New Orleans Magazine December 2021 by Renaissance Publishing

NEW ORLEANS MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2021

BEST OF DINING

WOMEN IN MEDICINE

HOLIDAY CELEBRATION

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DECEMBER 2021

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Contents

DECEMBER 2021

/ VOLUME 56 / NUMBER 3

FEATURES 30 Best of Dining 2021 All the best from A to Z

BY JYL BENSON, JAY FORMAN,

REBECCA FRIEDMAN, ROBERT PEYTON

Exceptional Women in Medicine Top female professionals across the area

ON THE COVER

Best of Dining selections from Anna's, Seafood Sally's, Windowsill Pies, and the Commons Club. p. 30

Photograph by Marianna Massey

STANDARDS 12 14 16 18

FROM THE EDITOR

JULIA STREET

NEWS + NOTES

Holiday Celebrations Bingle and the Stripper Top Things to Do, Read & Try BAR TAB

Best Bars, Drinks & More

THE DISH

DECEMBER 2021

News from NOLA Kitchens

STYLE

PERSONA

MODINE

VINTAGE

58 60

Wrapped Up Jeremy Williams Calendar Calamity

1890

TRAVEL

Wine Country GROWING PAINS

A Calendar Turn

HOME ADVICE

Ed Perrier CHEERS

Winter Warmer NOSH

Sweet Tidings DINING GUIDE

Listings from Around the City STREETCAR

Doc the Halls

DIAL 12, D1

Tune in to WYES-TV all month long for holiday specials! Watch CHRISTMAS IN NEW ORLEANS, HAPPY HOLIDAYS WITH BING & FRANK, RICK STEVES’ EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS, A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS, CALL THE MIDWIFE HOLIDAY SPECIAL, 20 YEARS OF CHRISTMAS WITH THE TABERNACLE CHOIR and many more! For all program details, go to wyes.org.

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FROM THE EDITOR

he holidays have arrived, and with them, the celebrations have begun. This year, as always, we celebrate family and friends. We also celebrate the end of what for many was a tumultuous year, full of ups and downs. We celebrate community and all of those that work together to make the city our home, from hurricane recovery to front line workers during the pandemic to neighborhood get-togethers and porch concerts. And we look ahead at all the celebrations to come in the new year, from Mardi Gras to spring festivals, music, food and more. December is traditionally our Best of Dining issue, and despite facing a pandemic, New Orleans restaurateurs, chefs, beer brewers, bartenders, and food lovers of all backgrounds have never waned in their creativity. We are excited to celebrate them all with a delicious menu from A to Z of some of the best highlights from this year, plus some debuts to look forward to watching in 2022, as well. From soup to nuts and everything in between, Have something you there is truly something for every palate. want to share with We also highlight some of the top women in medicine across us? Email ashley@ myneworleans.com. the New Orleans region, working to provide the best healthcare for their patients. Plus, as a year’s end lagniappe, we’ve got some tips on how to celebrate without totally busting your diet (maybe just one slice of pecan pie) and how to avoid the dreaded holiday hangover. So, cheers to the end of 2021! Let’s all raise a glass. The new year is right around the corner. Let’s hope it brings good cheer, lots of (safe) celebration, music, food and more.

DECEMBER 2021

THERESA CASSAGNE PHOTO

Childhood comes and goes in a blink. We’re here through the stages of your life, with the strength of the cross, the protection of the shield. The Right Card. The Right Care.

01MK7641 11/21

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JULIA STREET

W I TH P O Y DR AS THE P A RROT

Bingle and the Stripper Each year at Christmas we see the images of Mr. Bingle around town. I have heard that Bingle was created by a puppeteer who specialized in strip-tease puppet shows. Is that correct? - Tim Marley (New Orleans) It is only partially true. An executive for Maison Blanche department store created the concept of Bingle, but yes, the strings were pulled by a burlesque puppeteer named Oscar Isentrout whose career in New Orleans began on Bourbon Street. His puppet act involved some risqué marionettes who actually performed a strip show. One day in the late 1940s he was approached by Emile Aline, the display director at Maison Blanche on Canal Street. Aline had visited Chicago where he noted that Marshall-Fields department store had developed a snowman-like marionette that was used for Christmas window displays. Aline discussed a similar idea with Isentrout, who was interested, and so hired him to create a New Orleans version of the Chicago pitch man. From what was intended to be a marketing tool to promote toys to kids, became an elfin snowman with holly wings, a cherry nose and an inverted ice cream cone for a hat. Most notably, in one hand he clutched a peppermint candy cane. What to call this character became a subject of debate. A store executive insisted that he should have the same initials as the business, MB. Heads huddled; a decision was made: The character was named “Mr. Bingle.” Far more than a window display, by the 1950s with both television and a generation of postwar baby boomers in their infancy, Bingle became one of the city’s first local TV celebrities. Each evening during the Christmas season he had his own show, a 15-minute dinner time romp involving a skit or two, plus sales pitches for the toys at Maison Blanche. Isentrout created a Bingle voice that was nasal, squeaky and kid-friendly. Bingle’s theme song, “Jingle, jangle, jingle, here comes Mr. Bingle, with a message from Kris Kringle ...” became the anthem of the New Orleans Christmas. It was an unlikely contribution from a meek, unassuming, loner, sometimes, cantankerous little man. His life would eventually evolve almost entirely around Bingle. He worked from a studio at the Maison Blanche store on the west bank. While playing classical music in the background, he would labor on the puppets and he would design sets for the upcoming holiday season. His career path from burlesque to Bingle had rambled through the streets of the Quarter. In July 1985, that path came to an end. There was no money to cover Isentrout’s funeral expense, so the Sternberg family that owned MB stepped in and provided for his burial. Only a few people gathered at the Hebrew Rest Cemetery #3 on Pelopidas Street for the burial service. Those in attendance were mostly people who worked for Maison Blanche. But, according to Poydras, there was one stranger in the group. He stood quietly until an appropriate moment when he stepped forward and placed an object on top of Isentrout’s coffin. Then he walked away. None of those there knew who the person was. What had he left? A peppermint candy cane. If logic did not prevail, it might seem magical that someone as unlikely as Isentrout became so entwined with Christmas in New Orleans. The man made Bingle, but in the end, Bingle made the man.

SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS

Poydras is looking for something to do. Send your questions to julia@myneworleans.com and be sure to include your name and information. For the subject line use: Julia and Poydras Question.

DECEMBER 2021

Associate Publisher Kate Henry EDITORIAL

Executive Editor Errol Laborde Editor Ashley McLellan Creative Director Tiffani Reding Amedeo Digital Media Editor Kelly Massicot Contributing Writers Jyl Benson, Cheré Coen, Lee Cutrone, Fritz Esker, Jay Forman, John Kemp, Misty Mioltio, Liz Scott Monaghan, Andy Myer, Elizabeth Pearce, Eve Crawford Peyton

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NEW ORLEANS MAGAZINE

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For subscription information call (504) 828-1380 New Orleans Magazine (ISSN 0897 8174) is published monthly by Renaissance Publishing, LLC., 110 Veterans Blvd., Suite 123, Metairie, LA 70005; (504) 828-1380. Subscription rates: one year $19.95; Mexico, South America and Canada $48; Europe, Asia and Australia $75. An associate subscription to New Orleans Magazine is available by a contribution of $40 or more to WYES-TV/ Channel 12, $10.00 of which is used to offset the cost of publication. Also available electronically, on CD-ROM and on-line. Periodicals postage paid at Metairie, LA, and additional entry offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to New Orleans Magazine, 110 Veterans Blvd., Suite 123, Metairie, LA 70005. Copyright 2021 New Orleans Magazine. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the consent of the publisher. The trademark New Orleans and New Orleans Magazine are registered. New Orleans Magazine is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photos and artwork even if accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. The opinions expressed in New Orleans Magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the magazine managers or owners.

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NEWS+NOTES

BY FR ITZ E SKE R

TRY THIS

1 2021 R+L CARRIERS NEW ORLEANS BOWL

On Dec. 18, football fans should check out the 2021 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl at the Caesars Superdome. The matchup will feature leading teams from the Sun Belt Conference vs. Conference USA. NewOrleansBowl.org

2 NEW ORLEANS CHRISTMAS FEST

New Orleans Christmas Fest is back with a 12-day event Dec. 17-22 and 25-30 at the New Orleans Convention Center. There will be two sessions per day with a timed entry for each session. The tentative timetables will be 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.-9 p.m. each day except Christmas Day, which will have a single 2 p.m.-7 p.m. window. Space will be limited due to COVID-19 restrictions. The festival will once again feature a real indoor ice-skating rink, ice slides, carnival rides, Santa and his friends, gingerbread houses, decorated trees, and more. Special events will include a nightly story time, skating with Santa on Dec. 18, and live broadcasts of the Saints’ games vs. the Buccaneers and the Dolphins on, respectively, Dec. 19 and 27. There will also be a virtual meet-andgreet on Dec. 20 and 27 where children can ask one of Santa’s elves questions. For the most up-to-date information about the festival and to purchase tickets, visit NOLAChristmasFest.com.

TEDDY BEAR TEA AT THE NATIONAL WWII MUSEUM

It’s tea time at the museum. December 4, 11, and 18, the National WWII Museum’s BB’s Stage Door Canteen is hosting Teddy Bear Tea, with delicious treats, live music from the Victory Belles and visits with Santa. NationalWW2Museum.org.

CELEBRATION IN THE OAKS

City Park’s largest fundraiser is back this year Nov. 25-Jan. 2. Visitors can drive the tour experience (30-45 minutes), visit the Carousel Gardens experience, or both. More than 1 million twinkling lights will be scattered throughout the park. The Carousel Gardens will feature 18 rides, plus a festive outdoor bar in the Botanical Garden. Driving tours will be limited to eight guests per vehicle in sedans and SUVs, $39.99. Carousel Gardens passes can be added to a driving tour purchase for $25, or purchased on its own for $35, and includes unlimited rides, marshmallow roasting, a cup of hot chocolate, and a new festive train experience with on-board entertainment. Visit NewOrleansCityPark.com for more information and to purchase tickets.

DECEMBER 2021

“THE FLIGHT: A FATHER’S WAR, A SON’S SEARCH”

Louisiana journalist and author Tyler Bridges tells the story of Bridges’ father, Richard, a WWII pilot who survived a German attack on his plane by parachuting out shortly before it exploded. He was later captured behind enemy lines and became the first American prisoner of war in Hungary. After being transferred to a different POW camp in Yugoslavia, he was able to escape and hid with local rebels before being taken to safety in Italy by British troops. Richard’s story was untold until after his death in 2003. Tyler’s research led him to the families of Richard’s other crewmates. The subsequent narrative is both a fascinating real-life historical thriller and a touching memoir about fathers and sons.

LISTEN TO THIS

MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER CHRISTMAS

Get yourself into the holiday mood with Mannheim Steamroller, playing Christmas favorites for one night only at the Saenger Theater on Dec. 23. SaengerNOLA.com

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, please check all event websites before attending.

CHERYL GERBER PHOTOS

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BY MISTY MIL IO TO

CHINOLA LIQUEUR PHOTO

BAR TAB

PASSIONFRUIT PICK-ME-UP

Quarter Stop LeBLANC + SMITH, the restaurant group behind popular spots such as Sylvain and Barrel Proof, recently opened The Will and The Way in the heart of the French Quarter as an act of social restoration. After an eerily quiet year in the French Quarter, the owners wanted a place where locals and travelers could enjoy the warmth and conviviality for which the Vieux Carré is known. Executive chef Josh Williams (who previously worked at Brennan’s, Restaurant August, Compère Lapin, The Chloe and others) has developed a menu that caters to impromptu dining. Southern-leaning small plates include charcuterie, salads and bar snacks that pair perfectly with cocktails developed by beverage director Tommy Linville. For something more substantial, try the burger with shoestring fries and aioli. 719 Toulouse St., thewillandtheway.com.

Just in time for the cooler weather, Chinola - an old-world artisanalstyle liqueur - has been released in New Orleans, available at Total Wine & More. The passion fruit liqueur balances tart and sweet essences with tropical aromas from its native Dominican Republic. Handcrafted from distilled spirits and fresh passion fruit, Chinola is free of artificial additives and contains nearly six whole passion fruit per bottle, all of which are sustainably grown along the northern coast in the Samaná peninsula. Chinola can be enjoyed on its own or mixed with any other spirit, and it makes a thoughtful holiday gift. Try this Global Entry recipe and dream of an exotic escape. chinola. com. Global Entry 0.75 oz. Chinola 0.75 oz. rye whisky

HOT IN THE CITY

Hot Tin, the rooftop bar at the Pontchartrain Hotel, has relaunched with a throwback cocktail program. Back on the menu are the famed Endless Summer (anejo and reposado tequilas, cucumber-lemon shrub and coconut, served in a coconut-flake rimmed rocks glass and garnished with a cucumber); the Skyliner (Cathead Honeysuckle Vodka, grapefruit, lime, Campari and Hellfire bitters); the Sweater Weather (rye, apple brandy, herbsaint, cinnamon syrup and Angostura bitters); and the Wolf in Lamb’s Clothing (gin, lemon, basil, honey and Lambrusco). Also on the menu are specialty highballs, including the Fenneller on the Roof, the With Ease and the Japanese Highball Proper. Classic cocktails include the spicy Paloma, espresso martini, Old Fashioned and more. 2031 St. Charles Ave., 323-1500; hottinbar.com.

DECEMBER 2021

0.5 oz. Averna Amaro 0.5 oz. agave nectar 1 oz. lemon juice 1 orange slice for garnish Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker, add ice and shake. Strain into a glass with fresh ice and garnish with an orange slice.

COCKTAIL QUEEN

New Orleans cocktail guru Kimberly Patton-Bragg - who was previously behind the bar at Three Muses, Latitude 29, the Swizzle Stick Bar, Molly’s at the Market and, most recently, Justine - has joined the team at Palm&Pine. Named “Mixologist of the Year” by “New Orleans Magazine” and “Secret Order of the Sazerac” by Tales of the Cocktail, Patton-Bragg has a creative and deep passion for spirits. Try her Flight to Lima (made with Oro Pisco Totontel, lemongrass syrup, lime, egg whites and Thai spice bitters) for something truly unique or her Liquid Sol (made with Jarritos tamarind soda, hibiscus syrup and lime) for a tasty non-alcoholic option. Palm&Pine also is hosting its second annual Holiday Special: Three Course Lunch Extravaganza (a prix fixe menu for $40) on Dec. 17. Also, on Dec. 20, 22 and 23, the bar and restaurant will host its second annual Tamale Fest with two types of tamales available by the dozen or two dozen. And if you’re on your way to a Saints home game, stop by Palm&Pine for two breakfast tacos and a quart of Michelada to-go for $15. 308 N. Rampart St., 814-6200, palmandpinenola.com.

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BY MISTY MIL IO TO RANDY SCHMIDT FOR KIMPTON HOTELS & RESTAURANTS

THE DISH

CORPORATE CATERING

Copeland’s of New Orleans and Cheesecake Bistro are now offering holiday corporate catering packages for parties or client events. The packages include dishes such as fried turkey breast, turkey gravy, smothered ham and bacon green beans, cornbread dressing, a biscuit and butter creamed potatoes. Starting at $11 per person, the packages are available for pick-up or delivery with a 40-person minimum order. Copeland’s also can provide holiday corporate catering buffet packages, individually packaged meals or custom meals. 1319 W. Esplanade Ave., Kenner, 615-3850, copelandstogo.com. DESIGN + TASTE NOLA TASTEMAKER

Brunch Menu

The Peacock Room, the gorgeous restaurant located within the new Kimpton Hotel Fontenot, is offering a new Sunday brunch dubbed “Birds of a Feather, Brunch Together.” Try the Peacock Tower with deviled eggs; lobster toast; salt, pepper and vinegar shrimp; pimento cheese; and crostini ($35). Pair it with a Siren of the Tropics—a creamy cocktail with house-made banana rum ($11)—or the High Tea Punch for 2—a bourbon punch served in beautiful tea set ($24). Peacock Room also has updated its dinner menu, adding dishes like yellowfin tuna Maltignati and chicken katsu grilled cheese, and new drinks like the grapefruit Julius. 501 Tchoupitoulas St., 324-3073, peacockroomnola.com.

Tujague’s Restaurant, the second oldest restaurant in New Orleans (and the birthplace of brunch and the Grasshopper cocktail), is celebrating its 165th anniversary with a series of special events throughout December. The restaurant has partnered with Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Reserve, NV to offer the high-end bubbly for $16.50 for a glass or $65 for a bottle. Tujague’s also is offering a commemorative 1856 Sazerac Collection of cocktails that includes the High West Rye Whiskey ($25), the ‘1840’ Pierre Ferrand Grand Champagne Cognac ($18) and the Sazerac Rye Whiskey ($12). The restaurant will feature a Christmasthemed Drag Queen Brunch with Poppy Tooker Dec. 26 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. ($70 per person). There’s also an $18.56 three-course prix fixe lunch menu (priced as an ode to the year the restaurant first opened) available Monday through Friday (except 12/17, 12/24 and 12/31). The prix fixe lunch menu includes options like charbroiled oysters, shrimp and grits, and New Orleans bread pudding. 429 Decatur St., 525-8676, tujaguesrestaurant.com.

Beloved local chef Sue Zemanick’s restaurant Zasu has reopened for dine-in service with a whole new look. Over the past year, Zemanick has revamped both the dining room and the menu. The wallpaper was replaced with three 10-foot custom art pieces by local artist Mallory Page. Meanwhile Jordan Gurran Rose at GoodWood replaced the walnut on the front of the bar with brass inserts to complement the quartzite bar. Local designer Julie Neill’s new Calypso brass light fixtures provide a warm, golden glow. New menu items include crispy pork cheeks with pickled peaches, burrata and Calabrian chili vinaigrette; a crunchy green salad with whipped feta cheese and pepitas; and a potato and Gruyere pierogi with house-made sauerkraut, caramelized Vidalia onions, crème fraîche and pickled mustard seeds. 127 N. Carrollton Ave., 267-3233, zasunola.com.

REFRESHED REVEILLON BANH MI, PLEASE!

When Peter Nguyen first opened Banh Mi Boys in 2016, it was to add to New Orleans’ popular Vietnamese food scene. Now, he has opened his third location Uptown on Magazine Street to reach a larger customer base that might not make it to the Metairie (or Portland, Oregon) locations. Popular menu items include the bang bang shrimp banh mi, grilled pork banh mi, spicy Asian brisket banh mi, Cajun Crack fries and the K-town fries. The new location also offers an expanded menu of specialty Vietnamese cocktails and happy hour specials. 3244 Magazine St., bmbsandwiches.com.

DECEMBER 2021

Reveillon in New Orleans traditionally consists of gumbo, game, chicken and oysters. However, Marcus Woodham, executive chef at The Bower, has created a completely vegetarian menu this year ($54 per person) using only the best seasonal ingredients from Sugar Roots Farm. The menu includes choices like Maggie’s mushroom arancini, squash carpaccio, eggplant parmesan and basil spaghetti. 1320 Magazine St., 582-9738, thebowernola.com.

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Style

BY ANDY MY E R

Rachel Depauw’s beautiful pottery is a welcome addition to any space. Depauw uses a process called Sgraffito, creating bold relief patterns and design motifs referencing Louisiana’s indigenous flora. On a pre-fired vessel, DePauw paints a thin layer of black liquid clay before using a small tool to carve through the slip, revealing the white clay beneath. Available at Judy at the Rink, judyattherink.com.

Whether you are looking to add Stevie Nicks vibes to your ensemble or simply an extra bit of period romance, the Dewdrop Lace Shawl is a multi-use accessory. Designed in New Orleans by Jolie Benson, it can be thrown over the shoulders for anything from a wedding to an evening on the town. Available at Jolie & Elizabeth, jolieandelizabeth.com.

Wrapped Up Locally sourced gifts Handcrafted and designed by local jewelry maker Elizabeth Massey, these pretty Willow earrings are made from acetate and gold-plated brass. The delicate flower balances out the colorful acetate for a business on top/ party on the bottom accessory that is sure to please even the most discerning recipients. Available at Eveille Jewelry, eveillejewelry.com.

DECEMBER 2021

Made locally from botanical ingredients and natural formulas, this essential self-care kit includes a trio of products meant to pamper and nourish. Complete with the company’s best-selling Rosemary Mint Lip Balm, Eucalyptus Rose Epsom Salt Soak for a calming bath, and the versatile Daily Ritual Oil – great for full-body moisturizing, massages, oil cleansing or as a facial moisturizer. Available at Kintsu, kintsushop.com.

Designed by local maker Moxlox, these super-cool seashell shades are made in a range of different styles using six varieties of wood (oak, walnut, rosewood, ebony, sapele, maple) and five varieties of upcycled seashells. All are biodegradable and consciously sourced. Available at Moxlox, moxlox.com.

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PERSONA

BY KE L L Y MASSIC O T

JEREMY WILLIAMS

ew Orleanians and Louisianians alike know all too well the devastation a hurricane can bring to a community. This year, our region was devastated yet again when Hurricane Ida made landfall on the 16th anniversary of the Hurricane Katrina. Hurricanes know no differences; it is a life experience that impacts many with no discrimination. We learned recently about a Marrero middle school band that took a big hit. Because of this devastation, Marrero Middle School band director Jeremy Williams is a man on a mission, fighting to replace all the band equipment lost in the storm, from building damage to excessive heat that came with no power for weeks. Q: Tell us a little about your background. I was born and raised in Kenner. Before I went to college, I already knew what I wanted to major in. I grew up in a musical family. My father played the trombone, my brother played the trombone, so I wanted to play the trombone, as well. I was constantly surrounded by some of the best musicians in the city. My brother and I were both taking private lessons and studying with some of the best low brass instructors in the area. When I was kid, I started to play music because it was always around me. As I progressed through my studies, I continued to play because it was so much fun. Little

DECEMBER 2021

did I know when I was playing in the school band, the youth orchestra, and honor bands I was just in the infant stages of beginning to mold my musical experience. There are jobs people do for the money and some for the glory. Music education is not a job you do for the money or the glory, I can assure you this much. As of this year I have been teaching for 15 years now. Q: What was it like teaching after Hurricane Katrina? I started teaching in Chalmette right after Hurricane Katrina. In many ways the situation the band is currently in [since Hurricane Ida] parallels my teaching experience then. When I taught in Chalmette, I walked in the band room and there was nothing but a bare room. I had to get equipment, do bids, order and everything else that is entailed to get a band in full operation. After getting the program going, I was hired to be the band director at Marrero Middle School. Q: Tell us about the Marrero Middle School band and its challenges. When I arrived, there were

only two instruments and only a few kids in the band. I have been building this program for 10 years now. Currently, we have a concert band, marching band, jazz band, New Orleans brass band, brass ensemble, and woodwind ensemble. Now [since the hurricane], we find ourselves having to rebuild from the ground up again, which we will. We will

come back stronger than before. Q: Why is music in schools so important for kids? There is the scientific and academic side with skills such as language development, increased IQ, the brain is forced to work harder, spatial-temporal skills, improved scores and so much more. There are also all the character building and life skills such as develop creativity skills, exposure to multiple cultures, craftsmanship, teamwork, discipline, helps to develop both self-esteem and self-expression, prepares students for future jobs by helping overcome stagefright, anxiety and risk taking, which all leads to reaching full potential and being a fully developed, well-rounded musician and person.

being used. If you have any unused instruments that you are willing to part with, dust them off and donate to the program. Teenage years can be very difficult, typically this is a time of coming of age, time of transition. These years can be the most important times of a young person’s life. For every instrument put into someone’s hands this gives them meaning so they have a purpose, it provides them with direction, discipline, life skills and so much more. Playing music is a great positive outlet that not only gives kids something to do but it provides them with something that they can continue with for their entire lives. As we all know there are few things, we can all do for our entire lives, but music is one of those few activities we can carry with us forever.

Q: What was the impact of

Hurricane Ida on the band and the school? Kids came back to

school in August of 2021 with hopes of returning to music. Instead, many showed up to school for a few days and then everyone was sent home for Hurricane Ida. In our case when we returned to school, we returned to a band inventory that is now unusable. Returning to a silent band room is never something any band director dreams of. All the love the community has poured out to the band program recently not only gives a sense of hope for the future but, it also brings a much-needed breath of fresh air to the soul. Q: How can the community help? I would encourage people in the community to share our story wide and far. [Also] we are also asking people to check their closets and attics. With this being a musical city like it is, many times people have old instruments just sitting not

LAGNIAPPE

Where is the best place to watch live music in the city/area? The best place to watch live jazz is the one and only, the legendary Preservation Hall and the more recently the New Orleans Jazz Museum. They are both living breathing museums. To me, these two places are both musical sanctuaries. What is your favorite song the band plays? The band’s favorite song would probably be the local New Orleans standard “Do Whatcha Wanna.” There are so many good songs, but I tend to like the old school songs from an earlier generation. I love the New Orleans standards, there are also so many concert band pieces I love. But one of my all-time favorite songs that the band plays is 25 or 6 to 4 by the classic horn band Chicago.

TO MAKE A DONATION

Jeremy Williams, Band Director Marrero Middle School Jeremy.Williams@jpschools.org

GREG MILES PHOTO

MODINE GUNCH

Calendar Calamity A digital dilemma

This was The Last Year of the Calendar for my mother-in-law, Ms. Larda. I got to explain. For years, she has been in charge of producing the St. Expedite Altar Society calendar, which the St. Expedite parochial school students sell to raise money for the school. Each month has a picture of some, mostly dull, school activity, like the kids filing into Mass, or lined up to form a human rosary - stuff like that. She picks out the pictures and writes a caption for each one - a pious saying of some kind - and then brings them over to Charlie Cresson, the printer, and he puts it all together for her. Then Charlie gets caught printing twenties as well as calendars, so Ms. Larda has to find another printer. Come to find out, they have all gone digital. Now, I myself make a calendar every year for the Sloth Lounge, which my gentleman friend Lust owns. He gives them to his regulars. It’s mostly pictures of drinks, and the bartenders serving drinks, and scenes from the Sloth Slow and Steady Two-Day Pub Crawl. I caption them with slogans like “Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker.” Like everybody under 70, I use a computer to make this calendar. Ms. Larda asks if I can make her calendar too. I say of course. It will get me brownie points in heaven. So she brings over her pictures, and 12 captions she copied from some holy book. This is in early October. A lot of things happened immediately after that. I got my first colonoscopy, which I ain’t going to talk about, and there was my cousin Giselda’s wedding, and Halloween, and then we’re into November and Thanksgiving and all of a sudden it’s the deadline for the calendars. Ms. Larda’s calendar always goes on sale at the St. Expedite Christmas pageant. Lust says before Christmas would be nice. So I do a rush job. The way this calendar program works, you upload all the pictures, in order, and then the captions separately. I get my daughter Gladiola to upload the pictures, and I type in both sets of captions. We press “submit” and “rush” And then we wait. Ms. Larda’s calendars don’t arrive at school until the actual

DECEMBER 2021

morning of the pageant. A couple eighth graders haul them into the auditorium and arrange them on a display table. They sell really fast, and most of them are gone before Ms. Larda gets there. She grabs one of the last ones and looks through it. And her hair stands on end. For March, it says “Erin go bra-less!” under a picture of Sister Mary Patricia presenting the Christian Life Award to old Mrs. O’Reilly. “If you can’t be happy at least you can be drunk,” under a picture of the choir looking solemnly into the camera “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. When life is a bitch, beer is a must,” under a picture of the church draped in purple for Lent She calls me, so hysterical that I think we got a bad connection. My apartment is behind the Sloth, so I decide to step over there and try calling her back. When I get there, I see some of the regulars frowning at their Sloth calendars, puzzled-like. I open one to a picture of Bustina the

bartender setting down two foaming mugs of beer. Underneath it says, “Hell was made for the inquisitive. - Saint Augustine” What? And under a picture of the Slow and Steady Pub Crawl, it says “The road to hell is paved with good intentions. - Bernard Of Clairvaux” Ohhh. We accidentally switched the calendar captions. I decide not to call Ms. Larda back. Turns out, both calendars are big hits. The Sloth regulars downed a lot of drinks arguing about the deeper meaning of each caption, which is so good for business, Lust puts in a second order. Even though the St. Expedite calendars sell out, the Altar Society asks Ms. Larda to resign as calendar chair. Hmph. On her way out the door, she tells them, “If you can’t be happy, at least you can be drunk!” That’s the spirit(s).

LORI OSIECKI ILLUSTRATION

MYNEWORLEANS.COM

VINTAGE

B Y JO HN R . KE MP

1890

eeting up with friends on Canal Street has always Kentucky in Congress for over four decades, served as U.S. Secretary of been a hassle. For many years, most New Orleanians, State, and ran five unsuccessful campaigns for president. He co-founded including the portly Lucky Dog aficionado Ignatius J. the short-lived Whig Party and National Republican Party (not the same Reilly in John Kennedy Toole’s Pulitzer Prize-winning GOP of today), and his “American System” agenda stood for high tariffs to novel “A Confederacy of Dunces,” were fond of protect American industries, a strong national bank, and federal funding saying “I’ll meet you under the clock at D.H. Holmes.” In the late 1800s, for infrastructure projects such as canals, roads, ports, and bridges. Many however, locals rendezvoused instead at the base of this towering statue believed his political skills in Congress averted an earlier civil war when he hammered out the Missouri Compromise of 1820 and the of Henry Clay that once stood in the Canal Street neutral ground Henry Clay Compromise of 1850. where St. Charles Avenue and Royal Street begin. monument Although a heroic-sized monument to the Kentucky statesman Upon Clay’s death in 1852, New Orleans friends, headed by on Canal Street might seem odd in New Orleans, Clay was wildly popular here the city’s Kentucky-born Mayor John Lewis, formed the Clay in the 19th century and had strong political and family ties to Monument Association to erect a statue in Clay’s honor. The the city, including his brother John. According to a 2011 article by Ned association commissioned the Kentucky sculptor Joel T. Hart to design Hémard for the New Orleans Bar Association, Clay made numerous trips the statue, which was cast in Munich, Germany. The formal unveiling took place on Canal Street on April 12, 1860, to much fanfare. By 1900, however, to the city, including one in 1849 to lay the cornerstone for the Custom House on Canal Street. Also, says Hémard, Clay’s wife Lucretia loved New streetcar traffic on Canal had become so busy, the city moved the statue Orleans “macaroni.” to Lafayette Square where it stands to this day across from Gallier Hall. It was Clay who said (and is often quoted), “I’d rather be right than be A side note – The performance of Verdi’s “Trovatore” mentioned on the president.” At the national level, the “Great Compromiser” represented streetcar sign took place Oct. 25, 1890.

DECEMBER 2021

MYNEWORLEANS.COM

By Jyl Benson, Jay Forman, Rebecca Friedman, Robert Peyton Photography by Marianna Massey

Our favorite places to eat, drink and celebrate from A to Z. NEW ORLEANS IS A FOOD TOWN. We love to incorporate food and cooking into almost all of our celebrations, get-togethers, family reunions, festivals and so much more. This year, the city and our beloved dining institutions, neighborhood bars and gathering spots continued to face restrictions prompted by COVID-19. Who knew we would also have to contend with aftermath of Hurricane Ida and days without power? And yet, through it all, New Orleans’ restaurants, chefs, cooks, bartenders and breweries continued to feed our citizens, both in body and soul, with creativity and innovation. This year, we celebrate the best of the best for 2021, from A to Z.

DEC. 2021

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Anna’s W H E N M I M I’S I N T H E

Marigny closed its Royal Street doors in 2020, fans mourned the loss of a neighborhood institution (which later announced a planned relocation to 2600 Chartres Street). The space wouldn’t stay dark for long. In June 2021, the iconic corner spot was reborn as Anna’s, the first Marigny venture for LeBlanc + Smith, the hospitality powerhouse behind Barrel Proof, Sylvain, The Chloe and newly opened The Will & the Way (formerly Longway Tavern). “We wanted a place that would mean to the Marigny what Barrel Proof means to the [Lower Garden District],” said Robért LeBlanc, LeBlanc + Smith’s founder and creative director. Partner Anna Giordano serves as namesake and leader of the new endeavor, bringing experience honed as bar director of Longway Tavern and tenures at Meauxbar and Bar Tonique, among other spots. At Anna’s, Giordano aims to balance the laid-back ambience that longtime Mimi’s patrons expect with her team’s collective vision. “We are trying to cultivate our

identity and be welcoming in that same way, but we are a different crew of people, and these are different times,” Giordano said. Across its two floors, Anna’s blends the mellow welcome of a neighborhood dive bar and the sexiness of a cocktail bar. Visitors seeking a more casual experience can find it downstairs, where a pony and shot of whiskey carry a singledigit price tag. Upstairs, the vibe is intimate, infused with flavors of Spain. Chef Chris “Hammy” Hamm, a veteran of the kitchens at Cavan, Sylvain and Coquette, serves creative tapas-style dishes. Highlights include papas bravas with a Nashville hot twist, accented with coarse mustard seeds and a slice of Bunny bread, and crispy octopus with squid ink black rice. A selection of Spanish vermouth, sherries and cocktails complement the cuisine. While the team acknowledges the challenges of opening during a year of uncertainty, they credit adversity for giving their work greater purpose and meaning. Giordano also just wants to offer some normalcy to people walking through the door: “As a community, we are all dealing with this together. There is solidarity in that.” Anna’s 2601 Royal St. AnnasNola.com @annasnola

BEST OF D INING

SINKING ONE’S TEETH INTO A

IS FOR

Bub’s NOLA

“Bub,” the double-patty smash burger that headlines the Bub’s Nola menu, it’s easy to understand why the place zoomed from friend-fueled brainstorm to “smashing” success. In the spring of 2020, a group of friends was mourning the loss of close pal Rand Owens, the former owner of Mid-City Pizza and Banks Street Bar, known to bestow the title “bub” upon worthy mates. After Owens’ death, friends Tristan Moreau, Aaron Amadio, Peter Prevot and brothers Josh and Ron Richard developed a close relationship with Owens’ family, trying to help them navigate rebuilding his businesses. The “bubs” found themselves inspired to pursue a dream of their own. A shared interest in cooking helped the group zero in on food concepts. The goal was fast casual,

high-quality and high turnover, and they settled on smash burgers. “You can really turn some smash burgers out,” Moreau said. The first Bub’s popup took place in June 2020 at the Mid-City Pizza location on Banks Street. From there, the group began appearing at Zony Mash Beer Project, Second Line Brewery, Pal’s Lounge and Miel Brewery and developed a zealous following. “We couldn’t believe the initial success,” Moreau said. By early 2021, the group was ready to turn the burger dream into full-time employment. When 4413 Banks St. (formerly home to Trilly Cheesesteaks and the first iteration of Mid-City Pizza) became available, it seemed like the perfect home. Bub’s Nola opened in June 2021, adding their crisp-edged patties on toasted brioche buns to the city’s

burger scape. Menu highlights include the “Bub” and “De-gen” fries loaded with cheese sauce, bacon, jalapenos and ranch. Moreau also encourages customers to try the peanut-butterand-bacon-enhanced “Peanut Bubber,” which he describes as a drunk-food concept that eats well in any state of sobriety. Though not all the bubs are involved in the restaurant’s day-to-day operations (that’s Moreau and the Richards, along with manager Sara Rowden), they feel Owens’ presence. “I think he would be proud of us,” Moreau said. “He would be so stoked that we are doing what we love to do, which is be together.” Bub’s NOLA 4413 Banks St. 581-8054 BubsNola.com @bubsnola

SMALL BATCH BEAN-TO-BAR CHOCOLATE Nobles’ offerings are twofold – glossy varietal manufacturers are uncommon, as are artisan bars that highlight the nuances of the specific bonbon makers. So when you integrate these beans (for example, the complex fruit-forward two crafts under one roof, the combination is flavors of Tanzania) as well as collections of rare indeed. This is the case for Piety and Desire exquisite hand-painted molded bonbons. These Chocolate, a vertically integrated bean-to-bonbon compositions lean heavily on local influence – operation that has been quietly turning out in particular cocktail culture, such as with his its kaleidoscopic jewel boxes of New Sazerac bonbon – as well as surprising Orleans-inspired chocolates for the forays into savory territory (Duck past few years at its location in Fat and Caramel with Five Spice ganache, for example). Going Broadmoor. For owner Christopher into Christmas, expect to see IS FOR Nobles it was a serendipitous intelligent spins on flavors encounter that set him on this of the season, like Gold, path. A musician and savory Frankincense and Myrrh as chef by trade, Nobles never had well as Milk and Cookies. “We much of a sweet tooth. But when also do a traditional peppermint a colleague asked him if he’d ever bark and two different kinds of worked with chocolate before and he said no, drinking chocolates,” Nobles said. Nobles got curious and set out to learn about Order online at PietyandDesireChocolate. it. He viewed it through the lens of other craft com. His bars can also be found in select shops approaches to items like beer and cheese that around town. At press time Nobles was in the have gained traction over the years. “As soon process of seeking to open a new brick and as I started going down the rabbit hole and mortar store – follow him on Instagram for learned more, I moved on to taking classes and the latest details. going to cocoa farms and fermentation centers,” Nobles said. “After a year or so of that I said, @PietyDesireChoc you know this is something I can do.” Piety and Desire Chocolate was born.

Chocolate

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Dakar Nola Food lovers seeking boutique experiences that transcend the ordinary will be happy to hear that Chef Serigne Mbaye recently signed on as the chef de cuisine for Mosquito Supper Club. This means diners now have two ways to experience Mbaye’s highly regarded Senegalese-inspired fare: his ongoing pop-up Dakar Nola, as well as the Mosquito Supper Club. For his pop-up, Mbaye’s menu is rooted in Senegal, though he is constantly folding new inspirations into its oft-changing menu. A recent series of travels took him through Mexico City, so expect to see ideas gathered from there pop up in his compositions. “Mexico showed me how to really appreciate simple ingredients,” Mbaye says of the trip. “What also struck me is how much they do their own thing. They don’t follow what the Americans are doing or what the Europeans are doing. They just find their own niche -- the food is very interesting.” Details on Dakar Nola can be found on Tock or by following Mbaye on social media – meals are served once per week and reservations are required. Also recommended is Mosquito Supper Club, a curated dining experience which features a seafoodforward feast served in a communal setting. Along the way, diners learn about the history and culture of the food web which supports our local community through the multi-course tasting menu. While the general thrust is a particularly thoughtful approach to Creole and Cajun, Mbaye brings a new perspective. “It is Melissa Martin’s menu I’m executing, but I bring my own twists. It is additive.” For diners looking to put their fingers directly on the pulse of modern New Orleans cuisine, both of these experiences are highly recommended. They rise above the ordinary “Dinner for Two at 6:30” and do a terrific job of putting dining in a broader context that elevates the whole. Dakar Nola ExploreTock.com/dakarnola @dakarnola Mosquito Supper Club 3824 Dryades St. 494-9777 ExploreTock.com/Mosquito SupperClub @mosquitosupperclub

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Esplanade Establishment THERE ARE CERTAIN restaurants, and certain families, that embody New Orleans cooking over generations. The Baquet family is one of those, with various members of the family having operated restaurants since the late 1940s. When it appeared that Li’l Dizzy’s on Esplanade Avenue was going to close late last year, there

was a lot of trepidation among those of us who love our indigenous cuisine. Fortunately, a new generation has stepped up to the plate and earlier this year Li’l Dizzy’s reopened under the ownership of Wayne Baquet Jr. and his wife Arkesha, who purchased the restaurant from Wayne Baquet, Sr. This is a place to go for the classics: gumbo, fried seafood, bread pudding, greens, sweet potatoes and so much more. Folks who dine there frequently can recite the daily specials; red beans (with sausage or fried chicken) on Mondays, of course; white beans on Tuesday; smothered okra (again with fried chicken as an add-on) on Thursday, catfish

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Hurricane Ida Response For some it was a distaste for waste, for others it was frazzled nerves that motivated restaurateurs to feed their communities in the days immediately

Jourdain (topped with shrimp and crabmeat) on Friday and on Saturday there’s smothered pork chops or fried catfish with grits. Wednesday, it’s up to the chef. Sometimes we focus on novelty in the food world, but there will always be something new to catch our interest. When we lose a restaurant like Li’l Dizzy’s, we’re not likely to get it back. We’re grateful to Wayne Baquet, Jr. and Arkesha Baquet for keeping their family tradition alive at Li’l Dizzy’s. Li’l Dizzy’s 1500 Esplanade Ave. 766-8687 Lildizzyscafe.net @lildizzyscafe504

following the landfall of Hurricane Ida. “Ida was terrible but not a total loss, so we had resources to share,” said David Greengold, one of the owners of Juan’s Flying Burrito, a taqueria with four New Orleans locations. Past disasters taught the Juan’s team to pack their restaurants’ walk-in coolers with dry ice in

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Freret Street The revitalization of Freret Street truly began post-Katrina, when a few prescient entrepreneurs recognized the possibilities offered by its central location and prior history as a thriving commercial hub for local businesses. Neal Bodenheimer was the first to take the plunge with Cure, an upscale bar which singlehandedly helped to spark the national craft cocktail revolution. Adam Biederman’s Company Burger followed soon after. A wave of other places appeared in short order and the Freret Corridor was reborn. Fast-forward to 2021. The first clutch of businesses has since been reinforced by a slew of newcomers. Several are owned by Tulane and LSU alum who, after graduating, have brought the things they missed most from their hometowns back to New Orleans. The result is a sampling of tastes from all over, and our restaurant scene is richer for it. Chicago-style deep dish pizza can be found at The Midway. The Kolache Kitchen, featuring its uniquely Americanized namesake pastry, provides student friendly meals that will fit in one hand and can be munched on the go. Other purveyors of baked goodness

anticipation of losing power. When the winds died down Greengold emptied the coolers at Juan’s Mid City and CBD locations, set up a grill on the lawn of his Mid City home, and, working from a generatorpowered refrigerator, he and his wife, Chrissie Roux, started cooking and feeding anyone who showed up.

“Chrissie was the force behind all of this,” Greengold said. “She used her social media resources to get the word out and find people in need. We ended up bringing food to Ochsner employees who had exhausted the vending machines and employees of Zeus’ Rescues who were craving anything

include Windowsill Pies (covered elsewhere in this issue) and Humble Bagel, which turns out a galaxy of enormous, schmear-friendly bagels. Val’s (also Bodenheimer) is a casual contemporary Mexican stunner whose al fresco premise provided a silver lining to pandemic dining. Good Bird offers artisan sandwiches, grain bowls and smoothies aimed at the college market. The nearby outpost of City Greens provides similarly health-conscious fare supported by its ecologically minded supply chain. For dessert, not one but two outposts scoop up frozen treats – Piccolo Gelateria has some of the best gelato you will find anywhere (try the Amarena Cherry) and Ice Cream 504’s Michael Southall dreams up creative, small-batch flavors in a homey atmosphere. Notably, a pocket-sized Rouses Market just added a much-needed neighborhood amenity to balance the runaway revitalization, helping to keep the residential surrounding area livable. The problem now isn’t finding something good to eat. Rather, it is finding a place to park while avoiding the traffic cameras. Success does have its price. @curenola @companyburgerfreret @midwaypizzanola @thekolachekitchen @windowsillpiesnola @humblebagel @valsnola @_goodbird @eatcitygreens @piccolagelateria @icecream504nola

but canned goods. We cooked until the food ran out. I guess we fed about 800 people. Greengold said Warren Chapoton, also partner in Juan’s, had a similar operation going with the contents of the coolers from the Uptown and LGD locations. Chef Isaac and Amanda Toups also started cooking as soon as the

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Graze Dat! CHARCUTERIE IS, BROADLY

defined, the art of preparing meat. The Larousse Gastronomique guide begins the discussion of the term with the sentence, “the art of preparing meat, in particular pork, in order to present them in the most diverse ways.” Graze Dat Charcuterie takes the diverse presentation aspect to an entirely new level. The charcuterie arrangements, or “grazing” boards, produced by owner Elizabeth Choto are vibrant works of art, with various cured meats, sausages, fruits, vegetables, pickles, chutneys and cheeses arrayed in spiraling, three dimensional designs that often

storm passed. “For Isaac and me, we never allow ourselves to freak out at the same time,” Amanda Toups said. “When one of us is losing it then other is Samurai warrior calm. Cooking calms us both so that’s where we turn when things get crazy.” A home renovation had the Toups family temporarily living upstairs

resemble floral arrangements. While she has no background in design, both individual ingredients are displayed beautifully, and the overall look of each board is striking in its shape and the use of color. “I guess I’m just a foodie,” Choto said, and that may be true, but these are not the work of an amateur. Presentation is important – the first sense we employ when dining is sight – but Choto is also focused on using ingredients that many of her customers will likely never have tasted. Pink pineapple, goldenberries and kiwi berries are some examples.

from Toups Meatery when Ida struck. With the restaurant under generator power the duo immediately started cooking and shuttling food to a nearby fire station. Two days after the storm World Central Kitchen reached and Toups Meatery became the first WCK activated kitchen after the storm. “For nine days we

Choto is originally from Zimbabwe and moved to the US when she was a teenager. She’s lived in New Orleans for four years, and said she loves the pace of life here. She started her business during the pandemic, as a way to earn an income after, like many folks, she was laid off from her job. Graze Dat is a “takeout” business – customers order from their website and the boards are either delivered or picked up. Choto requests at least 24 hours advance for either. Graze Dat Grazedat.gethoneycart.com @grazedat

were cooking at the restaurant for WCK and for whoever showed up at the restaurant. All of our chefs have kids and dogs, so we had a Toups Pet & Daycare situation going for three weeks as we turned out up to 400 meals a day.” So many restaurants, in fact, jumped to the cause, we don’t have room to name them all here, but to

them all we lift our glass for their dedication to the community. Juan’s Flying Burrito multiple locations JuansFlyingBurrito.com @juansflyingburritonola Toups Meatery 845 N. Carrollton Ave. 252-4999 ToupsMeatery.com @toupsmeatery

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Instagram Instagram might be the perfect platform for tempting the appetite. Its accessibility and broad reach have made it the showcase for food porn images of mid-flight melty cheese and masterful charcuterie spreads. More than that, however, “the Gram” has become a communication channel for culinary businesses of all sizes, a place to let consumers know about the plat du jour or raise awareness around social issues affecting the food community. Instagram’s impact soared during the pandemic, when many businesses emerged out of home kitchens or as popups. With no marketing budget or professional PR assistance, these operators relied on Instagram to spread the word about specialty cakes and roaming restaurants. Kaitlin Guerin, founder of Lagniappe Baking Co., started her business in May 2020 and estimates that 90 percent of her clients come through Instagram. “I have always viewed Instagram as an artistic platform to put your profile out publicly,” Guerin said. For her business, consistency is key – posting regular content with a uniform look and feel. The “stories” feature and videos allow Guerin to share background about the baking process – and let followers know where to purchase her popular pastry boxes. Regular Instagram posts have become a marketing must for all types of food businesses. As communications consultant Jillian Greenberg tells restaurant clients, “If you are not using Instagram, you are missing an opportunity to constantly be reminding your consumers that you are there.” The sunny platform does have its shady side. A growing cadre of “influencers” has emerged to amplify marketing efforts, sometimes sharing food-related content in exchange for compensation (e.g., free food) – a practice that can mislead followers by blurring the line between authenticity and advertising. Business owners can also find themselves targeted publicly (fairly or not) by critical commenters. On the positive side, Instagram offers a growing forum to support social causes ranging from hurricane relief to racial equity to mutual aid for an industry facing tough times. Guerin frequently uses the platform to “show love to other businesses.” That cooperation is something Greenberg doesn’t see much in other cities: “The way the restaurant community here feeds each other is just so different.” Lagniappe Baking Co. 302-8243 LagniappeBaking.com, @lagniappebaking

DECEMBER 2021

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Jamaican

A new Jamaican restaurant opened this year in the spot formerly occupied by a Mellow Mushroom pizza joint. It’s the third location of chef Charles Blake’s 14 Parishes, the first being at the Pythian Market and the second, on Clio Street, having closed a few years ago. It brings a welcome dose of Caribbean spice to the Uptown neighborhood. The menu has the standards you’ll find at restaurants serving the Island’s cuisine: jerk chicken, pork and shrimp, stewed chicken in 14 Parishes brown gravy or curry and oxtails are always available, but ask 8227 Oak St. about specials like jerk duck, curry goat or whole fish. 264-7457 Definitely do not pass on the sides, as it’s hard to imagine and at the eating Jamaican food without rice and peas, callaloo or Pythian Market plantains, and they’re all excellently prepared. We also 234 Loyala Ave. recommend at least one order of the festival bread, a slightly 14Parishes.com sweet, elongated fried dough that is completely addictive and @14parishesnola which pairs especially well with the spicier dishes on offer. The restaurant has two bars, one in the downstairs main dining room, and another upstairs. Both are overseen by chef Blake’s wife and partner, Lauren, who doubles as the event planner for the space upstairs. As you’d expect, rum is the focus, and if you like that spirit you can’t go wrong with the bobsled (hibiscus, ginger and white rum) or the rum punch (pineapple, orange, cherry and dark and white rums).

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King Cakes In the absence of parades and other in-person Carnival festivities, New Orleanians filled the void with king cake. So much king cake. New varieties continued to hit the market (Brennan’s eye-catching “Pink Parade” of strawberry cream cheese was hard to miss), a coffee table book was created to capture the magic behind the cake craft, and the king cake community mourned a vital member. ¶ Writer Matt Haines first gained local media renown in 2017 for trying more than 80 varieties of king cake and documenting his assessments in a spreadsheet. Subsequent kingcake-related research deepened Haines’ expertise, and after this year’s Carnival season, he began looking to showcase that interest.

¶ “I was blown away that there had never been a coffee table book about king cake,” Haines said. By late May, he was scheduling shoots with photographer Randy Krause Schmidt for “The Big Book of King Cake,” which captures traditional and newfangled varieties of the Carnival treat from a broad range of makers. ¶ For Haines, the most important part of the endeavor isn’t the cake – it’s the bakers who make it. “During king cake season, the revenue many bakeries make sustains them for the year,” Haines said. “To be able to support them…and make it feel like a thriving time of year was really nice.” Though Haines has a long list of favorites, highlights include a cinnamon cream cheese version from Tartine, the chocolate variety from Bittersweet Confections and the cannoli king cake from Nor Joe Importing Co. Haines was also “blown away” by cakes from home bakers S.S. Sweets (crawfish) and Not Too Fancy Bakery. ¶ King cake lovers were saddened to learn of the passing of Will Samuels in September. Samuels co-founded the King Cake Hub, a one-stop-shop for king cakes from across the region. According to posts on the Hub’s social media accounts, the business will return in 2022, carrying on Samuels’ legacy. ¶ Fingers remain crossed that 2022 will see New Orleanians back to enjoying their favorite Carnival treat – in its many forms – along the parade route. @brennansnola @tartinenola @bittersweetnola @norjoeimports @chef_rena_ray (S.S. Sweets) @nottoofancybakery @kingcakehub

‘TIS THE TIME OF

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Lord of Meringues

year many of us seek giftable treats with a novelty quotient that will set them apart from the pack. These are the flourishes that create festive pops and memories to last all season long. So, if you are one such, look no further than Lord of Meringues, a boutique confection startup guaranteed to elevate your holiday accents. Founded by local New Orleanian Ehren Abbott, Lord of Meringues serves up a panoply of IG-worthy sweets. For December, expect to find pepper-

mint meringue Christmas trees, chocolate-dipped meringue lollipops handpainted with gold luster and amazingly lifelike meringue mushrooms dusted with cocoa powder (the perfect finishing touch for home cooks tackling their own bouche noel). Available in both package quantities as well as in individual acrylic cubes, these items make gifting and favors a breeze. Abbott discovered meringues on a trip through Switzerland years back. “I’d never had crunchy meringue before. I’d only ever had the soft,

torched kind like we are used to here,” Abbott explained. “I really fell for them.” Upon his return he did some research and discovered while these sweets were popular in other parts of the world, not many confectioners were making them stateside. He soon learned why. “They are so temperamental – It is like they don’t want to be made,” he said. “They want to resist their own creation.” Yet he persevered, and after fiddling with recipes and techniques for over a year be finally settled on a methodology that worked.

“I found I loved working with them – you can pipe them into different shapes and paint them – they are just such a versatile medium.” Buy them online at LordofMeringues.com or at an array of specialty shops like Gracious Baker y, The Larder, Lionheart Prints, NOLA Boards and more. Abbott can also work directly with customers to create the perfect custom treat for weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs and other special occasions. @lordofmeringues

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Miss River One of the most eagerly anticipated culinary events of the year was the unveiling of Miss River, the restaurant from chef partner Alon Shaya in the newly opened Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans. The space blends Art Deco influences and nautical nods to the namesake river, while works of photography and sculpture from local artists lend a sense of place. The kitchen, overseen by executive chef Kelley Schmidt, plays upon the flavors of Louisiana, from BBQ shrimp to beignets. “The idea behind the menu and the service style was that we would really celebrate all of the dishes that make Louisiana cuisine,” Shaya said. “We wanted to bring some of that Vietnamese influence into the menu, show off the west African influence that has developed into things like gumbo and jambalaya and do dishes like dirty rice and fried chicken that we all love…in a way that’s surprising but still hits home to that classic dish.”

BEST OF DINING

According to Shaya, the whole buttermilkfried fried chicken was a key piece of the inspiration behind Miss River. “I had always wanted to do a whole fried turkey, like for Thanksgiving, but in the way that it would be breaded at Popeyes,” Shaya said. After a successful turkey experiment a couple of years ago, he resolved to one day include a whole fried chicken on a restaurant menu. At Miss River, that chicken is carved at the

chef’s stage, where guests can visit with chefs as they put the finishing touches on caviar service, seafood platters and more. “We wanted to create an area in the dining room where guests can either engage or not engage and use that space depending on the type of experience you want to have,” said Shaya. That interactive approach also applies to the walk-up sommelier station that encourages guests to explore and inquire.

After a period with minimal partying, Miss River puts festivity front and center, including wide aisles designed to allow space for second lining, according to Shaya. “We wanted to make it feel like a place where you can really spend hours celebrating.” Miss River in the Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans 2 Canal St. 434-5100 MissRiverNola.com @missrivernola

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NOCHI

The New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (NOCHI) has established itself as a case study in resilience and the art of the pivot in the two years since its long delayed and much anticipated opening. ¶ Early in the pandemic that shuttered the institution for in-person classes, the culinary school became a central production and coordination site for New Orleans’ meal program that employed area restaurants to feed vulnerable populations. The year-long endeavor that culminated in June fed 3.65 million meals to over 10,000 people. With that experience nailed down, the NOCHI staff was ready when World Central Kitchen, the disaster response organization led by superstar chef Jose Andres, came calling before Hurricane Ida even blew through. Powered by massive generators, the school’s kitchens immediately began turning out tens of thousands of meals a day for regional distribution, for first responders, and for anyone who showed up at the door in need. Over the course of a month more than 420,000 meals were produced and distributed. ¶ NOCHI’s popular rooftop “Dinner & A Movie” series, established to keep traffic in the building at the height of the pandemic, continues with events scheduled through the end of the year. ¶ In October, NOCHI welcomed its sixth cohort in its flagship in-person culinary program while continuing to offer private cooking classes in both hands-on and virtual formats. This year also led to NOCHI becoming a VA-approved institution, enabling military students and family members the opportunity to have up to 100 percent of tuition covered by GI Bill benefits. In what may be its most innovative effort to remain relevant in these most trying of times, on November 1, NOCHI will launch PUMP (Pathways for Upward Mobility Program), an 8-week grant-funded training for BIPOC hospitality professionals. The PUMP curriculum was designed to fast-track employees into leadership roles. New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute 725 Howard Ave . 891-4060 Nochi.org @nochi_grams 42

DECEMBER 2021

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Open-Air Dining WHILE OPEN-AIR dining initially grew out of pandemicrelated necessity, it has become firmly entrenched in the city’s dining DNA. Caitlin Carney, CEO and co-founder of restaurants Seafood Sally’s (which opened on Oak Street in May) and

Marjie’s Grill, says the outdoor space was Seafood Sally’s biggest advantage: “The reason we are there is because of that building and the porch and beautiful front yard… It’s nice to have so much room so there is the opportunity to sit and get a drink where it doesn’t have

to be turn-and-burn.” Carney estimates that 75 percent of customers now want to eat outside. “It’s very important to our concepts to relax, get messy and enjoy the atmosphere,” she said. Uptown spot Nice Guys Bar & Grill transformed a parking

area into a spacious dining patio to meet the needs of diners and to keep staff safe. “I think of my employees,” said co-owner Allison Charles. “I’m lucky to have them and don’t want them congested with overcrowding.” Charles calls the outdoor seating area “a second restaurant that has come in very handy for us,” with many customers preferring to sit outside no matter the weather. Another bonus? The patio makes the restaurant even more visible to passing traffic, so the owners have ordered a new sign and lighting to highlight their outdoor asset. When Pizza Delicious owners Mike Friedman and Greg Augarten reopened onsite dining in June – after nearly a year of takeout-only service – they knew they needed more outdoor space. “We didn’t feel like we had a big enough space to say, ‘Hey, come to our patio that has five tables,” Friedman said. “If we were going to open back up, we had to have enough seats to make it worthwhile for everybody.” Their solution was to add about 60 percent more outdoor capacity, and the change has paid off. “However hot it’s been, people still come to eat outside… It will serve us well for the future.” Seafood Sally’s 8400 Oak St. 766-8736 SeafoodSallys.com @seafoodsallys Marjie’s Grill 320 S. Broad St. 603-2234 MarjiesGrill.com @marjiesgrill Nice Guys Bar and Grill 7910 Earhardt Blvd. 302-2404 NiceGuysBarandGrillNola. com @niceguysbarandgrill Pizza Delicious 617 Piety St. 676-8482 PizzaDelicious.com @pizzadelicious

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Paulie Gee’s

Among aficionados of pizza in this country, there are two main camps. There are people who believe New York-style pies are the best, and there are those who feel Chicago “deep-dish” are superior. ¶ One of the best pizza restaurants in New York by many accounts is Paulie Gee’s, which recently opened its seventh location in the space briefly occupied by Roman-style pizza restaurant Bonci. ¶ Paulie Gee’s has a small menu of New York-style pizza as slices or whole pies, with standard toppings such as mozzarella, pepperoni and sweet Italian sausage, but a couple of the restaurant’s specialty pizzas add Mike’s Hot Honey, a chili-infused product that got its start at the original Paulie Gee’s in Brooklyn. It’s perfect if you like a little sweetness with your spicy, savory food. ¶ The pizzas are cooked in a blisteringly hot oven, with thin crusts that char in places around the edges and on the underside. The restaurant is managed by Aubrey Stallard, who is from New Orleans and whose father owns Dos Jefes cigar bar on Tchoupitoulas Street.

A recent Friday lunch at Antoine’s served up a reminder of why certain French Quarter icons endure. They have the power to transform even a weekday into something festive. From an all-afternoon affair at Galatoire’s to cocktails and soufflé potatoes at Arnaud’s French 75 Bar to any meal that starts with Antoine’s seafood duo, these keepers of the city’s culinary flame fill a unique place in our hearts and bellies. But it’s been another long year for the French Quarter stalwarts. Ongoing COVID-19 concerns kept tourists at bay and wreaked havoc on special events. Hurricane Ida disrupted operations (and oysters). Staffing woes and supply chain issues continue to take a toll. Through it all, these New Orleans institutions keep serving, hoping for

better days. According to Lisa Blount, Antoine’s Director of Sales and Marketing, the restaurant has learned to manage uncertainty. “It was challenging to figure out how to handle parties and reservations,” says Blount. “They would cancel because everyone has Covid, or a rehearsal dinner goes from 75 to 40 people – and then becomes the wedding… We learned that we can never predict anything.” At Arnaud’s, co-proprietor Katy Casbarian has tried to “stay the course,” adjusting opening hours and menu items to streamline operations without affecting the guest experience. The restaurant also turned to private dining spaces to help guests feel safe during pandemic peaks. “That proved successful for us,”

Casbarian said. “But I’m not going to sugarcoat what this year has been – it has been extremely challenging, not just for us but for the whole restaurant industry nationally.” In late September, Antoine’s moved to opening five days a week, up from weekends only. According to Blount, the fall saw steady improvement, with more locals coming in, and she feels hopeful about the holidays: “I think this year will be a festive time.” Arnaud’s is holidayready as well, with December lunches, themed cocktails and a Réveillon menu. “Arnaud’s, the French Quarter…nobody does holidays better,” Casbarian said. “Many of the restaurants down here have deep roots within the city… we are part of family traditions. That’s what makes New Orleans tick.”

Paulie Gee’s Crescent City 726 Julia St. Pauliegee.com/ crescent-city order online for pickup or delivery online via Doordash, @Pauliegees_ crescentcity_slice

Antoine’s Restaurant 713 St. Louis St. 581-4422 Antoines.com @antoinesnola Arnaud’s Restaurant 813 Bienville St . 523-5433 ArnaudsRestaurant.com @arnaudsnola Galatoire’s Restaurant 209 Bourbon St. 525-2021 Galatoires.com @galatoiresnola

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Ramen When we talk about ramen, we generally mean the soup. But ramen is a noodle, and a specifically toothsome noodle made with an alkaline dough that renders it a little tighter than most pasta. There have been a few restaurants recently that have been making superior ramen noodles, and we’d like to alert you to a few of them. At Hangout Ramen they serve a mix of Japanese, Thai and Indonesian food, but here we’re focused on the noodles. They have a wide selection that includes such non-traditional options as spicy “bang bang,” in a spicy pork broth; Laksa, with a coconut broth with shrimp and tofu; and their special Hangout Ichimi that comes with a creamy pork broth and can be ordered “mild,” “burning” or “explode.” Union Ramen specializes in poultry and miso-based broths, as apart from the pork-based tonkatsu more typical in the U.S. Toppings include roasted pork, blackened chicken, ground beef and tasso and bulgogi-style king mushrooms. They do several versions of brothless ramen, too, called “mazamen;” their take on on dirty rice with an Asian twist. Secret Birria is an outlier in the ramen world. It’s a place that serves tacos and ramen, and while that’s not a traditional thing, it’s delicious. Birria is beef that’s cooked slowly with chiles and spices, and it pairs remarkably well with ramen noodles in a soup. Hangout Ramen 1340 S. Carrollton Ave. 571-5024 order online with DoorDash or Postmates @hangoutramen Union Ramen 1837 Magazine St. 459-2819 Unionramen.com @unionramennola Secret Birria 323 Octavia St. 899-2961 Secretbirria.com @secretbirrianola

San Lorenzo

FLYING IN THE FACE OF PANDEMICS and hurricanes, the Hotel Saint Vincent opened its doors earlier this year, breathing new life into an imposing former orphanage in the Lower Garden District. The subsequent critical acclaim was near universal. This 75-room boutique outpost at the nexus of hipster and high fashion instantly hit all the right notes, tapping the zeitgeist of community and culture, quickly becoming a darling for both locals and wellheeled travelers alike. With a high-profile property like this, dining is a big piece of the puzzle, and its cornerstone restaurant San Lorenzo rises to the occasion. The premise is coastal Italian, which ties neatly with our proximity to the gulf as well as the influence the Italian community has had on New Orleans cuisine. “We saw room here for a more modern, lighter cooking approach,” said Larry McGuire, a partner in MML Hospitality. “We also wanted to be additive to the local restaurant scene, since many places here feature more of the unique Creole Italian style.” The result in a curated stunner than feels casual but executes at a high level from cocktails to sweets. The menu here is ingredient-driven and puts pasta in the forefront. Most are made in-house and benefit from simple preparations that let the ingredients shine. A piquant dish of Lobster Bucatini is a case in point. The lobster was still nestled neatly in sections of shell but popped out easily with the prodding of a fork, and the concentrated brightness of the peppery arrabbiata clung lovingly to the bucatini. Paired with an appetizer of Yellowtail Carpaccio enlivened with pistachio, mint and briny umami-rich bottarga, you will find seafood dishes here to surprise even the most jaded of seafood lovers. Those feeling more turf than surf can confidently order a Dry-Aged Porterhouse from the woodburning oven knowing that the quality of the beef will shine thanks to minimally elevating enhancements of woodsmoke, brown butter, salt and rosemary. The hotel also serves up all-day fare at the adjacent Café Elizabeth, which pivots to Vietnamese with a menu featuring Bahn mi, noodle dishes and more. Facilities are rounded out with event space that can accommodate up to 300 people, all embraced by the stately brick wings of the imposing former orphanage. “The whole place kind of felt like an Italianate resort from the get-go,” McGuire said. “So the concept here complements the design.” San Lorenzo at Hotel Saint Vincent 1507 Magazine St. 350-2430 SaintVincentNola.com @sanlorenzonola

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Turning Tables NOLA In New Orleans, our economy is heavily weighted towards restaurants, bars and music venues. Those businesses are also at the heart of our culture, but while people of color make up a majority of our population, there is nevertheless an inequitable distribution of opportunities for black and brown youth. ¶ Turning Tables NOLA aims to change that. The organization, founded by Touré Folkes, offers an intensive, 12-week training externship to young brown and black hospitality professionals, with both classroom education and on-site training as well as mentorship, support and encouragement. ¶ Students learn about mixology and wine, restaurant and bar management, brand marketing Turning Tables NOLA and how to confidently use the 1810 Hastings Place #4 knowledge they gain. Through 507-0130 partnerships with restaurant, hotel TurningTablesNola.org and beverage industry leaders, @turningtablesnola Turning Tables has developed a network of support for folks looking to start a career. ¶ Reading the biographies of externs on the organization’s website, one can’t help but notice two things they have in common: the sense that being in the hospitality industry is a calling, and gratitude to Turning Tables for giving them opportunities they might otherwise not have received. ¶ Turning Tables NOLA is intent on changing the structure of the economic system underlying the hospitality industry, not only by giving young people the knowledge they need to thrive, but perhaps more importantly the access that people who look like them don’t ordinarily have. This is vital work that benefits the entire city.

Breakfast aficionados take note of a new game in town. Up&Adam, which opened over the summer and was soon after sucker-punched by Ida, is nevertheless rolling along and starting many a Mid City morning off on the right foot. This cheerful corner spot, formerly occupied by Canal Street Bistro, reflects the positive energy of its owner Adam Ford, who launched it with his partner Christopher back in July. Rounded out with chef Gigi in the kitchen, this newcomer plates up breakfast, brunch and lunch all fueled by the proprietary coffee blend that served as its initial fuel and inspiration.

The menu riffs on breakfast and brunch staples to offer fresh takes on tried-and-true favorites. Beignets get brightened with berries, and avocado toast beckons alongside another version featuring curry shrimp. Southern-style cooking is a big influence, with shrimp and grits, fried pickles and Firecracker shrimp all represented here. Breakfast sandwiches, omelets and burgers all make for a good way to either start your day or recover from the one before. Underpinning it all is their signature Morning Run coffee, which is also available for retail in 12-ounce bags. Al fresco seating which is pet-friendly, hospitable

service and a welcoming Mid City vibe round out the appeal. As does the full bar. While the pandemic crushed many dreams, it is wonderful to see that it also gave rise to new ones in hospitality. Up&Adam is one such story. Up&Adam 3903 Canal St. 708-7237 GetUpandAdam.com @get.upandadam

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Virgin Hotels Commons Club ENGLISH BUSINESS MAGNATE SIR

Richard Branson made headlines in 2021 for several reasons, including a highly publicized space flight and an October performance with the St. Augustine Purple Knights to celebrate the opening of Virgin Hotels New Orleans. For food lovers, the big headline came in May when the company announced the hiring of Alex Harrell as executive chef for the property, including its Commons Club restaurant. The freedom to design a menu that suited New

Orleans was an important draw for Harrell, who earned acclaim leading the kitchens at Elysian Bar, Angeline and Sylvain. Apart from a few basic parameters, like offering a burger and a salad, his mandate was to create an experience that connects closely to the city – and appeals to locals and visitors alike. “You have to have a connection with New Orleanians or it becomes disingenuous and falls short,” Harrell said. Harrell’s contemporary Southern approach to cooking is visible on the Commons Club menu. Roasted mushroom fritters with charred green onion remoulade are made with cornmeal from Bayou Cora in Harrell’s home state of Alabama. “We call it a fritter, but it’s a hush puppy,” he said. A starter of grilled okra with harissa and peanut sesame crumble also highlights southern ingredients. The space seems made for a good time, with bold stripes, lush fabrics and conversation-friendly nooks, including a semi-private area called the Shag Room. “I want people to come in and for it not to feel overbearing, for it to have all the technical aspects of good service and good food but without any of the pretense,” Harrell said. Frequently scheduled live music and DJ sets add to the festive vibe. And what about working for Sir Richard Branson? Harrell describes him as “really approachable – what you see is what you get.” He also cites the Virgin Hotels motto (or “brand purpose”), “Everybody leaves feeling better,” as a universal goal. “People enjoy what they do, enjoy their experience – whether the guest or the employees,” Harrell said. “You have fun.” Virgin Hotels Commons Club New Orleans 550 Baronne St. VirginHotels.com @commonsclubnola

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X-Factor Cocktail Culture

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Windowsill Pies HOLIDAYS BRING BOTH

comfort and cheer, and what is more comforting than pie? And if that pie features local Bergeron pecans, fragrant vanilla bean and a little bourbon for kick, even better. If this sounds good, put on your most comfortable pants and head over to Freret Street to check out Windowsill Pies. A homegrown business, Windowsill Pies spun out of the kitchens of friends Nicole Eiden and Marielle Dupré, who recently celebrated their company’s 10th anniversary. What began as primarily a wholesale operation (selling their handcrafted, rustic pies to Whole Foods, among other places) has shifted into a retail model with their new storefront nestled along a bustling stretch of Freret. The result is a dynamic, customer-driven selection more attuned to seasonal ingredients as well as the creative

whims of the owners. Translation: nostalgia-invoking chicken version) more different pies for you and me. are also offered in the store, which Regarding choices, “Our vanilla has been slowly transitioning to bean bourbon pecan is always in the dine-in service as the city recovers rotation,” Dupré said. “Also our dark from the pandemic. Mini pies are chocolate with Earl Grey caramel.” on the menu as well, which pair Much of the rest are lovingly with the Windowsill Pies seasonally driven. excellent Coast 4714 Freret St. Cherry and passionRoast Coffee. Also 381-4953 fruit rolled off a little consider the little WindowsillPiesNola.com @windowsillpiesnola while back to make way minis (between 1 for apple and pear iteraand 2-inch sizes) tions, as well as holiday favorites. as a passed sweet option for your Pumpkin falls off in December upcoming New Year’s festivities. “We (“People get pumpkin-ed out after do a mini dark chocolate peppermint Thanksgiving”) to make way for tart dusted with powdered sugar so it a dark chocolate peppermint tart. looks almost like a black and white “Last year our Apple Frangipani cookie,” Dupré said. All pies are was a big seller.” Appearances range handmade on-site, so to guarantee from rustic (blueberry with a woven availability, the best approach is to lattice top) to refined (a glossy dark order in advance online. The pie chocolate tart elegantly stenciled). ladies and your guests will thank you. Savory hand pies (think short rib braised in red wine, along with a

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Yakuza House The best way to experience a sushi restaurant 48

DECEMBER 2021

is to take a seat at the bar, where you can interact with the chef. You definitely want to experience Yakuza House that way, because chef Huy Pham is a personable guy who’s willing to chat while he makes your food or breaks

down a whole fish. It’s a small restaurant – the seats at the bar comprise a little less than half of the overall number – and while that means it can be hard to get a reservation, you can be assured that chef Pham

Cocktails were, by some accounts, born in New Orleans. There are other claimants to the title, but the veracity of the claim notwithstanding, we are a center of cocktail culture. A couple of local businesses are taking this culture by storm with their own brand; call it, the X-factor. Cocktail & Sons was started by Max Messier and Lauren Myerscough. Their goal was to make craft cocktails easy to make at home, and with their syrups and mixers, they’ve succeeded in a big way. These are not your mass-produced, corn syrup-heavy mixers; rather these are made with ingredients largely sourced locally, with real cane sugar and nothing artificial. Whether you’re looking for mixers to make classic cocktails like a margarita or a mojito or are more inclined to branch out with syrups like the seasonally available watermelon and Thai basil, ginger honey or their king cake flavor, if

will be personally overseeing everything you eat. Yakuza House is also just about the only place in town that serves “sandos,” a Japanese take on the sandwich with fillings both savory (fried chicken or pork

you have alcohol, a stirrer and some bitters, you’re halfway to a fantastic drink. Speaking of bitters, another local company that’s doing standout work is El Guapo Bitters. Christa Cotton grew up in Georgia, where she helped her family establish 13th Colony Distilleries, the first such operation in the state. She moved here in 2010 and after working in public relations for hospitality industry clients, she bought the El Guapo brand and the rest is history. If you are not deep into cocktail culture, you may not understand how important bitters are to the end result. You may be familiar with Peychaud’s or Angostura, but there’s a world outside of those products that, added in amounts small enough to require a dropper, will amaze you with the flavors they bring to a drink. El Guapo has a host of recipes on their website (elguapobitters.wordpress.com) and they have a host of flavors such as Polynesian kiss, gumbo, cucumber lavender, crawfish boil and my favorite, summer berries. El Guapo also does syrups and mixers in a variety that one despairs of ever tasting them all without doing significant damage to one’s liver.

THERE ARE BREWPUBS. THERE ARE MICROBREWERIES.

And then there is the Zony Mash Beer Project, an ongoing social experiment where the worlds of music, art, theater and beer collide in the retrofitted environs of the historic Gem Theater near Pumping Station #1 in Broadmoor. “For us, this is an ongoing project. Hence ‘Zony Mash Beer Project’,” said owner Adam Ritter of the name, which references an album of B-sides by the iconic Meters, also known for mashing up a thing or two. “We are always tinkering with it and trying to have fun with something.” A peek at their calendar confirms this. Every day offer a new surprise, staged in their cavernous main brewing room flanked with imposing stainless tanks. Acts like Rebirth Brass Band are sandwiched in between Lucha libre-inspired Wrestling Nights and food popups from a rotating cast of kitchens, which recently featured Zee’s Pizzeria and Johnny Sanchez. The New Orleans Klezmer All Stars, Trivia Nights, and the theatre group Radical Buffoons all compete for attention; this is home-grown New Orleans entertainment writ large. “And we also make beer,” Ritter adds. About that. At any one time up to 25 different brews will be on tap, all orchestrated by head brewer Mitch Grittman. Refried Confusion, its name a homage to Dr. John, presents a hazy IPA. Tiny Bubbles is an Australian Sparkling Ale. Loose Booty is an imperial stout – the list goes on and on. An in-house canning line

packages up some of the options with label art by local artists worthy of a stand-alone gallery show. “We have a barrel-aged program where we tinker with long form stuff and we also do a line of seltzers for people who are not really into beer but still want to hang out,” Ritter said. If you can’t make it to Zony Mash for the beverages – and, really, you should – you can also buy their wares in groceries, bars and restaurants around town. But as the name explains, this is not simply a brewery but a project to be experienced. And as we round the corner into Carnival season, this is one place you’ll want to have on your list. Zony Mash Beer Project 3940 Thalia St. 766-8868 ZonyMashBeerProject.com @zonymashbeer

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Zony Mash

Cocktail & Sons Cocktailandsons.com @cocktailandsons El Guapo Bitters Elguapobitters.com @elguapobitters

cutlet) and sweet (mascarpone cream and strawberries). They also specialize in hand rolls, and their selection is about the best you’ll find in the area. It starts with excellently toasted nori seaweed, which provides a crisp bite to the exterior, and the

fillings, which include scallop, blue and red crab, yellowtail, eel and the high-end “toro” or belly tuna, are outstanding. We recommend picking one of the “sets” on your first visit – the “hangry” includes five hand rolls and could reasonably be split

between two people if you order a couple of items a la carte. The relatively small sushi menu is complemented by specials which recently included whelk and true Wagyu beef. Donburi rice bowls round out the menu.

Yakuza House Sushi 1325 Veterans Blvd., Suite A 345-2031 YakuzaHouse.com @yakuzahouse

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WOMEN IN MEDICINE A

ccording to the company, Castle Connolly Top Doctors is a healthcare research company and the official source for Top Doctors for the past 25 years. Castle Connolly’s established nomination survey, research, screening and selection process, under the direction of an MD, involves many hundreds of thousands of physicians as well as academic medical centers, specialty hospitals and regional and community hospitals all across the nation. The online nominations process – located at castleconnolly.com/ nominations – 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 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. Once nominated, Castle Connolly’s physician-led team of researchers follow a rigorous screening process to select top doctors on both the national and regional levels. Careful screening of doctors’ educational and professional experience is essential before final selection is made among those physicians most highly regarded by their peers. The result – we identify the top doctors in America and provide you, the consumer, with detailed information about their education, training and special expertise in our paperback guides, national and regional magazine “Top Doctors” features and online directories.

ALLERGY & IMMUNOLOGY New Orleans Margaret Huntwork Tulane Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology Clinic 1415 Tulane Avenue 7th Floor (504) 988-8600 Reena Mehta Uptown Allergy & Asthma 2622 Jena Street (504) 605-5351 50

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Laurianne Wild Tulane Lung Center 1415 Tulane Avenue (504) 988-8600 Slidell Jennifer Olivier Slidell Memorial Hospital SMH Physicians Network Allergy Clinic 1051 Gause Boulevard, Suite 400 (985) 280-5350

Doctors do not and cannot pay to be selected and profiled as Castle Connolly Top Doctors. Physicians selected for inclusion in this magazine’s “Top Doctors” feature also appear online at castleconnolly.com, or in conjunction with other Castle Connolly Top Doctors databases online on other sites and/or in print. Castle Connolly was acquired by Everyday Health Group (EHG), one of the world’s most prominent digital healthcare companies, in late 2018. EHG, a recognized leader in patient and provider education, attracts an engaged audience of over 53 million health consumers and over 780,000 U.S. practicing physicians and clinicians to its premier health and wellness websites. EHG combines social listening data and analytics expertise to deliver highly personalized healthcare consumer content and effective patient engagement solutions. EHG’s vision is to drive better clinical and health outcomes through decision-making informed by highly relevant data and analytics. Healthcare professionals and consumers are empowered with trusted content and services through the Everyday Health Group’s flagship brands including Everyday Health®, What to Expect®, MedPage Today®, Health eCareers®, PRIME® Education and our exclusive partnership with MayoClinic.org® and The Mayo Clinic Diet.® Everyday Health Group is a division of J2 Global Inc. (NASDAQ: JCOM), and is headquartered in New York City.

CARDIAC ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY New Orleans Colleen J. Johnson Tulane Cardiology Clinic 1415 Tulane Avenue 4th Floor (504) 988-6113

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE New Orleans Sapna V. Desai John Ochsner Heart & Vascular Institute 1514 Jefferson Highway 3rd Floor (504) 842-4721

CHILD & ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY New Orleans Ashley Weiss Tulane Doctors Specialty Psychiatry Clinic 4000 Bienville Street Suite G (504) 988-0301

CHILD NEUROLOGY New Orleans Allison H. Conravey Ochsner Health Center for Children 1319 Jefferson Highway (504) 842-3900 Ann Tilton Children’s Hospital New Orleans 200 Henry Clay Avenue (504) 896-2888 Maria B. Weimer Children’s Hospital New Orleans Department of Neurology 200 Henry Clay Avenue, Suite 3040 (504) 896-9319 COLON & RECTAL SURGERY Metairie Jennifer D. Silinsky Colon & Rectal Surgery Associates 3100 Galleria Drive, Suite 303 (504) 456-5108 DERMATOLOGY Mandeville Martha E. Stewart Martha E. Stewart Dermatology 4060 Lonesome Road, Highway 190 (985) 727-7701 Metairie Elizabeth F. Bucher The Skin Surgery Centre 1615 Metairie Road, Suite 101 (504) 644-4226 Patricia Farris Sanova Dermatology 701 Metairie Road, Suite 2A-205 (504) 836-2050 Mara Alena Haseltine Pure Dermatology 3100 Galleria Drive, Suite 203 (504) 226-7873 Marilyn C. Ray Ochsner Health Center Metairie 2005 Veterans Memorial Boulevard 5th Floor (504) 842-3940 Nicole Elaine Rogers Hair Restoration of the South 3100 Galleria Drive, Suite 201 (504) 315-4247

New Orleans Erin E. Boh Tulane Dermatology Clinic 1415 Tulane Avenue 5th Floor (504) 988-1700 Patricia R. Hickham Hickham Dermatology & Med Spa 4141 Bienville Street, Suite 108 (504) 224-6040 Deirdre O. Hooper Audubon Dermatology 3525 Prytania Street Suite 501 (504) 895-3376 Leah G. Jacob Tulane Dermatology Clinic 1415 Tulane Avenue 5th Floor (504) 988-1700 Kathryn G. Kerisit Ochsner Health Center Mid-City at Canal 4100 Canal Street (504) 703-2750 Mary P. Lupo Lupo Center for Aesthetic & General Dermatology 145 Robert E. Lee Boulevard, Suite 302 (504) 288-2381 Julie Mermilliod Ochsner Medical Center 1514 Jefferson Highway, 11th Floor (504) 842-3940 Andrea T. Murina Tulane Dermatology Clinic 1415 Tulane Avenue 5th Floor (504) 988-1700 Suneeta S. Walia Ochsner Medical Center 1516 Jefferson Highway (504) 842-3940 Laura C. Williams Tulane Dermatology Clinic 1415 Tulane Avenue 5th Floor (504) 988-1700 Katy L. Wiltz Southern Dermatology of New Orleans 2633 Napoleon Avenue, Suite 1020 (504) 891-8004

ENDOCRINOLOGY, DIABETES & METABOLISM Marrero Marideli C. Scanlan West Jefferson Medical Center Endocrinology 1111 Medical Center Boulevard, South Tower Suite 850 (504) 349-6824 Metairie Dragana Lovre Tulane Multispecialty Clinic 4720 South I-10 Service Road West, Suite 101 (504) 988-8050 New Orleans Brandy Panunti Ochsner Medical Center 1514 Jefferson Highway (504) 842-4023 FAMILY MEDICINE Kenner Ariel Aguillard Ochsner Medical Center Kenner 200 West Esplanade Avenue, Suite 210 (504) 464-8588 Mandeville Nathalie MascherpaKerkow St. Tammany Physicians Network - Mandeville 201 St. Ann Drive Suite B (985) 898-4001 Metairie Clarissa J. Hoff Tulane Doctors - Family Medicine 2800 Veterans Memorial Boulevard Suite 140 (504) 988-0501 Rachana Sus Tulane Multispecialty Clinic 4720 South I-10 Service Road West, Suite 101 (504) 988-8050 New Orleans Rebekah Byrne Tulane Medical Center 200 Broadway Street, Suite 230 (504) 988-9000 Vernilyn N. Juan Crescent City Physicians 3525 Prytania Street Suite 301 (504) 897-8118 Radha Raman Oak Street Medical 8708 Oak Street (504) 865-0805

Priya P. Velu Ochsner Health Center Tchoupitoulas 5300 Tchoupitoulas Street Suite C2 (504) 703-3070

Erica V. Tate University Medical Center 2001 Tulane Avenue 2nd Floor (504) 962-6330

GASTROENTEROLOGY New Orleans Natalie H. Bzowej Ochsner Medical Center New Orleans 4429 Clara Street, Suite 600 (504) 842-3925

MATERNAL & FETAL MEDICINE Metairie Chi P. Dola Tulane Center for Women’s Health 4720 South I-10 Service Road West, Suite 302 (504) 988-8070

Rebekah H. Lemann Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates 2820 Napoleon Avenue Suite 720 (504) 896-8670

Cecilia Gambala Tulane Center for Women’s Health 4720 South I-10 Service Road West, Suite 302 (504) 988-8070

Shamita Bhupendra Shah Ochsner Medical Center 1514 Jefferson Highway (504) 842-4015

Gabriella C. Pridjian Tulane Center for Women’s Health 4720 South I-10 Service Road West, Suite 302 (504) 988-8070

GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY New Orleans Pui C. Cheng Crescent City Physicians 3434 Prytania Street Suite 320 (504) 897-7142 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 Lakeview Circle Primary Care 130 Lakeview Circle (985) 892-6858 New Orleans Jennifer M. Bertsch Crescent City Physicians 3700 St. Charles Avenue 4th Floor (504) 897-7007 Jan Cooper New Orleans East Hospital 5620 Read Boulevard (504) 592-6760 Gloria M. Leary Ochsner Center for Primary Care and Wellness 1401 Jefferson Highway (504) 842-4747

MEDICAL ONCOLOGY New Orleans Bridgette Collins-Burow Tulane Cancer Center Clinic 150 South Liberty Street (504) 988-6300 NEPHROLOGY Metairie Jill S. Lindberg New Orleans Nephrology Associates 4409 Utica Street, Suite 100 (504) 457-3687 New Orleans Catherine Staffeld-Coit Ochsner Medical Center New Orleans Multi-Organ Transplant Institute 1514 Jefferson Highway 1st Floor (504) 842-3925 NEUROLOGY Covington Rana Abusoufeh Tulane Doctors Neurosciences 101 Judge Tanner Boulevard Suite 402 (985) 951-3222 New Orleans Bridget A. Bagert Ochsner Medical Center Department of Neurology 1514 Jefferson Highway (504) 842-3980 Raceland Jamie B. Huddleston Ochsner Specialty Health Center 141 Twin Oaks Drive (985) 537-2666

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OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY Covington Nancy N. Thomas Ochsner Women’s Health Center 71380 Highway 21 (985) 875-2828

TIPS FOR AVOIDING A HOLIDAY HANGOVER Drink Plenty of Water Alcohol is a diuretic and contributes to dehydration. A good rule of thumb, that can be hard to stick to, but may save you the next day is to drink a glass of water between each alcoholic beverage. This also slows consumption. Steer Clear of Congeners When sugar fermenting yeasts produce ethanol and methanol, active ingredients in alcoholic beverages, congeners are formed. Drinks with high levels of congeners increase the intensity of a hangover. These include dark alcohols like whisky, red wine and cognac. Colorless drinks like vodka, gin and rum have lower levels. Cheers! Eat Before You Drink and Don’t Skip a Healthy Breakfast Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach sends toxins right to your intestines and it is absorbed by the bloodstream quickly. A full stomach will ensure your blood alcohol level stays lower. Healthy fats like avocado delay absorption. Hangovers can also cause low blood sugar, contributing to several unpleasant symptoms. Eating a meal before bed or a substantial breakfast that’s not loaded with junk or empty calories will help maintain blood sugar levels. Supplements Evidence suggests that many hangover symptoms are caused by inflammation. Prickly pear and ginger have both proven effective in impacting hangovers and lessening symptoms. Additional Hydration Before and After Alcohol inhibits your antidiuretic hormone. Drinks high in electrolytes are formulated to help your body absorb fluid faster. Many swear by pre-gaming with a tall glass of Pedialyte and drinking one or two on ice (the ice cuts the sweetness) the morning after a night out drinking.

DECEMBER 2021

Kenner Veronica Gillispie Ochsner Health Center Kenner 200 West Esplanade Avenue, Suite 501 (504) 464-8506 Amy Truitt Ochsner Health Center Kenner 200 West Esplanade Avenue, Suite 501 (504) 464-8506 Metairie Amy N. Grace Tulane Lakeside Hospital Lakeside Women’s Services 4720 South I-10 Service Road, Suite 205 (504) 779-8282

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 New Orleans Rebecca C. Metzinger Tulane Ophthalmology Clinic 1415 Tulane Avenue 4th Floor (504) 988-5831 Thibodaux Nano Karen Zeringue Southern Eye Institute 900 Canal Boulevard, Suite 3 (985) 448-3353

New Orleans Elizabeth Lapeyre Ochsner Baptist Medical Center 2700 Napoleon Avenue (504) 842-4155

ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY New Orleans Mary K. Mulcahey Tulane Institute of Sports Medicine 202 Janet Yulman Way (504) 988-8476

Angela M. Parise Ochsner Baptist Medical Center 2700 Napoleon Avenue (504) 842-4155

Leslie Elaine Sisco Ochsner Medical Center 1514 Jefferson Highway, 5th Floor (504) 842-3970

Rebecca U. Perret Crescent City Physicians 3434 Prytania Street Suite 130 (504) 897-7580

OTOLARYNGOLOGY Covington Kathy L. Chauvin ENT & Plastic Surgery Specialists of Louisiana 350 Lakeview Court Suite A (985) 845-2677

Margaret Roberie Ochsner Baptist 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 Medical Center 2700 Napoleon Avenue (504) 842-4155

PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY New Orleans Kelly Gajewski Children’s Hospital New Orleans The Heart Center Cardiology Department 200 Henry Clay Avenue (504) 896-9751 Patricia E. Thomas Ochsner Health Center for Children 1319 Jefferson Highway (504) 842-5200 PEDIATRIC HEMATOLOGYONCOLOGY New Orleans Lolie Yu Children’s Hospital New Orleans 200 Henry Clay Avenue (504) 896-9740 Slidell Tammuella E. Chrisentery-Singleton Louisiana Center for Advanced Medicine 2053 Gause Boulevard East, Suite 200 (985) 259-8045 PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE Metairie Margarita Silio Tulane Pediatric Specialty Clinic 4720 South I-10 Service Road West, Suite 401 (504) 988-6253 PEDIATRIC OTOLARYNGOLOGY New Orleans Kimsey H. Rodriguez Ochsner Medical Center 1514 Jefferson Highway (504) 842-4111

New Orleans Elisabeth H. Rareshide Ochsner Health Center Baptist Napoleon Medical Plaza 2820 Napoleon Avenue Suite 820 (504) 897-4455

PEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY New Orleans Kristin N. Van Hook Ochsner Health Center for Children 1315 Jefferson Highway (504) 842-3900

PATHOLOGY New Orleans Shams K. Halat Tulane Medical Center 1415 Tulane Avenue (504) 988-5224

PEDIATRIC SURGERY New Orleans Mary L. Brandt Children’s Hospital New Orleans 200 Henry Clay Avenue 1st floor (504) 896-9756

PEDIATRIC ALLERGY & IMMUNOLOGY New Orleans Cathryn C. Hassett Ochsner Medical Center 1514 Jefferson Highway (504) 842-6742

PEDIATRICS Covington Sharon Lilly Fairway Pediatrics 7020 North Highway 190, Suite C (985) 871-7337

Nancy Mula Fairway Pediatrics 7020 North Highway 190, Suite C (985) 871-7337 Kathryn Quarls 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 Diane M. deFrance Sunrise Pediatrics 3116 6th Street, Suite 101 (504) 837-9000 Patrice Evers Tulane General Pediatric Clinic 4720 South I-10 Service Road West, Suite 401 (504) 988-6253 Reita Lawrence Pelican Pediatric Physicians 3100 Kingman Street (504) 887-6355 New Orleans Theresa L. Dise Children’s Hospital Pediatrics 2633 Napoleon Avenue Suite 707 (504) 269-3955 Betty P. Lo-Blais LSU Healthcare Network 3700 St. Charles Avenue 2nd Floor (504) 412-1366 M. Nora Oates Hales Pediatrics 3525 Prytania Street Suite 602 (504) 897-0744 River Ridge Janine T. Lissard Ochsner River Ridge Pediatrics 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 Tulane Breast & Surgery Clinic 4720 South I-10 Service Road West, Suite 100 (504) 988-8100

SPORTS MEDICINE New Orleans Christine M. Keating Ochsner Baptist Medical Center Pain Management 2820 Napoleon Avenue (504) 842-2000

PULMONARY DISEASE Kenner Carol Mason Ochsner Health Center Kenner 200 West Esplanade Avenue, Suite 701 (504) 412-1705

SURGERY New Orleans Mary Killackey Tulane Transplant Institute Clinic 1415 Tulane Avenue 6th Floor (504) 988-5344

New Orleans Nereida A. Parada Tulane Lung Center 1415 Tulane Avenue (504) 988-8600

Shauna M. Levy Tulane GI & Surgery Clinic 1415 Tulane Avenue 6th Floor (504) 988-5110

RADIATION ONCOLOGY New Orleans Ellen L. Zakris Crescent City Physicians Radiation Oncology 1401 Foucher Street (504) 897-8387

Shawn A. McKinney University Medical Center New Orleans 2000 Canal Street (504) 702-5700

REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY/ INFERTILITY Metairie Belinda M. Sartor Fertility Institute 4770 South I-10 Service Road West (504) 454-2165

UROGYNECOLOGY/ FEMALE PELVIC MEDICINE & RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY Metairie Margie Kahn Tulane Center for Women’s Health 4720 South I-10 Service Road West, Suite 302 (504) 988-8070

New Orleans Lindsay M. Wells Audubon Fertility & Reproductive Medicine 4321 Magnolia Street (504) 891-1390

New Orleans Leise R. Knoepp Ochsner Baptist Medical Center 2700 Napoleon Avenue (504) 842-4155

RHEUMATOLOGY New Orleans Madelaine Feldman The Rheumatology Group 2633 Napoleon Avenue, Suite 530 (504) 899-1120

UROLOGY New Orleans Melissa M. Montgomery Ochsner Medical Center Urology 1514 Jefferson Highway 4th Floor (504) 842-4083

Chandana Keshavamurthy Ochsner Medical Center 1514 Jefferson Highway 5th Floor (504) 842-3920 Karen A. Toribio Ochsner Medical Center 1514 Jefferson Highway 5th Floor (504) 842-3920 Tamika A. Webb-Detiege Ochsner Medical Center 1514 Jefferson Highway 5th Floor (504) 842-3920

VASCULAR & INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY Gretna Dee Malkerneker Ochsner Medical Center West Bank 2500 Belle Chasse Highway (504) 391-5177

TIPS FOR STAYING HEALTHY AND AVOIDING TEMPTATION DURING THE HOLIDAYS Ah, the holidays – a festive time, filled with joy, celebrations, gifts and quality moments with loved ones. But with that comes extra obligations, additional work, financial burdens and unnecessarily nutty traffic and delays. The following tips will help ease seasonal stress and can be hard to stick to but are offered by experts for a reason. They work. Make Sleep a Priority The proper amount of rest is essential for avoiding a hectic day. There are several helpful tools for hitting your sleep sweet spot. Natural remedies like melatonin, CBD and magnesium are many folks’ current “go to.” There are also hip new devices like the Oura Ring that provide tons of sleeptracking data and a clearer picture of what’s happening inside your body and what needs adjusting. Studies show that when you get a proper night’s sleep you make better food choices as well. Win-win. Fine Tune Your Morning Routine Give yourself plenty of time in the morning to get out the door. That extra 15 minutes hitting the snooze button does you absolutely no good. Get into the habit of rolling out of bed and hitting the shower for an instant wake-up. A short meditation or stretch to your favorite music provides a sense of calm and clears the mind. No Matter What, Carve Out Time For You Everyone will thank you and you will be a saner and healthier person for it. Make sure you find time every day to up your serotonin levels by staying active, be it at the gym or simply an evening walk. Take a short break and savor a cup of your favorite warm, cozy beverage. (Chamomile tea acts as a mild sedative and may help ease anxiety.) And lastly, breathe. Hit your internal pause button and set a few minutes aside to take deep breathes and think of 3 things you are grateful for. It will instantly lift your mood. Smart snacking Eat before you hit the celebrations. It can be hard to remember to fill up before you leave for a holiday lunch or party, but it’s the same philosophy that you should use when you head to the grocery. Even if you only have time for a healthy snack, not hitting the aisles or the beautifully crafted cheese puffs and deserts in a ravenous rage will save you countless empty calories and give you more energy to get through the day. There’s nothing like a hangry holiday shopper! MYNEWORLEANS.COM

DECEMBER 2021

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TRAVEL

B Y CHE R É CO E N

MARKED TREE VINEYARD

Wine Country Siping through Hendersonville

In the 19th century, North Carolina was a leading wine-producing state. That all took a tumble when Prohibition was passed. Today, however, the state has rebounded with numerous wineries, and native Ann Young lives to show them off, particularly in her hometown of Hendersonville. Young transports visitors throughout the region south of Asheville in her Mercedes motor coach, sharing viticulture history. Warm days and cool nights makes Hendersonville an ideal location for growing grapes, she insists. In fact, the “Crest of the Blue Ridge” was named an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 2019, a federal designation. Then there’s the apples. Henderson County is repeatedly one of the top 20 apple-producing counties in the country and home to three cideries. But there’s so much more to Hendersonville and its surrounding countryside, truly something for everyone. EXPLORE

Make the quaint town of Hendersonville your home base and start with an exploration of Main Street. The stretch of boutiques, museums, restaurants and stores has been developed into a pedestrian-friendly boulevard, accented by artful bear statues. History buffs may prefer the Henderson County Heritage Museum inside the historic courthouse, but shoppers don’t want to pass up the Mast General Store, selling everything imaginable since 1888.

Approximately 80 pinball machines and games are on display at the Appalachian Pinball Museum, but here’s the cool kicker. Once visitors pay to step inside this “museum” located in a former movie theater, they’re allowed to play the vintage pinball and arcade machines. STAY

When visitors check into the Bed & Breakfast on Tiffany Hill, they’re instructed to enter through the front door so as to experience a formal introduction. The staff continue this professionalism in the elegant but cozy accommodations, breakfast and service. Owner Selena Einwechter spent years perfecting the design of this modern home, the South’s first B&B to be part of the Southern Living Hotel Collection. Be sure to wander through the woods where trails sport fun artwork. EAT/DRINK

Come for the hard cider, then stay for a tasty meal and entertain-

ment at Bold Rock Mills River Cidery. Grab a cider flight — 70 percent of the cider is produced in Hendersonville from its famous apples — and a tasty apple grilled cheese from the food truck and relax on the patio overlooking the North Carolina mountains. The cidery features live music and Cider Cinema movie nights, so it’s easy to make an evening of it. WINE

Lance Hiatt and Tim Parks met in New Orleans, but when they decided to open a vineyard, they chose 50 acres on the Eastern Continental Divide outside Hendersonville. Visitors to Marked Tree Vineyard may enjoy the mountain views, the flower gardens that grace the acres of grapes or the original artwork inside the tasting room while enjoying several fine wines. Special events include live music, forest bathing and yoga. Over at Stone Ash, Tina Little serves all natural wines from grapes grown on a stony hillside. The name

originates from the neighboring city of Asheville and the rocky soil, she said. She lets the fruit drive the wine, she explained, and uses few additives. “We wanted our wines to be different, to speak for themselves,” Little said. AROUND TOWN

Flat Rock, a community just outside Hendersonville that was once the mountain escape for wealthy Charlestonians, still attracts tourists to the Flat Rock Playhouse, the state theater of North Carolina, and the Carl Sandburg Home National Park Service site, once home to the Nobel Prize-winning poet. Be sure to pause for barbecue at Hubba Hubba Smokehouse. Only five miles from downtown Hendersonville is Jump Off Rock in Laurel Park, located 3,000 feet high at the end of a long winding road. On a clear day, visitors can spot four states: North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia.

MYNEWORLEANS.COM

GROWING PAINS

BY E VE C R AWFO R D PEYTON

A Calendar Turn Looking forward after a long year

I keep humming Counting Crows’ “A Long December” to myself, but I don’t know if it’s out of a sense of hope that “this year will be better than the last,” or if it’s just simply ’90s nostalgia brought on by the start of my 40s and my child’s freshman year of high school. This time last year, I definitely thought we’d accomplished something

DECEMBER 2021

by making it through 2020. It had been a hard year, with my father’s hospitalizations and months of pandemic isolation, but my dad was doing better and vaccines were on the horizon. Just before the new year, my uncle died suddenly, and I thought, “OK, that’s it. We’ve gotten our third bad thing, and now it’s smooth sailing for 2021.” On New Year’s Eve 2009, I posted on Facebook, “Got a feeling Twenty-Ten is going to be a good year,” intending it, of course, to be sung to the tune of “1921” by The Who. Before the first half of 2010 was even over, my marriage was over and my sister had died. It was one of the most brutal years of my life. So on New Year’s Eve 2020, I knew better than to make that mistake again, even though it actually was going to be “twenty one” and I did think it might actually be “a good year.” My superstition didn’t save me, though. Regardless of what I posted or didn’t post on social media, 2021 has absolutely kicked my ass. I’ve never known a year so full of heartbreak and calamity, and I hope to never know one again. For more Eve, check out her blog Losing my mom was the biggest blow, obviously, “Joie d’Eve” on but I also have been grappling with my teenage Tuesday mornings at myneworleans.com daughter pulling away from me and doing teenage stuff (normal but nevertheless challenging and painful ), my own health scares (all fine, for now, but I learned I have an increased risk of breast cancer, and I ended up in the hospital six days after my mom’s death with a ruptured ovarian cyst), a very public disclosure about a sexual assault I experienced in my 20s, and a Category 4 hurricane blowing the windows out of our upstairs bathroom and damaging our roof, all against the backdrop of a continuing and seemingly endless pandemic. It could be worse, absolutely. My marriage is solid, with my husband and I about to celebrate our 10th anniversary next month. My children are healthy and overall thriving, despite some growing pains here and there. We have wonderful friends and a roof (albeit still damaged while we fight with our insurance company) over our heads. Things have been better. Things could be worse. Do I have a feeling ’22 “is going to be a good year”? No, not necessarily. But I have managed to summon up a little hope that, despite this long December stretching ahead of us, there is “reason to believe maybe this year will be better than the last.” Happy New Year, everyone. May your 2022 be a gentle year. We’ve all earned a break.

JANE SANDERS ILLUSTRATION

MYNEWORLEANS.COM

HOME ADVICE

BY L E E CUTR O NE

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

In the business of selling cabinets since the 1970s, Ed Perrier has seen countless kitchen trends come and go. But for Perrier, one thing always remains the same: “My favorite thing about the business,” he said, “is seeing the happiness at the end of a project.”

ED PERRIER Kitchen trends and more

s the true hub of the home, the best kitchens function well for the homeowner’s lifestyle and are aesthetically pleasing. Luckily, there are always new ways to satisfy those requirements. Ed Perrier, Sales Manager at VIP Kitchens, notes some “trends” of recent years such as open floorplans, all-white color schemes, large islands and eat-in dining areas that have replaced formal dining rooms are here to stay. “People want kitchens that are conducive to large gatherings,” he said. But Perrier added that those looking for something different have abundant choices. For those who want all-white, vendors and designers have introduced new variations to update the look such as

DECEMBER 2021

finishes that add a vintage feel or a soft, brush-stroke texture. Color is also gaining a foothold. Perrier says black, stainless-steel accents and navy cabinetry are of the moment and there are different ways to incorporate color. For those who don’t want to commit to an entire room of color, he suggests using a pop of color for the base of a kitchen island and matching the stove hood with the same color. Natural woods with low sheen or matte finishes, mix and match cabinets, ceramic tile floors with wood tones and zero grout lines, farmhouse sinks made of composite materials that look like stone, butcher block island countertops, open shelving, gooseneck faucets, hanging light fixtures over islands, and metal trim on hoods matched to the finish of the faucets are

1 Hire somebody who is experienced in the field. “There are many secrets to the trade that come only with experience,” Perrier said.

2 Perrier prefers factory-made cabinets because the controlled environment means better finishes and greater consistency.

3 Installing floors first and then adding cabinets over them eliminates the need for shoe molding which Perrier says detracts from the look of cabinets.

all favored by designers and consumers. Organization is key in today’s kitchens and Perrier says the market is filled with options that keep the heart of the home uncluttered and user-friendly. He recommends organizing kitchen storage according to the way you use the space, for example, placing cooking utensils near the range, and suggests making use of things like drawers vs cabinets because they make it easier to access things without crouching down. Built-ins like pullout spice racks and pan dividers maximize the real estate inside cabinets and drawers while baskets make the most of the available space on open shelving and in pantries. Workstation sinks with insert pieces that can be stored when not in use, such as colanders and chopping blocks, also help streamline a kitchen. Of all the current kitchen trends, Perrier says one of the hottest is the touchless faucet, a feature that homeowners have embraced as a result of the Covid pandemic. Hands-free faucets operate by sensors which means less cleaning – and that translates to more time to enjoy your kitchen.

GREG MILES PHOTO

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CHEERS

B Y E L IZ ABE TH P E AR CE

Winter Warmer

THE LONGEST NIGHT

1 1/2 ounces Rittenhouse Rye 3/4 ounce Averna

Holiday tiki cocktail

Arnaud’s French 75’s head bar tender Chr istoph Dornemann channels his bar’s 1920s aesthetic with this Manhattan variation. His inspiration for the drink was the oncoming winter solstice, though he acknowledges “It’s funny to say winter in New Orleans.” The drink highlights the bar’s house made Amer Picon, and the addition of an allspice dram pairs a quintessential tiki ingredient with this classic cocktail recipe. Christoph began his tenure at Arnaud’s as a server, but soon caught the cocktail bug, or more specifically, the tiki bug. He trained on his own, hosting tiki pop-ups for friends until he transitioned to working at the bar full time. Christoph shares his tiki love through the French 75’s menu, which now features seasonal tiki punches and coladas, as well as early cocktails that evoke tiki’s playfulness, like the cobbler. As The Longest Night demonstrates, a little bit of tiki cheer is most welcome on a midwinter night.

DECEMBER 2021

1/2 ounce B&B 1/4 ounce allspice dram

1 The Averna and bitters are a substitute for Amer Picon, a French bitter digestive that you cannot get in the US. If you want to get a taste of it, the French 75 makes this drink with a house replica recipe.

2 Allspice dram is a fortified allspice liqueur used in many historic tiki drinks and recently available for the home bartender. Christoph recommends St. Elizabeth’s brand.

2 dashes orange bitters 1 dash Angostura bitters Build ingredients in mixing glass, add ice, stir approximately 40 rotations. Strain into a cold cocktail glass. Express a lemon twist over the glass and discard. Stud an orange twist with cloves and express over the surface and garnish the drink.

3 Studding the orange with cloves not only adds visual interest but the cloves’ aroma enhances the drink’s spiced quality.

PODCAST

LISTEN TO ELIZABETH’S PODCAST “DRINK & LEARN;” VISIT ELIZABETH-PEARCE.COM

EUGENIA UHL PHOTO

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NOSH B Y JY L B E N S O N

Sweet Tidings

Holiday dessert pudding David Guas wrote in “DamGoodSweet” (with Raquel Pelzel, The Taunton Press) that he makes some version of bread pudding for his family every holiday season. I spice up this version up a bit with the addition of ground Saigon cinnamon - for many of us the essence of the holiday season - to both the bread budding and the equally decadent salted bourbon caramel sauce. This showstopper dessert is perfect for large gatherings and potlucks because you can make it up to three days ahead of time.

1 Because it can be made in advance, and refrigerated a few days ahead of time, bread pudding is an excellent choice for entertaining. To warm, reheat the entire pan of bread pudding in a water bath in a 350°F oven until the center is warm. Or, for individual portions, slice and reheat in your microwave or toaster oven.

2 The caramel can be covered and stored at room temperature for 2 days or covered and refrigerated for up to two weeks ahead of time. Reheat the sauce in a saucepan or in your microwave

3 In New Orleans, most of us would reach for a loaf of Leidenheimer when making bread pudding but Guas advises that brioche, challah, or even day-old croissants or king cake really take this version over the top.

SAM HANNA PHOTO . KIT WOHL STUDIO 66 DECEMBER 2021

COOK WITH US!

Join Jyl in the kitchen each third Tuesday of the month for a cook-along with tips, tricks and more. @NewOrleansMagazine

1. Heat the oven to 325 degrees.

2. Grease a 9- by 13-inch baking dish with the softened butter. Put the bread on a rimmed baking sheet and toast until golden brown, 12-15 minutes, rotating midway through. Set aside to cool. 3. Transfer the bread in the prepared baking dish and set aside. Whisk the eggs in a medium bowl and set aside then sift the cocoa into a medium bowl and set aside. DOUBLE CHOCOLATE BREAD PUDDING WITH SALTED BOURBON CARAMEL SAUCE

Makes 10-12 servings

For the bread pudding 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 pound brioche bread, crust removed (use for another purpose), and sliced into 1-inch cubes 6 large eggs 1⁄3 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder 12 ounces bittersweet chocolate (preferably 66%–72% cacao), finely chopped 5 1⁄2 cups whole milk 2 1⁄2 cups heavy cream 1 3⁄4 cups sugar 1⁄4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground Saigon cinnamon 3⁄4 teaspoon vanilla extract For the caramel sauce 1 1⁄2 cups sugar 3/4 cup heavy cream 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature 1/4 teaspoon ground Saigon cinnamon 1⁄4 cup bourbon 1⁄4 teaspoon salt

4. Add the chopped chocolate to a large bowl. Bring the milk, cream, sugar, cinnamon, and salt to a boil in a large pot, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Turn off the heat, stir in the vanilla, and pour the hot mixture over the chopped chocolate. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, set aside for 5 minutes, and then whisk until smooth. 5. Whisk 1/2 cup of the chocolate mixture into the cocoa, stirring until smooth. Whisk in another 1/2 cup of the chocolate mixture and then whisk in the eggs. Transfer to the large bowl of remaining chocolate mixture and whisk until they are thoroughly incorporated. 6. Pour all but one cup of the chocolate mixture over the bread cubes in the baking dish and set aside so the bread can soak. Press down on the bread with a wooden spoon every 15 minutes for 1 hour, adding the rest of the chocolate mixture after about 30 minutes, or when the bread has soaked up enough so the last cup of liquid will fit. 7. Heat the oven to 350 degrees.

8. Cover the bread pudding with aluminum foil and use a paring knife to make four small slits in the foil to allow steam to escape. Set the baking dish in a large roasting pan and place in the oven. Pour enough hot water in the roasting pan so the water reaches 1 inch up the side of the baking dish (if you don’t have a roasting pan large enough to fit the baking dish, set the dish onto a rimmed baking sheet and slide it in the oven, adding enough water to the baking sheet so it cushions the baking dish but doesn’t spill over). Bake for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake until the pudding begins to puff slightly and the center bounces back to light pressure, about another 25 to 35 minutes. Cool for 30 minutes. To make the sauce: While the bread pudding cools, make the caramel. Place the sugar in a 2-quart saucepan and add 1/4 cup of water. Cover (or if you cannot find a lid, top the saucepan with a heatproof bowl, making sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the sugar) and cook over medium heat, swirling the mixture every 1 to 2 minutes, until the sugar is liquefied, about 6 minutes. Continue to cook until the sugar is a medium-amber color, another 4 to 6 minutes. Turn off the heat and add the cream (it will vigorously bubble up at first), whisking the mixture until smooth, then add the softened butter, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside and serve with the still-warm bread pudding.

MYNEWORLEANS.COM

DINING GUIDE The Dining Guide is comprised of restaurants recently reviewed and visited by New Orleans Magazine. The list will change regularly to provide information on others that are also worth noting and acknowledging. Please check restaurant websites for up-to-date hours and locations. If you feel that a restaurant has been misplaced, please email Editor Ashley McLellan at Ashley@MyNewOrleans.com. $ = AVERAGE ENTRÉE PRICE

AMERICAN

Acorn City Park, $ AcornNola.com

$ = $5-10

$$ = $11-15

$$$ = $16-20

$$$$ = $21-25

Zea’s Rotisserie and Grill Multiple Locations, $$$ ZeaRestaurants.com

Port of Call French Quarter, $$ PortOfCallNola.com

ASIAN FUSION/PAN ASIAN

The Company Burger Uptown, $ TheCompanyBurger.com

$$$$$ = $25 & UP

ITALIAN

Arnaud’s Remoulade French Quarter, $$ Remoulade.com Chartres House French Quarter, $$$ ChartresHouse.com

Audubon Clubhouse Uptown, $$ AudubonInstitute.org

Blue Giant Lower Garden District, $$ BlueGiantNOLA.com

Boulevard American Bistro Multiple Locations, $$$ BoulevardBistro.com

Hoshun Restaurant Uptown, $$ HoshunRestaurant.com

Broussard’s French Quarter, $$$$ Broussards.com

Caffe! Caffe! Metairie, $ CaffeCaffe.com

Little Tokyo Multiple Locations, $$ LittleTokyoNola.com

Café Degas Faubourg St. John, $$ CafeDegas.com

Café NOMA City Park, $ CafeNoma.com

Lotus Bistro Lakeview, $$ LotusBistroNOLA.com

Coquette Uptown, $$$ CoquetteNola.com

Camellia Grill Riverbend, $ 309-2679

Magasin Uptown, $ MagasinCafe.com

Justine French Quarter, $$$ JustineNola.com

District Donuts Sliders Brew Multiple Locations, $ DonutsAndSliders.com

MoPho Mid-City, $$$ MoPhoNola.com

La Crêpe Nanou Uptown, $$$ LaCrepeNanou.com

Five Happiness Mid-City, $$ FiveHappiness.com

Rock-N-Sake Multiple Locations, $$$ RockNSake.com

La Petite Grocery Uptown, $$$ LaPetiteGrocery.com

Martin Wine Cellar Multiple Locations, $ MartinWineCellar.com

Union Ramen Bar Lower Garden District, $$ UnionRamen.com

Lilette Uptown, $$$$$ LiletteRestaurant.com

New Orleans Social House CBD/Warehouse District, $$ NOSocialHouse.com

BAKERY/BREAKFAST

GASTROPUB

Breads on Oak Carrollton, $ BreadsOnOak.com.

Bouligny Tavern Uptown, $$ BoulignyTavern.com

Pascal’s Manale Uptown, $$$$ PascalsManale.com

Café du Monde Multiple Locations, $ CafeDuMonde.com

Cane & Table French Quarter, $$ CaneAndTableNola.com

Red Gravy Uptown, $$ RedGravy.com

CC’s Coffee House Multiple Locations, $ CCsCoffee.com

Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar and Bistro French Quarter, $$$ OrleansGrapevine.com

Restaurant R’evolution French Quarter, $$$$$ RevolutionNola.com

Parkway Bakery and Tavern Mid-City, $ ParkwayPoorBoys.com Restaurant August CBD/Warehouse District, $$$$$ RestaurantAugust.com Rib Room French Quarter, $$$ RibRoomNewOrleans.com

Gracious Bakery + Café Multiple Locations, $ GraciousBakery.com

The Grill Room CBD/Warehouse District, $$$$$ GrillRoomNewOrleans.com

Ruby Slipper Café Multiple Locations, $$ TheRubySlipperCafe.net

The Pelican Club French Quarter, $$$$$ PelicanClub.com Ye Olde College Inn Carrollton, $$$ CollegeInn1933.com

DECEMBER 2021

BURGERS

Bayou Burger French Quarter, $$ 5SportsBarNewOrleans.com

FRENCH

Domenica CBD/Warehouse District, $$$$ DomenicaRestaurant.com Gianna Restaurant CBD/Warehouse District, $$$$ GiannaRestaurant.com Irene’s Cuisine French Quarter, $$$$ IrenesNola.com Josephine Estelle CBD/Warehouse District, $$$ JosephineEstelle.com Liuzza’s Mid-City, $$ Liuzzas.com

French influence looms large in New Orleans, yet at the stately Windsor Court Hotel there is a particularly English custom that makes for a special way to celebrate the holiday season This is, of course, their weekend afternoon tea service at Le Salon, which has become a tradition for many local families. Spend a leisurely few hours partaking of their 26 loose teas while noshing on tea sandwiches, scones and decadent desserts. This being New Orleans, service kicks off with a cocktail or sparkling beverage. Reservations are required.

Muriel’s Jackson Square French Quarter, $$$$ Muriels.com Napoleon House French Quarter, $ NapoleonHouse.com

Patrick’s Bar Vin French Quarter, $$ PatricksBarVin.com

Tommy’s Cuisine CBD/Warehouse District, $$$$$ TommysNewOrleans.com

Sylvain French Quarter, $$$ SylvainNOLA.com

Vincent’s Italian Cuisine Multiple Locations, $$$ VicentsItalianCuisine.com

The Delachaise Uptown, $$ TheDelaichaise.com

WINDSOR COURT HOLIDAY TEA

LOUISIANA FARE

Acme Oyster House Multiple Locations, $$ AcmeOyster.com

FRANCESCA’S DELI

Nestled along Harrison Avenue in Lakeview is Francesca’s, a family owned and family friendly deli and pizzeria. A spinoff off of its popular sister restaurant Katie’s, Francesca’s brings a more pronounced Italian influence to the family’s Creole-Italian favorites, including its popular pizzas. Uniquely New Orleans deli favorites like the muffuletta are joined by specialty items like a Cajun Cuban, which swaps out French bread for the usual Cuban loaf. A bonus – if you are looking for holiday catering, Francesca’s can handle your largest party.

Antoine’s French Quarter, $$$$$ Antoines.com

Gautreau’s Uptown, $$$$$ GautreausRestaurant.com

The Bombay Club French Quarter, $$$$ TheBombayClub.com

Arnaud’s French Quarter, $$$$$ ArnaudsRestaurant.com

Herbsaint CBD/Warehouse District, $$$$$ Herbsaint.com

Toups’ Meatery Mid-City, $$$ ToupsMeatery.com

Austin’s Metairie, $$$ AustinsNo.com Boucherie Carrollton, $$ Boucherie-Nola.com Brennan’s French Quarter, $$$$ BrennansNewOrleans.com Brigtsen’s Riverbend, $$$$$ Brigtsens.com Café Reconcile Central City, $$ CafeReconcile.org Casamento’s Uptown, $$ CasamentosRestaurant.com Clancy’s Uptown, $$$ ClancysNewOrleans.com Cochon CBD/Warehouse District, $$ CochonRestaurant.com Copeland’s Multiple Locations, $$ CopelandsofNewOrleans.com Commander’s Palace Garden District, $$$$ CommandersPalace.com Court of Two Sisters French Quarter, $$$$$ CourtOfTwoSisters.com

House of Blues French Quarter, $$ HouseOfBlues.com/ NewOrleans Jack Rose Garden District, $$$$ JackRoseRestaurant.com Katie’s Restaurant and Bar Mid-City, $$ KatiesInMidCity.com Mandina’s Mid-City, $$ MandinasRestaurant.com Mother’s CBD/Warehouse District, $$ MothersRestaurant.net Mr. B’s Bistro French Quarter, $$$$ MrBsBistro.com Mulate’s CBD/Warehouse District, $$ Mulates.com NOLA French Quarter, $$$$$ EmerilsRestaurants.com/NolaRestaurant Palace Café CBD/Warehouse District, $$$ PalaceCafe.com Ralph’s On The Park Mid-City, $$$ RalphsOnThePark.com

Crabby Jack’s Metairie, $ CrabbyJacksNola.com

Richard Fiske’s Martini Bar & Restaurant French Quarter, $$$ RichardFiskes.com

Criollo French Quarter, $$$ CriolloNola.com

Royal House French Quarter, $$$ RoyalHouseRestaurant.com

Dooky Chase Restaurant Treme, $$ DookyChaseRestaurant.com

St. Roch Market Upper 9th Ward, $$ StRochMarket.com

Drago’s Multiple Locations, $$$$ DragosRestaurant.com

SoBou French Quarter, $$ SoBouNola.com Tableau French Quarter, $$$ TableauFrenchQuarter.com

Emeril’s CBD/Warehouse District, $$$$$ EmerilsRestaurants.com Galatoire’s French Quarter, $$$$$ Galatoires.com

The Bistreaux French Quarter, $$ MaisonDupuy.com/dining

Tujague’s French Quarter, $$$$$ TujaguesRestaurant.com PIZZA

Pizza Delicious Bywater, $ PizzaDelicious.com Reginelli’s Pizzeria Multiple Locations, $$ Reginellis.com Theo’s Pizza Multiple Locations, $$ TheosPizza.com Pizza Domenica Multiple Locations, $$ PizzaDomenica.com SEAFOOD

Borgne CBD/Warehouse District, $$$ BorgneRestaurant.com Briquette CBD/Warehouse District, $$$$ Briquette-Nola.com Deanie’s Seafood Multiple Locations,$$$ Deanies.com Dickie Brennan’s Bourbon House French Quarter, $$$$ BourbonHouse.com Don’s Seafood Metairie, $$$ DonsSeafoodOnline.com Grand Isle Restaurant CBD/Warehouse District, $$$$ GrandIsleRestaurant.com GW Fins French Quarter, $$$$$ GWFins.com Kingfish French Quarter, $$$ KingfishNewOrleans.com Le Bayou French Quarter, $$$ LeBayouRestaurant.com Mr. Ed’s Seafood and Italian Restaurant Metairie, $$ AustinsNo.com

Mr. Ed’s Oyster Bar & Fish House Multiple Locations, $$$ MrEdsRestaurants.com/ oyster-bar New Orleans Creole Cookery French Quarter, $$$ NewOrleansCreoleCookery. com Oceana Grill French Quarter, $$ OceanaGrill.com Pêche CBD/Warehouse District, $$$ PecheRestaurant.com. Pier 424 French Quarter, $$$ Pier424SeafoodMarket.com Red Fish Grill French Quarter, $$$ RedFishGrill.com SPECIALTY FOODS

Antoine’s Annex French Quarter, $$$ Antoines.com/AntoinesAnnex STEAKHOUSE

Crescent City Steaks Mid-City, $$$$ CrescentCitySteaks.com Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse French Quarter, $$$$ DickieBrennansSteakhouse. com

WORLD

1000 Figs Faubourg St. John, $$ 1000Figs.com Barracuda Uptown, $ EatBarracuda.com Bayona French Quarter, $$$$$ Bayona.com Bywater Brew Pub Bywater, $$$ BywaterBrewPub.com Compére Lapin CBD/Warehouse District, $$$$$ CompereLapin.com El Gato Negro Multiple Locations, $$ ElGatoNegroNola.com Lucy’s CBD/Warehouse District, $ LucysRetiredSurfers.com Lüke CBD/Warehouse District, $$$ LukeNewOrleans.com Mona’s Café Mid-City, $ MonasCafeAndDeli.com Patois Uptown,$$$ PatoisNola.com Saba Uptown, $$$ EatWithSaba.com

Doris Metropolitan French Quarter, $$$$ DorisMetropolitan.com

Saffron NOLA Uptown, $$$ SaffronNOLA.com

Galatoire’s 33 Bar & Steak French Quarter, $$$ Galatoires33BarAndSteak. com

Seaworthy CBD/Warehouse District, $$$$ SeaworthyNola.com

La Boca CBD/Warehouse District, $$$ LaBocaSteaks.com

Shaya Uptown, $$$ ShayaRestaurant.com

Mr. John’s Steakhouse Uptown, $$$ MrJohnsSteakhouse.com Ruth’s Chris Steak House Multiple Locations, $$$$$ RuthsChris.com The Steakhouse at Harrah’s CBD/WarehouseDistrict, $$$$$ HarrahsNewOrleans.com

MYNEWORLEANS.COM

DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

SPONSORED

Briquette

Justine

Parkway

Briquette is proud to showcase contemporary and coastal dishes like Snapper Pontchartrain, Louisiana Redfish on the Half Shell, and Prime 14oz. Ribeye. Happy Hour Daily from 3-6pm. Open Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

Justine is a Parisian-style brasserie by husband-and-wife team Justin and Mia Devillier. Combining the sophistication of a brasserie with the playfulness of the French Quarter, Justine honors the technique and simplicity of French classics in a bustling, multi-roomed restaurant with vibrant decor and grand presentation.

Parkway can now take your orders over the phone or through the official Parkway Bakery App. Order online for a seamless poorboy pick up. Parkway is open from 10am to 6pm Wednesday through Sunday for dine in and parking lot pick up.

New Orleans Creole Cookery

Red Gravy Cafe

Saffron NOLA

Enjoy Oyster Happy Hour Daily from 3-6pm in our beautiful French Quarter courtyard. Brunch served Saturday and Sunday from 11am-3pm offering Bloody Mary’s and Shrimp & Grits.

Join us on Saturday, December 18th from 6:30pm - 9:30pm for our annual Feast of the Seven Fishes. Multiple courses of seafood, fishes, mollusks, pastas, vegetables, sauces, traditionally served on Christmas Eve. Served Family Style. Cash bar available. Live music. Tickets available through Eventbrite.

Saffron NOLA, a swanky Indian restaurant by the lauded Vilkhu family. Intertwining Indian tradition with New Orleans soul on a modern stage. The Vilkhus pay tribute to where they come from while also honoring where they live, New Orleans. Saffron is oneof-a-kind experience on Magazine Street.

Briquette-Nola.com 701 South Peters St, New Orleans 504-302-7496

NewOrleansCreoleCookery.com 508 Toulouse St, New Orleans 504-524-9632

JustineNola.com 225 Chartres St, New Orleans 504-218-8533

RedGravyCafe.com 4206 Magazine St, New Orleans 504-561-8844

ParkwayPoorboys.com 538 Hagan Ave, New Orleans 504-482-3047

SaffronNola.com 4128 Magazine St, New Orleans 504-323-2626

Tito’s Ceviche & Pisco

Titoscevichepisco.com 5015 Magazine St, New Orleans 504-267-7612 Tito’s is an intimate Peruvian Restaurant in Uptown New Orleans with premier handcrafted cocktails such as pisco sour, sangria and chilcano, heart healthy Peruvian wines, a variety of melt in your mouth ceviches, grilled octopus, tiraditos (sashimi), savory meats, and seafood.

MYNEWORLEANS.COM

SPONSORED

Holiday Gift Guide 4

1. The Shop at The Collection (Museum shop of The Historic New Orleans Collection) hnoc.org 520 Royal St, New Orleans 504-523-4662 The handcrafted oyster trees at The Shop at The Collection add a decidedly local twist to holiday décor and are charming enough to be enjoyed all year long. Multiple sizes and styles. $75–$200. Shipping not available for oyster trees. 72

DECEMBER 2021

2. IBIS Art Gallery IbisArtGallery.com 705 Camp St, New Orleans 734-476-7918 Pleased to announce the opening of IBIS Contemporary Art Gallery. Located in the Arts District, IBIS features national and international artists working in a wide range of media. For more information, please go to www.ibisartgallert.com or #ibisartgallery.

3. Auraluz Children’s Linens ShopAuraluz.com 4408 Shores Dr, Metairie 504-888-3313 LAMPE BERGER ... the perfect holiday gift! It’s both decorative and functional. Made in France for over 120 years, each Lampe Berger cleanses, purifies, and fragrances the air with over 50 fragrances to choose from. Improve the air you’re living in by getting rid of those kitchen, pet, and household odors.

4. Diamonds Direct DiamondsDirect.com/ New-Orleans 3230 Severn Ave, Metairie 504-383-3900 14k white gold diamond bangle bracelet, featuring 0.35 carats of brilliant round cut diamonds set in pave style. Retailing for $1,500.

MYNEWORLEANS.COM

SPONSORED

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5. Beaver Productions BeaverProductions.com GRAMMY® Award winning and multi-platinum jazz singer Diana Krall has announced her 34-city US tour will stop in New Orleans at the Saenger Theatre on February 3, 2022. Tickets are on sale to the general public at Ticketmaster at tickets. dianakrall.com.

DECEMBER 2021

6. Indigo Boutique ShopIndigoBoutique.com 605 Metairie Rd, Suite C 504-635-7874 Let our stylists at Indigo Boutique Inspire you this Holiday Season. Stop by one of our two locations located in New Orleans and Houma. We not only offer the newest trends at great price points, but also personal one on one styling.

7. Delta Festival Ballet DeltaFestivalBallet.com 3351 Severn Ave # 304, Metairie 504-888-0931 Delta Festival Ballet presents The Nutcracker 40th Anniversary on December 18th and 19th with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra at Mahalia Jackson Theater. Principal guest artists Sarah Lane and Rainer Krenstetter. Tickets on sale now at Ticketmaster.

8. Nordic Kitchens and Baths NordicKitchens.com 1818 Veterans Blvd, Metairie 504-888-2300 Tayberry Red CM5 Silence Countertop Coffee Machine. Upgrade your coffee machine this holiday season by making two coffees at once with the touch of a button. Programmable beverage parameters make a creamy milk froth for a wide range of coffee specialties.

9. Home Malone HomeMaloneNola.com 629 N Carrollton Ave, Mid-City 504-324-8352 4610 Magazine St, Uptown 504-766-6148 Holiday socks for the whole family: Christmas Gator Bolfolk Socks. For every pair purchased, a pair is donated to someone in need. Available in Newborn to Adult Unisex. $11.99-$19.99.

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SPONSORED

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14. NOLA Boards NolaBoards.com 4228 Magazine St, New Orleans 504-256-0030 We've pulled together the essentials to make the best Bloody Mary all together in one gift box!

DECEMBER 2021

15. Perlis Clothing Perlis.com 6070 Magazine Street, Uptown 600 Decatur St, French Quarter 1281 N Causeway Blvd, Mandeville 8366 Jefferson Hwy, Baton Rouge 800-725-6070 The iconic PERLIS Crawfish logo Buffalo Check 1/4 Zip Pullover make a warm holiday gift. 100% polyester with a fleeced inside and zip chest pocket. Also available in navy.

16. Wellington Store.WCjewelry.com 505 Royal St, New Orleans 504-525-4855 Emerald and Diamond Ring in 18 kt White Gold, $29,500; Ceylon Sapphire and Diamond Ring in 18 kt White Gold, $45,000.

17. KREWE Krewe.com Lower Garden District 504-342-2462 French Quarter 504-407-2925 Architectural in design, KREWE's St. Louis' bold metal bridge is inspired by the iconic cast-iron balconies found in the French Quarter, with a rounded silhouette that works well on most face shapes. KREWE St. Louis Mirrored in Opal 24K. $295

MYNEWORLEANS.COM

SPONSORED

Legal & Financial Resources

he end of the year offers a time of reflection on how far we’ve come and where we plan to go from here. As you consider your personal and professional goals, you may find that a little assistance could help you reach that next milestone. Financial and legal resources can help give you stability and security as you move into the future, and there are a variety of options available depending on your goals—from getting your affairs in order or buying a home or investment property to setting up a retirement account, experts across New Orleans help others just like you accomplish the financial and legal objectives that could improve their situation. The following resources bring experience and knowledge in financial and legal affairs and may be able to help you attain the life you’ve envisioned for your family or business.

LEGAL RESOURCES Forman Watkins & Krutz Forman Watkins & Krutz is a New Orleans law firm trying cases throughout Louisiana and coast to coast for over 30 years with other offices in Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Texas. Recognized as a top work place three years running, 75 percent of the firm’s New Orleans attorneys were selected to the 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Forman Watkins represents both Fortune 500 companies and local businesses in tort, employment and commercial litigation matters. Primarily a litigation firm, Forman Watkins’ attorneys are trial ready. The firm tries cases across the country. In September of 2020, attorneys from the New Orleans office tried one of the first federal court civil jury trials in the country during Covid-19, which resulted in a defense verdict. Attorneys in the New Orleans office also counsel clients in commercial transactions and employment matters. Learn more about its diverse team at FormanWatkins.com.

DECEMBER 2021

Landry & Swarr, LLC Most asbestos lawsuits involve claims against asbestos manufacturers or employers for negligence in implementing safety measures to adequately protect employees and consumers. For a number of reasons, establishing direct or sole liability can be difficult to prove, making the need for an attorney with experience in these types of cases even more critical for success. Landry & Swarr has served Louisiana for over 20 years, and Louisiana mesothelioma cases are one of its primary practice areas. At Landry & Swarr, mesothelioma attorneys based in New Orleans serve clients across the state. Every member of the firm’s legal team is client-focused and wants to help mesothelioma victims with Mesothelioma litigation. Attorneys listen to the details of your situation and work hard to get you or your loved one the settlement they deserve. For more information about Landry & Swarr, asbestos, or mesothelioma, visit landryswarr.com or call 504-299-1214.

FINANCIAL RESOURCES Home Bank For over 113 years, families have trusted Home Bank with one of life’s biggest purchases. With a full line of mortgage and home loan options, Home Bank can help with your home needs, whether you’re a first-time buyer, future home builder, or fixer-upper looking to renovate. Plus, with options like Home Bank’s one-time close construction loan, homeowners can stay focused on getting into “home sweet home” and not on stacks of paperwork. Stop by any Home Bank location and meet their experienced bankers or start a loan application or pre-approval online. Loan approval is subject to Home Bank credit and other criteria. Home Bank is Member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender. (NMLS #483958) Call Home Bank at 504-378-3190, or visit them online at Home24Bank.com. •

SPONSORED you reconnect with who you are. For years, they’ve brought new advancements and understanding to their patients—people come from all around the region seeking care from award-winning, fellowship-trained specialists and subspecialists. The Culicchia team works together to diagnose and treat disorders such as brain tumors, aneurysm, stroke, epilepsy, migraines, and spinal disorders. Specialties include Neurosurgery, Neurology, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Interventional Pain Management. Their affiliate, CNC Hearing and Balance Center, provides the latest in hearing healthcare. With clinics in Marrero, Uptown New Orleans, Slidell a nd Mandeville, Culicchia’s function is to improve yours. Call 504-340-6976 for an appointment or visit culicchianeuro.com or cnchearing.com.

Wellness D

uring the height of the holidays, it’s easy to get lost in the hubbub of activity, the focus on festivities and food, and the work that must get done despite the season’s travels, family visits, and fanfare. All of that leaves little time to focus on one’s self, but prioritizing wellness during this often hectic time of year can go a long way to providing peace, calm, and a healthy mind and body. Whether you need to take small steps towards a healthier life with the help of a coach or to see a specialist for a nagging issue that keeps you from living your life to the fullest, there are resources available for getting you off to a positive, healthy start in 2022. This season, give yourself the gift of improved health with support from the following professionals focused on living well. EveryBody Wellness After pursuing her own journey in weight loss and experiencing remarkable success, Registered Nurse Peggy Rodriguez became passionate about helping others get and stay healthy. Since founding Everybody Wellness in 2008, Peggy has built lifelong relationships with clients by educating them on how to both lose weight and maintain it. “Losing weight is intimate and can be an intimidating process. There is no single path that works for everyone, and everyone’s goals are different,” says Peggy. The Ideal Protein Weight Loss Method at Everybody Wellness is scientifically proven—it is dependable, repeatable, and predictable. Based on the principles of being a low calorie, low carb, low fat, and “right amount of” protein protocol, the program helps clients lose fat pounds while maintaining muscle mass. Everybody Wellness’s team of registered nurses and certified coaches educate clients in the understanding of the impact food has on the body, the mechanism that helps lose fat, and the food combinations that may lead to fat storage. To learn more and read success stories, visit EverybodyWellnessNola.com or call/text 504-287-8558. Mention this article and receive a complimentary consultation and body composition analysis. Culicchia Neurological The brain is an amazing machine, comprised of over a billion neurons, each at work full time and especially in New Orleans, arguably the most stimulating city on earth. Culicchia Neurological is the synapses that helps not only your neurons connect, but helps

The Blood Center Find out if you've had an immune response to COVID-19 with The Blood Center (TBC). This free service informs blood donors if they carry the COVID-19 antibodies produced from previous exposure and/or vaccinations. TBC is performing COVID-19 Antibody screenings to find potential candidates for COVID Convalescent Plasma collections when and if needed for transfusion. Receiving the vaccination, choosing not to, or previous exposure to the COVID-19 virus do not affect blood donations or the patients whose lives are touched every day by blood donors. Potential donors are urged to give as the country battles a critical need for blood, provided they are healthy and meet all other eligibility criteria for blood donations. Scheduled donations are encouraged to practice social distancing and ensure a safe, stable blood supply. Immune response results post three to five days after a completed blood donation. Following the donation, donors need to visit TheBloodCenter.org and log in to My Account for their results. To schedule your blood donation and help save lives, visit TheBloodCenter.org or call 1-800-86-BLOOD. Tulane Doctors Family Medicine Having a family medicine or primary care physician is a key part of maintaining health and well-being. Treating patients as young as 14 years old, family medicine physicians treat acute and chronic illnesses, maintain the medical history of their patients, monitor changes, and coordinate with specialists when additional care is needed. “A strong patient-physician relationship builds trust, empowers and improves patients’ perspectives on their own health,” says Dr. Seetha Venkateswaran, physician at Tulane Doctors Family Medicine. “It is also in the best interest of the patient that we work together to deter the development of diseases with long-lasting health implications such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.” Important preventive services like annual physicals, immunizations, and cancer screenings are important elements of a long healthy life. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Venkateswaran or another Tulane Doctors Family Medicine physician, call 504-865-5700. Thibodaux Regional Wellness Center Thibodaux Regional’s innovative Wellness Center, located in Lafourche Parish, is making great strides in improving the health and wellness of the region. One of the Center’s initiatives, WellFit, integrates wellness with clinical care, offering individuals the ability to achieve the highest quality, most active lifestyle possible. Participants continue to achieve consistent improvement in walk distance, quality of life indicators, and weight loss. Construction is currently underway for Wellness Center Phase II. The expansion project offers even more opportunities for people to improve their overall health and well-being, and will feature a multipurpose field, tennis courts, sand volleyball courts, and more. “The new facilities will enhance our current sports and wellness programs while offering opportunities to host outside events and tournaments potentially increasing the economic impact to our area,” said Greg Stock, CEO of Thibodaux Regional. For more information, visit thibodaux.com. • MYNEWORLEANS.COM

DECEMBER 2021

A Special Section of New Orleans Magazine WYES-TV/CHANNEL 12 PROGRAM & EVENTS GUIDE DECEMBER 2021

MOSQUITO SUPPER CLUB

Wednesday, January 5 EXECUTIVE CHEF: MELISSA MARTIN

$125

It’s back! WYES SEASON OF GOOD TASTES WILL KICK OFF JANUARY 2022!

Reservations will open on Monday, December 6, 2021 at wyes.org. All dinners begin at 6:30pm.

1st Course

SHRIMP & OKRA GUMBO Carolina Gold Rice, Potato Salad

2nd Course

ARUGULA & HONEYCRISP APPLE SALAD Apple Cider Vinaigrette

3rd Course

LOUISIANA CRAB CAKE Peas & Rice

4th Course

PERSIMMON CAKE SALTED CARAMEL BUTTERMILK ICE CREAM

Wines: THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS

Capitello Sauvignon Blanc 2019 New Zealand & Domaine Chaintreuil Fleuri La Modone 2016 France

Wednesday, January 12 EXECUTIVE CHEF: PETER ISAAC CHEF DE CUISINE: JOHN TRINH

$125

1st Course

BRIQUETTE SALAD Baby Mixed Greens, Eggplant Caviar, Petite Tomatoes, Goat Cheese & House Dressing Arte Latino Cava Brut Spain

2nd Course

BBQ OYSTERS Flashed Fried Oysters, Tossed with a Louisiana Hot Sauce; Finished with a Bleu Cheese Crumble, and a Green Onion Garnish Joel Gott Sauvignon Blanc California

3rd Course

CHICKEN MARSALA Pan Sautéed Chicken Breast Topped with Mushrooms in a Rich Marsala Wine Sauce Served with Chef John’s Famous Trottole Alfredo Bottega Vinaia Pinto Noir Trentino-Alto-Adige Italy

4th Course

NEW ORLEANS BREAD PUDDING BEIGNETS Served with a Praline Demi Dipping Sauce

Creole Cof fee

Featuring Community Coffee and Bird Dog Praline Whiskey

Wines provided by:

Republic National Distributing

Tuesday, January 25

Tuesday, March 15

EXECUTIVE CHEF: SUSAN SPICER

CO-CHEFS AND CO-OWNERS: AMARYS KOENIG HERNDON JORDAN HERNDON

$100

HORS D’OEUVRES

CHICKEN LIVER PATÉ TARAMASALATA ON PITA CRISPS Daheuiller Cremant de Loir Brut France

1st Course

HOUSE-SMOKED TROUT Served with Potato Leek Latkes and Sour Cream Capitello Sauvignon Gris 2020 Oregon

2nd Course GRILLED MISO EGGPLANT Sesame, Yuzu and Herbs

3rd Course

CRISPY BRAISED LAMB Pomegranate Molasses Sweet Potato Fingerlings and Spigarello Los Lastos Rompesedes Toro 2016 Spain

4th Course

CHEESES Artisan Cheese Plate

Sunday, March 20

Tuesday, July 19

EXECUTIVE CHEF: RICHARD HUGHES

EXECUTIVE CHEF: ARVINDER VILKHU

1st Course

$150

$125

PELICAN CLUB BAKED OYSTERS Wasabi Tobiko

1st Course

Cremant D’alsace Brut Rose Camille Braun

CORNER STORE CRUDO Yellowfin Tuna, Pineapple Big Shot Nựớc Chấm, Daikon, Fresh Herbs, Shrimp Chips Nortico Alvarinho 2020 Portugal

2nd Course

HOUSEMADE STEAMED BUNS WITH KOREAN SLOW COOKED DUCK Pickled Vegetables, Hoisin, Kewpie Mayo, Sriracha

$125

TUNA CHAAT Yellowfin Tuna, Sesame, Mango, Cucumber, Puffed Rice, Watermelon Radish, Kashmiri Rice Wine Vinaigrette

2nd Course

GULF SEAFOOD UTTAPUM Gulf Shrimp, Jumbo Lump Crab, Spiced Tomato & Coconut Chutneys

3rd Course

Barbera D’asti ‘Tre Vigne’ Vietti 2019

KHYBER LAMB CHOPS Marinated In Dark Rum, Rogan Josh Sauce, Kichidi

3rd Course

4th Course

Mi Terruno Rose 2020 Argentina

Sancerre ‘Les Baronnes’ Henri Bourgeois 2020

Wines: Coming Soon!

3rd Course

4th Course

Ventisquero Reserva Pinot Noir 2018 Chile

Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast MacRostie 2019

4th Course

FILET MIGNON & TRUFFLED FOIE GRAS Oyster & Shitake Mushroom Perigourdine Sauce, Celery Root Puree, Buttered Asparagus

2nd Course

ROASTED BRUSSELS SPROUTS P&P Worcestershire Dressing, Toasted Pecans, Prima Donna Gouda

SMOKED PORK BELLY Steen’s Salsa Negra Glaze, Field Peas & Hominy

LA STRAWBERRY TRES LECHES CAKE Created by Pastry Chef Shalonda Berry

HEIRLOOM LETTUCES Housemade Creamy Farmers Cheese, Spicy Pepitas, Alicia’s Tomato Chutney Truffle Vinaigrette

GINGER CREME BRÛLÉE Shattered Raspberries, Candied Ginger, Mint

JUMBO LUMP CRAB & CRAWFISH CAKE Ravigote Sauce, Duck Fat Baby Potato Confit & Pesto

5th Course

Mountain Cuvee ‘Proprietor’s Blend’ Chappellet 2019

6th Course - Dessert

CRÈME BRULEE TRIO Chocolate Godiva, Orange Grand Marnier, Vanilla Bean Cognac Noah’s Mill Bourbon Cocktail

Thursdays March 10, 17, 24 & 31 EXECUTIVE CHEF: JIMI SETCHIM

Four seatings of 10 in Prohibition Room which serves as an intimate, private dining room with an interactive wine and dining experience. Menus coming soon at wyes.org.

PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHTS WYES-TV/CHANNEL 12 PROGRAM GUIDE | DECEMBER 2021

WYES-TV’s broadcast streams simultaneously at wyes.org/live and on the WYES and PBS apps. CRAFT IN AMERICA “Harmony” Friday, December 10 at 9pm Marc Savoy, musician, master accordion maker and champion of Cajun culture, is featured in this episode. Marc founded Savoy Music Center in Eunice, Louisiana in 1966, where he builds and repairs Cajun accordions. His family is part of a long tradition of artisans and musicians who keep alive a cultural legacy that dates back to the 1700s. 20 YEARS OF CHRISTMAS WITH THE TABERNACLE CHOIR Monday, December 13 at 7pm; Friday, December 24 at 9pm Tony® Award-winner Brian Mitchell narrates. Intimate ballads, behind-the-scenes views and storytelling by Mitchell combine with highlights from the past two decades featuring soul-stirring performances from more than 40 world-renowned artists, including Kristin Chenoweth, Audra McDonald, Kelli O’Hara, Gladys Knight, Angela Lansbury, the Muppets® from Sesame Street®, Hugh Bonneville and Richard Thomas. THE NUTCRACKER AND THE MOUSE KING Tuesday, December 14 at 8pm Based on E.T.A. Hoffmann’s 1816 book, Alan Cumming recounts the origin story of how a prince got put into a nutcracker. Unlike the ballet, we also learn what happens when the young girl grows up, having saved the prince, and what they are doing today. A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS Sunday, December 19 at 6:30pm Feeling down about the commercialism of Christmas, Charlie Brown becomes the director of the gang’s holiday play. Can he overcome his friends’ preference for dancing over acting, find the “perfect” tree and discover the true meaning of Christmas?

CALL THE MIDWIFE HOLIDAY SPECIAL 2021 Saturday, December 25 at 8pm; Sunday, December 26 at 9:30pm Christmas 1966 promises to be memorable one. The Nonnatus House team is faced with their busiest Christmas Day ever as the Maternity Home is filled with expectant moms and challenging cases. Luckily Mother Mildred is on hand to support the team. Pictured: Helen Elizabeth George as Nurse Trixie Franklin GREAT PERFORMANCES AT THE MET “New Year’s Eve Gala” Friday, December 31 at 10:30pm The Met rings in the new year with a gala performance featuring Met stars Angel Blue, Pretty Yende, Javier Camarena and Matthew Polenzani. Performing from the Parktheater in Kurhaus Göggingen, in Augsburg, Germany, the program features arias, duets and ensembles from Donizetti to Puccini, as well as arrangements of operetta and Neapolitan songs. D4

1 WEDNESDAY 6pm PBS NEWSHOUR 7pm NATURE “My Garden of a Thousand Bees”

10:30pm BRAIN SECRETS WITH MICHAEL MERZENICH, MD leads viewers on a journey to understand how we as humans have evolved into the people we are today, and how we can grow our brain power to become the better, stronger people we’d like to become.

2 THURSDAY 6pm PBS NEWSHOUR

3 FRIDAY 6pm PBS NEWSHOUR 7pm INFORMED SOURCES 7:30pm LOUISIANA: THE STATE WE’RE IN 8pm WASHINGTON WEEK 8:30pm WALL $TREET WRAP-UP WITH ANDRÉ LABORDE 9pm BURT BACHARACH’S BEST (MY MUSIC PRESENTS) Enjoy footage and clips from the 1960s-1970s featuring original artists performing Burt Bacharach’s music. Songs include “Walk on By” by Dionne Warwick, “What’s New Pussycat” by Tom Jones and “The Look of Love” by Dusty Springfield.

12:30pm RICK STEVES’ EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS Join Rick Steves for a colorful, musical celebration of Christmas across Europe. From England to Wales, France, Norway, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy, you’ll see the bright Christmas markets, hear local choirs, share holiday traditions with families…and even play in the snow. 2:30pm AGING BACKWARDS 3 WITH MIRANDA ESMONDE-WHITE Learn the six-point plan to keep your mind sharp and your body active. 3:30pm BIG BAND YEARS

10:30pm HAPPY HOLIDAYS WITH BING & FRANK

WYES-TV/CHANNEL 12 PROGRAM GUIDE | DECEMBER 2021

8:30pm PAIN SECRETS: THE SCIENCE OF EVERYDAY PAIN explains cutting-edge modalities of treatment that have proven to be powerful ways to help diminish pain.

10:30pm MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER 30/40 LIVE *TICKET OFFER! Mannheim Steamroller in concert on December 23 at 8pm at the Saenger Theatre. Call (504) 486-7311.

11pm AMANPOUR AND COMPANY

4 SATURDAY 7pm HAPPY HOLIDAYS WITH BING & FRANK Celebrate the holidays with the magical combination of Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby. In this early color broadcast from 1957, the two legends swap Christmas songs and stories and duet on some favorite holiday classics. Photo Credit: Frank Sinatra Enterprises LLC

7am EAT YOUR MEDICINE: THE PEGAN DIET WITH MARK HYMAN, MD

7:30pm THE DEAN MARTIN AND FRANK SINATRA FAMILY CHRISTMAS SHOW Join Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and their families for this joyful holiday special filmed in 1967. Songs include “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” ”Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Silent Night” and many more. With special guest Sammy Davis, Jr.

9:30am KEVIN BELTON’S COOKIN’ LOUISIANA

9pm IL VOLO: TRIBUTE TO ENNIO MORRICONE Join the trio in the beautiful city of Verona as they pay tribute to the great Italian film composer.

9am RICK STEVES’ TASTY EUROPE From Holland and Italy to Bulgaria and Spain, Rick Steves explains how food helps define cultures across Europe.

10am KITCHEN QUEENS: NEW ORLEANS 10:30am GREAT SCENIC RAILWAY JOURNEYS: 150 YEARS ON THE RIGHT TRACK More than just a tour, the program explores how these railroads defined the spirit of an era, creating a new industry and rewriting the history of transportation.

5:30pm SARAH BRIGHTMAN: A CHRISTMAS SYMPHONY Join the world’s best-selling soprano for her first-ever Christmas special. Breathing new life into holiday classics and festive fan favorites of the season, Sarah is joined by guests Andrew Lloyd Webber, Aled Jones and choir Gregorian. Photo Credit: Oliver Sommers *TICKET OFFER! Sarah Brightman live in concert on Tuesday, December 21 8pm at The Saenger Theatre. Call (504) 486-7311. 7pm DOO WOP TO POP ROCK: MY MUSIC CELEBRATES 20 YEARS 9:30pm MY MUSIC: THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND (MY MUSIC) Hosted by Tom and Dick Smothers and Judy Collins, this landmark special takes a musical journey through the evolution of modern American folk music. 11pm THE CARPENTERS: CHRISTMAS MEMORIES 11:30pm THE CARPENTERS: CLOSE TO YOU

WEEKDAYS ON

5 SUNDAY 10am AGING BACKWARDS 3 WITH MIRANDA ESMONDE-WHITE

WYES-TV/CHANNEL 12 PROGRAM GUIDE | DECEMBER 2021

11am KEVIN BELTON’S COOKIN’ LOUISIANA 11:30am THE LONGEVITY PARADOX BY STEVEN GUNDRY, MD Learn how Gundry’s new approach to aging well is based on supporting the health of the “oldest” parts of us: the microorganisms that live within our bodies.

6:30AM & 2:30PM WILD KRATTS The show transforms the Kratt Brothers into animated versions of themselves, allowing the real-life zoologists to visit wild animals in their little-seen habitats and showcase key science concepts along the way. Geared to kids ages 6-8. 5:00AM XAVIER RIDDLE AND THE SECRET MUSEUM 5:30AM ARTHUR 6:00AM MOLLY OF DENALI 6:30AM WILD KRATTS 7:00AM HERO ELEMENTARY 7:30AM ALMA’S WAY 8:00AM CURIOUS GEORGE 8:30AM DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD 9:00AM DONKEY HODIE 9:30AM ELINOR WONDERS WHY 10:00AM SESAME STREET 10:30AM PINKALICIOUS & PETERRIFIC 11:00AM DINOSAUR TRAIN

1pm SUZE ORMAN’S ULTIMATE RETIREMENT GUIDE With empathy, straight talk and humor, Suze provides information about key steps for anyone trying to achieve their “ultimate retirement.”

12:30PM DONKEY HODIE 1:00PM DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD 1:30PM LET’S GO LUNA! 2:00PM NATURE CAT 2:30PM WILD KRATTS 3:00PM ALMA’S WAY 3:30PM XAVIER RIDDLE AND THE SECRET MUSEUM 4:00PM ODD SQUAD 4:30PM ARTHUR 5:00PM MOLLY OF DENALI 5:30PM READY JET GO! 6:00PM PBS NEWSHOUR

9pm JEWISH NEW ORLEANS Discover how the New Orleans Jewish population stayed a major force in the city – dominating Canal Street commerce and shaping the city’s social and artistic institutions. 10pm HANUKKAH: A FESTIVAL OF DELIGHTS traces the evolution of Hanukkah, including its history and how it is celebrated across America. 11pm AMANPOUR AND COMPANY

7 TUESDAY 6pm PBS NEWSHOUR

11:30AM CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG NOON SESAME STREET

8pm ANTIQUES ROADSHOW “Junk in the Trunk 5” (Hour 1/3)

3pm EAT YOUR MEDICINE: THE PEGAN DIET WITH MARK HYMAN, MD breaks down all 21 of Dr. Mark Hyman’s Pegan Principles in what he calls an un-diet, all aimed at healing chronic disease using food.

7pm REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR Narrated by veteran Hollywood actor Tom Selleck, this documentary chronicles the personal stories of veterans and citizens who witnessed the surprise attack by the Japanese on the American Pacific Fleet on December 7, 1941, launching the United States into World War II.

5pm CLASSICAL REWIND 6:30pm BIG BAND YEARS Hear the music that brought the country through WWII and kick-started the baby boom. 8:30pm DOO WOP TO POP ROCK: MY MUSIC CELEBRATES 20 YEARS Celebrate 20 years of greatest hit songs from the 50s to the 70s featuring legendary performers The Kingston Trio, Glen Campbell, Aretha Franklin, Engelbert Humperdinck, Judy Collins, Davy Jones, Mel Carter, Patti Page and more. 11pm EAT YOUR MEDICINE: THE PEGAN DIET WITH MARK HYMAN, MD

6 MONDAY 6pm PBS NEWSHOUR 7pm ANTIQUES ROADSHOW “Women’s Work”

8:30pm THE LAST RING HOME After 25 years of research and 130 interviews with his grandparents’ peers, Minter Dial II embarks on a remarkable journey to discover more about his grandparents and bring healing to his father. The film uncovers the mystery of how Dial’s grandfather’s 1932 Annapolis Naval Academy ring was lost and found, and reveals the lasting legacy it had on all those it touched. Photo Credit: Maryland Public Television 9pm FRONTLINE “Poor Kids” 10pm NATIONAL PARKS: AMERICA’S BEST IDEA “Great Nature” (1933-1945) (Pt. 5/6)

8 WEDNESDAY 6pm PBS NEWSHOUR

8pm NOVA “Rise of the Mammal” 9pm IMPOSSIBLE BUILDS “Ice World” Watch the nature-defying plan to turn a sub-tropical wasteland into a sub-zero ski resort. 10pm NATURE “Wild Way of the Vikings” 11pm AMANPOUR AND COMPANY

9 THURSDAY 6pm PBS NEWSHOUR

8pm WASHINGTON WEEK

7:30pm BRITISH ANTIQUES ROADSHOW 8pm MASTERPIECE “Downton Abbey, Season 5” (Pts. 7-8/9) 10:30pm BRITISH ANTIQUES ROADSHOW 11pm AMANPOUR AND COMPANY

10 FRIDAY 6pm PBS NEWSHOUR 7pm INFORMED SOURCES

4pm MASTERPIECE “Little Women” (Pts. 1-3/3) The story follows the four March sisters on their journey from childhood to adulthood while their father is away at war. Academy Award® nominee Emily Watson leads the cast.

8:30pm WALL $TREET WRAP-UP WITH ANDRÉ LABORDE

HIGHLIGHT 9pm CRAFT IN AMERICA “Harmony” (Pt. 1/2) Featured in this episode is Marc Savoy, a musician, master accordion maker and champion of Cajun culture. He founded Savoy Music Center in Eunice, Louisiana in 1966, where he builds and repairs Cajun accordions. 10pm CRAFT IN AMERICA “Jewelry” (Pt. 2/2) explores the history, artistry, and impact of personal adornment.

7pm ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL, SEASON 1 (Pts. 1-2/7) Nicholas Ralph makes his television debut as the iconic vet who became renowned for his inspiring humor, compassion and love of life. *Catch up on Season 1 before the premiere of Season 2 begins on Sunday, January 9th. You can also binge watch all of Season 1 on WYES Passport. Learn more at wyes.org/passport. 9:30pm CLASSICAL REWIND

11:30pm AMANPOUR AND COMPANY

11pm SEASIDE HOTEL “A Summer by the North Sea” (Pt. 1/6) A new chambermaid, Fie, is hired at the Andersens’ Seaside Hotel. Guests arrive throughout the day, proving beyond a doubt that these holidays are going to be very interesting.

11 SATURDAY

13 MONDAY

6pm LAWRENCE WELK: WINTER

6pm PBS NEWSHOUR

11pm STEPPIN’ OUT

7pm STEPPIN’ OUT Each week host and producer Peggy Scott Laborde welcomes regular guests Poppy Tooker, Alan Smason, plus new roundtable visitors to discuss New Orleans restaurants, arts and entertainment. Missed an episode? Go to wyes.org/steppinout.

12 SUNDAY

WYES-TV/CHANNEL 12 PROGRAM GUIDE | DECEMBER 2021

7pm NATURE “Wild Way of the Vikings” Ewan McGregor explores the wildlife of the North Atlantic through the eyes of the Vikings, exploring the deep respect these sea-faring warriors held for the natural world.

7:30pm LOUISIANA: THE STATE WE’RE IN Kara St. Cyr and Andre’ Moreau anchor the weekly award-winning show that focuses on the important issues in the state along with expert analysis of those issues.

7pm BATTLE OVER BEARS EARS Can Utah’s diverse voices and interests in this extraordinary landscape find common ground? 8pm NATIONAL PARKS: AMERICA’S BEST IDEA “The Morning of Creation” (1946-1980) (Pt. 6/6) 10pm AUSTIN CITY LIMITS “Patty Griffin/The Revivalists” Singer-songwriter Patty Griffin and her backing duo perform songs from her self-titled album and New Orleans rockers The Revivalists play songs from Take Good Care. 11pm FRONT AND CENTER “Maddie & Tae” (Pt. 6/8)

HIGHLIGHT

7pm 20 YEARS OF CHRISTMAS WITH THE TABERNACLE CHOIR Tony® Awardwinner Brian Stokes Mitchell joins the Choir and Orchestra for this 2-hour 20th anniversary retrospective with performances from Audra McDonald, Kristin Chenoweth, Gladys Knight, Angela Lansbury, Hugh Bonneville, Renée Fleming and more.

WYES-TV/CHANNEL 12 PROGRAM GUIDE | DECEMBER 2021

SATURDAYS ON

10pm ELLA WISHES YOU A SWINGING CHRISTMAS WITH VANESSA WILLIAMS The American Pops Orchestra presents an evening celebrating the entire iconic album of holiday classics with appearances by Dee Dee Bridgewater, Norm Lewis, Carmen Ruby Floyd, Nova Payton, Dave Detwiler and Morgan James.

9:30AM KEVIN BELTON’S COOKIN’ LOUISIANA In his fourth public television series, awardwinning Chef Kevin Belton visits locations across the state for a look at the authentic food traditions of Louisiana cuisine. Back in the kitchen, Chef prepares his take on recipes that reflect Louisiana’s complex blending of cultures. Photograph by Denny Culbert. Reprinted by permission of Gibbs Smith.

5:00AM MISTER ROGERS’ NEIGHBORHOOD 5:30AM ARTHUR 6:00AM MOLLY OF DENALI 6:30AM WILD KRATTS 7:00AM P. ALLEN SMITH'S GARDEN HOME

10:30AM CHEF PAUL PRUDHOMME’S ALWAYS COOKING

11pm AMANPOUR AND COMPANY

11:30AM AMERICA’S TEST KITCHEN FROM COOK’S ILLUSTRATED NOON COOK’S COUNTRY 12:30PM CHRISTOPHER KIMBALL’S MILK STREET

the fabled home of Santa Claus and actual home of reindeer and more. 8pm NOVA “Decoding Da Vinci” 9pm IMPOSSIBLE BUILDS “Skinny Skyscraper” 10pm NATURE “Santa’s Wild Home” 11pm AMANPOUR AND COMPANY

16 THURSDAY 6pm PBS NEWSHOUR

14 TUESDAY

7pm STEPPIN’ OUT

6pm PBS NEWSHOUR

7:30pm BRITISH ANTIQUES ROADSHOW

7pm LIDIA CELEBRATES AMERICA “Overcoming the Odds”

8pm MASTERPIECE “Downton Abbey, Season 5” (Pts. 9/9) The Crawleys go to a shooting party at a castle in Northumberland and return to Downton for a joyful Christmas holiday.

11:00AM LIDIA’S KITCHEN

1:00PM 7:30AM WOODSMITH SHOP JAMIE OLIVER TOGETHER 8:00AM 2:00PM AMERICAN SARA’S WOODSHOP WEEKNIGHT MEALS 8:30AM THIS OLD HOUSE 2:30PM HOW SHE ROLLS 9:00AM ASK THIS OLD 3:00PM HOUSE NOVA 9:30AM KEVIN BELTON’S 4:00PM COOKIN’ NATURE LOUISIANA 5:00PM 10AM ANTIQUES KITCHEN QUEENS: ROADSHOW NEW ORLEANS

9pm CHRISTMAS IN NEW ORLEANS Reminisce about Christmastime in New Orleans with Mr. Bingle, downtown decorations, rare snowfalls, bonfires along the Mississippi River and more!

HIGHLIGHT

10pm SECRETS OF CHATSWORTH Discover the manor’s 500-year history.

8pm THE NUTCRACKER AND THE MOUSE KING Based on E.T.A. Hoffmann’s 1816 book, Alan Cumming recounts the origin story of how a prince got put into a nutcracker. Unlike the ballet, we also learn what happens when the young girl grows up, having saved the prince, and what they are doing today.

11pm AMANPOUR AND COMPANY

9:30pm CHRISTMAS WITH WALDO Join Waldo, a big white rabbit, by puppeteer Jeff Kent for a holiday program you won’t forget. Waldo searches for the true meaning of Christmas in this WYES classic.

7pm INFORMED SOURCES

10pm NATIONAL PARKS: AMERICA’S BEST IDEA “The Morning of Creation” (1946-1980) (Pt. 6/6)

17 FRIDAY 6pm PBS NEWSHOUR

7:30pm LOUISIANA: THE STATE WE’RE IN 8pm WASHINGTON WEEK

15 WEDNESDAY 6pm PBS NEWSHOUR 7pm NATURE “Santa’s Wild Home” Get an intimate look at the wildlife of Lapland, a region in northern Finland,

8:30pm WALL $TREET WRAP-UP WITH ANDRÉ LABORDE looks at the past

week’s market and brings local and national investment professionals to you. Have a question for André? Email andre@ wallstreetwrapup.info.

10:30pm ALL IS BRIGHT: A CONCORDIA CHRISTMAS 11pm STEPPIN’ OUT 11:30pm AMANPOUR AND COMPANY

18 SATURDAY

6pm CLOWN BY QUENTIN BLAKE On Christmas Eve, Clown goes on a journey to find a new home for himself and his friends. Animated. Narrated by Helena Bonham Carter.

11pm AMANPOUR AND COMPANY

HIGHLIGHT

6:30pm A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS Feeling down about the commercialism of Christmas, Charlie Brown becomes the director of the gang’s holiday play. Can he overcome his friends’ preference for dancing over acting, find the “perfect” tree and discover the true meaning of Christmas? Did you know? The program made its debut on CBS on December 9, 1965.

6pm LAWRENCE WELK: TRIBUTE TO HOAGY CARMICHAEL Originally broadcast in March 1982, this episode is filled with many of Hoagy Carmichael’s greatest tunes including “Can’t Get Indiana off my Mind,” “Back Home Again in Indiana” and more.

7pm ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL, SEASON 1 (Pts. 3-4/7)

7pm CALL THE MIDWIFE HOLIDAY SPECIAL 2019

10:30pm AMERICA’S FORESTS WITH CHUCK LEAVELL: U.S. CAPITOL CHRISTMAS TREE Celebrate the US Capitol Christmas Tree as it travels from the Western Slope of Colorado to Washington, DC.

8:30pm CALL THE MIDWIFE HOLIDAY SPECIAL 2020

9:30pm CRANE CANDLELIGHT CONCERT 2020: CHRISTMAS PAST, CHRISTMAS PRESENT

11pm SEASIDE HOTEL “Men’s Visit” (Pt. 2/6)

20 MONDAY 6pm PBS NEWSHOUR 7pm ANTIQUES ROADSHOW “Naughty or Nice” 10pm AUSTIN CITY LIMITS “Cage the Elephant/ Tank and the Bangas” Enjoy performances from Nashville rockers Cage the Elephant and New Orleans jazz/soul mavens Tank and the Bangas. Photo Credit: Scott Newton 11pm FRONT AND CENTER “John Hiatt with Jerry Douglas and Special Guest Tommy Emmanuel”

10pm HOLIDAY HANDBELLS: THE RALEIGH RINGERS Highlights include a lighthearted take on “Flight of the Bumblebee,” the solemn French carol “Pat-a-pan,” “March of the Toys” from the operetta Babes in Toyland, Chopin’s “Valse Brilliante,” and an instrumental version of “Silent Night.”

8pm CHRISTMAS AT BELMONT 2021 features multiplatinum recording artist Josh Turner and nearly 650 Belmont University students performing holiday favorites, traditional carols and festive tunes. Turner, a Belmont alumnus, performs “King Size Manor,” the title track from his new Christmas album, along with a special arrangement of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” 9pm ST. THOMAS CHRISTMAS: BLOOM ETERNAL

21 TUESDAY 6pm PBS NEWSHOUR 7pm FINDING YOUR ROOTS “On Broadway”

8pm IRMA: MY LIFE IN MUSIC spotlights the GRAMMY Award-winning artist’s amazing 60-year career. The documentary includes a recently recorded interview with Irma, as well as archival and new interviews from many of her colleagues. Archival performance footage is also included. The program is produced by Michael Murphy Productions with the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation. Photo Credit: Rick Olivier

WYES-TV/CHANNEL 12 PROGRAM GUIDE | DECEMBER 2021

9pm LIVE FROM BRADLEY SYMPHONY CENTER: MILWAUKEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Join Milwaukee PBS and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra for a special celebration of its new facilities and the opening of its 2021 season. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the historic refurbished Bradley Symphony Center and find out more about conductor Ken-David Masur.

19 SUNDAY

9:30pm JOSEPHINE BAKER: THE STORY OF ANY AWAKENING 10:30pm CHRISTMASTIME IN NEW ORLEANS Taped in part at the historic Saenger Theatre in downtown New Orleans, the special spotlights a concert celebrating the city’s vast and unique musical influences. Highlights include appearances by actor Wendell Pierce, musician Jason Marsalis and chefs Leah Chase and John Folse. 11pm AMANPOUR AND COMPANY

22 WEDNESDAY 6pm PBS NEWSHOUR 7pm NATURE “Mystery Monkeys of Shangri-La” The true story of a family of Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys living in the highest forests in the world.

WYES-TV/CHANNEL 12 PROGRAM GUIDE | DECEMBER 2021

SUNDAYS ON

SECRETS OF THE DEAD “Scanning the Pyramids” Scientists make a historic discovery in their search to solve the 4,500-year-old mystery of what lies within the Great Pyramid of Giza. 10pm NATURE “Mystery Monkeys of Shangri-La” 11pm AMANPOUR AND COMPANY

11:00AM KEVIN BELTON’S COOKIN’ LOUISIANA Love the series? You’ll love chef’s new cookbook by the same name, Kevin Belton’s Cookin’ Louisiana. The cookbook features 78 recipes (3 from each episode of the TV series) along with a generous helping of Kevin’s captivating stories and humor. Head to kevinbelton.wyes.org/shop/ to purchase an autographed copy for $34.50.

5:00AM MISTER ROGERS’ NEIGHBORHOOD

9:30AM INFORMED SOURCES

5:30AM ARTHUR

10:00AM VARIOUS PROGRAMMING

6:30AM WILD KRATTS 7:00AM HERO ELEMENTARY 7:30AM ALMA'S WAY 8:00AM WALL $TREET WRAP-UP WITH ANDRÉ LABORDE 8:30AM LOUISIANA THE STATE WE’RE IN 9:00AM FIRING LINE WITH MARGARET HOOVER DIAL 12 | January 2019

11:00AM KEVIN BELTON’S COOKIN’ LOUISIANA

8:30pm WALL $TREET WRAP-UP WITH ANDRÉ LABORDE 9pm 20 YEARS OF CHRISTMAS WITH THE TABERNACLE CHOIR Enjoy performances from Audra McDonald, Kristin Chenoweth, Gladys Knight, Angela Lansbury, Hugh Bonneville, Renée Fleming and more.

5:30pm CHRISTMAS WITH WALDO

11:30pm AMANPOUR AND COMPANY

7pm STEPPIN’ OUT 7:30pm BRITISH ANTIQUES ROADSHOW 8pm MASTERPIECE “Downton Abbey, Season 6” (Pt. 1-2/9)

25 SATURDAY 6pm LAWRENCE WELK: CHRISTMAS REUNION 7pm CHRISTMAS IN NEW ORLEANS

10:30pm A CREOLE CHRISTMAS Taped on location at the historic Hermann-Grima House and features music by the New Orleans Blend. 11pm AMANPOUR AND COMPANY

HIGHLIGHT 24 FRIDAY 6pm PBS NEWSHOUR

12:00PM PATI'S MEXICAN TABLE 12:30PM HOW SHE ROLLS

1PM-6PM GREAT BRITISH BAKING SHOW

8pm WASHINGTON WEEK

11pm CHRISTMAS IN NEW ORLEANS

11:30AM KITCHEN QUEENS: NEW ORLEANS

1:00PM RICK STEVES' EUROPE

7:30pm LOUISIANA: THE STATE WE’RE IN

23 THURSDAY

6pm PBS NEWSHOUR

6:00AM MOLLY OF DENALI

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8pm NOVA “Decoding the Great Pyramid” 9pm

7pm INFORMED SOURCES Now in its 37th year, the weekly series hosted by Marcia Kavanaugh and produced by Errol Laborde, gives an in-depth look into the important news of metro New Orleans and Louisiana. Repeats Sunday mornings at 9:30am.

8pm CALL THE MIDWIFE HOLIDAY SPECIAL 2021 The beloved nurses of Nonnatus House getting in the holiday spirit. Christmas 1966 promises to be a memorable one as Lucille and Cyril prepare for their upcoming winter wedding. The team is faced with their busiest Christmas Day ever as the Maternity Home is filled with expectant moms, each with their own challenging case. Luckily Mother Mildred is on hand to support the team. Pictured: Leonie Elliott as Nurse Lucille Andersen 9:30pm CHRISTMASTIME IN NEW ORLEANS 10pm AUSTIN CITY LIMITS “The Raconteurs/ Black Pumas” 11pm FRONT AND CENTER “Sangeeta Kaur”

26 SUNDAY

8pm MASTERPIECE “Downton Abbey, Season 6” (Pt. 3-4/9)

6pm LUCY WORSLEY’S 12 DAYS OF TUDOR CHRISTMAS see how Christmas was celebrated during the age of Henry VIII — eating, drinking, singing, dancing and partying like people did 500 years ago.

9:30pm CALL THE MIDWIFE HOLIDAY SPECIAL 2021 11pm SEASIDE HOTEL “Fatal Consequences” (Pt. 3/6)

27 MONDAY pm PBS NEWSHOUR 7pm ANTIQUES ROADSHOW “Junk in the Trunk 5” (Hour 2 of 3) 8pm POV “Unapologetic” Meet Janaé and Bella, two fierce abolitionists whose upbringing and experiences shape their activism and views on Black liberation. 9:30pm POV SHORTS “Le Frère” Directed by Jérémie Battaglia, the film is about a boy who is living with an illness that is causing him to lose the use of his body and the dreams he continues to carry. 10pm LOUISIANA ARTIST SPOTLIGHT highlights 13 talented Louisiana artists. 11pm AMANPOUR AND COMPANY

28 TUESDAY 6pm PBS NEWSHOUR 7pm IN THEIR OWN WORDS “Angela Merkel” Angela Merkel rises through maledominated political ranks to become the first female chancellor of Germany. 8pm AMERICAN EXPERIENCE “The Codebreaker” 9pm FRONTLINE “Opioids, Inc.”

11pm AMANPOUR AND COMPANY 10pm RIVER CITY DRUMBEAT Edward “Nardie” White devoted his life to leading the African-American drum corps he cofounded with Zambia Nkrumah in Louisville, Kentucky three decades ago. Together they inspired youth from their West Louisville neighborhood to thrive by connecting them with the art and cultural traditions of their African ancestors. Now Albert Shumake, whose destiny was shaped by the drumline, must take up the mantle for the next generation. 11:30pm AMANPOUR AND COMPANY

29 WEDNESDAY 6pm PBS NEWSHOUR 7pm EARTH EMERGENCY Explore how environmental feedback loops are amplifying global warming and what we can do about it. Narrated by Richard Gere, this revealing film asks whether we are approaching a point of no return or if we have the will and vision to act now.

31 FRIDAY 6pm PBS NEWSHOUR 7pm INFORMED SOURCES 7:30pm LOUISIANA: THE STATE WE’RE IN 8pm WASHINGTON WEEK 8:30pm WALL $TREET WRAP-UP WITH ANDRÉ LABORDE 9pm UNITED IN SONG: CELEBRATING THE AMERICAN DREAM Join Joshua Bell, Renee Fleming, Denyce Graves, Patti LaBelle, Yo-Yo Ma, Audra McDonald and more as they encourage our nation to come together and celebrate our irrepressible strength as Americans.

WYES-TV/CHANNEL 12 PROGRAM GUIDE | DECEMBER 2021

7pm ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL, SEASON 1 (Pts. 5-6/7)

10:30pm BRITISH ANTIQUES ROADSHOW

8pm NOVA “Secrets of the Forbidden City” 9pm CLIMATE CHANGE — THE FACTS Discover how the latest innovations and technology are posing potential solutions and what individuals can do to prevent further damage. 10pm EARTH EMERGENCY 11pm AMANPOUR AND COMPANY

30 THURSDAY 6pm PBS NEWSHOUR 7pm STEPPIN’ OUT

10:30pm GREAT PERFORMANCES AT THE MET “New Year’s Eve Gala” The Met rings in the new year with a gala performance featuring Met stars Angel Blue, Pretty Yende, Javier Camarena and Matthew Polenzani. Performing from the Parktheater in Kurhaus Göggingen, in Augsburg, Germany, the program features arias, duets and ensembles from Donizetti to Puccini, as well as arrangements of operetta and Neapolitan songs. 11:30pm STEPPIN’ OUT

7:30pm BRITISH ANTIQUES ROADSHOW

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WYES-TV/CHANNEL 12 PROGRAM GUIDE | DECEMBER 2021

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BY E R R O L L ABO R DE

Doc the Halls

hristmas Eve 2020 and not a critter was stirring, including myself who laid semi-passed out on a bed. An ambulance med tech guy had the nerve to interrupt my slumber to ask me what month it was. I would have thought he would know without having to visit my house. Also, the question was unfair since there are 12 months to choose one. I guessed correctly but that did not prevent him, and his co-workers, from hoisting me away toward the ambulance. I probably should have figured earlier in the afternoon when I suddenly began shaking with chills that something was wrong. Whatever it was, I reasoned, could be cured by simply resting for a while. It did not work. For many Christmas seasons there would be the experience of driving up Canal Street to see the lights. At this moment I was back on Canal Street but the only lights I could visualize were blinking. I did not realize that they were blinking for me. I guessed correctly again when I was wheeled into an emergency room. ”Do you know where you are?” someone asked. Truth is, I wasn’t sure, but even in my stupor I reasoned that the numbers were on my side by saying “Ochsner.” To date, I have been very fortunate about having spent little time as a patient in a hospital. I was expecting a prescription of maybe two aspirins and some chicken soup, but a nurse saw it differently. She was arranging for a room. Christmas Eve in the emergency room: There would be more blinking lights and noise when I was wheeled in for an MRI. Fortunately, I was too sick to feel claustrophobic. Results revealed some good news. I had nether a stroke nor COVID-19. As I was rolled to my room, we at least knew what the malady was not, we just didn’t know what it was. Christmas Day in a hospital ward: I had been looking forward to this particular Christmas, not just for the family, fun and festivity, but also because

DECEMBER 2021

the Saints were playing in prime time against the despised Minnesota Vikings. I had especially been anticipating snacking on leftover turkey, sipping a Sazerac and contemplating the pecan pie while watching the game. Peggy had spent most of the day with me and brought gifts and joy. By game time, however, the hospital had been cleared of visitors. She would be at the family gathering where I wished I was. Instead I settled in the chair alongside the hospital bed. I remember seeing the teams line up for the kickoff. Game on. “We need to do another blood sample,” a nurse who had entered the room said. “Oh good, something else to stick in my arm,” I mumbled silently. That’s when I realized that I had dosed off and missed the kickoff. I wondered how many seconds had passed and then I heard the announcer say something that stunned me. “Final score, Saints 52, Vikings 33; and how about that Alvin Kamara who scored six touchdowns!” I was so medicated that I had slept through the entire game, but at least I would know what my cholesterol level was. On the day after Christmas a committee of doctors and nurses came to the room. They had examined me every way possible and concluded that I had a bacterial infection. But they still did not know the cause. I would be released from the hospital, but I should visit my own doctor soon for a follow-up. Within the weeks and months to follow I talked to several medical people. The consensus, though not unanimous, seemed to be that antibiotics should be taken before any treatment, such as teeth cleaning, which could cause a cut in the skin. I have since become a big antibiotics fan. Christmas season has a spiritual bend that, beyond the festivity, endears charitable deeds such as visiting the sick. I can respect that, only I didn’t know that I was the one who was going to be sick. It could have been worse: Somewhere in Minneapolis there was no doubt some guy alone in a hospital who was a Vikings fan.

ARTHUR NEAD ILLUSTRATION