Spring Restaurant Guide 2015 by Where Y'at Magazine

March 2015

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CONTENTS Features 6 Louisiana Caviar 26 Irish/Italian Parades 30 BUKU Fest

Music & Events 22 Concert Calendar 28 Lakeside 2 Riverside 32 Ones to Watch

March 2015 Vol. 18 No. 07 Publisher/Editor-in-Chief: Josh Danzig Creative Director: Greg Roques Music/Assistant Editor: Emily Hingle Movie Editor: David Vicari Copy Editor: Susan Broadhurst Contributing Writers: Kathy Bradshaw, Matt Boudreaux, Chris DiBenedetto, Fritz Esker, Emily Hingle, Phil LaMancusa, Debbie Lindsey, Craig Magraff Jr., Nora McGunnigle, Andrew Marin, Julie MItchell, Jhesika Menes, Kim Ranjbar, Chris Romaguera, Celeste Turner, Kimmie Tubre, David Vicari Director of Sales: Jeremie Ertle

Dining

8 Spring Restaurant Guide

18 Food News 19 $15 and Under 20 Conscious Palate 33 Bar Guide

Extras 34 Film Reviews 36 Around the Web 38 Po-Boy Views

Photographers: Jonathan Bachman, Scott Chernis, Gus Escanelle, Jason Hall, Steve Hatley, Jorge Menes, Gary LoVerde, Romney, Greg Roques Interns: Natalie Adams, Rachel Davis, Erica Goldish, Ashley Larsen, Chris Plattsmier, Harry Tarpey, Kevin Quinet Subscribe: Receive 1 year (14 issues) for $30 and get a FREE Where Y’at CD. Subscribe today at WhereYat.com. Logo © 2015 All rights reserved Bruce Betzer, Legal Counsel: (504) 304-9952 Where Y’at Magazine 5500 Prytania St., #133 New Orleans, LA 70115 (504) 891-0144 info@whereyat.com | WhereYat.com

40 Tales from the Quarter 41 Where Y'at Chat 42 Where Ya' Been?

Enjoy our Spring Restaurant Guide as we enter that glorious time of year when it’s not too hot, not too cold, but just right. With Lent upon us, this issue offers special seafood selections at great local restaurants to satisfy your appetite. Caviar is one of the most expensive food items on Earth, with some Beluga Caviars going for over $1000 an ounce. Many people don’t realize that delicious, affordable caviar is being produced right here in Louisiana. Yes, Cajun Caviar! Leith Tigges’ article will open your eyes to this native product that’s wonderful on top of raw oysters or on its own. Speaking of Lent, many of you may be choosing to give up sweets, soda, or other “unhealthy” treats in hope of shedding some pounds. Jhesika Menes’ “Conscious Palate” this month explores the ins-andouts of fad diets. Many of these may do more harm than good! “Slainte” to you and yours as St. Patrick’s Day nears. Our listings of St. Patrick’s Day and St. Joseph’s Day parades will guide you where to go and when…and don’t forget the Mardi Gras Indians’ Super Sunday! —Josh Danzig, Publisher

4 | March 2015 | Table of Contents

WhereYat.com | March 2015 | 5

Louisiana Caviar By Leith Tigges

aviar may be a delicious classic worldwide, but it only really started to kick into high gear in Louisiana in 1986, when Louisiana Caviar Company made its debut with unusual versions of the famous fishy snack. The unconventional yet delicious product known as Cajun Caviar originated in the swamps of Louisiana and has been expertly crafted by Cajuns themselves. Coming up on 30 years as a successful caviar producer, expert John Burke knows his caviar and, even better, knows how to put a fun, innovative (and affordable) spin on it. The fish eggs are served not only alongside toast points and blinis; treat yourself to a plate of Louisiana caviars and shallots or dine on Cajun Caviar ice cream—the options are endless. Whether you’re looking to test the company’s most popular distribution (Cajun Caviar) or are seeking to be a little more adventurous (give the Ghost Pepper Caviar or the Catfish Caviar a try), Burke’s Louisiana Caviar Company knows how to please the palate no matter what. The Louisiana version of the garnish was originally distributed throughout New York and Texas, and quickly became so popular that restaurants began demanding orders of 10,000 pounds of the new-found favorite. While it was at first served only as a mixer with other caviars, Burke believed that the dish was strong enough to stand on its own, hence its current success in restaurants and shops worldwide. NOLA’s own caviar connoisseur provides some insight into the popular product, his company, the rise of caviar’s popularity and the best places to taste it. Where Y'at: How would you describe Cajun Caviar? How does local caviar compare to exported caviar? John Burke: Cajun Caviar is not as salty and also is less fishy-tasting than most other caviars. It comes from a 200-year-old fish that makes an excellent caviar. It’s smooth, very delightful and preferable to the American palate. Cajun Caviar is not as crunchy as foreign caviar. WYAT: What, in your opinion, makes caviar so

6 | March 2015 | Louisiana Caviar

Burke found an easy (and fun) way to distribute his new product to testers: caviar body shots. popular? What makes it a classic delicacy? Burke: I always say that Cajun Caviar is Louisiana’s foremost seafood delicacy. It’s a delicacy that has been around since Aristotle; even to this day, you see caviar just gaining more popularity. I love distributing it in a creative way. Caviar body shots are my favorite. We give it away as free samples with good service and good quality. The body shots work on your hand, just as you would take a tequila shot. WYAT: What local restaurants would you recommend to those seeking a dining experience with caviar? What ﬁve places would you suggest? Burke: 1. Commander’s Palace 2. Bourbon House: They serve our Black and Gold Caviar on oysters as well as our Catfish Caviar. 3. La Petite Grocery: La Petite carries our Ghost Pepper Caviar,

which is infused with ghost pepper but without the burn. It’s one of our award-winning caviars, winning two best in show awards. 4. August 5. Johnny Sánchez Johnny Sánchez’s executive chef, Miles Landrem, is a Cajun Caviar aficionado and a personal friend of Burke. Landrem says that Cajun Caviar is very popular, and that it “absolutely sells like crazy.” Landrem speaks highly of the restaurant’s raw tuna tostada featuring a dollop of Cajun Caviar and avocado mousse. The chef loves that Louisiana is using its local fish for caviar, praising Burke for his great use of the seafood: “I think it’s great to use the Louisiana fish. We incorporate the Cajun Caviar as much as we can, usually for private events, but if we like it and it’s popular, we like to keep it on the menu for a while. We love caviar ranch with oysters and hot buttered crabmeat topped with butter and caviar.” The popular caviar menu items are enjoyed frequently by pleased diners. Whether it’s served alongside butter and oysters or stands alone by hand, any food that is available as a gourmet dish as well as a body shot is one that’s likely to remain a worldwide favorite. Cajun Caviar is proof that not every Southern dish needs to be doused with fatty garnishes and fried to a crisp. John Burke has clearly created a winning product that only makes the South even more appealing to both Southerners and out-of-state caviar-lovers alike.

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Spring Restaurant Guide CBD/Warehouse District

Crazy Lobster Bar and Grill 500 Port of New Orleans Pl • 569-3380 • thecrazylobster.com

With a scenic view of the Mississippi, this seafood-centered establishment offers the best of New Orleans in one experience. Live music every night and a plethora of seafood dishes combine to offer a quintessential New Orleans meal. Try the the raw or chargrilled oysters with their variation on the classic Hurricane cocktail.

Manning’s 519 Fulton St • 593-8118

Looking to watch the big game? Then look no further than Manning’s 13 × 7.5 foot megascreen. This casual dining establishment serves Southern comforts in a sports bar atmosphere. With affordable prices, this family-friendly restaurant is a great place for kids as well as sports enthusiasts.

Café 821 821 Baronne St • 267-5456

True French cafés are hard to come by in New Orleans, yet somehow Café 821 has managed to transform a part of Baronne Street into a Parisian scene. Famous for their Iced Café au Lait, Café 821 offers classic French snacks like quiche, croque monsieur and croissants. Meet a friend there today.

Dino’s Bar and Grill 1128 Tchoupitoulas St • 588-0900

This Warehouse District restaurant has it all. Head over to Dino’s Bar and Grill for a classic lunch like a wrap, sandwich or burger, or go for one of their specials. Happy hour is Monday to Friday 4 to 7 pm and on Thursday from 9 to 12 pm. Don’t forget…Tuesday night is Steak Night!

Poppy’s Time Out Sports Bar 500 Port of New Orleans Pl • 247-9265 • poppystimeoutsportsbar.com True sports bars are hard to come by in a city so filled with music and food. However, Poppy’s has got it right: 21 TVs, countless varieties of wings, and great drinks combine to create the perfect environment for relaxing and watching the big game.

Viet Orleans Bistro 300 Baronne St • 333-6917

Viet Orleans Bistro serves a variety of Asian cuisines. Diners can munch on an awesome combination of sushi, pho, banh mi and fried rice for a reasonable price. Just yards from Canal Street and the French Quarter, Viet Orleans offers fast and friendly service in a casual atmosphere.

Warehouse Grille 869 Magazine St • 322-2188 • Warehousegrille.com

Warehouse Grille is a breezy eatery with a large patio overlooking Joseph Street that’s perfect for a nice spring day. Warehouse Grille features fast, friendly, and attentive service. Try their selection of global small plates or burgers and be sure to visit them for their fantastic bottomless mimosa brunch!

French Quarter

Carmo Tropical Café and Bar 527 Julia St • 875-4132 • cafecarmo.com

With a food culture so centered on meat and seafood, the vegan and vegetarian community is fairly limited in terms of restaurants dedicated to health and vegetarianism. That’s where Carmo comes in, drawing on influences from around the world to create its fantastic menu.

Ernst Café 600 South Peters St • 525-8544 • ernstcafe.net

This Warehouse District landmark centrally located just yards from Harrah’s Casino is a great place to go with friends. Ernst Café serves great burgers, salads, sandwiches, and more while featuring a long beer list. Grab a seat on their outdoor patio while the nice spring weather is around.

8 | March 2015 | Spring Restaurant Guide

Red Gravy 125 Camp St • 561-8844 • redgravycafe.com

Just a few minutes' walk from Canal Street, Red Gravy is home to the New Orleans Italian Brunch. With fusion dishes like Cannoli Pancakes and the Godfather (an Italian take on Eggs Benedict) as well as handmade pasta and classic Italian sandwiches, Red Gravy is perfect for a brunch, lunch, or dinner.

Antoine’s Restaurant 713 St Louis St • 581-4422 • antoines.com

A favorite of locals and tourists alike, Antoine’s continues to excel at the Vieux Carré charm and French-Creole cuisine it has been creating for 175 years. Stop in for a Sazerac at the Hermes Bar, or enjoy the full dining experience—Oysters Rockefeller, Pompano Pontchartrain, and unbelievable Baked Alaska, to name a few.

Backspace Bar & Kitchen 139 Chartres St • 322-2245 • backspacenola.com

Need a break from all of the French Quarter dive bars? Backspace Bar & Kitchen is a diamond in the rough as a literary-themed bar that offers up author-inspired drinks and a menu of local favorites. Enjoy a Hemingway Cuban and specialty cocktail next to the fireplace for a unique bar experience.

Bennachin 1212 Royal St • 522-1230 • bennachinrestaurant.com

Head to Bennachin for a taste of Africa inspired by Gambia and Cameroon. Both vegetarians and meat eaters can find a flavorful dish at this BYOB joint. Bennachin is known for its Jama Jama, spinach sauteed in vegetable oil, ginger, onion and garlic, which is a big hit at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

Bombay Club 830 Conti St • 577-2237 • bombayclubneworleans.com

Offering simple and traditional Creole classics, Bombay Club is a refreshing touch of elegance in the heart of the French Quarter. Famous for their martinis, enjoy one of their many creative creations paired with Boudin Scotch Eggs or, perhaps for a bigger bite, the Cracklin’ Cruster Fish and Chips.

Buﬀa’s Bar and Resaturant 1001 Esplanade Ave • 949-0038 • buﬀasrestaurant.com

Weekly events and regular music mean that Buffa’s is rarely empty. The weekend Jazz Brunch, a meeting of great New Orleans jazz and traditional classics like boudin balls, gumbo, and their famous Crawfish Scramble, is a great way to transition from last night’s concert to this morning’s first meal.

Café Amelie 912 Royal St • 412-8965 • cafeamelie.com

In the historic backdrop of the Princess of Monaco courtyard, Café Amelie offers a romantic and quaint ambiance that makes the food taste all that much better. Classic Louisiana dishes like lamb meatloaf (dinner menu) and Boudin and Grits (brunch menu) allow for history to be conveyed through more than just the setting.

Crescent City Brewhouse 527 Decatur St • 522-0571 • crescentcitybrewhouse.com

Crescent City Brewhouse brought New Orleans and Louisiana its first brewpub in 1991. Their menu offers traditional New Orleans cuisine, but with a modern flair. Dine on the freshest of seafood accompanied by a fantastic beer that was brewed in-house.

EAT 900 Dumaine St • 522-7222 • eatnola.com

Focusing on local, organic, fresh and seasonal ingredients, EAT combines the complex food culture of New Orleans and the larger health/organic food movement. Serving classic dishes like gumbo and fried green tomatoes, EAT is a perfect spot for those who want to sample New Orleans gastronomy without having to worry about food sourcing.

Fiorella’s Café 1136 Decatur St. • 553-2155

Serving food since 1937, Fiorella’s is a New Orleans staple. The homey, no-frills atmosphere is a great place to checkout. The fried chicken and other Creole soul food staples are simply amazing. Be sure to try their innovative seafood muffaletta!

The Jimani 141 Chartres St • 524-0493 • thejimani.com

Right off Canal St, The Jimani has been a downtown institution for locals and tourists alike since 1971. With the classic combination of beer, sports and great food, their success is not surprising. Try one of their innovative burgers (for example, the Peanut Butter Bacon Burger) or stick with something a little more traditional.

Jimmy J’s Café 115 Chartres St • 309-9360 • jimmyjscafe.com

In the heart of the French Quarter, Jimmy J’s is a no-frills diner that offers classic breakfast fare. Enjoy a variety of egg-based dishes, like the Cochon Eggs Benedict served with a jalapeno hollandaise) or sample something a little more traditional, like the Fried Oyster/ Shrimp Plate.

New Orleans Creole Cookery 510 Toulouse St • 542-9632 • neworleanscreolecookery.com

A new addition to the French Quarter, New Orleans Creole Cookery offers Creole classics in a low-key and casual environment. Stop in for a quick shrimp po-boy or enjoy a delicious meal of shrimp and grits. With a constantly changing cocktail menu, this is also the perfect spot while exploring the French Quarter.

Orleans Grapevine 720 Orleans Ave • 523-1930 • orleansgrapevine.com

This French Quarter spot boasts an elegant selection of classic New Orleans fare to match their impressive wine selection. For oenophiles, the flights of wines are perfect to broaden one’s tasting abilities. Try a New Orleans classic like Creole Courtbouillon or sample the 14-oz Double-Cut Pork Chop.

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Pat O’s Courtyard Restaurant 624 Bourbon St • 525-4823 • patobriens.com

Perhaps one of the most famous bars in New Orleans, the home of the original Hurricane continues to excel at what it does best, even after almost 80 years. This is a great place to come have dinner in the lush courtyard near the flaming fountain. With an extensive food menu, Pat O’s is good for more than just the original Hurricane.

Vacherie 827 Toulouse St • 207-4532 • vacherieresaurant.com

Named after a small town in southeastern Louisiana, Vacherie brings the humble ingredients and dishes of small-town farm life to the Big Easy. For breakfast, try the Andouille Hash or the Crawfish Frittata. Dinner boasts a more extensive menu, with traditional seasonal fare like Rabbit Cassoulet being centerpieces.

Jefferson

Richard Fiske’s Martini Bar & Restaurant 301 Dauphine St • 586-0972 • richardfiskes.com

While the name stresses the martinis, Richard Fiske’s offers a whole other world beyond them. Chef Nick Gile is creating innovative takes on classic Creole cuisine, offering a variety of small plates as well as larger meat dishes. Try the Coffee and Coriander Spiced Rack of Lamb or the Duck Confit with Baked Brie.

Rivershack Tavern 3449 River Rd • 834-4938 • therivershacktavern.com

Rivershack Tavern is a gem with a lot of personality. During crawfish season, enjoy their weekly boils, or try one of their giant burgers like the Shank You, a combination of burger meat and Louisiana hot sausage. Wash it down with a beer from their extensive selection of local, national and international brews.

Marigny/Bywater

Royal House Oyster Bar 441 Royal St. • 528-2601 • royalhouserestaurant.com

Royal House Oyster Bar offers fresh-air dining paired with local seafood dishes. Whether you prefer oysters on the half shell or oyster beignets, you can’t go wrong. If oysters aren’t your thing, try one of their great po-boys or salads.

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Bamboulas 514 Frenchmen St • 944-8461 • clubbamboulas.com

What’s better than listening to live music with a cold drink in one hand and a plate of nachos in the other? Nothing. Bamboulas, a funky bar on Frenchmen, offers Caribbean dishes, delicious small plates and appetizers.

Mimi’s in the Marigny 2601 Royal St • 872-9868

There always seems to be something happening at Mimi’s. Constantly featuring a party atmosphere, this quirky bar is a great spot for beginning or ending a night. Try their amazing tapas like Beef Empanadas, Shrimp & Crab with Farm Fresh Arugula, or let the chef surprise you with a new creation!

Short Stop Po-Boys 119 Transcontinental Dr • 855-4572 • shortstoppoboysno.com

Offering a variety of classic po-boys and wonderful gumbo, Short Stop is an amazing spot for those dining in or on the go. Notable po-boys include BBQ Smoke Sausage Po-Boy and the “King” Sized Oyster Po-Boy. Located just off Airline Drive near Zephyr Field, try their new Soft-shell Crab Po-Boy.

Mid-City

Metairie

Mizado Cocina 5080 Pontchartrain Blvd • 885-5555 • mizadococina.com

A great place for innovative Latin-inspired cocktails. Their menu includes three kinds of guacamole made tableside (including the India style, made with bananas, dates and cashew chutney), a variety of tacos, a lobster plate and a long list of house-made salsas.

Spudly’s 2609 Harvard Ave • 455-3250 • spudlys.com

This unique dining experience offers the classic meal in a baked potato to customers. Spudly’s also offers delicious soups, salads, burgers, and sandwiches! The casual and friendly dining atmosphere is perfect for families or for a casual date.

Café Navarre 800 Navarre Ave • 483-8828 • riccobonos.com

Located a few blocks from City Park and Delgado College, Café Navarre is a great place after a long day at the park. Known for classic dishes like pizza, pasta, salads and sandwiches, Café Navarre is also a great spot for brunch. Try one of their famous Cuban sandwiches for a real treat!

Namese Vietnamese Café 4077 Tulane Ave • 483-8899 • namese.net

Namese combines authentic Vietnamese fare with a little New Orleans flair. Known for their large menu and speedy service, this easygoing spot offers delivery and online ordering. Try their wide selection of pho, noodles and steamed buns, and don’t forget to order a bubble tea for a sweet treat.

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Multiple Locations

Shamrock Bar and Grill 4133 S Carollton Ave • 301-0938 • shamrockparty.com

For those who like to combine playing, eating, and drinking, Shamrock is home. With foosball, air hockey, shuffleboard, ping pong, bowling and pool tables, there are endless entertainment opportunities. Delicious bar food like jalapeno poppers, juicy burgers, and chicken and sausage gumbo pairs well with the extensive beer menu.

Venezia 134 N Carrollton Ave • 488-7991 • venezianeworleans.net

On a busy strip of Carrollton near the corner of Canal Street, Venezia’s neon sign shines bright. Venezia’s old-world Italian charm transports you out of New Orleans and onto a Little Italy street in the heart of New York. Wine and dine on the delicious pasta dishes, or sample one of their hand-tossed pizzas.

Wit’s Inn 141 N Carollton Ave • 486-1600 • witsinn.com

Mid-City boasts its fair share of pizza joints, but none seems to also boast the drinks menu or specials that Wit’s Inn does. With daily specials like 3-for-1 shots on Wednesday as well as a late-night kitchen (till 2 am), Wit’s Inn is the perfect place for a pie and a couple of drinks.

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Copeland’s of New Orleans Covington, Metairie, Kenner, Slidell, West Bank • copelandsofneworleans.com

Copeland’s is featuring its new Seafood Menu full of Cajun Creole flavors and Secret Copeland Family Spices! Each dish has been paired with a featured wine to bring out the best flavors in their seafood. For information, menus and locations, visit their website.

Daisy Dukes FQ, CBD, Metairie • daisydukesrestaurant.com

Come here for their award-winning Bloody Mary’s. They don’t do fancy, but instead have perfected the essence of Southern dining for a uniquely Cajun dining experience. Food is cheap and traditional. Huge perk: Daisy Dukes delivers all day and all night in the Downtonw New Orleans area!

Izzo’s Illegal Burrito Uptown, Metairie, West Bank • izzos.com

Fresh tortillas, salsas, burritos, and fajitas are all fast-casual and healthy options at Izzo’s Illegal Burrito restaurant! Perfect for people of all ages, the “Roll Your Own” burrito option gives customers the ultimate experience to pick and choose from fresh and delicious ingredients. Try their new location Uptown on Magazine Street near Napoleon.

Uptown

Mona’s Café Uptown, Marigny, Mid-City, • monascafeanddeli.com

Mona’s features traditional and authentic Middle Eastern cuisine in a relaxed environment. Mona’s offers new classics like musahaba, a variation on hummus, as well as standbys like Chicken Shawarma, fried halloumi, and kibbeh, for a very reasonable price. All locations are BYOB, and the baklava is a must.

Willie Mae’s Scotch House Mid-City, Uptown

If comfort food is on your mind, the only place to go is Willie Mae’s Scotch House. Famous for their fried chicken and delicious sides, Willie Mae’s Scotch House is Southern cooking that cannot be missed. Check out their new Uptown location near Tulane that is just as delicious as the original location.

AJ&J Asian Bistro 2240 Magazine St • 609-2282 • ajjasianbistro.com

Fantastic Asian cuisine can be found at this new spot on Magazine Street near Jackson Avenue. Try their daily sushi specials featured on the board at the sushi bar, or explore their noodle options like Pad Thai or Singapore Rice Vermicelli. AJ&J has great lunch specials and is a super spot for dates.

Arãna 3242 Magazine St • 894-1233

This funky restaurant serves authentic cuisine from the Yucatan in a sleek and colorful space. Come in for lunch, dinner or Sunday brunch and try some fish tacos or a Mexican torta sandwich. A fantastic place for tasting a variety of tequilas.

New Orleans East

Ma Momma’s 5741 Crowder Blvd #3 • 244-0021 • mamommashouse.com

Need some soul food? Ma Momma’s House is the ideal stop for some traditional Southern cooking and comfort food. The fried chicken and waffles is highly recommended, but there are a lot of other options to choose from as well. Only a 12-minute drive from downtown.

Chappy’s 6106 Magazine St. • 208-8772 • chappys.com

This new Uptown hotspot next to Monkey Hill features fantastic New Orleans cuisine that will have you coming back for more. Known for their fresh seafood that’s perfect for Lent, Chappy’s never ceases to please their customers. Try Chappy’s for their amazing Sunday brunch that’s perfect for groups large or small.

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Cheesecake Bistro by Copeland’s 2001 St Charles Ave • 593-9955 • copelandscheesecakebistro.com

Cheesecake Bistro goes Asian! Featuring an all-new Seafood menu with Asian influence and flavor profiles! Each dish has been paired with a featured wine to bring out the best flavors in their seafood. Information, menus and locations can be found on their website.

The Columns Hotel 3811 St Charles Ave • 899-9308 • thecolumns.com

One of the most elegant hotels in New Orleans, The Columns is much more. Locals and travelers alike enjoy their cozy porch with a view of the streetcar line for a pre-dinner drink during happy hour or an extensive Sunday brunch. A great place to take a date, The Columns is a great spot to enjoy a pretty spring day.

Five Happiness 3605 S Carrollton Ave • 482-3935 • fivehappiness.com

For years Five Happiness has been voted “Best Chinese Restaurant” by Where Y’at readers. Feel at home in their sleek dining area, or opt for their carry-out or delivery option. Five Happiness has wonderful seafood options that make it a great place for Lent. See for yourself why Five Happiness is so good!

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Green Tea 1116 Louisiana Ave #3 • 899-8005 • greenteanola.com

Bored of typical Chinese? Head over to Green Tea for Hunan and Sichuan fare at a modest price. This family-owned, counterserve restaurant offers dine in, delivery and carry-out options and a great lunch special. In a rush? You can order online!

Jazmine Café 614 S Carrollton Ave • 866-9301 • Jazminecafe.com

Trying to spice up your life, but still living on a budget? Check out Jazmine Café at the Riverbend. This reasonably priced Vietnamese restaurant has a large menu that serves classics like Sweet Heat Noodle, Pho, and Spring Rolls. There’s really nothing better than tasty food that does not break the bank.

Kyoto 4920 Prytania St • 891-3644 • kyotonola.com

Kyoto has something for the most adventurous and the most modest sushi eaters. It serves some of the most creative named rolls like the Funky Margarita. Be bold and try the BBQ Squid or opt for an option from their long list of noodle dishes.

Lebanon’s Café 1500 S Carrollton Ave • 862-6200 • lebanonscafe.com

Located on a calm and serene stretch of South Carrollton Avenue, Lebanon’s offers the full spread of Middle Eastern goodness. Feast on baba ghanuj, tabouleh and stuffed grape leaves on their outdoor patio while the streetcar rolls by. Arrive early on the weekends for a table, and don’t forget to BYOB!

Miyako 1403 St Charles Ave • 410-9997 • japanesebistro.com

This is not just any Japanese seafood and steakhouse. Miyako’s Hibachi chefs prepare dishes right at your table, serving up tricks and food that are sure to amaze. If you aren’t in the mood for a show, check out their full sushi bar, which offers a wide range of sushi and hand rolls including amazing weekly specials.

Origami 5130 Freret St • 899-6532 • sushinola.com

There is a reason why Origami is well known for its fine contemporary Japanese food. Origami was opened by three master sushi chefs and is dedicated to serving only the freshest seasonal seafood. Located in the heart of the bustling Freret Street scene, Origami’s creative list of sushi and specialty rolls are not to be missed.

Parasol’s 2533 Constance St • 302-1543 • parasolsbarandrestaurant.com

Although known for their famos roast beef po-boy, Parasol’s offers gumbo, burgers, and homemade onion rings that make your mouth water. Cocktails and other drinks are also served, and customers can order them through the famous cocktail window. Head to Parasol’s for their St. Patrick's Day block party, or just on a spring day.

Pascal’s Manale 1838 Napoleon Ave • 895-4877 • pascalmanale.com

Existing for over 100 years, Pascal’s has been an Italian establishment loved by New Orleanians. Home of the famous Barbecue Shrimp, Pascal's Manale has an extensive menu of Italian classics like Veal Marsala and Cajun dishes like Turtle Soup and Brabant Potatoes. It’s also a popular spot for raw oysters on the half shell.

Pyramids Café 3151 Calhoun St • 861-9602 • pyramidscafeneworleans.com

Featuring great Middle Eastern cuisine in a relaxed environment, Pyramids is centrally located just off Claiborne Avenue near Tulane University. Gyros, falafels and shawarmas make for a delicious and healthy meal. Try the kafta plate or order their fresh baklava and wonderful ice tea. Delivery is also available.

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Westbank

Riccobono’s Panola Street Café 7801 Panola St • 314-1810 • panolastreetcafe.com

Just a short walk from Tulane, Panola Street Café is an Uptown gem. The quaint and quiet atmosphere is definitely a benefi t of their location in a cozy neighborhood. Try one of their variations on Eggs Benedict, or perhaps the classic Eggs Sardou, for breakfast or brunch. Panola Street Café is a also a super spot for lunch.

Tracey’s Irish Bar and Restaurant 2604 Magazine St • 897-5413 • traceysnola.com

In the heart of the Irish Channel, Tracey’s truly captures Irish chararacter in a way that is hard to replicate. Famous for some of the best po-boys in the city, their menu features classics like fried pickles and boudin balls that go well with a cold beer. Tracey’s outdoor patio is a great spot to enjoy a warm spring day.

Café 615 – Home of Da Wabbit 615 Kepler St • 365-1225 • dawabbit.net

One of the West Bank’s best restaurants, Café 615 is all about fantastic New Orleans cuisine at affordable prices. Try their amazing dishes such as the Oysters Brochette, Frog Leg Provencal, or Da Wabbit Hamburger Steak that will have you telling all of your friends. Enjoy a specialty cocktail with your food for a special meal.

Gattuso’s Neighborhood Bar 435 Huey P Long Ave • 368-1114 • gattusos.net

Located in the West Bank, Gattuso’s diners can get some fresh air on the patio or warm up in the cozy indoor bar area. Call ahead to see when there is live music playing. Nice tunes perfectly accompany some Blackened Salmon or Fried Avocado. Hosting a large event? Gattuso’s caters!

Violet

Charlie’s Restaurant 6129 E St Bernard Hwy • 682-9057 • charliesrestaurantla.com

Charlie’s offers classic Louisiana comfort food that will keep you coming back for more. With an extensive menu and large serving sizes, Charlie’s has something to please everyone. Try the delicious fried catfish for Lent, or their award-winning gumbo for any occasion.

16 | March 2015 | Spring Restaurant Guide

Mo’s Pizza 1112 Ave H • 341-9650 • mospizzanola.com

More than just pizza, Mo’s offers delicious Italian delicacies at affordable prices. Daily sandwich specials vary, from BBQ Po-Boys to Chicken Parmigiana. Try the unique Muffaletta Pizza or a popular Pizza Turnover with ingredients of your choice. Mo’s Pizza is also a super spot to cater your party or event.

WhereYat.com | March 2015 | 17

Food News

By Kim Ranjbar

L Japanese Restaurant, Sushi & Such Mon – Thur 11:30 am – 10 pm Fri & Sat 11:30 am – 11 pm Sun 5 – 9 pm SushiNOLA.com | @OrigamiNola 899-6532| 5130 Freret St.

Featuring a Great Bistro Menu.

Join Us For Great Lenten Seafood & Fantastic Sunday Brunch Served From e Best View of St. Charles Avenue!

Sunday brunch 11am-3pm, Bistro everyday till 10pm & call to nd out about our new lunch hours. Variety of nightly musical entertainment to compliment cocktails.

akeside Franks … In their continuing effort to “make the world a better place,” Dat Dog has opened its fourth location in Lakeside Shopping Center on Veterans Memorial Boulevard. The new location offers all of your favorite dogs and fries found at their other restaurants on Freret, Magazine and Frenchmen Streets, but also features their first-ever “Combo Meal,” which includes your choice of hot dog, a fountain drink and Dat Dog’s famous fries. datdognola.com Electrifying pie (and quiche) … It seems that coffee and pie lovers in the Uptown area will have several options to choose from with the recent opening of the LGD’s HiVolt Coffee partnering with P’s & Q’s (Pies & Quiches) near the corner of Nashville Avenue on Magazine Street. The “to-go” only coffee bar offers third-wave java, just like the original, which you can grab along with Chocolate Cream Pie and Chorizo, Manchego and Piquillo Quiche. 897.5131 ~ 5720 Magazine Street ~ facebook. com/Hivolt2 ~ piesandquiches.com Like buttah … Chefs Dayne Womax and Simon Beck have joined forces to make their own magic in Mid-City at their very own digs dubbed Brown Butter Southern Kitchen & Bar. Found in a small strip mall on N. Carrollton Avenue, this casual, comfortable restaurant offers a surprisingly affordable menu with items like Warm Pork Rinds with smoked corn buttermilk dressing for dipping, Truffled Egg Salad Croissant Sandwich with toasted garlic aioli and pickled red onion, Brown Buttered Cream Soda and specials like a vinegar-braised, grilled short rib served atop stone-ground grits. 609.3871 ~ 231 North Carrollton Avenue ~ brownbutterrestaurant.com Pizza & beer ... If you think there aren’t enough pizza joints in New Orleans, think again. Wood Pizza Bistro & Taphouse opened early this year in the Warehouse District. Located on the corner of Tchoupitoulas Street and Andrew Higgins Drive, the brand new pizzeria features a huge patio and a large selection of beer (both craft and otherwise) on tap. Chef Will Salisbury has created a modest menu with fresh salads, appetizers like roasted scallops and salumi and, of

18 | March 2015 | Food News

Dat Dog course, pizza made in their wood-burning oven. 281.4893 ~ 404 Andrew Higgins Drive ~ woodpizzaneworleans.com Bloody Mary boxing ... New Orleans’ own Daisy Dukes won yet again in a bloody bout with national competitor Zing Zang from Illinois. Zing Zang was up against the ropes when an astonishing 80% of tasters chose Daisy Dukes Cajun Bloody Mary Mix as the out-and-out winner. Daisy Dukes Restaurant is a 24-hour breakfast spot (its first location is on Chartres Street in the French Quarter) that serves a combination of diner favorites and po-boys plus, of course, Bottomless Cajun Bloody Marys. daisydukesrestaurant.com And now for something a little diﬀerent ... Crescent City Brewhouse on Decatur Street has a couple of new dishes to rave about. The French Quarter restaurant has announced an appetizer called Evelyn’s Boudin Balls, made with slow-cooked pork, crawfish, rice and Cajun seasonings all rolled together, deep-fried and served with bread and butter pickles and red pepper coulis. They also have a new entree of Veal Cutlet Grillades braised in their own Black Forest beer, accompanied by mushroom and onions in a demi-glace sauce and served over cornbread pudding. Plus, don’t forget to try their special March brew, an Imperial Pilsner that’s a “bigger, stronger version” of their blonde lager with a more pronounced malt and hop flavor. 522.0571 ~ 527 Decatur Street ~ crescentcitybrewhouse.com

Daisy Dukes

Lebanon's Cafe

15 & Under A Leaf of a (Slightly) Diﬀerent Color

By Kim Ranjbar

arch holds a special place in my heart for Nowruz, or Persian New Year. Celebrated for thousands of years, Nowruz marks the fi rst day of spring, which usually lands on or around March 21. Similar to Easter, Nowruz embraces rebirth and buying new clothes and reveling in nature is part and parcel of the celebration. As well, certain foods are made and enjoyed—food with symbolic intent like ash-e reshteh, a soup with long, fl at noodles that signify the diff erent paths of a person’s life; sabzi polo, a rice dish with a lot of fresh herbs that represent the new growth in spring; and dolmeh bargeh mo, or stuff ed grape leaves that are believed to help your dreams and wishes come true. Every year, my family would throw a big party and, every year, my mother would make stuff ed grape leaves. Although there are no Persian restaurants in New Orleans…yet, there are plenty of delectable dolmeh to be found in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean-style eateries all over the city. One of the fi rst I tried (and one I keep going back to) is Babylon Cafe on Maple Street. Located next to a laundromat, Babylon is a bastion for hungry college students and neighbors looking for an aff ordable yet satisfying lunch. They make both vegetarian and beef-fi lled dolmeh served with labneh, or a thick, creamy yogurt topped with olive oil and dried mint. Enjoy the appetizer for only $6 or get the entree for $11, which includes a fresh salad, hummus or rice, and bread. By the way, I’d defi nitely opt for their house-made bread; it makes all the diff erence. The wildly popular Lebanon’s Café, located mere blocks away on Carrollton Avenue, is another great place to score stuff ed grape leaves. Denizens in the neighborhood (and outside it) tend to

make this a weekly lunch spot where they can enjoy all kinds of Middle Eastern favorites at a reasonable price in a comfortable, brightly decorated atmosphere. An appetizer plate of four stuff ed grape leaves will set you back a whopping $4.50, so why not throw in a slice of spanakopita (spinach phyllo pie) and Lebanese iced tea made with rosewater and a sprinkling of pine nuts? Why not, indeed... In the downtown area, right next to the Orpheum Theater, is a newer spot that all of the local critics are raving about: Cleo’s Mediterranean Cuisine and Grocery. One of the very few restaurants in New Orleans that is open 24 hours a day, Cleo’s is a cool convenience store/restaurant serving everything from goat cheese sandwiches and tabbouleh to lamb shanks. You can easily enjoy their stuff ed grape leaves appetizer (veggie or beef), a Lamb Lula Kebab Wrap and a cup of Turkish coff ee without breaking the bank. When discussing Middle Eastern or Mediterranean options in the Crescent City, it would be a mistake not to mention Mona’s Cafe. With four locations (in Mid-City, Carrollton, Irish Channel and Marigny), Mona’s is a bona fi de staple in New Orleans when it comes to this type of cuisine. Along with stuff ed grape leaves ($4.99 for the appetizer, $10.99 for the entree), Mona’s chicken and beef shawarma always seem to be a hit. In fact, every time I’m in Mona’s (regardless of the location), the servers, my friends and even other patrons always recommend it. Although I’ve enjoyed the dolmeh at all of these restaurants, none quite measures up to my mother’s dolmeh. Oh well, what can I say but “Eid-eh Shoma Mobarak!” (Happy New Year!)

$15 and Under | March 2015 | 19

Conscious Palate

satiated my cravings and fulfilled my hunger pangs at mealtime. I tried to resist the coconut juice that is provided to battle the urge for snack attacks, but when I could no longer hold back I ended up chugging the whole damn thing, leaving me no relief for By Jhesika Menes my nibbling urges just before bedtime. Day two was tragic, perhaps because of the lack of caffeine alone, but on my third ads have been a part of the culinary world for about as long as the word and final day I felt amazing. itself has been a part of the English language. Health studies and Afterwards, food-based experiments have helped form the scientific backing to reinstating solid whatever is trending in the diet realm, but questionable evidence foods in my diet supporting these New Age techniques and movements opens the was tough floor for debate. Juicing, once a major go-to remedy for fatigue, because stress, quick weight loss and detoxification, has been shoved I looked out of the spotlight by brothing, while cellular and alkaline diet at foods trends seem to have replaced the popular raw food, paleo and differently. macrobiotic regimens. Dieting requires a change of lifestyle, I thought and though most times it is temporary, it appears that 100% about their commitment is necessary to gain positive results. That said, nutritional the easiest and healthiest change to force your body to endure value more is also the safest. than I had Mind you, none of these diet alternatives existed in caveman before. And as days. There were no gyms, fast-food joints or genetically modified far as the food foods then and, because of it, no diseases like hypothyroidism, allergies I’m aware diabetes or morbid obesity. Hormones play a major role in human of, my resolution to Beau e biology, so how did Neanderthals of the post-Cretaceous Period keep those triggers coup Juic evade such ailments? Their Paleolithic diet wasn’t the focus of their out of my guts was daily existence; surviving was. More than a fair amount of exercise was stronger than ever. I found experienced to safely dodge or fend off beastly animals and the macabre myself opting for the juice bar darkness. Nuts, edible flora, berries and red meat were staples of the Stone Age, with fish at Whole Foods over their well-stocked and aqua-veggies, such as watercress and algae, feeding those close to water sources. imported beer and wine coolers, and when Food harvest was a necessary chore, and if the mission turned out to be futile, stockpiled friends invited me to lunch I encouraged plants, nuts, fruits and seeds were likely dinner. places like Satsuma that have crafty blends Dr. Al Sears of the Center for Health and Wellness explains: “It’s true that our ancestors with even craftier names. Soon enough I had a tough life. They were hunter-gatherers. They couldn’t always predict when their next was making the trek to Beaucoup Juice for a shot of fresh ginger instead of that midday coffee I used to drink like an addict. My yearning for just a bit of sweet led my legs to HoneyDeux on Magazine, where bubble tea was the answer. Antioxidant-packed Green Tea Boba was my usual, and its smoothiemeal would be. Some days they had very little to eat. Other days they feasted. Hunger thick freshness did the trick every time. The didn’t drain their energy. It increased their energy. Bouts of food shortages kicked up the sugar cravings didn’t cease completely, but energy production in their cells. It has to do with your mitochondria. More than 95% of when my conscience got the best of me your body’s energy depends on tiny ‘organelles’ in your cells. Each of your cells can contain FARE: Food for Health was a no-brainer, hundreds or even thousands of these little power generators. Over time, our cellular with their juice selections and gluten-free power plants wear out and break down. We feel the energy drain as fatigue, but the newest baked goods, which also support the research reveals you can reverse this decline in your mitochondria and have energy to alkaline diet. spare. We can do it through mitochondrial biogenesis, a process activated by numerous Dr. Michael Dansinger explains: “The different signals during times of cellular stress. For example, hunger.” alkaline diet food suggestions just so The lack of nutrient exchange from food absorption can create an environment for happen to be wholesome, organic and mitochondrial biogenesis, making water intake imperative when detoxing or cleansing. very good for you. Lots of fruits, vegetables Fact: drinking a glass of water will curb hunger. Hydrating nourished cells helps to nix and water. Avoiding gluten, canned the cravings for food, which are essentially signals of dehydration sent to the brain that items, dairy, eggs and processed foods get bullied by the stomach. You should be drinking at least 2 liters of water a day to keep is imperative based on their acidic value; toxins flushed and cells nice and moist. Of the aforementioned diets, juicing is the most however, abstaining from sugar, alcohol successful. A diet of fresh-squeezed fruit and vegetable juices packs high doses of vitamins and processed foods is healthy weight-loss and minerals and supports toxin flush from the liver and kidneys. “Many people turn advice to couple with the program..” to cleanses because they feel off. They’re bloated and sluggish, caffeine and junk food So there you have it. Of-the-earth, organic dependent, or suffering unsightly facial and body breakouts,” says Stephanie Middleberg, substances made up the early human diet, a New York City–based registered dietitian. “When you eliminate toxins from your system, not refined sugars or their processed syrupy your entire body feels better and reacts both internally and externally.” She also says, “I counterparts, reduced-calorie low-fat advise my clients to limit the juice cleanse to about 3 days, or if choosing a longer program, snack packs, light yogurts or soy-based check in with their physician periodically.” vegetarian products. Modern eating begets I did the juice cleanse from Raw Republic. Speaking with an in-shop consultant provides modern consequences, lending support to education on the variety of cleanses available, which can be customized to suit your needs the old adage that learning from our past and goals. I received juices to promote toxin flush and vitamin absorption that surprisingly encourages a better tomorrow.

The Juicy Truth About Fad Diets

Dieting requires a change of lifestyle, and though most times it is temporary, it appears that 100% commitment is necessary to gain positive results.

20 | March 2015 | Conscious Palate

WhereYat.com | March 2015 | 21

MUSICCALENDAR

Selected Listings @ WhereYat.com Nola Brewing – Gravity A’s Talking Heads Tribute and TAUK Old Point Bar –Rick Trolsen, Johnny Angel & Helldorado Old US Mint – Billie Davies, Panorama Jazz Band One Eyed Jacks – DJ Soul Sister Original Tropical Isle – The Hangovers, Late as Usual Rivershack- Pig Pen and the Porkchops Snug Harbor –Ellis Marsalis Quintet Siberia – The Deslondes + The Banditos + Twain Southport Hall- Slangston Hughes Tipitinas – Bayside + Senses Fail + Man Overboard & More Three Muses –Royal Roses, Glen David Andrews Tropical Isle Bourbon – Way to Early, Debi and the Deacons Twist of Lime –Dread, Big Pig, Aurorean, & Wreckage Revival

Helmet Helmet will be performing their entire album Betty at One Eyed Jacks. The alternative metal band looks to have a strong year ahead, with their latest album scheduled for 2015. Tue., Mar 3. $17 advance/$20 door, 9:00 p.m., One Eyed Jacks, oneeyedjacks.net Wednesday, March 4 Bayou Club – La Maniere des Cadiens, Cajungrass Buffa’s –World’s Most Open Mic Night Café Istanbul –The Goodnight Show featuring The Honorable South Celebration Hall –TBC Brass Band and Action Jackson Checkpoint Charlie –T. Bone Stone & the Happy Monsters Chickie Wah Wah – John Rankin, Meschiya Lake & Tom McDermott Circle Bar – Mike True, Jim Keaveny The Civic Theatre- Shpongle, Phutureprimitive Columns Hotel –Andy Rogers Crescent City Brewhouse – New Orleans Streetbeat Dos Jefes –Leah Rucker Dragon’s Den – Dancehall Classics with DJ T-Roy Funky Pirate – The Blues Masters with Patrick Williams Gasa Gasa –Cake Walk with Noruz & The Willie Green Project Howlin Wolf’ Den – Hazy Ray Trio House of Blues – Jet Lounge Irvin Mayfield’s – Dana Abbott; NOJO Kerry Irish Pub - Chip Wilson Little Gem Saloon –Kyle Cripps, The Listening Room Little Tropical Isle – Mark Barrett, JB Elston The Maison – New Orleans Jazz Vipers Maple Leaf Bar – Steve Malinowski, Joe Gelini and Chris Alford Mid-Lanes Rock ‘n’ Bowl –Creole Stringbeans Neutral Ground Coffeehouse –Renshaw & Davis, Aaron & Zac Maras Old Point Bar –Bob Green & the Green River Band Original Tropical Isle – Debi and the Deacons, Late as Usual Rusty Nail – Jenn Howard Southport Hall- Corey Smith Three Muses –Leslie Martin, Hot Club of New Orleans Tropical Isle Bourbon – Way to Early, Debi and the Deacons Yuki Izakaya –Kana de Soul featuring Detroit Books Thursday, March 5 Bayou Club – Cajun Drifters, Louisiana Inferno Banks St. Bar and Grill – The Colossal Heads Buffa’s – Tom McDermott & Aurora Nealand Café Negril –Soul Project Checkpoint Charlie –The Wasted Lives, Texas Pete Chickie Wah Wah – Phil DeGruy, Helen Gillet Circle Bar – Rockin’ Robin featuring the Kentucky Sisters, Brief Lives Columns Hotel –Naydja CoJoe Crescent City Brewhouse – New Orleans Streetbeat Dos Jefes –The Todd Duke Trio Dragon’s Den – Bayou Saints; Pretty Party + Dam Sun Funky Pirate – Marc Stone Duo, Big Al Carson Hi Ho Lounge – The Plus One Show House of Blues – Andy Grammar; Alex & Sierra

22 | March 2015 | Music Calendar

Irvin Mayfield’s – Playhour; The James Rivers Movement Kerry Irish Pub –Patrick Cooper Le Bon Temps Roule –The Soul Rebels Brass Band Little Tropical Isle – Allen Hebert, Casey Saba The Maison – Jon Roniger; Sweet Substitute; Rue Fiya Maple Leaf Bar – The Trio featuring Johnny Vidacovich Marigny Brasserie –Jamey St. Pierre & Dave Freeson Old Point Bar – Valerie Sassyfras Original Tropical Isle – The Hangovers, Late as Usual Palm Court Jazz Café – Crescent City Joymakers feat. Leroy Jones Publiq House –Brass-a-holics Rivershack- John Lisi Snug Harbor –Shannon Powell Quartet Spotted Cat Music Club – Up Up We Go! Three Muses –Tom McDermott, Luke Winslow King Tipitinas – Greensky Bluegrass and Rayland Baxter Tropical Isle Bourbon – Miss Maggie Trio, Debi and the Deacons Warehouse Grille –Troy Sawyer & The Elementz Friday, March 6 Bayou Club – Louisiana Inferno, T’Canailli Blue Nile –Soul Rebels Buffa’s – Jenna Guidry, Camille Baudoin & David Doucet Carousel Lounge, Hotel Monteleone –Lena Prima Circle Bar – Helen Gillet Album Release Party Checkpoint Charlie –Randy East & T Bone Stone, Woodenhead Chickie Wah Wah –Michael Pearce, Paul Sanchez & Minimum Rage Columns Hotel –Ted Long Crescent City Brewhouse – New Orleans Streetbeat Dos Jefes –The Panorama Jazz Band Dragon’s Den – Up Up We Go; UP Comedy Show; Asheson Fremin’s Restaurant – Charlie Miller Funky Pirate –Mark and the Pentones, Big Al Carson Gasa Gasa –The Kid Carsons Record Release Hi Ho Lounge – The Transplanted Roots; Beat Howlin Wolf Den – Laurie Lehner + Ani Carlson and Sturmlandia House of Blues – Gogol Bordello Hotel Monteleone - Lena Prima Irvin Mayfield’s – The Piano Professor Serious Kerry Irish Pub - Justin Murphy Le Bon Tempr Roulé – Davis Rogan Little Gem Saloon –Jon Roniger, Nayo Jones Little Tropical Isle – Reed Lightfoot, Ben Joseph The Maison – Leah Rucker; The Messy Cookers Maple Leaf Bar - Groovesect Mahalia Jackson Theater – Award-Winning Movie Music Mid City Rock ‘n’ Bowl –No Idea Neutral Ground Coffeehouse –Bad Oyster Band, Agent 86

Saturday, March 7 Bayou Club – La Maniere des Cadiens, Louisiana Inferno, T’Canaille Blue Nile –Big Sam’s Funky Nation and Big Chief Monk Boudreaux Buffa’s – Daniel Schroeder; Lynn Drury, The Royal Rounders Café Negril –Jamey St. Pierre & The Honeycreepers Casa Borrega –The Jonathan Freilich Trio Checkpoint Charlie –Good Children, Leisa K + Rule 52 Chickie Wah Wah –Deacon John Band Circle Bar – The Fifth Men + Biscuithound + Ruby & the Rogues Columns Hotel –Andrew Hall Crescent City Brewhouse – New Orleans Streetbeat Dos Jefes –Sunpie & the Louisiana Sunspots Dragon’s Den – ‘Talk Nerdy To Me’ Funky Pirate –Mark and the Pentones, Big Al Carson Hi Ho Lounge – Hustle with DJ Soul Sister Howlin Wolf – Nicolas Payton, Johnny Vidacovich, Andrew Block Howlin Wolf Den – Mississippi Shakedown + Fides House of Blues – The Green House of Blues – Avery Sunshine Irvin Mayfield’s - NOJO Kerry Irish Pub - Speed The Mule Little Gem Saloon –Kermit Ruﬃns & the BBQ Swingers Little Tropical Isle – JB Elston, Ben Joseph The Maison – New Orleans Swamp Donkeys; Smoking Time Jazz Club Maple Leaf Bar – CommonsenseNOLA Fundraiser Mid City Lanes Rock ‘n’ Bowl –The Big Lebowski Anniversary Party Neutral Ground Coffeehouse –Igor, Patsy Grace, Roger Ferrera Old Point Bar –Deltaphonic Old US Mint – Tank and the Bangas Original Tropical Isle – The Hangovers, Late as Usual The Parish- Through the Roots Rivershack- Truman Holand Shamrock –The Soul Rebels Snug Harbor –Germaine Bazzle &the Larry Sieberth Quartet Three Muses –Debbie Davis Tropical Isle Bourbon – Way to Early, Rhythm and Rain Twist of Lime –Mr. Crowley Sunday, March 8 AllWays Lounge – The Jumbo Shrimp Jazz Band Bacchanal Fine Wine and Spirits – Sarah Quintana Trio

GogolBordello The gypsy and punk sounds of Manhattan hit New Orleans when Gogol Bordello comes to House of Blues. A theatrical show in every sense of the word, this band always offers a fun time. Fri., Mar 6. $39+, 8:00 p.m., House of Blues, houseofblues.com/neworleans

Bayou Club – Cajungrass, Louisiana Inferno Buffa’s – Some Like it Hot, Nick Ellman, The Telegraphy BMC –Soul Project Checkpoint Charlie –Open Mic featuring Jim Smith Chickie Wah Wah –Sweet Olive, Gal Holiday & the Honky Tonk Revue Circle Bar – Micah McKee & Little Maker + Blind Texas Marlin City Park Botanical Garden –Glen David Andrews Columns Hotel- Chip Wilson Crescent City Brewhouse – New Orleans Streetbeat Dragon’s Den – Russell Welch; CHURCH w/ DJ Unicorn Fukr & more Funky Pirate –Mark and the Pentones, Willie Lockett Gasa Gasa – Rawkus! International Hip Hop House Howlin Howlin Wolf Den – Hot 8 Brass Band Hi Ho Lounge – NOLA Comedy Hour; Voltaire Irvin Mayfield’s – Germain Bazzle & The Peter Harris Trio Kerry Irish Pub - Justin Murphy Little Gem Saloon –New Orleans Swingin Gypsies Little Tropical Isle – Lynn Drury, Reed Lightfoot The Maison – Kermit Ruﬃns and the Barbecue Swingers Maple Leaf Bar – Joe Krown Trio Marigny Opera House –Amelia Clingman Mid City Lanes Rock ‘n’ Bowl –South Reunion Neutral Ground Coffeehouse –Open mic One Eyed Jacks – Dina Martina Old Point Bar – Christian Serpas & Ghost Town Original Tropical Isle – The Hangovers, Late as Usual Rusty Nail – Nicole Ockmond Trio Saenger Theatre – TobyMac + Mandisa and Capital Kings Smoothie King Center – Journey + Steve Miller Band Three Muses –Davy Mooney Tropical Isle Bourbon – BC and Comp, Rhythm and Rain Monday, March 9 Apple Barrel –Sam Cammarata Acoustic Trio Bayou Club – Cajungrass, Cajun Drifters Buffa’s – Antoine Diel Chickie Wah Wah – The Little Things Circle Bar- Druids Columns Hotel –David Doucet Crescent City Brewhouse – New Orleans Streetbeat Dos Jefes- John Fohl Funky Pirate –Gary Brown First Presbyterian Church- The Snake Leg Rounders Gasa Gasa- Faux Sheaux ft. Paul Thibodeaux + Martin Masakowski Hi Ho Lounge – Bluegrass Pickin’ Party; Hill Country Hounds Kerry Irish Pub - Paul Tobin Little Tropical Isle – Reed Lightfoot, Lynn Drury The Maison – Chicken & Waffles; Aurora Nealand & The Royal Roses

Maple Leaf Bar – Jon Cleary & the Absolute Monster Gentlemen Neutral Ground Coffeehouse- Uke Joint, Sam Cordts, Total K Old Point Bar- The Romy Kaye Jazz Trio Original Tropical Isle – Graham Robertson, Whiskey Bar Rivershack- Adam Pearce Snug Harbor- Charmaine Neville Band Three Muses- John Sinclair & Carlo Ditta Tropical Isle Bourbon – Rhythm and Rain, Way to Early Tuesday, March 10 Bamboula’s –Dana & The Boneshakers Bayou Club – Cajungrass Duo, Cajun Drifters Checkpoint Charlie –Jamie Lynn Vessels Circle Bar –Laura Dyer Jazz Trio Columns Hotel – Guitarmony Crescent City Brewhouse – New Orleans Streetbeat Dos Jefes –Tom Hook & Wendell & Brunious Funky Pirate – The Blues Masters with Patrick Williams House of Blues – The Stray Birds with Caitlin Canty Irvin Mayfield’s - NOJO Kerry Irish Pub - Jason Bishop Little Gem Saloon –John Eubanks & Paula, The Messy Cookers Little Tropical Isle –Mark Barrett, Ben Joseph The Maison – Gregory Agid; Chance Bushman Maple Leaf Bar – Rebirth Brass Band Old Point Bar –Isla Nola Original Tropical Isle – The Hangovers, JB Elston Band Rusty Nail – Open Mic Night Featuring Jenn Howard Saenger Theatre – John Mellencamp Tropical Isle Bourbon –JB Elston and Wayne, Tropic Gumbo Wednesday, March 11 Bayou Club – La Maniere des Cadiens, Cajungrass Buffa’s –World’s Most Open Mic Night Celebration Hall –TBC Brass Band and Action Jackson Checkpoint Charlie –T. Bone Stone & the Happy Monsters Chickie Wah Wah – John Rankin, Meschiya Lake & Tom McDermott Circle Bar - Mike True, Corners Columns Hotel –Andy Rogers Crescent City Brewhouse – New Orleans Streetbeat Dragon’s Den – Dancehall Classis with DJ T-Roy Funky Pirate – The Blues Masters with Patrick Williams Gasa Gasa –Bowery Presents: AF The NAYSAYER Hi-Ho Lounge- Sleeze + Autumn Stay + Stereo + 35PSI Howlin Wolf Den – Hazy Ray Trio House of Blues – Aesop Rock with Rob Sonic and DJ Abilities Irvin Mayfield’s – Lady Sings the Blues; NOJO Little Gem Saloon –Kyle Cripps, The Listening Room, Mario Abney

TobyMac&Mandisa

TobyMac and Mandisa, with electronic pop duo Capital Kings, will be at the Saenger Theatre. They will perform hits from their respective repertoires, making for a great show. Sun., Mar 8. $22–$76, 7:00 p.m., Saenger Theatre, saengernola.com Little Tropical Isle – Mark Barrett, JB Elston The Maison – James Jordan & The Beautiful Band Maple Leaf Bar – Steve Malinowski, Joe Gelini and Chris Alford One Eyed Jacks – The Sword and the Suplecs Original Tropical Isle – Debi and the Deacons, Late as Usual Publiq House – Consider the Source and Cliff Hines Trio Rusty Nail – Jenn Howard Tropical Isle Bourbon – Way to Early, Debi and the Deacons The Willow – Firebug Three Muses –Leslie Martin, Hot Club of New Orleans Yuki Izakaya –Kana de Soul featuring Detroit Books Thursday, March 12 Balcony Music Club- Lux Deluxe

Bayou Club – Cajun Drifters, Louisiana Inferno The Beatnik- Ishi, Rose Quartz, Bones Buffa’s – Tom McDermott & Aurora Nealand Café Negril –Soul Project Chickie Wah Wah – Phil DeGruy Circle Bar – Rockin’ Robin featuring the Kentucky Sisters , Baby Bee Civic Theatre – Elvis Costello Columns Hotel –Naydja CoJoe Crescent City Brewhouse – New Orleans Streetbeat Dragon’s Den – Bayou Saints Funky Pirate – Marc Stone Duo, Big Al Carson Gasa Gasa – Bowery Presents: Horse Feathers + David Ramirez Hi Ho Lounge – Grid Squid House of Blues – The Zombies, Hollis Brown

WhereYat.com | March 2015 | 23

Irvin Mayfield’s – Playhour; The James Rivers Movement Kerry Irish Pub - Vincent Marini Le Bon Temps Roule –The Soul Rebels Brass Band Little Tropical Isle – Allen Hebert, Casey Saba The Maison – Jon Roniger; Shotgun Jazz Band Maple Leaf Bar – The Trio featuring Johnny Vidacovich Original Tropical Isle – The Hangovers, Late as Usual Publiq House –Brass-a-holics Rivershack- Two Man Ruberband Spotted Cat Music Club – Up Up We Go! Smoothie King Center – Chris Brown + Trey Songz + Tyga Three Muses –Tom McDermott Tipitinas – Hill Country Hounds Tropical Isle Bourbon – Miss Maggie Trio, Debi and the Deacons Warehouse Grille –Troy Sawyer & The Elementz Friday, March 13 Banks St. Bar and Grill – FireBug Bayou Club – Louisiana Inferno, T’Canailli Buffa’s – Arsene Delay; The Honeypots; Melanie Gardner Circle Bar – Shilpa Ray and Her Happy Hookers Columns Hotel –Ted Long Crescent City Brewhouse – New Orleans Streetbeat Dragon’s Den – Up Up We Go; UP Comedy Show; Cameron Kelly Funky Pirate –Mark and the Pentones, Big Al Carson Gasa Gasa – The Bowery Presents: X Ambassadors Hi-Ho Lounge- The Transplanted Roots + Parsley Howlin Wolf Den – Gorilla Music Battle of the Bands House of Blues – Kawehi Irvin Mayfield’s – Piano Professor Series; Leon “Kid Chocolate” Brown; Burlesque Ballroom Kerry Irish Pub - Paul Ferduson Le Bon Temps Roulé – Joe Krown Little Gem Saloon –Jon Roniger Little Tropical Isle – Reed Lightfoot, Ben Joseph The Maison – New Orleans Swamp Donkeys; Rumba Buena Maple Leaf Bar – New Orleans Suspects Old US Mint – Jon Roniger; “Indian Blue” feat. Johnny Sansone One Eyed Jacks – Brass Bash Original Tropical Isle – The Hangovers, Late as Usual Republic New Orleans –BUKU Late ft. Flosstradamus Rivershack- St. Baldricks with Broken Heart Pharoahs Tipitinas – 2015 NOLA Stones Fest Three Muses –Glen David Andrews Tropical Isle Bourbon – Way to Early, Jay B Elston Band Saturday, March 14 Bayou Club – La Maniere des Cadiens, Louisiana Inferno, T’Canaille

24 | March 2015 | Music Calendar

Beatnik- Paperhaus Buffa’s – Taft Jazz Band; Davis Rogan; Sheryl Diane Band Café Negril –Jamey St. Pierre & The Honeycreepers Circle Bar – King Rey + Heavy Lights + Fred Thomas Columns Hotel –Andrew Hall Crescent City Brewhouse – New Orleans Streetbeat Dragon’s Den – ‘Talk Nerdy to Me’; Kompressions BUKU Fest Edition Fairgrinds Coffeehouse- Brett Harris French Market – The Swing Setters Funky Pirate –Mark and the Pentones, Big Al Carson Gasa Gasa – The Bowery Presents: Rubblebucket + Celestial Shore Hi Ho Lounge – Close Me Out; Hustle with DJ Soul Sister Howlin Wolf Den – Cory Taylor Cox Irvin Mayfield’s - NOJO Kerry Irish Pub - Dave Hickey Little Tropical Isle – JB Elston, Ben Joseph The Maison – BRASS-A-HOLICS Maple Leaf Bar – New Orleans Suspects Marigny Opera House – Louis Moreau Institute One Eyed Jacks – Futurebirds + Water Liars + Yard Dogs Original Tropical Isle – The Hangovers, Late as Usual Rivershack- Black Magnolia Smoothie King Center – Charlie Wilson with Kem feat. Joe Shamrock’s –Jennie & the Jets Tropical Isle Bourbon – Way to Early, Rhythm and Rain Sunday, March 15 AllWays Lounge – The Russell Welch Hot Quartet Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits – Sarah Quintana Trio Bayou Club – Cajungrass, Louisiana Inferno BMC –Soul Project Buffa’s – Some Like it Hot, Red Hot Jazz Band Checkpoint Charlie –Open Mic featuring Jim Smith Chickie Wah Wah –Sweet Olive, Gal Holiday & the Honky Tonk Revue Columns Hotel- Chip Wilson Circle Bar – Micah McKee & Little Maker + Blind Texas Marlin, ONWE Crescent City Brewhouse – New Orleans Streetbeat Dragon’s Den – Russell Welch; Church BUKU Edition Funky Pirate –Mark and the Pentones, Willie Lockett Gasa Gasa – Bowery Presents: The District+ Avers Hi Ho Lounge – NOLA Comedy Hour Howlin Wolf Den – Hot 8 Brass Band House of Blues – Sample: Grooves that Inspired Hip-Hop Irvin Mayfield’s – Germaine Bazzle Kerry Irish Pub - Paintbox w/Dave James & Tim Robertson Little Gem Saloon –New Orleans Swingin Gypsies Little Tropical Isle – Lynn Drury, Reed Lightfoot The Maison – Tom Saunders & The Tomcats; Too Darn Hot

Journey The legendary bands Journey and The Steve Miller Band will perform some of their classic hits at Smoothie King Center. Both bands have maintained large followings for decades now. Sun., Mar 8. $82.50+, 6:45 p.m., smoothiekingcenter.com Maple Leaf Bar – Walter “Wolfman” Washington & Russell Batiste Neutral Ground Coffeehouse –Open mic Old Point Bar – 12 Mile Limit Original Tropical Isle – The Hangovers, Late as Usual Siberia- Kelcy Mae Tropical Isle Bourbon – BC and Comp, Debi and the Deacons Monday, March 16 Apple Barrel –Sam Cammarata Acoustic Trio Bayou Club – Cajungrass, Cajun Drifters Buffa’s – Antoine Diel Checkpoint Charlie- Clyde & Iggy Chickie Wah Wah – The Little Things Circle Bar – Plains Columns Hotel –David Doucet Crescent City Brewhouse – New Orleans Streetbeat Dos Jefes- John Fohl Funky Pirate –Gary Brown Gasa Gasa- Caleb Caudle

Hi Ho Lounge – Bluegrass Pickin’ Party; Hill Country Hounds Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse – Gerald French Kerry Irish Pub - Beth Patterson Little Tropical Isle – Reed Lightfoot, Lynn Drury The Maison – Chicken & Waffles; Aurora Nealand Maple Leaf Bar – John Cleary & the Absolute Monster Gentlemen Neutral Ground Coffeehouse- Lo-fi Bedroom Folk, Sam Cordts Old Point Bar- The Romy Kaye Jazz Trio Original Tropical Isle – Graham Robertson, Whiskey Bar Rivershack- Adam Pearce Republic New Orleans – Hundred Waters Siberia- Felix Martin Snug Harbor- Charmaine Neville Band Tropical Isle Bourbon – Rhythm and Rain, Way to Early Tuesday, March 17 Bamboula’s –Dana & The Boneshakers Bayou Club – Cajungrass Duo, Cajun Drifters The Beatnik- Tall Tall Trees

JohnMellencamp Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Mellencamp looks to ride the wave of success from his 2014 album, Plain Spoken. A legend in his own right, his live shows have touched thousands of people. Tue., Mar 10. $42.50–$119.50, 7:30 p.m., Saenger Theatre, saengernola.com Circle Bar - Laura Dyer Jazz Trio ,Yonatan Gat Checkpoint Charlie –Jamie Lynn Vessels Columns Hotel – Norbert Slama & John Rankin Dos Jefes –Tom Hook & Wendell & Brunious Crescent City Brewhouse – New Orleans Streetbeat Dragon’s Den – Punk Rock Show Funky Pirate – The Blues Masters with Patrick Williams Hi Ho Lounge – Songwriters Showdown Irvin Mayfield’s – NOJO Kerry Irish Pub - Beth Patterson Little Gem Saloon –John Eubanks & Paula, The Messy Cookers Little Tropical Isle –Mark Barrett, Ben Joseph The Maison – Gregory Agid The Maple Leaf- Rebirth Brass Band Old Point Bar –Isla Nola Original Tropical Isle – The Hangovers, JB Elston Band Rusty Nail – Open Mic Night feat. Jenn Howard Tropical Isle Bourbon –JB Elston and Wayne, Tropic Gumbo Varsity Theatre – London Souls & Sons of Bill The Willow- Sex Knuckle, Stereo Fire Empire Wednesday, March 18 Bayou Club – La Maniere des Cadiens, Cajungrass BeatNik- Nemes Buffa’s –World’s Most Open Mic Night Checkpoint Charlie –T. Bone Stone & the Happy Monsters Chickie Wah Wah – Casey McAlister, Kelcy Mae & Erin Miley Circle Bar – Mike True Columns Hotel –Andy Rogers Crescent City Brewhouse – New Orleans Streetbeat Dragon’s Den – Dancehall Classics with DJ T-Roy Funky Pirate – The Blues Masters with Patrick Williams Gasa Gasa – Bowery Presents: Twerps + Ultimate Painting Howlin Wolf Den – Hazy Ray Trio House of Blues – Jet Lounge Irvin Mayfield’s – Lady Sings the Blues; NOJO Kerry Irish Pub - Patrick Cooper Little Gem Saloon –Kyle Cripps, The Listening Room Little Tropical Isle – Mark Barrett, JB Elston The Maison – New Orleans Jazz Vipers; The Messy Cookers Maple Leaf Bar – Joe Ashlar, Chris Alford Original Tropical Isle – Debi and the Deacons, Late as Usual Rusty Nail – Jenn Howard Three Muses –Leslie Martin, Hot Club of New Orleans Tropical Isle Bourbon – Way to Early, Debi and the Deacons Yuki Izakaya –Kana de Soul featuring Detroit Books Thursday, March 19 Bayou Club – Cajun Drifters, Louisiana Inferno Buffa’s – Tom McDermott & Aurora Nealand Café Negril –Soul Project Chickie Wah Wah – Phil DeGruy Circle Bar – Rockin’ Robin featuring the Kentucky Sisters Columns Hotel –Naydja CoJoe Crescent City Brewhouse – New Orleans Streetbeat dba- Beans on Toast, Truckstop Honeymoon Dragon’s Den – Bayou Saints Dmac’s Bar & Grill – Sturmlandia Funky Pirate – Marc Stone Duo, Big Al Carson Gasa Gasa – Shallou + TBA Hi Ho Lounge – Cirque D’Licious House of Blues – Young Thug and Travis Scott Irvin Mayfield’s – Playhour; The James Rivers Movement Kerry Irish Pub - Vincent Marini & The One Tailed Three Le Bon Temps Roule –The Soul Rebels Brass Band Little Tropical Isle – Allen Hebert, Casey Saba

Mahalia Jackson Theater – Mahler Symphony #4 The Maison – Jon Roniger; Kristina Morales; Rue Fiya Maple Leaf Bar – The Trio featuring Johnny Vidacovich Original Tropical Isle – The Hangovers, Late as Usual Publiq House –Brass-a-holics Rivershack- Joe Krown and Walter Wolfman Spotted Cat Music Club – Up Up We Go! Three Muses –Tom McDermott Tropical Isle Bourbon – Miss Maggie Trio, Debi and the Deacons Friday, March 20 Armstrong Park – Congo Square New World Rhythms Festival Bayou Club – Louisiana Inferno, T’Canailli The Beatnik- Five-Eight Blue Nile- Royal Southern Brotherhood, Mia Borders Buffa’s – Andre Bohren; Greg Schatz; Ben Fox Trio Checkpoint Charlie’s- Olio Columns Hotel –Ted Long Crescent City Brewhouse – New Orleans Streetbeat Dragon’s Den – Up Up We Go; UP Comedy Show; James Jordan & The Beautiful Band; Buena Vista Social Latin Dance Night Funky Pirate –Mark and the Pentones, Big Al Carson Gasa Gasa – The Bowery Presents: Steve Gunn with Ryley Walker Hi Ho Lounge – The Transplanted Roots; The Parishioners Howlin Wolf Den – Eric John Kaiser Irvin Mayfield’s – Piano Professor; Leon “Kid Chocolate” Brown; Burlesque Ballroom Kerry Irish Pub - Whiskey Tango Le Bon Temps Roulé – Jeff “Snake” Greenberg Little Gem Saloon –Jon Roniger Little Tropical Isle – Reed Lightfoot, Ben Joseph The Maison – Leah Rucker; Shotgun Jazz Band; Fat Ballerina Maple Leaf Bar – Khris Royal & Dark Matter

StonesFest The 2015 Stones Fest New Orleans at Tipitina’s will bring together some of the best artists in the city. John “Papa” Gros, Fred Leblanc and many others will be rocking this cool event. Fri., Mar 13. $17.50 advance/$20 door, 9:00 p.m., Tipitina’s, tipitinas.com

WhereYat.com | March 2015 | 25

Molly’s at the Market Irish Parade 1107 Decatur St. Fri., March 13; 6 p.m.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Metairie Rd. Metairie Rd. to the parish line Sun., March 15; 12 p.m.

Tracey’s St. Patrick’s Day Party 2604 Magazine St. Sat., March 14 & Tues., March 17; 11 a.m.

Mardi Gras Indian Super Sunday Washington and LaSalle Streets Sun., March 15; 12 p.m.

Parasol’s Block Party Celebration Third and Constance St. Sat., March 14; 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., & Tues., March 17; 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Downtown Irish Club Parade Corner of Burgundy and Piety St. Tues., March 17; 6 p.m.

Parasol's/Tracey's Block Party Irish Channel Parade Corner of Felicity and Magazine St. Sat., March 14; 1 p.m.

Louisiana Irish-Italian Parade Veterans Memorial Blvd. route in Metairie Sun., March 22; 12 p.m.

Italian-American St. Joseph’s Parade in the French Quarter Convention Center Blvd. at Girod St. Sat., March 14; 6 p.m.

St. Bernard Irish Italian Islenos Parade W Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette/Arabi Sun., April 12; 11 a.m.

Saturday, March 14, 1 p.m.

26 | March 2015 | Irish and Italian Parade Schedule

WhereYat.com | March 2015 | 27

Lakeside2Riverside

FESTIVAL & E VENT PRE VIE WS

Beer Leprecrawl Saturday, March 7; 3 p.m. Various Locations creativitycollective.com/leprecrawl The shiny pot of gold at the end of the rainbow has been found, and it is in pub-crawl form. Leprecrawl, the first ever leprechaun pub-crawl in New Orleans, will bring the greenest party of the year. Nonna Mia, Café Degas, Half Shell, Swirl, Pal's, Parkway Bakery, Bayou Beer Garden, and Holy Ground are the participating venues providing discounts and specials. All proceeds benefit Gradeuxity. The Brooklyn Brewery Mash Monday, March 23 – Sunday, March 29 Various Locations brooklynbrewerymash.com/new-orleans The Brooklyn Brewery Mash is an emergence of culture from Brooklyn to their visiting city. They are traveling from London to Chicago and hitting up New Orleans for a weeklong celebration of the two vibrant cultures. Events include a pop-up dinner party with Dinner Lab, a strange footage festival at One Eyed Jacks, an Animation Block Party, and a Brooklyn Beefsteak with the mantra, "Beef, beer and fun!" Tracey’s & Parasol’s St. Patrick's Day Block Parties Saturday, March 14 Irish Channel (Corner of Magazine St. and Third St.) stpatricksdayneworleans.com Both Tracey’s on Magazine Street and Parasol’s on Constance Street are hosting their annual block parties on the Saturday of the St. Patrick’s Day festivities. If you are looking for a party at the end of the parade route, make sure to head to Tracey’s, or take a break from Magazine Street at Parasol’s. Either way, there will be plenty of green beer, cabbage, music and other surprises to go around.

Burlesque Flesh Art Show Friday, March 20, 8:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. One Eyed Jacks, 615 Toulouse Street theﬂeshartshow.com One Eyed Jacks in the French Quarter will once again be hosting The Flesh Art Show.

Fleur de Tease's "Boob Tube" March 21 28 | March 2015 | Lakeside 2 Riverside

Every year, audience members are amazed by the detail of the body paint and the elegant performance put on by the show’s participants. Gravity A will be providing live music during the show, so do not miss your chance to check out this one-of-a-kind event.

Superdome for the entire family to enjoy. If you’re looking for the right dealer to buy a boat, just enjoy looking at the vessels or are curious about any other boating accessories, this is the place to go. There will be attractions for the whole family.

remodeling or any other home projects, there’s no better place for you to go than the New Orleans Home & Garden Show. There’s always more to learn about how to get the most out of your home in the Gulf South, and there is no better place to find innovative ideas!

Boob Tube Saturday, March 21; 8 pm and 10 p.m. One Eyed Jacks; 615 Toulouse Street ﬂeurdetease.com Lace, lingerie, and now … boob tubes? Don’t worry. It’s not exactly what you think. Luckily, “Boob Tube” is not the latest style for your late-night look, but a new TV-themed show presented by Fleur de Tease. Beside all your Fleur de Tease favorites, special guest artist Vita de Void will be performing.

60 th Annual New Orleans Home & Garden Show Friday, March 13–Sunday, March 15 Mercedes-Benz Superdome, 1500 Sugar Bowl Drive neworleanshomeshows.com If you’re in the market for home decor, landscaping,

Festivals

Bustout Burlesque Saturday, March 21; 9 p.m. House of Blues, 225 Decatur Street houseofblues.com This 1950s authentic show features glamorous girls, a sexy songstress, a classic jazz band, and props. There will be sights, sounds, and an electrifying energy perfect for audiences of all ages. You will be brought back to the glory days of Bourbon St. within minutes.

Louisiana SPCA Dog Days Sunday, March 22; 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. New Orleans City Park; Wisner Blvd and Lelong Dr. Louisiana SPCA’s Dog Days is Louisiana’s first walk-athon and festival celebrating our canine companions. The highlight of the day is the Gatsby Strut, a walk-a-thon around New Orleans City Park’s Big Lake with your furry friend. There will also be live music, services and treats from animal vendors and artists, dog obedience demos, dog contests and great prizes.

Convention The Boat Show Friday, March 6–Sunday, March 8 Mercedes-Benz Superdome, 1500 Sugar Bowl Drive boatshowneworleans.com The region’s largest boat show will be coming to the

2015 Congo Square Rhythms Festival Saturday, March 21–Sunday, March 22; 11:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m. Congo Square, 701 N. Rampart Street jazzandheritage.org/congo-square For the past eight years, there has been no better place to check out the music and culture that originated from the very beginning of Congo Square in New Orleans. The event includes brass bands, food, Mardi Gras Indians and an art market. There are also musical performances from Africa, the Caribbean and the rest of the Gulf South.

Flesh Art Show March 20

WhereYat.com | March 2015 | 29

Bombing BUKU Festival assembles New Orleans Street Art Showcase March 13 – 14 By Greg Roques

he visual spectacle at BUKU Music + Arts Experience, landing in New Orleans March 13 - 14, goes way beyond the lasers and 3D projections of the DJ stages. It also features the most prolific urban art showcase of any local festival, ranging in styles from street art to recycled industrial spaces. Where Y’at sat down with event producer Reeves Price and art director Chris Berends to learn more about BUKU’s artistic side.

Where Y’at: In previous years, BUKU has featured a live street art installation. Will this be returning for 2015? Berends: Our New Orleans Live Gallery features local street artists producing live murals, each measuring about 8 x 12 ft. We have roughly 20 artists producing art going up three stories of scaffolding. We auction each piece during the festival; some of the pieces go into the thousands of dollars. The proceeds are all donated to a cause—this year, the proceeds will benefit Dog Paw Approved, an animal charity that will be presenting the 2015 New Orleans Live Gallery. Price: Last year, the proceeds went to Upbeat Academy, a local non-profit that teaches school children about contemporary music production...it’s sort of like the new school version of the Tipitina’s Foundation, except our main focus is EDM, hip-hop and other more modern sounds. This year, 50 cents from each ticket will go to the foundation. WYAT: Almost every major music festival includes “art” now. What makes BUKU stand out? Berends: What we do differently is that we create our art here inspired by the venue, rather than bringing in something pre-made from elsewhere. Every piece of art at BUKU is interactive in that audiences can see it being made and purchase it, or they can

2014 New Orleans Live Gallery

"Every piece of art is interactive...you can see it being made, purchase it, or can actually go inside it." ~ Chris Berends, Art Director

"We have such an enormous amount of talent in the city. We want to feature the most diverse selection of New Orleans street art imaginable." ~ Chris Berends, Art Director actually be on top of it or inside it, experiencing it one-on-one. Price: The location of BUKU plays into this – it’s near the Crescent City Connection, there are trains and ships passing by, there is an enormous abandoned power plant in the background. We try to embellish the industrial atmostphere by using aluminum structures and scaffolding for the stages. We constructed a giant hammock out of recycled shipping containers and shipping nets, and another one out of old oil drums...these are just a few examples. This speaks not only to the venue, but to the industrial nature of New Orleans, which is something the average tourist doesn’t expect; we are one of the biggest port cities in the country. Berends: Having art at your festival is kind of cliché now; it is almost expected even. I think it is easy to just throw some stuff out at your event site and say you are an arts festival. We want to expose the underbelly of New Orleans, we want to tell a story

WYAT: Back to the 2015 New Orleans Live Gallery. How do you select your artists? Berends: The person who curates our gallery for us is very aware of what is going on in the New Orleans graﬃti scene. Our criteria are a combination of how prolific an artist is, their style, and how active they are, both in general and on a local level. We don’t take applications at all…we reach out to them. This being our fourth year, the possibility was there to really make this more of an international event in terms of our street

30 | March 2015 | BUKU Music + Arts Experience

artists. The truth is we have such an enormous amount of talent in the city, we want to feature the most diverse selection of New Orleans street art imaginable on the New Orleans Live Gallery wall. WYAT: Many street artists keep galleries and do commissioned works, but several technically share their art through vandalism. How do you locate these artists? Also, is it hard for those who paint in secrecy and solitude to perform in front of thousands? Berends: Instagram is one of our main sources for finding artists, as well as for reaching out to them. Addressing the first part of your questions, some have galleries, and some do not. Everyone has always been super excited to participate, however. A list of this year's 2015 New Orleans Live Gallery Street artists and their Instagram handles can be found below. Trace @beerthirdeemag

Imag @antonioguacamole

Uter @charlinomob

Meek @soapboks

Task @taskills

Wooly @woolythemammath

Tard N/A

Elsie @ckbecky

Sager @supergraﬃ tifuntime

Soem @epic.what

Swan @sosh.0

Seek N/A

Nobel @deadalive36504

Dvote @ungulatemaﬁa

Elle One @lionelmilton

Painter @painters504

Mrsa @mrsamrsamrsa

WhereYat.com | March 2015 | 31

OnesToWatch

VALERIE SASSYFRAS By Kimmie Tubre

alerie Sassyfras embodies the perfect blend of Musical ability and eccentricity. She has decades of studying and performing music under her belt; and has delved into just about every genre while mastering the art of the one-woman show. Sassyfras is classically trained on the piano and began her career performing Cajun Zydeco with her late husband Johnny Donald. After his passing, she continued to perform, expanding her talent and exploring various arenas. Her sound is a world of clashing genres and, like her personal appearance, it’s a phenomenal blend of sass and fearless fun. Where Y’at: You started your career playing Cajun music. How did you get into Cajun Zydeco? Valerie Sassyfras: My grandmother was Cajun. In the beginning, she didn't want us to learn French because it wasn't cool or hip at the time. She and my mother used it as a private language. In the 80s, when I got together with Johnny, we had an opportunity to do Cajun music and she started helping us. She gave us old records and sent us to the library. It was during the World's Fair when Cajun became popular. My grandmother helped us write Cajun songs and was a huge influence. My mother was also an influence because she gave us music lessons and the confidence to play music in front of people. WYAT: You have a rich music history. Where did you begin and what keeps you going in the industry? VS: When Johnny and I started out we initially had some Cajun gigs at Mulate’s and other similar places. We started out with festivals, restaurants and some club gigs. We traveled all over the country. After Katrina when we came back to New Orleans, Johnny wasn’t well any more. So he really wasn’t in a position to perform. It was basically just me, but he kept pushing me and would say, you can do it you've got all the skills to do a one-man band.

32 | March 2015 | Valerie Sassyfras

He helped and encouraged me and pushed me to work at Piccadilly because it would be something steady. After he passed away a year and a half ago, I started to perform more club gigs and started expanding. I figured I may as well work because there’s nothing else to do but work. WYAT: Being a one-woman band, give us a list of all of the instruments that you play on stage? VS: I’m classically trained on piano. I also play the keyboard, accordion, mandolin, the foot tambourine and the washboard. WYAT: How do you come up with the lyrics to your music? Do you pull from personal experiences? VS: I pull from my life with Johnny and from my life now and the situations that I come across. Sometimes I get an idea for a song by just hearing somebody else’s story. But everything is sort of biographical. WYAT: What inspired you to transition into various genres? VS: I figured since I’m a one-man band, I don’t have to answer to anybody. Basically whatever I’m in the mood for when I’m writing a song, that’s what I write. I just recently started getting into hip hop. I never thought that I would ever like it but it’s finally starting to get to me. With that said, I’ve been sort of going in that direction. But when I’m writing a song, it’s just whatever I’m feeling at that time. I feel like I shouldn’t really have any boundaries when I’m creating music. WYAT: With three albums and a Christmas album under your belt, what are you currently working on? VS: I have new music that I’ve been performing and I’m getting ready to record in the studio. This time it’s going to be all live musicians. I plan to keep working and expanding, doing more shows and eventually getting to Jazz Fest. Photos by Thomas B. Diasio.

BarGuide Backspace Bar & Kitchen 139 Chartres St., 522-2216 backspacenola.com

The unique literary theme and rare specialty cocktails featured at Backspace lend a sense of sophistication and class you won’t easily find elsewhere.

Bamboula's 514 Frenchmen St. 944-8461

There’s a new music venue shaking up Frenchmen Street. Home of three bars and two music stages, Bamboula’s is making their mark on New Orleans.

Balcony Bar 3201 Magazine St. 894-8888

Well-known for their balcony overlooking Magazine Street, this gem also has plenty of beers on tap and a late night kitchen offering delivery.

Barcadia 601 Tchoupitoulas St. 335-1740

Home of the life-sized Jenga, 80s arcade games and giant Connect Four, Barcadia is where you go to enjoy yourself, not just the beer.

Bar Tonique 820 N. Rampart St. 324-6045, Bartonique.com

Bar Tonique is known for serving some of the best hand-crafted cocktails around. Check out their super daily cocktail specials.

Bottomline Beach Club 3408 28th St. 324-5777

Metairie's Bottomline Beach Club gives you the ultimate beach experience with volleyball tournaments and your favorite drink specials.

Buffa’s Bar 1001 Esplanade Ave. 949-0038

Buffa’s is a great neighborhood bar with even greater food. Try the Buffa-Lo Wings or a Buffa Burger with a drink from the bar.

Club Caribbean 2443 Bayou Rd. 949-9246

Reggae and island music is the name of the game at this Mid-City classic located near the Fair Grounds. Don’t miss Ladies Night when ladies drink free!

The Columns Hotel 3811 St. Charles Ave. 899-9308

The Columns Hotel is a favorite Uptown spot. Add a little class to your night and enjoy a Sazerac inside at their Victorian Lounge Bar.

Known for the re-enactment of the movie, Coyote Coyote Ugly 225 N. Peters St., 561-0003 Ugly is a fantastic French Quarter bar with a bit of a fun and wild twist. coyoteuglysaloon.com Dino’s Bar & Grill 1128 Tchoupitoulas St. 558-0900

Offering great drink specials, burgers, and bartenders, Dino’s is great for any occasion. It is named after the “King of Cool,” Dean Martin, after all.

The Metropolitan is the premiere location for Generations Hall/Metro weekday private events and the place to dress up, 310 Andrew Higgins Dr. 568-1702, generationshall.com suit up, and drink up on the weekend. Holy Ground 3340 Canal St. 821-6828

Holy Ground is your Mid-City staple for a great Irish Pub. Throw darts with your mates while enjoying a cold stout and great prices.

J&J’s Sports Lounge 800 France St., 942-8877 jjssportslounge.com

J&J’s features a courtyard, pool table and jukebox adding to the low-key feel that makes locals and neighbors feel right at home.

Kerry Irish Pub 331 Decatur St. 527-5954

Kerry’s Irish Pub is known for having the best Guinness in the Quarter, and for featuring live music every night of the week.

Lucy’s Retired Surfer’s Bar This Warehouse District legend is known for great Happy Hours such as 3-for-1 drinks every 701 Tchoupitoulas St. Wednesday from 4 – 7 pm. 523-8995 Masquerade at Harrah’s 228 Poydras St., 533-6000 harrahsneworleans.com

Voted # 27 in Nightclub & Bar Magazine's Top 100 Nightclubs, Masquerade is a hot spot featuring the nation’s top DJs, slots, and table games.

Pat O’Brien's 718 St. Peter St., 525-4823 patobriens.com

Pat O’Brien’s welcomes patrons with a cool atmosphere, an open patio area, and an outside bar to enjoy while eating one of their Creole dishes.

Rick’s Cabaret 315 Bourbon St. 524-4222, iknowrick.com

Located in the center of all the action, this gentlemen’s club features some of the most beautiful women in New Orleans.

Rick’s Sporting Saloon 522 Bourbon St., 552-2510 Ricks-saloon.com

Rick’s Sporting Saloon is located in the heart of Bourbon Street and features 11 TVs for catching the big game while enjoying some adult entertainment.

Shamrock offers up the fun with their extensive Shamrock Bar & Grille collection of games for everyone to enjoy, including 4133 S. Carrollton Ave. 307-4350, shamrockparty.com air hockey, skee-ball, and even mini bowling lanes. Tracey’s 2604 Magazine St., 897-5413 traceysnola.com

Known as the Original Irish Channel Bar, Tracey’s is a great spot to enjoy the winning combination of beer, food, and sports.

Tropical Isle Original 721 Bourbon St. 529-4109

Home of the Hand Grenade, Tropical Isle is a must stop while in New Orleans, with multiple locations up and down Bourbon Street.

Wit’s Inn 141 N. Carrollton Ave. 486-1600, witsinn.com

Come by Wit's Inn for fresh pizza and specialty sandwiches or stop in for their 3-for-1 shots on Wednesday nights.

Bar Guide | March 2015 | 33

FilmReviews

Catch Where Y'at Movie Editor David Vicari and critic Fritz Esker's “Dueling Critics” blog at WhereYat.com.

Two Days, One Night By Fritz Esker Marion Cotillard (The Dark Knight Rises) was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar for the Belgian film Two Days, One Night. It’s an outstanding performance in an exceptional movie. Written and directed by the Dardenne Brothers, the film’s story centers around Sandra (Cotillard), a young mother in Belgium recovering from a bout of clinical depression. It doesn’t help her state of mind when she learns that her boss has given her 16 coworkers a choice let Sandra keep her job and lose their bonus or receive a bonus and see Sandra laid off. Over the course of a weekend, Sandra travels from coworker to coworker in a desperate attempt to save her job and keep her family’s home, aided by her sympathetic husband (Fabrizio Rongione). Most of her coworkers don’t want her to lose her job and are resentful of management for making them choose between Sandra and a bonus, but some can’t pass up the extra money. Sandra is left battling her own depression and the indignity of having to beg for her livelihood. She even wonders if it’s worth it - if she convinces enough coworkers to vote for her, will the others be openly hostile to her at work because they lost their bonuses? It’s a movie that doesn’t present easy answers. Like the Italian neorealist classic Bicycle Thieves, Two Days, One Night makes riveting, poignant cinema out of the struggles of the working class. Many Americans are notoriously loath to read subtitles, but this is a film that deserves to be seen. For indie fans, Two Days, One Night’s focus on the sinister things the powerful will do to the working-class drones underneath them would make it a fascinating double feature with the dark comedy Cheap Thrills (about a rich guy who keeps offering money to two hard-luck men to complete a series of increasingly dangerous dares).

Focus By David Vicari Ever since 1973's The Sting, it is almost impossible to make a good movie about con men, because you just know that the story is one big ruse and nothing in the film, from plot points to characters' emotions, is to be trusted. Focus, however, doesn't cheat too much, as everything isn't a con. The central love story in this caper comedy/drama is genuine, so it is okay to care about the characters, even if some of the elements in the big score propelling the plot are a tad far-fetched. Will Smith is Nicky, a slick, veteran con artist. He's got all the moves and tricks down pat, but his concentration is thrown off when small-time-pick-pocket Jess (Margot Robbie) enters the picture. The worst thing Nicky can do is fall for Jess, and boy, does he fall hard. These feelings Nicky has causes a dangerous scheme in Buenos Aires to go askew. Portions of Focus were filmed in New Orleans and apparently, according to the movie, there are more pick pockets than tourists in The French Quarter. So, hang on to your wallets! Recently, I reviewed Fifty Shades of Grey, and one of my major criticisms was that there wasn't any chemistry between the two leads. Thankfully, Focus is the opposite. Will Smith and Margot Robbie have great rapport. Many of their back and forths are hilarious, plus the fact that they are both very good looking makes this all fun to watch.

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WhereYat.com | March 2015 | 35

YaGram

Below are our staff's favorite #MardiGras hashtags on Instagram for February. Tag us @WhereYatNola or #WhereYatNola to be featured in an upcoming issue.

NewsAroundTheWeb

Updated Daily at WhereYat.com

What'sYourPrice?

@andrejones11

@b1gsean

@chaid9

Whatsyourprice.com is a date-auction site where members bid on a date with other members they would like to meet. New Orleans ranked third in the most generous bids with a top number of $197 for a first date.

Hip-HopPolice @gapmola

@hakunatorata

@kbrumf

@Qtr_Mile_at_a_Time

@pgportas

@thafathaa

TweetBites

Below are our staff's New Orleans hashtag picks from Twitter for February. Tag us @WhereYatNola or #WhereYatNola to be featured in an upcoming issue.

A small Louisiana town attempted to silence rap music during Mardi Gras parades this past Carnival, but was shut down by the local chapter of the ACLU. Acadiana's KPEL radio quoted the organization as saying, “Just because you don’t like something doesn’t mean you can ban it.”

PanningPalcohol Palcohol, the powdered alcohol that when mixed with water is equivalent to a drink debuting nationally this spring, may never hit the shelves. Louisiana is considering this ban out of concerns that it could increase underage drinking.

@teamgleason: I hope to look like Julie Andrews when I am 79. -SG @laurenlaborde: Why isn't the Pelicans Senior Dance Team called The Old Birds @bellablue888 : After a lot of careful consideration, I will no longer be producing at Lucky Pierre's. Thank you all for your continued love and support. @christylorio: Serious discussion w/ hubby comparing & contrasting the Mid-City & Uptown Whole Foods cookie bars. #wearesowhiterightnowithurts @504andrew: Just had the ﬁnal piece of king cake for breakfast. #AshWednesday @quasiNOLA: During any future sieges of the city, the major bridges need only be blown and NOLA deadenders can forage from the lake in order to survive.

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CemeteryBan Starting in March the Archdiocese of New Orleans place strict restrictions on who can visit Louis Cemetary No. 1. Home to the grave of Marie Laveau, the second most visited tomb in the country after that of Elvis, the new rules result from an increase in vandalsim and litter.

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Po-BoyViews By Phil LaMancusa The Ideas of March Or Angel from Montgomery And Spring arose on the garden fair, Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere; And each ﬂower and herb on Earth’s dark breast Rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.

owever you pick up your March issue of Where Y’at, it seems that this month’s festivities are starting as slowly as the Saints defense. You’re not imagining things. As a city founded on a Catholic menu (with liberal side dishes of lascivious licensing), we tend to lay a little low after Mardi Gras to atone for our rambunctiousness during Carnival. However, when we can taste the end of Lenten season, our hormones and pheromones chafe at the bit. Consequently, around the middle of March, the sassy and smartass celebratory locomotive begins its chuga-chugchug (the little engine that could…and does). Starting with BUKU Music + Art Project on March 13, we then slide into Mardi Gras Indians Super Sunday, St. Joseph’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Congo Square New World Rhythms Festival, FoodFest, Tennessee Williams Literary Festival, the spring equinox, Hogs for the Cause, and Louisiana Oyster Jubilee. March: in like a lamb and out like a lion—especially because, in the interim, there will be second lines, crawfish killings, birthdays, deadlines, wanderings, wooings and someone getting a fat refund

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from Uncle Sam. It’s said that “there’s nothing as constant as change,” and the influx of new residents—from hospital workers to Hispanic laborers, from forward-thinking teachers to the struggling upwardly mobile—change the city’s demographics. New Orleans continues to be painted with a wide brush, and you’d be a fool not to love the colors and a traitor not to wish that things would remain the same. You can play the “I remember when…” game all you like, but there’s one thing for sure about spring 2015: there are eddies in the wash, both cosmically and cosmetically. The French Quarter has turned into a Disney-esque caricature, the Marigny has become the new French Quarter, upper Bywater has become the New Marigny, lower Bywater has turned into Brooklyn and less affluent folks are being pushed (again) into “the Nine” (upper and lower). What was once a viable downtown is now hotels, oﬃce buildings and parking lots. Affordable housing for retirees and missions for the homeless share zip codes with churches, schools, nursing homes and productdriven facilities that now are either condominiums or hulking shells. Meanwhile, a gleaming steel and concrete city on the hill will have arisen smack dab in the middle of River City where a neighborhood once stood. Likewise, the Lafitte Greenway will be nearly complete. And they’ll still be talking about tearing down that affront of an interstate along Claiborne, the last of the projects will have fallen and possibly a decision will be made about old Charity Hospital. Question: What are you gonna do? Answer: Whatever you can. Pray for a good landlord and reasonable rent, throw caution to the wind and watch your back. There’s no sense in even considering a move to another city or town. That would only become a stigma on the

polish of your impeccable personality. Face it: once you’ve drunk the New Orleans Kool-Aid, you’re doomed, spoiled, cursed and infected with a love/hate relationship with the best damn city in the nation. No one who has ever lived in New Orleans will consider anywhere else in this country their true home. There, I’ve said it and I’ll swear by it. Hell, maybe I’ll run for mayor. At one time I believed that the only place to live in New Orleans is the French Quarter and it’s true…kinda. The Quarter’s 24/7 sensory overload overloaded me (at some point most tenants know when it’s time to leave the party) and I found another neighborhood complete with kids, trees, squirrels, neighborhood pubs, coffeehouses, restaurants and grocery stores. Perversely, there are tracts of housing that have only convenience stores and the occasional wild chickens. With luck, there’s a laundromat, filling station, dollar store, Kentucky McBell and/or bus stop close by; regrettably (and still), some folks are not that lucky. Historically, we are a city of haves and have-nots. We’ll make do. It’s the foundation of our culture, food and music and it’s in our blood. That’s not denigration; it’s the way it is. Back to the first day of spring (March 20). In Italian, it’s la primavera, meaning the first truth, the true end of the past year and the beginning of the new. Our juices flow. We do some “spring cleaning.” We decide to “get in shape.” Our young fancies have returned to love and our appetite for life reawakens. We become more critical, wistful, energized and keen; you know: “out with the old…” The First Truth in New Orleans is that we will never be any better than what we are, but probably not any worse. So, spring forward (!), dust off your dancing shoes, suit up and prepare to shake your money maker!

WhereYat.com | March 2015 | 39

TalesFromTheQuarter By Debbie Lindsay

A Tale of the Southern

lues, BBQ and Buddy—that was the theme of our Memphis road trip. Our guidebook was Smokestack Lightning by Lolis Elie, the compass was set to Elvis and the airwaves provided the Blues. A pilgrimage to Graceland, paying homage to every BBQ shack, joint and diner along the way, was the high point of Boyfriend’s vacation. I was pretty much on the same page of that menu too, but with one added quest: to visit Buddy’s Mississippi hometown of Itta Bena. Who the heck is Buddy? Well, I’m glad you asked. Some years back, while attending my first Tennessee Williams Literary Festival, I happened upon a panel discussion called “Southern Wit and Wisdom,” moderated by Rex Reed. There was the usual mix of questions and answers but with those panelists there was also the promise of crazy–anything goes–free fall conversations and, of course, Mr. Reed knew how to steer it in that direction. One of the panelists was a writer by the name of Lewis “Buddy” Nordan. “Buddy”—does it get any more Southern? Well, yeah, “Bubba” maybe. Anyway, despite my lifetime of living in the South, I felt like a visitor, and that drawling, eccentric bunch of writers were jaw-droppingly funny and, well, nuts. I felt like the straight-laced cousin who’d been away for a long time in the “big city,” coming home to face a culture and people I had totally forgotten. I loved these writers. And from then on, I found that my own writing would shift in a more southerly direction. At several New Orleans Tennessee Williams Literary Festivals to come I would hear these writers and others of similar lineage speak and spin tales about their dysfunctional and larger-than-life childhoods that led them to fictionalize those experiences on paper. Some wrote memoirs, proving the old adage that truth is indeed stranger than ﬁction. Mr. Nordan’s books found a home on my bookshelves rather quickly, along with others in this genre of audacious storytelling. But it would be Buddy’s stories that got under my skin the most, the deepest. Nordan’s Wolf Whistle should be required reading. It is a fictional telling of the Emmett Till murder, a black boy’s death that would shock and burden a nation. (Mrs. Till insisted that her son’s casket be open for viewing and Jet magazine documented this atrocity with a photograph of Emmett’s battered face laid to rest.) Effortlessly, this

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lyrical novel shifts from the hideous to the hilarious, albeit a nervous laughter since the dark humor was threaded awfully close to the tragic and deeply disturbing violence born of racism. I remember one morning at CC’s Coffee House when my girlfriend and I were talking about books and writing and I showed her the novel I was not going to finish reading: Wolf Whistle. “It’s just too disturbing but, wait, let me read you this one passage.” And there I sat reading aloud one paragraph after another. The sheer magic that Nordan could invoke from deep in the Delta and along the muddy roads where his characters struggled and salvaged through life was utterly compelling. After reading my highlighted passages to her I realized I had to finish this book, no matter how perturbing it might be. “When I was little I would think of ways to kill my daddy” were the first words I remember hearing from Kaye Gibbons. She, too, was one of the Festival’s repeat panelists. I believe she said this at a panel titled “Southern Gothic—Is It Real?” Well, with an opening line like hers, I’d say hell yeah. Those thoughts were from Ellen Foster, the heroine of the novel bearing her name.

Southern stories are ﬂavored with Gothic elements. Is this the South, or simply the human condition? We learn quickly that this child is no more a murderer than you are, except that Kaye Gibbons speaks it with such matter-of-fact complicity that you stare open-mouthed for a second. Her dry, dark humor told me that I had to read everything she’d ever written. Her Ellen Foster would become my contemporary To Kill a Mockingbird, and this child would win my heart just as Scout, Jem and Atticus had. Southern stories, like those of Gibbons and Nordan, are flavored with Gothic elements—a darkness that permeates much Southern literature. Is this the South or simply the human condition? I am reminded of a bitter dark chocolate ice cream infused with hot peppers. First you taste sweetness, but then the darkness brings on the bite and from behind you are hit—half expecting it, half lost in the sweet—with pure heat. You are a bit put off at first, but then you realize that the elements are mixed and there is no separating them. I hope to be in the audience of Ms. Gibbons again and to thank her for her work. And I am glad to have walked barefoot in Buddy’s hometown—it was well worth the drive.

Blending American, French, Italian, and Creole styles, Chef Duke LoCicero has been dazzling diners with his “New World Italian Cuisine” for over 20 years. Café Giovanni offers live entertainment on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings, creating the perfect ambiance for your next dining experience. There is also a delightful upscale lounge called Belli Baci. 117 Decatur St., cafegiovanni.com.

Chat NIKKI REYES with

<<Chef Duke Locicero Owner, Café Giovanni

<<Jason Marsalis Award-Winning Musician/ Composer

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Grey Goose dirty Martini. Serving food that we don't know what it is. Taxes. A hot Leprechaun. A big pot of gold...and I don't mean a "Port-a-John."

<< Deseree Tauceda Bar Mistress, Café Giovanni 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Boiled crawfish. Boiled...anything. Frying everything. Working. The tallest woman alive. Paradise. With a beach.

Where Y’at Chat Questions: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

<< Bernie Cyrus CEO, Cyber One Media/ Author 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Tangerine-flavored snoball. Hiring outta-town staff who do not appreciate. Soda. Actually, sodas! Pianist Chick Corea. Bahia, Brazil.

Ketle One Madras. Worrying about entertainment taxes. It's OVER! Cursing...I find it vulgar. The chick from BJ's Pawn Shop — she pays. A villa in Tuscany.

It's our Spring Restaurant Guide! What food/drink do you crave when Spring has sprung? Fill in the blank: "Hey, N.O. Restaurants! STOP_______________!" To "Lent" or not! What would you like to "give up" forever? Happy St. Patrick's Day! Whom should "Leprechaun" hook up with on St. Patty's Day? If you were able to slide down a Rainbow, where would you land?

^^Tim McNally Dine, Wine & Spirits, WGSO 990 AM

<<Penny Pounds Owner, "I am New Orleans, LLC." 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Daiquiris. Not keeping it going. The color burgundy. Go Alabama! Miss Gertie of the Mayfair. In the Keys! Then? On my husband's lap.

<<Ryan Haro Owner, Haro Coﬀee & Chocolate

<< Claire Hartley Owner, Claire's Pour House

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Boiled crawfish and a few beers. Closing the kitchen too early. Shaving. Elsa of Frozen. On an Island of coffee and alcohol!

4. 5.

Pasta alfredo — any season. Overcharging for wine. Broccoli! (My wife is gonna kill me.) Restaurateur Ti Martin. A party I'd like to go to. Completely on my ASS!

Mint julep! Non-smoking, #!@*!!! Watermelon. The King Cake baby. The beach.

<<Brittanie Williams Marketer/ Proud Café Giovanni Patron

<< Rachel Sonn Owner, Icon Oﬃces

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Pizza! Any season, Smelling soooo good. Cursing! Let's see how that goes. Cupid. Bora Bora.

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Uni. I can't think of anything. Self-doubt. Kim Kardashian...in a selfie. RIGHT HERE!!!!!