. Charles Ave., 504-581-4449 Tracey’s aaa Sandwiches, 2604 Magazine St., 504-897-5413

Restaurant 921 Canal Street (The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans) 504670-2828

LAKEVIEW Café Navarre aa Sandwiches, 800 >>

October-November 2017 101

i

n

s

i

d

e

d

i

n

i

n

g Navarre Ave., 504-483-8828

craft beers on tap, 3131 Veterans

Cava aaaa New Orleans Style, 785 Harrison Ave, New Orleans LA

Memorial Blvd., 504-644-4155 Mr. Ed’s aaa Neighborhood Café,

70124, 504-304-9034 El Gato Negro aaa Mexican, 300

1001 Live Oak St., 504-838-0022 Mr. Ed’s Oyster Bar & Fish House

Harrison Ave., 504-488-0107

aaa Seafood, 3117 21St.

Lakeview Harbor aaa Hamburgers, 911 Harrison Ave., 504-486-4887

Street, 504-833-6310 Parran’s Po-Boys aaa Sandwiches,

Mondo aaa Eclectic, 900 Harrison Ave., 504-224-2633

3939 Veterans Blvd., 504-885-3416 Pho Orchid aaa Vietnamese, 3117

Munch Factory aaa Contemporary Creole, 6325 Elysian Fields Ave.,

Houma Blvd., 504-457-4188 Riccobono’s Peppermill aaa

504-324-5372

Creole Italian, 3524 Severn Ave.,

Ralph’s On The Park aaaa Contemporary Creole, 900 City

504-455-2266 Ristorante Filippo aaa Creole

Park Ave., 504-488-1000

Italian, 1917 Ridgelake Dr.,

Sala Cocktails and Small Plates, 124 Lake Marina, 504-513-2670

504-835-4008 Ruth’s Chris Steak House aaaa

Steak Knife aaa Contemporary

Steak, 3633 Veterans Blvd.,

Creole, 888 Harrison Ave., 504-488-8981

504-888-3600 Sandro’s Trattoria aaa Creole Italian, 6601 Veterans Blvd.,

METAIRIE Acme Oyster House aaa Seafood,

504-888-7784 Shogun aaaa Japanese, 2325

3000 Veterans Blvd., 504-309-4056 Andrea’s aa Italian, 3100 19th St.,

Veterans Blvd., 504-833-7477 Taqueria Corona aaa Mexican,

504-834-8583 Andy's Bisro aaa American, 3322 N.

3535 Severn Ave., 504-885-5088 Vincent’s aaaa Creole Italian, 4411

Turnbull Dr. 504-455-7363 Austin’s aaaa Creole, 5101 West

Chastant St., 504-885-2984 Zea aaa American, 4450 Veterans

Esplanade Ave., 504-888-5533

Blvd. (Clearview Mall), 504-

Caffe! Caffe! aa Breakfast, 4301

780-9090; 1655 Hickory Ave.,

Clearview Pkwy., 504-885-4845;

Harahan, 504-738-0799

3547 N. Hullen., 504-267-9190 Café East aaa Pan-Asian, 4628 Rye St., 504-888-0078

MID-CITY Angelo Brocato aaa Dessert and

Carreta’s Grill a Mexican, 2320

Coffee, 214 N. Carrollton Ave.,

Veterans Blvd., 504-837-6696; 1821 Hickory Ave., Harahan,

504-486-0078 Café Degas aaa French, 3127

504-305-4833 Casablanca aaa Mediterranean,

Esplanade Ave., 504-945-5635 Café Minh aaaa Vietnamese, 4139

3030 Severn Ave., 504-888-2209 China Rose aaa Chinese, 3501 N. Arnoult St., 504-887-3295 Crabby Jack’s aaa Sandwiches, 428 Jefferson Hwy., Jefferson, 504-833-2722 Cypress aaa Contemporary Creole, 4426 Transcontinental Blvd., 504-885-6885 Dat Dog a Craft Hot Dogs, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd. (Lakeside Mall), 504-304-7005 Drago’s aaaa Seafood, 3232 N.

1 Collins Diboll Circle, 504-4821264

Canal Street Bistro aaa Mexican, 3903 Canal St., 504-482-1225 Crescent City Steak House aaa Steak, 1001 N. Broad St., 504821-3271 Dooky Chase aaa Creole, 2301 Orleans Ave., 504-821-0600 Five Happiness aaa Chinese, 3605 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-482-3935 Juan’s Flying Burrito aaa Mexican,

Heritage Grill Contemporary Creole,

4724 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-

Impastato’s aaaa Creole Italian, 3400 16th St., 504-455-1545 Little Tokyo aaa Japanese, 2300 N. Causeway Blvd., 504-831-6788 Martin Wine Cellar Deli aaa Deli, 714 Elmeer Ave., 504-896-7300 Mellow Mushroom aa Pizza, 30

Inside New Orleans

Arnoult Rd., 504-888-9254 111 Veterans Blvd., 504-934-4900

102

Canal St., 504-482-6266 Cafe NOMA Contemporary Creole,

486-9950 Katie’s aaa Neighborhood Café, 3701 Iberville St., 504-488-6582 Little Tokyo aaa Japanese, 310 N. Carrollton Ave., 504-485-5658 Liuzza’s aaa Neighborhood Café, 3636 Bienville St., 504-482-9120 Mandina’s aaa Italian, Seafood,

i 3800 Canal St., 504-482-9179 Mona’s Café aa Middle Eastern, 3901 Banks St., 504-482-7743 Parkway Poor Boys aaa Sandwiches, 538 Hagan Ave., 504-482-3047 Ruby Slipper Café aaa Breakfast, Neighborhood Café, 139 S. Cortez St., 504-309-5531 Rue 127 aaaa Contemporary Creole, 127 N. Carrollton Ave., 504-483-1571 SWEGS Kitchen Healthy comfort food, 231 N. Carrollton Ave., Ste. B, 504-301-9196 Toups’ Meatery aaa Cajun, 845 N. Carrollton Ave., 504-252-4999 Venezia aaa Italian, 134 N. Carrollton Ave., 504-488-7991 Willie Mae’s Scotch House aaa Chicken, 2401 St. Ann St., 504822-9503

n

s

i

d

e

d

i

n

i

n

g

985-845-9940 La Carreta aaa Mexican, 812 Hyw 190, Covington, 985-400-5202; 1200 W. Causeway Approach, Mandeville, 985-624-2990 La Provence aaaa French, 25020 US 190, Lacombe, 985-626-7662 Lakehouse aaa Contemporary Creole, 2025 Lakeshore Dr., Mandeville, 985-626-3006 Mandina’s aaa Italian, Seafood, 4240 La 22, Mandeville, 985674-9883 Mattina Bella aaa Breakfast, 421 E. Gibson St., Covington, 985892-0708 Mellow Mushroom aa Pizza, 30 craft beers on tap, 1645 N. Hwy. 190, Covington, 985-327-5407 Nathan’s aaaa Contemporary Creole, 36440 Old Bayou Liberty Rd., Slidell, 985-643-0443 New Orleans Food & Spiritsaaa

NEW ORLEANS EAST

Seafood, 208 Lee Lane,

Cafe Trang Vietnamese, 4637 Alcee

Covington, 985-875-0432

Fortier Blvd., 504-254-4109

Nuvolari’s aaaa Creole Italian, 246

Castnet Seafood aaa Seafood speciality, 10826-1/2 Hayne Blvd., 504-244-8446 Deanie’s on Hayne aaa Seafood, 7350 Hayne Blvd., 504-248-6700 Messina’s Runway Cafe Creole Homestyle, 6001 Stars and Stripes Blvd., 504-241-5300

Girod St., Mandeville, 985-626-5619 Ox Lot 9 aaa Contemporary, 428 E Boston St., Covington, 985400-5663 Pardo’s aaaa Contemporary Creole, 69305 Hwy 21, Covington, 985-893-3603 Ristorante Del Porto aaaa Italian, 501 E. Boston St., Covington,

NORTHSHORE Acme Oyster House aaa Seafood, 1202 US 190, Covington, 985246-6155 Café Lynn aaaa Contemporary Creole,

985-875-1006 Sal and Judy’s aaaa Italian, 27491 Highway 190, Lacombe, 985882-9443 Zea aaa American, 110 Lake Dr.,

2600 Florida St., Mandeville, 985-

Covington, 985-327-0520; 173

624-9007

Northshore Blvd., Slidell,

Carreta’s Grill a Mexican, 1340

985-3270520

Lindberg Dr., Slidell, 985-8470020; 70380 LA Hwy. 21, Covington, 985-871-6674 The Chimes aaa Cajun, 19130 W. Front St., Covington, 985-892-5396 Dakota aaaa Contemporary Creole, 629 N. US 190, Covington, 985-892-3712 DiCristina’s aaa Italian, 810 N. Columbia St., Covington, 985875-0160 Fazzio’saa Italian,1841 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, 985-624-9704 Gallagher’s Grill aaaa

OLD METAIRIE Byblos aaa Middle Eastern, 1501 Metairie Rd., 504-834-9773 Café B aaa Contemporary Creole, 2700 Metairie Rd., 504-934-4700 Galley Seafood aaa Seafood, 2535 Metairie Rd., 504-832-0955 Porter & Luke’s aaa Creole Homestyle, 1517 Metairie Rd., 504-875-4555 Vega Tapas Café aaa Mediterranean, 2051 Metairie Rd., 504-836-2007

Contemporary Creole, 509 S. Tyler St., Covington, 985-892-9992 George’s aaa Mexican, 1461 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, 985626-4342 Keith Young’s Steak House aaaa Steak, 165 LA 21, Madisonville,

UPTOWN Amici aaa Italian, 3218 Magazine St., 504-300-1250 Ancora Pizzeria aaa Pizza, 4508 Freret St., 504-324-1636 Apolline aaaa American Gourmet, >>

October-November 2017 103

i

n

s

i

d

e

d

i

n

i

n

4729 Magazine St., 504-894-8881 Atchafalaya aaaa Contemporary Creole, 901 Louisiana Ave., 504-891-9626 Baru Bistro & Tapas aaa Caribbean, 3700 Magazine St., 504-895-2225 Bistro Daisy aaaa Creole French, 5831 Magazine St., 504-899-6987 Casamento’s aaa Seafood, 4330 Magazine St., 504-895-9761 Charlie’s Steak House aaa Steak, 4510 Dryades St., 504-895-9323 Clancy’s aaaa Contemporary Creole, 6100 Annunciation St., 504-895-1111 Dat Dog aa Sandwiches, 3336 Magazine St., 504-894-8885; 5030 Freret St., 504-899-

g St., 504-528-1940 Annunciation aaaa Contemporary Creole, 1016 Annunciation St., 504-568-0245 Briquette Contemporary Coastal Cuisine, 701 S. Peters St. Café Reconcile aaa Lunch Café, 1631 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 504-568-1157 Cochon aaa Cajun, 930 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-588-2123 Emeril’s aaaaa Contemporary Creole, 800 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-528-9393 Grand Isle aaa Seafood, 575 Convention Center Blvd., 504-520-8530 Josephine Estelle Italian, 600 Carondelet St., 504-930-3070 La Boca aaaa Steak, 870 Tchoupitoulas St.,

6883 Dick & Jenny’s aaaa Contemporary Creole, 4501 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-894-9880 Flaming Torch aaa French, 737 Octavia St., 504-895-0900 Gautreau’s aaaa American, 1728 Soniat St., 504-899-7397 High Hat Café aa Creole Homestyle, 4500 Freret St., 504-754-1336 Joey K’s aaa Neighborhood Café, 3001 Magazine St., 504-891-0997 Kyoto aaa Japanese, 4920 Prytania St., 504891-3644 La Crepe Nanou aaaa French, 1410 Robert St., 504-899-2670 La Petite Grocery aaaa French, 4238 Magazine St., 504-891-3377

504-525-8205 Mais Arepas aaaa South American, 1200 Carondelet St., 504-523-6247 Opal Basil Artisan Sandwiches, 719 S. Peters St. Pêche Seafood Grill aaa Seafood, 800 Magazine St., 504-522-1744 Rock-n-Sake aaa Japanese, 823 Fulton St., 504-581-7253 Root aaaa Eclectic, 200 Julia St., 504-2529480 Seaworthy Oysters and Cocktails, 600 Carondelet St., 504-930-3071 Tomas Bistro aaaa Creole French, 755 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-527-0942 Tommy’s Cuisine aaaa Creole Italian, 746 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-581-1103

La Thai Cuisine aaaa Thai, 4938 Prytania St., WEST BANK

504-899-8886 Lilette aaaa French, 3637 Magazine St., 504895-1636 Mahony’s aaa Neighborhood Café, 3454 Magazine St., 504-899-3374 Martinique aaa French, 5908 Magazine St., 504-891-8495 Midway Pizza aaa Pizza, 4725 Freret St., 504322-2815 Mona’s Café aa Middle Eastern, 4126 Magazine St., 504-894-9800 Pascal’s Manale aaa Creole Italian, 1838 Napoleon Ave., 504-895-4877

Kim Son aaa Vietnamese, 349 Whitney Ave., 504-366-2489 La Fiesta aaa Mexican, 1412 Stumpf Blvd., 504-361-9142 La Providencia aaa Central American, 2300 Belle Chasse Hwy., 504-368-5724 O’Brien’s aaaa Steak, 2020 Belle Chasse Hwy., 504-391-7229 Panda King aaa Chinese, 925 Behrman Hwy., 504-433-0388 Pho Bang aaa Vietnamese, 932 Westbank Expy., 504-872-9002

Patois aaaa Creole French, 6078 Laurel St., 504-895-9441 Rum House aaa Caribbean, 3128 Magazine St., 504-941-7560 Salú aaa Eclectic, 3226 Magazine St., 504371-5809 Slice aaa Pizza, 5538 Magazine St., 504-8974800

WEST END AND BUCKTOWN The Blue Crab aaa Seafood, 7900 Lakeshore Dr., 504-284-2898 Brisbi’s aaa Seafood, 7400 Lakeshore Dr., 504555-5555 Deanie’s Seafood aa Seafood, 1713 Lake Ave., 504-831-4141

Sukho Thai aaa Thai, 4519 Magazine St., 504373-6471 Taqueria Corona aaa Mexican, 5932 Magazine St., 504-897-3974 Upperline aaaa Contemporary Creole, 1413 Upperline St., 504-891-9822

New Orleans Food & Spirits aaa Seafood, 210 Hammond Hwy., 504-828-2220 R&O’s aaa Seafood, 216 Old Hammond Hwy., 504-831-1248 Sala Small plates and great cocktails, 124 Lake Marina, 504-513-2670 Two Tony’s aaa Creole Italian, 8536

WAREHOUSE DISTRICT AND CENTRAL CITY American Sector aa American, 945 Magazine

104

Inside New Orleans

Pontchartrain Blvd., 504-282-0801 Wasabi aaa Japanese, 8550 Pontchartrain Blvd., 504-267-3263

INside Peek

A Summer Night at Southport

photos courtesy: AKULA FOUNDATION

The New Orleans area 10th Annual Akula Foundation Fundraiser celebrated with “A Summer Night at Southport.�

Over 200 guests, 58 silent auction packages and 33 fundraiser sponsors made for a successful evening, raising $27,000 for the Akula Foundation. The exciting night consisted of music by U4ria, a photo booth by Luxe Imaging Photography, delicious New Orleans style food by Southport Music Hall and fabulous cocktails.

Guests browsed a huge silent auction including over 150 donated items from the community, such as art, sports and theatre tickets, hotel stays, restaurant gift certificates and more. The event would not have been possible without the support of great sponsors, silent auction donors, Mrs. Kitty Perre, Southport Hall, Luxe Imaging Photography, foundation volunteers, Canon Hospice and all the attendees.

INside Peek Real Men Wear Pink The American Cancer Society officially introduced the 30 candidates in the 2017 Class of Real Men Wear Pink of New Orleans at a pink carpet event held at Rubensteins. The candidates are a distinguished group of community leaders determined to raise awareness and funds to support the society in its mission to help save more lives than ever before from breast cancer.

These men have made a commitment to fundraise throughout the fall, culminating with Breast Cancer Awareness Month during October. The 2017 Real Men Wear Pink Chair is Michael Holmes.

photos courtesy: AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY

The kick-off celebration featured food and refreshment by Amici Ristorante & Bar, The Fresh Market and Superior Seafood. Party guests bid on silent auction items including a $300 game-day gift basket from The Fresh Market, a golf-day-out package at Audubon Park and island-vacation packages. All proceeds benefited the American Cancer Society.

To donate, please visit makingstrideswalk.org realmenneworleansLA.

106

Inside New Orleans

October-November 2017 107

INside Peek 1

2

1. Anne Pincus, Ron Pincus, Andrée Keil Moss, Clarke “Doc” Hawley and

Antiques Forum Speaker/Sponsor Dinner in the Queen Anne Ballroom at the

3

4

Hotel Monteleone. 2. Myles and Anne Robichaux. 3. Paul Leaman, Marilyn Dittmann, Priscilla Lawrence and Katherine Hovas. 4. A. Nicholas Powers, Matthew A. Thurlow and Thomas Jayne. 5. Michelle Erickson, Garth Clark and Robert Hunter.

6. Sarah and Mark Duggan.

5

6

photos courtesy: THE HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS COLLECTION

Nanette Keil Shapiro at the New Orleans

Dat Dog National Hot Dog Day Celebration

photos courtesy: DAT DOG

What better way to celebrate National Hot Dog Day than with a Hot Dog Dressing Contest? Jarrius “Little JJ” Robertson, New Orleans Saints running back Daniel Lasco, WWL anchor Eric Paulsen, and reporter Rob Krieger of WVUE were chosen to go head to head to build the best-dressed dog. The contestants dressed Vaucresson hot sausages with their favorite toppings, which were judged by LaToya Cantrell, Vance Vaucresson, Devon Walker and the Son of a Saint boys. Daniel Lasco’s creation won the “Son of a Saint” dog title, which will be sold year-round with $1 from each going back to the Son of a Saint organization. Raffles prizes, doggie portraits and Urban South Brewery made for an exciting time for all.

October-November 2017 109

INside Peek

Antiques Roadshow Weekend

photos courtesy: WYES

The Antiques Roadshow weekend kicked off with a party at WYES New Orleans. Guests enjoyed conversation with Antiques Roadshow Executive Producer Marsha Bemko and series appraisers.

Chef Andrea Apuzzo of Andrea’s Restaurant prepared the evening’s cuisine, while St. Arnold’s Brewery served champagne, wine and, of course, beer. The big day followed at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, where New Orleanians had their chance to get items appraised.

110

Inside New Orleans

photo: DEXTER RUFFIN

2

photo: DEXTER RUFFIN

1

5

1. Stephanie Oswald, Paige Vance, Shelly Ruffin and Val Grubb at the Bodacious Bras for a Cause Brunch. 2. St. Martin’s Athletic Consultant Deuce McAllister; Bob Merrick, St. Martin Class of 1962; St. Martin’s Athletic Director Sue Bower; and Head of School Merry Sorrells present Bob, the 3

St. Martin’s Saints #1 fan, with a framed St. Martin football jersey. 3. Karen Villavaso, Penny Baumer and Amy Carbonette-Coill planning the Opera Guild’s Revelry on the River gala to be held October 21. 4. Tina Meilleur, Luz Lobos, Natasha Augustine, Jennifer Jeansonne and Michele Wink at the Stiletto Stroll Second Line Parade. 5. William

4

Marshall, Emery Whalen, Cody Bertone and Michael Zatarain enjoying the afternoon at The Pontchartrain Hotel. 6. Donna and John Hummel hosting a Saint Louis University send-off party. 7. Saint Louis University students from New Orleans and Southern Mississippi. 8. Scott Hutcheson, Norman Robinson, Billy Nungesser and Priscilla Lawrence at the announcement of four of The Historic New Orleans Collection’s cornerstone projects to commemorate New Orleans’ Tricentennial. 9. David Kerstein, Gregor Trumel, Sybil Morial, Daniel Hammer and Nadine Ramsey.

6

7

8

9

October-November 2017 111

photo: BARRETT DELONG

INside Peek

1

1. Valerie Allen, Trixie Minx and Jessica

2. Marguerite Oestreicher, New Orleans City Councilwoman LaToya Cantrell, Kim Boyle and Lillian Derouen. 3. Diane Lyons, Kenny Lopez, Linda Alvarado and Andy Black. 4.

2

3

St. Martin’s Head of School Merry Sorrells enjoys viewing the Great American Solar Eclipse with a group of fifth graders. 5. Kate Archer, Marvin Andrade, Sharon Sibley and Nicki Gilbert at the Party People event at the Ace Hotel. 6. Leading Ladies Guild at the Jefferson Performing Arts Society’s youth production of Singing in the Rain. 7.

Channing Ewing, Ashley Arcenaux, Michael Hoomanawanui and Michael Bopp at the

4

5

6

7

2017 Special Olympics Summer Games.

8. Chad Berg of Lee Michaels announces a winner at the Junior League of Greater Covington’s Harvest Cup Polo Classic Parton Party. 9. Lacey Toledano, Steve Holzhalb, Elizabeth Jackson and Mandi Magill Cantrelle at the Chamber After Hours celebration at Longleaf, Christwood’s new memory care community in Covington.

8 112

9 Inside New Orleans

photo: FRANK STANSBURY

Leadership Conference at FestiGals.

photo: BARRETT DELONG

LeBlanc at the New Orleans Women’s

October-November 2017 113

Last Bite

Andrea’s Restaurant

by Leah Draffen

Andrea’s is located at 3100 19th St. at Ridgelake in Metairie. 834-8583. andreasrestaurant.com.

114

Inside New Orleans

Chef Andrea Apuzzo.

photos: DAVID TOMPKINS

WITH COOLER MONTHS arriving, we seem to crave a hearty meal.

Chef Andrea Apuzzo is ready to serve you authentic Northern Italian cuisine and fresh seafood.

As a casual, local favorite, Andrea’s has received a five-star rating for serving a superb variety of entrées accompanied by professional European-style service.

From rich and savory LA Crabmeat Ravioli Andrea to Melenzane Parmigiana, Andrea’s has a wide selection for lunch, dinner and brunch. If a lighter lunch is what you desire, Chef Andrea offers fresh salads and soups, including Iceberg Wedge, Insalata Andrea, Minestrone Milanese and Turtle Soup Henry.

On Saturdays and Sundays, enjoy brunch at Andrea’s. The menu ranges from Frittata Italiano to Grits and Grillades. For the sweetest of taste buds, strawberry waffles and blueberry pancakes are also options. A fresh mimosa, bloody mary or mint julep is always the perfect accompaniment.

Chef Andrea welcomes private parties to dine any time of the year, including holidays and special occasions, with rooms to accommodate up to 500 people.

Andrea’s is also open for all major holidays, offering special menus with your choice of appetizer, salad, entrée and dessert. Reservations are recommended for holidays.