Where Y'at Magazine July 2019 Best of the Big Easy Issue by Where Y'at Magazine

July 2019

WhereYat.com

DINING • MUSIC • ENTERTAINMENT • NIGHTLIFE

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4 | Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

WhereYat.com | July 2019 | 5

CONTENTS 8 12

Best of the Big Easy Writers' Picks

July 2019 Vol. 22 No. 12

Best of the Big Easy Readers' Picks

Features 18 20 22 24 26 28 32 34 36 38

Tales of the Cocktail Glamping Unusual Museums Best Workout Classes Biking in NOLA Antique Stores Pet Adoption Gretna Adventures Musical Trip Through the Cemetery

Alternative Bachelor Parties

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, Landon Murray, Leigh Wright, Emil Flemmon, Greg Roques, Steven Melendez, Andrew Alexander, Kimmie Tubre, Jeff Boudreaux, Eliana Blum, Alison Cohen, Camille Barnett

Events & Nightlife 40 Music Calendar 46 Essence Festival 48 Lakeside 2 Riverside

Food & Drink 50 56 58 60 64 69

Readers' Picks - Continued 24/7 Restaurants Food News $20 and Under Restaurant Guide Bar Guide

Extras 67 67 70 74 76 78 80 82

Bar Trivia Happy Hour Wars Classic Films in New Orleans Film Reviews Columns Around the Web Where Ya Been? Where Y'at Chat

Director of Sales: Stephen Romero Cover Illustration done by Maxfield Bala of Bala Creative. Photographers & Designers: Gus Escanelle, Jason Hall, Steve Hatley, Romney Caruso, Jorge Menes, Kathy Bradshaw, Greg Roques, James Macaluso, Scott Chernis, Kimmie Tubre, Emily Hingle Interns: Reed Darcey, Farrah Appleman, Emma Van Wynen, Sam Lucio, Cameron Minnard, Allison Carubba, Annie Ritchart, Justin Walton, Andrew Portnoy Subscribe: Receive 1 year (14 issues) for $30 and get a FREE Where Y’at CD. Subscribe today at WhereYat.com. Logo © 2019 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

Thank you to Michael Fulkerson. Michael was our creative director for over three years; he was instrumental in the growth and evolution of Where Y’at, and we wish him the best in his new career! Welcome to our new creative director Tony Lawton; keep an eye out for exciting changes to be implemented soon. You, the readers, have spoken. A record number of votes were submitted to WhereYat.com, and the results are in. This issue announces your choices of the best that New Orleans has to offer in dining, nightlife, shopping and more. And don’t miss our “Writers’ Picks” for their takes on some of the Crescent City’s best kept secrets. What are your plans for the 4th of July holiday? Essence Fest will take over the town as it celebrates its 25th anniversary with Michelle Obama and others. This issue also previews other July 4 parties all over the city. The heat is here, and it’s time for a cold drink! Andrew Marin speaks with Tales of the Cocktail Executive Director Caroline Rosen about new changes to this year’s new features. If you have never been to Tales, this is the year to attend. Stay cool and dry! –Josh Danzig, Publisher

6 | Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

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BEST OF THE BIG EASY

2019 Best Mardi Gras Bathroom: St. George’s Episcopal Church 4600 St. Charles Ave., (504) 899-2811 | stgeorge-nola.org At Mardi Gras, it’s always nice to find a free bathroom that isn’t a rancid port-olet. St. George’s Episcopal Church on St. Charles Avenue is two blocks off the route, and it has real, clean, FREE bathrooms. Granted, they’d like it if you bought food or drinks, and they have plenty of both at reasonable prices. It’s a quiet oasis to get away from the madness for a few minutes. –Fritz Esker Best Place to Have Your Cake, Liquor, and Games (and Eat, Drink, and Play Them, Too): Bakery Bar 1179 Annunciation St., (504) 210-8519 | bakery.bar Bakery Bar is one of late-night New Orleans’s best-kept secrets. Tucked away just off the interstate on Annunciation Street, it is a quiet spot serving creative cocktails, books, board games, and doberge cake by the bite and the slice. The best of its kind in the city, courtesy of Debbie Does Doberge, the cake comes in a variety of flavors, including red velvet and Cinnamon Toast Crunch. I typically order mine with an absinthe frappé coffee cocktail. Delicious. – Greg Roques

WRITERS' PICKS

Best of the Big Easy Winners: Writers' Picks Best Spot for Cuddles and Coffee: Crescent City Cat Club 1021 Marigny St., (833) 665-2228 | crescentcitycatclub.com

offee and cats are two of my favorite things, so it is a given that I love the Crescent City Cat Club’s combo of the two. For a small fee, patrons can purchase a cup of coffee and spend time visiting in a room full of lovable, adoptable felines. More than just a cat café, the Cat Club also offers a senior-to-senior program that helps older adopters care for their cats. They even started their own marching group: the “Krewe of Crazy Cat Ladies (and Gents).” –Greg Roques

Best Pop-Up Artist: Pottspurls pottsuprls.com Instagram: @pottspurls For the uninitiated, yarn bombing is a street art practice employing yarn decorations in place of paint. New Orleans’s own Pottspurls has been at it for several years, best known for her Bob Dylan-quoting phone booth sweater vests on the corner of Tchoupitoulas Street and Napoleon Avenue in 2017. As it is easier to remove knitting than spray paint, her fixtures are often short-lived. Pottspurls’s pothole covers are especially

ephemeral and fun to behold. –Greg Roques Best Outdoor Decor Provider for Your Home or Business: NOLA Mural Project www.nolamuralproject.org Instagram: NolaMuralProject Mural projects, now common in most major metropolitan areas, typically partner with local art councils to display free graffitistyle paintings in public spaces. The NOLA Mural Project, extremely active since 2018, provides a similar service, but with a more personal approach. If you own a wall and

Best Place to Dine for Lunch or Dinner Monday through Friday. (‘Cause they're closed on Saturdays and Sundays): Bon Ton Café 401 Magazine St., (504) 524-3386 | thebontoncafe.com

irty, dirty vodka martini, you say? Yes, indeed! They have the best one at Bon Ton. They serve succulent appetizers, too, like their crawfish bisque with stuffed crawfish head and a boiled egg. Perfection, actually. Their signature dish is Crab Meat Au Gratin. It has a thick, smooth texture and a blend of cheese(s) with chunks of crab meat that bubbles when served. Finally, try Bon Ton' s bread pudding in a whiskey sauce, à la mode. Guess what kind of ice cream—flippin' butter pecan! I love butter pecan ice cream! Want to curl your toes in delight, like me? Bon Ton yourself! –Nikki Reyes

8 | Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

would like to give it a facelift, they will connect you with a participating artist at no cost. You can learn more about the process and their recent work on their website. –Greg Roques Best New Event Venue with Lots of Bräts: The Deutsches Haus 1700 Moss St., (504) 522-8014 | deutscheshaus.org/rental The Haus is celebrating a lot this year: a recent 90th anniversary milestone, combined with the grand opening of their beautiful new location on Moss Street, overlooking Bayou St. John. Open for private events and weddings, the new cultural space features rooms for up to 300, plenty of natural light and high beamed ceilings, a spacious dance floor with a sound system, and plenty of delicious German food and drink. –Rebecca Fox Best Website to Find a Laugh: 504Comedy.com Created by a comedian for people who like, well, comedy, Comedy 504 is a way to see which live comedic events are happening throughout the city on any given night, including stand-up, open mic, sketch, improv, and storytelling. There’s also a place to submit your own show if you are funny and have something to promote. If you weren’t aware, there are a ton of comedy shows each week in this town! –Rebecca Fox Best Place to Get Glitter Everywhere: NOLA Craft Culture 127 S. Solomon, (504)

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BEST OF THE BIG EASY Broussard only books foreign and indie gems, such as Kenya’s certified-fresh, lesbian drama Rafiki and Terry Gilliam’s The Man who Killed Don Quixote. They also have quite the eclectic concession menu, with movie-themed cocktails and confections from around the world. After 19 years on Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard, this new space in Arabi has allowed them to expand and feature live music and spoken-word performances nightly. –Jeff Boudreaux

Best Diner on the Streetcar Line: Please-U Restaurant 1751 St. Charles Ave., (504) 525-9131 | pleaseunola.com

his family-run restaurant has been open for decades. The owners are Greek, so you can look forward to specials like moussaka now and then. Specialties include red beans and rice with fried pork chops, grilled shrimp salad, and chicken tenders—hand-cut to order. Classic or chicken gyros are always available. Please-U opens early and is closed by 6 p.m. and on Sundays. Good for them. Bad for us. If it was 24 hours, I might never leave. –Andrew Marin

454-8837 | nolacraftculture.com Established by riding krewe members who have decorated their fair share of Carnival throws over the years, NOLA Craft Culture provides the public with glitter, feathers, paint, rhinestones, glue, and a variety of other supplies to make you the sparkliest rider of all, and to get your significant other really upset at you for the glitter all over the house. Plus, they provide classes if you’re a glitter newbie. –Rebecca Fox Best Restaurant to be Inundated by 80s Nostalgia: Molly’s Rise and Shine 2368 Magazine St., (504) 302-1896 | mollysriseandshine.com Opened less than six months ago, Molly's Rise and Shine is the second restaurant by chef Mason Hereford and friends of Turkey and the Wolf fame. The kitsch is high with these folks, much to everyone's pleasure, so along with deviled egg tostadas and Dan Stein Breakfasts, they're serving up an eyeful of 80s memorabilia. An entire wall of cubbies features everything from Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head to Nerf basketballs and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. –Kim Ranjbar Best place to eat a volcano: Seither’s Seafood 279 Hickory Ave., Harahan, (504) 738-1116 | seithersseafood.com

Chef and owner Jason Seither flaunts his funky, fun, and creative cooking at his restaurant Seither's Seafood in Harahan. Sure, you can score po-boys and seafood platters (boiled and fried) in this brightly painted joint on Hickory Avenue, but go ahead and take a chance on The Volcano. It's like an “upside-down Asian taco salad,” with seared tuna, fresh avocado, crab salad, and a special spicy sauce. –Kim Ranjbar Best Places to Catch an Indie Flick: Chalmette Movies 8700 W. Judge Perez Dr., Chalmette, (504) 304-9992 | chalmettemovies.com

Moviegoers may realize the selection at AMC only manages to scratch the surface of independent cinema. So instead, head to Chalmette Movies, where one of the six screens is likely to feature a film that is shown nowhere else in Louisiana. The director’s cut of Lars Von Trier’s highly controversial The House That Jack Built was screened here, and you can find a constant rotation of edgy fare from local filmmakers. You’ll also find better popcorn here than at the chain multiplexes. Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center 6621 St. Claude Ave., (504) 352-1150 | zeitgeistnola.org For even scarcer films, no theater can match the lineup at Zeitgeist. Owner Rene

10 | Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

Best New Establishment by New Orleans Mainstays: Jewel of the South 1026 Saint Louis St., (504) 265-8816 | jewelnola.com Chris Hannah and Nick Detrich have opened a wonderful French Quarter place that is both welcoming and elegant. As veterans and, dare I say, celebrities in the cocktail and hospitality world, they know what they’re doing. Complex but approachable cocktails. Gumbo with both rice and potato salad. Bone marrow. Lightsabers. Okay, maybe not lightsabers. It’s obvious that this venue is aiming to be the crown jewel of the Crescent City. (Don’t believe any of their stories about me.) –Andrew Marin Best Bartender Who’ll Tell You How It Is: Bayou Betty St. Charles Avenue Parade Route, (800) BAYOUBT | youtu.be/KUmZp8pR1uc Bayou Betty is the ultimate combo of ear and enforcer. She’ll listen to your problems and offer sage advice when asked. The manager might let the girls dance on the piano, but BB will tell them to get off it. She used to work in the French Quarter, so your mess is amateur hour. She makes a mean Sazerac. And she knows how to cut off a drunk professionally and politely. As my friend Rhea put it, “Get Bayou Betty an Instagram.” –Andrew Marin

Best Brain Freeze: Strawberry Frosé at Wrong Iron 3532 Toulouse St., (504) 302-0528 | wrongiron.com

n the land of the drive-thru daiquiri, the handcrafted frozen cocktail, and even a festival dedicated exclusively to these icy libations, it’s hard to find a daiquiri that sets itself apart from the rest. But Wrong Iron freezes out the competition with their cold and delicious Strawberry Frosé. Enjoy a glass outside on their giant back porch (mosquito repellant provided), while snacking on free popcorn and hanging with your best friend (human or canine, as dogs are allowed). But a word of warning, these boozy slushes are way more potent than they taste, so exercise restraint, or brain freeze won’t be the only headache you’ll have to deal with. –Kathy Bradshaw

Best Place to Take a Date When You’re Broke: The Fly 6500 Magazine St., (504) 658-3000 | audubonnatureinstitute.org/exploreaudubon-park/riverview NOLA is a busy city. With a plethora of pricy, swank restaurants and events always going on, it’s easy to forget the peaceful and FREE enjoyments the city offers. There are few things more romantic than a sit-down at The Fly. Your loved one, a blanket or hammock, maybe a snoball as a sweet treat to complement some sweet conversation, and the sun setting behind the Mississippi River is all you need for a perfect date in the Big Easy. –Camille Barnett Best Place to (in the Words of Macklemore) “Pop Some Tags” with Only “$20 in Your Pocket”: NO Fleas Market 4228 Magazine St., (504) 900-1446 | la-spca.org/nofleas Hi, my name is Camille and I’m a shopaholic. To deal with my addiction, I tend to limit myself to thrift stores. That way, when I grab 20 items (that I don’t need), I’ll spend $50 vs. $500. Regardless, that’s still $50 I didn’t need to spend. BUT, it’s okay when shopping for a good cause. Here, proceeds go to local animal shelters. It’s easier to spend irresponsibly when you know your money is ultimately helping cute puppies and kitties! –Camille Barnett Best Place to Pregame on a Saturday Night While Feeling Classy and Cultured: Julia Street Art Walk Julia Street, (504) 522-5471 | artsdistrictneworleans.com I love to start off my Saturday evenings with the Julia Street Art Walk, where galleries along Julia open their doors to the public on the first Saturday of each month. A perk: free wine served within the galleries—but

WRITERS' PICKS

Best Way to Explore the City: Laffite Greenway | lafittegreenway.org/greenway

rab your bike or tennis shoes and head out for a day of exploration. Opened in 2015, this city-wide pedestrian and biking trail was previously the site of the Norfolk Southern Railroad and the Carondelet Canal. With that said, it has served as a transportation passage since at least 1794. This 2.6-miler stretches from Bayou St. John to Louis Armstrong park. Passing through Laffite, Mid-City, and Treme, the trail offers infinite pit stops for an adventure-filled day. –Camille Barnett don’t be that person; bring some singles to tip, as it will ultimately serve as a donation to support the galleries. A little tipsy and already near the Quarter, I usually just keep my night going from there. –Camille Barnett Best Childhood Redux: Cookie Dough Bliss 241 Harrison Ave., Suite A, (504) 303-8420 | cookiedobliss.com/neworleans As we all suffer through the struggles of adulthood, there are some things we simply can’t get away with: bringing our favorite teddy to the movies, biting our friends, or picking our noses at important events. But one thing from childhood that has never gone out of style is eating raw cookie dough by the spoonful. And thanks to the recently opened Cookie Dough Bliss, you can do so without worrying about death by salmonella. This spot offers raw-egg-free cookie dough by the scoop in various flavors, as well as other cookie-dough treats, shakes, and even baked cookies. Sometimes it pays to be childish. –Kathy Bradshaw Best Stoop-Sitters: Alongside Lava Food Store at N. Broad and Desoto Streets On this street corner near Bayou St. John, you’ll find a democracy of men (and some women) gathering, rain or shine, to share drinks, gossip, car-washing, Motown singalongs, BBQing, and simply holding court. Retired or just-off-work, these folks create— with milk crates and folding chairs—a makeshift bar, al fresco. When feeling athletic, they will set up a cornhole game or fly some kites, and during Saints season, power up a TV. BYOB. –Debbie Lindsey

Best Gift and Décor Shop: Evangeline 1228 N. Broad St. | evangelinehome.com Evangeline is a delight. This creative shop adds a touch of class and artsy bling to the neighborhood. It’s well worth the visit, and I promise that you’ll find treasures from dear to extremely affordable—something for everyone’s budget and taste. Broad Street is growing with notables like this shop, and onstreet parking is still free. –Debbie Lindsey Best Place Where the Gaslights Glow: Bevolo Gas and Electric Lights 318 Royal St., (504) 522-9485 | bevolo.com While you’re on Royal Street, wander on down to Bevolo Gas and Electric Lights. You are aware of the many gas lights that you see around town? Well, they’re made right here in this city! There are 500 varieties—gas, electric, propane, indoor, outdoor—and after you are amazed by their showroom, wander on back and watch them being made. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and ready to engage anyone who walks in and shows and interest. A must-see. –Phil LaMancusa Best Place to Do the Can-Can: Bar Marilou 544 Carondelet St., (504) 8147711 | barmarilou.com The swank and sultry Bar Marilou in the new Maison de Luz hotel is Parisian bistro meets Moulin Rouge. With mirrored walls behind the bar, leopard-print barstools, red paint, and dim lighting, you’ll think you’ve escaped to Montmartre or stepped into a Toulouse-Lautrec painting. Enjoy an apéritif by pairing one of their fancy French cocktails or wines by the glass with one of their délicieux small plate options. Located in the old City Hall library, Bar Marilou even has a hidden, secret room that can only be accessed by sneaking behind a moveable bookcase. Très cool. –Kathy Bradshaw

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BEST OF THE BIG EASY

2019

READERS' PICKS

Best of the Big Easy Winners: Readers' Picks Ave., thecolumns.com 2. Barcadia: 601 Tchoupitoulas St., barcadiabars.com/barcadianeworleans 3. Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant: 701 Tchoupitoulas St., lucysretiredsurfers.com/neworleans Best Bar for Hand-Crafted Cocktails 1. Bar Tonique: 820 N. Rampart St., bartonique.com 2. Cure: 4905 Freret St., curenola.com 3. Beachbum Berry’s Latitude 29: 321 N. Peters St., latitude29nola.com

Best Dance Club 1. Republic NOLA: 828 S. Peters St., republicnola.com 2. Ohm Lounge: 601 Tchoupitoulas St., ohm-lounge.com 3. Metropolitan: 310 Andrew Higgins Blvd., themetronola.com Best Dive Bar 1. Ms. Mae’s: 4336 Magazine St., facebook.com/msmaesNOLA 2. Snake & Jake’s Christmas Club Lounge: 7612 Oak St., snakeandjakes.com 3. Babylon Music and Sports Bar: 2917 Harvard Ave., Suite A

Best Late-Night Bar 1. Après Lounge: 608 Fulton St., apresnola.com 2. Ohm Lounge: 601 Tchoupitoulas St., ohm-lounge.com 3. Snake & Jake’s Christmas Club Lounge: 7612 Oak St., snakeandjakes.com Best Place to See and Be Seen 1. Ohm Lounge: 601 Tchoupitoulas St., ohm-lounge.com 2. House of Blues: 225 Decatur St., houseofblues.com/neworleans 3. Ace Hotel: 600 Carondelet St., acehotel.com/neworleans

Best Happy Hour 1. The Columns Hotel: 3811 St. Charles

Best Sports Bar 1. Cooter Brown’s Tavern: 509 S. Carrollton Ave., cooterbrowns.com 2. Walk-On's Bistreaux and Bar: 1009 Poydras St., walk-ons.com 3. Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant: 200 Poydras St., gordonbiersch.com Best Upscale Bar 1. Hot Tin: 2031 St. Charles Ave., hottinbar.com 2. Cure: 4905 Freret St., curenola.com 3. Arnaud’s French 75: 813 Bienville St., arnaudsrestaurant.com/bars/ french-75 Best Hotel Bar 1. Sazerac Bar: 130 Roosevelt Way., therooseveltneworleans.com/dining/ the-sazerac-bar.html 2. Carousel Bar: 214 Royal St., hotelmonteleone.com/entertainment/ carousel-bar-2 3. Alto: 600 Carondelet St., acehotel. com/neworleans/food-and-drink/alto Best New Bar/Club 1. Wrong Iron On The Greenway: 3532 Toulouse St. wrongiron.com 2. Copper Vine: 1001 Poydras St., coppervinewine.com 3. Longway Tavern: 719 Toulouse St., longwaytavern.com

Best Place to Drink Wine 1.

Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits: 600 Poland Ave., bacchanalwine.com

Enjoy fine wines, spirits, cocktails, and food to the tune of live music at this classic New Orleans restaurant.

12 | Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

Effervescence: 1036 N. Rampart St., nolabubbles.com

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

Best LGBTQ Bar 1. Golden Lantern: 1239 Royal St., frenchquarter.com/nola/the-goldenlantern/1653 2. Oz New Orleans: 800 Bourbon St., ozneworleans.com 3. The Corner Pocket: 940 St. Louis St., cornerpocket.net Best College Bar 1. The Boot: 1039 Broadway St., thebootnola.com 2. TJ Quill’s: 7600 Maple St., facebook. com/tj.quills 3. F & M Patio Bar: 4841 Tchoupitoulas St., fandmpatiobar.com Best Bar Patio 1. Pat O’ Brien’s: 718 St Peter., patobriens.com 2. Wrong Iron On The Greenway: 3532 Toulouse St., wrongiron.com 3. The Tchoup Yard: 405 Third St., tchoupyard.com Best Gentlemen’s Club 1. The Penthouse Club: 727 Iberville St., penthouseclubneworleans.com 2. Rick’s Cabaret: 315 Bourbon St., rickscabaretnola.com 3. Larry Flynt’s Hustler Club: 225 Bourbon St., neworleanshustlerclub. com Best Irish Pub 1. Finn McCool’s Irish Pub: 3701 Banks St., finnmccoolsvb.com 2. Mick’s Irish Pub: 4801 Bienville Ave. 3. Kerry Irish Pub: 331 Decatur St., facebook.com/Kerry-IrishPub-163926209622/ Best Place to Get a Bloody Mary 1. Daisy Dukes: Various Locations, daisydukesrestaurant.com 2. Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar: 941 Bourbon St., lafittesblacksmithshop. com 3. Atchafalya Restaurant: 901 Louisiana Ave., atchafalayarestaurant.com

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BEST OF THE BIG EASY

READERS' PICKS 3. Mimi’s in the Marigny: 2601 Royal St., mimismarigny.com

Best Music Club 1.

Best Bar (Uptown) 1. Le Bon Temps Roule: 4801 Magazine St., lbtrnola.com 2. St. Joe’s Bar: 5535 Magazine St., stjoesbar.com 3. F & M’s Patio Bar: 4841 Tchoupitoulas St., fandmpatiobar.com

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

See a variety of live music performances at this nationally renowned concert venue chain.

2. Tipitina’s: 501 Napoleon Ave., tipitinas.com 3. One Eyed Jacks: 615 Toulouse St., oneeyedjacks.net

Best Place to Get a Margarita 1. El Gato Negro: Various Locations, elgatonegronola.com 2. Juan’s Flying Burrito: Various Locations, juansflyingburrito.com 3. Felipe’s Mexican Taqueria: Various Locations, felipestaqueria.com Best Place to Get a Mojito 1. St. Joe’s Bar: 5535 Magazine St., stjoesbar.com 2. The Rum House: 3128 Magazine St., therumhouse.com 3. Cane & Table: 1113 Decatur St., caneandtablenola.com Best Place to Drink Micro-Brewed Beer 1. Crescent City Brewhouse: 527 Decatur St., crescentcitybrewhouse. com 2. Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant: 200 Poydras St., gordonbiersch.com 3. Abita Brew Pub: 72011 Holly St., Abita Springs, abitabrewpub.com Best Beer Selection 1. Ole Saint: 132 Royal St., olesaint.com 2. Cooter Brown’s Tavern: 509 S.

Carrollton Ave., cooterbrowns.com 3. The Bulldog: Various Locations, draftfreak.com Best Jazz Club 1. Jazz Playhouse: 300 Bourbon St., sonesta.com/us/louisiana/neworleans/royal-sonesta-new-orleans/ jazzplayhouse 2. Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro: 626 Frenchmen St., snugjazz.com 3. The Spotted Cat Music Club: 623 Frenchmen St., spottedcatmusicclub.com Best Place to Play Bar Games 1. Shamrock: 4133 S. Carrollton Ave., shamrockparty.com 2. Barcadia: 601 Tchoupitoulas St., barcadiabars.com/barcadianeworleans 3. Fulton Alley: 600 Fulton St., fultonalley.com Best Bar (Bywater/Marigny) 1. The Country Club: 634 Louisa St., thecountryclubneworleans.com 2. Kajun’s Pub: 2256 St. Claude Ave., kajunpub.com

Best Bar (CBD/Warehouse District) 1. Barcadia: 601 Tchoupitoulas St., barcadiabars.com/barcadianeworleans 2. Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant: 701 Tchoupitoulas St., lucyssurf.com/lucys-bar-restaurantnew-orleans.html 3. Rusty Nail: 1100 Constance St., rustynailnola.com Best Bar (Mid-City) 1. Pal’s Lounge: 949 N. Rendon St., palslounge.com 2. Bayou Beer Garden: 326 N. Jefferson Davis Pkwy., bayoubeergarden.com 3. Bulldog: Various Locations, bulldogmidcity.draftfreak.com Best Bar (Westbank) 1. Gattuso’s Neighborhood Restaurant: 435 Huey P. Long Ave., gattusos.net 2. Old Point: 545 Patterson Rd., oldpointbarnola.com 3. Crown & Anchor: 200 Pelican Ave., crownandanchor.pub Best Rooftop Bar 1. Alto (Ace Hotel): 600 Carondelet St., acehotel.com/neworleans/food-anddrink/alto 2. Hot Tin (Pontchartrain Hotel): 2031 St. Charles Ave., hottinbar.com 3. Above the Grid (NOPSI Hotel): 617 Baronne St., nopsihotel.com/dining/

Best Costume Shop 1.

Nikki’s French Quarter Halloween Store: 107 Chartres St. B., nolahalloweenstore.com

Ever wanted to dress as a terrifying monster in the middle of summer? Nikki’s Halloween has all your costume needs. From masks to party decorations, get your costumes at this unique French Quarter store. 2. Uptown Costume & Dancewear: 4326 Magazine St., facebook.com/ uptowncostumeanddancewear 3. Southern Costume Company: 951 Lafayette St., sccnola.com

14 | Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

above-the-grid

Best Bike Shop 1. GNO Cyclery: 1426 S. Carrollton Ave., gnocyclery.com 2. Bicycle Michael’s: 622 Frenchmen St., bicyclemichaels.com 3. Freret Bike Shop: 6320, 4711 Freret St., thebikeshopnola.net Best Men’s Clothing 1. Rubenstein’s: 102 St. Charles Ave., rubensteinsneworleans.com 2. Perlis: Various Locations, perlis.com 3. Pelican Coast Clothing Company: 5509 Magazine St., pelicancoastclothing.com Best Women’s Clothing 1. Hemline: Various Locations, shophemline.com 2. Trashy Diva: Various Locations, trashydiva.com 3. NOLA Couture: 3308 Magazine St., nolacouture.com Best Smoke Shop 1. Ra Shop: Various Locations, rashop.us 2. The Herb Import Company: Various Locations, herbimport.com 3. The Mushroom: 1037 Broadway St., mushroomneworleans.com Best Adult Novelty Store 1. Mr. Binky’s Boutique: 107 Chartres St., mrbinkys.com 2. Hustler Hollywood: 111 Bourbon St., hustlerhollywood.com 3. Paradise Adult Video: 5608 Heebe St., Harahan Best Vintage Clothing Store 1. Buffalo Exchange: 4119 Magazine St., buffaloexchange.com 2. Funky Monkey: 3127 Magazine St., funkymonkeynola.com 3. Goodwill: 3400 Tulane Ave. #1000, goodwillno.org Best Record Shop 1. Mushroom New Orleans: 1037 Broadway St., mushroomneworleans.com

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WhereYat.com | July 2019 | 15

BEST OF THE BIG EASY

READERS' PICKS

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

Best Tattoo/Piercing Parlor 1.

Come to this tattoo and piercing parlor if you want expert, quality work. Great service and professional attitudes make this the best place to get a new tattoo or piercing.

Best Supermarket 1. Rouses Market: Various Locations, rouses.com 2. Trader Joe’s: 2949 Veterans Blvd., traderjoes.com 3. Dorignac’s Food Center: 710 Veterans Memorial Blvd., dorignacs. com Best Place to Buy Wine/Liquor 1. Martin Wine Cellar: 3827 Baronne St., martinwine.com 2. Dorignac’s Food Center: 710 Veterans Memorial Blvd., dorignacs. com 3. Pearl Wine Co.: 3700 Orleans Ave. #1C, pearlwineco.com Best Athletic Club 1. New Orleans JCC: Various Locations, nojcc.org 2. Ochsner Fitness Center: Various Locations, ochsnerfitness.com 3. Orangetheory Fitness: Various Locations, orangetheoryfitness.com

Aart Accent Tattoos & Piercings: 1041 N. Rampart St., facebook.com/ Aartaccent504

2. Electric Ladyland Tattoo: 610 Frenchmen St., electricladylandtattoo.com 3. Sailor’s Cross Tattoo & Gallery: 5010 Freret St., sailorscross.com Best Bead Store 1. Plush Appeal LLC: 2811 Toulouse St., mardigrasspot.com 2. Beads by the Dozen Inc: 333 Edwards Ave., beadsbythedozen.com 3. Mardi Gras Zone Supermarket: 2706 Royal St. Best Bank 1. First American Bank and Trust: Various Locations, fabt.com 2. Hancock Whitney: Various Locations, hancockwhitney.com

3. Capital One: Various Locations, capitalone.com Best Bridal Shop 1. Town & Country: 1514 St. Charles Ave., townandcountrybridal.com 2. Pearl’s Place: 3114 Severn Ave., pearlsplace.com 3. Bliss Bridal: 2126 Magazine St., beablissbride.com Best Car Dealership 1. Lemarque Ford: 3101 Williams Blvd.,

Voted by Where Y’at Readers

BEST COFFEE SHOP 9 Consecutive Years

PJSCOFFEE.COM 16 | Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

/PJSCOFFEE

Suite F., lamarque.com 2. Banner Ford: 1943 N. Causewy Blvd., bannerford.com 3. Premier Automotive: Various Locations, premierautomotive.com Best Vape Shop 1. Calhoun Vapor: 3137 Calhoun St., calhounvapor.com 2. Crescent City Vape: Various Locations, crescentcityvape.com 3. Crescent City Clouds: 4344 Earhart Blvd., crescentcityclouds.com

BEST OF THE BIG EASY Best Pet Store 1. Jefferson Feed: Various Locations, jeffersonfeed.com 2. Petco: Various Locations, petco.com/ shop/en/petcostore 3. Zeus’ Place: Various Locations, zeusplace.com Best Wedding Venue 1. Elms Mansion and Gardens: 3029 St. Charles Ave., elmsmansion.com 2. New Orleans City Park: 1 Palm Dr., neworleanscitypark.com 3. Rosy’s Jazz Hall: 500 Valence St., rosysjazzhall.com Best Kids Spot 1. Audubon Zoo: 6500 Magazine St., audubonnatureinstitute.org/zoo 2. Louisiana Children’s Museum: 420 Julia St., lcm.org 3. City Park Storyland: 5 Victory Ave., neworleanscitypark.com/in-the-park/ storyland Best Eyeglass Shop 1. Art & Eyes: Various Locations, artandeyesneworleansla.com 2. St. Charles Vision: 8040 St. Charles Ave., stcharlesvision.com 3. KREWE: Various Locations, krewe.com Best Spa 1. The Woodhouse Day Spa: 4030 Canal St., woodhousespas.com 2. Belladonna Day Spa: 2900 Magazine St., belladonnadayspa.com

READERS' PICKS 3. Earthsavers Spa + Store: Various Locations, earthsaversonline.com

Not Everything

Best Thrift Store 1. Goodwill: Various Locations, goodwill.org 2. The Salvation Army: 4526 S. Claiborne Ave., salvationarmyusa.org/usn 3. YEP Thrift Works: 1626 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., youthempowermentproject.org/whatwe-do/yep-works/thrift-works Best Theater Venue 1. Saenger Theatre, 1111 Canal St., saengernola.com 2. Joy Theater: 1200 Canal St., thejoytheater.com 3. Orpheum Theater: 129 Roosevelt Way., orpheumnola.com Best Art Gallery 1. Gallery B. Fos: Various Locations., beckyfos.com 2. Ashley Longshore: 4537 Magazine St., ashleylongshore.com 3. Alex Beard: 3926 Magazine St., alexbeardstudio.com Best Local Artist 1. Michael Hunt, huntstudio.com 2. James Michalopoulos, michalopoulos.com 3. Frenchy, frenchylive.com

Best Museum 1.

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

History buffs and curious visitors are sure to enjoy the WWII Museum, with its interactive exhibits, movies, artifacts, and captivating stories about the world’s most devastating war.

2. New Orleans Museum of Art: 1 Collins Diboll Cir., noma.org 3. Ogden Museum of Southern Art: 925 Camp St., ogdenmuseum.org

WhereYat.com | July 2019 | 17

Top Five Must-Do’s for Tales of the Cocktail 1.

Spirited Dinner at any participating restaurant

Come to Landry’s Seafood House on Thursday, July 19, for a five-course meal with delicious cocktails to match.

Dynamic Duo at any bar offering it

Tiki Tolteca will pair an expert bartender from New Orleans with a talented bartender from out-of-town to bring inventive cocktails to patrons.

Tales of the Cocktail 2019

17 Years of Growth and Purpose

ales is more than just fun—it’s also an industry conference and reunion for professionals and cocktail enthusiasts. Seminars cover relevant topics: how to finance and open a bar, building a cocktail menu, the history and modern usage of citrus, handling your social media, making your establishment inclusive and welcoming, debates on rum, designing a liquor bottle or label, how to use sochu, etc. Get your seminar tickets ASAP. Almost all the seminars sell out. Purchase a $125 access wristband (or $150 in seminar tickets) to enter the famous Tasting Rooms—rooms set up with samples and reps from brands and distributors. The Tasting Rooms are an unparalleled way to taste different varieties of liquor without purchasing an entire bottle. Spirited Dinners see restaurants team up with a spirit brand to serve a tasting menu paired with cocktails. Usually the chef and brand rep (or distiller) are there to introduce the courses. Dynamic Duos are similar, but they pair a bartender from another city with a local bartender, combining talents to serve drinks focused on a specific liquor. And if you score a ticket to any late-night parties hosted by major spirit brands, attend. These invitations are given by the brands themselves. They can’t be bought. If you have industry connections, use them. Tales kicks off July 16. For the full schedule of events and more information, visit talesofthecocktail.org. A Conversation with Caroline Nabors Rosen, Executive Director of the Tales Foundation When Caroline Nabors Rosen and I connect, we’re shocked that it’s already time for this year’s Tales of the Cocktail, the spirits industry’s annual conference and festival. “I wish we had cocktails right now,” she says.

By Andrew Marin

But we only have several minutes free between appointments. This is the time of year when she becomes the busiest citizen of New Orleans. So in lieu of drinks, we settle for quickly critiquing the Game of Thrones finale before getting to business. The following is an excerpt from our conversation: Anything you’re personally excited about, regarding this year’s Tales? This year is special for many things. The first is that we're focusing on the word “cultivate.” It reflects how the Foundation actively engages our partners and participants to elevate our craft and reinforces a commitment to continuing education. There seems to be more focus on education than ever. It’s exciting. We’re fortunate that Tales is a big event. The education part has a pyramid structure, and we're being thoughtful in how we shape the categories we’re concentrating on. There are three this year: Culture, Business, and Beyond the Bar. Beyond the Bar meaning a focus on sustainability and inclusivity. I appreciate your commitment to bettering the industry. Thank you. We also encourage healthy lifestyles. We partner with NOAC, the New Orleans Athletic Club, for fitness events. We hope our fellow New Orleanians and visiting colleagues get involved. We’re launching The Pin Project, one of our grant initiatives, that gives bartenders “break pins.” “If you see this pin behind the bar, it’s a day of no drinking for that bartender.” And the grants. How are they doing? Last year we had 11 in total. We’re excited to share [at the conference] what our original grant cohorts have done. And excited to announce our second year of grants. CAPS [Cocktail Apprentice Program] is still on too, right? CAPS is back. As you know, we partner bartenders with some incredible industry

18 | Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

mentors. And we’re announcing our education committee this year. Six people will be on it. And you’re changing hotels, a move to— The Royal Sonesta. A change in home bases—first time in 17 years. Some new energy. Change is good. We just want to continue to grow thoughtfully and with purpose. Last question. The highball is the official competition cocktail this year. What’s your favorite highball right now? [Laughs.] I’ve been drinking a lot of— gonna sound crazy—tequila with Q Mixers, especially grapefruit. Thank you, Caroline. See ya at Tales. Next round’s on me. This was awesome. More than one round, please!

Seminar: "The Unknown Wonders of the Spanish Aperitivoa."

This seminar focusses on how Spanish cocktail culture has progressed throughout the years.

Seminar: "Mezcal 101"

Seminar: Burnout: "How to Manage a Career on Fire"

This seminar focuses on how Spanish cocktail culture has progressed throughout the years.

At this insightful seminar, learn how to keep your passion and extend your career in the drink industry.

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WhereYat.com | July 2019 | 19

Glamorous + Camping = Glamping By Greg Roques

t’s been said that if you really want to get to know your significant other early in your relationship, you should travel together. Having tested this statement, I can vouch that a few of my wife’s and my differing ideas of leisure were brought into focus when we decided totake our first camping trip. Both of us checked off camping experience on our recreational resumes prior to meeting each other, so our shelter and sleeping essentials were already tucked away in our closet. This allowed us to divideand-conquer the remaining weekend essentials: Me: Two gallons of water per person, perday; MREs; first-aid kit; a machete… My Better Half: Rosé in a can, cookie dough, iPad, a battery-powered fan… Clearly, when I heard the word camping, my mind went to Rambo: First Blood, while my wife was thinking Wet Hot American Summer. But the mistake was mine: We

20 | Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

weren’t invited to go “camping,” we were going “glamping.” With its etymological origins dating back to the early aughts, glamping is defined by dictionary. com as a “blend of glamorous + camping.” However, the activity’s justification for a hybrid new induction into the Queen’s English is best captured by the site’s example of its use in a sentence: “Imagine glamping in a carpeted tent with a comfy queen-sized bed.” It sounds as if the Kardashians sent out an evite for a The Revenant-themed Halloween party. What is an urbanite, who wants to dwell in the still of nature but still feel pampered and protected from the elements, to do? Enter Stella Plantation. Set on 1,500 acres of picturesque landscape in Braithwaite, Louisiana, the 200-year-old establishment sits just off the Mississippi River, a mere 20 miles outside of Downtown New Orleans. Already a venue and seasonal sporting destination, Stella opened a five-cabin glamping site about a year ago. Each A-frame cabin is solarpowered and furnished with a queen-sized

bed, nightstand, phone charger, lights, fans, and more. The houses are all equipped with porches overlooking Paloma Lake, a vast private lake constructed to please the watersports enthusiast. Any skepticism concerning the destination’s natural Louisiana authenticity vanished during the 40-minute drive from our Uptown home. It is not uncommon to pass the unfortunate animal killed in traffic on the side of the interstate while traveling outside of the city. What is uncommon is when the roadkill is an alligator—we passed two of them. Having arrived at our cabin, unpacked, and settled into our lawn chairs with cold drinks in hand, we felt a sense of jetlag beginning to set in. My body was going into withdrawal from the usual interminable IV of stimuli constantly pumping adrenaline through my veins. Texts, chores, meetings, social commitments, social media, and an onslaught of news notifications were all silent and invisible outside the distant fog resting over the Mississippi. I found my senses heightened to the elements around me—the touch of the breeze, the gentle massage of the sun on my skin, the ambient symphony of chirping birds and furry creatures prancing through the leaves. We spent the first hour of our getaway soaking in the surroundings in a comfortable silence, detoxing from the stress of our daily routines. Stella’s sprawling terrain and voluminous Paloma Lake provide the outdoor enthusiast’s imagination with an endless landscape of recreational possibilities. Several activities are also conveniently provided for guests, including kayaking, archery, and fishing. Supplies are available upon request onsite, located a short walk from the cabins housed alongside a series of pristine indoor bathrooms and shower facilities—possibly the most “glamorous” touch to the “camping” experience. We enjoyed a long kayaking trip during the late afternoon, watching the

reflection of the sun in the water as it set from the center of the lake. As we docked our kayaks, a member of Stella’s staff came by to light a campfire for us, centered between a circle of sitting stumps. Dinner was provided in a large Yeti cooler outside our cabin: steaks, potatoes, and a premade salad. A basket with all the cooking essentials, including charcoal, tinfoil, and cleaning supplies, was also supplied for us, for use with a nearby grill overlooking our campfire. Unbeknownst to me, sharing camping recipes is a huge hobby, with endless posts on Pinterest and BuzzFeed. Taking some tips from the experts, we cooked our steaks to perfection and then indulged in a camping must: s’mores for dessert with marshmallows roasted over our campfire. Rising early is no one’s jam, especially not on vacation. However, you really are committing an unforgivable glamping fail if you don’t get up to watch the sunset on your dock. First, whether you’re a seasoned photographer or a casual Instagrammer (and aren’t we all?), the scenery is ripe with framers. The sun paints the sky a lush gradient of blue and magenta, backlighting the clouds with a violet glow as it peeks its blood-orange head over the horizon. Also, much of the nocturnal wildlife is still at play during the dawn hours. Drinking iced coffee on our porch, we checked off various birds from an animalsighting checklist in our nightstand while a school of baby catfish congregated near our dock. Anytime of year, the conditions at Stella Plantation are perfect for a weekend getaway. Why not enjoy them with all of the heavy lifting of camping already done for you? Individual cabins at Stella’s Glamping on Paloma Lake start at $150 a night. Learn more at stellaplantation.com.

WhereYat.com | July 2019 | 21

Not Your Ordinary Museums By Steve Melendez

hile some museums in New Orleans get plenty of international attention, like the National World War II Museum or the New Orleans Museum of Art, others with more specialized collections can sometimes be overlooked by visitors and residents alike. But to those who take the time to visit them, they can be as fascinating as their better-known rivals. Here are a few of them: The Irish Cultural Museum of New Orleans 933 Conti St.

Algiers Folk Art Zone & Blues Museum 207 Leboeuf St., Algiers

Tucked away in the French Quarter, this museum offers free exhibits about Irish immigration to the United States, especially in the wake of the Great Famine of the 1800s, and the role Irish people have played in the history of New Orleans. It’s also home to St. Patrick’s Coffee House, a surprisingly quiet place to grab a coffee or a glass of Irish whiskey just a couple of blocks from Bourbon Street.

Stroll a ways down the levee from the Algiers Point ferry landing to find this eclectic collection of work by mostly self-taught artists, many from New Orleans and places nearby. Founded by artist Charles Gillam, the museum also includes images and other materials related to the blues and to New Orleans music. The Folk Art Zone is also host to an annual Folk Art Fest, complete with live local music.

Backstreet Cultural Museum 1116 Henriette Delille St. This Treme institution houses a wide collection of materials relating to New Orleans African American culture, including Mardi Gras Indian regalia, North Side Skull and Bones costumes, and material from the city’s famed social aid and pleasure clubs. An extensive film collection, including many captured by museum founder Sylvester Francis, documents second line parades, jazz funerals, and other cultural events around the city and is available for viewing on request. Museum of Death 227 Dauphine St. This French Quarter museum definitely isn’t for the faint of heart. Some exhibits focus on rituals for honoring and caring for the deceased around the world, but most emphasize particularly grisly forms of death. Think war, murder, and executions. Graphic images are the norm, and there’s a large collection of writings and ephemera related to serial killers. A small gift shop offers souvenirs, postcards, and other items mostly linked to the collections.

22 | Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

Ogden Museum of Southern Art 925 Camp St. A surprising number of New Orleanians have never visited this Warehouse District museum with its fascinating and beautiful permanent collection of art from across the American South. Rotating exhibits, often featuring up-and-coming or overlooked talent from the region, make it worth a repeat visit, as do regular concerts and art classes. A rooftop patio also offers a lovely view of the surrounding area.

New Orleans Pharmacy Museum 514 Chartres St. This early 1800s apothecary shop, said to have been home to America’s first licensed pharmacist, now houses a fascinating collection of vintage cures, surgical tools, and other medical devices, some of which likely did more harm than good. Take the time to read the placards and labels on old boxes of medicines, salves, and folk remedies and relax in the museum’s scenic French Quarter courtyard. Museum of Trade, Finance, and the Fed 525 St. Charles Ave. Visit this small, free museum inside the local branch of the Federal Reserve, the nation’s central bank, to learn what the Fed actually does, why its New Orleans

office is technically a branch of the Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank, and about New Orleans’s historic role in commerce and finance. A number of interactive exhibits and videos are suitable for children. Note that photography and cellphone use is not allowed, and visitors need to pass through airport-style security scanners to come inside the building. Treme’s Petit Jazz Museum 1500 Governor Nicholls St. Tour this museum, located not far from the French Quarter, for a spirited guided audiovisual tour through the history of New Orleans jazz and the music from around the world that influenced it, all delivered by founder Al Jackson. The Petit Jazz Museum also features an assortment of historical

records from New Orleans’s musical history, including performing contracts with some of the region’s well-known acts. For those visiting the city, a room is also available to rent in the museum building through Airbnb. Newcomb Art Museum Tulane University Campus This art museum may be housed on Tulane’s Uptown campus, but it’s free and accessible to anyone, whether affiliated with the university or not. It generally features a rotating art exhibit, along with a collection of works from the museum’s holdings, including examples of the celebrated Newcomb Pottery designed by women attending Newcomb College, the women’s school affiliated with Tulane.

wednesday, july 3, 2019 7:00PM new orleans city park

WhereYat.com | July 2019 | 23

Sweat it Out: The Best Workout Classes in New Orleans By Eliana Blum

ew Orleans—known for beignets, cocktails, and po-boys—is not usually recognized for its health scene, but over the past five years, niche workout studios have been popping up throughout the city. These specialized classes create an engaging, high-intensity workout, as well as a close-knit community among the clientele. Consider stopping by one of the studios to shed the king cake weight and get into shape this summer. Tour Cycle Studio 860 Tchoupitoulas St. $25 per drop-in class

A spin class at Tour feels more like visiting a nightclub than a workout studio. When the class begins and the overhead fluorescents dim, LED lights flash on the surrounding walls. The instructor leads cyclers through choreographed moves that strengthen the arms, legs, and core. The studio exclusively offers spin classes. “We have to be absolutely the best because that’s all we have,” said operations leader Kathryn Skuba. During class, riders are encouraged to forget the outside world as they embark on a mental and physical journey in the room—an escape from reality that makes the workout even more powerful. City Surf Fitness 5924 Magazine St. $22 per drop-in class

Although NOLA is not a surf town, City Surf has created a community of surfboard enthusiasts. The studio has 14 simulated surfboards that imitate the sensation of being

on water. There are eight different classes offered: boot camp, barre, and yoga, to name a few. Owner Becky Hardin said, “You’ll recognize all the movements in this class; it’s just a matter of doing it on the board. It utilizes muscles you wouldn’t use doing overhead presses with weights.” The board not only increases the rigor of the workout, but it also keeps the engagement level high. The class is entertaining and designed for anyone—except those prone to motion sickness. Romney | 5619 Magazine St. $27 per drop-in class

This all-inclusive studio houses numerous types of classes, including spin, pilates, boxing, and more. There is no signature class. Instead, all workouts complement each other. Due to the many classes available, clients are encouraged to participate in multiple types of fitness. Class packages make it more affordable for locals to visit the studio daily. “We want it to be a lifestyle,” founder Erin Romney said. Romney just opened a new Downtown location this May, to make the classes more accessible to visitors.

founder Kelsey Confreda. This untraditional workout class begins with Confreda talking about techniques before encouraging climbers to try the skills. “Climbing itself is a workout for so many reasons. You use a lot of micro-muscles that you don’t use in your everyday workout,” Confreda said. In addition to this class, the gym also offers general memberships and community classes open to anyone. KICK 4525 Freret St. $22 per drop-in class

Only a few months old, this brand-new kickboxing studio has already grown into a robust female-only workout space. KICKfit, the signature class, combines boxing and other core strengthening exercises into one 50-minute session. The diversity in movement keeps boxers engaged and maximizes conditioning. An instructor circulates the room throughout the class to help boxers perfect their form. Founder Melissa Burbank will soon introduce a heart-rate monitor into the class. The monitor, which is connected to the KICK app, can help users to track their progress in and out of the studio.

New Orleans Boulder Lounge 2360 St. Claude Ave. Free

Dancing Grounds | 3705 St. Claude Ave. $12 per drop-in class

The only climbing gym in New Orleans offers an all-female bouldering class on the third Saturday of every month. The Ladies Climbing Nights create a safe space for beginning climbers to feel comfortable trying a new sport. “If you look around here, you will see that it’s mostly white guys climbing, and that’s kind of climbing in general,” said co-

Classes at Dancing Grounds are designed for people who crave movement. Its mission is simple—to create a safe space for people of all body types and backgrounds to move in freely. There are three categories of classes: beginner, fitness, and advanced. But these titles are only guidelines, considering that classes are open to everyone. Dancing

24 | Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

Grounds offers much more than dance classes—the studio is also part of a larger organization that supports social change within the community. It hosts events, and the profits from classes go toward supporting youth dance groups that perform throughout the city. Reyn Studios 725 Magazine St $25 per drop-in class

Tucked in a beautiful second-floor studio, this humble yoga room is filled with natural light, brick walls, and succulents. The studio specializes in contemporary Vinyasa yoga flow and is a great introduction to yoga. “People of all levels can come to the same class and get something out of it,” said founder Reyn Reed. Classes are offered every day of the week, from morning until evening, so that yogis will never struggle to fit a class into their schedule. Footprints to Fitness Gernon Brown Rec Ctr, 1001 Harrison Ave. $10 per drop-in class

For those who cannot pick just one type of class, Fitness Fusion is one hour of intense barre, cardio, pilates, and yoga combined. The class is open to people of all levels, so each exercise can be modified. All classes range between being free of charge and $10, making workouts affordable and inclusive for members across the community. Additionally, the Fusion class is offered at various locations throughout New Orleans to make it easily accessible. Fitness Fusion is truly diverse in nature, due to the variety of locations, workout styles, and community members.

July 4th @ 4:30pm‑9:30pm th e National WWI I M useu m ’s

Victory Belles MOJEAUX dueling barges Fireworks Show Keep the Fest Free Food + Drink for Purchase

C R e S C e N T PA R K

FRENCH MARKET DISTRICT • 2300 N. PETERS WWW.FRENCHMARKET.ORG

sunday, JULY 14 Celebrate Bastille Day New Orleans-style in the French Market District! Including the Council of French Societies WREATH LAYING CEREMONY and the festive BARTENDER AND WAITER RACE! more info at frenchmarket.org

WhereYat.com | July 2019 | 25

Biking in New Orleans, For Better and For Worse By Landon Murray

he freedom to bike in NOLA is one of the many great things that our city has to offer. New Orleans is small enough to traverse from one side to the other, and more and more people are jumping on two wheels to get where they need to go. Unfortunately, however, the growth of the biking community comes with downsides. We’re going to talk about some of the great aspects of biking and discuss the recent changes to the biking infrastructure, and we'll look at some of the dark moments that occur when bicyclists aren’t safe from the car-driving population. Recently, many biking organizations have sprung up. The NOLA Social Ride, started years ago by a small group of like-minded individuals, has weekly “Happy Thursday” rides. As a person who has been on many of these rides, I can say that it’s well worth the time, and you can form a ton of great relationships. Hell, if just biking alone has become stale for you, we even have a nude bike ride every year as part of the World Naked Bike Ride, which, as you may have guessed, is a clothing-optional event. I’m comfortable enough with my body that I feel good sans clothes, but not quite comfortable enough to leave my house and hop on a bike in the same state. To each his own, though, and the ride is a big hit for many. Other biking organizations, such as Bike Easy, focus more on the helpful side of things, including pushing for more bike tools for the city. It seems that biking in the city has indeed improved. In the last two years alone, bike lanes with roadblocks in some areas have been added, an improvement that seems to be popular with many bicycle-riders around town. It certainly helps ease the stress that people on bicycles (especially Downtown) often experience. Personally, I have been hit by a car moving late at night. Thankfully, I was only slightly injured, but I have quite a few friends who have been struck and received major injuries in the process. I was lucky that time. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for everyone who ventures out on their bikes. This past Mardi Gras, one of our

most celebrated events, the Krewe of Endymion parade, was mired by tragedy when Tashonty Toney drove his car while drunk and ended up injuring seven people and killing two. I bring this up because some of those affected by this were on bikes. All they wanted to do was to celebrate our marvelous parade season, but instead, they ended up losing their lives while biking. These kinds of incidents happen all the time, and sadly, it’s going to take more than just simple law changes to bring this conflict to an end. Biking is a freedom that many of us love, but it shouldn’t come with a death risk. Toney robbed those people of that joy and convenience when he decided to drive drunk. Even beyond what Toney did, reports of violence against bikers get circulated far more than any of us would like to hear. Numerous attacks on cyclists have been reported on the Lafitte Greenway, and little is being done about it. Granted, it is hard to track down the perpetrators on a trail with little light and surveillance. But the point is, people working late or heading home from a fun night shouldn’t be scared to bike alone—especially on the Greenway, which was created to make it easier and less dangerous for people to get from point A to B. Thankfully, the biking community has seen some improvements over the last few years. Let’s just hope these changes can become even more impactful and positive for our bike-riding friends and family.

26 | Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

The added support from both of our recent mayors has helped renew interest in New Orleans as a biking safety zone, more or less. With the recent introduction of Blue Bikes over the last year proving to be a big sensation for weekend visitors, it’s sending a message that residents and vacationing folk should feel secure and safe while moving around the city on two wheels. In truth, biking can be very liberating, and even though the chance of having your bike stolen is always a threat, most have found that secure U-locks and chains can deter anyone looking for a quick pick-up. I have been fortunate to never have to deal with that, but it could happen to anyone. In 2017, an article by Eric Craig on the site Nola.curbed.com reported that more than four percent of people in New Orleans use their bikes to get around. And in the last five years since the release of the American Committee Survey report that that article was based on, the number has grown drastically. In a recent report by the city government, it was announced that we as a city had received a silver rating in terms of bicycle acceptance and friendliness. In short, this is a good thing—not only because it encourages people who might otherwise be weary of getting on a bike on our notoriously bad streets with our mostly bad drivers, but also because biking is fun, after all. And if we get more people safely on bikes and not in cars, it could actually help congestion in high-traffic areas. Not long ago, the city has announced plans to alter the way bikes are able to get around. Up until recently, one of the main issues with using the bike lane was the frequent hassle of having to move around cars parked in said

bike lanes. I suspect that certain individuals who park in bike lanes may have a disdain for cyclists, while others are simply ignorant to the fact that bikers need these lanes for their protection. It’s not as if our city is known for great, courteous drivers, and for some who bike, it can feel as though it’s an us-versusthem mentality when it comes to safety. The city’s new plan, which calls for those parking in bike lanes to be fined $300, is a great step toward ensuring that people know that it’s unreasonable for them to park in a lane specifically designated for cyclists. If you can’t make them understand it, perhaps hurting their bank accounts will more effectively guarantee that bikers can navigate the unsteady streets of NOLA without having to share the same lanes as giant moving vehicles. If we can keep our focus on safety, New Orleans can have a bike-friendly environment, and that should be treasured and nurtured. Biking is an escape for many who have no desire to commute by car or public transport, and in the end, it’s freeing to be on a bike with the wind in your hair. You’re not only helping with carbon emissions, but you’re also showing everyone you pass that at times, it’s actually faster and easier to get around on a bike than it is with a big car or truck. Just remember that the rules of the road apply to all of us, whether we choose a bike or a car, and that we have to be vigilant and observant about the dangers. Also, remember to have lights on your bike and helmets at the ready. No one wants to injure or kill anyone, but it’s still our responsibility to protect ourselves as best we can. Sadly, many who have been injured can attest to those dangers. Unfortunately for cyclists—those who have lost their lives and those who just want to bike safely—people like Toney and others who drive dangerously will always be around to ruin what should be a perfectly normal thing to do. So be careful, bike safely, and Godspeed!

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WhereYat.com | July 2019 | 27

A Thing of the Past: Antique Shopping in New Orleans By Steven Melendez

t should be no surprise that a 300-year-old city is home to plenty of places to shop for antiques, but New Orleans antique stores don’t just focus on high-priced relics from the history’s ancient past. Many offer items from all different eras and from around the world, at a wide variety of price points. Here are some of the most interesting antique stores in New Orleans:

Just over the city line, along the Mississippi River in Old Jefferson, this sprawling multidealer store has a wide assortment of New Orleans and Southern material, from carnival krewe memorabilia to locally written and published cookbooks. There are also plenty of 20th-century housewares and decorative items, from vintage hardware and furniture to old gas station and restaurant signs. Cash only; ATM on-site.

James H. Cohen and Sons 437 Royal St.

New Orleans Silversmiths 600 Chartres St.

Among the city’s oldest antique stores is this Royal Street emporium, tracing its history back to 1898. The store offers a wide assortment of antique coins and paper currency, as well as historic knives, guns, and swords. Interesting historic documents, from maps to legal paperwork, are also often available for sale.

Located in the French Quarter, New Orleans Silversmiths is the destination for locals or visitors looking for classy, New Orleans-specific jewelry and housewares. Think silver pelicans, gold fleur de lis earrings, or even a sterling silver Tabasco-bottle holder. But the store also offers a wide assortment of antique tableware and bar ephemera, largely in silver, from century-old corkscrews and cocktail shakers to centerpieces and esoteric serving utensils.

Evangeline 1228 N. Broad St. This newly opened shop in a Mid-City shotgun building offers an eclectic mix of art, furniture, housewares, and jewelry. The collection includes some locally sourced items as well as pieces from around the world, including an assortment of Asian collectibles.

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River Road Flea Market 3908 River Rd., Jefferson

La Belle Nouvelle Orleans 2112 Magazine St. This cozy Lower Garden District shop offers one of the more eclectic selections among Magazine Street’s many antique and vintage shops, with plenty of antique lighting, furniture, and decorative objects, including miscellaneous hardware and framed wall art. Follow the shop on Instagram or Tumblr to keep track of new items.

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M.S. Rau Antiques 630 Royal St.

Magazine Antique Mall 3017 Magazine St.

Unless you’re extraordinarily wealthy, it’s best to treat this incredibly curated Royal Street business more as a museum than a shopping destination, since prices typically start in the thousands and can reach into the millions of dollars for works by artists you’ll remember from school. But M.S. Rau has a rotating exhibition and gallery-like floors— lined with everything from priceless works of art to Renaissance-era furniture and machinery to early 20th-century gambling devices—which the owners encourage casual but enthusiastic visitors to tour at their leisure.

Another spot to find vintage items from the history of New Orleans (check out the historic carnival throws and Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest posters), this multi-dealer mall offers a little bit of everything, from jewelry to furniture to books and glassware, mostly from the 20th century. Check out this spot, then stroll down Magazine Street to the many other vintage, antique, and art stores nearby. Old Arabi Marketplace 7002 St. Claude Ave., Arabi This cute store in Arabi’s burgeoning arts district offers a ton of antique and vintage home furnishings just outside the city. Plenty of items are available at quiteaffordable prices. Regular sales and the occasional celebration with food and wine make the shop a nice draw for people from neighboring parishes. Second Line Arts and Antiques 1209 Decatur St.

Magazine Antique Mall

Steps from the Mississippi River in the French Quarter, this friendly shop offers art by mostly local artists and antiques from both here and around the world, with items priced for all different budgets. Check out the collection of framed insects. They stay open late on weekends, when an outdoor art market sets up in the shop’s courtyard.

30 | Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

River Road Flea Market

WhereYat.com | July 2019 | 31

Paw it Forward: Where to Adopt a Four-Legged Friend Into Your Family By Greq Roques

ntil one has loved an animal, a part of their soul remains unawakened. – Anatole France

I sometimes wonder if my wife’s and my perpetual pampering has left our cat—a three-year-old rescue from the Louisiana Society for the prevention of Cruelty to Animals (LA-SPCA)—amnesic to her feral fight-or-flight defenses. When the adoption papers asked if we would be able to provide “sufficient love and attention,” I’m not sure a three-story scratch-pad condo that doubles as a high chair at our kitchen table, gourmet meals on weekends, and a reserved space in our bed were standard prerequisites. In a post-nuclear Judgement Day dystopia (here’s looking at you, Lil’ Hands and Lil’ Kim), would she be able to check her indoor privilege and resurrect the predator within? Or would she wander among the ashes of man searching for a surviving fallout boy in hopes that he has a stash of Fancy Feast? While I’m almost optimistic our world leaders can contain this Fury Road-hypothetical to the realm of science fiction, the epidemic of animal homelessness is all too real. In particular, New Orleans is estimated to have the largest feral cat population in the United States—more than 350,000 cats all fending for their lives on the streets. According to a 2017 ASPCA article, “A Closer Look at Community Cats,” the average age of a feral cat without human assistance is less than two years, compared to up to 18 years for an indoor cat. Fortunately, several nonprofit organizations around the metro area are committed to ending animal suffering in our city. The LA-SPCA cares for approximately 350 animals at any given time at its adoption facility on the Westbank. “Any warm-blooded human with room in their heart can welcome an animal into their home,” says Alicia Haefele Vial, communications director for the LA-SPCA. “We have several fostering and adoption options to help make sure that a pet fits their lifestyle.” Adopting a pet requires a significant time and financial commitment. Online adoption database PetFinder.com estimates the firstyear costs of owning a cat to be nearly $1,100, and more than $1,200 for a dog. “Having a puppy is like having a demanding newborn,” says Mid-City resident and recent mother Rachael Kansas Feder. “The

32 | Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

hardest part of adopting a pet is the lifestyle change— gone are the days of post-work Happy Hours fading into dinner and a night out, because you need to get home to take care of the dog. In many ways, it is a great trial run for a baby.” One way the LA-SPCA lets would-be adopters get their feet wet is through its Sleepover Program. After completing the adoption process, residents get to take an animal home for up to 72 hours. If things don’t work out, the LA-SPCA will take the pet back—no questions asked—and the adoption fee can be re-applied to another animal. “The Sleepover Program is a great way to encourage people to take the leap without committing,” says Vial. “Animals often present differently at the facility than in a home. This gives you the chance to see how they will adapt to your environment, as well as how they get along with kids.” The LA-SPCA also offers a variety of fostering programs for those wanting to care for an animal, but not able to adopt at this time. Vial says the most popular of these is the Kitten Krewe program. Foster parents are taught how to care for and bottle-feed newborn kittens until they weigh at least two pounds, at which point they are eligible for adoption. In 2017, 800 kittens went through this program. If you favor felines, the Bywater’s Crescent City Cat Club may be the purrfect location to find your next forever friend. The Cat Club is “a cat café without the food,” according to founder Eshyah Selig. For a small fee, guests can socialize with a room of roughly 20 adult cats or visit a smaller area reserved for kittens—all of which are adoptable. One concept unique to the Crescent City Cat Club is the Senior Program. Seniors are paired with a cat that best fits their lifestyle, with volunteers following up with them each week to make sure all is going well. “It is a wonderful program, as it provides companionship for a senior both through the cat and the regular visits from the volunteer,” says Selig. Selig has a deep love for all of the cats that come through her doors—courtesy of the Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter—and assures that no adoptions are final. “If a senior ever feels like they are in a place where they cannot continue to support

a cat—or even if a younger person is forced to move somewhere they are not allowed to have a pet or may have a newborn who is allergic—we will reassume responsibility for that cat and find it a new home,” says Selig. Another great place to adopt a dog or cat in Orleans Parish is Zeus’ Rescues. Located just off of Napoleon Avenue near Freret Street, Zeus’ Rescues pulls all of their animals from high-kill metro shelters in an effort to further their mission to eradicate pet euthanasia in our city. Last year, Zeus’ Rescues found homes for more than 700 local rescues. Similar to the LA-SPCA’s Sleepover Program, Zeus’ website states that following application approval, a person may take a pet home for a one-week visit prior to adoption. Once you’ve brought your new roomie home, the work has just begun. For dog people, Vial suggests taking an obedience class. “We don’t expect everyone to have to drive to the Westbank, so we offer a variety of classes around the city,” says Vial. “Everything from obedience and signaling (Manner, Advanced Manners) to early socialization (Puppy Pre-School), and leash training (Reactive Rover).” A more detailed list of classes and availability can be found on their website, LA-SPCA.org. “We started taking [our dog] Miles to classes when he was around five months, and it was a huge help,” says New Orleansnative Elizabeth Klein. “However, the work doesn’t stop after class. Training your dog takes much practice and repetition.” A final word on pet care: All of the organizations mentioned above spay and neuter, vaccinate, and microchip animals prior to adoption. For cats, all also required adopters to agree not to declaw their pets. “There is nothing benign about declawing—it is mutilation, plain and simple,” says Selig. “It’s like cutting off a person’s finger at the knuckles. I’ve seen declawed cats have trouble walking for the rest of their lives—they never recover.” Further, while most agencies prefer adoptees to be indoor cats, there is always the possibility that they can escape. Declawing robs a cat of its primary form of defense. Adopting an animal is a wonderful way to add fun, laughs, and love to your life. Through a commitment that must be considered, caring for a pet is one of the most rewarding relationships one can have. “Miles is family, not an afterthought,” says Klein. “He’s a priority, and we want him to have fun just like we want to have fun. We take him nearly everywhere with us on the weekend.”

All of these organizations are nonprofits whose services are made possible through financial donations, volunteerism, and animal foster care provided by the local community. Visit their websites and learn how you can give back today.

Crescent City Cat Club 1021 Marigny St. (833) 665-2228 crescentcitycatclub.com JSPCA 4421 Jefferson Hwy., Jefferson (504) 733-5878 jeffersonspca.org LA-SPCA 1700 Mardi Gras Blvd. (504) 368-5191 la-spca.org Zeus’ Rescues 2520 Napoleon Ave. (504) 309-2144 zeusrescues.org

WhereYat.com | July 2019 | 33

Westbank Treasures: Discovering Gretna By Leigh Wright

ucked out of sight—and, in consequence, out of mind—from the upbeat and mildly chaotic downtown New Orleans, lies Gretna. exactly how her residents intended. In recent years, Gretna Fest has made its way into the public spotlight, but the city of Gretna itself remains a mystery to tourists and even to many New Orleanians. On a work errand, I found myself in Gretna’s riverfront square. I drove around the historic district strip and walked down to the river, peering into the shops and the restaurants that were filled with people at lunch on a Tuesday. Its simplicity and smalltown feel were a positive surprise for me. This, I thought, was the perfect day’s getaway. When New Orleanians leave the swamp bowl of the city, they typically head east to the shores of Bay St. Louis or Florida. Yet there is an adventure literally at our doorstep. Take a short ferry ride with bikes, lunch, and a few drinks and stroll in a place that reminds me of hot, bright summer days in the South. Who could ask for more? This list focuses on Gretna’s historic district, right off the levee and old ferry stop. It’s quaint and New Orleanian. It’s far enough away from the hectic French Quarter antics,

34 | Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

but close enough to make it back over the river in time to see your favorite band play at your favorite festival. Ferry Yourself Even though the Canal-Gretna ferry no longer runs on the Mississippi, still consider taking the ferry to Algiers and finishing the trek by bike on top of the levee. You can pedal the 5.6 miles (and hopefully have the wind at your back both ways) and enjoy not only viewing the city from another perspective, but also the historical markers and industrial backbone of the area. A nice beer stop in Algiers before powering your way to the bars in Gretna is not a bad way to spend a Saturday. Café 615 Home of Da Wabbit In this little establishment, you can jump from mahi mahi with crabmeat to “Orleans pasta dishes” to Frog Legs Provencal. This down-home restaurant serves up platters, not plates, and has been feeding the citizens of Gretna since 1949. Don’t forget the daily specials, either. Traditional red beans or white beans and rice with pork make an appearance and are hard to beat. –615 Kepler St., 504365-1225, facebook.com/Cafe-615-Home-ofDa-Wabbit-394261630696887

Gattuso’s You won’t find anything out-of-theordinary here. They serve wraps, salads, club sandwiches, burgers, and fries to all who enter and, therefore, leave satiated. It’s a great place to bring the family and to refuel after that long bike ride from the city. Complement your eggplant stix with a meatball po-boy. –435 Huey P. Long Ave., 504-368-1114, gattusos.net

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Gretna Depot Café and Spirits Are you looking for a neighborhood bar where everyone knows your name? Well, even if you don’t know everyone inside, they will still treat you like family. This spot has live music, a full menu, and an exciting atmosphere. The food is hot and delicious, the beer is cold, and you’re about to bite into a mac-n-cheese burger. Can you think of anything better? –326 Huey P. Long Ave., 504-362-8690, facebook.com/GretnaDepotCafeSpirits River Shack New Orleans is known for its waterways, but very few establishments are positioned to give patrons a view while dining. The Rivershack in Gretna has that covered. They have “Garbage Fries” on the menu all year round and correspondingly “inventive” bar food, but go for the brunch. Try the Sweet Cream Pancakes with sausage. –714 1st St., 504-325-5530, rivershackgretna.com German American Cultural Center and Museum At the back of the historic strip is a small brick building holding relics of older generations who made their lives on the banks of the Mississippi. It’s astounding— yet not surprising—how many immigrants created not only a life, but a community in new lands and, especially, in New Orleans. Much like the Irish and Italian cultural centers in the city, this is a small and underappreciated glimpse of the past. Go in, talk with the employees, or even visit during an event. –519 Huey P. Long Ave., 504-3634202, gacc-nola.org Gretna may not get a good rap. It may not get a rap at all, but it’s slowly creeping into the highlight reel of what makes New Orleans and its surrounding areas special.

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WhereYat.com | July 2019 | 35

A Musical Trip Through St. Louis Cemetery #2 By Jeff Boudreaux

riving down N. Claiborne Avenue, I turned right onto Conti Street. I parked and ventured into the nearest gate to stand in awe at the three lots that comprise St. Louis Cemetery #2, a burial ground that was initially established in 1823 to prevent the dead from spreading cholera. Indeed, there are many entombed individuals dating back from the 17th century, including Jean Lafitte’s brother and fellow privateer who gallantly fought in the Battle of New Orleans: Dominique You. The cemetery is so rich in local history that the graves of Oscar Dunn, the first black lieutenant governor in the entire country, and Jacques Villeré, the second governor of the state of Louisiana, are located just down the field from the grave of Charles Genois, mayor of New Orleans from 1838 to 1840. It should come as no surprise, then, that this cemetery is a preferred spot for field trips led by Louisiana history teachers from institutions of higher education in the Crescent City. Just last fall, I took part in one of these outings, and what was most interesting—to myself, at least—was the slice of musical history that was consecrated within these walls.

In the center lot of plots, between Conti and Bienville Streets, lies the final resting place of Ernest Kador Jr., better known to his many fans as Ernie K-Doe. This R&B singer from New Orleans brought his signature hit “Mother-in-Law” all the way to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in May 1961. Written by another New Orleans legend, Allen Toussaint, who incidentally laid down that unmistakable piano solo on the track, “Mother-in-Law” was and is, a song that you just can’t help singing along to—once you wipe that automatic smile off of your face. “Satan should be her name…” Ironically, there are undoubtedly a plethora of mothers-in-law throughout the cemetery, many of whom never got to listen to this toe-tapper, and possibly some who were horrified at the lyrics, just like Allen Toussaint’s grandmother was! What’s that old saying about music bringing people together? Other minor hits followed for Mr. K-Doe: "Te-Ta-Te-Ta-Ta" (#53 on the charts), “A Certain Girl” (#71), and his everlasting gift to the people of Tremé—the Motherin-Law Lounge (now operated by Kermit Ruffins), founded in 1994. After Ernie’s death in 2001, his wife Antoinette ran the lounge through good times and bad (Katrina),

36 | Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

but persevered until her death in 2009. It was then that she was reunited with her husband in both the hereafter and in the Duval tomb, which was graciously donated. Also interred in this very same tomb are the remains of Earl King, one of New Orleans’s most prolific songwriters. With

a career that spanned almost 50 years, King penned the preeminent Mardi Gras classic “Big Chief” for Professor Longhair and “Do-Re-Mi,” which was popularized by Lee Dorsey. Artists the likes of Jimi Hendrix, The Meters, and Stevie Ray Vaughn have covered King compositions. Of course, King was no slouch when it came to vocals, and if you want to hear some great and unfiltered classic rhythm and blues, do yourself a favor and seek out King’s recordings for Ace Records in the 1950s, including his #7 Billboard R&B hit “Those Lonely, Lonely Nights.” Then something will take place— you’ll have been initiated into the rewarding world of New Orleans R&B, and your iTunes or Spotify playlists will never be the same. Just remember you’ve been warned. With the early days of rock and roll covered, it was time to relax and reflect. I came upon the Bechet family tomb. While legendary jazz clarinetist Sidney Bechet is not buried alongside his 7th Ward family, the towering structure that bears his family name elicits no less of a forthcoming career retrospective. Born in 1897, Sidney Bechet began playing music at the age of six, before making his rounds in the jazz ensembles that were entertaining Bourbon Street, pre-WWI. He had his first recording session

in 1923, alongside Iberville Parish jazz pianist Clarence Williams, culminating in “Wild Cat Blues” and “I’m a Little Blackbird.” From Chicago to New York to Paris, Bechet played clarinet and saxophone in jazz clubs and symphonic halls, even as far away as Russia. A true man of the world, Bechet spent nearly 11 months in a Paris jail for accidentally shooting a woman instead of the guy he challenged to a duel—yes, a duel! The offense was an insult about which Bechet infamously quipped that “Sidney Bechet never plays the wrong chord.” Bechet took the utmost pride in his music, and jazz fans all over the world are in agreement. Okay, I never realized ragtime jazz was this addictive. Siri, play The Essential Sidney Bechet. Dubbed “the Wizard of Jazz,” Bechet returned to New York after his release from prison and is credited with the first Latin jazz recordings in the late 1930s. He actually played all six instruments in a recording of the 1941 classic “The Sheik of Araby.” Bechet relocated to Paris in 1950, remaining there and recording until his death in 1959. Buried in a French cemetery, this jazz great will forever be linked to New Orleans as the place of his birth, and of his contributions to Dixieland jazz, and from a family tomb there that calls him back home. As I finished my journey with a trek through the lot that is connected to St. Louis Street, I realized that my musical education wasn’t done just yet. There is a family of jazz musicians in the tomb belonging to jazz drummer Paul Barbarin. A contemporary of Sidney Bechet’s, Barbarin was born in New Orleans in 1899 and played in all of the major jazz cities, alongside such greats as Bechet and Louis Armstrong. Barbarin recorded for Atlantic, releasing Paul Barbarin and His New Orleans Jazz in 1955 (the year he also founded the Onward Brass Band), a musthear album that is streaming everywhere. One of his signature tracks is “Bourbon Street Parade,” a title which would foreshadow his death in 1969 while playing snare drums during Mardi Gras.

nephew Danny Barker. Barker was born in 1909, and his career took him to many of the same places as his uncle—playing rhythm guitar in the jazz bands of Cab Calloway, Jelly Roll Morton, Charlie Parker, and, of course, Sidney Bechet. An accomplished musician, Barker recorded The Fabulous Banjo of Danny Barker in 1958. Returning to New Orleans in 1965, Barker took a position as assistant curator of the New Orleans Jazz Museum and founded a church band in 1970 that went on to become—you may have heard of them—the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Barker authored two books: Bourbon Street Black and A Life in Jazz. He passed away in 1994 and is buried alongside his wife, singer Louisa “Blue Lu” Barker, who died four years later. A jazz and blues singer, Blue Lu had a Top-20 hit for Capitol Records in 1948 with “A Little Bird Told Me.” If you like that, then you really can’t go wrong with the Blue Lu Remastered Collection, wherever streams are sold. As I walked back to my car, I realized that I had enough new music to last me for the next few months, and the only artist I was already familiar with was Ernie K-Doe. However, I was shocked to find that “Mother-in-Law” was not his most-played song on Spotify. That distinction belongs to 1970s “Here Come the Girls,” another Allen Toussaint composition. A 2008 cover by UK’s the Sugababes revived interest in the song, which was last covered by Trombone Shorty in 2017. As I listened to it, I couldn’t help but wonder why this version didn’t chart 49 years ago. But then, I chalked it up to the fact that some music is probably just destined to be unearthed at a later date, acting as a resurrection of sorts for the artists who made it possible. And while you can walk among these greats as they rest in eternity in St. Louis #2, we will forever enjoy the timeless music they have left in our keeping.

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WhereYat.com | July 2019 | 37

Alternative Bachelor Party Ideas By Landon Murray

trippers, tons of alcohol, forgotten nights, and so on. In New Orleans, that could be a typical night for some, but for many bachelors planning to walk down the aisle, it’s nearly a necessity. If you’ve been in town for any length of time, you know that the ritual of paying for a $9 beer while a scantily clad lady pretends to be interested in you is part of the rite of passage for soon-to-be married men and sometimes even women.

All this is relevant, because as an engaged man, it was my responsibility to come up with at least a general idea of what I wanted to do for my bachelor party. I’m 36, soon to be 37, and as a person born and raised mostly here in NOLA, I’ve long grown tired of the atmosphere of Bourbon Street and the hassle of dealing with the overpriced alcohol and the sordid characters in the Quarter. Having said all that, I thought long and hard about a different option for my best friends and me to celebrate. After some conversations, I decided on something a bit more time-consuming, but also more relaxing and chill—that is, to get an Airbnb someplace outside of the busyness of New Orleans and spend a few days cooking, drinking, and enjoying the quiet in a remote part of one of our neighboring states. Truthfully, it wasn’t that difficult to find an amazing house that could hold us for three full days, but it takes planning to make sure everything is accounted for and organized. Lots of people have opinions on the house-rental market locally (with just cause), but in an isolated part of the region, with not much housing distress, Airbnb was a logical place to start. After a few days of looking, we were all set. This got me thinking about other “outsidethe-box” options for parties that don’t end in some form of falling down drunk while surrounded by exotic dancers or forgetting half of the so-called awesome night you’re supposed to be having. Below, you’ll find a few ideas for bachelor/bachelorette fun that’s not spent in a dark, overpriced bar or club.

38 | Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

Going On A Cruise: This is an expensive option for sure, but it’s sure to be a great time if the means are available. Imagine you and some friends on a beautiful ship, coasting along the ocean on your way to some tropical paradise. One of the best aspects of this option is the price you pay for food and alcohol. Luxury cruise liners now have options where you can pay for all the food and alcohol you want before you even get onboard, which means you can plan more readily to do outside excursions and not be worried about breaking the bank when it comes time to pay your bar tab.

A Day Out:

A Music Festival:

If drinking and debauchery aren’t your cup of tea, New Orleans and the surrounding areas have plenty of fun activities that circumvent being wasted. There are the triedand-trusted swamp tours, but there are also many other options. If you like to bike, we have tons of biking paths around town, as well as trails on the Northshore that lead you right to breweries and delicious restaurants. Beyond that even, we have paintball facilities, knife-throwing, or simulated golf that can be very fun with some good friends. If none of that appeals to you, perhaps going to the edge of the state and the Gulf of Mexico for some big fishing is right up your alley.

If you’ve read some of my previous articles, you might know that I’m a big music fan, and festivals are one of my favorite things to do. The cool thing about having this be part of a bachelor/ bachelorette party is the chance to see great bands surrounded by great friends, but finding a lineup that is exciting and doable for a big group can be tricky. Logistics can also be difficult, but if you’re with a crew that is easy-going and generally down for a good time, this option can be amazing. Even if these options don’t appeal to you, the list doesn’t end there—or rather, it shouldn’t. Celebrating a wedding is one of the best experiences you can have, whether it’s your own ceremony or you’re sharing in the joy of close friends and family. If you’re part of a group like mine, then you know that you can have fun doing almost anything when the company is great. This means that whatever you choose to do, however you want that time to be spent, it can be a joyous experience for you and your best friends. Just don’t get drunk enough to forget all the laughs you’ll likely have when you’re partying, in whatever way you party. After all, it’s a celebration of love, meant to bring huge smiles and a feeling of togetherness.

Traveling To A Remote Place: As I mentioned in the beginning of this article, going out of town for a few days and renting a house is always a great idea for a big group who is more inclined to have an easy-going, relaxing few days. My group of eight was able to pretty easily found a gorgeous home just an hour away. With this option, we were able to all pay a share of the rental and decide on food and activities to keep us occupied over the course of the trip. Our house included a big secluded yard, a Jacuzzi, a fire pit, and many other amenities that made the trip even better. If rest and relaxation are goals that you want to insert into laughs and fun with your closest friends, this option might be just for you.

WhereYat.com | July 2019 | 39

MUSICCALENDAR

Be sure to check out our new interactive concert calendar at WhereYat.com! Southport Hall - Justin Molaison and Woody Dantagnan Spotted Cat, The - Antoine Diel Starlight, The - Nahum Zdybel's Hot Jazz Band Tapps II - Kevin Morris & Uptown Production Three Muses - Hot Patterson and Matt Bell

NewFoundGlory Two months after their newest studio release, New Found Glory is stopping in New Orleans on their From The Screen To Your Stereo To Your Town Tour. The Floridian rock band is also bringing bands Real Friends, The Early November, and Doll Skin on tour. Jam out to hits “My Friends Over You” and “Hit or Miss.” Thursday, July 11, 6:30p.m., $24-$60. House of Blues, www. houseofblues.com/neworleans Monday, June 24th 21st Amendment - Gabrielle Cavassa Trio Backroom at Buffa's - Antoine Diel and Josh Paxton Bamboula's - Les Getrez N Creole Cooking BMC - Paggy Prine & Southern Soul Bombay Club - David Boeddinghaus Bourbon O Bar at The Bourbon Orleans - Steve Lands Swing Trio Checkpoint Charlie - Decatur Street Allstars d.b.a. - John Boutte, Ceasar Brothers Dmac's - Danny Alexander Dos Jefes - Troi Atkinson Dragon's Den - DJ Ill Medina Favela Chic - Afrodiziac's Jazz Fritzel's Jazz Pub - Chuck Brackman and Richard Scott House of Blues Restaurant - Sean Riley The Howlin’ Wolf - The Bush League Jazz Playhouse - Germaine French Jazz Quartet Live Oak Café - Diamond Kincaid Maison, The - Sierra Green Maple Leaf - Slugger with Terence Houston Mid-City Lanes Rock 'n' Bowl - DJ Twiggs Preservation Hall - Preservation All Stars with Charlie Gabriel Roosevelt Hotel - Fountain Lounge - Sam Kuslan SideBar Nola - Kyle Poehling Sidneys Saloon - Steve DeTroy and The Aftermath Snug Harbor - Charmaine Neville Band Starlight, The - Keith Burnstein and Amanda Walker Sweet Lorraine's - Ernie Vincent & The Top Notes Three Muses - Bart Ramsey Tuesday, June 25th 21st Amendment - Christien Bold Quartet Backroom at Buffa's - Talking to New Orleans Bamboula's - Chance Bushmen & the Rhythm Stompers Banks Street Bar - Sandra Love & the Reason Blue Nile - St. Roch Syncopators BMC - Abe Thompson & Doctors Of Funk Bombay Club - Matt Lemmler Bourbon O Bar at The Bourbon Orleans - Joe Goldberg Jazz Trio Checkpoint Charlie - Jamie Lynn Vessels Chickie Wah Wah - Electric Ya't String Quartet d.b.a. - DinosAurchestra, Treme Brass Band Dmac's - Caroline Cotto Dos Jefes - Mark Coleman Fritzel's Jazz Pub - Tom Fischer and Richard Scott Gasa Gasa - The Appleseed Cast House of Blues Restaurant - Michael Liuzza Jazz Playhouse - The James Rivers Movement

Live Oak Café - Katarina Boudreaux's Family Band Jam Maison, The - Gene’s Music Machine Maple Leaf - Rebirth Brass Band Marigny Opera House - The Light Set New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park - Richard "Piano" Scott NOLA Brewing - Ted Hefko Pearl Wine Company - The Jasper Brothers Preservation Hall - Charlie Gabriel Prime Example, The - Delfeayo Marsalis Quintet Roosevelt Hotel - Fountain Lounge - Paul Longstreth SideBar Nola - Tom Worrell & Looka' Here Snug Harbor - Oscar Rossignoli Trio Starlight, The - Asher Danziger Sweet Lorraine's - Open Mic featuring Shakespear Three Muses - Mia Morders Wednesday June 26th 21st Amendment - Prohibition All Stars AllWays Lounge - Katarina Boudreaux, Sam Tepper Backroom at Buffa's - Open Mic Night with Nattie Sanchez Bamboula's - Mem Shannon Bayou Bar at the Pontchartrain - Peter Harris Trio BMC - Natalie Cris Band Bombay Club - Josh Paxton Bourbon O Bar at The Bourbon Orleans - Shynola Jazz Band Checkpoint Charlie - T Bone Stone & the Happy Monsters Chickie Wah Wah - Grayson Capps and Corky Hughes D.b.a. - Tin Men, Walter Wolfman Washington & the Roadmasters Wednesday, June 26 at 10:00pm Dmac's - Carl LeBlanc & John Fohl Dragon's Den - DJ FTK Dragon's Den "Upstairs" - DJ T-Roy Fritzel's Jazz Pub - Chuck Brackman and Barry Foulon House of Blues - Foundation Room - Michael Liuzza Jazz Playhouse - Big Sam’s Crescent City Connection Loa Bar - Cole Williams, Lynn Drury, and Marc Stone Maison, The - Jason Neville & The Funky Soul Band Maple Leaf - Will Rast & Friends Marigny Brasserie - Grayson Brockamp Mid-City Lanes Rock 'n' Bowl - G & The New Orleans Swingin' Gypsies New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park - Argentinian Jazz Combo with Benny Amon Preservation Hall - Preservation All Stars with Charlie Gabriel Prime Example, The - Jam session featuring Arthur Mitchell Roosevelt Hotel - Fountain Lounge - Richard Scott Santos Bar - The Russell Welch Quartet Siberia - Brass Lightning and Blue Tang People Snug Harbor - Uptown Jazz Orchestra, Delfeayo Marsalis

40 | Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

Thursday, June 27th 21st Amendment - Ed Wills Blues-4-Sale Backroom at Buffa's - Tom McDermott and Chloe Feoranzo Bamboula's - Tree-House Brass Band Bar Redux - JD Hill & The Jammers Bayou Bar at the Pontchartrain - John "Papa" Gros Trio BMC - Moments Of Truth Bombay Club - Kris Tokarski and Dan Levinson Bourbon O Bar at The Bourbon Orleans - Joe Goldberg & The Function Bullet's Sports Bar - Shamar Allen and the Underdawgs Capulet - Or Shovaly Plus Carousel Lounge - Hotel Monteleone - Antoine Diel Quartet Checkpoint Charlie - The Skin Tones Chickie Wah Wah - Phil Degruy d.b.a. - Andrew Duhon, Green Demons + Chris Lee Band d.b.a. - Green Demons + Chris Lee Band Dmac's - The Brothers Keegan Dos Jefes - The Loren Pickford Trio Dragon's Den - DJ Jess Dragon's Den "Upstairs" - HaSizzle Fritzel's Jazz Pub - Tom Fischer and Joe Kennedy House of Blues- Jeremy Joyce, Jake Landry Jazz Playhouse - Brass-A-Holics Le Bon Temps Roulé - The Soul Rebels Live Oak Café - Ted Hefko Maison, The - Dysfunktional Bone Maison Bourbon Jazz Club - Catie Rodgers & the Gentilly Stompers Maple Leaf - Johnny Vidacovich Trio Mid-City Lanes Rock 'n' Bowl - Chubby Carrier & Bayou Swamp Band New Orleans Botanical Garden - Rocky’s Hot Swing Orchestra Ogden Museum of Southern Art - Carlo Ditta Old Point Bar - Gypsy Smoke Preservation Hall - Preservation All Stars, Lucien Barbarin Prime Example, The - Steve Lands Rib Room at the Omni Royal Orleans - Alan Bailey Roosevelt Hotel - Fountain Lounge - Ron Jones Siberia - Lillie Lewis, Davis Rogan Snug Harbor - The Small Jazz Band Starlight, The - Old Riley's Juke Joint with Ricky Stein The Harbor Center - The Two's Three Muses - Tom McDermott, Arsene DeLay Vaso - Jason Neville Funk Band Vaughan's Lounge - Corey Henry & the Treme Funktet Tipitina’s - Consortium of Genius Friday, June 28th 21st Amendment - Marty Peters & The Midnight Jump Syndicate Backroom at Buffa's - Musee Musique Bamboula's - Ace Brass Band Bar Redux - DJ Malaria Sound Machine Bayou Bar at the Pontchartrain - Typically Booked BJ's Lounge - Little Freddie King Blue Nile - Corey Henry & The Treme Funktet Blue Nile - Kermit Ruffins BMC - The Tellers Bombay Club - Dan Levinson and Molly Ryan Boomtown - Junior & Sumtin' Sneaky Bourbon O Bar at The Bourbon Orleans - Doyle Cooper Jazz Band Bullet's Sports Bar - The Pinettes Brass Band Casa Borrega - Javier Nunez Checkpoint Charlie - Slow Coyote Chickie Wah Wah - Matt Hill d.b.a. - Hot Club of New Orleans, Cedric Watson, Dmac's Bar & Grill - Hyperphlyy Dos Jefes - The Carl Leblanc Trio Dragon's Den - DJ RQ Away Fillmore New Orleans - Steel Panther Fritzel's Jazz Pub - Kevin Ray Clark and Collin Myers Gasa Gasa - Julie Elody, Fantasy Non Fiction, Filey The Goat - Saint Roch and the Green MSantles House of Blues - Dick Deluxe, Captain Buckles Band, Jake Landry & the Right Lane Bandits, Tab Benoit + Eric Johanson, DJ Matt Scott Howlin' Wolf - Rebirth Brass Band Jazz Playhouse - Romy Kaye, Chucky C Jung Hotel - Robert Ramson Le Bon Temps Roulé - DJ Davis Live Oak Café - Trey Boudreaux The Little Gem Saloon - Anais St. John Maison, The - Ashton Hines & The Big Easy Brawlers Maison Soule - Chris Christie Jazz Band Maple Leaf - Watson's Theory Mid-City Lanes Rock 'n' Bowl - Supercharger Moby’s Bar & Grill - Spearman Brewers NOLA Brewing - Doc Lovett’s Louisiana Remedy

Old Point Bar - Rick Trolsen, Chris Klein Preservation Hall - Preservation All Stars with Shannon Powell Quisby Hostel & Bar - Off the Grid with xcarlisax Roosevelt Hotel - Fountain Lounge - Sam Kuslan Santos Bar - Glassing, Fauns, Ekumen Siberia - Margie Perez, Mighty Brothers SideBar Nola - Dave Easley and Brooks Hubbert Snug Harbor - Ellis Marsalis Quintet (8 & 10pm) Southport Hall - First Fracture, The Tomb of Nick Cage Starlight, The - Andre Lovett and Medicine Man Sweet Lorraine's - Neshia Ruffins featuring Kermit Ruffins Three Keys - Ace Hotel - Kings of Brass, DJ Raj Smoove Three Muses - Matt Johnson, Doro Wat Whitey's Fishing Hole - Open Mic Night featuring Leo Keegan One eyed Jacks - Biglemoi + Julie Odell Tipitina’s - Khris Royal Saturday, June 29th 21st Amendment - Todd Yannacone, Jazz Band Ballers Backroom at Buffa's - Marc Stone Bamboula's - Smoky Greenwell, City of Trees Brass Band Bar Redux - The Seventh Ward Shouters Bayou Bar at the Pontchartrain - Jordan Anderson Saturday, June 29 at 9:00pm Blue Nile - Brass-a-holics, DJ Raj Smoove (1AM) BMC - Mojo Shakers, Jarvis & Southern Gents Bombay Club - Riverside Jazz Collective Boomtown - Tyler Kinchen & the Right Pieces Bourbon O Bar at The Bourbon Orleans - Marty Peters & The Party Meters Casa Borrega - Javier Gutierrez & Josh Reppel Checkpoint Charlie - Woodenhead Chickie Wah Wah - Lost in the 60's Circle Bar - Sweet Knives, Manateees, Dummy Dumpster d.b.a. - Steve DeTroy and the Swing Revue, New Orleans Cottonmouth Kings, Soul Rebels Dmac's Bar & Grill - Bob Worth & the Annunciators Dos Jefes - Sunpie & The Louisiana Sunspots Dragon's Den - Mahmoud Chouki Dragon's Den "Upstairs" - DJ Legatron Prime Evangeline - Lil Josephine & Rhodes Spedale Fritzel's Jazz Pub - Mike Fulton and Dave Ruffner Gasa Gasa - Cherryoke Karaoke House of Blues - Geovane Santos, Baby Boy Bartels and the Boys, Old Riley and the Waters, Lil Brewsiana Howlin' Wolf - Taylor Williamson Jazz Playhouse - Nayo Jones Experience Live Oak Café - Allie Porter Maison, The - Smoking Time Jazz Club, Funk You Maison Soule - Chris Christie Jazz Band Maple Leaf - Airee, Funk Monkey Marigny Opera House - New Orleans Chamber Orchestra One Eyed Jacks - Run for the Shadows: David Bowie Tribute The Metropolitan Nightclub - Carnage Mid-City Lanes Rock 'n' Bowl - Louisiana Spice New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park - Seguinon Kone, Victory Belles Old Point Bar - Rebel Roadside Preservation Hall - Preservation All Stars with Mark Braud Roosevelt Hotel - Fountain Lounge - Paul Longstreth Saenger Theatre - Rob Thomas and Abby Anderson Santos Bar - The Chasm, Cruciamentum Siberia - Los Psychosis, John Dixon SideBar Nola - Paul Sanchez, Albey Balgochian Sidney’s Saloon - Bent Self and Sol Omen Snug Harbor - Herlin Riley Quartet (8 & 10pm) Starlight, The - Anais St. John, Small Jazz Band Sweet Lorraine's - Tonya Boyd Cannon Three Muses - Debbie Davis, Shotgun Jazz Band Tipitina’s - Mothership (Tribute to Led Zeppelin) 30x90 - Marina Orchestra Sunday, June 30th 21st Amendment - Christopher Johnson Quartet AllWays Lounge - Tom Saunders and the Hot Cats Backroom at Buffa's - Steve Pistorius Jazz Quartet Bamboula's - Carl LeBlanc, Ed Wills Blues 4 Sale Bar Redux - Toby O'Brien and Stumps Duh Clown BMC - Margi Cates, Moments Of Truth Bombay Club - Kris Tokarski Trio with Tim Laughlin Bourbon O Bar at The Bourbon Orleans - Kala Chandra Quintet Bullet's Sports Bar - Teresa B Cafe Istanbul - Blacc Ghos Checkpoint Charlie - Open Mic with Jim Smith Circle Bar - Dick Deluxe, Micah McKee, Blind Texas Marlin d.b.a. - The Palmetto Bug Stompers, Egg Yolk Jubilee Dmac's Bar & Grill - And Then Came Humans Dos Jefes - Tom McDermott Dragon's Den - Anuraag Pendyal, DJ Kidd Love Dragon's Den "Upstairs" - DJs Tony Soul and Randall Smooth Favela Chic - St. Roch Syncopators Fillmore - Country Queens Fritzel's Jazz Pub - Mike Fulton and John Royen

Gasa Gasa - OK Mayday House of Blues - Gospel Brunch, Jason Bishop Howlin' Wolf - "The Den” - Hot 8 Brass Band Jazz Playhouse - Germaine Bazzle Jazz Quartet Maison, The - Royal Street Jazz Collective, Higher Heights Maison Bourbon Jazz Club - Catie Rodgers & the Gentilly Stompers Maple Leaf - Bert Cotton Trio Oak Café - Riverbend Ramblers with Eric Heigel Old Point Bar - Romy Kaye and Jeanne Marie Harris One Eyed Jacks - dj faeriegothmother Poor Boys - Big Ball's Brass, Blue Tang People Preservation Hall - Preservation All Stars with Wendell Brunious Siberia - Tiffany Pollack & Company, Musee Musique Snug Harbor - Jonathan Freilich Quintet (8 & 10pm) Starlight, The - Gabrielle Cavassa Band (8 & 10pm) Superior Seafood - Harry Hardin, Tim Paco, John Rankin Three Muses - Raphael et Pascal, The Clementines Monday, July 1st Buffa’s - Arsene DeLay and Charlie Wooton, Antoine Diel DMAC’S - Danny Alexander’s Blues Jam Dos Jefes - John Fohl Neutral Ground Coffee House - Lauren Crosby Snug Harbor - Charmaine Neville Band The Jazz Playhouse at Royal Sonesta - Gerald French Tuesday, July 2nd Buffa’s - Taco, Tequila and Tiaras w/ Vanessa Carr Dos Jefes - Mark Coleman DMAC’S - Ryan Scott Long and Friends Snug Harbor - Kyle Roussel Trio The Jazz Playhouse at Royal Sonesta - James Rivers Wednesday, July 3rd Buffa’s - World’s Most Open Mic Night w/ Nattie Sanchez Bayou Bar - Peter Harris Trio Deck Bar - Mrz. Crowley DMAC’S - Sandra Love and the Reason Dos Jefes - Carl Leblanc Drifter Hotel - Valerie Sassyfras Snug Harbor - Delfeayo Marsalis, Uptown Jazz Orchestra Southport - Runescarred The Jazz Playhouse at Royal Sonesta - Nayo Jones Thursday, July 4th Buffa’s - Dianimal and the Wild Children Buffa’s - Tom McDermott and Meryl Zimmerman DMAC’S - Brother’s Keegan Le Bon Temps Roulé - Soul Rebels Republic - Yo-Yo, Rapsody, Trina, Mumu Fresh, Dj Rock, Dj Jermaine

Saenger Theater - Kevin Gates Snug Harbor - Jason Marsalis Trio The Jazz Playhouse at Royal Sonesta - Brass-A-Holics The Old Point - Roadside Glory Friday, July 5th Bayou Bar - Andre Lovett Band Boomtown - Gatsby's Reunion Buffa’s - David Rogan Buffa’s - Krewe Collective DMAC’S - Vance Orange Dos Jefes - The Panorama Jazz Band Le Bon Temps Roulé - Clark Gang, Tom McDermott One Eyed Jacks - Michael McDaniel Paddlewheeler Creole Queen - Albino Redz Republic - Spice, Rotini, Machel Montano, Kranium, Nick & Navi, Rafiya, Wale, Shacia Marley, Max Glazer Siberia - Royal Rounders Snug Harbor - Quiana Lynell The Old Point - Gal Holiday The Jazz Playhouse at Royal Sonesta - Shannon Powell Tipitina’s - Walter “Wolfman” Washington Saturday, July 6th Bayou Bar - Jordan Anderson Buffa’s - Jamie Bernstein’s Yakameiniacs, Tchoupsley DMAC’S - Joseph Haydel Dos Jefes - The Betty Shirley Band Ernest N Morial Convention Center - DJ TRAUMA Fillmore - NolaKoolKids, Colors Presents: R&B Only Gasa Gasa - Charly Bliss, Emily Reo, Matt Surfin’ and Friends House of Blues - Grits and Biscuits and Slim Thug, Mannie Fresh Joy Theater - G Herbo Le Bon Temps Roulé - Gal Holiday Republic - Guy, Blackstreet, DJ M.O.S. Snug Harbor - Donald Harrison Starlight - Kathryn Rose Wood The Jazz Playhouse at Royal Sonesta - Nayo Jones The Metropolitan - Raj Smoove, Neaux, Skillz The Old Point - Dana Abbott Tipitina’s - Rakim Sunday, July 7th Bar Redux - Jean Caffeine Buffa’s - First Sunday Pfister Sisters, Some Like It Hot, Steve Pistorius DMAC’S - Walter “Wolfman” Washington House of Blues - Gospel Brunch, Backyard Band One Eyed Jacks - Marina Orchestra Republic New Orleans - Big Freedia, Soul Rebels, Mannie Fresh

KirkFranklin Multi-talented gospel musician Kirk Franklin will make his mark on New Orleans on his Long Live Love Tour. Franklin, who was titled a “Reigning King of Urban Gospel” by Variety, is touring on the heels of his 12th studio album. Catch the 13-time Grammy winner performing soulful numbers like “Love Theory” and “I Smile.” Saturday, July 13, 7:00p.m., $47.50-$84.50. The Fillmore New Orleans, www.fillmorenola.com Snug Harbor - Betty SHirley & The Will Thompson Trio Superior Seafood - Harry Hardin, Tim Paco, John Rankin The Howlin’ Wolf - Hot 8 Brass Band The Jazz Playhouse at Royal Sonesta - Germaine Bazzlel The Old Point - Greg Martinez Monday, July 8th Buffa’s - Arsene DeLay and Charlie Wooton, Dayna Kurtz, Arsene DeLay DMAC’S - Black Suit Brigade, Danny Alexander Joy Theater - Reel Big Fish and the Aquabats Snug Harbor - Charmaine Neville Band The Goat - Grendel The Howlin’ Wolf - Devin The Dude

The Jazz Playhouse at Royal Sonesta - Gerald French, James Rivers Tuesday, July 9th Buffa’s - Talking to New Orleans w/ Arsene DeLay DMAC’S--Black Suit Brigade Snug Harbor - David Torkanowsky Trio The Goat - Grendel The Howlin’ Wolf - Devin The Dude The Jazz Playhouse at Royal Sonesta--James Rivers Wednesday, July 10th Bayou Bar - Peter Harris Trio

WhereYat.com | July 2019 | 41

Buffa’s - World’s Most Open Mic Night w/ Nattie Sanchez DMAC’S - Chris Benedetto Gasa Gasa - Julie Odell, Andrew Duhon, and Travers Geoffray Neutral Ground Coffee House - Fort Defiance One Eyed Jacks - Dylan LeBlanc, Erin Rae, Kristin Diable Snug Harbor - Terrance Taplin, Uptown Jazz Orchestra The Jazz Playhouse at Royal Sonesta - Big Sam

Le Bon Temps Roulé - Jon Roniger Maison, The - MainLine Miel Brewery and Taproom - Futurebirds, Leon III, Jack Sledge Neutral Ground Coffee House - Lilli Lewis One eyed Jacks - Jesse Tripp & the Nightbreed The Jazz Playhouse at Royal Sonesta - Nayo Jones The Old Point - Hallelujah Hat Rack

Thursday, July 11th Bayou Bar - Dwight Fitch Jr. Trio Buffa’s - Carmela Rappazzo, Darcy Malone DMAC’S - Brother’s Keegan Gasa Gasa - Wand, Dreamdecay House of Blues - The Steel Woods and Josh Morningstar, New Found Glory Le Bon Temps Roulé - Soul Rebels House of Blues - The Steel Woods Santos Bar - Usnea Snug Harbor - Jason Marsalis Trio The Jazz Playhouse at Royal Sonesta - Brass-A-Holics The Old Point - Bruce Tyner Trio

Sunday, July 14th Buffa’s - Al Farrell, Some Like It Hot, Steve Pistorius DMAC’S - St. Claude Serenaders Fillmore - PRETTYMUCH Gasa Gasa - Drugdealer House of Blues - Gospel Brunch Mercedes-Benz Superdome - The Rolling Stones Superior Seafood - Harry Hardin, Tim Paco, John Rankin The Howlin’ Wolf - Hot 8 Brass Band The Jazz Playhouse at Royal Sonesta - Germaine Bazzle The Old Point - Bob & Amy Green Show

Friday, July 12th Bayou Bar - Andre Lovett Band Blue Nile - Kermit Ruffins Boomtown - Junior & Sumtin' Sneaky Buffa’s - Greg Schatz, Meryl Zimmerman Cafe Istanbul - Drippetrippe Circle Bar - Temple of Angels, The Sonnier Brothers DMAC’S - Rhythm and Rhyme Gasa Gasa - Saint Roch House of Blues - Long Beach Dub All-Stars Le Bon Temps Roulé - Quartet Of The Future Old Arabi Bar - The Lili Lewis Project Santos Bar - Inverted Trifixion Snug Harbor - Ellis Marsalis The Jazz Playhouse at Royal Sonesta - Chucky C The Old Point - Jamie & the HoneyCreepers Tipitina’s - “Papa” Gros, Space and Harmony Saturday, July 13th Banks St. Bar - Static Masks, Matron Bayou Bar - Jordan Anderson Buffa’s - Freddie Blue Birthday Bash “NOLA Grannies Boomtown - Joey Thomas Band Benefit”, Larry Scala Trio Circle Bar - Dick Deluxe, Jim Shorts, Bad Misters d.b.a - The Soul Rebels DMAC’S - JOHNNY NO Fillmore New Orleans - Kirk Franklin Gasa Gasa - Party Nails

DMAC’S - Brothers Keegan Gasa Gasa - Kyle SHutt, Forming the Void, and Aloha Oi Le Bon Temps Roulé - Soul Rebels The Jazz Playhouse at Royal Sonesta - Brass-A-Holics The Old Point - Born Toulouse Friday, July 19th Bayou Bar - Andre Lovett Band

Boomtown - Groovy 7 Buffa’s - Calvin Johnson and Native Son, Charlie Wooton d.b.a - Cha Wa Deck Room at Southport Hall - Green Jellÿ DMAC’S - DPHRNTSRKS Gasa Gasa - Stef Chura Le Bon Temps Roulé - Isaac Eady, Steve Detroy Siberia - Royal Rounders

Monday, July 15th Buffa’s - Antoine Diel, Arsene DeLay and Charlie Wooton DMAC’S - Danny Alexander’s Blues Jam Gasa Gasa - Rarity Saenger Theater - Asia and Carl Palmer’s Elp Legacy Snug Harbor - Charmaine Neville Band The Jazz Playhouse at Royal Sonesta - Gerald French Tuesday, July 16th Buffa’s - Treme Tuesdays w/ Paul Sanchez DMAC’S - Kennedy Kuntz and Matt Schultz Snug Harbor - Stanton Moore Trio Southport Hall - Arcade High The Jazz Playhouse at Royal Sonesta - James Rivers Wednesday, July 17th Bayou Bar - Peter Harris Trio Buffa’s - World’s Most Open Mic Night w/ Nattie Sanchez Circle Bar - The Gutter Buddys DMAC’S - Ace Carlson Joy Theater - Built to Spill, Oruã and Wetfacé Smoothie King Center - Michael Bublé Snug Harbor - Terrance Taplin, Uptown Jazz Orchestra The Jazz Playhouse at Royal Sonesta - Big Sam Tipitina’s - Black Joes Lewis, Walter Lukens Thursday, July 18th Bayou Bar - Joe Ashlar Trio Buffa’s - Connections w/ Darcy Malone, Tiffany Pollac Circle Bar - Dark Lounge with Rik Slave

42 | Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

YES On their 51st year of touring, progressive rock band YES is visiting New Orleans on The Royal Affair Tour. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees are known for visually stunning stage performances, which you will be able to see accompanying hits like “Roundabout” and “Owner of a Lonely Heart.” The Grammy winning and six-time nominated band will be joined on tour by prog rock band Asia. Monday, July 15, 7:00p.m., $49+. Saenger Theatre, www.saengernola.com

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GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 800.522.4700 WhereYat.com | July 2019 | 43

Circle Bar - Dick Deluxe, Micah McKee, Blind Texas Marlin DMAC’S - Simple Sound Retreat House of Blues - Gospel Brunch Superior Seafood - Harry Hardin, Tim Paco, John Rankin The Howlin’ Wolf - Hot 8 Brass Band The Jazz Playhouse at Royal Sonesta - Germaine Bazzle The Old Point - Tres Bien Monday, July 22nd Buffa’s - Antoine Diel, Arsene DeLay and Charlie Wooton DMAC’S - Danny Alexander’s Blues Jam Neutral Ground Coffee House - beetle box One Eyed Jacks - Part Time and Gary Wilson Snug Harbor - Charmaine Neville Band The Howlin’ Wolf - Man Man and Rebecca Black The Jazz Playhouse at Royal Sonesta - Gerald Frnch Tuesday, July 23rd Buffa’s - Josh Paxton, Tom Worrell DMAC’S - Zach Edwards Gasa Gasa - Bonehart Flannigan, Gal Holiday and the Honky Tonk Revue House of Blues - Eyes Set to Kill, Set to Stun, and The Funeral Portrait Sidney’s Saloon - beetle box Snug Harbor - Stanton Moore Trio The Jazz Playhouse at Royal Sonesta - James Rivers

SNBRN EDM musician SNBRN is coming to New Orleans. SNBRN began making music in 2013 and posted his songs—which have since garnered over 47 million plays—to Soundcloud. This up-andcoming artists describes his music as “sunset house,” blending the genres of deep house, indie dance, and nu disco. Saturday, July 28, 10 p.m., $20; Republic Nola, republicnola.com: and Sunday, July 29, 3 p.m., $20; Drifter Hotel, thedrifterhotel.com Snug Harbor - Ellis Marsalis Quintet The Jazz Playhouse at Royal Sonesta - Shannon Powell The Old Point - Rebel Roadside Tipitina’s - Honey Island Swamp Band Saturday, July 20th Bayou Bar - Jordan Anderson Boomtown - Aaron Foret Buffa’s - Mike Doussan, The Royal Rounders

DMAC’S - Lynn Drury Band Le Bon Temps Roulé - Will Rast Organ Trio The Howlin’ Wolf - Quarx The Jazz Playhouse at Royal Sonesta - Nayo Jones The Old Point - Miss Martha & the GoodTime Gang Tipitina’s - Mo’ Fess Band Sunday, July 21st Buffa’s - Some Like It Hot, Molly Reeves and Nahum Zdybel, Steve Pistorius

Wednesday, July 24th Bayou Bar - Matt Lemmler Trio Buffa’s - World’s Most Open Mic Night w/ Nattie Sanchez DMAC’S - Spogga Hash Snug Harbor - Delfeayo Marsalis, Uptown Jazz Orchestra The Jazz Playhouse at Royal Sonesta - Big Sam Thursday, July 25th Bayou Bar - Jenna McSwain Trio Buffa’s - Berthena, Darcy Malone DMAC’S - Brothers Keegan Le Bon Temps Roulé - Soul Rebels The Jazz Playhouse at Royal Sonesta - Brass-A-Holics The Old Point - Marshfire Friday, July 26th Bayou Bar - Andre Lovett Band Boomtown - Junior & Sumtin' Sneaky Buffa’s - HG Breland, Margie Perez Cafe Istanbul - Drippetrippe, Mankind’s Remedy Circle Bar - Solar Disco Force DMAC’S - Hyperphlyy Joy Theater - Jaydayoungan and Yungeen Ace Le Bon Temps Roulé - Noah Young Trio, Tom Worrell

One Eyed Jacks - DJ Soul Sister Republic - Trampa Snug Harbor - Ellis Marsalis Quintet The Jazz Playhouse at Royal Sonesta - Chucky C The Old Point - Jesse Tripp & the NightBreed Tipitina’s - The New Orleans Suspects Saturday, July 27th Bayou Bar - Jordan Anderson Blue Nile - The Soul Rebels Boomtown - No Idea Buffa’s - Jumbo Shrimp Jazz Band, Marina Orchestra Circle Bar - Dick Deluxe, DJ Matty & Kristen DMAC’S - Hallellujah Hat Rack Gasa Gasa - Mangata and Seven Spires, The Mystical Hot Chocolate Endeavors, and Vetus Morbus Joy Theater - RÜFÜS DU SOL and Willaris. K Le Bon Temps Roulé - The Straight Dope Live Oak Cafe - Lilli Lewis New Orleans Convention Center - SEBASTIAN VARGAS and DJ DEX Oak Wine Bar & Bistro - Mia Borders One Eyed Jacks - Delta Revelry Republic - SNBRN Southport Hall - Kyper The Howlin’ Wolf - Flesh Parade The Jazz Playhouse at Royal Sonesta - Nayo Jones The Old Point - 1% Nation Sunday, July 28th Buffa’s - Some Like It Hot, Jeanne-Marie Harris Circle Bar - Dick Deluxe, Micah McKee, Blind Texas Marlin DMAC’S - Kim Carson House of Blues - Gospel Brunch One Eyed Jacks - dj faeriegothmother Republic - SNBRN Superior Seafood - Harry Hardin, Tim Paco, John Rankin The Howlin’ Wolf - Hot 8 Brass Band The Jazz Playhouse at Royal Sonesta - Germaine Bazzle The Old Point - John Rankin Monday, July 29th Buffa’s - Arsene DeLay, Charlie Wooton, and Antoine Diel DMAC’S - Danny Alexander’s Blues Jam Gasa Gasa - Kuwaisiana, The Bummers (New Orleans), and Brianna Musco Snug Harbor - Charmaine Neville Band The Jazz Playhouse at Royal Sonesta - Gerald French Tuesday July 30th Bold Sphere Music at Champions Square - Bush and Live and Our Lady Peace Buffa’s - Loose Cattle

ESSENTIALS

Our fourth annual weekender during Essence Festival at Ace Hotel New Orleans.

Three Keys Ace Hotel New Orleans threekeysnola.com

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44 | Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

JULY

6/14/19 5:49 PM

FRIDAY . JULY 5

SATURDAY . JULY 6

SATURDAY . JUNE 29

WhereYat.com | July 2019 | 45

Here’s to Year 25! Previewing Essence Festival 2019 by Kimmie Tubre

R&B AND SOUL

elcome to the 25th year of Essence Brandy (Mainstage, Friday) Festival New Orleans. There’s so A legend in her own right, Brandy was just much in store. As expected, Essence is here a child when she jumped on the scene back to serve up a daily and nightly crawfish-boilin the early 90s. Since then, the superstar sized pot of music, art, and culture. This 25th has had a number of hit songs, along with a anniversary year is filled with the usual starhit television show where she starred studded lineup of musicians, influencers, as the main character Moesha and actors, as well as celebrities from all in the show by the same around the world. name. The GrammyAward-winning singer, But there’s more. The three-day-long event songwriter, and actor brings surprise guests, a new after-dark is known for her series, and, of course, the one-and-only soft, yet strong former first lady Michelle Obama. Ms. vocals. Obama will be a part of the Saturday night

PJ Morton spent many years performing as keyboardist in the group and continues to perform with them today. Now also a Grammy-nominated solo artist, PJ Morton continues to represent NOLA everywhere he goes

HIP HOP

OLD-SCHOOL Morris Day (Mainstage, Friday) The lead singer of the 80s hit band The Time, Morris Day is known for singing, composing, and acting. He’s worked alongside his longtime friend, the late Prince, and created hit songs, such as “Jungle Love.”

Because the 25th 702 (Superlounge, Saturday) anniversary tribute is filled Named for their hometown Las Vegas with hip-hop artists, area code, the group of three came to the it was hard to single scene during the 90s and quickly created a them out individually. place for themselves in every teenage girl’s For sure, Nas is a CD player. After releasing their debut album must-see. He’ll hit No Doubt—an album that spawned three hit the Mainstage on singles—702 instantly grew in fame. (July 6) Superdome lineup. Along with H.E.R. Saturday night. that icon is a blend of fantastic talent that (Mainstage, During the same includes Missy Elliot, Nas, Pharrell Williams, CAN’T MISS IT Saturday) night, there will Sheila E, Teddy Riley, our own Big Freedia, Just last year, be a legendary and many more. Pharrell Williams and Timbaland H.E.R. was in performance that will Reeling in an amazing 25th anniversary (Mainstage, Sunday) the Superlounge, include Big Daddy year, it’s safe to say that the Big Easy is ready All three nights include where she packed Kane, Scarface, to once again embrace one of the best tributes and special the room so full that Slick Rick, music fests to grace the city anniversary she had to be upgraded and more. each year. performances to the Mainstage this Friday night With a number of artists to see and to celebrate 25 year. Of course, there’s Brandy will also house years of one of experiences to be had, here’s a list of no surprise there. Within the an acclaimed crew the best and last year, the breakthrough star won her some of our 2019 musts: of hip-hop greats on the longest-standing first two Grammys this year for Best R&B Mainstage. The opening festivals around. Performance and for Best R&B Album. night anniversary set will ICONS: THE ONE TO SEE While all of these include Doug E. Fresh performances RBRM (Mainstage, Friday) and Mc Lyte, with are sure to be Standing for Ronnie, Missy Elliot great, if you’re Bobby, Ricky, and Mike, headlining. a 30-something, RBRM might seem oldIf you’re you may not want school to some. But a big hipto miss these two these music legends hop fan, Virginia natives as P made a major Sunday s har e ll W illia m they bring not only comeback when is certainly their hit songs, but also a their biographical a requirement. group of performers in tow. As Pharrell and movie was That night will released in 2017. Michelle Obama include not only a So Timbaland hit the stage, they are sure to have many other artists with them. Hopping back on This year is sure to be something So Def collaboration, the scene since, exceptional now that former first lady but also a tribute There you have it. Here’s to 25 years of the now four-top Michelle Obama has joined the Essence to New Orleans Essence Festival bringing amazing talent and teamed up to show Festival lineup. Those who’ve purchased bounce, headlined by festivities to the city of New Orleans. While us all that they just a Saturday-night ticket to the Superdome Big Freedia and Mannie some will enjoy spending their days at the don’t make boy bands will get the iconic opportunity to hear Fresh. The So So Def Convention Center, others can attend one like they used to. our former first lady as she takes part in performance will feature of the many day events dedicated to beauty, a special keynote conversation on the Jermaine Dupri, Musiq art, and music. This year’s festival will be PJ Morton (Superlounge, Mainstage. Having an amazing year so far, Soulchild, Da Brat, PJ M o r to n hosted by The Real TV show’s Loni Love, and Friday) Ms. Obama is not only one of the most Lil Jon and Dem Franchize Boyz, is guaranteed to be a 25th anniversary year New Orleans’s own superstar influential first ladies, but a best-selling and many more. worth remembering. made waves when he ventured into his author, health enthusiast, and global icon. solo career. As a member of Maroon Five,

46 | Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

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WhereYat.com | July 2019 | 47

Lakeside2Riverside U P C O M I N G F E S T I VA L S & E V E N T S

Piety Wharves. We also recommend you bring a chair or blanket, because the Crescent Park will end the night with a bang—the 4th Fest is a perfect spot to watch the annual fireworks show at 9 p.m. Bikers on the Bayou Downtown Franklin Saturday, July 13, 9 a.m. until dark cajuncoast.com/event/bikers-bayou-50th-celebrationeasy-rider The second annual Bikers on the Bayou event celebrates the 50th anniversary of the counter-culture hit film Easy Rider. That road drama follows the main characters on their journey from Southern California to Louisiana, and many of the scenes are from locations scattered throughout St. Mary Parish. Thus, St. Mary Parish and the city of Franklin are inviting both bikers and non-bikers to this all-day celebration. Join in on Easy Riding on the Bayou, a self-guided tour along the iconic route from the movie. Participants will be provided with a map to move at their own pace, and there will be several photo opportunities along the route. Also enjoy the events, live music, and swamp tours throughout the day in downtown Franklin.

Beauregard Watermelon Festival June 28-29

FESTIVALS Beauregard Watermelon Festival 204 W. 1st St., DeRidder Friday, June 28: 4 p.m. - 12 a.m. Saturday, June 29: 10 a.m. - 12 a.m. beauregardwatermelonfestival.com Take a trip to Beauregard this weekend and celebrate the harvest of some sweet local Sugartown watermelons. Bring the whole family to indulge in delicious watermelon and fun carnival rides. For those with a competitive spirit, check out the watermelon-eating competition. But these watermelons aren’t just for eating. There will also be a watermeloncarving competition and seed-spitting contest. There’s even a watermelon-growing contest, if you think you’ve grown the biggest watermelon around. From food and drinks to contests and rides, this festival has it all. 4th Fest in Crescent Park 1008 N. Peters St. Thursday, July 4: 4:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. frenchmarket.org Come out to Crescent Park to celebrate Independence Day at 4th Fest. Presented by the French Market District, the event will feature live music and entertainment by the river. If you don’t want to bring your own snacks or drinks, there will be several spots to buy some at the Mandeville and

Family Block Party The National WWII Museum Campus, New Orleans Friday, July 26, 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. nationalww2museum.org/events-programs/ events/125070-family-block-party The National WWII Museum will be hosting their very first annual Family Block Party. Families of all sizes are welcome. Kids under 18 get in for free if accompanying an adult, so invite those distant cousins, too. In fact, the adult tickets are only $10, so bring the aunts, uncles, and grandparents. Don’t worry, there will be plenty to do for all ages. The museum will provide several activities covering an array of topics, like history, art, and more. And, of course, there will be food and beverages. You can register online at their website, so don’t miss out on this opportunity for after-hours exclusive access to the WWII Museum.

ENTERTAINMENT She Loves Me, A Tulane Summer Lyric Production Dixon Hall, Tulane University Thursday, July 11 – Sunday, July 14 summerlyric.tulane.edu/boxoffice.cfm The iconic Tulane Summer Lyric Theatre is back and presenting the musical She Loves Me as their third production for the summer. This mid-summer performance was originally a Broadway adaptation of Miklós László’s Parfumerie. Considered one of the most endearing shows of musical theater, it is a tale of two perfume shop employees who clash at work but unknowingly become secret pen pals through a lonely-hearts ad. If you are in need of a little romantic theater, then come see this heartfelt performance at Dixon Hall.

MUSIC

4th Fest in Cresent Park July 4

San Fermin in Nueva Orleans: The Running of the Bulls The Sugar Mill, Downtown New Orleans Friday, July 12 – Sunday, July 14 nolabulls.com Inspired by Encierro of Pamplona in Spain, San Fermin in Nueva Orleans takes The Running of the Bulls down South. However, instead of real bulls, this event has participants being chased by the Big Easy Rollergirls and other skaters. Come run along or just watch as over 18,000 runners run away from 400 “RollerBulls” wielding plastic bats. Tickets range in price from $25 to $80—from basic participation to VIP tickets with food and drinks—and much of the money goes to charity.

48 | Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

Ky-mani Marley July 11

Ky-mani Marley and The Konfrontation Band Club Caribbean: 2441 Bayou Rd. Thursday, July 11 clubcaribbeanneworleans.com If you like Bob Marley, check out his son, reggae legend Kymani Marley, during his show at Club Caribbean. The doors open at 9 p.m. for the club, and Ky-mani's show starts at 11 p.m. You don’t want to be late because he’s only doing one show for the night. Tickets at the door are $45, but if you buy them in advance online, they’re only $35 each. So, don’t hesitate and don’t miss this show—the Shotta Man is on a roll.

THANK YOU WHERE Y’AT READERS!

In the wake of Japan’s attack, American soldiers marched into battle while citizens rallied on the Home Front. In ration lines and victory gardens and factories across the United States, they built an arsenal of democracy. Experience how the Home Front supported the front lines and helped win the war—at The Arsenal of Democracy, a permanent exhibit at The National WWII Museum.

#1 ATTRACTION IN NEW ORLEANS #3 MUSEUM IN THE UNITED STATES #8 MUSEUM IN THE WORLD

ANDREW HIGGINS DRIVE BETWEEN CAMP AND MAGAZINE STREETS 504-528-1944 | NATIONALWW2MUSEUM.ORG

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5/29/19 1:54 PM

WhereYat.com | July 2019 | 49

BEST OF THE BIG EASY

2019 Best New Restaurant 1. Sofia NOLA: 516 Julia St., sofianola.com 2. Picnic Provisions & Whiskey: 741 State St., nolapicnic.com 3. NOLA Cantina: 437 Esplanade Ave., nolacantina.com Best Daily Specials 1. Joey K’s: 3001 Magazine St., joeyksrestaurant.com 2. Mandina’s Restaurant: 3800 Canal St., mandinasrestaurant.com 3. Katie’s Restaurant and Bar: 3701 Iberville St., katiesinmidcity.com Best Restaurant (French Quarter) 1. Antoine’s Restaurant: 713 St. Louis St., antoines.com 2. Galatoire’s: 209 Bourbon St., galatoires.com 3. Arnaud’s Restaurant: 813 Bienville St., arnaudsrestaurant.com Best Restaurant (Uptown) 1. Pascal’s Manale: 1838 Napoleon Ave., pascalsmanale.com 2. St. James Cheese Company: 5004 Prytania St., stjamescheese.com 3. Jacques-Imo’s: 8324 Oak St., jacquesimos.com

READERS' PICKS

Best of the Big Easy Winners: Readers' Picks Continued Best Restaurant (CBD/Warehouse District) 1. Compère Lapin: 535 Tchoupitoulas St., comperelapin.com 2. Sofia NOLA: 516 Julia St., sofianola. com 3. Pêche Seafood Grill: 800 Magazine St., pecherestaurant.com Best Restaurant (Mid-City) 1. Mandina’s Restaurant: 3800 Canal St., mandinasrestaurant.com 2. Venezia: 134 N. Carrollton Ave., venezianeworleans.net 3. Café Degas: 3127 Esplanade Ave., cafedegas.com Best Restaurant (Lakeview) 1. The Velvet Cactus: 6300 Argonne Blvd., thevelvetcactus.com 2. Lakeview Harbor: 8550 Pontchartrain Blvd., lakeviewharbor.us 3. Francesca Deli, Pizzeria and Catering: 515 Harrison Ave., francescadeli.com Best Restaurant (Westbank) 1. Café 615 Home of Da Wabbit: 615 Kepler St., facebook.com/Cafe-615Home-of-Da-Wabbit-394261630696887 2. Tan Dinh: 1705 Lafayette St., tandinhnola.com

Best Sushi 1.

Mikimoto: 3301 S. Carrollton Ave., mikimotosushi.com

Mikimoto boasts unique Louisiana-themed rolls in a cozy, small-scale restaurant, plus a drive-thru option for a quick fix on the go. 2. Rock-n’-Sake: 823 Fulton St., rocknsake.com 3. Origami Restaurant: 5130 Freret St., origaminola.com 3. The Red Maple Restaurant: 1036 Lafayette St., theredmaple.com Best Restaurant (Metairie) 1. Drago’s Seafood Restaurant: 3232 N. Arnoult Rd., dragosrestaurant.com 2. Vincent’s Italian Cuisine: 4411 Chastant St., vincentsitaliancuisine. com 3. Chef Ron’s Gumbo Stop: 2309 N. Causeway Blvd., gumbostop.com Best Upscale Restaurant 1. Restaurant R’evolution: 777 Bienville St., revolutionnola.com

Best Hamburger 1.

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

Serving up the juiciest burgers in NOLA for the past half-century, Port of Call is a true Big Easy veteran. Chives and bacon bits by request— no charge. 2. Company Burger: Various Locations, thecompanyburger.com 3. Cowbell: 8801 Oak St., cowbell-nola.com

50 | Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

2. Commander’s Palace: 1403 Washington Ave., commanderspalace. com 3. Antoine’s Restaurant: 713 St. Louis St., antoines.com Best Fast-Casual Restaurant 1. District: Donuts. Sliders. Brew: Various Locations, districtdonuts.com 2. Felipe’s Mexican Taqueria: Various Locations, felipestaqueria.com 3. Dat Dog: Various Locations, datdog. com Best Bakery 1. Maple Street Patisserie: 7638 Maple St., cargocollective.com/ maplestreetpatisserie 2. La Boulangerie: 4600 Magazine St., laboulangerienola.com 3. Breads on Oak: 8640 Oak St., breadsonoak.com Best Deli 1. Stein's Market and Deli: 2207 Magazine St., steinsdeli.com 2. Martin Wine Cellar: Various Locations, martinwine.com 3. St. James Cheese Company: Various Locations, stjamescheese.com Best Budget Eats 1. Liberty Cheesesteaks: 5031 Freret St., libertycheesesteaks.com 2. Felipe’s Mexican Taqueria: Various Locations, felipestaqueria.com

BEST OF THE BIG EASY

READERS' PICKS

Best Outdoor Dining 1.

Café Amelie: 912 Royal St., cafeamelie.com

With a beautiful courtyard and fountain, along with quality dining and an elegant bar to match, Café Amelie is the perfect spot for a great meal in a picturesque setting. 2. Dat Dog: Various Locations, datdog. com 3. The Velvet Cactus: 6300 Argonne Blvd., thevelvetcactus.com

3. Dat Dog: Various Locations, datdog.com Best Place to Get a Salad 1. St. James Cheese Company: Various Locations, stjamescheese.com 2. City Greens: Various Locations, eatcitygreens.com 3. The Daily Beet: 1000 Girod St., thedailybeetnola.com Best Restaurant for Dessert 1. Commander’s Palace: 1403 Washington Ave., commanderspalace.com 2. Willa Jean: 611 O'Keefe Ave., willajean.com 3. Emeril’s New Orleans: 800 Tchoupitoulas St., emerilsrestaurants.com/nola Best Romantic Date Spot 1. The Court of Two Sisters: 613 Royal St., courtoftwosisters.com 2. Restaurant R’evolution: 777 Bienville St., revolutionnola.com 3. Lilette: 3637 Magazine St., liletterestaurant.com Best Breakfast Spot 1. Surrey’s Café & Juice Bar: Various Locations, surreysnola.com 1. The Ruby Slipper Café: Various Locations, therubyslippercafe.net 1. Another Broken Egg Café: 2917 Magazine St., anotherbrokenegg.com Best Brunch Spot 1. The Ruby Slipper Café: Various Locations, therubyslippercafe.net 2. Surrey’s Café & Juice Bar: Various Locations, surreysnola.com 3. Apolline: 4729 Magazine St., apollinerestaurant.com

2. The Camellia Grill: 626 S. Carrollton Ave., neworleans.com/listing/camelliagrill/32912/ 3. Dots Diner: Various Locations, dotsdiner.com

miyakonola.com 3. Tsunami Sushi, Pan American Life Center: 601 Poydras St./St. Charles Ave., Suite B., servingsushi.com

2. Cafe Abysisinia, 3511 Magazine St., cafeabyssinianola.com 3. Jamila’s Cafe, 7808 Maple St., jamilascafe.com

Best Thai Restaurant 1. Sukho Thai, Various Locations, sukhothai-nola.com 2. Thai Mint, 1438 S. Carrollton Ave., thaimintrestaurant.com/menu.html 3. Banana Blossom, 500 9th St., Gretna, bananablossom504.com

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

Best Vietnamese Restaurant 1. Namese, 4077 Tulane Ave., namese.net 2. Magassin, 4201 Magazine St. 3. Lily’s Cafe, 1813 Magazine St., facebook.com/LillysCafe

Best Middle-Eastern Restaurant 1. Lebanon’s, 1500 S. Carrollton Ave., lebanonscafe.com 2. Mona’s, Various Locations, monascafeanddeli.com 3. Pyramids Cafe, 3149 Calhoun St., pyramidscafeonline.com

Best BBQ Restaurant 1. Central City BBQ, 1201 S. Rampart St., centralcitybbq.com 2. Blue Oak BBQ, 900 N. Carrollton Ave., blueoakbbq.com 3. Moe’s BBQ, Various Locations, moesoriginalbbq.com/lo/nola

Best Café 1. Caffe! Caffe!: Various Locations, caffecaffe.com 2. Cake Café & Bakery: 2440 Chartres St., nolacakes.com 3. Satsuma Café: Various Locations, satsumacafe.com

Best Italian Restaurant 1. Vincent’s, Various Locations, vincentsitaliancuisine.com 2. Venezia, 134 N. Carrollton Ave., venezianeworleans.net 3. Sofia, 516 Julia St., sofianola.com

Best Chinese Restaurant 1. Five Happiness, 3605 S. Carrollton Ave., fivehappiness.com 2. Red’s Chinese, 3048 St. Claude Ave., redschinese.com 3. Bao and Noodle, 2700 Chartres St., baoandnoodle.com

Best Cajun Restaurant 1. Mulate’s, 201 Julia St., mulates.com 2. Jacques-Imo’s, 8324 Oak St., jacquesimos.com 3. Bobby Hebert’s Cajun Cannon Restaurant, 4101 Veterans Memorial Blvd., bobbyheberts.com

Best Japanese Restaurant 1. Rock n’ Sake, Various Locations, rocknsake.com 2. Miyako, 1403 St. Charles Ave.,

Best African Restaurant 1. Bennachin, 1212 Royal St., bennachinrestaurant.com

Best Mexican Restaurant 1. Carreta’s Grill, Various Locations, carretasgrillrestaurant.com 2. El Gato Negro, Various Locations, elgatonegronola.com 3. Taqueria Corona, 5932 Magazine St., taqueriacorona.com Best French Restaurant 1. Café Degas, 3127 Esplanade Ave., cafedegas.com 2. La Crêpe Nanou, 1410 Robert St., lacrepenanou.com 3. Vyoone’s, 412 Girod St., vyoone.com Best Seafood Restaurant 1. Felix’s, Various Locations, felixs.com 2. Acme Oyster, Various Locations, acmeoyster.com 3. Deanie’s, Various Locations, deanies. com Best Steakhouse 1. Crescent City Steaks, 1001 N. Broad St., crescentcitysteaks.com

Best Restaurant for Boiled Seafood 1.

Deanie’s, Various Locations, deanies.com

Since Deanie’s has been recognized as New Orleans's favorite since 1961, you know their seafood is to die for, especially their seafood platters. 2. The Galley, 2535 Metairie Rd., Metairie thegalleyseafood.net 3. Salvo’s, 7742 LA-23, Belle Chasse, salvosseafood.com/Home_Page.php

Best Diner 1. City Diner: 3116 S. Interstate 10 Service Rd. E., Metairie citydiner.biz

WhereYat.com | July 2019 | 51

THANK YOU!

to the Where Y’at readers for voting us

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52 | Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

BEST OF THE BIG EASY

Best Oyster Po-Boy 1.

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

Known for its classic-style po-boys, Parkway Bakery & Tavern is a longtime neighborhood hangout spot for good grub and great oysters. 2. Acme Oyster House, Various Locations, acmeoyster.com 3. Mahony’s, Various Locations, mahonyspoboys.com

READERS' PICKS 2. Ruth’s Chris, 525 Fulton St., ruthschris.com 3. Harrah’s The Steakhouse, 8 Canal St., caesars.com/harrahs-new-orleans/ restaurants/the-steakhouse

Best Coffee Shop 1. PJ’s, Various Locations, pjscoffee.com 2. CC’s, Various Locations, ccscoffee.com 3. French Truck Coffee, Various Locations, frenchtruckcoffee.com

Best Creole Restaurant 1. Neyow’s, 3332 Bienville St., neyowscreole.com 2. Dooky Chase’s Restaurant, 2301 Orleans Ave., dookychaserestaurant. com 3. Dunbar’s Famous Creole Cuisine: 7834 Earhart Blvd., facebook.com/ DunbarsCreoleCuisine/

Best Vegetarian Menu 1. Carmo, 527 Julia St., cafecarmo.com 2. Green Godddess, 307 Exchange Pl., greengoddessrestaurant.com 3. Seed, Various Locations, seedyourhealth.com

Best Latin-American Restaurant 1. Tito’s, 5015 Magazine St., titoscevichepisco.com 2. Mais Arepas, 1200 Carondelet St., facebook.com/maisarepas 3. Baru, 700 Magazine St., facebook.com/ BaruBistroTapas Best Bar Food 1. Buffa’s Bar and Restaurant, 1001 Esplanade Ave., buffasrestaurant.com 2. Cooter Brown’s, 509 S. Carrollton Ave., cooterbrowns.com 3. Backspace Kitchen, 139 Chartres St., backspacenola.com

Best Vegan Menu 1. Seed, Various Locations, seedyourhealth.com 2. Daily Beet, 1000 Girod St., thedailybeetnola.com 3. Superfood Bar, 113 Magazine St., sfbcuisine.com Best Roast Beef Po-Boy 1. Tracey’s, 2604 Magazine St., facebook.com/traceys.bar 2. Parasol’s, 2533 Constance St., facebook.com/ParasolsNOLA/ 3. Parran’s Po-Boys Uptown, 4920 Prytania St., parranspoboys.com/ parrans-po-boys-uptown

WhereYat.com | July 2019 | 53

BEST OF THE BIG EASY

READERS' PICKS

Best Shrimp Po-Boy 1. Short Stop, 119 Transcontinental Dr., Metairie shortstoppoboysno.com 2. Mahony’s, Various Locations, mahonyspoboys.com 3. Parkway Bakery & Tavern, Various Locations, parkwaypoorboys.com

Best Pizza 1. Reginelli’s: Various Locations, reginellis.com 2. Mid-City Pizza: 6307 S. Miro St., midcitypizza.com 3. Theo’s Neighborhood Pizza: Various Locations., theospizza.com

Best Fried Chicken 1. Willie Mae’s: 401 St. Ann St., williemaesnola.com 2. Original Fiorella’s: 5325 Franklin Ave., originalfiorellas.com 3. Dooky Chase’s Restaurant: 301 Orleans Ave., dookychaserestaurant. com

Best Ice Cream/Gelato 1. Angelo Brocato: 214 N. Carrollton Ave., angelobrocatoicecream.com 2. Creole Creamery: Various Locations, creolecreamery.com 3. Piccola Gelateria: 4525 Freret St., piccolagelateria.com

Best Pasta 1. Venezia: Various Locations, venezianeworleans.net 2. Vincent’s: 7839 St. Charles Ave,. vincentsitaliancuisine.com 3. Semolina: 4436 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 37, Metairie semolina.com Best Taco/Burrito 1. Felipe’s Mexican Taqueria: Various Locations, felipestaqueria.com 2. Juan’s Flying Burrito: Various Locations, juansflyingburrito.com 3. Izzo’s Illegal Burrito: Various Locations, izzos.com

Best Sno-Ball 1. Hanson’s Sno Bliz: 4801 Tchoupitoulas St., snobliz.com 2. Plum Street Snoballs: 1300 Burdette St., plumstreetsnoball.com 3. Costanza’s: 5211 W. Napoleon Ave., facebook.com/Costanzassnowballs Best King Cake 1. Haydel’s: 4037 Jefferson Hwy., haydelbakery.com 2. Manny Randazzo’s: 3515 N. Hullen St., randazzokingcake.com 3. Dong Phuong: 14207 Chef Menteur Hwy., dpbakeshop.com

54 | Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

Best Wings 1.

Wow Café—Doubletree Hotel, 300 Canal St., wowamericaneats.com

With Cajun-seasoned dishes, wings, and over a dozen sauces, this café will have you saying WOW from the very first bite! 2. Bayou Hot Wings, 6221 S. Claiborne Ave #104, bayouhotwings.com 3. We Dat’s Chicken and Shrimp: Various Locations, wedatschickenandshrimp.com

WhereYat.com | July 2019 | 55

Open All Day, Open All Night:

Five of New Orleans’s Favorite 24/7 Restaurants

By Eliana Blum

here is something magical about a restaurant that never closes; it exists in a time loop of early-morning truckers, mid-day tourists, and late-night intoxicated college students. Visiting a 24/7 restaurant is more than just enjoying a meal (and if you are dining in New Orleans, it is bound to be an exceptional meal), but it also means becoming part of the 24-hour narrative. Below are five of New Orleans’s best 24/7 restaurants. These spots are historic, charming, and satiating. Just like at any other restaurant, hordes of people come and go in waves. Rush hour(s) vary slightly among these locations, but you can typically expect the spaces to be packed during breakfast time (7:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.) or 12 hours later, at night (7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m). Slower hours come in the late afternoon (3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.) and at dawn (4:00 a.m. – 7:00 a.m.). But, even during sluggish shifts, these restaurants are rarely empty. No matter the time of your visit, you are sure to see at least one other hungry soul. Café Du Monde 800 Decatur St. Even those who have never been to New Orleans know of the city’s famous 24-hour beignet café. Not surprisingly, these beignets live up to their hype. First established in 1862, this historic coffee shop has been perfecting its recipe for years. If you are visiting Café Du Monde, you should expect to see a line. The renowned shop is never empty, and its waiters are always busy trying to serve customers as quickly as possible. In order to avoid a long wait time, it is best to visit this spot in the middle of the night, when the crowds die down and the city goes to sleep. The menu is simple and limited to the legendary beignets and a variety of drinks, so make sure to bring your sweet tooth.

Daisy Dukes 121 Chartres St. | 123 Carondelet St. | 920 Poydras St.

Melba’s 1525 Elysian Fields Ave.

Although there are a variety of Daisy Dukes locations, only three of them are open 24 hours a day. Each Daisy Dukes specializes in its own cuisine (the Daisy Dukes in the Quarter is known for its po-boys; the restaurant closest to the Central Business District devotes its attention to pizza), but all emulate a homey, Southern atmosphere. Daisy Dukes claims to have the best breakfast special in the city: the Early Bird Special (only available between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.). The meal includes eggs, meat, hash browns, and toast, for $3.99. If you are not an early riser, you can still order breakfast at Daisy Dukes all day long. It is worth trying. The most popular dishes on the entire menu are omelets, including the seafood omelet and the Cajun omelet. In addition to serving customers all day long, Daisy Dukes also offers 24/7 deliveries. There is no excuse not to try Daisy Dukes, day or night, from wherever you are.

It is easy to drive past Melba’s, which is located next to a laundromat right off of N. Claiborne Avenue, without noticing it. But it would be a shame to pass this fun casual restaurant and not stop in. A popular place for both locals and tourists, Melba’s serves award-winning Cajun-style comfort food. The restaurant’s walls are covered in praise from Trip Advisor and other news clippings, glorifying the outstanding po-boys at Melba's. This small shop serves large portions, so make sure to come with an appetite. The menu is expansive and has a variety of po-boys, hot plates, and sides to choose from. No meal is complete without one of their daiquiris, which are available in a wide range of flavors. Try one on the patio. Despite the unlimited choices and combinations at Melba’s, there is truly no way to place a wrong order or create a bad meal. Cleo’s Mediterranean Cuisine 117 Decatur St. | 940 Canal St. If you are craving something other than Cajun food, this Mediterranean restaurant is classy, affordable, and delicious. There are two locations a block from one another, and both are open all day, every day. The second location, on Decatur Street, differentiates itself in its upscale ambiance. Service is prompt, and the food is tastefully plated before it is served. Even more convenient, the restaurant is located immediately next to a 24/7 grocery store for night owls who choose to make late-night grocery runs. The menu is expansive and has a variety of vegetarian and meat options. Whatever you order, make sure that you try the hummus! It is perfectly spiced and makes a great addition to any plate.

56 | Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

St. Charles Tavern 1433 St. Charles Ave. At 102 years old, the St. Charles Tavern building carries a long history. Although none of the employees know its entire past, they are confident that the space has been transformed from a brothel to a jazz club and, most recently, to a 24/7 bar and restaurant. Although the head chef swears that the building is haunted, the general atmosphere is friendly and welcoming. The menu offers any type of New Orleans food that you could desire. Most popular is the red beans and rice with catfish, but the po-boys and burgers are also customer favorites. The restaurant has a reputation of being laidback. Servers appreciate its casual style and modest atmosphere. Whether you are looking for a meal, a beer, or a football game, there is something at the St. Charles Tavern for everyone.

WhereYat.com | July 2019 | 57

Food News By Kim Ranjbar

Saying goodbye to the Queen … Food-lovers in New Orleans and across the globe were crushed to learn of the passing of one of our city’s greatest living legends, Leah Chase. Not only did she bring New Orleans-style cooking to the national stage, but she was also a supporter and activist during the civil rights movement in the 1960s and an advocate for African American art and artists. She will be sorely missed, and her welcoming manner and bright smile will remain in our hearts and minds forever. A shave, haircut, and vegan cuisine? … Barbers Roy Joseph, Ryan Billew, and Ollie Williams recently opened the restaurant Vegan Wit a Twist near the Fair Grounds on St. Bernard Avenue. According to WeBuyBlack.com, the idea for the new digs came about because Joseph regularly brought delicious homemade vegan cuisine to the shop, and everyone wanted more. Enjoy vegan dishes like hot sausage and fries, jack fruit burgers, teriyaki bowls, spinach fries, and more. 3225 St. Bernard Ave., (504) 376-9779, facebook.com/veganwitatwist

NOLA Mia Gelato

58 | Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

We’ll have a glass … Tujague’s owners, Candace and Mark Latter, just recently launched Claret, a new wine and cocktail bar in the Lower Garden District. Located in the uber-modern Framework building on Magazine Street, the bar offers an escape from the historic landscape that surrounds it, with large glass windows and minimalist décor. Patrons can enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail with a menu designed by Marcus Woodham (chef from their other restaurant, Bar Frances on Freret Street), featuring shareable bites, like charcuterie plates and cheese boards. 1320 Magazine St., (504) 766-9425, claretnola.com A sanctuary for spirits … Opened concurrently with the luxury guest house Maison de la Luz, Bar Marilou is “a spirited sanctuary for craft cocktails, natural wines, and French-inflected fare,” located in what formerly was the City Hall Annex’s law library on Carondelet Street. Paris-based Quixotic Projects partnered with Atelier Ace on the bar and has created a menu with inspiration from the French West Indies, Paris, and (of course) New Orleans. Dishes include anchovies with vinegar and olive oil; “Pommes Marilou,” or crispy fried potatoes

Vegan Wit A Twist

topped with crème fraiche and bowfin caviar; and the Saint Jacques, with seared scallops, charred broccoli rabe, and white miso dressing. Pair any dish with one of their cocktails, like The Holy Mountain, made with frozen Suze and crème de cassis, or Sunset at Café de Flore, with strawberries, lemon, and ginger beer. 544 Carondelet St., (504) 814-7711, barmarilou.com New to the market … Laksa Nola has settled down and is the latest vendor at the St. Roch Market. Owner and chef Than Lin Regules has been offering Malaysian and Burmese comfort food at pop-ups around town for a while, and fans are anxious to see her settle down. Visitors to the market can now enjoy dishes like her Yahoo Shrimp Egg Roll, served with a special Laksa sauce; shumai, or chicken and shrimp dumplings; chicken or shrimp “Omunoodles,” with boiled rice, special sauce, and crushed peanuts; or nasi lemak, featuring coconut chicken curry with coconut rice, egg, and fried ikan bilis (anchovies). 2381 St. Claude Ave., neworleans. strochmarket.com/laksanola More pastry, please! … Chez Pierre French Bakery recently opened its fifth location on Harrison Avenue in Lakeview. Since the first location opened in 2005, the bakery has grown exponentially, offering French sweets and traditional Vietnamese specialties. This new location is run by the original owner’s daughter, Taylor Bui, who has expanded the menu to offer more prepared, to-go meals, like French toast, omelets, and butter croissant sandwiches, along with plenty of delicious pastries—from macarons to chocolate mousse cake and almond tarts. 141 W. Harrison Ave., (504) 467-3176, chezpierreneworleans.com At long last … Longtime beloved local taco truck Taceaux Loceaux has finally scored its own digs on Octavia Street, in the building that formerly housed The Flaming Torch and, briefly, the fast-casual restaurant Byblos Mediterranean. Owners Alex and Maribeth del Castillo have had intentions on their

own brick and mortar for years, and fans are excited to finally see it come to fruition. Naturally, the truck’s most favored tacos are still on the menu—from Messin’ with Texas to Carnital Knowledge—along with other additions. Try some quesadillas with potato and poblanos, chips and queso, escabeche, and tot nachos with chicken or pork. They’re also offering margaritas, “mojiteauxs,” sangria, and more. 737 Octavia St., facebook.com/TaceauxLoceaux Just keep pouring … T. Cole Newton, the owner of successful Mid-City bar Twelve Mile Limit, just opened The Domino. According to Eater New Orleans, the new incarnation (dubbed a wine dive bar) aims to make wine more approachable, affordable, and less cliquish, with all of the wines being on draft, canned, boxed, or in corkless bottles. Visitors are encouraged to bring food from other restaurants (Red’s Chinese is right next door), but the new Bywater bar does offer what Newton describes as “elevated stoner snacks,” like pizza bagels and pressed sandwiches. 3044 St. Claude Ave., (504) 354-8737, dominola.com Gelato and bagels … Family-owned Nola Mia Gelato Café opened last month in the Marigny on St. Claude Avenue. Located in what was formerly a vintage music store next to the AllWays Lounge, the new café was launched by Raffaele Lorio, his wife Roseann, and daughter Rosaria. Along with gelato and Italian ices, this Bywater café also serves pressed panini and authentic New York bagels. Nola Mia Gelato Café is open daily. 2230 St. Claude Ave., (504) 249-5009, facebook.com/nolamia19 So long, farewell … One of the first victims of summer, Blue Line Sandwich Co. shuttered its doors in the CBD after less than two years in operation. Thankfully, chef and owner Brad McGehee will be keeping his first location on Metairie Road open, and the CBD building will remain in the family for catering services. bluelinesandwichco.com

WhereYat.com | July 2019 | 59

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Fr Squeesh Orgaezed Juic nic es Homemade Bagels & Biscuits

Shrimp & Grits Surrey‛s Cafe LGD 1418 Magazine St

Surrey‛s Cafe Uptown 4807 Magazine St

Breakfast, Brunch & Lunch Since 2001 Open 7 Days a Week 8am - 3pm

20 and Under

Tahini: Just Put it on Everything!

ade from sesame seeds, tahini is a sauce or paste (similar to other nut butters) that is widely used all over the world and has fast become a staple here in the United States. Though we most commonly see tahini used as an ingredient in that chick-pea manna from the heavens, a.k.a hummus, its uses are endless, from a base for salad dressings and dips to adding a creamier texture to soups and stews. Like many nuts and seeds, it's so versatile; you can even use tahini in desserts, whether it be a base for ice cream or combined with syrups to make decadent toppings. In New Orleans, you'll most often discover tahini at one of many Mediterranean restaurants around town, from the hummus at Mona's Cafe to the baba ghanoush at Cleo's downtown. But you're bound to discover it in other items on the menu because it's as prevalent in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine as mayonnaise is in a deli. For example, Uptown on Magazine Street, there's an Israeli-inspired spot dubbed Tal's Hummus, right across the street from Le Bon Temps Roule. Owned by Tal Sharon, a restaurateur and cook who used to bake at Doris Metropolitan, Tal's Hummus has a large menu of hummus, salads, soups, platters, and sandwiches. The white and whole wheat pita bread is baked fresh daily and stuffed with things like chicken liver,

60 | Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

By Kim Ranjbar

falafel, chicken, and cauliflower. My favorite is the grilled beef kabob that's slathered with tahini and stuffed with parsley, salad, and pickles. Another obvious spot to find tahini is Saba, the fairly new restaurant launched by James Beard Award-winning chef Alon Shaya. Located in the building that formerly housed Kenton's Restaurant on the corner of Magazine Street and Nashville Avenue, Saba offers all kinds of tahini dishes, from tahini itself, served as a dip with freshly baked pita from a wood-fired oven, to roasted asparagus with amba (like a pickled mango relish) tahini and almonds. At brunch, they feature fluffy pancakes with rose-flavored tahini cane syrup and butter. Though I have yet to try it, I heard in the fall, Saba serves a roasted apple with tahini and sunflower seeds. I simply can't wait till September rolls around again! Not-so-obvious spots offering tahini include the NOCHI Café by Gracious, a café on the bottom floor of the new culinary school in the old arts building in the Warehouse District. Chef Michael Doyle is whipping up his usual creative culinary delights that often feature a unique mixture of global cuisines, like a South Coast Mezze (appetizer) with beet and tahini dip, Louisiana field pea salad, carrot hummus, chile oil, whipped feta, and pickled okra served with multigrain batard or short

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baguette. The current menu also has a lamb and harissa sausage sandwich on Gracious Bakery's wonderful ciabatta bread, with yogurt, zhoug (spicy cilantro sauce), arugula, and pickled onion, served with tahini potato salad. French Quarter fine-dining restaurant Doris Metropolitan on Chartres Street offers much more than an elegant atmosphere and prime USDA steaks. Their appetizers feature dishes like an artichoke flower salad and tuna tartare, but my eye is on the Baladi Eggplant, which is essentially charred eggplant drizzled with tahini, tomato concasse (peeled, seeded, and crushed tomatoes), pine nuts, and sumac. Considering tahini's ingredients and versatility, it's not surprising to find it at health-conscious spots like The Daily Beet in the new South Market District. Located on the corner of Girod and S. Rampart Streets, this cafĂŠ serves â&#x20AC;&#x153;salads, grain bowls, cold-pressed juices, and more,â&#x20AC;? including a gorgeous Beet Hummus Toast (using Bellegarde country loaf bread) with roasted beet hummus, cucumber tahini slaw, crumbles of feta cheese, toasted pumpkin seeds, and smoked paprika. Finally, although I try not to talk about them too much (but it's difficult because the menu is so varied and original), Turkey and the Wolf has its own twist on tahini. Their house-made vanilla soft-serve ice cream can have a variety of different toppings, but most interesting would have to be the generous drizzle of tahini and date molasses.

62 | Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

Gracious Bakery's Lamb and Harissa Sausage Sandwich

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WhereYat.com | July 2019 | 63

RestaurantGuide African Bennachin may be the only place in the world to feast on New Orleans-influenced cuisine from Cameroon and Gambia.. Try a plate of African jambalaya for a truly extraordinary meal. 1212 Royal St. | 522-1230 | bennachinrestaurant.com

American Apolline is a sweet spot on Magazine Street, Try their Louisiana Cioppino, which combines Gulf seafood and alligator sausage in a sherry broth. 4729 Magazine St. | 894-8881 | apollinerestaurant.com The Country Club is known as a sophisticated haunt, a reputation that is well-earned after 40 years of service. Their various menus all showcase expertly executed contemporary Creole cuisine. 634 Louisa St. | 945-0742 | thecountryclubneworleans.com Daisy Dukes is known for serving authentic New Orleans dishes in a casual environment suitable for the whole family. Three of their five locations are 24/7 and breakfast is served all day. Multiple locations | daisydukesrestaurant.com Fullblast Brunch is one of the freshest breakfast spots in Mid-City. Choose from a variety of breakfast and brunch options, all with Creole, Cajun, and Latin influences.139 S. Cortez St. | 302-2800 | fullblastbrunch.com Gattuso’s Neighborhood Restaurant is the perfect place to stop for lunch or dinner if you’re on the Westbank. They serve what locals love, from crab and fried seafood to burgers and muffulettas. 435 Huey P. Long Ave., Gretna | 368-1114 | gattusos.net Gordon Biersch is a German-style brewhouse in the heart of New Orleans’s Downtown. They have an impressive variety of handcrafted beers on tap and a menu of eclectic American fare. 200 Poydras St. | 522-2739 | gordonbiersch.com Lakeview Harbor offers classic New Orleans and homestyle cooking, such as panéed chicken with

The Steakhouse at Harrah’s crafts inspired dishes, from succulent ribeyes to seafood. They’ve received a Wine Spectator Magazine Award of Excellence for their top-notch wine collection. 4 Canal St. | 533-6111 | caesars. com/harrahs-new-orleans

Copper Vine Winepub has a selection of wine on tap, draft beers, and cocktails designed to please even the most discerning palate. Try the duck confit flatbread or the crabmeat deviled eggs. 1001 Poydras St. | 208-9535 | coppervinewine.com

Willie Mae’s Scotch House has been pleasing foodies in the historic Treme for over 60 years, earning them accolades that include a James Beard Award and Travel Channel’s distinction for Best Fried Chicken in America. 2401 St. Ann St. | 822-9503 | williemaesnola.com

The Jimani is a sportsman’s paradise—for those more into watching any game imaginable than participating in sports or the bar has 10 screens to watch, 100 beers to choose from, and an extensive menu to indulge your senses. 141 Chartres St. | 524-0493 | thejimani.com

WOW Café Doubletree features New Orleansinspired dishes. Their Shanghai Shrimp Po’Boy has won Best in Fest at the Oak Street Po-Boy Festival. 300 Canal St. | 212-3250 | wowcafe.com/stores/ double-tree-new-orleans

Mimi’s in the Marigny is a neighborhood bar that has won four Best of the Big Easy Awards. The menu features gourmet tapas for vegetarians and carnivores alike. 2601 Royal St. | 872-9868 | mimismarigny.com

Asian

Orleans GrapeVine mac and cheese. They are famous for their burgers, steaks, and loaded potatoes. 8550 Pontchartrain Blvd. | 486-4887 | lakeviewharbor.us Legacy Kitchen is a perfect place to dine for any occasion. Dinner on Friday and Saturday nights includes wine bottles at half price. During Happy Hour, they serve up charbroiled oysters for just $1 each. Multiple locations | legacykitchen.com Legacy Kitchen’s Steak + Chop is elevating the foodscape with sophisticated cuisine served in a casual environment. Check out their weekly chalkboard specials. 91 Westbank Expy. | Gretna | 565-7434 | legacykitchen.com Liberty Cheesesteaks serves up arguably the best cheesesteaks anywhere—not just Uptown. Any native Philadelphian would approve of their traditionals, like The Original and The Wiz. 5039 Freret St. | 875-4447 | libertycheesesteaks.com Spudly’s Super Spuds is the only place in town specializing in overstuffed potatoes that please carnivores and vegans alike with their options. They also serve burgers and specialty sandwiches. 2609 Harvard Ave., | Metairie | 455-3250 | spudlys.com

64 | Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

Kyoto 2 in Elmwood is perfectly situated for a lunch break while shopping or for dinner before or after seeing a movie. Their extensive menu of Japenesestyle soups, salads, and noodles are sure to please anyone. 5608 Citrus Blvd. | Harahan | 818-0228 Mikimoto has delivered New Orleans-infused Japanese favorites to locals for 20 years. Their rolls rep the entire city, from the Uptown roll to the Metairie roll. 3301 S. Carrollton Ave. | 488-1881 | mikimotosushi.com Origami is a great spot for a business lunch, a tasteful date, or a night out with friends.They have poke bowls, combo meals, and innovative rolls, like the Origami Roll featuring eel and tempura-fried banana. 5130 Freret St. | 899-6532 | sushinola.com

Bars with Great Food Backspace Bar & Kitchen offers a quick bite and quiet respite from the bustle of the French Quarter. Sip and nibble on some delicious offerings at this gastropub that pays homage to famed authors. 139 Chartres St. | 322-2245 | backspacenola.com Buffa’s Bar & Restaurant has livened up the Marigny for 90 years now, with daily offerings of performances by local musicians and some of the best food in town, open 24/7. 1001 Esplanade Ave. | 949-0038 | buffasbar.com

Ole Saint is open in the French Quarter for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You’ll find everything from game-day eats to Southern cuisine at this former New Orleans Saints player’s watering hole. 132 Royal St. | 309-4797 | olesaint.com Orleans Grapevine is a casual fine-dining bistro offering French-Creole cuisine. Stop by for Happy Hour between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. or 10 p.m. and 12 a.m. daily, and you’ll be treated to FREE BACON! 720 Orleans Ave. | 523-1930 | orleansgrapevine.com Rivershack Tavern is a River Road joint dishing out local flavor that is not to be missed. With fun novelty bar stools and an exterior covered with vintage ads, this is about as funky as New Orleans gets. 3449 River Rd. | 834-4938 | therivershacktavern.com Shamrock Bar and Grill, has got game—and some of the best late-night food around. Challenge your friends to some air hockey, ping pong, or darts at the city’s largest neighborhood bar. 4133 S. Carrollton Ave. | 301-0938 | shamrockparty.com Three Palms Bar and Grill is a fun neighborhood bar with a friendly staff and atmosphere and a Happy Hour you can count on. Stop by for tropical drinks, chicken wings, or $12 steak dinners. 3813 Tulane Ave. | 459-4474 | 3palmsnola.com Tracey’s Irish Bar and Restaurant in the Irish Channel has been serving the community since 1949. Their 15 big screens and wide selection of bar food

and local beers keep the crowds coming back. 2604 Magazine St. | 897-5413 | traceysnola.com

Café Café 615 Home of Da Wabbit doesn’t skimp on the portions. Café 615 was voted best restaurant on the Westbank—and their crispy fried chicken was voted among the best in New Orleans. 615 Kepler St. | 365-1225 | facebook.com/Cafe-615Home-of-Da-Wabbit-394261630696887 Café Amelie is perfect for a romantic meal in a scenic French Quarter courtyard. Their menu highlights local ingredients and offers gluten-free and vegetarian preparations. 912 Royal St. | 4128965 | cafeamelie.com Carmo designs cross-cultural—vegan and vegetarian-friendly—eats with a creative spin. Take your taste buds on an adventure through Latin America, West Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Gulf South. 527 Julia St. | 875-4132 | cafecarmo.com Compère Lapin provides patrons with a dining experience like no other. Chef Nina Compton crafts a menu rooted in her Caribbean heritage that blends with both French and Italian culinary expertise. 535 Tchoupitoulas St. | 599-2119 | comperelapin.com Cru by Chef Marlon Alexander is a Marigny bar that fuses American, New Orleans, and Italian influences. Cru’s Saturday Burlesque and Sunday Drag Brunches include bottomless cocktail options. 535 Franklin Ave. | 266- 2856 | crunola.com Haydel’s Bake Shop is a three-generation-strong local tradition. Order a cup of frozen coffee along with your petit fours, turtles, and other unparalleled specialty baked goods. 3117 Magazine St.| 2673165 | facebook.com/ haydelsbakeshop Jimmy J’s Café is a small, funky café in the French Quarter that’s big and bold when it comes to Southern flavor. They’ve got everything from boozy breakfast drinks to specialties such as beignet sticks. 115 Chartres St. | 309-9360 | jimmyjscafe. com

Petite Amelie offers locally sourced milk, juices, salads, and pastries, making it a great spot for a healthy meal. They always have something new to offer with their rotating menu. 900 Royal St. | 4128065 | petiteamelienola.wordpress.com

Pascal’s Manale is known not only for its Italian dishes, like Eggplant Dryades, but also for its Original Pascal’s BBQ Shrimp. Now open for over 100 years, this establishment just does everything right. 1838 Napoleon Ave. | 895-4877 | pascalsmanale.com

Sala is a stylish, yet comfy, family-friendly restaurant on the lakefront. Enjoy small, shareable plates, like Duck Empanadas, or sip on wine paired with elegant entrees, such as Golden Fried Drum Almondine. 124 Lake Marina Ave. | 513-2670 | salanola.com

Red Gravy makes homestyle masterpieces from recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation. This rustic Italian café makes it okay to have cannoli for breakfast, brunch, or lunch. 125 Camp St. | 561-8844 | redgravycafe.com

Surrey’s Cafe & Juice Bar is a place with something for everyone. Their New Orleanian and Latin-influenced cuisine is not to be missed, and the vibrant décor is as inviting as the meals. 1418 & 4807 Magazine St. | surreysnola.com

Tavolino is a neighborhood pizza joint offering both a family-friendly atmosphere as well as a lounge out back with an extensive menu of vino, “Tav Tails,” and beer. 141 Delaronde St. | Algiers | 605-3365 | facebook.com/TavolinoLounge

The Vintage encourages their patrons to “sip, savor, and shine.” This one-of-a-kind café on Magazine Street serves gourmet beignets, breakfast and small plates, sandwiches and charcuterie boards. 3121 Magazine St. | 324-7144 | thevintagenola.com

Venezia has been serving Mid-City for over 60 years with a classic and vegetarian-friendly menu, which includes veal, spinach cannelloni, muffalettas, and fresh fish almondine. 134 N. Carrollton Ave. | 488-7991 | venezianeworleans.net

Mexican Carreta’s Grill has fed New Orleanians excellent Mexican food for 20 years. Start with their delicious Mariachi Fries or skip to the Chile Ranchero. Of course, don’t forget about the margaritas! Multiple Locations | carretasgrillrestaurant.com Juan’s Flying Burrito is a hip neighborhood joint and the only place to get Creole-infused taqueria standards. Try The Luau quesadilla, featuring Gulf shrimp, applewood bacon, and pineapple salsa. Multiple Locations | juansflyingburrito.com

Middle Eastern Lebanon’s Café promises plentiful portions in a captivating setting on Carrollton Avenue. Make sure to try their gyro plate with spiced lamb and beef, tomatoes, and onions. 1500 S. Carrollton Ave. | 862-6200 | lebanonscafe.com

French Café Degas was voted one of the 15 best restaurants in the city. It is a traditional Gallic French eatery with unbeatable romantic ambiance, located in a charming historic area. Try the Caille Rôtie. 3127 Esplanade Ave. | 945-5635 | cafedegas.com

Italian Josephine Estelle is an upscale restaurant that combines Italian cooking with flavors of the American South, crafted by two James Beard-nominated chefs. 600 Carondelet St. | 930-3070 | josephineestelle.com Mellow Mushroom on Oak Street is a classic pizza parlor with a menu that is anything but usual. They have traditional and thin-crust specialty pizzas, as well as salads and gluten-free pizzas. 8227 Oak St. | 345- 8229 | mellowmushroom.com Mosca’s Restaurant serves some of the best Italian food in New Orleans, family-style and made to order—as they have been doing for over 70 years. 4137 U.S. Highway 90 West | Westwego | 436-8950 | moscasrestaurant.com

Pascale'sManale

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Pyramid’s Café may look like a typical diner, but what you’ll find there are classic Mediterranean dips, salads, and entrees. They even offer a special family feast: a whole lamb stuffed with chickpeas. 3149 Calhoun St. | 861-9602 | pyramidscafeonline.com

Crossroads at House of Blues joins Southern food with lively entertainment to feed the soul. Try the Voodoo Shrimp in an Abita Amber beer reduction or their vegan “Impossible Cheeseburger.” 225 Decatur St. | 310-4999 | houseofblues.com/ neworleans/menu

New Orleans Cuisine

Mandina's has combined the best of both worlds, offering staples of Italian and New Orleans cuisine. Get chicken parmesan, a muffaletta on French, or Gulf Fish Meuniere or Almandine. 3800 Canal St. | 482-9179 | mandinasrestaurant.com

Antoine’s Restaurant is the oldest family-run restaurant in the country and an iconic foodie destination that consistently delivers a classic French-Creole fine-dining experience. 713 St. Louis St. | 581-4422 | antoines.com Columns Hotel offers elegant dining overlooking historic St. Charles Avenue. Guests can enjoy a Southern breakfast every morning, Sunday jazz brunch, and daily Happy Hour from 5–7 p.m. 3811 St. Charles Ave. | 861-9602 | thecolumns.com/ dining Crescent City Brewhouse, the French Quarter’s only microbrewery, is an experience for all the senses. Enjoy live jazz music, local art, and traditional Louisiana fare with a creative flair. 527 Decatur St. | 522-0571 | crescentcitybrewhouse.com

Neyow's Creole Café serves authentic Creole cuisine that is "straight from their grandmother's recipes." They've got a large selection of specials —such as the shrimp creole—every day of the week. 3332 Bienville St. | 827-5474 | neyows.com New Orleans Cajun Cookery proves that a shrimp po-boy can still be one of the best meals around. Located in the Warehouse District, the Cookery is keeping traditions alive with its own versions of classics. 701 S. Peters St. | 985-7782529 New Orleans Creole Cookery has got great boozy beverages and a large selection of delicious NOLAstyle food. They offer excellent dining service in their courtyard, bar, and dining room. 508 Toulouse St. | 524-9632 | neworleanscreolecookery.com Parran's Po-Boys and Restaurant serves up a variety of delicious fried and grilled po-boys on fresh French bread, along with gigantic muffalettas and mouthwatering Italian dishes. Multiple locations | parranspoboys. Public Service at the NOPSI Hotel truly serves the public with delicious options for any meal of the day, whether it's Crab Cakes Benedict in the morning or Cajun Poutine for dinner. 311 Baronne St. | 962-6527 | publicservicenola.com Short Stop PoBoys means serious business when it comes to satisfying hungry customers. In fact, it’s the only place around where you can get a king-sized 14-inch soft-shell crab po-boy. 119 Transcontinental Dr., Metairie | 885-4572 | shortstoppoboysno.com

Parran'sPoBoys

Seafood

66 | Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

Seaworthy Briquette makes its home in an old molasses refinery, offering a refined taste of New Orleans. You can start your meal with the Crabcake Napoleon and finish it with the Dark Chocolate Creme Brulee. 701 S. Peters St. | 302-7496 | briquette-nola.com

TackleBox is the place to taste some of the best dishes found in New Orleans. Crafted cocktails, oysters, small plates, and their $1 lunch beers are only a few highlights. 817 Common St. | 475-6910 | legacykitchen.com

Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar is the “first name in oysters.” Try the Oysters Bienville or the Buffalo Oysters. Not in the mood for oysters? Order a Bayou Platter, featuring red beans, jambalaya, and étouffée. Multiple locations | felixs.com

Tito’s Ceviche and Pisco spices up your day with a variety of signature Peruvian dishes. Choose from their assortment of ceviches, mixed seafood platters, and traditional plates, such as Seco de Cordero. 5015 Magazine St. | 267-7612 | titoscevichepisco. com

Landry’s Seafood, with a gluten-sensitive menu and vegetarian options, truly has something for everyone. Try one of their unique takes on classic seafood dishes, like the Blackened Redfish Étouffée. Multiple Locations | landrysseafood.com Seaworthy is known for preparing sustainably harvested and wild-caught seafood, specifically oysters, with a global flair. Try oysters from the East Coast, West Coast, or Gulf Coast. 630 Carondelet St. | 930-3071 | seaworthynola.com

Vegetarian Seed has designed a decidedly healthy menu for New Orleans foodies. Everyone is tantalized by their vegan soul food, including their eggplant po-boy, Seed Gumbo, and even beignets. 1330 Prytania St | 302-2599 | seedyourhealth.com

Where to Get Quizzed Around New Orleans by Emily Hingle

f you haven’t jumped on the pubtrivia trend yet, you’re not just missing out on a good time, you’re missing out on seriously good prizes. Playing trivia at your local drinking establishment is not just for brainiacs. In fact, most of the trivia events that you can attend around town are rife with pop-culture questions. You may be smarter than you think, and it can really pay off in the end with bar tabs, beer swag, or even event tickets. Monday nights are one of the most popular nights for bar trivia because it helps get your mind active to keep you going for the rest of the work week. Gasa Gasa on Freret Street will give away prizes like bar tabs and show tickets at their 7 p.m. event, but there is a cap of four members per team. However, you can win an extra prize for having the best team name. Finn McCool’s not only does trivia for a $20 bar tab at 8 p.m. on Mondays, but they’ve also got $4 margaritas. If you head upriver to Rivershack Tavern in Jefferson, you can hit up Live Trivia’s event at 7 p.m. Live Trivia also has an event at Jockey’s Pub in the Fair Grounds neighborhood at 8 p.m. Dirty South takes it north to Parlay’s in Lakeview at 8 p.m. and back south to CBD Social at 11 p.m. Live Trivia is everywhere Tuesday night in New Orleans. They’ve got games at Dat Dog on Freret Street, Urban South Brewery, Flamingo A-Go-Go, and Tracey’s at 7:30 p.m. If you prefer to keep your trivia a little more local, you can compete against hundreds of people at Thinkin’ With Lincoln at Bayou Beer Garden at 7 p.m. Buy a shot and get an extra point! You may also earn extra prizes for having a hilarious team name. One of the largest prizes that you can get, however, is at The Rusty Nail at 8 p.m. First place gets a whole $40 bar tab, and second place gets $20. Dirty South Trivia takes over at The Bulldog Mid-City at 8 p.m., and

they also have games at Le Bon Temps Roule at 9:30 p.m. and Barcadia at 7:30 p.m. And 504 Craft Beer Reserve on Tulane Avenue isn’t just a great spot to buy a craft beer from some faraway land (or nearby brewery) and unwind in a non-barroom setting—it’s also a great place to win a hefty tab. The craft beer store hosts trivia every other Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday is also a very popular trivia night because it helps you get rid of the Hump-Day blues. Live Trivia has several games that you can choose from on this weeknight. Frey Smoked Meat Co. kicks off at 6:30 p.m., Down the Hatch and Dat Dog Magazine Street begin at 7:30 p.m., and Cooter Brown’s and Fat Harry’s start at 8 p.m. Cooter Brown’s often has drink specials and keg-tappings for their games. For those wanting to stay out of Orleans Parish, you can enjoy trivia with free pizza and wings at Martine’s Lounge in Metairie at 8 p.m. First place gets a $20 bar tab, and the subsequent winners can get swag and candy. Also in Metry, you can catch Dirty South at Moby’s Bar and Grill at 8 p.m. Tacos and Trivia starts at 7 p.m. at Carrollton Station on Thursdays. Last, but certainly not least, you can soak up the cool air at Broad Street Cider and Ale’s Air-Conditioned Trivia which begins at 7:30 p.m. on Friday nights. It’s a little bit harder to find trivia on Saturday and Sunday when people are too busy getting tipsy to recall trivial facts, but at any time, a one-off trivia night might pop up somewhere. Dirty South Trivia is famous for their special-event theme nights, when the winners take home hundreds of dollars in cash. You can keep up with all of the regular and surprise trivia nights on social media if you show your interest in other trivia nights and make friends with people who play regularly. You never know what you’re going to win, but you won’t get anything if you never try.

WhereYat.com | July 2019 | 67

Happy Hour Wars

Rooftop Views Above the Grid Monkey Board

By Alison Cohen

Monkey Board

by Alison Cohen

Alto

Is it Taco Tuesday Yet? Above the Grid Johnny Sanchez Johnny Sanchez

Lucy’s

Alto

Lucy’s Alto

Lucy’s

Vue

La Casita Taqueria

Alto Copper Vine

SoBou

SoBou Copper Vine SoBou

Copper Vine

Morrow’s

Morrow’s Backspace Bar

SoBou

Bar Tonique

Orleans Grapevine

Backspace Bar

Orleans Grapevine

Backspace Bar

Specialty Spots

French Quarter Fancy

re you ready to turn your drab, postwork drinks into the happiest hour of them all? Welcome to Happy Hour Wars. We started with 16 top bars from around the city, falling into the categories “Rooftop Views,” “Specialty Spots,” “Is it Taco Tuesday Yet?” and “French Quarter Fancy.” To progress from the Sweet 16 to the Elite Eight, bars and Happy Hours were judged on bar atmosphere. To make it to the Final Four, bars were judged on bang for your buck, and the championship was based on the drinks’ drunk factor and the food’s deliciousness level. Only one New Orleans bar will win the best Happy Hour of them all. Who was crowned king of the Happy Hour Krewe? Drumroll please … SoBou. This Commander’s Palace restaurant has it all: a comfy and jovial atmosphere, cheap Happy Hour prices, and delicious food and drink. While SoBou battled its way to the top this time, all bars are worth some weekday happiness for you and your work frenemies pals. Take a look at the bars that participated in depth below. Does your favorite bar have what it takes?

ROOFTOP VIEWS Alto at Ace Hotel | 600 Carondelet St., 504-900-1180, acehotel.com I could spend all day in the pool at Alto, relax into the night lounging by a fire pit, book a room in the downstairs Ace Hotel, and do it again the next day. Alto is the hot spot of the CBD. However, they also have a stylish downstairs bar, so neither spot is ever too crowded. Happy Hour may be Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., but you won’t want to leave when it’s last call for $6 daiquiris and $3 chocolate chip cookies. Alto provides a romantic setting, so perhaps save this Happy Hour for your next date night.

Monkey Board at the Troubadour 1111 Gravier St., 504-518-5600, monkeyboardnola.com Monkey Board is the place to be, weekdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The CBD rooftop bar has everything a social media influencer could need: a giant neon “do whatcha wanna” sign, sunset views over the Superdome, beautiful drinks, and cool, pop-art inspired walls and setting. Sip on a French 75 and nosh on delicious bites, such as the grilled pimento sandwich, while you’re there. Vue NOLA Rooftop Bar On top of the SpringHill & TownePlace Suites, 1600 Canal St., 504-702-6800, vuenola.com Vue Rooftop Bar has one of the most outstanding views of any spot in the city. Nestled between Canal Street, Claiborne Avenue, and I-10, the bar allows you to enjoy drinks in hip furniture and overlook some of the busiest streets in the city. Bring the gals and come by for Friday Ladies’ Night. Who doesn’t love $5 rosé? Above the Grid 317 Baronne St., 844439-1463, nopsihotel.com Above the Grid, the rooftop bar at the NOPSI Hotel, offers a “power hour” from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. every weeknight. Don’t come too early: Non-hotel visitors can only get in on the deals from 4 p.m. on. Enjoy $8 cocktails, $8 wine, or $5 draft beer from a chaise lounge by the pool or from the hip boho furniture that overlooks the many CBD hotels and the Superdome.

68 | Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

Copper Vine

SPECIALTY SPOTS Backspace Bar 139 Chartres St., 504-322-2245, backspacebarnola.com Backspace Bar, edged into the French Quarter, may not have an official Happy Hour, but their all-the-time deals are off the chain. Just $2.50 for a bottled beer and $3 for a well drink? Sign me up. Between the long wooden bar, the animals on the wall, and the comfy leather chairs, the bar evokes an oldtimey feel that begs someone to come in and write the next great American novel. Don’t miss the Aviation, a house cocktail made with gin, lemon, Luxardo, and crème de violette to give it a luxe mile-high-club feel. It’s deliciously light and dangerously close in taste to a tart lemonade that you could suck down way too easily. If you decide to go for one of the bargain-priced beers, pair it with the Backspace Burger, which is topped with smoked bacon, brie cheese, and caramelized onions on brioche.

Morrow’s 2438 St. Claude Ave., 504-827-1519, morrowsnola.com Morrow’s, located at the edge of the Marigny and Bywater, combines a chic, modern experience with traditional NOLA and Korean fare. The hotspot consistently gets packed for Happy Hour, but what do you expect with food specials such as ginger sesame wings and crawfish tails? The restaurant also features 50 percent off premium liquors, $3 beers, $3 shots, and signature cocktails, such as the $12 All Bets on Me: Cognac, white cranberry, and peach schnapps. Come for the Instagramworthy atmosphere, stay for the incredible eats and drinks. Copper Vine 1001 Poydras St., 504-208-9535, coppervinewine.com Be sure to make a reservation for the popular Copper Vine on Poydras; this place fills up, even on a weeknight. The wine bar has 30 wines and eight beers on tap, but the most popular is #7: a pinot noir. Their trendy Happy Hour runs from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and has half-off wine bottles, $5 glasses, and popular plates, such as the short ribs.

Bar Tonique 820 N. Rampart St., 504-324-6045, bartonique.com Bar Tonique is cozy, colorful, and packed. The neighborhood staple has been around for years, and the same bartenders will be creating beautiful, hand-crafted cocktails for you, from noon till 2 a.m. every day. Stop by between noon and 5 p.m. on a weekday for a $5 Frenchmen’s Dark & Stormy. The delicious twist on the classic has maple tones that complement the ginger flavors. While this spot doesn’t offer food, the $5 Happy Hour cocktails will keep you entertained.

IS IT TACO TUESDAY YET? Rum House 3128 Magazine St., 504-9417560, therumhouse.com Rum House has great vibes for both adults grabbing Happy Hour and families out for dinner. However, the restaurant is spaced out well enough that if you need to have an adult conversation, you won’t feel self-conscious about an eight-year-old overhearing it. Try the tuna ceviche with mango served in tacos shells or the calamari with coconut cilantro pesto. Stop by on Tuesday for $3 tacos, $3 beers, and $5 margaritas. Any other day, they still have a great deal, with cocktails for $3 to $6. Johnny Sanchez 930 Poydras St., 504-3046615, johnnysanchezrestaurant.com The food is delicious, and you can guarantee the drinks are boozy. Granted, my tolerance is not as high as it once was, but one blackberry margarita was enough to do me in. (I really am turning into my mother.) The Happy Hour features $2 tacos and half-priced drinks. While there’s typically Happy Hour from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, there’s no Happy Hour on big nights at the Smoothie King Center, the Superdome, and Champions Square. When I stopped by, it was the night of the Justin Timberlake concert, and the restaurant played a topical playlist including “Bye, Bye, Bye.” The tunes and margarita almost made up for the no-Happy-Hour surprise. Almost. La Casita Taqueria 8400 Oak St., 504-826-9913, eatlacasita.com Respect is earned, not given. At La Casita Taqueria, it is frankly quite easy to #respectthetaco. The Oak Street joint offers $2.50 street tacos during Happy Hour, with either chicken, chorizo, veggie, or carnitas. Add on a colorful $4 margarita, some $3.50 queso, and some pals, and you’ve got yourself a weeknight party. Be sure to also try the $5 papas guapas. Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar and Restaurant 701 Tchoupitoulas St., 504523-8995, lucyssurf.com When you walk into Lucy’s, the party has officially started. Your favorite hits from the last five years are blasting, every important game is playing from one of the 10 flatscreens in the place, and the surfer vibe almost forces you to kick back and order a Corona with lime. Maybe make that a few Coronas, because if you visit during Happy Hour, which is Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., you’ll hit $3 beers, $4

The Bombay Club

margaritas, and $4 wells. Even better, if you come on Tuesday, Lucy’s is keeping the party going with $3 shots and tacos at $4 or less a pop. Sit back, order same tacos or crawfish, and have a blast.

and enjoy your wine and baked brie, rather than coming in just to drink off the work day. The restaurant is intimate and comfortable, but doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s Bacon Happy Hour, people!

FRENCH QUARTER FANCY

SoBou 310 Chartres St., 504-552-4095, sobunola.com SoBou, short for South of Bourbon, has it all on the napkin beneath my cocktail. The bar napkin reads “SoBou: So•Bou noun \ SoBū: 1. an acronym for a micro-neighborhood in ‘the Quarter’; 2. a place where a pincho is something to eat, not do; 3. a saloon where the showmanship of the barkeep is only matched by the beauty in the glass; 4. the home of civilized drinking; 5. where people know pinot noir is not a daiquiri flavor; 6. where you see pink elephants and don’t mind; 7. where life is meant to be lived and not endured.” “Where life is meant to be lived and not endured” takes place next to me as two businessmen drink away the afternoon and two girls from Vegas chat with the amiable bartenders. The bartenders, Jared and Hunter, have matching beards, matching plasticrimmed, bright-hued glasses, and matching personalities. “We’re roommates, too,” Hunter tells me after he ribs on Jared for the way he is making one of the salon’s specialty cocktails. The two made me feel so comfortable that I stopped just short of asking them if they wanted to hang out sometime. Jared makes me a Tom Collins with gin, but the real Happy Hour prize at SoBou is the martinis. Monday through Friday, SoBou serves up 25-cent martinis from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. They’ll serve a more traditional “Happier Hour” from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with snacks and drinks from $3 to $6. I love a good price and time correlation. Jared and Hunter sent me off with a high-five, which was a fine consolation prize for not asking for their friendship. Come to SoBou to waste the afternoon away and live, not endure.

The Bombay Club 830 Conti St., 504-577-2237, bombayclubneworleans.com The suave Bombay Club in the heart of the French Quarter gives off major speakeasy vibes. The hip spot features Happy Hour deals every day of the week (4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends). Decide if you want to be inside the polished bar or outside in an elegant, fountain-lined courtyard. Try the $4 small bites, like the boudin rangoons, and a $6 cocktail. The Conti, a simple mix of gin, lime, and soda, was refreshing and easy to put down. Hermes Bar at Antoine’s 725 St Louis St., 504-581-4422, antones.com/hermes-bar Luxe Happy Hour-goers, commence. You’ll find your vibe at the Hermes Bar at Antoine’s, but did we expect anything less? You’ll find patrons noshing on finer-than-usual Happy Hour appetizers, such as Pommes de Terre Soufflés or Escargots à la Bourguignonne. Surprisingly, prices are accessible at Hermes Happy Hour, especially for the drinks. Find domestics for $2; imports for $3; wells, wines, and champagne for $4, Monday through Friday. Orleans Grapevine 720 Orleans St., 504523-1930, orleansgrapevine.com If you start drooling when you hear the word bacon, Orleans Grapevine is your spot. Bacon Happy Hour is every day from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. to midnight. Fancy cheese plates galore can be paired with $15 Happy Hour wine flights, or keep it light at $5.50 a glass. The crowd is more distinguished than your typical Happy Hour spot, begging you to sit

WhereYat.com | July 2019 | 69

Cameras on the Crescent City: 10 “Classic” Films Set in New Orleans By Burke Bischoff

any different people have a different answer when asked what they consider to be a classic movie. For me, I’ve always identified “classic” with the date a film was released: movies that came out before the mid- to late-1960s. The filming techniques, the stars, and the style of acting in those films just scream “classic Hollywood” to me. And while New York City and Los Angeles have a strangle hold in terms of American movie locales, New Orleans has still managed to be featured in plenty of classic cinema, whether the movie is set in or just filmed in the city. To celebrate the Crescent City in cinema, here is a list of 10 classic movies set in New Orleans.

ends up being saved by Captain Richard (played by Nelson Eddy), who forms a relationship with her while escorting her to New Orleans. Music from the opera is featured in the film and has become famous enough to be referenced in other works, such as Young Frankenstein and Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Naughty Marietta (1935) Based on a 1910 operetta by composer Victor Herbert, the film stars Jeanette MacDonald as Marie, a French princess who trades places with her maid, named Marietta, and flees on a boat to New Orleans to escape an arranged marriage. Along the way, pirates attack the ship and kidnap all of the women onboard. Marie

Jezebel (1938) Starring the legendary Bette Davis in one of her finest roles, Jezebel is about a wealthy Southern belle named Julie Marsden,

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who lives in New Orleans. Possessing a strong will and a spoiled attitude, Julie displays hotheaded behavior that causes friction between herself and her banker fiancé Preston Dillard (played by Henry Fonda). After she causes a major scene at a social gathering, Preston breaks off their engagement and leaves her to go away on business. When Julie finds out Preston is coming back to New Orleans after a year, she tries desperately to win him back. Jezebel ended up winning two Oscars at the 11th Academy Awards, one of which was Best Actress for Bette Davis. Saratoga Trunk (1945) Based on the 1914 novel by the same name by Edna Ferber, Saratoga Trunk is about a mulatto woman named Clio Dulaine (played by Ingrid Bergman), who’s the illegitimate child from an affair between a French-Creole aristocrat and a Creole servant woman. After an accident leaves Clio’s father dead, the Dulaine family exiles Clio and her mother to Paris. Upon her return to her home on Rampart Street, Clio looks to get revenge on the Dulaine family for their mistreatment of her mother. All the while, Clio tries to marry a wealthy Texas gambler (played by Gary Cooper). The film helped build up Ingrid Bergman’s star power in America after she made a splash with Casablanca in 1942. New Orleans (1947) New Orleans is an interesting movie, mainly because of the production story

behind it. The movie was initially going to have Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong in the starring roles, playing jazz singers who left the South in order to pursue their careers. However, the studio, United Artists, was afraid that most moviegoers wouldn’t want to see a movie with black actors as the leads, so Holiday and Armstrong had their parts demoted to secondary roles. The version of New Orleans that was released has an opera singer (played by Dorothy Patrick) forming a romance with a club owner known as “the King of Basin Street” (played by Arturo de Cordova). While it’s unfortunate that Holiday and Armstrong didn’t get the leading roles, they still gave fantastic musical performances for the film (featuring other local performers Kid Ory, Zutty Singleton, Barney Bigard, and Bud Scott). Panic in the Streets (1950) Set and filmed on location in New Orleans, Panic in the Streets is a film noir that stars Richard Widmark as Dr. Clint Reed, a U.S. Public Health Service officer, who, while doing an autopsy on a John Doe, discovers that a potential pneumonic plague outbreak is threatening the city. Informing the mayor and other city officials, Dr. Reed is told that he has only 42 hours to save New Orleans from the plague. Teaming up with police captain Tom Warren (played by Paul Douglas) and his wife Nancy (played by Barbara Bel Geddes), Dr. Reed has to discover who the John Doe is, where he was sent from, and who’s behind this attack.

WhereYat.com | July 2019 | 71

Shot in a semi-documentary style, Panic in the Streets features many New Orleans citizens in speaking and non-speaking roles.

Orleans apartment. Her arrival causes friction between the husband and wife, culminating in a series of tense, dramatic moments. The film became a major success when it was released: It won four Academy Awards, was fifth in box office sales in 1951, and catapulted Marlon Brando into superstardom.

as Catherine Holly, a young woman who is traumatized and institutionalized after witnessing the death of her cousin while in Spain. Catherine’s aunt (played by Katharine Hepburn), not wanting the details of her son’s death to be well-known, tries to bribe a bright young doctor, John Cukrowicz (played by Montgomery Cliff), into lobotomizing her niece. Resisting the idea, Dr. Cukrowicz instead vows to find out the truth about what happened to Catherine’s cousin before sealing her fate. The film received mixed reviews (the screenwriters, Gore Vidal and Tennessee Williams himself, denounced it after it was released), yet it is still an interesting viewing because of how darkly twisted its plot becomes.

King Creole (1958) In 1958, the King graced the Crescent City. In King Creole, Elvis Presley plays Danny Fisher, a 19-year-old who is denied his high school graduation because of a schoolyard fight. Trying to find a means to support himself and his father, Danny gets involved with petty crime before finding a job as a musician in a New Orleans club. However, Danny’s former crime boss (played by Walter Matthau) uses his girlfriend (played by Carolyn Jones) to bring Danny back to a life of crime. King Creole was a critical and commercial success when released, with film critics unanimously praising Elvis’s performance (and Elvis once stated that King Creole was his favorite film to work on). A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)

The Buccaneer (1958)

One of the many works penned by New Orleans’s favorite playwright Tennessee Williams, A Streetcar Named Desire follows Blanche DuBois (played by Vivien Leigh), who leaves her teaching job in Mississippi to live with her sister, Stella Kowalski (played by Kim Hunter), and Stella’s husband Stanley (played by Marlon Brando), in their New

A remake of the 1938 original by the same name, The Buccaneer is a heavily fictionalized story about the French pirate Jean Lafitte. Set during the War of 1812, the film features Yul Brynner as Lafitte, who is asked by General Andrew Jackson (played by Charlton Heston) and Governor William C. C. Claiborne (played by E. G. Marshall) to

72 | Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

The Cincinnati Kid (1965)

help the Americans fight against the British during the Battle of New Orleans. Despite feeling he should side with the British, Lafitte ends up helping the Americans because of his infatuation with Claiborne’s daughter (played by Inger Stevens). While The Buccaneer received criticism for its historical inaccuracies, the acting and action scenes were largely praised. Suddenly, Last Summer (1959) Another work by Tennessee Williams, Suddenly, Last Summer stars Elizabeth Taylor

Starring the “King of Cool,” Steve McQueen, The Cincinnati Kid is a story about Eric “The Kid” Stoner, a young man who strives to be the best poker player around in Depression-era New Orleans. Eric ends up playing a game against the current poker master, Lancey “The Man” Howard (played by Edward G. Robinson), but realizes a man named Slade (played by Rip Torn) rigged the game in order to get back at Lancey. As a result, Eric strives to prove his skills by beating the men at their own game. Not only was the film shot in New Orleans, but The Cincinnati Kid also features a cameo of local musician Emma Barrett, as well as one of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

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FilmReviews

Catch all of Where Y'at's film reviews by Movie Editor David Vicari and Critic Fritz Esker at WhereYat.com.

Toy Story 4 By David Vicari

Out of all of Pixar's computer-animated Toy Story movies, the second one is my personal favorite. I think it is brilliant, and even tops the first one, which, itself, is pure joy. While Toy Story 3 is a lot of fun and a good movie, it is my least favorite because I feel it recycles too many ideas and situations from the first two films. So, I was worried that a fourth trip to the well might come up dry (Lethal Weapon 4 or Scream 4, anyone?). Well, Toy Story 4 isn't quite Toy Story 2, but it is still an absolutely wonderful and inventive film. In kindergarten class, young Bonnie (voice of Madeleine McGraw) creates a new toy out of a spork and pipe cleaners and names him Forky (voice of Tony Hale). The problem with Forky is that he considers himself trash and not a toy and is always attempting to throw himself away. It is up to cowboy doll Woody (Tom Hanks) to keep an eye on the plastic spork because Forky is Bonnie's favorite. However, during a family roadtrip, Forky makes his escape, so Woody goes after him. Of course, spaceman action figure Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) isn't going to let Woody do it alone. Needless to say, our favorite toys end up trying to escape from a creepyas-hell antique shop, complete with a vintage baby doll, Gabby Gabby (Christina Hendricks), who wants Woody's voice box. Her ventriloquist dummy henchmen are total nightmare fuel and may scare small children—because they scared me. The characters responsible for the biggest and loudest laughs are a couple of plush carnival dolls, Ducky and Bunny (voiced by Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, respectively), who are sewn together by the hand. Look out for the “plush rush”. Toy Story 4 is all about love—love lost and wanting to be loved. It's also abundantly clear that this movie was made with love.

Men in Black: International By Fritz Esker

Hollywood's love affair with sequels and reboots continues unabated with the mildly amusing Men in Black: International. After reaching a satisfying end to the original films with Men in Black 3, the series resumes, with Chris Hemsworth playing a cocky, party-animal MIB agent in London. He is partnered with Tessa Thompson, a rookie who dreamed of joining the MIB after she encountered an alien as a child. The plot involves a dangerous weapon, invasive aliens, and a possible mole in the MIB. Hemsworth and Thompson had good chemistry in the superior Thor: Ragnarok, and they work well together here, too. There are some funny lines and a few creative creature designs. But while the original Men in Black was a tightly scripted 98-minute romp, this one (directed by F. Gary Gray) feels a tad bloated at 114 minutes. It spends the last 20 minutes resolving a plot thread that the script could have found a way to resolve earlier. There is also the "been there, done that" feeling to the film, which plagues even reasonably competent sequels and reboots.

74 | Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

The Dead Don't Die

Dark Phoenix

By Fritz Esker

Even writer/director Jim Jarmusch's better films (Broken Flowers, Down by Law) walk a fine line between low-key, deadpan comedy and total cinematic inertia. It's something Jarmusch's new film, The Dead Don't Die, struggles with as well, but without much success. The combination of Jarmusch's brand of humor with the zombie genre has potential. There's also a strong cast (Bill Murray, Adam Driver, Danny Glover) playing the residents of a small town, where the dead have slowly begun to come to life because of climate change. As would be expected in a Jarmusch film, it's all paced very leisurely. There are occasional chuckles, but they're too infrequent. The script has Adam Driver break the fourth wall early on by referring to the movie's theme song. But this device is then forgotten about until almost the very end of the film. Breaking the fourth wall is fine, but it should've been incorporated throughout the film (see also Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Goodfellas, Deadpool) and not just haphazardly introduced twice. The movie also tries to imply that many people are already materialistic zombies anyway, but these themes were far better explored in other zombie films, like Shaun of the Dead and the original Dawn of the Dead. The Dead Don't Die's script is so clumsy that it has Tom Waits's hermit character literally spell out the theme near the end. As zombie comedies go, it is several miles behind Shaun and Zombieland. The Dead Don't Die will likely be of interest to Jarmusch diehards only.

The newest series of X-Men films (beginning with 2011's X-Men: First Class) appears to be drawing to a close after four movies, with the underwhelming Dark Phoenix. Written and directed by Simon Kinberg, Dark Phoenix sees the telepathic Jean Grey (Sophie Turner) become uncontrollably powerful after an encounter with a mysterious celestial force. Invading aliens (led by Jessica Chastain) want to use Grey's new power for their own sinister ambitions, while the rest of the X-Men (James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, and others) scramble to fix things. The biggest problem Dark Phoenix has is on the screenwriting level. Grey is the character with the arc in this story, but the movie focuses more on everyone else trying to deal with her newfound powers than it focuses on her. Even a good superhero movie needs a character arc, and while Grey has one here, the movie makes the mistake of keeping viewers at arm's length from that character. The action scenes are serviceable, and Dark Phoenix is not a bad film, but it is a highly forgettable one.

WhereYat.com | July 2019 | 75

TalesFromTheQuarter By Debbie Lindsey

Reminisces and Respites

Eat, Drink and Relax at Apolline NEW HAPPY HOUR 4:30 - 6:30 Tuesday - Friday $1 Charbroiled Oysters - $2 Mimosas

4729 Magazine Street • (504) 894-8881 • www.ApollineRestaurant.com 76 | Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

y July, the novelty of “summertime and the livin’ is easy” has worn off like sunscreen, leaving behind a vague stickiness, and we realize there is no respite from the elements—other than the threat of a storm. You know it’s hot when approaching hurricanes are a welcome break from the remorseless humidity. And the crazy thing is, it will only get hotter before our summer season ends, sometime around early October (with hurricane season still going strong into November). Some folks actually enjoy the simmer of this relentless heat, but most of us stew, sweat, and swear at the world. My New Orleans—she sure ain’t easy. Whoever nicknamed her “the Big Easy” should revisit that thought in the dead of summer, while maneuvering about our potholes on the way to a poorly paying job that can’t keep up with the ever-rising rents and utilities. There are endless frustrations; they litter our collective psyche. Yet looking back into the mists of Jazz Fest reminiscences, when summer was merely last year’s memory and our attitudes were full of sweatless pride and pleasure, I realize that it’s important to make a case for ALWAYS lovin’ this town—even when the doldrums of summer sweat can lead you to the dark side. So, I am writing the following now, while in the throes of perspiration passion for my town. Despite summer’s weather abuses, I know why I so love living here, even when frustrations reach a boiling point. I am fond of saying that if I had to pick one—just one—memory to hold on to as a reason to live here, it would be Jazz Fest. Why? Because during the two weeks of Jazz Fest, I am reminded of all the other reasons in the seasons that make living in New Orleans special. While I am treated to the performances of visiting world-class, world-renowned musicians and vocalists, I am moved the most by our own wealth of local talent, who make this town a magnet year-round and constantly draw in the visiting famous from afar. Watching the Andrews/Hills/Neville/Jordan/ Marsalis dynasties (to name just some) take to the Jazz Fest stages, I decide that something must be in the water to make such magic grow here perennially—magic that I’ll get to see on a regular basis, even if only in the grocery store or local restaurants. This level of talent is not consigned merely to music. Jazz Fest showcases the crafts, art, books, fashion, and cuisine of this region. Our homegrown creativity is complemented and enhanced by those artists of all mediums who visit us and even go a step further and adopt us as their new home. Nothing stagnates here—we ebb and flow. A friend once scoffed when I spoke of our city attracting the cultural tourist. I persisted and maintained that we are most certainly a cultural destination, and he countered with

how we can’t compete with institutions the caliber of, for example, the Louvre. To some, culture is found within a museum—but here, it grows. New Orleans culture is not confined to a wall or a stage—it walks, talks, sings, and sashays down our streets. Our music is carried on a breeze, be it a high school band practice session, a bunch of old men stooping and singing as they coax Marvin Gaye from a beat-up boom box, or a Sunday gospel choir reaching to the heavens. As for our curated art, it can and should stand proud next to any world-class museum. However, we know that art needn’t be housed in grandeur. It can be found in a small house in the Lower Ninth or the Treme. The House of Dance and Feathers and the Backstreet Cultural Museum could never be “contained” within conventional walls—and they are sought out and visited by world travelers. I have learned that you can’t take this town for granted. I did that some years back, and then along came Katrina. Now that was a wake-up call if ever there was one. The world looked to us and wept, and then they came forth and helped us rebuild and save our cultural heritage. I must relive those days and never forget why we stayed and why we all fought to save our city. It was worth it, and even the dysfunctions, disrepairs, disrespect, and encroachment of gentrification—even the damn heat—should never be allowed to sway my love. Any relationship can hit the skids, weaken, and teeter on the edge of ruin. With any romance, you have to nurture it and grow it and give it some “special” time. Every couple needs a special date night or romantic getaway. The same goes for my relationship with New Orleans. I need—we all need—to see her gussied up and showing her best side, for her to be given a break from the headlines with second lines. Merriment should reign over mayhem, with distinction trumping dysfunction. But never ignore a beloved’s problems. Treat those issues as a challenge to be improved upon. We must tend to our New Orleans, encourage her eccentricities, replace disrespect with deference, and welcome changes that enhance rather than dilute our distinctive culture. Educate to perpetuate all the incredible entities that make this town so damn unique. So, here I am in the thick woolen-blanket humidity of sweltering July, risking another day of being worn down by the hot mess that this place often slips into. And today, I will rub the Jazz Fest ticket stubs, taped to my mirror, for a little bit of luck and a prayer—to help soften my scrunched-up frown when I see only the negative of New Orleans. And as I reapply my sunscreen barrier against the wrath of summer’s sun and annoyances, I shall look back to memories of music, culture, and fabulous funk, knowing they are here year-round, waiting to be appreciated.

Po-BoyViews By Phil LaMancusa

Survey Says OR Jigsaw Puzzle

topping by our table one morning, a young man earnestly inquires a moment of our time to ask a “quick question” for a project that he’s doing—a study. We’re handed business flyers as a means of validation; he introduces himself as David. The question is: Do you think that it’s possible to live debt-free? First of all, I’m thinking, never ask a couple of caffeine-jacked-up geezers for their opinion on anything. Don’t you know that we were thinking existentially since before your parents were born? First of all, I think, let’s break that question into three parts: Do I think? Yes. Is it possible to live? Sure. Debtfree? Define debt-free. Is living debt-free the absence of the necessity of need or the ability to effortlessly pay for anything you require? Does it mean you needn’t worry about money because you have so much or that you have none at all and don’t need any? There’s a tramp with a sign in the intersection. He’s breathing in exhaust fumes for the most part of the day, waiting for drivers to give him money. He probably doesn’t pay rent. Sitting on his milk crate, “trying to waste his time, with his mentholated sandwich, he’s a walking clothes line.” Is he debt-free, or does he owe his body and spirit more? If he gets sick (and you know, eventually, he will), who will have the debt of taking care of him, or will he carry that future debt starting now? His sign says “God Bless, Anything Helps.” Does he live by the kindness of strangers, and is that “debtfree”? After all, what does he owe anyone? Are food, clothing, and shelter considered debts? Child care? Transportation? Taxes? Makeup, dry cleaning, toiletries, drinking water, rent? It’s not debt if you have money coming in from somewhere—like employment. And to what do you owe your job? Is your performance for money a debt that you have to pay, so that you can pay the debt of your responsibilities to other things, like Entergy, Sewerage & Water, and flea medicine for Fido? It’s a loaded freaking question. Is debt-free a condition where there are more assets than liabilities, more income than outlay, more credits than debits? With more pluses than minuses, what do you have to pay to be on the positive side of that equation? Is it a case of “them that gots is them that gets”? If that’s the case, asked Ray Charles, “How do you get it in the first place?” (A mystery.) How do you get the resources to become debt-free without going into debt— rob a bank? If I have a business that allows my life to be debt-free, here’s how it works: I can’t get a lease until I have insurance. I can’t get insurance until I have an alarm system and

fire alerts. The state taxes my inventory every year, whether that inventory is new or left from last year. I need to replenish inventory as it sells. I might have to pay someone who works for me. I pay lights, cable, trash, supplies, repairs, and maintenance. I take the profits and suffer any losses. Somehow, at home, I’m not worried about the living expenses for me and my loved ones. Am I debt-free? What exactly is a debt? Are living expenses considered debts? Is my growth and well-being (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual) a debt? Is the happiness of others who have come to be part of my life’s function a debt that I have incurred? Do we not pay a debt to love every time we express and exercise that feeling? Is care in and of itself not a debt that we take on? Is responsibility a debt? Is loving something a responsibility, and therefore an expense— a debt? So, what would you say to that sincere lad who approaches you with a seemingly innocuous question? “Sure, you dimwit squirrel, move to City Park, live in a tree, eat acorns!” Or, do you tell him, “Lad, you went into debt while you grew in your mother’s uterus, and you’ll be in debt until the moment they lay you in that pine box”? Not very reassuring, eh? And when you get to heaven, will you still owe your soul to the Company Store? Are you gonna leave some debt behind for someone else to pick up? Did I inherit debt from my family? Do I have to repay kindnesses? Do I owe anyone an explanation? Have you ever considered “Can I live debt-free?” “NO!” says your bartender. Also, NO says the doctor, NO says the nurse, and NO says the lady with the alligator purse; we live in a debt society. Suck it up. So, you have to wonder (or I do), is debt a happy thing? It is, if you consider that the things that you’re paying for give you happiness. If things that you’re paying for don’t contribute to your happiness and wellbeing, why bother? Well, what’s the alternative? Join the counterculture who refuse to go into debt. Sounds easy, right? Don’t become materialistic. Also, be willing to make sacrifices as to what you bring into your life—is this a debt you really want? Practice self-control, be goal-driven, and run away from anything that causes debt—in short, a lot of work for little reward. True story: I once built a covered wagon and bought a mule, with the intent of traveling the country (with woman and child), being totally off-grid forever. A foray through white nationalist country resulted in the burning of the wagon and poisoning of the mule. Can you live without being part of the debt system? No. Life, as we know it, will not allow that.

WhereYat.com | July 2019 | 77

YaGram

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

NewsAroundTheWeb

Updated Daily at WhereYat.com

TeaStartupLaunchesSubscriptionService

@bellegardebakery

@islesofkyle

@dirtysouthsammiches

New Orleans-based tea startup, Free Your Tea, has introduced a brand new subscription service that delivers high quality loose leaf teas hand picked from the finest tea plantations to its members. The new subscription service specializes in cold brewed iced tea instead of tea powder packets and will allow the subscribers to discover various types of teas through different plans to suit their needs.

EmerilLagasse’sBoudin,Bourbon,andBeer @tffairweather

@cantguardcheese

@muffalottas

@roamingnola

@woodies_at_mrb

@midcitymedia

TweetBites

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

@joshhart: Best beignet spots in New Orleans? Asking for a friend

Don’t miss your chance to get tickets to the Emeril Lagasse Foundation’s Boudin, Bourbon & Beer fundraiser. The event will be returning on November 8 and 9 and will showcase the culinary talent of over 70 top U.S. chefs. There will also be Abita beer and bourbon cocktails from Buffalo Trace available. The event helps raise money for children to gain opportunities through culinary, nutrition, and arts education. Tickets go on sale July 1.

OneLastDr.JohnAlbumontheWay Dr. John fans still have something to look forward to! Although there is no release date or name yet, there is a posthumous album coming soon from this six-time Grammy Award-winning New Orleans legend. And thanks to keyboardist David Torkanowsky’s interview with Rolling Stone magazine, we know that the lyrical content of the upcoming album will be rooted in the country music genre. Dr. John passed away very recently at the age of 77 and will be greatly missed by the New Orleans community.

@NefariousNolan: Hopefully Brandon Ingram can finally put on some weight with that New Orleans food. @ LeahRiefberg: I will say one good thing about the streets of New Orleans and that is that sometimes if you hit a pothole hard enough your almost-out headlight will start working again @itsaleshajay: New Orleans don’t owe me anything but a full day of sleep @ IanMcNultyNOLA: Who needs a swamp tour when you have a drainage ditch in Kenner? @ Kingdavid97_: The best thing about New Orleans so far is when the bartender says “For here or to go?”

78 | Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

BastilleDayBlockParty Looking for a très bien way to celebrate Bastille Day? On July 13, the 13th annual Bastille Day Block Party will be held in Faubourg St. John. The day will be filled with live music, food from local businesses, and art. There will also be a costume contest to decide who has the best Napoleon or Marie Antoinette costumes. Live music will be brought to you by Cynthia Scott, Jamie Lynn Vessel, and Harmonouche with Raphael Bass.

BarGuide