Latest Issue: Best of the Big Easy – July 2021

July 2021

WhereYat.com

DINING • MUSIC • ENTERTAINMENT • NIGHTLIFE

WRITERS’ & READERS’ PICKS p. 6

Advanced orthopedics for Zoe.

All the care in the world for the center of your world When it comes to providing the expert care kids need from birth through teenage years, there’s nowhere better than Children’s Hospital New Orleans.

It’s why we have more than 400 pediatric-trained physicians working across every type of specialty care you can imagine. Whether it’s a simple scrape or a complicated surgery, parents can rest assured knowing we offer every type of care for every kind of kid in Louisiana and beyond.

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Find a specialist today at chnola.org

(504) 831-8637 • 2347 Metairie Road Thank you to the readers for voting us

ONE OF THE BEST BARS IN METAIRIE!

ENJOY OUR NEW PATIO

HAPPY HOUR DAILY UNTIL 7PM

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HAPPY HOUR DAILY UNTIL 7PM

Thank You to the Readers of Where Y’at for Voting Pal’s Lounge the Best Bar in Mid City!

CONTENTS 32

July 2021 Publisher/Editor-in-Chief: Josh Danzig

Food & Drink

Features

Creative Director: Robert Witkowski

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Perfect Shots: NOLA Film Locations

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The Ranch: St. Bernard Parish's First Film Studios

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Live Loud: Essence Fest

Animal Magnetism: Unusual Pets

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Places Near and (Not So) Far: Summer Adventures in the Great Outdoors

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Joy to All the Fishes in the Audubon Aquarium

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Summertime Skin Care Funny Bunny: Remembering Will Bunn Matthews III

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A Spirited Cool Down

Movie Editors: David Vicari, Fritz Esker

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Everything's Coming Up Tacos

Contributing Writers: Kathy Bradshaw, Phil LaMancusa, Debbie Lindsey, Kim Ranjbar, Burke Bischoff, Julie Mitchell, Greg Roques, Celeste Turner, Eliana Blum, Steve Melendez, Michelle Nicholson, Sabrina Stone, Kimmie Tubre, Emily Hingle, Rebecca Fox, Jeff Boudreaux

66 70 74

$20 & Under Restaurant Guide Bar Guide

Cover Photo: Best of the Big Easy photo illustration by Robert Witkowski Director of Sales: Stephen Romero Photographers and Designers: Gus Escanelle, Kimmie Tubre, Emily Hingle, Kathy Bradshaw, Robert Witkowski

Extras

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Interns: Kayla Connor, Monwell Frazier, Madeline Taliancich, Marigny Lanaux, Mary Grace Granito, Shayla Baker, Grant Varner, Gigi Halpern, Olivia Longoria, Jordana Comiter. Sam Danzig

Best of the Big Easy Writers' Picks Best of the Big Easy Readers' Picks

Subscribe: Receive 1 year (14 issues) for $30 and get a FREE Where Y’at mask. Subscribe today at WhereYat.com.

Tales From the Quarter Po-Boy Views

Logo ©2021 All rights reserved Bruce Betzer, Legal Counsel: (504) 304-9952

Letter from the Publisher Thank you to everyone who voted in our Best of the Big Easy contest! Enjoy this issue packed with your results for things like “Best Happy Hour” and “Best Sushi.”

Be sure to read the always-entertaining “Writers’ Picks” for unique insider-secrets including “Best Place to Drink in Class,” “Best Place to Get a Sunburn,” and more.

Speaking of drinking, this issue features the return of our Bar Guide, which lists the hottest watering holes in town. With that, check out Kimmie Tubre’s cool piece about refreshing frozen drinks to enjoy on a hot summer day.

Condolences to the Matthews family on the passing of Bunny Matthews. Bunny created Where Y’at’s original logo and will always be remembered for his contributions to local “yat” culture.

Stay cool and dry!

–Josh Danzig, Publisher

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Where Y’at Magazine 5500 Prytania St., #133 New Orleans, LA 70115 (504) 891-0144 info@whereyat.com WhereYat.com

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PHOTOS, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: COURTESY R-BAR / FACEBOOK; COURTESY ESSENCE FESTIVAL; AUBRIE PICK GOSPEL COFFEE AND BOOZY TREATS KIMPTON; ROBERT WITKOWSKI; FILE PHOTO

Executive Editor: Burke Bischoff

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DAISY DUKES DINER 2244 VETERANS BLVD. KENNER DAISY DUKES 1200 W. APPROACH MANDEVILLE

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2021 2021 BEST OF THE BIG EASY Writers' Choice!

Where Y'at writers weigh in with a few Besties outside the scope of our survey…

When the Saints are down, so is the Who Dat Nation. But what better way to drown your post-game sorrows and cheer yourself up than with…donuts? Cry in your chocolate milk at Hurts, a newly reopened donut shop that features over 70 different flavors of giant frosted decadence, including red velvet, salted caramel, and maple bacon. Sugar and lard can go a long way toward easing the agony of a bad call or a bad play. And although a dozen glazed might be no consolation for a 12-point Saints loss, it still might make it “Hurts” just a little less.

–Kathy Bradshaw

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Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

BEST SPOT TO TASTE THE FLAVORS OF MYANMAR, OR IS IT BURMA? Laksa NOLA in the St. Roch Market 2381 St. Claude Ave., 504-390-9985, strochmarket. com/laksanola A truly unique food spot in the St. Roch Market, Laksa NOLA is really the only place in Louisiana where you can eat Burmese and Malaysian type dishes. Run by Chef Than Lin Regules, who was born in Burma, the food spot is named after a laksa bowl, which is a Malaysian noodle soup made with veggies, chicken, shrimp, egg, tofu, and a spicy apple blend. Other dishes you can get include the Burmese coconut soup, chicken satay, roti bread, and nan gyi thonk (noodles with coconut chicken, fried onion, cabbage, hard-boiled egg, wonton chips, cilantro, and yellow bean powder). Yuuum!

– Burke Bischoff BEST PLACE TO RUIN A BLACK T-SHIRT Café Beignet Multiple Locations, cafebeignet.com Sacrifice your favorite black top for a good cause. As with all versions of this hard-to-hide treat, Café Beignet’s made-toorder fresh beignets are served hot and covered in mounds of powdered sugar, which will promptly decorate your entire dark wardrobe at first bite. They have multiple locations, including one in the Music Legends Park on Bourbon Street, so you can listen to live music while you cover yourself in a little New Orleans-style dandruff. Everyone will see what you’ve been eating, but it’s okay. Black with sticky white splotches is the new black.

–Kathy Bradshaw

FROM TOP: ADBOBE STOCK; KAYLA CONNOR

BEST PLACE TO RECOVER FROM THE DEVASTATION OF A SAINTS LOSS Hurts Donut Co. 501 Loyola Ave., 504-841-9904, wannahurts.com

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BEST PLACE TO PEOPLE WATCH (OR JUST RUN INTO EVERYONE YOU KNOW) Jazmine Café 614 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-866-9301, jazminecafe.com Jazmine Cafe is essentially an extension of the Tulane social scene. The hole-inthe-wall-esque Vietnamese joint is a Tulane student favorite—partially because of their hefty helpings of vermicelli noodles and extensive spring roll menu, and partially because they accept both Nola Bucks and Splash Cash. It’s the best place to roll up hungover, clad in pajamas and last night’s makeup, cry, gossip with your roommates, and run into your ex. Above all, it’s the most reliable restaurant I know.

–Camryn Cohen

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BEST VEGETARIAN LUNCH DATE Burger King 2727 Canal St. Want to really score big on the vegetarian

dating scene? Take them to the Burger King drive thru on 2727 Canal St. for a couple of Impossible (veggie) Whoppers and some shakes, go sit in the parking lot at Goodwill

KAYLA CONNOR (2)

BEST HANGOVER BREAKFAST Riccobono’s Panola Street Café 7801 Panola St., 504-314-1810, panolastreetcafe.com Riccobono’s Panola Street Cafe is an enclave of your hungover fantasy. Hole up with your friends and enjoy heaping plates of eggs and bacon, greasy breakfast sandwiches, and hearty omelets—all in the comfort of a cozy corner cafe clad in colorful, kitschy New Orleans-themed art. Panola is a hidden gem that I discovered admittedly late in my Tulane experience. Nonetheless, it’s the friendliest neighborhood breakfast spot, and the waitresses will treat you like their own. Get a side of creamy grits, a fat biscuit, and a large cup of iced chocolate coffee too. –Camryn Cohen

Home of the Boogie Bird Wings, Fish Fried Wings, & Watermelon Punch!

Over 80 Flavors of Wings Voted #1 in New Orleans

NEW

CRAWFISH FLAVOR

BoogieBird.com 3400 S. Claiborne Ave. 504-896-4596 1700 Franklin Ave.

504-407-3201

2010 Williams Blvd.

504-667-3680

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on 3400 Tulane Ave., eat your delicious lunch while chatting about this and that and then go do some light shopping (you’ll always find something!). I guarantee this outing will bring a smile to any Veggie’s face and, if not, let them fade like denim from your life. Reward them with a PBR at Pal’s on 949 N. Rendon St. –Philipe LaMancusa

Backyard Tacos moved into bonafide digs, a camel-back house-turned restaurant on St. Claude Avenue. If you haven’t been fortunate enough to visit their new abode, you should know that ordering is easy, but finding their backyard patio is a whole different adventure. After you select your preferred type of taco feast from the front counter, you can either wait to take it home

BEST “EVERYONE KNOWS BUT YOU” LOCAL MEAL Kebab 2315 St. Claude Ave., 504-383-4328, kebabnola.com From ketchup to kebabs made in house, fresh baked bread daily for sandwiches, hummus, couscous, pickles, beets, and nine house made sauces (including the infamous Skhug, Coco-habenero, and Harrisa), craft beers, cocktails in coconuts, Portobello po-boys with Spanish garlic sauce, falafel, and friendly service. Eating in house, pick up, bicycle, and Uber-eats delivery service. Tall towers of rotating pork and chicken turning slowly on spits and specials on weekends. A neighborhood place with high standards and local roots. Mention them to friends and they’ll say, “Oh, I know that place. I love it!”

–Philipe LaMancusa

BEST SPOT TO GET LOST ON THE WAY TO THE BACKYARD PATIO Rosalita’s Backyard Tacos 3304 St. Claude Ave., 504-354-2468, rosalitas-nola.com Early this year, Bywater pop-up Rosalita’s

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Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

or go ‘round back and devour your tortillafilled joy on their tree-shaded patio. To get there, you have to exit the restaurant, hang two sharp lefts, and make your way down an incredibly narrow (think one averagesized person wide) alleyway to reach your destination. For me, the disorientation was minor, but I did overhear a man at a nearby table tell of how he accidentally walked right into the next-door neighbor’s living room.

–Kim Ranjbar BEST PLACE TO NOT FEEL GUILTY ABOUT SKIPPING MASS WHILE EATING SUNDAY BRUNCH The Elysian Bar 2317 Burgundy St., 504-356-6769, theelysianbar.com If any brunch could be called a religious experience, it would be the food created

by Chef Alex Harrell at the Elysian Bar. Part of the Marigny’s Hotel Peter and Paul, the Elysian Bar’s Sunday brunch menu includes dishes like “Baked Eggs in Purgatory” with spicy chorizo, tomato, and ricotta;

KAYLA CONNOR

BEST NEW BAKERY FOR BREADS, BAGELS, & CROISSANTS! Leo’s Breads 2438 Bell St., leosbread.com Fresh baked bagels would be enough to make this new bakery a blessing to the neighborhood, but add to it amazing croissants, loaves of bread, sweet and savory baked goods, and an airy place to sit and indulge. It is a delightful re-purposing of a wonderful corner building that served as an auto-repair and sheet metal business.

The building had character then and has kept its soul during this lovely renovation and transformation. Kate the Baker deserves a thank you and you can do this by being her loyal customer.

–Debbie Lindsey

CELEBRATE RESPONSIBLY®

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Louisiana blood oranges and roasted beets; and sweet potato sticky toffee pudding with crème fraiche ice cream.

Be sure to observe your rites properly by reserving a table inside the old Peter and Paul Cathedral.

–Kim Ranjbar BEST MODERN TWIST ON A MARDI GRAS CLASSIC Saba’s Babka King Cake 5757 Magazine St., 504-324-7770, eatwithsaba.com Whenever someone puts a “modern twist” on a New Orleans classic, beware. The culinary cross-pollination rarely produces a seedling blossoming with the distinct palatability of either of its progenitors.

Saba’s Babka King Cake is a notable—if not the ultimate—exception. At first glance, it is quite distinctly a babka, but take one bite into the sweet, braided bread, and you will experience the unquestionable texture and taste of a traditional New Orleans King Cake complementing the cherished Israeli dish. Only Alon Shaya could pull this off… and he does.

–Greg Roques BEST PLACE TO GET A SHRIMP-FREE SHRIMP PO-BOY Kindred 7537 Maple St., 504-841-9538, kindrednola.com Offering traditional regional cuisine made entirely from plant-based ingredients, Kindred changes its menu

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regularly, but always provides delicious food that’s a healthy alternative for both people and the environment.

Executive Chef David Breaux added the Shrimp Po-boy to the menu, substituting mushroom for shrimp on Gambino’s bread, and is continually finding innovative ways to create vegan dishes that are in the tradition of Cajun cooking, like making boudin sausage with dried black-eyed peas.

–Matt A. Sheen BEST PLACE TO FORGET YOU’RE IN NEW ORLEANS N7 1117 Montegut St., n7nola.com Derelict buildings with overgrown sidewalks present a more industrial feel crossing St. Claude Avenue. Yet, the illusion of being transported to the French countryside on the outskirts of Paris is worth the few moments of trepidation. Along a privacy fence, the small “N7” near a nondescript gate is the lone clue for a portal to the French countryside. Going through the gate, the brain cannot comprehend the shift of leaving the scrap yards and readjust to this Bywater oasis fast enough.

Bistro lights illuminate an expansive outdoor patio, elegant bar, and spot-on wait-staff serving authentic French cuisine.

A vintage Citroën is even parked among the tables to full effect. While it may be hard to return to New Orleans, at least you’ll do it on a full stomach.

–Robert Witkowski

Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

BEST BAR THAT FEATURES A CAT YOU WANT TO PET Pete’s Out in the Cold 701 Sixth St., 504-895-8993, facebook.com/PetesOutInTheCold The legendary dive bar nestled in the Irish Channel features cold beer, a great jukebox, and Foxy—a rescue Calico cat who can be found roaming the bar and the neighborhood. Foxy was rescued from the countryside of Tangipahoa Parish about four years ago and has since become beloved by patrons of Pete’s. When not enjoying her favorite songs from Elvis or Shania Twain on the jukebox or soliciting belly scratches from adoring fans, Foxy loves to stalk majestically around the Irish Channel neighborhood, demanding treats from the neighbors. And after a long day, Foxy likes to relax with a nice salt rocks Meowgarita.

– Andrew Alexander BEST BAR AT WHICH TO GET ONE’S NOSE TICKLED Union Kitchen 720 St. Louis St., 504-304-4636, unionkitchennola.com A new seltzer bar, Union Kitchen, serves affordably-priced sparkling cocktails for those of us who aspire to lead a sparkling life. The food is also reasonably priced.

Though anyone with dietary restrictions will find their options quite limited (it is in the French Quarter after all), there are one or two appetizers that may appeal.

The sweet potato fries are delicious,

seasoned with cinnamon, and, at $3 for a serving that makes McDonald’s portions look stingy by comparison, quite a bargain!

–Matt A. Sheen BEST STEAKHOUSE COCKTAILS Doris Metropolitan 620 Chartres St., 504-267-3500, dorismetropolitan.com While there’s nothing wrong with martinis and red wine, sometimes you’re looking for high-end cocktails to go with your high-end steak. Doris Metropolitan’s bar is capable of mixing up both classic cocktails and original creations. For bourbon lovers, the Doris Old Fashioned should be your move. It’s made with a Maker’s Mark barrel unique and exclusive to Doris (Doris partners went to the Maker’s Mark distillery and picked the staves themselves that give this higher-proof bourbon specific flavor and scent notes). Doris also boasts an old-fashioned menu crafted with whiskey and liquor options from several states.

Definitely get a good cocktail there to drink before or with your steak.

–Andrew Marin BEST PLACE TO DRINK IN CLASS The Sazerac House 101 Magazine St., 504-910-0100, sazerachouse.com Let’s face it, we all needed a good drink at some point during the pandemic.

Alternatively, the lockdown gifted us with interminable time to take up a new skill.

JOIN THE PARTY #WeAreNOLA

HarrahsNewOrleans.com

@HarrahsNOLA #WeAreNOLA

Must be 21 or older to gamble. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-522-4700. ©2021, Caesars License Company, LLC.

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Enter Sazerac House’s virtual tastings. I learned both the history as well as classic and modern recipes for the Old Fashioned, Hot Toddy, and the establishment’s eponymous namesake. In-person tastings and seminars, as well as continued online demonstrations, are now advertised on their events page. Don’t miss the first-class spirits offered in their shop, and be sure to order a cocktail kit for curbside pickup before your next virtual class.

–Greg Roques

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BEST PLACE TO RECONNECT WITH YOUR HIGH SCHOOL CRUSH PJ Coffee of New Orleans 5432 Magazine St., pjscoffee.com A comfortable spot that evokes a relaxed homey feel rather than settings that add selfconscious posturing to an already awkward meeting. It’s easy to find a quiet nook to nestle in the shop or hidden in the back courtyard to quietly profess catching schoolyard feelings over lattes. Patrons keep to themselves and employees remain at a respectful distance, unless needed.

If things go badly, a quick escape down the passageway bypasses the shop. If things go well, Walgreens is across the street.

–Robert Witkowski

BEST PLACE TO PRETEND YOU’RE ON AN ASIAN VACATION Hong Kong Food Market 925 Behrman Hwy., Gretna, 504-3947075, hongkongmarketnola.com One of the largest Asian markets in South Louisiana, the Hong Kong Food Market really makes you feel like you’re grocery shopping in East or Southeast Asia. It’s so large and has so many products, it’s a bit overwhelming if you’re not used to visiting frequently! Shop around for a ton of different food products from Japan, Vietnam, China, Thailand, Taiwan, and etc. You can also purchase fresh produce, banh mis, and seafood, as well as imported booze, Hispanic food, and food and drinks that are halal. Listen closely and you might even learn some Vietnamese on the fly!

– Burke Bischoff

BEST PLACE TO SLEEP ON YOUR SAVINGS Beds4Less 3270 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 504-3054430, nolabeds.com I recently went to a big box mattress retailer to price a king-sized mattress.

Repelled by the prices, I headed over to New Orleans’s own Beds4Less. The staff was knowledgeable, taking time to differentiate the various cushion nuances so my wife and I could find the right fit. I got a comparable name-brand king mattress with a matching box spring and metal bed frame, AND a queen-sized mattress for my parents—AND had the latter shipped out-ofstate—all for less than the price of just the king mattress at the original store. If you can beat that, let me know.

–Greg Roques

BEST PLACE TO WAIT OUT A TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR French Market 1008 N. Peters St., frenchmarket.org In New Orleans, it rains. A lot.

Especially this time of year—and not always with fair warning. If you suddenly find yourself stuck in a deluge that is overpowering both your umbrella and your usual upbeat demeanor, duck under cover at the

BEST PLACE TO GET YOUR BOOKS PUT BACK TOGETHER Max Marbles 522 S. Murat St., 503-378-7166, maxmarblesbookbinder.com Before relegating that beloved but disintegrating copy of your favorite book to the recycling bin or, worse, the landfill, consider having it lovingly restored to a more attractive condition. Having relocated

ROBERT WITKOWSKI

Offering Luxury Furniture & Home Decor

French Market. While you wait for the skies to clear and the streets to drain, you can browse the various food and merchandise stands—which sell everything from earrings to onion rings—all the while staying dry and (mostly) flood-free. The French Market has everything you need to weather any storm, including dry clothes, umbrellas, and frozen daiquiris.

–Kathy Bradshaw

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to New Orleans from Salem, Oregon, Max Marbles has been providing book, paper, and fine art restoration since 1977. All manner of conservation, restoration, and recovery services are available for books, documents, and just about any other type of paper goods you can imagine, not to mention works of leather and paintings.

–Matt A. Sheen

BEST TUNE SPINNER DJ Siphne Aaye siphneaaye.com Siphne Aaye has been puttin’ the gut in our strut, the groove in our moves over a year now for us volunteers at Culture Aid NOLA food distribution sites. Her eclectic repertoire of tunes is outstanding; motivating us through every dreadful weather event. She is the cure for my arthritis. She spins old school R&B, disco, funk, hip-hop; classic to contemporary. James Brown to Jon Batiste and homage to the great ladies of song—take a bow Aretha, Tina, Nina!

Any one that can have you dancing in 95-degree weather is a magician!

–Debbie Lindsey

ROBERT WITKOWSKI (4)

BEST CITY TO ABANDON THE EASTBANK FOR Gretna, Louisiana gretnala.com Just a quick 25-minute drive from New Orleans, Gretna has all of the comforts of a big city with the charm of a small town, especially in its historic downtown. Some of the top attractions that you can see in the city include the ornate St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Jefferson Memorial Arch, the old David Crockett Fire Co. building, the German American Cultural Center, and much more. Gretna is also home to a ton of fantastic restaurants, from the well-known Café 615 and Gattuso’s to delicious Thai spots like Banana Blossom and Thai D-Jing. The city also holds a large farmers’ market every Saturday morning!

– Burke Bischoff

BEST FIRST DATE PLACE Pull-A-Part 4401 Peters Rd., Harvey, 504-243-6660, pullapart.com So you want to know if they’re the one that you want to know; here’s the real test. Call it a salvage or a junkyard, I call it wonderful. You know you can always use some spare parts for your ride. They have vehicles laid out like a cemetery (one by one). They’re computerized for easy finding of your prey. Bring tools and patience and that new friend; believe me, if they pass this test, they’re worth holding on to. Worth the price of admission ($2), and you’ll get your picture taken.

–Philipe LaMancusa

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UPGRADE YOUR EXPERIENCE

BEST PLACE TO GET A SUNBURN New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, nojazzfest.com New Orleans is typically hot during late spring and summer, and there’s one place that really proves it each year. When it comes to the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, there are only two weather conditions: lake creating rains and the fiery pits of hell. Okay, okay, this isn’t a dis to the festival itself. I am actually an avid attender, being a lover of Jazz Fest since I was basically an infant. But with that, I always expect to take my annual parting gift home with me, the sunburn. With the lack of shade on the festival grounds and the open fields perfect for a sun attack, the sunburn at Jazz Fest is inevitable.

Not even the best sunscreen in the world can save you. While this year’s Jazz Fest is not in spring, you still may want to use sunscreen, hats, and umbrellas. Or else, the sunburn is sure to come home with you.

–Kimmie Tubre

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Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

BEST SETTING FOR AN AMERICAN HORROR STORY SEASON Abita Mystery House/UCM Museum 22275 LA-36, Abita Springs, abitamysteryhouse.com Entering the run-down former filling station off the town’s traffic circle is daunting, but it’s the sensory overload of curios and demented childhood toys that really get your heart racing. Without rhyme or reason, made-up creatures with alligator heads (grafted to almost every other body than an alligator!) intermingle with headless dolls, rusty animatronics, and mutilated toys. Any fan of American Horror Story will wonder around which corner is Twisty the Clown waiting, or worse. But the relief exiting the endless maze of rooms alive is as thrilling as how reasonable the gift shop prices are! –Robert Witkowski

FROM TOP: WHERE Y'AT STAFF PHOTO / GUSTAVO ESCALADE; ROBERT WITKOWSKI (2)

5216 Veterans Blvd. 5047661417 | 5216tableandtap.com

A spirited sanctuary in the heart of New Orleans.

You’re invited.

544 Carondelet St barmarilou.com @barmarilou

VIRTUAL CONCERTS & COOKING DEMOS PLUS PARTNER LOCATIONS AND A FESTIVAL DAY AT THE FRENCH MARKET! VISIT WWW.FRENCHMARKET.ORG FOR MORE INFORMATION!

Visit our boutique shops and farmers & flea markets for: clothing, jewelry, confections, arts and crafts, home decor, children’s toys, unique gifts, souvenirs, and more!

French Market New Orleans

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LEARN MORE @ FRENCHMARKET.ORG WhereYat.com | July 2021

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2021 BEST OF

THE BIG EASY Readers' Choice!

You proved every vote counts this year, as the Best of the Big Easy readers' voices were heard—loud and clear! See which notable institutions remained reigning champions, and which underdogs surprised us with a sudden surge to the top! Thank you for participating and enjoy researching next year's candidates now!

BEST IN THE ARTS Best Museum

1. The National WWII Museum: 945 Magazine St., nationalww2museum.org Immersive exhibits, multimedia experiences, and an expansive collection of artifacts and first-person oral histories take visitors inside the story of WWII at the National WWII Museum.

Best Art Gallery:

1. Galerie Rue Royale: 541 Royal St., frenchartnetwork.com 2. Jonathan Ferrara Gallery: 400A Julia St., jonathanferraragallery.com 3. Arthur Roger Gallery: 432 Julia St., arthurrogergallery.com

Best Local Artist:

1. Becky Fos: 2138 Magazine St.: beckyfos.com 2. Frenchy: 8328 Oak St., frenchylive.com 3. Terrance Osborne: 3029 Magazine St., terranceosborne.com

3. New Orleans Jazz Museum: 400 Esplanade Ave., nolajazzmuseum.org

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Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

ADOBE STOCK ADBOBE STOCK; DAISY DUKES GLASS BY KAYLA CONNOR

2. New Orleans Museum of Art: 1 Collins Diboll Cir., noma.org

Best Dive Bar

BEST NIGHTLIFE Best Dance Club:

1. Ohm Lounge: 601 Tchoupitoulas St., ohmlounge.com 2. Republic NOLA: 828 S. Peters St., republicnola.com 3. The Gold Mine: 701 Dauphine St.

Best Patio Bar:

1. Wrong Iron on the Greenway: 3532 Toulouse St., wrongiron.com 2. Pat O' Brien's: 718 St. Peter St., patobriens.com 3. The Rusty Nail: 1100 Constance St., rustynailnola.com

1. Snake and Jake’s Christmas Club Lounge: 7612 Oak St., snakeandjakes.com Don’t be fooled by the name…this rustic, intimate dive bar with a new outdoor patio is a great spot for drinks year-round and can make it feel like Christmas even in the heat of summer!

2. Ms. Mae's The Club: 4336 Magazine St., facebook.com/msmaesNOLA 3. Banks Street Bar: 4401 Banks St., banksstreetbarnola.com

Best Happy Hour:

Best LGBTQ Bar:

Best Bar for Hand-Crafted Cocktails:

Best Gentlemen’s Club:

1. The Country Club: 634 Louisa St., thecountryclubneworleans.com 2. Superior Seafood: 4338 St. Charles Ave., superiorseafoodnola.com 3. Pizza Domenica: Multiple Locations, pizzadomenica.com 1. Cure: 4905 Freret St., curenola.com 2. Bar Tonique: 820 N. Rampart St., bartonique.com 3. Arnaud's French 75: 813 Bienville St., arnaudsrestaurant.com

Best Sports Bar:

1. Manning's Sports Bar & Grill: 519 Fulton St., caesars.com 2. Hooters, Multiple Locations, hooterslouisiana.com 3. Walk On's: Multiple Locations, walk-ons.com

Best Upscale Bar:

1. Bar Marilou: 544 Carondelet St., barmarilou.com 2. Cure: 4905 Freret St., curenola.com 3. Arnaud's French 75: 813 Bienville St., arnaudsrestaurant.com

Best Hotel Bar

1. Carousel Bar: Hotel Monteleone, 214 Royal St., hotelmonteleone.com Ever heard of a moving bar? This iconic bar in the lobby of Hotel Monteleone puts a classy spin on hotel lobby happy hour.

1. Sazerac Bar: The Roosevelt Hotel, 130 Roosevelt Way, therooseveltneworleans.com 2. Bar Marilou: 544 Carondelet St., barmarilou.com

Best New Bar:

1. City Bar: 3560 Veterans Memorial Blvd., facebook.com/citybar. metairie 2. Blue Ruin Speakeasy: 3224 Metairie Rd., blueruinspeakeasy.com 3. Stumpy's Hatchet House: 1200 Poydras St. Suite C, stumpyshh. com/neworleansla

1. Oz: 800 Bourbon St, ozneworleans.com 2. Golden Lantern: 1239 Royal St., facebook.com/GoldenLanternBar 3. Corner Pocket: 940 St. Louis St., cornerpocket.net 1. Penthouse Club: 727 Iberville St., penthouseclubneworleans.com 2. Rick's Cabaret: 315 Bourbon St., rickscabaretnola.com 3. Larry Flynt's Hustler Club New Orleans: 225 Bourbon St., neworleanshustlerclub.com

Best Irish Pub:

1. Finn McCool's Irish Pub: 3701 Banks St., finnmccools.com 2. Mick's Irish Pub: 4801 Bienville St., facebook.com/ micksirishpubneworleans 3. Kerry Irish Pub: 331 Decatur St., facebook.com/Kerry-Irish-Pub

Best Place to Get a Margarita:

1. El Gato Negro: Multiple Locations, elgatonegronola.com 2. Felipe's Mexican Taqueria: Multiple Locations, felipestaqueria.com 3. El Paso Mexican Grill: Multiple Locations, elpasomexicanrestaurant.com

Best Casino:

1. Harrah's: 228 Poydras St., caesars.com 2. Boomtown: 4132 Peters Rd., boomtownneworleans.com 3. Treasure Chest: 5050 Williams Blvd., Kenner, treasurechest.com

Best Casino on the Gulf Coast:

1. Silver Slipper: 5000 S. Beach Blvd., Biloxi, MS, silverslipper-ms.com 2. Beau Rivage: 875 Beach Blvd., beaurivage.mgmresorts.com 3. Hard Rock: 777 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, MS, hardrockhotels.com

Best Place to Drink Wine

1. Copper Vine: 1001 Poydras St., coppervinewine.com With wine tastings, private wine dinners, a wine menu with over 30 different options, and a beautiful ambiance, Copper Vine is the perfect spot for your GNO, happy hour, or date night.

2. Bacchanal Wine: 600 Poland Ave., bacchanalwine.com 3. Bayou Wine Garden: 315 N. Rendon St., bayouwinegarden.com

Best Place to Get a Bloody Mary 1. Daisy Dukes: Multiple Locations, daisydukesrestaurant.com 2. The Ruby Slipper Café: Multiple Locations, therubyslippercafe.com 3. Apolline: 4729 Magazine St., apollinerestaurant.com

WhereYat.com WhereYat.com || July July2021 2021

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Best Place to Drink Brewed Beer:

1. Faubourg Brewery: 3501 Jourdan Rd., faubourgbrewery.com 2. NOLA Brewing: 3001 Tchoupitoulas St., nola-brewing. square.site 3. Urban South: 1645 Tchoupitoulas St., urbansouthbrewery. com

Best Beer Selection:

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1. Tropical Isle: Multiple Locations, tropicalisle.com With multiple locations on Bourbon Street, Tropical Isle offers the excitement of New Orleans’s most famous street with a Hand Grenade in one hand and beads in the other!

2. Pat O' Brien's: 718 St. Peter St., patobriens.com 3. Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar: 941 Bourbon St., lafittesblacksmithshop.com

1. The Bulldog: Multiple Locations, bulldog.draftfreak.com 2. The Avenue Pub: 1732 St. Charles Ave., theavenuepub.com 3. Cooter Brown's: 509 S. Carrollton Ave., cooterbrowns.com

Best Jazz Club:

1. Barcadia: 601 Tchoupitoulas St., barcadianeworleans.com 2. Lucy's Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant: 701 Tchoupitoulas St., lucysretiredsurfers.com 3. Ernst Café: 600 S. Peters St., ernstcafe.com

Best Music Club:

Best Bar (Mid-City):

Best Place to Play Bar Games:

Best Bar (Metairie):

1. Tipitina's: 501 Napoleon Ave., tipitinas.com 2. Howlin' Wolf: 907 S. Peters St., thehowlinwolf.com 3. The Broadside: 600 N. Broad St., broadsidenola.com 1. Lots a Luck Tavern: 203 Homedale St., facebook.com/LotsaLuckNOLA 2. Fulton Alley: 600 Fulton St., fultonalley.com 3. Stumpy's Hatchet House: 1200 Poydras St. Suite C, stumpyshh.com/ neworleansla

Best Bar (Bywater/Marigny):

1. Kajun's Pub: 2256 St. Claude Ave., kajunpub.com 2. The Country Club: 634 Louisa St., thecountryclubneworleans.com 3. Bud Rip's: 900 Piety St., instagram. com/budripsnola

1. Alto Rooftop Bar & Pool (Ace Hotel New Orleans): 600 Carondelet St., acehotel.com It doesn’t get any better than spending an evening at Alto Rooftop Bar, where you can enjoy a drink and relaxing in the pool while overlooking a beautiful view of the city.

Thursday – Saturday 11 am – 8 pm | Sunday 11 am – 5 pm

22

Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

1. Pal's Lounge: 949 N. Rendon St., facebook.com/PalsLounge 2. Wrong Iron on the Greenway: 3532 Toulouse St., wrongiron.com 3. The Bulldog Mid-City: 5135 Canal St., bulldog-midcity.draftfreak.com 1. 5216 Table & Tap: 5216 Veterans Mem. Blvd., 5216tableandtap.com 2. Martine's Lounge: 2347 Metairie Rd., facebook.com/martineslounge 3. Shenanigans Kitchen and Cocktails: 4612 Quincy St., shenanigans504.com

Best Bar (Westbank):

1. Gattuso's Neighborhood Bar: 435 Huey P. Long Ave., Gretna, gattusos.net 2. Old Point Bar: 545 Patterson Rd., Algiers Point, ldpointbarnola.com 3. The Crown & Anchor English Pub: 200 Pelican Ave., Algiers Point, crownandanchor.pub

Best Bar (Uptown):

Best Rooftop Bar

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Best Bar (CBD/Warehouse District):

1. The Jazz Playhouse: 300 Bourbon St., sonesta.com 2. Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro: 626 Frenchmen St., snugjazz.com 3. The Spotted Cat: 623 Frenchmen St., spottedcatmusicclub.com

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TAKE-OUT & OFFICE LUNCHES AVAILABLE!

1. Le Bon Temps Roule: 4801 Magazine St., lbtrnola.com 2. St. Joe's Bar: 5535 Magazine St., stjoesbar.com 3. Cure: 4905 Freret St., curenola.com

Alto's top spot is more than its Rooftop Bar & Pool

2. Hot Tin: Pontchartrain Hotel, 2031 St. Charles Ave., hottinbar.com 3. Monkey Board: The Troubadour Hotel, 1111 Gravier St., monkeyboardnola.com

KAYLA CONNOR

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Best Bar (French Quarter)

BEST SHOPPING

Best Adult Novelty Store:

Best Bike Shop:

1. GNO Cyclery: 1426 S. Carrollton Ave., gnocyclery.com 2. Bayou Bikes: 3530 Toulouse St., bayoubicycles.com 3. The Bike Shop: 4711 Freret St. #6320, thebikeshopnola.net

Best Men’s Clothing

1. Rubensteins: 102 St. Charles Ave., rubensteinsneworleans.com Fashion trends may change with time, but dedication to quality and superior customer service has remained the same at Rubensteins since 1924 as they continue to serve as the gold standard for men's fashion.

2. Perlis Clothing: Multiple Locations, perlis.com 3. Fellow: 926 Valmont St. #101, fellowmenswear.com

Best Women’s Clothing:

1. Hemline: Multiple Locations, shophemline.com 2. Trashy Diva: Multiple Locations, trashydiva.com 3. Monomin: 2104 Magazine St., monomin.com

Best Smoke Shop:

1. Ra Shop: Multiple Locations, rashop.us 2. The Herb Import Company: Multiple Locations, herbimport.com 3. The Mushroom: 1037 Broadway St., mushroomneworleans.com

Best Supermarket:

1. Mr. Binky's Boutique: 107 Chartres St., mrbinkys.com 2. Hustler Hollywood: 111 Bourbon St., hustlerhollywoodstores.com 3. Paradise Adult Video & Books: 5608 Heebe St., facebook.com/paradiseadultvideoelmwood

1. Whole Foods: Multiple Locations, wholefoodsmarket.com 2. Langenstein's: Multiple Locations, langensteins.com 3. Rouses: Multiple Locations, rouses.com

Best Costume Shop:

1. Total Wine & More: 3780 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, totalwine.com 2. Martin's Wine Cellar: Multiple Locations, martinwine.com 3. Dorignac's: 710 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, dorignacs.com

1. Nikki's French Quarter Halloween Store: 107 Chartres St. B., facebook.com/ NikkisFrenchQuarterHalloweenStore 2. Uptown Costume & Dance: 4326 Magazine St., facebook.com/uptowncostumeanddancewear 3. Miss Claudia's: 4204 Magazine St., facebook.com/ missclaudiasvintage

Best Place to Buy Wine/Liquor:

Best

Best Record Shop

1. The Mushroom: 1037 Broadway St., themushroomnola.com Whether it be your grandpa’s favorite old rock band, the hits of the MTV-era, or latest in popular music, The Mushroom’s wide record selection is sure to have something for everybody.

2. Louisiana Music Factory: 421 Frenchmen St., louisianamusicfactory. com 3. Peaches Records: 4318 Magazine St., peachesrecordsandtapes.com

Best Japanese Restaurant

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1. Aart Accent Tattoos: 1041 N. Rampart St., facebook. com/aartaccent 2. Downtown Tattoo: 501 Frenchmen St., downtowntattoosnola.com 3. Tattoo A Go-Go: 4421 Magazine St., tattooagogo.com

Best Athletic Club:

1. New Orleans Jewish Community Center (JCC): Multiple Locations, nojcc.org 2. Ochsner Fitness Center: Multiple Locations, ochsnerfitness.com 3. Downtown Fitness Center: 365 Canal St. #380, downtownfitnesscenter.com

Best Pet Store:

1. Jefferson Feed: Multiple Locations, jeffersonfeed.com 2. Petco: Multiple Locations, petco.com 3. PetSmart: Multiple Locations, petsmart.com

Best Pet Services

1. Pure Barre: Multiple Locations, purebarre.com 2. Orange Theory: Multiple Locations, orangetheory.com 3. Romney Studios: 5619 Magazine St., romneystudios.com

1. Pawlins: 3501 River Rd., Jefferson, pawlins.com A waterpark designed for dogs, plush bedding, “spaw” treatments, and more…it's any pet’s daycare dream at Pawlins, where each guest’s activities are hand selected based on the personality of their furry friend.

Best Golf Course:

2. Petcetera: 3205 Magazine St., petceteranola.com

Best Boutique Fitness Studio:

1. Bayou Oaks at City Park (South Course): 1040 Filmore Ave., cityparkgolf.com 2. Audubon Park Golf Course: 6500 Magazine St., audubonnatureinstitute.org/golf 3. English Turn Golf & Country Club: 1 Clubhouse Dr., englishturn.com

Best Bead Store

1. Plush Appeal: 2811 Toulouse St., mardigrasspot.com In New Orleans, every occasion is the perfect occasion for beads and the supply at the Best Bead Store is endless and has a color selection ready to be worn at any event around the city.

2. Beads by the Dozen: 333 Edwards Ave., beadsbythedozen.com 3. Mardi Gras Beads Factory: 1145 US-90, Bridge City, facebook.com/mardigrasbeadsfactory

Best Bank:

3. Zeus' Place: Multiple Locations, zeusplace.com

Best Wedding Venue:

1. Balcony Ballroom: 4738 Utica St., Metairie, balconyballroom.com 2. The Chicory: 610 S. Peters St., chicoryvenue.com 3. Elms Mansion: 3029 St. Charles Ave., elmsmansion.com

Best Kids Spot:

1. Audubon Zoo: 6500 Magazine St., audubonnatureinstitute.org/zoo 2. Louisiana Children's Museum: 15 Henry Thomas Dr., lcm.org 3. Audubon Aquarium: 1 Canal St., audubonnatureinstitute.org/aquarium

Best Eyeglass Shop:

1. Art & Eyes: 3708 Magazine St., artandeyesneworleansla.com 2. Krewe: Multiple Locations, krewe.com 3. Warby Parker: 3964 Magazine St., warbyparker.com

Best Spa:

1. The Woodhouse Day Spa: Multiple Locations, neworleans.woodhousespas.com 2. Earthsavers: Multiple Locations, earthsaversonline.com 3. The Ritz Carlton Spa: 921 Canal St., ritzcarlton.com

Best Thrift Shop

1. Town and Country: 1514 St. Charles Ave., townandcountrybridal.com 2. Pearl's Place: 3114 Severn Ave., Metairie, pearlsplace.com 3. Wedding Belles: 3632 Magazine St., weddingbellesnola.com

1. Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Louisiana: Multiple Locations, goodwillno.org Instead of wasting your unwanted closet items, donating to Goodwill helps cloth those in need, while the store also helps people with disabilities or other barriers increase their economic stability.

Best Car Dealership:

2. The Salvation Army: Multiple Locations, satruck.org

1. First American Bank and Trust: Multiple Locations, fabt.com 2. Hancock Whitney: Multiple Locations, hancockwhitney.com 3. Fidelity Bank: Multipe Locations, bankwithfidelity.com

Best Bridal Shop:

1. Lamarque Ford: 3099-3101 Williams Blvd., Kenner, lamarque.com 2. Ray Brandt Auto Group: Multiple Locations, raybrandtauto.com 3. Premier Automotive: Multiple Locations, premierautomotive.com

Best Jewelry Store:

1. Diamonds Direct: 3230 Severn Ave., Metairie, diamondsdirect.com/new-orleans 2. Fisher & Sons: 5101 W. Esplande Ave. #1., Metairie, fishersonsjewelers.com 3. Boudreaux's: Multiple Locations, boudreauxsjewelers.com

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Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

3. Bridge House Thrift Store: Multiple Locations, bridgehouse.org

BEST DINING Best New Restaurant:

1. Tacos Del Cartel: 2901 David Dr., Metairie, tacosdelcartel.com 2. aTavola: 3413 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, atavo.la 3. Trep's: 4327 Bienville St., trepsnola.com

Best Daily Specials:

1. Joey K's: 3001 Magazine St., joeyksrestaurant.com 2. Mandina's Restaurant: 3800 Canal St., mandinasrestaurant.com 3. Katie's: 3701 Iberville St., katiesinmidcity.com

Best Restaurant (French Quarter):

1. Antoine's Restaurant: 713 St. Louis St., antoines.com 2. Galatoire's Restaurant: 209 Bourbon St., galatoires.com 3. Broussard's Restaurant & Courtyard: 819 Conti St., broussards.com

Best Restaurant (Marigny/Bywater):

1. Bywater American Bistro: 2900 Chartres St., bywateramericanbistro.com 2. Pizza Delicious: 617 Piety St., pizzadelicious.com 3. Paladar 511: 511 Marigny St., paladar511.com

Best Restaurant (Uptown):

1. Pascal's Manale: 1838 Napoleon Ave., pascalsmanale.com 2. Shaya: 4213 Magazine St., shayarestaurant.com 3. Picnic Provisions & Whiskey: 741 State St., nolapicnic.com

Best Restaurant (CBD/Warehouse District):

1. Sofia NOLA: 516 Julia St., sofianola.com 2. Meril: 424 Girod St., emerilsrestaurants.com/meril 3. Copper Vine: 1001 Poydras St., coppervine.com

Best Restaurant (Mid-City)

1. Mandina’s: 3800 Canal St., mandinasrestaurant.com For more than eight decades, Mandina’s has been feeding customers the best in Italian and seafood home-style cooking such as veal parmesan, turtle soup, and filet mignon with fries and string beans.

2. Venezia: 134 N. Carrollton Ave., venezianeworleans.net 3. Liuzza's Restaurant & Bar: 3636 Bienville St., liuzzas.com

Best Restaurant (Lakeview):

1. Velvet Cactus: 6300 Argonne Blvd., thevelvetcactus.com 2. Three B's Burger & Wine Bar: 911 Harrison Ave, threebs.com 3. Sala: 124 Lake Marina Ave., salanola.com

Best Restaurant (Westbank):

1. Cafe 615 (Home of Da Wabbit): 615 Kepler St., Gretna, cafe615.com 2. Mosca's: 4137 US-90 West, Westwego, moscasrestaurant.com 3. Legacy Kitchen Steak + Chop: 91 Westbank Expy. #51, legacykitchen.com

Best Restaurant (Metairie):

1. Copeland's of New Orleans: Multiple Locations, copelandsofneworleans.com 2. Boulevard: Multple Locations, boulevardbistro.com 3. Drago's: Multiple Locations, dragosrestaurant.com

Best Upscale Restaurant:

1. Restaurant R'evolution: 777 Bienville St., revolutionnola.com 2. Commander's Palace: 1403 Washington Ave., commanderspalace.com

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Best Budget Eats

1. Felipe’s Mexican Taqueria: Multiple Locations, felipestaqueria.com At Felipe’s, you can keep your wallet and stomach full and enjoy spectacular tacos, nachos, burritos, and more at very reasonable prices, making it the perfect spot for those on budget.

2. Dat Dog: Multiple Locations, datdog.com 3. Bratz Y'all: 617 B-Piety St., bratzyall.com 3. Restaurant August: 301 Tchoupitoulas St., restaurantaugust.com

Best Bakery:

1. Maple St. Patisserie: 7638 Maple St., facebook.com/maplestreetpatisserie 2. Haydel's Bakery: 4037 Jefferson Hwy., haydelsbakery.com 3. Breads on Oak: 8640 Oak St., breadsonoak.com

Best Deli:

1. Stein's Market: 2207 Magazine St., steinsdeli.com 2. Martin's Wine Cellar, Multiple Locations, martinwine.com 3. Kosher Cajun Deli: 3519 Severn Ave., Metairie, koshercajun.com

Best Place to Get a Salad:

1. Green Goddess: 307 Exchange Pl., greengoddessrestaurant.com 2. St. James Cheese Company: Multiple Locations, stjamescheese.com 3. The Daily Beet: Multiple Locations, thedailybeetnola.com

Best Restaurant for Dessert:

1. Five Happiness: 3605 S. Carrollton Ave., facebook.com/5happiness 2. Blue Giant: 1300 Magazine St., bluegiantnola.com 3. Dian Xin: 1218 Decatur St., dianxinnola.com

Best Breakfast Spot

1. Ruby Slipper: Multiple Locations, therubyslippercafe.net Multiple locations mean multiple opportunities to devour the best savory breakfast in the city at Ruby Slipper, which serves Peaches & Cream Stuffed French Toast and a Blue Crab Cake Benedict.

2. Surrey's: Multiple Locations, surreysnola.com

Best Outdoor Dining:

Best Japanese Restaurant:

Best Romantic Date Spot:

Best Thai Restaurant:

1. Boulevard: Multiple Locations, boulevardbistro.com 2. Café Degas: 3127 Esplanade Ave., cafedegas.com 3. Sylvain: 625 Chartres St., sylvainnola.com

Best Diner:

1. Slim Goodies Diner: 3322 Magazine St., slimgoodiesdiner.com 2. Camelia Grill: 626 S. Carrollton Ave., facebook.com/pages/Camellia-Grill 3. Dot's Diner: Multiple Locations, dotsdiner.com

Best Café:

1. Caffe! Caffe!: Multiple Locations, caffecaffe.com 2. Satsuma Café: Multiple Locations, satsumacafe.com 3. The High Hat Cafe: 4500 Freret St., highhatcafe.com

Best Brunch Spot:

1. Bearcat Café: Multiple Locations, bearcatcafe.com

Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

Best Chinese Restaurant:

1. Willa Jean: 611 O'Keefe Ave., willajean.com 2. Commander's Palace: 1403 Wash­ ington Ave., commanderspalace.com 3. Restaurant R'evolution: 777 Bienville St., revolutionnola.com 1. Café Amelie: 912 Royal St., cafeamelie.com 2. Court of Two Sisters: 613 Royal St., courtoftwosisters.com 3. Broussard's Restaurant & Courtyard: 819 Conti St., broussards.com

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2. Surrey's: Multiple Locations, surreysnola.com 3. Willa Jean: 611 O'Keefe Ave., willajean.com

3. Toast: Multiple Locations, toastneworleans.com

1. Daiwa Sushi Bar & Japanese Cuisine: Multiple Locations, daiwasushi.com 2. Mikimoto: 3301 S. Carrollton Ave., mikimotosushi.com 3. Rock-n-Sake: Multiple Locations, rocknsake.com 1. Sukho Thai: Multiple locations, sukhothai-nola.com 2. Cho Thai: 3218 Magazine St., chothairestaurant.com 3. Budsi's Thai: 1760 N. Rampart St., budsisthai.com

Best Vietnamese Restaurant

1. Tan Dinh: 1705 Lafayette St., Gretna, tandinhnola.com Tan Dinh brings traditional Vietnamese cuisine to the Westbank with eight pages worth of authentic dishes such as pho, pressed vermicelli noodles, and a wide selection of boba tea.

2. Dong Phuong: 14207 Chef Menteur Hwy., dpbakeshop.com 3. Lilly's Cafe: 1813 Magazine St., facebook. com/LillysCafe

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Best BBQ Restaurant:

DON’T MISS THE

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1. Blue Oak BBQ: 900 N. Carrollton Ave., blueoakbbq.com 2. Central City BBQ: 1201 S. Rampart St., centralcitybbq.com 3. The Joint: 701 Mazant St., alwayssmokin.com

Best Italian Restaurant:

1. Tommy's Cuisine: 746 Tchoupitoulas St., tommyscuisine.com 2. Vincent's: Multiple Locations, vincentsitaliancuisine.com 3. Venezia: 134 N. Carrollton Ave., venezianeworleans.net

Best Cajun Restaurant:

1. Cochon: 930 Tchoupitoulas St., Suite A, cochonrestaurant.com 2. Jaques-Imo's: 8324 Oak St., jacquesimos.com 3. Chef Ron's Gumbo Stop: 2309 N. Causeway Blvd., Metairie, gumbostop.com

Best African Restaurant

1. Bennachin: 1212 Royal St., bennachinrestaurant.com Inspired by cuisine from the Gambia and Cameroon, Bennachin brings a taste of Africa to NOLA with flavorful dishes like kone ni makondo and makube, while also showcasing catchy African music.

2. Addis Nola: 422 S. Broad Ave., addisnola.com 3. Cafe Abyssinia: 3511 Magazine St., cafeabyssinianola.com

Café Degas is top for French cuisine.

Best French Restaurant

1. Café Degas: 3127 Esplanade Ave., cafedegas.com 2. La Crêpe Nanou: 1410 Robert St., lacrepenanou.com 3. Vyoone's: 412 Girod St., vyoone.com

Best Seafood Restaurant:

1. Felix's Restaurant & Oyster Bar: Multiple Locations, felixs.com 2. Deanie's Seafood: Multiple Locations, deanies.com 3. Acme Oyster House: Multiple Locations, acmeoyster.com

Best Restaurant for Boiled Seafood:

1. The Galley Seafood Restaurant: 2535 Metairie Rd., Metairie, facebook. com/The-Galley-Seafood-Restaurant 2. Deanie's Seafood: Multiple Locations, deanies.com 3. Bon Temps Boulet's Seafood: 4701 Airline Hwy., bontempsboulets.com

Best Steakhouse: Best Indian Restaurant:

1. Nirvana Indian Cuisine: 4308 Magazine St., insidenirvana.com 2. Saffron: 4128 Magazine St., saffronnola.com 3. Taj Mahal: 923 Metairie Rd., Metairie, tajnola.com

Best Middle Eastern Restaurant:

1. Lebanon's Café: 1500 S. Carrollton Ave., lebanonscafe.com 2. Mona's Cafe: 3901 Banks St., monascafeanddeli.com 3. Tal's Hummus: 4800 Magazine St., ordertalsonline.com

Best Mexican Restaurant:

28

Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

Best Creole Restaurant

1. Neyow’s Creole Cafe: 3332 Bienville St., neyows.com Most tourists are eager to experience New Orleans’s authentic and Creole cuisine, and Neyow’s provides all of the NOLA classics such as jambalaya, gumbo, po-boys, and beignets.

2. Dooky Chase's Restaurant: 2301 Orleans Ave., dookychaserestaurant.com 3. Dunbar's Creole Cuisine: 7834 Earhart Blvd., facebook.com/ DunbarsCreoleCuisine

Best Latin American Restaurant:

1. Tito's Ceviche & Pisco: 5015 Magazine St., titoscevichepisco.com 2. Maïs Arepas: 1200 Carondelet St., facebook.com/maisarepas 3. Manolito: 508 Dumaine St., manolitonola.com

Best Bar Food:

1. Buffa's Bar & Restaurant: 1001 Esplanade Ave., buffasrestaurant.com 2. MRB: 515 St. Philip St., mrbnola.com 3. Backspace Bar & Kitchen: 139 Chartres St., backspacenola.com

KAYLA CONNOR

DEADLINE: JULY 26 STREET DATE: AUG 1 Call [504] 891-0144 to Advertise!

1. Carreta's Grill: Multiple Locations, carretasgrillrestaurant.com 2. El Paso Mexican Grill: Multiple Locations, elpasomaxicanrestauranta.com 3. El Gato Negro: Multiple Locations, elgatonegronola.com

1. Crescent City Steakhouse: 1001 N. Broad St., crescentcitysteaks.com 2. The Steakhouse at Harrah's New Orleans: 228 Poydras St., caesars.com 3. Dickie Brennan's: 716 Iberville St., dickiebrennanssteakhouse.com

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Best Coffee Shop:

1. PJ's Coffee: Multiple Locations, pjscoffee.com 2. CC's Coffee House: Multiple Locations, ccscoffee.com 3. French Truck Coffee: Multiple Locations, frenchtruckcoffee.com

Best Wings:

1. Bayou Hot Wings: 6221 S. Clairborne Ave., bayouhotwings.com 2. Chicken & Watermelon: Multiple Locations, boogiebird.com 3. Wing Snack: Multiple Locations, wingsnackexpress.com

Best Vegetarian Menu:

1. Carmo: 527 Julia St., cafecarmo.com 2. Maxwell's: 6101 Magazine St., maxwellneworleans.com 3. Seed: 1330 Prytania St., seedneworleans.com

Best Roast Beef Po-Boy:

1. Tracey's Original Irish Channel Bar: 2604 Magazine St., traceysnola.com 2. Parasol's: 2533 Constance St., facebook.com/ParasolsNOLA 3. Parran's Po-Boys & Restaurant: Multiple Locations, parranspoboys.com

Best Shrimp Po-Boy:

1. Short Stop Poboys: 119 Transcontinental Dr., Metairie, shortstoppoboysno.com 2. Melba's Poboys: 1525 Elysian Fields Ave., melbas.com 3. Guy's Po-Boys: 5259 Magazine St, facebook.com/guyspoboysnola

Best Oyster Po-Boy:

1. Parkway Bakery & Tavern: 538 Hagan Ave., parkwaypoorboys.com 2. Domilise's Po-Boy and Bar: 5240 Annunciation St., domilisespoboys.com 3. Mahony's Original Po-Boys & Seafood: Multiple Locations, mahonyspoboys.com

Best Fried Chicken:

1. Willie Mae’s Scotch House: Multiple Locations, williemaesnola.com Everyone knows Louisiana has some of the best fried chicken in the world, and Willie Mae’s definitely lives up to the hype at the original location as well as the Pythian Market spot.

2. The Original Fiorella's Cafe: 5325 Franklin Ave., originalfiorellas.com 3. Dooky Chase's Restaurant, 2301 Orleans Ave., dookychaserestaurant.com

Best Hamburger:

1. Port of Call: 838 Esplanade Ave., portofcallnola.com 2. The Company Burger: Multiple Locations, thecompanyburger.com 3. Lakeview Harbor: 8550 Pontchartrain Blvd., lakeviewharbor.us

Best Pasta:

Best Ice Cream/Gelato:

1. Angelo Brocato’s: 214 N. Carrollton Ave., angelobrocatoicecream.com Whether you stay traditional with a classic cannoli or you try unique gelato flavors such as Sicilian pistachio nut or tiramisu, you’ll be sure to please your sweet tooth at Angelo Brocato’s.

2. The Creole Creamery: Multiple Locations, creolecreamery.com 3. Piccola Geraleria: 4525 Freret St.,piccolagelateria.com

Best Sushi:

1. Mikimoto: 3301 S. Carrollton Ave., mikimotosushi.com 2. Daiwa Sushi Bar & Japanese Cuisine: Multiple Locations, daiwasushi.com 3. Tsunami: 601 Poydras Street Ste. B., /neworleans.servingsushi.com

Best Taco/Burrito:

1. Felipe's Mexican Taqueria: Multiple Locations, felipestaqueria.com 2. Juan's Flying Burrito: Multiple Locations, juansflyingburrito.com 3. Los Jeffes: 3224 Edenborn Ave., Metairie, losjefesgrill.com

Best Pizza:

1. Venezia: 134 N. Carrollton Ave., 1. Reginelli's Pizzeria: Multiple venezianeworleans.net Locations, reginellis.com 2. Vincent's: Multiple Locations, 2. Mid City Pizza: Multiple Locations, vincentsitaliancuisine.com midcitypizza.com 3. Josephine Estelle: Ace Hotel New Orleans, 3. Fat Boy Pizza: 2565 Metairie Rd., 600 Carondelet St., josephineestelle.com Mertairie, eatfatboyspizza.com

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Best Sno-Ball:

1. Hansen's Sno-Bliz: 4801 Tchoupitoulas St., facebook.com/ snobliz 2. Plum Street Sno-Balls: 1300 Burdette St., facebook.com/PlumStreet-Snoballs 3. Imperial Woodpecker SnoBalls: 3511 Magazine St., iwsnoballs.com

Best King Cake:

1. Haydel's Bakery: 4037 Jefferson Hwy., haydelsbakery.com 2. Dong Phuong: 14207 Chef Menteur Hwy., dpbakeshop.com 3. Manny Randazzo Original King Cakes, 3515 N. Hullen St., Metairie, randazzokingcake.com

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31

R-Bar stands in for Agent Pride's Tru Tone Bar in NCIS New Orleans.

Locations From NOLA Film

By Rebecca Fox

A couple of years ago, I was entertaining some out-oftown friends and recommending the usual restaurants, museums, and music venues, but the only place they kept asking about visiting was the Lafayette Cemetery #1, because it was the site of several scenes from their favorite TV show The Originals. While I am not a huge fan of photographing cemeteries (that’s for another article), I did see the appeal of visiting somewhere made famous by the big screen.

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Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

Locals get to enjoy the Marigny watering hole without the bloodshed.

It’s easy to take so many things in New Orleans for granted, including the hundreds of glorious backdrops for television shows and movies that have been filmed here. A few months ago, I visited Natchitoches, Louisiana, and of course had to pass by the Steel Magnolias house, but I wondered what our equivalent to that was. There are almost too many to name! A new trend popping up in NY and LA is to have “pop-ups” with sets from different shows that people can pose with (think Friends and Schitt’s Creek), but that isn’t necessary with so many perfect sets just, well, sitting around.

Here are my top spots for both visitors and locals alike to get pictures with their favorite film locations: The R Bar – Pride’s Tru Tone Bar – NCIS: New Orleans: “Tru” fans of the recently wrapped show have probably noticed that Scott Bakula’s

FROM TOP: SAM LOTHRIDGE/CBS; COURTESY REBECCA FOX

PERFECT SHOTS IN NEW ORLEANS: Picture Yourself in These

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1001 Esplanade • www.buffasbar.com • Dine In or Take Out • Live Music WhereYat.com | July 2021

33

character’s fictional “Tru Tone Bar” looks an awful lot like the Royal Street Inn Bar (or R Bar). While interior shots were filmed on a sound stage in Elmwood, the exteriors were of the R Bar, located at 1431 Royal St. Reverend Zombie’s House of Voodoo – Bradley and Tressler Confrontation – Now You See Me: In Now You See Me, Morgan Freeman’s character, Bradley, gets his magic show interrupted by an argument with Tressler, played by Michael Caine. This all goes down inside Reverend Zombie’s House of Voodoo at 723 St. Peter St. Tipitina’s – “You Got It (The Right Stuff)” – New Kids on The Block: Okay, maybe this isn’t impressive unless you were an 80s/90s kid like me, but I recently learned that everyone’s favorite original Boston boy band, NKOTB, filmed one of their most popular videos here! You’ll catch glimpses of the Claiborne underpass, Marigny, and the Crescent City Connection, but interiors were filmed in Tipitina’s on 501 Napoleon Ave. 1018 Royal St. – King Creole: Elvis is known for many things, including his music and his many, often slightly campy films. Throughout his career, one of the things Elvis was proudest of was his favorite movie, King Creole, shot mostly in the French Quarter. One of the most iconic scenes was shot at 1018 Royal St., where Elvis sings the opening number “Crawfish” from the balcony.

Elvis is King Creole

Lakefront Airport , May 2010 Ferris Aircraft headquarters in The Green Lantern Gennaro’s – Logan: Gennaro’s is known for good eats, drinks, and fun karaoke nights, but it’s also a location for the 2017 blockbuster Logan, Starring Hugh Jackman, Logan was shot at various places across the city, including Charity Hospital, the now-defunct Aloha Motel, and Gennaro’s, located across the Jefferson Parish border at 3206 Metairie Rd. New Orleans Lakefront Airport – Green Lantern, Astronaut Wives Club, Fonzo, & Leverage: Redemption: Speaking of superheroes, “Ferris Aircraft” scenes from the DC film Green Lantern were shot at the beautifully restored 1920’s New Orleans Lakefront Airport, located at 6001 Stars and Stripes Blvd. If this airport looks familiar (aside from hosting parties and weddings), it’s because it also played crucial parts in the Tom Hardy movie Fonzo, as well as the 2014 ABC series The Astronaut Wives Club. You can also see it in 2021’s brand new crime series Leverage: Redemption, which is streaming on IMDb TV. Audubon Zoo – Undercover Blues, On Becoming a God in Central Florida: Audubon Zoo is great for more than just learning about wildlife! The zoo was featured heavily in Undercover Blues, an early 1990’s flick starring Dennis Quaid and Kathleen Turner. In the film, the couple portray some secret agents who have retired to become full-time parents.

That doesn’t last long as they eventually have to take down a ring of muggers using the zoo as their stomping grounds. Audubon Zoo is actually a two-for-one (or what we might call a little lagniappe) because the Cool Zoo at Audubon was also one of the main settings for 2019’s On Becoming a God in Central Florida, starring Kirsten Dunst. In the Showtime series, also set in the 1990s, Dunst plays Krystal Stubbs, a full time mother and part time aqua-aerobics instructor at Rebel Rapids Water Park.

Westbank Strip Mall – Claws: Like On Becoming a God, Claws is another production that shot that was shot in New Orleans to portray Central Florida. If you’re a fan of the hit TNT show starring Niecy Nash, you might be a little surprised to learn that Desna’s salon, Nail Artisan of Palmetto County, was actually a strip mall on the Westbank, located at 1328 4th St. in Westwego.

It’s important to note that these locations are not always accessible, either based on weather or whether they are public or private, so please always be respectful (especially if you visit a cemetery). However, you’ll never know what will happen until you try, so grab your camera and give it your best shot!

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Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: COURTESY OF AUDUBON NATURE INSTITUTE; COURTESY PARAMOUNT STUDIOS; WIKIMEDIA COMMONS / INFROGMATION

The Cool Zoo has many starring roles

WhereYat.com | July 2021

35

THE RANCH

St. Bernard Parish’s First Movie Studio

Waggesnspack describes how the idea for The Ranch germinated. “For eight years [I worked as a location manager] and would shoot locations within the 60-mile radius that the union allows us to use in New Orleans, and Chalmette is perfectly situated in this zone, but it’s the only place that [in the New Orleans area] has that country feel.

I would shoot the Creedmore Plantation and other sites in St. Bernard Parish and kept coming back.”

Waggenspack graduated from UNO’s film school shortly after Katrina with the intention of becoming an actor, but he was quickly drawn to work behind the camera.

Clearly producing was his gift... and his entre into the film industry.

He remembers the exact day he walked, unscheduled, into the law office of Sydney D. Torres, III—the owner of the unfortunate property that would ultimately become The Ranch and its subsidiaries.

“I was shooting a film next door to this abandoned, blighted property, and walked into Mr. Torres’s office. I told him that I had a bunch of cars that I needed to park and wanted to rent his space. We negotiated a price, and Mr. Torres said, ‘One more thing…how do I keep you?’”

Waggenspack’s idea for a complete transformation of the enormous, unused space had Mr. Torres’s attention. A real estate developer himself, Mr. Torres presumably knew a good idea when he Jason Waggenspack heard one.

“I explained my job and said that part of what I do is to find locations like the one you have here and turn them into stages. He said, ‘Send me a proposal,’ and three months later, we were in business together. One month after that, we landed Deepwater Horizon with Mark Wahlberg, one of the biggest movies to ever hit Louisiana.”

The crumbling property that stood abandoned for years metamorphosed into a gleaming new property that produces several movies per year, employs hundreds of local artisans and craftsmen, and pours thousands of dollars of revenue back into the community of St. Bernard Parish.

But don’t call Waggenspack a businessman. This would be like calling Henry Ford a mechanic. In fact, don’t even refer to him as CEO. His official title (it’s on his business card) is Head of Possibilities and his Chief Marketing Officer, Jimmy Hornbeak, is the Director of Amazement—also on the business card. The titles are an extension of how they see themselves: as storytellers, as an uber-creative force of idea people who have all worked in the film industry for years and created a company that could midwife huge ideas to completion if there was a good enough story to be told…and sold.

Selling The Ranch and its creations is what Jimmy Hornbeak does best. As the chief of marketing, or, in “Ranch Speak,” Director of Amazement, Jimmy Hornbeak breathes life into Waggenspack’s ideas, turning them into saleable commodities.

Formerly the brand marketing manager and creative director at Levi Strauss, Jimmy Hornbeak is the creative visionary behind The Ranch. He also partners with Waggenspack in The Arsonist, a film marketing company “whose mission is to help greenlight

36

Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

COURTESY RANCH STUDIOS

By Jason Hutter

It’s no accident that the founder of the 219,000 square foot film production behemoth known as The Ranch was working as a film location manager when the idea of developing one of the largest, most farsighted production facilities in the New Orleans Metro Area came to him. When first laid eyes on what would become The Ranch, it was nothing more than a derelict eyesore in the heart of St. Bernard Parish, another property casualty of Hurricane Katrina.

independent filmmakers and find audiences for their stories.”

Before there was The Ranch, Waggenspack whetted his appetite for storytelling with Neutral Ground Films, in which he partners with writer Jason Buch and producer Sean Donnelly to draw on local stories for films, episodic television, documentaries, and streaming content. Among their completed films are Abby’s Story (directed by Waggenspack), The True Don Quixote, and Arceneaux, a web series based on a detective story set in New Orleans.

Fortunately for viewers, Neutral Ground Films inherited the same charming eccentricity that Waggenspack and his team brought to The Ranch. In addition to film, the group at NGF mixes up their productions with a medley of creations, including music videos and interactive series based in phone apps like So You’re Dating a Vampire, where the player becomes part of the story.

After The Ranch landed Deepwater Horizon, a stream of projects followed along with A-list actors like Sean Penn in The First, Kristen Stewart in Underwater, and Keanu Reeves in Bill and Ted Face the Music—to name just a few.

And the filmmakers and producers continue to come. They come to The Ranch because of its team’s compulsive devotion to the original mission of zealous attention to what their customers need. And, of course, size matters too.

The enormity of The Ranch’s campus is hard to overstate. There is the Amazement Center, whose 157,00 Jimmy Hornbeak square feet is divided into three primary sections (Rock, Paper, and Scissors), and Imagination Station, a massive, 62,360 square feet structure separated into two main parts, “Big” and “Easy.” The names are obvious nods to management’s affinity for the whimsical, but there is nothing fickle about this facility’s capability to host, supply, and support almost any idea a producer or movie set designer could imagine.

With all this space, it may be tempting to think of The Ranch as nothing more than a warehouse, but nothing could be further from the truth. Management not only provides state-of-the-art facilities for movie production, and they also liaise with community officials, offer logistical support, and provide almost any service necessary to ease completion of each project.

Hornbeak and Waggenspack like to invoke the spirit of the early Hollywood mavericks who left the East Coast to escape Edison’s grip on filmmaking patents, and who were as much pioneers as they were artists. Even their company name, The Ranch, is a throwback to the Cowtown roots of Old Hollywood.

Waggenspack, Hornbeak, and their team of idea men now intend to duplicate their success and create a new “heartbeat in St. Bernard Parish” at the abandoned Ford Plant in Arabi, breathing more life into a community that was laid waste by Mother Nature only 15 years ago.

The idea is to assemble a troop of creatives under another roof and “establish a center that turns art into in commerce and art into investors.” They call it “an assembly place for creative minds.” The arch storytellers making dreams come true again.

The Ranch is not accepting unsolicited creative material.

WhereYat.com | July 2021

37

LIVE LOUD:

Mary J. Blige, DJ Khaled, Kirk Franklin, and More— Virtual Essence Festival of Culture is On the Way

By Kimmie Tubre

This year's Essence Festival will look a bit different and here’s why…

Being one of the city’s most popular and lucrative festivals, this year’s Essence Festival of Culture (casually nicknamed Essence Fest) will be held virtually with recorded performances that only invited guests can attend. Sponsored by CocaCola, the festival will be held on the weekends of June 25-27 and July 2-4 and will be streamable on ESSENCEStudios.com and Essence.com. The annual festival is a global event that showcases Black culture through cultural, music, entertainment, and empowerment experiences.

The event is typically divided into daytime and nighttime happenings. When in person, the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center houses seminars and daytime events, while the concerts are held in the evenings at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Being that this is the second year of holding virtual events, the festival has set up an interactive and well-planned virtual experience like nonother.

Here’s what’s in store: While Essence Fest is normally held on or near the 4th of July weekend, this year there will be two epic weekends to look forward to.

38

WELLNESS HOUSE Sunday: June 27 & July 4, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Wellness House is all about self-care. Focusing on nutrition, mental health, relationships, and physical fitness, these events are set up to give viewers the tools they need to take care of themselves. With these virtual sessions, one will prioritize healthy lifestyles and undoing generational habits, while concentrating on mind, body, and soul.

BEAUTY CARNIVAL Friday: June 25 & July 2, 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Focusing on “Boundless Beauty,” these sessions will show all of the beauty trends of 2021. Things have become bolder, brighter, and boundless, and Essence’s beauty experts from around the globe are ready to share tips and trends that focus on skin care, hair care, and beauty, inside and out.

ENTERTAINMENT ALL ACCESS Saturday: June 26 & July 3, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Here, they will dig into the lives of some of our favorite celebrities and influencers. The Q&A series will give exclusives and sneak peeks into their worlds and what’s next on their radar.

WEALTH & POWER Saturday: June 26 & July 3, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Themed “Impacting & Informing,” these sessions will focus on building generational wealth and stability in the Black community through investing, business, entrepreneurship, and voting. The Virtual Town Hall is a must see, packed with topics on political changes and social justice.

GET LIFTED: GOSPEL SUNDAY CELEBRATION Sunday: June 27 & July 4 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Every year, Essence Fest presents the audience with a dynamic Sunday experience and this year will be no different. This year, the all-star Gospel tribute will hit the virtual stage two Sundays back-to-back. The shows will be a blend of praise and worship, dynamic performances, and award winning artists talking and singing out inspirational words.

Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

ESSENCE AFTER DARK Friday: June 25 & July 2 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Here’s to the official Essence Fest virtual after party! This series started in-person a few years ago and included a host of after hour parties, concerts, and comic shows. This year, the show is said to be a “virtual kickback” filled with well-known musical guests and good vibes.

THE MAIN EVENT: EVENING CONCERTS Saturday: June 26 & July 3 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

This year's legendary evening concert series has a must-see lineup of performers and speakers, which includes: Mary J. Blige, DJ Khaled & Friends, Jazmine Sullivan, Ne-Yo, Teedra Moses, Kirk Franklin, Davido, Michelle Williams, Tank, Carl Thomas, Case, and D-Nice. The evening concerts will benefit and celebrate Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs. This main event is said to be an unmatchable virtual music experience.

En Vogue performs at past Essence Fest

Other performers and speakers will include: Angela Yee, Adrienne Bailon, Sarah Jakes Roberts, Tracy G., Tiana Major9, Big Freedia, Miss Lawrence, Supacent, Shantrelle P. Lewis, and Jesseca Dupart.

While this year's Essence Festival of Culture is virtual, Essence Fest will produce live activations available only to New Orleans and Louisiana residents. Focusing on honoring essential workers and first responders, the events will be integrated into the virtual experience during both weekends.

Be sure to visit the Essence Festival Virtual Marketplace, a chance to shop with your favorite artists, and Black-owned businesses and brands. The Virtual Marketplace will be available from June 25–July 4.

FROM TIO: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS / FLICKR.COM/PHOTOS; WIKIMEDIA COMMONS /AROUNDTHECLOCK

Jazmine Sullivan is one one of the headliners performing at this year's Essence Fest

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39

ANIMAL MAGNETISM: An Addiction to Strange and Unusual Pets

By Kathy Bradshaw

42

Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

Here are the stories of several strange or unusual pets—from the exotic to the unorthodox to the unthinkable—and the people they rely on.

SOMETHING TO CROW ABOUT For the past six years, Jude the Crow has called an apartment in Mid-City home. He lives with Shelly, a vet tech, who took him in when she found him hobbling about with a wing deformity that rendered him incapable of living in the wild. Though Shelly, better known as The Crow Lady of New Orleans, is committed to his care and feeding and allows him to take over her world, she is reluctant to use the word “pet.” In fact, she feels it’s really the other way around.

“Crows are not pets and should never be pets! You will find that you become the pet and the servant,” she joked. “It is an act of service that I suppose was destined for me. I volunteered my time when I could not find proper resources for him, and he took to me

ALL PHOTOS: KATHY BRADSHAW

According to statistics, over half of Louisiana households have at least one pet, the majority of which are, not surprisingly, dogs, followed by cats. Sure, these garden variety pets are great animals—no one would dare say otherwise—but canines are commonplace. And cats, cliché. Hamsters? Nothing new.

Fish? Been there, done that. But there are also plenty of people out there who prefer to be a little more creative with their creatures—who want to trade soft for scaley or paws for pinchers, or who would rather opt for fur of a different kind.

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rather quickly.”

But living with a crow is no easy task. It involves a constant regimen of cleaning, upkeep, enrichment, diet, and behavioral modification.

“One has to dedicate a certain amount of time, knowledge, and proper space for such a bird,” she said. “Crows are very smart, sociable, and, much like having a toddler, stuck in the terrible twos who screams and poops everywhere! They require a lot of attention and responsibility.”

Part of successful crow guardianship also involves coping with noise and a variety of destruction and shenanigans. For instance, Shelly says that Jude has a tendency to chatter with other birds in the yard and mock her laugh and her dogs’ barks. He also has a fondness for feet-pecking. “Apparently, sandals are his arch nemesis,” she said.

And the crow-based pandemonium is endless. “He likes to steal my paintbrushes and take off running through the house with them,” Shelly said. “And he hates anything that is solid black, like, say, any shirt on the floor or bed. He will freak out, thinking it's a dead crow.”

But he’s also a fun guy who enjoys latex squeaky dog toys and playing fetch, and Shelly says he is very protective of her.

“Now I am owned by a crow, and my life literally revolves around him. And honestly, I wouldn't want it any other way,” she said. “I love Jude, and I made a promise to give him the best care that I possibly could.”

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PLAYING POSSUM Due to regulations against making pets out of certain animals deemed wild, Tina, we’ll call her, prefers not to be identified. She has a possum named Vivian, a raccoon named Olive, and a special-needs squirrel named Minnie Mouse. All of these animals were rescued—Vivian from a bus, Olive from someone’s attic, and poor Minnie from a fallen nest. “Tree cutters cut the tree, and their nest was in it, and it slammed the ground,” causing a head injury and corresponding brain damage that Minnie still suffers from, Tina explains, who regularly rehabilitates and releases baby squirrels.

But Minnie wouldn’t have survived on her own, so Tina squirrels away her now-pet squirrel in an aquarium in her bedroom.

Tina insists that all three of these critters are excellent companions. Both Olive and Vivian are essentially litterbox-trained. Three-year-old Olive plays like a dog, chasing balls and playing with toys and stuffed animals. She is as mischievous as

ALL PHOTOS: KATHY BRADSHAW

PROUD AS A PEACOCK Burke Bischoff, who lives on the Westbank, once had a pet peacock for about 15 years. Bischoff says that it just wandered onto his family’s property one day. “My grandma absolutely fell in love with him, so she started feeding him, and he never left.” Just like the cat in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, the peacock was never assigned a name and was referred to as just that: The Peacock.

As it turns out, peacocks don’t make ideal pets. Despite their renowned beauty and swagger, they’re rather mean, pompous, stand-offish, and noisy, and that beautiful display of tailfeathers is actually a sign of aggression.

“Yeah, he was esthetically pleasing to look at, but peacocks are usually not very friendly. You couldn’t get close to him without him trying to run or fly away,” Bischoff said. “Honestly, my grandma was the only person in the family who actually liked him.”

And as further proof that peacocks aren’t overly loyal animals, The Peacock even once attacked Grandma as well.

Bischoff adds that his feathered frenemy would wake him up in the middle of the night, crowing outside his window at 2 a.m., and Bischoff constantly threatened to ship him off to the Audubon Zoo. “If you want a pet just because it’s pretty, go for anything else but a peacock,” he said. “They’re not nice, they’re not going to be friendly with you, they won’t interact with you unless you feed them, and they have the propensity to attack people whenever they feel like it. Save yourself a lot of sleepless nights and just look at pictures of peacocks on the Internet. You’ll get about the same level of engagement.”

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most raccoons and reciprocates Tina’s affections by leaving her a trail of chaos and debris to come home to on a daily basis. “She gets up on the counters and into the food,” Tina explained. “But she makes me clean up the kitchen every single night. That’s a positive!”

Vivian, on the other hand, is pretty chill and doesn’t do a whole heck of a lot. She does like to be scratched and petted and to smell Tina’s face, and she is affectionate and an excellent listener.

“She’s very calm,” Tina said. “I talk to her, and she just likes to sit up here and listen and watch you.”

“People hate possums, and I don’t understand why,” she continued. “They eat 5,000 ticks a year. They kill poisonous snakes. And they can’t get rabies, and they can’t transfer rabies. They’re good animals to have around.”

CHICKENING OUT Chickens are not a particularly unusual animal—on a farm. But when your chickens live in your back yard in a subdivision in Slidell, it’s slightly more unconventional. Not only that, but most chickens are raised purely for their meat or their eggs, and very rarely for their

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companionship. Ask almost any farmer how he feels about his chickens, and while he may express fondness, few would consider them pets. For Barbara Roberson, however, it’s a different story.

“Chickens are very easy to bond with,” she said. “They’re good company.”

And although it’s ill-advised in certain circles to count one’s chickens, Roberson has five, and they all have names. “I figure that once you give an animal a name, it’s your pet,” she added.

Roberson’s pet chickens are Ruby, Truffles, Downy, Brownie, and there’s also a black one that, despite appearances, is called Blondie. “Because she’s really dumb,” she said. “And chickens aren’t very smart to begin with. But she’s extra.” (Or would that be eggs-tra?)

Roberson is highly devoted to her chickens. She’s set them up with posh digs in her back yard, having converted her now-grown children’s jungle gym into a chicken coop, complete with an upstairs wooden area with straw-lined laying boxes—the chicken equivalent of the penthouse suite with a roof deck.

Her chickens lay between three and five eggs a day, which Roberson collects and uses to cook or bake. She enjoys these ethically sourced, superfresh, unusually delicious eggs from her unusual pets. But more than that, she really enjoys her chickens. “They’re fun to watch and to have around,” she said.

“Chickens are very underappreciated.”

“She spoils the chickens,” her daughter Madalyn said. “She worries

about them more often than she worries about anything else.”

GET YOUR GOAT Just over a block away, Roberson’s neighbor Stacy Fredenburg has an entire menagerie of creatures. Between her, her husband, and their daughter Trini, the family is the caregivers for—five dogs, three goats, 10 chickens, two giant African spurred tortoises, a bald python, and a crested gecko, all of which live in their house, back porch, or back yard.

Although Fredenburg dedicates as much as seven hours a week to their care and feeding and must sacrifice such luxuries as vacations and furniture in the name of her pets, she’s not complaining.

“I love them. They’re my hobby,” she

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said. “I have just one kid, so I need more things to care for.” And nearly all her pets are rescues, so she also feels that she’s doing a good thing by taking them in.

Each of the animals has its own unique charm. Theo, the python, is a “good dude” who will just hang over your shoulders and gives good neck massages.

Thor, the gecko, lives in a coconut in Trini’s bedroom and pretty much stays out of trouble. The two massive tortoises are named Leo and Brutus and each have their own separate section of the back yard. Brutus, the older of the two, is probably 50 years old and weighs 120 pounds. Although these tortoises do have a sometimes-uncomfortable affinity for human feet, and their clumsiness and girth can often cause destruction, they

themed accessories and décor and also has four live ones as pets—two Louisiana crawfish (named Boudin and Atchafalaya), a Florida blue crayfish, and an orange dwarf crayfish. They live in fish tanks (separated) and eat shrimp pellets.

The first crawfish Amy adopted was rescued from a boiling pot. Now, she mostly gets her craw-panions straight from the pond. “I have a crawfish farmer friend outside of Breaux Bridge, and I go to visit him at least once a year and come home with a new friend or two” (the blue and orange crayfish came from Petco).

Crawfish don’t play well together.

They are very territorial and will kill each other if kept together in the same tank.

And unlike betta fish, which have these same murderous tendencies, crawfish

are far more mobile and can figure out how to get to each other, even if kept in a divided tank. They also manage to escape from their aquariums and can go impressive distances after doing so, even after falling off a kitchen counter and down an entire staircase—and survive.

Amy’s longest-living pet crawfish was Etouffée, who hung on for over a year.

But unfortunately, they don’t always last so long. Amy says that she frequently comes home to a crawfish massacre. “I have had more crawfish murders than I care to count; a couple deaths from molting; multiple breakouts, at least one of which ended badly (I think the cat got him?); and multiple lethal tank malfunctions,” she explained. “Lots of crawfish drama, lots of tears.”

OH, DEER! James and Dorothy Whitaker in Ponchatoula have had pet whitetail deer (think Bambi) for 20 years now, and they currently have 12. The deer live outdoors in a gated waterfront community—a fenced-in 4-acre pen with a pond. And the little ones get to be indoor pets for a while. “When the baby deer are born, we can bring them into the house to love on,” James said. “It’s interesting how they fear nothing when they are born.”

He says that when people learn that they raise deer—which requires a permit— they want to come by their property just to see them. “They are beautiful animals to watch,” he said. “It’s just fun to watch them live their lives.”

mostly spend time eating greens and minding their own business. “They’re kind of just lawn ornaments,” Fredenburg said.

The goats—Maddie, Ezra, and Ophelia—are clearly among Frendenburg’s very favorite pets. Maddie, the oldest, is 13 now, and Fredenburg adopted her when she was just two weeks old, then bottle-fed her until she grew out of it. Fredenburg swears that goats are friendly, affectionate, and social animals that will “talk” to you in their own goat-like fashion.

“I recommend getting a goat,” she said. “They’re the easiest and cheapest pet you can have, and they don’t bite.”

ALL PHOTOS: KATHY BRADSHAW

CRAW YOUR WAY TO THE TOP Amy (not her real name), who is a selfprofessed “crazy crawfish lady,” is obsessed with these crustaceans. She has an ever-growing collection of crawfish-

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New Orleans’s Favorite Frozen Drinks

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When it comes to life in the Big Easy, it’s a fact that we love our cocktails. Just about everyone has some sort of bar inside of their home. Whether it’s a bar cart, mini bar, or a full-service bar, our love for a good drink is unmatched. Drinking in New Orleans is also seasonally fun. During the cold months, we know how to warm ourselves with a good heated cocktail.

When it’s as hot as it is now, there is nothing more refreshing than a frozen favorite. Here’s to some of the best frozen cocktails in the Crescent City!

THE NEW ORLEANS ORIGINAL DAIQUIRI Let’s start with the thing that we do better than any place around the USA. Yep, that’s right, the daiquiri. Founded in the early 80s, New Orleans Original Daiquiri has remained a popular daiquiri brand amongst locals and tourists for several decades. Now located all over the country, the daiquiri shop offers a variety of flavors including: Bellini, Mardi Gras Mash, and the popular Jungle Juice. With their specialty being drinks on the go, drive-thru daiquiri shops have become a normal way to grab the frozen drink on those humid days.

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frozen, hence the frozen Irish coffee.

The frozen blend was popularized at two particular bars: Erin Rose and Molly’s at The Market. While both are similarly delicious, locals tend to debate on who makes it the best.

One thing is for sure, trying both amazing twists on the famous Irish coffee can’t hurt.

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THE HAND GRENADE If this is a true article about NOLA’s favorite frozen drinks, then we certainly must mention the Hand Grenade. If you’ve ever stepped foot on Bourbon Street, you’ve definitely tried it once or a few dozen times. Created at Tropical Isle, this drink was not made for the lightweight drinker. While sweet in taste and seemingly harmless, the Hand Grenade is served in a long-stemmed, green grenade cup and packs a heavy punch with a secret recipe.

THE FROZEN FRENCH 75 Oh, how we love a good French 75.

Traditionally served as a cocktail blend of gin, champagne, and lemon juice; if you have never tried this drink frozen, then you just don’t know what you’re missing. Many venues around the city serve the French 75, but Superior Seafood has mastered the frozen version. The classy beverage is not only refreshing on those warm summer days, but also gives a taste of the French culture that birthed New Orleans.

THE FROZEN IRISH COFFEE Speaking of seasonal drinks, Irish coffee is one that locals have loved for years. This classically warm, caffeinated beverage was transformed into a cool down drink when a couple of bars decided to make it

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OTHER MUST HAVE FROZEN DRINKS Being a city known for its amazing cocktails, there are so many awesome frozen drinks to keep us cool during these hot months. From Frozen Bourbon Milk Punches at Bourbon House to the Meril’s Frozen Lushie, this city certainly knows its way around making a fantastic frozen drink. While we would have to write a book to name them all, here are a few more chilly drinks to indulge in.

The margarita isn’t a traditional New Orleans beverage, but there are certainly some places around town that make them just right. Places like Superior Grill and Felipe's are rather popular for their margaritas, and rightfully so. For the fancier days, you may want to grab a frosé. You can get this frozen rosé drink at several venues around the city. Bourree offers a frosé amongst several other frozen cocktails, but the frozen gin and tonic has made quite the name for itself.

The icy twist on a classic one in one is fantastic and rather popular. Another popular and unique treat is Brennan's Boozy Sno-balls. Offering them during snoball season (the warm months), The Boozy Sno-ball is simply a traditional sno-ball doused with liquor. Cocktails are deeply rooted into New Orleans culture and these cold cocktails are waiting to cool us down while things are heating up. For sure, no one can make a frozen beverage like the Big Easy, and that’s as cool as it gets.

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Summer Adventures in the Great Outdoors

By Michelle A. Nicholson

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PLACES NEAR & (NOT SO) FAR

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With mild winters and lots of places to fish, swim, hike, kayak, and camp, Louisiana sports the moniker “Sportsman’s Paradise” for obvious reasons. But with soaring temperatures, stifling humidity, and swarming mosquitoes, summers in New Orleans can be a real drag for those of us who love the great outdoors. Thankfully, there are lots of hidden gems within driving distance of New Orleans that offer outdoorsmen and ecotourists ways to love Louisiana summers.

Clark Creek Natural Area & Tunica Falls (366 Fort Adams Rd., Woodville, MS) is a popular destination for local hikers. The three-hour drive from New Orleans brings you through Cajun country, with lots of places to stop for boudin balls and crackling on the way over—Zydeco music and cheap beer on the way back. Once there, you will find improved trails with access to six of

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the park’s bigger waterfalls. A longer, less-frequented primitive trail offers lots of changes in elevation as well as access to additional waterfalls (there are over 50 in the park!) and a scenic overlook. Be sure to wear shoes ready for water—both the trail to the third and highest of the area’s waterfalls and a portion of the primitive trail will have you walking in Clark Creek.

But you don’t have to drive far to find a quiet green reprieve. Tucked away in City Park are Couturie Forest and Scout Island, 60 acres of preserved natural landscape straddling Harrison Drive. The trails here will bring you through eight different ecosystems, and both its canopy and the bayou marking the area’s perimeter are favorite resting places for native and migrating birds. Laborde Lookout, in the center of Couturie Forest’s trail system, may not provide a great view, but as the highest point in the city, it is a fun 53-foot climb for those looking to take more than a leisurely stroll through the woods. Prefer to be on the bayou’s water, circling the forest and island instead? Call or text LOOP NOLA (1031 Harrison Dr.) ahead of time to rent a canoe or kayak anytime between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Just 17 miles outside of New Orleans is another place to enjoy South Louisiana’s marshy wilds. Drive over the Mississippi River to the Barataria Preserve, home to the oldest remaining forest in Jefferson Parish. Here, you’ll find an American Indian shell mound and a 600-year-old bald cypress—and you’re almost certain to have at least one close encounter with an alligator on the Bayou Coquille Trail. Stop by the visitor center (6588 Barataria Blvd.) to get an update on the trail’s status or go directly to the Pecan Grove area to launch into Bayou des Familles. With 23,000 acres to explore, you may find yourself returning again and again.

If cruising along bayous or among the alligators and old cypress of our swamps sounds like fun—and you want a little learning to go along with your touring—then drive over Lake Ponchartrain to the Northshore. In operation since 1982, Dr. Wagner’s Honey Island Swamp Tours (41490 Crawford Landing Rd., Slidell) set the standard for interpretative swamp tours in Louisiana. Don’t expect a wild alligator feeding frenzy. Do expect to ride a small boat deep into the swamp, alongside a seasoned professional who has a deep knowledge of and love for its wildlife. Besides amphibians, reptiles, and waterfowl, you might even see some otters or a bald eagle—and a summer tour will definitely involve a swim in Pearl River. Call them at 504-242-5877 to make reservations.

Prefer to stick to the open waters of Lake Ponchartrain and its tributary bayous?

Perhaps even do a little fishing? The Northshore is also home to Bayou Adventure (28178 US-190, Lacombe). Visit their Lagniappe Shack and Live Bait and Tackle Shop to rent a kayak (life vest, map, and dry bag included) and catch a ride to either Cane Bayou or Bayou Lacombe, both of which empty into the lake. Located on the Tammany Trace, Louisiana’s first rail-to-trail, the shop also offers bike rentals (helmet, lock, and map included), so you can ride from here to Camp Salmen or Fontainebleau State Park as well—but beware: mosquitoes and biting flies in the woods around Lake Ponchartrain are ferocious this time of year!

If you have time and don’t mind a slightly longer (three-and-a-half hour) drive, add a weekend trip to the Kisatchie National Forest to your itinerary. Encompassing over 600,000 acres around Alexandria, this massive recreational area includes 100-plus miles of trails, varying in length from a half mile to almost 30 miles. There are more than 40 separate developed areas with access to any and every outdoor activity: OHV, horseback riding, and camping; fishing, hunting, and rockhounding; swimming, hiking, and nature viewing; and even bouldering in Longleaf Vista. Visit their website (fs.usda.gov) to download maps and for any current alert and notices, as heavy rain or wildfires may cause some areas to temporarily close.

Finally, if all you really need is to soak up some rays and relax in water and on sandy shores, take a short one-and-a-half-hour drive to check out the beach and water park at White Sands Lake (52129 Sandstone Blvd., Franklinton) or go tubing down the river in Bogue Chitto State Park (17049 State Park Blvd., Franklinton). And no matter where you go, be sure to bring plenty water, bug spray, and sunscreen to enjoy our great outdoors comfortably and safely.

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JOY TO ALL THE FISHES in the Audubon Aquarium

“King Midas” Green Sea Turtle Gulf of Mexico Exhibit Audubon Aquarium of the Americas 56

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Few places bring adults as much unbridled joy as an aquarium. On my recent visit to New Orleans’s own Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, it was hard to even count the amount of tall, manly men I witnessed excitedly pointing out sharks and penguins, bouncy children jumping up and squealing over otters, nostalgic parents pulling animal factoids out of their fragmented memories, and studious individuals having a meditative moment in front of the mesmerizing, lowlight jellyfish tanks.

A day at the aquarium is an immersive experience. Each exhibit has dozens of animals to get excited about, but if you’re like me, you’ll get attached to a favorite. Mine clocks in at around 250 pounds.

Meet Midas, the green sea turtle! Surrounded by intimidating sharks that he pays no mind, this guy is the king of the Gulf tank.

Audubon’s Director of Husbandry Higinio Covarrubias, who guided me on my tour, corroborates that I am not alone in my admiration of Midas. “Everybody wants to find the sea turtle in here—Midas is the star of the Gulf exhibit. He goes everywhere, gets into everything. During feed time, he tries to steal food from all the other animals. He came to us from the New York Aquarium

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He’s around 50-years-old by now. The unique thing about Midas is that when sea turtles are young, they eat a lot of protein, but when they’re older, they eat a lot of grasses and algae. In this environment, because we feed the sharks big hunks of fish, he likes to steal those.

We’ll put heads of romaine lettuce in the tank so he can graze, but he prefers to get after the sharks’ food every time.”

The natural flow of exhibits mirrors the Mississippi River you view from the windows of the building. The footpaths meander along, surprising you with wonders from every angle.

You enter at the Great Maya Reef, a marine region that hugs the coast of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras, that the curators here have conveniently squeezed into a first-floor wing. Smiling manta rays lazily swim above as you walk through a tunnel miraculously cut through their waters.

Up the steps in the Amazon Rainforest exhibit, majestic blue macaws fly above and the air is filled with tropical mist. Here, the environment is what captures your attention, but right ahead, it’s all about one-on-one time with some particularly playful personalities.

Say hello to the African penguins! These little guys are famous—they have their own Instagram.

“African Penguins are critically endangered,” Higinio explained to me. “They do really well in zoos though. We’re an AZA-accredited aquarium, which means we have a focus on maintaining sustainability. We participate in the Species Survival Program, so sometimes we move animals around to different aquariums to increase genetic variability. We’re trying to promote good genetics for the lifetime of the species. A little bit about these penguins: they're warmer climate birds. The water in their tank is 57 degrees, the air is 63 degrees, but they can tolerate temperatures in the 90s. We’ve got 20 penguins and each one has a red or a blue band. The ones without bands are babies. It’s about a year or so until they have mature plumage.”

The seahorses are also a part of the aquarium’s Species Survival Program. They have a large variety of colors and types. It’s a nice quiet moment, observing their fluttering fins, tiny snouts, and astounding ability to camouflage.

After the seahorse room, we run into another two very distinct personalities: Clara and Ruby, southern sea otters, ages 11 and 5, weighing in at 50 and 47 pounds, respectively.

“Otters can have about a million hairs per square inch, so they’re constantly grooming.” Higinio told me, “They have extremely low body fat, and spend the majority of their time in the water, moving around, so they’re always eating, always hunting around. They get about six buckets of food a day, their metabolism is so high. Ruby was found abandoned, only a day old, in Monterey Bay. The group that took her in kept trying to re-release her but it wasn’t successful. She was too used to humans and kept going up to them for food. She was finally deemed un-

releasable, so she came here.”

After the otters, The Mississippi River Exhibit brings us back home. As well as fresh water fish like paddlefish, sturgeon, alligator gar, and catfish, this area has a red-tailed hawk, a barn owl, and Chompitulous, a fascinating looking 10-foot long, leucistic alligator.

“Chomps,” as he’s affectionately called, is mostly white with splotches of pigment on his snout and bright blue eyes. He’s about 12 years old and sprawled out on his dock, soaking in the sunlight, when we meet.

The final exhibit is the Gulf of Mexico. At about 500,000 gallons of saltwater, it is impressive. This tank is Midas the sea turtle’s home, but the other guy in charge here is a sand tiger shark named Smooth.

“He’s your classic looking shark,” Higinio explained. “Even with his mouth closed, all of his teeth are like ‘ARRRRGGGG.’ If Smooth is ever feeling anxious, everybody’s on guard. Socially, Midas rules the roost, but from an instinctual, behavioral standpoint, it’s all about Smooth. Sometimes, the brown sharks will take a small bite out of one of the other animals. Getting these species to live in harmony is a challenge. The nurse sharks are docile and curious. They like to pile up next to the water flow or on the diver platforms and let the water run over their gills.”

After the guided tour, I spend a while longer observing the curious creatures in this extraordinary place. There’s nothing like a day at the aquarium.

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WhereYat.com | July 2021

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SUMMER T SKIN

Your Best Summer Skincare Guide

By Celeste Turner

As summer temperatures begin to rise, you may be spending more time outdoors and in the sunshine.

While a few hours of the sunlight may leave your skin sun-kissed and glowing, the harsh rays can actually cause long-term damage to your skin.

1. Always Wear SPF “The higher the SPF, the better.” Barbara S.Bopp MD, a board certified dermatologist for the past 30 years at Bopp Dermatology & Facial Plastic Surgery in Metairie, said. “I prefer SPF 100 because if the appropriate amount is not applied to the skin, it will lessen the SPF from 100 to 50 or even 30, depending on the amount applied.”

Dr. Bopp also indicated that the key is to apply the SPF liberally, measuring about two tablespoons per average body size. She further added that water resistant SPF is a must when involved in outdoor activities.

“Once your skin is wet from swimming or sweating, your skin will be more sensitive to the sun rays, so don’t forget to apply liberally,” she said. Her recommendation is to apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes prior to sun exposure and prior to putting on swimsuits to assure full coverage and avoid burns. “If you are sweating, be sure to reapply every two hours,” Dr. Bopp stated.

Whitney Summers, an esthetician at EarthSavers Lakeside, agreed. “If you are spending your day outside, then sun protection should be applied every two hours. My favorite daily

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UNSPLASH

So, the question is: how do you face the summer sun while preventing breakouts and minimizing sun damage?

Well, there are certain steps to remember for the right skincare regimen in order to protect yourself while ensuring a healthy, radiant look during the summer months.

TIME CARE

SPF is the EarthSavers Anti-Aging Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30,” Summers, who has been an esthetician for 11 years, said. “On a day when you are at the office or mostly indoors, you can apply less frequently, maybe before stepping out for your lunch break or before you drive home.”

As a consumer, you may have seen the ingredient “iron oxide” in certain sunscreens, which has the capability of blocking visible rays as well as ultraviolet rays. Dr. Bopp explained that not all sunscreens contain iron oxide. “The iron oxide is especially helpful for women with melasma because the iron oxide blocks the visible rays that are important in eliciting the brown discoloration. Titanium oxide and zinc oxide do not block visible rays,” Dr. Bopp said. “My favorite is Colorescience, which is applied on top of a chemical or other mineral sunscreens like titanium and zinc oxide.

In conjunction, Summers also noted that the damaging effects of the high-energy light from the sun and the blue light from our electronics have become an area of focus for skincare companies. “I do recommend using sunscreen with blue light protection if you spend a lot of time in front of your computer or on your phone,” Summers said. “Dr. Dennis Gross came out with a new product called ‘Lightweight Wrinkle Defense SPF 30.’ It contains a patented ingredient, Zano 10 plus Superior Transparent Zinc Oxide, which has been shown to block a higher percentage of blue light than traditional zinc oxide.”

In addition, Summers also suggested if you’re concerned about overexposure to blue light or urban pollution, try keeping a bottle of “Osea Sea Vitamin Boost” by your desk and give your face a spritz of seaweed and pomegranate hydrating mist.

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2. Stay in the Shade If you plan on being outside for several hours, Dr. Bopp advises seeking shade and consider wearing UPF clothing that provides UVA and UVB protection. “Avoid midday rays, particularly the burning rays,” Dr. Bopp stated. “Wear UPF clothing like Coolibar and Sunsmart. If you have to be in the sun, the safest sun rays are the morning sun rays compared to the afternoon or midday rays. Early morning sun rays actually make our skin more resistant to the afternoon day sun rays’ damaging effects.”

If you are prone to dark spots or freckles, proper attire is helpful like UPF hats, cover ups, sunglasses, as well as a beach umbrella or tent. “I speak from experience when I say I do everything right and still end up with freckles and hyperpigmentation after sun exposure,” Summers admitted. “My best advice is to wear sunglasses and a hat in addition to sunscreen. Don’t forget to protect your neck and chest as well.”

UNSPLASH

3. Invest in skin care products with corrective vitamins (like a vitamin C serum) “Yes, I highly recommend using products with topical vitamin C daily, which acts as a brightener to lighten brown discoloration,” Dr. Bopp said. “Products with Niacinamide topically decrease acne as well as redness.” However, Dr. Bopp suggested to refrain from skin care products that contain vitamin E topically since it can be a contact allergen and may cause a hivelike reaction on the skin.

4. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate Summers stressed the importance of maintaining the health of your skin before and after sun exposure. “To have a consistent skincare routine that focuses on repairing and nurturing your skin is essential, I urge people not to skip hydrating the skin during the summer months,” Summers said. "I notice that people tend to do this when it is hot and humid.” Her message is: don’t stop moisturizing. “Instead of skipping moisturizer altogether, find a lightweight option that absorbs easily, like Osea ‘Atmosphere Protection Cream’ and the EarthSavers ‘Brightening Lipid-C Moisturizer,’” Summers noted.

So while you prepare for summer travel, long beach days, and outdoor activities, the glowy, tanned skin comes with a slew of skincare challenges and risks. Protecting yourself from the sun’s intense rays with these simple steps can prevent photo-aging as well as sun over-exposure. “Remember five or more sunburns more than doubles one’s risk of developingmelanoma. And melanoma can be life threatening,” Dr. Bopp warned.

Her rule of thumb is to “always look at the big picture. If there is a family history of melanoma,then getting that glow on your skin may not be worth the risk.

WhereYat.com | July 2021

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Legendary Cartoonist "Bunny" Matthews Dies at 70

By Madeline Taliancich

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Artist Will "Bunny" Matthews in 1983 Where Y'at logo created by the artist in 1998

FROM LEFT: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS/PHOTO OF ARTIST BUNNY MATTHEWS BY LEE CRUM IN 1983; WHERE Y'AT LOGO, PHOTO BY BURKE BISCHOFF

FUNNY BUNNY

If you’ve lived in New Orleans long enough, chances are you’ve encountered something created by Will Bunn “Bunny” Matthews, III. This legendary New Orleans cartoonist died on Tuesday, June 1 at the age of 70 due to complications from cancer, according to nola.com, leaving behind him a legacy of artwork that spoke to the unique and sometimes brash culture of New Orleans.

Most well-known for his characters Vic and Nat’ly Broussard, who both hailed from downtown NOLA and spoke with almost incomprehensible “Yat” accents, Matthews created a mural for the 1984 World’s Fair, as well as a “Vic and Nat’ly”-centric advertisement for Leidenheimer’s bread trucks. His works have been featured in numerous museums and galleries, according to nola.com, and he even designed the first Where Y’at Magazine logo.

With the inception of Where Y’at in 1998, founder Josh Danzig went straight to Matthews, who was particularly well known for his ability to capture “Yat” dialect and mannerisms perfectly. Matthews helped create the original logo, one that had a bit of local flavor and exemplified the “yatty” side of “Nawlins” culture.

During his life, Matthews worked as a cartoonist for many different publications like The Word, Figaro, Gambit, and Wavelength.

Vic and Nat’ly appeared regularly in The Times Picayune, WYES’s arts and entertainment TV show Steppin’ Out, and Offbeat Magazine, according to nola.com. He even edited Offbeat at one point in his life.

Not only did Matthews make his mark as a cartoonist, he was also deeply involved in the New Orleans music scene. After attending the University of New Orleans, he began to pursue a career as a music reviewer alongside his career as a cartoonist. Matthews was James Booker’s manager, crafted album liner notes and concert reviews, interviewed popstars visiting NOLA, and even had his own band, Bunny and the Playboys, according to nola.com.

In his later years, Matthews lived in Abita Springs but eventually entered hospice care due to brain cancer. The satirical parade Krewe du Vieux named him its king in 2017, but he was unable to ride.

Matthews's wife, Deborah Murphy Matthews, preceded him in death in 2018, but he is survived by his sons, Noah and Jude Matthews, according to nola.com.

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WhereYat.com | July 2021

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EVERYTHING'S COMING UP TACOS

By Kim Ranjbar

Everywhere you look, there's yet another taco joint.

Whether it be a new brick and mortar, market vendor, food truck, or pop-up, everything is indeed coming up tacos. Not that we're complaining! Variety is the spice of life, after all, and though there are an abundance of taco spots around lately, there's always something a little different on offer.

Well-known local restaurateurs Laurie Casebonne and Chef Ian Schnoebelen stepped away from the food scene in late 2017 when they sold Mariza, an Italian eatery in Bywater, but it seems they just couldn't stay away. Less than a year later they launched Rosalita's Backyard Tacos, a regular weekend pop-up that drew taco fans far and wide to Rosalie Alley off N. Rampart. Two years later, or this past January, the dynamic duo acquired their own digs in a space on St. Claude formerly occupied by Shake Sugary. Now folks are still lining up for their tacos, only they have an actual backyard (or patio) in which to eat them. Along with the usual suspects, guest can enjoy a few special items like the “lengua” or beef tongue tacos with pickled onion and radish, as well as crispy pork belly tacos offered on corn or flour (a.k.a. gringa) tortillas. Adding a fruit empanada and one of their homemade juices, like watermelon lemonade or pineapple cilantro, is highly recommended.

Only a few months before the pandemic hit, Galaxie Tacos opened inside a restored 1940s gas station originally designed by Walter Teague. For a few months, aficionados jumped at the chance to hang out on their extensive driveway, or inside purple-hued interior, drink mezcal margaritas, and munch on Chef Hank Shackelford's Oaxacainfluenced, tortilla-wrapped flavors. Speaking of tortillas, one particular aspect that makes Galaxie's tacos stand out are their fresh, made-daily-from-scratch corn tortillas. Aside from their signature “en trompo” (rotisserie), Home Place Pastures pork al pastor tacos, it would be inadvisable to go without tasting the “barbacoa” with smoked beef brisket, as well as their grilled queso.

Yet another service station has turned taco, this time on Freret Street. In the midst of pandemic chaos, the Cure & Co. folks launched Vals inside what was once a former Coneco station. Like Galaxie, there's a huge patio area under a shady awning, plus they added the convenience of a walk-up

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ALL PHOTOS BY KIM RANJBAR

Despite the fact that tacos have long been available in New Orleans, lately they seem to be as prolific as our beloved po-boy, and understandably so. Like the venerable po-boy, tacos have a lot to offer. They're easy to prepare, almost infinite in their variety, relatively inexpensive, and hold up well to the rigors of takeout, an attribute which has become rather valuable considering recent events.

window for ordering and pickup. Along with pork carnitas and fried local fish, all on corn tortillas, Vals offers an unusual crispy beef belly taco with fresh cilantro and cremosa, as well as a green mole chicken. Aside from the tacos, many seem to gravitate towards their shrimp ceviche, queso fundido with chorizo, and creative (of course) list of craft cocktails.

Speaking of queso, have you had the opportunity to enjoy freshly-made chicharrones, still popping from the fryer, dipped in a creamy, spicy queso? If not, you should definitely visit Barracuda. Opened the summer of 2019 on Tchoupitoulas Street, the tiny taco stand has been hoppin', so much so that even with COVID-19, they've already opened a second location on the Westbank.

Known for their achiote and tumeric adobo-seasoned chicken tacos, Barracuda also has great vegetarian offerings such as grilled mushrooms with salsa macha or the “Farmer” made with grilled sweet potato, cotija cheese, and sunflower-morita (chile) salsa.

Just down Tchoupitoulas a ways, another taco spot dubbed El Cucuy opened in the fall of 2020. Owner Austin Travis Lane has transformed a shotgun double, that was once his house, into B-horror movie-themed restaurant serving Mexican street food. In addition to the trompo-style al pastor, El Cucuy also offers an interesting vegetarian variant made with nopales, otherwise known as cactus. Aside from tacos, you may want to try the “torta pombazo,” basically a potato, cotija, and avocado sandwich on fried bolillo bread, as well as the mangonada (fresh mango sprinkled with chamoy and sweet chili powder).

There are arguably both benefits and detriments to trying to keep your restaurant a secret, but it sure seems to be working for Secret Birria Tacos. Their tagline is, “If ya know, ya know,” and it seems everyone knows (including Google) that Secret Birria is located Uptown on Octavia Street. Opened just a few months ago in March, this particular taco joint probably seems like a secret

because it operates out of what appears to be the side of an apartment complex. The taco stand specializes in birria, thus the name, which could be described as the Mexican answer to a French dip. A trendy street food that originated in Jalisco, birria is goat, lamb, or beef stew marinated and cooked with guajillo, chipotle, and ancho peppers. A corn tortilla is then stuffed with the stew meat along with melty Oaxan cheese, pan fried, and served with the consomme or broth for dipping. In case you were wondering, it's definitely as good as it sounds.

Will Avelar, the former executive chef of Meril, left the Emeril empire in late Spring 2019 to manage his family's local tortilla business Mawi Tortillerias. Due to the pandemic, the struggling bakery opened a lunch counter offering agua frescas, soups, breakfast burritos, pupusas, and tacos; more specifically, birria tacos, quesadillas, and even nachos. There's also a “featured” taco that changes regularly, from fried shrimp and mojoroasted pork to shredded chicken with pico de gallo and morolique cheese.

In November of last year, a new taco spot by Chef Julio Machado landed in Metairie. Machado came to New Orleans with over a decade of experience working as a chef in Venezuela and was able to garner an interview with local chef and restaurateur Edgar Caro. He was successfully hired as sous chef of Brasa Churrasqueria and was later promoted to chef de cuisine of Zocalo Cocina Mexicana & Cantina. With the help of his friend and business partner Danny Cruz, Machado struck out on his own to open Tacos Del Cartel located in the building formerly housed by Chez Pierre bakery on David Drive. The menu offers a nice variety of tacos, from carne asada and brisket to fried catfish and shrimp.

There's also a deep-fried mushroom taco (an homage to Machado's time working at Lakeside Harbor) dressed with mayo and pico de gallo, as well as braised short rib birria tacos seasoned with chile adobo and made with Chihuahua cheese.

In case you were wondering about the taco spots on the other side of the river, local purveyor Pacos Tacos recently launched its third location in Harvey. Owned

by Carlos and Daysi Valencia, founders of Carreta's Grill, the Westbank version of this New Orleans-born taco sensation is offering the same great menu as its sisters in Metairie and Mandeville. You can design your own tacos with flour or corn tortillas, choosing from a selection of meats, from Monterrey-style skirt steak and house made chorizo to trompo-style pork and the allpopular birria. Taco-lovers can also choose from Pacos Tacos’ specialties and signature creations like cornmeal battered shrimp and guacamole or the “Penny”—a streetstyle quesadilla with Chihuahua cheese and guacamole.

Quench your thirst with a Prickly Pear Margarita made with Premium Maestro Dobel Tequila or play it safe with a cooling horchata.

Though the proverbial surface has barely been scratched, we're finishing our taco extravaganza with two delicious side notes. First, since late 2019, Reave Bell and Roxy Eve Narvaez have been blowing folks away with their roaming taqueria Tacos Para La Vida.

They've been popping up in places like Pals Lounge, Okay Bar, and Urban South Brewery, offering homemade corn tortillas filled with grilled beef, chicken in adobo sauce, and macha marinated mushrooms. They also offer the soon-to-be ubiquitous birria tacos and, in a mashup of Japanese and Mexican cuisine, birria ramen. Follow them @tacosparalavida to find out where they'll be next.

Speaking of mashups...though you might have never thought to grab a taco with your morning brew, a new cafe called Small Victories is offering just that. Located in the Lower Garden District on Camp Street, this Aussie-influenced shop is slinging flavorful coffees (like cold brew and crème anglaise or “thicc” chocolate milk) and breakfast tacos such as pancetta and egg, or pecorino, corn and egg all on freshly made corn tortillas.

WhereYat.com | July 2021

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$20 AND UNDER Keeping Your Cool with Spirited Sweets

By Kim Ranjbar

It's a sweaty Saturday in New Orleans and from the air-conditioned safety of your couch, you hear the dreaded ice cream truck draw near. “Hello!” The kids magically appear before you, summoned from the depths of a video game stupor, begging for the cash to get a frozen treat from the truck before it rolls too far past your house. While digging out the crumpled dollars from your pocket, your eyes glaze over and you indulge in a little fantasy where another kind of ice cream truck cruises by, perhaps playing “Margaritaville” or “Escape,” offering cool, grown-up desserts with an extra kick guaranteed to smooth out the edges.

Cinnamon Toast Cake Shake

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As of yet, no such truck has been seen rolling through town, but that doesn’t mean we can’t leave the kids with a sitter and go out in search of said spirited sweets. And though they may not yet be offered from a slow-rolling, tune-blaring truck, per se, you might even be able to get them delivered.

Last summer, Jesse Reilly launched Big O’s Pops, a bicyclepowered popsicle stand delivering frozen bliss to folks all over

Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

Bywater and Marigny. With a focus on locally-sourced ingredients, these gourmet ice pops come in a variety of flavors such as papaya, pineapple, and yogurt; blackberries and cream with vanilla custard ice cream; and avocado and kiwi with coconut milk. But did you know they came in boozy flavors, too? His lemon basil iced tea is spiked with vodka, the bright green grasshopper is like Tujague’s cocktail on a stick, and the spicy Bloody Mary is perfect for any summer Sunday

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TipsyPops

morning. Follow Reilly on Instagram @bigopops to see where he’s popping up next (pun certainly intended) or just ring his doorbell for an “ice-cold artisan” treat @popsicledoorbell on St. Roch Avenue.

Incredibly enough, there is another popsicle vendor out there who is devoted solely to liquor-laden creations. Late last year, Alexandra Lemay launched NOLA Tipsy Pops (follow her @nolatipsypops), another Instagram-based, local business focusing on sweet, cooling treats, but this one’s for adults-only. Each season brings a new selection of flavors such as the “Blue Lagoon” with vodka, blue curacao, apricot liqueur, and maraschino cherries; “Easy as Pie” with house-infused apple pie vodka, sauvignon blanc, apple cider, and Granny Smith apples; or a “Day Dream” with lavender-infused lemonade, lemoninfused gin, and lavender syrup. NOLA Tipsy Pops proudly uses locally-sourced, organic ingredients, house-infused liquors, and handmade syrups. Porch pick-ups and deliveries can be arranged through Instagram, or you can sometimes grab a pop or three from Coffee Science’s vending table at Mid-City Market.

A couple of months ago, the brand new Kimpton Hotel Fontenot opened in the Warehouse District, bringing along with it the new coffee shop dubbed Gospel Coffee & Boozy Treats. Along with specialty coffee drinks, pastries, salads, and sandwiches, the new cafe offers treats like a Cointreau Praline and the “Holy Atole!” with Del Maguey Mezcal, Ancho Reyes chile liqueur, chocolate, masa, and cinnamon. You could simply swing up to the bar and order a cocktail in the Peacock Room, but “boozy treats” are a more casual option and, we think, much more fun.

If you’re seeking a cold sweet with spirit that’s a touch more vintage, there’s absolutely nothing finer than the Frozen Bourbon Milk Punch from Dickie Brennan’s Bourbon House. There’s plenty of places on Bourbon Street shilling fruity, frozen slushies that will knock you into next week, but few (if any) can compare to this cool, creamy concoction made oh-so simply with vanilla ice cream, bourbon, simple syrup, and a dash of nutmeg.

As if that wasn’t splendid enough, you can head a few blocks up Canal Street to the Palace Cafe where they’re offering a cool twist on a hot dessert: the Frozen Bananas Froster made with rum, brown sugar, banana-salted ice cream, and a dash of cinnamon.

Finally there’s Debbie on the Levee, what could be described as the finest (and only) spirited confectionery shop in Kenner. Located just across the levee (hence the name) on Reverend Richard Wilson Drive, this sweet spot offers iced and hot coffee brewed with beans from local roaster Hey! Cafe, flavored milks and handcrafted sodas, and a dazzling array of cocktails. The sweets are signature doberge cake slices and “dobites” created by Debbie Does Doberge and, instead of a cocktail, one can opt for a boozed-up shake like their Cinnamon Toast Cake Shake made with cinnamon roll doberge, house made vanilla gelato, and a shot of vanilla vodka. Feel free to double your pleasure with a “boozy slice” of Strawberry Daiquiri Doberge, a white cake layered with strawberry lime rum pudding and strawberry icing, or a Bourbon Hot Cocoa Doberge, a layered chocolate cake with cocoa marshmallow pudding and Smokey Longbranch Bourbon chocolate icing.

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RESTAURANT GUIDE burger while you’re there! 501 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-5711818, peacockroomnola.com Manning’s Sports Bar & Grill is the place to be for the next big Bayou Hot Wings is aptly named because its wings can get real hot! game. With over 30 flat screen TVs, unique sports memorabilia, Rum & the Lash, which is located inside Mick’s Irish Pub, offers a Order your wings with mild sauces like Teriyaki Glaze or test yourself and over 20 different beers on tap, what better place is there to menu of bar food with Southern flavors. For appetizers, order either watch football? Make sure to come hungry and order the fried with flavors like Korean BBQ. Enter the Bayou Beast Challenge, oysters or the St. Louis-style spare ribs. 519 Fulton St., 504-593- the fries, curry fries, or wings. For entrees, order either the burger, where you will have to eat 10 of the restaurant’s hottest wings in veggie burger, chicken sandwich, or R&L salad. You won’t leave 8118, caesars.com under five minutes. 6221 S. Claiborne Ave., 504-865-9464, disappointed! 4801 Bienville St., 504-482-9113, facebook.com/ bayouhotwings.com RumandtheLash New Orleans Vampire Cafe is worth risking your neck for.

Bub’s NOLA is New Orleans’s go to spot for the most delicious smash Make sure to “stake” out the Dracula Burger, which is half Stumpy's Hatchet House is the go to place to hone your axe brisket and ground beef burgers and French throwing skills. Stumpy’s is the perfect place to bring your friends topped with arugula, blue fries in the city. You or have your next bachelorette party. Located in the CBD next to cheese, chilli pepper sauce, can order the standard Dave & Buster’s, enjoy cold drinks and bites such as hot dogs and and onion/bacon jam. Stop Bub Burger, or branch nachos at Stumpy’s in-house dining area. 1200 Poydras St., 504for breakfast bites like out and go for the Bub 577-2937, stumpyshh.com/neworleansla shrimp and grits, as well Royale, Peanut Bubber, as Sunday brunches with or the Impossible The Jimani has been one of New Orleans’s favorite sports bars for bottomless mimosas. 801 Burger. All of Bub’s over 40 years. Order from a selection of over 100 different beers and Royal St., 504-581sandwiches come 0801, nolavampirecafe.com enjoy watching UFC fights on 10 huge TV screens. A wide array of served on tasty brioche burgers, po-boys, sandwiches, wraps, pizzas, Chicago dogs, and more buns. 4413 Banks St., The Steakhouse at Harrah’s are available. 141 Chartres St., 504-524-0493, thejimani.com bubsnola.com is the perfect place to unwind Vitascope Hall, inside the Hyatt Regency Hotel, is a perfect when you need a break from Chicken & gathering spot to enjoy drinks, snacks, and sports on one of many the slots on date night. Enjoy Watermelon serves big-screen TVs. Vitascope Hall serves fresh Louisiana seafood and filet mignon, ribeye, or prime over 80 flavors of New York strip. The pan seared sushi, along with an array of options that include burgers, pizzas, chicken wings, as sandwiches, soups, and salads. 601 Loyola Ave., 504-561crab cakes, charred oysters, well as refreshing 1234, neworleans.regency.hyatt.com and the BBQ shrimp are also watermelon punch. not to be missed. 8 Canal St., Some of its best 504-533-6111, caesars.com flavors include BBQ, Yaka-mein, Cajun Willa Jean is the definition Ranch, Teriyaki, Garlic We All Asked For You BBQ & Catering is owned by of Southern comfort. Using Parmesan, and Lemon Lisa Tanet and has been catering to South Louisiana for over 30 fresh, local ingredients, the Pepper. There is also years. Entrees include Southern favorites like etouffee, grits, mirliton, restaurant/bakery is best a separate menu for and gumbo. Cater your seafood, which includes next seafood boil! Catch the fish combo, fish live music at their sister bites, tuna sandwich, or spot The Kamp while known for its delicious biscuits, tuna combo. Multiple Locations, boogiebird.com enjoying their BBQ. 2321 which you can get with fried

Hickory Ave., chicken, sausage gravy, seasonal Crescent City Brewhouse is the French Quarter’s premier and Harahan, 504-800jam, and more. Toasts and best microbrewery. Try one of the brewhouse’s delicious in-house 4265, weallasked4u. sandwiches are also available, beers such as the Red Stallion, Black Forest, and Creole Alt. Make com as are many different brews of sure to also order one of the restaurant’s mouthwatering burgers or coffee. 611 O’Keefe Ave., 504try the weekend oyster bars. 527 Decatur St., 504-522-0571, 509-7334, willajean.com crescentcitybrewhouse.com

AMERICAN

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CAFE

Gattuso’s Neighborhood Restaurant is located in beautiful and historic Old Gretna. In addition to a well-stocked bar and live music nights, Gattuso’s menu contains mouthwatering bar food.

Order anything from po-boys and wraps to filet mignon and grilled salmon or tuna. 435 Huey P. Long Ave., Gretna, 504-368-1114, gattusos.net Jimmy J’s Café is one of the funkiest cafes in New Orleans. Enjoy the restaurant’s all-day breakfast items such as omelets, French toast, or eggs benedict. Not in the mood for breakfast? Try one of these house specialties like the cochon de lait po-boy, the blackened pork chop, or the homemade chicken noodle soup. 115 Chartres St., 504-309-9360, jimmyjscafe.com Lakeview Harbor, home of Lakeview’s famous original burger, has an extensive menu, so you’re guaranteed to find a dish that you will absolutely love. Choose from a wide variety of breakfast items, seafood dishes, appetizers, salads, po-boys, and wraps. Come hungry and leave full and satisfied. 8550 Pontchartrain Blvd., 504-4864887, lakeviewharbor.us Legacy Kitchen Craft Tavern prides itself on its refined American cuisine. From breakfast classics like crawfish queso to pecan smoked chicken wings, you are guaranteed to find your next favorite meal on the menu. Enjoy daily brunches with items like fried chicken and waffles, as well as crawfish and egg beignets. 700 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-613-2350, legacykitchen.com

ASIAN Green Tea is a family-owned Chinese restaurant offering diet conscious and great tasting cuisine.

Choose a protein and pick from a selection of styles like szechuan, hunan, or kung po. Then, choose rice or lo mein to go with your main dish, as well appetizers like egg rolls, crab rangoon, and egg drop soup. 3001 Napoleon Ave., 504899-8005, greenteanola.com Mikimoto has been providing Uptown NOLA with authentic Japanese food for over 20 years. If you’re a fan of sushi rolls, then Mikimoto has you covered with over 50 different kinds that you can choose from. Grab your chopsticks and dig into teriyaki, udon dishes, and an assortment of appetizers like gyoza and edamame. 3301 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-488-1881, mikimotosushi.com MoPho is an Asian fusion spot for Vietnamese dishes with a Creole influence. The pho is served in several options: the veggie bowl, beef broth, or fowl broth. A separate submenu has po-boys such as: fried shrimp po-boy with chisesi ham or sloppy roast duck po-boy with banana barbecue sauce. 514 City Park Ave., 504-482-6845, mophonola.com

BARS WITH GREAT FOOD 5216 Table & Tap is the perfect fun bar in Metairie. Not only does it have local and national beers on tap, but you can also order craft cocktails like the Chai Old Fashioned or the Jalapoloma. Sandwiches, burgers, and street tacos are also available. 5216 Veterans Blvd., 504-766-1417, 5216tableandtap.com

Legacy Kitchen Steak + Chop provides fine dining to its loyal customers on the Westbank. You can order different cuts of steak, appetizers like crawfish cornbread and chargrilled oysters, or build your own burgers. Don’t miss out on ordering the chicken and waffles Peacock Room is a self-described luxurious yet lighthearted cocktail bar on Tchoupitoulas Street. This is the place to spend time with pepper jelly. 91 Westbank Expy #51, Gretna, 504-513with friends while enjoying refreshing Sazeracs and Sherry 2606, legacykitchen.com Cobblers. Make sure to grab some gumbo, oysters, or a

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Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

Bearcat Café

Bearcat Café is a daytime café with a variety of comfort food, artisanal coffee, and teas. Have the crab croquette with crawfish, tasso, and green onion remoulade, the hot chicken sandwich with pimento, the BBQ pasta with shrimp, portobello, tomato, and corn, or the pork chops with bacon jam, sweet potato, and mushroom.

Multiple Locations, bearcatcafe.com

Caffe Caffe is a café and coffeehouse that serves gourmet coffee, pastries, and a variety of breakfast and lunch food. Order the specialty breakfast platter of scrambled eggs, bacon, or sausage with grits, biscuits, and bacon. You can also get salads and soups, as well as sandwiches like grilled chicken and shrimp remoulade. Multiple Locations, caffecaffe.com The Vintage is a great place to relax and socialize with loved ones.

Order coffee and beignets and enjoy the time-honored tradition of people watching. You can order some parmesan truffle fries, alligator poppers, and a cheese board, as well a large drink menu with wine, cocktails, and more. 3121 Magazine St., 504-324-7144, thevintagenola.com

FRENCH Cafe Degas is a NOLA gem and, since 1986, is the longest running French bistro in the city. Order exquisite dishes like broiled escargots, seared hanger steak, quiche, and a cheese and fruit plate. If you’re thirsty, Cafe Degas offers $5 mimosa and sparkling wine on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. 3127 Esplanade Ave., 504945-5635, cafedegas.com

FROM TOP: ROBERT WITKOWSKI; STAFF PHOTO

Daisy Dukes is a local restaurant serving seafood and Cajun comfort food in a relaxed atmosphere. Entrees include the Cajun spicy gumbo with shrimp, hot sausage, rice, and a biscuit, as well as the blackened alligator platter with a cup of gumbo, red beans, fried green tomatoes, and a side of remoulade. Multiple Locations, daisydukesrestaurant.com

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IN THE CBD AND WAREHOUSE DISTRICT

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WEEKDAY HAPPY HOUR 2 PM - 6 PM | PRIVATE DINING & EVENTS | WINE EXPERIENCES 1001 POYDR AS STREET NEW ORLEANS, L A 70112 504.208.9535

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4400 Banks St. 483-8609

Order Online Now! MidCityPizza.com •

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911 HARRISON AV. 3322 N. TURNBULL DR. 249-8025 THREEBS.COM 72

Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

MEXICAN

The Crazy Italian Pizzeria has classic Italian fare that is crazy delicious. From fried ravioli and caprese salad to calzones and bolognese pasta, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to Naples. Save room for some mouthwatering desserts like cannolis, tiramisu, Italian almond cake, and now gelato! 206 W. Harrison Ave., 504-7667914, thecrazyitalianpizzeria.com

Carreta’s Grill is a festive Mexican restaurant that serves jumbo margaritas. Order the “El Pepito” with carne asada or grilled chicken with rice, beans, and pico de gallo, or the “Los Rancheros” with two over easy eggs and a strip of carne asada, a corn tortilla, rice, beans, and pico de gallo. Multiple Locations, carretasgrillrestaurant.com

Josephine Estelle is a magnificent osteria run by award winning chefs Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman. The restaurant specializes in Italian favorites such as veal, arancini, and many different types of pasta. Come in for brunch, lunch, dinner, or even Aperitivo “Happy” Hour and enjoy what this spot has to offer. 600 Carondelet St., 504930-3070, josephineestelle.com Mid City Pizza is the perfect place to grab a slice during the summer. A number of different types of pizza are available, such as Hawaiian, T-Bird Special, and the Mid City Meat Monster.

Customize your pizza by adding your own toppings. Appetizers, salads, and build-your-own calzones are also available. Multiple Locations, midcitypizza.com Mosca’s Restaurant was the brainchild of Provino Mosca, who immigrated from Italy to America in 1913. This James Beard Award winning restaurant has been serving Westwego for over 60 years. All of Mosca’s dishes, from the pasta to the chicken and oysters, are served al la carte and family-style. 4137 US-90 W., Westwego, 504436-8950, moscasrestaurant.com Pascal’s Manale has been in New Orleans for over 100 years! Not only is all of the food incredible, Pascal’s Manale is also the birthplace of the world-renowned New Orleans BBQ Shrimp.

With Creole/Italian dishes like turtle soup and crab cakes, you’ll know exactly why Pascal’s Manale has thrived for so long. 1838 Napoleon Ave., 504895 4877, pascalsmanale.com Red Gravy serves delicious East Coast-style Italian fare right on Magazine Street. Select from the bruschetta, coteletta bolognese, and mussels.

Red Gravy offers different types of NYC bagels for brunch, all served with a side of seasoned greens, and delicious desserts like the Cannoli Skillet Cake and the Brulee French Toast. 4206 Magazine St., 504-561-8844, redgravycafe.com Tavolino Pizza & Lounge is a casual Italian restaurant located right on Algiers Point. Come for the 13-inch, thin crust pizzas and stay for the fried gorgonzola stuffed olives. Tavolino’s caprese salad with burrata cheese, as well as the chicken liver pate, shouldn’t be passed up on. 141 Delaronde St., Algiers, 504-605-3365, instagram.com/ tavolinonola

MIDDLE EASTERN Lebanon’s Café is NOLA’s top spot for great tasting Mediterranean/Middle Eastern cuisine. Run by chef and owner Hussain Sheereef, Lebanon’s has some of the best hummus and shawarma around. The menu is extensive with appetizers like falafel, tabouleh, and kibby to tasty entrees like lamb shank and gyro. 1500 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-862-6200, lebanonscafe.com Saj provides modern Middle Eastern food in the Big Easy. Saj’s food is served family style and includes wonderful selections like kufta, baba ganouj, and mashawi wood fire grilled lamb chops and gulf shrimp. The restaurant is BYOB, so bring over some drinks and have an excellent dinner at Saj with your family and friends! 4126 Magazine St., 504-766-0049, sajnola.com Tal’s Hummus serves tasty Israeli fare using only the freshest ingredients. The restaurant’s hummus is made in house and can come served with different options like mushrooms and beef kabob.

The pita sandwiches are delicious and can come stuffed with chicken shawarma, falafel, schnitzel, or stewed lamb shank. 4800 Magazine St., 504267-7357, ordertalsonline.com

NEW ORLEANS CUISINE Akasia’s Cafe, which is also home to Let Us Cater For You, is owned by Culinary Queens of New Orleans founder Akasia Lee. The cafe’s menu has delicious burgers such as the Ghetto Burger and the BS Night Life Burger, as well as chargrilled oysters. You can also get fried chicken, fish, ribs, and shrimp baskets. 5600 Westbank Expy., Marrero, 504-345-2563, letuscaterforyou.org Annunciation is the perfect place to relax and enjoy Cajun and Creole specialties after a long day at the office. Enjoy a craft cocktail like the Catherine the Great with one of many delicious oyster dishes, such as Oysters Rockerfeller, fried oysters, Oysters en Brochette, and oyster and artichoke soup. 1016 Annunciation St., 504568-0245, annunciationrestaurant.com Bywater Brew Pub is a recent addition to the Bywater culinary scene, but it’s already making waves! This full-scale brewery and restaurant mixes Cajun, Vietnamese, and Gastropub flavors. Try the yaka mein, Phởritto, or the Bánh Mì Burger. Save room for the ube bread pudding ice cream sundae. 3000 Royal St. 504-7668118, bywaterbrewpub.com Cafe 615 (Home of Da Wabbit) has been a Gretna hit since 1948 with its iconic Bugs Bunny themed sign. In addition to the famous Da Wabbit Burger, the restaurant serves unique dishes like crabmeat stuffed fish and bacon wrapped pork medallions.

Find weekly specials like rabbit and white beans. 615 Kepler St., Gretna, 504-365-1225, cafe615.com Chef Ron’s Gumbo Shop has some of the best comfort food that you’ll find in Louisiana. Try the awardwinning seafood gumbo, which contains crabmeat, crawfish, shrimp, tomato, and okra. Make sure to get the fried shrimp po-boy, boudin balls, fried green tomatoes, and the oyster platter. 2309 N. Causeway Blvd., 504-835-2022, gumbostop.com

Venezia Venezia is a family friendly establishment that has served classic Italian fare with a New Orleans flare since 1957. Some house specialties include spaghetti with Italian sausage and fresh fish almondine. The restaurant also has several types of pizza. At Venezia, there is something for everyone. 134 N. Carrollton Ave., 504-4887991, venezianeworleans.net

Evangeline is known for serving some of

ROBERT WITKOWSKI

6307 S. Miro St. at Clairborne 509-6224

ITALIAN

the finest cuisines in NOLA. Named after the famous poem about the Expulsion of the Acadians, Evangeline is sure to please with scratch-cooked Cajun/Creole goodies like crawfish etouffee, gumbo, and more. Have a local beer in the restaurant’s courtyard dining area. 329 Decatur St., 504-3734852, evangelineneworleans.com Mandina’s Restaurant serves large portions of Italian and homestyle Creole seafood dishes.

Some entrees include fried shrimp with fries and grilled catfish with boiled potatoes and string beans. From the Italian Specials submenu, there are meatballs and spaghetti, veal parmesan and spaghetti, and chicken parmesan and spaghetti. 3800 Canal St., 504-482-9179, mandinasrestaurant.com Meril is Chef Emril Lagasse’s forth and newest restaurant in New Orleans. Showcasing some of Lagasse’s favorite dishes, you can pick from different types of flatbreads, pastas, or other entrees like the Korean beef short ribs. Make sure to save room for sorbet or the chocolate chip skillet cake. 424 Girod St., 504-5263745, emerilsrestaurants.com/meril Mother’s Restaurant originated in 1938 as a hangout for Marines and has since become a New Orleans favorite. Not only does Mother’s have the “world’s best baked ham,” the restaurant is also proudly known for its red beans and rice and bread pudding. Be careful, it might be better than your mother’s cooking. 401 Poydras St., 504-523-9656, mothersrestaurant.net MRB Bar & Kitchen is a great place to grab a bite while enjoying the French Quarter. MRB hosts live music daily in their courtyard. Check out their signature cocktails, frozen drinks, wine, and over 100+ local and craft beers. Sip fantastic drinks while biting into sandwiches, appetizers, or MRB’s famous grits bowls. 515 St. Philip St., 504-5242558, mrbnola.com

board. Ahi tuna and filet steaks are also available as entrees. 720 Orleans Ave., 504-5231930, orleansgrapevine.com Please U Restaurant has been pleasing Uptown since 1946. They specialize in traditional New Orleans plates like gumbo, seafood platters, and red beans and rice. Please U is also well known for its all-day breakfast menu, which includes French toast, Belgian waffles, and a variety of omelets.

1751 St. Charles Ave., 504-525-9131, pleaseunola.com Short Stop Poboys has been providing po-boys to Metairites since 1966. If you’re craving poboys, then Short Stop has you covered with over 30 different kinds. Order a multitude of sides like gumbo, jambalaya, sweet potato fries, and a variety of flavored potato chips. 119 Transcontinental Dr., 504-8854572, shortstoppoboysno.com Trenasse is the passion project of owner and chef Jim Richard, who’s originally from Lafayette. Open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, Trenasse will impress you with its menu selections like Louisiana crawfish pie, fried brie burger, and duck confit lettuce wraps.

The restaurant also has oysters “all days, all ways.” 444 St. Charles Ave., 504-6807000, trenasse.com

2021 Summer Hours

Friday & Saturday: Lunch & Dinner | Sunday Brunch

Willie Mae’s Scotch House is a famous familyowned spot that has served soul food in New Orleans since 1957. The entrees include classic fried chicken, baked chicken, and the Willie Mae chicken sandwich. Keep an eye out for Willie Mae’s the next time you visit the Pythian Market.

Multiple Locations, williemaesnola.com

SEAFOOD Briquette is housed in the former Rodd Brothers Molasses Refinery, which dates from the 1800s.

The restaurant is best known for its 18-footlong seafood display. Choose from a multitude of seafood specialties like Caramelized Sea Scallops and Lump Crabmeat Napoleon to Halibut Fillet and Redfish on the Half Shell. 701 S. Peters St., 504-302-7496, briquettenola.com Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar is the spot for expertly done oysters. Get them raw or chargrilled. Order the Buffalo Oysters, Oysters Rockafeller, Oysters du Jour, and Oysters Bienville. Make sure to get some other dishes like the turtle soup, the BBQ shrimp with potatoes, the fried soft shell crab platter, or the hamburger steak. Multiple Locations, felixs.com

New Orleans Creole Cookery

ROBERT WITKOWSKI

New Orleans Creole Cookery is another successful restaurant launched by New Orleans’s famous Tusa culinary family. Expect many specialty Creole favorites sure to leave you satisfied. Order the Creole pasta, the pecan crusted redfish, or the chargrilled oysters for a true taste of New Orleans. 510 Toulouse St., 504-524-9632, neworlea nscreolecookery.com Neyow’s Creole Café is an informal joint that specializes in Creole and Southern-inspired cuisine and cocktails. The restaurant serves a variety of entrees like fried chicken, pork chops, and shrimp creole. With even more pastas, seafood, and poboys also available, the options at Neyow’s make it more than worth your visit. 3332 Bienville St., 504-827-5474, neyows.com Orleans Grapevine is quality local wine bar.

Housed in an early 1800s two story building, enjoy sipping on a glass of wine while dining on small plates like baked brie, angus medallions, shrimp remoulade, or a finely assorted cheese

Seaworthy is all about providing New Orleans with quality seafood. Mussels, scallops, gulf shrimp, and oysters from the Gulf, East, and West Coasts are only some of the many different options available. Make sure to save room for a chocolate ricotta cheesecake or an apple hand pie for dessert. 630 Carondelet St., 504-9303071, seaworthynola.com Spahr’s Seafood, where catfish is king, is known for its Cajun and Creole Italian dishes.

Choose from Spahr’s certified Louisiana wild seafood options like catfish chips, softshell crabs, and the shrimp platter. With several locations, you’re bound to get truly great flavors from Spahr’s Cajun comfort food. Multiple Locations, spahrsseafood.com Tito’s Ceviche & Pisco is the perfect place for something unique and flavorful. Specializing in Peruvian cuisine, start with any of Tito’s fresh ceviches, but the culinary adventure continues.

With appetizers like grilled octopus and entrees like Lomo Saltado, it will transport you to Peru. 5015 Magazine St., 504-267-7612, titoscevichepisco.com The Galley Seafood is Metairie’s one stop shop for quality seafood. The restaurant’s soft-shell crab po-boy and the catfish filet po-boy have been served at Jazz Fest since 1977. Catch a live concert via DVD from their collection while enjoying great boiled seafood. 2535 Metairie Rd., 504-832-0955, thegall eyseafood.net

Summer Hours: Fri., Sat., & Sun.• Hermes Bar Open Fri., Sat., & Sun. WhereYat.com | July 2021

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Bar Guide

Drink Food Specials

Alto (Ace Hotel) 600 Carondelet St. 504-900-1180

Enjoy an amazing view of the city of New Orleans when you visit this rooftop garden, pool, and bar. You can snack on small plates with seasonal cocktails all day from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Banks Street Bar 4401 Banks St. 504-486-0258

Live music, art, and refreshing drinks attract many to this Mid-City bar and grill. Their food menu features some New Orleans classics, including gumbo, red beans, and po-boys.

Bar Marilou 546 Carondelet St. 504-814-7711

Previously a library, Bar Marilou has a fun ambiance with specialty cocktails and small plates. The bar is also the perfect place to catch some live music or performances.

Bar Tonique 139 Chartres St. 504-322-2245

Bar Tonique offers $5 daily drink specials that highlight a popular hand-crafted cocktail. These drinks include a Pimm’s Cup, Moscow Mule, and Mai Tai.

The Basin Lakeview 152 W. Harrison Ave. 504-482-6066

This charming neighborhood bar is one of Lakeview’s favorites. Relax and enjoy its low-key atmosphere, as well as its Monday to Friday happy hour.

The Bulldog Various Locations 504-891-1516

With two locations in the New Orleans area, The Bulldog is a great place to try nearly 50 beers on-tap whether you’re Uptown or in Mid-City.

Golden Lantern 1239 Royal St. 504-529-2860 Jazz Daiquiris 3400 S. Claiborne Ave., # A 504-899-8761

This inclusive bar is known for its fun atmosphere, drag shows, live music, and daily drink specials. No matter how busy your schedule is, you will have time to enjoy their happy hour deals from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Jazz Daiquiris and Lounge has delicious specialty daiquiri flavors, including chicken and watermelon, fruit loop, and cotton candy. You can also enjoy their sports-themed daiquiris, some of which honor the LSU Tigers and Tulane Green Wave.

Jimani 141 Chartres St. 504-524-0493

Catch any sports game you desire at Jimani with over 100 beers, an expansive food menu, and 10 flat-screen televisions.

Lots A Luck Tavern 203 Homedale St. 504-483-0978

This casual Lakeview bar has all you could ask for. Their outdoor patio space is great for you to bring a pet, utilize their mini-golf course, and enjoy a few beers!

Manning’s 519 Fulton St. 504-593-8118

Located in the Warehouse District, this sports bar and grill provides patrons with a casual dining and drinking experience that is steps away from Harrah’s Casino.

Martine’s Lounge 2347 Metairie Rd. 504-831-8637

Indulge in pizza and snacks when visiting Martine’s Lounge in Metairie. The cocktail bar offers happy hour daily from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m..

Dancing

Live Music

Billards

MRB 515 St. Philip St. 504-524-2558

MRB offers a casual atmosphere with games, live music, and art. You also can’t pass up their happy hour deals, which are held from 11 a.m. to midnight.

Pal’s Lounge 949 N. Rendon St. 504-488-7257

Rivershack Tavern 3449 River Rd. 504-834-4938

In addition to having delicious cocktails, Pal’s Lounge frequently hosts a variety of food trucks. You can grab a drink at the indoor bar before seeing which food truck is cooking up grub that day.

Within walking distance of City Park, Parley’s has been a local favorite drinking hole for over 25 years. The local spot also boasts one of the longest bars in Orleans Parish at 60 feet in length.

Inside the Sheraton Hotel, The Pelican Bar offers some delicious craft cocktails. The popular bar is just a few blocks from Jackson Square and is perfect for enjoying a drink during lunch or dinner.

This neighborhood bar provides craft beer, cocktails, and Cajun cuisine for patrons to enjoy. Their daily specials, including Tequila & Tacos Tuesday, Welfare Wednesday, and Trivia Thursday, keep customers excited to return.

Order some food from the kitchen while bartenders make you any drink you can think of at Rivershack Tavern. Besides regular cocktails, you can also try their specialty Riveritas, such as the Razzirita or Poncharita.

Royal Frenchmen Hotel 700 Frenchmen St., #1614 504-619-9660

This award-winning bar, inside the Royal Frenchmen Hotel, is a popular destination for martinis. To try out their signature drink, the bar offers a daily $5 Martini Happy Hour from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Shenanigan’s 4612 Quincy St. 504-605-3299

Found in the heart of Metairie, Shenanigan’s has a full-service kitchen and bar. This is the perfect place to engage in shenanigans of your own by playing pool and throwing darts.

Stumpy’s Hatchet House 1200 Poydras St., Suite C 504-577-2937

Axe throwing at Stumpy’s Hatchet House will make any night more exciting! All groups can reserve their own private throwing pit, which makes this a great spot for parties and events.

While walking along Bourbon Street, stop by one of the five Tropical Isle locations to order a famous Hand Grenade.

Take your drink to-go or enjoy the live entertainment that is offered daily.

Located inside the Hyatt Regency, Vitascope Hall is a bar that offers premium seafood and sushi. Besides the food, you can also have a drink while watching one of their 40+ television screens.

Parlay’s 870 Harrison Ave. 504-304-6338 The Pelican Bar (Sheraton) 500 Canal St. 504-525-2500 Rendon Inn 4501 Eve St. 504-218-7106

Tropical Isle Various Locations 504-529-4109 Vitascope Hall 601 Loyola Ave. 504-561-1234

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Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

COURTESY SKYY VODKA

The Confectionery (Mercantile) Home of the Cotton Candy Cocktail, The Mercantile Hotel has a craft cocktail bar for all guests and local New Orleanians 727 S. Peters St. to enjoy.

504-558-1914

Voted

BEST BAR Westbank 10 Years in a Row HAPPY HOUR DAILY 2-6 pm 1/2 price appetizers and drink specials 435 Huey P Long Ave Gretna | gattusos.net | 504.368.1114 WhereYat.com | July 2021

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TALES FROM THE QUARTER

By Debbie Lindsey

Unmasked...and Feeling Naked

M

Gallery B. Fos Mon, Thurs.- Sat. 10a-5p | Sun. 11a-3p 2138 Magazine St. | 504-444-2967 www.beckyfos.com

ART BY BECKY FOS

Our Private Room - Fine Dining & Social Distancing At Its Best!

Gather Safely With Family & Friends in Private!

Delicious Food from Briquette, Full Bar, Amazing Wines, & More!

Inquiries at Briquette-Nola.com

302-7496

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701 S. Peters, Warehouse District

Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

y dermatologist assured me that my minor facial surgery for a skin cancer would not leave much of a scar. I assured him that it didn’t matter because I was “keepin’ the mask” and had no intention of ever showing my face south of my eyes again. The first facial muscles to succumb to gravity are those around one’s cheeks/mouth/chin/and jawline and no hair cut obscures this.

Fortunately, scarves and turtle necks effectively hide the tell-tales signs of age attacking your neck. So with stylish sunglasses, a swathe of silk, and a snug fitting mask that cups your chin, you can knock 10 to 20 years off. Men don’t show this facial aging quite the same as women—different skin/muscle thing going on and also the benefit of sporting a beard if needed. Yet, even guys benefit from the agelessness of these COVID masks. Oh, and of course masking is meant to allow us a chance to circumvent death by COVID so that we might have better odds at living long enough to have wrinkles and sags to complain about. Trust me, I feel lucky to have the lines in my face as they attest to many wonderful years lived. But if a mask can hide some flaws and allow me to put off the cost of having my teeth bleached white enough to resemble a LED light bulb, I’m in.

We have all bitched blue streaks about the annoyance of masks and with good reasons. Eye glasses fog up, mask-breath is torturous after a garlic dish, and how many of you have drenched your face in hot coffee or a glass of wine due to mask-forgetfulness? Yes, it’s a real thing—mask-forgetfulness. If you have grown accustomed to wearing one for long periods of time, that coffee break can be a rude awakening that you didn’t slide your protective gear down. And we are now experiencing a second season of getting to wear mini-saunas attached to our faces. But let us not forget how snug and warm they were during the winter months. Still, even I, the world’s biggest advocate of masking, who’s mantra has been “What would Fauci do?,” must admit: being able to disrobe my face when out taking a walk feels pretty good. Of course the moment I see someone approaching down the sidewalk, I guiltily slip it back on. “Mask Breaks” feel like leaving home without your underwear—kinda naughty good, but with potential for danger and embarrassment.

There are little freedoms that we have all experienced when behind our masks. That incognito feeling is quite freeing when passing that “bad break-up guy” or “the hostess of the bridal shower you should have attended.” Sometimes you just need to dash into the grocery store and shop quickly without social

distractions because your bladder is about to burst. My favorite hiding-inplain-site pleasure is being able to sing along with my ever-present transistor radio tuned to WWOZ while out walking.

I am cursed with a terrible singing voice, but can now belt ‘em out with Rebirth and no one on the sidewalk can tell—the mask has a nice muffle-effect. I can also just enjoy talking to myself out loud now without pretending to have a smartypants phone plugged to my ear. And we all have that neighbor, co-worker, or customer that deserves a righteous “f**k you,” and now you can mouth it and follow-up with a firm sticking of the tongue out at them; and they are none the wiser!

No make-up or sunscreen wasted from the bridge of your nose down, no lipstick to re-apply all day; got a big-ass canker sore? No worries; no one can see it! That bowl of grits on your way to work is your little secret as you flick bits from your teeth until lunch break, and that spinach salad will not embarrass you later! I am not advocating poor dental hygiene, but eating on the run needn’t cause embarrassment—there is plenty of time to brush and floss once home and you best be sure to do this because you are now addicted to Zoom for your book club group. Working and socializing in your PJs and slippers is great, but your teeth will be on display. Also, don’t forget to position your Zooming laptop to show your best art or bookcase (borrow impressive literature from those “Little Free Libraries” while slipping those Danielle Steel romance novels under the bed).

Love them or hate them, you have worn them for so long that facial recognition has changed. For me, I cannot identify new friends and acquaintances without their masks on. Folks I have come to know and/ or work alongside since The COVID are strangers to me if I see their photograph, say on Facebook, without the facial garment. You come to know the eyes, nose, hair, hat, eyeglasses.

Ran into a fellow volunteer I work with, he was maskless outdoors walking his dog—his face was too much information to take in, but his signature baseball cap I knew! The opposite goes for old friends that you see in the grocery store in their KN95—no familiar nose or mouth, that beard is hidden, the dimples concealed.

By the time this magazine is in your hands, perhaps my man Fauci will have given us un-sanitized, gloveless thumbs up to remove masks completely.

I certainly will not miss The COVID cooties, but it will take a minute for me to let go of my security blanket, my blankie—my mask.

WhereYat.com | July 2021

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PO-BOY VIEWS

By Phil LaMancusa

Claiborne Confusion or Junction Misfunction

O

kay, I’m no personage of importance, knowledge or authority; in fact, the older I get, the less that people want my opinion or wisdom of experience. I also only know the basics of history, but I do possess degrees in sensitivity and logic from the School of Hard Knocks. So be it. Here goes, and I’ll say this in bold: “DO NOT TEAR DOWN THE CLAIBORNE OVERPASS!!!”

The back story of that two-anda-half-mile carbuncle is that over 50 years ago, big government was giving away butt loads of money to cities to promote roads and bridge construction, and New Orleans wanted its share of the booty. At that time, a plan for a highway connection for our interstate had its proposal resurrected; in fact, there were two plans: one plan had an overpass hugging the river, going through the historic French Quarter, and the other would dissect the historic Treme neighborhood. This was way before we had our first Black mayor (Ernest ‘Dutch’ Morial, 1978-1986).

In 1965 to 66, we made a deal with the devil; while the African Americans of the Treme neighborhood were focusing on civil rights, the white “historic preservationalists” surreptitiously argued against ruining the Quarter with construction which would take up to three years. In fact, I’m told that at one time both plans were floated to occur, but one had to be decided on and guess which one did? The residents of the Treme had no idea of their screwing until the first bulldozers appeared to plow down the hundred year old oaks that lined the street. While the French Quarter remained sacrosanct, the Treme was eviscerated, cut in two like a grilled cheese sandwich. Needless to say, the Quarter flourished, while Claiborne Avenue, in all its history, commerce, and traditions, faded like denim.

Now big government is giving away more money, and we have contractors and construction companies salivating at the thought of getting some of that booty. Well I say:

your block.

Now think of how bike paths, greenery, walkways, mini-theaters, playgrounds, music venues, food kiosks (above AND below) and access for Indians and second lines to really parade could impact that panoramic structure; think of the greenery that it would encourage. For every dismissal of this idea, there is a positive rebuttal and the nay saying falls flat when answered with, “WHY NOT?”

Hard to get to? No, we have overpasses that challenge bike riders as much (consider the access to Crescent Park, the bridge climbs on Wisner and/or Broad Street).

Hasn’t been done? New York City’s High Line is an example and Google cites 18 urban projects like that: Chicago, Atlanta Toronto, Rotterdam, and damn Paris even! Is the space too wide? How about some tennis courts, exercise fields, or children learning agriculture projects?

I was in San Francisco when the highway running along the waterfront was torn down; it took years and destroyed businesses and housing, and I foresee that it will do the same here. I predict a failure of marketable real estate, only to be replaced by a repurposing that will put the final nail into the coffin of America’s first African American community. What do you suppose will happen to Circle Foods or the Mother In Law Lounge or other businesses and housing for the Black community that have weathered the gas fumes and noise?

And where are you gonna put all that damn debris? Landfill it?

Once again, I’m no expert on these types of things; however, don’t you think that instead of putting our people to work destroying and hauling two and a half miles of construction detritus to the dump, we employ them as gardeners and builders of an elevated green space to be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike?

Community groups would love a chance to put a thumb print on this newer, saner, alternative to the chaos and noise of demolition; wouldn’t you?

So, what can we do? How can we work this? How about this: call 311 and/or City Hall and tell the mayor that you are for the Claiborne Green Space plan and then get (at least) two more people to do the “TURN IT INTO GREEN SPACE!” same. Tell these two (or more) people to each get two more people to call and Why not? Think of how long, how much tell two more people etc., etc. With this of a mess, and how much environmental impact tearing that monster down will have geometrical sequence, in two weeks, we would have 32,768 callers and that might on that area; look at the examples of the get some attention, and all we have to do Napoleon and Louisiana Avenue digs that is each get two people to call. I mean, if took years. Look how it took about a year this isn’t an infrastructure project, then and a half for us to get one body from the what is and why not?

Hard Rock site and then more months And if we don’t, we abet a graveyard to tear THAT sucker down. Look at the conditions of our existing streets and tell me instead of a playground. Think about it.

Talk about it. Share and expand. if that money couldn’t be spent better on

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