Latest Issue: July 2024 – Best of the Big Easy

DINING

MUSIC

ENTERTAINMENT • NIGHTLIFE

BEST OF THE BIG EASY

This

Other features include a rundown of the city’s top arts and craft classes, how to prepare for hurricane season, and a look at new eats on Metairie Road. All make for wonderful summer reading.

Stay cool and dry. –Josh Danzig, Publisher

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief: Josh Danzig

Creative Director: Robert Witkowski

Executive Editor: Burke Bischoff

Copy Editor: Donald Rickert

Movie Editors: David Vicari, Fritz Esker

Contributing Writers: Phil LaMancusa, Debbie Lindsey, Kim Ranjbar, Burke Bischoff, Julie Mitchell, Sabrina Stone, Kimmie Tubré, Emily Hingle, Celeste Turner, Joey Cirilo, Jeff Boudreaux, Cynthea Corfah, Brooke Adams, Frances Deese, Arielle Gonzales, Amy Kirk Duvoisin, Michelle Nicholson, Donald Rickert

Cover: Native New Orleans artist Lionel Milton created this month’s cover art. You may recognize his work from murals on Magazine Street and Children’s Hospital. You can see more of Milton’s creations at lionelmilton.art

Director of Sales: Jim Sylve

Photographers and Designers: Gus Escanelle, Kim Ranjbar, Emily Hingle, Robert Witkowski, Ashley Damron

Interns: Lauren Walker, Audrey Campisi, Gabriella Bonura, Lily Goldberger, Dustin Godbey, Lillian Foster, Violet Bucaro, Mathilde Herbert

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Thank You for Voting Best of the big Easy 2024!

Thank You for Voting Us Best of the big Easy 2023! open 3 p.m. daily!

BEST OF THE BIG EASY 2024

Writers' Picks

BEST PLACE TO DOG WATCH IN THE BYWATER

Petite Clouet Café

If you think people who live in the Bywater have character, you should meet their dogs. Spend the day at this dog-friendly Bywater café and you are guaranteed to be entertained. Furry, fluffy, and hungry dogs join their coffee-loving owners to get a free dog treat from the café daily. Bring a book or laptop and pretend to work until the next dog struts through the door. –Cynthea Corfah

BEST PLACE FOR A GOOD CRY City Park

If you’re going to be depressed, at least do it somewhere pretty, right? Wish to f**k with the pretend runners and families attempting to enjoy some quality time together? Hide behind your favorite tree as you sob uncontrollably so they’ll be under the impression the park is haunted. The story will spread like wildfire and you’ll create a new spooky tale that will last generations. –Joey

BEST PLACE TO FORGET YOU’RE IN NEW ORLEANS

This holistic health center feels like being at a tropical resort. Inside is a sauna, a dry float bed, a meditation room, a gym, multiple yoga rooms, and a café that serves delicious healthy meals. Outside is a saltwater lap pool, hot and cold plunges, an outdoor shower, and lush plant life. It is the ideal serene escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

–Cynthea Corfah

BEST FREE DENTAL SERVICES

NOLA Streets

Drive through most any side street and neighborhood road and the number of potholes or construction sites are enough to knock out any difficult teeth you may have. Who needs a dental extraction when you have a car and your favorite bar to numb the pain afterwards? Follow @lookatthisf**kinstreet on Instagram for craziest potholes gone awry.

–Frances Deese

Cirilo

PREMIUM COCKTAILS. SUMMER READY.

BARTENDER CREATED FOR SUN-KISSED MOMENTS

BEST GIANT CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE IN THE CITY

Costco

Fill your tank up with gas and then swing over to the food stand at the Costco for one of the best cookies around. They’re serving up a giant chocolate chip cookie made with butter, brown butter, and packed full with chocolate. It’ll only set you back $1.50, and it will not disappoint.

–Reine Dugas

BEST HIDDEN POP-UP RESTAURANT NOCHI

Right before graduating from New Orleans Culinary and Hospitality Institute (NOCHI), every class operates a pop-up café, strutting their stuff for two weeks at the school. The themes change with each pop-up: French, Caribbean, Spain, and even Viet-Cajun have been executed with vigor and alacrity. Find out when and reserve quickly as seats go fast (nochi.org). –Phil LaMancusa

BEST PLACE TO LET YOUR KID GET “LOST” Longvue Gardens

A great spot for a good old-fashioned game of hide and seek, as well as a place older kids can explore without straying too far out of sight. The interactive Discovery Garden is designed for kids of all ages, complete with a beautiful “secret” bamboo garden. It’s chock full of informative signage that grown-ups will enjoy, too. –Amy Kirk Duvoisin

BEST PLACE TO EXPERIENCE THE “OLD” MEETS “NEW” FRENCH QUARTER

BK House and Gardens

This 1826 house is now a museum and event space. Take a tour or enjoy one of the many public events held year-round. Their new Rhythm & Roses spring concert series features live music in the garden beneath string lights and amidst freshly blooming rose bushes.

–Amy Kirk Duvoisin

BEST DEVILED EGGS IN NEW ORLEANS Cure

Cure, the bar that resurrected Freret, is known worldwide for cocktails. Its dishes complement the drinks. Deviled Eggs Cacio e Pepe are inspired by Italian “cheese and pepper,” rich with mayo, extra-virgin olive oil, Pecorino Romano, and hints of roasted garlic. Others toss caviar or bacon on their eggs, but like a classic martini, less is more—minimal ingredients, perfect execution. –Andrew Marin

BEST WAY YOU CAN MAKE A DENT IN GLOBAL WARMING

Plant Trees with SOUL

Sustaining Our Urban Landscape (SOUL) is making a difference with the reforestation of our city. This reduces heat, cleans our air, mitigates flooding, and provides habitats for birds. Volunteers are needed for tree planting/maintenance, and those with physical limitations assist in other ways. Make a difference environmentally with monetary donations. And if time/money are challenges for you—no shame, no blame— shout and sing the praises of soulnola.org –Debbie Lindsey

BEST SUSHI POP-UP

Greta’s Sushi

Before Greta popped up here, she honed her sushi skills at restaurants around the country, including Uchi. Merging her passions for Japanese culture and environmentalism, she pairs sustainable seafood with local produce, e.g. Gulf tuna nigiri with ginger nikiri and dare. And she’s the only chef around who makes farm egg tamago instead of buying premade at Hong Kong Market. –Andrew Marin

BEST PLACE TO CHANNEL YOUR INNER MIYAGI TO PREPARE YOURSELF FOR ANY POTENTIAL COBRA KAI ATTACKS

New Orleans Shotokan Academy

In the Broadmoor Arts & Wellness Center is NOSA. Run by father and son Kyriakos and Dimitri Papadopoulos, this dojo has a friendly atmosphere. Once enrolled, you are treated like you are family, not only by Kyriakos and Dimitri but by the other members. If you are looking to start karate and don’t want a hyper-competitive environment, check out NOSA. Donald Rickert

BEST OUTDOOR GYM WITH A VIEW

Clearview Shores Park

Early morning or late evening workouts are perfect at Clearview Shores Park. After your run along the waters of Lake Pontchartrain, you can head over the hill to the Fit Lot Outdoor Park, which features strength equipment, an elliptical and arm ergometer, and steps for box jumps and more. Enjoy the fresh air breeze as you work out. You’ll feel inspired. –Celeste Turner

BEST WALK TO DISORIENT YOURSELF

Audubon Park

Stroll the golf course paths at Audubon Park after sunset, and there’s no telling where you are. With high tree-lines and meandering paths, the serenity of the Olmstead Company’s vision quickly becomes confusing. Have no fear, if the park patrol doesn’t find you, the drone following you will get you out safely.

–Robert Witkowski

BEST LOCAL HAUNT TO CELEBRATE THE GREEN HOUR

Pirates Alley Café and Absinthe House

Quietly concealed behind St. Louis Cathedral, this is not only my favorite place to imbibe my elixir of choice, it is also an often overlooked ghostly landmark. Rumored to be haunted by the ghost of pirate Jean Lafitte, it is featured in both of Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire adaptations and AMC’s upcoming season of Mayfair Witches.

–Greg Roques

BEST PLACE TO GET A TATTOO OF A CATAHOULA DOG

WEARING A PLAGUE

DOCTOR’S MASK Catahoula

This Mid-City tattoo shop has a great vibe, not

Sgro, it has an active presence on Instagram and YouTube, showcasing the constant

female staff, aside from Dominic, are talented and fun. They have their own coffee and the occasional special events. Get a tattoo at Catahoula Tattoo—maybe even a free one.

–Donald Rickert

BEST LOCAL FOOD GURU

Poppy

Tooker & Ian McNulty

This is a tough one because mainly there’s two. The good news is that they’re easily accessible. Poppy Tooker has weekly residency on WYES’ Steppin’ Out and Louisiana Eats! radio and podcast. Ian McNulty writes about restaurants and food culture on NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune/ The New Orleans Advocate newspaper, and Instagram. –Phil LaMancusa

Poppy Tooker

EASY

BEST BAR (UPTOWN):

1. Le Bon Temps Roule: 4801 Magazine St., lbtrnola.com

2. Ms. Mae’s: 4336 Magazine St., facebook.com/ msmaesNOLA

3. St. Joe’s Bar: 5535 Magazine St., stjoesbar.com

BEST BAR (WESTBANK):

1. Gattuso’s Neighborhood Restaurant, Bar, & Catering: 435 Huey P. Long Ave., Gretna, gattusos.net

2. Old Point Bar: 545 Patterson Rd., Algiers Point, oldpointbarnola.com

3. The Crown & Anchor English Pub: 200 Pelican Ave., Algiers Point, crownandanchor.pub

BEST BAR FOR HAND-CRAFTED COCKTAILS:

1. Jewel of the South: 1026 St. Louis St., jewelnola.com

2. Cure: 4905 Freret St., curenola.com

3. Bar Tonique: 820 N. Rampart St., bartonique.com

BEST BEER SELECTION:

1. The Avenue Pub: 1732 St. Charles Ave., theavenuepub.com

2. The Bulldog: Multiple Locations, thebulldog.bar

3. Cooter Brown’s Tavern & Oyster Bar: 509 S. Carrollton Ave., cooterbrowns.com

BEST CASINO:

1. Caesars New Orleans: 8 Canal St., caesars.com/ caesars-new-orleans

2. Boomtown Casino & Hotel: 4132 Peters Rd., Harvey, boomtownneworleans.com

3. Treasure Chest Casino: 4540 Williams Blvd., Kenner, treasurechest.boydgaming.com

BEST CASINO ON THE GULF COAST:

1. Silver Slipper Casino: 5000 S. Beach Blvd., Bay St. Louis, MS, silverslipper-ms.com

2. Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort: 9380 Central Ave., D’Iberville, MS, scarletpearlcasino.com

3. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Biloxi: 777 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, MS, hrhcbiloxi.com

BEST DANCE CLUB:

1. The Metropolitan: 310 Andrew Higgins Blvd., themetronola.com

2. Ohm Lounge: 601 Tchoupitoulas St., ohmlounge.com Republic NOLA: 828 S. Peters St., republicnola.com

BEST DOG-FRIENDLY BAR:

1. Wrong Iron on the Greenway: 3532 Toulouse St., wrongiron.com

2. Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant: 701 Tchoupitoulas St., lucyssurf.com

3. The Dog House: 2736 Banks St., doghousenola.com

BEST BAR (MID-CITY):

1. Pal’s Lounge: 949 N. Rendon St., instagram.com/ palsloungenola

Pal’s Lounge is a great Bayou St. John neighborhood bar to venture to if you are looking for unique and refreshing drinks, including the blueberry pomegranate cooler or watermelon mojito.

2. Wrong Iron on the Greenway: 3532 Toulouse St., wrongiron.com

3. Twelve Mile Limit: 500 S. Telemachus St., twelvemilelimit.com

BEST GENTLEMEN’S CLUB:

1. Rick’s Cabaret: 315 Bourbon St., rickscabaretneworleans.com

2. The Penthouse Club New Orleans: 727 Iberville St., neworleans.penthouseclub.com

3. Vision Men’s Club: 4000 Downman Rd., visionsmensclub.com

BEST HAPPY HOUR:

1. a Tavola Restaurant & Wine Bar: 3413 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, atavo.la

2. Pizza Domenica: Multiple Locations, pizzadomenica.com

3. Meril: 424 Girod St., bemeril.com

BEST HOTEL BAR:

1. Carousel Bar & Lounge: Hotel Monteleone, 214 Royal St., hotelmonteleone.com

2. Bar Marilou: Maison de la Luz, 544 Carondelet St., barmarilou.com

3. The Sazerac Bar: The Roosevelt New Orleans, 130 Roosevelt Way, therooseveltneworleans.com

BEST IRISH PUB:

1. Finn McCool’s Irish Pub: 3701 Banks St., finnmccools.com

2. Erin Rose: 811 Conti St., erinrosebar.com

3. Ryan’s Irish Pub: 241 Decatur St.

BEST JAZZ CLUB:

1. The Jazz Playhouse: 300 Bourbon St., thejazzplayhouse.com

2. The Spotted Cat Music Club: 623 Frenchmen St., spottedcatmusicclub.com

3. Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro: 626 Frenchmen St., snugjazz. com

BEST LATE NIGHT BAR:

1. The Jimani: 141 Chartres St., thejimani.com

2. Snake and Jake’s Christmas Club Lounge: 7612 Oak St., snakeandjakes.com

3. High Grace NOLA: 733 St. Peter St., highgracenola.com

BEST LGBTQ BAR:

1. Golden Lantern: 1239 Royal St., thegoldenlanternneworleans.com

2. Good Friends Bar: 740 Dauphine St., goodfriendsbar.com

3. Oz New Orleans: 800 Bourbon St., ozneworleans.co m

1. Snake and Jake’s Christmas Club Lounge: 7612 Oak St., snakeandjakes.com

Celebrate Christmas all year-round at Snake & Jake’s, NOLA’s best Christmas-themed dive bar, with some drinks and sit outside on their patio while enjoying the magical Christmas ambiance.

2. Pal's Lounge: 949 N. Rendon St., instagram. com/palsloungenola

3. Lots a Luck Tavern: 203 Homedale St.

BEST MUSIC CLUB:

1. House of Blues New Orleans: 225 Decatur St., houseofblues.com/neworleans

2. Tipitina’s: 501 Napoleon Ave., tipitinas.com

3. Maple Leaf Bar: 8316 Oak St., mapleleafbar.com

BEST NEW BAR:

1. Saddle Bar: 715 Bienville St., saddlebarneworleans.com

2. Dew Drop Inn: 2836 Lasalle St., dewdropinnnola.com

3. The Cause and the Cure NOLA: 2540 Banks St., causeandthecurenola.com

BEST PATIO BAR:

1. Flamingo A-Go-Go: 869 Magazine St., flamingonola.com

2. Wrong Iron on the Greenway: 3532 Toulouse St., wrongiron.com

3. JB’s Fuel Dock: 126 S. Roadway St., jbsfueldock.com

BEST PLACE TO BUY WINE/LIQUOR:

1. Rouses Supermarkets: Multiple Locations, rouses.com

2. Total Wine & More: 3780 Veterans Blvd., Metairie, totalwine.com

3. Martin’s Wine & Spirits: Multiple Locations, martinwine.com

BEST PLACE TO DRINK WINE:

1. Copper Vine: 1001 Poydras St., coppervine.com

2. Bacchanal Wine: 600 Poland Ave., bacchanalwine.com

3. Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar & Bistro: 720 Orleans St., orleansgrapevine.com

BEST PLACE TO GET A BLOOD MARY:

1. Daisy Dukes: Multiple Locations, daisydukesrestaurant.com

2. Ruby Slipper: Multiple Locations, rubybrunch.com

3. Atchafalaya: 901 Louisiana Ave., atchafalayarestaurant.com

BEST PLACE TO GET A MARGARITA:

1. Felipe’s Taqueria: Multiple Locations, felipestaqueria.com

2. Juan’s Flying Burrito: Multiple Locations, juansflyingburrito.com

3. Superior Grill: 3636 St. Charles Ave., neworleans.superiorgrill.com

BEST PLACE TO PLAY BAR GAMES:

1. Emporium NOLA: 2231 St. Claude Ave., emporiumarcadebar.com

2. Stumpy’s Hatchet House: 1200 Poydras St. Suite C, stumpyshh.com/neworleansla

3. Lots a Luck Tavern: 203 Homedale St.

BEST SPORTS BAR:

1. Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux: Multiple Locations, walk-ons.com

2. Cooter Brown’s Tavern & Oyster Bar: 509 S. Carrollton Ave., cooterbrowns.com

3. Manning’s Sports Bar & Grill: 519 Fulton St., caesars.com/caesars-new-orleans

BEST UPSCALE BAR:

1. Bar Marilou: 544 Carondelet St., barmarilou.com

2. Cure: 4905 Freret St., curenola.com

3. Arnaud’s French 75 Bar: 813 Bienville St., arnaudsrestaurant.com

BEST

HOME & SERVICES

BEST BANK:

1. First American Bank and Trust: Multiple Locations, fabt.com

2. Hancock Whitney Bank: Multiple Locations, hancockwhitney.com

3. Fidelity Bank: Multiple Locations, bankwithfidelity.com

BEST CAR DEALERSHIP:

1. Lamarque Auto: 3099–3101 Williams Blvd., Kenner, lamarque.com

2. Ray Brandt Auto Group: Multiple Locations, raybrandtauto.com

3. Benson Automotive Group: Multiple Locations, bensonautogroup.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 & Insectarium: 1 Canal St., audubonnatureinstitute.org/aquarium

BEST LOCALLY OWNED FURNITURE STORE:

1. Comeaux Furniture Appliance & Mattress: Multiple Locations, comeauxfurn.com

2. Doerr Furniture: Multiple Locations, doerrfurniture.com

3. Hurwitz Mintz Furniture: 1751 Airline Dr., Metairie, hurwitzmintz.com

BEST ROOFTOP BAR:

1. Alto Rooftop Bar & Pool: Ace Hotel New Orleans, 600 Carondelet St., acehotel.com/new-orleans At the top of the Ace Hotel lies the perfect rooftop and poolside bar Alto, which offers specialty cocktails, including the razzle dazzle, and a pool for people to relax in and beat the heat.

2. Hot Tin: Pontchartrain Hotel, 2031 St. Charles Ave., hottinbar.com

3. Rosie’s on the Roof: Higgins Hotel, 1000 Magazine St., higginshotelnola.com

BEST TOUR COMPANY:

French Quarter Phantoms: 718 N. Rampart St., frenchquarterphantoms.com

Haunted History Tours: 723 St. Peter St., hauntedhistorytours.com

Gray Line New Orleans: 400 Toulouse St., graylineneworleans.com

ARTS & CULTURE

BEST ART GALLERY:

Michalopoulos Gallery: 617 Bienville St., michalopoulos.com

LeMieux Galleries: 332 Julia St., lemieuxgalleries.com

FERRARA SHOWMAN GALLERY: 400A Julia St., ferrarashowman.com

BEST BRIDAL SHOP:

Town and Country Bridal: 1912 St. Charles Ave., townandcountrybridal.com

David’s Bridal: 61123 Airport Rd. Ste. 1, Slidell, davidsbridal.com

The Bridal Boutique by MaeMe: 3331 Severn Ave. #102, Metairie, maemebridal.com

BEST LOCAL ARTIST:

Becky Fos: 2138 Magazine St., beckyfos.

James Michalopoulos: 617 Bienville St., michalopoulos.com

Terrance Osborne: 3029 Magazine St., terranceosborne.com

BEST MUSEUM:

1. New Orleans Museum of Art: 1 Collins

Diboll Cir., noma.org

2. The National WWII Museum: 945 Magazine St., nationalww2museum.org

3. Ogden Museum of Southern Art: 925 Camp St., ogdenmuseum.org

BEST WEDDING VENUE:

1. Balcony Ballroom: 4738 Utica St., Metairie, balconyballroom.com

2. Marché: 914 N. Peters St., marcheneworleans.com

3. Elms Mansion: 3029 St. Charles Ave., elmsmansion.com

SHOPPING

BEST ADULT NOVELTY STORE:

1. Nikki’s French Quarter Halloween Store: 107 Chartres St. B., facebook. com/NikkisFrenchQuarterHalloweenStore

2. Dynamo: 2001 St. Claude Ave., shop. dynamotoys.com

3. Hustler Hollywood: 111 Bourbon St., hustlerhollywood.com

BEST ATHLETIC CLUB:

1. New Orleans Jewish Community Center: Multiple Locations, nojcc.org

2. New Orleans Athletic Club: 222 N. Rampart St., neworleansathleticclub.com

3. Ochsner Fitness Center: Multiple Locations, ochsnerfitness.com

BEST RECORD SHOP:

1. Peaches Records: 4318 Magazine St., peachesrecordsandtapes.com Peaches Records is well-known for selling music, apparel, and anything else music related to those who enjoy listening to one or many types of genres including jazz, rock, metal, country, and more.

2. Louisiana Music Factory: 421 Frenchmen St., louisianamusicfactory.com

3. Mushroom New Orleans: 1037 Broadway St., themushroomnola.com

BEST BIKE SHOP:

1. GNO Cyclery: 1426 S. Carrollton Ave., gnocyclery.com

For all the bicycle lovers out there, GNO Cyclery is the place to go if you want to check out all kinds of bikes, accessories, and bike apparel, as well as to get repairs done to your ride.

2. Bicycle Michael’s: 622 Frenchmen St., bicyclemichaels.com

3. Bayou Bicycles: 3530 Toulouse St., bayoubicycles.com

BEST BOUTIQUE FITNESS STUDIO:

1. HOTWORX: Multiple Locations, hotworx. net

2. Orangetheory Fitness: Multiple Locations, orangetheory.com

3. Pure Barre: Multiple Locations, purebarre.com

BEST EYEGLASS SHOP:

1. Art & Eyes: 3708 Magazine St., artandeyesneworleansla.com

2. Eye Wares: Multiple Locations, eyewaresnola.com

3. KREWE: Multiple Locations, krewe.com

BEST COSTUME SHOP:

1. Nikki’s French Quarter Halloween Store: 107 Chartres St. B., facebook.com/NikkisFrenchQuarterHalloweenStore Head to the French Quarter to get started on Halloween costume and decor shopping at Nikki’s Halloween Store, which is open all year-round, so there’s no reason for any last minute Halloween shopping.

2. Uptown Costume & Dancewear: 4326 Magazine St., facebook.com/ uptowncostumeanddancewear

3. Miss Claudia’s Vintage Clothing & Costumes: 4204 Magazine St., facebook. com/missclaudiasvintage

BEST IV THERAPY:

Remedy Room: 200 Metairie Rd. Ste. 100, Metairie, theremedyroom.com

vIVe Hydration Therapy: Multiple Locations, viveiv.com 519 Wilkinson St. ivloungenola.com

BEST JEWELRY STORE:

Aucoin Hart Jewelers: 1525 Metairie Rd., Metairie, aucoinhart.com

Mignon Faget: Multiple mignonfaget.com

Symmetry Jewelers & 8138 Hampson St., symmetryjewelers.com

BEST MARDI GRAS SUPPLY

Mardi Gras Spot: 2812 Toulouse mardigrasspot.com

Beads by the Dozen: 333 beadsbythedozen.

TJ’s Carnival & Mardi Gras

28 Fairfield Ave., facebook.com

BEST MEN’S CLOTHING:

1. Perlis Clothing: Multiple Locations, perlis.com

2. Rubensteins: 102 St. Charles Ave., rubensteinsneworleans.com

3. FELLOW: 926 Valmont St. #101, fellowmenswear.com

BEST PET SERVICES:

1. Pawlins: 3501 River Rd., Jefferson, pawlins.com

2. Zeus’ Place: Multiple Locations, zeusplace.com

3. Canine Connection: 4920 Tchoupitoulas St., canineconnectionnola.com

BEST PET STORE:

1. Jefferson Feed: Multiple Locations, jeffersonfeed.com

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

3. Causeway Pets: 1114 N. Causeway Blvd., Metairie, causewaypets.com

BEST SMOKE SHOP:

1. The Ra Shop: Multiple Locations, therashops.com

2. The Herb Import Company: Multiple Locations, herbimport. com

3. Mushroom New Orleans: 1037 Broadway St., themushroomnola.com

BEST SPA:

1. Woodhouse Spa: Multiple Locations, woodhousespas.com

2. Earthsavers Spa & Store: Multiple Locations, earthsaversonline.com

3. Spa Atlantis: 536 Bienville St., spaatlantis.com

BEST SUPERMARKET:

1. Rouses Supermarkets: Multiple Locations, rouses.com

2. Langenstein’s: Multiple Locations, langensteins.com

3. Whole Foods Market: Multiple Locations, wholefoodsmarket.com

BEST TATTOO/PIERCING PARLOR:

1. SwampWater Studio: 3933 Toulouse St., facebook.com/ swampwaterstudio

2. TATTOOAGOGO: 4421 Magazine St., tattooagogo.com

3. Downtown Tattoos: 501 Frenchmen St., downtowntattoosnola.com

BEST THRIFT STORE:

1. Out of the Closet Thrift Stores: 2900 Magazine St., outofthecloset.org

2. Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Louisiana: Multiple Locations, goodwillno.org

3. Bridge House/Grace House Thrift Stores: Multiple Locations, bridgehouse.org

BEST WOMEN’S CLOTHING:

1. Hemline: Multiple Locations, shophemline.com

2. Monomin: 2104 Magazine St., monomin.com

3. Trashy Diva: Multiple Locations, trashydiva.com

TELLING TALES

Tales of the Cocktail 2024 Preview

By Andrew Marin

Tales of the Cocktail, the beverage industry’s largest and most respected convention, is happening July 21–26. Where Y’at sat down and chatted with Eileen Wayner, the CEO of the Tales nonprofit organization, to get a preview of what to expect.

Where Y’at: Why “Inspire" as this year's theme?

Eileen Wayner: What feels like momentum, a driving force? What is Tales’ role in helping support this post-COVID world? There’s still lots of recovery. This industry is one of the nimblest, most agile, most creative. We want to “inspire” to drive growth. What collective ideas are working and giving energy? How do we stay inspired? We landed on what feels like the right word to keep us moving.

WYA: Who comes up with the theme each year?

EW: We work with our marketing firm a little. But our board and education committee discuss all ideas presented.

WYA: How does “Inspire” tie into the convention?

EW: It ties into the work that we do. We have to be able to talk about it. Every theme is a prompt for our education, for our seminars. It’s palpable from a marketing perspective—sure. But it has to have meaning. We’re holding our industry accountable, and we need to be held accountable as well.

WYA: How many seminars this year?

EW: Around 60—on par with last year. The Beyond the Bar activations will have their own space, and there will be additional networking and wellness sessions within Beyond the Bar.

WYA: What about the CAPS [Cocktail Apprenticeship] program? How many?

EW: We have a full CAP class. Forty Red Coat Apprentices, 20 Grey Coats,

four Black Coats, four White Coats, and one Junior White Coat.

WYA: The Spirited Dinners are back. No brunches or lunches this go-round?

EW: Spirited Dinners are the same. No brunches or lunches. We’re mindful of the schedule, so enough is going on but not too much. We schedule to drive people toward seminars and education. The Spirited Dinners are at the discretion of the brand partners.

EW: The choreography’s incredible. We do an economic impact report each year. Tales generates a $24 million impact for New Orleans each year. If Essence and Tales didn’t happen in July, we’ve been told there’d be furloughs in local hospitality. Essence and Tales bridge the gap between festival season and football season.

WYA: Is there anything you’re personally excited for?

EW: We’ll have a “Futures” lab to dedicate time, energy, and space to brainstorm what the industry will look like in 10, 20 years. We have a lineup that’s focused. The WHO has a sustainability mandate. How does that affect our industry? What are the macrotrends? How do we as leaders work with those?

And acknowledging the industry now—the Spirited Awards? We’ll include a list of the categories that New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS SPIRITED AWARD FINALISTS

WYA: Speaking of community, diversity is important. Can you speak to the demographics of last year’s attendance and expectations for this year?

OPENING OUR 47TH SEASON!

EW: Like last year, Tales is bringing in over 25,000 bev hospitality professionals from between 48 to 55 countries. Sixty percent of our panels are BIPOC and/or womenled. Forty percent of our seminars are by international presenters. We’re continuing to grow globally, and we’ve been intentional in trying to represent across the globe and across the industry. It’s grown beautifully, and Tales will continue to be reflective of our industry.

WYA: Can you think of a moment from Tales’ past that really inspired you? That made you think, “I’m so glad we do this every year.”

EW: The inspiring moments? There are so many. The Catalyst Luncheon honoring Tara Fougner and Anistatia Miller for making the table bigger. We’re constantly reassessing access and equity in our

EW: The Spirited Awards are great. The venue’s still the Fillmore. It’s really special to celebrate these people and their achievements.

WYA: I just want to acknowledge and thank you and the Tales Foundation for all you do for the service industry and the local community.

EW: We wouldn’t be who we are without our local hospitality colleagues and friends. People from the entire world travel to come and visit. Tales wouldn’t be Tales without New Orleans. Period. Giving back means a lot to our team and to me personally. We’re still a nonprofit. We do it for our community.

industry. Both of them have done so much and shared personal stories of what they overcame to contribute so greatly: the CAPS program, the mentorship up and down the ranks. I travel quite a bit for this job and seeing CAPS in their own bars and hearing how it changed their trajectories. “I CAPped and then quit my job. I applied to a craft cocktail bar and got in.” Goosebumps. That’s inspiring. Seeing people who come to Tales the first time and seeing them feel part of our community—very special, you know. You walk the halls at Tales and everyone wants to stop and talk to you. That happens every year, and it is no less inspiring every year.

BEST U.S. BAR TEAM Jewel of the South

BEST U.S. HOTEL BAR

Sazerac Bar at The Roosevelt

ZERO proof SIPS

By Reine Dugas

Anyone who has chosen not to drink knows of the dearth of choices for zero-proof drinks when they are out on the town. Most bars and restaurants have meager options when it comes to alcohol free (AF) beverages. Often, those drinks don’t even earn a mention on the menu. It’s mostly the bartender saying, “I’ll whip you up something” or doing their best to create a non-alcoholic version of a standard cocktail. Generally not served in a fancy glass or with a beautiful garnish, and even no flavorful bitters or spritz of exotic aromatic essence, most AF drinks consist of a quick slosh of simple syrup, soda water, a splash of fruit juice, and that’s a wrap.

NOT AT TALES OF THE COCKTAIL

Last year’s event had elaborately outfitted tasting stations with knowledgeable bartenders creating craft drinks that were pretty to look at and delicious too. The zero-proof drinks at TOTC were nuanced and would be hard put to be dismissed with a bored sigh as mere mocktails. Indeed, these drinks could hold their own, both in looks and taste, against most full-proof cocktails. Tales of the Cocktail recognized the need for a focus on AF drinks.

Lola Thomas, program director of the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, said, “We are thrilled to see the return of robust no and low alcohol programming for Tales of the Cocktail 2024. We are hearing from our attendees, partners, and presenters that no and low education, activations, and beverage options are a critical piece of their Tales experiences. At this point in our evolution, no and low is not just a popular trend, but a bonafide beverage category that will continue to be thoughtfully explored and offered at Tales of the Cocktail.”

Happening from July 21 through 26, this event has something for everyone. Last year’s Tales offered a bevy of low and zero-proof drinks— not as an afterthought, but as very carefully curated and showcased events. For once, nondrinkers didn’t feel like outliers.

Last year’s event had several tasting spots featuring brands such as Lyres, Boisson, Ceders, Ritual, Noughty AF, and Ghia, to name a few. The World of Lyre’s lounge was decadently decorated, luring attendees in to sample their tasty offerings, which included dealcoholized sparkling wine paired with caviar on chips for starters. There was also a fun soda shop bar with several zero proof drink choices. Lots of people gathered around these spots, including bartenders looking for alcohol-free ideas to take back with them to their own bars.

This year looks to be even more exciting with programming partners including Aplós, Cut Above Spirits, Drink the Pathfinder, Lo-Fi Aperitifs, Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic Spirits, Namari, Mockly, Ritual Zero Proof, and Sam Adams, to name a few.

Along with alcohol-free tastings, TOTC events will include a wide range of programs and opportunities.

SELECT N/A PROGRAMMING INCLUDES:

● The No & Low Tasting Room bar will return, giving TOTC attendees an opportunity to try some of the hottest n/as on the market while hanging out at the conference’s host hotel, the Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans.

● The Future of THC Beverages – Rachel Burkons, Smoke Sip Savor, Feast & Flower, Founder — Part of the brand-new Futures Lab series, which will immerse participants in short-format, thoughtful discussions on the future of the drinks industry.

● Zero to Hero: Effective Strategies for Curating Non-Alcoholic Menus in Today’s Bar Scene – Miranda Breedlove, National Director of Bars, Hyatt

● Ben’s Friends will return to TOTC 2024.

— At its core, Ben’s Friends are hospitality workers who have found a connection, as well as the tools to seek and maintain sobriety while managing careers and lives in a sane and purposeful way. Ben’s Friends will host private meetings in the Beyond the Bar Space on Monday and Tuesday from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

In a city that elevates and celebrates alcohol like New Orleans does, a non-drinker might be forced to take a backseat; however, the number of non-drinkers is growing. More people are taking a step back from drinking, whether it be for a short period such as “Dry January,” “Sober October,” and Lent—or maybe even a permanent one. In fact, there’s a rising trend of the number of sober curious folks. A 2024 NCSolutions survey showed that 41% of adults planned to drink less this year. When a cocktail conference like Tales acknowledges this change in people’s tastes and new distilleries start creating high quality low and zero-alcohol drinks, bitters, and essences, it shows the industry’s interest appealing to a broader audience. It’s clear to see from the alcohol-free tastings and events at Tales that we’ve come a long way. Today’s zero-proof products are complex, herbaceous, and nuanced—they include botanicals and even adaptogens sometimes. So if you’re alcohol-free or sober curious, Tales of the Cocktail is an excellent opportunity to sample drinks and learn more about trends in the alcohol-free industry. You can whet your whistle with something delicious while talking to bartenders and other likeminded folks who are not only interested but also really excited about the sober movement that’s taking a more prominent place on the world stage.

WE'LL DRINK TO THAT!

Cocktail Trends 2024

By Andrew Marin

Where Y’at asks service industry professionals to talk about cocktail trends—both today’s trends and trends we hope go away.

New Orleans is renowned for its vibrant and diverse bars and for hosting Tales of the Cocktail. Summer is rough for bars and restaurants here, so thank you to the people keeping our glasses full.

Espresso Martinis

AA: Someone requesting anonymity

AB: Alexandria Bowler, Lead Bartender of Emeril’s

AP: Andy Pratt, Bar Co-Manager at Dovetail Bar

CC: Chris Curtis, GM of Doris Metropolitan

CD: Christoph Dornemann, Bar Manager of Arnaud’s & The French 75 Bar

CH: Chris Hannah, Head Bartender of and Partner at Jewel of the South

CM: Casey Miller, Lead Bartender of Chandelier Bar

ER: Ellie Rogers, GM of Sylvain

ES: Eric Solis, Bar Manager of The Columns

JO: James O’Donnell, Bar Manager of Fives Bar

JS: Joshua Hall, GM of Chais Delachaise Wine Bistro

LD: Liam Deegan, Partner at Barrel Proof

LK: Liz Kelley, Lead Bartender of Cure

ND: Nick Detrich, Partner at Manolito

NJ: Nick Jarrett, Partner at Holy Diver

WD: Will Garcia Dhonau, Bar Director of The Will & The Way

WYA: Andrew Marin, Food and Cocktail Writer for Where Y’at

WYA: What cocktail trends have you noticed this year?

WD: People joke about them in memes, but…

ER: Espresso Martini reigns supreme.

JH: I secretly love them, but wish they’d go away.

ES: The new Vodka Red Bull. Most people ordering these aren’t looking for craft or taste. Should I be anonymous on this one?

Additive-Free Agave, Adventurous Palates, Obscure Spirits

JO: Agave spirits. Additive-free, high-quality stuff.

AB: Customers ask for additive-free tequilas or formerly uncommon spirits. “Eff the rules” for regulations around spirits, sacrifice calling it “X” on the label in a traditional category—just delicious juice.

AP: Funky rums, ancestral mezcals, aquavit. Less emphasis on aged spirits.

Savory and/or Asian Flavors

LK: Savory cocktails, culinary inspiration: spices, oils, herbs, alliums.

CM: Asian influence on cocktail menus.

CD: Fish sauce, MSG, kimchi. Drinks like “pesto” or “cold pizza.” Savory doesn’t have to be dirty martinis or Bloody Marys.

Aperitifs, Amaro, and Digestifs in Cocktails

CC: Amaros and apéritifs can bring new approaches to classic drinks.

AP: We’re moving away from fernet. People are finally calling for other amaros.

WD: Amaro—don’t sleep on digestifs.

Low Alcohol By Volume and Non-Alcoholic Cocktails

CD: We go through gallons of product just for mocktails.

LD: NOLA people have embraced N/A because options got so much better.

CH: Some even criticize bars that don’t have those options.

ES: Low ABV: spritzes, vermouth-based, and highballs. Ice spears, cubes, and spheres help appearance and the way a drink is consumed.

AP: Fewer drinkers in the younger generation. Low-ABV and no-ABV spaces are crucial.

THC/CBD Beverages

AB: Excellent THC beverages being produced by local companies.

LD: They’ve really taken off.

AA: They’re big now in bars. It’s not a great mix. People looking for alcohol alternatives treat these the same way they do alcohol, but they forget that they intoxicate differently.

"Abolish the term 'mixologist.' It’s nails on a chalkboard—pretentious." –Anonymous

Menu Clarity

ND: Explanatory cocktail names.

JH: Better descriptions. Before, it was listing ingredients. Offer a description. Not everyone knows what falernum is and shouldn’t have to.

LD: Bars are better at communicating flavors rather than being obscure.

Miscellaneous Trends

LD: Clarified-forced, carbonated highballs, infused spirits, sous vide —cocktails are now about finished flavor instead of balanced, simple drinks.

AB: “Jacking,” [which is the] removal of water content by freezing. “Switching,” [which is] replacing water content with things including clarified juice.

ES: Elegance in simplicity. Highlighting spirits to showcase the distillation.

JO: Disco-era drinks, polished, elevated. Advanced technique while staying accessible.

WYA: Any trends from yesteryear you’re glad are gone? Or current trends you hope are gone soon?

Garnish Wisely

LD: Garnishes that prevent you from holding the glass can go: painted, bee pollen, vertical salt rims.

AB: Although maximalist garnish can look great, it’s wasteful. A lot ends up in the trash.

Mixologists and Bar Chefs

AA: Abolish the term “mixologist.” It’s nails on a chalkboard—pretentious. Has any good bartender ever used the term seriously? “Bar chef’ is also b*llsh*t. Stop.

Miscellaneous Bad Trends

LD: Beer cocktails, “skinny” drinks, and smoked cocktails.

ER: Glad to see less meat fat-washing. It’s weird.

JO: Things that are over-clarified. One milk punch is enough.

AP: No more prefab high-fructose corn syrup mixes.

CD: Overly acidic drinks, please disappear completely. Everyone was afraid of sugar, so the industry overcorrected and forgot balance. And that sweetness is necessary. People order drinks “no sugar” and then complain they aren’t good.

ND: Jell-O Shots are not meant to have a glow-up.

CH: High proof bartender “handshakes.” [Writer’s note: Free drinks or shots.]

WYA: The last time we did a piece like this was 2021. Are people drinking or ordering differently in 2024, given the state of the country/economy/world?

ES: People are educated about spirits after trying to bartend at home during COVID. They respect craft when they go out.

LD: Everyone’s educated or has a device in their hand that knows more about a product than any bartender could. People are adventurous but not trying to drink the weirdest thing.

CC: Craft cocktails used to be for “the industry cool kids.” Now guests are trying new things and learning about the creative process.

ND: Comfort and nostalgia—specialized bars reducing in number. Leaning into the familiar.

ER: Returning to the classics. What people want is a well-made drink.

NJ: Inflation’s no joke. It costs more to visit or live in New Orleans. People are more price conscious.

JH: People were blowing through high-end spirits in 2021—like $30-$40 a shot. It’s tamed down now.

LK: People are deliberate with their choices. Whether it’s cost or alcohol consumption, people give time and thought to what they’re going to drink.

CM: Folks are conscious of the brands they support: Black-owned distilleries, Ukrainian vodka. People are aware of the world, where their dollars are going, and the impact they’re making.

AP: Many establishments closed—more forced to change operational structure. Customers are empathetic. Fewer people take hospitality for granted. People will always want to socialize. If we keep providing social spaces thoughtfully, we’ll continue to thrive.

ESSENCE LIKE A PRO

What you need to know before attending Essence Festival of Culture 2024

By Cynthea Corfah

Essence Festival of Culture is returning to New Orleans to celebrate its 30-year anniversary July 4-7. The city will be filled with visitors of all ages eager to experience New Orleans and celebrate Black culture in a major way. Essence Fest is hosted by Essence annually and every year reveals new talent, stages, events, and experiences.

Last year featured a star-studded lineup with artists including Lil Wayne, Missy Elliot, Megan Thee Stallion, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, Janelle Monáe, Juvenile, Jermaine Dupri, Ice Cube, Lil Jojann, Monica, Ludacris, Eve, Salt-N-Pepa, Tems, and Wizkid.

This year, the festival will have performances by artists including pop star Janet Jackson and New Orleans legend Birdman. He will be joined by surprise guests to celebrate 30 years of Cash Money Millionaires, a supergroup of artists from the iconic record label Cash Money Records. Other featured headliners this year will include Usher, T-Pain, Lloyd, Big Boi, Charlie Wilson, SWV, and more, as well as local acts Tank and the Bangas, HaSizzle, Juvenile, and more.

Essence Festival’s activities at the Morial Convention Center are free. Tickets for the evening concerts at Caesars Superdome must be purchased on Essence’s website or Ticketmaster. Other Essence Fest-related events may require registration or ticket admission.

Whether you are a first-time Essence Fest goer or a veteran, here are some tips on what to bring, how to travel, and how to feel and look your best during this eventful weekend.

Make

Room on Your Beauty Shelves

Spend the day at the Convention Center and you will leave with a tote bag full of beauty, hair, and skincare products from notable sponsors such as Dove, Mielle, Shea Moisture, the Honey Pot Company, Aveeno, CeraVe, Alaffia, NYX, and L’oreal. Some vendors give out mini-sized products to sample and others give away full-sized bottles of shampoo, mascara, eyeliner, lip gloss, and faux eyelashes. Small and local businesses also set up shop and have products available for purchase.

Follow Local Tastemakers on Social Media

Essence Festival takes over the city with tons of events during the July 4 weekend. The best way to stay in the know is by following New Orleans influencers, event hosts, public relations professionals, restaurants, boutique hotels, DJs, and music artists. Sometimes events aren’t announced until days before, so you want to keep an eye out on social media for any last-minute private performances, exclusive dinners, influencer parties, and sponsored events.

Make a Transportation Plan

Parking in downtown New Orleans can be a nightmare on an average day. When you add thousands of traveling visitors into the mix, finding parking can feel impossible. In some cases, it’s not parking that’s the issue but rather getting to and from the festival. Some stress-free options for transportation include ridesharing apps such as Uber or Lyft, using a local car service including Limousine Livery or NOLA Black Car, the historic New Orleans streetcars, getting dropped off by a friend or loved one, riding a bike, or walking—if you are staying in a home or hotel close enough to the Convention Center or Superdome.

CAESARS SUPERDOME | SATURDAY, JULY 6 | 7 P.M.

Rest and

Recharge

Essence Festival is more than freebies at the Convention Center. It includes panels, vendors, and performances in the day, concerts at night, and many events around town at all hours of the day. After sitting in on panel discussions, taking photos with the photo installations, fangirling over celebrities, and standing in long lines to get free tote bags and product samples, it is highly recommended that you rest before dancing the night away at the concerts. Schedule breaks throughout your day, drink water, sit down when you need to, and consider time between events to recharge your phone and energy.

Pack Your

Essentials

Staying cool and rested is key to surviving the entire Essence Fest weekend. Necessities to bring include sunscreen, a tote bag, your phone, a portable phone charger, sunglasses, and proof of tickets. Other items to consider are ChapStick, a Tide pen (in case you spill some of the delicious food at the festival on your clothes), a change of shoes (if your first choice isn’t comfortable), and a clear vinyl bag or a small purse/clutch for the Superdome.

Pick Your Outfits in Advance

Essence Fest is a celebration of culture. Show off your personality, heritage, and individual style through your outfits. Do you want to embody an African goddess? Wear a printed sundress and adorn yourself with decorative gold or beaded jewelry. Want to show off your New York roots? Wear an athletic jersey, a Yankees baseball cap, denim shorts, sneakers, and hoop earrings. The sky’s the limit. This festival is a beautiful representation of the African diaspora, bringing together Black people from all corners of the world. While the gathering celebrates connectedness, it also highlights individuality. Be yourself.

Make a Hair Plan

What would a Black-led festival be without intricate hairstyles? Some of the biggest, longest, most creative, and imaginative hairstyles are showcased at Essence Fest. From braids and locs to larger-than-life afros and puffs, the way people express themselves through their hair is one of the best parts of this special weekend. Essence Fest is an opportunity to take up space, be your authentic self, and wear your hair how you want to. Whether you want to slick your hair back into a bun and throw a hat on top or get goddess braids down to your waist, the choice is yours. No matter what style you choose, your crown will shine.

6/21 9pm Poisson Rouge 11pm Jon Sheckler

6/22 11pm Float Like a Buffalo

6/27 11pm The Soul Rebels

6/28 9pm Cast Iron Cactus

6/28 11pm Tri-Fi Funky Soul Organ Group

6/29 9pm Saint Social

CELEBRATING 45 YEARS!

7/3 9pm Valerie Sassyfrass - Blast The Sass Birthday Party!

7/4 11pm The Soul Rebels

7/5 10pm The New Orleans Johnnys

7/6 10pm Them Jaywalkers

7/11 11pm The Soul Rebels

7/12 10pm Colin Davis & Night People

7/13 9pm Bakey’s Brew 11pm Whisper Party

7/18 11pm The Soul Rebels

7/19 10pm Steve Kelly

7/20 10pm The Nerve ft. Papa Mali, Derrick Freeman, Mark Levron, James Martin, & Kyle Cripps

7/25 11pm The Soul Rebels

7/26 10pm Burris

7/27 10pm Uncle Holiday

MUSIC CALENDAR

MONDAY, JUNE 24

Apple Barrel Mark Appleford

Bacchanal Wine Byron Asher

Bamboula’s Jon Roniger, Rug Cutters

Buffa’s Doyle Cooper, Yoshitaka Z2 Tsuji

Cafe Negril Jelly Roll Stompers

Capulet Washboard Chaz

Da Jump Off Big 6 Brass Band

D.B.A. Secret Six

Dos Jefes John Fohl

Fritzel’s Matinee All Star Band, Richard Scott

Hi Ho Tucker Baker

Houston’s Hansen’s Garden District Band

MRB Ben Buchbinder

Maple Leaf George Porter Jr., Chris Adkins

Spotted Cat Dominick Grillo

The Maison Danny Rubio, Jacky Blaire

TUESDAY, JUNE 25

Apple Barrel NOLA Groove Collective

Bacchanal Trey Boudreaux

Bamboula’s Giselle Anguizola, Jean-Paul Brion

Bayou Bar The O.G.’s

Buffa’s Alex McMurray

Capulet Phil Degruy

Fritzel’s Jamil Sharif, Richard Scott

Hi Ho Sporty’s Brass Band

Houston’s Hansen’s Garden District Band

Irene’s Monty Banks

Maple Leaf TBC Brass Band

New Orleans Jazz Museum Arrowhead

Spotted Cat Chris Christy, Smoking Time Jazz Club

The Maison Gene’s Music Machine, Jacky Blaire

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26

Apple Barrel Big Soul

Bacchanal Jesse Morrow

Bamboula’s J.J. & the A-OK’s, The Queen & Friendz

Bayou Bar Firm Roots, Groovemasters

Blue Nile New Breed Brass Band

Café Degas Double Whisky

Cafe Negril Colin Davis, Night People

Capulet Lady O, The Expats

Carousel Lounge James Martin

Davenport Lounge Jeremy Davenport

D.B.A. Lagniappe Brass Band, Tin Men

Fritzel’s Bourbon Street Stars, Richard Scott

Houston’s Hansen’s Garden District Band

Irene’s Monty Banks

Mahogany Jazz Hall Mahogany Hall All Stars, Kevin Louis

Marigny Brasserie Jon Roniger

New Orleans Jazz Museum LuvSoul

Picnic Provisions Mikayla Braun

Spotted Cat Chris Christy, Shotgun

THURSDAY, JUNE 27

Apple Barrel Johnny Mastro, Bubbles Brown

Bacchanal Raphael Bas

Marigny Brasserie Slick Skillet

Serenaders

Rock n Bowl Chubby Carrier, Bayou

Swamp

Peacock Room Robin Barnes, Pat Casey

Polo Club John Royen

The Press Room Les Getrex

Spotted Cat Chris Christy, Jumbo Shrimp

Howlin Wolf Comedy Gumbeaux

The Jazz Playhouse Brass-A-Holics

The Maison Danny Rubio, Catahoula Music

Company

Polo Club John Royen

The Press Room Les Getrex

Spotted Cat Chris Christy, Jumbo Shrimp

Howlin Wolf Comedy Gumbeaux

The Jazz Playhouse Brass-A-Holics

The Maison Danny Rubio, Catahoula Music

Company

FRIDAY, JUNE 28

Apple Barrel Bubbles Brown

KEITH SWEAT AT THE FILLMORE

R&B king Keith Sweat is twisting his way to New Orleans on the “Make it Last Forever 35th Anniversary” tour. His songs have landed on the Billboard R&B chart for decades, including the famous “I Want Her.” Wednesday, July 3, $95-$122, livenation.com

Apple Barrel Smoky Greenwell

Bacchanal Anna Laura Quinn, Miles Berry

Bamboula’s The Jaywalkers, Paggy Prine

Bayou Bar Jordan Anderson

Blue Nile George Brown Band, Gov’t Majik

Siberia JMSN

Silk Road

No Quarter

Shanty Krewe

Spotted Cat

Music Club

Blue Nile Balcony Room Marigny Street

Brass Band

Brick Room The Big Soul Band

Cafe Negril John Lisi, Sierra Green

Carousel Lounge Lena Prima

D.B.A. Tuba Skinny

Davenport Lounge Jeremy Davenport

Fritzel’s Fritzel’s All Star Band, Richard “Piano” Scott

House of Blues Hobo Johnson, The Lovemakers

Houston’s Hansen’s Garden District

Le Bon Temps Roule Saint Social

May Baily’s Giselle Anguizola

Rock ‘n’ Bowl The Mixed Nuts

BMC Lil Red, Big Bad

Bacchanal David Sigler, Willie Green

Bamboula’s Felipe Antonio Quinteto, Les Getrex

Bayou Bar Peter Harris, Joe Ashlar

Blue Nile Jam-ilton, Kings of Brass

Brick Room Big Soul Band

Buffa’s Washboard Chaz

Cafe Negril Jamey St Pierre, The Villains

Carousel Lounge Nayo Jones

D.B.A. Little Freddie King

Davenport Lounge Jeremy Davenport

Dos Jefes Afrodiziac’s Jazz

Fritzel’s Richard “Piano” Scott, Sam Friend

Polo Club David Boeddinghaus

Press Room Dr. Michael Torregano

Dominick

Grillo

The Maison Danny Rubio

TUESDAY, JULY 2

Bamboula’s Caitie B.

Cafe Negril The Super-Most-FantasticBlues-N-Such Jam

Deutsches Haus John Rankin

New Orleans Jazz Museum Arrowhead

Jazz Band

Spotted Cat Chris Christy, Smoking Time Jazz Club

Howlin Wolf Comedy Beast

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3

Buffa’s Jelly Biscuit

Cafe Negril Colin Davis

Café Degas Double Whisky

Deutsches Haus 377 Banda

Fillmore Luv + Heartbreak, Keith Sweat

Le Bon Temps Roule Valerie Sassyfras

Marigny Brasserie Jon Roniger

Spotted Cat Chris Christy

THURSDAY, JULY 4

Apple Barrel Bubbles Brown

Cafe Negril Piano Man ‘G’, Sierra Green

Dew Drop Inn One Shot Brass Band

Le Bon Temps Roule The Soul Rebels

Marigny Brasserie Slick Skillet

Serenaders

Spotted Cat Chris Christy, Jumbo Shrimp

The Maison Danny Rubio

FRIDAY, JULY 5

Apple Barrel Bubbles Brown

Buffa’s Cole Williams

Cafe Negril Jamey St Pierre, The Villains

Le Bon Temps Roule The New Orleans

Johnnys

Marigny Brasserie Caitie B.

Spotted Cat Paradise Jazz Band, Vegas Cola

Tipitina’s Sierra Green

SATURDAY, JULY 6

Apple Barrel Smoky Greenwell

Thomson

The Broadside BOMBINO, Louis Michot

The Maison Danny Rubio, Giselle

Bar Marilou Reverberant Sounds, Read the Sands

Bayou Bar Double Bird, Jamison Ross

Blue Nile Where Y’at Brass Band

Brick Room The Big Soul

Bullet’s Sports Bar MC White

Cafe Negril Piano Man ‘G’, Sierra Green

Capulet Coyote Anderson

Carousel Lounge Lena Prima, Leslie Martin

City Park Botanical Garden Gal Holiday

Commons Club Mikayla Braun

Davenport Lounge Jeremy Davenport

Dew Drop Inn One Shot Brass Band

Fritzel’s Doyle Cooper, Richard “Piano” Scott

Houston’s Hansen’s Garden District

Irene’s Monty Banks

Joy Theater Old Gods of Appalachia

Le Bon Temps Roule The Soul Rebels Mahogany Jazz Hall The Catahoulas

Houston’s Hansen’s Garden District

Irene’s Monty Banks

Le Bon Temps Roule Cast Iron Cactus, Tri-Fi Funky Soul Organ Group

Marigny Brasserie Caitie B.

Marigny Opera House That Bad, Cazayoux

Rock n Bowl Clay Cormier, Highway Boys

May Baily’s John Lisi

New Orleans Jazz Museum Small Jazz

Band, Alapar

Old US Mint Small Jazz Band, Alapar

Polo Club John Royen

Southport Hall Com Truise

Spotted Cat Paradise Jazz Band

Howlin Wolf Juan Villareal

The Maison Sierra Green, John Saavedra

The Press Room Javier Gutierrez Trio

Tipitina’s Papa Mali

SATURDAY, JUNE 29

Spotted Cat Panorama Jazz Band, Twerk

Anguizola

Three Muses Monty Banks

SUNDAY, JUNE 30

21st Amendment Amber Rachelle, Marty

Peters

Bacchanal Noah Young, Tangiers Combo

Bamboula’s Aaron Levinson, Ed Wills

Blues 4 Sale

Blue Nile The Baked Potatoes, Street

Legends Brass Band

Bratz Y’all Sunpie Barnes, Dean Zucchero

Buffa’s Some Like It Hot

Cafe Negril VEGAS COLA

Chickie Wah Wah Cyril Neville

D.B.A. Colin Davis, Treme Brass Band

Dew Drop Inn Nayo Jones

Dos Jefes Michael Liuzza

Fritzel’s Doyle Cooper, Mike Fulton

Houston’s Hansen’s Garden District Band

Josephine Estelle Or Shovaly Plus

Polo Club David Boeddinghaus

Howlin Wolf Hot 8 Brass Band

Treme Hideaway Big 6 Brass Band

MONDAY, JULY 1

Buffa’s Doyle Cooper, Z2

Cafe Negril Jelly Roll Stompers

Poorboys Bar Decompression Mondays

Boomtown R&R Smokin Foundation

Buffa’s Luke and Arlo Allen, Jamie Bernstein

Cafe Negril Jason Neville, John Lisi

Le Bon Temps Roule Them Jaywalkers

Marigny Brasserie Caitie B.

Old US Mint Little Stomper Family Class

Southport Hall Blue Monday

Howlin Wolf Nick Ray, Dauzat St. Marie

The Maison Danny Rubio

SUNDAY, JULY 7

Bacchanal Noah Young Trio

Buffas Some Like It Hot, Pfister Sisters

Cafe Negril VEGAS COLA

Dew Drop Inn Nayo Jones, Jevon Tate New Orleans Jazz Museum Baby Artsplay!

Urban South Brewery Donna Color Explosion

MONDAY, JULY 8

AllWays Lounge Betsy Propane

Apple Barrel Mark Appleford

Buffa’s Doyle Cooper, “Z2”

Cafe Negril Jelly Roll Stompers

Poorboys Bar Decompression Mondays

The Maison Danny Rubio

TUESDAY, JULY 9

AllWays Lounge Sincerely, Fantasy

Bamboula’s Caitie B., The Hand Me Downs

LOUISIANA RESIDENTS

*WITH

MUSIC CALENDAR

Cafe Negril The Super-Most-FantasticBlues-N-Such Jam

New Orleans Jazz Museum Arrowhead

Jazz Band

Spotted Cat Chris Christy, Smoking Time

Jazz Club

WEDNESDAY, JULY 10

Buffa’s Mark Carroll

Cafe Negril Colin Davis

Café Degas Double Whisky

Marigny Brasserie Jon Roniger

Spotted Cat Chris Christy

THURSDAY, JULY 11

Apple Barrel Bubbles Brown

Buffa’s Tom McDermott, Marla Dixon

Cafe Negril Piano Man ‘G’

Dew Drop Inn One Shot Brass Band

Dutch Alley Johnette Downing

Fillmore Thomas Dolby

Le Bon Temps Roule The Soul Rebels

Marigny Brasserie Slick Skillet

Serenaders

Spotted Cat Chris Christy, Jumbo Shrimp

The Maison

Danny Rubio

SUNDAY, JULY 14

Bacchanal

Noah Young Trio

Buffa’s Some Like It Hot!

Dew Drop Inn Nayo

Jones, Jevon Tate

MONDAY, JULY 15

Buffa’s Doyle Cooper, Z2

Poorboys Bar Decompression Mondays

The Maison Danny Rubio

TUESDAY, JULY 16

Bamboula’s Caitie B.

Buffa’s Alex McMurray

Deutsches Haus Deutsches Haus

Kulturabend

Howlin Wolf Comedy Gumbeaux, When The Saints Come Laughing In The Maison Danny Rubio

FRIDAY, JULY 12

Apple Barrel Bubbles Brown

Buffa’s Adom Rogers, Tuba Skinny

Marigny Brasserie Caitie B.

Southport Hall Soilent Green

Spotted Cat Big Fun Brass Band, Paradise

Jazz Band

Howlin Wolf Wasted Potency, Brax

Le Bon Temps Roule Sweetie!, Colin Davis

Tipitina’s Naughty Professor

Joy Theater Iration

National WWII Museum Stage Door Idol

Spotted Cat Chris Christy, Smoking Time Jazz Club

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17

Buffa’s Cricket and the 2:19

Café Degas Double Whisky

Deutsches Haus John Rankin

Marigny Brasserie Jon Roniger

Spotted Cat Chris Christy

Sazerac House Candlelight: Best of HipHop on Strings

THURSDAY, JULY 18

IRATION AT THE JOY THEATER

California reggae-pop band Iration is bringing its “Daytrippin in Paradise” tour with Denm and Artikal Sound System. The band has made waves with multiple albums on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart.

Tuesday, July 16, $34-$49, thejoytheater.com

Apple Barrel Bubbles Brown

SATURDAY, JULY 13

Apple Barrel Smoky Greenwell

Boomtown Brian James

Buffa’s Seva Venet, Storyville String Band

Old US Mint Little Stomper Family Class

Spotted Cat James Martin Band, Shake’em

Up

Howlin Wolf Wasted Potency, Brax

Le Bon Temps Roule Whisper Party, Bakey’s Brew

Buffa’s Tom McDermott, Antoine Deil

Deutsches Haus Liederkranz German Sing

a Long

Dew Drop Inn One Shot Brass Band

House of Blues Mystery Skulls

Le Bon Temps Roule The Soul Rebels

Marigny Brasserie Slick Skillet

Serenaders

Spotted Cat Chris Christy, Jumbo Shrimp

The Maison Danny Rubio

MUSIC CALENDAR

FRIDAY, JULY 19

Apple Barrel Bubbles Brown

Buffa’s Adam Rogers, Clint Maedgen

Le Bon Temps Roule Steve Kelly

Marigny Brasserie Caitie B.

Spotted Cat Music Club Paradise Jazz Band

Tipitina’s Honey Island Swamp

SATURDAY, JULY 20

Apple Barrel Smoky Greenwell

Buffa’s Lynn Drury

Boomtown Junior & Sumtin Sneaky

Joy Theater Tom Papa

Le Bon Temps Roule The Nerve, Papa Mali, Derrick Freeman, Mark Levron, James Martin, & Kyle Cripps

Marigny Brasserie Caitie B.

Old US Mint Little Stomper Family

Class

Rabbit Hole Very Cherry

Santos Bar Be Your Own Pet

Southport Hall The Producers

Spotted Cat Panorama Jazz Band

The Maison Danny Rubio, Catahoula Music Company

SUNDAY, JULY 21

Bacchanal Noah Young Trio

Buffa’s Some Like It Hot

Dew Drop Inn Nayo Jones

Marigny Brasserie Secret Bandwagon

MONDAY, JULY 22

ZACH BRYAN AT CAESARS SUPERDOME

Country singer icon Zach Bryan will fill the Superdome during his “The Quittin Time” tour with Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit & Levi Turner.

He has won many Billboard Music Awards, as well as a Grammy for “I Remember Everything.”

Thursday, July 25, $65–$259.50, caesarssuperdome.com

Apple Barrel Mark Appleford

Buffa’s Doyle Cooper, Z2

Poorboys Bar Decompression Mondays

The Maison Danny Rubio, Catahoula Music Company

TUESDAY, JULY 23

Bamboula’s Caitie B., The Hand Me Downs

Kermit’s Treme Mother-in-Law Lounge

Irvin Mayfield, Kermit Ruffins

Maison Bourbon Jazz Club Danny Rubio, Catahoula Music Company

Smoothie King Center Janet Jackson

Spotted Cat Music Club Chris Christy, Smoking Time Jazz Club

WEDNESDAY, JULY 24

Café Degas Double Whisky

Marigny Brasserie Jon Roniger

Spotted Cat Chris Christy

THURSDAY, JULY 25

Apple Barrel Bubbles Brown

Buffa’s Tom McDermott, James Evens

Boomtown

Nashville

South

Le Bon

Temps Roule

Uncle Holiday

Marigny

Brasserie

Delta Revues, Secret Bandwagon

Pour House at Jefferson Cricket and the 2:19

Spotted Cat Shake’em Up Jazz Band

The Maison Danny Rubio, Jeff Kreis

SUNDAY, JULY 28

Bacchanal Noah Young

Buffa’s Father Ron, Steve Pistorius

Dew Drop Inn One Shot Brass Band

Le Bon Temps Roule The Soul Rebels

Marigny Brasserie Slick Skillet

Serenaders

Smoothie King Center Zach Bryan

Spotted Cat Chris Christy, Jumbo Shrimp

Superdome Zach Bryan

The Maison Danny Rubio, Kid Merv

FRIDAY, JULY 26

Apple Barrel Bubbles Brown

Buffa’s Adam Rogers, Washboard Chaz

Blues Trio

Joy Theater Sarah Sherman

Le Bon Temps Roule Burris

Marigny Brasserie Caitie B., The Hand Me

Downs

Spotted Cat Paradise Jazz Band

Tipitina’s Erica Falls

SATURDAY, JULY 27

Apple Barrel Smoky Greenwell

Buffa’s Beth Patterson

Dew Drop Inn Nayo Jones

The Broadside The Body, Cel Genesis

MONDAY, JULY 29

Buffa’s Doyle Cooper, Z2

Poor Boy’s Decompression Mondays

The Maison Danny Rubio, Jack Pritchett

TUESDAY, JULY 30

Bamboula’s Caitie B., The Hand Me

Downs Buffa’s Alex McMurray

Spotted Cat Chris Christy, Smoking Time Jazz Club

Maison Bourbon Jazz Club Danny Rubio, Catahoula Music Company

WEDNESDAY, JULY 31

Café Degas Double Whisky

Marigny Brasserie Jon Roniger, Good For Nothin’ Band

Public Service Restaurant Matt Lemmler

Spotted Cat Chris Christy

LAKESIDE2RIVERSIDE

UNCLE SAM JAM

July 3 | visitjeffersonparish.com

Uncle Sam Jam will leave you sparkling to celebrate Independence Day at Lafreniere Park in Metairie. Enjoy music by Niko Moon, the Frontmen of Country, and Chapel Hart, as well as food and drink vendors, rocking fireworks, and more. This is the place to celebrate America’s national holiday. Classic New Orleans food will make your tastebuds thankful. Jump and dance in the 155-acre concert meadow that is Lafreniere Park. Festival-goers entrances are located on Downs Boulevard, Sunrise, and Judith streets. This is a free festival with VIP options available.

TULANE SUMMER LYRIC THEATER’S ANYTHING GOES

July 11-14 | liberalarts.tulane.edu

SAN FERMIN IN NUEVA ORLEANS

July 12-14

nolabulls.com

Celebrate the 18th annual Running of the Bulls at Gallier Hall. Get your sweat on with local music, food, and a play on the famous encierro Events include the El Txupinazo charity fundraiser on Friday, the Running of the Bulls on Saturday from 6:30 a.m.–12 p.m., and El Pobre de Mi with a burlesque show on Sunday. Dress in white and red, lace up your sneakers, and get chased by the fierce bull-roller derby skaters or rather “bulls in disguise.” Get your adrenaline pumping with a jam-packed weekend of fun, running, and camaraderie.

Cruise to true love with singing sailors in the classic Anything Goes at Tulane University. The Tulane Summer Lyric Theater is presenting its 57th season, featuring musicians, actors, artists, and students from New Orleans. Showtimes are July 11-13 at 7:30 p.m., as well as a Sunday matinee on July 14 at 2 p.m. Enjoy this profound musical with friends and family, taking place at 104 Dixon Hall. Admission is $31.50 for youth (ages 5-13) and $46.50 for adults. Sail away with this beloved musical and experience a delightful journey of love and entertainment.

BASTILLE DAY FÊTE

July 12 | af-neworleans.org

Get ready to celebrate French culture at the 2024 Bastille Day Fête, an evening where you can immerse yourself into French traditions and honor Bastille Day. On July 12 from 6-10 p.m., there will be special musical performances with French songs, ornate tapestry, silent disco, and a costume contest with traditional French clothes.

The event will be put on by the Alliance Française de la Nouvelle-Orléans. Ticket prices vary, and it will take place at 1519 Jackson Ave. This event is open to everyone looking to learn about French culture and heritage, as New Orleans has heavy historical ties to France.

THE

HAVE YOU SEEN Shining a Light on the New Canal Lighthouse

And the great ships sail outward and return Bending and bowing o'er the billowy swells, And ever joyful, as they see it burn They wave their silent welcome and farewells. —The Lighthouse by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

In either sunny skies or storms, lit up at night or gleaming in the daytime, the New Canal Lighthouse guarding Lake Pontchartrain provides a nostalgic kind of charm and beauty. The candy cane colored structure, proudly standing at the end of Lakeshore Drive, makes for a great photo background and is available for special occasion rentals. With all the nearby family-friendly seafood restaurants, as well as the yacht club situated across the way, it’s easy to assume that that’s all this lighthouse is—a quaint, pretty tourist attraction. It’s so much more than that.

The main level of the New Canal Lighthouse contains a small but fact-packed museum, a bunch of educational activities, and incredible views. The second level houses members of the Pontchartrain Conservancy, who spend their days researching, studying, advocating, planting, and doing outreach. The top of the lighthouse, known as the Lantern Room, is a glass conservatory, situated above a narrow stairway and an even narrower ladder, that protects a working beacon, lighting up as soon as darkness falls every night. Its beams travel nine miles across Lake Pontchartrain, still warning sailors on their way.

By Sabrina Stone

LIGHT?

The New Canal Lighthouse is the fourth generation of lighthouse built at its location. The first was erected in 1839, strategically placed at the mouth of the New Basin Canal (after which it was named). The lighthouse helped guide sailors safely through the six-mile canal, which took six years to dig and claimed the lives of thousands of builders due to the impossibly difficult working conditions.

In 1855, the original lighthouse, which looked much like the current one without the tall pilings and bottom structure, started sinking and leaning and had to be replaced with something taller and sturdier.

In 1880, the Southern Yacht club was built on the adjacent land mass and, at two stories tall, blocked sailors’ view of the lighthouse from several angles. So there was a third lighthouse built even taller in 1890, which stood strong until the devastating double impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

In the 1960s, five of the six miles of the New Basin Canal were filled by the creation of the I-10. At that point, the lighthouse lost its original, navigational purpose but was still beloved. So with its fourth rebuild, the lighthouse also received a new mission.

The New Canal Lighthouse was designed to be a replica of the initial 1890 structure but updated for current weather conditions and recreated with around 50% of the original materials. Once the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation took over, they prioritized historical accuracy, while keeping an eye on the future of the area. What they built is now a place where anyone who wants can come learn about the beacon’s Fresnel lens and how it operates. People can even learn about all the female light keepers who lived there over the centuries, including the most heroic one, Margaret Norvell, and her wild adventures, including rowing through raging storms to rescue drowning people and then housing and feeding them until they got back on their feet.

The lighthouse provides facts about the shifting deltas of the Mississippi River, the development of the lakefront, the way storms have affected and will continue to affect

New Canal Light, c. 1875

New Canal Light, 1906 Post Katrina, 2005

us in the region, and the impact that the conservancy’s work has had on the health of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin. You can even interact with a display that shows the food chain of all the common animals surrounding the inlet.

In the gift shop building, located a few yards inland, kids can interact with STEM exhibits, bring water samples to test in beakers for microplastics and algae, and sift through a sandbox that allows you to create 3D models of our coast, illustrating what happens when the water meets the land. You can even build levees, channel rivers, and register your hands as clouds to create storms. Anyone can also take home native flower and herb seeds from their free seed library, with the cyclical hopes that you will bring seeds back once your plants grow. The seeds link to the Pontchartrain Conservancy’s larger native plant program, which continues outside with their small greenhouse and bioswale. The bioswale, they explained, contains purifying plants and strategically placed rocks that take trash and gasoline polluted water, driven by the rains from the nearby parking lot, and clean it before it gets down to the canal. This is a wonderful place for school trips and science fairs.

The most surprising offering is their underwater robotics program. On a calm day, weather-wise, and with enough advance warning, you can build your own remote-controlled robot to drop in the canal and get to spy on the underwater activity of the fish and plankton.

It’s worth making an appointment to get the full educational tour, especially with Kate Tannian and Dennis Clutter as your generous and playful hosts. This lighthouse has led many lives and the staff and docents are thrilled to share their knowledge and passion for it, as well as information about water quality, coastal environments, and native plant gardening. The staff works throughout the surrounding 16 parishes of the Pontchartrain Basin, conducting scientific investigations, doing coastal restoration, and operating ongoing sustainability projects.

If you want a last-minute adventure, you can also hop on a self-guided audio tour for a small fee and just wander around the exhibits while enjoying the shade and marveling at the history and the view.

arts community and enrich experiences

BEST NOLA ART & CRAFT

Support the creative

BEST NOLA ART & CRAFT

outside daily routines.

In a non-stop busy world full of digital devices and time spent online, it can be easy to mentally get stuck in the doldrums. A proven source for improving creativity, reducing stress, sparking imagination, and even problem solving is by creating art.

By Frances Deese

As with many mediums, art can be for everyone and is a healthy hobby and outlet to incorporate into one’s life more regularly. Yet a roadblock for many is knowing just where to begin amongst a multitude of questions, thus a saving resource is utilizing classes and workshops offered by local artists. You can walk away with a new unique memento, as well as a great memory of having learned from professionals.

As a local collaborative creative hub, New Orleans Glassworks and Printmaking provides a range of classes including metalsmithing and sculpture, ceramics, a range of glassworks options, printmaking, and book arts. There’s something for everyone with their mini workshops and four to six week class options. All offer a great way to explore a new medium, and, throughout the summers, they serve as a great inspiration for youth with their young adult classes.

As an immersive medium, it only makes sense that pottery has grown again in popularity in recent years. London Clayworks makes this all the more inviting with monthly workshops with experienced teachers and artists. Owner Karin Burt shared, “We take our students on a journey from learning the basics to mastering complicated techniques. We’ve created a light and modern space to inspire creativity and calm the mind. Once you’re hooked, we have options for workshops with nationally renowned artists or [you can] join our membership and access the studio all week round.”

At Nola Craft Culture, add pizzazz to the monotony of life with approachable classes such as beginner glittering techniques, resin designs, basics of glass beads for throws, and headdress making, a recent and popular option of theirs. Private parties can book their own classes for a minimum of six people and a BYOB set up. Their classes aim to empower through creativity and serve as an outlet for self expression, as well as a way to relax and destress. They also serve as a resource for the creative community for interconnectedness and uplifting one another. Be sure to check their Instagram for all the upcoming excitement.

See a different type of mosaic vision come to life by venturing out of your creative comfort zone. The Shard Shop comes in handy for this by specializing in unique glass designs on canvases. They also provide instructions on the growing trend of resin, including a resin cascade workshop.

Oil painting enthusiasts may not know how to approach this medium, yet, luckily, local resource Studio Thibodeaux shares professional knowledge for all to be able to dive into this practice. Owner Sarah Griffin Thibodeaux is a contemporary artist who studied at the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts with Auseklis Ozols and Dell Weller. She specializes in portrait and still life classes, allowing visions of classic oil paintings with a contemporary twist.

Stanwycks Photography of New Orleans is helping to show photography can be for everyone. Their classes teach the essentials of photography, as well as workshops for any specialty coaching aspects in mind. Another fun option is their New Orleans photography

tours, which allow you to take note of your everyday surroundings in a new perspective or help you to discover something new about this city.

The Bead Shop of New Orleans is a “magical little shop” offering a treasure trove of beading and jewelry design options. Owner Georgia Wilson shared, “We are blessed to live in one of the most creative cities on Earth. Our little bead shop is proud to have served our local creators for over 31 years. My favorite moment when teaching is when someone who says they ‘aren’t creative’ sits down and makes a beautiful piece of jewelry with me. I love watching their faces transform as they realize they can do it and it

was easier than they think.” They offer beginner workshops, appointments in their stringing room, and, for those ready to go a step further, customized one-on-one workshops with experts.

Open since 2003, the New Orleans School of Metalsmithing has allowed design dreams to spark to life. Their expert professionals walk through the process from cutting to finishing metal for all learning levels. Should you find yourself enjoying the rich culture of iron artistry around town, this can be a great idea for you.

Art allows each individual to bring their own personality, freedom, and fun to a piece, which is a core mission of Paint and Jrink. The process in their classes to craft a piece and adding your own twist allows for sparks of creativity. Their emphasis on customer service, offerings for many team building classes, and NOLA-themed paintings seals the deal for this great outlet. Have a vision of glass art brought to life at Pollock Glass Studio and Gallery With workshops for beginners twice a week in a five-series round of classes, you can learn specifics such as beadmaking, pendants, and sculpture, as well as varying other options for group classes. Their team stated, “We love to spark creativity in our students. Each class covers a few different techniques to not only keep them engaged but to encourage students to find their own individuality within the medium. Collaborations, mentorships, and overall appreciation have developed from these gatherings and that is our goal in sharing our skills with the public.”

GO PLAY INSIDE

By Sabrina Stone

Indoor Sports in Greater NOLA

It has arrived— the hottest part of the year— with humidity so intense that you’re covered in sweat from going out the door. No one wants to work out in this weather, but it’s important to stay active, so we’ve compiled a list of fun indoor sports to keep you moving in cooler temperatures.

BOWLING

Bowling is a personal favorite. It’s an all ages activity that requires some skill but is fun to play even if you have very little. The weighted balls and shoe sizes accommodate for everyone, and there’s a whole selection of bowling alleys in the Greater New Orleans area. Some of them even have bars, “bistreauxs,” DJs, and live music, so it’s easy to plan a whole night.

Fulton Alley

600 Fulton St., (504) 208-5569, fultonalley.com

Rock ’n’ Bowl

3016 S. Carrollton Ave., (504) 964-1700, rocknbowl.com

Westside Bowling Lanes

3715 Westbank Expy., Harvey, (504) 3402695, westsidelanesnola.com

Colonial Lanes

6601 Jefferson Hwy., Harrahan, (504) 7372400, colonialbowling.net

Bowlero Kenner

3640 Williams Blvd., Kenner, (504) 4435353, bowlero.com

Bowling USA

685 Brownswitch Rd., Slidell, (985) 6494811, playbowlingnearme.com/bowling-usa

SOCCER

Soccer is a sport that evokes rolling green fields and sunshine, but there are plenty of inclement cities where players still need to practice, so here are two indoor sports centers with fields big enough to accommodate full leagues.

NOLA Sports Center 1710 10th St., Kenner, (504) 355-1628, nolasportscenter.com

La Cancha Indoor Soccer

1550 S. Lopez St., (504) 382-7172, facebook.com/lacanchaindoor

ARCADE GAMING

New Orleans has a few great arcades for all sorts of more cerebral gaming. Each one is centrally located with nearby music venues and restaurants if you’re having too good of a time to go home.

Sea Cave

3000 St. Claude Ave., (504) 662-1926, seacavenola.com

Emporium Arcade Bar

2231 St. Claude Ave., (773) 697-7922, emporiumarcadebar.com

Dave & Buster’s New Orleans

1200 Poydras St. Unit 601, (504) 226-3300, daveandbusters.com

CLIMBING

If you’re into climbing, there’s a popular place in the New Orleans Healing Center for getting your grip on and making likeminded friends.

New Orleans Boulder Lounge

2360 St. Claude Ave., (504) 962-7609, climbnobl.com

GROUP ACTIVITIES

If you can’t decide on just one sport and you’re with a group that wants variety, we’ve got a selection of mega-complexes for gaming, laser tag, and bowling. Some even have bumper cars and mini-golf.

Game On Social Hub 2421 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Kenner, gameonsocialhub.com

Adventure Quest Laser Tag 1200 S. Clearview Pkwy. Suite 1106, (504) 207-4444, lasertagnola.com

Optimus Entertainment 9820 Lake Forest Blvd., (504) 241-0219

Fun Frenzy Laser Tag 6003 Bullard Ave., (504) 246-2188

RECREATIONAL CENTERS

Recreational centers are a great place to swim indoors, box, play basketball or badminton, take dance classes, and more. Many of the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission ones are even free.

Treme Recreation Community Center

*indoor basketball court, indoor pool 900 N. Villere St., (504) 658-3160, nordc.org/parks/treme

St Bernard Recreation Center

*indoor basketball court, outdoor pool 1500 Lafreniere St., (504) 658-3040, nordc.org/parks/stbernard

Annunciation Recreation Center

*indoor basketball court 800 Race St., (504) 658-3095, nordc. org/parks/annunciation

Gernon Brown Rec Center

*indoor basketball court 1001 Harrison Ave., (504) 658-3151, nordc.org/parks/gernonbrown

Cut-Off Recreation Center

6600 Belgrade St., (504) 658-3058, nordc.org/parks/cut-off

Lyons Recreation Center

*indoor basketball court, indoor dance studio, outdoor pool | 624 Louisiana Ave., (504) 6583004, nordc.org/parks/lyons

Joe W. Brown Park

*indoor basketball court, indoor pool 5601 Read Blvd., (504) 658-3080, nordc. org/parks/joe-w-brown-park

Milne Rec Center

*indoor basketball court

5420 Franklin Ave., (504) 658-3088, nordc.org/parks/milne-rec-center

Rosenwald Recreation Center + Rosenwald Annex

*indoor basketball court, indoor dance studio, outdoor pool

1120 S. Broad St. & 1140 S. Broad St., (504) 658-3090, nordc.org/parks/rosenwald

Sanchez Multi-Service Center

*indoor basketball court, indoor dance studio, indoor pool

1616 Fats Domino Ave., (504) 658-3059, nordc.org/parks/sanchez

Stallings St. Claude Recreation Center

*indoor basketball court, indoor dance studio, outdoor pool

4300 St. Claude Ave., (504) 658-3053, nordc.org/parks/stallingsstclaude

Morris F.X. Jeff, Sr. Park (formerly Behrman Park)

*indoor basketball court, outdoor pool 2529 General Meyer Ave., (504) 6583170, nordc.org/parks/behrman

The University of New Orleans (UNO) and the New Orleans JCCs, for a yearly fee, also have vast indoor spaces for all sorts of activities and workouts.

UNO Recreation & Fitness Center 2000 Lakeshore Dr., (504) 208-6357, unofitnesscenter.com

New Orleans JCC - Uptown 5342 St. Charles Ave., (504) 897-0143, nojcc.org

New Orleans JCC - Metairie, Goldring-Woldenberg Campus 3747 W. Esplanade Ave., Metairie, (504) 887-5158, nojcc.org

There are so many other ways to stay cool and active for the rest of this grueling season: yoga, pilates, aerials, pole-dancing, bocce ball, etc. Hopefully this list helps you get started and gives you some inspiration for your next indoor activity.

A L T F H T AIR Essentials for Hurricane Season

The Not-SoEssential

By Brooke Adams

Every year from June 1 to November 20, hurricane season looms over Louisiana residents, creating fear and turning everyone into first class preppers. There are certainly lists galore that provide details on all the essentials that every person needs for a natural disaster. This is not that list.

Every person in the Gulf South knows about needing water, generators, food, and, of course, beer, but only the shelter-in-place aficionados know what the true essentials are. Successfully riding out a hurricane requires a little more creativity than what the Red Cross has in mind. Residents know the drill of preparing with essentials like water, food, and generators. But what about those not-so-essential essentials that can make the ordeal more bearable—or even slightly enjoyable?

This list, packed with practical yet unconventional items, serves as a guide to infusing a touch of creativity and comfort into your hurricane survival strategy.

CHEAP BEER YOU DON’T LIKE

While any official list may not include alcohol, everyone knows that, besides water, beer (or really any preferred alcohol) is an essential for any hurricane. We all rush to the grocery store and stock up on our favorite snack foods, our favorite drinks, and all the liquor our wallets can handle. However, consider also buying a pack of beer you don’t like. Sounds strange, but this purchase is not actually for your consumption.

Whenever the weather passes, strangers and neighbors alike will be out helping each other in the immediate recovery efforts. When you have a tree branch down or a flooded car, some kind stranger or neighbor is bound to show up out of nowhere to come to the rescue, and there is no better way to say thanks than with a beer. The true challenge is not drinking it while you’re bored in a boarded house. This is why you choose one that isn’t your absolute favorite. It’s a lot easier to save a beer for a stranger when it isn’t tempting you constantly.

EAR PLUGS

Unless you find yourself in the unique situation of sheltering in place entirely on your own, it is inevitable that living in close quarters with others will test your patience— sometimes to the brink of exasperation. No matter how dearly we cherish our family and friends, the strain of being cooped up together in a house without power can easily become a breeding ground for conflict and irritation. Add to that the potential for loud snoring—so loud that you might briefly wonder if there’s a bear nearby—and the atmosphere could get even more tense.

Before you even half-jokingly contemplate braving the ferocious hurricane winds as a means of escape, consider a simpler, safer alternative—ear plugs. Investing in a pair of ear plugs can be a game changer, providing the precious gift of tranquility and allowing you the personal space to decompress.

DOWNLOAD ALL YOUR FAVORITE MUSIC

Most hurricane preparedness lists will, or should, include charging your phone ahead of time. They might even include solar chargers (which are actually genius and necessary). But even if you manage to keep your phone charged the entire time during and after a hurricane, having no internet will still be brutal.

Boredom is dangerous and draining. Music can help keep boredom at bay. Most music streaming services allow users to download albums, playlists, podcast episodes, and any other media you would usually stream over the internet. While you still have power and the internet, take the time to download all your favorites.

BATTERIES FOR YOUR *AHEM* TOYS

Boredom during (and after) a hurricane can lead to many poor decisions. One of the funnier outcomes of a hurricane is the baby boom nine months later. People certainly have a preferred way of staying busy when the power is out.

That being said, if having a baby is not on your list of post hurricane goals, use protection and consider utilizing your favorite toys instead. Batteries should already be on your list of actual essentials, but make sure you purchase batteries for all of your favorite electronics, not just your flashlight.

KIDDIE POOL

One of the worst parts of sheltering in place is losing air conditioning. Hurricane season is always during the hottest months of the year, and it’s nearly a guarantee that the weather will be sweltering while you wait for the power to come back on. Having fans and cold drinks help, but one great way to beat the heat is to cool down in the water.

Even if you have a pool in your backyard, it will likely be full of debris. Keeping a noninflatable kiddie pool in storage can be a lifesaver when you need to beat the heat. If the water is still running, it doesn’t need to be drinkable to relax in it.

As hurricane season swirls into Louisiana, remember it’s not just about surviving. It’s about thriving. While the usual suspects like water and canned goods are must-haves, let’s not overlook those items that truly make storm weathering a unique experience. From strategically unappealing beer reserves to silent sanctuaries via earplugs, this guide offers a blueprint to not only endure the storm but to enjoy the absurdity of life without Wi-Fi. Charge those speakers, keep those batteries handy (for all your devices), and perhaps even float in a kiddie pool. Why not turn your hurricane hideout into your oasis? Here’s to making the best of gusty guests and keeping spirits high when the barometer drops.

BEST BUDGET EATS:

1. Melba’s: Multiple Locations, melbas.com

2. Felipe’s Taqueria: Multiple Locations, felipestaqueria. com

3. Verti Marte: 1201 Royal St., vertimartenola.com

BEST CAFÉ:

1. The Vintage: 3121 Magazine St., thevintagenola.com

2. Café Du Monde: Multiple Locations, shop.cafedumonde. com

3. Bearcat Café: Multiple Locations, bearcatcafe.com

BEST CAJUN RESTAURANT:

1. Copeland’s of New Orleans: Multiple Locations, copelandsofneworleans.com

2. Cochon: 930 Tchoupitoulas St. Suite A, cochonrestaurant.com

3. Jacques-Imo’s Café: 8324 Oak St., jacques-imos.com

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Readers' Picks

BEST GUMBO:

1. Neyow’s Creole Café: 3332 Bienville St., neworleans.neyows.com

2. Dooky Chase’s Restaurant: 2301 Orleans Ave., dookychaserestaurants.com

3. Chef Ron’s Gumbo Stop: 2309 N. Causeway Blvd., Metairie, gumbostop.com

BEST HAMBURGER:

1. Port of Call: 838 Esplanade Ave., portofcallnola.com

2. The Company Burger: 4600 Freret St., thecompanyburger.com

3. Lakeview Harbor: 8550 Pontchartrain Blvd., lakeviewharbor.us

BEST CREOLE RESTAURANT:

1. Neyow’s Creole Café: 3332 Bienville St., neworleans.neyows.com

2. Nice Guys Nola: 7910 Earhart Blvd., niceguysnola.com

3. Li’l Dizzy’s Café: 1500 Esplanade Ave., lildizzyscafe.net

Dooky Chase’s Restaurant: 2301 Orleans Ave., dookychaserestaurants.com

Li’l Dizzy’s Café: 1500 Esplanade Ave., lildizzyscafe.net

3. Chubbie’s Fried Chicken: 4850 General Meyer Ave., facebook.com/chubbiesnola

BEST PIZZA:

1. Pizza Domenica: Multiple Locations, pizzadomenica.com

You haven’t had great pizza in New Orleans until you’ve tried Pizza Domenica, so go and enjoy specialty pizzas that you can’t find anywhere else—plus appetizers, salads, and pastas.

2. Pizza Delicious: 617 Piety St., pizzadelicious.com

3. Zee’s Pizzeria: 3914 Baronne St., zeespizzeria.com

BEST LOCALLY OWNED 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 NEW RESTAURANT:

1. Mister Oso: 601 Tchoupitoulas St., misterosonola.com

2. TANA: 2919 Metairie Rd., Metairie, tanaitalian.com

3. Tapas e Vino: 516 Frenchmen St., tapasevino.com

BEST OUTDOOR DINING:

1. Nice Guys Nola: 7910 Earhart Blvd., niceguysnola.com

2. Café Amelie: 900 Royal St., cafeamelie.com

3. Barracuda Taco Stand: Multiple Locations, eatbarracuda.com

BEST OYSTER PO-BOY:

1. Short Stop Poboys: 119 Transcontinental Dr., Metairie, shortstoppoboysno.com

2. Domilise’s Po-Boy & Bar: 5240 Annunciation St., domilisespoboys.com

3. Liuzza’s By The Track: 1518 N. Lopez St., liuzzasbtt.com

BEST OYSTERS:

1. Seaworthy: 630 Carondelet St., seaworthynola.com

2. Pêche: 800 Magazine St., pecherestaurant. com

3. Sidecar Patio & Oyster Bar: 1114 Constance St., sidecarnola.com

1. Li’l Dizzy’s Café: 1500 Esplanade Ave., lildizzyscafe.net

Li’l Dizzy’s serves some of the most mouthwatering soul food in New Orleans, from red beans and rice with fried chicken to catfish and grits, and their daily specials Monday through Saturday never fail.

2. Mandina’s Restaurant: 3800 Canal St., mandinasrestaurant.com

3. Katie’s Restaurant & Bar: 3701 Iberville St., katiesinmidcity.com

Best Restaurant (CBD/Warehouse District):

1. Sofia NOLA: 516 Julia St., sofianola.com

Sofia is the place to go if you are looking for Italian food in the Warehouse District because they serve tons of special wood-fired pizzas, pastas, salads, and so much more to enjoy.

2. Meril: 424 Girod St., bemeril.com

3. Josephine Estelle: 600 Carondelet St., josephineestelle.com

BEST PLACE TO GET A SALAD:

1. The Salad Station: Multiple Locations, thesaladstation.com

2. City Greens: Multiple Locations, eatcitygreens.com

3. St. James Cheese Company: Multiple Locations, stjamescheese.com

BEST RESTAURANT (FRENCH QUARTER):

1. Broussard’s Restaurant & Courtyard: 819 Conti St., broussards.com

2. Antoine’s Restaurant: 713 St. Louis St., antoines.com

3. Galatoire’s Restaurant: 209 Bourbon St., galatoires.com

BEST RESTAURANT (LAKEVIEW):

1. Velvet Cactus: 6300 Argonne Blvd., thevelvetcactus.com

2. Rosedale: 801 Rosedale Dr., rosedalerestaurant.com

3. Sala Nola: 124 Lake Marina Ave., salanola.com

BEST RESTAURANT (MARIGNY/ BYWATER):

1. Alma Café: 800 Louisa St., eatalmanola.com

2. The Country Club: 634 Louisa St., thecountryclubneworleans.com

3. Paladar 511: 511 Marigny St., paladar511.com

BEST RESTAURANT (METAIRIE):

1. Boulevard American Bistro: Multiple Locations, boulevardbistro.com

2. Drago’s Seafood Restaurant: Multiple Locations, dragosrestaurant.com

3. Chef Ron’s Gumbo Stop: 2309 N. Causeway Blvd., gumbostop.com

BEST RESTAURANT (MID-CITY):

1. Mandina’s Restaurant: 3800 Canal St., mandinasrestaurant.com

2. Katie’s Restaurant and Bar: 3701 Iberville St., katiesinmidcity.com

3. Venezia: 134 N. Carrollton Ave., venezianeworleans.com

BEST RESTAURANT (UPTOWN):

1. Shaya: 4213 Magazine St., shayarestaurant.com

2. Jacques-Imo’s Café: 8324 Oak St., jacques-imos.com

3. Superior Seafood & Oyster Bar: 4338 St. Charles Ave., superiorseafoodnola.com

SUMMER SPECIALS IN WEST END

BEST RESTAURANT (WESTBANK):

1. Café 615 (Home of Da Wabbit): 615 Kepler St., Gretna, cafe615.com

2. Legacy Kitchen’s Steak + Chop: 91 Westbank Expy. #51, Gretna, legacykitchen.com

3. Mosca’s Restaurant: 4137 US-90 West, Westwego, moscasrestaurant.com

BEST ROMANTIC DATE SPOT:

1. Meril: 424 Girod St., bemeril.com

2. Sofia NOLA: 516 Julia St., sofianola.com

3. N7: 1117 Montegut St., n7nola.com

BEST UPSCALE RESTAURANT:

1. Antoine’s Restaurant: 713 St. Louis St., antoines.com

2. Restaurant August: 301 Tchoupitoulas St., restaurantaugust.com

3. Emeril’s: 800 Tchoupitoulas St., emerilsrestaurant.com

BEST VEGETARIAN MENU

1. Carmo: 527 Julia St., cafecarmo.com

2. Daily Beet: Multiple Locations, thedailybeetnola.com

3. Sneaky Pickle & Bar Brine: 3200 Burgundy St., yousneakypickle.com

1. The Galley Seafood Restaurant: 2535 Metairie Rd., Metairie There are seafood restaurants everywhere in New Orleans, but The Galley holds the throne for the best boiled seafood, including shrimp, crabs, and crawfish, and for their traditional New Orleans foods.

2. Bon Temps Boulet’s Seafood: 4701 Airline Dr., Metairie, bontempsboulets.com

3. Frankie & Johnny’s: 321 Arabella St., frankieandjohnnys.net

BEST ROAST BEEF PO-BOY:

1. Parasol’s Bar and Restaurant: 2533 Constance St., facebook.com/ParasolsNOLA

2. R&O’s Restaurant: 216 MetairieHammond Hwy., Metairie, facebook.com/ RORestaurantCatering

3. Mother’s Restaurant: 401 Poydras St., mothersrestaurant.net

BEST SANDWICH SHOP:

1. Stein’s Market and Deli: 2207 Magazine St., steinsdeli.com

2. Martin’s Wine & Spirits: Multiple Locations, martinwine.com

3. Francolini’s Italian Deli: 3987 Tchoupitoulas St., francolinis.com

BEST SEAFOOD RESTAURANT:

1. Drago’s Seafood Restaurant: Multiple Locations, dragosrestaurant.com

2. GW Fins: 808 Bienville St., gwfins.com

3. The Galley Seafood Restaurant: 2535 Metairie Rd., Metairie

BEST SHRIMP PO-BOY:

1. Parkway Bakery & Tavern: 538 Hagan Ave., parkwaypoorboys.com

2. Short Stop Poboys: 119 Transcontinental Dr., Metairie, shortstoppoboysno.com

3. Guy’s Po-Boys: 5259 Magazine St., facebook.com/guyspoboysnola

BEST STEAKHOUSE:

1. Crescent City Steaks: 1001 N. Broad St., crescentcitysteaks.com

2. Doris Metropolitan: 620 Chartres St., dorismetropolitan.com

3. Ruth’s Chris Steak House: Multiple Locations, ruthschris.com

BEST WINGS:

1. Hooters: Multiple Locations, hooters.com

2. Chicken & Watermelon: 3400 S. Claiborne Ave., facebook.com/ChickenandWatermelon

3. Melba’s: Multiple Locations, melbas.com

TREATS & GLOBAL FLAVORS

BEST AFRICAN RESTAURANT:

1. Dakar NOLA: 3814 Magazine St., dakarnola. com

2. Addis NOLA: 2514 Bayou Rd., addisnola.com

3. Bennachin Restaurant: 1212 Royal St., bennachinrestaurant.com

BEST BAKERY:

1. Ayu Bakehouse: 801 Frenchmen St., ayubakehouse.com

2. La Boulangerie: 4600 Magazine St., laboulangerienola.com

3. Gracious Bakery: Multiple Locations, graciousbakery.com

BEST BEIGNET:

1. Morning Call Coffee Stand: 5101 Canal Blvd., morningcallnola.com

2. Café Du Monde: Multiple Locations, shop. cafedumonde.com

3. The Vintage: 3121 Magazine St., thevintagenola.com

BEST CARIBBEAN RESTAURANT:

1. Queen Trini Lisa: 4200 D’Hemecourt St., queentrinilisa.com

2. The Rum House: 3128 Magazine St., therumhouse.com

3. Jamaican Jerk House: 4017 St. Claude Ave., instagram.com/bestjerkhouse

BEST CHINESE RESTAURANT:

1. Dian Xin: Multiple Locations, dianxinnola.com

2. Miss Shirley’s Chinese Restaurant: 3009 Magazine St., missshirleyschineserestaurant.com

3. Five Happiness Chinese Restaurant: 3605 S. Carrollton Ave., fivehappinessnola.com

1. Café Degas: 3127 Esplanade Ave., cafedegas.com Café Degas is known for their romantic atmosphere and delicious French food, serving staples including escargot, duck, mussels, lamb, and a very delicious French onion soup.

2. La Crêpe Nanou: 1410 Robert St., lacrepenanou.com

3. Lilette: 3637 Magazine St., liletterestaurant. com

BEST ICE CREAM/GELATO:

1. Angelo Brocato’s: 214 N. Carrollton Ave., angelobrocatoicecream.com

2. The Creole Creamery: Multiple Locations, creolecreamery.com

3. Felipe’s Heladeria: 411 N. Carrollton Ave. #2, felipesheladeria.com

BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT:

1. LUFU NOLA: 301 St. Charles Ave., lufunola.com

2. Saffron NOLA: 4128 Magazine St., saffronnola.com

3. Nirvana Indian Cuisine: 4308 Magazine St., nirvananola.com

BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT:

1. Domenica: 123 Baronne St., domenicarestaurant.com

2. Vincent’s Italian Cuisine: Multiple Locations, vincentsitaliancuisine.com

3. Sofia NOLA: 516 Julia St., sofianola.com

BEST JAPANESE RESTAURANT:

1. Rock-n-Sake: Multiple Locations, rocknsake.com

2. Yakuza House: 2740 Severn Ave., Metairie, yakuzahouse.com

3. Mikimoto Japanese Restaurant: 3301 S. Carrollton Ave., mikimotosushi.com

BEST KING CAKE:

1. Dong Phuong Bakery: 14207 Chef Menteur Hwy., dpbakeshop.com

2. Manny Randazzo King Cakes: 3515 N. Hullen St., Metairie, randazzokingcake.com

3. Haydel’s Bakery: 4037 Jefferson Hwy., haydelsbakery.com

BEST LATIN AMERICAN RESTAURANT:

1. Tito’s Ceviche & Pisco: Multiple Locations, titoscevichepisco.com

2. Alma Café: 800 Louisa St., eatalmanola.com

3. Baru Bistro & Tapas: 3700 Magazine St., barutapasnola.com

BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT:

1. El Gato Negro: Multiple Locations, elgatonegronola.com

2. Felipe’s Taqueria: Multiple Locations, felipestaqueria.com

3. Zócalo Cocina Mexicana & Cantina: 2051 Metairie Rd., Metairie, zocalo-nola.com

BEST MIDDLE EASTERN RESTAURANT:

1. Lebanon’s Café: 1500 S. Carrollton Ave., lebanonscafe.com

2. Shaya: 4213 Magazine St., shayarestaurant.com

3. Saba: 5757 Magazine St., eatwithsaba.com

BEST PASTA:

1. Venezia: 134 N. Carrollton Ave., venezianeworleans.com

2. Domenica: 123 Baronne St., domenicarestaurant.com

3. Vincent’s Italian Cuisine: Multiple Locations, vincentsitaliancuisine.com

BEST RESTAURANT FOR DESSERT:

1. Commander’s Palace: 1403 Washington Ave., commanderspalace.com

2. Emeril’s: 800 Tchoupitoulas St., emerilsrestaurant.com

3. Willa Jean: 611 O’Keefe Ave., willajean.com

BEST SNO-BALL:

1. Hansen’s Sno-Bliz: 4801 Tchoupitoulas St., snobliz.square.site

2. Sal’s Sno-Balls: 1823 Metairie Ave., Metairie, facebook.com/salssnoball

3. Imperial Woodpecker Sno-Balls: 3511 Magazine St., iwsnowballs.com

BEST SUSHI:

1. Mikimoto Japanese Restaurant: 3301 S. Carrollton Ave., mikimotosushi.com

2. Yakuza House: 2740 Severn Ave., Metairie, yakuzahouse.com

3. Rock-n-Sake: Multiple Locations, rocknsake.com

BEST TACO/BURRITO:

1. Juan’s Flying Burrito: Multiple Locations, juansflyingburrito.com

2. Felipe’s Taqueria: Multiple Locations, felipestaqueria.com

3. Barracuda Taco Stand: Multiple Locations, eatbarracuda.com

BEST THAI:

1. Thai’d Up NOLA: 1839 Gentilly Blvd., thaidup.co

2. Banana Blossom: 500 9th St., Gretna, 504bananablossom.com

3. SukhoThai: Multiple Locations, sukhothai-nola.com

BEST VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT:

1. Ba Chi Kitchen + Bar: 3547 18th St., Metairie, facebook.com/bachicanteenla

2. Lilly’s Café: 1813 Magazine St., facebook.com/LillysCafe

3. Tan Dinh: 1705 Lafayette St., Gretna, tandinhnola.com

NEW EATS IN OLD METAIRIE

Metairie Road’s Food Scene Is Booming

By Emily Hingle

Tree-lined Metairie Road lazily winds through the middle of Old Metairie, one of the oldest neighborhoods in the Greater New Orleans area. The gorgeous street teems with boutiques, spas, and notable eateries that cannot be passed up.

Thanks, Where Y’At Readers!

Metairie Road is the home of many decades-old stalwart restaurants ranging from down-home New Orleans delicacies to international delights. The Galley Seafood, Porter & Luke’s, Byblos, Taj Mahal Indian Cuisine, Lee’s Hamburgers, Parlons Café, Nor Joe’s, and Mark Twain’s Pizza have been the go-to eateries for all Old Metairie families for generations. For adults, bars with great food menus are perfect for after-work or late-night eats. Winston’s Pub & Patio has a rich, old world pub decor, and Oscar’s is covered from floor to ceiling in Marilyn Monroe photos and paintings.

A slew of fast casual restaurants have sprung up between the casual and fine dining dinner-oriented restaurants. City Greens, Poke Loa, Rolls N Bowls, Rush Bowls, and Main Squeeze Juice offer healthy options while Creole Creamery, Shipley’s Donuts, and Fat Boys Pizza are for cheat days. Even new coffee shop brands Moxie Coffee and CR Coffee Shop have found spaces in between CC’s Coffee, PJ’s Coffee, and Puccino’s.

Where two long-running restaurants shuttered, two new restaurants helmed by Edgar Caro and Antoinio Mata (owners of Baru Bistro & Tapas and Basin Seafood & Spirits) opened in 2017 and 2018. Brasa Churrascaria and Zocalo Cocina Mexicana brought exciting new flavors to the area in the wake of Chateau du Lac and Vega Tapas.

“I’m from El Salvador, Edgar is from Colombia. This is our food, this is what we love to eat. So we thought, ‘We’ve got to bring this to New Orleans.’ We were looking around at places in the city, and we saw that there’s a lot of money around here,” explained Owner and Head of Operations Antonio Mata. “We opened our doors, and it was an immediate success. People wanted something fresh and new. Vegas Tapas five months later went out of business. We were like, ‘We love the neighborhood, the neighborhood loves us. Why not?’ And that’s where Zocalo started.”

Brasa and Zocalo are neighborhood restaurants with loyal customers who sometimes visit several times a week, but tourists are hard to come by in the area. That may mean a loss of income if the regulars choose to make a new restaurant their usual spot. With the influx of new development in the area and luxury brands filling those spaces, prices are rising high for all.

Mata said, “You see young professionals with their families here. That’s why I feel like more restaurants will be coming. We’ll see how much it can be sustained with prices going up and competition coming this way. We love the neighborhood and the clientele, but it’s going to get tough.”

Starting with the 2010s boom, several restaurants arrived and thrived. Blue Line Sandwich Co. and Ruby Slipper focus on breakfast and brunch service hours.

Felipe’s Mexican Taqueria and Rock-nSake Sushi are great for the whole family. Hog Alley Lounge, Parish Line Bistro, and Garrison Kitchen + Cocktails are solid options for catching up with your friends over fine food or date night. If you’re up for some competition, Loft18 is a bar and restaurant with golf and game simulators (adults only after 7 p.m.).

The highly-anticipated Italian-inspired venture TANA features dishes by Chef Michael Gulotta in a newly-built strip of buildings on the bustling western end of Metairie Road. The bright white exterior walls give way to a bright blue oasis upon entrance. “Location is everything these days, especially in New Orleans,” said Chef Gulotta. “We just wanted to offer something that wasn’t here before. TANA has the New Orleans soul and big

Byblos

Byblos

New Orleans flavors that people love, but we bring a slightly different look to it—a slightly different feel to it.”

Known for enticing Asian-fusion dishes, Chef Gulotta decided to go back to his Sicilian heritage and Italian culinary training for this restaurant, but he maintains his experimental flair with some aspects of the menu. “There are a few dishes that are based on my Sicilian upbringing. I trained in Liguria, Italy,” he pointed out. “The restaurant I worked in was on the water about a 30-minute walk from the French

Riviera, and it bordered Provence. It was all fresh seafood, fresh pastas, very Italian, but a lot of Provencal influence. There’s also a lot of Louisiana in the menu. This is an 80/20 rule: 20% of the menu are dishes I get to play around with, and 80% are tried and true, delicious dishes for people to enjoy.”

TANA is currently attracting diners from all over the metro area, but Chef Gulotta has noticed some resistance from staunch New Orleanians who dare not cross the parish

line. “I think it’s a good mix of people from all over the city right now, but I don’t know how that’s going to go moving forward. It’s amazing to me how people are like, ‘Metairie is not New Orleans.’ My Mid-City restaurant MOPHO is on the exact same road as TANA.”

Beyond the curves of Metairie Road, the Old Metairie neighborhood also offers wonderful eats at Radosta’s Restaurant, Chef Ron’s Gumbo Stop, Ristorante Filippo, Uchi Sushi & Hibachi, Mama’s Place, and Unagi & Sushi. This food-centric enclave will have you coming back for more.

TANA

TANA

By Joey Cirilo

It has happened—the elusive “springtime” in New Orleans has come and gone. It's sno-ball time!

Beautiful weather rightfully fit for music and food festivals, enjoying a cold beverage of choice outdoors, patio dining, and park strolling have all been replaced with sun umbrellas, brow sweat, SPF 100 sunscreen, and A/C units cranked to such extreme levels the Snow Miser would grin in approval. Currently, the upper brass at Entergy are high-fiving, shaking hands, and patting one another on the back in a boardroom laden with gold. The money faucet has indeed been turned back on. Brace yourselves—summer is here.

While the relentless heat wave that annually descends upon New Orleans like a damp hot press may prove unavoidable, resident experts plan accordingly and, in true Crescent City spirit, don’t let something like a mere triple digit heat index stop them from having a damn good time. And what better way to distract oneself from the heat stroke awaiting you outside of your front door than a cool, refreshing treat?

MAY I OFFER YOU A SNO-BALL?

As you see, not all heroes wear capes. Some come sporting flimsy, recyclable cups and are appropriately doused in sticky, sweet, assortedflavored syrups. The sno-ball is a godsend to Louisianans when times get hot, dating back to the 1930s. The history of the sno-ball is a highly-debated, complex one, as folks from New Orleans and Baltimore, Maryland engage in heated dialogue (pun intended) over its geographic origins. But, regardless of where it originated, what cannot be argued is its utter necessity for staving off a brutal New Orleans summer—one hellbent on reducing you to a quickly evaporating puddle of your own bodily fluids on the cracked, uneven sidewalk.

Like other eating essentials woven into the cultural and societal fabric of this region, an abundance of choices are made available to you ranging in specialties, ingredients, methodologies, and price points. Odds are if you’re actively seeking a life-saving sno-ball in the thralls of summer, you’re at close-risk of having your spirit broken by the unrelenting temperatures. Why willingly have your wallet broken along with it? Hold on to whatever dignity you have remaining. Here are some of the most affordable sno-ball options in Greater New Orleans.

SNO-BALL'S CHANCE IN HELL

SNO-BALL'S CHANCE IN HELL

Greater New Orleans Guide to Affordable Sno-Balls in Summer

BUCK’S SNO-WIZ

Westwego folks know. If you’re trying to get the skinny on Buck’s, don’t waste your time on Instagram, they haven’t actively posted since 2016. Their Facebook page has all the goods, though, including gift card giveaways and specials ranging from half off deals to $1 off specific menu items. Speaking of the menu, theirs will hit you with everything from frozen coffee to spicy chamoy fruit cups, nachos, and everything else under the sun. Their newly created Tootsie Pop sno-ball is worth the trek alone. Buck himself would be proud.

CHANCE IN HELL SNOBALLS

“Icy treats for a world on fire.” Louisa Street is about to be “#blessed,” as the Chance In Hell founders recently locked in their soon-to-be first ever brick and mortar location. Until then, you can find them at pop-ups in the Bywater neighborhood, slinging all natural, small batch, handmade sno-balls for only $5, with the generous option to “make it adult” for a trifling $2 upcharge. Need further convincing? Try the “unicorn poop,” which is an exemplary amalgamation of mixed berry, vanilla, purple, and pretty. Stay golden, Ponyboy.

DROOPY’S

For the last two years, Droopy’s in Harahan has been voted “Best Sno-Ball in Jefferson Parish,’’ yet their pricing has remained consistently customer-friendly. Their highest-selling Droopyflavored sno-ball is indescribable. The recipe is a family secret, and they go through roughly 300 bottles of the stuff per week. If you’re looking to switch things up and keep yourself on your toes, you’ve arrived at the proper destination. Their custom ice cream sundaes, including hot peach cobbler and strawberry shortcake, taste precisely as good as you’re picturing them to be at this very moment.

RED ROOSTER

What started as a sweets and sno-ball stand in 1977 organically morphed into one of the city’s best hidden gems and one-stop shops. Red Rooster is the quintessential “if you know, you know.” Just off of Washington Avenue in the Lower Garden District, Black and woman-owned Red Rooster dishes up everything from mouth-watering treats to seafood, yakamein, po-boys, and nachos. On Mondays, a full plate of red beans, accompanied with three golden, crispy wings, will run you $8. Like Devin Snow said, “They been here since Elvis died.”

SAL’S SNO-BALLS

Sal’s has been slinging the frozen goods to eager, overheated Metairie customers since 1960. With sno-balls, the ingredient and flavor combinations are endless. Akin to Rick Astley, Sal’s will never let you down no matter what you ultimately decide on. But it’s their classic flavors and soft serve cones that ensure nearly every person is a repeat customer. Even their merchandise is priced reasonably well. During sno-ball season, Sal’s is open 11 hours a day during the week. The dedication to their craft is unparalleled, so stop on by and grab a stump.

STOP JOCKIN

Stop Jockin is a spot hidden in plain sight right off of Saint Bernard Avenue where Gentilly collides with the Fair Grounds. If you’ve never been, keep your eyes peeled. Its location is planted firmly next to the on-ramp for the interstate, and, if you’re not paying close attention, you’ll zip right past it. The Tropical Sunrise with condensed milk tastes like a dreamsicle explosion in your mouth and is a Stop Jockin customer favorite. Spend $5 or less and the stand is cash only. If you go above that, you may whip out the plastic.

Droopy's

EAST MEETS WEST EAST MEETS WEST

By Amy Kirk Duvoisin

Experiencing Eastern European Foods in NOLA

KOLACHES

Kolaches made an appearance in New Orleans about a decade ago, influenced by the large population of Czechs in central Texas. With so many New Orleanians traveling to and from Texas post-Katrina, it was only a matter of time before this tasty pastry made its way into the hearts and mouths of beignet loving New Orleanians.

Naturally, New Orleanians have made them their own, filling these Czech/Slovak pastries with everything from traditional fruit fillings to boudin, smoked sausage, and much more.

Kolaches can now be found almost anywhere donuts can. Here are a few spots known for their local versions.

SHIPLEY DO-NUTS

Finding a bowl of gumbo in New Orleans is as easy as finding a pothole, but finding a bowl of borscht becomes a quest.

If you are of Eastern European descent; have lived or traveled to Poland, Romania, or the Czech Republic; or hail from northern U.S. cities such as Chicago or Cleveland, where specialty markets or relatives provided regular servings of kielbasa and sauerkraut, you may have googled “East European Foods in New Orleans” and found few options.

Here is a compilation of the few, but tasty and thriving, places that grew from a need to fill a hole in the culinary community for both newcomers and natives.

EAST EUROPEAN GROCERY

EASTERN EUROPEAN FOODS

3320 Williams Blvd., Kenner, (504) 466-1982, easteurofoods.com

According to Leon Abud of Eastern European Foods in Kenner, “We don’t just sell food, we sell nostalgia and a piece of home.”

“The majority of our customers are immigrants or have family who were immigrants from an Eastern European country. Many customers have also lived or traveled to one of those countries and want to find things they experienced,” Abud said. The culinarily curious seek out his shop in search of new tastes and ingredients.

Eastern European Foods was founded by Leon’s parents Inna and Salvador Abud in 2003. A snapshot of New Orleans immigration patterns in the 1980s, Inna came from the former Soviet Union, and Salvador immigrated from Honduras around the same time. They met while working at Schwegmann’s.

Twenty-one years later, their son manages the shop, while also practicing his Russian with customers. “Most people from Eastern European countries speak or understand Russian, so I can communicate with most of them, and with the newer wave of Ukrainian immigrants, that’s been especially helpful.”

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has had ripple effects on supply. While prices and transportation of goods increased worldwide in recent years, getting certain items has proven more difficult. Still, they manage to carry a little bit of everything, from Moldovan cookies and Ukrainian jams to burek from Bosnia, Polish torciki, Romanian cozonac, and many other staples. Some specialty items they stock include Russianstyle dumplings known as pelmeni and pierogi. Finding these items in a high-quality frozen form was a coup for the store, and his customers have been appreciative. “Kids come in asking for them, and parents are thrilled because they know how tedious they are to make.” He should know, having made them with his grandmother Sofya, who enlisted the entire family in their creation.

Abud is often at the shop and full of enthusiasm, stories, and cooking tips. Plus, he loves to practice his language skills so be sure to ask for him the next time you stop in for sauerkraut or smoked sprats

2561 Metairie Rd., Metairie (504) 264-7351, shipleydonuts.com

DISTRICT DONUTS SLIDERS BREW Multiple Locations, districtdonuts.com

JEWISH DELIS

Central and Eastern European food traditions have strong Jewish roots. It’s no surprise that when New Orleanians crave certain comfort foods, they gravitate towards Jewish delis, where they can find the likes of corned beef and pastrami, beef tongue, chopped liver, knish, and matzo ball soup.

STEIN’S MARKET AND DELI

2207 Magazine St., (504) 527-0771, steinsdeli.com

Stein’s Market and Deli, opened in 2007 by Dan Stein, is a familiar spot for many New Orleanians, and that’s clear from its often-full tables and people cheerfully waiting for orders. You can grab some to-go items if you don’t have time to soak up the atmosphere and read their lively walls, including a dozen or two Davidovich bagels from New York City, on which they serve their breakfast sandwiches.

KOSHER CAJUN NY DELI & GROCERY

3519 Severn Ave., Metairie, (504) 888-2010, koshercajun.com

Kosher Cajun is a grocery store, café, and deli that offers everything from corned beef, pastrami, tongue, salami, and chopped liver to whitefish, knishes, and rugelach. Founded 35 years ago by Joel Brown, it was created to serve a niche market when there were no kosher restaurants in the city. It is now as much a lunch destination for all craving chopped liver, latkes, egg salad, or kosher po-boys as it is a home away from home for the kosher community.

RIP GREEN ROOM

The Green Room Kukhnya (Closed as of May 2024) Formerly at 1300 Saint Bernard Ave., greenroomnola.com

Green Room owner Matt Ribachonek moved to New Orleans in 1998 for college and began “making and selling pierogies for drinking money.” After stints in Minneapolis and Chicago, he returned to NOLA, where his friend opened the Siberia Bar, a perfect spot for serving his cabbage rolls, borscht, and other tasty Slavic-themed treats to latenight customers. In 2019, he moved to a brick and mortar nearby, naming it The Green Room in homage to the space he inhabited at Sibera.

Sadly, The Green Room closed in May 2024.

“Basically, I lived my dream and want to move on,” Matt Ribachonek said. “It has been a labor of love, and I feel fulfilled but also exhausted. I just want to say thanks to all the wonderful customers through the years who have given us so much love and support. And I also hope a new Eastern European restaurant opens soon!”

For entrepreneurial types with a taste for Slavic food, the city is your oyster. We look forward to seeing who cooks up cabbage rolls or serves up Ukrainian stew next.

Stein's Market & Deli

$20 & UNDER

By Kim Ranjbar

Fresh green salads in New Orleans “guaranteed” to be a better alternative to the dreaded spring mix.

Sweltering season is upon us in the Big Easy and the only way to survive involves sno-balls, frequent showers, taking shelter in well air-conditioned spaces, and eating lots and lots of salads. Getting in your daily requirement of leafy greens is as easy as pie in the summertime and consuming them raw—or, better yet, chilled—tends to offer the most health benefits. Unfortunately a lot of salads, perhaps far too many, are of the bagged “spring mix” variety. While that combo may have been hip back in the '80s, they tend to be a bore, so much so that the sometimes shredded, water-laden iceberg beats it by a mile.

If salads are to play the role of entrée, they should be substantial and flavorsome— both the toppings and the green leafy veggies they ride upon. Take, for example, a meal at The Columns. While cocktails and connections have always seemed to be the reasons to visit the iconic St. Charles Avenue hotel, there's so much more to look forward to since Chef Paul Terrebonne took over the kitchen. The pickled beets and stuffed calamari are the foodstuffs of dreams, but don't walk away from the greens. For lunch on their picturesque porch, the Columns offers a delicate, little gem lettuce salad with sunflower seeds, bacon, and Parmesan dressing, but we advise putting your money on the Brussels sprouts salad. For $14, thinly shaved Brussels sprouts are tossed with Turkish urfa pepper, bright local citrus, and crème fraîche, and piled high onto a large dinner plate. It seems like a lot, but it'll disappear into your mouth faster than you can say, “Vitamin K.”

Over on Tchoupitoulas Street, Wonderland + Sea is the new “it” spot to score deliciously crisp and well-seasoned fried catfish and chicken sandwiches. Opened just over a year ago by Taylor Hoffman and Jonathan Rhodes, Wonderland + Sea is probably one of the most health conscious (and sustainable) fried food joints you'll ever encounter. With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that they offer some great veggie dishes such as flash fried bok choy, grilled collard greens, and a killer kale salad. Made with curly kale, the salad is loaded with shaved root vegetables like radish and carrot, crispy roasted pepitas, sunflower seeds, pickled onion, and queso fresco (a fresh, soft farmers cheese), all dressed with celery seed dressing. By itself, the salad will only set you back a 10-spot, but you can add their fried chicken, or chick pea tenders for vegans, for $3 more, as well as fried catfish for $5.

Head over to Poydras Street for a stellar, salad-full lunch at Copper Vine. Executive Chef Amy Mehrtens is bound to blow you away with dishes of creamy burrata and eggplant caponata or a cornflake-fried chicken sandwich, but don't skip the sumptuous salads. Grab a seat outside under the shade of green, frilly ferns and enjoy a plentiful bowl filled with chopped romaine, Everything Bagel

Geaux Green

seasoning, chunks of tangy blue cheese, juicy heirloom tomatoes, and bacon served with house made buttermilk ranch dressing for $13. Copper Vine also offers a peppery arugula salad tossed with bright lemon zest, olive oil, and Parmesan, as well as showered with sunflower seeds, for only $11. If you need to kick up the protein, add some grilled Joyce Farms chicken for only $6 more.

If you're crossing the Crescent City Connection, cruise over to Hancock Street in Gretna for lunch at the Hen House, the city's latest breakfast and lunch destination. Opened at the tail end of April, the Hen House was created by Cara and Evan Benson, the culinary couple behind all three Toast restaurants and their flagship Uptown spot Tartine. Gluten-free goodies like pastries and breads are the big sellers at the new Gretna restaurant, but their healthful salads are equally worthwhile, particularly their version of a Cobb. Torn romaine lettuce is topped with grilled chicken, crisp bacon, cherry tomatoes, hard boiled eggs, and creamy avocado, which is excellently accented with an even creamier blue cheese dressing. All of the salads at Hen House are large and in-charge, ringing in at a mere $14. So go ahead and add that chocolate eclair. You won't even know it's gluten-free.

Over in the Lower Garden District lies Turkey and the Wolf, a popular sandwich spot made famous by its gregarious chef and owner Mason Hereford. The cozy, rustyred brick building siting on the corner of Jackson Avenue and Annunciation Street frequently features a lengthy line of visitors queuing up to feast on collard green melts and fried bologna sandwiches layered with house made potato chips, but it also offers one hell of a salad. Everyone who's anyone has seen Turkey and the Wolf's massive wedge, a quarter of a head of iceberg lettuce smothered in blue cheese dressing and sprinkled with bacon, fresh dill, halved cherry tomatoes, and Everything Bagel seasoning. But they also offer a salad of shredded cabbage tossed in a roasted chili and coconut vinaigrette with lime juice and fresh herbs, sunflower seeds, fried garlic, and garnished with pig ear cracklin’. Both salads are available as an entrée for $13 or as a side for $7.50—a price which leaves room for $7.50—a price which leaves room for hog's head cheese tacos ($4 each) or a fried pot pie.

The Columns

FOOD NEWS

Nightbloom Bar

Cook's book ... Chef Eric Cook has penned his first cookbook Modern Creole: A Taste of New Orleans Culture and Cuisine, published by Gibbs Smith. The book offers a ton of Cook's signature “Southern, Cajun, and Creole recipes,” served with a “side of New Orleans culture” and a hefty collection of visual aperitifs courtesy of New Orleansbased photographer Sam Hanna. Cookbook lovers can expect approximately 120 New Orleans-style food and drink recipes with Cook's signature presentations including chicken gizzard grillades, Creole beef daube, and spiced sweet potato beignets. Modern Creole's release date is coming up soon on September 17, 2024, so be sure to pre-order now to get while the getting's good. grisgrisnola.com/merchandise/ols/ products/preorder-modern-creolea-taste-of-new-orleans-culture-andcuisine

By Kim Ranjbar

A Taste of the Divine ... Chef Julio Machado, the creative behind Tacos del Cartel and Como Arepas, has launched a new brunch destination dubbed Origen Venezuelan Bistro. Located on the corner of Congress and St. Claude, the eatery has taken shape in the Bywater building that formerly housed Luna Libre. Machado has tapped into his Venezuelan heritage with Origen's unique menu featuring cachapas (maize flour pancakes), crispy stuffed arepitas, asado negro (round steak braised in a sweet and savory sauce), and empanadas.

3600 St. Claude Ave., (504) 381-4245, @ bistro_origen

Sliced at the Market ... The Marigny food hall, St. Roch Market, has a new stand, Roch & Claude, serving up delicatessen-style sandwiches and salads created by local chef and restaurateur Tung Nguyen. Your next lunch could be an Italian sub or turkey and Swiss, a bag of Zapp's, and a Barq's. The deli also features some serious salads: a Southern Caesar's with cornbread croutons, a chopped Italian, and a classic Wedge. Nguyen also owns Slow & Pho, a Vietnamese spot that's another recent addition to the Market. At this rate, we can only hope Nguyen will keep bringing it to the Market.

2831 St. Claude Ave., roch-and-claude. square.site

Cooling the Causeway ... Mandeville recently upped their sweet factor with the recent launch of Nostalgia Mexican Ice Cream. Located in the shiny new strip mall just across from La Carretta's, Nostalgia is a cool creamy dream spot for summer sufferers looking to escape the heat. Mandevillians, and visitors, can enjoy everything from cinnamony horchata ice cream and raspado (the Mexican version of a sno-ball) to fruit-laden agua fresca and mango paletas.

1200 W. Causeway Approach, Ste. 10, Mandeville, @nostalgia_mxice

Serving it up old-school Brocato's Kitchen, a classic New Orleans po-boy shop, recently opened on Broad Street in a location that's seen everything from grilled cheese sandwiches to Ethiopian food. It's a place serving up beloved local classics including homemade roast beef and hot sausage po-boys, chicken and sausage gumbo, fried catfish and shrimp baskets, and seafood stuffed bell peppers. They also offer daily lunch specials such as red beans and rice with a pork chop or smoked sausage—on Mondays, of course—as well as spaghetti and meatballs.

422 S. Broad St., @brocatoskitchen_nola

Are you cereus? ... Joaquin Rodas, the brilliance behind Bacchanal, has done it yet again with the Nightbloom Bar. The new, late-night bar located in the Bywater, across Clouet Street from Galaxie Tacos, has transformed the old Korner Market into something a whole lot bougier. Honing in on that craft cocktail vibe, Nightbloom offers concoctions including “an old pal from NYC” made with rye, Campari, Byrrh (an aromatised, wine-based apéritif made of red wine, mistelle, and quinine), and dry Vermouth. We only have one question: Aren't most New Orleans' bars late-night, dare we say all-night, or was there a last-call law enacted when we weren't looking?

3100 St. Claude St.,

Roch & Claude

RESTAURANT GUIDE

AMERICAN

Bearcat Café is a top brunch spot serving vegan huevos rancheros and gluten-free mushroom soft scramble. Whether you’re in the mood for a short stack, savory breakfast potatoes, or eggs served any way, Bearcat Café has you covered. Multiple Locations, bearcatcafe.com

Cause and the Cure NOLA is a new restaurant serving smash burgers, NYC-style chopped cheese sandwiches, and Korean-style corn dogs served with a variety of house-made sauces including their chimi sauce. 2540 Banks St., instagram.com/ causeandthecurenola

Crescent City Steaks, New Orleans’ oldest familyowned steakhouse since 1934, boasts a true oldschool vibe. Their New Orleans-style steak, cooked perfection, is generously doused with butter, spice, and everything nice. 1001 N. Broad St., (504) 821-3271, crescentcitysteaks.com

Daisy Dukes is a must-visit Southern spot offering all-day breakfast, delicious drinks, and a relaxed atmosphere. They boast award-winning Cajun Bloody Marys, voted the best of its kind four years in a row. Multiple Locations, daisydukesrestaurant.com

Gattuso’s Neighborhood Restaurant & Bar is all about friendly service and offers plentiful outdoor seating. An extensive menu, featuring burgers, sandwiches, clubs, and more, ensures there’s something for everyone. 435 Huey P. Long Ave., Gretna, (504) 368-1114, gattusos.net

Jimmy J’s Café is a quaint New Orleans joint, perfect for a show-stopping breakfast or ending the night with a signature cocktail. Its intimate ambiance includes vibrant stained-glass walls—a prelude to the flavorful fare within. 115 Chartres St., (504) 3099360, jimmyjscafe.com

Larder Gourmet Market + Eatery serves breakfast at any time of day, so try their French toast casserole and Bananas Foster pancakes. Grab a baked good or settle in with friends for a leisurely meal. 3005 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 766-6157, lardereatery.com

Legacy Kitchen’s Steak and Chop lures diners in with lunch specials and a happy hour. The Southern Steakhouse boasts generous servings, friendly staff, and a selection of meats. Order their crawfish bread to start. 91 Westbank Expy., Gretna, (504) 5132606, legacykitchen.com

Luke boasts top-notch service, a decadent dining room, and worldly cuisine that will make every diner feel like a true Creole king. Their delicious French, German, and Creole blended cuisine will keep you coming back. 333 St. Charles Ave., (504) 3782840, lukeneworleans.com

New Orleans Vampire Café is a fang-tastic spot in the French Quarter. The café specializes in NOLA cuisine and vampire-themed dishes. Try their “bloodbag drinks,” which are 8 oz. medical blood bags filled with vampire fangria. 801 Royal St., (504) 5810801, nolavampirecafe.com

NOLA Steak, the classic and delicious steakhouse located in Boomtown Casino, is a carnivore’s dream. For a hearty meal, order the baked potato, filled with generous, delicious toppings, and an 8 oz. filet as its pair. 4132 Peters Rd., Harvey, (885) 805-5596, boomtownneworleans.com

Spudly’s Super Spuds is known for its stand-out potatoes. The Spud comes served in countless ways, so your starchy base can include crab meat, shrimp, cheese, bacon—really, whatever you can dream up. 2609 Harvard Ave., Metairie, (504) 4553250, spudlys.com

The Country Club in the Bywater, has an elegant landscape, a beautiful pool, and impressive mixology. This unique spot hosts drag brunch every weekend, perfectly complemented by a Creole-American menu. 634 Louisa St., (504) 945-0742, thecountryclubneworleans.com

The Rendon is a classic dive bar with bites to accompany the exciting atmosphere. With classic bar bites, including chips and dip, loaded nachos, fries almost any way, po-boys, pasta, steaks, and pizzas, you will eat well while there. 4501 Eve St., (504) 218-7106, therendon504.com

Vampire Apothecary Restaurant and Bar is a whimsical spot where the menu will transport you to another realm. Enjoy their fanciful plating and twists on well-loved classics, and make sure to visit their in-house psychics. 725 St. Peter St., (504) 7668179, vampireapothecary.com

Voodoo Chicken and Daiquiris is a quintessentially New Orleanian stop-in spot. The joint boasts crispy chicken alongside a rainbow of fresh fruit daiquiris, best suited for cooling your taste buds after the heat. Multiple Locations, voodoochickenanddaiquirisnola.com

ASIAN

Asia, located in Boomtown Casino, can be your delicious break from the slot machines. With many classic soups, noodles, and fried dishes, their simple menu includes only perfected Chinese and Vietnamese classics. 4132 Peters Rd., Harvey, (504) 364-8812, boomtownneworleans.com

Mikimoto Restaurant in Mid-City serves delicious Japanese flavors, including generous sushi rolls, in their cozy space. They even have a convenient drive-thru window for your late-night sushi take-out endeavors. 3301 S. Carrollton Ave., (504) 4881881, mikimotosushi.com

TD Seafood and Phở House is a stand-out Vietnamese restaurant that is worth crossing into the Westbank for. For those itching for a phở fix, head to this spot, with its wide selection of flavors and delicious broth. 1028 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey, (504) 302-1727, tdseafoodphohouse.com

Thai’d Up, a spot serving authentic and colorful dishes made from scratch, will transport you straight to Thailand. Every dish is colorfully seasoned, cooked to perfection, and will make your stomach satisfied. 1839 Gentilly Blvd., (504) 354-8202, thaidupla. com

BARS WITH GREAT FOOD

Bamboula’s is a Frenchman Street stable equipped with great food and amazing live music. The interior is timeless and their classic Southern bar bites with flair are guaranteed to give you comfort and good vibes. 516 Frenchmen St., (504) 346-8300, bamboulasmusic.com

Buffa’s Bar and Restaurant is a classic neighborhood bar that has been transforming visitors into bar rats since 1939. Live music coupled with dark red paneled walls provides Buffa’s with good music and great vibes. 1001 Esplanade Ave., (504) 949-0038, buffasbar.com

JB’s Fuel Dock, in the scenic Lakefront neighborhood near Lake Pontchartrain, is the go-to spot for boaters and foodies alike. Offering great sandwiches, pizzas, and an unbeatable view, it’s the perfect place to fuel up your soul. 126 S. Roadway St., (504) 510-2260, jbsfueldock.com

Le Bon Temps Roule is an Uptown bar steeped in tradition, as well as local culture and experiences. Famous for live music and Bloody Marys, each night is a celebration and a great excuse to order a drink or two. 4801 Magazine St., (504) 897-3448, lbtrnola.com

Stumpy’s Hatchet House is every fun-lover’s dream. With a plethora of games from hatchet throwing to massive Jenga, release your anger and indulge in some friendly competition over their full bar menu. 1200 Poydras St., (504) 577-2937, stumpyshh.com/neworleansla

The Garage is the perfect escape for nightlife and music lovers alike. Indulge in a generously sized concoction with their iconic fishbowls. The Garage also hosts karaoke nights every Wednesday and

Thursday. 810 Conti St., (504) 603-6343, facebook.com/thegaragemusicclub

The Jimani is a famous New Orleans sports bar that encompasses everything one would want in a dive bar: a building with a storied past, cold beer, great music, sports on the TV, and mouthwatering bar eats. 141 Chartres St., (504) 524-0493, thejimani.com

CAFÉ

Café Amelie, inside one of New Orleans’ most iconic facades, is perfect for brunch, which is served Thursday through Sunday. In light of the history it honors, the café serves New Orleans classics including gumbo and muffalettas. 900 Royal St., (504) 412-8065, cafeamelie.com

Carmo specializes in tropical, healthy cuisine with influences from Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Every Friday and Saturday, they host live music for an experience as rich as the flavors on your plate. 527 Julia St., (504) 8754132, cafecarmo.com

Crack’D has an interior that resembles your stylish grandmother’s house, as well as hearty and delicious cuisine. Their menu offers brunch classics with New Orleans twists that are served on pretty and dainty plates. 1901 Sophie Wright Pl., (504) 381-4678, crackdbrunch.com

flavor and authenticity to New Orleans. The canary yellow building with bright green accents embodies the bright flavors of its Caribbean dishes. 4017 St. Claude Ave., (504) 441-8905, facebook. com/p/Jamaican-Jerk-House

FRENCH

King Brasserie and Bar offers a modern atmosphere paired with creative coastal cuisine. The menu boasts sea favorites along with an impressive wine menu and draft beer from across the nation. 521 Tchoupitoulas St., (504) 324-3000, kingbrasserieandbar.com

Restaurant August boasts a French-Creole design to match the cultural origins of the cuisine. This spot serves extravagant plates, including their mouthwatering barbecue escargot and pan-seared striped bass. 301 Tchoupitoulas St., (504) 299-9777, restaurantaugust.com

ITALIAN

Alto Rooftop Bar, located in the Ace Hotel, boasts an enticing atmosphere, a panoramic view of the skyline, and bar eats. Enjoy their golden hour delight from 5-8 p.m. daily as you watch the sunset. 600 Carondelet St., (504) 900-1180, acehotel.com/ new-orleans

Domenica is an upscale restaurant that boasts

Surrey’s Café & Juice Bar serves breakfast and has artwork of shotgun houses lining the blue and pink colored walls. The Bananas Foster French Toast, with cream cheese blend on the inside, is a musthave item. 1418 Magazine St., (504) 524-3828, surreysnola.com

The Vintage, loved for its beignets, is a delicious spot to grab brunch or indulge in a sweet happy hour. The nostalgic atmosphere boasts white honeycomb tiles and industrial bars serving liquor and coffee separately. 3121 Magazine St., (504) 608-1008, thevintagenola.com

Willa Jean is a hipster café that serves an expansive coffee menu, as well as a plethora of pastries from cakes to cookies. Their prepared menu is just as enticing, filled with flavorful morning cravings. 611 O’Keefe Ave., (504) 509-7334, willajean.com

CARIBBEAN

Palm & Pine offers a daring menu with fusion food inspired by the South and the Caribbean. Their menu, which changes seasonally, features plates from coconut-blackened Gulf fish to Texas BBQ shrimp. 308 N. Rampart St., (504) 814-6200, palmandpinenola.com Jamaican Jerk House brings true Jamaican

tradition and innovation. With a name translating to “Sunday” in Italian, the day of the week when cooking is most valued in Italian tradition, the restaurant’s commitment is clear. 123 Baronne St., (504)-648-6020, domenicarestaurant.com

Josephine Estelle blends Italian classics with Southern charm. This restaurant boasts a spacious and cozy art-deco interior. Their brunch offers familiar favorites, while lunch and dinner showcases unique pasta creations. 600 Carondelet St., (504) 9303070, josephineestelle.com

Mosca’s Restaurant offers the kind of hospitality that brings back memories of eating at grandma’s table. They prepare every authentic dish to order and have options to share family style. 4137 US Highway 90 W., Westwego, (504) 436-8950, moscasrestaurant.com

Pizza Domenica, with a rustic interior, boasts a casual and fun atmosphere that is the perfect crowd-pleaser. The menu features daring pizzas from tutto carne to funghe e salsiccia with mushrooms, salami, egg, and mozzarella. Multiple Locations, pizzadomenica.com

U Pizza is a hip pizza spot celebrating a modern twist on Italian traditions. U Pizza serves reasonably priced, light, and airy pizzas that are perfect for take-

RESTAURANT GUIDE

out or a quick and comforting family lunch. 1513 St. Charles Ave., (504) 381-4232, upizzanola.com

Venezia’s menu features the classics you crave: succulent seafood, sizzling steaks, delightful pasta, and authentic pizzas. Their red and white tablecloths are stylish, and their wine list is worth checking out. 134 N. Carrollton Ave., (504) 488-7991, venezianeworleans.com

LATIN

Alma Café serves modern Honduran cuisine with a casual atmosphere. Their interior gives homage to its Latin roots, setting the scene for the extravagant flair and impressive diversity found within the menu. 800 Louisa St., (504) 381-5877, eatalmanola.com

Brasa South American Steakhouse is an Old Metairie favorite with a brand-new location in Downtown New Orleans. Under the expertise of Colombian-born Chef Edgar Caro, Brasa honors tradition with open-fire cooking and a dry-aging process. Multiple Locations, brasasteak.com

Tapas e Vino offers authentic cuisine that will transport you to a terrace in Spain. The menu boasts Spanish staples, including wine and small shareables. The bar brings a unique flair with an emphasis on live jazz music. 516 Frenchmen St., (504) 3468300, tapasevino.com

MIDDLE EASTERN

Lebanon’s Café is a quaint Uptown restaurant with some of the best-rated Middle Eastern food in the city. The casual spot specializes in its homemade hummus and chicken shawarma, along with other classic dishes. 1500 S. Carrollton Ave., (504) 862-6200, lebanonscafe.com

Shaya encompasses true New Orleans charm and hospitality while serving up Israeli staples.

The Uptown-based restaurant’s interior resembles a bright and airy home, while their cuisine emphasizes authentic flair. 4213 Magazine St., (504) 891-4213, shayarestaurant.com

NEW ORLEANS CUISINE

Annunciation Restaurant specializes in newage Creole and Southern cuisine, complemented by an atmosphere that invites celebration and conversation. Their menu provides refined comfort food to all who enter. 1016 Annunciation St., (504) 568-0245, annunciationrestaurant.com

Apolline Restaurant is a Magazine Street favorite restaurant that specializes in local ingredients. Situated in a renovated double shotgun cottage, the spot has the perfect ambiance for elegant NOLA cuisine. 4729 Magazine St., (504) 894-8881, apollinerestaurant.com

with an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients. 2309 N. Causeway Blvd., Metairie, (504) 8352022, gumbostop.com

a different era all while enjoying Cajun and Creole classics. 300 Bourbon St., (504) 553-2281, sonesta.com

Evangeline is a social spot to enjoy authentic New Orleans cuisine. The spot is divey, with conversation and drinks at every corner. Emphasizing fresh ingredients and local flavors, their dishes are cooked to perfection. 329 Decatur St., (504) 373-4852, evangelineneworleans.com

Headquarters by Nice Guys Nola, new to the Warehouse District, caters to New Orleans’ lively taste. A fusion of a bar and an event space, it offers a unique menu, cocktails, and a vibrant ambiance that locals will love. 445 S. Rampart St., (504) 217-6851

House of Blues New Orleans is one of the most happening restaurants and bars in the city. The spot offers cozy eats, creative cocktails, and live music with an emphasis on local musicians and big names alike. 225 Decatur St., (504) 310-4999, houseofblues.com/neworleans

Kingfish emphasizes true New Orleans tradition in both their hospitality and cuisine. The interior boasts a wrap-around bar, where conversation, cocktails, and good food meet. Try their Louisiana crab cakes. 337 Chartres St., (504) 598-5005, kingfishneworleans.com

Café Normandie specializes in New Orleansinspired French cuisine. Every chair is adorned with a fleur de lis, perfectly capturing the essence of the establishment. Their perfected classics will entice you. 1000 Magazine St., (504) 528-1941, higginshotelnola.com

Chef Ron’s Gumbo Stop serves cozy Louisiana cuisine to visitors and locals alike. Critically acclaimed Chef Ron spotlights tradition and New Orleans roots

Crescent City Brewhouse offers a modern twist on Louisiana classics. This restaurant has fresh and delicate dishes that are top notch. With gorgeous balcony seating overlooking downtown, expect good vibes there. 527 Decatur St., (504) 522-0571, crescentcitybrewhouse.com

Desire Oyster Bar, conveniently located on Bourbon Street, is the perfect kick-start to your New Orleans night. The interior will transport you to

Lakeview Harbor serves up classic comfort food right on the harbor for a homey feel near Lake Pontchartrain. The seafood eatery specializes in big portions and fried indulgences for all your comfort food craving needs. 8550 Pontchartrain Blvd., (504) 486-4887, lakeviewharbor.us

Li’l Dizzy’s Café brings unmatched family-owned hospitality to Creole soul cuisine, perfecting their

HISTORIC GRETNA F RENCH QUARTER LAKEVIEW

RESTAURANT GUIDE

recipes through four generations of Creole cooking. For some of the best fried chicken in New Orleans, head to Li’l Dizzy’s. 1500 Esplanade Ave., (504) 766-8687, lildizzyscafe.net

Loretta’s Authentic Pralines is renowned for all things sweet, delicious, and nutty, with founder Loretta Harrison celebrated as the “Queen of Pralines.” One specialty is their chewy cookie with a dollop of sweet potato filling. Multiple Locations, lorettaspralines.com

Mandina’s Restaurant, family-owned for four generations, was opened by Anthony and Frank Mandina in 1932. The New Orleans influence on the restaurant is clear as Mandina’s specializes in Creole Italian fusion dishes. 3800 Canal St., (504) 4829179, mandinasrestaurant.com

Melba’s, coined Louisiana’s busiest po-boy shop, offers a bustling, casual, and fun take on the typical po-boy restaurant. Their Mid-City location boasts adorable rooftop dining lined with picnic tables and umbrellas. Multiple Locations, melbas.com

Meril offers fun and good food in Downtown New Orleans. Specializing in New American cuisine, their dishes have a great range. The interior is modern and elevated, perfect for a celebration. 424 Girod St., (504) 526-3745, emerilsrestaurants.com/meril

Mother’s Restaurant, serving the city’s best-baked ham, is where fresh New Orleans cuisine meets comfort and casual dining. The spot boasts a comforting breakfast with omelets and grits served all day. 401 Poydras St., (504) 523-9656, mothersrestaurant.net

New Orleans Creole Cookery boasts a beautiful courtyard and true Southern charm—the perfect complement to their exemplary cuisine. Try their Taste of New Orleans entrée, featuring an assortment of classics. 510 Toulouse St., (504) 5249632, neworleanscreolecookery.com

Neyow’s Creole Café has a charming atmosphere, an expansive bar, and delicious Creole-style comfort food. The spot boasts true hospitality and traditional New Orleans cuisine. Save room for their fantastic desserts. 3332 Bienville St., (504) 8275474, neworleans.neyows.com

Short Stop Poboys, located off of Airline Highway, is exactly as the name implies. Walk up to the counter to order and sit down to eat. They feature po-boys, jambalaya, gumbo, and more. 119 Transcontinental Dr., Metairie, (504) 8854572, shortstoppoboysno.com

SEAFOOD

Blue Bayou Restaurant and Oyster Bar offers a refined ambiance and fresh seafood. The exposed bar makes for a social interaction between the kitchen and customers. Order classics such as oysters, crawfish, and more. 717 Canal St., (504) 517-2653, bluebayourestaurantnola.com

Bon Temps Boulet’s Seafood is a true seafood oasis. The spot boasts delicious po-boys and fresh seafood from boiled crawfish and shrimp to blue crab. Stop by to dig in, make a mess, and enjoy yourself. 4701 Airline Dr., Metairie, (504) 8855003, bontempsboulets.com

Briquette presents a refined and lively atmosphere with a contemporary approach to seafood-centric dining. The spot features an open kitchen ambiance, where diners can watch chefs prepare their fresh cuisine. 701 S. Peters St., (504) 302-7496, briquette-nola.com

Neyow’s XL is a fun-loving spot specializing in fresh seafood and fine dining. Their drink special, the XL French, features a giant-sized champagne glass, which perfectly captures the essence of this spot. 3336 Bienville St., (504) 503-1081, xl.neyows. com

Nice Guys NOLA is a spot for good drinks and even better Louisiana and bar comfort food. With a massive sign reading “Nice Guys, Bad Girls,” the restaurant is rowdy and perfect for dancing, singing, and celebration. 7910 Earhart Blvd., (504) 3022404, niceguysnola.com

Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar and Bistro is in the building that housed New Orleans’ first Creole restaurant. Soak in history and indulge in its authentic Creole cuisine paired with Orleans Grapevine’s impressive wine. 720 Orleans Ave., (504) 523-1930, orleansgrapevine.com

Parkway Bakery and Tavern offers an old-school, eclectic feel where conversations and drinks blend seamlessly. The spot serves many po-boys, such as fried Creole BBQ shrimp, surf and turf, and a homemade roast beef with gravy. 538 Hagan Ave., (504) 482-3047, parkwaypoorboys.com

Please-U-Restaurant is a sweet spot with a cozy feel, serving delicious New Orleans breakfasts and hot lunches with a Greek twist. The menu is inspired by the Greek entrepreneurs who founded the establishment in 1946. 51 St. Charles Ave., (504) 525-9131, pleaseunola.com

Drago’s Seafood Restaurant is famed for its original charbroiled oysters and extensive menu, promising well-loved classics. Family-owned since 1969, Drago’s continues to deliver favorites including seafood pasta, gumbo, and stuffed lobster. Multiple Locations, dragosrestaurant.com

Legacy Kitchen’s Tacklebox serves up American seafood dishes with a twist. This eatery offers a uniquely modern experience. Enjoy crafted cocktails, social plates, classic soups, po-boys, Southern comfort plates, and more. 817 Common St., (504) 827-1651, legacykitchen.com

Middendorf’s Restaurant specializes in thinsliced, crispy fried catfish and other seafood dishes. The eatery has a family-friendly atmosphere and weekly specials. Experience what’s been bringing locals back again for decades. Multiple Locations, middendorfsrestaurant.com

Seaworthy is an intimately charming upscale oyster bar located in the heart of the French Quarter. The refined nautical interior perfectly complements its delectable and fresh cuisine and enticing drinks. 630 Carondelet St., (504) 930-3071, seaworthynola.com

The Galley Seafood offers expertly prepared seafood dishes as an ode to Louisiana’s rich culinary heritage. They’re known for their superb soft-shell crab and fried catfish filet po-boys, which are both served at Jazz Fest. 2535 Metairie Rd., Metairie, (504) 832-0955

Bar Guide

inside an

bursting with

544

504-814-7711

Boot Scootin’ Rodeo

522 Bourbon St.

504-552-2510

Bourbon “O” Bar

730 Bourbon St.

504-523-2222

Buffa’s

1001 Esplanade Ave.

504-949-0038

Club 38

4132 Peters Rd.

504-366-7711

Crescent City Brewhouse

527 Decatur St.

504-522-0571

Evangeline

329 Decatur St.

504-373-4852

Fillmore New Orleans

6 Canal St.

504-881-1555

High Grace NOLA

733 St. Peter St.

504-218-5649

House of Blues

225 Decatur St.

504-310-4999

Jazz Playhouse

300 Bourbon St.

504-553-2299

Lots a Luck Tavern

203 Homedale St.

504-483-0978

Martine’s Lounge 2347 Metairie Rd.

504-831-8637

Pal’s Lounge

949 N. Rendon St. 504-488-7257

Rosie’s on the Roof 1000 Magazine St. 504-528-1941

Saddle Bar 715 Bienville St. 504-313-1113

Sazerac House 101 Magazine St. 504-910-0100

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

The Garage 810 Conti St.

The Jimani

141 Chartres St. 504-524-0493

The Metropolitan 310 Andrew Higgins Blvd. 504-568-1702

The Vintage 3121 Magazine St. 504-324-7144

Tropical Isle Multiple Locations 504-523-1927

Bar Marilou is

furniture and creative cocktails such as the Bungalow Mystery and Little Birds transport you to another world.

Boot Scootin’ Rodeo brings honky-tonk fun to the French Quarter. Square dance on one of the largest oak dancefloors on Bourbon Street and order a 27 oz. mug of spiked sweet tea.

The Bourbon “O” Bar is the perfect French Quarter spot, right on Bourbon Street, offering great live music options every night as well as an excellent menu of fresh cocktails.

Since 1939, Buffa’s has served authentic New Orleans fare, spirits, and live music. Feast on Buffa’s award-winning bratwurst jambalaya. Open from 11 – 2 a.m. every day, with local music Wednesday through Monday.

Club 38 provides VIP treatment upon entry as part of their “Owners Club” to guests and elite members. Gamblers can relax with complimentary food and wine with the bar while in Boomtown Casino.

Enjoy live jazz performances, signature craft brews, and traditional Louisiana bites in the only microbrewery in the French Quarter. Crescent City Brewhouse offers courtyard and balcony dining.

Evangeline specializes in Cajun cuisine including fried alligator. They have craft beers by local breweries and fantastic cocktails, and their outdoor courtyard is the perfect place to sit back and relax.

The Fillmore is a 22,000 square foot space above Harrah’s Casino. The area hosts artists from all over the world, full-service productions, customizable menus, and creative cocktail packages.

High Grace NOLA is an upscale dive bar located in the heart of the French Quarter. The bar is open 24/7 and stocked with beers, wines, and seltzers. You can even enjoy beer/cocktail towers.

The House of Blues is a great hangout spot that hosts a variety of live music. The bar is rock and blues-themed and serves up delicious Southern dishes such as jambalaya and po-boys.

Located in the Royal Sonesta New Orleans hotel, The Jazz Playhouse offers an authentic NOLA jazz club experience. Enjoy small Creole bites, beer, wine, and lots of creative and delicious cocktails.

Lots a Luck is a laid-back neighborhood dive bar with bar games galore. They also often have special offers and events such as crawfish boils and trivia nights.

Fiendly service, fun vibes, and, of course, great drinks—there’s always something going on from trivia night to holiday celebrations. Enjoy a Bloody Mary, Irish coffee, and more out on their patio.

Pal’s Lounge is a Mid-City dive bar that has been taken care of by the neighborhood since 2002. Pal’s is perfect for late nights as they stay open until 3 a.m. serving drinks and bites from food trucks.

Located atop the Higgins Hotel, Rosie’s on the Roof offers a full service bar, small bites, and an unmatched view of the city. Elegance meets comfort in this WWII Americana-themed rooftop lounge.

Saddle Bar is a country bar that has two stories, premium whiskies, a dance floor, and much more. Instead of a mechanical bull, guests can take a ride on Randy, the biggest "cock" in NOLA.

The Sazerac House is the quintessential place to experience one of New Orleans’ most famous cocktails—the Sazerac. This museum offers tours that educate guests about the cocktail’s history.

Stumpy’s is not your average bar. It’s the perfect place to gather with friends, family, or to go out for a date and enjoy taking part in a unique activity—hatchet throwing.

Located just steps off Bourbon Street, the Garage has live music, food, a funky atmosphere, and a dance floor. Play a game of shuffleboard or pool or show off your best dance moves.

The Jimani is a great late-night spot for food, drinks, and hanging out during a big sports event. In addition to many different beers, the kitchen is open till 4 a.m.

The Metro is the spot for premier nightlife in New Orleans. This two-story nightclub offers great DJ performances, multiple bars, and convenient VIP service. Escape the stress of reality and dance the night away.

Indulge in the best of New Orleans’ bubbles and bites at The Vintage with a menu of gourmet beignets, bar bites, coffee, wine, and signature cocktails, Try a mix of sips with a Bitter Good Morning, a boozy cold brew, or Espresso Yourself.

Tropical Isle is a bar chain beloved by locals and tourists alike. They have a fun atmosphere and great music, but their drinks are incredible too. Try a famous Hand Grenade or a Shark Attack.

FILM REVIEWS

By David Vicari & Fritz Esker

Inside Out 2 Hit Man

The original Inside Out from 2015 is lovely. However, as of late, the animated films from Pixar haven’t been quite as good as they once were, so there was apprehension going into Inside Out 2. Yes, it’s not as good as the original, and “sequel-itis” does rear its ugly head as the film occasionally feels like just more of the same. However, there are enough new elements in Inside Out 2 to make it a pleasant filmgoing experience.

The sequel starts with now 13-yearold Riley (voice of Kensington Tallman) starting high school with hopes of making the school’s hockey team, the Fire Hawks. Riley’s emotions—Joy, Sadness, Anger, Disgust, and Fear (Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Lewis Black, Liza Lapire, and Tony Hale, respectively)—watch over her from their headquarters in her mind and think everything is smooth sailing, that is until Riley’s “Puberty Alarm” goes off. When that happens, a construction crew comes in and demolishes the headquarters, and a new group of emotions show up to take over. These new emotions—Envy, Ennui, and Embarrassment (Ayo Edebiri, Adèle

Exarchopoulos, and Paul Walter Hauser, respectively)—are led by Anxiety (Maya Hawke), who banishes Joy and company to the back of Riley’s mind. To stop Anxiety from polluting the young girl with negative thoughts, Joy must retrieve an orb that is Riley’s “Sense of Self,” get back to the headquarters, and retake the control panel.

Inside Out 2 has some fun throwaway gags, like the SarCasm, which is a rock chasm where whatever you yell to someone comes out like you are being sarcastic. The new character designs are also amusing—

Anxiety looks like an orange Bermudagrass weed with eyes, and Embarrassment is a big pink guy in a hoodie whose butt crack is always on display when he cowers.

As funny as all this is, the movie is at its best when it’s in tune with 13-year-old’s feelings of self-worth. The screenplay by Meg LeFauve and Dave Holstein is smarter and deeper than just being a collection of goofy gags.

Inside Out 2 is imaginative enough and thoughtful enough to justify its existence.

—David Vicari

When you watch enough movies, you start to get a pretty reliable sense of where they’re going. A movie doesn’t have to be surprising or unpredictable to be good or even great (e.g., a child could guess where Raiders of the Lost Ark is headed narratively). But it’s a rare treat for longtime cinephiles to watch a movie where you think, “I am genuinely unsure how this movie is going to end.” Director Richard Linklater has recently served up such a film with the dark romantic comedy Hit Man

Glen Powell (who co-wrote the script with Linklater) plays Gary Johnson, a University of New Orleans professor who has a side gig with the NOPD assisting with audio surveillance during sting operations to catch people looking to hire hitmen. On one outing, the cop who normally plays the role of the hitman (Austin Amelio) learns he is suspended for excessive use of force. So an initially reluctant Johnson is asked to play the role of the hitman.

But Johnson takes to his undercover performances like a fish to water. A nerdy academic, he relishes the chance to exit his own skin and be someone more confident and assertive, even if it’s only for a short

time. He soon meets with a woman (Adria Arjona) who claims to be suffering at the hands of an abusive and threatening husband. Instead of trapping her, he tries to steer her on a different course.

Revealing more would spoil the fun of Hit Man. Powell and Arjona have great chemistry, and the script has a lot of funny moments. The role of Gary is a tough one to play because the actor in question has to be equally convincing as a tentative dork and an assertive alpha male. Overall, Powell (Top Gun: Maverick, Anyone But You) does give a good performance, but his looks and natural charisma make him more believable once he slips into his hit man persona than he is in the early scenes.

New Orleanians will also enjoy spotting a lot of familiar locations: UNO’s campus, Ms. Mae’s, the Avenue Pub, City Park, and Ted’s Frostop all make appearances. The soundtrack also features local legends Allen Toussaint and Dr. John.

Viewers who complain that Hollywood doesn’t make enough original films targeted at adults need to put their money where their mouth is and support films like Hit Man when Hollywood does release them. Fritz Esker

New

TALES FROM THE QUARTER

By Debbie Lindsey

Batten the Hatches

When it comes to our weather these days, all bets are off. Mother Earth is some kinda pissed. She’s trying to shake us off like we’re blood sucking ticks. Regardless of how you might view climate change and the “whys” of our erratic weather, the facts remain—this hurricane season has the potential to be, as Johnny “Guitar” Watson might’ve said, “a real mother for ya.” El Niño was the muscle that kept hurricanes from messing with the Gulf Coast last season, but now La Niña is poised to rule the turf, decreasing upper-level westerly winds and resulting in reduced vertical wind shear. Lower wind shear and crazy warm waters make hurricane development easier. This will limit our offense against those hurricane winds. There is a good chance that hurricanefriendly La Niña will be upon us come summer, with reports indicating chances could run even higher with time. Some say this La Niña’s bitch-slap ain’t written in stone. The entire Atlantic basin waters are running very warm and temps there and in the Caribbean are some of the highest on record. All the experts are looking at an above average storm season.

There is a wealth of advice, tips, suggestions, and facts to avail yourself of, and I recommend paying close attention to all the experts. Be savvy. Stick to respected news sources: NOAA, WDSU, WWL, WVUE, NOLA.com. Also sign up for alerts: text “NOLAREADY” to 772-95 and “JPALERT” to 888-777. I think you can even follow our retired Margaret Orr on social media. My point is: This is all very frightening and serious without reading crap that’s not grounded in facts.

“To evacuate or not” is always the million dollar question. And there is no “one size fits all.” For everyone that should leave, that needs to leave, there are also those that simply cannot. If you’re a tourist and find yourself in the predicted, possible, and probable path, then leave sooner rather than later. If you live here, that’s not such a cut and dry choice. You might be an essential worker (manning the pumps, police, EMS, fire department, healthcare, etc.). Perhaps, like Husband and me, you have too many pets to safely and logically escape with. Also, in our case, there’s the reliable transportation issue. A ’97 Lincoln just ain’t gonna make it.

I’m also no expert on electric cars; however, I do know there is the “charging them up” issue. Regardless of vehicle type, be prepared with a plan to avoid, if possible, last minute traveling out in the contraflow of a conga-line dance of cars. Evacuation can be a traffic nightmare. Be fully charged, gassed, etc. Have that spare tire ready. Take something to pee in (a coffee can with a plastic lid), food, and tons of water. If traveling with pets, have ice packs or some such cooling pads in case AC is limited or interrupted during traffic jams. August and

September temps will be a health hazard. There are many proactive plans and steps to consider and implement for reasonably safe evacuations, but get that game-plan together now and fine tune it best you can. Make it a preference to not be in the path of a whirling dervish of a storm with a touch-down planned for our low lying, infrastructured mess of a city with clogged catch basins and pumps that are a century old. The weather experts—all proponents of getting the hell out when possible—do admit that we could possibly have situations resulting in shelter-in-place due to rapid intensification of a hurricane. Again, stay informed of all smart/safe options. You don’t want a Katrina Superdome experience, nor do you want to be stuck in traffic with no viable way out.

Since Katrina, Husband and I have experienced the pros and cons of evacuation. We have also fine tuned our shelter-in-place and how to survive with no electricity after many a storm. I will share some tips and recommend, if you stay for whatever reason, that you plot, plan, and prepare. Query many people and research as much as you can now. Stock up on solar yard lights—you know, those decorative garden and walkway lights mounted on stakes. They provide safe indoor lighting (candles are dangerous accidents waiting to happen) at night and recharge outside during the day, even when overcast. If you have any old cell phones, charge them before power goes out. They will provide enough light via their flashlight to read by nightly for many evenings. Both of my retired Androids allow for an emergency call—supposedly, as I haven’t tried that yet. Also stock up on batteries, regular flashlights, and a radio. The wind-up/crank ones are worth checking out.

Put all refrigerator and freezer foods in a large sturdy plastic bag for easy disposal if power goes off too long. Google Judy Walker’s “Hurricane 101: Managing your Fridge, Freezer, and Cooler” (NOLA.com). Also check the USDA for food safety tips. Just stick with the pros when it comes to food safety. You’d hate to survive that Cat. Five only to get food poisoning. Stock up on water (for cleaning and flushing), pet food, pet meds, flea treatments, and piddle pads for your dog during the storm. Make certain your prescriptions and first aid kits are in order. Get baby wipes for cleaning all ages. Learn what appliances and electronics need unplugging. Keep catch basins/drains clear and trim tree branches as needed ahead of time. Make sure you have a real key to your front door because that door lock keypad battery might run low—I got locked out once with no key handy.

You still have time, hopefully, to prepare. Take it from me: Don’t have a hurricane party. Been there, done that, and regretted that. Moreover, as weather guru Margaret Orr would say, “Stay weather alert.”

PO-BOY VIEWS

By Phil LaMancusa

Live Nude Girls or Seymour There

Harken ye back to the olde days with me, lads and lasses, cats and hats, and I’ll tell you how it was in the French Quarter in the times of “Rough and Ready.” You may suss out the French Quarter as you know it today; however, and this be true, it is a shadow of its former shadow—a dull version of previous romances, adventures, and mysteries.

Nah, you wouldn’t understand. So, let me tell you about how it was in the Tremé or on Dryades Street, Claiborne Avenue, in the Irish Channel, on Canal Street, up on Magazine, and/or down in the Lower Nine before neighborhoods got turned into residential areas. When rents and property taxes didn’t cost you the price of your first born. When our dysfunction was affordable.

Okay, so I’m an old geezer, and I remember how it was to not have to drive miles for your victuals. I remember making groceries from the French Market to St. Roch.

Expats sent for their wives and mothers, and enclaves formed and flourished. Jobs could be had at the port, the docks, the factories, breweries, in fields, and forests. There were tradesmen, academics, and ne’erdo-wells all working their personal hustles. It was “easy” here. In fact, we were called the Big Easy because, as was NOLA-splained to me half a century ago, “if you can’t make it here, you can’t make it nowhere.”

“Don’t it always seem to go That you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone? They paved paradise, put up a parking lot.”

Laundry was hung on clotheslines, kids played in the streets until the streetlights came on, meals were cooked and eaten at home, housewives traded recipes and whatever they grew in the backyard. Youngsters danced in the mists of the truck that sprayed for mosquitoes as it passed, and farmers sold produce from the back of their trucks. What went awry, and would I go back? Would I jump on that streetcar named Desire if it passed by my house?

–JoniMitchell,“BigYellowTaxi”

I remember hardware stores, shoe repair shops, mom and pop groceries, dive bars, and dining halls. Music being played without licenses and free parking. Public phone booths and boxes on the street to drop your outgoing mail into. It was when New Orleans was not the “City that Care Forgot.” It was the “City that Didn’t Give a Damn.”

New Orleans did not care what you thought about it. It was going to be itself whether you liked it or not, and people loved that. We were not part of the American South. We were the northernmost Caribbean city, full of all the vices, revelry, bigotry, blasphemy, and beauty that one moss covered, tropic, sweltering gumbo stewpot could and would contain. It was a city of neighborhoods separated by class, color, and culture, mostly self contained.

On one side of Broad and Esplanade was a Greek/Syrian neighborhood. On the other side, the Creoles and Sicilians that made their fortunes in imports of goods and producebuilt houses. Creoles of color built the Tremé neighborhood all the way to Saint Bernard, and there were, not one, but two Chinatowns over by Tulane Avenue and Liberty Street. There were Germans and the Irish, poor Blacks and white trash. There was the privileged and the hoi polloi. There was a lot less motorized traffic.

The North kept pushing us toward conforming while enjoying our carousing: seamen jumping ships, crackers seeking employment, and sharecroppers seeking shelter. There were hobos, hustlers, and historians, as well as runaway princesses, itinerant musicians, bootleggers, and whiskey drinking philosophers all rubbing elbows with politicians, pimps, and poets. Folks sat on their stoops in the evening to catch a breeze and watch the world go by, keeping an eye on the “chirren” and enjoying a cold beer (or two).

Could I live without electronics, air conditioning, and convenience just to be able to know my neighbors, their kids, and critters? Would I prefer to walk around the corner to a butcher, baker, or bottle of booze instead of driving two miles to a supermarket? How about not having to get in my car to go to Home Depot to get a nail or some screws? Would I trade every “convenience” to return to the world of the everyman? Sit in an “air cooled” movie theater and watch the news of the day and a double feature in black and white? Would I go back to boarding one of the 20 streetcars that criss crossed our city with my lunch in a pail, working at the Blue Plate mayonnaise plant, sweating for a living with Blacks, whites, Latinos, and other fellow immigrants, and be satisfied with a hard day’s work, a family to go home to, some red beans, rice, and an ice cold Falstaff beer? Maybe. It would be tempting.

Would I walk willingly through that portal to another time in this same place just to be part of a community? A community that smiles and calls you “baby” (or honey, pal, cap, or darlin’) no matter your race, age, or gender and starts conversations with, “I tell you what,” or “Where y’at?” or “How y’all makin’ out?” or simply nods and says, “All right.”

In this day and age, we’ve got electric cars, spell check, wrist computers, Tik Tok, artificial intelligence, and the ability to keep employment by “working from home.” Our kids learn to work electronic devices almost from birth and prefer to stay mesmerized with video games instead of skinning their knees by a fall playing hide-and-seek, streetball games, or jumping rope.

Aw, forget it. I’m just this guy who thinks that the world has gone to hell in a handbasket due to lack of touch with values that would bring us together instead of keeping us isolated from each other. I guess I just need a hug.

WHERE Y'BEEN

OUT & ABOUT WITH

WORLD NAKED

BIKE RIDE

NOWFE GRAND TASTING