Where Y'at Spring Restaurant Guide - March 2020

March 2020

Vol. 23 No. 07

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief: Josh Danzig

Creative Director: Tony Lawton

Assistant Editor: Kathy Bradshaw

Movie Editors: David Vicari & Fritz Esker

Copy Editor: Donald Rickert

Contributing Writers: Emily Hingle, Kathy Bradshaw, Phil LaMancusa, Debbie Lindsey, Kim Ranjbar, Burke Bischoff, Landon Murray, Leigh Wright, Emil Flemmon, Greg Roques, Steven Melendez, Andrew Alexander, Kimmie Tubre, Jeff Boudreaux, Eliana Blum, Alison Cohen, Camille Barnett, Donald Rickert, Celeste Turner.

Director of Sales: Stephen Romero

Cover Photo by Farrah Ross

Photographers & Designers: Gus Escanelle, Steve Hatley, Romney Caruso, Jorge Menes, Kathy Bradshaw, Greg Roques, James Macaluso, Scott Chernis, Kimmie Tubre, Emily Hingle, Farrah Ross,

Interns: Molly Kellogg, Alena Cover, Emily Ahmad, Katie Napoli, Camryn Cohen, Raissi Bysiewicz

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

It’s with sadness that we announce the departure of Creative Director Tony Lawton. Tony made enormous contributions to Where Y’at, including spearheading the beautiful redesign of the publication. We wish Tony the best of luck in his future endeavors.

Speaking of luck, the luck of the Irish can be found throughout this issue. Check out our St. Patrick’s Day listings and parade maps, as well as Steven Melendez’s picks on where to eat before or after the Metairie Road St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

The end of Carnival means the beginning of the Lenten seafood season. Leslie Snadowski does an extraordinary profile of the current state of the Louisiana oyster as she speaks with restaurant owners, customers, and industry leaders. Go eat some bivalves today.

This Spring Restaurant Guide features a plethora of fantastic spots for your breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Other highlights include Burke Bischoff’s look at NOLA’s international restaurants, Joni Hess’s recs on where to eat in New Orleans East, and more. Bon appetit!

–Josh

Danzig, Publisher

Logo © 2020 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

THE LOUISIANA SHELL GAME: 2020 Oyster Outlook

By Leslie Snadowski

Copey Pulitzer is hooked. His family has feasted on fresh Louisiana Gulf oysters at Pascal’s Manale for three generations. “However they cook their oysters, they’re always fantastic,” Pulitzer said of the 107-year-old Uptown New Orleans institution that features oysters served Bienville, Dante, Rockefeller, fried, pan-roasted, and raw on the half shell. “Louisiana Gulf oysters are something I grew up with, and I crave the flavor, the salinity, and the size,” he said. “It’s a delicacy.”

But cultivated consumers like Pulitzer may have to curb their collective appetite because the bivalve business recently hit rock bottom. “The Mississippi River flooded to a historic high last year, and that killed a massive number of oysters,” Mitch Jurisich, Louisiana Oyster Task Force chairman and owner of Jurisich Oysters, LLC, said. “The influx of warmer fresh water decimated our crops, devastated our oyster beds and all of Louisiana’s fisheries. We lost so much that many of us had to shut down operations.”

According to the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, 70 percent of all oysters caught in the U.S. are from the Gulf Coast, and Louisiana’s commercial oyster industry, which accounts for almost 4,000 jobs, has an economic impact of $317 million annually within the $2.4 billion-per-year Louisiana seafood industry.

Jurisich, a third-generation oyster fisherman who used to dredge up more than one million mollusks a week, said his 2019 numbers took a dive by 50 percent. He predicts conditions will remain cagey until 2022.

When heavy rains in the Midwest caused the Mississippi River to flood for 211 days last year, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers weighed in by opening the Bonnet Carré Spillway twice to keep New Orleans and regional areas from becoming inundated with water. The February 27 opening lasted for 44 days, and the unprecedented second opening on May 10 lasted 79 days, diverting fresh water into Lakes Pontchartrain and Borgne and the Mississippi Sound.

“The combination of the large volume of fresh water and hot water temperatures infiltrating our fertile coastal estuaries, tributaries, and delta created a killing event for our oysters that usually thrive in lukewarm, somewhat brinier conditions,”

Carolina Bourque, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ Oyster Program manager, said. “In some areas, we found 100 percent mortality east of the Mississippi River. It was a big shock for the oyster industry.”

bottom oysters and pricier aquaculture enterprises have caught on and help sustain supply for the halfshell market, it’s critical to save Louisiana wild-reef oysters, estuaries, and spawning areas for the future.

Jurisich said scarcity has made Louisiana Gulf oysters the pearl of the industry, but fellow oyster fishermen should not take the bait and inflate prices. “Oysters cost between $15 to $20 more a sack (180200 oysters) than last year, which is substantial, since last year they cost $10 more than the year prior,” he said. “Shucking oysters are going for $50 a sack, and a bushel of premium half-shell oysters is going for between $65 and $70. We have to be careful about pricing ourselves out of the market. We don’t want people walking away from the table without eating oysters.”

“I never mind paying more for quality,” Pascale’s Manale fan Pulitzer said. “There was a time when restaurants around town weren’t serving oysters, and you just accepted it, but whenever you can help Louisiana fishermen by buying their product, you’re doing a community service.”

Jen Blackwell’s Elysian Seafood & Events serves fresh Gulf seafood and oysters every day at St. Roch Market and Auction House Market, in addition to angling for custom-catering customers. She, too, had to tackle the problem of sourcing. “We started to look west of the Mississippi, where oyster beds were not as badly affected,” she said. “During the worst of it, through mid-November, we were paying a lot more per sack. Oysters are a hard business to be in, but we continued to serve wild, farmed, and off-bottom oysters without having to pass along costs to our customers. There was only one day when we couldn’t find and serve any oysters at all.”

Our company has been around since 1876, and there have been fresh water events over the years. When the spillway openings led to major shortages and lack of production, we were able to find quality product elsewhere. Demand is high, and we’re still as strong as ever.

“Fishermen said the oysters could have survived the first Bonnet Carré Spillway opening, but the second opening with the warmer waters is what did them in,” Samantha Carroll, Louisiana Seafood Promotions and Marketing Board’s executive director, said. “The drastic change in the harvest affected everyone from the oyster fishermen to the wholesalers to the processors and the restaurateurs. It’s a chain reaction. The prosperity of the oyster industry hinges upon this freshwater disaster, and it’s really up to consumers to help local fishermen weather this storm.”

Carroll said oyster season typically lasts all year long for those who fish in private oyster areas. For public oyster areas, the season runs from the first Wednesday after Labor Day to April 30 the following year.

Sal Sunseri Jr., co-owner of the P&J Oyster Company, the oldest continual processor and distributor of oysters in America, which nets a big bite of the action, said the oyster shortage hasn’t rocked his boat from his French Quarter headquarters. “Our company has been around since 1876, and there have been freshwater events over the years,” he said. “When the spillway openings led to major shortages and lack of production, we were able to find quality product elsewhere. Demand is high, and we’re still as strong as ever.”

Sourcing oysters from other parts of the Gulf Coast, from Texas to Florida to as far west as Washington state and all along the East Coast, has helped local purveyors buoy the industry. Sunseri said that even though the varied flavor profiles of cultured off-

Blackwell said she buys an average of 45 to 50 sacks of oysters a week and saw prices jump as much as 45 percent. As values started to stabilize at the dock last December, Blackwell reevaluated her company’s menus and raised their prices. “My oyster sales are down right now, even though we have access to supply,” she said. “Over the rough patch, customers thought the oysters didn’t taste right, and people were worried about what they were hearing. But we had a lot of Mardi Gras business, and everyone’s excited to have oysters back on their plates.”

“We may have to pay a little more to procure them, and we may have to look a little farther away to find them, but I haven’t had a lot of problems getting them,” Carmen Provenzano Jr., Pascal’s Manale’s general manager, said about supplying his restaurant with Louisiana Gulf oysters. “We’ve been able to absorb costs so far, and prices have not gone up for our regular menu items as of yet, but we no longer offer them half-price during our half-price Happy Hours.”

Provenzano, who first shucked oysters on his grandfather’s boat in Chalmette when he was 10 years old, said he’s now paying $7 to $8 more a sack than a year ago. He’s also starting to see a bit of a recovery, being able to bring in more oysters from the east side of the Mississippi River.

“Louisiana oysters are resilient and have a special place in people’s hearts,” he said. “They benefit from the unique fresh water and salt water mix that makes the perfect oyster. If I didn’t have access to fresh oysters from the Gulf, I wouldn’t put oysters on our menu.”

“There will be tough years ahead, but there’s hope,” oyster fisherman Jurisich said. “If we get a good spawn, it will take about three years to get marketable oysters again. Mother Nature takes care of things. She takes, but she gives back tenfold.”

Sal Sunseri Jr., co-owner of the P&J Oyster Company

Featuring Born Bayou Bartender Competition Winner

RICHARD LUONG

Daiwa Sushi Bar

“Bayou makes fantastic and beautifully crafted rum, with many different expressions to enjoy. My personal favorite expression is the BAYOU XO Mardi Gras, due to its complexity from the bourbon barrel maturation and sherry barrel finish.

MARDI GRAS AT VIEUX CARRE

¾ oz BAYOU® XO Mardi Gras

¾ oz Cognac

¾ oz Punt E Mes

2 dashes Angostura Bitters

2 dashes 18:21 Japanese Chili and Lime Bitters

2 tsp Benedictine

Combine ingredients into a mixing glass with ice and stir until well chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass, express an orange peel and serve in drink.

Spring Restaurant Guide

African American

Bennachin Restaurant serves West African food in a warm, cozy space in the Quarter. Brick walls, low-set furniture, and colorful paintings surround guests while they sample coconut rice, fried plantains, and sauteed lamb or baked chicken. Bennachin offers lots of options for vegetarians, and most of the entrees can be served without meat. 1212 Royal St., 504-522-1230, bennachinrestaurant.com

Daisy Dukes is a 24-hour diner that serves Southern staples and Cajun classics. Fanfavorites include the country-fried steak, shrimp and grits, and alligator omelet. Wash it all down with Daisy Dukes’s award-winning Bloody Mary. They offer an early-bird special, but if you miss it, don’t worry—breakfast is served all day. Multiple Locations, daisydukesrestaurant.com

The Audubon Clubhouse Café serves lunch and brunch on a veranda overlooking the famous Audubon Park and Golf Course. The menu offers traditional American dishes with a Southern influence, like boudin and Gulf shrimp. Additionally, the café has a wide variety of omelets, salads, and sandwiches. They also offer a buffet-style brunch on Sundays. 6500 Magazine St., 504-212-5282, audubonnatureinstitute. org/clubhouse-cafe

Bayou Hot Wings will be your new go-to for all things chicken wings. It’s a Tulane hot spot located on South Claiborne, lined with a handful of barstools inside and an array of picnic tables outside. Customers can get their wings batter-fried and pick from 12 different glazes. Be sure to sample the dipping sauces, which are made in-house. 6221 S. Claiborne Ave., 504-662-9933, BayouHotWings.com

Crescent City Steakhouse is a New Orleans staple. This classic steakhouse has been around for over 85 years. Start with shrimp cocktail or onion rings to share, and try the strip sirloin or the filet wrapped in bacon as an entree. Choose a side from an extensive à la carte list, and top it all off with the bread pudding in brandy sauce. 1001 N. Broad St., 504-821-3271, crescentcitysteaks.com

Gattuso’s Neighborhood Restaurant and Bar serves everything from steaks, seafood, and burgers to po-boys and clubs. Guests dine around picnic tables on a large outdoor patio. Gattuso’s has 14 beers on tap, Tuesday trivia nights, and live music on both Friday and Saturday evenings. 435 Huey P. Long Ave., Gretna, 504-368-1114, gattusos.net

Lakeview Harbor is a family-friendly restaurant that offers classics like po-boys, juicy burgers, build-your-own pizzas, and sizzling steak entrees in a pub setting. In addition to hearty meals, Lakeview Harbor also has an extensive cocktail list. Enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner in a nautical atmosphere with friendly service. 8550 Pontchartrain Blvd., 504-486-4887, lakeviewharbor.us

Liberty Cheesesteaks is your best option for Philly-style cheesesteaks here in New Orleans. “The Wiz” is a classic cheesesteak filled with New York strip and topped with colby jack and cheddar cheeses. The “Buffalo Chick” adds a New Orleans twist by adding crab-boil seasoning. They recently moved a couple places down Freret and now have more sitting room, as well as a license to sell beer. 5041 Freret St., 504-875-4447, LibertyCheesesteaks. com

Melba’s is a popular neighborhood po-boy shop just beyond the French Quarter. They are open 24 hours and serve every kind of standard po-boy, as well as platters of ribs, catfish, shrimp, and chicken. Melba’s also offers an extensive list of sides, including gumbo, jambalaya, red beans, cornbread, grits, green beans, and mac and cheese. 1525 Elysian Fields Ave., 504-267-7765, melbas.com

Picnic Provisions & Whiskey brings soulful Southern “picnic” fare and cocktails to its customers. Whether you order the Cajun potato salad, ooey gooey grilled cheese sandwich, or crawfish boil hot fried chicken basket, their familiar menu conjures up that feeling of enjoying a classic picnic in a sunny field that you simply can’t pass up. Plus, they will deliver your own picnic. 741 State St., 504-266-2810, nolapicnic.com

Please U Restaurant has been pleasing locals since 1946 with their Louisianainspired diner menu and mom-and-pop charm. Visit this popular joint and enjoy all-day breakfast or try one of their traditional New Orleans hot plates, featuring staples, such as red beans and rice and Southern fried chicken, to get your NOLA fix. 1751 Saint Charles Ave, 504-525-9131, pleaseunola.com

Spudly’s Super Spuds is a restaurant on a unique mission to offer diners “a meal in a baked potato.” Pick from potatoes loaded with cheese, bacon, sour cream and chives, or even crabmeat, shrimp, turkey, and roast beef. They also serve soups and salads, burgers, sandwiches, and a variety of appetizers to share. 2609 Harvard Ave, 504455-3250, Spudlys.com

The Duke specializes in the best of American comfort food, offering a tantalizing array of homemade burgers, hearty pasta dishes, and fried desserts. Try classics like the Epic Burger or the fettucine alfredo, and finish it off by indulging in your choice of fried sweets, like Oreos and Zebra Cakes. You certainly won’t leave hungry, but be prepared to loosen your belt by a few notches after visiting The Duke. 2740 Severn Ave, Metairie, 504-353-4227, thedukerestaurant.com

Vitascope Hall inside the Hyatt Regency Hotel is a sophisticated spot to lounge around while enjoying drinks, snacks, and sports on one of many big-screen TVs. Vitascope Hall serves fresh Louisiana seafood and sushi, along with an array of options that include burgers, pizzas, sandwiches, soups, and salads. 601 Loyola Ave, 504-613-3983, neworleans.hyatt. com/en/hotel/dining/vitascopehall.html

Voodoo BBQ serves expertly prepared platters of ribs, pulled pork, jerk chicken, and Cajun sausage. They offer an extensive list of side dishes, including coleslaw, baked beans, mac and cheese, gumbo, red beans, and potato salad, and, of course, there’s bread pudding for dessert. All of Voodoo’s meats are dryrubbed and slow-smoked. You won’t go hungry here. Multiple Locations, 504-5224647, VoodooBBQ.com

Willie Mae’s Scotch House has been serving classic soul food since 1957. This culinary institution has won a James Beard Award and was recognized by the Food Network and the Travel Channel as the home of “America’s Best Fried Chicken.” Operated by the great-grandaughter of the original Ms. Willie Mae, this is the place to go to satisfy your fried chicken cravings. Multiple locations, 504-822-9503, WillieMaesNola.com

WOW Café DoubleTree is located in Hilton Hotel near the French Quarter, WOW Café is a chain that serves burgers, wraps, and more. They offer an extensive menu with everything from wings and tenders and lettuce wraps to soups, salads, and seafood. In addition, an entire section of the menu is devoted to handhelds, like chicken quesadillas, Santa Fe tacos, and po-boys. Above all, WOW Café is casual, quick, and easy. 300 Canal St., 504-2123250 wowamericaneats.com/doubletree

Asian

Bao and Noodle is a cute, casual Chinese restaurant in the Marigny. They serve delicious appetizers and noodle entrees, such as steamed buns, pan-fried scallion pancakes, beef soup with rice noodles, duck smoked with jasmine tea, and slow-cooked pork shank. They offer free delivery to the Bywater and Marigny. 2266 Saint Claude Ave., 504-272-0004, baoandnoodle.com

Green Tea is a Chinese restaurant that aims to serve good, healthy food at a reasonable price. They have a big and varied menu, and they offer a lunch special for $7.50 or a combo plate , which includes an entree, a side, and an appetizer or a soup, for $9.50. Be sure to try the fried dumplings, the wonton soup, or the lemon chicken. 3001 Napoleon Ave., 504-899-8005, www.greenteanola. com

Kyoto 2 serves big portions of fresh sushi in a strip mall close to the AMC Elmwood movie theater. They also offer bento boxes, tempura, soups and salads, and noodles. The BBQ salmon, soft-shell crab tempura, yakisoba noodles, and stuffed mushrooms are especially excellent. 5608 Citrus Blvd., 504-818-0228

Mikimoto has an extensive menu of sushi, soups and salads, appetizers, and rice and noodle dishes. The beef tataki, wasabi mussels, and tuna steak are all standouts. For dessert, try the mochi, cheesecake, or tempura fried ice cream. They offer free delivery to most areas in Mid-City, Uptown, Lakeview, Old Metairie, and the CBD. 3301 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-4881881, mikimotosushi.com

Miyako, located on St. Charles Avenue just outside of the CBD, is popular for its hibachi and sushi. They have a wide range of sushi and sashimi and unique options like the Cajun crawfish tacos with cucumber and avocado or their deep-fried sushi rolls. At dinner, all the main dishes are served with soup, salad, noodles, and a hibachi shrimp appetizer. 1403 St. Charles Ave., 504-410-9997, miyakonola.com

Origami on Freret serves Japanese cuisine that blends traditional and modern cooking styles in a stylish indoor space with an outdoor wraparound porch. Their sushi is delicious and beautifully presented, and they serve a variety of yakisoba and udon options, dinner entrees, and lunch specials. For dessert, try the banana tempura or the fried cheesecake. 5130 Freret St., 504-8996532, origaminola.com

Bars with Great Food

Backspace Bar and Kitchen serves great food late into the night in the Quarter. They’ve got creative cocktails, a good selection of wine and beers, and diverse options, like sliders, poutine, burgers or, wings. Plus they have sandwiches: BLTs, roastbeef, chicken caprese, roasted vegetable, and Cuban—to suit almost any craving. 139 Chartres St., 504-322-2245, backspacenola.com

Buffa’s Bar and Restaurant is a 24/7 casual bar located on the border of the Quarter, offering pub grub, such as burgers, wings, and specialty sandwiches. Perhaps their claim to fame is the extensive breakfast menu offered all day and all night. Stop by Buffa’s for jazz brunch or to enjoy live music. 1001 Esplanade Ave., 504-949,0038, buffasbar. com

Carnaval Lounge is a bar located on St. Claude Avenue, featuring New Orleans’s most popular Latin bands. The bar’s restaurant, Cozinha de Carnaval, serves traditional Brazilian street food starting at 5:00 p.m. every day. Menu staples include grilled meats and vegetables, pastéis (traditional Brazilian savory pastries), and beans and rice. 2227 St. Claude Ave., 504265-8855, carnavalloungue.com

Copper Vine Wine Bar & Restaurant serves brunch, lunch, and dinner in a modern space full of lush greenery in Downtown New Orleans. The lunch and dinner menus offer an array of appetizers, like jumbo lump crab deviled eggs and duck-fat fries, and hearty main courses, such as herb-roasted mushroom pasta and Gulf fish bouillabaisse. 1001 Poydras St., 504-208-9535, coppervinewine.com

DMac’s Bar and Grill is a neighborhood hot spot located in Mid-City that offers burgers and bites, live music, and Sunday brunch. DMac’s offers pubfood favorites, like taco pizza, as well as burgers, barbeque, and sandwiches. Additionally, there are low-carb options, such as fresh salads and wraps. 542 "Jeff Davis" Parkway, 504-304-5757, dmacsbarandgrill.com

Fulton Alley is a gaming parlour and bowling alley that doubles as a bar in the happening Warehouse District. Fulton Alley offers Southern-American-influenced snacks and shared plates, such as sliders, fried okra, and Southwest eggrolls, as well as sweets. The menu is an eclectic mix of Southern classics, street food, and pub favorites. 600 Fulton St., 504-208-5569, fultonalley.com

The Jimani has been New Orleans locals’ late-night haunt for food, drinks, and sporting events since 1971. The beloved sports bar has multiple TVs, over 100 beers on tap, and a jukebox. They serve pub grub, like wings, jalapeno poppers, mozzarella sticks, fried crawfish balls, and nachos, until the wee hours of the night. 141 Chartres St., 504-524-0493, thejimani.com

Mimi’s in the Marigny is a two-level bar on Royal Street that offers an array of tapas and beers. Chef Heathcliffe Hailey is best known for using fresh herbs and produce grown right here in Louisiana. His farmto-table approach is what makes the tapas at Mimi’s so darn good. A vegetarian tapas menu is available as well. 2601 Royal St., 504-872-9868, mimismarigny.com

Orleans Grapevine is a quaint French bistro that offers authentic French cuisine, over 65 wines and champagnes by the glass, and more than 375 wines by the bottle. Enjoy petit fare like saffron mussels or shrimp remoulade to start, followed by a main course of either Grapevine Chicken or stuffed flounder. Just a four-minute walk from Jackson Square, this place is a must-visit the next time you’re in the Quarter. 720 Orleans Ave., 504-523-1930, orleansgrapevine.com

Rivershack Tavern has been serving up Cajun pub grub for years. Located on River Road adjacent to the Mississippi River, this funky roadhouse offers “shack-a-tizers” like alligator sausage and fried green tomatoes, po-boys, deli sandwiches, burgers, salads, and more. Enjoy a bite to eat while listening to live music by the levee. 3449 River Rd., 504-834-4938, rivershacktavern.com

Shamrock Bar and Grill is all about games and grub. Take advantage of pingpong tables, pool tables, darts, and more, so you can challenge your friends at the city's largest neighborhood bar. If you tire of winning, the dance floor is happennin', too. The menu boasts bar snacks: mozerella sticks, buffalo tenders, burgers, fries, and the like.4133 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-301-0938, shamrockparty.com

Tracey’s Irish Bar and Restaurant, located in the Garden District, is a lowkey Irish pub that offers a variety of beer and po-boys, as well as sports on TV and pool. In addition to their array of po-boys, Tracey’s menu has a selection of specialty sandwiches like no other. Whether you try the corned beef on rye sandwich with potato salad or a classic muffaletta, you can’t go wrong. 2604 Magazine St., 504897-5413 traceynola.com

Ole Saint is located in the Wyndham Hotel in the French Quarter and is the place to go for Cajun-Creole fare and Southern coastal cuisine. The restaurant is partially owned by legendary New Orleans Saints running back Deuce McAllister. The most popular items on the menu include the Crab Maison BLT, catfish, and the Southern-style pork chop. Ole Saint has over 50 beers on tap. 132 Royal St., 504-309-4797 olesaint. com

Cafés

Bearcat Cafe’s quirky breakfast and lunch menu has something for everyone. Obey your inner “good cat” with the café’s healthier options, like chia pudding or the tofu scramble, or indulge in the decadent “bad cat” menu, with hearty choices like brisket hash or chai pancakes. Check out their new CBD location for fantastic cocktails to go with your heavenly brunch. Multiple Locations, 504-309-9011 bearcatcafe.com

Café 615 (Home of Da Wabbit) has been a local favorite since its beginnings as a retro drive-in in 1948. Having been voted “Best Restaurant–Westbank” by Where Y’at readers, Café 615 has a classic American menu and feel-good charm that will be sure to keep you smiling. Call them for all your catering needs, including boiled crawfish.

615 Kepler St., Gretna, 504-365-1225, Cafe615.com

Café Amelie serves a contemporary menu full of Louisiana classics in one of the French Quarter’s most beautiful courtyards. Enjoy options like chicken and andouille jambalaya pasta while taking in the elegant design of the lush courtyard, or opt for something lighter, such as the beet and goat cheese salad, in the café’s indoor area, on those days when you need a break from the NOLA heat. 912 Royal St., 504-4128965, CafeAmelie.com

Caffe! Caffe! Is the perfect spot to enjoy a delicious meal without breaking your diet. Choose from a variety of refreshing salads, wraps, and Eat Fit NOLA options to keep you fueled throughout the day. And when you want to indulge, feel free to end your meal with a selection from their impressive assortment of heavenly baked goods. Multiple Locations, 504-885-4845 CaffeCaffe.com

Carmo introduces guests to the tropical flavors of the world, offering everything from Japanese-inspired shima sashimi to Cuban-infused ceviche made with fresh Gulf tuna. This casual and friendly spot has something for everyone, from vegans to meat-eaters, and is committed to providing customers with the freshest ingredients in an environmentally sustainable way. 527 Julia St., 504-875-4132, CafeCarmo.com

Compère Lapin’s menu is as playful as its name. Fusing together Caribbean, Creole, Italian, and French flavors, this restaurant has no shortage of creatively mouth watering options. Try favorites, such as the curried goat and the conch croquettes, and don’t miss out on the equally inventive drink menu. 535 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-599-

2119, CompereLapin.com

Haydel’s Bake Shop is your one-stop shop for delicately decorated, delicious cakes and pastries. Their specialties include French almond croissants, marble swirl cheesecake, and, of course, king cakes. Owned by three generations of the Haydel family, this bakery started out as a 24-hour window-service shop and has grown to a well-established bakery. 3117 Magazine St., 504-267-3165, haydelsbakery.com

Jimmy J’s Café is known for its all-day breakfast with lots of choices, including scrambles, omelets, Eggs Benedicts, breakfast sandwiches, pancakes, and French toast. They also serve po-boys, burgers, hot plates, soups, and salads, all in a cute and cozy space in the French Quarter. There are plenty of sides à la carte and a kids menu, if you’ve got youngsters in tow. 115 Chartres St., 504309-9360, JimmyJsCafe.com

Liberty’s Kitchen believes in both serving delicious food and helping the community. The casual café dishes out tasty classics, like BBQ shrimp and their signature black-bean burger, all while training local young people to achieve their dreams through the common connection of food. Come in for breakfast, lunch, or coffee on weekdays, for a meal you can truly feel good about. 300 North Broad St, 504-822-4011, libertyskitchen. org/broadstreetcafe

NOLA Caye is a new Carribean hot spot taking New Orleans by storm. Enjoy menu highlights, including crispy shrimp tacos or grilled mahi with black bean-mango salsa, and satisfy your sweet tooth with classics like banana cream pie and tres leches cake. Wash it all down with one of the café’s tropical cocktails to really get a taste of the island life. 898 Baronne St, 504-302-1302, nolacaye.com

Petite Amelie, the extension of the beloved Café Amelie, provides all of the quality of Amelie’s cuisine without any of the wait. Specializing in “cuisine rapide,” this charming spot is the perfect place to grab a juice, salad, or sandwich for a quick bite to eat. You can also shop at the daily marketplace, which sells olives, cheeses, pastries, and freshly prepared sides and entrees. 900 Royal St., 504-412-8065, cafeamelie.com/petite-amelie

Cru by Chef Marlon Alexander is located in the heart of the Marigny and offers Southern-Creole fare and bottomless drinks in a quaint courtyard setting. Cru is open for dinner daily and offers an eclectic Saturday and Sunday drag brunch. The weekend brunch menu is chock full of classics, like Eggs Benedict and challah bread French toast, while the dinner menu boasts a selection of small plates, salads, sandwiches, seafood, and more. 535 Franklin Ave., 504-266-2856 crunola.com

French

Café Degas is a French bistro located on Esplanade Avenue in Mid-City, and it currently holds the title of “Best French Restaurant in New Orleans.” This hidden gem offers authentic French cuisine day and night. Their extensive breakfast, lunch, dinner, and brunch menus offer an array of dishes that’ll make you feel like you’re in France. 3127 Esplanade Ave., 504-9455635, cafedegas.com

Italian

Andrea’s Restaurant is the place to go for a classic Italian dining experience. Head chef Andrea Apuzzo masterfully serves up a wide variety of decadent dishes from his native Northern Italy that are sure to show you why Andrea’s has won countless national awards for the past 30 years. 3100 19th St., Metairie, 504-834-8583, andreasrestaurant.com

Dab’s Bistro is Chef Duke Locicero’s fresh take on an Italian-Creole fusion bistro, with culinary influences from around the world. Order classics like spaghetti and meatballs and Eggplant Locicero, or if you’re in a rush, stop by for the $16 express lunch special that ensures you get the best-quality food without any of the wait. 3401 N. Hullen St., Metairie, 504-581-8511, dabsbistro.com

Surrey’s Cafe & Juice Bar combines deliciously creative breakfast and lunch fare with a quirky atmosphere to give diners a truly delightful experience. Try the shrimp and grits or Bananas Foster French toast, and wash it all down with one of Surrey’s famous freshly squeezed orange juices. Surrey’s also makes their own delicious bagels. Multiple Locations, 504524-3828, surreysnola.com

Josephine Estelle is the award-winning osteria located in the swanky Ace Hotel. Run by two James Beard Award-nominated chefs, this Italian eatery serves SouthernItalian fare with a fresh take on comfort food at an affordable price. Soak up the classic romantic ambiance of the dining room with a glass of wine and enjoy crowd-pleasers like the scallops and short ribs. 600 Carondelet St., 504-930-3070, josephineestelle.com

Mosca’s embodies the familiar, feel-good atmosphere of Italian home-cooking that we all know and love. This familycentered spot has been serving generous portions of some of Italy’s most beloved dishes since 1946, solidifying its status as a neighborhood staple. Be sure to go to Mosca’s with a large group, as you will want to order everything on the menu!

4137 US-90, Westwego, 504-436-8950, moscasrestaurant.com

Pascal’s Manale has gained world-wide fame for being the creator of the original BBQ shrimp, but this restaurant’s value goes far beyond seafood. With a menu full of Italian classics, Pascal’s truly has something for everyone. Try their veal marsala or parmigiana and make sure to take advantage of the award-winning raw oyster bar. 1838 Napoleon Ave., 504-8954877, pascalsmanale.com

PIZZA domenica offers specialty gourmet pizzas with an impressive menu of toppings, along with a variety of antipasti, salad, and desserts. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, complete with an open kitchen and a well-stocked bar that features a wide selection of beers and craft cocktails. Multiple Locations, 504-301-4978, pizzadomenica.com

Red Gravy brings a whole new meaning to “family-run,” offering a menu entirely based off of recipes handed down from Italian grandmothers, aunts, and mothers. This breakfast and lunch spot has everything from classic Italian pastries to carbonara. For northerners who need their fix in the Big Easy, order the NYC bagel or NJ Taylor Ham Sandwich for a taste of home. 125 Camp St, 504-561-8844, redgravycafe.com

Tavolino is a cozy Italian restaurant located in Algiers Point. Bring the whole family and enjoy a selection of authentic, thin-crust pizzas, bruschetta fries, and fried stuffed olives, or head back to the adults-only lounge for a romantic glass of wine or hand-crafted cocktail. 141 Delaronde St., Algiers, 504-605-3365

Venezia, located in Mid-City, has been serving hearty Italian dishes since 1957. Venezia is the place to go for authentic Italian cuisine. Famous for their friendly staff and extensive menu, Venezia is the perfect spot to bring the whole family. Don’t miss out on favorites like the eggplant parmigiana and muffaletta.

134 N. Carrollton Ave., 504-488-7991 Venezianeworleans.com

Mexican

Carreta’s Grill has been bringing locals authentic Mexican food for over 20 years. Their menu is full of Mexican classics, including burritos, enchiladas, and quesadillas, alongside exciting new options, like the creamy avocado fries served with house chipotle sauce. Don’t forget to check out their assortment of “world-famous” margaritas. Multiple Locations, CarretasGrillRestaurant.com

Chilango’s Bar and Grill promises that you will come hungry and leave happy. Experience delicious Mexican cuisine at this colorful, vibrant joint that has been serving up some of the city’s best Mexican food since 2006. Enjoy $1 tacos and house tequila shots on Taco Tuesdays, or stop by Friday or Saturday nights for tacos and drinks to start the night with friends. 1506 S. Carrollton, 504-766-9949, facebook.com/ chilangosbarngrill

Luna Libre specializes in “Ark-La-Tex” Mexican cuisine, highlighting a unique blend of flavors that stems from these regionas. The homey environment is just as wonderfully eclectic as the menu, which features homemade carnitas, enchiladas verde, and chicken tinga. Bring the whole crew along and enjoy your meal in the family- and pet-friendly garden. 3600 St. Claude Ave., 504-237-1284 facebook.com/ lunalibrenola

Middle-Eastern

Lebanon’s Cafe is one of NOLA’s top Middle-Eastern spots. This beautifully decorated location’s most popular dishes include kabobs, chicken shawarma, and rosemary lamb chops. Take advantage of their BYOB policy and finish off the evening with a decadent slice of baklava to get the most out of this well-known spot. 1500 South Carrollton Ave., 504-862-6200, lebanonscafe.com

New Orleans Restaurants

Antoine’s Restaurant continues to live up to its reputation as one of the world’s premier destinations for French-Creole dining. Feel the Old-World magic of New Orleans in the elegant dining rooms of the nation’s oldest family-owned restaurant, and be sure to order the Oysters Rockefeller to taste this culinary favorite in its birthplace. 713 St Louis St., 504-581-4422, antoines.com

Chef Ron’s Gumbo Stop has racked up an impressive number of culinary awards for good reason. The humble spot offers some of the best Louisiana comfort food in the city, with highlights including boudin balls, classic seafood gumbo, and crawfish étouffée. Customers should be sure to check out the New Orleans Favorites section of the menu. 2309 N. Causeway Blvd, 504-835-2022, GumboStop.com

The Columns Hotel serves award-winning food from their elegant front porch, offering visitors a memorable dining experience accompanied by charming views of St. Charles Avenue. Stop by for their breakfast and jazz brunch for some delicious New Orleans-style food, or experience their cultfavorite Happy Hour and see for yourself why this spot has been rated as one of America’s top 100 bars. 3811 St. Charles Ave, 504-899-9308, TheColumns.com

Coterie NOLA Restaurant and Oyster Bar serves chargrilled oysters, blackened shrimp, crab and corn bisque, and crawfish étouffée, among other things. They have a standout dining room with a gleaming gold ceiling, wood floors, and brick walls. End the night with bread pudding soaked in brown sugar bourbon sauce. Feast like royalty and come back soon. 135 Decatur St., 504-529-8600, coterienola.com

Crescent City Brewhouse is the French Quarter’s only microbrewery and a great restaurant to boot. Stop by to check out the beer selection, the courtyard, the live music, and the extensive menu built around modern twists on New Orleans classics. The boudin balls, Baked Oysters Three Ways, and the jambalaya risotto are all must-tries. 527 Decatur St., 504-522-0571, crescentcitybrewhouse.com

House of Blues Restaurant & Bar serves made-from-scratch Southern-inspired favorites in a recently renovated indoor/ outdoor space complete with two bars and live music nightly. Don’t miss their weekly crawfish boil in the Voodoo Garden every Friday, with great beer specials. 225 Decatur St., 504-3104999, houseofblues.com/neworleans/ restaurant

Laurel Oak is a brasserie and cocktail bar inspired by French and Southern cooking. They use seasonal and local produce to create their menu, which changes often but currently offers Gulf fish crudo, prime beef tartine, buttermilk fried chicken, and roasted red fish, with side options including cast-iron cornbread and braised collards. 535 Gravier St., 504-527-0006, laureloakrestaurant.com

Neyow’s Creole Café has endless options for Southern-style comfort food and seafood, with appetizers ranging from file gumbo to crab claws and crawfish balls; pork chops, fried chicken, ribs, and seafood pastas for entrees; all sorts of poboys and sandwiches; and side options like green beans, pasta salad, carrot souffle, red beans, and macaroni and cheese. 3332 Bienville St., 504-827-5474, neyows.com

New Orleans Creole Cookery has a chic French Quarter atmosphere and courtyard seating. Enjoy starters like gator bites and hush puppies, along with a range of entree options, including grilled duck and New York strip, fried or boiled seafood, pecan-crusted redfish, shrimp and grits, and red beans and rice. There’s a creative cocktail menu and full bar, too. 508 Toulouse St., 504-524-9632, neworleanscreolecookery.com

Parran’s Po-Boys & Restaurant serves delicious po-boys on French bread baked by John Gendusa Bakery, one of the original po-boy bakeries. Choose from prime rib, roast beef, pastrami, smoked sausage, fried shrimp, and catfish, and pair your po-boy with potato salad, fried pickles, or dirty fries, among other sides. They are open late on weekends. Multiple Locations, 504-875-4620, parranspoboys.com

Lundi Craw

Public Service pays homage to New Orleans’s former utility and transportation provider, NOPSI, offering a range of dishes that honor the Gulf Coast’s hard-working fishermen and farmers. Order fresh oysters from the raw bar or try the herb-roasted half chicken cooked over an openflame rotisserie, all while enjoying the sophisticated yet welcoming space that is Public Service. 311 Baronne St., 504-9626527, publicservicenola.com

Monday crawfish boils hosted by Chef Justin of Seaworthy and Chef Seth Temple, plus extended happy hour

February 10 and every following Monday

Happy Hour from 4–7pm for crawfish eaters Crawfish available from 4pm until we sell out

Restaurant des Familles is built into an Acadian-style house on the bayou at the edge of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park, a 15-mile drive from Downtown New Orleans. They serve all the classics. Expect charbroiled oysters, boudin, crabcake remoulade, glazed salmon, and BBQ shrimp, or be daring and try the alligatorstuffed mushrooms with sauce piquante. 7163 Barataria Blvd., Crown Point, 504689-7834, desfamilles.com

Short Stop Poboys has been serving sandwiches in Metairie since 1966 and makes more than 30 different kinds of po-boys. They also feature some of the city’s best seafood gumbo, and unlike many po-boy shops, they include jalapenos in their dressing. House favorites include the BBQ smoked sausage, soft-shell crab, and battered crawfish tails. 119 Transcontinental Drive, Metairie, 504-885-4572, shortstoppoboysno.com

Seafood

Briquette serves tasty coastal cuisine, putting contemporary twists on seafood classics like Faroe Island salmon, Louisiana redfish, and fresh butter-glazed scallops. Located in the renovated Rodd Brothers Molasses Refinery, Briquette offers a stunningly chic interior, complete with an open kitchen and impressive 18-foot seafood display. 701 S. Peters St., 504-3027496, Briquette-Nola.com

Desire Oyster Bar provides some of the most authentic Cajun and Creole food you can find in the French Quarter. Take a seat at the raw bar and enjoy some fresh Gulf oysters, or try favorites like gumbo and po-boys underneath the restaurant’s Broadway-style marquis. With great service and an unbeatable location on Bourbon Street, Desire is sure to please everyone. 300 Bourbon St., 504-586-0300, sonesta. com/louisiana/new-orleans/desireoyster-bar

Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar represents one of the most beloved New Orleans institutions, having served locals fresh and delicious oysters since 1940. Whether you like your oysters raw, chargrilled, or fried, Felix’s has something in store for you. Come in for lunch or dinner and experience firsthand the place that put the New Orleans oyster bar on the map. Multiple Locations, 504-304-4125, Felixs.com

Landry’s Seafood has been a family favorite across Louisiana since 1947. Their fun-filled dining experience is centered around the mission of family, warmth, and exceptional seafood. Don’t miss out on menu highlights, like the crescent city snapper and Crab-Stuffed Shrimp Enbrochette. 620 Decatur St, 504-5819825, landrysseafood.com/locationfrench-quarter.asp

Seaworthy specializes in wild-caught and sustainably harvested North American seafood with a Southern twist. Choose from their assortment of delicious seafood entrees, such as the shrimp roll or bouillabaisse, and wash it all down with a selection from their extensive handcrafted cocktail menu. 630 Carondelet St., 504930-3071, SeaworthyNola.com

Tito’s Ceviche and Pisco brings a taste of Peru to the Big Easy in a cozy Uptown environment. Diners can take a seat in the elegant dining room or enjoy their meal on the lush sun-drenched terrace. Whether you’re craving the fan-favorite ceviche or the perfectly grilled octopus, Tito’s will take you on a global culinary journey you are sure to love. 5015 Magazine St., 504-267-7612, titoscevichepisco.com

Vegetarian

Max Well is a health-conscious café that serves soups, salads, and nutrient-rich bowls. The plant-based restaurant offers vegan and gluten-free foods, as well as cold-pressed juices. For lunch or dinner, try the Banh Mi or La Bonita Power Bowls, and choose from an array of proteinpacked sides, like French green lentils or quinoa cranberry stuffing. 6101 Magazine St., 504-301-0510 maxwellneworleans. com

ONE FOR THE ROAD: St.

Patty Snacks on Metairie Road

By Steven Melendez

If you’re heading to Metairie for the St. Patrick’s Day parade, or any other time of year, it would be a mistake not to consider grabbing a meal at one of the many excellent restaurants on and around Metairie Road. No suburban wasteland of national chain outposts, this street boasts a diverse array of dining and drinking options that easily rival many stretches of New Orleans itself. Here are just a few of them.

Bear’s Poboys at Gennaro’s 3206 Metairie Rd., (504) 833-9226, bearspoboys.com/gennaros-locationmenu

Never quarrel with a restaurant that sells meat by the gallon. This neighborhood sandwich shop is best known for its roast beef swimming in gravy, which is available in generous portions on a French loaf or bun and also sold by the gallon (it really is a liquidy affair) to heat up at home for special events. The cozy establishment also sells other types of po-boys—including fried shrimp and fried oyster—plus burgers. Its onion ringers are also excellent (and enormous).

Taj Mahal Indian Cuisine 923 Metairie Rd., (504) 836-6859, tajnola.com

Taj Mahal claims to be New Orleans’s oldest Indian restaurant, founded in 1982 and moving to its present location 10 years later. It offers a full menu of Indian specialties, including plenty of vegetarian options and classics, such as chicken tikka masala and plenty of varieties of biryani. Stop by during lunch for an all-you-caneat buffet and consider washing your meal down with a mango lassi.

Nor-Joe Importing Company

505 Frisco Ave., (504) 833-9240

facebook.com/norjoeimport

Nor-Joe is located just a block from Metairie Road, but even many longtime residents don’t know about this Italian grocery shop and deli. Stop by to pick up Italian staples like wine and olive oil or just to grab a meatball sandwich or muffuletta to eat on the shop’s patio. Refrigerated items to cook at home, such as eggplant parmesan, are also available in a variety of portions. Make sure to sample the olive oils, including a spicy muffuletta oil, and visit the pastry case for both traditional and not-so-traditional offerings, including Cajun cannolis made with pralines and Creole cream cheese.

Blue Line Sandwich Co.

2023 Metairie Rd., (504) 309.3773, bluelinesandwichco.com

Named for the streetcar that once ran along Metairie Road, this cozy sandwich shop offers its own take on a mix of salads and sandwiches, including a Cuban sandwich, a Caesar salad made with local kale, and a classic Crab Louie salad. Breakfast is also served all day, including waffles, pancakes, and a corned beef and chili hash. If you’re stopping by for St. Patrick’s Day, you might want to consider ordering the St. Patty’s Day Massacre sandwich, which includes corned beef, cabbage, and duck pastrami.

Puccino’s Coffee

3000 Metairie Rd., (504) 304-0210, lovepuccinos.com

One outpost of a quirky local chain, Puccino’s offers a wide assortment of very reasonably priced espresso drinks and other coffee options, along with friendly service and utterly campy decor. There’s also a good assortment of pastries and breakfast and lunch sandwiches. If you’re not a coffee drinker, you can also grab an Italian soda or even a glass of wine. Gamblers can follow the “casino” signs to another unusual coffee shop offering: a festive room devoted to video poker.

Byblos Mediterranean Grill

1501 Metairie Rd., (504) 834-9773, byblosrestaurants.com

Stop by Byblos for an excellent assortment of Mediterranean staples, including shawarma platters and wraps, beef kafta, and delicious pita paired with hummus or baba ghanuj. Enjoy baklava and a cup of coffee for dessert or try one of Byblos’s wines, available for half-off on Wednesdays.

Pink Street Pub

201 Aris Ave., (504) 324-4894, facebook.com/pages/category/Pub/PinkSt-Pub-71020964392

A hidden gem down a mostly residential side street, Pink Street Pub is a quintessential New Orleans neighborhood bar and a great place to stop before, after, or during a parade. A Cheers-like community hangs out regularly and enjoys the dirt-cheap booze, but outsiders and visitors are quickly welcomed into the family. Save some cash for the jukebox.

IN THE BIG EASY:

Expanding Your Culinary Horizons with Global Cuisine

By Burke Bischoff

New Orleans food is unlike anything else in the country. A unique mix of French, Creole, soul, Cajun, and Sicilian influences, it is a style of cuisine that the city prides itself on, and with the influence of Vietnamese, Central American, and many other ethnic groups over the past few decades, the food scene in New Orleans has continually expanded. However, there are quite a few places in the city that specialize in certain foods that might make locals turn their heads and wonder, “What’s this all about?” All exceptionally delicious, here is a list of restaurants serving surprising cuisine right here in New Orleans.

Bratz Y’all!

617 Piety St. | (504) 301-3222

bratzyall.com

Looking for a German fix without having to wait for the Deutsches Haus’s next Oktoberfest? Well, you can always visit Bratz Y’all! Bistro, Bakery, and Biergarten on Piety Street. Opened since 2017 (though Chef Sven Vorkauf has been hitting up different markets and festivals using the Bratz Y’all! name since 2012), this restaurant has everything you could ask for in German cuisine: wursts, pretzels, sauerkraut, schnitzels, spätzle, potato salads, beer, and so much more. Bratz Y’all! has also won first place multiple times at the Oak Street Po-Boy Festival for some of its creations, such as The Nurenberger, The Drunk Pig, and The NOLA Schnitzel. Honor New Orleans’s sometimes-overlooked German heritage by visiting Bratz Y’all! and have yourself some great-tasting food.

Cafe Abyssinia

3511 Magazine St. | (504) 894-6238

cafeabyssinianola.com

Tucked away on Magazine Street, Cafe Abyssinia is unique in that it serves authentic Ethiopian-style food. The restaurant makes traditional dishes, such as wot (which is like stew or curry), tibs (sautéed meat and vegetables), and injera (spongy sourdough flatbread). Cafe Abyssinia’s most popular dish is the doro wot (cubed chicken in a sauce made from Ethiopian spices, garlic, yellow onions, and berberaye), which, according to the restaurant, is also Ethiopia’s national dish. Tasty beef, lamb, seafood, and vegetarian dishes are also offered. Make your way to Cafe Abyssinia and have yourself one of the very few strictly African restaurants in New Orleans.

Green Room кухня

1300 St. Bernard Ave. | (504) 766-1613 greenroomnola.com

Having moved his kitchen business out of Siberia Lounge in April 2019, chef/owner Matthew Ribachonek now operates the Green Room кухня (or Kukhnya, for those who can’t read Cyrillic) in the 7th Ward. The restaurant offers numerous different Eastern European dishes with roots in Russia, the Ukraine, and Poland. Some of the traditional dishes offered include blini (crepes), borsch (soup made primarily from beets), kielbasa and kapusta (sausage with cabbage), and pierogi (potato and cheese dumplings). Typically open during the evening, the restaurant has started offering brunch every Saturday and Sunday, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., since December 2019. So if you wanna experience some appetizing Slavic food, then head out to the Green Room кухня

Laksa Nola

2381 St. Claude Ave. | (504) 390-9985

facebook.com/LaksaNola

Laksa Nola, which is located in the St. Roch Market, is a Burmese and Malaysian stand run by Chef Lin Regules (who was born and raised in Myanmar, formally known as Burma). The eatery is named after the laksa dish (noodle soup with meat, tofu, egg, bean sprouts, and lime), which has roots in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore. Not only does Laksa Nola serve said laksa, it also offers chicken satay (marinated grilled chicken skewers with peanut sauce), nasi lemak (coconut chicken curry with rice, dried anchovies, egg, and other vegetables), and Burmese iced tea. If you find yourself looking for lunch in the St. Roch Market, make a stop at Laksa Nola and enjoy some Southeast Asian deliciousness.

Maïs Arepas

1200 Carondelet St. | (504) 523-6247

facebook.com/maisarepas

On the corner of Carondelet and Clio Streets is Maïs Arepas, a cozy restaurant that deals In Colombian food. In particular, the restaurant is known for its arepas (grilled corn cakes served like a sandwich with different accompaniments). Some of the arepas you can order have fillings like pulled pork, grilled squash, fried pork belly, grilled jumbo shrimp, fried sweet plantains, and many more. Additional specialties at Maïs Arepas feature other typical dishes, such as Colombian empanadas (meat pies), bandeja paisa (a large serving of skirt steak, cranberry beans, pork sausage, cracklin, and more), and maiz de la rueda (grilled corn on the cob with cotija cheese, spicy butter, and aioli). For a different sort of Latin American cuisine, definitely try out Maïs Arepas.

Mangú

2112 Belle Chasse Hwy. Ste. 7, Gretna (504) 324-9870

letsmangu.com

Those willing to explore the New Orleans Metro area will find a ton of options for good eats. One of these places on the Westbank is Mangú, which prides itself on making authentic Dominican cuisine. A mangú, the restaurant’s namesake, is a dish made from boiled plantains that are made to look like mashed potatoes and topped with sautéed red onions. Customers can order a side of mangú with any entrée order, including options like fried red snapper, pan-seared beef and onions, and braised goat. Other traditional fare at Mangú is yaroa (meat or veggies on top of french fries or plantains and covered in cheese) and sancocho (chicken

and pork stew with root potatoes, yuca, root vegetables, and plantains), served on Saturdays and Sundays. For a taste of the Caribbean, head out to Gretna and try Mangú for yourself.

Tito’s Ceviche & Pisco

5015 Magazine St. | (504) 267-7612 titoscevichepisco.com

Another Latin American culture that’s hardly represented in New Orleans is that of Peru. Luckily, Tito’s Ceviche & Pisco on Magazine Street, owned by Chef Juan Lock, has this covered with its amazing food. As the name implies, customers can order different ceviches (raw seafood cured in citrus juices and spiced with different seasonings, like aji peppers). To reflect Peru’s coastal culinary culture, Tito’s offers a number of other seafood options, such as sudado de pescado (poached fish with tomatoes, onions, and corn beer) and pulpo a la parrilla (grilled octopus with chimichurri sauce, Peruvian red pepper, and potatoes). The menu also contains traditional plates, like tenderloin tips, lamb shanks, and duck confit. You don’t have to travel all the way to Machu Picchu to experience the magic of Peru, thanks to Tito’s Ceviche & Pisco right here in New Orleans.

EATING IN THE EAST: Great Restaurants in New Orleans East

By Joni Hess

New Orleans East has suffered in more ways than one following Hurricane Katrina, with businesses leaving and struggling redevelopment efforts. It’s the largest area of land in New Orleans, home to about 85,000 people. Despite its downfalls, the East is gradually seeing its fair share of opportunities for growth. Designated “Opportunity Zones” that provide tax benefits for economic development are one way the city hopes to spur progress. Infrastructure improvement projects worth millions are another way the city plans to breathe life back into the East. Along with these projects, there is a push for new restaurants and dining options. Good food is good business, with the potential to attract people from all over the city and surrounding areas. Here are some of the newest places to dine out in the East.

Mermaids

8700 Lake Forest Blvd., Ste 104 | (504) 241-5365 mermaidsnola.com

A logo of a lobster tail on a mermaid’s body gives you a taste of what this seafood restaurant is about. A snapshot of menu items include seafood rolls stuffed with sautéed cabbage, crawfish tails, and shrimp; deep-fried lobster; and the Plaza Platter— named for the beloved mall dear to everyone’s memories. Taco Tuesday is a new addition, complete with $5 margaritas and $2 tacos for all. It’s a great place to watch the game, as the walls are lined with 10 television screens, including a projection screen. Mermaids opens at 5:00 p.m. every day. Happy Hour is from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m.

Island Flavor Bar & Grill

10711 Chef Menteur Hwy. | (504) 246-8537

facebook.com/IslandflavorBarandgrill/?rf=308944986556477

Offering bursts of Caribbean flavor, this super-chill gem is a must-visit. We hear the jerk chicken is out-of-this-world, and the Jamaican drinks, including a watermelon Long Island Iced Tea, aren’t half-bad either.

ShayTigg’s Food & Pastries

7190 Downman Rd. | (504) 218-7574

shaytiggs.business.site

Edward, the son of part-owner Elaine Valentine, was tragically killed in 2008. Valentine wanted to incorporate a part of him into the restaurant’s name, so they used his nickname Tigger— hence, ShayTigg’s. She and her other son are co-owners, and her husband is the main cook. Valentine says she tries to give away one meal a day to people in need in the surrounding area. Opened on September 1, 2018, ShayTigg’s states they are “bringing love back into the community.” This family-owned restaurant offers a variety of sweet treats and plates for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They even began serving yaka mein following

their customers’ urging. Be forewarned, their Instagram (@ shaytiggs504) leave you drooling and with hunger pangs. They are open Sunday to Sunday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Breaux’s Pizzeria and Wine Bar

5931 Bullard Ave. | (504) 266-2381

breauxspizza.wixsite.com/mysite

Pizza, wine… What could be more comforting? The vibe is intimate and neighborly, as if you’ll be greeted by all as you walk in. There are daily lunch specials, a Happy Hour from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m., and Wine Down Wednesdays, when all wine is halfoff. That sounds like a win.

The Fifth Quarter Sports Lounge & Courtyard

5746 Hayne Blvd. | (504) 913-4305

facebook.com/pages/The-Fifth-Quarter/2163727293952000

Recently opened on July 19, 2019, this lively spot by the lake hosts regular events throughout the week that make your dining experience an actual experience. Ladies karaoke night on Thursdays and Steak ‘n’ Shake Wednesdays with two-for-one drink specials are just some of the things to look out for, besides that loaded-potato menu item that looks like it was made for kings.

MadChef at 59th Restaurant & Bar

5941 Bullard Ave. | (504) 442-5921

facebook.com/MadChef-161222507620528

Chef Derrick Robinson Jr. is the owner of this seafood joint and even has his own line of special seasonings. Steak and lobster plates, shrimp jambalaya tacos, and shrimp and salmon spring rolls are some of the delicious items you can find on the menu. On Taco Tuesdays, enjoy a free shot of tequila before scarfing down their bourbon-glazed grilled catfish.

A BUKU PREVIEW: The Must See Acts This Year

By Landon Murray

Just as Mardi Gras fades for another year, the facilities of Mardi Gras World will once again become a mecca of dance music, trendsetting hip hop, and a little bit of rock to round out the eclectic mix of artists. We here at Where Y’at love this fest and, therefore, wanted to let you know about some of the must-sees playing the two-day fest. These are not small names, and with big names come big productions and huge fan bases that most attendees won’t want to miss.

Friday, March 20

ALISON WONDERLAND

With only two full-length albums and barely 10 years under her belt, there’s little reason that Alison should be known as one of the biggest (if not the biggest) female DJs in the world. But that only lasts until you hear her production work, and then it becomes quickly apparent that her skill level is way above that of most others in her field. The textures are energetic, lush, patient, and them bombastic when the time calls for it. She manipulates her chosen samples in an original, distorted way, making way for some engaging and exciting electronic music that is sure to get the crowd dancing and throwing their hands up in the air.

FLUME

For the last eight years, we’ve gotten to watch as Flume has matured in his creativity and taken his blend of artsy and atmospheric electronic music and given it a platform that is both mesmerizing and popular. With only three releases behind him, he’s still managed to become one of the dominant producers on the scene. For much of the spring and summer, he’ll be bringing his energy and thickly layered beats to top lines of many of the country’s biggest festivals. With a show that’s sure to inspire movement and positivity, Flume is expected to draw one of the biggest crowds of the festival—in fact, the odds of this being the set of the weekend are also pretty high. Watching this with the Crescent City Connection bridge amid the skyline in the background will be monumental.

Saturday, March 21 MEGAN THEE STALLION

In the last year, we’ve seen Houston’s own Megan Thee Stallion pounce on the rap scene in a way that’s familiar yet refreshingly engaging. Her image is based on the energy of her ample curves, and if you somehow

forget that, she’ll be reminding you throughout her album and live shows alike. It’s raunchy and in-your-face, with lyrics that would make most ordinary people turn red. It’s sure to be intense with plenty of downand-dirty dancing. If all of this sounds up your alley, go let Megan show you how she works during her set at Buku.

RUN THE JEWELS

Over the course of three already released records with a fourth likely to drop anytime now, El-P and Killer Mike have attacked the world of hip hop with densely laid beats and thought-provoking lyrics. It’s almost confrontational when desired, but, in a live setting, that fiercely independent spirit floods through in a chaotic, jubilant manner. Run the Jewels is destined for the big time, and with their upcoming fourth album sure to wow in a similar way to the first three records, 2020 is set to be a great year for this gang of two. Don’t miss them. If you’re looking for upbeat yet socially aware messages, you need look no further than Run the Jewels. These guys throw down; you’ve been warned.

TYLER THE CREATOR

Often controversial early in his career but increasingly candid and emotional, Tyler has eclipsed his early days with OFWGKTA and become one of the best major-label hip-hop stats around. Since delivering his solo debut Goblin in 2011, the Creator has released an album every other year, culminating with last year’s artsy, experimentally poignant Igor. The once outspoken teenager prone to outlandish statements is finding his place not only in life, but also where he fits in within the hip-hop community. If you’ve been a fan of his before and want a chance to see him rightfully headline an ever-growing destination festival, look no further than his upcoming main-stage appearance at Buku.

Saturday, February 22

21st Amendment - James Williams

30/90 - Sleazeball Orchestra

AllWays Lounge - Love Bomb Gogo

Atchafalaya - Joe Cabral

Bamboula’s - Sabertooth Swing

Bayou Bar - Jordan Anderson

Blue Nile - The Soul Rebels

BMC Balcony Music Club - Fleurtations

Bombay Club - Anaïs St. John

Bourbon Bandstand - Chicken on the Bon

Bourbon Street Drinkery - Gumbo Funk

Buffa’s - Keith Burnstein; Marina Orchestra

Carnaval Lounge - Alex Bosworth

Checkpoint Charlie - Gal Holiday

Chickie Wah Wah - Johnny J & the Hitmen

Circle Bar - Tommy Wright III

Crescent City Brewhouse - N.O. Streetbeat

D.B.A. - Sabertooth Swing

DMAC - The Drupes + Notel Motel

Dos Jefes - The Afrodiziac’s Jazz

The Dragon’s Den - Mahmoud Chouki

Fillmore - Silversun Pickups

Hi Ho Lounge - Lil Jodeci

House of Blues - John Paul Carmody

Howlin’ Wolf - Rebirth Brass Band

The Jazz Playhouse - Kermit Ruffins

Kerry Irish Pub - Hugh Morrison

Le Bon Temps - Slugger

Mahogany Jazz Hall - Tony Seville

The Maison - MainLine

Maple Leaf - Aaron Benjamin

Marigny Brasserie - Rhythm Stompers

May Baily’s Place - Hannah Mignano Quartet

Old Point Bar - Jamie Lynn Vessels

One Eyed Jacks - Big Freedia

Orpheum - The Bad Penny Pleasure Makers

Prime Example - Cole Williams Band

Rock ‘n Bowl - Cowboy Mouth

Roosevelt Hotel - Leslie Martin

Royal Frenchman Hotell - Monty Banks

Sidney’s Saloon - Tasche & the Psychedelic Roses

Spotted Cat - Jazz Band Ballers

Tipitina’s - Galactic

Sunday, February 23

21st Amendment - Jonathan Bauer

30/90 - Louise Cappi

BMC Balcony Music Club - Moshe

Buffa’s - Debbie Davis and Josh Paxton

Carnival Lounge - Gina Leslie Sundays

Chickie Wah Wah - Greazy Alice

Crescent City Brewhouse - N.O. Streetbeat

D.B.A. - The Palmetto Bug Stompers

DMAC - The Tempted

Dos Jefes - Rick Trolsen & The Po’ Boys

The Dragon’s Den - Anuraag Pendyal

House of Blues - Gospel Brunch

The Jazz Playhouse - Sierra Green & The Soul Machine

Le Bon Temps - Big Chief John

The Maison - Opulence Hour Burlesque

One Eyed Jacks - Big Freedia

Republic Nola - Jauz

Royal Frenchmen - Glen David Andrews

Spotted Cat - John Lisi

Tipitina’s - Anders Osborne

Monday, February 24

30/90 - Burris; Margie Perez

Blue Nile - The Soul Rebels

BMC Balcony Music Club - JAM Brass Band

Buffa’s - Arsene DeLay

Carnaval Lounge - Baby Grand

Crescent City Brewhouse - N.O. Streetbeat

MUSIC CALENDAR

D.B.A. - Zydefunk

DMAC - Danny Alexander

Dos Jefes - John Fohl

The Dragon’s Den - DJ III-Medina

House of Blues - Jamie Lynn Vessels

The Jazz Playhouse - Gerald French

The Joy Theater - Boogie T & Boogie T .Rio

Le Bon Temps - Aaron Benjamin

The Maison - Chicken and Waffles

One Eyed Jacks - Quintron & Miss Pussycat

Republic Nola - Juvenile

Tipitina’s - Galactic

Circle Bar - The Iguanas; Tim Higgins

The Columns Hotel - Kathleen Moore

Crescent City Brewhouse - N.O. Streetbeat

D.B.A. - Walter Wolfman Washington & the Roadmasters

DMAC - Spogga Hash

The Dragon’s Den - DJ Jay Skillz

Dos Jefes - The Mark Coleman Band

House of Blues - Cary Hudson

The Jazz Playhouse - Big Sam

The Maison - St. Roch Syncopators

Thursday, February 27

30/90 - Raw Deal

BMC Balcony Music Club - Watt & the Boys

BMC Balcony Music Club - Tempted

Buffa’s - Meryl Zimmerman; Greg Schatz

Carnival Lounge - Vedas; Paris Avenue

Chickie Wah Wah - Jason Ricci Band

Circle Bar - Meschiya lake

Crescent City Brewhouse - N.O. Streetbeat

D.B.A. - Russel Welch’s Wood Floor Trio

DMAC - Chapel Hart

The Dragon’s Den - DJ RQ Away

Dos Jefes - Tom Fitzpatrick & Turning

Gasa Gasa - Little People; Frameworks

House of Blues - Jamie Lynn Vessels

The Jazz Playhouse - Nayo Jones

Le Bon Temps - Isaac Eady

The Maison - The Rhythm Stoppers

Republic Nola - Sango

Royal Frenchmen - Glen David Andrews

Tipitina’s - Poguetry

Saturday, February 29

30/90 - Jonathan Bauer Project

3 Keys - Edgeslayer

Blue Nile - DJ Rav Smoove

BMC Balcony Music Club - Les Getrex

Buffa’s - Russel Welch Hot Trio

Carnaval Lounge - Anne Elise Hastings

Chickie Wah Wah - Jon Cleary Trio

Circle Bar - Xetas + High + Keen Dreams

Crescent City Brewhouse - N.O. Streetbeat

D.B.A. - Hot Club of New Orleans

DMAC - Rhythm + Rhyme

Dos Jefes - Vivaz!

The Dragon’s Den - Mahmoud Chouki

Gasa Gasa - Magic City Hippies

House of Blues - John Paul Carmody

The Jazz Playhouse - Luther Kent Jazz Quartet

Le Bon Temps - Clark Gang

The Maison - Chance Bushman & the Ibervillianaires

Royal Frenchmen - Glen David Andrews

Sunday, March 1

Bert Kreischer

Saenger Theatre | Thursday, March 12 | saengernola.com

Renowned comedian, Bert Kresicher will perform at the Saenger Theatre on Thursday, March 12. For over 20 years, Kreischer has travelled the world touring and guest starred in a variety of television shows. Though arguably best known for his shirtless stand-up, he is also the producer and host of numerous podcasts including Bertcast , 2 Bears 1 Cave with Tom Segura, and the Bill and Bert Podcast with Bill Burr.

Tuesday, February 25

30/90- Julie Elody; DJ Fresh

3 Keys - Tech Tuesdays

BMC Balcony Music Club - Tyler Kinchen

Buffa’s - Sherman Bernard

Carnival Lounge - Anareta/Torture Garen/ mars

Circle Bar - Where Dat Party

Crescent City Brewhouse - N.O. Streetbeat

D.B.A. - New Orleans Klezmer

DMAC - Samantha Pearl

House of Blues - Michael Liuzza

The Jazz Playhouse - James Rivers Movement

The Maison - Afrodiziaks; Jason Neville

Wednesday, February 26

30/90 - Andy J Forest

BMC Balcony Music Club - Stewart Marshall & Soule’

Buffa’s - Nattie Sanchez

Chickie Wah Wah - Meschiya Lake & Tom McDermott

Buffa’s - Al Farrell

Carnival Lounge - Dick Johnson & the Big Willies

Chickie Wah Wah - The Sunbirds

Crescent City Brewhouse - N.O. Streetbeat

D.B.A. - Sam Price & the True Believers

DMAC - Mystery Fish Rock Jam

Dos Jefes - Guitar Summit

The Dragon’s Den - Hasizzle

House of Blues - Sam Colgate Collective

The Jazz Playhouse - Brass-A-Holics

Le Bon Temps - TBD Brass Band

The Maison - Tuba Skinny

One Eyed Jacks - Cult of Luna

Orpheum Theater - Nature’s Awakening

Friday, February 28

30/90 - Sleazeball Orchestra

3 Keys - Kings of Brass

Blue Nile - Kermit Ruffins

30/90 - T’Canaille

Bamboula’s - Ed Wills Blues 4 Sale

Blue Nile - Corey Henry

Buffa’s - Steve Pistorius Jazz Quartet

Carnaval Lounge - Greg Speck & Don Williams

Circle Bar - Kate Baxter

Crescent City Brewhouse - N.O. Streetbeat

DBA - The Palmetto Bug Stompers

Dos Jefes - Kris Tokarsky

DMAC’s - Sergio & the Satin Dogs

Maple Leaf - Joe Krown Trio

The Old Point’s - Gregg Martinez

Royal Frenchmen Hotel - Jamie Lynn Vessels Spotted Cat - Pat Casey

Monday, March 2

30/90 - New Orleans Super Jam

Bamboula’s - Les Getrex N Creole Cooking

Buffa’s - Antoine Diel

Carnaval Lounge - Comic Strip

Circle Bar - Volcandra + Witch Burial + Wizard Dick

Crescent City Brewhouse - N.O. Streetbeat

Dos Jefes - John Fohl

DMAC’s - Danny Alexander’s Blues Jam

Maple Leaf - George Porter Jr.

Royal Frenchmen Hotel - Jamie St Pierre Spotted Cat - Dominick Grillo

Tuesday, March 3

30/90 - Kennedy & The M.O.T.H

Bamboula’s - Budz Blues Band

Carnaval Lounge - Kia Cavallaro

Circle Bar - Joe Kile

Crescent City Brewhouse - N.O. Streetbeat

DBA - Treme Brass Band

Dos Jefes - The Mark Coleman Band

DMAC’s - Ted Hefko

House of Blues - Aqueous

Maple Leaf - Rebirth Brass Band

Prime Example - Delfeayo Marsalis Quintet

One Eyed Jacks - Dan Deacon

Royal Frenchmen Hotel - Lynn Drury

Spotted Cat - Andy J. Forest

Wednesday, March 4

30/90 - Colin Davis & Night People

Bamboula’s - Tree House Jazz Band

Carnaval Lounge - Live Jazz Group

Carousel Longue - James Martin

Circle Bar - The Iguanas

Crescent City Brewhouse - N.O. Streetbeat

DBA - Tin Men

Dos Jefes - Carl LeBlanc & Ellen Smith

DMAC’s - Gypsy Stew

House of Blues - Jet Lounge

Maple Leaf - NOLA Reggae

One Eyed Jacks - Yves Tumor

Prime Example - Arthur Mitchell Quintet

Rock ’n’ Bowl - The Yat Pack

Spotted Cat - Chris Christy’s Band

Thursday, March 5

30/90 - DJ Fresh

Bamboula’s - City of Trees Brass Band

Buffa’s - Rebecca Leigh

Carnaval Lounge - Cumberland County

Circle Bar - Dark Longue

Crescent City Brewhouse - N.O. Streetbeat

DBA - Jon Cleary

Dos Jefes - The Matt Lemmler Trio

DMAC’s - Rock ‘n Roll Jam

House of Blues - Pop Smoke

Maple Leaf - Donnie Sundal

The Old Point’s - The TWO’s

Big Sam's Funky Nation

Tipitina's | Saturday, March 14 | tipitinas.com

Big Sam’s Funky Nation is the vanguard of the vibrant New Orleans music scene. The band’s leader, “Big Sam” Williams, has been acclaimed as “the top man on the slide trombone in the birthplace of jazz” by the San Francisco . BSFN is celebrated for their exuberant blend of funk, jazz, rock, and hip-hop sounds which echo the city’s rich tradition and culture. Head to purchase your tickets for their Saturday, March 14 performance at Tipitina’s.

Rock ’n’ Bowl - Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas

Spotted Cat - Up Up We Go!

Friday, March 6

30/90 - Gene’s Music Machine

Bamboula’s - Sierra Green & the Soul Machine

Boomtown Casino - Starz

Buffa’s - Mike Doussan

Carnaval Lounge - Margie Perez

Circle Bar - Natalie Mae & Friends

Crescent City Brewhouse - N.O. Streetbeat

DBA - N.O. Swinging Gypsies

Dos Jefes - The Panorama Jazz Band

DMAC’s - Vance Orange

House of Blues - Loumuzik

The Old Point’s - The Retrospex

Maple Leaf - Jon Cleary & The Monster Gentlemen

One Eyed Jacks - DJ Soul Sister

Rock ’n’ Bowl - 90 Degrees West

Spotted Cat - Doro Wat

Tipitina’s - Save Our Brass Culture Foundation

UNO - Tucka; Pokey Bear

Saturday, March 7

30/90 - Sierra Green & The Soul Machine

Ahava Fest - Rockin' Dopsie

Bamboula’s - Crawdaddy T’s Cajun/Zydeco Review

Boomtown Casino - Royal Street

Buffa’s - Christopher Boye

Carnaval Lounge - Alex McMurray

DBA - Tuba Skinny

Dos Jefes - The Betty Shirley Band

DMAC’s - Notel Motel

Circle Bar - The Junior League

Crescent City Brewhouse - N.O. Streetbeat

House of Blues - Bustout Burlesque

Maple Leaf - Amoramora

The Old Point’s - Gal Holiday

One Eyed Jacks - Fleur De Tease

Prime Example - Cole Williams Band

Blue October

House of Blues | Saturday, March 14 | houseofblues.com/neworleans

American alternative rock band Blue October is set to perform at the House of Blues on Saturday, March 14th. Founded in Houston, Texas, in 1995, the band has charted numerous top-40 songs over their nine studio albums. Known for their emotionally charged lyrics and shimmering melodies, Blue October’s work explores mental illness, addiction, and spirituality. Currently, the group. is preparing for their Get Back Up Tour , which will follow the release of their upcoming album: This is What I Live For.

Rock ’n’ Bowl - Category 6

Spotted Cat - Antoine Diel

Sunday, March 8

30/90 - T’Canaille

Ahava Fest - Amanda Shaw

Bamboula’s - Ed Wills Blues 4 Sale

Buffa’s - Larry Scala

Carnaval Lounge - Gina Leslie

Circle Bar - Kate Baxter

Crescent City Brewhouse - N.O. Streetbeat

DBA - The Palmetto Bug Stompers

Dos Jefes - Peter Nu

DMAC’s - Chris Zonada

House of Blues - Overkill

Maple Leaf - Sam Price

The Old Point’s - Big Jim & the Whiskey-Benders

One Eyed Jacks - Fleur De Tease

Spotted Cat - Pat Casey

Tipitina’s - Fais Do Do

Monday, March 9

30/90 - New Orleans Super Jam

Bamboula’s - Les Getrex N Creole Cooking

Buffa’s - Antoine Diel

Carnaval Lounge - Helen Rose

Circle Bar - Johnny Burgin

Crescent City Brewhouse - N.O. Streetbeat

DBA - John Boutte’

Dos Jefes - John Fohl

DMAC’s - Danny Alexander’s Blues Jam

Maple Leaf - George Porter Jr. Trio

Spotted Cat - Dominick Grillo

Tuesday, March 10

30/90 - Ed Wills & Blues4Sale

Bamboula’s - Budz Blues Band

Buffa’s - Ted Hefko

Carnaval Lounge - Debbie Davis & Josh Paxton

Circle Bar - Joe Kile

Crescent City Brewhouse - N.O. Streetbeat

DBA - Treme Brass Band

DMAC’s - Mark Carson’s Songwriter Sessions

Maple Leaf - Rebirth Brass Band

One Eyed Jacks - Moonchild

Prime Example - Delfeayo Marsalis Quintet

Spotted Cat - Andy J. Forest

Tipitina’s - Soulfly

Wednesday, March 11

30/90 - Big Mike & The R&B Kings

Bamboula’s - Tree House Jazz Band

Carnaval Lounge - Leslie Cooper

Carousel Longue - James Martin

Circle Bar - The Iguanas

Crescent City Brewhouse - N.O. Streetbeat

DBA - Tin Men

DMAC’s - Real Rob & the Revelators

House of Blues - Jet Lounge

Maple Leaf - Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes

Prime Example - Arthur Mitchell Quintet

Rock ’n’ Bowl - Creole String Beans

Spotted Cat - Shotgun Jazz Band

Thursday, March 12

30/90 - DJ Fresh

Bamboula’s - City of Trees Brass Band

Buffa’s - Tom McDermott

Carnaval Lounge - Gal Holiday

Crescent City Brewhouse - N.O. Streetbeat

DBA - Julie Odell

Dos Jefes - Loren Pickford

DMAC’s - Rock ‘n Roll Jam

House of Blues - Jake Landry

The Old Point’s - Baby Boy Bartels

Maple Leaf - The Trio

Prime Example - Wendell Brunious Quintet

Rock ’n’ Bowl - Geno Delafose

Spotted Cat - Jumbo Shrimp

Tipitina’s - Homegrown Night

Friday, March 13

30/90 - Deltaphonic

Bamboula’s - Sierra Green & the Soul Machine

Boomtown Casino - Category 6

Buffa’s - Dave Jordan; Tanglers

Carnaval Lounge - Lynn Drury

Crescent City Brewhouse - N.O. Streetbeat

DBA - Smoking Time Jazz Club

Dos Jefes - Tom Fitzpatrick & Turning Point

DMAC’s - LYON

House of Blues - Shawan Rice

Maple Leaf - The Catahoulas

The Old Point’s - 1% Nation

Rock ’n’ Bowl - The Mixed Nuts

Spotted Cat - Washboard Chaz Trio

Saturday, March 14

30/90 - Big Mike & The R&B Kings

Bamboula’s - Crawdaddy T’s Cajun

Boomtown Casino - Junior & Sumtin' Sneaky

Buffa’s - John Sinclair

Carnaval Lounge - Jamie Lynn Vessels

Crescent City Brewhouse - N.O. Streetbeat

DBA - Tuba Skinny

Dos Jefes - Sunpie & the La. Sunspots

DMAC’s - Sierra Green & the Soul Machine

House of Blues - Blue October

Joy Theater - Jelly Roll

Maple Leaf - The Soul of Grease

The Old Point’s - Johnny Hayes

One Eyed Jacks - Eric Lindell

Prime Example - Alexey Marti

Riverboat Louis Armstrong - Rebirth Brass Band

Rock ’n’ Bowl - Bonerama

Spotted Cat - James Martin Band

Tipitina’s - Big Sam’s Funky Nation

Sunday, March 15

30/90 - Chris Klein & The Blvds

Bamboula’s - Ed Wills Blue 4 Sale

Buffa’s - Molly Reeves

Carnaval Lounge - Pfister Sisters

Crescent City Brewhouse - N.O. Streetbeat

DBA - Joe Marcinek Band

Dos Jefes - Michael Luizza & Co

DMAC’s - Natalie Cris

Maple Leaf - Joe Krown Trio

The Old Point’s - Shawan Rice

One Eyed Jacks - Clan of Xymox

Rock ’n’ Bowl - Ryan Foret

Spotted Cat - Pat Casey

Monday, March 16

30/90 - New Orleans Super Jam

Bamboula’s - Les Getrex N Creole Cooking

Buffa’s - Arsene DeLay

Carnaval Lounge - Coliseum Street

Crescent City Brewhouse - N.O. Streetbeat

DBA - John Boutte’

Dos Jefes - John Fohl

DMAC’s - Danny Alexander’s Blues Jam

House of Blues - Sean Riley

Maple Leaf - George Porter Trio

Spotted Cat - Royal Street Winding Boys

Tuesday, March 17

30/90 - Kennedy & The M.O.T.H

Bamboula’s - Budz Blues Band

Carnaval Lounge - The Whyos

Crescent City Brewhouse - N.O. Streetbeat

DBA - Treme Brass Band

Dos Jefes - The Mark Coleman Band

DMAC’s - Carson Station acoustic

House of Blues - Michael Liuzza

Maple Leaf - Rebirth Brass Band

Prime Example - Delfeayo Marsalis Quintet

Spotted Cat - Meschiya Lake & The Little Big Horns

Wednesday, March 18

30/90 - Colin Davis & Night People

Bamboula’s - Tree-House Jazz Band

Carnaval Lounge - KatieCat

Crescent City Brewhouse - N.O. Streetbeat

DBA - Tin Men

DMAC’s - Rebel Roadside

House of Blues - Jon Roniger

Joy Theater - Whindersson Nunes

Maple Leaf - Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes

Prime Example - Arthur Mitchell Quintet

Rock ’n’ Bowl - Jerry Embree Swing Band

Spotted Cat - Antoine Diel

Tipitina’s - The Tulbox

Thursday, March 19

30/90 - DJ Trill Skill

Bamboula’s - City of Trees Brass Band

Buffa’s - Kris Tokarski Trio

Carnaval Lounge - Conor Donohue

Crescent City Brewhouse - N.O. Streetbeat

DBA - Little Freddie King

DMAC’s - Rock ‘n Roll Jam

House of Blues - Jake Landry

Maple Leaf - Andre Bohren

The Old Point’s - Old Barstools

Prime Example - Nicholas Payton

Rock ’n’ Bowl - Chubby Carrier

Spotted Cat - Jumbo Shrimp

Friday, March 20

30/90 - Hotline

Bamboula’s - Sierra Green & the Soul Machine

Boomtown Casino - Aaron Foret

Buffa’s - Hannah KB Band

Carnaval Lounge - Lilli Lewis

Crescent City Brewhouse - N.O. Streetbeat

DBA - Cedric Watson

DMAC’s - Sergio & the Satin Dogs

House of Blues - John Paul Carmody

Maple Leaf - Jon Cleary & The Monster Gentlemen

The Old Point’s - Marshland

One Eyed Jacks - Thy Art Is Murder

Rock ’n’ Bowl - Karma

Spotted Cat - Shake’em Up Jazz Band

Saturday, March 21

30/90 - Big Easy Brawlers

Bamboula’s - Crawdaddy T’s Cajun

Boomtown Casino - Back in the Day

Buffa’s - Marina Orchestra

Carnaval Lounge - Ted Hefko

Crescent City Brewhouse - N.O. Streetbeat

DBA - Tuba Skinny

Dos Jefes - The Joe Krown Trio

DMAC’s - Lynn Drury

House of Blues - Jamie Lynn Vessels

Maple Leaf - Aaron Benjamin

The Old Point’s - Martha & the Goodtime-Gang

Prime Example - Topsy Chapman

Rock ’n’ Bowl - A Tribute to The Cars

Spotted Cat - Jumbo Shrimp

Sunday, March 22

30/90 - T’Canaille

Bamboula’s - Ed Wills Blues 4 Sale

Buffa’s - Little Coquette Jazz Band

Carnaval Lounge - Matt Hill

Crescent City Brewhouse - N.O. Streetbeat

DBA - Big Dummy

Dos Jefes - Piano Bob

DMAC’s - The Tempted

The Old Point’s - Anais St. John

Spotted Cat - Pat Casey

Monday, March 23

30/90 - Margie Perez

Bamboula’s - Saint Louis Slim Blues Trio

Carnaval Lounge - Helen Rose

Crescent City Brewhouse - N.O. Streetbeat

House of Blues - Sean Riley

The Jazz Playhouse - Gerald French Original Tuxedo Jazz

Band

Kermit’s Tremé Mother-in-Law Lounge - Kermit Ruffins

Maple Leaf - George Porter Jr. Trio

The Maison - Chicken & Waffles

Spotted Cat - Dominick Grillo

Tuesday, March 24

30/90 - Mem Shannon & The Membership Band

Bamboula’s - Christopher Johnson

Carnaval Lounge - Real Rob

Circle Bar - Joe Kile

Crescent City Brewhouse - N.O. Streetbeat

DBA - Treme Brass Band

House of Blues - Michael Liuzza

The Jazz Playhouse - James River Movement

Joy Theater - Rodrigo Y Gabriela

The Maison - Gregory Agid Quartet

Maple Leaf - Rebirth Brass Band

One Eyed Jacks - Post Animal

Palm Court Jazz Cafe - Greg Stafford

Poor Boys - Stay Puff

Prime Example - Delfeayo Marsalis Quintet

Spotted Cat - Smokin’ Time Jazz Club

Wednesday, March 25

30/90 - Andy J Forest

AllWays Lounge - Layla Musselwhite

Bamboula’s - Eight Dice Cloth

Carnaval Lounge - Stoo Odom

Carousel Lounge - James Martin

Circle Bar - The Iguanas

Crescent City Brewhouse - N.O. Streetbeat

DBA - Tin Men

House of Blues - Cary Hudson

The Jazz Playhouse - Big Sam’s Crescent City

Connection

Joy Theater - Best Coast

The Maison - Eight Dice Cloth

Maple Leaf - Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes

Palm Court Jazz Cafe - Lars Edegran

Prime Example - Arthur Mitchell Quintet

Rock ’n’ Bowl - The Boogie Men

Spotted Cat - Antoine Diel

Thursday, March 26

30/90 - Tony Lee Thomas

Bamboula’s - Saint Claude Social Club

Carnaval Lounge - Dick Johnson & the Big Willies

Crescent City Brewhouse - N.O. Streetbeat

Circle Bar - Dark Lounge

City Park - Phil Melancon

DBA - Jon Cleary

House of Blues - Sean Riley

The Jazz Playhouse - Brass-A-Holics

The Maison - Good for Nothin’ Band

Maple Leaf - Michael Burkart

The Old Point’s - Sarah Dupree

The Orpheum Theater - Louisiana Philharmonic

Orchestra

Palm Court Jazz Cafe - Duke Heitger

Rock ’n’ Bowl - Jeffrey Broussard

Spotted Cat - Tom Saunders

Cole Swindell

The Fillmore | Sunday, March 15 | fillmorenola.com

Country music singer and songwriter Cole Swindell will take the stage at the Filmore on Sunday, March 15.! Over the course of his exceptional career, Swindle has written hit singles for musicians such as Luke Bryan, Craig Campbell, Scott McCreery, and Thomas Rhett. A platinum-selling recording artist, Swindle has been awarded Music Row’s Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year, and NSAI’s Songwriter / Artist of the Year (2016)

OCT 7TH

March 6

March 8

13th Annual Big Easy Blues Festival

.................................................................... Harlem Globetrotters

March 27-28 ................................................................. Hogs for the Cause

March 29 .......................................................... TOBYMAC Hits Deep Tour

April 18 Fabulously Funny Comedy Festival

April 23-26 Disney On Ice presents Dream Big

October 7..................................................... Megadeth and Lamb of God

at www.ticketmaster.com or the Lakefront Arena Box Office

GOSPEL BRUNCH EVERY SUNDAY AT 10:30AM AL FRESCO DINING IN THE VOODOO GARDEN

Lakeside2Riverside

Upcoming Festivals & Events

Krewe du Pooch

Mandeville Lakefront

February 29: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | krewedupooch.org

The inaugural Krewe du Pooch Parade and Costume Contest is the perfect way to get your furry friends in on all the Carnival fun. Come watch as pooches of all shapes and sizes are “dressed to the #9s” in their finest football gear, honoring the best of Louisiana football in style. Amid the parade of canine Joe Burrow and Drew Brees look-alikes, parade-goers can enjoy food from local restaurants, nonprofit vendors, pet adoptions, and more. Register your dog online to participate in the costume contest or simply go and watch what is sure to be one of the cutest parades of the Mardi Gras season.

Ahava Festival

Woldenberg Riverfront Park: 1 Canal St.

March 7-8: 11:00 a.m. | ahavafest.com

The Ahava Festival is a free music and art festival designed to promote community and love. With a goal of raising $100,000 for a list of national and local charities, Ahava has chosen New Orleans as this year’s selected city where guests can share in the power of giving and the joy of art and music. The event will feature a variety of New Orleans cuisine, as well as a lineup of bands that includes Amanda Shaw, The Rees Family (aka Pelican 212), and Groovy 7.

Los Isleños Fiesta

1357 Bayou Rd., St. Bernard March 7-8: 11:00 a.m. | facebook.com/ losislenossociety

Experience the celebration of Louisiana’s Spanish heritage at this year’s Los Isleños Fiesta. Held in Historic St. Bernard, this colorful festival will feature rides, living history, and folk crafts that aim to celebrate and educate the New Orleans community about the rich Spanish history that still influences the city to this day. One of the highlights of this fiesta is the incredible live music, and this year’s festivities will host performances by Faith Becnel, The Topcats, Ryan Foret, and more. Admission is only $3, and kids 12 and under are free.

Bourbon Festival

Hilton New Orleans Riverside: 2 Poydras St. March 11-14: Times vary | neworleansbourbonfestival.com

Get to know the ins and outs of one of New Orleans’s most symbolic spirits at this year’s Bourbon Fest. This year’s festival will host a variety of events centered around experiencing exceptional bourbon and New Orleans cuisine, including a bourbon seminar series, a bourbon and burlesque show, and grand bourbon tastings held in an authentic 1920s speakeasy. The event will also include a bourbon brunch and patron party and will highlight recent efforts

to support “Women in Bourbon.” After attending this boozy festival, Bourbon Street will never seem quite the same.

Sun Belt Conference Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships

Smoothie King Center: 1501 Dave Dixon Dr. March 14-15: Times vary | smoothiekingcenter. com/events/detail/sun-belt-conference-mensand-womens-basketball-championships

For the seventh consecutive year, the Sun Belt Conference will bring all the excitement

of an NCAA Division I tournament to the Big Easy. The final four teams for both men and women will compete for the championship over one weekend, as well as for the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division I National Basketball Championship. Don’t miss this opportunity to see some of the best collegiate athletes in action at New Orleans’s very own Smoothie King Center.

Top Taco

Woldenberg Park: 1 Canal St.

March 19: VIP, 6:00 p.m.; General Admission, 7:00 p.m. toptaconola.com

Top Taco is one of New Orleans’s most popular food festivals, where visitors can sample unlimited gourmet tacos and signature cocktails from some of the best restaurants in the city. Patrons can enjoy live music and tequila lounge areas while eating to their heart’s content, and they will ultimately be able to vote for awards coveted among the vendors, like Top Creative Taco, Top Traditional Taco, and Top Creative Cocktail. With renowned restaurants like NOLA Caye, House of Blues, and Ugly Dog Saloon on site, this event is truly a taco-lover’s dream.

The 84th Annual Spring Fiesta and Historic Homes Tour

826 St. Ann St.

March 21 – 22 and 28 – 29: Times vary springfiestanola.com

The Spring Fiesta offers visitors the chance to experience some of New Orleans’s most beautiful architecture and historic buildings firsthand. Attendees can watch the event’s parade of horse-drawn carriages through the French Quarter and can tour private homes, gardens, and courtyards that will leave them in awe of the charm and elegance of the Big Easy’s most personal cultural gems. The festivities also include the presentation of the Spring Fiesta queen and her court at Jackson Square, capping off an event filled with historical magic.

Top Taco - March 19

Bourbon Fest - March 11–14

Los Isleños - March 7-8

FOOD NEWS

Arbor eats … Southern brasserie and bar Laurel Oak opened recently inside the new Magnolia Hotel on Gravier Street Downtown. Chef and restaurateur Troy Guard was tapped to consult on the Central Business District restaurant and worked closely with Executive Chef Wesley Rabalais to develop the menu. Rabalais is known for working in local kitchens, like the now-defunct Kenton's and French Quarter favorite Brennan's. With a design concept inspired by nature and a focus on local ingredients, Laurel Oak offers classic New Orleans dishes, such as BBQ shrimp, hush puppies, and a fried green tomato sandwich. They also feature Benton's ham tartine; a Gulf seafood roll with remoulade; and jerkspiced duck with a cauliflower soubise (onion cream sauce), peanut dukkah, and baked Sea Island red peas. 535 Gravier St., (504) 527-0006, laureloakrestaurant.com

You'll never want to leave … A new sushi spot just opened up on Harrison Avenue in Lakeview. Lotus Bistro is touted as “a hip-trendy Japanese restaurant and sushi bar,” with chefs Dylan Owens and Edgar Cervantes leading in the kitchen. The menu offers a wide variety of Japanese cuisine, from teriyaki, ramen, and katsu to sushi and hibachi. Lotus is open every day for lunch and dinner, except Monday. 203 W. Harrison Ave., (504) 533-9879, lotusbistronola.com

Let's do lunch! … Riverbend bakery Maple Street Patisserie added an Italian lunch menu recently, in addition to its daily breads, pastries, and cakes. Lunch items include pizza, meatball Parmesan, and chicken Parmesan sandwiches. Owners Patricia Donohue and Chef Ziggy

Cichowski were inspired to introduce their new grab-n-go menu after a recent trip to Italy. Maple Street Patisserie is open Tuesday through Sunday.

7638 Maple St., (504) 304-1526, maplestreetpatisserie.com

Mash-up … Making the leap from festivalfood vendor to brick-and-mortar, Ajun Cajun recently opened up on Oak Street. Taking over the space formerly occupied by Ninja Sushi, this so-named fusion spot is owned by local sushi chef Momo Young and is offering dishes like a Yakiniku poboy with garlic ribeye, pepper shrimp po-boy, fried seafood platters, ramen, donburi, and udon.

8433 Oak St., (504) 866-7077, ajuncajun.com

Upstairs, downstairs … Almost a year after opening in the French Quarter, Jewel of the South has launched an upstairs dining room, leaving the ground floor for a more casual approach and a new name: The Grove. Partners Chris Hannah, Nick Detrich, and John Stubbs have at last fully realized their plans for this St. Louis Street bar and restaurant with The Grove, an intimate cocktail lounge with tapaslike bites, downstairs; and the Jewel, a more formal dining room, upstairs. “It was always our plan to open a multistory dining and drinking destination with something for everyone,” says Detrich. “It’s been a year-long process, and we’re really excited it’s finally come to fruition.”

Chef Philip Whitmarsh will be flaunting his culinary skills in the upstairs dining room and tree-lined courtyard, while Hannah will oversee the cocktail program downstairs.

1026 St. Louis St., (504) 265-8816, jewelnola.com

By Kim Ranjbar

Lilting libations … Inspired by the building's roots as a center for “1920s Vaudeville and Dixie Bohemia,” a new bar and live-music venue dubbed the Double Dealer has opened up underneath the Orpheum Theater. This basement-level “speakeasy” pays homage to the city's “vibrant counterculture and love affair with all things debaucherous.” Named after an influential literary journal from the 1900s, the Double Dealer offers a main bar with creative libations, a VIP room with a lounge-like environment, the Poker Room (which offers poker, obviously), and the Green Room, which features a stage that plays host to everything from musicians and burlesque to magicians, swordswallowers, and more.

129 Roosevelt Way, (504) 300-0212, doubledealernola.com

So sad to see you go …

Fortunately or unfortunately, depending upon your point of view, nothing ever stays the same. As anything else in life, some things remain nearly the same, yet others go by the wayside. Most recently, the restaurant industry has seen some unfortunate closures, but we're always hopeful the proprietors will have plans for their horizons.

First off, Aglio, a deli and bar in the South Market District, was forced to close after almost three years in business. Reopened by Mike Mericle and Marie Guevara—former employees of Chef Philip Lopez, who originally opened the neighborhood spot as Part & Parcel—the eatery featured housecured meats and homemade pickles, signature cocktails, and, most recently, a brunch. They'll be missed.

The sports restaurant Azul closed in Lakeview after less than six months in business. Built from the ground up, the space was a new project from longtime restaurateur Danny Millan, who had recently run Cava in the same neighborhood.

With little to no notice or hoopla, the NOCHI Café by Gracious is no longer “by Gracious” anymore. The café is still open, but now it is run by the institute itself, with Gracious Bakery's involvement having just sort of disappeared. Thankfully, we can enjoy pastries, breads, and desserts from the bakery's three other locations, but we will miss the foodstuffs of Chef Michael Doyle, who is no longer heading the kitchen. Perhaps he'll pop up in another venue? Here's hoping!

Also, without notice, Heads & Tails Seafood & Oyster Bar shuttered in Harahan. Owned and operated by Shelley Flick and Executive Chef Brandon Green, the strip-mall restaurant was like a taste of the French Quarter out in the burbs. One day, a closed sign appeared on the front door, and the place hasn't reopened since.

$20 & UNDER Prodigious Plates: For the Love of Leftovers

By Kim Ranjbar

Though there's many a snob who would scoff at a dish piled high with more food than any average person could eat in one sitting, there are also those who seek to “supersize.” Perhaps those individuals have a hearty appetite—those frustrating, blessed-with-high-metabolism folks who can eat dizzying quantities and not gain weight. They could also be incredibly frugal and desire as much food as they can get for their hardearned dollar, or maybe, just maybe, they have an inordinate love of leftovers. Are you one of those people who, in the middle of the night, find themselves snacking out of the refrigerator on dinners they couldn't finish while at the table? Or do you look forward to bringing your box to work, and while coworkers settle for microwave meals or tuna fish sandwiches, you're lording it over them with a slab of lasagna from the Italian spot you dined at the night before?

Many would argue that portion sizes everywhere have increased over the past several decades, and in general, they would be right. But there are a lot of plates out there that exceed even the expected levels of excess, especially in a food-focused city like New Orleans.

Newly opened in the space that formerly housed the specialty sandwich restaurant Wayfare, Acropolis on Freret is the second location of Metairie restaurant Acropolis Cuisine on Veterans Boulevard. It has a menu featuring many Mediterranean mainstays, such as hummus with warm pita, stuffed grape leaves, falafel, and kabob. Among the lunch specials offered every weekday is a gigantic slab of moussaka, a Greek-style lasagna (they have that, too), if you will, made with eggplant, zucchini, potatoes, and ground veal topped with a thick, fluffy layer of creamy béchamel. Easily big enough to feed a family of four, this massive meal comes with a side of their warm pita bread and will only set you back $10.95.

Speaking of second locations, the Uptown Wakin' Bakin' on Prytania Street, the second location of the popular Mid-City breakfast joint, also offers ridiculously huge portions at great prices. Case in point: the Gravy Train. For only $9, you can feast on two fist-sized biscuits smothered in a lake of white sausage gravy with a side of two eggs and two pieces of bacon. It's likely you wouldn't need to eat again until dinner time!

Over on the up-and-coming Tulane Avenue, less than three blocks from the

courthouse, lies Avery's on Tulane, a momand-pop spot owned and operated by husband-and-wife team Christy and Justin Pitard. Known for their overstuffed po-boys, gumbo, and fried potato salad, Avery's also features some pretty hefty entrees. One that comes to mind is their enormous bowl of red beans and rice, served with a sizable fried pork chop finished with a garlic-butter drizzle. This feast, which is easily enough for two, is not breaking anyone's bank, coming in at a measly $10.75.

Admittedly, there are lots of Chinese restaurants around town serving portions so large they retain the size and shape of the takeout boxes the next day. But just as an example, Bywater neighborhood joint Red’s Chinese excels at this type of excess, such as the General's Chicken, where even a “small” portion (for $11) will leave you groaning and clutching your over-satiated belly. One of the best items for guaranteed overflow is the Hawaiian fried rice, which, at $14, features a mountainous plate piled high with fried chicken, bacon, pickled pineapple, and (of course) rice in a mouthwatering curry.

Right off I-10 and Causeway Boulevard is City Diner, a popular greasy spoon in Metairie that offers cheap eats 24 hours a day. Local denizens have long touted their gargantuan pancakes that are practically the size of a 16inch pizza and cost about $6.50 each. Not to dis an old favorite, but one could reasonably argue that the chai pancakes at Bearcat Cafe, a California-esque restaurant that now has two locations (one just off Freret on Jena

Street and the other on Carondelet in the CBD), are a great alternative. Found under the “bad cat” portion of the menu, the chai spice pancakes are fluffy, cinnamony-sweet, and topped with a generous glob of pumpkin cream cheese and a sprinkling of candied pecans. Though they aren't quite as large as the pancakes at City Diner, they're close enough for jazz, and you get not one, but two jumbo flapjacks, with lots of warm, pure maple syrup for $12.

Finally, a lot of old-school Creole Italian favorites come to mind when talking about colossal portion sizes, but none more so than that renowned neighborhood spot Rocky & Carlos. Located way out on St. Bernard Highway in Chalmette, this New Orleans classic is known for its monster portion sizes offered at ridiculously low prices. A great example of this was recently shared with me by fellow foodie Jason Vowell. For less than $13, he enjoyed a cyclopean plate of veal parmesan that included two cutlets of veal atop a mountain of spaghetti, all of which was smothered in red sauce and melted mozzarella. As if that wasn't enough, this mighty dish is offered with a “side” of their famous mac 'n' cheese, a slab so large it could easily be a meal in and of itself. Any diner walking out of Rocky & Carlos without a doggie bag is an impressive eater indeed.

But, let's be honest, sometimes food just tastes better the next day.

Above the Grid (NOPSI Hotel) 317 Baronne St. 844-439-1463

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

Babylon Sportsbar 2917 Harvard Ave., Metairie 324-9961

Backspace Bar 139 Chartres St. 322-2245

Bar Marilou (Maison de la Luz) 544 Carondelet St. 814-7711

Bar Tonique 820 N. Rampart St. 324-6045

Boot Scootin’ Rodeo 522 Bourbon St. 552-2510

Bourbon St. Honky Tonk 727 Bourbon St. 523-1960

Buffa’s Bar & Restaurant 1001 Esplanade Ave. 949-0038

Carnaval Lounge 2227 St. Claude Ave. 265-8855

Copper Vine 1001 Poydras St. 208-9535

The Country Club 634 Louisa St 945-0742

Crossing 439 Dauphine St. 523-4517

Fulton Alley 600 Fulton St. 208-5569

House of Blues 225 Decatur St. 310-4999

Jimani 141 Chartres St. 524-0493

Kerry Irish Pub 331 Decatur St. 527-5954

Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar 701 Tchoupitoulas St. 504-523-8995

Martine's Lounge 2347 Metairie Rd., Metairie 831-8637

The Mercantile 727 S Peters St 504-309-4797

Pal's Lounge 949 N. Rendon St. 488-7257

Penthouse Club 727 Iberville St. 524-4354

Tipitina’s 501 Napoleon Ave. 895-8477

Vintage Rock Club 1007 Poydras St. 308-1305

Above the Grid is a dynamic and energetic venue with a breathtaking view of the city. Enjoy the view and pool with some refreshing cocktails and some healthy, delicious food.

Offering fantastic drinks and a stunning view of the New Orleans skyline, Ace’s rooftop bar Alto is a sanctum of relaxation in an ever-busy concrete jungle.

The Babylon Sportsbar offers up live music, entertainment and barbeque that you just can't get anywhere else. Enjoy their drink specials and Happy Hour as well.

A literary-themed bar reminiscent of an English pub. Backspace features a fantastic kitchen as well as a selection of historically inspired drinks.

Bar Marilou oozes sophistication. This bar is known for a glass of its top-rated French wine and burrata. Indulge in the finer things at this Warehouse District hot spot.

Stop by Bar Tonique to enjoy one of the always-changing daily specials.They offer $5 specials from noon to 5 p.m. on weekdays.

Nashville country (or the Bakersfield Sound) is their thing. Their general store will be opening soon, but for now, you can grab a drink while dancing.

Honky-tonk country music and booze will be sure to light up your night. This bar has traditional country and blues every night of the week.

New Orleans is known for its 24/7 party scene, and Buffa’s Lounge makes sure its doors are always open. They've been doing so for almost 80 years!

The new Carnaval Lounge in the former Siberia location features great live music nightly. Come try the tasty Brazilian street food for a treat.

This restaurant has been praised for its food, wine, and atmosphere. Make a reservation for Copper Vine’s dinner series and enjoy a meal with carefully selected wine pairings.

If you’re looking for one of the best bars in the city, with a heated pool and hot tub, look no further. They also have an impressive selection of wine and outstanding food.

Crossing offers specialty cocktails in an inclusive and original atmosphere. The bar is furnished with handmade Einstein lamps with metallic gold and bronze finishes.

Fulton Alley is a special venue whose highlight is bowling, bites, and booze. This bar combines the fun of a bowling alley with the elegance of a Prohibition-era speakeasy.

In addition to live music, this venue serves mouthwatering food and drinks. You can have just about any drink you can think of and a wide array of tasty treats.

Home of the Mysterious Mixer, the Jimani is the perfect place for a late-night jaunt. Enjoy a couple with some friendly ghosts at this classic slice of New Orleans.

Kerry Irish Pub’s laid-back atmosphere is the perfect place to relax and enjoy musical talent any night of the week. Celebrate with some Guinness or Jameson at this eclectic bar.

Hang loose and enjoy some great food, best complemented with a frozen alcoholic beverage or cold beer. Check out the chill beach vibe in the heart of the Warehouse District.

This Metairie bar offers darts, poker, and a jukebox. While they can make whatever you can imagine, try one of their signature drinks, such as the Spicy Passionfruit Margarita.

One of the best first or last stops of the night is this Warehouse District spot. Enjoy their live music every night.

Pal’s is the perfect place to enjoy a signature cocktail or eat from one of the city’s local pop-up kitchens. This neighborhood joint has the goods to quench any thirst.

Celebrate a special event or enjoy an unforgettable night of luxury at the Penthouse Club. The club is across from Acme Oyster House and will treat you right.

Few bars have as rich a history as Tipitina’s, which has earned a well-deserved name for itself as one of the best music venues in the city.

Vintage Rock Club is a throwback club and video music experience that allows guests to rock out to the best of the decades and enjoy a drink at the same time.

On the Fence About Where to Buy Local Artwork?

Head

By Edgar Louis

to Jackson Square.

It’s very early on a foggy, chilly February Saturday morning on Jackson Square, according to the resonating church-bell chimes of the venerable St. Louis Cathedral that has overlooked the square for over two centuries.

Down Pirate’s Alley, which runs along one side of the cathedral, one lonely cart is being pushed in the darkness past a few snoring drunks on wrought-iron benches, sleeping off an alcohol-infused Friday night in the French Quarter. The cart slowly turns the corner onto St. Peter Street and stops midway down the block, right across from the darkened 1840s-era Pontalba Apartments. A hand slowly reaches into the cart and retrieves a framed painting before hanging it on the iron fence that rings Jackson Square. He is the first of the dozens of Jackson Square fence artists, arriving before daylight to claim his spot to sell artwork for the day ahead—just as countless other artists have done since 1868. Because, according to one longtime fence artist Lee Tucker, legend has it that the historic Jackson Square Artist Colony dates back to the Civil War, when Confederate soldiers’ wives and widows displayed their art on the fence to support their families.

Since those early days, countless artists have called the Jackson Square fence their “gallery,” with one historical account claiming that John James Audubon was one of the artists who painted and sold his work here. Back then, most of the artists lived in close proximity to the square and spent their days painting here and selling their artwork—and, of course, they spent their nights at nearby bars and restaurants spending their hardearned profits.

Tucker, who has painted in the square since 1971, has written accounts of some of the

more remarkable changes. He said, “In 1956, the City Council passed an ordinance which required the artists to be licensed and pay city sales tax. In turn, the artists’ rights to produce, display, and sell original artwork on Jackson Square was legitimized and protected.”

According to another longtime artist, Kenneth Cook, “We’re the only art colony of this kind in the entire United States. And we’re in a very fragile environment here that needs continuing protection by the many governmental and civic organizations that control the Jackson Square world. That includes the City Council, the Vieux Carré Commission, the Jackson Square Task Force, and many more. Jackson Square has changed tremendously in recent years, with the arrival of the many street entertainers who now operate all around us.”

As proof of what Cook said, one only needs to walk around the square today and see all the new acts that abound among the fence artists. They include the tarot card readers and the “living statues” painted in silver, gold, and bronze—from those who stand frozen and dead-quiet without moving to those who dance to music from their boom boxes. Others include magic acts, break-dancing acrobatic acts, jugglers, and musicians ranging from those playing New Orleans-inspired tunes to the newest group on the square: the “bucket-beaters.” These are kids under the age of 12 using plastic paint buckets as drums and who now occupy almost every corner of the square. Unlike the

fence artists, all these street entertainers pay no yearly license to perform here and are not regulated whatsoever.

Indeed, during an interview with the fence artists, a badged representative from the New Orleans Tax and Licensing Bureau came by, checking to see if all the fence artists had their required licenses and tax paperwork. He literally stepped over a golden “living statue” lying on the sidewalk with gold-painted beer cans around him who needs no such license. It’s a delicate balancing act among the fence artists, the tarot card readers, and the entertainers, who coexist together in this vibrant slice of life in the French Quarter.

Many of the artists commented that as they sit and paint, people are fascinated to watch them because, for many of them, especially children, it’s the very first time they’ve actually seen a “real artist” at work. So, it has become both a cultural and educational experience.

“It’s just another reason that makes New Orleans unique by providing an experience they wouldn’t normally find back home,” one artist said. “And then, of course, the icing on the cake is when they purchase a piece of artwork to take home with them to remind them of their visit here.”

Of course, one aspect that is unique to these artists is working in the outdoors with all the various weather elements typical to New Orleans that can change at a moment’s notice—whether it’s the constant searing heat and humidity of the long summer months, the brief but bone-chilling winter cold snaps, or the inevitable rainstorms that pop up yearround with accompanying winds that can

both soak and send their artwork flying in all directions. Another natural occurrence that the artists all have to keep heads up about is one that also comes from above: bird poop from the many aviary visitors resting in the trees above them.

But the one universal joy that all the fence artists voiced was the interaction between them and people from all around the world who visit New Orleans and, most certainly, Jackson Square. According to Cook, “People are in such a good mood when they walk around the square surrounded by all the amazing history, architecture, and bohemian atmosphere, unlike any other place in the world. And they all love to talk to us about what it’s like to live—and paint—here in such a festive environment. We become living representatives of New Orleans who tell our city’s story better than any tour guide can because we live it every day.”

Everyone, both locals and visitors, appreciates the marvelous architectural treasures that surround Jackson Square, such as the St. Louis Cathedral, the Cabildo, the Presbytère, and the Pontalba Apartments. But another treasure that surrounds Jackson Square that should never be forgotten is the indomitable and determined fence artists who have added such color, life, and vitality to this world-famous, tiny historic plot of land for 150 years and counting.

SECOND LINE PARADES:

The History of the Tradition that Transfixes Tourists and Denizens Alike

By Donald Rickert

We’ve all seen them—second line parades. A grand marshal with an uplifted umbrella dancing during the undertaking, while celebrators or mourners follow, dancing as well, whirling and twirling handkerchiefs while they do so. It’s a familiar image ingrained into the imagination of nearly everyone in New Orleans.

They occur often enough that it’s not unusual here. Sometimes, when there’s a local celebrity death, people show up en masse. For example, there were epic second line parades for Dr. John, Fats Domino, and Leah Chase, to name a few. Aside from Bourbon Street, jazz, and liberal liquor laws, one of the things most identified with New Orleans is second line parades. These spectacles are seen quite often for weddings and funerals. The brass band, or second line, often led by a grand marshal, follows the “first line,” either mourners—specifically, the family members of the deceased—in a jazz funeral, or the newlywed couple after a wedding. But where did this tradition come from? Like most things shrouded in mystery, it depends on who you ask.

Some, such as Richard Brent Turner in his book Jazz Religion, the Second Line, and Black New Orleans, argue that the tradition is an evolution from traditional West African circle dances, and that it was brought to New Orleans by the slaves. Here in New Orleans, it morphed from a circle dance into a procession—becoming a forward-moving line, as we see today.

Other narratives point to the era immediately following the Civil War. While New Orleans itself was virtually uninvolved in the Civil War for the Confederacy, since it was occupied by the Union Army in April of 1862 until the end of the war, there were ramifications nevertheless.

One unforeseen circumstance that arose was that insurance companies refused to cover the formerly enslaved, and there was virtually no place where these former slaves could secure a loan. To combat this issue, African Americans formed benevolent societies and social aid and pleasure clubs

within their own neighborhoods. These neighborhood organizations offered the aforementioned “social aid” to the freed slaves, including loans and insurance. These groups would perform charitable works, host social events, and help members pay health-care costs and funeral expenses when needed. Sometimes, these clubs and groups would use the second lines as a sort of advertising. Also, these groups often included a brass band for funeral services as a celebration and veneration of the members who had died. Plus, there was often one parade with music per year for each group.

Some of these clubs still exist today, including the Money Wasters Social Aid and Pleasure Club, Golden Trumpets Social Aid and Pleasure Club, Jolly Bunch Social Aid and Pleasure Club, the Original New Orleans Lady & Men Buckjumpers, and, of course, Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club, but they don’t typically function the same way that the original benevolent societies and social aid and pleasure clubs did in the 19th century.

Nowadays, second line parades are most associated with funerals and weddings. Since New Orleans is a popular wedding destination, this is one tradition that tourists getting hitched can easily participate in—not so much with the funerals. The celebration of the recently departed is solely for New Orlenians. That is, unless it’s for a celebrity. Second lines are now a celebration, either for the affirmation of life or the passing of one, but that was not the only reason originally. No longer used as advertisements, these parades are now solely for the souls of New Orleans and are a part of the culture and tradition that make this city what it is— magnificent.

TIMELY

FITNESS:

Reach Your 2020 Fitness Goals and Mix Up Your Workout with Interval Training

By Celeste Turner

Short on time? Looking for a new challenge? Try interval training—designed for speed, strength, endurance, and a good sweat-session—in 30 minutes or less.

Considered to be the latest fitness rage, interval training is a series of low- to highintensity work periods interspersed with rest or recovery periods. The intermittent cycle of intense work with periods of low-level activity or rest helps to improve cardiovascular endurance while burning calories.

Interval training has become popular for those individuals who want to step up their fitness game or, perhaps, are looking to squeeze a workout into their busy schedule. Some fitness enthusiasts have incorporated HIIT (high-intensity interval training) into their exercise regime.

HIIT workouts are shorter than traditional workouts because they involve hard, demanding intervals of 10 to 60 seconds of intensive work followed by equal or longer rest periods. The interval periods of HIIT can vary in length, up to 30 minutes, and can be dependent upon the intensity of effort. The harder the work intervals, the more calories burned toward losing weight and getting into shape.

HIIT workout routines are not complicated. It is a simple way to change up your current exercise routine and push your limits in a shorter time period. In fact, a variation of HIIT, called Tabata training, has hit the mainstream and focuses on sheer intensity in a timed interval practice. It consists of eight rounds of ultra-high-intensity exercises with 20 seconds of maximal exercise and 10 seconds of rest. The Tabata circuit may take only four minutes to complete; however, that four-minute workout can push your body to its absolute limit.

Tabata training was developed in 1996 by Izumi Tabata, Ph.D., at the National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Tokyo. He discovered that the timed interval method was beneficial for athletes to increase their metabolism and improve their aerobic capacity. During this study, found in the

October 28, 1996 issue of Medicine Science and Sports Exercise Journal, Tabata noted a significant improvement in the energy of the athletes who did this method of workout five days a week for six weeks when compared to those who performed longer workouts at a less intense pace.

However, HIIT and Tabata training are not for beginners and can pose a high risk of injury. The high-intensity exercise may be best for advanced exercisers who are comfortable with this type of training. In the workout, the intensity builds, peaking near the end, so it’s easy for the intensity to sneak up and exhaust you if you're not used to this method.

Also, there's always a greater risk of injury when you're doing high-impact, highintensity exercise. Minimize that risk by thoroughly warming up before the workout and keep track of your heart rate. You can avoid the monotony of doing the same exercise for four minutes in Tabata training, for example, by mixing up the exercises in the same Tabata cycle. You can always alternate exercises that you are comfortable with, like jumping jacks and squat jumps. Or, maybe you would like to do eight different exercises throughout the entire Tabata circuit. The length of the exercise, even with rests in between, can get monotonous and quickly fatigue your muscles.

Whether you follow a workout or create your own, the flexibility and effectiveness of interval training may be something to kick off your new fitness regimen for 2020. If your goal is to build muscle, add strengthening exercises like push-ups or tricep dips to your Tabata workout. Or, if you’re trying to lose weight, lengthen the cardio periods of your interval training. Now, there are no excuses. For inspiration, keep in mind this famous quote: “Don’t limit your challenges; challenge your limits.”

With Georgia recognized as the filming capital of the U.S., that state has found itself handing out money to production companies at an alarming rate ($915 million in tax incentives in 2017 alone). Under pressure, state auditors have discovered that at least $4 million of that was provided to “ineligible expenditures.” Seeking ways to regroup the costs of such an undertaking, $500 million in budget cuts have been ordered by Republican Governor Brian Kemp for the next two years. Could these be signs that support for their film industry is dwindling?

Meanwhile, in Louisiana, the nation’s former filming capital, state lawmakers lowered the cap on tax credits to the entertainment industry, from a comparatively paltry $180 million to $150 million a year in 2017. Yet, not surprisingly, in 2018, the state’s economy saw a handsome return in the form of nearly $458 million in certified spending by the ever-burgeoning industry. That same year, Governor John Bel Edwards visited with Hollywood executives to entice them back to a state that was once known as “Hollywood South” due to the slate of productions that were in play across Louisiana from 2002 to 2015. Although the $150 million cap is unfortunately in place until 2025, Edwards seemed to make good on his promise to resurrect the state’s fleeting industry, as a definite upturn in productions was noted in the past year.

Our state did take somewhat of a hit by the news that the long-rumored Marvel production Gambit, starring Channing

2020 Film Forecast

By Jeff Boudreaux

Tatum, would not, in fact, film in New Orleans (or anywhere, for that matter). The production was canceled, along with Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger, which did manage to run for two seasons on Freeform. And then, there was the situation with The Hunt, the Blumhouse/Universal thriller that was yanked from distribution due to the film’s unflattering political ramifications in the wake of last year’s mass shootings in Dayton and El Paso. Still, we had actual box office hits, such as Queen & Slim and Black and Blue come out of our great state, as well as the critically acclaimed television shows On Becoming a God in Central Florida for Showtime and Hulu’s Looking for Alaska In retrospect, 2019 turned out to be a good year for Louisiana’s film industry, and we can possibly look forward to an even better 2020. Here are 10 productions wrapping or filming this year within the state of Louisiana:

Palmer—Principal photography began last November for this drama about an excon (played by Justin Timberlake) trying to

regain control of his life. Filming locations include New Orleans and the Northshore. Palmer is from the producers of the Oscarwinning film Green Book

Unhinged—Russell Crowe stars in this road-rage thriller that concerns a young mother who blows her horn at the wrong person. It is currently in post-production and on tap for an August 28 release.

All My Life—Harry Shum Jr. (Crazy Rich Asians) and Jessica Rothe (Happy Death Day) star in this tear-jerking drama about a young couple faced with a terminal diagnosis. Filming on the Universal production wrapped in January.

C’mon C’mon—Best Actor Oscar-winner Joaquin Phoenix follows up his careerrejuvenating performance in Joker with this upcoming drama directed by Mike Mills ( 20th Century Women). The film is currently in post-production.

Walkaway Joe—David Strathairn and Jeffrey Dean Morgan star in this familyoriented drama about a friendship between a fatherless boy and a wandering loner. Shot

in LaPlace, the film is in post-production and marks the feature-length directorial debut of character actor Tom Wright.

Reminiscence—Having wrapped filming in January, this futuristic thriller reteams two stars of 2017’s mega-hit The Greatest Showman. Hugh Jackman plays a veteran who somehow offers clients the chance to relive any memory. Rebecca Ferguson is his mysterious love interest. It is directed by Westworld co-creator Lisa Joy.

Deep Water—Filming through Valentine’s Day in New Orleans, this psychological thriller directed by Adrian Lyne (Fatal Attraction, Unfaithful) stars Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas (the breakout star of Knives Out) as a married couple who take on extra participants, with deadly consequences for everyone involved. The tentative release date is November 13.

One Night in Miami—Regina King makes her directorial debut in this drama that recounts a 1964 meeting between Mohammed Ali, Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown to enact change in the soon-tobe integrated South. Filming wraps up in late February.

Night Teeth—This Netflix thriller about a young chauffeur whose life takes an unexpected, frightening turn because of two beautiful passengers began filming on February 3 and is supposed to wrap in early April. It stars Jorge Lendeborg Jr. (Bumblebee; Love, Simon), Debbie Ryan (TV's Insatiable), Lucy Fry (Bright), and Alfie Allen (Jojo Rabbit, Game of Thrones). Director Adam Randall helmed 2017’s iBoy

with Maisie Williams for Netflix and last year’s I See You starring Helen Hunt. Sulphur Springs—This time-travel-based mystery series for the Disney Channel films in New Orleans from February to April.

It stars child-actors Preston Oliver and Kyliegh Curran and is directed by Jennifer Phang (Cloak & Dagger).

Evil Eye—This horror anthology series for Amazon Studios is produced by Priyanka Chopra in conjunction with Blumhouse Productions. Filming began in December and will last through May.

Subsequent seasons of NCIS: New Orleans, Claws, and Queen of the South will also be filming through late spring to early summer. As for the films due to be released this year, we can look forward to the summer release of the long-awaited Bill & Ted Face the Music, with Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter reprising their iconic roles. Rising star Issa Rae has two locally shot films due in the next few months: The Photograph, co-starring LaKeith Stanfield, which drops on Valentine’s Day, and The Lovebirds, with Kumail Nanjiani, due in April. The Baton Rouge-shot war movie Greyhound starring Tom Hanks is headed for a May release date, and we should finally see some movement from film festival darling Synchronic, starring Anthony Mackie and Jamie Dornan, as well as the release of Body Cam, starring Mary J. Blige.

Looking back on this promising list of films and television shows, it becomes clear that we’re in much better shape than we were a couple of years ago. Our state’s entertainment industry was gifted a mulligan after an initially disastrous, post-cap period amid the valiant efforts of a governor who tried as best he could to right the wrongs of a preceding administration that bafflingly let our golden ticket slip away. While we will likely never regain the status we once enjoyed, judging from the projects listed, it seems as if we are finally on the right track to reclaiming a version of the Hollywood South crown, albeit a condensed one.

March

FAMILY DAY at the New Orleans Book Festival will be on Saturday, March 21, 2020, and is a family-centered, free event that includes lively author presentations, book readings, book-related activities and a Scholastic-sponsored book giveaway. Visit bookfest.tulane.edu for the full schedule and more information.

FUN! FREE! EVERYONE WELCOME!

bookfest.tulane.edu | @nolabookfest

Film Reviews

Sonic the Hedgehog

By David Vicari

When I see that a movie coming out is based on a video game, my PTSD from sitting through video game-inspired movies during the '90s, like Mortal Kombat, Street Fighte+r or Super Mario Bros. begins to itch. That's why it was a relief that Sonic the Hedgehog, based on the Sega video game, is a diverting little comedy.

Sonic, a blue alien hedgehog (voiced by Ben Schwartz) who has supersonic speed,

Downhill

escapes to Earth and lives a quiet life in a forest on the outskirts of a small Montana town. Eventually, he is discovered, and crazed scientist Dr. Ivo Robotnik (Jim Carrey in fine scenery-chewing form) is brought in to catch and dissect him. Sonic needs to retrieve his bag of magic gold rings, which allow him to transport to different places. To complete this task, the blue extraterrestrial seeks the help from the local sheriff, Tom Wachowski

(James Marsden).

First-time feature director Jeff Fowler's movie is colorful, and the computergenerated Sonic (redesigned after massive backlash when the original trailer dropped) is an endearing character.

A scene at a roadhouse bar, where Sonic is shown in slowed down mode tripping up a bunch of yahoos, isn't as funny or clever as the Quicksilver time in a bottle sequence

in X-Men: Days of Future Past, but—no pun intended—Sonic the Hedgehog moves at a fast past and if one gag doesn't work, the next one will.

For all its visual gags and effects, the best part of Sonic is that it crackles with funny dialog. Yes, it's the amusing back-and-forth between the characters that makes this work. Who knew?

I was not as enamored with the 2014 Swedish film Force Majeure as many critics were, so I hoped that its American remake, Downhill, might be more appealing. However, Downhill sadly does not improve upon Force Majeure

In directors Nat Faxon and Jim Rash’s film, Will Ferrell and Julia Louis-Dreyfus play a married couple vacationing at an Alpine ski resort with their two sons. During a controlled avalanche that briefly gets scary, Ferrell runs away while his

family cowers at their table. Louis-Dreyfus and the sons quietly resent Ferrell for it, and he tries to act like it was no big deal.

At 86 minutes (including ending credits), Downhill still manages to seem padded. It feels like there could have been a good 30-minute short film from its basic premise (I felt the same way about the considerably longer original, too), but not enough to sustain a feature film. There is one excellent scene where Louis-Dreyfus finally calls out Ferrell while they eat

dinner with another couple. But aside from a few scattershot laughs, the surrounding scenes aren’t funny enough to work as a comedy and aren’t raw enough to work as a domestic drama.

By Fritz Esker

Tales from the Quarter

By Debbie Lindsey

Yes, I am showing my age when I write about how much times have changed in just a mere 31 years—the 31 years that I have been a New Orleanian. Certainly, for many of you out there reading this (no doubt from your tiny device rather than a paper magazine), 1989 was before you took your first breath of air, before your parents even conceived of conceiving you. But for me, this time flew by.

A quick cautionary tale to those under 30: Never, ever wish for time to fly—even when you are having a mind-numbing and/or physically brutal day at work—because it will, and you will never get it back.

April 1, 1989, on a Saturday afternoon, at 12:35, I crossed into Louisiana and headed to the French Quarter to live, to begin my new life in my new home. Apartments could be had for as little as $200, and, of course, you could go big (foolish) and pay up to $600 for what might be advertised as a “luxury apartment” (simply more expensive). I didn’t know that the best way to find an apartment was by word of mouth, so I went with a real estate company and ended up with a “luxury apartment,” which garnered that description and price point due to central air and heat and a dishwasher that drained directly into the courtyard. The installation of the heating/ cooling contraption was as well thought-out as the plumbing (four years later, the toilet would leave by way of a collapsing floor and I, by way of the door). Winters were grueling due to the other

selling point: 20-foot vaulted ceilings to which all the heating retreated as the great outdoors pushed through the flooring. So instead of a skylight, daylight poured through the beautifully restored cypress planks (another selling point), along with a view of the brook-like stream of water from the dishwasher.

The crazy thing is, these types of superficial, amenities-driven, faux-historic facades still camouflage termite-riddled and mold-infected apartments and houses. And unlike the truly lovely cypress floors in that first apartment, you will find laminated “wood” floors that often contain formaldehyde. And today, you will pay $1,200 and up for such habitats. Overall, I fondly remember the affordability of 30-plus years ago and really yearn for those amazing French Quarter apartments (unlike my first one) that were plentiful and untouched by “modernization”—with windows that opened and claw-footed tubs, original flooring and glass doorknobs, plaster walls that breathed and cypress doors that creaked. They were buildings whose souls had not yet been gutted and sheetrocked. Lead-enhanced drinking water was always an issue but was cheaper. And before Katrina wrecked the already-fragile and ancient infrastructure of pipes and drainage, I seem to recall less boil advisories, flooding, and watermain ruptures (perhaps research would prove this fond memory moot). Overall, it just seems that back then, life was slightly less stressful—at least in

the Quarter.

Of course, it must be said that bohemian as the Quarter was then, it was still a privileged community compared to our poorer neighbors in the Lafitte Projects just across the street from the Vieux Carré. Sadly, many disparities still reign hard in our town. In 1989, there were still some blackowned homes in the Quarter, but that quickly changed as tourism and real estate began to grow in earnest.

First, allow me to say that I simply love tourists— they have broadened my world view. But tourism is its own force of nature to be reckoned with. It can inflate rents, cause overcrowding, impact our delicate infrastructure, and unwittingly drive residents out of popular areas—the French Quarter went first.

In 1989 and for some years to follow (not many), the Quarter still had laundromats, drycleaners, printers, a hardware store on Bourbon Street, a post office, Woolworth’s, McCrory’s, D.H. Holmes, and just across the street from the Quarter was everything you could want at Krauss. Most, if not all, the shops and businesses in the Quarter were independently owned. Today, many of the long-time book shops still exist, but they need you to continue this rare foothold. Just look around and you will see the proliferation of franchise-owned shops and eateries in the same spots where locals once created unique, one-of-a-kind commerce. The Quarter was a real neighborhood—not so much today.

When I first moved here and joined the league of tray-toting waiters, work was very seasonal. Summers were seriously slow, and Christmas season was so devoid of business that the café I worked at would feed us on our days off—there simply were no tips to be had. But tourism grew, and as it did, work was far more available. Yet, as a resident, I lost those quiet moments when the Quarter was all mine. Only after Katrina did the quiet return, but with such sorrow that we yearned for the hustle and bustle of visitors. During the city’s recovery, I fell in love with tourists and came to know that not all folks are here for Bourbon Street—many truly love this town. But, like I said, tourists have replaced neighbors, and I sure miss those folks—those characters who once reigned and ruled my Quarter. Danny Barker and wife Blue Lu would pass me on the streets—and they were just two of the living wonders who enriched my life. There were the well-known and crazy artists who filled our coffee shops and bars. I am talkin’ museum famous folks, but to me, just “those crazy guys.” And the street characters were not just mimes doin’ a cheap hustle but folks like Ruthie the Duck Lady, Perry the Clown, and the Bead Lady. Our new New Orleanians will never know how very recently our Quarter, our entire city, has changed. Hopefully, they will cherish the magic they come to know and protect it. I am privileged to have known her when and regret how quickly the time has passed. So it goes.

Po-Boy Tales

By Phil LaMancusa

Okay, I know that there are few people who get up in the morning and say, “Golly, there’s nothing like the smell of a festering garbage facility. Let’s see, what else I can do to f**k up the planet today?” And I’m sure that nobody ever says, “Boy, these cigarette butts take 12 years to biodegrade, so I think I’ll just flip mine into the street where it can wash directly into the lake!”

Let me just make a suggestion here, and I’ll remind you later on in the show: What if you put this piece of reading down right now and contacted the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation offices and requested that no Styro or foam products be allowed at the fest? Imagine, hundreds of thousands of pieces of polystyrene not taking 50 years to decompose in our land or in our waters—you may say I’m a dreamer.

The EPA has estimated that 45 percent of landfill comes from food waste and packaging (New York Times, 1/1/20). Plastic bags and bottles, batteries, rubber shoe soles, glass, and even aluminum cans take decades to biodegrade (ecoparts.com). With the state of the planet that we’re seeing, a sane person would ask, “What are we thinking?” The answer is twofold: 1.) We’re not sane people, and 2.) We’re not thinking.

A carryout bag ordinance in New Orleans that would require a five-cent price per bag to use them instead of your own bags was brought

up (and died) in City Council in 2016; it was not heard and is now considered “pending” (wgno.com). When I questioned my council member about it, she said that the council was advised that it would negatively impact poor people to have five cents per plastic bag added to their shopping bills, and from the way I see big grocery stores packing groceries (lookin’ like one item per plastic bag), I can see why. My question is: Why do we think that poor people cannot/will not/would not bring their own bags to shop? Are we assuming that poor people aren’t smart enough or don’t care enough to bring their own bags to a market? Did we just classify poor people as stupid and obtuse? A place like Whole Foods Market gives you 10 cents for every bag you bring in! Poor people would be making money. It’s not rocket surgery. But, then again, we’re not sane and we ain’t thinking, right? Of course, a deposit on canned and bottled drink containers was never even entertained.

Nationwide, 91 percent of plastics are not being recycled (nationalgeographic.com, 12/18). We have a tendency to think that plastic is the main issue, and it is, but it’s not: clothing, electronics, metals, cardboard, compost. Did you know that the city of New Orleans does not offer recycling to businesses? Think of bars, restaurants, hotels, small businesses, big businesses—if they don’t go through the expense and inconvenience of hiring

Ecologistic Dreams or Styrophobia

outside companies, it all goes to the landfill. Is everything that can be recycled being recycled? No. The city estimates that less than 25 percent of households actually recycle, and the fact is, 100 percent of households are charged for that service.

What else can we do to f**k things up? How about factory farming, animal agriculture, the carbon footprint of convenience products (think strawberries in December from Chile or garlic from China), fossil fuel emissions, and the day-to-day wasting of water, gasoline, and utilities. Do you see those white streaks across the sky when a commercial plane passes? It’s jet fuel being dumped into the air we breathe. Do you see the rains that wash contaminated soils into our rivers? The runoff from factories being dumped into our drainage systems? How about that yahoo washing his cement-laying tools into our storm drains? Algae blooms in the Gulf? How about no safe drinking water in Flint, Michigan? And, most importantly, how about our agencies that are supposed to protect us from these occurrences (EPA) being gutted by an administration that’s based on greed and corruption? Are we thinking yet? Are we insane enough yet?

So, now I want you to put this down and call your children and/or your grandchildren and explain how inconvenient it was for you to save the planet that you’re leaving to them. Don’t have any offspring? Then call mine and tell

them what schmucks we are and have been. If I’m preaching to the choir, then maybe it’s time for the choir to go out and do some preaching as well!

You’re smart, you’re creative, you’re lazy; you know a hundred different ways to stop this madness. We have less than a dozen years to lower greenhouse gas emissions by 1.5 percent (IPPC) or else it’s curtains for the clowns. It doesn’t take some longhair from the 60s to tell you that we’re on the eve of destruction; you can look around you and see that it’s already happening: fires, floods, volcanoes, melting ice caps, unprecedented severity and frequency of storms, earthquakes, and people and animals displaced and dying. It’s on our watch and on our heads. Little things, big things—we are capable of accomplishing anything if we get off our duffs. As Roger Miller says, “All you gotta do is put your mind to it. Knuckle down, buckle down, do it, do it, do it!”

I know, I know, I’m supposed to be writing something entertaining, funny, uplifting, etc., etc. But there was a young girl who recently said, “Adults keep saying we owe it to the young people to give them hope, but I don’t want you to hope. I don’t want you to be hopeful. I want you to panic. I want you to feel the fear I feel every day, and then I want you to act. I want you to act as if you would in a crisis. I want you to act as if the house was on fire. Because it is.”

Where Ya Been?

6.

7.

8.

9.

1. Republic National Distributing Company’s Fred Holley and The Advocate’s Ian McNulty enjoyed the James Beard Foundation Taste America party at NOCHI.

2. The Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus was led by Baby Yoda.

3. The Krewe of Barkus parade featured fantastic costumes worn by dogs and their owners.

4. Cheryl Lemoine and Margarita Bergen celebrated Carnival at Galatoire’s.

5. The James Beard Foundation Taste America event offered delicious Monkey Shoulder cocktails.

The Krewe of Chewbacchus commemorated its 10th anniversary with characters from Avatar

Both people and dogs were all smiles during the Krewe of Barkus parade.

Double Dealer celebrated its opening inside the Orpheum Theater with an extravagant party.

The new Q Clothier in South Market features fantastic suits and men’s clothing.

10. Gary Solomon Sr. enjoyed the kick-off party for Double Dealer with his son Gary Jr.

with Nikki Reyes “ ”

CHAT

Russ

Where Y’at

Chat Questions:

1. It's Where Y'at 's Spring Restaurant Guide Issue, and you’re a spring roll. What's in you?

2. You own a restaurant that only serves cereal. What's the name of your restaurant?

3. Happy St. Patty’s Day! What makes you green with envy?

4. It's the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience. When is the last time you gave someone a sublime experience?

5. March hosts "Find A Pay Phone Booth Day." How many telephone numbers do you know by heart?

Rosie's on the Roof is a delightful rooftop bar and restaurant located in the Warehouse District at the Higgins Hotel New Orleans. Rosie's is open every day, from 4 p.m. until midnight, and offers scrumptious small plates, like avocado fries and crab meat beignets. Cocktails anyone? Try one of Rosie's signature drinks or stop by for daily Happy Hour from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. Come and enjoy this New Orleans skyline oasis where the view is always free.

CS, CSP

Beverage Manager, the Higgins Hotel New Orleans

1. Porky and bourbon.

2. Flakes & Cow.

3. A televised world traveler getting paid.

4. On the beach in Pensacola. Ohhh yeahhh!

5. I know 12, and some non-existent.

Charlotte M. Shahlaei

Director of Operations, the Higgins Hotel New Orleans

1. Money, pearls, and dark chocolate.

2. Let’s Get Fruity.

3. Anybody at a bar.

4. Last Friday at about 12:45 p.m.

5. Including mine? Two.

Guest and Volunteer Manager, The National WWII Museum

1. The beach.

2. Snap Crackle Popeaux.

3. When I gotta have them shoes!

4. Right now.

5. Three.

Executive Administrator, Barriere Construction

1. Comedy!

2. Two Bowls, One Slurp.

3. People eating crispy pork belly.

4. 1992.

5. Mine and 911.

Emelie Rhys

Artist/Owner, Scene By Rhys Fine Art

1. Anything multi-colored and multitextured.

2. Crunchy Goodness.

3. Everyone's beauty.

4. January 30 at the Jazz Museum.

5. Two: my husband’s and mine.

Artist, Sideshow Opera / Quarter Finalist, America's Got Talent

1. Glitter, rock ‘n’ roll, and positive energy!

2. Cereal Killers.

3. Envy's the gold at the end of the rainbow, even though sometimes there isn't any gold.

4. Last night.

5. Only mine, my mother's, and my husband's.

Artist, Sideshow Opera / Quarter Finalist, America's Got Talent

1. The mountains during sunrise.

2. Just Add Milk.

3. I envy those who lack intolerance.

4. When I give roses to my wife Lindsay.

5. About six.

The Warehouse Archivist

1. Horseradish!

2. Flaky Flakes.

3. When folks saw Peter Greene jam with Dwayne Allman at The Warehouse.

4. October 2019. I introduced a buddy of mine to a Brazilian drink.

5. Seven.

Managing Director of Entertainment, The National WWII Museum

1. Shrimp and glitter.

2. What in the Box.

3. People with free weekends.

4. I mean, like, every day!

5. A max of six.

Master Instrumentalist / Traditional Jazz Aficionado

1. Crawfish playing the banjo.

2. Yeah, You Rise and Shine.

3. Being a New Orleans Saints player. Who dat!

4. Almost 24 hours ago.

5. Less than 10.

Bergeron

Lindsay Williams

Nick Williams

Marcia Ritchea

Bobby Wahl

Dana Tyso

Erica Jensen

Seva Venet