New Orleans Magazine April 2014

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april/may 2014 | www.acadianaprofile.com

April 2014 VOLUME 48 NUMBER 7 Editor Errol Laborde Managing Editor Morgan Packard Art Director Eric Gernhauser Associate Editors Haley Adams and Lauren LaBorde Contributing Editor Liz Scott Monaghan Food Edit­or Dale Curry Dining Edit­or Jay Forman Wine and Spirits Edit­or Tim McNally Restaurant Reporter Robert Peyton Home and Garden Editor Bonnie Warren Staff Writer Melanie Warner Spencer Interns Kristen Himmelberg, Erika Vaughn,

Lexi Wangler SALES MANAGER Shannon Smith Senior Account ExecutiveS Jonée Daigle Ferrand Account Executives

Sarah Daigle, Kate Sanders, Elizabeth Schindler Sales Assistant Erin Maher Azar, Jenni Buckley Web/Production Manager Staci Woodward McCarty Production Designers Antoine Passelac Web Editor Lauren LaBorde Chief Executive Officer Todd Matherne President Alan Campell Executive VICE PRESIDENT/Editor-in-Chief Errol Laborde Vice President of Sales Colleen Monaghan DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND EVENTS Kristi Ferrante Distribution Manager Christian Coombs SUBSCRIPTIONS Erin Duhe

WYES DIAL 12 STAFF (504) 486-5511 Executive Editor Beth Arroyo Utterback Managing Editor Aislinn Hinyup Associate Editor Robin Cooper Art Director Jenny Dascenzo-Hronek

NEW ORLEANS MAGAZINE Printed in USA A Publication of Renaissance Publishing 110 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 123 Metairie, LA 70005 (504) 828-1380 Subscription Hotline:

(504) 828-1380 ext. 251 or fax: (504) 828-1385

Online at www.MyNewOrleans.com

New Orleans Magazine (ISSN 0897 8174) is published monthly by Renaissance Publishing, LLC., 110 Veterans Blvd., Suite 123, Metairie, LA 70005; (504) 8281380. 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 2014 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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CONTENTS 4.14 VOL.48 NO. 7

PARK THIS! PAGE

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FEATURES SPEAKING OUT PAGE

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90 Park This! A quiz about the area’s historic parks

by Errol Laborde

100 FestivE Fashions A guide to fashionable frolicking by Tracee Dundas

IN EVERY ISSUE 8 14 16 135 136 4

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INSIDE “A Park Story” speaking out Editorial, plus a Mike Luckovich cartoon JULIA STREET Questions and answers about our city Try This “Uke-ing It Up” STREETCAR “On the Wagon – and Off”

ON THE COVER New Orleans Parks Quiz G r eg M I L E S P H O T O G R A P H

MUSIC PAGE

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TABLE TALK PAGE

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CONTENTS THE BEAT 24 26 30 32 36 38 40 44 46 48

MARQUEE Entertainment calendar PERSONA Musician John Boutté newsbeat “Making Noise at the Jazz Market” Biz “Recording in New Orleans” Education Turning pages at the Reading Room newsbeat “Championing Champions Square” HEALTH “Jazz Fest Sun Protection” HEALTHBEAT The latest news in health from New Orleans and beyond Crime Fighting “Under the Influence ...” newsbeat “The Road to Access”

PERSONA PAGE

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LOCAL COLOR 50 54 55 58 60 62 64 66

THE SCOOP An exploding in business catering to vegan and raw diets music Jazz Fest at the Gospel Tent Read & Spin A look at the latest albums and books CAST OF CHARACTERS “Eustis Guillmen: Giving voice to his music” MODINE’S NEW ORLEANS Wedding for modern times Joie d’Eve “Struggling, But Why?: Life inside my head” CHRONICLES Music studios in this city have heard it all HOME Eve and David Darrah’s home was meant to be

CRIME FIGHTING PAGE

THE MENU 72 table talk “New Wave Vietnamese: Expanding the concept” 74 restaurant insider Old Arabi Eats, The Tasting Room, Arabella Casa Di Pasta and Fare

76 FOOD Recipes From Café Reconcile and SoBou 80 LAST CALL The Natchez Jazz Punch 82 DINING GUIDE

DIAL 12 D1 On Tuesdays, April 15 through May 6, at 7 p.m. on WYES-TV/Channel 12 watch Pioneers of Television, where more than 200 breakthrough stars bring their stories to life. Then, don’t miss The Address, a new film from award-winning filmmaker Ken Burns, on April 15 at 8 p.m.

The film tells the story of a tiny school where each year the students are encouraged to memorize, practice and recite the Gettysburg Address. Mark your calendar, the WYES beer tastings are June 13 and 14 at Mardi Gras World. For program and event details, visit Wyes.org.

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CHRONICLES PAGE

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IN SID E

A Park Story

W

hen I was a kid I lived nea r C ity P a r k .

One of the favorite play spots for my buddy and I was a woodsy strip of land that paralleled the railroad track near Marconi Drive. A sunken elongated drainage stream ran alongside the track. Overhead was the canopy from nearby junk trees and bushes. In the imagination of two boys it was a wonderland. It could easily be a jungle with pirates, Nazis, Communists or aliens lurking behind the next tree. Most adventurous was a log that had fallen across the stream, proving a daring crossing for us to maneuver while risking a plunge to a depth of perhaps two feet. For our weaponry, we each carried a BB gun, though neither weapon worked – yet their presence, we felt assured, was enough to send the enemy running.

So we thought.

Then one day the real enemy showed up.

From the edge of civilization a man was yelling at us and demanding that we surrender to him. He wore the uniform of what might have been a sinister force. In fact, he was a park policeman.

We advanced from our hideout and faced him while worrying that this would give the communists a chance to escape. He asked what we were doing. (Not to reveal the global aspects of our mission we just said we were playing.) Next he examined our weapons and then asked where we lived. At the time I lived on General Haig Street located across the tracks and down the road.

He then issued a command that still reverberated with me: “Well,” he said, “Haig it home.”

I was angry as we returned to our houses. Not only had we been busted for doing absolutely nothing wrong, but then for him to say, “Haig it home!” That made absolutely no sense. My one brush with the law as a youth and I was offended by word usage.

Now, all these years later, I’m a member of the City Park board.

The meetings are held in the park’s administrative building located along the railroad track, which can be seen through a glass wall. I frequently gaze at the site of my jungle adventures.

This issue looks at many of the wonders of the city’s two great parks: Audubon and City. Both are filled with great attractions. Sometimes, though, the greatest attractions are in the mind, at the places where the imagination is set free.

We never returned to our jungle after that day. Our lives were changing, plus I feared hearing again “haig” used as a verb. There never were any pirates spotted in our play land, but I realize now that the entire area was a hidden treasure.

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On The Web Best of Home Reader Survey It is time to vote in the inaugural Best of Home reader survey, presented by our sister publication, New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles.

One lucky voter will win a $100 gift certificate to Galatoire’s. Vote online by May 1 at MyNewOrleans.com/ BestofHome.

Check Out Our Latest Events Renaissance Publishing has some big events coming up and you’re invited!

Get the details for the New Orleans Sushi Fest, New Orleans Bride’s Bridal Showcase and more at MyNewOrleans.com/Events.

Are you following us on Facebook?

Like New Orleans Magazine on Facebook to keep up with our daily blog posts, event updates and Facebook contests. Find us at Facebook.com/NewOrleansMagazine.

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LETTERS

The Flashlight Lady

Re: “Ask Julia,” February 2011 issue.

In the February 2011 issue Julia Street column, a reader asked about the: “tall, stately, no-nonsense woman, with a black bee-hive and a huge flashlight” at The Lakeview Theatre.

As memory serves me, as a child I was always at The Popular Theatre, and there were two women there. One, as described above, would put the fear of God in you, and the other, a very sweet woman that took your money in the box office.

The “Flashlight Lady,” was exactly as described and her name was Mrs. Hurst. I remember her well. And God forbid you were caught tossing the black juicy fruit candy at the screen, not only were you kicked out, but “held” until your Mom or Dad came to get you.

She and the box office lady were there until The Popular closed its doors; Mrs. Hurst went to Lakeview and the box office lady was later found at The Joy Theatre in the box office.

I hope this helps.

Harvey Lococo Meridian , I daho

Ed. Reply: Thank you. Mrs. Hurst, if that’s who she is, seems to have created memories for many kids of that era. There were two theaters on Harrison Avenue at that time: The Lakeview and The Beacon. The theater with the woman in question was The Beacon.

An Easier Cheese Straw

Re: “Cook Me Something: Recipes for the Carnival Season.” Food column by Dale Curry, February 2014 issue.

Please tell (Dale Curry) who wrote about cheese straws to buy an electric cookie press. You can find used ones on eBay. I have been making cheese straws for 45 years and they’re so much easier with an electric press. Also, I make the dough in a Cuisinart, which softens it.

Two other recipes using the same dough are: wrap a small amount of dough around a green olive and bake; and make a small ball of dough, flatten and press half a pecan on top and bake.

Karen Smith New Orleans

Ed. Reply: Any technique that makes cheese straws more plentiful, as long as they maintain the quality, we strongly endorse.

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S P E A KI N G O U T

J

Jackie Clarkson – A Career On Stage ackie

C la r kson ’ s

ca r ee r

dese r ved

a

bette r closing act .

Clarkson, who served on the city council off and on for a period covering 15 years, plus a term in the state legislature, was set to retire this year because of her Council At-Large seat being term-limited. She was prevailed upon, however, to run for her former district seat after the incumbent Kristen Gisleson Palmer said she would not run again. (Among those urging her was Mayor Mitch Landrieu, who was hoping to hold a friendly coalition on the council.)

Clarkson could have easily been justified in turning down the call to arms. To go from council at-large to a district council seat is a step down in prestige and a step up in stress. Besides, she was of an age where she deserved to enjoy retirement.

Like any career-long lawmaker, Clarkson had her detractors – including at one time some of her own staff members who complained of being overworked. Any lawmaker with a career’s worth of votes that can be scrutinized is bound to have offended someone along the line. Yet there was never any scandal associated with her, never a reason to question her passion for the city, and the only complaint her fellow council colleagues could have had about her energy level was in trying to keep up with her.

In many ways she was a classic old-school politician, especially at attending events. There were many constituent’s birthdays, anniversaries and special activities along her trail that were brightened by her signature red dress.

What we admired most about her was her commitment to causes. Her father, Johnny Brechtel, was a founder of the theater programs for the city’s recreation department. Clarkson, whose progeny includes actress Patricia Clarkson, was especially passionate about the performance arts.

(Patricia was generous in bringing star status to theater fundraisers.) The last thing a city councilmember needs is another fight, but Clarkson took on battles even outside the scope of her office. She was very involved in an often-bitter struggle to reorganize Le Petit Théâtre, allowing part of the building to be sold to become a restaurant so that the rest of the building, and the theater, could survive. Ultimately her side won. The theater is now on sound footing and the building is in better shape than ever.

She was also a dedicated West Banker. The emerging Federal City development was one of her projects. There are still some bumps to be smoothed out, but the military village will one day be praised for reviving the neighborhood’s economy.

Jackie Clarkson tried to do right and succeeded. A career in politics is not always a happy place at which to look back. Clarkson can feel proud of her time on the political stage. May she one day feel the applause.

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A N O R I G I N A L © M I K E L U C K O V I C H C A R T O O N F O R N E W O R L E A N S M A G A Z I N E

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JULIA STREET

W IT H P O Y D R A S THE PARROT

T H E P U R S U IT T O A N S W E R E T E R N A L Q U E STI O N S

Solari’s building was demolished when it’s owners cashed in on the lucrative market for parking lots to serve new French Quarter hotels in 1961.

Win a Court of Two Sisters Jazz Brunch

Dear Julia, Many years ago, on the corner of Iberville and Chartres streets, across from the Monteleone Hotel, there was a grocery, deli, bakery, cafe that was absolutely wonderful. If there was any product you needed to find, it was likely that Solari’s would have it. Also their prepared foods were quite delicious. They only had counter space, but it was worth eating at the counter to enjoy their foods. It seems to me 16

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that their decision to close was a sudden one. Since there was always a crowd in the establishment, it was a wonder to me that they should want to shut down.

If you have any information about Solari’s, would you please enlighten me?

Henrie Banjavich Ft. W al ton B each, FL

J. B. Solari founded the company in 1861, initially setting up shop at the corner of

St. Louis and Royal streets but later moving, in 1873, to the corner of Royal and Iberville streets. You are not the only person to wonder why such a beloved and venerable institution suddenly ceased operation in the summer of 1965.

The reason for the demise seems to have been a matter of money, as building owners rushed to cash in on the lucrative market for parking lots to serve new French

Here is a chance to eat, drink and listen to music, and have your curiosity satiated all at once. Send Julia a question. If we use it, you’ll be eligible for a monthly drawing for one of two Jazz Brunch gift certificates for two at The Court of Two Sisters in the Vieux Carré.

To take part, send your question to: Julia Street, c/o New Orleans Magazine, 110 Veterans Blvd., Suite 123, Metairie, LA 70005 or email: Errol@MyNewOrleans.com.

This month’s winners are: Ric Peri, New Orleans; and Shannon Halpern, River Ridge.

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY THE HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS COLLECTION

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Quarter hotels.

In 1961, the century-old company was sold to a syndicate that purchased the land and building as well as the business for about $750,000.

The new owners demolished and replaced the building where Solari’s had operated for nearly 90 years, erecting a larger modern building that combined ground level retail space with upper level parking. Solari’s moved in when the building was completed but remained in business only a few more years. In August 1965, the syndicate sold the Solari’s building to Diversa Inc., a Dallas-based developer, for $1,350,000.

Though there were rumors at the time, claiming that Solari’s might soon open a new location nearby, those plans never came to fruition.

Dear Julia, I recently heard that New Orleans has a direct connection

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to the National Anthem. In fact, if it wasn’t for the Battle of New Orleans, the National Anthem as we know it would likely not exist. What is this connection?

Ric Peri N ew O rlean s

There is no connection.

The Battle of New Orleans had nothing to do with “The Star Spangled Banner,” which was already written and set to music at Baltimore, months before the Battle of New Orleans took place.

Francis Scott Key penned the poem “Defence (sic) of Fort McHenry” which we now know as the lyrics of “The Star Spangled Banner” on Sept.

14, 1814, nearly four months before the Jan. 8, 1815 American victory at the Battle of New Orleans. The poem that Key scribbled on an envelope in celebration of a key American military victory following the British bombardment of Fort McHenry

was immediately published at Baltimore. Set to the tune of “To Anacreon in Heaven,” a 19th-century English drinking song that had originated in a London gentlemen’s music club, the poem was renamed “The Star Spangled Banner.”

In 1814, Thomas Carr’s Music Store in Baltimore published it as sheet music. It was not until 1931 that Congress proclaimed “The Star Spangled Banner” to be the national anthem of the United States of America.

The Smithsonian has the earliest known manuscript of Francis Scott Key’s handwritten lyrics and is home to the battle-torn flag that inspired our national anthem. These historic artifacts and more are included in the Smithsonian’s outstanding interactive examination of the origins and evolution of our national anthem (AmHistory.si.edu/ StarSpangledBanner). Two of the more interesting things I

found at the site are modern recordings of music that influenced the development of “The Star Spangled Banner” as we know it today.

A modern recording of an 1850s arrangement of “The Star Spangled Banner,” played on period instruments from the Museum of American History’s collection, sounds both familiar and odd to modern ears and can be heard or downloaded here: AmHistory. si.edu/StarSpangledBanner/ mp3/song.ssb.dsl.mp3. The Smithsonian’s rendition of “The Anacreontic Song,” the English drinking song which provided the melody of our national anthem is found on the same website: AmHistory. si.edu/StarSpangledBanner/ mp3/song.anac.dsl.mp3.

Dear Julia, Of all the krewes listed in your February 2014 edition, there was no mention of the

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“Caliphs of Cairo.”

I have a very nice call out favor I inherited from my mother that she received many, many years ago when my uncle was King. Is the organization still in existence?

Zoe C. Schluter

of the Taino people, indigenous Native Americans of Cuba and the Antilles. Miss Virginia Diggett, representing the goddess of rain, ruled as the Caliphs’ first Queen; her unnamed King depicted Jolocco.

B a t on Roug e

The Caliphs of Cairo were established in 1937 and remain an active krewe.

They are not a parading organization (the listing in the magazine was of groups that march); their Carnival celebration is an annual tableau ball.

Like many older krewes, their King’s identity is a closely guarded secret but the Queen and her court are identified in published accounts of the annual ball.

The Caliphs of Cairo first appeared in the 1937 Carnival season. Their first ball, held at the Municipal Auditorium, recounted the story of “Joloco the Rainbow God,” a legend

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Dear Julia, Do you know anything about a former West Bank Carnival; krewe known as Jefla?

Shannon Halpern R iver Ridge

On Oct. 11, 1948, the Jefferson Carnival Club met at 339 Monroe St. in Gretna’s McDonoghville neighborhood to select their first Carnival ruler, King Jefla. As with Alla (Algiers, La.) and Grela (Gretna, La.), Jefla’s name was a combination of the first letters of the name of the krewe’s home and the abbreviation for its home state; Jefla stood for Jefferson, La. Newspaper accounts occasionally report-

ed the krewe name as Jeffla but Jefla appears to have been the preferred spelling of this short-lived Carnival organization’s name.

On Sunday evening, Feb. 27, 1949, Jefla’s “torch bearers” met at the Shangri-La Club prior to the krewe’s first 11-float parade to receive last-minute instructions from their Captain, Sam Centineo.

The Westbank’s first night parade, led by King Louis Badalamento and Queen Norma Calzada, saluted “Fables of Jefferson Parish,” touting Jefferson’s history and natural attractions. The parade began at the corner of Columbus and Monroe streets and wound its way from Gretna’s McDonoghville neighborhood to downtown Gretna. Following the street parade, the krewe’s ball commenced at the Gretna High School gymnasium.

Jefla’s first floats had been borrowed, but those

for its second parade were purchased. In October 1949, the Jefferson Carnival Club bought from the Old Reliable Carnival Club (better known as the Krewe of Choctaw) 10 floats that Choctaw had used in that years’s Carnival season.

When Jefla returned for the 1950 season, King John A. Flynn and his Queen, Miss Jeannette Martin led the parade, the theme of which was “Say It With Love.”

Jefla appeared only once more, holding its last parade and ball in 1951. The theme for Jefla’s final 10-float parade and ball was “King Jefla Visits Comicland.” Joseph Chimento and Miss Sidonia Terrebonne ruled over the festivities as King Jefla and his consort.

Inclement weather forced Jefla to parade during the day for its final public appearance.

The following Carnival season, Jefla was absorbed into the new and similarly short-lived Krewe of Midas.

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THEBEAT MARQUEE

PERSONA

BIZ

EDUCATION

HEALTH

CRIME FIGHTING

NEWS

PERSONA:

John Boutté PAGE 26

Marianna Massey Photograph

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T HE BE A T

T O P P I C K S O F T H E M O N T H’S E V E N T S BY

LAUREN

LABORDE D E B RA L YNN P HOTOGRA P H

OUR

MARQUEE BEST BETS FOR THE FEST

Now in its 45th year, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival’s lineup once again combines new and old, local and national.

Headliners include Eric Clapton and Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. There is also pop diva Christina Aguilera, recent charttopper Robin Thicke, indie stars Arcade Fire and critic darlings Vampire Weekend. Local favorite turned rising folk stars Hurray for the Riff Raff perform again. Other acts include the Avett Brothers, Lyle Lovett, Alabama Shakes and Public Enemy; on-the-cusp picks include British singer Laura Mvula and new New Orleans resident Solange (sister of Beyoncé).

Information, NOJazzFest.com.

THE INCREDIBLE HULK

Mature Audiences Only

Mike Birbiglia and Aziz Ansari have carved out a niche of grown-up humor – not adult humor, but comedy about struggles with adulthood.

Birbiglia wrote and starred in Sleepwalk With Me, which uses his dangerous sleepwalking problem as a metaphor for troubles with love and finding success in comedy. Parks and Recreation star Ansari’s “Modern Romance” tour focuses on dating and marriage. Birbiglia plays the Civic Theater (CivicNola.com) April 18; Ansari is at Mahalia Jackson Theater (MahaliaJacksonTheater.com) for two shows April 21.

April 5. NOMA Egg Hunt, Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden. Information, noma.org April 5. Freret Street Fest, Freret Street between Napoleon and Jefferson

avenues. Information, FreretStreetFestival.com

April 10-13. French Quarter Festival, throughout the French

April 7-8. Dita Von Teese’s “Strip Strip Horray!” variety show, House of Blues. Information, HouseOfBlues.com

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Quarter. Information, fqfi.org April 10-12. New Orleans Opera Association presents The Marriage of Figaro, Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts. Information, NewOrleansOpera.org April 11-13. Ponchatoula

Strawberry Festival, Ponchatoula. Information, LAStrawberryFestival.com April 19. Crescent City Classic, French Quarter and Mid-City – festival is at finish line in City Park. Information, ccc10k.com

“Strip, Strip Horray!”, April 7

NOMA Egg Hunt, April 5

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After some time spent as a tabloid fixture, Hulk Hogan is back in the ring. The wrestling star recently returned to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and will host WrestleMania 30, WWE’s signature event, when it slams the MercedesBenz Superdome on April 6. Commemorating the epic match between Hogan and Andre the Giant (Andre Roussimoff) during WrestleMania III in 1987, this year’s event includes the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal (Roussimoff died in ’93). Events also include a Hall of Fame induction and a fan festival. Information, wwe.com.

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seen but sounds so crazy and compelling that I can’t wait to. Anita, a portrait doc about Anita Hill, is another one that I really hope people go see – it’s a bold film about a strong woman, and it was made by the Oscar-winning director Frieda Lee Mock.

In terms of narratives, I’m excited to showcase a new film called 13 Sins. It was shot in New Orleans and it just had its world premiere at South By Southwest.

It features a lot of local talent, from actor Lance Nichols to production designer Jim Gelarden, and lots of other local cast and crew members. We’re always excited when we can put the spotlight on Louisiana talent.

It’s a pretty diverse group of films – 24 in total. It’s designed to have something for everyone, and that really is the case … if you can’t find something that interests you in this lineup, I’d question whether you really like movies.

Nymphomaniac is one of this year’s films.

The New Orleans Film Society (NOFS) SPOTLIGHT Have you seen it? I haven’t seen the whole stages several screenings a month, many thing yet, just a few clips, but what I have of which are free or cheap for members; seen is, as expected, pretty provocative. the New Orleans Film Festival has included We have shown the past couple of films soon-to-be Oscar winners, such as 12 Years that von Trier has made – Antichrist and a Slave, which was screened at the 2013 New Orleans Film Society Program Director Melancholia – and both have had sell-out fest at an opening night event attended Clint Bowie talks about filmOrama crowds. We’re expecting the same for by fashion “it” girl Lupita Nyong’o; and it Nymphomaniac. hosts the most fun Oscar viewing party in You all have the New Orleans Film Festival, French Film Fest and town. One of its annual events is filmOrama, which the Prytania the Children’s Film Fest – all of which are pretty self-explanatory.

Theater hosts April 4-10. Films include Lars von Trier’s two-part What’s the purpose of filmOrama? Unlike the NOFF, which is almost Nymphomaniac starring Shia Labeouf (who has been in the entirely populated by work submitted by filmmakers, filmOrama news recently for some puzzling public behavior), Elaine Stritch: is an all-curated fest and it gives us a chance to offer local audiShoot Me, the documentary about the Sondheim star; and ences access to films that have acquired distribution but would many more. Many screenings will feature audience Q&As with likely not otherwise screen in the city. It’s also six months after visiting filmmakers including Cecilia Peck, daughter of Gregory our big festival in October, so it’s a way for us to keep local interand director of Brave Miss World. NOFS Program Director Clint est in independent film alive throughout the year.

Bowie talks about the upcoming event.

What is Lupita Nyong’o like in person? Such a sweetheart! She …

What films are you most excited about this year? We’ve got some (is) as far from a diva as you can get: very approachable and real. really good documentaries in the lineup this year. I tend to be For more information on filmOrama and the New Orleans a little partial to docs myself, and they always seem to play well Film Society, visit NewOrleansFilmSociety.org. with local audiences. The Galapagos Affair is one that I haven’t

COMING TO A THEATER NEAR YOU

April 19. Fleur de Tease, One Eyed Jacks. Information, OneEyedJacks.net

FrenchQuarterEasterParade. com, GayEasterParade.com April 24-27. Zurich Classic, TPC Louisiana.

Information, ZurichGolfClassic. com

April 19. Chita Rivera in concert, Le Petit Théâtre.

LePetitTheatre.com April 20. Easter Parades, French Quarter. Information,

April 27. George

Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic plus special guest DJ Soul Sister, New Orleans House of Blues. Information, HouseOfBlues.com April 28. Tipitina’s Foundation’s

Crescent City Classic 5K Race, April 19

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Instruments A-Comin’, Tipitina’s. Information, Tipitinas.com April 30. New Orleans Opera Association Presents, “Opera On Tap,” Four Points by Sheraton– French Quarter. Information,

May 1. John Legend in concert, Saenger Theatre.

Information, SaengerNola.com

Zurich Classic, April 24-27

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John Legend, May 1

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meet John Boutté outside at

the Morning Call in City Park on a picturesque spring day. As we talk, he’s prone to laughing in his gravelly yet high-pitched voice over something that pops into his head, or following the band that’s set up outside with some humming or air-playing. Like the narrator in his “Treme Song,” the track from Jambalaya that reignited interest in his music both locally and worldwide after being used as the theme song of that HBO series, Boutté seems in his element outdoors, taking in the sights and sounds of everything around him. You can catch Boutté and his band at their regular Saturday night gig at d.b.a., and he’s performing at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on Sat., April 27.

You live in the same neighborhood where you grew up. How has it changed? I’m living next door to

John Boutté

my childhood home, but I don’t know for how much longer. It’s a lot the same – in fact I can

BY LAUREN LABORDE tell you they still have potholes on the street that were there pre-Katrina. Abandoned buildings that were going for $5,000 are going for $50,000, and people are foolish enough to buy them. It’s all speculation, but I think there’s some good stuff going on in the neighborhood; there’s some revitalization.

I still love the neighborhood because I can sit in my backyard on a good day, in Profession: Musician Age: 55 Born/ the fall, and hear the bands at Joseph S. Clark, (McDonogh) 35, St. Aug and John raised: 7th Ward, New Orleans McDonogh; the cacophony of the sounds, just sitting in my backyard; the drumbeats, Education: Graduated from Joseph the horns in the distance. It just makes me smile because I was in a band since I was S. Clark in 1976 and Xavier University 8 years old. Was in all the marching bands in school until I had to grow up and go to of New Orleans in 1980 then was college and put music on the side … “music, man. Get a real job!” People always say commissioned as an officer in The U.S. this, I think it’s so stupid: “You have to have something to fall back on.” If you’re fallArmy Favorite movie: Babette’s Feast ing back you’re heading in the wrong direction. Be like a fish, baby. Just keep moving Favorite TV shows: “Real Time With forward like a shark. You can’t go back.

What was the “real” job you ended up getting? I got a degree in business, I was an Bill Maher” and “The Lawrence Welk army commander in Korea … then I was a – oh gosh, I’ve had so many jobs – I Show” Favorite restaurants: Dooky worked as a janitor. My last 9-5 was as a banker. I was VP of a bank.

Chase, Lucky Rooster and Café Degas When did you take on music full time? I think it was in (19)86 or ’87 … A friend of Favorite vacation spots: Waiheke mine who I went to school with asked to borrow my GX7, which was an electric Island, New Zealand; Vancouver and piano. Yamaha at that time was the thing. I knew he didn’t play it, and I said, “Man, Northwest Canada this is no toy.” He said, “I know it’s no toy, just let me use it” and I said “sure.” He told me to bring it up to him, and I was like “Really? Ha, you’re kidding me.” He said “trust me, bring it to me.” I was really kind of pissed with him. But lo and behold it was for Stevie Wonder – I didn’t know that. Two days later he calls and says, “Come pick up your piano.” “Pick it up? Oh no, you gotta be kidding me. Really?” So I storm up there and went to bang on the door and I heard somebody playing the blues, and it was so distinctively Stevie’s style. Go figure, because you think the blues is the blues is the

At a Glance

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blues, but no. Anyway, I spent a day with him and some other really beautiful people, and at the end of the day I asked him if he would take me on tour with him, because he said I have something special, that I had a signature voice – it was the first time I heard that term. In college, they put me in speech pathology classes because they didn’t like my voice. They thought I was faking this. For a long time I had a problem with hearing my own voice, but then I just got over it. But I could always sing.

Back to Stevie. When he told me I had a signature voice, I said “Take me with you.” I asked him three times, he said “Nope.” I said “Man, what do I have to do?” and he said, “Have patience and determination.”

After Stevie told me I could sing and I quit my banking job the next day. As I remember it, I had forgotten to shave and my boss came in and told me to go home and shave. I went home and basically called him back and said, “two weeks notice.”

On touring: When “Treme” came around, they couldn’t get me out of this city, man.

They were so upset. So many rumors, you know. Oh, he’s afraid to fly. You name it, there was a litany of all kind of stuff as to why as wasn’t touring. I wasn’t touring because I didn’t have to. I wanted to sleep in my own bed. Besides, I toured before and after Katrina so much that I couldn’t catch my breath.

While people were recovering, I’m on the road, trying to make a living, and I’m watching things pass me by – I was like oh hell no. Especially after 9/11, touring was no fun. Too much security. Too much a hassle. Add a little fear factor in there. What used to be easy became extremely difficult, and not to mention when you start touring with a band … there’s just so much stuff, and it’s costly because if you got an extra bag they charge 28

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you. They didn’t make it easy, so like a good economist, I weighed the pros and cons and said you know what? I’m staying home to try to get my shit together here.

I got an audience here at home, which is amazing, man. Touched by TV. Or, we coined another term: touched by “Treme.” After that, everyone started coming here. … Though, I’m going on the road again this year, just to prove to guys that I’m not afraid to fly, etcetera, etcetera. So if any shit goes down, they’ll say “Ah! They pushed him out!” I’m doing Jazz Aspen Snowmass Festival in June with Trombone Shorty – I’m going to be his guest star. I’m going to a Helsinki Festival and Tonder Festival in Denmark in August.

What do you like to do besides music? I love fishing, golf. I

love gardening – I kid you not. I like planting things and watching them grow. I like tending to them and nurturing them. I like golf because of the greenery and the big space and it’s an individual sport, so if you hit the ball wrong you got nobody to blame but you.

I love fishing because you’re in the outdoors, and I love the water and getting up early and watching the sun rise and … that it brings you back to being less sophisticated. We’re so sophisticated now we just order the food. We’re lucky we don’t have someone spoonfeeding it to us. I love the fact that I have to go out there and the challenge of catching it, cleaning it, preparing it and eating is a whole day event.

I love riding my bike; lately I’ve gotten into walking again because walking is a man’s best medicine. I stopped walking and running when I got out of the military because I did so much of that. Walking and running and marching and left, right, left, right. I love cooking, too.

True confession: I always spit on a broom every time I use it.

It’s a compulsive, crazy thing … I’m superstitious.

N EWSBEAT

Making Noise at the Jazz Market Late February saw the groundbreaking of the New Orleans Jazz Market, a joint project of Grammy-winning trumpeter Irvin Mayfield and The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra in Central City at the intersection of Oretha Castle Haley and Martin Luther King boulevards.

Partnering with the University of New Orleans and the New Orleans Jazz Institute, the Jazz Market will host performance presentations, senior citizen activities, special events, a developing archive of jazz recordings, big-band concerts and education initiatives aimed at youth development and the appreciation of New Orleans’

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unique art form.

Organizers hope that the presence of the Jazz Market in historic and vibrant Central City will enhance the cultural aspects of the community. According to Jazz Market President and CEO Ronals Marham, “New Orleans Jazz Orchestra is proud to be part of the exciting revitalization of Central City.

So many great musicians are from or lived in this area, including Jelly Roll Morton, Buddy Bolden and Kid Ory, and we’re excited to continue the Jazz legacy of this important neighborhood.”

– L E X I W A N G L E R

T HE B E A T

BIZ

Recording in New Orleans Music producers may be in right place, right time B y K a t h y F inn

Owner and lead engineer Misha Kachkachishvili created the 14,000-squarefoot Esplanade Studios.

F

o r a c i t y r i c h e r i n h o m e g r o w n mu s i c

than, arguably, any other city in America, New Orleans has been slow to build the kind of industry “infrastructure” characterizing major recording hubs. Big-name record labels – most notably Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group – that have long been at home in, say, Nashville, have never set up shop in the birthplace of jazz.

New Orleans did develop a core of independent recording studios catering largely to locals and sometimes drawing big-name national artists. But last year that studio core seemed to suffer a blow when the well-respected Piety Street Recording went dark.

Producer Mark Bingham had a 12-year run with the Bywater studio, which worked with artists including Green Day, Tom Waits and the Dave Matthews Band. Bingham had partnered in the studio with artist Shawn Hall and well-known engineer John Fishbach.

Bingham said his reasons for shuttering the studio were not financial but creative. Running a large studio required too much time he could instead devote to small projects that would support musicians who are just starting their careers, he told a reporter.

Many local artists no doubt miss Piety Street Recording, but its closure could spark business expansions at some other well-regarded studios. In fact, in an era when big-name recording studios are losing some ground nationally to independent producers and labels, local studios with an entrepreneurial bent 32

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may stand to profit.

New Orleans today offers what some describe as one of the most vibrant live-music environments in the world – this during a time when the money in the music industry appears to be shifting from record labels toward touring and other live performances.

The city’s performance scene continues not only to help nurture local musical talent but also draw musicians from far and wide who hope to build careers by recording an inexpensive CD and using it to launch a live tour. With so many artists anxious to tap into the city’s live-music momentum, local recording studios could be positioned to prosper.

The studios listed here are among the best-known local recording establishments and could lead the way in an era increasingly focused on independently recorded music.

Music Shed Studios. (929 Euterpe St., 412-9995, MusicShedStudios. com) Billing itself as a “music incubator,” this production, record-

ing and rehearsal studio is known as one of the most competitive recording sites in the region. It has gained a wide following among local and national artists since its founding in 2006.

The studio’s client list runs the gamut from Dr. John, Kermit Ruffins and Harry Connick Jr. to Janelle Monae, Trombone Shorty and Chris Thomas King. Co-owned by Chris Bailey and Betsy Alquist, the studio is where Rebirth Brass Band recorded its Grammy-winning album “Rebirth of New Orleans” in 2011.

In a nod to the rapidly expanding film and television production work available in New Orleans, the Music Shed has announced plans to open post-production suites and a mixing theater stage to better serve film and video clients.

Esplanade Studios. (2540 Esplanade Ave., 655-0423, EsplanadeStudios. com) The grand interior of this extensively renovated century-old

church reflects the post-Hurricane Katrina vision of studio owner and lead engineer Misha Kachkachishvili, who brought the storm-devL AINE K A P L AN - L E V ENSEN P HOTOGRA P H , t o p

astated Third Presbyterian Church back to life as Esplanade Studios.

What Kachkachishvili had in mind was not merely an architecturally fabulous setting for recording music, but a studio uniquely equipped to accommodate the production of fully orchestrated musical scores for major feature films. The 14,000-square-foot building houses three studios, including space that can accommodate a 70-piece orchestra and private concerts.

The acoustically and technically advanced studio also includes a guest room for artist residence, and a large collection of vintage and modern microphones and instruments. Its most striking feature is a 100-year-old pipe organ that was a gift from industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.

Word of Mouth Recording Studio. (400 Belleville St., Algiers, 494-0691)

Engineer Tim Stambaugh is the creative force behind this West Bank establishment specializing in local jazz, R&B, funk, Latin, gospel and brass band recording. The studio has a loyal musician following thanks to the engineering prowess of Stambaugh, who has managed recordings for dozens of musicians including Ellis Marsalis, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, Treme Brass Band, Shamarr Allen, Sasha Masakowski, Johnny Vidacovich and Charmaine Neville.

The Living Room Studio. (1728 Hermosa St., 236-2772, TheLivingRoomStudio.com) Chris George and Daniel Majorie began

working together in 1997, when they recorded a local band using a four-track cassette recorder. The collaboration eventually led to George opening The Living Room, which in fact was the living room of his two-bedroom house. In 2003 the engineer pair relocated to the larger space of a former church, and retaining the name, opened the new Living Room Studio. Since then they have built a client list populated by dozens of musicians, including Glen David Andrews, Jo-el Sonnier, John Boutté and Jamil Sherif, to name a few.

Inner Recess Recording Studio. (1068 Magazine St., 298-8863, InnerRecess.com) Aaron Thornton, a transplant from Brooklyn,

N.Y., founded Inner Recess in 2007 to ply his skills and a music business degree from New York University. Thornton, who worked for various record labels before launching on his own independent studio path, teamed up with producer, musician and longtime friend Prospek to develop Inner Recess into a multi-media firm offering recording, mixing and production services, video production and rehearsal space.

Industry at a Turning Point?

The global recorded music industry, which has suffered from declining revenues during the past decade, finally showed a little growth in 2012, thanks to strong expansion of digital music sales.

In its latest Digital Music Report, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry said that global recorded music revenues rose 0.3 percent in 2012. It was the first year of industry growth since 1999, and the boost came from a 9 percent jump in digital music sales.

Total global recorded music revenue hit $16.5 billion in 2012, still far below the $27.8 billion total of 1999.

Some highlights from the report: B Download sales grew 12 percent to 4.3 billion units globally (combining digital singles and albums).

B Digital album sales rose 17 percent, with 207 million albums sold.

B Subscription services saw a 44 percent rise in fee-paying customers, to 20 million paying subscribers.

B Download stores, such as iTunes and services from Google, Amazon and Microsoft, represent about 70 percent of global digital revenue.

B Digital music consumption has become mainstream, with a survey showing 62 percent of Internet users aged 16-64 had engaged in a legitimate licensed service in a six-month period.

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T HE BE A T

EDUCATION

Word Smart Turning pages at the Reading Room

by D awn R u t h

A

wisp of a girl lies on her stomach

on a fake bear rug in Lafayette Academy Charter School’s Reading Room, ankle-strapped flats waving left to right, her eyes glued to a colorful book about two hamsters named Amanda and Scott. She is surrounded by intriguing titles such as Frog’s Lunch, Wet Pet and Today I Fly, but Ba’shey, a second grader, seems more interested in the pictures than the words, which are the Reading Room’s reason for existence.

Her tutor, Kimberly Siegel, a Tulane University volunteer, tries a new tactic.

“Let’s write a poem,” Siegel says. “What do you want to write a poem about?”

“An apple,” the girl replies.

“How does an apple taste?”

“Good,” says Ba’shey. She pauses and then adds, “Sweet,” bringing praise from Siegel, whose questions are aimed at eliciting specificity.

Ba’shey is just one of the 100 second grade students that the Reading Room will instruct this semester, all in an attempt to improve their reading levels and vocabulary. About 12 volunteer 36

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tutors, mostly from Tulane and Loyola universities, provide reading assistance in a room better stocked with books and board games than space and furniture.

Two sofas, a desk and two chairs accommodate the dozens of children who stream in during the day. Tutors and students often end up on the floor or spill out into the hallway, where they spend about an hour in focused dialog.

“They are stepping all over each other,” says Lynn Loewy, director of volunteers. “Most of these children get so little one-on-one attention, they cherish this time.”

The tutors sometimes read to the students, sometimes listen to them reading and assist them in writing book reports and the poems that they will eventually deliver to their classmates and relatives as a semester project. Loewy’s goal is to create a love of reading and fluency of language, and to expose students to a wider world.

All across the country, educators struggle every day with these all important tasks because national test scores show that twothirds of the nation’s fourth graders are not reading at grade level.

A report recently released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation shows that among low-income families, 85 percent are not readC HERY L GER B ER P HOTOGRA P H

ing at grade level.

The situation is dire in New Orleans public schools, where a majority of students come from high-poverty to low-income neighborhoods, and whose parents are less likely to provide adequate language interaction in their children’s pre-school years.

A 1995 study entitled “Meaningful Differences in the Everyday Experience of Young American Children” conducted by Betty Hart and Todd Risley found that children from professional families know about 600 more words by age 3 than children living in poverty. By age 4, children from families dependent on government assistance have heard about 32 million fewer words than those surrounded by well-educated people. Children from working-class families fared only slightly better than the poorest families in Hart and Risley’s research.

Improving language and reading skills is a high priority among educators, because researchers say that reading levels in the lower grades are the most effective predictors of students’ education attainment and economic success later in life. Over their school years, poor reading skills affect almost every subject they study. Even many contemporary math problems are set up in written paragraphs, an instructional shift that’s even more pronounced in the common core standards that Louisiana schools must meet in the coming years.

In many cases, the second graders that Reading Room tutors work with daily are barely able to sound out words on an individual basis, says Adam Kline, a Tulane student who has volunteered at the charter school for two years as part of a federal work study program. Kline says he works on fluency, pronunciation and contextual analysis, and has found over time that the students’ enthusiasm for learning often leads to marked improvements.

“Their home lives don’t encourage school at all,” Kline says, “I try to make it fun for them.”

Research shows that reading to children is the most important activity parents can do to help them acquire language skills.

Language specialists say that parents should start reading to children soon after birth. They say children learn proper speech patterns from listening to words being formed and following along teaches them the basics of how books are read. Children who don’t receive this kind of attention start school at a disadvantage and struggle to catch up with better-prepared classmates.

The idea to use college volunteers to boost reading skills at Lafayette first came from Kirsten Hill, a former Tulane student who is currently in a Ph.D. program at the University of Pennsylvania, Loewy says. Before the program became formalized, Loewy recruited her own friends to read to students. Hill helped Loewy connect with Tulane’s service learning program. Some students now choose the Reading Room from a list of possibilities to fulfill volunteer requirements for graduation.

Some professors also require specific volunteer experience as part of course requirements, Loewy says. Tulane student Frannie Belau, for example, is taking a course called “Child and Adolescent Literature,” and Reading Room experience fulfills a course requirement.

Loewy, a former journalism and debate teacher, decorates the Reading Room with classic children’s fictional characters such as the lovable beasts from Where the Wild Things Are. But a print of Norman Rockwell’s famous illustration of six-year Ruby Bridge’s federal escort to racially integrate New Orleans schools is a reminder that much work still needs to be done to achieve educational equity in New Orleans and most of the country.

“Some kids start two and three reading levels behind,” says Monica Boudouin, Lafayette Academy’s head of school. However, Boudouin says that because of the Reading Room and many other instructional strategies “we are seeing great gains.” myneworleans.com

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T W I C S Y . com P HOTOGRA P H

N EWSBEAT

Championing Champions Square Champion’s Square is the next in the long line of local landmarks getting a facelift – on Feb. 24, Rita Benson LeBlanc, an owner and Vice Chairman of the Board of New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans and the founder of Bold Sphere Music announced the changes, Alongside tourism officials LeBlanc said plan was to bring national touring acts to downtown New Orleans.

The reimagined outdoor boutique amphitheater aims to enhance the music, culture and cuisine offerings in the sports and entertainment district of

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New Orleans, LeBlanc said.

Also announced were the dates of Bold Sphere Music’s inaugural concerts and performers. Country stars Jake Owen and Parmalee are scheduled to appear on Aug. 23. On Aug. 24, globally acclaimed R&B group Boyz II Men will perform alongside Keith Sweat and En Vogue at the innovative boutique amphitheater.

Tickets are available at the Smoothie King Center box office and online at Ticketmaster.com.

– L E X I W A N G L E R

T HE BEA T

F

‘‘

HEALTH

o r g e t t h e b a s e b a ll h a t . I t o n l y

Jazz Fest Sun Protection

protects the top of the head. I advise broad brim hats, sunglasses and sunscreen for Jazz Fest,” says Dr. Neil Farnsworth, a dermatologist who recently opened an office on Napoleon Avenue in Uptown New Orleans.

“Children as well as adults need protection from the sun’s ultraviolet rays even on cloudy days. A good hat with a

by B rob s on L u t z M . D . wide-all-around brim provides an SPF of 7 or so before you even add in sunscreen. As for sunscreens, there’s no perfect one, but the zinc oxide based ones are the most effective” he continues.

SPF are the omnipresent initials on all sunscreen products. By definition a person wearing sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor of 20 should be able to stay in the sun 20 times longer before getting burned. The higher the number the better the protection, but SPF numbers are far from perfect.

It is time to interject a little physics. Violet is the color with the shortest wavelength visible to humans. Ultraviolet waves are just a tad shorter than the waves that show up violet to humans. The invisible pulses of energy just beyond violet in the energy spectrum were named ultraviolet or UV meaning “under violet.”

It doesn’t land with a kerplunk, but the sun continuously bombs the earth with UV radiation during daylight hours.

For the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Ground Zero is any uncovered area outside the tents at the Fair Grounds.

Even on cloudy days fest-goers cannot escape UV-A, which can penetrate deep into the inner layers of the skin. UV-A is the chief culprit behind what dermatologists call photoaging – thinner and dry skin, premature skin wrinkles and dark sunspots that crop up especially on the face and backs of hands as the decades accumulate. Shorter UV-B waves are the ones that cause burns. A tan is the body’s feeble attempt to erect a barrier against nocuous solar radiation.

“Think of UV-A as AM radio waves, and UV-B as the FM frequency. We get bombarded with deep penetrating UV-A all day long even when it is cloudy,” says Dr. Farnsworth, adding that the less penetrating UV-B waves are most intense midday and are the ones mostly responsible for sunburns.

“The government lab standards for measuring SPF levels require their application at a thickness impractical for most people. Thinner, more realistic applications are not reproducible for testing purposes. And the SPF just measures UV-B protection,” said Dr. Farnsworth. “You can begin by dividing any SPF number by half or three-quarters from the get go. It is important to reapply sunscreens after two to three hours, because you’re sweating or rubbing it off.”

Sunburn from UV-B is an early win for the sun, but in the long run the sun will always win just like the house at the casino. Both UV-A and UV-B waves damage DNA by rearranging programing causing abnormal cell growths that only become evident years to decades later. The most common sun induced maledictions are solar or actinic keratoses. These red, pink and/or brown spots can progress to scaly crusts or human barnacles to squamous cell carcinomas over time, which can spread throughout the body. Common locations are the sun-exposed areas of the face, nose, tips of ears, back of the hands, and bald spots in the scalp.

The most common skin cancers are basal cell carcinomas. These often appear as red to pinkish growths, bumps or scars that can progress over time into open sores with crusts. Left untreated, basal cell cancers can be unsightly and locally destructive, but they rarely spread.

The most dangerous sun induced cancer of them all is melanoma. Sun damaged pigment-making cells go rogue and form malignant tumors that can aggressively spread throughout the body.

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J ANE SAN D ERS I L L U STRATION

Malignant melanoma can arise in younger folks through intense intermittent UV exposure (vacations or tanning beds), or in older individuals from gradual sun exposure over time.

“Having darker skin has definite health advantages. From a genetic standpoint, skin of color is ideal for our latitude as UV waves penetrate heavily pigmented skin up to five times less intensely. But African Americans, Latinos and other darker skinned ethnicities still get skin cancers, just less frequently,” says Dr. Farnsworth. “And don’t mistake your base tan for your skin type. Unless you sunbathe nude, your natural skin color is whatever you see at your buttocks.”

Listen loud and clear: Excess sun exposure is a carcinogen just like asbestos, cigarette smoke and multiple viruses. Most skin cancers are avoidable. Sunscreens are part of that equation. The ideal sunscreen according to Dr. Farnsworth protects from both ultraviolet waves while being easy to apply and long lasting. It should be cosmetically pleasing and not feel as though you have wrapped yourself beneath a grease barrier. After all, the best sunscreen is one that folks will use.

Sunscreens have physical or chemical characteristics that help protect skin from harmful rays. The white, chalky stuff that lifeguards smear on their noses is an example of the physical barrier type. These zinc oxide and titanium oxide blockers simply sit on top of the skin, blocking harmful rays. Chemical blockers on the other hand, contain organic compounds that absorb sunrays and convert their energy into harmless heat.

Most sunscreens contain a combination of ingredients for effective protection against both deeply penetrating UV-A and the more superficial UV-B. Strive for a product with a SPF of 45 or higher and don’t be stingy with the applications and reapplications.

A radiologist and a dermatologist talk sun protection “My dad was a lifeguard at the Jersey shore for several summers when he was a teenager. He never got the sunscreen message. Now he’s a regular at his dermatologist getting basal cells scrapped off his nose,” says Dr. Frank R. Mihlon IV, a radiologist with Regional Radiology, a premiere group that covers multiple hospitals including Touro Infirmary and St Tammany Parish Hospital “Base tans were popular with lifeguards, but they’re ineffective in preventing sun damage. At most a tan provides a SPF of 4 or less. If a tan were a sunscreen, it would never be approved by the FDA,” says Dr. Neil Farnsworth, Farnsworth Dermatology, 2633 Napoleon Ave., 891-8004.

“Dad learned his lesson the hard way. But when I was little, my parents would cover us with sunscreen. When we were older, we were on our own and less careful. My preference became just a hat. But now my wife Suzanne and I have a 2.5 year old, Frankie the V, of course, and a 10 month old. We spend summer weekends on a pontoon boat. It is half covered by a tarp that helps, but we still spray them down with a 35 SPF sunscreen. Much easier to spray than apply creams,” says Mihlon.

“Be wary of sunscreens that spray on. The amount applied is almost always suboptimal. But I know what you mean. I have squirmy nieces and nephews,” says Farnsworth.

A comment from the author: There is another story in this interchange.

These two young doctors both broke the rule that physicians tend to practice in the communities where they do their residency and fellowship training. Hurricane Katrina and the LSU-engineered refusal to reopen Charity Hospital decimated post-medical school training programs in New Orleans. After medical school Neil Farnsworth went to Texas for dermatology training, and Frank Mihlon went to Colorado and then Duke. Both quickly returned to their home state for practice.

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HEALTHBEAT Baby boomers at high risk for heart attack or those who have stared “the big one” in the face and survived are familiar with aspirin therapy.

Dr. William Robinson, principal investigator of the Tulane University MinorityBased Community Clinical Oncology Program, says the data from several small studies shows benefits beyond treatment and prevention of heart attack and stroke. These findings prompted the first, definitive, long-term international study, funded by the National Institute on Aging. The ASPREE (Aspirin Reducing Events in the Elderly) study seeks to confirm or dispel if low doses of aspirin prevents

some forms of cancer and cognitive decline, such as dementia and memory loss, and to assess the effects of long-term use and possible associated risks beyond bleeding. “It’s trying to decide whether the previous tantalizing results are real,” says Robinson. AfricanAmerican and Hispanic men and women 65 and up, and members of other ethnicities 70 and up, are encouraged to enroll in the study following patients for a period of five years. Despite earlier study results, Robinson cautions against taking aspirin without consulting with your doctor.

Contact clinical research coordinator Alexandria Augustus at 988-6124 to learn more about participating in the study.

Exercise, fun and philanthropy in the outdoors come together in one place during The Foundation at East Jefferson General Hospital 12th annual Golf Classic. On May 12 at the Metairie Country Club, enjoy lunch at 11 a.m. and a 12:30 p.m. Tee-Off,

while helping the foundation provide funding for technology, services, capital expansion projects and specialized patient care. For more information about the event, its May 8 pre-party and sponsorship opportunities, contact Lucy King at 503-5596 or lmking@ejgh. org, or visit EJGH.org.

A recent column in the journal Psychiatric Services, authored by doctors at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, details a new care model combining psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and telemedicine resources into primary care clinics in Louisiana parishes most affected by the Deepwater Horizon Gulf Oil Spill. The project is funded from the Deepwater Horizon Medical Benefits Class Action Settlement

and is part of the Gulf Region Health Outreach Program. After researching national models of care LSU doctors found none acceptable for the needs of close-knit, rural communities with scant availability of mental health resources.

Tailored to the local culture, results indicate reductions in mental health and general medical symptoms for children and adults, as well as resilience in the face of future disasters and can be adapted for use in other communities at risk for disasters or with limited mental health resources.

– MELANIE WARNER SPENCER 44

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Coming this July...

St. Charles Avenue magazine will feature its inaugural Gallery Insider Guide July 2014, with additional distribution at Whitney White Linen Night, Dirty Linen Night and Art for Art’s Sake.

This guide will include a directory of the most exclusive and prestigious galleries in New Orleans.

Reserve your enhanced listing today!

• With the purchase of an ad, receive a complimentary enhanced listing • Enhanced listings include an image of a piece of art and 75 words with which to show off your gallery

Deadline: J u n e 3 r d Call us today for special rates!

Maegan O’Brien: (504) 830-7219 Maegan@myneworleans.com Brittany Brady: (504) 830-7248 Brittany@myneworleans.com

Basic Listing

Enhanced Listing

subject to change

T HE BEA T

CRIME FIGHTING

reported missing after she failed to arrive at a Northshore party in the wee hours of the Carnival weekend.

On Ash Wednesday, New Orleans Police Department officers and St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s deputies watched solemnly as a water-logged car containing the body of the teenager was pulled from Irish Bayou near the Interstate 10 Twin Spans. Hayley’s father thanked scores of volunteers who helped authorities search for his daughter, hours before the four-day search ended in tragic discovery.

Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas appeared on the scene. A preliminary investigation indicated Howard was driving her silver Toyota Corolla on Interstate 10 East toward Slidell, when she veered off the road to the right. The car then sank into Irish Bayou.

The detailed press release included a heart-felt statement from the chief. “It’s always devastating when such a young life is lost,” Serpas said. “I have three children myself, and I can’t imagine what Ms. Howard’s parents are going through. I assured them that this department is here to assist them in any way they may need.”

Serpas’ response to an otherwise routine accident tells us a few things about the chief, the department and our city.

First, the NOPD has apparently learned some painful lessons from the eerily similar case of Terrilynn Monette, 26, a popular black schoolteacher who disappeared after leaving a Lakeview bar in the early morning hours of March 2, 2013 – almost one year to the day before young Howard went missing.

A Slidell police diver found Monette’s body inside her car at the bottom of Bayou St. John, after a massive threemonth search. An autopsy showed little alcohol in the remains of the teacher, who, according to one theory, may have fallen asleep at the wheel and driven unobstructed into Bayou St. John, across Wisner Boulevard from the City Park golf course.

Investigative miscues hampered the search and tarnished the unprecedented community support the NOPD gained during the early weeks of the Monette case. For a time, older white police veterans and NOPD retirees who volunteered time for the search seemed (pleasantly) surprised to see young

Under the Influence...

The killer among us

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by A llen J o h n s on J r . othing changes one’s thinking about life like

the sudden and avoidable death of a young innocent.

Shortly before Mardi Gras, television news stations aired pictures of 19-year-old Hayley Howard. She smiled brightly toward a future she would never live to see.

Howard, a University of New Orleans student and resident of Slidell who had recently been accepted to the Xavier University College of Pharmacy, was 46

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J OSE P H D ANIE L F IE D L ER I L L U STRATION

black males with dreadlocks wearing T-shirts urging anyone with information about the teacher to call the Missing Persons division of the NOPD. If you were standing on the banks of Bayou St. John last summer when Monette’s black Honda Accord was pulled from Bayou St. John, you probably remembered volunteer police diver Mark Michaud telling reporters: “I just wanted to bring some peace to the family.” He then threaded his way through the crowd to find Toni Enclade, Monette’s mother. Enclade publicly thanked the scores of volunteers who helped search for her daughter – just as Hayley Howard’s father would do.

The two cases represent more than a “tale of a two cities” (one black, one white.) Alcohol played at least some role in both deaths.

The tragedies also reminded reporters of Chief Serpas’ unique fury for impaired and drunk driving in the alcohol-friendly culture of New Orleans.

In a 2010 interview with Gambit, Serpas said: “One of the problems I’ve always had with the media is creating the image of murder as the crime you should be afraid of … A drunk driver should have you shaking in your boots because that’s the stranger you never laid eyes on who will annihilate your family.”

No other NOPD superintendent in the last 40 years has demonstrated such a persistent passion for DWI traffic enforcement.

Since becoming chief in 2010, Serpas has often proselytized on the life-saving potential of sobriety checkpoints. In a metro area, famous for drive-thru daiquiris, Serpas gets polite applause, if that.

Remember, Mayor Mitch Landrieu hired Serpas to do two things: bring down the murder rate and to reform the NOPD. The Chief’s quest for safer streets via DWI arrests may have been further stymied by a diversion of police manpower to major sports events and festivals.

In early 2013, Serpas filed a report to City Hall, saying demands on the NOPD to provide security for “special events” adversely affected DWI patrols trying to achieve monthly arrest quotas.

Police staffing for “special events” also hampered the ability of detectives to solve murders, rapes and robberies and other felonies, Serpas said. In addition, the reassignment of police to special events also delayed 40 hours of annual “in-service training” for hundreds of police officers.

Serpas said the NOPD still managed to record increases in arrest rates for violent crimes during the same period. DWI arrests rebounded to double-digit figures by mid-2013.

In 2012, the re-assignment of traffic cops to major events – including the BCS National Championship, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and the NCAA Final Four basketball championship – resulted in the NOPD recording just over 1,500 DWI arrests for the year, or 200 fewer busts than the chief desired.

“DWI arrests were slightly less than anticipated due in part to manpower needs tied to the series of special events hosted by the city,” Serpas reported.

Unnecessary delays in much-needed training for NOPD officers (including DWI traffic cops) could put the city at odds with a federal court plan for reforming the NOPD. Constitutional police traffic stops by the NOPD are a major concern of the U.S. Department of Justice – whether booze is involved or not.

“NOPD has a lot of work ahead of it,” according to a recent report by the Office of the Consent Decree Monitor.

Violent crime and police reform remain Serpas’ top priorities.

Getting drunk and impaired drivers off the road is another way to save innocent lives. The chief’s effort deserves more consideration than he has received to date.

In lieu of flowers, the Howard family asks anyone please send all donations to Xavier University College of Pharmacy. Post Office Box 56308, New Orleans, La. 70156-9901. myneworleans.com

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N EWSBEAT

The Road to Access We may not have the polar vortex variety of problems, but every Tom, Dick and Boudreaux knows that bad weather in New Orleans is no joke.

Therefore, the opening of an all-weather access road on the Lakefront is an announcement that can be hailed with almost as much excitement as the beginning of crawfish season.

Part of the United States Army Corps of Engineers $14 billion Hurricane Storm Damage Risk Reduction System, the road runs 10 miles from the West Return Floodwall in Kenner to the 17th Street Canal in Metairie. The road extends an additional two and a half miles south along the West Return Floodwall from Lake Pontchartrain to Interstate 10, and includes asphalt ramps at several locations providing access from

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local residential streets.

Bridges constructed across water discharge basins of the four Jefferson Parish pump stations provide a continuous, unbroken path for the entire 10 miles.

Though originally built to allow access to the flood side of the levee for inspections and maintenance by the East Jefferson Levee District and Corps of Engineers, the All-Weather Access Road is open for recreational purposes as well, such as jogging, rollerblading, walking by the lake and cycling. In time of emergency, all recreational users of the road must yield to East Jefferson Levee District, State of Louisiana and Corps of Engineer official vehicles as well as emergency vehicles. – LEXI WANGLER

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The Golden Wings perform in the 2008 Jazz Fest Gospel Tent.

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Up From the Soul PAGE 54

MARK GSTOhl PHOTOGRAPH

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T H E S C O O P

Superfood Bar

Basic Training An explosion in business catering to vegan and raw diets

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BY Jyl Benson e w O r l e a n s h as e ar n e d i ts e n tr e n c h e d

reputation as a place where trends are slow and late to catch on – think skinny jeans, yoga and modern cocktail culture – but when we do finally embrace a trend we tend to do so with a vengeance (see above) then we clutch desperately to it long after other (more cutting-edge? or is it less change-averse?) places and their inhabitants have moved on to the Next New Thing, which will eventually, eventually, make it into our embrace. Then we begin the process again.

In 2010 (only four years ago) the documentary Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead, which follows the two-month juice fast of blubbery Joe Cross across the United States – as he ultimately loses 100 pounds, kicks all of his meds, goes on to live the glory life and inspired others to do so – launched an immediate up-cropping of juice bars and a doubling in the sale of Breville juicers pretty much everywhere but here. Instead we were still just starting to wrap our heads around the locavore movement and the grass-

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fed-barbecue-from-a-food-truck movement the rest of the country had dashed from to embrace the juicing/vegan/raw movement.

True to our form, now that the rest of the country is wearing palazzo pants to munch chicken wings battered with cassava flour, sprinkled with umami salt and dunked in Chamoy sauce, we’re pulling on our skinnies to slurp at organic juice bars or to much raw, superfood and/or vegan meals (they all seem to go hand-in-hand) at a host of places, such as the newly opened Raw Republic, that are servicing our newfound cravings.

Brave early-comer entrepreneurs into the movement, like the Superfood Bar and Greenfork NOLA, which began as a deliveryonly service in 2010, are finally starting to feel the love from the masses in a real way instead of merely catering to the smattering of health hipsters who quietly existed in a parallel universe prior to the relatively recent general enlightenment. Greenfork went from delivery service to a Prytania Street brick-and-mortar in ’12 offering juices and primarily grab-and-go salads and sandwichZ EE A M E R P H O T O G R A P H

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Raw Republic co-owner Sheena Mannina

es and jars of soup. A second location opened in Old Metairie last fall.

In 2011, Joseph Stone rented a 180-sqaure-foot storefront on a then-lackluster stretch of Magazine Street because he needed a workspace to grow his hobby of fermenting foods and the $450 rent was cheap. When he began distributing his signature Samurai Kombucha tea around town, enthusiastic response eventually led him to last year expand into the storefront next door, where he slept on the floor so he could pay the increased rent. Today the kitchen at the Superfood Bar is run by chef Amie Havens, a Restaurant August kitchen alum, who turns out organic smoothies and juice blends and a selection of vegan and mostly raw salads, wraps and a soup of the day. Business is brisk,

Superfood Bar owner Joseph Stone

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Right By You The Green Fork 1400 Prytania St. 267-7672 200 Metairie Road 309-3677 GreenForkNola.com Raw Republic 4528 Magazine St. 324-8234 RawRepublicJuice.com Superfood Bar 4113 Magazine St. 891-7733 SuperfoodBar.wix.com/nola

and Stone now sleeps upstairs where he contemplates expansion, franchising and investors. “I never intended to have a restaurant,” Stone says. “ I just wanted to make fermented tea! But this is where the path had led me and it’s a good one.”

The melodiously named Sheena Mannina was first exposed to juicing and vegan food culture before college at LSU while working at an upscale juicery in the East Hamptons. After earning certification from the Institute of Integratative Nutrition (INN) the area native returned home a year and a half ago to be close to her ailing father, who was suffering from cancer. “I just kept wandering ‘What’s causing all this shit?’ and I felt compelled to bring greater comprehensive wellness to New Orleans.” She immediately started making smoothies and delivering them to friends in jars because she couldn’t afford a juicer.

The response was immediate and enthusiastic. In November 2013 the 25 year-old entrepreneur and her boyfriend and business partner Evan Cretini, 27, opened their brick-and-mortar location in a small Magazine Street storefront and stocked the sleek, minimalist space with jewel-hued cold-pressed juices, invigorating tonics and smoothies, cleansing systems and a small selection of colorful, raw, vegan prepared foods. A concealed vaporizer pumps out a blend of Balance, Lift and Clarity, a few of the custom blended essential oils sold in the shop, alongside a small selection of vegan organic cosmetics and wellness books.

“Everything here is a mindfully selected, nature intended product,” Mannina says.

“Even our T-shirts are organic cotton and printed with plant inks.”

Soothing, patient, serene and knowledgeable, Mannina seems almost to float blissfully along in what she calls her “detox market” as she guides customers through the steps they must take to adopt her lifestyle and the very obvious benefits to be enjoyed by doing so. That she’s also a radiant beauty with clear skin, bright eyes and glossy hair surely doesn’t hinder her efforts: She seems to have unlocked the secrets to the Good Life. Who among us would not want the keys to that kingdom?

On their website Mannina and Cretini observe “In a world that’s filled with artificials, our mission as a community of experts is to educate and enlighten others. The ultimate goal is to provide a respite for those seeking truth and a deeper level of self-care. We believe in purity, integrity and truth. We stand for a better way of life.”

Z EE A M E R P H O T O G R A P H S

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MUSIC

The Zion Harmonizers, including Sherman Washington, far left, perform at the 2008 Jazz Fest.

Up From the Soul Jazz Fest at the Gospel Tent

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By Jason Berry n M a y o f 1 9 9 5 , t h e y e ar a f t e r I b e ga n

writing this column, a monsoon rain overtook a German film crew in a big white car driving back to the city on Interstate 10. We were returning from Boutte and an interview with Sherman Washington. Washington is gone now though his gravelly baritone lives on with the Zion Harmonizers’ recordings, and superb version of “Jesus on the Mainline” included on Deacon John’s Jump Blues.

The sky that day was ink black; the worried cameraman guiding the white Lincoln rent-a-car was muttering in German about water rising on South Claiborne Avenue. I was finishing a week’s field producer gig, cash in pocket, when they let me off in knee-deep water at Jefferson Avenue. The driver feared making the turn. I didn’t blame him as I sloshed two blocks to my then-home.

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week before at Israelite Divine Universal Spiritual Church on Frenchman Street in Gentilly. The producer had just arrived from Frankfort and was suffering severe jet lag. I had a head cold but the music that night was pure magic: a caravan of gospel singers come to eulogize Bishop Herman Brown, an impresario and ally of Sherman Washington as the latter oversaw scheduling at the Gospel Tent.

With groups like the Boutté Family Gospel (Hello, Lillian!), the Wimberly Family Gospel Singers, the City of Love Music and Worship and Arts Choir, plus Craig Adams & Higher Dimensions of Praise lined up for the festival’s first weekend this year in the tent of church song, we do well to remember those who helped put gospel in the mainstream.

The German producer was nodding off as the hosannas rang for Bishop Brown, who had booked many gospel artists for conCH R I S R EEDE R P H O T O G R A P H

JAZZ New Orleans’ male jazz stars often get the headlines, but the city’s female musicians rack up the accolades, too, including jazz vocalist Cindy Scott. Her new album Historia is a mix of original music and covers, but Scott puts her own flair on each track.

DRINKS New Orleans is typically thought of as a cocktail town, but the book New Orleans Beer: A Hoppy History of Big Easy Brewing delves into why New Orleans’ beer past is worth equal recognition. Written by beer aficionados Jeremy Labadie and Argyle Wolf-Knapp, New Orleans Beer is not only rich in historic facts, but also includes a guide to present-day places New Orleans beer lovers will enjoy.

History We hear the word “cool” every day, but Tulane University professor Joel Dinerstein now has a Smithsonian exhibit devoted to a key aspect of its meaning: What do we mean when we say someone is cool? Co-curated with Frank H. Goodyear III, Dinerstein’s American Cool exhibition is on view at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C. through Sept. 7, 2014. The exhibit catalogue of the same name has been published with original essays on the concept of cool by the authors, and features the ultimate “cool” icons in American history.

HISTORY Houma native Christopher E. Cenac Sr. is preserving Louisiana history with Livestock Brands & Marks: An Unexpected Bayou Country History. The book showcases information about the history of livestock branding, information that was found in three ledger books discovered in the attic of a Terrebonne Parish courthouse. Livestock Brands & Marks was recognized as a 2014 Humanities Book of the Year by the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities.

–Haley ADAMS

Please send submissions for consideration, attention: Melanie Spencer, 110 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 123, Metairie, LA 70005.

The Hainkel Home

INTRODUCING NEW PARKSIDE RED UNIT: • Private and Semi- Private Rooms • Skilled Services including Speech, Physical, Occupational Therapy • Licensed Practical and Registered Nurses on duty 24 hours a day.

• Respiratory & IV Therapy & Tracheotomy Care • Adult Day Health Care Services and more!

612 Henry Clay Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70118 Ph: 504.896.5904 Cell: 504.616.3714 Fax: 504.896.5904 myneworleans.com

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certs, broadening the idea of church song as something people would turn out to hear in a big hall or for public brunch somewhere. I had never heard of the guy. As his life in music passed before me I saw Quint Davis, executive producer of the Jazz & Heritage Festival, wearing a coat and tie in a pew near the front – Quint, in a tie. Meaning Bishop Herman Brown was a serious man.

The German producer was making noises about his need for sleep and I was making excuses to stay when Reverend Alvin Bridges marched across the altar followed by the Desire Community Choir in flowing robes and a dazzling, zigzag pattern of body rhythms. Bridges made a turn in front of the coffin, leaned over and somehow touched the deceased. At that, all the preachers popped up and surrounded him for a supreme breach of protocol at which Reverend Bridges backed off, or up, obtaining the microphone, announcing that his Desire choir came from the Lower Nine, a place people looked down on, but they were here to sing for Jesus. I paraphrase, yes, but Bridges was setting people up to realize that even from the Lower Nine, the spirit shall rise.

“We ... must ... go,” wheezed the producer.

“Not yet,” I said, ingesting two cough drops. “You need to see this.”

It was a lie. I confess it now, 19 years later. The guy needed to crash, I could see that, but I was young and selfish. It was the most spectacular evening of gospel music I had seen to that point and I wanted to stay.

Then came Ruby Ray and the Spiritualettes, a choir in colorcoordinated royal blue and a young man, perhaps 19, given the lead vocal for “Jesus on the Mainline.” They were swaying back and forth like tropical palms on a wind-battered island, singing to the skies, a work of pure beauty with a trailing comic touch as Ray flicked her hand at him, like some smiling, jibing schoolmarm, saying, “Sing, boy – sing!” He kept singing and jumping, she kept

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flicking and saying, “Sing, boy!”

An aura of darkness folded across the face of my German employer and it registered on me that if the guy passed out or had a heart attack I would not only lose a week’s prime wages but also have to get him to a hospital. And so we left. I got him back to the hotel where the crew arrived the following day.

I have no idea what happened to the boy who sang with the Spiritualettes; perhaps he’s a man and still with them. They are performing Sun., April 27, in the Gospel Tent.

From the festival website: “The New Orleans Spiritualettes were formed in 1956, in the midst of a New Orleans gospel movement that eventually produced a dozen or more musical ensembles.

Founded by Mississippi transplant Ruby Ray, who remains the group’s leader, The New Orleans Spiritualettes have continued to rely since that time on strong rhythms and heart-felt harmonies that recall a backwoods choir as much as a more-refined, citybased ensemble.”

Heading home that night from the church, a week before the aforementioned flood, I was trailed by a regret that I didn’t stay the night to see the full show of gospel talent and the fervor with which they sang. To this day that evening remains the stand-out gospel experience of my life.

Correction: The February column on black Carnival praised Robert McKinney, a pivotal contributor to the Louisiana Writer’s Project, for his unsung role in the book Gumbo Ya-Ya. Kim Marie Vaz, author of “The Baby Dolls,” sent a response: “Robert McKinney graduated from Xavier University in 1933. He was not a Dillard graduate. Also, he did not work on Dillard’s Negro unit of the Louisiana Writer’s Project. He worked with the ‘integrated’ group with Hazel Breaux, Caroline Durieux and others.” Thank you, Ms. Vaz. We regret the error.

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C A S T O F CH ARAC TERS

Eustis Guillmen Giving voice to his music

by G e o r g e G u r t n e r

E

i g h t y - y e ar - o l d Eust i s G u i l l e m e t sta n d s outs i d e

his church-run apartment building in the Irish Channel. After a particularly long winter’s night into spring, the sun shines bright and Guillemet has only one thing on his mind: soaking it all in.

It is a serendipitous moment for the jazz great and he wants to take full advantage of it.

A friend walks by and bids Guillemet, “Good afternoon, Mr. Eustis! Beautiful day, isn’t it?” Guillemet smiles and quickly reaches for and holds a finger on the button in his throat; the button that’s supposed to allow him to speak two months after the surgery to remove the cancer that eventually has taken his voice. Nothing comes from his lips but an unintelligible gurgling sound.

Guillemet is crestfallen, but he settles for a quick wave to his friend then disappears into the elevator that will take him to his cramped apartment on the second floor. Somehow, a beautiful day isn’t so beautiful when you can’t fully admire it by talking about it and fully enjoying it with a friend.

Inside, the apartment, Guillemet grabs a pad and pen and that smile again crosses his face. He has found his new voice, just as he did eons ago when he first picked up that big bass fiddle and stroked and plucked it all across the world alongside names such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Earl “Fatha” Hines, 58

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Eubie Blake and Joe Williams.

Guillemet runs his pen quickly down the page of a legal pad that’s filled in a flash, and flips the page to the next empty one as though he’s done this all his life. The names flow from his pen without thought: Marsalis, Dickerson and Cab Calloway.

And the places he has played … He throws his head back for a second and smiles. And without looking down at the pad, he jots down Birdland, The Apollo, Basin Street East. There were great memories made in those places with those people, and it shows on his face.

It seems he could go on interminably with the names and the places. But by now, he has other things to “talk” about.

He pulls up his almost 115-pound frame, disappearing into the next room. He returns quickly with the worn weathered bass fiddle that has been his constant companion most of his life – the same F R A N K M E T HE P H O T O G R A P H

one that added depth to Ellington’s “Take the A Train” and to Joe Williams’ “I’m in Love Again.” He adds that he’s also seen three popes.

Guillemet holds the big instrument upright, lets his head fall backward slightly and begins to run his fingers up and down on the faithful instrument that performs brilliantly although it shows the scratches and dents and make-do patches of eons of bringing out the best in others – not the least of whom was Eustis Guillemet.

Guillemet is coaxing old favorites from the big instrument. He brings forth cello rhythms from his old friend, and in a second he’s on the bandstand at Basin Street East and the crowd is hyped up and waiting breathlessly for Count Basie’s trademark three note ending: “Plink! Plink! Plink!”

Guillemet lays the bass fiddle down gently and steps every so carefully over her to reach into a box and pull out some of his brilliant artwork, paintings and drawings that he does in his spare time. He avers to how he teaches art to youngsters, just as eagerly as he loves to “talk” about jazz and all the greats with whom he has played. The pen is flying, sparking out still more names, places and memories.

Guillemet tells about being born and raised in Tremé, and about playing with Professor Longhair at the Caldonia Lounge, and at the Famous Door on Bourbon Street, and of playing bass since he was a student at Xavier Prep High School Uptown and of studying music at Xavier University. He talks of studying not only jazz but also classical music and playing the operas, acting and his artwork.

“I’ve never been married,” he jots down. “I had a saying, ‘Single is safe.’ My fiddle has been my wife. We get along excellently together.”

And safe is what Guillemet has always been through all his travels around the world making music for others.

“Never a problem in my life,” he says, “until I came home to New Orleans. That that should happen in my home town last year … it was heartbreaking.”

During the summer of 2013, Guillemet, then undergoing treatment for cancer, was on his way to visit friends who were in town for the Essence Festival. He parked his car at North Broad Street at Industry when he was attacked by four burly thugs – at the time, Guillemet was undergoing treatment for cancer and weighed little more than a paperweight. One of the robbers choked Guillemet and threw him to the ground.

“They told me they just wanted my car. Well they took it. But I lost more than that. I had some of my artwork in it and my ‘chatter box,’ the device that helps me to talk. I lost all of that. Those boys have to be caught and taught the difference between what is right and what is wrong.”

Guillemet shows a visitor around his apartment: the bathroom sink is lined with bottles of prescription medication for his cancer, and his bedroom is little more than a mattress on the floor. The walls are lined with boxes and columns of stacked clothes.

“I’ve had a great life,” Guillemet writes. “I’ve done what I always wanted.” He reaches up and touches the button in his throat. “I’ve thought about my passing and about a jazz funeral. That would be nice.”

But for today, it’s a bright, sunny spring afternoon. Guillemet leads the way out of his apartment and around the walkway that encircles a bare utilitarian atrium and into a small boxy elevator.

Outside his building, a cool breeze blows and a crowd of tourists forms down the block for a tour of St. Alphonsus Church.

Another friend walks by and nods to Guillemet. The old musician smiles and nods back. No words are spoken. No words are needed. Eustis Guillemet still has his music … and that’s all any real jazz musician could ask for. myneworleans.com

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M O D I N E’S N EW O RLEAN S

Chlorette at the Altar

Wedding for modern times

by M o d i n e G u n c h

I

f e e l so ba d f or m y poor f r i e n d A w l e tt e .

Her time has come: She’s a mother-of-the-bride.

It ain’t like her daughter, Chlorette, is one of them bridezillas. She is a sweet girl. But she’s determined to be married as a fish – half a one, anyway. She has booked an Ariel the Mermaid-themed wedding at Disney World.

Back in the day, before travel agents came up with destination weddings, your destination was the altar. Then you cut the cake, slugged back the champagne, flung the bouquet, grabbed the groom and left for your honeymoon. Now they get a head start on the honeymoon trip and bring everybody else along.

Come to find out that Catholics still have to get married in a Catholic church; not at Disney World – it’s a rule. And Awlette is very Catholic. One of her sisters is actually a nun. She says if Chlorette is going to get married without the blessings of the church, she should just break her mother’s heart and elope off to Mississippi.

So we thought that was the end of that. But no, Chlorette sets up a private wedding over at St. Expedite, with just her and the groom, Julian, Father Malarkey and me and Awlette for witnesses. I think Father assumes she has a bun in the oven (which she don’t).

Anyway, she calls it her “pre-wedding” ceremony. The next day we all leave for Disney and the full-court press wedding.

I am worried about this girl. She got a Disney princess obsession. And she don’t look no more like a Disney princess than I do.

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and I made up my mind to like it.

Not Chlorette. She studies beauty tips like Susan Spicer studies pork loins. Her eyelids always match her outfit; her cheekbones are two or three unnatural shades of rose and her lips are the neon Color of the Month. I don’t know about her complexion. I ain’t seen it since she was 10.

I asked Awlette if the bride was going to hop up the aisle in a fish tail, and she said evidently I didn’t see the movie. Awlette can sew anything, and she made the dress herself.

Awlette is driving to Disney with her sister Scawlette. This one isn’t a nun; she’s a cosmetic artist from New York. She is going to do the bride’s make-up. I hope Scawlette ain’t been passing makeup tips to her niece all these years.

Anyway, Awlette asks me and my gentleman friend, Lust, to drive her mini-van and pick up Violette, her sister the nun, and five other nuns when we pass through Mobile. (The nuns in this order must travel in packs.) Lust takes persuading. He hates weddings. He says it’s a waste of time to leave town when there ain’t no hurricane coming. And nuns make him nervous. I got to beg and plead and promise the moon, but finally he says OK. In Mobile the nuns pile in, cheerful as Chiclets, and we are on our way. Then all of a sudden a truck pulls in front of us; Lust hits the brake and his ice-cold Coke leaps out the cup holder and lands in his lap.

He says “@*$&##!” (There is a gasp from the back.)

He says, “Oh #%@$! I didn’t mean that.” (Another gasp.)

Then he says “@$*% I’m sorry.”

I say, “Lust, honey. Just shut up.”

And he does.

When it’s time for lunch, we pull in at a Cracker Barrel and push the tables so we can all sit together. Eight of us. Sister Violette says “Shall we say the blessing?” and Sister Gezuntite says, “I think Mr. Lust already said it.”

After lunch, me and the nuns have a little talk about Chlorette’s princess fixation, and they tsk-tsk, shake their heads and decide to pray for her.

The next day we assemble at the Disney Wedding Pavilion. The nuns are wearing mouse ears over their veils. I guess they consider them Disney wedding attire.

Julian is fidgeting up at the front, next to his uncle, a licensed minister of some kind, who’s wearing a long beard, an aqua gown and is holding a giant three-prong fish fork. He is going to officiate. Three bridesmaids process up in yellow dresses and blue fin-looking headpieces.

The bride’s entrance music (“Under the Sea”) swells, and we all rise. I got my polite smile locked on, steeled for Chlorette in full scaly splendor.

And then everybody’s jaws plop down. It ain’t because we see a Disney princess. We see Chlorette. She is radiant. No fins. No turquoise eyelids. No pancake cheeks. Her hair is swept back and up; she has a tiny tasteful veil – not seaweed – and a sweet white dress that her mama created to suit her perfect, from high collar to bare back to graceful foamy train.

I found out later that Scawlette – who’s evidently good at what she does – just scrubbed off all the layers of make-up, added a dab of this and a swipe of that, and turned Chlorette back into herself.

Julian stands tall and smiles all over his face; the nuns beam under their ears; I grab for Lust’s handkerchief. There probably ain’t a dry eye in the place.

I hope they live happily ever after.

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J OIE D’ E V E

BLOGS FROM THE NEW NEW ORLEANS

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Ruby (right) and the author (left) “are nothing alike,” says Peyton, “but watching her grow up still brings back memories.”

am strugg l i n g a Then, too, on a completely little bit lately. Not in my immature level, watching Ruby actual day-to-day life – makes me feel sorry for my 7-yearI’m not failing at work or old self. She was recently around neglecting my family. I am still a friend of mine who had had making breakfasts and pouring too much to drink, and she was milk and wiping noses and foldrightfully bewildered. By the time ing clothes and kissing my husI was 7 I was well beyond bewilband and inserting and deleting derment. I knew exactly what was commas as needed on a profesgoing on when my brother was sional basis; I’m still completely drunk, and it made me furious; I functional and, by and large, also had some idea in my head, happy. But I live so much in my which I kept secret from everyhead, and there, to some extent, one, that maybe I and I alone I’m struggling lately. could fix him. Remembering all Writing is how I process the of that makes me sad for 7-yearworld around me, and even if I old me, makes me want to go don’t actually typeset it, I’m writing a back now and whisper, “You can’t fix narrative in my brain pretty much all it; no one can.” Other people would the time. And the significant events, have told me just that, had I shared especially the tragic ones, well, I write my secret conviction with them – but about those the most because I need I didn’t. It also makes me wonder to make sense of them the most. how many secrets Ruby might have If you met me casually, at a party hugged close to her heart, how much or a PTA meeting, I wouldn’t mention responsibility she might be putting on

by E v e C r a w f o r d P e y t o n my dead siblings or my miscarriage or herself. And it’s a reminder of just how my divorce. I would tell you that I was an only child (because I much of age 7 still really is firmly in the realm of magical thinking. really was raised that way); that I have two incredible daughters It all hit home recently after her teacher died. Ruby suddenly was and a terrific stepson (because I do); that my husband is great scared to be alone in her bedroom, in the bathroom, on the porch. and my ex-husband and I are friendly (because he is and we “What is going on?” I asked her, annoyed. “You are 7 years old, are). I wouldn’t lie, in other words, but I would give you the easyRuby Grace! What are you so afraid of all of a sudden?!” listening version of the truth. No one wants to be burdened with “Mrs. Foxworth,” she whispered. other people’s complicated lives in social situations; I know that.

“Mrs. Foxworth?” I said. “What? Why? I understand being sad, And no one wants to read about it all the time either. When Ru, but scared? Why?” I was in a writing class in college, I wrote something about my And then it hit me. It came rushing back to me in absolute vivid brother’s death, and the professor made a big deal about it, about color. “Oh,” I said quietly. “Oh. Are you … Ruby, are you scared how good it was, how brave, how honest. As we walked out of of her ghost? That she’s going to come and take you back with the classroom, my biggest rival muttered just loud enough for me her to heaven?” to hear, “Ugh, I wish I had a dead brother.” I felt stung, largely She nodded at me, her eyes huge and greeny-gray. And I because she was right. Writing about my brother’s death was remembered the chaotic days after my brother’s death, rememnecessary for me; it was therapeutic; but it was also, at times, just bered that fear, as I hovered near my mom at all times, that if I so easy. It was rich material, and I just kept going back to the well. stepped out of her sight my brother’s spirit might somehow come Ever since that day, I have tried to be more conscious of trotting and take me away. After all, everyone said I was his favorite thing out my “dead brother” (and now my dead sister) whenever I need in the world. I knew, even at age 7, that it was silly; I don’t think something to write about. I still write about it – because I have to I ever told my mom or anyone else. But I believed it anyway, in – but I try not to do it in really attenuated ways. some way I couldn’t articulate and didn’t want to admit.

All that said, however, I am finding myself, 25 years out, still As it all came back to me, I stopped yelling, stopped being struggling with the loss of my brother at such a young age and still annoyed, and knelt down and gave Ruby a hug – and not to get writing about it. I thought the last real milestone would be when I too hokey or new-agey, but it felt a bit like giving my 7-year-old turned 29, the age my brother was when he died, but no. self a hug, too.

Ruby is now 7, and if anything, that is affecting me even more So I’m struggling these days, a little bit, but the struggle is part – for several reasons. Seven was such a big year for me, the clear of the healing, and the healing is ongoing. before-and-after line in my childhood, and I sometimes have to Writing is therapy for me in many ways, but to be perfectly honremind myself that I was capable of very big feelings and very est, so is parenting. complex thoughts at that age – and thus Ruby is, too. As a mom, Excerpted from Eve Kidd Crawford’s blog, Joie d’Eve, which I want to see 7 as a simple age, her problems as small and easy appears each Friday on MyNewOrleans.com. For comments: Info@ to fix, but I can recall, so clearly, what it felt like to be 7, and it NewOrleansMagazine.com. definitely didn’t feel simple.

Struggling, But Why? Life inside my head

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C H R O N I C L ES From left: Dr. Edmond Souchon, Harry Souchon, Bill Crais, Andy Lockhart, Mina Lea Crais and Cosimo Matassa (back to camera) in Cosimo Matassa’s Recording Studio.

’40s recording sessions when the early jazzman came back from retirement.

The best-known local studio from the mid-20th century was Cosimo Matassa’s.

According to his biography on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame website (RockRoll.com) “Cosmo” left his chemistry studies at Tulane University and bought J & M Services, a jukebox business. He opened a small studio behind his appliance store (838-840 Rampart St.), and that corner of Rampart and Dumaine would become a cornerstone of rock history.

Shirley and Lee, Fats Domino, Smiley Lewis, Little Richard, Huey “Piano” Smith, Ray Charles, Professor Longhair, Allen Toussaint, Doctor John (Mac Rebennack) – the list of performers who found their way to one of Matassa’s studios is incredibly long.

He would change locations, but “Cosmo” continued recording music up into the 1980s.

While his records were cut for different record companies (often to the financial detriment of the musicians and songwriters) “Cosmo” managed to keep his artists and calendar in order in a num-

Getting the Sound Down Music studios in this city have heard it all

by C a r o l y n K o l b

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i s h a K a c h ka c h i s h v i l i w as apo l og e t i c about

being late returning a call. “I’m at the Grammy’s,” he explains.

Kachkachishvili, whose Esplanade Studios opened in June 2013, was hopeful that the Hot 8 Brass Band would win the Regional Roots Music category award, since he had mastered their record.

(Louisiana Zydeco performer Terrance Simien won that category, and producer Leo Sacks tied for an award for a locally re-mastered Bill Withers collection historic album.)

This wasn’t their best Grammy year, but New Orleans music artists and production engineers are definitely on Grammy’s wavelength (an added bonus being that Louisiana’s tax benefits for creative endeavors reward not only the film industry, but also sound recording).

Musicians in New Orleans have been recorded all over the city through the years. Recording companies might set up a studio, or other locations would Was legendary jazzman Buddy Bolden ever recorded? Bolden, be used. E.A. Zatarain, whose family’s born in 1878, played until he became mentally ill around 1906. (He grocery was on Rampart Street, even was hospitalized, died in ’31, and was buried in Holt Cemetery near recorded a brass band at his Magazine Delgado Community College). According to author Tim Brooks in Lost Street home around 1900, he recalled Sounds: Blacks and the Birth of the Recording Industry 1890-1919, the in a letter to The Times-Picayune in Louisiana Phonograph Company began recording local musicians by 1941. Fraternal organization’s halls 1891 (one being black minstrel performer Louis “Bebe” Vasnier). New regularly hosted bands for dances, Orleans recordings were made from that time on. Yes, Buddy Bolden and San Jacinto Hall at 1422 Dumaine could have been recorded, and members of his band insisted he was.

St. was the setting for Bunk Johnson’s But, so far, no recordings have been found.

Recording Buddy Bolden

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HEN R I L . CHE V R IE R P h otograp h C O U R T E S Y T U L A NE H O G A N J A Z Z A R CHI V E , top

bering system. The website with all the data can be found at CosimoCode.com. New Orleans music aficionados are in for a treat: not only can you learn who recorded what and when, you can also listen to some of the music.

Matassa, toward the end of his career, worked at another legendary local recording spot, Sea-Saint Studios (3809 Clematis Ave.) in Gentilly, founded by Allen Toussaint and Marshall Seahorn.

Hurricane Katrina would devastate the building, where Paul McCartney and his band Wings recorded, as did the Meters and Patti LaBelle along with other hit-generating stars.

Today, the New Orleans recording scene encompasses studios of all sizes. Warehouses, family homes, even two churches have all been converted into spaces for recording And, studios may not last forever. Piety Street Studio (728 Piety St.), a former post office, featured Mark Bingham as producer. Hiphop artists from Cash Money Records recorded there. Piety was responsible for a number of hits, but it closed last year.

The smallest studio in town, according to WhereTheyAtNola. com, once belonged to DJ Ice Mike who, as Closet Castle Productions, kept his recording equipment in a closet.

Largest of the new facilities is Esplanade Studio. The former Third Presbyterian Church (2540 Esplanade Ave.), was renovated

by Misha Kachkachishvili, a native of the Republic of Georgia, a mechanical engineer and conservatory graduate bass player who arrived in town to study at Loyola University. Kachkachishvili previously operated Axistudio, off Clearview Parkway in Metairie.

In his new venture he has room for scoring movies. Tyler Perry’s film A Madea Christmas, with music by Chris Young, had its score recorded there with a 54-piece orchestra. Solange Knowles (Beyoncé’s sister) is recording there now, as is Dr. John.

As author and music journalist Jason Berry noted, “the revolution in digital recording” made studios more affordable, so more artists pay now for their own albums.

Chris Edmonds is leader of the traditional jazz group The New Orleans Moonshiners, and his fiancée is singer Cristina Perez. She cut her own album at Piety Street Studio, and it’s being mixed now at Nola Recording Studios (624 N. Alexander St.). He cut an album (voted Best Traditional Jazz Album by readers of Offbeat magazine) at Word of Mouth Studios (400 Belleville St.) in Algiers.

Edmonds says “a CD can cost anywhere from $2,500 to $10,000 – it costs about $1,000 just to print the CDs themselves.”

Word of Mouth Studios is run by Tim Stambaugh, himself a musician with a band, Diabolo’s Horns. Artists are funding their own albums because “musicians can make a bigger percentage of the profit,” he says.

“It’s difficult to go on the road these days. Gas prices are high, Hotels aren’t cheap. The CD and T-shirt sales help make up the difference for artists,” Stambaugh explains.

The Music Shed (929 Euterpe St.), located in a Lower Garden District warehouse is managed by Ruby Rendrag, herself a musician. “Whether you’re REM (who recorded their Collapse Into Now album there) or a local musician, you’re treated the same here, “ she says.

New Orleans’ musicians and the local support structure make this an attractive city for outside artists, but the music business is tough. Studio work is demanding: “Engineers are trying to build careers, too, and they can’t really commit to another job.

When the musicians go on tour there may not be a lot of work,” says Rendrag.

As Rendrag explains, “It’s a constant financial struggle: get the bills paid, make something that sounds good, and try to support the local music scene at the same time.”

Listeners and fans are grateful for their efforts.

For more on “Recording in New Orleans,” see Biz, pg. 32 myneworleans.com

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HOME

Lucky 13 Eve and David Darrah’s home was meant to be B Y B ONNIE WARREN

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than some small apartments – and a wine cellar for 800 bottles, not to mention an 800-square-foot carriage house in the rear garden. Yes, there’s much to be excited about in Edie and David Darragh’s home on a quiet Uptown street. “It was simply meant to be our home,” Edie says. “I found the house on November 13, my birthday, and the address was 1113, another good omen, and I thought it would be the perfect reminder for David to never forget my birthday.”

Built between 1895 and 1903, the historic house sits on three lots. “The carriage house was originally used for carriages,” says David, President and CEO of Reily Foods Company “We enjoy our historic neighborhood where everything is within a few blocks.” Then he ticks off that there are five restaurants, a single-screen movie theater, coffee, ice cream and yogurt shops, grocery and drug store, dry cleaner, bank and wine and cheese shops all within easy walking distance.

Facing page: Light floods the foyer of the home.

This page, right: The historic raised cottage on a quiet Uptown street was purchased by the Darraghs 10 years ago. Below: The living room was modernized with fabrics and furnishing selected by the couple with the guidance from the team from Chrestia Staub Pierce, with John Chrestia, Denise Pierce and Robin Roberts all contributing. Inset, below: The historic raised cottage on a quiet Uptown street was purchased by the Darraghs 10 years ago.

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Edie agrees that the large lot is Above: The kitchen design a great plus. It allows their chilwas handled by Robin dren – William, 8, and Thomas, Roberts (formerly of Chrestia 13 – plenty of space to play with Staub Pierce and now with friends, a pool to keep them cool Robin Roberts Detailed during the summer months and Design, Baton Rouge). Right: a formal garden for more adult An antique Baccarat changatherings,” she says. delier from Keil’s Antiques Inside the 4,300-square-foot in the French Quarter is feahome, it’s the large master suite tured over the large dining at the front of the house that Edie room table that seats 10. is quick to mention as one of her favorite spaces. “It has a comfortable sitting area where our family often congregates to talk and catch up on our day. I also especially like the foyer, where I spent a lot of time choosing just the right wallpaper and furnishings when we were getting settled. One of my favorite things in the space is the handsome 1890 French chandelier with ormolu and crystal flowers that we purchased from Peter Moss at Keil’s Antiques on Royal Street.”

David considers the wine room his favorite space in the house.

“While I have much to learn about wine, it’s an interesting and fun hobby of constant discovery,” he says. “It is also the only room in the house I can truly call my own, with Edie’s permission.”

The couple hired noted architect-interior designer John Chrestia (Chrestia, Staub and Pierce) to help modernize the rooms to give everything an updated feeling. Robin Roberts designed the new layout for their kitchen and Denise Pierce 68

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was responsible for the new layout of the family room and master bedroom.

David is quick to give accolades to Sonny Bonvillian of BHL Construction.

“Sonny has great intuition about construction and space,” he says. “His ideas and conception of our project were spot on.”

The couple’s extensive art collection has been a joint undertaking. “We think collecting art is a very personal decision and one that requires the Left: The 70-square-foot, 800-bottle love and approval of both of us.” capacity wine cellar accommodates “This is a perfect home for our famDavid’s hobby as a wine collector. ily,” Edie says. “We enjoy everything, Below: The comfortable den at the especially the way you can see the rear of the house is flooded with progression from formal to informal light from large windows and two as you move through the length of pairs of French doors. the home.”

“It seems to me that the house has a perfect ending when you go down the steps to the lower level of the raised house,” David says. “Here you’ll find a great play space for the children and my ever intriging wine cellar that I hope someday to fill.”

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THEMENU TABLE TALK

RESTAURANT INSIDER

FOOD

LAST CALL

DINING LISTINGS TABLE TALK:

New Wave Vietnamese PAGE 72

Namese Vietnamese Café, a former convenience store reinvented as a restaurant, anchors the corner of Tulane and Carrollton avenues.

JEFFERY JOHNSTON PHOTOGRAPH

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New Wave Vietnamese Expanding the concept

by Jay Forman

Namese Vietnamese Café’s Sticky Sweet Ribs

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presence here, largely in part to the vibrant Vietnamese community in Eastern New Orleans. Yet until recently a defining characteristic of many restaurants was that they were short on atmosphere but big on taste. That is changing as a slew of Vietnamese (and Vietnamese-inspired) places have recently opened their doors. Ambiance, sophisticated drinks and more expressive menus are the hallmarks. Purists may scoff at these interlopers, insisting that dollar-for-dollar you still can’t beat the original strip mall pho joints – and they have a point – but for those seeking variety and a little bit of charm, the options have never been better.

Namese Vietnamese Café, a former convenience store reinvented as a restaurant, anchors the corner of Tulane and Carrollton avenues. It is set back from the street, which creates parking as well as a buffer from traffic. Inside the build-out is contemporary and tasteful, and a small patio offers al fresco seating at the foot of the revitalizing Tulane Avenue corridor.

“The same family has owned this location for over 20 years,” says chef Nhat Nguyen, a graduate of Delgado’s culinary arts program, about his new restaurant. “They saw that everybody down the street was changing and they wanted to change, too, and help to transform the neighborhood.”

Namese is first and foremost a Vietnamese restaurant. “I don’t consider it fusion; we make Vietnamese the forefront,” says Nguyen. “Our beef broth for the pho is darker than some other places because we cook it down so long, over 24 hours.” The result is a comparatively richer, fuller flavor. They also make a vegan version that swaps out dried mushrooms for the beef and makes use 72

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of daikon, celery, carrots and cabbage, and omits the fish sauce.

Namese is at its most satisfying with dishes such as the Sticky Sweet Ribs, a staple of Nguyen’s own family table. Pork ribs are braised in a sauce of soy, ginger, pepper and Nuoc Mam until tender. They are removed and the sauce is reduced to a glaze, which is then used to finish the ribs. The caramelized result is a wonder of sweetness and complexity. Another family dish he recreates is the Crabby Crab, which his father (a fisherman) would often make growing up. This one includes cracked crab, garlic and crab roe. Nguyen’s version is more akin to a dressing that he ladles over rice. “Mine actually looks more like an étouffée because I use onions and bell pepper. The roe is the important ingredient.”

That the sauce bears some resemblance to an étouffée is the key to Namese’s distinctiveness. “What I really want to do is put those traditional, home cooked Vietnamese flavors out there.

Maybe on a different platform, but the important thing is to stay honest to that flavor profile.” You see this in dishes such as their Ducky Cuban and boudin balls, both of which shoot Vietnamese flavors into non-Vietnamese compositions.

In Uptown, Mint Modern Vietnamese Bistro & Bar joins the crowd of new eateries occupying Freret Street. Owned by chef Jimmy Tran, Mint adds a bar scene and craft cocktail component to the mix. “Mint is a different style of place than other Vietnamese places,” Tran says. “In a lot of those places you sit and eat and go, while here you can have a cocktail and chill out in a nice neighborhood. Socializing is a big part of it.” The attractive space offers lots of natural light and a clean, contemporary look.

The core of the menu is Vietnamese – you’ll find the usual lineup JEFFERY JOHNSTON PHOTOGRAPH

of banh mi like lemongrass chicken Find Your Favorite on bread from Dong Phuong bakery, Namese Vietnamese Café along with pho and vermicelli bowls.

4077 Tulane Ave. But it does diverge, taking a fusion-y 483-8899 twist with items such as the Kim Chi Namese.net Burger, dressed with its namesake Lunch and dinner Mondays spicy Korean pickled cabbage and through Saturdays the Fried Chicken & Green Waffle.

Mint Modern Vietnamese Both dishes have proved popular in Bistro & Bar the short time Mint has been open, 5100 Freret St. along with a few others. “The sticky 218-5534 chicken wings are hot right now,” MintModernBistro.com says Tran. “A lot of people also order Lunch and dinner Mondays the healthier stuff like the avocado through Saturdays or tofu rolls.” A broader net is also MoPho cast with dishes like his wonton soup 514 City Park Ave. with barbecue pork.

482-6845 The drink menu is a big part of the MoPhoMidCity.com draw. Classics such as the Sazerac Lunch and dinner are offered, along with a growing list Wednesdays through of craft cocktails. Going into April Mondays look for a happy hour featuring drink Noodle and Pie specials, as well as a short-list of 741 State St. small plates.

252-9431 One of the more anticipated resNoodleAndPie.com taurant openings of 2014 was Michael Dinner daily Gulotta’s MoPho. Formerly Chef de Cuisine at August, chef Gulotta left Lilly’s Café to open his own place tucked into 1813 Magazine St. a strip mall near Delgado with the 599-9999 help of his brother, Jeff, who serves Lunch and dinner, Mondays as the General Manager. Gulotta’s through Saturdays bold menu is confident, weaving Vietnamese and south Louisiana-style cuisines together into compositions that sometimes elevate it into the realm of fine dining, although MoPho isn’t a white-tablecloth type of place. It is upscale casual, with a vibrant bar, patio seating and decidedly relaxed feel.

Highlights from a recent meal there included crispy chicken wings in a sticky-sweet sauce redolent of lemongrass and ginger, their gorgeous mahogany color offset with bright ribbons of herbs.

A dish of Cedar Key Clams in a light coconut broth spiked with pepper jelly came with annatto-scented “beignets” – shaped more like breadsticks and reminding me a bit of churros. My only gripe was that we didn’t have more of them to mop up the sauce.

An array of poor boys offers lunch at a competitive price, with roast duck as one option. For the pho, a mix-and-max matrix allows you to assemble your own from selecting different broth and protein options. Some of the brawnier options include coxcomb, red-pepper braised tripe and headcheese. Vegetarian versions can be cobbled together as well. Pho is reasonably priced for either lunch or dinner service, between $7 and $9. Price points do rise for the dinner menu entrées.

On the Beat At State and Magazine streets, Noodle and Pie, right, offers an eclectic culinary mashup with a focus more on Japanese ramen (the noodles are made in-house) along with a tempting menu of small plates, like their clay pot pork belly. Lilly’s Café on lower Magazine Street offers traditional Vietnamese fare such as pho and spring rolls along with its wonderfully warm service. myneworleans.com

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Arabella Casa Di Pasta

R E S T A U R A N T IN SID ER

And the Openings Continue

by Robert Peyton T h i s i s yet another R esta u rant Ins i d er i n w h i c h

I cover a few places to the exclusion of the half-dozen that have opened recently. This is madness, people. A few restaurants have closed in the last several months, sure, but overall the impression I have is that the market reached saturation sometime in 2012, and whatever you’d call the current situation it’s defying the laws of economics. It is job security for me, and to be clear a lot of the new joints are fantastic additions to the city’s dining scene. It just makes me feel more foolish than normal when people ask me “How is the city supporting so many restaurants with a smaller population?” and I have no answer. Oh well, at least this is April, which has the one day when fools like me feel normal.

Old Arabi Eats is off the beaten track. It isn’t a place you’ll stumble on if you’re from out of town. The restaurant is located in a small strip mall in a spot most recently occupied

by Touché Cafe, and before that the home of a McKenzie’s bakery. It is a pleasant place with a casual setting that masks some very good food.

The folks who own and operate Old Arabi Eats are neither old nor from Arabi. They are from New York, though there’s not a lot about the place that screams “Brooklyn.”

Early reviews mentioned a Manhattan-style clam chowder, but when I dined it wasn’t

on the menu. That isn’t unusual; the menu changes regularly. It is also not particularly large. When I was there, there was a salad and a half-dozen main dishes, including two sandwiches. The dinner menu the night before was similar, though with another couple of mains. There weren’t any desserts offered when I had lunch, but the restaurant typically has something along the lines of cheesecake, fruit crumbles, brownies and other home-style dishes on offer. may seem like a mundane thing, but it speaks to the care taken with each aspect of the plate that’s the hallmark of a great cook.

Prices are reasonable for the quality of the food, more in line with the atmosphere.

Old Arabi Eats is located at 7005 St. Claude Ave., and open Tuesdays through Thursdays for lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and for dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. On Fridays the dinner service goes until 10 p.m., and on Saturdays the restaurant is open for dinner only from 5 to 10 p.m. Call 563-0131 to learn more.

The Tasting Room opened in February of this year, replacing Diva Dog. The shop is both a wine bar and casual restaurant, with the wine end of the spectrum predominant.

That is the side operated by Toby and Lisa DeVore; Toby hails from Lodi, Calif., and his family is in the business of growing grapes for vineyards in San Joaquin, Sonoma and Napa. DeVore talks about each wine he pours, complete with laminated maps of the regions from which they hail.

There are wines available by the glass or bottle from a moderate list with vintages from all over the world. DeVore told me that though he knows California wines best, he wanted the offerings to have a broad scope.

The Tasting Room occupies a fairly small space. Exposed brick is the major design feature; there are couches and comfortable seating in the front and a few tables across from the bar as you move through the dining room.

All told there’s seating for 35 inside and another 20 in the back patio.

That patio is where Arabella Casa Di Pasta has its small kitchen. The feel is “pop-up,” but DeVore told me that as far as he’s concerned it’s a permanent relationship. The name probably tells you all you need to know about the operation generally; chef Phillip Marks and general manager Mowgli Pierlas let customers create their own combinations from the changing selection of pastas and sauces. As I write, you can pick fusilli, rigatoni, spaghetti or fettuccini as the pastas; sauces include pomadora, puttanesca, a bolognese made with pork neck bones, pesto cream and a portobello red-wine cream sauce. Once you decide on that combination, you can add chicken, Italian sausage, meatballs, shrimp, broccoli, roasted red peppers and asparagus for an additional charge. The meatballs are made of pork, beef and andouille, and they’re delicious; you can also get them as an appetizer with bread and tomato sauce.

The Tasting Room is open every day but Tuesday from noon to 10 p.m. at 1906 Magazine St. Arabella Pasta Di Casa is open during the same hours, Wednesdays through Sundays. Call 581-3880 for the Tasting Room, and 684-2877 for Arabella Pasta Di Casa.

I first met Alicia and chef Matt Murphy when my best friend and frequent dining companion rented one-half of their Uptown home after Katrina. The landlord-tenant relationship ended when Alicia gave birth to the couple’s first children, a set of quadruplets, and needed the whole house. Matt later opened the Irish House, but he’ll tell you that the brains of the operation has always been Alicia, right, and Fare is clearly her deal. As I write, the place has only just opened its doors and not everything Alicia has planned has come to fruition, but Fare already offers gluten- and dairy-free Fare baked goods that are generally Paleodiet-friendly, as well as teas and juices.

There are prepared meals in the future, and a significant space that they may use for meetings, seminars and other events.

Fare is located at 4838 Magazine St., and can be reached at 302-9171. Stay tuned to this space to find out more, as I certainly intend to follow Fare down the road.

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Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Email rdpeyton@gmail.com

S A R A E S S E X B R A DL E Y P H O T O G R A P H S

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together in what is destined to be a win-win situation. They are Café Reconcile, the best place in town for down-home lunching, and the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience (NOWFE), our premiere gourmet extravaganza.

When smothered pork chops intermingle with foie gras, what do you have to lose?

No, they won’t be served together, but NOWFE’s generous philanthropy will begin to channel 40 percent of its lucrative intake into teaching at-risk young adults to work in the restaurant industry.

It seems like yesterday that I wrote one of the first major stories about Café Reconcile when it first opened in 2000. Craig Cuccia, then director of the Central City restaurants, told some friends lunching there one day that I had “put it on the map” with a full-page story in The Times-Picayune. For years, that framed newspaper clipping hung on the wall before the café’s total renovation was completed just a year ago.

There could be no better idea in a restaurant city like New Orleans than to train chefs and servers while at the same time giving jobs to young people desperate to remove themselves from hopeless situations. Graduates are staffing top restaurants in town, and support has been overwhelming, particularly from Emeril Lagasse who has funded much of the recent renovations. So far, more than 1,000 graduates have turned their lives around and are working in career-track jobs in the hospitality industry or are enrolled in further education.

I also covered the birth of what has become NOWFE when it started decades ago as a summer attraction for tourists in an otherwise slow time. It grew to become one of the country’s major food and wine destinations, attracting 10,000 gourmands and connoisseurs. Now with hundreds of wineries and restaurants participating, it has moved to May, when visitors escape a little of the steam and heat, and is scheduled this year for May 21-24 at various locations (see sidebar). One of the best food events anywhere any time is the grand tasting that features top chefs from Greater New Orleans and wineries from all over the world. Once you enter the door, you want to stay for the full three hours to taste wines you may never have had the chance to taste and dishes old and new from famous and favorite restaurants. If you’re not sure which wines to serve at a dinner party or which wines you really like, this is the place to go to learn about wine, its subtleties, costs and pairings.

Over the past 21 years, NOWFE has raised more than $1 million dollars for local nonprofit organizations such as Reconcile. The remaining 60 percent of proceeds from the 2014 Experience will go to the Louisiana Restaurant Association, Education Foundation’s ProStart Shrimp and Tasso Pinchos Program, Delgado Culinary Arts School, New with Pineapple Ceviche

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Favorite Forces Recipes From Café Reconcile and SoBou

by Dale Curry

EUGENIA UHL PHOTOGRAPH

THE MENU

Orleans Center for the Creative Arts’ Culinary Program, The John Folse Culinary Institute and Edible Schoolyard New Orleans.

If you like soul food, you can purchase Café Reconcile’s cookbook when dining there. Following are recipes for their popular white beans with shrimp and their spin on mac and cheese.

For more elegant entertaining or for an Easter brunch, try the following shrimp and ceviche recipe from SoBou. It took a gold medal last year in the seafood category at NOWFE’s grand tasting.

White Beans and Shrimp 2 pounds white Great Northern beans 4 cups chopped onion 2 cups chopped celery 2 cups chopped bell peppers 1/2 cup chopped parsley 3 to 4 cloves garlic, chopped 1 Tablespoon thyme Salt and black pepper to taste Dash cayenne pepper Dash white pepper Chicken stock or water 1 1/2 pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined 4 cups heavy cream Steamed white rice

Soak beans in enough water to cover in the refrigerator overnight.

Drain beans. In a large pot, combine beans, veggies, seasonings and enough stock or water to cover beans. Simmer, covered, for 2 to 3 hours

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until beans are tender. Add shrimp and cream and simmer until shrimp are cooked, about 5 minutes. Serve over white rice.

Serves 10 to 12

Café Reconcile Mac & Cheese 1/2 pound spaghetti 3 Tablespoons butter 3 Tablespoons flour 3 cups milk 1 bay leaf, whole 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded or grated 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded or grated 12 ounces processed American cheese or Velveeta, chopped into small cubes 1 teaspoon Creole seasoning White pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the pasta until al dente.

While the pasta is cooking, melt butter in a separate pot. Whisk in flour and stir for about 3 minutes until smooth. Stir in milk, bay leaf and nutmeg. Simmer for 10 minutes and remove bay leaf.

Meanwhile, prepare cheeses and mix together. Measure out about 1 cup to save for topping. Stir cheeses except for topping into the milk mixture. Add Creole seasoning and pepper.

Drain spaghetti and fold into cheese mixture. Pour into a 2-quart casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese. Bake for about 30 minutes.

Remove from oven and rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Serves 4 to 6

Shrimp & Tassso Pinchos With Pineapple Ceviche For the shrimp: 2 pounds shrimp (16 to 18 count, peeled and deveined, tail on) 1 1/2 pounds tasso, cut into half-inch pieces Chimichurri* Pepper jelly (optional) For the ceviche: 1 1/2 pounds pineapple, peeled and chopped 1/2 cup chopped red onion 1 cup diced piquillo peppers** 4 green onions, thinly sliced 2 Tablespoons minced cilantro 1 1/2 Tablespoons Crystal hot sauce Juice of 3 lemons Juice of 2 limes Juice of 1 orange Salt and pepper to taste

Using bamboo skewers, push a skewer through a shrimp, starting from the tail end. Place a piece of tasso onto skewer.

Repeat until all shrimp and tasso are placed on several skewers. Rub each pincho with chimichurri and marinate for 30 minutes.

Season shrimp with Creole seasoning and cook on a hot grill until shrimp are fully cooked, about 1 1/2 minute on each side.

To make the ceviche, mix together all ingredients in a bowl. To serve, place ceviche on plates or a platter and arrange shrimp pinchos on top. If desired, top with

pepper jelly. *Chimichurri is a combination of parsley, garlic, olive oil, oregano and wine vinegar and is available jarred in Latin markets. ** Piquillo peppers are bright red peppers usually fire-roasted and packed in jars. A substitute is jarred roasted red bell peppers.

New Orleans Wine & Food Experience Wed., May 21. Wine dinners at local restaurants, 7 p.m.

Thurs., May 22. Royal Street Stroll, wine tasting in antique shops – 200 – 900 blocks of Royal Street, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Vinola! Fine wines tasting – Omni Royal Orleans Hotel, 2:30 p.m.

Fri., May 23. Wine and food seminars, Marriott Hotel The Big Gateaux Show pastry competition –Royal Sonesta Hotel, 8:30 p.m.

Grand Tasting, New Orleans Convention Center, 6-9 p.m.

Sat., May 24. Wine and food seminars, Marriott Hotel Grand Tasting, New Orleans Convention Center, 2-5 p.m.

For tickets and detailed information, call 529-WINE (9463). Packages for all or some events range from $450 to $1,200.

Café Reconcile What: A nonprofit restaurant featuring New Orleans-style

soul food and training at-risk youth for employment in the restaurant industry Where: 1631 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., Central City When: lunch, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., weekdays Contact: 568-1157 Other services: Catering and events hosting

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LAST CALL

A Season in Full Bloom B y T i m McN a l l y

S

ho w ers . Love . P ar i s . F l o w ers . F oo l s .

Songbirds. Warm.

To all of the ideas associated with April in New Orleans we add festivals and holidays – lots of them: French Quarter, Jazz Fest, and this year, Easter. It is a packed calendar, but with our usual aplomb we’ll do it all and will do it well.

In April, the daytime natural light of the city is nearly Mediterranean in hue and crystal in clarity. The evenings are still comfortable in short sleeves as we vacillate between the catch-up pace of spring and the goslower pace of the upcoming summer.

April is just about the ideal month for photography. Greenery and colors have returned to the garden. The lawns are growing again and the views of the skyline at any time of day will never be as vibrant.

For full effect, take a ride on the river and soak in what a beautiful city we have; from certain locations looking quite American, move and she will show-off her jaunty European heritage and then from another angle a proud and brawny look of a major world port.

The Riverboat Natchez can get it all in for you, and along the way you may want to take full advantage of the ship’s hospitality, sipping on a Natchez Jazz Punch, which is a two-step cocktail preparation.

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Natchez Jazz Punch Natchez Jazz Punch Fruit Juice Mix (step 1) 16 ounces orange juice 18 ounces pineapple juice 18 ounces cranberry juice 5 ounces grenadine 4 ounces Island Oasis Passion Fruit Puree

Pour all ingredients into an empty 64-ounce container, shake well and refrigerate. Will keep for about 3-5 days.

Natchez Jazz Punch Cocktail (step 2) Fill a 16-ounce tall glass with ice and add: 3/4 ounce Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum 3/4 ounce Castillo Gold Rum

Then fill glass up with fruit juice mix, leaving enough room for a “float.” Float 3/4 ounce Ron Pontalba 151 Rum on top. Garnish with a fresh fruit slice.

Courtesy of Steamboat Natchez, Port of New Orleans JEFFERY JOHNSTON PHOTOGRAPH

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$= Average entrée price of $5-$10; $$=$1115; $$$=$16-20; $$$$=$21-25; $$$$$=$25 and up.

in the French Quarter; live jazz during Sun. brunch. New Orleans Magazine’s 2011 Honor Roll winner. $$$$$

Ask for a seat on the romantic patio, weather permitting. $$$$$

5 Fifty 5 Restaurant Marriott Hotel,

Audubon Clubhouse 6500 Magazine St.,

555 Canal St., 553-5638, French Quarter, ­555Canal.com. B, L, D daily. This restaurant offers innovative American fare such as lobster macaroni and cheese. Many of the dishes receive an additional touch from the woodburning oven. $$$$

212-5282, Uptown. B, L Tue-Sat, Br Sun. Nested among the oaks in Audubon Park, the beautifully situated clubhouse is open to the public and features a kid-friendly menu with New Orleans tweaks and a casually upscale sandwich and salad menu for adults. $$

St., 533-6111, CBD/Warehouse District, HarrahsNewOrleans.com. D daily. Acclaimed chef John Besh reinterprets the classic steakhouse with his signature contemporary Louisiana flair. New Orleans Magazine’s Chef of the Year 2007. $$$$$

7 on Fulton 701 Convention Center Blvd.,

August Moon 3635 Prytania St., 899-5122,

525-7555, CBD/Warehouse District, 7onFulton.com. B, L, D daily. Upscale and contemporary dining destination. $$$$

Uptown, MoonNola.com. L, D Mon-Fri, D Sat. Lots of vegetarian offerings and reasonable prices make this dependable Chinese/ Vietnamese place a popular choice for students and locals. Take-out and delivery available. $

13 Restaurant and Bar 517 Frenchmen St., 942-1345, Faubourg Marigny, 13Monaghan. com. L, D daily, open until 4 a.m. Late-night deli catering to hungry club-hoppers. Bar and excellent jukebox make this a good place to refuel. $

Abita Brew Pub 72011 Holly St., (985) 892-5837, Abita Springs, AbitaBrewPub.com.

L, D Tue-Sun. Famous for its Purple Haze and Turbodog brews, Abita serves up better-thanexpected pub food in its namesake eatery.

“Tasteful” tours available for visitors. $$

Acme Oyster House Multiple locations: AcmeOyster.com. L, D daily. Known as one of the best places to eat oysters. $$

Ancora 4508 Freret St., 324-1636, Uptown, AncoraPizza.com. D Mon-Sat. Authentic Neapolitan-style pizza fired in an oven imported from Naples keeps pizza connoisseurs coming back to this Freret Street hot-spot. The housemade charcuterie makes it a double-winner. New Orleans Magazine’s 20011 Pizza Restaurant of the Year. $$

Andrea’s Restaurant 3100 19th St., 8348583, Metairie, AndreasRestaurant.com. L Mon-Sat D daily, Br Sun. Indulge in osso buco and homemade pastas in a setting that’s both elegant and intimate; off-premise catering.

New Orleans Magazine Honor Roll honoree 2009. $$$

Antoine’s 713 St. Louis St., 581-4422, French Quarter, Antoines.com. L Mon-Sat, D Mon-Sat, Br Sun. This pinnacle of haute cuisine and birthplace of Oysters Rockefeller is New Orleans’ oldest restaurant. (Every item is á la carte, with an $11 minimum.) Private dining rooms are available. $$$$$ Arnaud’s 813 Bienville St., 523-5433, French Quarter, ArnaudsRestaurant.com. D daily, Br Sun. Waiters in tuxedos prepare Café Brûlot tableside at this storied Creole grande dame

Austin’s 5101 W. Esplanade Ave., 888-5533, Metairie, AustinsNo.com. D Mon-Sat. Mr. Ed’s upscale bistro serves contemporary Creole fare, including seafood and steaks. $$$

The Avenue Pub 1732 St. Charles Ave., 586-9243, Uptown, TheAvenuePub.com.

Kitchen open 24/7. With more than 43 rotating draft beers, this pub also offers food including a cheese plate from St. James Cheese Co. and the “Pub Burger.” $

Bacchanal Fine Wines and Spirits 600 Poland Ave., 948-9111, Bywater, BacchanalWine.com. L, D daily. The pop-up that started it all, this ongoing backyard music and food fest in the heart of Bywater carries the funky flame. Best of all, the front of house is a wine shop. $$

Barcelona Tapas 720 Dublin St., 861-9696, Riverbend, LetsEat.at/BarcelonaTapas. D TueSun. Barcelona Tapas is chef-owner Xavier Laurentino’s homage to the small-plates restaurants he knew from his hometown of Barcelona. The tapas are authentic, and the space, renovated largely by Laurentino himself, is charming. $ Basin Seafood & Spirits 3222 Magazine St., 302-7391, Uptown. L Thurs-Sun, D daily. The focus is on seafood at this uncluttered, contemporary joint venture between Colombian chef Edgar Caro from Barü Bistro & Tapas and Louisiana fishing guide Tommy Peters. Their generally lighter approach is represented in dishes such as whole grilled snapper as well as traditional favorites such as spicy boiled crawfish (in season). $$

Bayona 430 Dauphine St., 525-4455, French Quarter, Bayona.com. L Wed-Sat, D Mon-Sat. Chef Susan Spicer’s nationally acclaimed cuisine is served in this 200-year-old cottage.

Besh Steak Harrah’s Casino, 8 Canal

Bistro Daisy 5831 Magazine St., 899-6987, Uptown, BistroDaisy.com. D, Tue-Sat. Chef Anton Schulte and his wife Diane’s bistro, named in honor of their daughter, serves creative and contemporary bistro fare in a romantic setting along Magazine Street. The signature Daisy Salad is a favorite. $$$$

The Bombay Club Prince Conti Hotel, 830 Conti St., 586-0972, French Quarter, TheBombayClub.com. D daily. Popular martini bar appointed with plush British décor features live music during the week and late dinner and drinks on weekends. Nouveau Creole menu includes items such as Bombay drum. $$$$

Bon Ton Cafe 401 Magazine St., 524-3386, CBD/Warehouse District, TheBonTonCafe. com. L, D Mon-Fri. A local favorite for the oldschool business lunch crowd, it specializes in local seafood and Cajun dishes. $$$$

Boucherie 8115 Jeannette St., 862-5514, Riverbend, Boucherie-Nola.com. L, D Tue-Sat. Serving contemporary Southern food with an international angle, Chef Nathaniel Zimet offers excellent ingredients, presented simply.

New Orleans Magazine’s Best New Restaurant 2009. $$

Café Adelaide Loews New Orleans Hotel, 300 Poydras St., 595-3305, CBD/Warehouse District, CafeAdelaide.com. B, D daily, L Mon-Fri. This offering from the Commander’s Palace family of restaurants has become a power-lunch favorite for businessmen and politicos. Also features the Swizzle Stick Bar. $$$$

Café Burnside Houmas House Plantation, 40136 Highway 942, (225) 473-9380, Darrow, HoumasHouse.com. L daily, Br Sun. Historic plantation’s casual dining option features dishes such as seafood pasta, fried catfish, crawfish and shrimp, gumbo and red beans and rice. $$

Café Degas 3127 Esplanade Ave., 945-5635, Mid-City, CafeDegas.com. L Wed-Sat, D WedSun, Br Sun. Light French bistro food including salads and quiche make this indoor/outdoor boîte a Faubourg St. John favorite. New Orleans Magazine’s 2010 French Restaurant of the Year. $$$

Café du Monde 800 Decatur St., 525-4544, French Quarter; multiple other locations; CafeDuMonde.com. This New Orleans institution has been serving fresh café au lait, rich hot chocolate and positively addictive beignets since 1862 in the French Market 24/7. $

Café Equator 2920 Severn Ave., 8884772, Metairie, CafeEquator.com. L, D daily. Very good Thai food across the street from Lakeside Mall. Offers a quiet and oftoverlooked dining option in a crowded part of town. $$

Uptown, Brigtsens.com. D Tue-Sat. Chef Frank Brigtsen’s nationally-famous Creole cuisine makes this cozy Riverbend cottage a true foodie destination. $$$$$

Café Freret 7329 Freret St., 861-7890, Uptown, CafeFreret.com. B, L, D Fri-Wed. Convenient location near Tulane and Loyola universities makes this a place for students (and dogs) to indulge in decadent breakfasts, casual lunches and tasty dinners – and their “A la Collar” menu. $$

Broken Egg Cafe 200 Girod St., (985) 231-

Café Giovanni 117 Decatur St., 529-2154,

Brigtsen’s 723 Dante St., 861-7610,

7125, Mandeville. B, Br, L daily. Breakfastcentric café in turn-of-the-century home offers a sprawling assortment of delicious items both healthy and decadent. $$

Brooklyn Pizzeria 4301 Veterans Blvd., 833-1288, Metairie, EatBrooklyn.net. L, D daily (drive thru/take out). Pie shop on Vets specializes in New York-style thin crust. The pizza is the reason to come, but sandwiches and salads are offered as well. $

Byblos Multiple locations: ByblosRestaurants. com. L, D daily. Upscale Middle Eastern cuisine featuring traditional seafood, lamb and vegetarian options. $$

Downtown, CafeGiovanni.com. D daily. Live opera singers three nights a week round out the atmosphere at this contemporary Italian dining destination. The menu offers a selection of Italian specialties tweaked with a Creole influence and their Belli Baci happy hour adds to the atmosphere. $$$$

Café Luna 802 Nashville Ave., 333-6833, Uptown. B, L daily. Charismatic coffee shop in a converted house offers a range of panini, caffeinated favorites and free Wi-Fi. The front porch is a prime spot for people-watching along adjacent Magazine Street. $

Café Maspero 601 Decatur St., 523-6250,

Parkway Adds Oyster Poor Boys Parkway Bakery & Tavern, 538 Hagan Ave., 482-3047, ParkwayPoorBoys.com

Parkway Bakery & Tavern, one of the first places in the city to serve “poor boys” (since 1929) is now offering fried oyster (on Mondays and Wednesdays). The family-owned Parkway already has a reputation for serving the best “poor boys” in the city, but the oysters are proving popular, particularly in the “Baby Maker,” a sandwich of crispy fried oysters, remoulade sauce and melted cheddar cheese and bacon.

Commenting, Justin Kennedy, manager and head chef: “Our menu is pretty straightforward but if you want to be creative, the sky is the limit.”– M i r e l l a c a m e r a n 82

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French Quarter. L, D daily. Tourists line up for their generous portions of seafood and large deli sandwiches. $

and a slice. $

Camellia Grill 626 S. Carrollton Ave., 309-

City, CafeMinh.com. L Mon-Fri., D Mon-Sat. Chef Minh Bui and Cynthia Vutran bring their fusion-y touch with Vietnamese cuisine to this corner location. French accents and a contemporary flair make this one of the more notable cross-cultural venues in town.

New Orleans Magazine’s 2010 Maître D’ of the Year. $$

2679, Uptown; 540 Chartres St., 522-1800, Downtown. B, L, D daily, until 1 a.m. SunThu and 3 a.m. Fri-Sat. The venerable diner has reopened following an extensive renovation and change in ownership (in 2006).

Patrons can rest assured that its essential character has remained intact and many of the original waiters have returned. The new downtown location has a liquor license and credit cards are now accepted. $

Café Negril 606 Frenchmen St., 944-4744,

Capdeville 520 Capdeville St., 371-5161,

Marigny. D daily. This music club draws locals in with its lineup of live reggae and blues. Tacos and barbecue in back are a plus for late-night revelers. $

French Quarter, CapdevilleNola.com. L, D Mon-Sat. Capdeville is an upscale bar-bistro with a short but interesting menu of food that’s a mix of comfort and ambition. Burgers are on offer, but so are fried red beans and rice – a take on calas or Italian arancini. $$

Café Minh 4139 Canal St., 482-6266, Mid-

Café Nino 1510 S. Carrollton Ave., 8659200, Carrollton. L, D daily. Nondescript exterior belies old-school Italian hideaway serving up red-sauce classics like lasagna, along with some of the more under-the-radar New York-style thin crust pizza in town. $$

Café Opera 541 Bourbon St., 648-2331, Inside Four Points by Sheraton, French Quarter. B, L daily, D Thu-Sat. Chef Philippe Andreani serves Creole and Continental classics on the site of the old French Opera House. Choices include crabmeat beignets with corn maque choux as well as fried green tomatoes with shrimp remoulade. Validated parking is offered for dine-in. Free valet parking. $$$

Cake Café 2440 Chartres St., 943-0010, Marigny, NolaCakes.com. B, L Wed-Mon. The name may read cakes but this café, helmed by head baker Steve Himelfarb, offers a whole lot more, including fresh baked goods and a full breakfast menu along with sandwiches. A popular place to while away a slow New Orleans morning with a coffee

Carmo 527 Julia St., 875-4132, Warehouse District, CafeCarmo.com. L Mon-Sat., D TueSat. Caribbean-inspired fare offers a creative array of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free fare in a sleek location on Julia Street. One of the few places in the city where healthy dining is celebrated rather than accommodated. $$

Carmelo Ristorante 1901 Highway 190, (985) 624-4844, Mandeville, RistoranteCarmelo.com. L, D Wed-Mon, Sun-Mon. Italian trattoria serves old-world classics. Private rooms available. $$ Casamento’s 4330 Magazine St., 895-9761, Uptown, CasamentosRestaurant.com. L TueSat, D Thu-Sat. The family-owned restaurant has shucked oysters and fried seafood since 1919; closed during summer and for all major holidays. $$

CC’s Community Coffee House Multiple locations: CCsCoffee.com. Coffeehouse

specializing in coffee, espresso drinks and pastries. $

been a favorite of locals for years. $$$

Chateau du Lac 2037 Metairie Road,

CBD/Warehouse District, CochonRestaurant. com. L, D, Mon-Sat. Chefs Donald Link and Stephen Stryjewski showcase Cajun and Southern cuisine at this Warehouse District hot spot. Boudin and other pork dishes reign supreme here, along with Louisiana seafood and real moonshine from the bar.

New Orleans Magazine named Link Chef of the Year 2009. Reservations strongly recommended. $$

831-3773, Old Metairie, ChateauduLacBistro. com. L Tues-Fri, D Mon-Sat. This casual French bistro, run by chef-owner Jacques Saleun, offers up classic dishes such as escargot, coq au vin and blanquette de veau.

A Provençal-inspired atmosphere and French wine round out the appeal. $$$$

Checkered Parrot 133 Royal St., 592-1270, French Quarter; 3629 Prytania St., Uptown; CheckeredParrot.com. B, L, D daily. The Checkered Parrot is an upscale sports bar with a large menu, featuring nachos, fajitas, wings in seven flavors, wraps and burgers and an outdoor patio. $$

Cheesecake Bistro by Copeland’s 4517 Veterans Blvd., 454-7620, Metairie; 2001 St. Charles Ave., 593-9955, Garden District; CopelandsCheesecakeBistro.com. Br Sun, L, D daily. Dessert fans flock to this sweet-centric Copeland establishment which also offers extensive lunch and dinner menus. $$$

Chiba 8312 Oak St., 826-9119, Carrollton, chiba-nola.com. L Wed-Sat, D Mon-Sat. Contemporary restaurant features fresh, exotic fish from all over the world and fusion fare to go along with typical Japanese options. Externsive sake list and late night happy hours are a plus. $$$

Chophouse New Orleans 322 Magazine St., 522-7902, CBD, ChophouseNola.com. D daily. In addition to USDA prime grade aged steaks prepared under a broiler that reaches 1,700 degrees, Chophouse offers lobster, redfish and classic steakhouse sides. $$$

Clancy’s 6100 Annunciation St., 895-1111, Uptown, ClancysNewOrleans.com. L Thu-Fri, D Mon-Sat. Their Creole-inspired menu has

Cochon 930 Tchoupitoulas St., 588-2123,

Commander’s Palace 1403 Washington Ave., 899-8221, Uptown, CommandersPalace. com. L Mon-Fri, D daily, Br Sat-Sun. The Grande Dame in the Garden District is going strong under the auspices of chef Tory McPhail. The turtle soup might be the best in the city, and its weekend Jazz Brunch is a great deal. $$$$ Cooter Brown’s 509 S. Carrollton Ave., 866-9104, Uptown, CooterBrowns.com. L, D daily. Riverbend-area sports bar serves up the city’s largest selection of beers along with great bar food. The cheese fries are a rite of passage, and the Radiator’s Special poor boy makes for a great late-night meal. $

Copeland’s Multiple locations: CopelandsofNewOrleans.com. L, D daily, Br Sun. Al Copeland’s namesake chain includes favorites such as Shrimp Ducky. Popular for lunch. $$

Coquette 2800 Magazine St., 265-0421, Uptown, Coquette-Nola.com. L Wed-Sat, D Wed-Mon, Br Sun. A bistro located at the corner of Washington and Magazine streets. The food is French in inspiration and technique, with added imagination from chef Michael Stoltzfus (New Orleans Magazine’s Best New Chef 2009) and his partner

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Lillian Hubbard. $$$

Dakota 629 N. Highway 190, (985) 892-

Corky’s Bar-B-Q Restaurant 4243

3712, Covington, TheDakotaRestaurant. com. L Tues-Fri, D Mon-Sat. A sophisticated dining experience with generous portions. $$$$$

Veterans Blvd., 887-5000, Metairie, CorkysBarBQ.com. L, D daily. Memphisbased barbecue chain offers good hickorysmoked ribs, pork and beef in a family setting with catering service available. $

Court of Two Sisters 613 Royal St., 5227261, French Quarter, CourtOfTwoSisters. com. Br, D daily. The historic environs make for a memorable outdoor dining experience.

The famous daily Jazz Brunch buffet and classic Creole dishes sweeten the deal. $$$$$

Crabby Jack’s 428 Jefferson Highway, 833-2722, Jefferson. L Mon-Sat. Lunch outpost of Jacques-Imo’s chef and owner Jack Leonardi. Famous for its fried seafood and poor boys including fried green tomatoes and roasted duck. $

Crépes a la Carte 1039 Broadway St., 866-236, Uptown, CrepeCaterer.com. B, L, D daily. Open late. An extensive menu of tasty crêpes, both savory and sweet, make this a great spot for a quick bite for college students and locals. $

Crescent City Brewhouse 527 Decatur St.,866-2362, French Quarter, CrescentCityBrehouse.com. L, D daily.

Contemporary brewpub features an eclectic menu complementing its freshly brewed wares. Live jazz and good location make it a fun place to meet up. $$$

Crescent City Steaks 1001 N. Broad St., 821-3271, Mid-City, CrescentCitySteaks.com.

L Tue-Fri & Sun, D daily. One of the classic New Orleans steakhouses, it’s a throwback in every sense of the term. Steaks, sides and drinks are what you get at Crescent City. New Orleans Magazine’s Steakhouse of the Year 2009 and Honor Roll honoree 2007. $$$$

Criollo 214 Royal St., Hotel Monteleone, 681-4444, French Quarter, CriolloNola.com.

B, L, D daily. Next to the famous Carousel Bar in the historic Monteleone Hotel, Criollo represents an amalgam of the various cultures reflected in Louisiana cooking and cuisine, often with a slight contemporary twist. $$$ The Crystal Room Le Pavillon Hotel, 833 Poydras St., 581-3111, CBD/Warehouse District, LePavillon.com. B, D daily; L, MonFri. Franco-American cuisine with Louisiana influences is served in the environs of the Le Pavillon Hotel. The Southern-style breakfast features its decadent Bananas Foster Waffle “Le Pavillon.” $$$

The Delachaise 3442 St. Charles Ave., 895-0858, Uptown, TheDelachaise.com. L Fri-Sun, D daily. Elegant bar food fit for the wine connoisseur; kitchen open late. $$ Dick and Jenny’s 4501 Tchoupitoulas St., 894-9880, Uptown, DickAndJennys.com. Br Sun, L Tue-Fri, D Mon-Sat. A funky cottage serving Louisiana comfort food with flashes of innovation. $$$$ Dickie Brennan’s Bourbon House 144 Bourbon St., 522-0111, French Quarter, BourbonHouse.com. B, L, D daily. Classic Creole dishes such as redfish on the halfshell and baked oysters are served with classic Brennan’s style at this French Quarter outpost. Its extensive bourbon menu will please aficionados. New Orleans Magazine’s 2011 Oyster Bar of the Year. $$$$ Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse 716 Iberville St., 522-2467, French Quarter, DickieBrennansSteakhouse.com. L Fri, D daily. Nationally recognized steakhouse serves USDA Prime steaks and local seafood in a New Orleans setting with the usual Brennan’s family flair. $$$$$

Domenica The Roosevelt Hotel, 123 Baronne St., 648-6020, CBD, DomenicaRestaurant.com. L, D daily. New Orleans Magazine’s 2012 Chef of the Year Alon Shaya serves authentic, regional Italian cuisine in John Besh’s sophisticated new restaurant. The menu of thin, lightly topped pizzas, artisanal salumi and cheese, and a carefully chosen selection of antipasti, pasta and entrées, feature locally raised products, some from Besh’s Northshore farm. $$$$

Domilise’s 5240 Annunciation St., 8999126, Uptown. L, D Mon-Wed, Fri-Sat. Local institution and rite-of-passage for those wanting an initiation to the real New Orleans.

Wonderful poor boys and a unique atmosphere make this a one-of-a-kind place. $

Dong Phuong 14207 Chef Menteur Highway, 254-0214, N.O. East. L Wed-Mon. Vietnamese bakery and restaurant in the community of Versailles makes great banh mi sandwiches and interesting baked goods both savory and sweet. Unbeatable prices. $

Drago’s 3232 N. Arnoult Road, 888-9254, Metairie; Hilton Riverside Hotel, 2 Poydras St., 584-3911, CBD/Warehouse District; DragosRestaurant.com. L, D daily (Hilton), L,

D Mon-Sat (Metairie). This famous seafooder specializes in charbroiled oysters, a dish they invented. Raucous but good-natured atmosphere makes this a fun place to visit. Great deals on fresh lobster as well. $$$$

Dry Dock Cafe & Bar 133 Delaronde St., 361-8240, Algiers, TheDryDockCafe.com. L, D daily, Br Sun. Fancier daily specials have been added to the menu of this casual neighborhood seafood joint in historic Algiers Point near the ferry landing. Burgers, sandwiches and fried seafood are the staples. $$

El Gato Negro Multiple locations: ElGatoNegroNola.com. Popular spot serves up authentic Central Mexican cuisine along with hand-muddled mojitos and margaritas made with freshly squeezed juice. A weekend breakfast menu is an additional plus. $$

Elizabeth’s 601 Gallier St., 944-9272, Bywater, ElizabethsRestaurantNola.com. B, L Mon-Fri, D Mon-Sat, Br Sat-Sun. This eclectic local restaurant draws rave reviews for its praline bacon and distinctive Southerninspired brunch specials. $$$ Emeril’s 800 Tchoupitoulas St., 528-9393, CBD/Warehouse District, EmerilsRestaurants. com. L Mon-Fri, D daily. The flagship of superstar chef Emeril Lagasse’s culinary empire, this landmark attracts pilgrims from all over the world. $$$$$ Feelings Cafe 2600 Chartres St., 945-2222, Faubourg Marigny, FeelingsCafe.com. D WedSun, Br Sun. Romantic ambiance and skillfully created dishes, such as veal d’aunoy, make dining here on the patio a memorable experience. A piano bar on Fridays adds to the atmosphere. Vegan menu offered. $$$$ Fellini’s Café 900 N. Carrollton Ave., 4882155, Bayou St. John. L, D daily. With décor inspired by its namesake Italian filmmaker, this casual indoor/outdoor spot serves large portions of reasonably-priced Mediterranean specialties such as pizza, pastas and hummus. $ Fiesta Latina 1924 Airline Drive, 468-2384, Kenner, FiestaLatinaRestaurant.com. B, L, D daily. A big-screen TV normally shows a soccer match or MTV Latino at this home for authentic Central American food. Tacos include a charred carne asada. New Orleans Magazine’s 2010 Latin Restaurant of the Year. $$ Five Happiness 3605 S. Carrollton Ave., 482-3935, Mid-City, FiveHappiness.com. L, D daily. This longtime Chinese favorite offers up an extensive menu including its beloved mu shu pork and house baked duck. A popular choice for families as well. $$

Flaming Torch 737 Octavia St., 895-0900, Uptown, FlamingTorchNola.com. L MonSat, D daily, Br Sun. French classics including a tasty onion soup make this a nice place

for a slightly upscale lunch while shopping along Magazine Street. $$

Frank’s 933 Decatur St., 525-1602, French Quarter. L, D daily. Locally inspired Italian sandwiches such as muffulettas and Genoa salami poor boys are served here in the heart of the French Quarter. $$$ Galatoire’s 209 Bourbon St., 525-2021, French Quarter, Galatoires.com. L, D TueSun. Friday lunches are a New Orleans tradition at this world-famous French-Creole grand dame. Tradition counts for everything here, and the crabmeat Sardou is delicious.

Note: Jackets required for dinner and all day Sun. $$$$$ Galatoire’s 33 Bar & Steak 215 Bourbon St., 335-3932, French Quarter. L Fri, D Sun-Thurs. Galatoires33BarAndSteak. com. Steakhouse offshoot of the venerable Creole Grande Dame offers hand-crafted cocktails to accompany classic steakhouse fare as well as inspired dishes like the Gouté 33 – horseradish-crusted bone marrow and deviled eggs with crab ravigote and smoked trout. Reservations are accepted. $$$ Galley Seafood 2535 Metairie Road, 832-0955, Metairie. L, D Tue-Sat. TheGalleySeafood.com. A great local place for seafood, both fried and boiled. Famous for its softshell crab poor boy, a Jazz Fest favorite. $$ Gautreau’s 1728 Soniat St., 899-7397, Uptown, GautreausRestaurant.com. D, Mon-Sat. Upscale destination serves refined interpretations of classics along with contemporary creations in a clubby setting nested deep within a residential neighborhood. New Orleans Magazine named Sue Zemanick Chef of the Year 2008. $$$$$ GG’s Dine-o-rama 3100 Magazine St., 373-6579, Uptown, GGsNewOrleans.com. B Sat, L, Tue-Sun, D Tue-Fri., Br Sun. Upscalecasual restaurant serves a variety of specialty sandwiches, salads and wraps, like the Chicago-style hot dog and the St. Paddy’s Day Massacre – chef Gotter’s take on the Rueben. $$ Gracious Bakery + Café 1000 S. Jeff Davis Parkway, Suite 100, 301-3709, MidCity, GraciousBakery.com. B, L Mon-Sat. Boutique bakery in the ground floor of the new Woodward Building offers small-batch coffee, baked goods, individual desserts and sandwiches on breads made in-house.

Catering options are available as well. $

The Green Goddess 307 Exchange Place, 301-3347, French Quarter, GreenGoddessNola.com. L, D Wed-Sun. Located in a tiny space, the Green Goddess is one of the most imaginative restaurants in New Orleans. The menu is constantly changing, and chef Paul Artigues always has ample vegetarian options. Combine all of that with a fantastic selection of drinks, wine and beer, and it’s the total (albeit small) package. $$ The Grill Room Windsor Court Hotel,

Martin Wine Cellar Tastings in April MartinWineCellar.com

Martin Wine Cellar is offering a variety of tasting events in April for both wine novices and connoisseurs alike. Every Wednesday during April (starting April 2) there will be a seated wine tasting and lecture exploring the major wine producing regions: Italy, France, California and Australia. There also will be casual reception style tastings for Rum (April 5) and “Impressive Wines from Lesser Known Varietals” (April 24). All classes start at 6:30 p.m. and are accompanied by artisanal cheeses from the Gourmet Cheese department. Classes are held both in New Orleans and Metairie, so double check the location when making a reservation. – M . c .

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300 Gravier St., 522-1994, CBD/Warehouse District, GrillRoomNewOrleans.com. B, L, D daily, Br Sun. Jazz Brunch on Sunday with live music. Featuring modern American cuisine with a distinctive New Orleans flair, the adjacent Polo Club Lounge offers live music nightly. $$$$$

GW Fins 808 Bienville St., 581-FINS (3467), French Quarter, GWFins.com. D daily. To ensure the best possible flavors at GW Fins, owners Gary Wollerman and New Orleans Magazine’s 2005 and 2001 Chef of the Year Tenney Flynn provide dishes at their seasonal peak by flying in products from around the globe. That commitment to freshness and quest for unique variety are two of the rea-

sons why the menu is printed daily. $$$$$

Herbsaint 701 St. Charles Ave., 524-4114, CBD/Warehouse District, Herbsaint.com. L Mon-Fri, D Mon-Sat. Enjoy a sophisticated cocktail before sampling Chef Donald Link’s (New Orleans Magazine’s Chef of the Year 2009) menu that melds contemporary bistro fare with classic Louisiana cuisine. The banana brown butter tart is a favorite dessert. $$$$$

Horinoya 920 Poydras St., 561-8914, CBD/ Warehouse District. L, D daily. Excellent Japanese dining in an understated and oftoverlooked location. The chu-toro is delicious and the selection of authentic Japanese appetizers is the best in the city. $$$ Hoshun Restaurant 1601 St. Charles Ave., 302-9716, Garden District, HoshunRestaurant.com. L, D daily. Hoshun offers a wide variety of Asian cuisines, primarily dishes culled from China, Japan, Thailand and Malaysia. Their five-pepper calamari is a tasty way to begin the meal, and their creative sushi rolls are good as well. $$

Bustling Italian restaurant on the edge of Fat City serves homemade pasta in a convivial atmosphere. Chef/Owner Joe Impastato greets guests warmly and treats them like family. The prix fixe options are a good way to taste a lot for not much money. $$$$

Irene’s Cuisine 539 St. Philip St., 5298811, French Quarter. D Mon-Sat. Long waits at the lively piano bar are part of the appeal of this Creole-Italian favorite beloved by locals. Try the oysters Irene and crabmeat gratin appetizers. $$$$

Iris 321 N. Peters St., 299-3944, French Quarter, IrisNewOrleans.com. L Fri, D Mon, Wed-Sat. This inviting bistro offers sophisticated fare in a charming setting. The veal cheek ravioli is a winner. New Orleans Magazine’s Best New Restaurant 2006. $$$$

Jack Dempsey’s 738 Poland Ave., 9439914, Bywater, JackDempseys.net. L Tue-Sat, D Wed-Sat. Local favorite nestled deep in the heart of the Bywater is known for its stuffed flounder and baked macaroni served in generous portions. $$$

House of Blues 225 Decatur St., 310-4999,

Jacques-Imo’s Cafe 8324 Oak St., 861-

French Quarter, HouseOfBlues.com. L, D daily. World-famous Gospel Brunch every Sunday. Surprisingly good menu makes this a complement to the music in the main room.

Patio seating is available as well. $$

0886, Uptown, Jacques-Imos.com. D MonSat. Reinvented New Orleans cuisine are served in a party atmosphere at this Oak Street institution. The deep-fried roast beef poor boy is delicious. The lively bar scene offsets the long wait on weekends. $$$$

Il Posto Café 4607 Dryades St., 895-2620, Uptown, ilPostoCafe-Nola.com. B, L, D Tue-Sat, B, L Sun. Italian café specializes in pressed panini, like its Milano, featuring sopressata, Fontina, tomatoes and balsamic on ciabatta. Soups, imported coffee and H&H bagels make this a comfortable neighborhood spot to relax with the morning paper. $ Impastato’s 3400 16th St., 455-1545, Metairie, Impastatos.com. D Tue-Sat.

Jamila’s Mediterranean Tunisian Cuisine 7808 Maple St., 866-4366, Uptown.

D Tue-Sun. Intimate and exotic bistro serving Mediterranean and Tunisian cuisine. The Grilled Merguez is a Jazz Fest favorite and vegetarian options are offered. $$

Jeff’s Creole Grille 5241 Veterans Blvd., 889-7992, Metairie, JeffsCreoleGrille.com.

L, D Mon-Sat. This quaint, upscale restau-

rant offers a variety of classic New Orleans cuisine, fresh fish and homemade soups and salads with early bird and daily chef specials. $$

Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Café 1104 Decatur St., 592-2565, French Quarter, MargaritavilleNewOrleans.com. L, D daily.

Parrotheads and other music lovers flock to Jimmy’s outpost along the more local-friendly stretch of Decatur. Strong bar menu and stronger drinks keep them coming back. $$

Joey K’s 3001 Magazine St., 891-0997, Uptown, JoeyKsRestaurant.com. L, D MonSat. A true neighborhood New Orleans restaurant with daily lunch plates keeps it real; red beans and rice are classic. $

The Joint 701 Mazant St., 949-3232, Bywater, AlwaysSmokin.com. L, D Mon-Sat. Some of the city’s best barbecue can be had at this locally owned and operated favorite in Bywater. $ Juan’s Flying Burrito 2018 Magazine St., 569-0000, Uptown; 4724 S. Carrollton Ave., 486-9950, Mid-City. L, D daily. Hard-core tacos and massive burritos are served in an edgy atmosphere. $ Jung’s Golden Dragon 3009 Magazine St., 891-8280, Uptown, JungsChinese.com. L, D daily. This Chinese destination is a real find.

Along with the usual you’ll find spicy cold noodle dishes and dumplings. This is one of the few local Chinese places that breaks the Americanized mold. New Orleans Magazine’s 2010 Chinese Restaurant of the Year. $ Kosher Cajun New York Deli and Grocery 3519 Severn Ave., 888-2010, Metairie, KosherCajun.com. L Mon-Fri & Sun, D Mon-Thu. Great kosher meals and complete kosher grocery in the rear make this Metairie eatery a unique destination. The

matzo ball soup is a winner and catering is available for parties of any size. $

K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen 416 Chartres St., 596-2530, French Quarter, ChefPaul. com/KPaul. L Thu-Sat, D Mon-Sat. Paul Prudhomme’s landmark restaurant helped introduce Cajun food to a grateful nation.

Lots of seasoning and bountiful offerings, along with reserved seating, make this a destination for locals and tourists alike. $$$$

Kyoto 4920 Prytania St., 891-3644, Uptown, KyotoNola.com. L, D Mon-Sat. A neighborhood sushi restaurant where the regulars order off-the-menu rolls. $$

La Boca 857 Fulton St., 525-8205, Warehouse District, LaBocaSteaks.com. D Mon-Sat. This Argentine steakhouse specializes in cuts of meat along with pastas and wines. Specials include the provoleta appetizer and the Vacio flank steak. New Orleans Magazine’s Chef of the Year 2010 & 2006 Steakhouse of the Year. $$$ Lakeview Harbor 911 Harrison Ave., 4864887, Lakeview, BestNewOrleansBurger.com.

L, D daily. Burgers are the name of the game here at this restaurant which shares a pedigree with Snug Harbor and Port of Call. Rounded out with a loaded baked potato, their halfpound patties are sure to please. Daily specials, pizza and steaks are offered as well. $ La Macarena Pupuseria & Latin Cafe 8120 Hampson St., 862-5252, Uptown.

PupusasNewOrleans.com. L, D Mon-Sat, Br, L, D Sat & Sun, Br Sun. This cash-only and BYOB restaurant has recently overhauled its menu, now including a large selection of vegan and vegetarian items, as well as a tapas menu. $$

La Petite Grocery 4238 Magazine St., 891-3377, Uptown, LaPetiteGrocery.

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T HE M E N U com. L Tue-Sat, D daily, Br Sun. Elegant dining in a convivial atmosphere quickly made this place an Uptown darling. The menu is heavily French-inspired with an emphasis on technique. $$$

La Provence 25020 Highway 190, (985) 626-7662, Lacombe, LaProvenceRestaurant. com. D Wed-Sun, Br Sun. John Besh (New Orleans Magazine’s Chef of the Year 2007) upholds time-honored Provençal cuisine and rewards his guests with a true farm-life experience, from house-made preserves, charcuterie, herbs, kitchen gardens and eggs cultivated on the property, an elegant French colonial stucco house. $$$$$ La Thai Uptown 4938 Prytania St., 8998886, Uptown, LaThaiUptown.com. L, D TueSun. Uptown outpost of the Chauvin family’s ingredient-driven Thai-Cajun fusion cuisine.

The summer rolls are good as is the tom kar gai soup. Lunch specials are a good deal and vegetarian dishes are offered as well. $$ Latil’s Landing Houmas House Plantation, 40136 Highway 942, (225) 473-9380, Darrow, HoumasHouse.com. D Wed-Sun. Nouvelle Louisiane, plantation-style cooking served in an opulent setting features dishes like rack of lamb and plume de veau. $$$$$

Le Salon Windsor Court Hotel, 300 Gravier St., 596-4773, CBD/Warehouse District.

Afternoon Tea, Thu-Fri, seating at 2 p.m., Sat-Sun, seating at 11 a.m. & 2 p.m. Formal afternoon tea with harpist or string quartet served in a sophisticated atmosphere. A local mother-daughter tradition. $$ Liborio’s Cuban Restaurant 321 Magazine St., 581-9680, CBD/Warehouse District, LiborioCuban.com. L Mon-Sat, D Tue-Sat. Authentic Cuban favorites such as Ropa Vieja and pressed Cuban sandwiches along with great specials make this a popular lunch choice. $$$ Lil’ Dizzy’s Café 1500 Esplanade Ave., 5698997, Mid-City. B, L daily, D Thu-Sat. Spot local and national politicos dining at this favored Creole soul restaurant known for homey classics like fried chicken and Trout Baquet. $

Lilette 3637 Magazine St., 895-1636, Uptown, LiletteRestaurant.com. L Tue-Sat, D Mon-Sat. Chef John Harris’ innovative menu draws discerning diners to this highly regarded bistro on Magazine Street. Desserts are wonderful as well. $$$$$

Lola’s 3312 Esplanade Ave., 488-6946, MidCity. D daily. Garlicky Spanish dishes and great paella make this artsy Faubourg St. John

DINING GUIDE boîte a hipster destination. $$$

Lüke 333 St. Charles Ave., 378-2840, CBD, LukeNewOrleans.com. Br Sat-Sun, B, L, D daily. John Besh (New Orleans Magazine’s Chef of the Year 2007) and executive chef Matt Regan characterize the cuisine “Alsace meets New Orleans in an authentic brasserie setting.” Germanic specialties and French bistro classics, house-made patés and abundant plateaux of cold, fresh seafood. New Orleans Magazine’s Best New Restaurant 2007 and 2012 Raw Bar of the Year. $$$

Mahony’s 3454 Magazine St., 899-3374, Uptown, MahonysPoBoys.com. L, D MonSat. Along with the usual poor boys, this sandwich shop serves up a Grilled Shrimp and Fried Green Tomato version dressed with remoulade sauce. Sandwich offerings are augmented by a full bar. $ Mandina’s 3800 Canal St., 482-9179, MidCity, MandinasRestaurant.com. L, D daily.

Quintessential New Orleans neighborhood institution reopened following an extensive renovation. Though the ambiance is more upscale, the same food and seafood dishes make dining here a New Orleans experience.

New Orleans Magazine’s 2010 Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year. $$

Manning’s 519 Fulton St., 593-8118, Warehouse District. L, D daily. Born of a partnership between New Orleans’ First Family of Football and Harrah’s Casino, Manning’s offers sports bar fans a step up in terms of comfort and quality. With a menu that draws on both New Orleans and the Deep South, traditional dishes get punched up with inspired but accessible twists in surroundings accented by both memorabilia and local art. $$$

Maple Street Café 7623 Maple St., 3149003, Uptown. L, D daily. Casual dinner spot serving Mediterranean-inspired pastas and Italian-style entrées, along with heartier fare such as duck and filet mignon. $$

The Marigny Brasserie 640 Frenchmen St., 945-4472, Faubourg Marigny, MarignyBrasserie.com. L, D daily. Chic neighborhood bistro with traditional dishes like the Wedge of Lettuce salad and innovative cocktails like the Cucumber Cosmo. $$$

9600, Uptown, MatAndNaddies.com. D MonTue, Thu-Sat. Cozy converted house along River Road serves up creative and eclectic regionally inspired fare. Shrimp and crawfish croquettes make for a good appetizer and when the weather is right the romantic patio is the place to sit. $$$$

Avondale. D Tue-Sat. Italian institution near the Huey Long Bridge dishes out massive portions of great food family-style. Good bets are the shrimp Mosca and chicken à la grande. New Orleans Magazine’s 2010 Honor Roll winner. Note: Cash Only. $$$

Maximo’s Italian Grill 1117 Decatur St.,

Warehouse District, MothersRestaurant.net.

B, L, D daily. Locals and tourists alike endure long queues and a confounding ordering system to enjoy iconic dishes such as the Ferdi poor boy and Jerry’s jambalaya. Come for a late lunch to avoid the rush. $$

586-8883, French Quarter. MaximosGrill. com. D Daily. Italian destination on Decatur Street features a sprawling menu including housemade salumi and antipasti as well as old school classics like veal osso bucco.

Private dining is offered for special events.

New Orleans Magazine’s 2012 Continental Italian Restaurant of the Year. $$$

Middendorf’s Interstate 55, Exit 15, 30160 Highway 51 South, (985) 386-6666, Akers, MiddendorfsRestaurant.com. L, D Wed-Sun. Historic seafood destination along the shores of Lake Maurepas is world-famous for its thin-fried catfish fillets. Open since 1934, it transitioned to its next generation of owners when Horst Pfeifer purchased it in 2007.

More than a restaurant, this is a Sunday Drive tradition. $$

MiLa 817 Common St., 412-2580, French Quarter, MiLaNewOrleans.com. L Mon-Fri, D Mon-Sat. Latest offering from husbandand-wife chefs Slade Rushing and Allison Vines-Rushing focuses on the fusion of the cuisines of Miss. and La. New Orleans Magazine’s Best New Restaurant 2008. $$$$ Mona’s Café 504 Frenchmen St., 949-4115, Marigny; 4126 Magazine St., 894-9800, Uptown; 1120 S. Carrollton Ave., 861-8174, Uptown; 3901 Banks St., 482-7743, Mid-City.

L, D daily. Middle Eastern specialties such as baba ganuj, tender-tangy beef or chicken shawarma, falafel and gyros, stuffed into pillowy pita bread or on platters. The lentil soup with crunchy pita chips and desserts, such as sticky sweet baklava, round out the menu. New Orleans Magazine’s 2012 Middle Eastern Restaurant of the Year. $

Mondo 900 Harrison Ave., 224-2633, Lakeview, MondoNewOrleans.com. Br Sun, L Mon-Fri, D Mon-Sat. New Orleans Magazine’s 2010 Chef of the Year Susan Spicer’s take on world cuisine isn’t far from her home in Lakeview. Make sure to call ahead because the place has a deserved reputation for good food and good times. $$$ Morton’s, The Steakhouse The Shops at

Martin Wine Cellar Multiple locations: MartinWine.com. Wine by the glass or bottle to go with daily lunch specials, towering burgers, hearty soups, salads and giant, delistyle sandwiches. $

Canal Place, 365 Canal St., 566-0221, French Quarter, Mortons.com/NewOrleans. D daily.

Quintessential Chicago steakhouse serves up top-quality slabs of meat along with jumbo seafood. Clubhouse atmosphere makes this chophouse a favorite of Saints players and businessmen alike. $$$$$

Mat & Naddie’s 937 Leonidas St., 861-

Mosca’s 4137 Highway 90 West, 463-8950,

Antoine’s Annex and Spring Lunch Special 713 St. Louis St., 581-4422, Antoines.com

Antoine’s restaurant, the oldest French-Creole fine dining restaurant in New Orleans, (since 1840) is keeping it fresh with its addition “Antoine’s Annex” and a new “$20.14 Spring Lunch Special.” Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week, the Annex offers freshly baked pastries from Antoine’s pastry chef, Jerry Cornwell as well as a range of artisanal coffees and tea. The new lunch special, will offer three choices of appetizer, entree and desserts and comes with a $0.25 daily cocktail. It is a tasty way to enjoy a slice of history. – M . c .

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Mother’s 401 Poydras St., 523-9656, CBD/

Mr. Ed’s Seafood and Italian Restaurant 1001 Live Oak St., 838-0022, Bucktown; 910 W. Esplanade Ave., Ste. A, 463-3030, Kenner. AustinsNo.com L, D MonSat. Neighborhood restaurant specializes in seafood and Italian offerings such as stuffed eggplant and bell pepper. Fried seafood and sandwiches make it a good stop for lunch. $$

Muriel’s Jackson Square 801 Chartres St., 568-1885, French Quarter, Muriels.com. L, D daily, Br Sun. Enjoy pecan-crusted drum and other New Orleans classics while dining in the courtyard bar or any other room in this labyrinthine, rumored-to-be-haunted establishment. $$$$

Naked Pizza 6307 S. Miro St., 865-0244, Uptown (takeout & delivery only), NakedPizza. biz. L, D daily. Pizza place with a focus on fresh ingredients and a healthy crust. The Mediterranean pie is a good choice. $ Napoleon House 500 Chartres St., 5249752, French Quarter, NapoleonHouse.com. L Mon-Sat, D Tue-Sat. Originally built in 1797 as a respite for Napoleon, this family-owned European-style café serves local favorites: gumbo, jambalaya, muffulettas and for sipping, a Sazerac or lemony Pimm’s Cup. $$ Nine Roses 1100 Stephen St., 366-7665, Gretna, NineRosesResturant.com. L, D SunTue, Thu-Sat. The extensive Vietnamese menu specializes in hot pots, noodles and dishes big enough for everyone to share.

Great for families. $$ NOLA 534 St. Louis St., 522-6652, French Quarter, Emerils.com. L Thu-Sun, D daily.

Emeril’s more affordable eatery, featuring cedar-plank-roasted redfish; private dining. $$$$$

Nuvolari’s 246 Girod St., (985) 6265619, Mandeville, Nuvolaris.com. D daily.

Dark woods and soft lighting highlight this Northshore Creole Continental-Italian fusion restaurant famous for crabmeat ravioli, veal dishes, seafood specialties and delectable desserts. $$$$

Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar and Bistro 720 Orleans Ave., 523-1930, French Quarter, OrleansGrapevine.com. D daily. Wine is the muse at this beautifully renovated French Quarter bistro, which offers vino by the flight, glass and bottle. A classic menu with an emphasis on New Orleans cuisine adds to the appeal. $$$

Palace Café 605 Canal St., 523-1661, CBD/ Warehouse District, PalaceCafe.com. L MonSat, D daily, Br Sun. Dickie Brennan-owned brasserie with French-style sidewalk seating and house-created specialties of chef Darrin Nesbit at lunch, dinner and Jazz Brunch.

Favorites here include crabmeat cheesecake, turtle soup, the Werlein salad with fried Louisiana oysters and pork ”debris” studded Palace Potato Pie. $$$$$

Parkway Bakery and Tavern 538 Hagan Ave., 482-3047, Mid-City, ParkwayBakeryAndTavernNola.com. L, D daily, closed Tue. Featured on national TV and served poor boys to presidents, it stakes a claim to some of the best sandwiches in

town. Their french fry version with gravy and cheese is a classic at a great price. $

Pascal’s Manale 1838 Napoleon Ave., 895-4877, Uptown. L Mon-Fri, D Mon-Sat. Vintage New Orleans neighborhood restaurant since 1913 and the place to go for the house-creation of barbecued shrimp. Its oyster bar serves icy cold, freshly shucked Louisiana oysters and the Italian specialties and steaks are also solid. $$$$ Patois 6078 Laurel St., 895-9441, Uptown, PatoisNola.com. Br Sun, L Fri, D Wed-Sat. The food is French in technique, with influences from across the Mediterranean as well as the American South, all filtered through the talent of Chef Aaron Burgau (New Orleans Magazine’s Best New Chef 2009).

Reservations recommended. $$$ Paul’s Café 100 E. Pine St., (985) 3869581, Ponchatoula, PaulsCafe.net. B, L daily.

Best known for its strawberry daiquiris, Paul’s also cooks up egg breakfasts and lunches including all manner of sandwiches and poor boys. $

The Pelican Club 312 Exchange Place, 523-1504, French Quarter, PelicanClub.com.

D daily. Tucked into a French Quarter alley, Pelican Club serves an eclectic mix of hip food, from the seafood “martini” to clay pot barbecued shrimp and a trio of duck. Three dining rooms available. $$$$$ PJ’s Coffee Multiple locations: PJsCoffee. com. The city’s first iced-coffee spot that pioneered the coffee house experience in New Orleans and introduced us all to velvet ices, drinkable granitas and locally made Ronald Reginald vanilla. A wide assortment of pastries and bagels are offered as well as juices and fresh ground or whole bean coffees. $ Port of Call 838 Esplanade Ave., 523-0120,

French Quarter, PortOfCallNola.com. L, D daily. It is all about the big, meaty burgers and giant baked potatoes in this popular bar/ restaurant – unless you’re cocktailing only, then it’s all about the Monsoons. $$

Praline Connection 542 Frenchmen St., 943-3934, Faubourg Marigny, PralineConnection.com. L, D daily. Downhome dishes of smothered pork chops, greens, beans and cornbread are on the menu at this Creole soul restaurant. $$

Ralph Brennan’s Red Fish Grill 115 Bourbon St., 598-1200, French Quarter, RedFishGrill.com. L Daily, D Mon-Thu & Sun. Chef Austin Kirzner cooks up a broad menu peppered with Big Easy favorites such as barbecue oysters, blackened redfish and double chocolate bread pudding. $$$$$

Ralph’s On The Park 900 City Park Ave., 488-1000, Mid-City, RalphsOnThePark.com.

Br Sun, L Tue-Fri, D daily. A modern interior, a view of City Park’s moss-draped oaks and contemporary Creole dishes such as City Park salad, turtle soup, barbecue Gulf shrimp and good cocktails. $$$$ The Red Maple 1036 Lafayette St., 3670935, Gretna, TheRedMaple.com. L Tue-Fri, D Tue-Sat. This West Bank institution since 1963 is known for its seafood, steaks, wine list and some of the best bread pudding around. $$$$

Reginelli’s Pizzeria Multiple local locations: Reginellis.com. L, D daily. Pizzas, pastas, salads, fat calzones and lofty focaccia sandwiches are at locations all over town. $$

Arnaud’s Remoulade 309 Bourbon St., 523-0377, French Quarter, Remoulade. com. L, D daily. Granite-topped tables and an antique mahogany bar are home to the eclectic menu of Famous Shrimp Arnaud,

red beans and rice and poor boys as well as specialty burgers, grilled all-beef hot dogs and thin-crust pizza. $$

René Bistrot 700 Tchoupitoulas St., 613-2350, CBD/Warehouse District, LaCoteBrasserie.com. Br Sun, L Mon-Fri, D Mon-Sat. Fresh local seafood, international ingredients and a contemporary atmosphere fill the room at this hotel restaurant near the Convention Center. $$$

Restaurant August 301 Tchoupitoulas St., 299-9777, CBD/Warehouse District, RestaurantAugust.com. L Fri, D daily. James Beard Award-winning chef (New Orleans Magazine’s Chef of the Year 2007) John Besh’s menu is based on classical techniques of Louisiana cuisine and produce with a splash of European flavor set in a historic carriage warehouse. $$$$$

R’evolution 777 Bienville St., 553-2277, French Quarter, RevolutionNola.com. L WedFri, D Mon-Sun, BR Sun. R’evolution is the partnership between chefs John Folse and Rick Tramonto. Located in the Royal Sonesta Hotel, it’s an opulent place that combines the local flavors of chef Folse with the more cosmopolitan influence of chef Tramonto.

Chef de cuisine Chris Lusk and executive sous chef Erik Veney are in charge of day-today operations, which include house-made charcuterie, pastries, pastas and more. New Orleans Magazine’s 2012 Restaurant of the Year. $$$$$

Ristorante Da Piero 401 Williams Blvd., 469-8585, Kenner, RistoranteDaPiero.com.

L Tue-Fri, D Tue-Sat. Homemade pastas and an emphasis on Northern Italian cuisine make this cozy spot in Kenner’s Rivertown a romantic destination. $

Rib Room Omni Royal Orleans Hotel, 621

St. Louis St., 529-7046, French Quarter, RibRoomNewOrleans.com. L, D daily, Br SatSun. Old World elegance, high ceilings and views of Royal Street, house classic cocktails and Anthony Spizale’s broad menu of prime rib, stunning seafood and on weekends, a Champagne Brunch. $$$

Riccobono’s Panola Street Café 7801 Panola St., 314-1810, Garden District. B, L daily. This breakfast spot has been waking up bleary college students for years. The omelets and Belgian waffles are good. $ Rio Mar 800 S. Peters St., 525-3474, CBD/ Warehouse District, RioMarSeafood.com.

L Mon-Fri, D Mon-Sat. Seafood-centric Warehouse District destination focuses on Latin American and Spanish cuisines.

Try the bacalaitos and the escabeche. The tapas lunch is a great way to try a little of everything. Save room for the Tres Leches, a favorite dessert. New Orleans Magazine’s Chef of the Year 2006. $$$$ Ristorante Filippo 1917 Ridgelake Drive, 835-4008, Metairie. L, D Tue-Sat. CreoleItalian destination serves up southern Italian specialties bathed in red sauces and cheese alongside New Orleans classics like pan-fried Gulf fish and plump shellfish. $$$ River 127 Westin New Orleans Canal Place, 100 Rue Iberville, 533-5082, French Quarter.

B, L, D daily. Continental cuisine with Louisiana flair overlooking the Mississippi River and French Quarter. $$$$ Rivershack Tavern 3449 River Road, 834-4938, Jefferson, TheRivershackTavern. com. L, D daily. Home of the Tacky Ashtray, this popular bar alongside the Mississippi levee offers surprisingly wide-ranging menu featuring seafood, poor boys and deli-style sandwiches along with live music. Open

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T HE M EN U late. $

Rock-N-Sake 823 Fulton St., 581-7253, CBD/Warehouse District, RockNSake.com. L Fri, D Tue-Sun. Fresh sushi and contemporary takes on Japanese favorites in a club-like setting. Open until midnight on Fri. and Sat.; a unique late-night destination. $$$

Root 200 Julia St., 252-9480, CBD, RootNola.com. L Mon-Fri, D daily. Chef Philip Lopez opened Root in November 2011 and has garnered a loyal following for his modernist, eclectic cuisine. Try the country fried chicken wings and the Cohiba-smoked scallops crusted with chorizo. New Orleans Magazine’s 2012 Maître D’ of the Year. $$$$ Royal Blend Coffee and Tea House 621 Royal St., 523-2716, French Quarter; 204 Metairie Road, 835-7779, Metairie; RoyalBlendCoffee.com. B, L daily. Known for its frozen Café Glace and a wide selection of coffees and teas, as well as pastries, daily specials and hearty breakfasts. $

Ruth’s Chris Steak House 3633 Veterans Blvd., 888-3600, Metairie. L Fri, D daily, Br Sat-Sun; 525 Fulton St. in Harrah’s Hotel, 587-7099, L, D daily, Br Sat-Sun; RuthsChris. com. Filet Mignon, creamed spinach and potatoes au gratin are the most popular dishes at this area steak institution, but there also are great seafood choices and top-notch desserts. $$$$$ Sake Café 2830 Magazine St., 894-0033, Uptown, SakeCafeUptown.com. L, D daily.

Creative and traditional Japanese food in an ultramodern décor. Sushi and sashimi boats, wild rolls filled with the usual and not-so-

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DINING GUIDE usual suspects and a nice bar with a number of sakes from which to choose. $$$

Sammy’s Po-Boys and Catering 901 Veterans Blvd., 835-0916, Metairie, SammysPoBoys.com. L Mon-Sat, D daily.

Bucktown transplant offers a seafood-centric menu rounded out with wraps, kid meals and catering options all at a reasonable price. $

Satsuma Café 3218 Dauphine St., 3045962, Bywater; 7901 Maple St., 309-5557, Uptown; SatsumaCafe.com. B, L daily (until 5 p.m.). Two locations offer healthy, inspired breakfast and lunch fare, along with freshly squeezed juices. $

Semolina 4436 Veterans Blvd., Suite 37, Metairie, 454-7930, Semolina.com. L, D daily. This casual, contemporary pasta restaurant takes a bold approach to cooking Italian food, emphasizing flavors, texture and color; many of the dishes feature a signature Louisiana twist, such as the Muffuletta Pasta and Pasta Jambalaya. $$

Serendipity 3700 Orleans Ave. 407-0818, Mid-City, SerendipityNola.com. D daily, Br Sun. An eclectic and far-ranging style of cuisine with classically inspired cocktails at an outpost in American Can. A late-night option as well. $$

Slice 1513 St. Charles Ave., 525-7437, Uptown; 5538 Magazine St., 897-4800; SlicePizzeria.com. L, D Mon-Sat. Order up slices or whole pizza pies done in several styles (thin- and thick-crust) as well as pastas, seafood, paninis and salads. $

Slim Goodies Diner 3322 Magazine St.,

891-EGGS (3447). B, L daily. This diner offers up an exhaustive menu heavily influenced by local cuisine. Try the Creole Slammer, a breakfast platter rounded out with Crawfish Étouffée. The laid-back vibe is best enjoyed on the patio out back. $

SoBou 310 Chartres St., 552-4095, French Quarter, SoBouNola.com. B, L, D daily. There is something for everyone at this “Modern Creole Saloon,” the latest offering from the Commander’s Restaurant Family. Decidedly unstuffy with an emphasis on craft cocktails and wines by the glass, diners will find everything from $1 pork cracklins to an extravagant foie gras burger on the accomplished yet eclectic menus. $$ Snug Harbor 626 Frenchman St., 9490696, Faubourg Marigny, SnugJazz.com.

D daily. The city’s premier jazz club serves cocktails and a dining menu loaded with steaks, seafood and meaty burgers served with loaded baked potatoes. $$$$ Stein’s Market and Deli 2207 Magazine St., 527-0771, Uptown, SteinsDeli.net. B, L, D Tue-Sun. New York meets New Orleans.

The Reuben and Rachel sandwiches are the real deal and the half-sours and pickled tomatoes complete the deli experience. $

Stella! 1032 Chartres St., 587-0091, French Quarter, RestaurantStella.com. D daily.

Global cuisine with a Louisiana blush by native son chef Scott Boswell. Dishes are always inventive and flavorful from appetizer to dessert. The wine list is bold and the service “stellar.” Boswell was New Orleans Magazine’s 2005 Chef of the Year. $$$$$ Sun Ray Grill Multiple locations: SunRayGrill.com. L, D daily, Br Sun (at Annunciation). This local chain offers a globally influenced menu with burgers,

steaks, sesame crusted tuna, sandwiches and salads. $$

Surrey’s Café and Juice Bar 1418 Magazine St., 524-3828, Coliseum Square; 4807 Magazine St., 895-5757, Uptown; SurreysCafeAndJuiceBar.com. B, L daily.

Laid-back café focuses on breakfast and brunch dishes to accompany freshly squeezed juice offerings. Health-food lovers will like it here, along with fans of favorites such as peanut butter and banana pancakes.

Note: Cash only. $$

Tan Dinh 1705 Lafayette St., 361-8008, Gretna. B, L, D Wed-Mon. Roasted quail and the beef pho rule at this Vietnamese outpost.

New Orleans Magazine’s 2010 Vietnamese Restaurant of the Year. $$ Theo’s Pizza Multiple locations: TheosPizza.com. L, D daily. The cracker-crisp crust pizzas are complemented by a broad assortment of toppings with a lot of local ingredients at cheap prices. $$ Three Muses 536 Frenchmen St., 2524801, Marigny, TheThreeMuses.com. L FriSun, D Sun-Mon, Wed-Sat. Three Muses is a bar-restaurant serving the eclectic cuisine of chef Daniel Esses. The menu changes, but expect Esses’ take on Italian, Spanish, North African and Korean cooking. Local bands provide music on a regular basis. $ Tommy’s Cuisine 746 Tchoupitoulas St., 581-1103, CBD/Warehouse District, TommysNewOrleans.com. D daily. Classic Creole-Italian cuisine is the name of the game at this upscale eatery. Appetizers include the namesake Oysters Tommy, baked in the shell with Romano cheese, pancetta and roasted red pepper. $$$$$

Tony Angello’s 6262 Fleur de Lis Drive, 488-0888. Lakeview. D Tue-Sat. Creole-

Italian favorite serves up fare in the completely restored Lakeview location. Ask Tony to “Feed Me” if you want a real multi-course dining experience. New Orleans Magazine’s 2010 Traditional New Orleans Italian Restaurant of the Year. $$$$

Tout de Suite Cafe 347 Verret St., 3622264, Algiers. B daily, L Tue-Sat, Br Sun. Neighborhood coffeehouse/café in historic Algiers Point offers a light menu of soups, salads and sandwiches for a quick meal or carryout. $$ Tracey’s Irish Restaurant & Bar 2604 Magazine St., 897-5413, TraeysNola.com, Uptown. L, D daily. A neighborhood bar with one of the best messy roast beef poor boys in town. The gumbo, cheeseburger poor boy and other sandwiches are also winners. Grab a local Abita beer to wash it all down. Also a great location to watch “the game.” $

Uptown favorite, New Orleans Magazine’s 2012 Honor Roll winner. The oft-copied Fried Green Tomatoes with Shrimp Remoulade originated here. $$$$

Vega Tapas Café 2051 Metairie Road, 836-2007, Metairie. D Mon-Sat. Innovative establishment offers fresh seafood, grilled meats and vegetarian dishes in a chic environment. Daily chef specials showcase unique ingredients and make this place a popular destination for dates as well as groups of friends. $$ Venezia 134 N. Carrollton Ave., 488-7991, Mid-City, VeneziaNewOrleans.com. L Wed-Fri & Sun, D Wed-Sun. Casual neighborhood Italian destination known for its thin-crust pizzas. Good lunch specials make this a popular choice as well. $$

626-4476, Mandeville, TreyYuen.com. L Mon-Fri, D Daily. Chinese cuisine meets with local seafood in dishes like their Szechuan Spicy Alligator and Tong Cho Crawfish; private rooms available. $$

Vincent’s Italian Cuisine 4411 Chastant St., 885-2984, Metairie, L TueFri, D Mon-Sat; 7839 St. Charles Ave., 866-9313, Uptown. L Tue-Fri, D Tue-Sun; VicentsItalianCuisine.com. Snug Italian boîte packs them in yet manages to remain intimate at the same time. The cannelloni is a house specialty. $$$

Tujague’s 823 Decatur St., 525-8676,

Wolfe’s in the Warehouse 859

French Quarter, TujaguesRestaurant.com. L Sat-Sun, D daily. For more than 150 years this landmark restaurant has been offering Creole cuisine. Favorites include a nightly six-course table d’hôté menu featuring a unique Beef Brisket with Creole Sauce. New Orleans Magazine’s Honor Roll honoree 2008. $$$$$

Convention Center Blvd., 613-2882, CBD/ Warehouse District. B, L, D daily. Chef Tom Wolfe brings his refined cuisine to the booming Fulton Street corridor. His Smoked Kobe Short Ribs are a good choice. $$$

Trey Yuen 600 N. Causeway Blvd., (985)

Upperline 1413 Upperline St., 891-9822, Uptown, Upperline.com. D Wed-Sun. Consummate hostess JoAnn Clevenger and talented chef Dave Bridges make for a winning combination at this nationally heralded

943-1122, Marigny. D Mon-Sat. Authentic Japanese Izakaya serves small plates to late-night crowds at this unique destination.

Try the Hokke Fish or the Agedashi Tofu. An excellent sake menu rounds out the appeal, as does the sexy, club-like ambiance. $

Zea’s Rotisserie and Grill Multiple locations: ZeaRestaurants.com. L, D daily. This popular restaurant serves a variety of grilled items as well as appetizers, salads, side dishes, seafood, pasta and other entrées, drawing from a wide range of worldly influences. Zea’s also offers catering services. $$$

Zoë Restaurant W New Orleans Hotel, 333 Poydras St., 2nd Floor, 207-5018, ZoeNewOrleans.com. B, L, D daily.

Completely redone both in décor and cuisine, each section features a separate menu by executive chef Chris Brown. $$$

SPECIALTY FOODS Antoine’s Annex 513 Royal St., 525-8045, French Quarter, Antoines.com/AntoinesAnnex. Open daily. Around the corner from the oldest continuously operated restaurant in the country, Antoine’s Annex serves French pastries, including individual baked Alaskas, ice cream and gelato, as well as panini, salads and coffee. They also deliver.

Ave., 866-3683, Uptown, CollegeInn1933. com. D Tue-Sat. The institution moved next door into brand-new digs but serves up the same classic fare, albeit with a few new upscale dishes peppering the menu. $$$

Bittersweet Confections 725 Magazine St., 523-2626, Warehouse District, BittersweetConfections.com. Open MonSat. Freshly baked cookies, cupcakes and specialty cakes. Serving handmade chocolate truffles, fudge, caramels, gelato, ice coffee, chocolate-dipped strawberries and freshly squeezed lemonade. Children’s birthday parties, chocolate tasting parties, custom chocolates and truffle party bar.

Yuki Izakaya 525 Frenchmen St.,

Blue Dot Donuts 5236 Tchoupitoulas

Ye Olde College Inn 3000 S. Carrollton

St., 941-7675, Uptown. 4301 Canal St., 218-4866, Mid-City, BlueDotDonuts.com. B, L daily. Heard the one about the cops that opened a donut shop? This is no joke. The Bacon Maple Long John gets all the press, but returning customers are happy with the classics as well as twists like peanut butter and jelly. New Orleans Magazine’s 2012 Doughnut Shop of the Year.

Blue Frog Chocolates 5707 Magazine St., 269-5707, Uptown, BlueFrogChocolates. com. French and Belgian chocolate truffles and Italian candy flowers make this a great place for gifts.

Calcasieu 930 Tchoupitoulas St., 588-2188, Warehouse District, CalcasieuRooms.com.

For gatherings both large and small, the catering menus feature modern Louisiana cooking and the Cajun cuisine for which chef Donald Link is justifiably famous.

Magic Seasonings Mail Order (800) 457-2857, ChefPaul.com. Offers chef Paul Prudhomme’s famous cookbooks, smoked meats, videos, seasonings and more. Online shopping available.

St. James Cheese Company 5004 Prytania St., 899-4737, Uptown, StJamesCheese.com.

Open daily. Specialty shop offers a selection of fine cheeses, wines, beers and related accouterments. Look for wine and cheese specials every Friday.

Sucré 3025 Magazine St., 520-8311; 3301 Veterans Blvd., 834-2277; ShopSucre.com.

Desserts daily & nightly. Open late weekends.

Chocolates, pastry and gelato draw rave reviews at this sdessert destination. Beautiful packaging makes this a great place to shop for gifts. Catering available.

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Park This!

A Quiz About

the Area’s Historic Parks

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Now that that horrid winter is over, it’s time to come out of our freeze-forced hibernation and enjoy the outdoors. There are many parks in the area of federal, state and local jurisdiction, and we don’t mean to slight them, but for the purposes of getting our minds back on trees whose branches are no longer brown we prepared this quiz about Audubon Park and City Park. (This, of course, is really a stunt to show off some of the photography of both places, which are filled with visual wonderment. Take a moment and take the quiz. (The answers B

follow.) And remember, anyone caught resorting to Google has to clean the elephant area.

1

By Errol Laborde

B

What annual event has been staged on the Goldring/Woldenberg Great Lawn at City Park?

A. National Frisbee Championship B. Son of Woodstock Festival C. A Symphony Concert D. Louisiana Kite Flying Rodeo

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2

Big Lake in City Park is a manmade pond originally constructed to be part of a golf course. Today it’s a recreational area. If you would fly over the area in a blimp, what might you notice?

A. There is a meteorite in the center of the lake.

B. There is a sunken Ferris Wheel in the lake.

C. There is a submerged Confederate patrol boat in the lake.

D. The lake was dug in the shape of Lake Pontchartarin.

3

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This picturesque Audubon Park facility is located on the edge of a lagoon. What is it?

A. The Lagoonview B. The Newman Bandstand C. The Swan Watch Gazebo D. The Meteorite Observatory

4

These handsome gates at City Park Avenue make a striking entrance to the park. Built in 1910 they’re named after their donor, a former ship captain. What is their name?

A. The Captain Kirk Gates B. The Becker Gates C. The Woldenberg Gates D. The Pizzati Gates

5

Pictured here is the “Meteorite” that’s located on a golf course at Audubon Park. Which statement about it is true?

A. John James Audubon discovered it in the woods of East Feliciana Parish.

B. It was on display at the 1884 Cotton Centennial.

C. It fell to earth in 1968 and just missed a golfer.

D. It was dragged to its current location by a team of elephants.

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6

Here is view of the area known as “The Fly� located on the batture at Audubon Park.

What town is directly across the river?

A. Algiers B. Formanville C. Marrero D. Westwego

Besides the usual horse-riding facility, what unique service does Cascade Stables in Audubon Park provide?

A. It also houses zebras for the zoo.

B. Many of its horses are used in Carnival parades.

C. Some of its horses are descended from the original Buffalo Bill Wild West Show.

D. It provides bucking horses for rodeos.

7

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8

Popp’s Fountain in City Park was dedicated in 1934. The prestigious Olmsted brothers designed the fountain. Their dad, Frederick Law Olmsted, was famous for having designed what?

A. Central Park in New York B. Wrigley Field in Chicago C. Wimbledon Stadium in London D. The Las Vegas strip

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9

10

Audubon Park’s famous oak, The Tree of Life, facing page, top) is located near the fence for what facility?

A. The giraffe area B. The meteorite C. The gulf clubhouse D. The swimming pools

Because gun duels were once fought beneath its canopy, this tree is known as the Dueling Oak, facing page, bottom. There is one other tree in City Park with a rather ominous name from the past. What is it?

A. Heartbreak Oak B. Depression Palm C. Indigestion Crepe Myrtle D. Suicide Oak

11

Know as “The Labyrinth at Audubon Park” this facility is supposed to be ideal for meditation. What is the difference between a labyrinth and a maze?

A. “Labyrinth” is the Greek term and “maze” is the Roman term for the same thing.

B. Mazes are only located in corn fields whereas labyrinths can be anywhere.

C. Mazes have several paths while a labyrinth only has one.

D. Labyrinths are decorated with etchings of animals while mazes usually are not.

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Much of City Park is graced by the art deco sculptures of Mexican-born artist Enrique Alferez. What program brought him to City Park and other places around town?

A. Delgado Arts Grants B. City of New Orleans Exterior Design Commission C. Works Progress Administration D. Postwar Urban Renewal Program MARCH 2014

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PARKS QUIZ ANSWERS 1. C. A Symphony Concert Part of the park’s Master Plan for development, the Great Lawn site used to be tennis courts; the new miniature gulf course is nearby.

The Symphony and the Great Lawn belong together.

2. B. The Newman Bandstand This is the only spot in the park where amplified music is permitted, but we recommend keeping the speakers off and listening to the birds, or for approaching meteorites.

3. D. The lake was dug in the shape of Lake Pontchartrain.

Those wild WPA planners were full of ideas. The connecting smaller lagoon is said to be in the shape of Lake Maurepas.

4. D. The Pizzati Gates Steamboat Captain Salvator Pizzati was born in Palermo but grew up in New Orleans. He made

a fortune in the shipping industry.

A contemporary, also from Italy, Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini, got him to make hefty contributions to establish an orphanage, which later became Cabrini school. Financed

by Pizzati and opened in 1910, the gates are among the oldest structures in City Park. In 2001 the gates were rededicated in memory of a former park board member, Edgar Luminais. The gates provide a striking view as seen from across the street at Ralph’s at the Park.

5.B. It was on display at the 1884 Cotton Centennial.

However, the object wasn’t from some distant galaxy – unless you consider Alabama to be in the cosmos. It is a chunk of iron ore that was on display at the Alabama State exhibit. After the Centennial it was left in what would become the park – and the legends began.

6. D. Westwego The town is also the gateway to Bayou Segnette State park, so there are two parks bordering this spot in the river.

7. B. Many of its horses are used in Carnival parades.

Collectively the stable provides about 300 rides through the season.

8. A. Central Park in New York Audubon Park got the Massachusetts-based Olmsted touch, too. The park was largely designed by one of the brothers, John Charles Olmsted.

9. A. The giraffe area This is perhaps the only spot on earth where you can see a live oak in the foreground and giraffes in the background.

10. D. Suicide Oak Fortunately there has been no activity there for decades. As for the Dueling Oaks (there were origi-

nally two) their heydays were from 1834-1844. By 1855 police began interceding though sporadic dueling, which continued until around 1890.

11. C. Mazes have several paths while a labyrinth only has one.

A labyrinth is one, generally circular, path. You never hear of anyone getting lost in labyrinth unless they’re really, really dense.

12. C. Works Progress Administration Designed to create jobs to help pull the nation out of the Depression, the WPA was a primary builder and designer of projects in the park. Fortunately the construction – and the art – were done with class and taste. Alferez’s works would also appear at other spots around town, including Charity Hospital and the Molly The Marine Statue on Canal Street.

FIND A GREEN SPACE NEAR YOU (a selection of some of the lesser known neighborhood green spaces) Bayou St. John

Easton Park: bordered by Toulouse and St. Peter streets Mystery Park: Esplanade Ave., across from Canseco’s grocery Bywater/Marigny

Crescent Park: bordered by Chartres and Piety streets CBD

Lee Circle: bordered by St. Charles Avenue Lafayette Square: bordered by St. Charles Avenue and Camp Street Duncan Plaza: bordered by Loyola Avenue and Gravier Street Central City

A.L. Davis Park: bordered by Freret Street and Washington Avenue Taylor Park: bordered by S. Roman and Third streets French Quarter

Woldenberg Park: bordered by the streetcar river line and the river Holly Grove

Frederick Square: bordered by Hamilton and Edinburgh streets Lakeshore

Floral Park/Zephyr Park/Ozone

Park/Breeze Park/Foliage Park: bordered by Robert E. Lee Boulevard Orleans Park: bordered by Robert E. Lee Boulevard and Gen. Haig Street Tourmaline Park: bordered by Amber, Jewel and Turquoise streets Harlequin Park: bordered by Jewel, Beryl and Cameo streets Lake Terrace Oaks/UNO

Ponchartrain Park: bordered by Press Drive and Prentiss Avenue Lake Oaks Park: bordered by Lakeshore Drive and Elysian Fields Avenue London Park: bordered by Lakeshore Drive St. John Park: bordered by St. Bernard Avenue Carlson Park: bordered by Robert E. Lee Boulevard Boreas Park: bordered by Killdeer Street and Perlita Drive Lower Garden District

St. Mary’s Park: bordered by Tchoupitoulas and S. Peters streets Coliseum Square Park: bordered

Crescent Park, Bywater/Marigny

by Coliseum and Camp streets Annunciation Square: bordered by Annunciation and Orange streets Mississippi River Heritage Park: bordered by Convention Center Boulevard Marigny

Washington Square Park: bordered by Frenchmen Street and Elysian Fields Avenue Bunny Friend Park: bordered by Gallier and N. Prieur streets

Fleur de Lis Drive and Avenue A 7th Ward

Hardin Park: bordered by Law Street St. Roch

St. Roch Park: bordered by N. Roman and N. Johnson streets Tremé/Lafitte

Louis Armstrong Park/Congo Square: bordered by N. Rampart and N. Villere streets

Orleans Marina/West End

Uptown

Breakwater Park: bordered by Breakwater Drive West End Park: bordered by W. Roadway Street Fleur De Lis Park: bordered by

Palmer Park: bordered by S. Carrollton and S. Claiborne avenues Avenger Park aka “The Fly”: bordered by Audubon Park – Lexi Wangler myneworleans.com

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PHOTOGRAPHY: Theresa Cassagne; FASHION STYLIST: TRACEE DUNDAS Hair&MakeUp: Aimee Carr of Aimee-zing Faces; MODEL: Alexandria Patin

Block Rockin' Beats Coral racer-back tank top and yellow print bloomer shorts, both at Hemline; straw fedora from Goorin Bros.; necklace, bracelets and rings all by local designer Jess Leigh at Rise.

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And The Beat Goes On

Suede fringe handbag at Hemline; floral embroidery clutch and teal over-the-shoulder pouch, both at Feet First; leather studded shoulder bag at B. Boutique.

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The Max Factor Print halter maxi dress, lightweight chambray shirt and over-the-shoulder pouch, all at Rise; straw boar hat from Goorin Bros.; necklace and belt both at B. Boutique.

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Maximum Comfort Chevron canvas sneakers, floral print flats, gladiator studded sandals and white canvas sneakers, all at Feet First.

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Bright and Sunny White embroidery cotton blend dress at Hemline; sunglasses at Root; necklace and tea rings by local designer Jess Leigh at Rise; bracelets at Feet First.

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Sunnies Side Up Slate blue sunglasses, leopard frame sunglasses and white sunglasses, all at Feet First.

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ADVERTISING SECTION

Fests, Feasts & Fun for Everyone Spring dresses, seersucker, straw hats, crawfish and music – all signs of spring in South Louisiana.

Spring is synonymous with festival season in these parts, and festivals are in full swing, bringing funseeking folks into the great outdoors with live music, food favorites, cold drinks and good times. The new season brings warm weather, which also means it’s a great season for shopping, exploring and sprucing up the home. Don’t forget about the food – crawfish and other fresh foods are at the peak of their season and restaurants around the area are taking advantage of the prime months for seafood and vegetables. The following festivals, feasts and other fun activities await – find your events and destinations with this guide to some of the area’s best.

Spring & Summer Festivals Just 40 minutes southwest of New Orleans, where the Intracoastal Canal meets the Bayou Lafourche waterway, local families are gathering for a yearly tradition of Cajun food, music, an old fashioned carnival midway, pirogue races and more! Celebrating its 51st year, the Family Fun Festival will be held April 4-6 at the Larose Civic Center. Parking and admission are free of charge and guests are invited to bring their chairs and spend the weekend.

This family-friendly festival features a craft show, face painting, live music and more than 30 Louisiana seafood dishes including shrimp boulettes, gumbo, crawfish fettuccine, crawfish pies, fried shrimp po’boys and more.

Kids’ favorites such as hamburgers, hot dogs and nachos will be available as well. The best musicians in Louisiana will take the stage: Friday opens with Gary T. Flesh Carnival 106

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featuring Kevin Sevin, and Baton Rouge’s favorite Allison Collins. Saturday features Fiddler Waylon Thibodeaux, Grammy-winner Chubby Carrier, Souled Out and Contraflow.

Sunday lunch-goers can enjoy Amanda Shaw, Aaron Foret and Ruff n Ready band to finish out the fun-filled weekend.

Information can be found at BayouCivicClub.org or 985-693-7355.

Historic downtown Lafayette, LA, transforms into an entertainment complex during Festival International de Louisiane, April 23-27. The largest, FREE Francophone festival features six music stages, food courts, street performers, arts and crafts, live interviews with musicians, a craft biergarten, 5k run and more. All programming for the festival is designed to celebrate cultural expression in a variety of forms and to encourage understanding and appreciation for different cultures. In addition, the festival offers

free parking and a shuttle service that runs every 15 minutes from the University of Louisiana Lafayette’s Cajun Field to the festival grounds.

Festival International de Louisiane is a volunteer-driven event with annual participation from approximately 2,000 volunteers. Through the arts presented and the joint efforts to produce it, the festival contributes to the spirit of community that is so unique to the Acadiana region. Visit their website for more information at FestivalInternational.com.

Just 40 miles north of the Big Easy, the historic City of Covington lies enveloped by scenic rivers, live oak trees and fragrant longleaf pines. Covington’s charming downtown offers an abundance of world-class dining and entertainment options, as well as unique boutiques and art galleries where you can discover one-of-a kind treasures.

Every Thursday in April, the city hosts the Rockin’ the Rails free concerts at the Covington Trailhead. The concerts take place from 5 to 7:30 p.m. and feature some of the Greater New Orleans area’s most celebrated musicians.

Spring in Covington boasts several other events including the Third Annual Taste of Covington April 10-13, which celebrates local food and fine wine. This year, the event takes place in conjunction with St. Tammany Art Association’s Spring for Art, on April 12. After one of their many events, blissfully end your evening with an overnight stay at one of several charming bed and breakfasts.

Experience all that Covington has to offer.

Visit covla.com for more information.

ADVERTISING SECTION Culture and shopping take center stage in April in St. Landry Parish. The Semi Annual Antique Fair & Yard Sale in Washington on April 11-13 features more than 200 vendors.

That same weekend, travel along the Corridor des Arts April 12 and 13 to visit art galleries and working artists’ studios. Take home a piece of original artwork tax-free. The next week is La Semaine Francaise from April 18-23, when they greet yearly visitors from France.

All bike enthusiasts are invited to participate or cheerlead in the annual Cycle Zydeco bike ride through Cajun Country April 23-27. Make Arnaudville Etouffee Festival April 25-27 your last stop before heading home. The following weekend welcomes spring flowers on May 3 at the Sunset Annual Herb & Garden Festival.

Take your pick of garden décor, yard art, herbs, flowers and pottery. When you visit, make sure you stay at one of their charming Guest Houses or Bed & Breakfast accommodations.

For more information, visit CajunTravel.com or call 877-948-8004.

Festival season is in high gear this season in beautiful Bayou Lafourche. The Bateau de Bois Festival keeps alive the art and craft of boat building with special old-time, handmade boat exhibits, woodworking techniques, decoy carving, art and more on Saturday, April 12 in Lockport at the Center for Louisiana Traditional Boat-building. Fill your belly April 25-27 at the Lockport Food Festival, “La Fete du Monde.” Also, don’t miss the Thibodaux Fireman's Fair May 1-4 complete with a Firemen’s Parade and a carnival mid-way.

Celebrate on into summer at The Bon Mange' Festival on June 6-8 in Gheens. Each festival boasts an abundance of genuine Cajun food as well as music to keep you moving.

Spring is also a great time of year to venture outdoors and see Louisiana’s unique wetlands.

From April 3-6, Paddle Bayou Lafourche provides the opportunity to experience the natural elegance of Bayou Lafourche. Paddlers choose one to four days to participate in this 52-mile adventure from Donaldsonville to Lockport. For more information or to register, visit btnep.org. Find endless events and attractions at VisitLafourche.com and experience all Lafourche has to offer.

The South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival, April 24-27, will feature more than 800 wines from around the world, along with an enviable roster of participating winemakers.

New partnerships with Wine Enthusiast, Banfi Wines and Emeril Lagasse are setting the stage for an exceptional event. The main event, The Grand Tasting, showcases many varietals of wines as well as an expanded culinary village.

Nashville’s top songwriters will perform at the wine and food festival and showcase their own talents while sharing fascinating stories about writing songs for music industry stars.

Special festival events include a "Winemakers and Shakers" special meet and greet, a Craft Beer & Spirits Jam, a VIP tasting featuring exclusive vintners and rare varietals, the Grand Tasting and culinary seminars, and an After Party featuring live music and delicacies. Held simultaneously, the Destin Charity Wine Auction will begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday, featuring nearly 200 silent and live offerings, including exotic trips and rare and unusual wines. Proceeds from the Wine Auction as well as the wine festival benefit children in need in Northwest Florida.

Purchase tickets and find information at SoWalWine.com.

artsquest

The 26th annual ArtsQuest, a fine arts festival produced by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) and presented by Visit South Walton and Grand Boulevard at Sandestin, is scheduled for May 9-11 in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin. This year’s Featured Festival Artist is Juan Francisco Adaro, a contemporary painter known for his large abstract and life-size portraits. From traditional oil paintings to live performances, Adaro's paintings and works on paper merge the worlds of art and science, depicting natural forms and biological structures in vivid color and imaginative detail.

What began as a small community gathering in Grayton Beach in 1989, ArtsQuest now features nearly 200 exhibiting national, regional and local artists competing for $10,000 in cash awards. The festival also features art workshops, live art demonstrations, music, food, wine, ImagiNation (where kids rule) and more.

During the festival week, local galleries will participate in Gallery Nights open to the public Monday-Thursday, offering special parties, showings and events in the spirit of ArtsQuest.

Friday’s festivities get a boost this year with the After Hours Beach Bash from 8-11 p.m. Tickets and info are available at ArtsQuestFlorida.com.

Advance Three-Day Passes are $15. Parking is available for $5 per day. Self-contained camping is available for $40 for the weekend (Friday to Sunday).

For more information and a full schedule of events, visit BBCrawFest.com.

Every first weekend of May, crawfish lovers from all over Louisiana and beyond convene in quaint Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, for one of Louisiana’s Top 10 Events, the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival. This year’s festival takes place May 2-4 and will feature 30 Cajun, Zydeco and Swamp Pop bands on three stages as well as cultural demonstrations, crawfish races, dance contests, arts and crafts, a carnival midway, parade, crawfish eating contest, a crawfish etouffée cook-off and of course the main event: crawfish and cuisine.

Nothing is as unique to Cajuns as eating crawfish during festival weekend. You’ll enjoy tasting crawfish prepared in every imaginable way—fried, boiled, in an étouffée, bisque, boudin, pie or jambalaya and crawdogs, along with other Cajun favorites (shrimp, crab, gumbo, red beans and rice, just to name a few).

Surrounded by the waters of Bayou Teche, Atchafalaya River and the Atchafalaya Swamp Basin, the Cajun Coast in St. Mary Parish is known for its natural splendor and “road less traveled” atmosphere. There’s no better way to spend a spring day than exploring the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area or winding along the Bayou Teche Scenic Byway. Cajun Jack’s Swamp Tours takes visitors through the Atchafalaya Basin, the largest overflow swamp in the U.S., or you can experience the wilderness by paddling through the Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge. Golfers won’t want to miss a chance to hit the Atchafalaya at Idlewild, which was rated the No. 1 golf course in Louisiana by Golfweek Magazine in 2008 and 2009.

This spring, St Mary Parish is alive with festivals and events including the Cypress Sawmill Festival (April 4-6), the Bayou Teche

In Louisiana, there seems to be a festival for every day of the year, and Rouses makes a point of being involved in as many as they can, whether it be through sponsorship, food preparation or just community support. April brings the French Quarter Festival (April 10-13) to New Orleans, and Rouses Bayou Boys will be out among the music boiling their famous recipe of Louisiana crawfish. While enjoying the festivities, food and fun, don’t miss this year’s Rouses Crawfish Eating World Championship, a contest sanctioned by Major League Eaters, the same group that puts on the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest in New York.

This year marks the 22nd anniversary of the New Orleans Food & Wine Experience (May 21-24), and for the fifth consecutive year, Rouses will be sampling its own chef creations.

Sample the delicious concoctions and help in supporting several great community causes.

For more info on Rouses and to find the location nearest you, visit rouses.com.

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ADVERTISING SECTION Black Bear Festival (April 11-13), and the Bayou Teche Wooden Boat Show (April 11-13). For more information, visit CajunCoast.com.

Spring Feasts!

Beauty, history and adventure all come together in Alabama, a place where each meal is a celebration, each town has a story, and each day brings new discoveries.

Alabama is perfect for exploration and adventurous road-trips, where visitors find unique, off-the-beaten-path treasures. Foodies can taste their way around the state with famous BBQ joints such as Dreamland in Tuscaloosa and Big Bob Gibson BBQ in Decatur or award-winning culinary destinations such as Highland’s Bar & Grill and Hot & Hot Fish Club in Birmingham. Explore the 100 dishes to eat in Alabama before you die mobile app on your smartphone or tablet and check out the Art of Alabama Food to discover more places to find fresh seafood or generations-old soul food.

For more vacation ideas and attractions, visit Alabama.travel.

Enjoy the beautiful breezes this season with the unparalleled views and atmosphere at Dickie Brennan’s Tableau. Located in the heart of the French Quarter, on picturesque

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Jackson Square, Tableau offers both balcony and courtyard dining for guests looking to enjoy a refined meal during the finest weather of the year. Between the fantastic food and the festive atmosphere of Jackson Square, Tableau is a must-visit dining destination this season.

The culinary team revisits classic New Orleans cooking with a combination of European refinement and rustic simplicity. Using local ingredients, chef Ben Thibodeaux updates New Orleans dishes, adjusting them ever-so-slightly to make them signature items at Tableau.

One example is his Oysters en Brochette, Gulf oysters broiled on rosemary skewers with a roasted garlic buerre blanc.

Tableau is pleased to announce its new twocourse chef’s lunch, which changes daily, for only $14 per guest. Additionally, Tableau offers specials from 3-7 p.m. daily, featuring $3.50 draft beers and $5 classic cocktails and wines, as well as specially priced small plates. Visit TableauFrenchQuarter.com.

Fishing for New Orleans' deFINitive seafood dining? Fish no further than Ralph Brennan's Red Fish Grill, a triumph of cuisine, style and design, and recently named as a best seafood restaurant by Travel + Leisure as well as a top 10 seafood restaurant in the U.S. by USA Today. Executive Chef Austin Kirzner's casual New Orleans seafood dominates a

menu peppered with Big Easy favorites like Hickory Grilled Redfish, BBQ Oysters, Alligator Sausage & Seafood Gumbo, Double Chocolate Bread Pudding and a wide variety of Gulf fish available every night.

Professional yet friendly service spiced with New Orleans joie de vivre ensures easy comfort and sets a tone for the ultimate laissez les bon temps rouler experience. For information or to make reservations, call 504-598-1200 or visit RedFishGrill.com.

This season, enjoy a dynamic, sophisticated dining experience already lauded by both locals and visitors to New Orleans. Guests to Chophouse New Orleans have awarded this prime steakhouse with Opentable Diners’ Choice awards for Best Food, Best Service, Best Ambiance and Best Overall Restaurant. Additionally, Chophouse recently topped the “steakhouse power-rank” list by Thrillist.

Chophouse New Orleans serves only USDA Prime for every steak, including filets. The menu also offers notable seafood selections, such as fresh Florida stone crabs; served cold, the succulent and juicy claws are accompanied with a special house sauce. At Chophouse New Orleans, every detail counts. From prime, aged steaks, barrel cut filets and colossal sized shrimp to top-of-the-line cooking techniques and carefully chosen breads

ADVERTISING SECTION and coffee, guests can expect the freshest, best tasting steak, seafood and sides.

Chophouse New Orleans is open daily at 5 p.m. and features live music nightly. For information and reservations, call 504-522-7902 or visit them online at ChophouseNola.com or Facebook.com/chophousenola.

Visiting a special someone and looking for a way to say Thanks, Happy Birthday or Happy Easter? Looking for a business gift that's sure to impress? Welcome to the World of Edible Arrangements®! The creator of and leader in fresh fruit bouquets, Edible Arrangments® brings happiness to all of life’s occasions with a beautiful array of irresistibly fresh products, including handcrafted fruit arrangements and gourmet chocolate dipped fruits such as pineapple, strawberries, banana, apples and oranges.

Each store creates magnificent, fresh fruit arrangements and gourmet chocolate dipped fruit to order, for pick-up or delivery, seven days a week. Ordering is made easy with three convenient options. Order online at EdibleArrangements.com, by phone at 504-3677798, or visit your local store in Harvey at 1650 Gretna Blvd. Whether local or visiting, Edible Arrangements® invites you to Make Life A Little Sweeter® with Edible Arrangements® fresh fruit bouquets and chocolate dipped fruit for any occasion.

RioMar in the Warehouse District is the seafood destination of New Orleans. As the weather heats up this festival season, cool off with their selection of ceviches, gazpachos and Latininspired craft cocktails. RioMar celebrates the Latin roots of New Orleans cuisine with a menu that is naturally light, healthy and satisfying.

Visit RioMar, the seafood destination, and enjoy the most original presentations of Louisiana seafood to be found anywhere in the Crescent City! In Cuba, Jambalaya becomes Paella. In Venezuela, Beignets become Buñuelos. And in New Orleans, no one does seafood better than RioMar. For more information and hours, visit RioMarSeafood.com or call 504-525-FISH (3474). Reservations are recommended.

Located just steps off Bourbon Street in the heart of the beloved French Quarter, Arnaud’s offers classic Creole cuisine and exemplary service in beautifully restored turn of the century dining rooms. Since its inception in 1918, Arnaud’s has remained true to its traditions and courtesies.

Enjoy live Dixieland Jazz in the Jazz Bistro, authentic New Orleans dining in the Main Dining Room, cocktails in the world renowned French 75 Bar and 14 private dining rooms perfect for any occasion. Arnaud’s delivers a quintessential New Orleans experience to locals and visitors alike.

This spring, celebrate Easter, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day with Arnaud’s for a truly memorable dining experience with family and friends. Arnaud’s is open nightly for dinner and private dining, and offers brunch every Sunday.

For more information or to make reservations, call 504-523-5433 or visit ArnaudsRestaurant.com.

A contemporary and elegant Japanese restaurant with a New Orleans twist, Chiba is a recent arrival to the diverse, growing restaurant scene along Oak Street.

“We are all about quality. Each and every sauce is made from scratch. We select pristine fish and produce locally, as well as exotic products from all over the world," explains owner Keith Dusko. Careful attention is paid to every detail—even Chiba’s sushi rice is specially prepared using house-made sushi vinegar.

Sushi highlights include: Ahi, Aji, Ono, Nairagi, Uni, Live Scallop and Parrotfish. The Satsuma Strawberry Roll, which incorporates yellowtail, mango, crunch, jalapeño and spicy mayo inside, is topped with scallops, strawberries, Satsuma ponzu and wasabi tobiko.

The Steamed Buns are a popular appetizer with options of duck, pork belly, short rib, oyster, crawfish, shrimp, grouper and foie gras.

NOLA's best “Funk & Roll” happy hour offers reduced prices on drinks & apps from 4-6p.m., Monday-Saturday, and late night on weekends

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ADVERTISING SECTION ‘til 1 a.m. Chiba's extensive sake menu contains several available nowhere else in the state.

For more information and to view the menu, visit chiba-nola.com. For reservations, call 504826-9119.

One of New Orleans’ favorite family-owned, neighborhood restaurants has resided in the heart of Mid-City since 1947. In the tradition of New Orleans’ Italian heritage, Liuzza’s Restaurant & Bar offers specialties that include the “Frenchuletta” (a robust sandwich of Italian meats and seasonings), Italian stuffed artichokes, lasagna, and pastas. Lenten Specials are also available, including Seafood Lasagna, Shrimp, Corn & Okra Stew and a 1/2 Fried Shrimp or Oyster Poor Boy with Oyster Rockefeller Bisque. Named New Orleans Magazine’s Best Neighborhood Restaurant in 2012, Liuzza’s is open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and for lunch on Sunday and Monday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. For menus and more, visit Liuzza’s on Facebook or at Liuzzas.com.

In October, Liuzza’s will present the second annual Liuzza Palooza mini-festival at St. Margaret’s parking lot, across the street from Liuzza’s on Bienville Street and N. Telemachus Street. The fest will once again bring food, music and fun to Mid-City, benefiting two great causes: continued financial support for Michael Bordelon, co-owner of Liuzza’s, who suffered traumatic brain injuries (TBI) from the result of a drunk driver, and also for St. Margaret’s at Mercy.

For more on Liuzza Palooza, visit LiuzzaPalooza.com.

Congratulations are in order for SoBou, the latest venture of the Commander’s Family of Restaurants. Named one of “The 25 Most Important Restaurants of 2013” by Zagat, SoBou, a “Spirited Restaurant,” elevates the adult beverage to a level of esteem, a pleasurable accompaniment to a whimsical

yet Commander’s-quality meal. SoBou, short for “South of Bourbon,” offers guests a customizable dining experience, from small plates and cocktails to a full three courses.

This spring, venture out to SoBou Sips, a monthly series on the second Monday of the month exploring the ever-increasing variety of spirits and liqueurs. Led by Bar Chef Abigail Gullo, SoBou Sips is open to industry professionals and the drinking enthusiast alike.

Every session includes a tasting of spirits, a palette cleansing cocktail and a blind tasting.

Meanwhile, these are perfect months to enjoy a “Sunset in the Courtyard” cocktail in SoBou’s verdant courtyard connected to the W French Quarter Hotel. This flavorful concoction consists of Reposado Tequila, Blood Orange Liqueur, fresh lime juice and drizzle of Grenadine and comes with a free pair of SoBou sunglasses.

For info and reservations, contact SoBou at 504-552-4095 at SoBouNola.com.

Located in the Lower Garden District and just blocks from Downtown New Orleans, Hoshun Restaurant delivers a flavorful punch of pan-Asian flavors with its own take on traditional dishes from China, Japan, Vietnam and other South-Asian countries. Popular menu items include pho soup and Vietnamese spring rolls, pad Thai, sushi, General Tso’s Chicken, Hunan steak, Kung Pao shrimp and more. Open daily until 2 a.m., Hoshun is a favorite late-night spot for locals and visitors alike. Visitors can look forward to the addition of sharable small plates to the menu in the near future.

Whether you’re looking for seafood, steak or vegetarian fare, Hoshun’s extensive menu provides options for everyone. Salt & Pepper Shrimp and Ahi Tuna Seared are a couple of Hoshun's seafood specialties, while Hoshun Pork Ribs and Butter Pepper Mignon round out a few of the meatier possibilities.

For menu and information, visit HoshunRestaurant.com or call 504-302-9716.

Located at 1601 St. Charles Ave., Hoshun offers a private party room overlooking the St. Charles Avenue streetcar line fitting between 25-70 people.

Combining exceptional artistry and culinary skill, confectioners at Sucré satisfy the sweet tooth of an entire city from two locations across New Orleans with delivery and curbside pickup as well. Award-winning French macarons, artisan chocolate bars, Big Awesome Cookies, toffee, gourmet drinking chocolate, homemade marshmallows, southern candied pecans, gourmet coffee, gelato and traditional King Cakes round out a few of Sucré’s most popular offerings. Sucré’s desserts and sweet treats are handmade by the best chocolatiers and nationally renowned Executive Chef Tariq Hanna. Their seasonal flavors and holiday collections make perfect gifts for family, friends, coworkers and party hosts, and king cakes, macarons and chocolate orders can be shipped across the country.

Sucré confectioners proudly use Louisiana cane sugar, produce and dairy in their outstanding, high quality and locally made treats. Celebrate your special day with Sucré’s one-of-a-kind specialty and wedding cakes in a variety of delicious flavors. Visit Sucré at 3025 Magazine St. and at the Lakeside Mall. To place orders online, visit ShopSucre.com.

Housed Uptown on Oak Street, Breads on Oak is New Orleans’ first organic bakery and café. Artisan baker Sean O'Mahony combines passion and skill in each creation, making everything by hand, from scratch, and using the finest organic flours. Each bread, pastry and muffin is baked on the premises in open view of the customers in a stone hearth oven.

Stop in to the aromatic retail shop and café

Sucré

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ADVERTISING SECTION for fresh sandwiches made on organic breads, house-made soups with local ingredients, lunch pies such as quiches and cashew ricotta tarts, and a nice selection of vegan and gluten-free options. In addition to being available at their Oak Street location, the bakery’s signature low-gluten sourdough, authentic and organic baguettes, and other breads and pastries are now available across New Orleans at restaurants and at three Rouses locations. Additionally, Breads on Oak’s chocolate selection is organic and fair trade – even their latest offering, truffles.

For more information and to view the vast menu, visit BreadsonOak.com or call 504-3248271. Hours are Wednesday-Saturday, 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday, 7:30 a.m.-1p.m.

Newly renovated Broussard’s Restaurant is now offering happy hour in the Empire Bar and courtyard, featuring drink specials and Moules et Frites seven days a week from 4 p.m.-7 p.m.

“We are excited to present the traditional mussels and French fried potatoes during happy hour,” states classically trained, Alsatian-born, Executive Chef Guy Reinbolt. The Moules come from Prince Edward Island and are $8 per bowl. The menu includes eight variations, including Marinières, Fra Diavolo, Creole, Forestière, Saffron, Saganaki, Italiano and Thai.

Head Bartender Paul Gustings will serve Imperial Punches, daily glass wine specials and traditional Absinthe Service. The Imperial Punches (Hot Punch du Jour, Swedish Punsch, Nuremberg Punch and English Milk Punch) are hot and bottled punches made fresh daily and available for $7 while they last. Daily wine specials are $5 by the glass, while the absinthe service range from $5 to $7 and are available only from its traditional 5 o’clock hour until 7 p.m.

For more information on the Empire Bar and its signature drinks or Broussard’s menu, please visit Broussards.com or call 504-581-3866 to make reservations.

Bra genie

More Spring Fun: Shopping, Activities, Travel & Home In March, acclaimed fashion designer Donald J Pliner made a personal appearance at Saint Germain to present his Spring 2014 designs. Pliner and his wife, Lisa, also featured their new Italian-made Signature Collection, which is exclusive to Saint Germain and other selected stores across the nation. Visit Saint Germain this month to see what’s new. Take your pick of the season’s hottest designs.

In addition to Pliner’s award-winning shoes and handbags, Saint Germain carries French hair accessories and fine jewelry and handbags by designers from all over the world as well as Arche, a timeless line of French-made, comfortfocused shoes reintroduced to Saint Germain over the summer. Arche designer boots, shoes and sandals are hand-crafted by artisans located

just outside of Paris and are constructed with a 100 percent natural Latex cushioning system for maximum durability, flexibility and unrelenting shock absorption.

To see the latest designs, or for more information, visit SaintGermainNewOrleans. com or call 504-522-1720.

Since 2005, the Northshore has been home to a locally owned and nationally known boutique that has rescued women from years of discomfort and misguided purchases. Bra Genie, the creation of bra-fitting expert Jeannie Emory, has grown from a one-on-one home fitting service to a full-scale 3500-squarefoot Mandeville store with a team of 16 experienced fitters and an inventory of more than 10,000 bras, panties, shapewear, bra-sized swimwear and accessories. With the

largest inventory in the south, Bra Genie stocks sizes 28-50 in bands and AA-KK in cup size with prices as low as $30.

The results of a proper bra fitting at Bra Genie often surprise women. Proper fitting bras can make a woman appear 10 pounds lighter by elongating the torso and lifting the breasts, and in some cases, they can eliminate back or neck pain. Bra Genie even offers a unique "Fit Guarantee" for your bra purchases.

Open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and located at 2881 Highway 190, Bra Genie welcomes walk-ins. For more information on Bra Genie, visit TheBraGenie.com or call 985951-8638 to schedule your personal bra-fitting appointment. Check out their amazing Google reviews and their Facebook page.

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ADVERTISING SECTION Set out on a shopping adventure this spring and visit Gulfport Premium Outlets®, conveniently located in nearby Gulfport, MS, with 70 designer and name brand outlet stores including Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, BCBG Max Azria, Coach, Fossil, Gap Outlet, Guess, J.Crew, Nautica, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Talbots, Tommy Hilfiger, Under Armour and much more. Spend your day taking advantage of sales and diverse selections before enjoying exciting local attractions and luxurious accommodations.

On April 12-13, be a VIP Shopper and receive 20 percent off your purchases plus free gifts at participating stores. To participate in this two-day, shopping extravaganza, sign up to become a VIP Shopper Club member online at PremiumOutlets.com/vip and download the VIP Event Savings Sheet for a list of exclusive offers. As a VIP Shopper Club member, enjoy exclusive coupons and savings opportunities year-round.

Gulfport Premium Outlets is more than a shopping trip – it’s a vacation experience.

For complete information including directions, a list of stores, upcoming sales and events, accommodations and more, visit PremiumOutlets.com/Gulfport.

While Trashy Diva is a distinctly New Orleans clothing company with seven locations spread across the city, its vintage-inspired designs are known and coveted worldwide.

For more than 17 years, Trashy Diva has provided New Orleans customers with vintage flair and classic style. Original and vintageinspired designs in dresses by Candice Gwinn suit a modern sensibility with a focus on creating feminine styles that flatter a variety of body types, from size 2 through 18.

Spring has arrived at Trashy Diva with a new collection of dresses in pastels and polka dots.

The boutiques are also stocked with a wide selection of styles from several brands. Whether you’re looking for a nice pair of heels, a statement necklace, or a sexy lingerie set, Trashy Diva has it all in stores and online.

From bustiers to burlesque, Trashy Diva now offers the ultimate party experience for your closest group of girlfriends. Celebrating a bachelorette or birthday party? Hosting an afterhours event at a Trashy Diva Lingerie Boutique will make for a memorable night of femme fun.

Shop online or find more info at TrashyDiva. com or call 504-299-3939 .

A New Orleans native, artist and designer, Cristy Cali has a knack for capturing the spirit of New Orleans with designs in silver and gold.

Cristy's Collection is a line of jewelry focused on and inspired by the architecture, rich culture and fascinating history of New Orleans.

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and an appreciation of style. From well-known landmarks such as St. Louis Cathedral and the Superdome to popular local indulgences such as snowballs and the Roman Candy Co., Cristy’s Collection highlights not only the city, but also the community.

Additionally, Cristy Cali has revolutionized the tradition of wedding cake pulls with Cristy Couture charms. Cristy Couture Pulls offer an exciting new way to approach the event.

Brides have the option of classy pearl bracelets or colored satin ribbon to pull the charms, allowing bridesmaids to immediately wear their new charms.

For a list of retailers or to shop online, visit CristyCali.com.

Jack Sutton Fine Jewelry is taking the city by storm with its newly renovated Royal Street boutique. Established in 1915, this world class Royal Street jeweler continues to delight clients with the industry's most beautiful designs and amazing custom pieces, all hand crafted by their staff of Master Jewelers. The boutique at 315 Royal stands out as a bright reflection of the company's evolution and commitment to excellence.

The latest innovation by this family operated business is an exciting designer line available exclusively at their Royal Street location: Single Stone Vintage Inspired Fine Jewelry. Single Stone has built a strong reputation worldwide for an extensive selection of engagement rings and unique wedding bands that feature original old cut diamonds. To introduce the line, Jack Sutton on Royal is hosting a Single Stone trunk show during French Quarter Fest weekend, April 10-13. Details are available on their website at JackSuttonRoyal.com or by phone at 504-522-0555.

No place explores the celebrated history of the Crescent City better than The Historic

New Orleans Collection (THNOC). Located in the French Quarter, this gem of a museum preserves the area’s eclectic past and distinctive culture and maintains an active schedule of programming.

THNOC’s spring Concerts in the Courtyard series continues Thursday, April 17, with the New Orleans Nightingales, a diverse group of female singers steeped in early American music.

The April concert is presented in conjunction with THNOC’s current exhibition at 533 Royal St., Shout, Sister, Shout! The Boswell Sisters of New Orleans, exploring the lives of three pioneering, jazz-singing sisters. THNOC will open another free exhibition in its Laura Simon Nelson Galleries for Louisiana Art at 400 Chartres St. on April 15. Creole World: Photographs of New Orleans and the Latin Caribbean Sphere features the work of awardwinning local photographer Richard Sexton.

Join THNOC to celebrate the exhibition’s opening and the launch of an accompanying book April 22.

Call 504-523-4662 or visit hnoc.org for details.

This Light of Ours: Activist Photographers of the Civil Rights Movement is on view at the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson, MS, through Aug. 17. The exhibition presents the Civil Rights Movement through 157 black and white photographs by nine activist photographers who chose to document the national struggle against segregation from within the movement. Accompanying exhibitions include The Slave Series: Quilts by Gwendolyn A. Magee (on view through May 18) and Norman Rockwell: Murder in Mississippi (June 14 – Aug. 31).

This Light of Ours is organized by the Center for Documentary Expression and Art. Major support for the exhibition has been provided by the Bruce W. Bastian Foundation

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ADVERTISING SECTION and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Local presentation of this exhibition is made possible through the generous support of AT&T, Jones Walker LLP, Wynne and Bill Seemann, Mississippi Power Company, Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau, Leslie Hurst, The Clarion-Ledger Media Group, and Regions.

Cost: $10 adults, $8 seniors, $5 students (includes admission to accompanying exhibitions). Free for children 5 and under.

Free for museum members. For more information, visit MSMuseumArt.org or call 601-960-1515.

French Quarter Phantoms is New Orleans’ No. 1 Walking Tour Company. Offering a variety of unique, entertaining and historically accurate tour options year round makes French Quarter Phantoms the perfect choice for locals and visitors to the city. Tours include Ghost & Vampire, True Crime, Tour Tremé or St. Louis Cemetery Tours.

French Quarter Phantoms’ Master Storytellers have been described as “the strangest bunch of real historians you’ll ever have the pleasure of spending time with.” Their

signature tour, French Quarter Phantoms Ghost & Vampire Tour, features phantoms and the hovering mysteries of past tragedies.

They thrill guests with laughs and chills up their spine, but nobody jumps out to pinch them. Adult participants on nighttime tours are also treated to BOGO Hurricane drinks the hour prior to each tour. Perfect for spring breakers and vacation fun seekers. Their fun and affordable tours have something in them for everyone. Online discounts available FrenchQuarterPhantoms.com.

Disney On Ice presents Let’s Celebrate! is bringing a colossal party on ice to New Orleans!

The show visits the metropolitan area from May 1-4 for nine performances at the Univeristy of New Orleans Lakefront Arena.

Audiences are invited to make an ordinary day extraordinary and enjoy some of the world’s most popular festivities, including a winter wonderland with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, a Halloween haunt with the Disney Villains, a Hawaiian luau with Lilo and Stitch, a Royal Ball with the Disney Princesses, a

Disney on ice presents: lets celebrate!

Very Merry Unbirthday Party and more in one action-packed and positively unforgettable celebration! Disney On Ice presents Let’s Celebrate! features more than 50 characters from 16 Disney stories live on ice, including Tiana from Walt Disney Pictures’ The Princess and the Frog.

Ticket prices start at $10 for kids and are on sale now. All seats are reserved; tickets will be available at all Ticketmaster retail outlets, online at ticketmaster. com or charge by phone at 800-745-3000. For group sales information, please call 866-248-8740.

To learn more about Disney On Ice, go to DisneyOnIce.com, or visit them Facebook and YouTube.

In the heart of the historic Garden District, a chic, edgy health and fitness club has emerged, bringing with it the next generation of a familiar name in the industry. Franco's Fitness Club, best known for its sprawling Northshore flagship location, has launched a 10,000-squarefoot, state-of-the-art fitness destination in the 2100 block of Magazine Street and stocked it with cutting edge equipment, trendy new techniques and trainers to the stars. The club is upscale and private with a young, vibrant energy suggestive of the other LA. Franco’s on Magazine combines sleek, modern design elements with the charm and elegance of its historic surroundings. The ambiance is as inviting as it is intense. Training equipment is low profile and high performance.

Group exercise classes and personal training sessions are designed to shape and mold lean, muscular physiques quickly and efficiently.

From tried and true Les Mills favorites such as Body Pump and Body Combat to the latest and greatest in core suspension training and barre technique, small class sizes allow Franco’s seasoned instructors to offer attention that is individualized without being intimidating.

For membership information call 504-2184637 or visit facebook.com/francosmagazine.

Big Bay Lake is a one-of-a-kind planned community on Mississippi's largest private recreational lake. Located just outside of Hattiesburg, Big Bay Lake blends seamlessly into its natural surroundings. Homesites are available on the water starting at $100,000. Both the homes and homesites within this community provide unique opportunities to create the perfect home or weekend getaway.

It’s time to relax, unplug, make memories and create new traditions at Big Bay. Whether you are a boating or fishing enthusiast, or just a family who loves to make a big splash, Big Bay Lake is simply about the lure of the water. Enjoy sun-kissed, fun-filled days at Big Bay Lake, where the little things make life...BIG! Big Bay Lake is only 90 minutes from New Orleans. Call for a boat tour today at 877-4BIGBAY or visit BigBayLake.com.

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ADVERTISING SECTION Louisiana residents have loved the Grand Hotel since 1847. They invite you to come and experience this relaxing resort. Skip high rises, traffic jams and goofy golf. Enjoy Spring Break and summer getaways in June at the historic Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa in Pt. Clear, Ala. Named America’s top historic hotel, The Grand has five pools, multiple beaches, sailboats, tennis and one of Condé Nast Traveler’s top spas.

Try great steaks and local seafood in the Grand restaurants. Play a round of golf, experience the daily cannon firing and enjoy afternoon tea before strolling along Mobile Bay. From sailboats and bikes to croquet and crafts, families will find activities to keep everyone happy. Kids Camp is available each day while you go shop in Fairhope or try a Grand spa treatment. Ask about the Grand special culinary weekends. Visit MarriottGrand.com or call 251928-9201.

For a custom closet, pantry, home office or garage, superior service is available in your Northshore neighborhood. Since 2003, Louisiana Custom Closets has been tailoring rooms, shelves, hampers, hutches and more to fit the needs of residents in South Louisiana and along the Gulf Coast. Don Wise, the company’s founder, has been designing closets for more than 18 years. Wise has an unparalleled commitment to customer service, sometimes spending hours listening to the unique wants and needs a client has for the space in his or her home.

Louisiana Custom Closets uses leading technology and software for design, providing clients with computer-generated images.

They use high quality materials and custombuild each closet in their warehouse – from the slanted shelves for shoes and the various rods and valets for hanging clothes to the spacious hutch drawers and cubicles for purses, sweaters and more. With competitive pricing, Louisiana Custom Closets will find an affordable solution to your home needs. Visit LouisianaCustomClosets.com or call for a free estimate: 985-871-0810 or 504-885-3188.

On a beautiful tree-lined street in the historic Garden District sits a classic turnof-the-century double gallery Italianate-style home owned by Dr. and Mrs. Rand Voorhies.

Mrs. Terry Voorhies is a principal at Piranesi Classic Antiques and Decoration on Magazine Street. With her fine eye for craftsmanship and appreciation for decorative arts, it was no surprise when her architect contacted Albany Woodworks to provide cypress plantation shutters, pine beams, patinated antique pine flooring, stairs and a custom cypress mantle for her renovation project. Regarding the completed project, Mrs. Voorhies remarks, “We continue to receive raving compliments on the room, especially on all the wood elements. The quality is so wonderful that people are shocked to learn that they were not original to our circa 1860’s home.”

Albany Woodworks is a well-known local source for quality antique architectural

materials, and has worked on local historic renovations in private residences and large-scale projects such as the U.S. Customs House. For more information and to see examples of its quality woodwork, visit AlbanyWoodworks.com.

Take a little drive and visit the showroom, open daily on the Northshore, or call 225-567-1155 or 800-551-1282.

Ninth in a line of steamboats dating back to the 1880s, the Steamboat NATCHEZ provides guests with a magnificent, one-of-a-kind view of New Orleans and an unparalleled atmosphere of New Orleans tradition, food, music and romance. Even locals are surprised to get this view of the city from the decks of an authentic sternwheeler. Their day cruises liven the excursion with the toe-tapping music of Duke Heitger’s Steamboat Stompers.

Step aboard and listen to the calls of the Steam Calliope as you depart from the heart of the French Quarter. Make your way through the museum-quality steam engine room and listen as the river comes alive through the live historic and port narration during the two-hour cruises.

Delicious New Orleans cuisine and libations are available with lunch and snacks. Enjoy a sunset on the river during the Dinner Jazz Cruise. Tap your toes to the Grammy-winning Dukes of Dixieland Jazz band as you feast on decadent entrees and dazzling specialty drinks.

Weddings, birthdays and holiday celebrations are always special on the Steamboat Natchez. Visit the steamboat online and make reservations at SteamboatNatchez.com.

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Summer Camps

& Activities for Youth

Summer will be here before you know it, and the shift of schedules can send parents scrambling.

Prepare for the change of pace now by planning ahead with the plethora of summer camp and activity options available across the region. With school offerings ranging from music, arts, theater and academic programs to sports clinics and athletic teams, there are opportunities in all areas of interest for New Orleans youth ranging from Pre-K through high school. In addition to the benefits offered by school camps and programs, students also can expand their learning with school and test prep programs and materials. Whether you’re looking to enjoy the summer with laidback fun or further an education with some mind-stimulating problem solving, the following programs and activities are bound to keep children and teens engaged during the summer season.

School-sponsored Summer Camps Mount Carmel Academy's Summer Camp, June 2-June 27, will feature specialty camp offerings for fifth to eighth grade girls, and junior camp offerings for second to fifth grade girls in academic and life skills, arts and theatre, athletics, cheer and dance. Visit its website, MCACubs.com, for individual camp offerings and descriptions. Email summercamp@mcacubs.org or call 504-288-7626.

Have a “whale” of a summer on the 12-acre country campus of Arden Cahill Academy’s Camp Corral! Cahill Camp Corral offers a relaxed environment where children continue to grow and develop during the summer months under the supervision of qualified teachers and experienced instructors. Activities and amenities include horseback riding, swimming, art, theater, sports, a game room, petting farm, a computer room, academic and enrichment classes, field days, dances, fishing, boating, camp-outs, archery, riflery and much, much more. Campers ages 3 (camper must turn 4 by Sept. 30) through 14 are welcome to attend.

Conveniently located on the West Bank (10 minutes from the GNO Bridge), the camp runs

from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. with before and after care available. Hot lunches may be provided for an additional fee. Session dates are June 2-July 3 and July 7-Aug. 8 with options for weekly and session rates.

To find more information or to register, please visit Camp Corral online at ArdenCahillAcademy.com.

Brother Martin High School is a Brothers of the Sacred Heart school for boys in grades seventh through 12th grades. Brother Martin is committed to holistic education with a focus on personal attention, academic excellence and strong character formation. A District 9-5A school, Brother Martin offers a full range of LHSAA athletic teams for all grade levels.

Students can also choose from more than 80 extracurricular activities.

This summer, Brother Martin will offer summer camp for boys 6-12 years old. Camp will run from June 2 through July 11. Mornings are dedicated to sports along with scheduled activities or field trips during the afternoons.

Specialty sports camps in baseball (boys 8-14 years old) and basketball (boys entering third through eighth grades) are July 14-July 18 and July 21-25, respectively. Before and after care is also available

at an additional charge. Online registration is available at BrotherMartin.com.

Academy of the Sacred Heart is a Catholic, independent, ISAS, college preparatory school for girls, toddler through grade 12. The school is committed to values of faith, intellectual excellence, social awareness, community and personal growth. Two years ago, the school opened its state-of-the-art Arts and Athletics Complex. Additionally, the Favrot Arts Center features studios for dance and art, a multi-media center and a music wing.

Boys and girls can spend their summer and have fun at the Academy of the Sacred Heart Summer Camp. Camp programs include: Day Camp for boy and girl toddler and nursery campers; Day Camp for girls entering Prek-Fifth; Sports and More for boys entering Prek-Fifth, Theatre Camps (Jungle Book for the Lower School boys and girls and You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown for boys and girls entering Sixth-Ninth); Creative Hearts for girls entering K-fifth; new Middle School Camps: Too Cool for School, Ceramics and Mixed Media, and Service over Self; Academic and Enrichment Camps; and Sports Camps in volleyball, basketball and speed and conditioning. For more info, check AshRosary.org.

Southern Lacrosse, New Orleans only specialty Lacrosse Store, has joined with St. Martin's Episcopal School in offering the first of several lacrosse clinics this summer. Southern Lacrosse is dedicated to helping grow the game of lacrosse in Louisiana by providing top notch coaching from three of the Major League Lacrosse top players. These coaches will be teaching players of all levels the mental and physical aspects of each position as well as how to improve their skill and strategy. Clinic days will consist of improving stick and ball skill using fun and innovative games as well as chalk talk about the strategy of the position. Daily raffles and giveaways are an added bonus for attendees.

"Compete in the Heat" at St. Martin’s with intramural lacrosse for rising Fifth through Eighth grades from 5:30-7:30 p.m., June 1 through July 15th, on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Skills clinic takes place indoor at Big Easy Sportsplex for ages 6-9 from July 7 through Aug. 10 on Mondays from 6-7 p.m. for boys and girls.

For more information on the clinic or any other offerings, visit southern-lacrosse.com or call 504-826-9425.

De La Salle High School, located on historic St. Charles Avenue, offers a variety of exhilarating summer camps for students in grades one through seven. These full- and half-day camps provide area youth educational and entertaining opportunities in the areas of Academics, Arts, Athletics and more. De La Salle Summer Camps run through the entire month of June.

For added convenience, before- and after-camp care is available. Breakfast, lunch and snacks are available for purchase from Piccadilly, De La Salle’s in-house cafeteria vendor. myneworleans.com

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ADVERTISING SECTION Camp activities include chess, visual art, video gaming, basketball and the exclusive Emerging Leaders program. Emerging Leaders is a one-week, full-day camp that introduces students to the fundamentals of leadership and service learning. Emerging Leaders also arranges off-site visits to various academic points of interest in the Greater New Orleans Area.

Participants must be nominated by a teacher or principal to participate in the program. Only two students per school will be selected and space is limited to the first 14 campers to sign up.

Since 1727, Ursuline Academy has provided a broad, challenging and contemporary Catholic education to girls of all ages. This summer, Ursuline Academy offers various camps in arts and athletics.

Ursuline’s Summer Arts Camp, for girls age 3 (by June 1) through eighth grade, offers a variety of fun classes in art, acting, singing, cooking, sewing, cheer and dance, music, ceramics, science, sports, swimming and more. Session I is June 9-27 and Session II is June 30-July 18. Super Week is an all-field trip experience that includes a variety of fun places, things and activities such as bowling, swimming, IMAX, skating and so much more.

Super Week is July 21-25.

Ursuline Academy Volleyball Camp is directed by Jay Jay Juan, Head Coach and Division III 2012 Volleyball Coach of the Year. Session 1 is June 2-6 for girls ages 6-9

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and Session 2 is June 9-13 for girls ages 11-14.

Ursuline Academy’s Basketball Camp, facilitated

by Head Basketball Coach Andrea Williams, for girls ages 7-14, will be held June 2-6.

For more information on each camp or to contact Ursuline Academy, visit UrsulineNewOrleans.org.

School & Test Prep Prepping for an exam is as important as its results, which can affect one’s acceptance into college as well as possible scholarships and other financing.

The Princeton Review offers area students a vast array of prep options, ranging from private tutoring and small group instruction to self-guided online courses and the LiveOnline Classroom. The Princeton Review’s SAT, ACT and PSAT programs provide students with a personal prep experience that fits their unique learning style, schedule and budget. Find the option that works best for your future graduate.

Program components vary and include several hours of in-class instruction, practice tests, personalized feedback, interactive multimedia lessons and more.

For more information on prep possibilities, visit PrincetonReview.com or call 504-826-8406.

Find out if your student will make the grade with a free practice test at PrincetonReview.com/

FreePracticeTest. In addition to prep programs, a complete line of prep books for SAT and ACT is also available at PrincetonReview.com/Bookstore.

Summer Fun BooKoo Bounce, located in Elmwood at 5604 Blessey St. (behind AMC Elmwood Movie Theater), offers a variety of inflatable play structures in the comfort of an indoor playground. This summer, bring your kids to BooKoo Bounce, where they can bounce, jump, run and play during weekday Walk-In Play. The fun-filled facility is available for field trips, as well.

BooKoo Bounce is also known as one of the area's most popular birthday party venues. These private, full-service parties include everything you could want and need for your child’s big day. Everything is provided – including the invitations. All you do is mail them. The twohour parties include 40 minutes in one play area, 40 minutes in another, and 40 minutes in your private party room to enjoy pizza, cake and refreshments. No need to worry about party prep, cleaning or bad weather!

For more information about birthday parties, Walk-In Play or field trips, please visit BooKooBounce.com or call 504-835-6424.

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Stroke Awareness

Brain function is not only vital to one’s life – it’s vital to one’s quality of life and to one’s personality. Preserving brain functioning is one of many goals of the following health care providers in the metro area who work to prevent stroke in patients and treat victims of stroke. These hospitals and clinics are committed to reducing the effects of a stroke on the brain by developing cutting edge stroke programs aimed at quick responses, highest quality neurological care and advanced rehabilitation.

Learn the risks and be able to identify the signs of a stroke and you may help save a life. When it comes to the brain, every second counts.

Tulane Medical Center’s Comprehensive Stroke Program is a Gold Plus Stroke Center offering wide-ranging stroke services. Patients are rapidly evaluated and treated by the Stroke Team and cared for in a dedicated Stroke Unit. Tulane offers advanced treatments including clot-busting drugs and surgical procedures that can minimize disability caused by stroke.

According to one patient, Tulane’s Stroke Team saved her life: "I suffered a massive stroke at home. An ambulance quickly responded and called the Tulane ER to activate the stroke team. Upon my arrival, the stroke team was already in place and administered TPA and other lifesaving measures. The care at Tulane saved my life and was instrumental in helping me retain a high quality of life. I have no vision loss or speech issues and I continue to work and drive. I credit Tulane’s NeuroICU and Inpatient Rehabilitation program for my recovery. They took excellent care of me and showed my family compassion and kept them well informed.” For more information visit TulaneNeurology.com or call 504-988-5030.

Advancing stroke care in the region is an important goal of Slidell Memorial Hospital (SMH). Because stroke is the leading cause of serious, long-term disabilities, SMH has a dedicated Acute Stroke Team. They respond immediately when a patient in the Emergency Department or anywhere in the hospital experiences stroke symptoms. In addition, SMH has partnered with area Emergency Medical Transport personnel to implement calls to SMH’s ER to alert the Acute Stroke Team prior to a stroke patient’s arrival to the hospital.

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F.A.S.T.” (F: face drooping, A: arm weakness, S: speech difficulty and T: time to call 9-1-1) method to help community members react swiftly to signs a friend or family member may be having a stroke.

For more information on all SMH offers, visit SlidellMemorial.org.

“Time is Brain” when stroke strikes. No one should ever ignore its symptoms: sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), vision problems or dizziness. If you think you are having a stroke, go immediately to the Emergency Room.

It is possible to prevent a stroke from happening. “Control of blood pressure, cholesterol and lipid levels in the blood is very important in stroke prevention,” says Frank Culicchia, M.D., medical director of Culicchia Neurological Clinic and chairman of the LSU Health Sciences Department of Neurosurgery. See a doctor if you are at risk for stroke, and if you have already suffered a stroke, you may be at risk for another. The staff of neurologists, neurosurgeons and interventional neuroradiologists at Culicchia Neurological Clinic are able to evaluate and offer treatment. The Clinic has offices conveniently located Uptown, on the West Bank and in Slidell. Call 504-340-6976 for an appointment or email cnc@culicchianeuro.com. For more information, visit their website, CulicchiaNeuro.com.

The stroke program at East Jefferson General Hospital (EJGH) is recognized as an innovative and effective leader in stroke survival as well as in minimizing the long-term effects of strokes. Their comprehensive approach begins before you even arrive at the hospital. Hospital EMS and ambulances have adopted the very latest in fast stroke responsiveness.

Beyond that, every aspect of care from the Emergency Department through neurology, physical therapy and other departments work in unison treating the patient as a whole in order to maximize the results of the patient’s recovery.

In the last year, the American Heart Association, as part of its Get with The Guidelines initiative, has recognized EJGH Stroke Care with its highest possible awards: 2013 Performance Gold Achievement Award, and 2013 Gold Plus Award. EJGH also received the Quality Achievement Award at the International Stroke Conference. EJGH stroke care is dedicated to continuously improving and advancing the care and responsiveness to strokes, but also prevention and awareness.

For more on care at EJGH, visit EJGH.org.

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The Rehabilitation Center of Thibodaux Regional, located in Lafourche Parish, offers a comprehensive balance program designed to resolve, reduce or prevent impairments in individuals while developing effective, specific treatment programs for each individual.

“A great deal of research has been conducted that supports the effectiveness of balance training in the geriatric and neurologically impaired populations, says Lauren Vedros, PT, DPT, a physical therapist at Thibodaux Regional’s Outpatient Rehabilitation Center. “Many people go through their days feeling unsteady and afraid of falling, but think that it is a normal part of the aging process. Others have suffered a stroke or illness that has left them unsteady, and they feel that they just have to live with it,” adds Vedros.

At the Rehabilitation Center of Thibodaux Regional, therapists design individualized programs utilizing the newest technology to effectively treat balance issues. The technology is helping aging patients with balance problems such as dizziness, unsteadiness and falls.

To learn more about the Rehabilitation Center of Thibodaux Regional, visit Thibodaux.com.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. for both men and women. Particularly in Louisiana, the prevalence of obesity and diabetes means that our communities are at greater risk of heart disease.

Heart disease can strike anyone at any age. In fact, it is becoming more prevalent in those under the age of 60. Heart disease can also be a silent killer, with no symptoms until a heart attack or stroke occur. That is why it’s important to determine your risk factors now and take preventative measures to lessen your risk.

With 14 locations throughout South Louisiana, Cardiovascular Institute of the South has an international reputation for providing stateof-the-art cardiovascular care and is known as a world-leader in preventing and treating both cardiovascular and peripheral vascular disease. To learn more, call CIS at 1-800-425-2565 or visit Cardio.com.

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Aging Parents “Family first,” is how the saying goes, and for the adult children of aging parents in the community, the saying hits close to home. Caring for family members is a noble and necessary duty, one that requires a lot of love, attention to detail and a sacrifice of time. With that in mind, the following area organizations and businesses seek to serve the needs of the family by acting as health and financial resources for those who need it. From independent and assistant living communities to specialty clinics, rehabilitation and wealth management, a variety of resources are able to provide assistance during temporary setbacks and illnesses as well as with long-term care and management.

Lambeth House is a full-service retirement community located in Uptown New Orleans where Broadway Street meets the Mississippi River. Built exclusively for residents ages 62+, Lambeth House offers independent living plus a full continuum of care, including Assisted Living, Memory Care and Nursing Care.

“Part of living independently is living without worry about what will happen if your health needs change,” said President/CEO Scott Crabtree. Crabtree adds that independent living residents have the added peace of mind of LifeCare, which ensures that monthly fees won’t increase substantially, even if the need arises for assisted living, nursing or memory care.

Residences are open and spacious, many offering spectacular views. Amenities include fine and casual dining, a new state-of-the-art wellness center and natatorium, engaging activities and social events. In the words of one resident, “There is something to do here all day, every day, if you want to.”

For more information, call 504-865-1960.

Many women suffer from urinary incontinence and accidental bowel leakage.

Often these conditions occur from childbirth, aging and at times medical problems. But according to Margie Kahn, MD, clinical associate professor and board-certified section

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head of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery in the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Urology at Tulane’s School of Medicine, “Urinary incontinence is not a normal part of aging! We address all pelvic floor disorders, including fecal incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse, at the same time. We have an experienced and sensitive team that understands most women are embarrassed to bring up these problems, and may have had them ignored if they did so. We offer a multidisciplinary approach comprising behavioral interventions, physical therapy, simple office procedures and more complex, minimally invasive surgery in the operating room.”

Dr. Kahn’s patients are given every option for treatment, and every woman chooses what options are right for her. For more information on Tulane’s OB/GYN department and Dr. Kahn, call 504-988-8070 for the Metairie office or for the offices in downtown New Orleans.

As of April 2013, New Orleans residents suffering from pain have a new option for pain relief. Integrated Pain and Neuroscience is a group of exceptional providers led by Dr. Eric I. Royster, physician founder. Their vision is to offer comprehensive treatment for patients suffering from chronic pain. The providers

at Integrated Pain and Neuroscience treat all causes of chronic pain including spine pain, orthopedic pain, neurologic pain and headaches.

Dr. Eric Royster, Dr. Andrea O’Leary, Dr. Aaron J. Friedman and Kim Adkins, PA-C coordinate care to determine the most suitable, individualized treatment. In addition to medical management of pain they offer advanced non-medication based treatments including injectable therapies, implantable therapies, acupuncture and P-Stim. Nutritional consultation and massage therapy are soon to be added to the menu of available treatments.

In many cases advanced treatments may be available the same day as the initial consultation appointment.

For more information, visit PainIsAPuzzle. com or call 504-300-9020. Integrated Pain and Neuroscience is located in the heart of Uptown New Orleans at 2801 Napoleon Ave. Anyone looking for compassionate and dignified care for their terminally ill loved ones should take a look at the services offered by Canon Hospice. The caring team at Canon is dedicated to a hospice ministry that helps patients and families accept terminal illness positively and resourcefully. Their stated goal is to “allow our patients to live each day to the fullest and enjoy their time with family and friends.”

With special expertise in pain management and symptom control, Canon Hospice designs individualized plans of care for each patient based on their unique needs. Home Based Services provide doctors, nurses, social workers, pastoral care and volunteers. For patients with more intensive symptom management needs, Canon has an Inpatient Hospice Unit. This unit provides 24-hour care in a home-like environment where patients are permitted to receive visits at any hour. The Inpatient Hospice Unit is located on the fourth floor of the Ochsner Elmwood Medical Center at 1221 S. Clearview Parkway, Jefferson.

For more information visit CanonHospice. com or call 504-818-2723.

Home Care Solutions offers highly personalized caregiver services and Geriatric Care Management services to help loved ones in the Greater New Orleans area extend their independence. Locally owned and operated for more than 20 years by licensed social workers, Home Care Solutions has particular expertise in dignified, compassionate Alzheimer’s care.

All home care services begin with a professional assessment visit. A care manager then designs a plan of care specific to the client’s needs while incorporating family input.

Carefully selected and trained caregivers then provide assistance with activities of daily living and companionship, supported by routine supervisory visits by the care manager. Many clients need additional Geriatric

ADVERTISING SECTION Care Management services and support beyond home care. Additional services that provide peace of mind for far-flung families include exploring the options and costs of elder care services in the area, attending medical appointments with clients and reporting back to family members, coordinating legal and financial referrals, and managing crisis situations.

Home Care Solutions is a member agency of the National Private Duty Association, and its Geriatric Care Managers are designated professionals of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers. For more information, call 504-828-0900 or visit HomeCareNewOrleans.com.

Chartered in 1891, The John J. Hainkel, Jr. Home and Rehabilitation Center and Adult Day Health Care is located in Uptown New Orleans and provides health care services including a range of skilled services in its new Parkside Red Rehabilitation Wing. Services are available to individuals with private pay, private insurance, VA benefits and Medicaid/Medicare benefits.

In 1979, the facility was sold to the state.

The original non-profit organization leased it back from the state in April 2011. As a privately operated non-profit, it exhibits the highest quality of care; Hainkel received “0” deficiencies in its most recent annual surveys conducted by the Department of Health & Hospitals in both the Nursing Home and the Adult Day Health Care. The Hainkel Home

promotes quality of life as a unique and caring alternative for the elderly and those who suffer from serious illnesses and disabilities. In addition to long-term care, they provide respite care, rehab-to-home and other short term stays.

Please call 504-896-5904 to schedule a tour of The Hainkel Home facilities and see why it’s the right choice for your family. Visit HainkelHome.com for additional information.

Dale Gedert has focused on foot care for more than 40 years. He brings his expertise to Greater New Orleans with the opening of Therapeutic Shoes, a shopping resource for those suffering from a wide variety of conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, flat feet, heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, bunions, calluses, edema, leg length discrepancies, as well as knee, hip and back pain, and more.

“We specialize in custom accommodative foot orthotics, stylish extra depth shoes, diabetic shoes, custom shoes, shoe modifications, compression wear and diabetic socks,” says Gedert. “We’ve got over 175 styles and colors of men’s and women’s shoes.”

Therapeutic Shoes features an in-house orthotic lab with certified personnel who handle all custom orthotics and shoe modifications. They offer a large selection of compression wear. Their socks are hand-made with bamboo charcoal fiber, seamless and shaped to fit the foot for reducing fatigue and preventing circulation problems. The science your feet need – the comfort you deserve.

Therapeutic Shoes is located at 408 Maine St., Jefferson. For more information and hours, call 504-832-3933.

At Associated Hearing, they know a patient’s life centers on experiences and relationships with family, friends and other individuals. They assist patients with their decisions concerning better hearing health through protection, preservation, evaluation and treatment of hearing and balance function.

With more than 30 years of experience, Associated Hearing employs a team approach that centers on personalized care. Board certified audiologists value precision in diagnosis utilizing advanced diagnostic equipment and innovative hearing aid technology. With locations in Metairie and Covington, Associated Hearing is poised to serve both the North and Southshores of Lake Pontchartrain.

Patients receive comprehensive treatment including an in-depth medical and social history, complete audiological and balance testing (vestibular evaluation), individualized counseling, hearing aid fittings and followup care. Other services include specialized diagnostic assessments, customized assistive listening devices and in-office repairs for many hearing aids.

The process of hearing from the first moments of life involves hearing, listening and understanding. When the aging process breaks

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this down, as it will, we need to evaluate the cause and remedy.

For more information, visit AssociatedHearingInc.com or call 504-8334327 (Metairie), 985-249-5225 (Covington & Franklinton).

For more than 55 years, people have turned to Patio Drugs for help in managing their health care needs. Patio Drugs has helped individuals and families understand their medications, both prescription and overthe-counter, since 1958 and provides free prescription delivery throughout East Jefferson.

In addition to being a full-service pharmacy, the oldest independent pharmacy in Jefferson Parish, Patio Drugs is also a leading provider of home medical equipment. For everything from a Band-Aid to a hospital bed, Patio Drugs is your one-stop source for all home medical equipment needs.

Patio Drugs is accredited by the Joint Commission in Durable Medical Equipment, Clinical Respiratory Services, Specialty Pharmacy Services, Long Term Care Pharmacy, Clinical Pharmacy Services and Home Infusion Services. These specialized services are provided with free delivery and set-up throughout Southeast Louisiana. Long-term care facilities and assisted living facilities are also serviced by the caring staff of Patio Drugs.

Whether you need crutches, canes, lift chairs, wheel chairs, nebulizers, oxygen, CPAP’s, bilevels, walkers or scooters, as well as prescriptions, call Patio Drugs, 5208 Veterans Blvd. in Metairie, 504-889-7070. Patio Drugs, “Large enough to serve you, yet small enough to know you.”

The Touro Neuro Rehab Center offers the comprehensive LSVT Loud™ and LSVT Big™ program for treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

LSVT therapy uses innovative and clinically proven methods for improving communication and movement in individuals with Parkinson’s disease with application to other neurological conditions, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome. Therapists focus on “Loud” and “Big” respectively when performing speech, physical and occupational therapy to maximize attention to the task at hand and increase automaticity.

LSVT Loud™ is a Parkinson’s-specific speech therapy designed to improve vocal loudness, speech intelligibility and facial expression through the same premise of intensity and repetition. Each patient identifies 10 phrases that he or she wants to be able to say on a daily basis and works toward those goals throughout the month of training. LSVT Big™ is a technique used by certified physical or occupational therapists to drive intense and

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high-effort practice and teach the amount of effort required to produce normal movements.

Touro offers a FREE Parkinson’s Support Group for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease. To learn more, contact the Touro Neuro Rehab Center at 504-897-8642 or visit touro.com/LSVT. At Behavioral Health Counseling & Consulting, Sharon Heno and her team work with individuals to build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing. An interactive, solutionfocused therapist, Sharon Heno utilizes an approach that provides support and practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life challenges.

Behavioral Health Counseling & Consulting is currently expanding with the addition of a new therapist and is now accepting new clients for play therapy, marriage and family counseling, spectrum disorders and nutritional and sports counseling in addition to what the practice already offers.

At Behavioral Health Counseling, work with individuals is person-centered; providers meet clients where they are and collaborate with them as they move past obstacles in their lives. Through therapy, Heno’s team develops strategies personalized to you, the individual, to get you back on track and moving forward in life. Consulting and coaching services are available to those needing support in motivation, organization and decision-making.

For more information, visit BehavioralHealthCNC.net or call 504-302-7771.

Vista Shores is a private, luxury senior living and memory care community located on the serene waters of Bayou St. John. Built on the site of the legendary Vista Shores country club, this top-of-the-line assisted living community has the atmosphere of a country club. Vista Shores residents enjoy chef-prepared meals in the bistro and quaint dining room, a relaxing lounge for coffee or cocktails and a wrap-around porch perfect for sunset.

Social and cultural activities and fitness programs keep residents active and engaged, while weekly housekeeping, laundry and transportation services offer a convenient reprieve from difficult chores or errands.

All residents are offered 24-hour personal care, which extends from individualized plans of assistance with daily activities such as dressing and bathing to medication management. Vista Shores’ Memory Care program enriches the lives of those with Alzheimer’s or dementia and enables residents to function at the highest possible level.

For more information on Vista Shores, visit VistaShores.com or call 504-288-3737.

Located on three acres in scenic Uptown New Orleans, Poydras Home is a continuing care retirement community that has been serving the needs of the local area since 1817.

Poydras Home is known nationally for its quality of care and innovative programs that allow residents to enjoy life to the fullest in a beautiful and historic setting.

Poydras Home offers a full continuum of care consisting of Garden House (independent living), Oak House (assisted living), the Historic House (nursing care), and PHASE (adult day program). All rooms are private and overlook beautifully landscaped grounds. Poydras Home’s state-of-the-art memory support areas, Seasons and Hunter House, provide unparalleled services with unique individualized activities and a secured outdoor garden and walking path.

Poydras Home’s professional and committed caring staff delivers compassionate, quality supportive services. From independent living to highly individualized care, Poydras Home is the only full continuum of care community with dementia care and adult day program in the Greater New Orleans Area. For more info, visit PoydrasHome.com or call 504-897-0535.

Retirement Planning Since 1992, Anthony J. Cangemi has provided trusted counsel, valuable advice and financial solutions to people across Greater New Orleans. In 2008, Anthony became An Investment Advisor Representative (IAR) and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor with Crescent City Retirement Group, LLC. Anthony is dedicated to helping people increase their wealth, minimize their taxes, protect their assets and most importantly, maintain their independence.

Anthony works with clients to create customized strategies offering principal protection and a lifetime income. Committed to both clients and the community, Anthony offers time every Sunday on WRNO 99.5FM’s Financial Focus Radio from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Anthony works hard to ensure that his clients and the people he consults with enjoy this important time in their lives and feel comfortable financially.

With a motto of “Retirement Planning … A bridge we can help you cross,” Anthony focuses on five key retirement areas: preservation of capital, tax efficient strategies, income planning, distribution and health care planning. Schedule a consultation by calling toll-free 800-830-0655.

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TRYTHIS A

HO W - T O

F OR T H E MO N T H

Uke-ing It Up B y M O R G AN P AC K AR D

Shopping

ELE N A RICCI P HO T O G RA P H

A

quick search of “ukulele

songs” on YouTube yields more than 293,000 videos. And it’s no wonder, easily portable with only four strings, it seems the easiest stringed instrument to pick up and learn.

I have studied singing, piano and clarinet, but never a stringed instrument, so I turned to local musician Mikayla Braun. Braun is originally from Bethesda, Md., and went to college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to study psychology. She always has been a performer, playing piano and guitar, covering other artists’ songs in her own way as well as writing and performing her own music (you may have already seen her busking on a French Quarter street corner or on a local stage).

She spent a semester abroad in East Africa at 20 to study Wildlife Preservation and needed an instrument small enough to fit in her suitcase, so she picked up the ukulele. While there she found that although she still loved animals, she wanted to devote more of her time and energy to her music, so she moved to New Orleans.

We met at my house for my first lesson. We started by tuning my very out of tune instrument as she told me about the different kinds of ukuleles, how the strings and frets worked and how to make it play the correct sounds. She brought out a binder with sheets to teach me how to read chord diagrams, how to play scales and a few popular songs with the chord progressions marked. After we tried out a few strumming rhythms, we decided to try playing a song, “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz. It basically has

Mikayla Braun (left) and the author

four chords: C, G, A minor and F. I kept hesitating over the move from C to G, but every time I’d get frustrated, I’d turn to Braun and she’d be smiling patiently at me, kindly urging me to continue.

When our scheduled hour had passed, Braun asked me if I had had enough for the first lesson – when I looked at my clock I was surprised to see the time, I thought we had only been working for 20 minutes.

After she left I took a break but kept being drawn back to my ukulele; I ended up practicing until the fingers on my left hand went numb and I had to shake out my wrist. But I’ll keep playing until my muscle memory remembers how to go from C to G. And I’ll see Braun again next week to learn a new song, and continue to do so until I can (maybe) keep up with her.

If you’re interested in learning to play the ukulele, want to purchase Braun’s first album or help fund her second, you can visit her website MikaylaMusic.com or email her at MusicMikayla@ gmail.com.

Trashy Diva Lingerie Opens Magazine Street Location

2044 Magazine St.; 831 Chartres St.; (888) 818-DIVA (3482), TrashyDiva.com

Trashy Diva, the retro fashion focused clothing boutique that started in the French Quarter 18 years ago, has opened a second location at 2044 Magazine St. Trashy Diva is well known for providing a wide range of bra sizes (A to G) in fashion styles, basics, retro shape-wear and custom corsets. The new spring collections, which are hitting the stores daily, feature flirty florals and bright colorful solids. As well as specializing in catering to a wide variety of customers, the stores are also becoming popular as venues for bachelorette parties with party packages available. – M i r e l l a c a m e r a n

Home

Homes Available at Big Bay Lake, Miss.

600 Big Bay Blvd., Lumberton, Miss.; (877) 4BIG-BAY (4244-229), BigBayLake.com

A new community is being built on the largest private recreational lake in Mississippi

by Big Bay Lake Development, a Mississippi-based family company. Private homes that are architecturally designed to blend into the natural environment are for sale. Developer Bennett V. York commented: “In today’s complex world, we all have a need for authenticity. People want down-to-earth places where they are comfortable and can connect with family and friends. Big Bay is back and the best is yet to come.” – M . C . myneworleans.com

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STREETCAR

On theWagon – and Off

T

B Y ERR O L LA B O R D E his story could have hardly had a

more tragic beginning. By 1915 New Orleans was filled with Sicilian immigrants hoping to build a better life in a more stable nation. Italian kids ran the streets of downtown, including two boys who one day climbed an ice wagon to devour frigid chips as a way of keeping cool. When the wagon’s owner saw the boys he yelled at them, forcing them to jump off. One didn’t notice an oncoming streetcar. It was a horrible accident. The boy, Sam Cortese, lost both of his legs.

His parents would face the challenge of providing a livelihood for a disabled son. In those days before ample social services, families had to draw from what they knew, and the Corteses knew how to work with confections. Using molasses as a key ingredient, they taught young Sam how to make Italian-style taffy, which was prepared in strings and singularly wrapped. Eventually Sam had established a popular business selling his product that would be known as “Roman Chewing Candy.”

Here the story takes a happier turn into the heart of the city’s nostalgia. Sam would get a mule-drawn Roman Candy wagon. It would be commonly seen around town and have a magnetic effect, pulling in customers who likely were not even thinking about a chew of taffy. Suddenly they were standing outside the wagon window deciding between strawberry, chocolate or vanilla.

That wagon can still be seen on the streets, though sometimes pulled by a truck, and now operated by Ronnie Kottemann, Sam’s grandson, who still hand-pulls and hand-wraps each stick – just as his granddad did.

Being a wagon it doesn’t get to travel very far, but legends know no boundaries – including that of the Roman Candy man – so the scene shifts to a restaurant on one of the British Virgin Islands. David DeVun and his wife, Mary, Ronnie Kottemann’s sister, are having lunch. They are sailing the islands and are especially interested in learning about rum. They get into a conversation with two couples at nearby tables and discover that they’re from Baton Rouge and Covington. Well. Idle chatter morphed into crazy ideas, crazy ideas turned into serious talk. A new concept was born: Roman Candy Rum. But how to produce it? No problem.

According to DeVun, they decided on the traditional flavors of chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. Actual samples of the candy were sent to a flavoring company, which “produced the best flavoring I ever tasted and nailed it.” Arrangements were made with a Puerto Rican rum distillery to, provide the flavored booze. A Florida company does the bottling and then ships the batch to New Orleans for distribution.

Bottles were imported from France. “So, just as the candy is made from molasses,” DeVun says, “so is the rich, imported rum we make our product with. It is a true 70 proof quality rum that definitely kicks it up a notch.”

To date the product is sold in New Orleans and has entered the Baton Rouge market.

And so the tale continues. Next year will be the centennial of Sam Cortese beginning his business. A chew of taffy would be a fitting tribute, so too might be a swig of rum to toast a trail of molasses that took turns in unpredictable directions.

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AR T HUR N EAD ILLUS T RA T IO N