Dial 12, D1
British historian Lucy Worsley explores why Arthur Conan Doyle came to hate his most famous creation, Sherlock Holmes. The three-part series, LUCY WORSLEY’S HOLMES VS. DOYLE, premieres on WYES-TV on Sundays, December 8 at 7pm. Stream on wyes.org and the WYES and PBS apps. For all WYES event and program information, visit wyes.org.
The winter celebrating season is in full swing as we head into December. It’s a time to gather, lift a glass, toast friends and family and bring out our best finery, from special occasion table settings to holiday lights and greenery.
This month is when we not only celebrate the holidays, but it’s New Orleans Magazine’s chance to cheer some of our favorite restaurants, restaurateurs, chefs and mixologists. This year, we travel around the world via 25 of our favorite places (from the Deep South to South America, Europe, Africa and Asia) that feature truly a passport-full of dining destinations, all right here in our own backyard.
While entertaining and hosting are fun ways to pass a good time in the darkest days of the year, it’s also, unfortunately, cold and flu season. We have your go-to winter first aid kit and prevention plan to help keep you on track and in good health, along with our Exceptional Women in Medicine featuring female physicians practicing at the peak of their specialties across the area.
Plus, be sure to set your table with our recommendations for festive décor, style, accessories, cozy recipes and cocktails and all the festive events going on around town all month long.
It’s a busy season with even more fun around the corner as we head into the new year, so take time to celebrate the quiet moments, sip a cup of your favorite warm beverage and enjoy the community of family and friends sharing traditions throughout the month.
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Each week our editors dish about their favorite city highlights. This month, see if your favorite winter places and picks made our list!
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Hey Julia,
What are yours, and Poydras’, favorite locally created Christmas season songs?
Ralph Goeing, Prairieville
Ralph you managed to ask the only question that Poydras and I totally agree on the answer. There are three:
“All I want for Christmas is the Saints in the Superbowl” Most memorable among the lines in this Kermit Ruffins song released in 2009 on the Basin Street recording label was, “All I want for Christmas Is the Saints in the Superbowl.” The video featured Ruffins wearing a jacket, shirt and fedora that were all black and a gold tie. He also contributed a vocal solo and a lively trumpet. The song was prophetic. On Feb. 7, 2010 the Saints would win the Superbowl. The Quarterback for the rival Indianapolis Colts was New Orleanian Peyton Manning who, except for that year, had probably wished for many Saints Superbowls.
“All I want for Christmas is You”
Recorded by New Orleans based Vince Vance and the Valiants, and written by group leader Andy Stone, he’s the one with the pointy headed wig, and band member Troy Powers. Performed by band singer Lisa Lane, the song is a very moody reflection on Christmas Desire:
You are the angel on top my tree
You are my dream come true
Santa can’t bring me what I need ‘Cause all I want for Christmas is you New Orleans in origin, the song was recorded in Nashville with studio musicians whose performance is as good as Lane’s, especially part way through the song with their funky sax solo.
Be aware, Mariah Carey would record a song with the same name but otherwise different. Carey’s version is lively, but the Valiants’ is the best.
“Christmas Time in New Orleans”
Hi Julia, Do you ever go to Reveillon?
Janita Rodriguez, New Orleans
Yes Janita, though Reveillon today is different from the original concept. In earlier times a Reveillon was a meal served at a home, mostly by Catholic Creole families, after returning from Christmas Eve midnight mass. The Catholic tradition of fasting before going to communion made churchgoers pretty hungry by the time they left mass. A typical Reveillon might include egg dishes, oysters, puddings, turtle soup, and, perhaps, a buche de noel—a rich mostly chocolate cake shaped like a “yule log.” (In France a real log would traditionally be burned at Christmas.)
Julia and Poydras are planning to fly the coop in January for some much-needed R&R and some globe-trotting adventures.
Maybe you’ll catch them on the next flight to St. Tropez; or on board a cruise bound for Fiji; or maybe a mysterious train ride on the Orient Express. No telling where the intrepid duo will land next!
This song is a fun romp as a tribute to the city, but its greatest asset is not so much its lyrics, which are ok, but a chance to hear Louis Armstrong, perhaps the greatest jazz musician of all time, take off on his cornet and sing with that famous gravelly voice, Satchmo’s performance is the real present.
Your cares will disappear when you here, Hallelujah St. Nicholas is here. When it's Christmas time in New Orleans.
That tradition eventually went away, however in the '80s some preservationists got the idea of reviving the word and getting restaurants to serve pre-set holiday dinners during the days before Christmas. Many restaurants advertise their Reveillon menu. Often the dishes might include seasonal items such as roast duck, sweet potatoes and maybe a hearty soup, It is a great tradition however Poydras insists that one year he went to one of the restaurants and that a place card on the table said: “We do not serve Reveillon meals to parrots.” Poydras left, of course, vowing to never return, although he teases that he has connections and is trying to borrow the New Orleans Pelicans’ mascot costume.
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“Elf: The Musical”
Dec. 3-8
The beloved holiday blockbuster starring Will Ferrell receives the Broadway musical treatment, hitting the stage this month at the Saenger. saengernola. com
Christmas at Lafreniere Park
Dec. 1-30
Metairie’s premier park hosts its annual Christmas lights display throughout December. Admission includes both a driving tour and the opportunity to walk around and enjoy the lights, food and hot chocolate. lafrenierepark. org
“It’s a Wonderful Life, Y’all”
Dec. 6-22
Local playwright and humorist Ricky Graham does his take on the Frank Capra classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” at Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts. Graham populates the story with a cast of quirky New Orleans characters. rivertowntheaters.com
ChristKindlMarkt
Dec. 6-8
Deutsches Haus
will host the annual ChristKindlMarkt. Food, drink, seasonal items, and handmade gifts and crafts will be available, as well as traditional holiday music. deutscheshaus.org
NOLA Holiday Parade
Dec. 7
Create a new seasonal tradition with the NOLA Holiday Parade, which runs from the French Market through downtown. nolaholidayparade.com
Victory Belles Ring in the Season
Dec. 11
BB’s Stage Door Canteen at the National World War II Museum hosts the Victory Belles in a holiday concert featuring yuletide favorites. nationalww2museum.com
Festival of the Bonfires
Dec. 13-15
Take a holiday road trip to Lutcher this season. The Festival of the Bonfires is a fun show for visitors at Lutcher Recreational Park with bonfires, fireworks, live music, food and more. festivalofthebonfires.org
Harry Shearer and Judith Owen’s “Christmas Without Tears”
Dec. 17
Harry Shearer, star of the classic comedies “This Is Spinal Tap” and “The Simpsons,” and critically acclaimed vocalist Judith Owen, bring a show that is both heartwarming and irreverent to the Orpheum Theater. Surprise guests often pop in to join in the fun. Proceeds benefit The Innocence Project. orpheumnola.net
Celebration in the Oaks
Nov. 29-Jan. 3
City Park’s largest fundraiser, Celebration in the Oaks, returns with a majestic display of lights. There will be a 2.25-mile driving tour, as well as a reimagined walking tour with access to the Botanical Garden and amusement park rides. celebrationintheoaks.com
NOLA ChristmasFest
Dec. 20-30
Once again, the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center hosts a winter wonderland full of fun for the whole family. This year, NOLA ChristmasFest features an ice-skating rink, a gingerbread village, a giant wreath and tree, an expanded ice slide section and much more. nolachristmasfest.com
“The Nutcracker”
Dec. 21-22
The Jefferson Ballet Theater partners with the Jefferson Performing Arts Center to stage the classic holiday ballet “The Nutcracker.” jpas.org
Billy Strings
Dec. 29-31
American guitarist and bluegrass musician Billy Strings performs at the UNO Lakefront Arena for a three-night New Year’s Eve show. arena.uno.edu
Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra Holiday Spectacular
Dec. 19
The LPO performs classic holiday tunes for one night only at the Orpheum Theater. orpheumnola.net
Caroling in Jackson Square
Dec. 22
Mark your calendars for an hour of festive caroling in Jackson Square. Complimentary song books and candles will be provided for the fun. patioplanters.net/events/caroling-injackson-square
Chandelier Bar at Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans is once again offering its popular S’mores Milk punch. Also this season, is the debut of its Spirited Tea, a tea-inspired cocktail and dining experience, on Fridays and Saturdays at 2 p.m. The events include a resident DJ, and a modern menu of light bites and cocktails, such as the Chai (cognac, chai-amari blend, vermouth and bitters); and the Hibiscus (reposado tequila, lime, hibiscus cordial and chamoy). 2 Canal St., 504-434-5100, fourseasons.com
Enjoy the frivolity of the holidays during the Bah Humbug Bar Takeover at Bower Bar. In addition to Christmas-themed décor in the bar and the covered, heated patio, beverage director Mickey Mullins has created a lineup of holiday cocktails served in specialty seasonal glassware. Try the Magazine Street Miracle with bourbon, banana liqueur and walnut bitters; or the Christmas Cosmo with satsuma vodka, house grenadine, triple sec and lime. Also available will be the Hallmark Christmas Classic, The Bower’s rendition of a frozen bourbon pumpkin spice latte, and a frozen eggnog daiquiri. 1320 Magazine St., 504-582-9738, thebowernola.com
The holiday pop-up bars, Miracle and Sippin’ Santa, return to New Orleans this month. Miracle will take place at Barrel Proof with festive décor, new cocktails and custom glassware. Its sister concept, Sippin’ Santa at Beachbum Berry’s Latitude 29, offers a tropical twist to the snowy festivities, featuring Santas on surfboards. Both events will offer one-of-a-kind cocktails, found nowhere else around the world, and only during the holidays and include holiday mug collections, plus limited-edition designs. Miracle will donate 10 percent of all proceeds from the sales of its Santa’s Head and Santa’s Pants to Seva Foundation. 1201 Magazine St., drinkbarrelproof.com; 321 N. Peters St., 504-609-3811, latitude29nola.com
Winter Wines
As the weather finally cools, it’s a great time to try indulgent wines that are perfect for winter. For starters, the Merryvale Carneros Chardonnay 2021 (available at NOLA Wine Merchant) hails from the Napa side of Carneros. The nose begins with roasted almonds and then unfolds into an array of floral and fruity aromas like bergamot, pineapple, ripe peaches and bright citrus. For a red, try the Torre de Oña Finca Martelo (available at Brady’s Wine Warehouse). It features an intense ruby color with powerful fruit on the nose and opens up to delicate spicy, peppery notes; cedar wood; licorice; and pastry. 5601C Magazine St., 504-227-3888, nolawinemerchant. com; 1029 Oretha C. Haley Blvd., 504-662-1488, bradyswinewarehouse.com
Costera has unveiled a cocktail menu of winter warmers sure to add just the right bit of cozy to winter nights. The Gingerbread Toddy features American whiskey, house-made gingerbread syrup and a splash of fresh lemon juice. Meanwhile, the Hot Buttered Rum incorporates brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove with a house blend of aged, dark rums and a twist of lemon. And the Irish coffee (in rotating flavors like orange, mint, coffee and coconut) features Irish whiskey, demerara, fresh-brewed coffee and hand-whipped cream. 4938 Prytania St., 504-302-2332, costerarestaurant.com
Oxbow Rum Distillery, a family-run estate in Louisiana, crafts single-estate, small-batch spirits (Oxbow Estate Rum and False River Spiced Rum) from 100 percent Grade A sugarcane molasses. For the holidays, try the False River Golden Milk made with False River Spiced Rum, coconut milk and cozy spices — and topped with a drizzle of hot honey. Available at Keife & Co., 801 Howard Ave., 504-5237272, keifeandco.com
In the Spirit Sugarfield Spirits, the official vodka of LSU Athletics, has created a purple cocktail recipe to celebrate the LSU Tigers. It’s available at LSU Tiger Stadium and in Moscow mules on tap at all 16 bars in the stadium. sugarfieldspiritsla.com
Osteria Lupo has a decadent array of Italian-inspired dessert cocktails. Try the espresso martini made with Meletti Amaro, Borghetti Espresso Liqueur and Tito’s vodka. For something sweeter, try the Cicciolina (a chocolate-forward martini spiked with Cimarron Tequila, Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao and Meletti Cioccolato). Or, experiment a bit with the Cavalletta (a nod to the classic Grasshopper) but made with Nocello, Fernet Branca Menta and chocolate vanilla cordial. 4609 Magazine St., 504-273-1268, osterialupo.com
The Grill Room at The Windsor Court is spotlighting a Christmas Eve and Christmas Day menu with dishes like deviled eggs; celery root bisque; lamb with Moroccan couscous; Duck a l’Orange; and sticky toffee pudding. For Réveillon, The Grill Room is offering a four-course prix fixe menu (available throughout December) including Gulf crab salad, herb ricotta raviolo, braised short rib and cranberry orange bread pudding. A special New Year’s Eve dinner features options like oysters on the half shell; lobster bisque; and tiramisu. 300 Gravier St., 504-522-1994, thewindsorcourt.com
At Miss River at Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans, Chef Alon Shaya is offering prixfixe menus for Réveillon (including turtle soup and carved lacquered duck) and New Year’s Eve (including shrimp-stuffed crab claws and a Louisiana seafood platter). For Hanukkah (Dec. 25-Jan. 2), the restaurant will serve latkes with creme fraiche, house-made applesauce and optional caviar. 2 Canal St., 504-4345701, missrivernola.com
Chef-partner Fredo Nogueria has launched a supper club series at Cane & Table, featuring a Cuban-inspired food menu. Menu highlights include an
elevated Sopa de Perro (red snapper soup with potatoes, leeks and dry white wine), Australian Wagyu Beef Ropa Vieja and Arroz Negro with poached spiny lobster. Owner-partner Kirk Estopinal also has crafted a lively cocktail menu (including drinks like a Cuba Libre) that can be added on, as well as a wine pairing. This month, the holiday-themed series will celebrate Noche Buena. 1113 Decatur St., 504-581-1112, caneandtablenola.com
Ayu Bakehouse’s head bakers, Kelly Jacques and Samantha Weiss, are once again offering baking classes this holiday season. For Christmas, try the gingerbread house-crafting class (Dec. 8, 4-5:30 p.m.). 801 Frenchmen St., 504-302-7985, ayubakehouse.com
The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, is hosting its annual Teddy Bear Tea (through Dec. 27). This holiday tradition has become popular in New Orleans thanks to savory snacks, specialty teas and delectable desserts (and sparkling wine and mimosas available for adults). Teddy Bear Tea also includes holiday story time with Mrs. Claus and pictures with Santa available for purchase. Each child also receives a famous Roosevelt Teddy Bear. 130 Roosevelt Way, 504-648-1200, hilton.com
Raise a Glass For Hanukkah (Dec. 25-Jan. 2), make reservations at Saba (where the lounge will transform into the L’chaim Lounge, a cheerfully decorated space that will serve special Hanukkah cocktails). The special Latke Board also will be available, featuring labneh, apple butter, latkes, pickled shallots, beet tahini, marinated parsley, whipped butter and ikra. 5757 Magazine St., 504-324-7770, eatwithsaba.com
The Barnett, previously known as the Ace Hotel New Orleans, has enhanced its guest rooms, services and culinary offerings. Seaworthy, which is still a part of the new hotel brand, offers a fresh sea-to-table experience with a menu showcasing a rotating selection of raw and charbroiled oysters, lobster rolls, crudos and more. The Barnett’s lobby and music hall, located just steps from Seaworthy, features a lineup of local and traveling musicians every weekend. This month, be sure to catch Amina Scott (Dec. 13), Them People (Dec. 20) and Robin Barnes (Dec. 24). And, for art-lovers, The Barnett also has an onsite gallery that spotlights a new artist each quarter. Currently on view is “To Bare Witness,” by local photographer, Ashley Lorraine, showcasing Black beauty and diversity. Meanwhile, Bar Métier — formerly Bar Marilou — offers an array of specialty, house-made cocktails, making for the perfect nightcap destination. 600 Carondelet St., 504-900-1180; 546 Carondelet St., 504-814-7720, hyatt. com
Chef John Folse and his team at Restaurant R’evolution are offering a seasonal menu to celebrate winter. The dinner menu features dishes like Visiting Fish (a take on the New Orleans and Chinese dish, Yakemein), which features sea bass over house-made ramen noodles and paired with beef stock, hard-boiled quail eggs and scallions; NOLA Hot Crab Claws tossed in hot Cajun seasoning served atop fresh cabbage, carrots, cucumber and serrano slaw with a lime vinaigrette; beet salad made with arugula, chevre and Steen’s Cane Syrup-candied pecans; and duck cassoulet plated over a white-bean purée with smoked cherry tomatoes, roasted potatoes and carrots. Save room for the Enchanted Apple — an apple shaped dessert with Grand Marnier Bavarian cream and apple pie filling, coated and glazed with ingredients to resemble a golden apple. 777 Bienville St., 504-5532277, revolutionnola.com
The Royal Sonesta New Orleans is hosting its annual Santa’s Pajama Party, a holiday high tea experience, every Saturday and Sunday throughout December with two seatings at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and featuring 11 exquisite tea varieties ranging from English breakfast and Earl Grey to a luxe 35-year aged royal pu’erh guangxi. The accompanying food menu from Restaurant R’evolution includes an array of tea sandwiches filled with gourmet flavors, alongside buttery scones served with rich creams and seasonal jams. 300 Bourbon St., 504-586-0300, sonesta.com
BY ANDY MYER
There are few gifts more special than those meticulously made by hand. These thoughtful finds from local makers will leave a lasting impression. Remember to support small businesses this holiday season.
1. For the home décor enthusiast or collector, B. Viz’s handcrafted mini stockings are offered in a range of designs made from antique textiles and trims, like this aged silver and blue Fortuny pattern. For an added bit of festive fun, fill with a favorite treat. Available at B. Viz Design, bvizdesign.com
2. Using classical goldsmithing techniques, Katy Beh created the dazzling three stone Adina ring from blue tanzanite and green peridot in 22k yellow gold. It’s clear to see that this oneof-a-kind bauble was constructed with care and will be a timeless treasure for the lucky recipient. Available at Katy Beh, katybeh.com
3. The experts at Kilby walk clients through every step of the suiting process with a fabric selection consultation, multiple fittings and complimentary lifetime adjustments. Constructed from fine fabrics from some of the world’s best mills, each tailored masterpiece is made to measure with hand pick-stitching and custom liners. Available at Kilby, kilbysuits.com
4. The perfect present for anyone who knows what it means to miss New Orleans, Hazeltine’s locally made, best-selling scent is an ode to balmy nights in the Crescent City. With notes of sweet olive, apricot, nightblooming jasmine, old houses and oakmoss, home is just a sniff away. Available at Hazeltine, hazeltinescent.co.
5. Piety and Desire’s artisanal chocolate boxes are handcrafted “from bean to bon bon.” Each treat is a true work of art worthy of a frame, but you’ll want to dig in because the taste of every seasonal creation is simply divine. Available at Piety and Desire, pietyanddesirechocolate.com
BY KELLY MASSICOT / PHOTO BY JEFFREY JOHNSTON
Since its inception, Zeus’ Place and Zeus’ Rescues, and their fearless leader Michelle Cheramie, have been dedicated to the dogs and cats of New Orleans. That dedication was put to the test earlier this year when Scrim, a mixed-breed “Houdini,” gave Cheramie and her team of rescuers a
run for their money for months as he evaded them at every turn and took the Mid-City neighborhood as his playground. Though we talked to Cheramie about her work before she finally caught the escape artist — who inspired T-shirts, art and social media posts — Scrim, and animals just like him, were part of the conversation.
Q: What made you get into this work and start Zeus’ Place and Zeus’ Rescues? I think I was born to do this. To tell you the truth, my parents could attest to the fact that I rescued everything from the moment I could walk — from dragonflies to spiders to puppies, whatever I found that I thought needed a better place to stay came to my house. Then after [Hurricane] Katrina, I was doing rescues with big national agencies, because they needed someone who knew the streets without street signs, and knew how to rescue and could drive a boat, and I ticked all those boxes. I started doing these rescue efforts and I realized this is what I need to do in my life. I left a really good job, with good benefits to open up a business on Freret Street. I was the first new business to open postKatrina, I think all that was open was a Domino’s and Mr. Dennis’ Barbershop.
Q: What’s your goal or your hope with your organizations? I would love for my job to be obsolete! The first and most important thing is spay and neutering. I can’t preach that enough, because without unwanted litters, our job would be so much easier. If we had easily accessible, no or low cost spay and neuter options on both sides of the river, including
Jefferson Parish, I would have a much easier time. In fact, we sent many of our animals up north because they have more stringent spay laws and enforce them.
Q: How can we fix that problem?
There’s a couple of different ways to do it. Like Jefferson Parish funds their spay/neuter program via the rabies tag fees. They have mobile clinics, so they’ll take out vans and go to [for example] Grand Isle and do large spay/neuter clinics on the island because there aren’t vets on the island. I think getting into the communities that need it the most, but unfortunately can’t get to or afford a vet to do the surgery, for them it’s really important.
Q: What is the best part of your job and the work that you do?
That it’s my job. The best part is my job. I take in these hoarding animals, like the ones I just took in. These shutdown dogs that come to me who are shut down – even like Scrim, when Scrim came to me he was a completely shut down stray – and just to work with them every day and gain their trust, and when you can finally see the animal relax in your arms or in front of you and they realize, “Hey, I’m safe.” That, to me, keeps me going every single day, because it happens every day. We have cats that come in here that have been trapped, that are scared, and they finally will let us pet them or even open the kennel without trying to eat our face off. Little milestones that every day are just making a different for these creatures that don’t have a voice, that didn’t ask to be born or to be put in these situations, and to help them realize that humans are good again and give them
the best life.
Q: Why was it so hard to catch Scrim? There’s something called “Lost Dog Syndrome.” When he first came to us, he was a stray but was from a known home where they let him roam free and decided they didn’t want him anymore. So, we took him in and we brought him out of his shell, put him in a foster home where he lived with this wonderful foster mom and her dog, happy as can be. He’s completely adoptable. I put a post about him, somebody falls in love. We take him to this new environment and he got spooked in her backyard, popped his leash, and so now he’s resorted back to what we call “Lost Dog Syndrome.” That’s where they are just looking for safety, food, water, shelter, that’s it. Nothing will stop them from that when they’re in that zone. So, what you have to do is get him. We do and try so many things and, you know, you can talk to national organizations that do this for a living and they give suggestions. But once the syndrome is over, once they’re safe again, there’s a switch. We’ve seen it before. It’s like, “Oh, cool. I don’t have to run anymore? Ok.”
Writer’s note: I got a chance to meet Scrim during his big photoshoot. He’s still a little apprehensive, he was injured in many ways and is still getting treatment, but his new mom is so dedicated and devoted to his rehabilitation. And for a dog that didn’t trust anyone or anything for a few months, he leaned into pets, sweet words and even a little hug from me. Scrim even made it to City Hall in early November. We’re just waiting for the second line parade in his honor.
Christmas should come every other year, I think. Every year is too often.
On the opposite year we should have Mardi Gras.
See how nice that would work out? We wouldn’t go crazy with exhaustion from celebrating.
Nobody listens to my ideas.
Last year, like every Christmas when the Gunches get together, somebody puts out a bowl of baby carrots mixed with Cheetos, so every bite is a surprise. It’s a tradition.
But this time, it wasn’t the only surprise. The snakes were the surprise.
I got to explain.
Everybody in the Gunch family got their own present-buying routines, so you can pretty much predict what you’ll get from who.
Ms. Larda always gives out stockings which contain aspirins, bandaids, foot fungus powder and stuff, so almost every medical emergency is taken care of for the year.
But she also gives out regular presents, wrapped up nice, and they are all perfect choices — even the ones for the grandkids — because she started shopping in July.
My gentleman friend Lust and I usually give Lego sets to the kids, Amazon cards to the teen-agers, and a nice bottle of something to the adults. Of course, I always give something special to Lust. Last year it was a bar stool with his monogram across the seat.
My sister-in-law Larva, who makes garden gnomes, always gives a gnome to each family — this year
It’s the thought that counts
it will be probably be LSU gnomes — and little gnomes —- maybe Taylor Swift or Harry Potter gnomes to the kids.
My other sister-in-law, Gloriosa, will drive down to Canal Place and buy us each something too expensive to actually use.
My daughter Gumdrop will hit the Walmart and do the same thing, minus the expensive part.
But there is always the most suspense about what my brothersin-law, Leech and Lurch, will come up with. Their presents all depend on where they happen to be when the idea of Christmas shopping occurs to them. Like if they happen to be in a hardware store, we’ll all get screwdrivers. If they are in a sporting goods store, everybody gets a golf ball. In a shoe store, shoelaces. Like that.
Last year they were in their friend Larry’s pet store that was going out of business. Which is why we all got snakes. Five snakes: one for each family.
They had each snake curled up in a white sweat sock tied with red ribbon at the top. My sister-in-law Gloriosa happened to be the first person to open hers and dump it out and start screaming.
Now that should have been a warning. Do not untie red ribbons on white socks. Do not dump out contents. But nooo. Everybody else immediately opened theirs and dumped it out. And everybody else immediately started screaming. So much screaming that it drowned out the “Charlie Brown Christmas Special” on the TV.
God knows what the neighbors
thought. Probably that we were all drunk and trying to sing a Christmas carol with a LOT of high notes.
Ms. Larda has a dog and a cat. The dog, a chihuahua named Chopsley, ran and hid behind Ms. Larda, and the cat, Charmer, zipped up on top of the cabinets. Meanwhile, the snakes slithered here and there, and one even got up the Christmas tree.
Thank God my son Gargoyle got a way of keeping his head when the rest of us get hysterical. So he run around and found a bucket and fitted a round cushion on it as a lid. Then, with everybody cheering him on, he got all five snakes in there. The next day, Ms. Larda brought
the bucket to the nearest pet store, Patti’s Pets. Patti says she is glad to take them. She has five mice that didn’t get sold on her special Night Before Christmas Sale. People just ain’t sentimental these days, she says. So she can feed them to the snakes for dinner.
Ms. Larda looks at the five little mice — Christmas rejects. They even got names: Mickey, Minnie, Jerry, Nibbles and Mighty Mouse.
“I’ll take them,” she says. “And their five little cages, please.”
And that’s how every Gunch family got a mouse the night after Christmas.
Dear Utqiagvik, Alaska, Full disclosure: I am not Nash Roberts. Nor did I sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night.
I have, however, endured enough Decembers at 29.9°N and -90°W to know what the weather will in all probability be like today here in New Orleans.
It will be gray.
It might be battleship gray. It might be gun-metal gray. It might be cinderblock gray or some other soul-sapping non-hue. But rest assured, the sky – like the clouds scudding solemnly across it – will be gray, stripped unceremoniously of color, warmth and life.
That is December in New Orleans. Dreary. Damp. Stupid.
I am sure I do not need to convince you. At the moment, as I understand it, you up there in the northernmost city in the United States are amid your famous 66-day-long “polar night.”
That might sound good if you’re a Frenchmen Street club owner or a vampire – which, for the record, are not mutually exclusive callings – but for the rest of us, it is a recipe for one humdinger of a case of seasonal affective disorder.
We get cases of that down here at the other end of the world, too, but it is of a different flavor than yours. It is not triggered by the stinginess of winter’s light. Rather, it tends to set in around Aug. 29 and last a couple of weeks.
Regardless, we have strategies for stubbornly resisting the year-end gloom that descends upon us every December.
Stubborn resistance is kind of our specialty. That is especially true
when dealing with gloomy things.
After three centuries of dedicated habitation of a wholly uninhabitable environment, we have developed a few ways of making merry and/ or gay our default civic emotion, damn the torpedoes.
Hurricane brewing? Throw a party. Somebody died? Schedule a parade. Got a pothole on your street? Name and decorate it. Bored? Start a festival. Or a Carnival krewe. Or a band.
That is the New Orleans way.
as gumbo does for us.
So, you do you, Alaska – although now that I think about it, the idea of some sort of snowman’s-land gumbo that substitutes reindeer sausage for boudin or king crab for Louisiana blue crab is a culinarily interesting one.
Ditto for a salmon court-bouillon or a sea scallop étouffée.
The point is: Get cooking. When the kitchen warms, the soul warms with it.
It is all about adding a splash of color – again, metaphorically or otherwise – to help distract from a landscape otherwise devoid of it.
Distractions: That is another thing at which we excel.
We are lucky enough to have the decked halls of the Roosevelt to help in that regard this time of year, along with various holiday parades, City Park’s Celebration in the Oaks and other shiny, twinkly things that draw New Orleanians like wayward fiffolet.
Granted, such things probably don’t help you a great deal, given the subzero temperatures, the polar bears and whatnot.
Ask Mike
Have a question or a thought to share about New Orleans etiquette or tradition? I’d love to hear it. Email it to playbook@ myneworleans.com
Given your current climatological state, and as part of our continuing mission to explain New Orleans, we thought we might share some of our tried-and-true methods for holding the gray at bay.
The first step: Make a roux. Honestly, that is the first step to fixing most problems around here.
It does not matter what recipe you use it for. The meditative ritual of roux-making – slow, methodical, predictable – holds curative properties all its own.
Even better, the moment the nutty aroma of that heated flour and oil starts wafting through your home, those winter doldrums will magically melt away for everyone within whiffing distance.
Now, to be clear, I am speaking strictly metaphorically. I am sure you have your own toothsome regional favorites that have a way of warming you from the inside,
But if the gray still won’t stay away even after you’ve got the kitchen warmed, it might be time to unleash the one sure-fire, can’t-miss arrow in a New Orleanians’ quiver.
Go online and begin streaming WWOZ Worldwide, which is in my estimation one of the city’s most generous gifts to the wider world. Call it your own northern Jazz Fest. Then remind yourself that Twelfth Night – and, thus, the start of Carnival season – is just around the corner, on Jan. 6.
That thought might not quite turn a gray day technicolor. But hopefully it will serve as a reminder that the light always, always returns, and the warmth and color with it.
And you don’t have to be Nash Roberts to know that.
Insincerely yours, New Orleans
In 1884, with the Civil War and Reconstruction in the rearview mirror, New Orleans boosters were on the move. To showcase the city’s progress, they threw out the welcome mat with the World’s Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition. Seen here in this 1884 lithograph is Horticultural Hall, one of the many ornate exhibit buildings constructed for the ill-fated expo that ran from Dec. 17, 1884 to June 1, 1885.
The 1880s was an era when Southern cities like New Orleans tried to upstage each other with bigger and better industrial expositions. Atlanta was first with its International Cotton Exposition of 1881 followed by Louisville’s Southern Exposition in 1883. When New Orleans’ exposition opened a year later, local boosters put the world on notice that Crescent City was ready to compete. It was the city’s commercial and industrial calling card to the world. The exposition’s name is a bit curious, though. Organizers chose the cotton theme to mark the supposed 100th anniversary of America’s first export shipment of cotton.
To raise the money needed to finance the exposition, state treasurer and newspaper publisher Major Edward A. Burke convinced Congress to loan the city $1 million plus a $300,000 gift to build government exhibits. The city anteed up another $100,000 and private stock was sold to raise the rest of the money.
Located in what is now Audubon Park, the exposition sat on 249 acres once part of plantations owned by Pierre Foucher and Etienne de Boré. Unfortunately, most expo buildings and their exhibits were far from
completed when on Dec. 17 President Chester A. Arthur pressed a button in the White House that rang a bell at the fairground to signal the start of festivities. According to Clive Hardy’s brief history of the exposition, Horticultural Hall, for example, had only a few plants donated at the last moment by local gardeners. Ready or not, the exposition began with a grand parade, steamboat processions, the Mexican army band, military units and artillery barrage.
Despite the city’s efforts to promote the exposition, newspapers chronicled its problems. Sightseers expected from all over the world did not materialize in the expected numbers. The “conservative estimate” of four million visitors eventually amounted to little more than a million. A month after the exposition opened, it was $250,000 in debt. The following February, the deficit had reached $360,000. Congress appropriated an additional $335,000, but the exposition was forced to close on June 1, 1885.
Horticultural Hall. World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition at New Orleans, 1884, Library of Congress
The expo buildings are long gone. Most were demolished except for Mexico’s cast iron and glass Moorish designed pavilion, which the Mexican government moved to Mexico City. The only survivor on the fairgrounds itself is a large chunk of iron ore from the Alabama exhibit, which for years locals claimed to be a meteorite that landed on the golf course.
Although the exposition was a financial disaster, it accelerated the development of Uptown New Orleans and gave us Audubon Park.
3814 Magazine St., 504-493-9396, dakarnola.com
It’s hard to remember the time before Dakar NOLA existed because in just two years, this extraordinary offering has become stitched into the city’s culinary quilt. Chef Serigne Mbaye’s revelatory tasting menu presents West African cuisine in a way that invites diners to consider the roots of familiar Louisiana staples. Dakar NOLA’s soup kanja, a Senegalese okra gumbo, has quickly become an iconic New Orleans dish. According to the restaurant’s Managing Partner Effie Richardson, visitors who’ve previously sampled Cajun and Creole gumbos relish making the culinary connection. As she said, “It’s a nice lightbulb moment for people who have never thought about food of West Africa and how [it] relates to American food.” Dakar NOLA has garnered numerous accolades, including the James Beard Foundation’s 2024 award for Best New Restaurant, and Mbaye was recently named to the Time100 list honoring emerging leaders around the world. Even with the bright international spotlight, Richardson expresses the team’s deep gratitude for their local clientele: “It feels good that here in the city, people are embracing and supporting us, really from day one… It’s extra special when the locals come and dine with us – these are our people who want to have this magical experience too.” – RF
Located in the heart of the CBD, Good Catch, Thai Urban Bistro is a new restaurant from Aom Srisuk and her husband Frankie Weinberg (owners of sister restaurant Pomelo). Brandishing a coastal oasis vibe, the cozy boîte combines casual dining with authentic Thai cuisine. Using the freshest ingredients available and inspired by Chef Srisuk’s grandmother’s home-cooked meals, popular dishes include the clay pot baked glass noodles with Gulf shrimp; the deep-fried whole sea bass with bird chili sauce; and the Southern yellow curry with jumbo lump crabmeat. Good Catch also offers top-notch craft cocktails and a daily happy hour from 4:30-6:30 p.m., when guests can enjoy specials on drinks and snacks (such as $7 house wines and $8 deep-fried calamari). 828 Gravier St., 504-5812205, goodcatchnola. com - MM
Brasa
365 Canal St., #220,504-371-5553;2037 MetairieRoad,504-570-6338; brasasteak.com
Colombian Chef Edgar Caro has been introducing New Orleanians to the flavors of South America for years now, starting with his groundbreaking tapas spot Baru Bistro & Tapas. Diners can explore his latest expression at Brasa South American Steakhouse. Overlooking the foot of Canal Street and housed in a former Morton’s Steakhouse, Brasa grills up showstoppers like a 40-ounce Louisiana Wagyu tomahawk ribeye. Accompaniments are culled from countries throughout South America including Peru and Venezuela. Try the Wagyu beef stuffed picadillo turnovers, served with aji criollo and pickled onions. Caro’s love of dry aged beef was passed down by his grandfather, who owned a butcher shop in Colombia. “He showed me the importance of using quality meats and how to butcher properly,” Caro explained. “It gave me my foundation as a chef.” Dishes near to his heart include the Picanha, a Texas wagyu coulotte with a flavorful fat cap that gets grilled to a crisp. Vibrant sauces like chimichurri and masterful dryaging techniques make this a steakhouse stand apart from the herd. 365 Canal St., #220, 504-371-5553; 2037 Metairie Road, 504-570-6338, Old Metairie; brasasteak.com – JF
In an age that finds us so thoroughly tethered to the obligations and reminders of daily life, escape can be elusive. Step into Acamaya, however, and prepare to be transported. This Mexican showstopper in the Bywater was created by Ana Castro, a James Beard-nominated chef who made a name for herself at the former Lengua Madre, in partnership with her sister Lydia Castro overseeing front-of-house opera-
tions. The dining room faces a sleekly tiled open kitchen where chefs might be seen moving to the music that energizes dinner service. In Acamaya, the Castros showcase Mexican “mariscos,” hot and cold preparations of seafood that present dazzlingly unfamiliar options to a town that loves its crustaceans. Chochoyotes pair dimpled masa dumplings with local Higgins crabmeat, oyster mushrooms and a delicate corn beurre
blanc. The arroz negro nestles tender mussels and squid in a bed of black rice bearing the earthy flavors of huitlacoche, or “corn smut.” A hearty Sonoran wheat tortilla, served warm alongside a dollop of salted chintextle butter, could be its own meal. And we recommend the flan to help the transition from sweet escape to the world outside Acamaya’s door. 3070 Dauphine St., 504-299-3477, on Instagram @acamayanola - RF
Jamaican jerk is a magical elixir. Fueled by the flavors of allspice, garlic and the heat of the Scotch Bonnet peppers native to the irie island, jerk is commonly slathered on chicken or fish and grilled outside over a wood fire. Which is exactly what Chef Richard Rose does at Jamaican Jerk House in Bywater. It’s been almost three years since Rose and his wife Jackie Diaz debuted the flavors of Rose’s native Jamaica in a sunny in a sunny café painted in the colors of the Jamaican flag on St. Claude Avenue, a 32-seat restaurant with flat screens streaming Jamaican videos and a soundtrack of reggae music. Rose, who was born in Kingston, is a wizard at making the island seasoning. Beyond chicken, he uses it on shrimp, salmon and, come Thanksgiving,
turkey. Diaz is a naturally hospitable first generation Cuban American and a self-taught cook. She’s also a darn good mixologist, shaking up batches of rum punch and her own mango-infused take on Long Island iced tea, the Nola-ribbean. ¶ The restaurant is constantly busy with take away orders, especially on days that Rose slow-cooks oxtails, stewed in a dark brown gravy oozing meaty flavor. The food is served corner store style, in black clam shell boxes overflowing with jerked beef or pork ribs, fried plantains, macaroni and cheese made with long spaghetti, potato salad and rice and peas. Here, plate lunches are transformed from meal to island escape. 4017 St Claude Avenue, 504-441-8905, jamaicanjerkhouse.com - BD
Chi Chi's 4714 Freret St., 504-381-4953, eatchichis.com
It’s been pointed out to Chef Adolfo “Fito” Garcia that he is not Korean, of which he is well aware. Garcia and his fiancé/ partner Sophia Petrou are both local to New Orleans and raised in family-owned restaurants. They opened Chi Chi’s Chicken & Beer on Freret Street in September, with Korean double fried chicken the star of the menu. But there’s no cultural appropriation going on here. “Fried chicken is Southern, it started in the American South,” said Garcia. “During the Korean War, guys from the South brought the idea of frying chicken to Korea, where it was adapted with local flavors and ingredients.” Garcia, named for his well-known cheffather, cooks Korean style fried chicken sandwich and wings, as well as a Southern fried sandwich, sans gochujang chili paste. ¶ Onigirazu, another of the couple’s favorite street food snacks, rounds out the menu, a reorganized version of Japanese onigiri rice balls. Described as sushi “sandwiches,” bread is swapped out with nori and rice, then filled with a choice of spicy tuna cucumber, salmon jalapeno, seasonal veggies or Korean fried chicken. The 30-seat restaurant buzzes with funky street art, decorated with the help of artist friends. There’s a bar along the back of the space, with a menu of wine, Asahi or SkaterAid on draft, and Soju, a Korean version of sake mixed in cocktails or served neat for sipping. For this CIA graduate, who left home for a decade to cook in kitchens in New York and beyond, this culinary homecoming is just the beginning.- BD
MOULES PROVENCALE FARCIE WITH PRETZEL BREAD SERVICE
FRANCE DINING 12. 2024
“French” is a descriptor that gets tossed around a lot with New Orleans restaurants. But few have the specificity of MaMou, an ephemeral brasserie perched on the outer edge of the French Quarter. Here Executive Chef Tom Branighan and Sommelier Molly Wismeier have created a time capsule that takes diners back to turn-of-the-20th century Paris. There are foundational Lyonnaise dishes with local twists – quenelles made with Des Allemands catfish
in lieu of river pike – alongside Alsace-Lorraine stalwarts like tender medallions of pork blade flanked by succulent choucroute (sauerkraut to you and me). ¶ “We are looking for our guests to feel transported – at once familiar but also with a shift,” Wismeier said. “Like you could be somewhere in Paris but then look out the window and see a streetcar rolling by.” Start with Moules Provençale Farcie, augmented with fennel sausage, sauce Basquez and garlicy
rouille. It pairs well with the house made pretzel bread service. But be quick, because dishes change. “Seasonality helps us push the envelope and gives us a platform to revisit the classics,” Branighan said. A robust German beer selection underscores the Teutonic shadings and wine lovers will have an exciting time exploring the possibilities here as well. 942 N. Rampart St., 504-381-4557, mamounola.com – JF
LUFU NOLA
301 St. Charles Ave., 504-354-1104, lufunola.com
The “LUFU” in LUFU NOLA stands for “Let us feed you.” It’s an invitation New Orleanians have gladly accepted. LUFU was born a few years back as a popup, then moved into the now-closed Pythian Market before opening its doors as a brick-and-mortar in the CBD a little over a year ago. The reception has been positive from the start, according to co-owner Aman Kota: “People show us so much love here.” With its representation of Indian cuisine that extends across regions and traditions, LUFU allows diners to sample dishes that push beyond the menu standards for Indian restaurants. “When we traveled around America, every Indian restaurant had the same basic menu: butter chicken, chicken tikka masala…,” noted Kota. He and colleagues Sachin Darade and Sarthak Samantray applied their culinary training to present a more diverse offering of Indian flavors. “That motivated us every day [with LUFU] – and I think we did it.” LUFU’s chicken biryani arrives in a clay pot wrapped in dough, baked under a broiler to accentuate smokey flavors. The Malai Gosht, a slow-cooked lamb shank flavored with black cardamom and cashew, has also been a smash hit. The answer to LUFU’s offer remains an emphatic “Yes.” - RF
Emeril’s
800 Tchoupitoulas St. 504-528-9393, emerilsrestaurants.com
Few restaurants have done more to introduce New Orleans to the rest of the world as has Emeril’s. Rooted in the soil of Commander’s Palace, super-charged by the media with the advent of the celebrity chef, and honed over decades of refinement, the name itself is a cultural juggernaut. And now the next chapter has begun: Following a top-to-bottom renovation, Emeril’s son EJ Lagasse has officially taken charge. ¶ It would be easy to dismiss this as nepo-baby privilege but that would simply not be fair to EJ, who by all accounts has emerged as a genuine talent. Like the Mannings, EJ may have the name, but he also has the bonafides and has put in the reps. Since age 13 he has worked in professional kitchens, most recently under generational talents including Eric Ripert and Daniel Boulud. Now it is his turn. ¶ The procession of the tasting menu feels more akin to theater then dinner, especially given the panoramic view of the open kitchen. With rumors swirling of Michelin eying New Orleans as a city upon which to award its coveted stars, the ambition is clear: Emeril’s aims for a definitive European Michelin-style experience. But EJ presents it with a genuineness rooted in his love of New Orleans that disarms and charms rather than intimidates. Emerils 2.0 is clearly setting the pace for the next level of ambitious fine dining in New Orleans and its story continues. - JF
On a quiet Bywater corner, Owner/Chef Julio Machado serves the flavors of his native Venezuela in a chic bistro setting that’s drawing a dayand-night crowd. Origen opened in April (following Machado’s now-closed casual Uptown spot Coma Arepas) and has allowed Machado to create a broader menu of Venezuelan fare like tequeños (pastry wrapped cheese sticks) and parrilla Origen (a meaty sampling of charcoalgrilled delicacies, including house-made chorizo and smoked picanha). “We prioritize fresh, locally sourced ingredients, ensuring every dish not only honors our heritage but also highlights the incredible produce from the region,” Machado said. “This commitment allows us to create a unique and vibrant dining experience that connects our Venezuelan roots with the best of New Orleans.” Delicate arepas appear with a range of savory accompaniments, and the corn-based cachapa stuffed with melted cheese puts a standard grilled cheese sandwich to shame. Salads and pescatarian offerings stand out for those seeking lighter fare. Whatever the meal, New Orleanians have taken to Origen’s representation of Venezuelan cooking. According to Machado, “It’s been amazing to see how well people connect with our dishes, finding new favorites that still feel rooted in the city’s love for bold, authentic cuisine.” 3600 St. Claude Ave., 504-381-4245, on Instagram @ origenbistronola, Facebook @ Origen Bistro - RF
“Modern Creole: A Taste of New Orleans Culture and Cuisine” by
Eric Cook
Chef and restaurateur Eric Cook (of Gris-Gris, Gris-Gris to Go Go and Saint John) has released his first cookbook, entitled “Modern Creole: A Taste of New Orleans Culture and Cuisine” (Gibbs Smith, $35). With a foreword by Gordon Ramsay, the cookbook features nearly 120 food and cocktail recipes encompassing Southern, Cajun and Creole cuisine. Equally as impressive for holiday meals or for Monday night dinners, Modern Creole presents the recipes in an accessible and straightforward way — making an easy time of mealtime for everyday home cooks. Hints of voodoo and the unique culture of New Orleans (both highlighted at Cook’s restaurants) also can be found in the book. Sure-fire winners include recipes for a wholefish redfish courtbouillon; chicken gizzard grillades with caramelized onions and a silken brown gravy; and Creole beef daube made with short ribs braised in Burgundy with aromatics. For dessert (or Christmas morning breakfast, perhaps), try the spiced sweet potato beignets or Bananas Foster. Available at Gris-Gris, Saint John and local bookstores, 1800 Magazine St., 272-0241, grisgrisnola.com; 715 St. Charles Ave., 504-381-0385, saintjohnnola.com - MM
Talk about a hidden gem. Tatlo restaurant is tucked away, through a hidden door in the back of the Old Absinthe House dive bar on Bourbon. Better yet, enter from Bienville, through a small courtyard and into what chef Cristina Quackenbush calls a bar and restaurant “for the bewitched and hex curious.” It’s not a gimmicky tagline –for years Quackenbush has practiced good witchcraft, think Glinda from the “Wizard of Oz," with a culinary bent. ¶ Everything here, from the food on the plate and the potions, a.k.a. cocktails, to the décor, flows from the chef’s connection to the spirit realm. The restaurant’s walls are lined with goddess tributes, candles flicker and a tarot reader holds court in the corner. Quackenbush chooses ingredients long associated with healing and good health. The chef designed each dish to manifest an aspect of personal growth. Synergy, a soy and vinegar driven chicken adobo with purple sticky rice, aspires to project fertility, abundance and growth. Then there’s the cauldron, a cheese fondue with roasted crudité and pickled veggies, to drive change and growth. ¶ “Ingredients have been used for thousands of years with intention,” said the chef. “As a modern society, we’ve come away from that.” Some ingredients, like turmeric and ginger, are mainstream. Other menu ingredients are more esoteric, sourced from books of magic and spells. The menu is infused with both Filipino and Vietnamese flavors. ¶ Absinthe is known for its other worldly qualities. At the bar, there is an absinthe fountain, flights of absinthe and absinthe-infused cocktails. Tatlo is a passion project for Quackenbush, but not the only one. A force for good not just through her plates of chicken adobo and lumpia, she founded the non-profit Good Trouble Network in 2020, another bit of good magic from her sorcery playbook. 240 Bourbon St., tatlo.co - BD
Fritai 1535 Basin St., 504-264-7899, fritai.com
Hungry fans lining up at the Fritai booth during the 2024 Jazz Fest may or may not have known what kind of Haitian dishes awaited. But chances are they recognized Chef Charly Pierre from his appearance on season 21 of “Top Chef,” a boost to his national profile. This was the first year the Haitian American chef worked the Fest, offering a menu of sweet and spicy grilled shrimp pikliz, creamy crab mac and cheese and toasted corn “ribs” cut off the cob. Starting as a stall at the St. Roch Market in 2016, Fritai just celebrated its third anniversary on the edge of the Tremé, the oldest Black neighborhood in America. ¶ A mix of modern and homestyle Haitian cuisine, Fritai refers to the fried snacks that power that island’s street food. The restaurant’s menu spotlights Pierre’s fine dining chops while staying true to his cultural roots. Pierre sees so many connections between Haiti and New Orleans. “We have gumbo, red beans and rice, Creole sauces,” said the chef, who credits gastronomy drawn from a shared history of French, Spanish and African cultures. The James Beard Award semifinalist boasts a fetching fruit-kissed cocktail program, with a spotlight on clairin, Haiti’s sugarcane spirit that stands in for rum. The joy Pierre takes in his role of culinary ambassador translates to the restaurant’s animated, joyful vibe. For the uninitiated, a meal at Fritai is a fascinating culinary adventure and for those in the know, authenticity unspools with every bite. -BD
HONDURAN DINING 12. 2024
Helmed by Executive Chef/Owner, Melissa Araujo (a James Beard: Best Chef South 2024 semifinalist), Alma Café has been making waves in the Bywater and beyond thanks to the restaurant’s authentic Honduran cuisine inspired by Araujo’s heritage. Signature dishes include Fritas Hondureñas (fried homemade flour tortillas, refried beans, homemade cream and queso fresco); Baleada Sencilla (two eggs, refried beans, homemade cream, queso fresco and avocado served on a homemade flour tortilla with a choice of chorizo, bacon, mushrooms, pork or brisket); and Melissa’s Pancakes (six small
pancakes, homemade crema fresca, strawberry jam and powdered sugar). Alma Café, open for breakfast, lunch and brunch, also recently added dinner service. Dishes to try include Aguachile Negro (Gulf shrimp, scallops, lime juice, English cucumber, avocado, red onion and jalapeño); Pollo en crema y Loroco (grilled chicken, milkbased cream sauce with Loroco Flower, white wine, sofrito and fresh herbs); black pasta with seafood in a creamy garlic sauce (octopus, clams, samphire, chili flakes, garlic sauce and herbs); Pato en salsa verde (duck breast, herb salsa verde, aromatic salad and aged balsamic vinaigrette);
and Pescado Ceibeno (local Gulf fish, moros y cristianos, tostones and escabeche). For cocktail lovers, be sure to order one of the killer concoctions from Head Bartender Mark Preston, such as the Smoke Rosemary Negroni Sour (gin, sweet vermouth, Campari, rosemary syrup, lemon juice, splash of orange juice and egg white), the Hello Again (mezcal, Ancho Reyes chili liqueur, watermelon and lime) or the Pimm’s Cup (Pimm’s No. 1, cucumber vodka, lemon, ginger ale and sparkling wine). The Honduran-focused coffee program also is a great way to finish off a meal. 800 Louisa St., 504-381-5877, eatalmanola.com - MM
FRIED CHICKEN, MAC AND CHEESE, GREENS, MOUNTAIN DEW CAKE
U.S. SOUTH DINING 12. 2024
Hot Stuff, the newest restaurant from Mason Hereford (of beloved local restaurants Turkey and The Wolf, Molly’s Rise and Shine, and Hungry Eyes), is a “meat and three” joint on Maple Street. At the helm as chef/partner of the Southern-food focused restaurant is Nathan Barfield, who grew up in rural Alabama and has been cooking in New Orleans for the past 15 years. Similar to a plate-lunch restaurant, Hot Stuff is cafeteriastyle, offering a variety of meats that change daily (think fried chicken; hamburger steak with mushroom and onion gravy; fried catfish; stewed chicken; Mississippi pot roast; and
smothered pork chops) along with nearly 15 veggie dishes from which to choose. Some of the vegetable side dishes are vegan, some are vegetarian, and some include meat (such as the collard greens slow cooked with ham hock). “We’re particularly excited to spread the word about our capacity to host events, and provide on- and off-site catering,” Hereford said. “Our food is comfort party food, and, with a big screened-in back porch decorated with funky vintage neon and cool old signs, and a bunch of beer and frozen cocktails, we’re ready to party.” 7507 Maple St., 504-381-4098, hotstuffneworleans.com - MM
Nobu
Caesars New Orleans, 8 Canal St., 800-427-7247, noburestaurants.com
Representing the Japanese category in our world tour is not some small, local enterprise. Rather, just the opposite. When Caesar’s announced the imminent arrival of Nobu, it was a vote of confidence that New Orleans could support a name more readily associated with Milan than Marrero. ¶ Situated on the edge of the gaming floor, this statement restaurant presents itself as a rarified jewel of capital investment. In its dark earthen tones and a striking centerpiece table cocooned in a tapering pergola, high-rollers can now enjoy their Miyazaki prefecture Kobe beef either seared on hot stones or flambéed tableside. The menu may be a bit fusion-y for purists (tiradito for example, but Peruvian cuisine admittedly leans heavily on Japanese). But top-shelf sourcing and no-expense-spared execution is the reason you are here. As is, if you are so lucky, an expense account. Recommended dishes include the gorgeously miso-lacquered black cod and the unctuously rich toro tartare, where marbled tuna belly makes a brilliant substitution for the usual beef. If you can afford it, you really can’t go wrong. Make no mistake – having Nobu here is a big deal. It is usually the Big Easy that is exporting its signature restaurants to Las Vegas and not the other way around. Nobu is an unmistakable sign that premium investment is now flowing back to our city. - JF
New Orleans is the second largest seafood producing state in America, a statistic celebrated down to the very DNA of Porgy’s Seafood Market in Mid-City. Passionately dock to plate, firmly committed to sustainability and butchering whole fish inhouse, Porgy’s is the combined vision of chef/ owners Marcus Jacobs and Caitlin Carney (Marjie’s, Seafood Sally’s) and Dana and Christina Honn (Carmo). The market and café embodies their commitment to shoring up local fishers by buying full catch fish and lesser known species from the Gulf. They also work directly with fishers and shrimpers from Plaquemines Parish, giving them the chance to set fair market prices, rather than being bound to prices at the seafood dock. ¶ All of this translates to a casual setting for home cooks interested in buying fresh and local and diners intent on sampling seafood that is truly from nearby Gulf waters. Seafood lovers can choose from a variety of fish like sheepshead, almaco jack, pompano and drum (ordered grilled, fried or blackened) and served in a platter or dressed on Leidenheimer bread. There is an outstanding gumbo, a seafood topped salad, raw oysters and a simply dressed Sicilian style ceviche. For the non-pescatarians, there is a traditional hot sausage sandwich with American cheese on a Dong Phuong bun. ¶ Then there’s what is surely in the running for the best sandwich in town. The muffuletta is built with gulf tuna conserva poached in olive oil and dressed with olives, giardiniera salad and an anchovy aioli, a finny take on a muffaletta that is downright revelatory. 236 N. Carrollton Avenue, 504-429-3474, porgysseafood.com -BD
COAST DINING 12 2024
MONGER'S BBQ PLATE, SICILIAN SASHIMI, BOILED BLUE LAKE CRABS
“Dac Biet: An ExtraSpecial Vietnamese Cookbook”
Nini Nguyen — a New Orleans-based chef, instructor and recipe developer — has released a new cookbook, “Dac Biet: An Extra-Special Vietnamese Cookbook” (Knopf, $38), featuring contemporary Vietnamese recipes. Highlights include Hanoi-style vermicelli with grilled pork, three variations of phở and dishes with a New Orleans twist, such as Southeast Asian jambalaya and sticky fried shrimp bánh mì. The title of the cookbook comes from a Vietnamese saying of being dac biet, or special and luxurious. As Nguyen interprets the saying, it means to add a little something extra (or lagniappe as we know it in the Big Easy). Tasty examples include adding salty caviar on top of squid-stuffed pork or adding a surprise note of ginger and lime in a dipping sauce. Born and raised in New Orleans by Vietnamese immigrants, Nguyen began her culinary career in renowned kitchens, like Eleven Madison Park in New York, before gaining recognition on “Top Chef” Season 16 and “Top Chef: All-Stars Los Angeles.” Available at Garden District Bookshop, 2727 Prytania St., Ste. 8, 504-895-2266, gardendistrictbookshop.com - MM
New Orleans has always melded cultural tastes. Smoke & Honey follows that legacy, blending the flavors of Greece with recipes reflecting traditional Jewish dishes – building upon owner Vassiliki Ellwood Yiagazis’ personal history. Born and raised in Greece through early childhood, Ellwood Yiagazis learned as an adult that she had Jewish roots. She turned to her Jewish partner and friends for recipes and meshed
those culinary notes with her Greek cooking. The results – first a popup and then the brick-andmortar Mid-City location she opened early this year – have been warmly received. “It was really just inspired out of the things I find comfort in,” said Ellwood Yiagazis, who describes the menu as “Greek street food and Jewish deli food by day and Greek taverna food by night.” From her gyro stuffed with French fries to the Lambeaux,
Smoke & Honey’s take on a po-boy starring braised lamb and whipped feta, to matzo ball soup, it’s a comforting interpretation of cultural flavors that’s been a welcome addition to the local palate. As Yiagazis said, “People in New Orleans are loving all this infusion and immersion of these different types of cuisine that we’re not necessarily used to seeing in this town.” 3301 Bienville St., smokesmokehoneyhoney.com - RF
1245 Constance St., 504-655-1338, wildsouthrestaurant.com
Chef and restauranter Michael Stoltzfus is on the shortlist of New Orleans chefs who have helped shape the direction of our fiercely independent fine dining scene for years now, mostly through the kitchen at his flagship restaurant Coquette. And now at Wild South, Stoltzfus hones in on regional U.S. South foodways with an especially focused precision. ¶ Diners here will explore a five-course tasting menu that takes full advantage of the best of what our regional purveyors offer. His ingredient-driven menu nimbly shifts to track the best of what the season offers, but some recent dishes include grilled local red snapper paired with plump muscadine grapes and hypnotically herbaceous Meyer lemon. For dessert, you can’t get more South Louisiana than his Floating Island made with local pecans, molasses-y cane syrup and Cajun rice. Don’t have time for the five-course-tasting menu treatment? A bar menu featuring small plates like pimento cheese, country ham and house made shrimp crackers lets you explore without committing your whole night. But, really, you probably should. Wild South stands as the successor to Coquette’s discontinued tasting menu. And for fans of Stoltzfus’s cuisine, it shines as a distillate of our regional ingredients, foodways and traditions. – JF
Even New Orleans’ mild-ish winters are cooler, which can mean an increase in various illnesses, so here’s a handy guide to staying healthy this season.
BY MELANIE WARNER SPENCER
New Orleans winters are blessedly mild most of the time. We can, of course, expect at least one cold front a year to blindside us with freezing temperatures. But, according to NOLA Ready, average seasonal temperatures range from the mid-40s over northern Louisiana to the low 50s across southern parishes, which is this side of cool, rather than frigid, enabling sweater-weather lovers to rejoice at the opportunity to wear our favorite scarves, coats and boots. However, the cooler temperatures and fewer sunny days can also contribute to various health issues including viruses, dry skin, seasonal depression, cardiac conditions and joint pain. Lest we think
we’ll bypass all that due to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s 2024-2025 weather predictions of an even warmer, and dryer winter this year than last due to La Niña and deal with fewer potential illnesses, the National Environmental Education Foundation is here to assure us that instead, we’ll have to navigate an altogether different set of hazards to our wellness during warmer winters. Despite this not-so-great news, don’t give into despair (which is probably seasonal affective disorder and treatable). Rather, whether it’s hot, warm, cool or cold, and even if you experience all those temperatures in one day, embrace preventative measures to stay well this winter.
As humans, we are always looking for a silver bullet, naturally. While technicallhy there isn’t one, there is something close to it. “Get vaccinated,” said Joshua Mizell, MD, primary care physician at Ochsner Health. “The flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines reduce the risk of severe illness and hospitalization.”
According to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, millions of adults in the United States get sick from vaccine-preventable diseases each year. This can lead to losing work and being unable to care for loved ones. As the saying goes, put your oxygen mask on first.
Look, everyone is busy, OK. But no one is too busy to wash their hands for 20 seconds. “Regular handwashing with soap effectively removes germs,” said Mizell. “When soap and water aren’t available, use hand sanitizer to keep your hands clean. This simple habit helps lower the risk of infections.” The CDC said handwashing is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Nutrition journalist and registered dietitian Molly Kimball adds a reminder to try not to touch your nose and eyes, which is so easy to forget. “I find myself doing that all the time and then I’ll be like, ‘darn it’,’’ said Kimball. “Obviously, that’s up at the top.” Essentially your mom was right: Stop touching your face.
Moisturize from the Inside
One of my nonnegotiable morning rituals as a yoga teacher and Ayurvedic nutrition counselor is to start every day with a glass of room temperature or warm water. We are dehydrated after not eating or drinking anything while we sleep, so this practice is a good way to rehydrate. Staying hydrated helps flush bacteria from your bladder, carries oxygen and nutrients to cells, aids digestion and helps keep gut microbiome healthy, protects organs and tissues, prevents constipation, cushions joints and more. The Mayo Clinic agrees, listing “drink water” at the top of its tips for staying healthy during the holidays. Be sure to drink water, tea and other hydrating, non-alcoholic beverages throughout the day. Eight or more cups of water per day, or the amount recommended by your doctor, should do the trick.
Dr. Mizell’s tips for when you did everything right but got sick anyhow: If you do get sick with a respiratory virus this winter, it is important to rest, drink plenty of water, and stay home from work or school to prevent the spread of the illness.
Though antibiotics are not typically helpful for these viruses, over-the-counter treatments can help reduce your symptoms. You should always consult a physician if you have questions about appropriate treatments.
Non-medicinal treatments can be helpful for some symptoms.
Saltwater gargles can help reduce sore throat complaints.
Inhaling steam can help open congested airways.
Honey mixed in tea can help with cough, though we should avoid giving honey to infants.
Powerful Medicine
You’re tired, right? Tired of hearing doctors and journalists tell you to prioritize sleep — and I get it. But, the reason we have to keep bringing it up is, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. reported not getting enough daily sleep or rest. Lack of sleep can, among many things, lower your immunity. “When we look at fortifying our immune system, sleep is going to be a key element,” said Kimball. “Aim for at least seven hours a night, sometimes more. Some can get by with a little bit less. But even if you think you’re one of those who can get by on four hours a night. You probably can’t.” Kimball likens other practices and healthy habits as an extra edge, with proper sleep being the foundation.
Fun fact: Exercise can boost your immune system. But couch potatoes, I don’t want to lose you here, so keep reading. “Exercise 30, 45 minutes daily,” said Kimball. “Extreme, prolonged or extremely intense exercise can actually weaken the immune system. So while a regular daily walk can boost immunity, training for an extended endurance event like a marathon or an Ironman weakens our system.” Balance is key, so if you are training for an endurance event, Kimball recommends prioritizing sleep and nutrition for recovery. Our mild winters mean it’s quite pleasant to get outside for a half hour or so each day. Enjoy — in moderation.
Eat Real Food
The connection between what we eat and our health cannot be overstated. Ultraprocessed foods, which Harvard Health defines as “foods are made mostly from substances extracted from foods, such as fats, starches, added sugars and hydrogenated fats … [and] additives like artificial colors and flavors or stabilizers,” cause inflammation, which has been linked to weakened immunity. Conversely, as Mizell puts it, “a diet rich in fruit, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains fuels our immune system.”
Both of our experts also emphasized stress management as a way to keep immunity high. Unsurprisingly, sleep, nutrition and exercise each help us manage stress, but it’s important to add other tools to your toolbox as well. Prayer, meditation and yoga, playing with children and pets, massages and hot baths, spending time with friends and loved ones, and engaging in your favorite hobbies are a few ways to curb stress. Experiment with what works for you, make a list and, when you are feeling stressed, pick something to try. Some days you may have to use every tool in the box, but it’ll be worth it when feelings of calm finally settle upon you.
Nurture with Nature
Seasonal affective disorder is a very real concern, especially for the approximately 10 million Americans who experience it. The good news is, the outdoors is here to help. “Seasonal affective disorder can occur in the winter months when shorter days and colder weather may keep us inside, away from sunlight,” said Mizell. “Symptoms can include feeling down or sad, decreased interest in activities that normally bring joy, decreased appetite and difficulty sleeping.” Mizell recommends increasing exposure to sunlight to help prevent these symptoms, but suggests that people experiencing them may need to seek care from their physician.
Knowledge is Power Louisiana can expect warmer than usual temperatures this year due to La Niña and this could also affect our health, so I asked Mizell what we need to know. “Warmer temperatures can increase respiratory issues and allergies since warmer temps can lengthen pollen seasons and promote mold growth,” said Mizell. “Taking preventative steps such as getting vaccinated, maintaining good hygiene and staying hydrated can help you stay healthy.”
While we’ve gotten better at living with COVID-19, cooler temperatures drive people indoors creating spikes during the winter months the past few years. Dr. Mizell recommends the following practices to minimize the risk of COVID-19:
Make sure you are up-to-date with the latest COVID-19 vaccines, as they are designed to protect against the current variants.
Wear a mask in crowded or indoor settings, especially if local transmission rates are high.
Maintain good hand hygiene by washing hands often with soap and water.
Practice social distancing in crowded places.
With over 30 years’ experience researching, reviewing, and selecting Top Doctors, Castle Connolly is a trusted and credible healthcare research and information company. Our mission is to help people find the best healthcare by connecting patients with best-in-class healthcare providers.
Castle Connolly’s physician-led team of researchers follows a rigorous screening process to select top doctors on both the national and regional levels. Its online nomination process is open to all licensed physicians in America who are able to nominate physicians in any medical specialty and in any part of the country, as well as indicate whether the nominated physician(s) is, in their opinion, among the best in their region in their medical specialty or among the best in the nation in their medical specialty. Then, Castle Connolly’s research team thoroughly vets each physician’s professional qualifications, education, hospital and faculty appointments, research leadership, professional reputation, disciplinary history and if available, outcomes data. Additionally, a physician’s interpersonal skills such as listening and communicating
ALLERGY & IMMUNOLOGY
METAIRIE
Margaret Huntwork
East Jefferson General Hospi-
tal - Tulane Lung Center
4320 Houma Boulevard, Suite 603 (504) 988-8600
Laurianne Wild
East Jefferson General Hospi-
tal - Tulane Lung Center
4320 Houma Boulevard, Suite 603 (504) 988-8600
NEW ORLEANS
Reena Mehta
Uptown Allergy & Asthma 2620 Jena Street (504) 605-5351
BARIATRIC SURGERY
METAIRIE
Shauna M. Levy
LCMC Health Tulane Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery Center
4720 South I-10 Service Road West, Suite 501 (504) 988-2274
CARDIAC ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY
NEW ORLEANS
Colleen J. Johnson
LCMC Health - Tulane Multispecialty 1415 Tulane Avenue, Floor 5 (504) 988-1001
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
NEW ORLEANS
Sapna V. Desai
Ochsner Medical CenterNew Orleans
John Ochsner Heart and Vascular Institute 1514 Jefferson Highway, Floor 3 (504) 842-4721
CHILD & ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY
NEW ORLEANS
Ashley Weiss East Jefferson General Hospital
Tulane Doctors Specialty
Psychiatry - Mid City 4000 Bienville Street, Suite G (504) 988-0301
CHILD NEUROLOGY
METAIRIE
Allison H. Conravey
Children’s Hospital New Orleans 3040 33rd Street (504) 896-2888
NEW ORLEANS
Ann Tilton Children’s Hospital New Orleans
200 Henry Clay Avenue (504) 896-2888
Maria B. Weimer
Children’s Hospital
New Orleans
200 Henry Clay Avenue, Suite 3040 (504) 896-2888
COLON & RECTAL SURGERY
METAIRE
Jacquelyn S. Turner East Jefferson General Hospital
Tulane Surgery Clinic 4224 Houma Boulevard, Suite 330 (504) 988-5110
Jennifer D. Silinsky East Jefferson General Hospital
Colon & Rectal Surgery
Associates 3100 Galleria Drive, Suite 303 (504) 456-5108
DERMATOLOGY
COVINGTON
Erin E. Boh
Tulane Dermatology and Multispecialty 101 East Judge Tanner Boulevard, Suite 406 (985) 893-1291
Leah G. Jacob
Tulane Dermatology and Multispecialty
101 East Judge Tanner Boulevard, Suite 406 (985) 893-1291
MANDEVILLE
Martha E. Stewart
Martha E. Stewart Dermatology 4060 Lonesome Road (985) 727-7701
effectively, demonstrating empathy, and instilling trust and confidence, are also considered in the review process. The Castle Connolly Doctor Directory is the largest network of peer-nominated physicians in the nation. Through the nomination process, Castle Connolly also identifies female physicians for their annual Exceptional Women in Medicine award. This award was created by Castle Connolly in order to recognize female physicians who are often underrepresented among award recipients in the medical community. Physicians selected to be recognized for this honor are a subset of the female Top Doctors on their website who are the best in their specialties, in their communities and throughout the nation, delivering exceptional patient care. This award not only recognizes physicians who have greatly contributed to healthcare through clinical care, research, community service, education and leadership, but they have also improved healthcare outcomes for issues specific to women. Physicians do not pay and cannot pay to be selected and profiled for Exceptional Women in Medicine award.
Julie Mermilliod
METAIRIE
Elizabeth F. Bucher
The Skin Surgery Centre 1615 Metairie Road, Suite 101 (504) 644-4226
Mara Alena Haseltine Pure Dermatology 3100 Galleria Drive, Suite 203 (504) 226-7873
Andrea T. Murina Lakeside Hospital Tulane Dermatology 4720 South I-10 Service Road West, Suite 201 (504) 988-1700
Marilyn C. Ray
Ochsner Medical Center - New Orleans Ochsner Dermatology 2005 Veterans Memorial Boulevard (504) 842-3940
Nicole Elaine Rogers Hair Restoration of the South 3100 Galleria Drive, Suite 201 (504) 315-4247
Laura C. Williams Sanova Dermatology 111 Veterans Boulevard, Suite 406 (504) 838-8225
NEW ORLEANS
Patricia R. Hickham Hickham Dermatology & Med Spa 4141 Bienville Street, Suite 108 (504) 962-7771
Deirdre O’Boyle Hooper Audubon Dermatology 3525 Prytania Street, Suite 501 (504) 895-3376
Kathryn G. Kerisit
Ochsner Health Center - MidCity at Canal 4100 Canal Street (504) 703-2750
Mary P. Lupo
Lupo Center for Aesthetic & General Dermatology
145 Allen Toussaint Boulevard, Suite 302 (504) 777-3047
Ochsner Medical Center 1514 Jefferson Highway, Floor 11 (504) 842-3940
Suneeta S. Walia Ochsner Medical Center 1514 Jefferson Highway, Floor 11 (504) 842-3940
Katy L. Wiltz
Southern Dermatology of New Orleans 2633 Napoleon Avenue, Suite 1020 (504) 891-8004
ENDOCRINOLOGY, DIABETES & METABOLISM
NEW ORLEANS Brandy Panunti Ochsner Medical Center 1514 Jefferson Highway (504) 842-4023
FAMILY MEDICINE
MANDEVILLE Nathalie MascherpaKerkow Saint Tammany Physicians Network - Mandeville 201 Saint Ann Drive, Suite B (985) 898-4001
METAIRIE
Rachana Sus Lakeside Hospital Tulane Multispecialty 4720 South I-10 Service Road West, Suite 101 (504) 988-8050
NEW ORLEANS
Vernilyn N. Juan
Crescent City Physicians 3434 Prytania Street, Suite 105 (504) 897-8240
Radha Raman 914 Joliet Street (504) 865-0805
Priya P. Velu
Ochsner Health CenterTchoupitoulas 5300 Tchoupitoulas Street, Suite C2 (504) 703-3070
GASTROENTEROLOGY
NEW ORLEANS
Natalie H. Bzowej Ochsner Medical Center
Multi-Organ Transplant Institute 1514 Jefferson Highway, Floor 1 (504) 842-3925
Rebekah H. Lemann
Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates 2820 Napoleon Avenue, Suite 720 (504) 896-8670
Shamita Bhupendra Shah Ochsner Medical Center 1514 Jefferson Highway (504) 842-4015
GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY
METAIRIE
Jessica J. Shank
East Jefferson General Hospital Cancer Center 4204 Houma Boulevard (504) 883-2968
NEW ORLEANS Pui C. Cheng Crescent City Physicians 3434 Prytania Street, Suite 320 (504) 897-7142
HAND SURGERY
METAIRIE
Kelly L. Babineaux
LSU Plastic Surgery 3601 Houma Boulevard, Suite 300 (504) 412-1240
HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE MEDICINE
NEW ORLEANS
Sonia Malhotra
University Medical Center
New Orleans
2000 Canal Street, Medical Staff Office (504) 702-3000
INFECTIOUS DISEASE
NEW ORLEANS
Katherine Baumgarten Ochsner Medical Center 1514 Jefferson Highway (504) 842-4005
Sandra A. Kemmerly Ochsner Medical Center 1514 Jefferson Highway (504) 842-4005
INTERNAL MEDICINE
COVINGTON
Susan F. Ovella Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center 728 West 11th Avenue (985) 730-7195
NEW ORLEANS Jennifer M. Bertsch Crescent City Physicians 3700 Saint Charles Avenue, Floor 4 (504) 897-7007
Jan Cooper New Orleans East Hospital Clinic 5646 Read Boulevard, Floor 2, Suite 200 (504) 372-5100
Erica V. Tate University Medical Center New Orleans 2001 Tulane Avenue, Floor 2 (504) 702-3000
MATERNAL & FETAL MEDICINE
METAIRIE
Chi P. Dola Lakeside Hospital Tulane Women's Health
4720 South I-10 Service Road West, Suite 302 (504) 988-8070
Cecilia Gambala Lakeside Hospital Tulane Women's Health
4720 South I-10 Service Road West, Suite 302 (504) 988-8070
Gabriella C. Pridjian Lakeside Hospital Tulane Women's Health
4720 South I-10 Service Road West, Suite 302 (504) 988-8070
NEW ORLEANS
Debora Kimberlin
Ochsner Baptist Women’s Pavilion
2700 Napoleon Avenue (866) 624-7637
MEDICAL ONCOLOGY
METAIRIE
Bridgette Collins-Burow
East Jefferson General Hospital Cancer Center 4204 Houma Boulevard (504) 883-2968
Hana F. Safah
East Jefferson General Hospital - Tulane Transplant and Cellular Therapy Center 4224 Houma Boulevard, Suite 640 (504) 883-2968
NEPHROLOGY
NEW ORLEANS
Jing Chen
LCMC Health - Tulane Multispecialty Downtown 1415 Tulane Avenue, Floor 5 (504) 988-1001
Catherine Staffeld-Coit
Ochsner Medical Center
Multi-Organ Transplant Institute 1514 Jefferson Highway, Floor 1 (504) 842-3925
NEUROLOGY
METAIRIE
Elizabeth C. Crabtree
East Jefferson General Hospital - Tulane Neurosciences Center
4224 Houma Boulevard, Suite 540 (504) 988-5561
NEW ORLEANS
Bridget A. Bagert
Ochsner Neurology 1514 Jefferson Highway, Floor 7 (504) 842-3980
Jessica B. Kraker
University Medical Center
New Orleans Tulane Neurology Clinic 2003 Canal Street, 5th Floor (504) 962-6210
Holly C. Rutherford
Tulane Neurosciences Center 1415 Tulane Avenue, Floor 5 (504) 988-1001
RACELAND
Jamie B. Huddleston
Ochsner Specialty Health Center
141 Twin Oaks Drive (985) 537-2666
OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
COVINGTON
Nancy N. Thomas
Ochsner Women’s Health Center
71380 Highway 21 (985) 875-2828
KENNER
Veronica Gillispie
Ochsner Health CenterKenner
200 West Esplanade Avenue, Suite 501 (504) 464-8506
Amy Truitt
Ochsner Health CenterKenner
200 West Esplanade Avenue, Suite 501 (504) 464-8506
METAIRIE
Amy N. Grace
Lakeside Hospital Tulane
Women's Health
4720 South I-10 Service Road West, Suite 302 (504) 779-8282
NEW ORLEANS
Elizabeth Lapeyre
Ochsner Baptist - A Campus of Ochsner Medical Center 2700 Napoleon Avenue (504) 842-4155
Amber Naresh
LCMC Health - Tulane Multi-
specialty Uptown
200 Broadway Street, Suite 230 (504) 988-9000
Angela M. Parise
Ochsner Baptist - A Campus of Ochsner Medical Center 2700 Napoleon Avenue (504) 842-4155
Rebecca U. Perret
Crescent City Physicians 3434 Prytania Street, Suite 130 (504) 897-7580
Margaret Roberie
Ochsner Baptist - A Campus of Ochsner Medical Center 2700 Napoleon Avenue (504) 842-4155
Janet Ross
Crescent City Physicians 3525 Prytania Street, Suite 206 (504) 897-8281
Donna S. Waters
Crescent City Physicians 3434 Prytania Street, Suite 320 (504) 897-7142
Anna White
Ochsner Baptist - A Campus of Ochsner Medical Center 2700 Napoleon Avenue (504) 842-4155
SLIDELL
Diana L. Clavin
Camellia City OB/GYN 1150 Robert Boulevard, Suite 360 (985) 781-4848
OPHTHALMOLOGY
MANDEVILLE
Marilu O’Byrne O’Byrne Eye Clinic 1580 West Causeway Approach, Suite 3 (985) 624-5573
METAIRIE
Rebecca C. Metzinger
Tulane Ophthalmology 4224 Houma Boulevard (504) 988-5831
THIBODAUX
Nano Karen Zeringue
Southern Eye Institute
900 Canal Boulevard, Suite 3 (985) 448-3353
ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY
NEW ORLEANS
Leslie Elaine Sisco
Ochsner Medical Center 1514 Jefferson Highway, Floor 5 (504) 842-3970
OTOLARYNGOLOGY
COVINGTON
Kathy L. Chauvin
ENT & Plastic Surgery Specialists of Louisiana
350 Lakeview Court, Suite A (985) 845-2677
NEW ORLEANS
Elisabeth H. Rareshide
Ochsner ENT 2820 Napoleon Avenue, Suite 820 (504) 897-4455
PAIN MEDICINE
COVINGTON
C. Ann Conn
Advanced Pain Institute
187 Greenbriar Boulevard, Suite A (985) 345-7246
PEDIATRIC ALLERGY & IMMUNOLOGY
NEW ORLEANS
Cathryn C. Hassett
Ochsner Medical Center 1514 Jefferson Highway (504) 842-6742
PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY
NEW ORLEANS
Tamara T. Bradford
The Heart Center at Children’s Hospital
200 Henry Clay Avenue (504) 896-9751
Kelly Gajewski
The Heart Center at Children’s Hospital
200 Henry Clay Avenue (504) 896-9751
Patricia E. Thomas
Ochsner Health Center for Children
1319 Jefferson Highway (504) 842-3900
PEDIATRIC GASTROENTEROLOGY
NEW ORLEANS
Ilana Fortgang
Ochsner Health Center for Children
1315 Jefferson Highway (866) 624-7637
PEDIATRIC HEMATOLOGY-ONCOLOGY
NEW ORLEANS
Lolie Yu
Children’s Hospital New Orleans
200 Henry Clay Avenue (504) 896-9740
PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
NEW ORLEANS
Margarita Silio Children’s Hospital New Orleans
200 Henry Clay Avenue (504) 896-9820
PEDIATRIC OTOLARYNGOLOGY
NEW ORLEANS
Kimsey H. Rodriguez
Ochsner Medical Center 1514 Jefferson Highway, Floor 4 (504) 842-4080
PEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY
NEW ORLEANS
Adrienne P. Savant
Children’s Hospital New Orleans
200 Henry Clay Avenue (504) 896-2888
Kristin N. Van Hook
Ochsner Health Center for Children 1315 Jefferson Highway (504) 842-3900
PEDIATRIC SURGERY
NEW ORLEANS
Jessica A. Zagory
Children’s Hospital New Orleans
200 Henry Clay Avenue (504) 896-2888
PEDIATRICS
COVINGTON
Nancy Mula
Fairway Pediatrics
7020 North Highway 190, Suite C (985) 871-7337
MANDEVILLE
Pamela E. Richard
Ochsner Health Center - East Mandeville 3235 East Causeway Approach (985) 875-2828
METAIRIE
Theresa L. Dise
Children’s Hospital Pediatrics 4740 South I-10 Service Road West, Suite 200 (504) 894-5479
Patrice Evers
Children’s Hospital Pediatrics 4740 South I-10 Service Road West, Suite 200 (504) 894-5479
Reita Lawrence
Children’s Hospital Pediatrics 3100 Kingman Street (504) 887-6355
Betty P. Lo-Blais
Ochsner Health Center - Old Metairie
800 Metairie Road (866) 624-7637
Quynh-Anh Tran
Ochsner Old Metairie
Pediatrics
800 Metairie Road (504) 842-3900
NEW ORLEANS
M. Nora Oates
Hales Pediatrics 3525 Prytania Street, Suite 602 (504) 897-0744
RIVER RIDGE
Janine T. Lissard
Ochsner River RidgePediatrics 9605 Jefferson Highway, Suite J (504) 703-3270
SLIDELL
Tara E. Mitchell
Ochsner Health Center for Children - Slidell 2370 Gause Boulevard East (985) 639-3755
THIBODAUX
Anne T. Boudreaux Preferred Pediatrics 142 Rue Marguerite (985) 449-7529
PLASTIC SURGERY
METAIRIE
Abigail E. Chaffin
Lakeside Hospital Tulane Breast Care and Women’s
Imaging 4720 South I-10 Service Road West, Suite 100 (504) 988-8100
PSYCHIATRY
NEW ORLEANS
Holly MacKenna
Dara Wellness
1900 South Carrollton Avenue (504) 356-1624
PULMONARY DISEASE
METAIRIE
Christine Bojanowski
East Jefferson General
Hospital
Tulane Lung Center 4320 Houma Boulevard, Suite 603 (504) 988-8600
Nereida A. Parada
East Jefferson General
Hospital
Tulane Lung Center 4320 Houma Boulevard, Suite 603 (504) 988-8600
RADIATION ONCOLOGY
NEW ORLEANS
Ellen L. Zakris
Crescent City Physicians 1401 Foucher Street (504) 897-8387
REPRODUCTIVE
ENDOCRINOLOGY/ INFERTILITY
METAIRIE
Belinda M. Sartor
The Fertility Institute 4770 South I-10 Service Road West (504) 454-2165
NEW ORLEANS
Lindsay M. Wells
Audubon Fertility & Reproductive Medicine 4321 Magnolia Street (504) 891-1390
RHEUMATOLOGY
METAIRIE
Madelaine Feldman
The Rheumatology Group 111 Veterans Memorial Boulevard, Suite 404 (504) 899-1120
NEW ORLEANS
Chandana
Keshavamurthy
Ochsner Medical Center 1514 Jefferson Highway, Floor 5 (504) 842-3920
Karen A. Toribio
Ochsner Medical Center 1514 Jefferson Highway, Floor 5 (504) 842-3920
Tamika A. Webb-Detiege Ochsner Medical Center 1514 Jefferson Highway, Floor 5 (504) 842-3920
SPORTS MEDICINE
NEW ORLEANS
Christine M. Keating
Ochsner Baptist Back and Spine Center 2820 Napoleon Avenue (504) 842-2000
SURGERY
METAIRIE
Mary Killackey East Jefferson General Hospital
Tulane Transplant Institute 4320 Houma Boulevard, 7th Floor (504) 988-5344
NEW ORLEANS
Shawn A. McKinney University Medical Center
New Orleans
Ambulatory Care Center 2000 Canal Street (504) 702-3311
UROGYNECOLOGY/ FEMALE PELVIC MEDICINE & RECONSTRUCTIVE
SURGERY
METAIRIE
Margie Kahn
Lakeside Hospital Tulane Women's Health 4720 South I-10 Service Road West, Suite 302 (504) 988-8070
NEW ORLEANS
Leise R. Knoepp
Ochsner Baptist - A Campus of Ochsner Medical Center 2700 Napoleon Avenue (504) 842-4155
UROLOGY
NEW ORLEANS
Melissa M. Montgomery
Ochsner Medical Center 1514 Jefferson Highway, Floor 4 (504) 842-4083
VASCULAR & INTERVENTIONAL
RADIOLOGY
NEW ORLEANS Dee Malkerneker
Ochsner Medical Center 1514 Jefferson Highway (985) 646-5075 •
Any time of year is ideal to visit the pristine Georgia barrier island that’s preserved as a state park.
Jekyll Island contains hotels, shopping and attractions but it’s also one of the finest examples of environmental preservation on the Georgia coast, with maritime forests, wildlife roaming free and the picturesque Driftwood Beach. It’s also home to amazing history, with the Jekyll Island Club that attracted the wealthy of the late 19th century and early 20th, site of the first transcontinental telephone call and the birth of the Federal Reserve.
Visit any time, but this month the island glows with more than 1.5 million lights adorning its sleepy live oak trees and historic buildings and the Jekyll Island Club offers lots of holiday events.
Jekyll Island Club History
Island residents Newton Finney and John Eugene DuBignon imagined a private hunting club for the nation’s wealthiest individuals, millionaires wishing to escape the cold up north. They opened the Jekyll Island Club in 1886, selling memberships for an event-
filled season that ran from Jan. 1 through March 31. Munsey’s Magazine called the property, “the richest, the most exclusive, the most inaccessible club in the world.” The hotel expanded over the years and several members built “cottages” that remain today. Today, the hotel remains an elegant experience.
During the club’s heyday, members took all three meals in the majestic Grand Dining Room, then retired to other elegant rooms of the hotel for amusements. During December, the Jekyll Island Club offers Holiday High Tea in the dining room with scones, pastries, finger sandwiches and the like and ending with a custom holiday favor. A special High Tea by the Sea in sections facing the sleepy Jekyll River will include a keepsake ornament on Dec. 15.
Special events this month for children at the Jekyll Island Club include a screening of the holiday film “The Polar Express” Dec. 4, Breakfast with the Grinch Dec. 14 and Lunch with Santa in the Grand Dining Room on Dec. 21, the perfect opportunity for family photos.
The property also rents bicycles and the nearby museum features trolley tours. Be sure to visit the Georgia Sea Turtle Center next door, where turtles are rehabilitated and returned to the wild.
A special holiday concert will be performed by the Savannah College of Arts and Design vocal ensemble on Dec. 7, a five-course Christmas Eve dinner will be held in the Grand Dining Room and on New Year’s Eve relive the Club’s heyday and dress up Gatsby style for the Great Gatsby New Year’s Eve Party.
The resort includes the more modern Jekyll Ocean Club located on the island’s Atlantic side. The AAA Four Diamond luxury resort includes 40 suites with ocean views, pool deck and the Eighty Ocean Kitchen and Bar serving up unique takes on Southern favorites married with coastal cuisine. Don’t miss Chef Hector Rosano’s wood oven-roasted shrimp, skillet cornbread and fresh seafood entrees such as the grilled red fish over ginger creamed corn.
Island-wide events include the Winter Carnival and Big Truck Roundup on Great Dunes Beach Dec. 7, the Holiday Light Parade with Santa and friends on Dec. 14 and the drive-in movie screening of “Frosty the Snowman” on Dec. 22 and 29.
Or come back in January and February when unique glass balls created by artists from around the country are hidden throughout the island every day. Whoever finds these unique glass globes may keep them. For more information, visit jekyllisland.com
A Ryland Dining Chair, with a pairing of shadow grey faux fur and a stainlesssteel frame in an antique bronze finish, is a contemporary nod to an Art Moderne silhouette. Villa Vici, 4112 Magazine St., 504-899-2931, villavici.com
Make a posh statement with a round faux fur pillow from the early 21st century. The decorative tassel against the rich brown fur makes for a royal combination. chairish.com.
Mirror Mother Nature and add a circular touch of sophisticated whimsy to your front door or tablescape with a wreath made of pinecones, faux magnolia and juniper. Little Miss Muffin, 766 Harrison Ave., 504-4828200, shoplittlemissmuffin.com
Create cozy chalet vibes with a faux fur double hide available in colors of bisque, ivory or silver cloud. Crafted from soft and silky fibers, drape this piece over the back or arm of a couch to add luxe comfort. Pottery Barn, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., 504-2190168, potterybarn.com
Indulge in a long winter’s nap whilst in a Sorin Bed from Made Goods. A feminine canopy silhouette highlights an abundance of opulent faux shagreen, making it the chicest place to slumber. Sotre by Grace Kaynor, 3820 Magazine St., 504-304-9475, sotrecollection.com
Deck the walls with a winter coat of False Cypress, a dreamy green hue from Behr that will prove to be evergreen in style. behr.com
For a handsome take on a humidor, a vintage box made by Castilian Imports features faux burl wood with faux marble detailing on the top and trim, as well as brass ball feet and an intricate faux lock on the face. chairish.com
I got the first email last month: “As a reminder, as of Dec. 21, 2024, you will no longer be able to access your child’s medical information without permission.”
“As a reminder”? I mean, yeah, sure, of course I knew all of that on some basic level, but this message still felt like more of a wake-up call than a gentle reminder.
After 18 years of calling the pediatrician and the dentist and the orthopedist and the orthodontist; after 18 years of signing permission slips; after 18 years of making decisions on behalf of my child … suddenly, I won’t be able to. My child is no longer a child. My child is somehow, amazingly, an adult.
It went fast. In a primal part of my soul, I can still smell the top of her tiny baby head, feel the heft of her newborn body in my arms, her chin against my shoulder … and yet now she is taller than I am. I still remember, viscerally, having to pin her arms down to
wrestle her flailing body into the carseat while she howled … and yet now she drives herself all over town in her beat-up Subaru station wagon. I still remember the stress of deciding whether to try to switch her into a Montessori preschool … and yet now she is getting college acceptance letters.
It went slow. How many nights did I lie beside her in bed, counting her breaths to make sure she was deeply asleep enough that I could get up and clean the kitchen or take a shower? How many times did we read “Love, Elmo” even though I couldn’t stand it and would often “lose” the book for a few nights just to have a reprieve? How many questions did I answer, toddler and teenage tantrums did I endure, hours did I spend driving to summer camp and rehearsals and friends’ houses? Who on earth decided that it was a workable plan to spend 18 years of your life focusing every particle of your consciousness on keeping this tiny human alive and happy – and then just … send them
off into the world? Am I supposed to be OK with this?
I’d been managing to hold it together pretty well, staying calm and upbeat about the future, but for some reason – maybe perimenopause, maybe post-election stress, maybe getting a question from a relative about graduation, maybe a combination of all of the above – I lost my cool the other day and just started crying at a red light, wailing at my daughter, “I’m running out of time to teach you everything you’re supposed to know, like … I don’t know … how to do laundry and use a pay phone and make chicken salad!”
She looked at me the way teenagers look at their parents and said, “I actually know how to do laundry, pay phones don’t exist anymore, and I hate chicken salad.”
All good points, well-made. But still. For 18 years – longer even, since I first found out I was pregnant –every decision I’ve made has been with my child at the forefront of my mind, and now I won’t be making
those decisions for her anymore. I trust her to make her own decisions; of course I do. And I know she will still need me; of course she will. But this represents a huge change, a massive shift, and it’s both thrilling and terrifying.
But even as I stare down this huge transition,I’m starting to realize that although I may not have taught her everything, I’ve given her a foundation – a sense of herself, a belief in her own strength, the confidence to figure out where she wants to go and how to get there.
So as December rolls in and the clock ticks down to that official moment when she’s no longer my child in the eyes of the medical and legal world, I’m going to try to shift my focus – not to all the things I didn’t teach her but to all the things she’s already become. It went fast. It went slow. And somehow, it’s all happening at once.
But we’re both ready for it. (I hope.) And at least I don’t ever have to read “Love, Elmo” ever again.
or fans of La Tia, the upscale Metairie cantina and taqueria that’s been treating local diners to elevated Mexican fare since 2022, the news that head chef Luis Nava was opening a new restaurant Uptown couldn’t have been more exciting. What they might not have expected is that this latest addition to the Oak St. culinary corridor isn’t exactly Mexican. And it’s not exactly Italian, Turkish, or Chinese, either. However, Nava decided that his newest venture should incorporate flavors and techniques not just from his native Mexico, but from all around the globe. And that’s exactly what you’ll find on the menu at Aguasanta, the modern, stylish new spot that recently opened its doors, much to the delight of Uptown diners and visitors alike.
FThe chef’s story is a fascinating one, filled with the kind of passion, heartbreak and inspiration you’d more likely find in a telenovela than in the backstory of a New Orleans restaurateur. Unlike most chefs, Nava actually earned his PhD in economics before venturing into the local culinary scene, though he’s quick to tell you, “I didn’t choose the kitchen. The kitchen chose me.” In the wake of the tragic illness and passing of his significant other, Nava made the decision to head a bold new direction in his life and his career. To that end, he wanted Aguasanta to celebrate
not just his native cuisine, but the styles, ingredients and techniques from around the globe that fascinated him for years.
“I’m just trying to express myself,” Nava said, “because I don’t want to be limited by that term, and have people say, ‘Oh, you’re just Mexican, and you have to cook burritos, fajitas, enchiladas.” I mean, I know how to do that. I already had a restaurant like that. So I said, ‘I can either open a franchise of La Tia, or do something different, right? And I really believe that each restaurant has to have their own character.” And where would the chef find that character for his new enterprise? “I’m lucky enough to have traveled in Europe, Asia, Australia, Russia, to name some,” he said. “And every time I travel, I’m always eating and trying to figure things out. I do a little research, and I try to adapt those flavors or palate, you know? I’ve always been interested in mixing techniques and products from other countries.”
The way in which Nava’s vision plays out on Aguasanta’s menu is slightly counterintuitive. Take, for instance, the salmon tartare, a dish that’s graced American menus widely for the last few decades. Artfully plated, on first glance it appears to be that tried-and-true starter we all know and love, although one bite will prove that this dish, like most of the fare at Aguasanta, is full of surprises. Glistening cubes of cured salmon mixed with red onion, cucumber and avocado nestle gently in a
Hailing from Colima, Mexico, Chef Luis Nava grew up helping his mother run a small family restaurant called a “fonda” in the coastal town just south of Jalisco. “All my life, I helped my mama, doing dishes, cutting onions and cooking moles and things like that. And I hated it, man, because I wanted to be playing with my friends and having fun.” After spending time in Chicago, Nava returned to Colima to pursue his PhD in economics, and his studies eventually brought him to the north shore, where he stayed on a friend’s small farm and helped out with the livestock. It wasn’t long before he was roped back into the kitchen, only this time it stuck. After spending a time at La Carreta, he opened La Tia in Metairie in 2022, followed by Aguasanta. And how has the Crescent City treated him after a life spent traversing the globe and earning a doctorate? “After eight years, I can call New Orleans my home,” he said. “I wouldn’t move anywhere, even if I have the opportunity. And what I love the most is that the people really love food. They know how to eat. And as cooks, we feel happy because at the end of the day, we cook to bring people together.”
paper-thin cucumber wrapping atop a a hazelnut-jalapeno coulis dotted with salsa macha oil, and it’s all topped with crispy pork cracklings, micro greens and pickled radish. It’s a nearly dizzying combination of global flavors that all work together to create something wholly unique. Similarly, the chef has a playful take on bao, or what some local restaurants tend to call “Vietnamese tacos,” only Nava decided to take that concept literally. “I’m a bao lover, to be honest with you,” he said. “And I make a brisket taco – we call this “suadero” in Mexico – and one time, I had these bao that I bought from the store, and I made myself a bao instead of a taco. And instead of putting in salsas,I added the same kind of salad that the Vietnamese use, and they came out really good. I said, ‘Man, this deserves the opportunity to be on a plate!” True to his word, Aguasanta’s brisket bao are the perfect combination of earthy, filling Mexican flavors and lighter Vietnamese influences.
Spending an evening in Aguasanta’s modern, tastefully appointed dining room, you’ll encounter more than a few culinary favorites from around the world, all with Nava’s unique spin. Here, arancini, the popular fried, cheesy rice balls we all know and love, come stuffed with crab, cheese, and red pepper on a poblano sauce with Mexican Esquites and chipotle aioli. Italian risotto balls mixed with Mexican street corn and Louisiana crab cakes? It makes you wonder why no one has thought to combine those flavors and techniques
El Pavo Real
yet, and the result is wholly satisfying and surprising. The same can be said for much of the menu here, including delicately shaved octopus carpaccio with nori chimichurri, chipotle aioli and crispy capers, as well as wontons stuffed with confit pork and accompanied by a rich mole sauce. And you’d be remiss not to order the roasted oysters topped with smoky chili sauce, chorizo and Oaxaca cheese, a far cry from your typical Big Easy char-grilled bivalves.
For larger plates, Aguasanta offers a fascinating variety of eclectic dishes ranging from a suckling pork terrine flavored with al pastor adobo and Tajin pineapple chutney to a classic steak frites smothered in a rich green peppercorn sauce, a Turkish-inspired lamb shank in a velvety birria broth, the requisite burger (with fried shrimp, because why not?), and the star of the show for this writer: a massive helping of charred octopus inspired by “Zarandeado,” the Mexican art of roasting fish over open coals. When asked about his particular culinary style, Chef Nava said, “It’s a mix of everything, just getting creative in the kitchen. I don’t like recipes with rules, because my mama always told me, ‘Luis, when you cook, cook from your head, not from a book. You know the elements, the ingredients, and how it tastes, and you can always make it taste better. So just put in a little bit of love, and everything will come out better.’ And I’ve just been following her advice.”
It’s hard to believe that almost a decade has passed since El Pavo opened its doors to very welcome arms by the local Broadmoorians (and the rest of the city). Maybe that has to do with the fact that every trip to this cozy, family-friendly Mexican spot on Fountainbleau and Broad feels like a big, tasty hug from a good friend. The fare may look quotidian at first glance, but don’t let that fool you: their tacos, enchiladas, tamales, handmade chips, salsas and tortillas are a step or ten above your average workaday taqueria. And don’t forget, the morning menu has one of the best breakfast burritos in the city, among other hearty Mexican classics that will save your bacon and restore your spirits if you happen to have had a particularly rough night.
Espiritu
Should you find yourself in the Warehouse District looking to fortify yourself before a downtown adventure, Espiritu is always a solid call. Not only do they offer satisfying Mexican favorites – we love the gorgeous lamb mole, classic ceviche, the umami-packed pozole and, for the adventurous, the huitlacoche quesadilla – the real star of the show at Espiritu is their mezcal offerings. After all, co-owner Jason Mitzen is a master Mezcalier, so it makes sense that the tastings and cocktails featuring tequila’s smoky, sultry older sister will spark your appetites and imagination, if not just help lubricate some fun conversation before you venture out into the long night. Just make sure you order the chocolate-drizzled flan before you light out…we always do!
BY JYL BENSON / PHOTO BY SAM HANNA
Chef Melissa Araujo, a 2024 James Beard Foundation Semifinalist for Best Chef: South, was born in La Ceiba, Atlántida, Honduras, a small beach town on the Atlantic Coast. She spent summers learning to cook with her grandmother, Alma, for whom she named her celebrated Bywater restaurant.
She regards her time with her grandmother as “my most cherished memories, allowing me to learn so much about my heritage, cultivate a love for cooking at a young age, and help my family on the farm.”
Her culinary style is impacted by her heritage, the places she has lived, and the years she spent living and working in Milan, Italy, Mexico, and, of course, New Orleans.
Leftover pork from this showstopper would be divine dining as a Cuban-style sandwich. Thinly slice the roasted pork, then marry it up on French bread with sliced Swiss cheese, thinly sliced ham, sliced pickles, and country-style mustard such as Creole. Heat the sandwich under a weight to press it until the cheese is melted.
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1
Use a 7.5 pound bone-in pork shoulder (Boston butt) for this recipe and cut all of the other ingredients down by 50 percent
2
Arujo suggests serving the pork with dirty rice and an oyster and mirliton casserole for the holiday table but the sauce is outstanding enough to stand up against plain steamed white rice
3
The mojo, Nararanja Agria, El Pato hot tomato sauce; and Mexican oregano are all available at Hispanic markets, such as Ideal Market, which operates several markets in the New Orleans area, or online
Shared by Chef Melissa Arujo, Alma Cafe Serves 8-10
1 15-pound bone-in leg of pork
4 cups mojo
4 cups Naranja Agria
4 bay leaves
6 cans of El Pato tomato hot sauce
3 cups sofrito* (recipe follows)
2 ounces ground cumin
2 ounces Kosher salt
Fresh Mexican oregano to taste
Fresh culantro to taste
1. Pre-heat the oven to 350ºF degrees
2. Add the leg of pork to large, high-sided baking pan. Set aside.
3. Combine the mojo, Naranja Agria, bay leaves, El Patio hot tomato sauce, 3 cups of the sofrito, cumin, salt, fresh oregano, and cilantro to taste.
4. Place the pork in the oven and roast until it reaches 140-165ºF, about 4 hours. Allow to rest for 15 minutes before serving
Sofrito (makes about 4 ¼ cups)
2 large red onions, cut into quarters
1 medium of each - red, green, yellow, and orange bell pepper; seeded and cut into quarters
1 head of large garlic cloves, peeled
3 bunches of fresh cilantro
2 bunches scallions
1/2 cup olive oil
1. Add all ingredients except the olive oil to a food processor and process until smooth.
2. Heat the olive oil in a medium sauce pot over medium heat.
3. Add the sofrito, and cook, stirring frequently, until the sofrito is caramelized, about 30 minutes.
The Ferdinand, gracing the Bayou Bar at the Pontchartrain Hotel, is a holiday drink without the typical baking spice flavors. Chef/Owner Brian Landry called on his culinary expertise in its creation, and the cocktail features surprising flavors, like celery salt in a Sazerac riff. Brian points out that “salt on a chocolate chip cookie makes the chocolate stand out...the same is true in cocktails...the salt rounds the edges.” The beef fat-washed whiskey also brings a subtly savory element and smooths the mouthfeel.
Brian encourages guests to sip the Ferdinand in the Bayou Bar, especially when music is playing. “The caliber of musicians playing here is top notch. Ironically...it’s kind of difficult to find high level jazz on a nightly basis in New Orleans... the city known for jazz... but this is one spot where you can.” Dinner with whiskey and jazz — that’s sure to make the holidays merry and bright.
The Ferdinand 2 ounces beef fat washed Sazerac rye whiskey (see recipe)
1/4 ounce Italicus aperitivo
1/4 ounce simple syrup
3 dashes celery bitters
1 pinch celery salt
Barspoon of Herbsaint to coat glass
Garnish: orange peel and edible orange flower
Chill a rocks glass. Once glass is well chilled, coat the inside with Herbsaint. If you have an atomizer, spray six spritzes inside the glass. Otherwise, pour Herbsaint into the glass and slowly turn the glass to coat the inside. Shake out any remaining Herbsaint (or drink it!). Add Sazerac whiskey, Italicus, simple syrup, bitters and salt to a mixing glass with ice. Stir until chilled and strain mixture into the chilled, Herbsaint-coated rocks glass. Squeeze orange peel over glass and discard. Garnish with a flower.
Fat Washed Sazerac Rye
Beef Tallow
Sazerac Rye Whiskey
Melt the tallow so it is in liquid form. Your recipe will be determined by the weight of the whiskey and tallow. You want a ratio of 10:1 of whiskey to fat (for example, 10 ounces whiskey to 1 ounce fat.) Mix the whiskey and beef tallow together in a plastic container and freeze overnight for up to 24 hours. Remove the frozen solid fat and discard. Strain the whiskey through a cheesecloth or coffee filter to remove all solids. Whiskey should be kept in the refrigerator and used within a few weeks.
Podcast
Listen to Elizabeth’s podcast “Drink & Learn;” visit elizabeth-pearce.com
(The Pontchartrain uses beef fat from their kitchen, but the home bartender can buy rendered beef tallow.)
1
If batching The Ferdinand for a party, do not increase the celery salt in the same amount as other ingredients. Instead, Brian advises adding the salt at the end and “season to taste.” You can also make one serving of the drink, tasting it as a guide when mixing your batch, so you don’t over-season your mixture.
2
Brian loves using Italicus in a white wine spritz, garnished with an orange peel.
3
The fat-washed whiskey is great in any typical whiskey-forward cocktail like an Old Fashioned or Manhattan.
Giving gifts to all the unique people in your life can be an overwhelming task. Get inspired by our top holiday gift picks sure to suit every taste.
Scene By Rhys Fine Art Scenebyrhys.com
1036 Royal St., New Orleans Rhys’s Pieces (now you know how to pronounce the name!)… ART pieces, that is, from all eras of her 48-year career. Discover her unique paintings and drawings—many genres, tiny up to life-sized. Commissions are welcome!
Cristy Cali Cristycali.com
110 James Dr. W, Suite 138, St. Rose
504.722.8758
Please Return to New Orleans Large Heart. Starting at $68. Cristy Cali’s Please Return to New Orleans Heart Necklace is a heartfelt tribute to NOLA in sterling silver or 18k gold vermeil, perfect for locals and visitors alike.
PERLIS Clothing Perlis.com
6070 Magazine Street, New Orleans
600 Decatur St, French Quarter 1281 N Causeway Blvd, Mandeville 8366 Jefferson Hwy, Baton Rouge
NOLA Third Line Celebration Cloisonne’ Christmas Ornament by Kitty Keller is handcrafted and shatterproof. This perfect Holiday gift comes in a durable keepsake box.
Lakeside Shopping Center
Lakesideshopping.com
3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie
504.835.8000
Get all of your Mr. Bingle gear this holiday season at Dillard’s Lakeside. $109.
Canal Place
Canalplacestyle.com
333 Canal St, New Orleans
504.522.9200
Brushed cashmere shrunken cable-knit crewneck sweater from J.Crew, $218.
Wellington & Co. Fine Jewelry Wcjewelry.com
505 Royal Street, New Orleans
504.525.4855
Diamond Starburst Ring in 18 kt yellow gold, $3,750.
Steinway Piano Gallery New Orleans
SteinwayNewOrleans.com, 901 David Dr, Metairie, 504.733.8863
NOLA Boards
Nolaboards.com
4228 Magazine St, New Orleans
Gold Alligator Scoop $22.
The STEINWAY & SONS SPIRIO is the world’s finest high-resolution player piano. A masterpiece of artistry and engineering in your home, SPIRIO enables you to enjoy performances played by great pianists — captured with such nuance, power, and passion that they are utterly indistinguishable from a live performance. Steinway Spirio is available from $125,000, and other player grands from $19,000.
The Historic New Orleans Collection shophnoc.com
520 Royal St, New Orleans
504.523.4662
Help your loved ones express themselves this holiday season with this good(ish) gift from The Historic New Orleans Collection.
Chouette Chouette-nola.com
1152 Magazine St, Suite 105, New Orleans
504.354.9306
The FIELDBAR Drinks Box is a 10-litre hardcase cooler box designed for superior thermal performance. Properly made and perfectly proportioned, the Drinks Box is everything you would expect from a modern cooler. Durable, versatile, and comfortable to carry.
Sazerac House
Sazerachouse.com
101 Magazine St, New Orleans
504.910.0100
Mignon Faget Rocks Glasses - Set of 4, $85. Elevate your cocktail hour with glassware by local designer Mignon Faget featuring details and halo in 22k gold and illustrations by Kate Lacour. Available at Sazerac House on the corner of Canal and Magazine or sazerachouse.com.
Art & Eyes
Artandeyesneworleansla.com
3708 Magazine St, New Orleans
504.891.4494
Windsor Court Hotel
Thewindsorcourt.com
300 Gravier St, New Orleans
800.262.2662
The Windsor Court’s sophisticated yet inviting atmosphere encourages connections, making it the perfect setting for families and friends to celebrate together. With world-class fine dining, a luxurious rooftop pool, a full-service spa, and proper tea service, The Windsor Court promises an extraordinary experience, ensuring every moment becomes a cherished memory in your own legendary love story
Louisiana Children’s Museum Lcm.org
15 Henry Thomas Dr., New Orleans
504.523.1357
Live Nation
LiveNation.com
Don’t miss your favorite artists this Winter!
Dec. 5 – Kermit Ruffins & The BBQ Swingers –House of Blues
Dec. 7 – A Very Cozy Christmas: Throwback & Current R&B - House of Blues
Dec. 8 – Sounds of the Sixties – Fillmore
Take your sweetie shopping for some special SUNS! Gift certificates also available. Handmade in Japan, Dita’s sexy shades in the color that is neutral and suits everyone! Acetate with 24k plate trim. $750.
“Eco- Friendly” Earth Worm: Ages 12 months + Develop fine motor skills with this adorable, sustainably sourced rubberwood earthworm. Finished with child-safe paint. Made by Begin Again. $9.99.
Dec. 15 – Zakk Sabbath – Fillmore
Dec. 17 – Ben Folds – Fillmore
Dec. 18 – Jonathan McReynolds - Fillmore
Dec. 19 – Colter Wall – Fillmore
Dec. 20 – Australia's Thunder From Down
Under – House of Blues
Fine food is always in season. Spice up your Winter at these incredible New Orleans Restaurants!
Briquette
Briquette-nola.com
Join Briquette for our Caymus Wine Dinner on December 13th, with five courses at $150 a person. Also, enjoy our Holiday Revillion Dinner all month long at $100.00 per person. Book via Open Table. Open Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.
Lildizzyscafe.net
A third-generation family-owned restaurant located in the heart of the Treme neighborhood and the only Baquet-owned restaurant still running. Lil Dizzy’s Café features some of the finest gumbo and fried chicken in a city known for both. Come on down and taste the difference a little history makes!
Galatoires.com
What’s your tradition? From the world-famous New Orleans cuisine to impeccable service, every aspect of the dining experience at Galatoire’s reflects the traditions guests have enjoyed for generations. Open Tuesday-Sunday for lunch and dinner. Visit Galatoires.com or call 525-2021.
Loretta’s Authentic Pralines
Lorettaspralines.com
Loretta’s Authentic Pralines has been in business for over 35 years. Loretta was the first African American woman to successfully own and operate her own praline company in New Orleans. Today, Loretta’s Authentic Pralines is a thriving business with two locations.
606 Iberville St, New Orleans
Ghost Bar is your perfect haunt for unforgettable cocktails and enchanting vibes. Here, there’s no room for boo-ring nights, only spook-tacular fun awaits!
Lukeneworleans.com
Located in New Orleans’ vibrant Central Business District, Luke is a Creoleinspired brasserie that brings the essence of the Gulf to your table. Luke’s menu celebrates the freshest Gulf seafood and oysters, locally sourced ingredients, and seasonal flavors from trusted farmers and purveyors, making Luke a lively and authentic New Orleans dining experience.
Lapetitgrocery.com
Charming guests for two decades on Magazine Street, La Petite Grocery is a beloved Uptown gem celebrating over 70 years of business. Menu favorites include Turtle Bolognese and Blue Crab Beignets, among other creative adaptations of New Orleans cuisine.
Mothersrestaurant.net
Mother’s Restaurant introduces a weekend brunch special featuring two Champagne Mimosas (or a spicy Bloody Mary) served with a house-baked biscuit topped with crawfish etouffee and eggs any style, plus cheese grits. Offered all day Saturday and Sunday.
New Orleans Creole Cookery
Neworleanscreolecookery.com
New Orleans Creole Cookery offers the finest Cajun and Creole cuisine in an innovative fashion that ignites appetites. Open Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.
Parkway Bakery and Tavern
Parkwaypoorboys.com
Serving New Orleans since 1911, Parkway is one of the oldest po’ boys shops in the city, serving classics like sloppy Roast Beef and Louisiana Fried Shrimp. With plenty of space to dine in, indoors and outdoors, you can also order online or download the Parkway App. Open Wednesday through Sunday 10 am - 6 pm.
Red Fish Grill
Redfishgrill.com
Casual, cool, funky, and fun - Red Fish Grill is known for straight-up Gulf seafood and New Orleans inspired cuisine. Named one of the “Best Seafood Restaurants in the U.S.” by Travel+Leisure, local fishermen and farmers provide the kitchen with a seasonal bounty.
SukhoThai
SukhoThai-NOLA.com
Serving fine Classical Thai cuisine in New Orleans for over 20 years. Uncompromising authenticity, bold Thai spices, and healthy ingredients make SukhoThai a foodie favorite. Distinctive seafood, spicy curries, scrumptious noodles, broad vegan / gluten-free options, Thai cocktails and sake. SukhoThai-NOLA.com.
The CommissaryMarket + Kitchen by Dickie Brennan & Co
Thecomissarynola.com
Let The Commissary by Dickie Brennan make your holidays stress-free!
Preorder and pick up a delicious feast, complete with standout entrées, sides, and indulgent desserts. Be the star of your holiday gathering. Order now at thecomissarynola.com.
For all maladies and procedures, your trusted New Orleans specialty medicine providers are here to see you to a healthy outcome.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana
Louisiana Blue – putting Louisiana first!
We’re Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, but you can call us Louisiana Blue. Our focus is serving our home state as we fulfill our mission to improve the health and lives of Louisianians. Celebrating a 90-year legacy of meeting Louisiana’s healthcare needs, we offer numerous health plans statewide to fit Louisianians’ needs and budgets. We have been recognized for the past six years as an honoree of The Civic 50, named by Points of Light as one of the 50 most communityminded companies in the country. Visit our website www.lablue.com or social media @MyLouisianaBlue.
Ochsner Health
For more than 80 years, Ochsner Health has been dedicated to creating healthier communities throughout Louisiana and beyond. Thank you to our patients, physicians, team members, volunteers, donors, and the entire Gulf South community for making us the number one hospital in Louisiana by U.S. News & World Report. Ochsner Children’s Hospital was also named the number one children’s hospital in Louisiana, making Ochsner one of only 12 hospitals in the country that ranked #1 in Adult & Pediatric care in their state. We are grateful for our team and their unwavering commitment to providing quality care to our communities. To our friends and neighbors, thank you for trusting Ochsner as your partner in health. Together, we are inspiring healthier lives and stronger communities. For more information, visit ochsner.org/schedule.
A New Orleans plastic surgeon who specializes in procedures of the face, head, and neck, Dr. Sean Weiss brings world-renowned expertise and unique attentiveness to his patients. By focusing exclusively on surgery of the face, head, and neck, Dr. Weiss has become one of the select few surgeons in the world who is double board certified in Facial Plastic Surgery and OtolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery. Though his surgical skills are unparalleled, Dr. Weiss prides himself on his relationships with his patients above all else, offering himself as a guide throughout every step of the surgical and recovery process. One of his prime specialties is extended deep plain Facelifts; a procedure meant to empower those looking for a more youthful look as they age and to enhance their natural beauty. Every face is different and Dr. Weiss is ready to help you find your ideal look to last a lifetime. To see before and after photos of Facial plastic surgery performed by Dr Sean Weiss, visit seanweissmd.com.
The Tulane Doctors Center for Longevity and Wellness (CLW) offers a unique approach to personalized healthcare through its concierge medicine model, where patients receive individualized attention and prioritized access to their healthcare team. Under the leadership of Dr. Clare Farrell, the CLW provides a patient-centered experience with extended appointment times, minimal wait periods, and the opportunity to build lasting patient-provider relationships. Patients benefit from comprehensive, preventive care tailored to their specific needs, empowering them to take charge of their health with confidence.
The CLW’s personalized approach includes on-the-spot access to essential medical services like in-office blood draws, labs, and EKGs. This model is designed not only to address immediate health needs but also to prevent emergency visits, fostering long-term well-being. To learn more or become a patient of Dr. Farrell, call 504-885-7360 or visit tulanedoctorsclw.com •
PREMIERES SUNDAYS, DECEMBER 8-22 AT 7PM
British historian, author, curator and television host Lucy Worsley explores why Arthur Conan Doyle came to hate his most famous creation, Sherlock Holmes.
Watch all WYES programs on WYES-TV and stream on wyes.org/live and on the free WYES and PBS Apps
LUCY WORSLEY’S HOLMES VS DOYLE
Sundays, December 8-22 at 7pm
The popular British historian is back again with an investigation on the love-hate relationship between Sherlock Holmes, the greatest detective who never lived, and the complex man who created him – Arthur Conan Doyle. From the dying years of Victorian England, through the imperial crisis of the Boer war, the optimism of the early Edwardian years, to the trauma of the First World War, Arthur and Sherlock lived through them all.
Photo Credit: © BBC Studios
Wednesday, December 25 at 7pm & 9:30pm
It’s Christmas 1969, and the funfair and carol concert add color to frosty Poplar. Yet, the festive spirit at Nonnatus House is dampened by the spread of influenza alongside growing fears of an escaped prisoner after a spate of break-ins. Pictured: Cliff Parisi as Fred Buckle Photo Credit: BBC
Studios Distribution Limited
AT THE KENNEDY CENTER “Sara Bareilles: New Year’s Eve with the National Symphony Orchestra & Friends”
Tuesday, December 31 at 7pm & 11pm
Acclaimed singer, songwriter and actress Sara Bareilles takes the stage at the Kennedy Center with the National Symphony Orchestra for an enchanting evening of song and celebration in this New Year’s Eve special. From her first smash hit “Love Song” to her Broadway songwriting and later performing debut with the musical “Waitress,” Bareilles’ amazing artistry has been recognized with multiple Grammy and Tony awards and nominations. She will be joined by special guests Rufus Wainwright, Emily King, and David Ryan Harris for this career-spanning night. Photo Credit: Mauricio Castro
See it first! With WYES Passport binge the entire fifth season of MASTERPIECE “Miss Scarlet” starting Sunday, December 8, before its WYES/PBS debut on Sunday, January 12. In the newest series, Eliza must navigate building a relationship with the new Scotland Yard Detective Inspector Alexander Blake if she’s going to continue having access to police resources.
Receive WYES Passport, a member benefit, when you become a WYES member at $60+ a year. Donors will receive extended access to an on-demand library of quality public television programming along with WYES cooking series and local documentaries. Learn more at wyes.org/passport
FREE SCREENING Season 5 of MASTERPIECE
"All Creatures Great & Small”
Wednesday, January 8 at 6pm
Reservations for the 2025 season will be released on Thursday, February 6th. Dinners will be held at various local restaurants in New Orleans and on the Northshore from March through July. SPONSORED BY
Tuesday, February 11 from 7-9pm
$150
*Ticket sales end: Friday, January 17 at 4pm
Join renowned world traveler Rick Steves, via Zoom. Sip a flight of Italian wine and enjoy an unforgettable evening of wine education with Rick and a sommelier.
Saturday, January 25
Sample king cakes and enjoy seminars in celebration of all things Carnival.
Thursday, May 8
Join us for a hootin’ good time at our biggest fundraiser of the year.
The iconic Italian tenor returns to New Orleans with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra live in concert on Tuesday, June 10 at the Smoothie King Center. The show will be conducted by Maestro Steven Mercurio. Your ticket purchase through WYES helps support our quality, award-winning local and PBS programming. Call 504-486-5511 or visit wyes.org/donate and click ʻTicket Formʼ at the top of the page.
SUNDAY
10am
AMERICA’S HOME COOKING: EASY RECIPES FOR THRIFTY COOKING
7:30am CARL THE COLLECTOR
This new series for children ages 4-8 breaks new ground as the first PBS KIDS show to feature central characters on the autism spectrum. The series follows the adventures of Carl, a warm-hearted autistic raccoon who enjoys collecting things and loves his friends and family in Fuzzytown.
5am
ARTHUR
5:30am ODD SQUAD
6am WILD KRATTS
6:30am ALMA’S WAY
7am LYLA IN THE LOOP
7:30am CARL THE COLLECTOR
8am DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD
8:30am ROSIE’S RULES
9am
SESAME STREET
9:30am WORK IT OUT WOMBATS!
Enjoy recipes, used by thrifty gourmets for years, that incorporate simple ingredients to make nourishing and filling family meals. Hosted by Christopher Fennimore.
Noon
MEXICO MADE WITH LOVE
1:30pm
BROADWAY’S LEADING MEN: A MUSICAL CELEBRATION Join the American Pops Orchestra to pay tribute to Broadway’s leading men. Featuring Christian Borle, Norm Lewis, Matthew Morrison, Andre De Shields, Christopher Jackson, Paulo Szot, and appearances by Liev Schreiber, James Monroe Iglehart, and more. Photo: Daniel Schwartz
3:30pm CLASSICAL REWIND
5pm
RICK STEVES’ EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS
9pm
MASTERPIECE “Wolf Hall” (Pt. 6/6) Henry’s love for Anne Boleyn has given way to anger and distrust and he instructs Cromwell to rid him of his second Queen. Sensing her loss of favor, the Queen’s enemies gather. *Coming March 23rd and 10 years later, Mark Rylance and Damian Lewis reprise their acclaimed roles as Thomas Cromwell and King Henry VIII in WOLF HALL: THE MIRROR AND THE LIGHT. Watch the entire 2015 season on WYES Passport. Pictured: Kate Phillips as Jane Seymour in WOLF HALL.
10:30pm JUST ONE THING WITH STEVEN GUNDRY, MD
2 MONDAY
2pm AGING BACKWARDS 3 WITH MIRANDA ESMONDE-WHITE
3pm
ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL: TRICKI AND FRIENDS
4:30pm
10am DONKEY HODIE
10:30am PINKALICIOUS & PETERRIFIC 11am ELINOR WONDERS WHY 11:30am NATURE CAT NOON MOLLY OF DENALI
12:30pm XAVIER RIDDLE AND THE SECRET MUSEUM
1pm DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD
1:30pm ARTHUR
7pm
DREAM OF ITALY: BOCELLI’S TUSCANY
Andrea Bocelli, the famed Italian tenor, visits the people and shares the places that have influenced him over the years including Forte dei Marmi and Lajatico and Lucca. Plus, enjoy a special performance from Bocelli himself.
7:30pm
ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL: TRICKI AND FRIENDS Celebrate the animals we love by revisiting moments from the series where they always come first. Meet Tricki – the biggest scene stealer and smallest cast member – and the many other creatures that illustrate the bond between humans and animals.
ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL: CHRISTMAS IN THE DALES
6pm
PBS NEWS HOUR
7pm MOMENTS TO REMEMBER
9:30pm
YOUNG FOREVER WITH MARK HYMAN, MD To uncover the secrets to longevity, Dr. Hyman explores the biological hallmarks of aging, their causes, and their consequences—then shows us how to overcome them with simple dietary, lifestyle and emerging longevity strategies.
11:30pm AMANPOUR AND COMPANY
3 TUESDAY
2pm BIG BAND YEARS
4pm
RICK STEVES’ FESTIVE EUROPE
4:30pm
MEXICO MADE WITH LOVE
6pm PBS NEWS HOUR
7pm
HENRY LOUIS GATES JR.—THE FABRIC OF AMERICA A retrospective look at cultural historian Henry Louis Gates Jr. and how his work has made history come alive for millions of Americans.
8:30pm
70’S SOUL SUPERSTARS includes performances by the Commodores, The Chi-Lites, The Stylistics, Yvonne Elliman, Heatwave, The Trammps featuring Earl Young, The Emotions and The Manhattans.
11pm AMANPOUR AND COMPANY
4 WEDNESDAY
2pm YOUNG FOREVER WITH MARK HYMAN, MD
4pm MEMORY MAKEOVER WITH DANIEL AMEN, MD
6pm PBS NEWS HOUR
7pm THE MUSTANGS: AMERICA’S WILD HORSES
9pm
CONCERT FOR GEORGE Held at London’s Royal Albert Hall, this tribute concert features George Harrison’s songs and music he loved, performed by Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Jeff Lynne, Monty Python, Tom Petty, Billy Preston, Dhani Harrison and many more.
11pm AMANPOUR AND COMPANY
7 THURSDAY
2pm RICK STEVES’ EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS
4pm IL VOLO IN THE VALLEY OF THE TEMPLES
5:30pm
DREAM OF ITALY: BOCELLI’S TUSCANY
6pm PBS NEWS HOUR
7pm STEPPIN’ OUT
7:30pm
60’S AND 70’S SOUL CELEBRATION
10:30pm
RICK STEVES’ TASTY EUROPE Rick Steves explains how food helps define cultures across Europe—from Holland and Italy to Bulgaria and Spain.
11pm
AMANPOUR AND COMPANY
6 FRIDAY
2pm
GREAT SCENIC RAILWAY JOURNEYS
30TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL Gain access into our nation’s railroad history and explore how railroads defined the spirit of North America, creating a new industry and rewriting the history of transportation.
4pm THE MUSTANGS: AMERICA’S WILD HORSES
6pm PBS NEWS HOUR
7pm
INFORMED SOURCES
7:30pm
LOUISIANA: THE STATE WE’RE IN 8pm
WASHINGTON WEEK WITH THE ATLANTIC
8:30pm FIRING LINE WITH MARGARET HOOVER
9pm DREAM OF ITALY: BOCELLI’S TUSCANY
9:30pm
IL VOLO IN THE VALLEY OF THE TEMPLES The internationally acclaimed Italian trio Il Volo returns to perform against the breathtaking backdrop of the ancient Temple of Concordia in Sicily’s spectacular Valley of the Temples. With voices resonating through the historic
site, Il Volo delivers a stunning repertoire of classical and contemporary pieces, from beloved Italian classics to operatic arias and popular songs, all infused with the trio’s signature style. Photo Credit: Antonio Agostinelli and Stilla Agency
11pm STEPPIN’ OUT
11:30pm AMANPOUR AND COMPANY
7 SATURDAY
7am
AMERICA’S HOME COOKING: SWEETS
9pm
KITCHEN QUEENS: NEW ORLEANS
9:30am KEVIN BELTON’S COOKIN’ LOUISIANA
10am THE DOOKY CHASE KITCHEN: LEAH’S LEGACY
10:30am
CHEF PAUL PRUDHOMME’S ALWAYS COOKING
11am RICK STEVES’ TASTY EUROPE
11:30am
GREAT SCENIC RAILWAY JOURNEYS 30TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL
1:30pm AGING BACKWARDS 3 WITH MIRANDA ESMONDE-WHITE
2:30pm
AGING BACKWARDS 4 THE MIRACLE OF FLEXIBILITY WITH MIRANDA ESMONDE-WHITE
3:30pm MOMENTS TO REMEMBER
6pm THE LAWRENCE WELK SHOW “50th Anniversary Special”
7pm
ALL NEW ROCK, POP AND DOO WOP includes performances from Johnny Maestro, The Duprees, Jay Back, Little Anthony & The Imperials, Ronnie Spector, Frankie Valli, Jerry Butler and many more artists from the 50s and 60s.
9pm BEE GEES: ONE NIGHT ONLY
10:30pm BEE GEES: IN OUR OWN TIME Explore the story of one of the best-selling music acts of all time, told in their own words
SATURDAYS ON
12:30pm CHRISTOPHER KIMBALL’S MILK STREET
Let’s stop doing things in the kitchen that made sense in the 19th century but not in the 21st. MILK STREET travels the world to bring you the very best ideas and techniques with no lists of hard-tofind ingredients, strange cookware, or all-day methods to slow you down.
5am MISTER ROGERS’ NEIGHBORHOOD
5:30am ARTHUR
6am WILD KRATTS
6:30am ALMA’S WAY
7am J. SCHWANKE’S LIFE IN BLOOM
7:30am WOODSMITH SHOP
8am THIS OLD HOUSE
8:30am ASK THIS OLD HOUSE 9am KITCHEN QUEENS: NEW ORLEANS
9:30am KEVIN BELTON’S COOKIN’ LOUISIANA
10am THE DOOKY CHASE
by Barry and Robin Gibb, from modest beginnings to worldwide success in the 1970s. Includes interviews, videos, TV appearances and live performances.
8 SUNDAY
10am
AMERICA’S TEST KITCHEN CELEBRATES 25 YEARS
11:30am
RICK STEVES’ EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS
1:30pm
HENRY LOUIS GATES JR. — THE FABRIC OF AMERICA
3pm
70’S SOUL SUPERSTARS
5:30pm
JOHNNY MATHIS: WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL
9 MONDAY
3pm
CLASSICAL REWIND
4:30pm
LUCY WORSLEY’S HOLMES VS. DOYLE (Pt. 1/3)
6pm
PBS NEWS HOUR
7pm
ANTIQUES ROADSHOW “Junk in the Trunk 10”
8pm
ANTIQUES ROADSHOW “Did Grandma Lie?”
9pm
CHRISTMAS IN NEW ORLEANS
10pm
HOPE COLLEGE CHRISTMAS
11am LIDIA’S KITCHEN
11:30am AMERICA’S TEST KITCHEN FROM COOK’S ILLUSTRATED NOON COOK’S COUNTRY
KITCHEN: LEAH’S LEGACY 10:30am CHEF PAUL PRUDHOMME'S ALWAYS COOKING
12:30pm CHRISTOPHER KIMBALL'S MILK STREET TELEVISION 1pm GREAT CHEFS
1:30pm SARA’S WEEKNIGHT MEALS 2pm PATI’S MEXICAN TABLE 2:30pm LES STROUD’S WILD HARVEST
3pm VARIOUS PROGRAMMING 4pm NOVA
7pm
LUCY WORSLEY’S HOLMES VS. DOYLE “Doctor and Detective” (Pt. 1/3)
Sherlock Holmes is the most famous detective in the world. He made his author, Arthur Conan Doyle, rich and famous. But the writer came to hate his fictional character. Through the changing world of Victorian and Edwardian Britain, Lucy Worsley, over the course of three episodes, investigates the curious relationship between detective and author. Photo Credit: Harry Truman © BBC Studios
8:30pm
VIENNA BLOOD: ANALYZING THE HIDDEN TRUTHS Go behind the scenes of this thrilling murder mystery series.
9:30pm
MEMORY MAKEOVER WITH DANIEL AMEN, MD
11:30pm
READY FOR LONDON 2025 captures the preparation process that leads more than 20 U.S. marching bands and a thousand varsity cheerleaders to London for the annual New Year parade.
VESPERS Since 1941 at Hope College, student musicians have participated in Christmas Vespers which include the Hope College Orchestra, Chapel Choir and College Chorus.
11pm
AMANPOUR AND COMPANY
10 TUESDAY 6pm
PBS NEWS HOUR
7pm
FINDING YOUR ROOTS WITH HENRY LOUIS GATES, JR. “The New World” Season 11 premieres on Tuesday, January 7.
8pm
FINDING YOUR ROOTS WITH HENRY LOUIS GATES, JR. “On Broadway” 9pm FRONTLINE “Breakdown in Maine” 10pm FRONTLINE “After Uvalde: Guns, Grief & Texas Politics” 11pm AMANPOUR AND
7pm
NATURE “Portugal: Wild Land on the Edge”
8pm
NOVA “Rebuilding Notre Dame”
9pm
SECRETS OF THE DEAD “The Sunken Basilica”
10pm
CHRISTMAS IN NEW ORLEANS featured are interviews with Irma Thomas, Moon Landrieu, Anne Rice and Deacon John Moore. The program is hosted and produced by Peggy Scott Laborde pictured with Santa at Maison Blache.
11pm AMANPOUR AND COMPANY
12 THURSDAY
6pm PBS NEWS HOUR
7pm
STEPPIN’ OUT
7:30pm BRITISH ANTIQUES ROADSHOW
8pm
AGATHA CHRISTIE’S POIROT, SEASON 2 “Adventure of the Cheap Flat” (Pt. 8/10)
9pm
MISS FISHER’S MURDER MYSTERIES, SEASON 2 “A Christmas Murder” (Pt. 13/13)
10pm
LUNA AND SOPHIE, SEASON 3 “Deadly Formula” (Pt. 6/13)
11pm AMANPOUR AND COMPANY
13 FRIDAY
6pm PBS NEWS HOUR
7pm INFORMED SOURCES
7:30pm
LOUISIANA: THE STATE WE’RE IN
8pm
WASHINGTON WEEK WITH THE ATLANTIC
8:30pm
FIRING LINE WITH MARGARET HOOVER
9pm
VIOLENT FEMMES 40TH ANNIVERSARY WITH THE MILWAUKEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the release of their selftitled debut album, the folk punk group Violent Femmes invited the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra to be their “back-up band” in this electrifying concert which mixes classical and rock. Photo Credit: Janelle Rominski/Milwaukee PBS
10pm
THE DOOBIE BROTHERS WITH MICHAEL MCDONALD: 50TH ANNIVERSARY AT RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
11pm STEPPIN’ OUT
11:30pm AMANPOUR AND COMPANY
14 SATURDAY
5pm CHRISTMAS IN NEW ORLEANS
6pm
THE LAWRENCE WELK SHOW “Themes from the Classics”
7pm
ANTIQUES ROADSHOW “Junk in the Trunk 10”
8pm
FINDING YOUR ROOTS WITH HENRY LOUIS GATES, JR. “The New World”
9pm
DREAM OF ITALY: BOCELLI’S TUSCANY
9:30pm
CELTIC WOMAN: POSTCARDS FROM IRELAND
11pm
AUSTIN CITY LIMITS “Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats/Adia Victoria”
15 SUNDAY
7pm
LUCY WORSLEY’S HOLMES VS. DOYLE “Fact and Fiction” (Pt. 2/3) Lucy explores Doyle’s desire to distance himself from Sherlock after the detective’s apparent death at the Reichenbach Falls. From the delights of the ski slopes to the horrors of the Boer War, she reveals how far Doyle went to make himself the hero of his own story. He even took on the role of detective himself in one of the most important legal cases of the 20th century.
8pm
MASTERPIECE “All Creatures Great and Small, Season 4” ‘Broodiness/ Carpe Diem’ (Pts. 1-2/7) Siegfried hires a bookkeeper, Miss Harbottle, to bring method to their madness, while James and Helen make a long-awaited decision. Season 5 premieres on Sunday, January 12. Photo Credit: Playground Entertainment and MASTERPIECE
10:30pm
MASTERPIECE “Sherlock, Season 2” ‘The Reichenbach Fall’ (Pt. 3/3)
16 MONDAY
6pm PBS NEWS HOUR
7pm
ANTIQUES ROADSHOW “Junk in the Trunk 11”
8pm
ANTIQUES ROADSHOW “Natural Wonders”
11:30am THE DOOKY CHASE KITCHEN: LEAH’S LEGACY
The WYES produced series showcases the Treme restaurant, where chef Leah Chase became known as the "Queen of Creole Cuisine.” Younger generations of the Chase family share their family recipes.
Credit: Cheryl Gerber
9pm
AMERICAN MASTERS “Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around” Discover the story behind Brenda Lee and explore how her early fame and life of poverty shaped her music, including the classic “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree.” The film features interviews with Keith Urban, Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo and more. Photo Credit: Getty Images
LITERARY NEW ORLEANS
AND COMPANY
17
9pm
SECRETS OF THE DEAD “Eiffel’s Race to the Top”
10pm
CHRISTMAS WITH WALDO
10:30pm A CREOLE CHRISTMAS
11pm
AMANPOUR AND COMPANY
19 THURSDAY
6pm
PBS NEWS HOUR
7pm
STEPPIN’ OUT Host and producer
JOY—CHRISTMAS WITH THE TABERNACLE CHOIR
8:30pm
5am MISTER ROGERS’ NEIGHBORHOOD
5:30am ARTHUR 6am WILD KRATTS
6:30am ALMA’S WAY
7am
LYLA IN THE LOOP
7:30am CARL THE COLLECTOR
8am WASHINGTON WEEK WITH THE ATLANTIC
8:30am
LOUISIANA: THE STATE WE’RE IN 9am FIRING LINE WITH MARGARET HOOVER
9:30am INFORMED SOURCES 10am VARIOUS PROGRAMMING
11am KEVIN BELTON’S COOKIN’ LOUISIANA
11:30am THE DOOKY CHASE KITCHEN: LEAH’S LEGACY
NOON ANTIQUES ROADSHOW
TOO HOT TO HANDEL—THE GOSPEL MESSIAH
10pm
A CLASSIC CHRISTMAS WITH THE BACH FESTIVAL SOCIETY: JOYFUL SOUNDS From Knowles Memorial Chapel at Rollins College, the Bach Festival Choir and Orchestra, along with soloists Mary Wilson and Stephen Mumbert as well as the Bach Festival Children’s Choir, performs custom arrangements of treasured holiday classics.
AND COMPANY
18
NOVA “Lost Tombs of Notre Dame”
Peggy Scott Laborde welcomes regular guests Poppy Tooker, Alan Smason, plus new roundtable visitors every week to discuss New Orleans restaurants, arts and entertainment. Never miss an episode. Watch every episode on WYES’ YouTube channel. Pictured: Peggy Scott Laborde with musician John Oates, best known as half of the rock duo Hall & Oates. They discussed his performance at the OZONE Songwriter Festival in Mandeville. Oates also shared an excerpt from his latest single, "Mending" with Devon Gilfillian.
7:30pm BRITISH ANTIQUES ROADSHOW
8pm AGATHA CHRISTIE’S POIROT, SEASON 2 “The Kidnapped Prime Minister” (Pt. 9/10)
9pm MISS FISHER’S MURDER MYSTERIES, SEASON 3 “Death Defying Acts” (Pt. 1/8)
10pm
LUNA AND SOPHIE, SEASON 3 “Death Flight” (Pt. 7/13)
11pm AMANPOUR AND COMPANY
20 FRIDAY
6pm
PBS NEWS HOUR
7pm INFORMED SOURCES
7:30pm
LOUISIANA: THE STATE WE’RE IN 8pm
WASHINGTON WEEK WITH THE ATLANTIC
8:30pm FIRING LINE WITH MARGARET HOOVER
9pm
GREAT PERFORMANCES “Josh Groban’s Great Big Radio City Show” Baritone Josh Groban performs songs spanning various musical genres with guests Cyndi Lauper, Denée Benton, Tiler Peck and more.
10:30pm
DREAM OF ITALY: BOCELLI’S TUSCANY
11pm STEPPIN’ OUT
11:30pm AMANPOUR AND COMPANY
21 SATURDAY
5pm CHRISTMAS WITH WALDO
5:30pm
A CREOLE CHRISTMAS Taped on location at the Hermann-Grima Historic House, a national historic landmark. This spirited holiday special features music of the season performed by the New Orleans Blend.
6pm THE LAWRENCE WELK SHOW “Christmas”
7pm
ANTIQUES ROADSHOW “Junk in the Trunk 11”
8pm
FINDING YOUR ROOTS WITH HENRY LOUIS GATES, JR. “Forever Young”
9pm
TOO HOT TO HANDEL—THE GOSPEL
MESSIAH Handel’s 18th-century masterpiece “The Messiah” is reimagined and infused with Gospel, Jazz and R&B.
10:30pm
EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS MARKETS Visit eight spectacular towns in Germany,
France and Switzerland. See their colorful markets and enjoy the magic and enchantment of medieval and castle towns in Europe at Christmas time.
11pm
AUSTIN CITY LIMITS “Parker McCollum/ Robert Earl Keen”
22 SUNDAY
7pm
LUCY WORSLEY’S HOLMES VS. DOYLE “Shadows and Sleuths” (Pt. 3/3) Lucy investigates the return of Sherlock. Doyle began the Edwardian age delighting in all it had to offer, but as the First World War approached, the darkness of the later stories mirrored the reality of Doyle’s life.
8pm
MASTERPIECE “All Creatures Great and Small, Season 4” ‘Right Hand Man/By the Book (Pts. 3-4/7)
10:30pm
MASTERPIECE “Sherlock, Season 3” ‘The Empty Hearseʼ (Pt. 1/3)
23 MONDAY
6pm
PBS NEWS HOUR
7pm
ANTIQUES ROADSHOW “Junk in the Trunk 12”
8pm
ANTIQUES ROADSHOW “Naughty or Nice”
9pm
MARY BERRY’S HIGHLAND CHRISTMAS
Join Mary Berry as she travels to her mother’s homeland, Scotland, and is joined by her friends Andy Murray, Iain Stirling, and Emeli Sandé to cook indulgent Christmas dishes that can be enjoyed anytime over the holidays. Photo Credit: Mark Mainz
10pm
CHRISTMAS IN NEW ORLEANS
11pm
AMANPOUR AND COMPANY
24 TUESDAY
6pm
PBS NEWS HOUR
7pm
FINDING YOUR ROOTS WITH HENRY LOUIS GATES, JR. “Buried Secrets”
8pm
CHRISTMAS IN NEW ORLEANS
9pm
JOY—CHRISTMAS WITH THE TABERNACLE CHOIR Broadway star
Michael Maliakel and beloved actress Lesley Nicol (“Downton Abbey”) inspire in this holiday special that weaves Christmas classics with the story of Victor Hugo to show that opening our hearts to all is the true meaning of the season.
10:30pm
NAVIDAD: A CONCORDIA CHRISTMAS
Enjoy a musical celebration of Christmas from Concordia University Irvine.
11:30pm CHRISTMAS ON THE DANUBE
25 WEDNESDAY
2pm
CRANE: CANDLELIGHT CONCERT: CELEBRATING A MIRACLE Nearly 300 musicians perform a variety of old and new holiday selections as well as Hanukkah related songs and hymns.
3pm
CHRISTMAS IN NEW ORLEANS
4pm
EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS MARKETS
4:30pm
JOY—CHRISTMAS WITH THE TABERNACLE CHOIR
6pm PBS NEWS HOUR
HIGHLIGHT
7pm
CALL THE MIDWIFE HOLIDAY SPECIAL
It’s Christmas 1969, and the funfair and carol concert add color to frosty Poplar.
Yet, the festive spirit at Nonnatus House is dampened by the spread of influenza alongside growing fears of an escaped prisoner after a spate of break-ins. Photo Credit: BBC Studios Distribution Limited
9pm DREAM OF ITALY: BOCELLI’S TUSCANY
9:30pm CALL THE MIDWIFE HOLIDAY SPECIAL
11:30pm AMANPOUR AND COMPANY
26 THURSDAY
6pm PBS NEWSHOUR
7pm STEPPIN’ OUT
7:30pm BRITISH ANTIQUES ROADSHOW
8pm AGATHA CHRISTIE’S POIROT, SEASON 2 “The Adventure of the Western Star” (Pt. 10/10)
9pm MISS FISHER’S MURDER MYSTERIES, SEASON 3 “Murder and Maiden” (Pt. 2/8)
10pm LUNA AND SOPHIE, SEASON 3 “A Mother’s Love” (Pt. 8/13) 11pm AMANPOUR AND COMPANY
27 FRIDAY
6pm PBS NEWS HOUR
7pm INFORMED SOURCES
7:30pm LOUISIANA: THE STATE WE’RE IN 8pm WASHINGTON WEEK WITH THE ATLANTIC
8:30pm FIRING LINE WITH MARGARET HOOVER
9pm
CRAFT IN AMERICA “Science/Collectors” (Pts. 1-2/2) In the first episode, “Science” investigates the unexpected intersection between art and the sciences, spanning technology, engineering, biology, math, and the climate emergency. “Collectors,” examines how collectors affirm and inspire the artists they support and how the art enriches the lives of the collectors in turn. Photo Credit: Denise Kang photo
11pm STEPPIN’ OUT
11:30pm
AMANPOUR AND COMPANY
28 SATURDAY
6pm THE LAWRENCE WELK SHOW “1919 Roses”
7pm ANTIQUES ROADSHOW “Junk in the Trunk 12”
8pm
FINDING YOUR ROOTS WITH HENRY GATES, JR. “Buried Secrets” An all-new season kicks-off Tuesday, January 7.
9pm
CULTURAL EXPRESSIONS: KWANZAA
10pm
KARAMU: FEAST FOR THE 7TH DAY Explore the history, principles and symbols of Kwanzaa while celebrating the culinary traditions of West Africa, featuring dishes from Mali, Ghana and Nigeria.
10:30pm READY FOR LONDON 2025
11pm
AUSTIN CITY LIMITS “Sylvan Esso/ Lucius”
29 SUNDAY
7pm
LUCY WORSLEY’S ROYAL MYTHS & SECRETS “Queen Anne, The Mother of Great Britain”
8pm
MASTERPIECE “All Creatures Great and Small, Season 4” ‘Papers/The Home Front’ (Pts. 5-6/7)
10:30pm MASTERPIECE “Sherlock, Season 3” ‘The Sign of Three” (Pt. 2/3)
30 MONDAY
6pm
PBS NEWS HOUR
7pm
ANTIQUES ROADSHOW “Let’s Celebrate!”
8pm
ANTIQUES ROADSHOW “Body of Work”
9pm
WHERE NEW ORLEANS SHOPPED
10pm
POV “Who I Am Not” A South African beauty queen faces an identity crisis after discovering she’s intersex.
11:30pm AMANPOUR AND COMPANY
31 TUESDAY 6pm PBS NEWS HOUR
7pm
NEXT AT THE KENNEDY CENTER “Sara Bareilles: New Year’s Eve with the National Symphony Orchestra & Friends” Acclaimed singer, songwriter and actress Sara Bareilles takes the stage at the Kennedy Center with the National Symphony Orchestra for an enchanting evening of song and celebration in this New Year’s Eve special. Photo Credit: Mauricio Castro
8:30pm
NEXT AT THE KENNEDY CENTER
“Cynthia Erivo & Friends: A New Year’s Eve Celebration”
9:30pm
GREAT PERFORMANCES “Audra McDonald at The London Palladium”
11pm
NEXT AT THE KENNEDY CENTER “Sara Bareilles: New Year’s Eve with the National Symphony Orchestra & Friends” HIGHLIGHT
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BY ERROL LABORDE / ART BY ARTHUR NEAD
Christmas morning in Louisiana is not what would be expected from the picture book images of the season. I experienced that because for several years we would bring my mom in New Orleans to be with her sisters in the central Louisiana town of Marksville.
Not long after going through Baton Rouge we would connect to LA Highway 1, one of the state’s earliest roads which dissects Louisiana between Grand Isle on the Gulf and Shreveport near the Texas border.
We would not be dashing through fields of snow by any means. By Christmas the landscape, which in summer had been lush green, was now brown. The leaves had fluttered away, taking flight on the chilled wind. Nearby were fields, some of which only a few weeks earlier held a bounty of sugar cane. As winter approached, farmers would burn the canes’ exterior ruffage making it easier to get to the interior sweet pulp from which the mills would extract a liquid. That was the first step toward making granulated sugar. Adding to the sensory experience was the cane stalks that invariably had fallen to the road from the trucks heading to the mills. The crunching weight of passing tires sweetened the path.
There was a rustic beauty to the scene. On Christmas morning the landscape was quiet as though nature was taking the day off. A gray/blue winter sky colored the background.
While nature was quiet, humans, however, were busy. There are many small, primarily Black congregation churches in rural Louisiana. Pick-up trucks were parked along the road while the worshippers within walked up the road to rejoice. Back home Christmas dinner would be waiting, most
likely featuring a roasted pig, itself a reason to rejoice.
(Christmas is best celebrated in different ways by different cultures. One year while driving along the same road, the traffic was slowed by a makeshift parade. Santa himself was sitting in the back of the lead truck waving to the passersby. He wore a fine costume, though there must have been a shortage of proper beards — instead he had to settle for a plastic King-Fu mask with a long menacing handle-bar moustache.)
At the town of Morganza the route takes on a strategic importance. This is where a spillway begins. Its floodgates were built by the Army Corps of Engineers to divert potential flood waters from the nearby Mississippi River to other streams and lowlands so as to prevent catastrophic flooding downriver including New Orleans. The road stretches along the top of the elevated spillway like having a highway on a levee. From there Marksville, and our Christmas dinner, is only about an hour away — unless something happens. Something did. One Christmas morning there was a sudden thumping sound and the car was shaking. I pulled over. There was a flat tire. No day and few locations provide worse moments to experience a flat than a spillway on Christmas morning. I stood at the side of the car facing the daunting task of having to make the change though I was not sure of the quality of the replacement tire and the flimsy jack. And then the trunk, which was packed with gifts and luggage, would have to be unloaded. I needed a miracle.
“Just follow me,” a man in a pickup truck that pulled alongside yelled. He pointed to a nearby exit road and a cluttered yard. This was not a moment to be choosy. Though my car wattled on its three usable wheels we managed to make it down the road. The yard belonged to the man in the truck whose business was collecting used car parts — including tires. He had one that was the right size and began to make the change, having the benefit of a professional’s tire jack and knowing what he was doing. My job was to unload the trunk. He did the rest.
It did not take him long. He could have charged me whatever he wanted but, as I recall, his price was modest, though I did jack up the tip.
Once back on the road I realized that had my flat occurred only a few seconds earlier or later, I would not have been at the same spot when he passed. Also, that spot happened to be exactly above his place where he had used tires.
We made it to Marksville. The replacement tire got us there and back to New Orleans the next day.
We were only about an hour late for dinner — roast pig along with classic dirty rice.
We invaded the leftovers later after opening gifts. It was Christmas night — and all was calm; all was bright.
