New Orleans Magazine April 2017

APRIL 2017

myneworleans.com $4.95

WYES-TV celebrates

60 years!

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APRIL 2017 / VOLUME 51 / NUMBER 6 Editor-in-Chief Errol Laborde Managing Editors Morgan Packard, Ashley McLellan Art Director Tiffani Reding Amedeo Contributing Editor Liz Scott Monaghan Food Edit­or Dale Curry Dining Edit­or Jay Forman Wine and Spirits Edit­or Tim McNally Restaurant Reporter Robert Peyton Home Editor Lee Cutrone Web Editor Kelly Massicot Staff Writers Jessica DeBold, Melanie Warner Spencer Intern Marie Simoneaux Vice President of Sales Colleen Monaghan Sales Manager Kate Sanders Henry (504) 830-7216 / Kate@MyNewOrleans.com Senior Account Executive Lisa Picone Love Account Executives Claire Cummings, Jessica Marasco, Peyton Simms

Director of Marketing and Events Cheryl Lemoine Event Coordinator Whitney Weathers Digital Media Associate Mallary Matherne For event information call (504) 830-7264 Production Designers Monique DiPietro, Demi Schaffer, Molly Tullier Traffic Coordinator Terra Durio Chief Executive Officer Todd Matherne President Alan Campell Executive Vice President Errol Laborde Distribution Manager John Holzer Administrative Assistant Mallary Matherne Subscriptions Manager Sara Kelemencky WYES DIAL 12 STAFF (504) 486-5511 Executive Editor Beth Arroyo Utterback Managing Editor Aislinn Hinyup Associate Editor Robin Cooper Art Director Jenny Hronek NEW ORLEANS MAGAZINE

Printed in USA A Publication of Renaissance Publishing 110 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 123, Metairie, LA 70005 Subscriptions: (504) 830-7231 MyNewOrleans.com

New Orleans Magazine (ISSN 0897 8174) is published monthly by Renaissance Publishing, LLC., 110 Veterans Blvd., Suite 123, Metairie, LA 70005; (504) 828-1380.

Subscription rates: one year $19.95; Mexico, South America and Canada $48; Europe, Asia and Australia $75. An associate subscription to New Orleans Magazine is available by a contribution of $40 or more to WYES-TV/Channel 12, $10.00 of which is used to offset the cost of publication. Also available electronically, on CD-ROM and on-line.

Periodicals postage paid at Metairie, LA, and additional entry offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to New Orleans Magazine, 110 Veterans Blvd., Suite 123, Metairie, LA 70005. Copyright 2017 New Orleans Magazine. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the consent of the publisher. The trademark New Orleans and New Orleans Magazine are registered. New Orleans Magazine is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photos and artwork even if accompanied by a selfaddressed stamped envelope. The opinions expressed in New Orleans Magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the magazine managers or owners.

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contents

76 FEATURES

IN EVERY ISSUE

58

The Uptown Experience

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Inside

By R. Stephanie Bruno

“My Favorite Block

76

Fest Forward

20

Speaking Out

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Julia Street

A guide to life along the river’s big curve

Festival Season Fashion

By Lisa Tudor

Editorial, plus a Mike Luckovich cartoon

Questions and answers about our city

158 Try This

“Say Hay”

160 Streetcar

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“Lessons From a Streetcar”

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ON THE COVER

Uptown New Orleans features unique neighborhoods with restaurants, galleries, bars, and more to appeal to any taste, starting on pg. 58.

Photographed by Marianna Massey

contents

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86

THE BEAT

LOCAL COLOR

THE MENU

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Marquee

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Chris Rose

84

Table Talk

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Persona

44

Modine’s New Orleans

86

Restaurant Insider

“Root Causes”

46

Joie d’Eve

48

In Tune

“Music’s Best Month”

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Read & Spin

A look at the latest albums and books

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Entertainment calendar

Writer Rick Bragg

Biz

“Brain Gain”

Education

“Remaking Public Schools”

Health

“Melodies in the Mind”

Healthbeat “Skin Deep”

Chronicles

“Spinning Platters”

“Dancing in the Field”

“That’s a Wrap”

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Jazz Life

54

Home

“Counter Culture”

News From the Kitchens: Poke Loa, Lula Restaurant Distillery + Saffron Nola

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Food

“First the Vegetable”

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Last Call

96

Dining Guide

Spring’s Promise

“Lured to New Orleans”

“Family Friendly”

DIAL 12, D1

Happy 60th birthday, WYES! We at WYES are truly thankful to have been a part of so many lives for the past 60 years, and we couldn’t have done it without your support. WYES-TV continues to strive to provide viewers with the most educational, entertaining and enlightening programming. “Antiques Roadshow” and WYES will host an all-day appraisal event on Sat., July 22. Apply now at WYES.org; deadline is April 10.

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inside

My Favorite Block New Orleans is rich with quirky streets and addresses where there’s a story to tell, like the house on Caffin Avenue that Fats Domino lives in and the red Creole Frenchmen Street home where Jelly Roll Martin grew up. No block captures so much within a short distance as the stretch along Bordeaux Street between Tchoupitoulas and Annunciation streets.

Explore what, at first, appears to be a plain looking block and there’s something for all the senses. To begin, at the corner of Tchoupitoulas stands a culinary place of global importance within its genre. Hansen’s SnoBliz is proclaimed, by me, to be the world’s greatest snowball stand. The one and only ice crusher machine that Ernest Hansen invented to spew out a fine snow still exists. It is splashed by syrups made in the spirit of co-founder Mary Hansen, whose granddaughter, Ashley, has taken the business to another generation.

While munching on your Sno-Bliz (that’s what they call it) walk down the block from the river and notice the big unimposing warehouse to the left. There are no markings to indicate what’s inside. This looks like the sort of place where drain pipes, or maybe sacks of concrete mix, would be stored. Instead, the place is filled with fantasy. During the final weeks leading to Mardi Gras, when the freight doors are most likely open, take a look inside and notice the swirl of color. This is a float den for three old-time Carnival krewes; Proteus, Chaos (formerly Momus) and the resting place for what remains of Comus, which no longer parades but 14

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has the distinction of being the group that started the city’s continuing parading tradition.

Supposedly Comus’ King’s float, that once waddled along St. Charles Avenue on Mardi Gras night, remains intact.

Somewhere in the neighborhood, the man who most personifies local culture, Deacon John, lives. When they were kids, the Neville Brothers resided in the neighborhood, too.

Around the corner at Annunciation and Lyons Streets, stands Grit’s Bar which, one day a year, has become an epicenter for Carnival street culture. This is where both the Lyons Marching Club and the Jefferson City Buzzards converge during their practice marches on the Sunday before the Carnival parades start. Meanwhile, the Phunny Phorty Phellows are in the back sucking on crawfish.

Our cover story is about Uptown, where there are lots of discoveries. If you need more, go back to Tchoupitoulas at Bordeaux. F & M Patio, one of the city’s great dance bars, is at the end of the block. You might even be able to hear the Neville Brothers on the jukebox.

on the web

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Make sure to sign up for the daily MyNewOrleans.com newsletter, too. Be the first to read our blogs, get the 411 on top events around the city and see the features and columns from all seven of our publications all in one place.

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2016 Press Club of New Orleans Winners

Lifetime Achievement Award: Errol Laborde Cartoon: Mike Luckovich Column: “Me Again,” Chris Rose Special Section – Writing: “People to Watch,” Tiffani Reding Amedeo and Morgan Packard 16

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myneworleans.com APRIL 2017

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meet our sales team

Kate Sanders Henry

Sales Manager (504) 830-7216 Kate@myneworleans.com

Lisa Picone Love

Senior Account Executive (504) 830-7263 Lisa@myneworleans.com

Jessica Marasco

Account Executive (504) 830-7220 JessicaM@myneworleans.com

Claire Cummings

Account Executive (504) 830-7250 Claire@myneworleans.com

Peyton Simms

Account Executive (504) 830-7249 Peyton@myneworleans.com

Colleen Monaghan

Vice President of Sales (504) 830-7215 Colleen@myneworleans.com

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speaking out

The Monuments A failure to understand

What is most maddening about the monument removal situation is that it didn’t need to happen. There was no outcry; no outrage.

Prior to the election of the current mayor, New Orleans had four black mayors in a row spanning a period of 32 years, and not once had the statues been an issue. People saw the statues not as a symbol of slavery but as icons from the city’s history, much as there are statues of kings and princes in European cities that long ago shunned monarchies. But the Confederate soldiers were not alone. On other pedestals stand saints and various liberators, including Joan of Arc, Bernardo de Galvez, Simon Bolivar and Andrew Jackson. There is Margaret Haughery, who baked bread and provided care for orphaned kids, and Enrique Alferez’s classic statue of Molly Marine. Louis Armstrong stands proudly in a park named after him. Near where 20

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he’s supposed to have landed stands Bienville.

Not all of these figures represented perfect people (not even the saints), but all were part of the pageantry of the city’s culture.

Removing the monuments was part of a regional ripple set off by the tragic murder of members from a black church congregation in South Carolina. The gunman was white. That began a yelling match about the Confederate flag as a symbol of the Old South. Some states had even included the stars and bars in their flag, but not Louisiana. Truth is this state wasn’t as committed to the Confederacy as were its regional colleagues. As home of a global port, it saw the world differently. President Lincoln knew that, and in his speeches mentioned Louisiana as possibly the first state that would reconstruct itself. Rather than the Conferate symbols in its flag, Louisiana chose

motherhood, showing a gracious pelican with chicks at its breast.

“Racist” has become a word that’s frequently used as a weapon, most often by those with little training on how to handle it. There are many situations in life where race may be a factor but not the explanation. It is, for example, not at all racist to appreciate the statue of General Beauregard as a beautiful example of equestrian art, created by then-renowned artist Alexander Doyle, who also designed the Lee image. For those who have lived in the city for a while, the statues were part of the landscape.

On this topic, we draw from a font of wisdom – our readers. Responding to a blog on our website, MyNew Orleans. com, a commenter, Michael Rouchell, made these points: “The political leaders of the past were so much smarter than those of today. For one thing they knew that the only way the country could be reunified was that there could be no prosecution of the South and its soldiers. … The South was allowed to construct monuments to honor their soldiers just as the North did.

This was the only way that the country could re-unite. …

Removal of the monuments is a step backwards; it isn’t a step forward. It will not unify us; it will divide us.”

Worst among all wars are those that never had to be fought. n

AN ORIGINAL ©MIKE LUCKOVICH CARTOON FOR NEW ORLEANS MAGAZINE

julia street | WITH POYDRAS THE PARROT THE PURSUIT TO ANSWER ETERNAL QUESTIONS

Madame Francine, 440 Bourbon

Hi Julia, I am trying to find out info on one old gay bar in New Orleans that was called The Galley House, run and managed by Mary Collins and Alice Brady. It was lovingly called “The Wrinkle Room” because of its clientele of mature men, and was later taken over by a German man, Hans, whose last name escapes me now, and is closed now. I know it was open at least from the late 1950s through the ’70s or ’80s, and was famous on Mardi Gras Day, as it was the meeting place of all the drag queens to start out their day – and usually end. Also, could you direct me to a listing and description of other older gay bars that are no longer around? One I’ve heard of was Tony Baccino’s. I’d like to go around and see what these places are today.

Mike Palisi Chalmette The problem with finding descriptions of New Orleans earlier gay and gay-friendly bars is that they didn’t openly proclaim that they welcomed or tolerated homosexual patronage.

Raids and entrapment for morals charges and b-drinking were frequent and, for this reason, 22

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newspaper accounts of such places are skewed toward those establishments which ran afoul of the law.

The club name “Galley House” was a misinterpretation of the original building owner’s name, which was spelled “Gally.” In 1830, architects Gurlie & Guillot designed three adjacent houses for Louis Gally; the Chartres Street properties would remain in the Gally family for more than a century.

Miss Mary Collins, long associated with Lafitte’s, ran the Galley House bar at 542 Chartres St. from 1957 until her death a decade later at the age of 66. “Hans” was Helmut Stuhlmann, who managed the Galley House in the mid-’70s and early ’80s. Alice Brady managed a number of lesbian bars.

Tony Baccino’s, 738 Toulouse St., was notorious in its day and, in the 1950s, was off-limits to Navy personnel. It is now The Dungeon.

A Baby Boomer friend of mine recalls that, when the New Orleans-based Western television series “Yancy Derringer” was on air in the late 1950s, tourists would often go searching for the show’s fictional gambling establishment, Madame Francine’s. Finding Madame

Francine’s at 440 Bourbon St., some would innocently marvel at the establishment’s lack of female patrons. It is shown here as it appeared when photographer Arvin Pelle shot it on May 3, 1962.

Although it doesn’t discuss the Galley House or Madame Francine’s, the book In Exile: The History and Lore Surrounding New Orleans Culture and Its Oldest Gay Bar (ISBN 9781905091997), by Frank Perez and Jeffrey Palmquist, recalls a large number of gay and gay-friendly establishments active between the early 1930s and the turn of the 21st century. It includes a bibliography, timeline and appendices. Still in print, it’s readily available as a paperback or e-book.

Dear Julia, Years ago my wife and I honeymooned in New Orleans. We were instantly taken in by the history and magic of the city, and we return to visit as often as we can. There is a beautiful Greek Revival-style residence that caught my attention in the French Quarter on our first visit, located at 1025 Saint Louis St. Ever since then I’ve been curious about the structure. Would you be able to provide some details regarding its history and use? Any special historical significance? Thank you for your column – it’s our connection to New Orleans when we’re away Chris Duncan Opelika, Alabama

photograph courtesy of The Charles L. Franck Studio Collection at The Historic New Orleans Collection

The two-and-a-half story townhouse at 1025 St. Louis St. is a shining example of Greek Revival style. An unknown builder built the structure around 1840 for Pierre Sindos and Severin Latorre, both of whom were free men of color. Known as the SindosLatorre-Boucvalt House, the building is considered notable for its architectural integrity and African-American heritage. It is noted as number HABS LA-1244 in the Historic American Buildings Survey.

Dear Julia, When growing up shopping on and around Canal Street, there were several buildings with below-ground level basements. As I recall, they were: Sears at Baronne and Common streets; the Roosevelt Hotel between Baronne Street and O’Keefe Place; McCrory’s (or was it Kress?) in the 1000 block of Canal Street; maybe Maison Blanche Annex on the downtown river corner of Iberville Street; and the Saenger Theatre between N. Rampart Street and Basin Street.

Were there others of which I wasn’t aware? Are all of these still functional? What were the conditions allowing such unique construction in this one area of the city? In what time span were these built?

I love your columns; it’s the first thing I look for when I receive New Orleans Magazine!

My family and I have had wonderful conversations remembering some of the things that are mentioned in the questions asked and your answers. Keep up the good work!

Linda Naquin Deslatte Mandeville Shucks, thanks for the compliments, Linda, but I know that it’s really Poydras that people worship.

Below-ground basements,

through scarce in New Orleans, do exist but aren’t exclusive to public buildings downtown. Some residences have them. Improved drainage in the first two decades of the 20th century certainly made basements more practical and popular.

The Audubon Building, the old Hotel Grunewald (now the Roosevelt), the Tulane Theatre and the colored Knights of Pythias building are a few other prominent early 20th century structures that were built with subterranean basements. Usually, basements housed building infrastructure, but the one at the Grunewand was famous as the elaborate nightclub The Cave. By the 1950s, some basements, including those at City Hall and the Main Branch of New Orleans Public Library were designated as Cold War-era fallout shelters. The library’s basement, incidentally, didn’t flood in the aftermath of the post-Katrina levee failures. n

Win a restaurant gift certificate t

Here is a chance to eat, drink and have your curiosity satiated all at once. Send Julia a question. If we use it, you’ll be eligible for a monthly drawing for a Jazz Brunch for two at The Court of Two Sisters. To take part, send your question to: Julia Street, c/o New Orleans Magazine, 110 Veterans Blvd., Suite 123, Metairie, LA 70005 or email: Errol@MyNewOrleans.com.

This month’s winners are Chip Duncan, Opelika, AL, and Linda Naquin Deslatte, Mandeville. myneworleans.com APRIL 2017

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The Beat MAR Q U EE | PERSO N A | B I Z | E D U C ATIO N | HEALTH | C RIME F IGHTI N G | C HRO N I C LES

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persona, PG. 28

”You can stand on a wornout brick sidewalk in New Orleans and if you just use a little bit of romance, you really can hear the past of a place.“ Writer Rick Bragg

greg miles photograph

THE BEAT | marquee

April Events

By Fritz Esker

TOP PICKS

cheryl gerber photo

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YLC Wednesday at the Square

Zurich Golf Classic

Carmina Burana

Spring is here and with it comes the return of the popular outdoor concert series, YLC Wednesday at the Square, to Lafayette Square. It is free and open to the public. Proceeds from food and drink sales benefit the Young Leadership Council’s community service projects. It runs through May 24, but April’s lineup is particularly exciting, with George Porter Jr., Jon Cleary and Big Sam’s Funky Nation all slated to perform.

Information, YLCNola.org

Local golf fans rejoice: The city’s premier golf tournament is back. An annual event since 1958, it has attracted big names like Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino and Tom Watson. This year’s tournament takes place April 24-30 at the Tournament Players Club in Avondale.

Tickets are available on a day-to-day or package basis. Information, ZurichGolfClassic.com

The most-performed choral work of the 20th century is coming to Loyola University’s Roussel Hall on April 5, courtesy of the Symphony Chorus of New Orleans. Movie buffs will recognize the music from films as varied as Excalibur, Natural Born Killers and Jackass. The featured songs cover topics as varied as springtime, love, sex, gambling and fortune. Information, SymphonyChorus.org

t CALENDAR

Through April 9 Goods of Every Description: Shopping in New Orleans, Historic New Orleans Collection. Information, HNOC.org April 1-May 21 A Life of Seduction: Venice in the 1700s, New Orleans Museum of Art. Information, NOMA.org April 2 Faust, Mahalia Jackson Theater. Information, MahaliaJacksonTheater.com

Center. Information, SmoothieKingCenter.com

April 11 Ariana Grande Dangerous Woman Tour, Smoothie King Center.

Information, SmoothieKingCenter.com April 13 Chris Brown, Smoothie King Center. Information, S moothieKingCenter.com

April 3 Radiohead, Smoothie King Center. Information, SmoothieKingCenter.com

April 14 Lisa Lampanelli – Live, Orpheum Theater. Information, OrpheumNOLA.com

April 4-9 The Bodyguard, Saenger Theater. Information, SaengerNOLA.com

April 15 Crescent City Classic, Jackson Square. Information, CCC10K.com

April 6 Outside the Bachs: Water Music, Orpheum Theater. Information, OrpheumNOLA.com

April 18 Bob Weir and the Campfire Band, Saenger Theater. Information, SaengerNOLA.com

April 7 Tim McGraw and Faith Hill Soul2Soul World Tour, Smoothie King

April 20 & 22 Mendelssohn “Scottish” Symphony, Orpheum Theater.

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SPOTLIGHT

Bakery and more. It is free and open to the public.

What’s new? Over 20 artists make their festival debut in 2017, including the legendary Aaron Neville, who will perform on the Abita Beer Stage.

The Jack Daniel’s stage expands and moves to JAX Brewery. The stage will have entertainment all four days of festival. French Quarter Festival 2017 will also bring a stage to KIPP McDonogh 15 School for the Creative Arts.

French Quarter Festival

French Quarter Festival Board President Jeremy Thibodeaux discusses this year’s fest.

The 2017 French Quarter Festival, presented by Chevron, is April 6-9. It is the world’s largest showcase of Louisiana music, with over 1,700 local musicians on 23 stages. Over 60 restaurants participate, including Antoine’s, Galatoire’s, Haydel’s

What should newcomers see first? Plan ahead! Visit FQFI.org or download the app to see the full list of shows, special events and menus. Jackson Square is the heart of the neighborhood, an iconic place to begin … with first-class artists like Ellis Marsalis and Kermit Ruffins.

How do you deal with the ever-increasing crowds?

Stage and food vendor loca-

tions are often adjusted, like this year’s relocation of the Jack Daniel’s stage to JAX Brewery, a site we’re significantly expanding. Street closures are common in order to protect pedestrians, and partnerships with groups like Bike Easy help ease congestion for our locals.

What’s the most overlooked part of the fest?

The music schedule is so incredible that it would be easy to overlook the amazing special events.

Musicians share personal stories at “Let Them Talk, Conversations on Louisiana Music” at the U.S. Mint. Award-winning films about Louisiana are screened at the Whitney Bank Film Festival inside beautiful, historic Le Petit Théâtre; many include a Q&A with the filmmaker.

These, and smaller events, like Opera at Dusk and dance lessons with NOLA Jitterbugs, truly enhance the experience. n

Information, OrpheumNOLA.com

April 27-28 Dark Star Orchestra, Joy Theater. Information, TheJoyTheater.com

April 21 Umphrey’s McGee, Orpheum Theater. Information, OrpheumNOLA.com

April 27-30 Disney on Ice Presents Follow Your Heart, Lakefront Arena.

Information, Arena.UNO.edu

April 21 Jim Gaffigan: Noble Ape Tour, Saenger Theater. Information, SaengerNOLA.com April 21 Louie Anderson, Joy Theater. Information, TheJoyTheater.com April 22 Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Mahalia Jackson Theater.

Information, MahaliaJacksonTheater.com April 26 Alton Brown Live: Eat Your Science, Saenger Theater. Information, SaengerNOLA.com April 27 St. Paul & the Broken Bones, Orpheum Theater. Information, OrpheumNOLA.com

Craig Mulcahy photograph

April 28 Gov’t Mule, Saenger Theater. Information, SaengerNOLA.com April 28 Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals, Orpheum Theater.

Information, OrpheumNOLA.com April 28-30, May 4-7 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Fairgrounds.

Information, NOJazzFest.com April 29 The Meters, Orpheum Theater. Information, OrpheumNOLA.com April 30 Dan TDM On Tour, Saenger Theater. Information, SaengerNOLA.com

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THE BEAT | PERSONA

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at a glance

Age: 57 Profession: Writer Resides: Alabama Born/raised: Calhoun County, Alabama Education: “I’m technically still a freshman at Jacksonville State University. I have a honorary doctorate from there, but I was a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University in 1992-’93.” Favorite book: Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry Favorite movie: I tend to like those old sweeping big epics of the Golden Age of Hollywood Favorite TV show: “Peaky Blinders” Favorite food: “My mother’s pinto beans and ham.” Favorite restaurant: “That’s impossible to say; I’ve actually hurt myself worrying about it.”

by John Kennedy Toole and Tennessee Williams, who gave Bragg his most recent reason to visit with the Tennessee Williams New Orleans Literary Festival last month, where he taught a master class on memoir writing. Though his trips are provoked by work, Bragg admits that he keeps his schedule flexible.

“I usually try to come a bit early, and I usually try to stay a bit late. I’ve said this before, but I love New Orleans the way some people love women.”

Q: What draws you to New Orleans?

Rick Bragg Writer

By Lucie Monk Carter

Rick Bragg knows a good story when he hears one – whether it’s the family remembrances, spread across foothills of Appalachia, that make up the Pulitzer Prize-winning Alabama native’s All Over But the Shoutin’ (1997)

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and Ava’s Man (2001); the academic texts that first alerted him to New Orleans’ otherness (“New Orleans’ history was fascinating as a student and downright terrifying,” says Bragg); or the lurid renderings of the city in fiction

It’s just one word: romance. You can stand on a worn-out brick sidewalk in New Orleans and if you just use a little bit of romance, you really can hear the past of a place. You don’t have to work that hard to imagine the riverboats, to imagine the riverfront. I rode a ferry across the river on my first trip to New Orleans and I remember thinking, “In most other places, I’d be in a taxi cab.”

A lot of people would take “romance” to mean hearts and flowers, but that’s not what I mean. It’s a bloody romance and a dangerous romance and a decayed kind of romance with great hardship and sorrow woven into it. But also incredible … just joy.

greg miles PHOTOGRAPH

Q: Reading and writing are

usually considered solitary activities; what do you think the value is in having a book festival? Well, I’ve always been a big believer in book festivals for this reason: You get to see the people who lift you up and who keep you going and who give you the real reason to keep writing.

I don’t believe in writing in a closet, and I’ve never liked that phrase “Well, you know, I just write for me.” If I just wrote for me, I’d be a fisherman. I’d be out somewhere close to the Gulf of Mexico trying to catch a speckled trout. I’d be trying to find a tarpon somewhere. Or I’d just be sitting in a chair watching a bunch of cows graze. If I just wrote for me, I wouldn’t write anything.

And there are just some cradles of writing in the country. Every writer oughta get to spend the night in the Monteleone and walk through fog down one of those alleys around St. Louis Cathedral. Every writer needs to sit on a bench and look at the bridge over his right shoulder and watch a freighter go down that river.

Q: Tell me about your up-

coming book, The Best Cook in The World. My mother has never written down a recipe.

She was ill for a big part of the past year. She’s better now, but it occurred to me that there’s no record, none, of the best cook I’ve ever known. So, we started writing them down. Not just writing down the recipes, which would bore me to tears, but the stories behind the recipes. The nights on the river that led to a fish fry or turtle soup. The old people who left her with recipes for blackberry cobbler or the cousin who shot her husband in the teeth that prompted, not a

recipe, but prompted us to remember her, which made us remember the fact that she made the best chicken and dressing in the world.

Q: Do you ever worry that

you’ll run out of material?

You’re not going to run out of stories. What is going to happen eventually is you’re going to run out of people.

There’s going to come a day when – and I hope this day never comes – but there’s going to come a day when you’re the last lonely old man remembering. And maybe that will be worth writing, or maybe it won’t.

Much of what I’ve written is generations before me. You can call it memoir but the truth of it is, much of it comes before my own memory. I used to sleep at the foot of my grandmother’s bed and listen to her talk and talk. Sometimes to me and quite frankly sometimes, if her medicine was a little out of whack, talk to people who had been dead a long time.

That’s just part of, I think, being not just a Southerner but also a rural Southerner.

Gathering and saving those memories has been the joy of my writing life. It’s been the most important thing I’ve done. n

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true confession

I can probably sing just about every John Prine song and most Hank Williams songs, but I sing them very, very poorly. I’m not one of those people who sings in the shower. I used to just drink and sing, lying flat on the bed. myneworleans.com APRIL 2017

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THE BEAT | BIZ

Molly Hegarty, MS, RD

Brain Gain

Business groups in the hunt for next big idea

By Kathy Finn

Spring gets New Orleanians excited for many reasons: think French Quarter Festival, Jazz Fest and local food events too numerous to mention. But young business-minded locals also have another reason to get revved up this time of year – it’s the season of entrepreneurs.

Fresh off the city’s biggest entrepreneurial event, New Orleans Entrepreneurship Week, local business innovators are hot on the chase for prizes offered in annual business competitions. These are contests organized and supported by groups comprised of seasoned business owners in an effort to attract new business ideas, as well as to reward the best ones by giving them a boost toward commercial viability.

In the wake of success by the decade-old Idea Village, the city’s original venture accelerator and the founding organization behind Entrepreneurship Week, advocacy groups are casting a wider net for startups.

The groups vary by the business sector they target and the kind of support they offer, but they share in the goal of helping to put promising entrepreneurs on a path to success. Dozens of local startups have managed 30

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to implement a business plan, develop a growth strategy and bring their product or service to market through crucial support from these entrepreneurial support groups.

One New Orleans businessperson reaping the benefits of such associations is Molly Hegarty, a nutritionist who designed a digital nutritioncare intervention management program for patients at high risk for chronic disease. The app, developed by Hegarty, is receiving credit for saving nutritionists’ time and enabling them to focus more quickly on patients’ most important needs. Her company, RDNote, recently received $250,000 from a hospital-based health care innovation fund in Lafayette to help the company introduce its product in hospitals throughout the Gulf Coast.

RDNote, launched in 2015, also received assistance from New Orleans business accelerator Propeller, which specializes in supporting fledgling companies focused specifically on social and health innovation. Propeller and other local startup advocates not only offer shared office accommo-

dations and professional assistance to incipient businesses, but also use business pitch competitions to connect entrepreneurs with capital and enlarge the pool of good business ideas.

Here is a look at some upcoming events that local business advocates are using to keep entrepreneurship growing in New Orleans: PitchNola This business competition, presented

by Propeller, focuses on startups that offer socially responsible solutions to common issues.

Now in the midst of its fourth annual competition entitled Living Well, PitchNola is reviewing business ideas aimed at making health care more affordable and accessible for New Orleanians.

Sponsor Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana will award $10,000 in total startup funding for solutions deemed to have potential to help local people become healthier, more active and better nourished.

PitchNola will accept applications from businesses, individuals, clinics and restaurants, among others. The deadline to apply is April 25. Propeller will select jeffery johnston PHOTOGRAPH

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Game on

Prospective entrepreneurs looking for help with a great business idea may be interested in these events: PitchNola, Living Well Seeking ideas to make health affordable and accessible.

Application deadline: April 25 Final competition: May 24 Contact Emily Eckland at eeckland@GoPropeller.org Tulane Business Model Competition Cash prizes for winning ideas proposed by students and others.

Final competition: April 20.

Details at Freeman.Tulane.edu/ node/5636 Collision Three-day national conference for entrepreneurs and startups, May 2-4 at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

Details at CollisionConf.com

10 semifinalists to pitch their ideas during a competition in late May. Tulane Business Model Competition Startups that can demonstrate an ability to meet a market need are the target of this annual event at Tulane University’s Freeman School of Business. The competition, which opened in November, is winding toward a final round of pitches this month.

Backers of the contest will award $40,000 in cash prizes to deserving ideas. As a bonus, the overall winner of the competition will be entered into the International Business Model Competition, held in Mountain View, California, in May.

Collision The New Orleans business community, along with a boost from business incubator LaunchPad founder Chris Schultz, scored a big win a few years ago by convincing sponsors of Collision, a national technology summit, to move their annual event to the Big Easy. Collision is the U.S. sister conference to Web Summit, an event first held in 2011 in Dublin, Ireland, which has grown into Europe’s most popular web-tech event.

Collision 2017 will be held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in early May, sandwiched between the two weekends of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. The conference, which bills itself as “America’s fastest-growing tech conference,” features a big lineup of speakers from some of the world’s most groundbreaking tech companies. Among those slated to speak during the threeday event are technology executives from companies such as Amazon, Reddit, Cisco, Ebay, Facebook, Ticketmaster, FanDuel, HBO and dozens more.

The target audience includes technology startups looking to pitch an idea and find growth funding, as well as entrepreneurs and venture capitalists looking for a promising place to invest their money.

The schmoozing, pitching and workshop event will draw thousands of innovators and investors to the city, not only broadening the opportunities for promising businesses, but also enlarging the spotlight that New Orleans has enjoyed during the past decade as a newly minted hub for entrepreneurial activity. See CollisionConf.com for details. n myneworleans.com APRIL 2017

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THE BEAT | education

Remaking Public Schools What Betsy DeVos stands for

By Dawn Ruth Wilson

While worries about the future of their health insurance topped the concerns of the hundreds of people who turned out for U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy’s Town Hall meeting in February, anxiety about the future of public education wasn’t far behind.

In fact, a sense of anxiety in general would best describe the crowd’s overall mood. The majority in attendance feared for the future of Social Security, continued coverage for preexisting medical conditions, and attacks on public schools. More importantly, most were concerned that Cassidy, Congress in general and the President’s appointees don’t care about half of the country’s population.

The belief that elected officials, regardless of party affiliation, have the duty to serve the best interests of the country and all their constituents appears to be on the decline. With voters so divided, many Americans believe that political party loyalty is the only basis for casting votes.

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Cassidy held the Town Hall, a public gathering to meet with constituents, at Jefferson Parish’s East Bank Regional Library on West Napoleon in Metairie. Like so many Town Hall meetings called by his Republican colleagues since President Trump’s election, these events have become lightning rods for citizens protesting the possible repeal of the Affordable Care Act, immigration policy, and the appointment of Betsy DeVos to head the Department of Education.

Cassidy’s sneak-in and sneak-out arrival to a space that was way too small to fit all the people who wanted to attend gave citizens left out in a hot parking lot reason to wonder if he cared about them. At one point, many began to chant “Where is Bill?” and “Shame, Shame.”

Desiree Aucoin, a Metairie resident, spoke to the leftover crowd about her daughter, Arabella, who suffers from a rare, life-threatening illness that can cause brain dysfunction. She said she is concerned that DeVos will dis-

mantle the Department of Education, which provides funding for students with special needs. “I want to know what his plan is for children with disabilities,” she said.

President Trump criticized public schools during his campaign and pledged to spend billions of dollars to expand non-traditional schools, such as independent charters. His appointment of DeVos as education secretary underscores a disregard for public schools and signals the possibility of drastic policy shifts. As an example, in Michigan, DeVos successfully spearheaded an expansion of charter schools and a failed attempt to get voter approval for a voucher program.

DeVos’ support of independent charter schools isn’t especially alarming brian hubble illustration

- the former education secretary supported them, too - except for the fact that she doesn’t appear to support regulating them.

The success of non-profit charters in New Orleans is partially the result of the state’s strict accountability measures. If they don’t perform, they are closed. In states with weak regulation and a preponderance of for-profit operators, charter schools haven’t performed as well.

The greatest danger for public education under DeVos’ leadership is a possible distribution of billions in federal money through block grants, which encourage states to expand unregulated charters and voucher programs that allow children to attend private schools at taxpayer expense.

Many small-scale voucher programs are underway now in several states, including Louisiana, but recent studies of these programs undercut the perception that they do a better job of educating than public schools.

Tulane University’s Education Research Alliance released a report in February that says the Louisiana Scholarship Program (LSP), instigated

by Governor Jindal in 2008, and expanded in 2012, has negatively affected the performance of its participants, especially in math.

The report states, “In general, our results indicate that the use of an LSP scholarship to enroll in private schools is associated with statistically significant - and substantively large - negative effects on student math achievement in the first two years of the program’s

statewide expansion.”

The researchers go on to add, “The magnitude of these negative estimates is unprecedented.”

The LSP has been a boon to some struggling private schools, especially parochial schools, which had been suffering from decreasing enrollment for many years. Jindal, a converted Catholic, signed the bill authorizing the vouchers at a Baton Rouge Catholic school with the New Orleans Archbishop standing behind him. His choice of location indicates that financially supporting Catholic schools with public dollars was his intended goal.

DeVos could have a similar goal. A Mother Jones article about DeVos’ political activism and philanthropy reports that she and her husband have spent millions of dollars supporting religious and Republican causes.

According to the article, in 2001 DeVos told the Gathering, a Christian group that encourages spreading the faith, “Our desire is to confront the culture in ways that will continue to advance God’s kingdom.”

The article also quotes a 2013 interview with a philanthropy magazine in which DeVos says charter schools are a “valid choice,” but they take a while to start up. “Meanwhile,” she continued, “there are very good non-public schools, hanging on by a shoestring, that can begin taking students today.”

If these non-public schools are so “good” why are they “hanging on by a shoestring?” DeVos isn’t likely to ask that question before providing billions in tax dollars to save them. n myneworleans.com APRIL 2017

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THE BEAT | health

Melodies in the Mind

The control and eradication of “earworms”

By Brobson Lutz M.D.

In New Orleans, the German cockroach is the insect most likely to wander into a sleeping person’s ear hunting for food, warmth or sex, or just because it’s lost. Once in, the commotion commences. The cockroach discovers that the ear canal is a one-way street with no intersections. All six legs start thrashing. It isn’t a pleasurable sensation.

During my days as an intern at Charity Hospital, patients with route sheets marked “roach in ear” were catapulted to the head of the triage line just behind gunshot wounds, stabbings and anything bleeding. Roaches in the ear became my accident room specialty. Cockroach extractions took less than a minute. A few drops of alcohol into the ear canal sent the cockroach into alcoholic stupor. The wiggling and intense discomfort ceased. I would then fish the insect out with tiny tweezers or flush it out with an ear syringe full of warm water. The relief was immediate.

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is the earworm. These buggers insidiously slip into human brains and migrate to the brain’s hearing center, causing the repetitive humming of some tune or lyric all day long. Attacks are usually brief, lasting only 15 to 30 seconds, but can reoccur for days with an annoying frequency. According to experts who published on the topic, earworms visit most human brains at one time or another.

Earworms are a prime example of an infectious malady not caused by conventional microbes or parasites. Exposure to music is often the inciting trigger, with seasonal outbreaks happening each Christmas and Jazz Fest. Most folks I knew growing up simply said, “I can’t get this tune out of my head.”

By now you have the drift. Other common monikers are sticky music, stuck song syndrome or simply song stickage.

My hat is off to whomever coined the term earworm. It is a perfect fit. Earworm researchers use more lofty terms, such as musical imagery repetition or involuntary musical imagery. A few

lines of an old song with lyrics is the most common earworm trigger. Repetitious instrumental music runs and jingles round out the top three earworm categories.

“Certain songs create a sort of cognitive itch, the mental equivalent of an itchy back,” wrote James Kellaris, an expert on the how music influences consumers at the University of Cincinnati. He presented his paper “Dissecting earworms: Further evidence on the song-stuck-in-yourhead phenomenon” at a 2003 consumer psychology meeting here in New Orleans. According to Kellaris, simplicity, repetition and something odd or unexpected in the cadence are factors that turn catchy songs into earworm candidates.

Even though my genetic makeup is void of genes related to musical talents,

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my mother recently came out of the closet and disclosed a couple of lines that have been haunting her off and on since before World War II: “You may not be an angel, ’cause angels are so few, But until the day that one comes along, I’ll string along with you.”

“Yes, 20 Million Sweethearts, and that was the time I saw every movie that came to Mariana, Florida. I started with the silent ones,” recounted my mother when I called her back after feeding the lines she remembered through a Google search. Her earworm tune premiered in that 1934 movie.

Back in New Orleans, with Jazz Fest in the air, earworms will be swarming like termites on a warm May night. Just hope the earworm that attacks you programs a tune you enjoy. n

Locals’ Personal Earworms

“Saxophonists don’t do words. We do notes. I repeat notes in my head all the time. Da dada da da dada da dada da da da da. It can go on for hours but it always goes away until next time.” Jerry Jumonville, the New Orleans granddaddy of rhythm and blues saxophone players “The first thing that comes to mind is ‘Rosenberg’s, Rosenberg’s, 1825, Tulane.’ New Orleanians can’t escape it. I met a couple from New Orleans on an Alaskan cruise.

All week long the first one to see the other would belt out ‘Rosenberg’s, Rosenberg’s’ and of course the response was always ‘1825 Tulane.’” Gwen Thompkins, veteran correspondent for National Public Radio and host of “Music Inside Out” “Almost every day. Repetition never annoys me. It just becomes the song in my head for that day. It can be any song or tune. Today it’s a song I wrote – ‘Must be the Mardi Gras.’ The line I just can’t stop repeating is ‘You Can Be Your Own Parade at Mardi Gras.’” Armand St. Martin, singer, reached a few days before Mardi Gras 2017

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THE BEAT | HEALTHBEAT

Skin Deep

Exfoliation exultation

By Kelly Massicot

I never thought I would allow someone to shave my face. But I did – and I absolutely loved it.

My skin hasn’t been the same since I began treatment for my arthritis. Recently, my skin decided it was going to dry up and peel like I was getting over a sunburn – cute, right? Wrong. So, when my sister-in-law, Christy Lama, shared on her social media that her work (Paris Parker Aveda Salon and Spa) had started providing a new exfoliation, I thought, why not see if this helps with my recent breakouts.

The practice, called dermaplaning, has been gaining in popularity recently, although it has actually been around for a while, favored by the likes of Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe.

Dermaplaning is a form of exfoliating the skin that involves a licensed professional aesthetician using a small scalpel to remove the dead skin and vellus hair, or peach fuzz, from your face. Removing the dead skin and hair brightens your face and removes the oils and debris trapped in the hair. The blade allows for a closer, more precise removal of hair and, as Elle magazine has reported, aids in long term skincare by increasing cell turnover. The result is fewer wrinkles and dark spots, and reduced acne scarring.

Even though I completely trust my sister-in-law, I was still skeptical and slightly nervous before my appointment. I can tell you with confidence that it was a fascinating experience. Not only was it unexpectedly comforting and relaxing, it was also interesting to see how much came off during the process and how bright my skin ended up being in the end.

My skin is sensitive, and afterward there was noticeably more redness than usual, so the procedure will likely affect those with similar skin issues. However, the next day I saw almost no redness and my face was uncharacteristically smooth. It was amazing how easily my makeup applied. I will definitely be shaving the date for another dermaplaning appointment.

Remember: It’s important to apply extra sunscreen after dermaplaning, since your skin will be sensitive. n 36

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THE BEAT | CHRONICLES

Spinning Platters The record shop hop

By Carolyn Kolb

There is something soulless about downloading music from the internet; just a click and you have an album or a song paid for and ready to play on the device of your choice. You can get CDs in shops; the Louisiana Museum Factory on Frenchman Street always has a good regional selection.

But, back in the day, there was something called a record store.

Round vinyl records, singles and albums, might be stored in bins, you could thumb through them. Sometimes you could actually play the music before you bought. (Today, nostalgia for this is honored in an interactive exhibit with bins of albums in a recreated record store in the new Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture.)

Back in the 1950s and ’60s, getting the latest radio hits was a prime goal of every local teenager. Kids spent a lot of their time and what spending money they had on music.

Most hits could be heard on radio – but some songs weren’t cleared for radio play because of suggestive lyrics. That didn’t keep the records from selling. Sally Reeves remembers going to a record shop on Dryades (most likely Schwab Music House at 1627-29 Dryades St.) to get a copy of “Annie Had a Baby” by Detroit group Hank Ballard and the Midnighters.

Dr. Robert Perry got his hot records at the One Stop Record Shop, 348 S. Rampart St., near a friend’s father’s barber shop. “I remember buying 45rpm records – ‘Earth Angel,’ ‘Blue Velvet.’” It wasn’t radio censorship that limited his listening: “My father didn’t like us playing 38

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Ray Charles in the house.”

The One Stop was owned by Joe Assunto, who also had a record label. In a 1993 OffBeat interview, New Orleans singer Johnny Adams (whose first big hit was “I Won’t Cry”) said he worked at the One Stop for several years in the ’60s. Adams remembered a “light weight piano” in the back of the shop, which another One Stop employee, Professor Longhair (Henry Roeland Byrd) would play.

Justin Winston, whose taste in recordings ranges from classical (“Smith’s on St. Charles Avenue near Jackson always had a good selection”) to rhythm and blues (“There was a Dew Drop Record Shop that had local 45rpm records, sometimes people I had never heard of.”) to popular (“Martha Jane’s Melody Lane moved twice on Carrollton Avenue.”) to traditional jazz (“Bill Russell had a record shop around St. Peter Street and clarinetist Raymond Burke had a little shop between two buildings near the Clover Grill on Bourbon.”). He is still buying records. “Last week I bought a Gene Autry version of ‘You Are My Sunshine’ on Okeh,” he admits.

Pherabe Kolb, who was in high school in the

late 1980s, recalled her first purchased LP: the soundtrack of Grease. The two music shops she and her friends frequented were Leisure Landing at 5800 Magazine St. and the Mushroom, on Broadway Avenue near Zimple Street.

But the medium changed: “It was really cassette tapes, and making your own mix tapes.”

Using their own jam boxes or their parents’ audio systems with two cassette players, “you would collect all the songs you wanted to put in the mix, and then you would put them on the other cassette in the order you wanted.”

“Then you would decorate the label of the cassette, list all the songs and give it a title,” she explains. “You could give it as a gift, or it just marked a moment in time.”

The search for the perfect songs to include was wide. “Fat Harry’s on St. Charles Avenue had a jukebox full of 45s from the 1970s, and we couldn’t find all of them to buy. So, we asked if we could borrow some to put on a mix tape – and they opened the jukebox and let us take them home to copy.”

Anybody in New Orleans knows how important it is to have the right music on your personal soundtrack. n

photo Courtesy of the AL ROSE Collection, Hogan Jazz Archive, Tulane University

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Local Color C HRI S RO S E | M O D I N E G U N C H | J OIE D ’ E V E | i n t un e | REA D + S PI N | J A Z Z L IFE | HO M E

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The Meters (pictured, lead guitarist Leo Nocentelli) return to the Orpheum for what will be a momentous reunion show at the Orpheum on April 29.

Mike Griffith photograph

LOCAL COLOR | CHRIS ROSE

Dancing in the Field And standing in line, too

By Chris Rose

It is that time of year: Jazz Fest is in the air.

In my first couple decades of living in New Orleans, I used to treat this season the same way I did as an 8-year-old anticipating Christmas: with giddy and wiggly excitement, unable to even think or focus on anything else.

But things have changed. I have changed. More pertinent, I believe, Jazz Fest has changed.

Jazz Fest has developed a strange – and some might even say strained – relationship with locals in recent years. Annual price hikes and regularly booking bands that generally play stadiums has certainly stretched the patience – and safety concerns – of lots of folks.

Do not get me wrong: Bruce Springsteen is my favorite act of all time. My rock god. But the last time he played the Fair Grounds, I truly was concerned about the press of the crowd, the looks on my kids’ faces and, more than anything: How long it took to go pee and get a beer!

Of course, some of this has as much to do with the customers as the institution. These people who set up mini-camps like they’re getting ready for the Endymion parade at Mardi Gras and then leave them abandoned for most, if not all day, are a real 42

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pain. Their chairs and tarps and whatevers create complete blockage of passageways for anyone simply trying to relieve themselves or move onto another stage, another act.

But a weird animosity between the community and the festival has developed; it’s inescapable to see.

I think that adding the “Big Chief VIP Experience,” the “Grand Marshall VIP Pass” and the “Krewe of Jazz Fest VIP Pass” and other elite perks definitely created a public rift.

(Krewe of Jazz Fest?)

One of the great things about the festival over the years has been its sense of equality and equanimity. We were all in it together. No matter how hot.

Now matter how much rain or mud or hay stink. No matter how nasty the port-a-potties.

But now there’s a social divide. It is sort of like Gallier Hall at Mardi Gras. The rich folks get the spoils. Everyone else eats cake. Pay more money, get cleaner toilets.

And then an oil company stepped in to sponsor the festival a few years ago and everybody lost their minds. It could be argued, and has been in many bar rooms on many nights, whether Shell saved the festival or ruined it.

Many folks claim every year that they’re going to boycott.

But they (we) all go anyway.

After all … it’s Jazz Fest!

That is the final irony in all of this: Every year everyone says it’s too expensive, too crowded, too commercial. And yet, we all go. We have to. How could you not?

It is Jazz Fest. It has been part of our lives for what feels like forever.

And the food is out of this world.

Sure, it’s like the kid you

raised who has disappointed you with his or her life’s choices, but the love is inescapable. Almost unconditional.

You just wish they would do better. You wish they would do what you want them to do; make better decisions; abide by your values, your wishes; dial it down; don’t be greedy. Do not charge an 11-year-old $80 to attend. (For me to take my three kids to the festival this year, for one day, will cost $320. That is insane.)

But it’s like that Rebirth Brass Band song goes: Do whatcha wanna. And we go.

And as we trundle out the gates at the end of the day like a herd of cows; you look around and almost everyone is chattering and smiling and laughing. And badly sunburned.

And yes, a few are griping that the experience was a hot mess, that they’re never coming back.

But you’ll see them the next year in the Blues Tent, rocking out to Sonny Landreth and John Mooney, having forgotten how much they hate Jazz Fest.

Because it’s our thing. The best we present to the public and the world. But we all know it should move to City Park. We all know that if they want to keep to their stated mission – keeping Louisiana culture alive and relevant to our youth – they wouldn’t charge teenagers $80 to attend.

But it is what it is.

But what it isn’t is Christmas anymore.

Sure, I’ll go this year. As I always do. But mostly to get Crawfish Sacks and softshell crab poor boys. Because I don’t know where else I can get them. See you there! In a long line. n jason raish illustration

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LOCAL COLOR | MODINE’S NEW ORLEANS

Root Causes How to save a plant

By Modine Gunch

Some people got green thumbs.

Mine should have a skull and crossbones on it.

It don’t matter what it is: African violet, begonia, Easter lily or what, and whether I set them by a window with Southern exposure or shine artificial plant lights on them, or how I water them, in a week they’ve dropped their little leaves and withered away to plant heaven.

I am the Grim Reaper of potted plants.

And still, people give them to me for presents. Instead of, say, wine. I can take care of wine.

Last year my daughter Gladiola gave me a poinsettia for Christmas.

I watered it every single day and it was still gorgeous at New Year’s.

And then it disappeared. Pot and all. I asked Gladiola if she seen it.

“I put it in the attic with the other decorations,” she said. It turns out it was silk.

This curse even includes plants

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in my yard. When we lived in Chalmette, whatever I planted in front – azaleas, daffodils, petunias – they immediately disintegrated into blackened sticks. I finally started sticking plastic daisies in the weeds that grew close to the house. People actually gave me compliments on that. Mostly little old ladies with cataracts. But still ...

After Katrina, when I moved to this apartment, at least I didn’t have no garden to disgrace me.

Everything has an upside.

I have a little balcony and sometimes I hang plastic Carnival beads from the railing. I am good with plastic.

Now, my mother-in-law, Ms. Larda, is like Mother Theresa with plants. You bring her a dying geranium – I’m talking a geranium on life support – and she showers it with affection and Miracle-Gro and talks to it and don’t let the cat eat it, and in 24 hours it’s glowing with health.

So when Ms. Larda went to visit Aunt Lysolla, why did she put me in charge of her precious ivy plant? This plant sits in the middle of her coffee table and spreads out all over the sides, like Ursula the octopus in The Little Mermaid. It is the centerpiece of her house, if you don’t count the fridge.

She says if for some reason I can’t get there, call up my brothers-in-laws Leech and Lurch, who live and lounge on the other side of her double; stay on the phone and talk them through watering it: half a cup, no more, sprinkled around the edges of the pot.

Well, I come down with the flu. So I call up Leech, and I stay on the phone while he walks over there – I can hear his big feet thumping and the water sloshing.

Turns out those are sound effects. What he did was turn down the TV, thump his feet on the floor and swish his beer in his glass.

Which I find out in a week, when I’m well enough to go there and find Ursula dead as a doorknob. Her tentacles are dangling off the table, her leaves are limp and her soil is dry as the Sahara.

Leech just says calm down, he’ll get another ivy plant; there’s a bunch of it growing out back, trust him.

I got no choice. Ms. Larda gets back tomorrow.

I pick her up at the airport, since the boys are at work, and bring her home. We drag her bags inside and she immediately looks over at the coffee table, at this huge new ivy plant and she frowns. I say “Want me to water it?” She screeches, “No! Don’t touch it! Get away!”

Which is an overreaction, I think. Until she points out, in a loud voice, that this ain’t Ursula; this is poison ivy.

So I have to confess what happened; and when Leech comes home, he has to haul the poison ivy outside, because it so happens he ain’t allergic to it. And he also didn’t recognize it when he pulled it off the tree out back.

And Ursula? Ms. Larda snatches her off the trash heap, cradles her in her arms and rushes her inside. And believe it or not, over the next few days she brings Ursula back to life. Once more, Ursula reigns over the coffee table.

Now Ms. Larda calls Ursula her Easter plant, because it rose again.

Of course, if Ursula was plastic, she would’ve been immortal to start with. But it’s probably better not to say that out loud. So I don’t. n

LORI OSIECKI ILLUSTRATION

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LOCAL COLOR | JOIE D’EVE

That’s a Wrap

Powering through Carnival season

By Eve Crawford Peyton

My kids are all, each in his or her own way, the perfect archetypes of New Orleanians during Carnival.

Ruby is the marathoner. Her dad came into town late Wednesday night, and they hit Popeyes and then Nyx. She came home at 10:30, passed out with candy apple smeared across her face, woke up and went to school, and then made it out again for Chaos and Muses. She did all of the big Friday parades with her dad, skipped the Saturday day parades and rallied for Endymion.

Sunday morning she said she was going to take a day off from parades, but then, fortified by beignets, reconsidered because Bacchus is her absolute favorite. By Monday, she was fighting a cold, but she chugged some chamomile tea with honey, did a shot of kids Sudafed and pushed through Orpheus. On Mardi Gras, her dad dropped her off at my house around dusk, filthy, sunburned, sticky and cranky with aching blistered feet. “Mardi Gras is the most amazing and painful day of the year,” she murmured as I rubbed her feet and made her some more tea.

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thought but didn’t say.

Elliot is the one who would go to Disney or France or Park City or anywhere Mardi Gras is not happening. He gamely went to a couple of parades and put some beads around his neck, but it clearly isn’t his scene. (My favorite day over the long weekend was probably Bacchus Sunday – when I made kale and white bean soup, watched old Robert Stack episodes of “Unsolved Mysteries” while folding laundry and read a book about the Columbine High School shootings, so I completely identify with his perspective on this.)

Even more so, though, I identify with Georgia’s parade M.O. It starts early in the day, when she thinks parades sound like a fabulous idea and she runs around the house screaming, “Throw me something, mister! Parades, yayyyyyy! I’m gonna catch cups! And stuffed animals!

And beads! And doubloons!

And more cups! Yayyyyy!”

She maintains her enthusiasm as we pack up our ice chest and get in the car and drive in circles until we find a place to park. Her excitement dwindles, however, with each successive step toward the actual parade itself and by the time we’re in the thick of the crowd, she’s pleading to go home. I

couldn’t possibly be more in agreement with her progression – not just on parades but on almost every social event I’ve ever RSVP’d to.

I made Georgia stay through most of Rex – “your pediatrician is Rex, Georgia!” – but when I finally decided to give up on forcing us to have fun, we were both relieved to go home and change into our pajamas around 11 a.m.

With all said and done, I can safely declare that this was one of the best Carnival seasons I’ve had in a long time. I didn’t go to every single parade, nor did I skip them all – it was a pretty much perfect blend of seeing out-of-town friends and dancing and drinking and staying home and making soup and reading in the bathtub. The weather was ideal. The floats were gorgeous. The bands were amazing. The costumes were inspiring.

We all loved it. And we’re all glad it’s over. n

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Excerpted from Eve Crawford Peyton’s blog, Joie d’Eve, which appears each Friday on MyNewOrleans.com. jane sanders ILLUSTRATION

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LOCAL COLOR | in tune

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Sinkane at the Civic

Festival Minute

This month features French Quarter Fest running April 6-9, and Jazz Fest starting on the 28th. As usual, both festivals have more talent than we can possibly list here. I like French Quarter Fest for its intense focus on local talent, while Jazz Fest combines the music of New Orleans with the music of the world. Together these two events make April the center of our musical year. Keep an eye on the website for daily recommendations for both festivals, as well as tips on what to eat and the best shopping.

Music’s Best Month April is showered with legacies

By Mike Griffith

April is usually the best time of year for music in New Orleans. The weather finally turns around and festival season starts in earnest. The radiant energy of French Quarter Fest and Jazz Fest draw artists from all over the world to our clubs. This month, we have several legends stopping through town outside of festival gigs.

April begins with the return of Radiohead to New Orleans for the first time since their 2003 stop on the Hail to the Thief tour. They continue to be one of the most influential bands in the world. Tickets went fast, but there are still a few available on the secondary market. Just be careful, as there are a lot of fakes out there.

Speaking of legends, on April 11, Diamanda Galás, the avant-garde soprano, will arrive at the Joy Theater. Galás is a true musical genius who continually pushes the boundaries of possibility with her work. Recently, she has been remastering and reworking some of her early material, so one can expect to hear a wide range of her talent over the course of the evening.

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Continuing in the legends category, Bob Weir will be at the Saenger Theater on April 18. Weir is, of course, most well known as a founding member of the Grateful Dead, but has spent his lifetime creating outstanding psychedelic rock. This show will be a bit more intimate than the stadium and festival shows Weir often plays.

Finally, the legendary Meters will return to the Orpheum for a reunion show on April 29. This will be the second year that the Meters and friends have made a home at the Orpheum for the first weekend of Jazz Fest. If you missed last year’s performance, don’t make the same mistake this year.

In addition, on April 6, Jersey-based rockers Real Estate will be at Republic, along with Mary Lattimore. They will be followed by the excellent psychedelic sounds of All Them Witches on the 8th at Gasa Gasa. Continuing in the rock vein, the Drive-By Truckers will headline at Tipitina’s on April 14.

Portugal. The Man will return to town on April 13 for a show at the Joy. The group have reportedly finished

their most recent record, so hopefully we’ll hear something new from them this time around. This show will be followed closely

by Foxygen at One Eyed Jacks on the 17th.

They just released the excellent new record Hang in January. Foxygen are known for their unpredictable and high energy live shows. The band has been on a streak of excellent records since 2013’s We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic.

You won’t want to miss this show.

There are also a couple of excellent shows to look forward to during the first weekend of Jazz Fest. On April 27, Sinkane will return to town for a headlining set at Gasa Gasa. This will be one of the great shows of this year. The following night, on the 28th, Red Baraat will also appear at Gasa Gasa, bringing a new spin to the world of brass music. For aficionados of the local scene, these Brooklynites have a trick or two up their sleeve.

Note: Dates are subject to change. Playlist of mentioned bands available at: bit.ly/ InTune4-17 n

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contact

To contact Mike about music news, upcoming performances and recordings, email Mike@MyNewOrleans.com or contact him through Twitter @Minima.

Mike Griffith photograph

LOCAL COLOR | READ+SPIN

Environmental History: One of the greatest disappearing acts recorded during the history of humankind, the southern coastal wetlands along Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida are being swallowed up and washed away into the Gulf of Mexico. The economic prosperity along the southern Gulf Coast of the United States has come at a high price. The Gulf: The Making of An American Sea

by Jack E. Davis is a dedication to the natural world, its evolution into a paradise before people and how eventually humans learned to live in conjunction with the land — before the industrial world took hold and has robbed its ecosystem of stability and balance in the name of “progress.” Davis’ writing makes this more than just a history textbook; it gives the coast a story and a voice that people can understand, and through which, hopefully, realize the urgency to act to save the coast before it withers away completely.

Murder Mystery: The story of the ax murder in New Orleans has had a resurgence in popularity since the debut of “American Horror Story: Coven,” a popular television show that debuted its third season in New Orleans.

Audiences from across the country who have never before heard of the axeman were suddenly captivated by this character, said to be based on a real serial killer who once struck fear into our lively city. A well-researched account of the real axeman’s years spent active, The Axeman of New Orleans: The True Story by Miriam C. Davis offers theories as to where the killer began and where else he traveled, including Lake Charles and even Chicago. While Davis clues the reader into police documents and various news articles, she effectively strings together the narrative to read like a truly creepy crime mystery.

Indie-Rock: This past winter they teased us with their whimsical and upbeat EP, Critters. Sweet Crude releases their newest album, Creatures on April 21, and the music coming from these indie-pop folky New Orleans musicians feels like home. Some of the band’s lyrics are written partly in English and partly in Cajun French, and they mix synthesizers, xylophone and fiddle to create inspiring ballads that get you dancing slowly or jumping around to the beat. Sweet Crude is performing at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival this year on May 5, so be sure to add them to your list and get ready for a high-energy, poetic performance by this local talent. t

submissions

By Jessica DeBold, Please send submissions for consideration, attention: Jessica DeBold, 110 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 123, Metairie, LA 70005.

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LOCAL COLOR | Jazz Life

Lured to New Orleans Lars Edegran’s Swedish jazz

By Jason Berry

New Orleans is a magnet for foreign musicians, migrants who come seeking a culture, and a place to make a name and career.

Grammy-winning Jon Cleary, and veteran jazz man Barry Martyn from England; Katja Toivola from Finland; June Yamagishi from Japan; Fredy Omar from Honduras; and, with apologies for an abbreviated list, our subject this month, Lars Edegran, born in Sweden.

Edegran is the Palm Court Jazz Cafe’s mainstay bandleader. He has been a prolific New Orleans artist for more than half a century now, absent a few stretches in New York and London. His list of recordings is as long as your arm and his memory of the music is a story of the town.

Born in 1944, he grew up in Stockholm surrounded by music.

“My father played banjo and guitar, my older brother played piano, and I began piano lessons at 7,” Lars recalls. “But I wasn’t keen on classical music. In my early teens I began playing jazz, which was extremely popular in Sweden in the late 1950s and early ’60s, before the Beatles. Jazz bands played at school dances, universities and little clubs. I made my first recording in ’61.”

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In 1965 Edegran met Bob Koester, who offered him a job in his Chicago record shop. “That’s how I got the visa,” Lars said. “He was my sponsor. On the application at the American Embassy, I had to say I wouldn’t be a burden to the state. The immigration laws were a lot easier in those days. I didn’t know how long I’d be there.”

Five months after reaching Chicago, Edegran visited New Orleans. “I was playing clarinet and met the Olympia’s Harold Dejan, and through him ended up in Andrew Morgan’s Young Tuxedo, playing funerals,” he recalls. “They still had Saturday night dance halls in the ’60s, like Munster’s at Lyons and Laurel (streets). They needed a guitarist, so I bought one from a pawn shop on Rampart Street. Harry Shields heard me play there. He told me Sharkey Bonano was looking for a piano player who could double on guitar. I ended up in Sharkey’s last band, playing mostly private jobs.” Alan Jaffe, the tuba player and director of Preservation Hall, wanted Lars to play with the band on television. “You had to be a union member. There were two at the time; I joined the black union,” Edegran said.

Meanwhile, Lars founded the New Orleans Ragt

time Orchestra, which he anchors on piano and has taken on the European festival circuit. In the late 1970s he went to New York as music director for Vernel Bagnaris’s musical One Mo’ Time. On tour in London, he met the woman who became his wife. Today, Kathy Edegran manages Palm Court with owner Nina Buck. A floor above the bandstand, Lars has a day job managing the GHB Jazz Foundation and distribution of the many recordings done by Nina’s husband, the late George Buck – including New Orleans Ragtime Orchestra CDs. “Lars looked like a blond choirboy when he arrived,” says clarinetist Tommy Sancton, who was himself just getting started at the time. “He learned from legendary local pianists like Sweet Emma, Billie Pierce, Jeanette Kimball and Lester Santiago. He developed an eclectic style that’s unmistakably New Orleans, and unmistakably his own. I admired the energy and enthusiasm he brought to his music, both as a player and as a leader and organizer of very interesting bands and shows. I have enjoyed playing with him, on and off, for over 50 years now – hard to believe. He’s an all-around musician, and a great asset to the culture of his adopted city.” n

See Edegran Play

The New Orleans Ragtime Orchestra will perform at this year’s French Quarter Fest at 2 p.m. on April 8 at the Palm Court Jazz Café.

Edegran will also play at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on April 28 with Tommy Sancton’s Legacy Band, and on April 30 leading the Palm Court All Stars.

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LOCAL COLOR | home

Family Friendly

A stately 19th century Victorian is tailored to the needs of a 21st century family

By Lee Cutrone

Editor’s Note: Bonnie Warren, who has covered homes for this magazine for most of its existence, has retired. During her career, Warren contributed to state and national home magazines, and complied two books on local homes. We thank her for her service and wish her well in what we hope is a more leisurely life.

With this issue we welcome Lee Cutrone, a veteran of the home beat whose credentials include two of our sister publications, Louisiana Life and New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles. As more doors to interesting houses open, we continue to wait to get in.

Originally, Hilary and Mickey Landry’s 19th century Uptown home was an elegant expression of Victorian era tastes. A gabled roof, dark millwork and stained glass windows were among its features. Today the house, newly renovated for the Landrys and their three children, ages 14, 12 and 10, is a lightened, brightened reflection of a young family in the 21st century.

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awash in white. The mudroom is neatly organized with individual cubbies for dance shoes, lacrosse equipment and soccer cleats. Its furnishings are a mix of antique, modern and bohemian, an aesthetic that Hilary’s sister has dubbed “rock star girlfriend.”

“There are five strong personalities in this family,” says Hilary, listing the family members’ respective interests and sports, which include theater, running, soccer

and lacrosse. “A lot of thought went into how we live. I was very contemplative about every detail.”

When the Landrys, both attorneys, began looking for a larger house that was centrally located for school, work and play, Hilary envisioned something spare and easy to maintain. The Lafayette native grew up in a house designed

by Louisiana architect Hays Town and appreciates economy of design. However, the spacious floor plan and double lot of the stately Victorian quickly won the couple over. They hired architect Patrick Melancon, and Hilary took a temporary step back from her law practice to source materials and oversee the day-to-day contracting.

Using sites like Pinterest for inspiration, she ordered goods online and Photographed by greg miles

worked with local designers, including kitchen and bath designer Chris Judge of ADDA Carpets & Flooring, and interior designer Erin Jacobs of Abode. She stored marble slabs, light fixtures, faucets and other items in the house’s attic and on Fridays cooked for the crew. “I’d cook red beans and rice or jambalaya, or I’d buy popsicles and cold beer when it got hot,” she says.

Facing page: Hilary’s love of travel is obvious in the den’s décor; the antique Moroccan runner and colorful textile draped over the sofa were found on a trip to Greece; the Moroccan poufs were picked up at a junk shop during a trip to Florida; the sofa, purchased through Abode, is upholstered with durable Sunbrella; Hilary’s father made the wooden bench against the wall and the painting is by Ashley Longshore. Top, left: The dining room’s custom table is paired with chairs found on 1stDibs.com and upholstered with snakeskin fabric from Delk & Morrison; the chandelier is original to the house and the painting is by Ashley Longshore. Top, right: Hilary combined white cabinets, Calacatta Lincoln counters and a glass backsplash in the kitchen; the light fixture, inspired by a Pinterest photo, was sourced through Abode; the stone is from Triton Stone, the bar stools from Abode and tiles are from ADDA Carpet & Tile. Bottom, right: The original architecture of the house, simplified for the 21st century, is awash in white.

Top, left: The built-in double trundle beds in son Patrick’s room were designed to make the most of its small size. A space between the beds provides hidden storage. Hilary sourced the wall sconces near the beds from Astro Lighting. Bottom, left: Hilary worked with Chris Judge of ADDA Carpet & Tile to design the master bath; storage cabinets by Master Carpenter Chris Guidry flank the slipper tub with his-and-hers sinks stationed on the opposite side of the room; the chevron patterned tile wall is a combination of Thassos and Calacatta Gold marbles from ADDA; the Regencystyle chandelier is from Visual Comfort & Co.

Top, right: An antique settee is combined with a chandelier from Abode, a rug from Greece and a contemporary painting by Jonathan Shaw. Bottom, right: A metal canopy bed is the focal point of the master bedroom; Hilary upholstered the bed and the chaise with the same cream linen; neoclassic reproduction end tables were purchased through Erin Jacobs of Abode. Facing page: Top: Melancon designed the new poolhouse to have vaulted ceilings, a working fireplace and an outdoor kitchen for Mickey. Bottom: Hilary is photographed in her dressing room; Master Carpenter Chris Guidry, now Landry’s business partner, equipped the island with sides that lift hydraulically; the Venetian three-tier, glass oval-prism chandelier is from 1stDibs.com.

During the process, she discovered that her organizational skills and design talent were suited to home renovation. She recently obtained her contractor’s license and partnered with Master Carpenter Chris Guidry to renovate and flip houses. “This house was so much fun to do that I now renovate houses as a business,” she says.

Custom touches, usually ad hoc collaborations between Hilary and her contrac-

tors, are everywhere. The hidden storage compartment between the beds in son Patrick’s room, the mudroom’s personalized spaces for the kids’ sports gear, the spaghettiproof vinyl-covered storage bench on one side of the kitchen table and the hydraulic jewelry case that occupies the center of Hilary’s closet are just a few of the many features that were specially designed for the family’s needs.

While Hilary’s talent is evident in the décor – she chose a menswear fabric for the walls of her husband’s office and insisted on a wash that lightened the wood of the pool house ceiling – she says “practical and functional” were always top objectives.

Most of the original floor plan remained as it was, but the Landrys adapted spaces where necessary and made several new additions: a closet and bath for daughter Miriam, a dressing room/closet for Hilary and a multi-purpose laundry room/ mudroom. They also turned the cavernous third floor attic into a kidfriendly living space, and refurbished

the existing pool with a new surface and brick deck.

With a family of five, Hilary was determined to utilize every inch of available space, even corners. An illuminated shoe closet occupies one corner of her closet; a three-way mirror is installed in the other. Even the kids had an opportunity to flex their creative muscle when Hilary gave each a budget to decorate their own room.

The final project was the pool house, designed and constructed to relate to the main house. Hilary wanted a vaulted pitched roof and a working fireplace. Mickey wanted an outdoor kitchen for barbecuing and entertaining. With those requests in mind, Melancon delivered a space that the entire family loves.

“Patrick interpreted the way we live and came up with a jewel box,” says Hilary of the pool house. In fact, Hilary gives credit to all who contributed their expertise to the renovation. “It was fun doing the details,” she says.

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A guide to life along the river’s big curve

The Uptown Experience

A selection of menu favorites from Freret Street's new Bar Frances

By R. Stephanie Bruno Photographed by Marianna Massey

U

ptown New Orleans encompasses several neighborhoods, each having a distinctive lifestyle. Depending on whether you frequent the Freret commercial district or businesses along Magazine Street, there are enough restaurants, galleries, bars, antique emporiums, dress shops, houseware stores and more to ensure you never have to leave! Oh, and there are also millshops, shoe repair places, gas stations, stationers, grocery stores, music clubs, bakeries and more..

Exactly what is “Uptown”? If you follow the historic district boundaries, Uptown includes everything from S. Claiborne Avenue to the river and from Toledano Street to Lowerline. The Garden District, Lower Garden District and the Irish Channel are distinct historic districts but often thought of as “Uptown” neighborhoods.

Magazine Street stretches the full width of New Orleans upriver of Canal Street, travels through the CBD, the Warehouse District, the Lower Garden District, the Garden District, the Irish Channel and Uptown, changing personality as continues westward of downtown. If that sounds confusing, it’s because it is!

Neighborhoods upriver of Canal Street have more in common than they have differences. Most were settled by Americans – as opposed to the French, Spanish or Creole – after the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. In general, the neighbor-

hoods – such as Bouligny, Hurstville and others – began as plantations but were subdivided for development by their namesakes as the 19th century progressed.

You will find a few early 19th century Creole cottages in the area, but otherwise, double gallery houses form the 1840s to 1880s, center halls from the 1850s to 1900, bungalows and raised basement homes of the 1910s to ’40s, and ranch houses form the ’50s on dominate the streetscapes. Shotgun houses (singles and doubles) appear in the 1840s and continue through the 1940s, styled according to Greek Revival, Italianate, Eastlake and Arts and Craft fashion, and are the most abundant house type throughout.

Magazine Street was originally more residential than commercial, so that’s where you’ll find businesses in one-time doubles and singles. Freret Street, on the other hand, began as a commercial area, so that’s where early 20th century buildings – and new 21st century ones – are home to businesses.

With that in mind, we have compiled a guide to Uptown New Orleans to help acquaint you with all it has to offer. We have blurred boundaries a bit, as we focus on Magazine Street and the Freret corridor, with a few shout-outs to nearby places worth a visit. Think of this set of lists as a starting point and use to explore on your own.

Where to Eat When a sandwich or pizza will do …

Pizza Domenica 4933 Magazine St. / 301-4978 / PizzaDomenica.com

Forget your ideas about pizza – chef Alon Shaya’s thin-crust creations, fired in a wood burning oven, bear no resemblance. Happy hour from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday means half-off pizza prices.

Roasted Carrot Pizza: goat cheese, red onion, brussels sprouts, beets, hazelnuts

where to eat When a sandwich or pizza will do …

Ancora 4508 Freret St. 324-1636 AncoraPizza.com Casamento’s 4330 Magazine St. 895-9761 CasamentosRestaurant.com Don’t look for this old-time oyster bar and restaurant to be open in August, but go during months with “R” in their names to taste what locals have been praising for decades. You can’t beat the “pan bread” with fried oysters.

Company Burger 4600 Freret St. 267-0320 TheCompanyBurger.com Dat Dog 5030 Freret St. 899-6883 3336 Magazine St. 324-2226 DatDog.com

Magazine Po-Boy Shop 2368 Magazine St. 522-3107

Stein’s Market and Deli 2207 Magazine St. 527-0771 SteinsDeli.net

Mahony’s Po-Boys 3454 Magazine St. 899-3374 MahonysPoboys.com

Freshly made bagels and an assortment of deli products combine to produce an irresistible attraction at this homey place. Do not mind the crowds – you’ll end up sharing a table with a stranger anyway.

Midway Pizza 4725 Freret St. 322-2815 MidwayPizzaNola.com Liberty Cheesesteaks 5301 Freret St. 875-4447 LibertyCheesesteaks.com Reginelli’s 3244 Magazine St. 895-7272 5961 Magazine St. 899-1414 Reginellis.com

Slice Pizzeria 5538 Magazine St. 897-4800 SlicePizzeria.com Tracey’s 2604 Magazine St. 897-5413 TraceysNola.com

On the Fringes Central City Barbecue, 1201 S. Rampart St., 558-4276, CentralCityBBQ.com; McClure’s, 3001 Tchoupitoulas St., 301-2367, McCluresBarbecue.com: Now located onsite at NOLA Brewery, this barbecue place offers six sauces for the brisket, pork or hamburger you might have ordered. Try the NOLA East: With hoisin and soy sauce, it’s a nod to Vietnamese community.

Freret Street Po-Boys and Donuts 4701 Freret St. / 872-9676

One of the earliest food purveyors to open during the Freret Street renaissance, this corner restaurant serves a mean roast beef poor boy and makes its own "donuts."

Roast beef poor boy

Beet Tartare aioli, pickled mustard seed, sweet potato chips

where to eat When you’re in the mood for candles and a tablecloth…

Apolline 4729 Magazine St. 894-8881 ApollineRestaurant.com Bistro Daisy 5831 Magazine St. 899-6987 BistroDaisy.com Anton and Diane Schulte offer American bistro fare inside a charming shotgun house on busy Magazine Street. Step inside and you’re miles away from the bustle.

Bar Frances 4525 Freret St. / 371-5043 / BarFrances.com One of the chicest members of the Freret Street restaurant revival scene, Bar Frances offers seasonal small plates during Happy Hour, as well as gourmet main course options for brunch, lunch and dinner; sit outside for optimal people watching and dining.

On the Fringes Atchafalaya Restaurant, 901 Louisiana Ave., 891-9626, AtchafalayaRestaurant.com; Clancy’s Restaurant, 6100 Annunciation St., 895-1111, ClancysNewOrleans.com; Commander’s Palace, 1403 Washington Ave., 899-8221, CommandersPalace.com; Patois, 6078 Laurel St., 895-9441, PatoisNola.com; Upperline Restaurant, 1413 Upperline St., 891-9822, Upperline.com. It isn’t easy to find true Creole food on the menu in Uptown, but that’s why proprietor JoAnn Clevenger’s art-filled restaurant is always busy.

Cavan 3607 Magazine St. 509-7655 CavanNola.com Kenton’s 5757 Magazine St. 891-1177 KentonsRestaurant.com La Petite Grocery 4238 Magazine St. 891-3377 LaPetiteGrocery.com A one-time corner store serves as the location for this award-winning place of chef Justin Davillier. Stylish but unpretentious, the cuisine matches the restaurant’s décor.

Lilette 3637 Magazine St. 895-1636 LiletteRestaurant.com

where to eat When you crave sugar …

La Boulangerie 4600 Magazine St. 269-3777 LaBoulangerieNola.com Humble Bagel 4716 Freret St. 355-3535 HumbleBagel.com Casey Mackintosh and Tara Mikhail figured that if they handmade kettle-boiled bagels in small batches, New Orleanians would catch on. We did. Get there early – the bagels are so good they often sell out.

O’Delice 6033 Magazine St. 895-2144 OdeliceNola.com Nancy Nguyen operates a genuine French patisserie out of an unassuming spot, but her pastries and cakes are unforgettable. Try the German chocolate or almond butter cream cake to find out why.

Pinkberry 5601 Magazine St. 899-4260 Pinkberry.com Sucré 3025 Magazine St. 520-8311 ShopSucre.com

On the Fringes Creole Creamery, 4924 Prytania St., 894-8680, CreoleCreamery.com

district donuts 2209 Magazine St. / 5637 Magazine St. 570-6945 / DistrictDonuts.com

Insanely scrumptious and irresistible, the “donuts” come with fillings like champagne cream or Boston cream pie, and are slathered with thin glazes of dark chocolate icing or even a curacao frosting at Carnival.

Always original; always delectable.

Strawberry Lemonade, Chocolate Sprinkles and Fluffer Nutter

Avocado Rolls and Grilled Shrimp Steamed Buns with Lemonade

where to eat When you’re in the mood for an international dining adventure …

Del Fuego Taqueria 4518 Magazine St. 309-5797 DelFuegoTaqueria.com

Magasin Vietnamese Café 4201 Magazine St. 896-7611 MagazinCafe.com

The Rum House 3128 Magazine St. 941-7560 TheRumHouse.com

Juan’s Flying Burrito 2018 Magazine St. 569-0000 JuansFlyingBurrito.com

Mayas Restaurant 2027 Magazine St. 309-3401 MayasRestaurantNola.com

Sake Café 2830 Magazine St. 894-0033 SakeCafeUptown.us

La Thai Uptown 4938 Prytania St. 899-8886 LaThaiUptown.com

Mona’s 4126 Magazine St. 894-9800 MonasCafeandDeli.com

Sarita’s Grill 4520 Freret St. 324-3562

Lilly’s Café 1813 Magazine St. 599-9999

Origami 5130 Freret St. 899-6532 SushiNola.com

Lily Vong makes everyone feel welcome at this terrific café in the Lower Garden District. Even if she didn’t, her take on the pho, banh mi, and other well-known dishes would be a draw.

Master New Orleans Sushi Chefs Mitsuko Tanner, Atsushi Morisita, and Thuan Vu serve dazzling sushi and Japanese fare at this bright and comfortable restaurant. Consider a well-mixed cock-

Shaya 4213 Magazine St. 891-4213 ShayaRestaurant.com Sukho Thai 4519 Magazine St. 373-6471 SukhoThai-Nola.com

tail to complement the meal.

On the Fringes Casa Borrega, 1719 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 427-0654, CasaBorrega.com If the atmosphere weren’t as colorful at this Central City spot, the lightly fried chiles rellenos and mescal margaritas would still draw discerning diners.

mint modern

5100 Freret St., 218- 5534, MintModernBistro.com

Mint Modern offers a unique take on Vietnamese cuisine, with traditional and vegetarian pho options, pork belly tacos and burger menu marsh-ups, such as the Kimchi Burger and Vietnamese Banh Mi Burger.

where to eat When you don’t know what you want…

La Crepe Nanou 1410 Robert St. 899-2670 LaCrepeNanou.com

Shrimp Remoulade Wedge Salad

high hat 4500 Freret St. / 754-1336 / HighHatCafe.com

High Hat’s take on the traditional Southern blue plate special goes above and beyond bland; with specials tailored to what’s fresh and in season, highlights include fried chicken and okra, handcrafted ginger ale and fruit-infused sodas and cocktails, and luxurious pimento mac and cheese.

On the Fringes Coulis, 3625 Prytania St., 304-4265, CoulisNolas.com; Frankie and Johnny’s, 321 Arabella St., 243-1234, FrankieandJohnnys.net: Once a genuine dive before changing hands, this Uptown stalwart has cleaned up its act and its service too. The big menu runs the gamut from stuffed artichokes to fried shrimp; oysters on the half shell are a treat. Sit outside and eat boiled crawfish when the weather is right; Manhattan Jack, 4930 Prytania St., 897-5551, ManhattanJack.com

Joey K’s 3001 Magazine St. 891-0997 JoeyKsRestaurant.com A big menu filled with N’awlins food and featuring daily specials has kept this neighborhood restaurant on the list of many regulars for 25 plus years. Cindy and Sam Farnet were right when they figured we’d like a place that offered home cooking – nothing fancy, just good food.

Surrey’s Café and Juice Bar 4807 Magazine St. 895-5757 SurreysNola.com Wayfare 4510 Freret St. 309-0069 WayfareNola.com This addition to the lineup of food spots on Freret filled an important niche: Great sandwiches and salads plus plenty of choices of beers and bar drinks. Décor emphasizes salvage wood, but in a sophisticated way.

where to go When you need a caffeine bump …

CC’s Coffee House 2917 Magazine St. 891-2115 900 Jefferson Ave. 891-4969 CCsCoffee.com French Truck Coffee Shop 1200 Magazine St. 298-1115 FrenchTruckCoffee.com Hey! Café & Coffee Roastery 4332 Magazine St. 891-8682 HeyCafe.biz

5720 Magazine St. / 897-5131 / HiVoltCoffee.com Known in the Lower Garden District for its carefully curated coffee program, HiVolt Bakery Uptown also features super creative breakfast (and lunch) sandwiches on freshly baked bread, bagels and croissants, gourmet vegan muffins, house yogurt parfait and more.

Cold Brew coffee

Mojo Coffee House 1500 Magazine St. 525-2244 4700 Freret St. MojoCoffeeRoasters.com This small batch coffee roaster offers ethically sourced brews at its two locations – one in the Lower Garden District and the other on the Freret corridor.

Whatever the source of the coffee, their products and laid back atmosphere have made the Mojo coffee houses top attractors.

PJ’s Coffee 5432 Magazine St. 355-2202 PJsCoffee.com Rook Café 4516 Freret St. Just when you thought all coffee houses were au courant, here comes this friendly throwback to the 1960s. Ready for a game of chess or Parcheesi? Buy a coffee and have a seat – you’ll find a board game buddy soon enough.

On the Fringes Still Perkin’, 2727 Prytania St., 899-0335

where to drink a cocktail ...

Cure / 4905 Freret St. / 302-2357 / CureNola.com Award-winning Cure continues to lead the craft cocktail movement in New Orleans, serving both traditional speakeasy-inspired drinks and modern interpretations of the cocktail, paired with bar snacks and small plates that will have you lingering, and imbibing, well past Happy Hour.

Le Bon Temps Roulé 4801 Magazine St. 895-8117 Bouligny Tavern 3641 Magazine St. 891-1810 BoulignyTavern.com

El Topo cocktail

The Bulldog 3236 Magazine St. 891-1516 Bulldog.Draftfreak.com Freret Beer Room 5018 Freret St. 298-7468 FreretBeerRoom.com This new addition to the bar and food scene offers craft beers to pair with delicious menu items.

Henry’s Uptown Bar 5101 Magazine St. 324-8140 HenrysBarUptown.com Not yet taken over by yuppies or hipsters, this ancient watering hole is all cash. Go to watch Saints games.

Ms. Mae’s 4336 Magazine St. 218-8035 On the Fringes The Bayou Bar, 2031 St. Charles Ave., 323-1456, BayouBarNewOrleans.com: The repositioning of the Pontchartrain Hotel as an elegant place to stay has relaunched the Bayou Bar - complete with murals - as a sophisticated venue for a martini. Love the piano music; Delachaise, 3442 St. Charles Ave., 895-0858, TheDelachaise. com; F&M Patio, 4841 Tchoupitoulas St., 895-6784, FandMPatioBar.com; The Kingpin, 1307 Lyons St., 891-2373: Food trucks line up at this neighborhood bar, attracting a young and hip crowd; The Mayfair Lounge, 1505 Amelia St., 895-9163; The Tchoup Yard, 405 Third St., 895-6747

St. Joe’s 5535 Magazine St. 899-3744 StJoesBar.com

where to shop For clothes ...

Ballins 2917 Magazine St., #105 891-4502 BallinsLTD.com Buffalo Exchange 4119 Magazine St. 891-7443 BuffaloExchange.com Dirty Coast 5631 Magazine St. 324-3745 DirtyCoast.com This is where you’ll find witty T-shirts with New Orleans centric themes. You always need one, right?

Feet First 4122 Magazine St. 899-6800 FeetFirstStores.com Hemline 3308 Magazine St. 269-4005 ShopHemline.com Fleurty Girl 3117 Magazine St. 301-2557 FleurtyGirl.net Perlis 6070 Magazine St. 895-8661 Perlis.com Pippen Lane 2930 Magazine St. 269-0106 PippenLane.com Weinstein’s 4011 Magazine St. 895-6278 WeinsteinsInc.com

Pied Nu

5521 Magazine St. / 899-4118 / PiedNuNola.com

Offering a carefully curated selection of luxury clothing and lifestyle items – such as candles, trays and rugs – each item is handpicked and lovingly included. When you’re looking for the perfect piece for the woman who has everything, whether that’s you or a friend, start here.

where to shop for art …

Academy Gallery 5256 Magazine St. 899-8111 NOAFA.com

Billy Solitario Fine Art 4531 Magazine St. 905-4175 BillySolitario.com

Thomas Mann Gallery I/O 1812 Magazine St. 581-2111 ThomasMann.com

Alex Beard Studio 3926 Magazine St. 309-0394 AlexBeardStudio.com

No one does clouds and skyscapes quite like this Tulane-educated artist. Realist still-lifes, studies and more are on hand at his shop, which doubles as his studio. If you’re lucky, you can watch him paint.

Mann coined the word “TechnoRomantic” to describe his hightouch, high-tech jewelry. Visit the gallery for a full range of his works as well as those of other like-minded jewelers and home-

Carol Robinson Gallery 840 Napoleon Ave. (at Magazine) 895-6130 CarolRobinsonGallery.com

Ashley Longshore Studio Gallery 4537 Magazine St. 333-6951 AshleyLongshore.com

A not-to-miss studio, it features Beard’s “abstract naturalism,” paintings and drawings of wildlife that rely on his talent for gestural compositions.

Amanda Talley Studio 1382 Magazine St. 595-3136 AmandaTalley.com What published New Orleans interior does not include at least one work by this abstract painter? Talley has translated her paintings into wallpaper and textiles, all on display here.

Antieau Gallery 4532 Magazine St. 510-4148 AntieauGallery.com

A mainstay of the Magazine Street art scene for more than 30 years, Robinson shows extraordinary works by local and national painters, realists, sculptors and abstract artists.

Kevin Gillentine Gallery 3917 Magazine St. 891-0509 KevinGillentine.com

ware designers.

A celebrity in her own right (ask Vogue, Town & Country and Elle Décor), Longshore paints big, bold canvases of other celebs, including Frida Kahlo, Audrey Hepburn and Abraham Lincoln. Look for her colorful work in the Anthropologie catalogue and her book, You Don’t Look Fat, You Look Crazy, at book stores everywhere.

Melissa Bonin Fine Art 3714 Magazine St. (337) 380-6927 MelissaBonin.com

Cole Pratt Gallery 3800 Magazine St. / 891-6789 / ColePrattGallery.com

Founded in 1993 by its namesake, this gallery features curated exhibitions once a month, with opening receptions on the first Saturday. Owner and longtime director Erika Olinger can point you to your new favorite piece of Southern contemporary fine art.

where to shop For home furnishings and antiques …

Anne Koerner 4021 Magazine St. 899-2664 AnnKoerner.com Aux Belles Choses 3912 Magazine St. 891-1009 ABCNewOrleans.com Sisters Bettye Barrios and Anne Barrios Gauthier travel to England and France to find “pretty things” for the home. Shop their finds in a sparkling white Italianate double at the corner of Magazine and Austerlitz.

Balzac Antiques 3506 Magazine St. 899-2668 Bremermann Designs 3943 Magazine St. 891-7763 British Antiques 5415 Magazine St. 895-3716 Cameron Jones for Your Home 2127 Magazine St. 524-3119 Dunn & Sonnier Antiques • Florals • Gifts 3433 Magazine St. 524-3235 DunnandSonnier.com

Hazelnut 5525 Magazine St. 891-2424 HazelnutNewOrleans.com

Petricia Thompson Antiques 3522 Magazine St. 897-5477

Bryan Batt and Tom Cianfichi just moved (next door) to a bigger space to accommodate the popularity of this stylish homewares store.

Perch 2844 Magazine St. 899-2122 Perch.com

Kevin Stone Antiques 3420 Magazine St. 891-8282 KevinStoneAntiques.com

Shaun Smith 3947 Magazine St. 896-1020 ShaunSmithHome.com

Stone and Michael Diamond travel to Europe to find the most desirable of high-end antiques that they then stuff into their shop. If gilt clocks, wall tapestries, and Orientalist paintings are what you seek, search no more.

Mac Maison Ltd. 3963 Magazine St. 891-2863 MacMaisonAntiquesNewOrleans. com NOLA Rugs 3944 Magazine St. 891-3304 NOLARugs.com With 3,000 rugs from which to choose, you won’t have to tolerate bare floors any longer. Find everything from antique to modern to trendy overdyes.

Leontine Linens

Villa Vici 4112 Magazine St. 899-2931 VillaVici-Furniture.com West Elm 2929 Magazine St. 895-2469 WestElm.com Wirthmore Antiques 3727 Magazine St. 269-0660 WirthmoreAntiques.com Owner Gay Wirth fills this cheerful corner cottage with 18th and 19th century French, Italian and Swedish antiques – all with a “country” accent. The astonishing array includes jewelry, trumeau, textiles, painted screens … the list goes on.

This isn’t your grandmother’s monogrammed linen.

Founded in 1996 by Jane Scott Hodges, these couture products for the bed, bath and table are made to reflect your décor and complement your lifestyle, and are made to live in, not just for special occasions.

3806 Magazine St. / 899-7833 / (800) 876-4799 / LeontineLinens.com

Free People “Catalina Blue” bralette and maxi wrap-skirt at Dillard’s Lakeside; fringe earrings

by Intropia and “Ibiza” Necklace by Mare-SoleAmore AT Angelique.

Fest Forward From Congo Square to Fais Do-Do, hit the high note this festival season with shoulder-baring halters, crafts-style accessories and tropical prints in breezy fabrics that beat the heat on or off stage.

By Lisa Tudor Photos by Theresa Cassagne Hair by Niki Walker Kennedy Makeup by Meggan Dupre Ory Model: Tyla Cobette @fiftytwo45.com

Peasant top and cutoffs

by Free People at Dillard’s Lakeside; Chan Luu signature choker at Hemline; MareSole-Amore “Africa” necklace and flexi-cuff at Angelique; brass and lapis ring at Kay’s Collection.

Nicole Miller “Artelier” silk halter maxi dress at Dillard’s Lakeside; beaded “Liza” earrings by Mignonne Gavigan at Angelique; brass turquoise ring and wrap choker by Kay Charbonnet at Kay’s Collection.

Intimately leotard by Free People at Dillard’s Lakeside; Rag & Bone “Dre” jean, MareSole-Amore “Morocco” fabric necklace, cuff and “Africa” bangles at Angelique.

Banana Leaf halter dress

by MuMu at Hemline; mosaic cross ear-gear and brass cuff at Kay’s Collection.

Johnny Was “Power Scarf” Kimono at Hemline; Intimately Burnt Red camisole by Free People, and white stretch jeans

by Chelsea & Violet at Dillard’s Lakeside; Mignonne Gavigan “Alice” necklace at Angelique.

The Menu TABLE TALK | RESTAURANT INSIDER | FOOD | LAST CALL | DINING LISTINGS

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TABLE TALK, PG. 84

A taste of Italy comes to Freret St. with Piccola Gelateria, featuring deletable hand-made gelato, crepes, and piadina Italian sandwiches.

jeffery johnston PHOTOGRAPH

THE MENU | TABLE TALK

Crepe with burrata and proscuitto at Piccola Gelateria

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French Truck

Geoffrey Meeker’s French Truck Coffee has established a strong local presence and has even expanded out of state.

But there’s something special about the original location at 1200 Magazine St., basically a coffee counter with a glass wall offering views into the roasting floor. The staff is eminently knowledgeable and, what’s more, clearly has access to the first pick of freshly roasted beans. The vanilla-bean infused iced coffee is a winner as well.

Counter Culture Big things in small packages

By Jay Forman

Special things often come in small packages. This is certainly the case at a couple of new spots brightening up the local dining scene. Combining cozy ambiance with jewel-box proportions, these counter-service establishments help to both upgrade and expand some niche food options.

Piccola Gelateria on Freret Street is serving up what many consider to be the best gelato in New Orleans, and arguments can be made for a far larger scope. A labor of love by husband and wife team Ria and Ross Turnbull, Piccola was born of a desire to open a gelato shop inspired by those found in Bologna, Italy, where the pair spent time over the course of their professional travels.

To make this dream a reality, the Turnbulls drew upon their years of experience in the hospitality industry. For Ross, it was his 84

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35 years spent as a chef in two- and threeMichelin star restaurants across Europe.

When a hotel group sent Ross to work in New Orleans, he and Ria fell for the city and the pair decided to stay. “New Orleans is just a very European city,” Ross says. “We liked the feel and the flavor of it. We had always talked about doing our own thing.

So, one day we decided to go ahead and just do it.”

The attention to detail in the shop’s interior is the first thing to strike visitors, with its oak flooring that carries over through the custom furniture and up the wall on the dining side. The abundance of wood, combined with the earthy tones of the plaster walls, adds warmth to the space. The beautiful custom equipment housing the gelato case and the coffee station featuring a La Marzocco espresso machine, which Ross

uses to pull shots using smallbatch beans custom roasted by a proprietary supplier, grabs attention. “Ria designed the shop,” Ross says. “I picked out the equipment, but she’s the one who made it look so nice.”

With a background in fine dining, why focus on Bolognese gelato? For Ross the answer is simple. “Gelato is something that Ria and I both loved and Bologna is basically the center of gelato in Italy,” he explains. Gelato and ice cream aren’t synonymous, he’s quick to point out. Gelato features about half the calories of ice cream, which means half the sugar and half the fat, making it a less guilty indulgence. In addition, a much smaller volume of air is incorporated into the mix, resulting in a denser product, which exjeffery johnston PHOTOGRAPH

plains the relative richness of the concoction. What is more, gelato is served at a warmer temperature than ice cream – usually around 10 degrees Fahrenheit versus the zero to 5 degrees of ice cream. The warmer temperature opens up the flavor, since cold temperatures dull taste. The highend Pozzetti display case

by Italian manufacturer IFI holds the gelato in deeper pots than the more typical shallow pans, keeping the temperature constant and exposing less of its surface to air. “The quality of the product speaks for itself,” Ross says. “This is what was impressed upon me when I was an apprentice.” Taste it and you will see what he’s talking about.

Start with the pistachio – the richness and intensity will blow you away. Bronte pistachio paste is used as the base while Ross roasts and hand-grinds whole DOP pistachios and folds them into the mix to layer and amplify the flavor. Also recommended are the chocolate options – he only uses Valhrona chocolate. Look for the dark 70 percent if he has it. And for kids, the Mr. Cookie flavor is a big hit.

Along with gelato, traditional crêpes (both savory and sweet) are served, as well as piadina, a sandwich made from a type of Italian flatbread. While limited in selection, the offerings are carefully considered and (like the gelato) reflect serious respect for the choice of the ingredients used.

Poke has finally arrived in New Orleans. At its roots, it’s a Hawaiian meal of raw fish, but over on the West Coast the dish has morphed into a food trend that melds salad and sushi elements into a fresh, casual and healthy

dining option. Owned by a group of partners and spearheaded by Joe Reiss and his sister Cecile Hardy Tanguis, Poke Loa occupies the former Jamba Juice space at the corner of Magazine Street and Louisiana Avenue.

The sleek, contemporary space is a counter-service operation and offers limited bar seating, as well as a small collection of tables.

Diners build their own Poke Bowl by going through a checklist of options. You pick your type of rice or salad, your protein, your sauce and your toppings. Additional garnishes are offered as well. Consider the yellowtail over white rice with citrusy Ponzu sauce, orange tobiko and pickled ginger. Mixing and matching is part of the fun, but composed bowls are available as well. The Tuna Poke bowl pairs baby cucumbers, sweet onions, sesame seeds and lemon miso aioli. Vegetarian options built on a foundation of tofu are offered as well. n

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Niche Noshes

Piccola Gelateria 4525 Freret St., #103 (954) 618-8141 PiccolaGelateria.com Breakfast, lunch and dinner Tuesdays-Sundays

Poke Loa 3341 Magazine St. 309-9993 EatPokeLoa.com Lunch and dinner daily myneworleans.com APRIL 2017

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THE MENU | restaurant INSIDER

News From the Kitchens

Poke Loa, Lula Restaurant-Distillery & Saffron Nola

By Robert Peyton

Poke Loa Poke Loa opened in February in a space formerly occupied by Jamba Juice at the corner of Magazine and Louisiana streets. It is a straightforward concept, diners build a meal around Poke (“Poe-kay”), a native Hawaiian dish that usually features cubed, raw fish.

You choose your base from greens, white or brown rice, and your protein from plain or spicy tuna, salmon, yellowtail, octopus or tofu. Next, you pick a sauce from a list including ponzu, sesame oil, wasabi, sriracha or lemon miso aioli, and toppings such as sesame seeds, pickled ginger, cilantro, crispy fried onion, cucumber, Japanese rice seasonings, snd more. A regular bowl ($11.50) comes with two scoops of protein, and a large ($13.50) comes with three; you can mix and match, and an extra scoop is only $2.50.

As you might expect, Poke is only as good as the main ingredient, and I can happily report that on my visit the fish was top-notch. The place also seemed to be doing a brisk business, which is good because it ensures rapid turnover of the highly perishable main ingredients. The assembly-line service means that even when it’s crowded, you won’t wait very long.

As I write, there’s only one location of Poke Loa, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see additional locations open before long. Poke Loa is located at 3341 Magazine St., and is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., daily. Call 309-9993 for more information.

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Lula Restaurant-Distillery

Saffron Nola

Lula Restaurant-Distillery is the first business in Louisiana made possible after owners, chef Jess Bourgeois, his wife Erin and their partner, distiller Bear Caffery, helped pass the 2015 law allowing small-scale distilleries to both serve and make retail sales of liquor on-site.

The operation completely renovated the former Halpern’s Furniture on St. Charles Avenue. There is a long bar, massive brass stills behind a glass wall, and an outdoor seating and private event space adjoining the main dining room.

When I went they’d only just opened, and the menu was abbreviated. The liquors, though, were up and running, and include rum, vodka and gin, all made with Louisiana sugarcane.

The menu is diverse, with offerings such as escargot broiled with oyster mushrooms, garlic and trotter sauce, sugarcane pork skewers with a spiced rum glaze, braised rabbit with white beans, pickled pork and herbed breadcrumbs. Sandwiches include a cheeseburger on brioche, pork tenderloin with pear, Havarti, arugula and garlic aioli and grilled chicken with bacon and avocado on Pullman bread.

Lula, 1532 St. Charles Ave., is open Sundays through Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and until 11 p.m. Thursdays through Fridays; call 267-7624 for distillery tours.

Saffron Nola opens its new venture on Magazine Street in the next few weeks. What started as a catering operation on the West Bank turned into a once-weekly restaurant, open for dinner on Friday nights. Without much fanfare those weekly dinners became one of the more difficult tables in town to get, because the food was simply that good.

The menu at Saffron Nola isn’t limited to Indian standards. Though you’ll find chicken tikka masala and dal makhni, you can also order a lentil-flour pancake stuffed with lump crabmeat and served with house-made mint and date-tamarind chutneys; Gulf fish in a coconut-herb curry with curd-rice and mango chutney; and a curried seafood gumbo.

There is a sophistication to the cooking at Saffron that challenges expectations. It isn’t a “fusion” restaurant. Rather it’s an Indian restaurant that takes advantage of the bounty we have available here, and which incorporates certain elements of other cuisines while keeping true to the spirit of the original.

Saffron Nola’s new location will be open, hopefully, by the time you read this, at 4128 Magazine St., and will be open, initially, for weeknight dinner, and brunch on Saturday, with plans for lunch service, too. Call 3632174 to learn more.

jeffery johnston PHOTOGRAPHs

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THE MENU | FOOD

First the Vegetables Great Dishes From the Garden

By Dale Curry

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PHOTOGRAPHed and styled EUGENIA UHL

Spinach and Red Bell Pepper Frittata t

2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 red bell pepper, cut into thin 2-inch strips 3 green onions, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 10 large eggs 1/2 cup Half & Half 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

I like it when vegetables are the stars of a dish. Meat and seafood usually reign in south Louisiana, but spring and summer vegetables are wonderful enough to take over some entrées – with or without added protein.

Whether growing your own or scouring the markets, there’s nothing like fresh snippets of dill and basil, and first-toarrive vegetables such as squash, peas, spinach, asparagus and peppers.

Roasting is a trendy way to go with asparagus and pea pods. It brings out their sweetness and is the quickest way to put healthful food on the table. They tempt you to pick them up and eat them whole.

The recipe here for roasting asparagus

and peas in the pod includes spring varieties, but feel free to add halved Brussels sprouts, parboiled carrots and other root vegetables shipped in from tropical climates. Kids will love them.

Louisiana cooks are always tempted to stuff, and vegetables are the prime targets. Squash, like eggplant and mirlitons, seem meant for stuffing with seafood or meat, or just cheese and seasonings.

Others go well with eggs in frittatas or omelets and pair well with potatoes in Spanish tortillas.

Spring is the best time for diets for those getting ready for summer bathing suits. Strawberries, fresh veggies, plus crawfish. Life couldn’t be better.

1 Tablespoon fresh dill or 1 teaspoon dried ¾ cup fontina cheese, shredded, divided 4 cups fresh baby spinach In a large ovenproof skillet, preferably cast iron, heat olive oil. Add bell pepper and sauté over low heat for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add onions and garlic and sauté 2 minutes more. Remove from heat.

In a medium bowl, beat eggs until frothy. Add Half & Half, salt, pepper, dill and ½-cup of the cheese.

Heat oven to 400 degrees.

Wilt the spinach in the microwave for 2 minutes and squeeze out excess water.

You can do this by pressing spinach in a large strainer.

Heat skillet with onions and peppers to medium-high, and pour in the egg mixture. Stir in the spinach, distributing it equally, and, without stirring, cook for 2 minutes over medium-low heat.

Sprinkle with remaining ¼-cup of fontina, place skillet in the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until center is set.

Do not overbake. You want the frittata to have a custardy texture, not a dry one.

The frittata is best served hot or warm but can be served at room temperature.

Cut into pie-shaped pieces.

Serves 4 to 6

Stuffed Zucchini and Yellow Squash

Roasted Spring Vegetables

3 zucchini

1 pound asparagus, preferably fat

3 yellow summer squash

1 red or yellow bell pepper

1 piece thick-cut bacon, cut into ½-inch pieces

3 cups sugar snap peas

1 Tablespoon olive oil

2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

1 teaspoon sea salt

2 cloves garlic, minced

½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 pound ground veal 1 large tomato, peeled and chopped ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste 1 egg, beaten ¾ cup Italian bread crumbs 2/3 cup grated Parmesan Heat a large pot of salted water to boiling. Add zucchini and yellow squash. When it comes to a boil again, boil for 5 minutes. Remove squash from pot.

When cool enough to handle, slice all squash in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, preferably a grapefruit spoon, scoop out insides, leaving ¼-inch of squash to form boats for stuffing. Put insides in a large bowl, and place boats on a large oiled pan or baking dish.

Heat a large skillet and sauté bacon until beginning to brown. Add olive oil and sauté onion for 1 minute, followed by the garlic for another minute.

Add veal and cook, stirring frequently, until meat is no longer pink. Add tomato, basil and seasonings and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes.

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Mash or cut squash into small pieces. Add egg and mix well. Stir in veal mixture and then bread crumbs.

Stuff into squash boats and sprinkle with Parmesan.

Bake for 15 minutes. If not brown on top, place under a broiler for a few minutes, watching closely.

Serves 6

1 Tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves Heat oven to 400 degrees.

Snap off tough ends of asparagus, about 1 inch. Cut pepper into ¼-inchby-2-inch strips. Place vegetables on a large pan or cookie sheet.

Drizzle olive oil over vegetables and sprinkle with salt, pepper and rosemary. Toss well so that all vegetables are covered with oil and seasoning. Spread vegetables in a single layer and roast in oven for about 15 minutes or until they are crisp-tender. Stir once during the roasting.

Serves 4 to 6

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THE MENU | Last Call

Spring Goes Fancy Margarita Magic

By Tim McNally

Despite popular rumor, New Orleans does have the season of spring. OK, it isn’t much of a season, but usually in April there are a couple of spring-like days when the sun shines, the temperatures are moderate and the humidity isn’t yet at “yecch.”

We are reminded that these “Days of Potential Misbehavior” are prompted by the beautiful blooms of the hibiscus flower, a climate signal that the chill of winter is behind us and prettier, warmer days are now ours to savor.

Star Hodgson, mixologist extraordinaire, brings that message to us in a variation of the best-selling cocktail in the U.S.: the margarita.

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Spring’s Promise

2 ounces Mezcal El Silencio 2 ounces fresh lemon juice 2 ounces hibiscus liqueur (*recipe below or purchase hibiscus liqueur) 2 ounces soda water Pinch of pink Himalayan salt Garnish: lemon wheel and lemon blossom Build in glass: Mezcal El Silencio, lemon juice, hibiscus liqueur and top with soda water. Stir to combine and garnish with a lemon wheel and a lemon blossom.

Rimming spice: Rub the edge of a tall glass with the edge of a lemon and dip into a mix of crushed dried hibiscus flowers, Himalayan salt and sugar.

To make hibiscus liqueur: In a Mason jar add 1 cup dried hibiscus flowers to 2 cups Mezcal El Silencio and allow to infuse for 24-48 hours, turning occasionally. Strain flowers then add 1 cup sugar (or agave or Stevia). Heat jar in 2 inches of water to allow sugar to dissolve while stirring. Transfer liqueur to a sterilized jar or bottle. Can be refrigerated for an extra-long shelf life.

As created and prepared by Star Hodgson, Louisiana Brand Ambassador, Mezcal El Silencio

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SARA ESSEX BRADLY PHOTOGRAPH

THE MENU | DINING GUIDE

H= New Orleans Magazine award winner | $ = Average entrée price | $ = $5-10

American

Zea’s Rotisserie and Grill Multiple Locations, ZeaRestaurants.com. L, D daily.

Drawing from a wide range of worldly influences, this popular restaurant serves a variety of grilled items as well as appetizers, salads, side dishes, seafood, pasta and other entrées. Also offers catering services. $$$

Bywater Elizabeth’s 601 Gallier St., 944-9272, ElizabethsRestaurantNola.com. B, L Mon-Fri, D Mon-Sat, Br Sat-Sun. This eclectic local restaurant draws rave reviews for its praline bacon and distinctive Southern-inspired brunch specials. $$$ Satsuma Café 3218 Dauphine St., 3045962, SatsumaCafe.com. B, L daily (until 5 p.m.). Offers healthy, inspired breakfast and lunch fare, along with freshly squeezed juices. $

carrollton Bourré 1510 S. Carrollton Ave., 510-4040.

L, D Tue-Sun. “Elevated” street food along with quality daiquiris and reconsidered wings are the draw at this newcomer from the team behind Boucherie. $$

New Orleans flair, the adjacent Polo Club Lounge offers live music nightly. Jazz Brunch on Sunday. $$$$$ Manning’s 519 Fulton St., 593-8118. L, D daily, Br Sat-Sun. Born of a partnership between New Orleans’ First Family of Football and Harrah’s Casino, Manning’s offers sports bar fans a step up in terms of comfort and quality. With a menu that draws on both New Orleans and the Deep South, traditional dishes get punched up with inspired but accessible twists in surroundings accented by both memorabilia and local art. $$$ Pete’s Pub Intercontinental Hotel, 444 St. Charles Ave., 525-5566, IcNewOrleans.com/ dining/petes_pub. D Mon-Fri. Casual fare and adult beverages are served in this pub on the ground floor. $$ Q&C Hotel/Bar 344 Camp St., 587-9700, QandC.com. B, D daily, L Fri-Sun. Newly renovated boutique hotel offering a small plates menu with tempting choices such as a Short Rib Poor Boy and Lobster Mac and Cheese to complement their sophisticated craft cocktails. $$

H Root 21800 Magazine St., 309-7800,

Satsuma Maple 7901 Maple St., 309-5557, SatsumaCafe.com. B, L daily (until 5 p.m.).

Offers healthy, inspired breakfast and lunch fare, along with freshly squeezed juices. $

RootNola.com. L, D Tue-Sat. Chef Philip Lopez opened Root in November 2011 and has garnered a loyal following for his modernist, eclectic cuisine. $$$$

CITY PARK

H Restaurant August 301 Tchoupitoulas

Café NOMA 1 Collins Diboll Circle, NO Museum of Art, City Park, 482-1264, CafeNoma.com. L, (snacks) Tue-Sun. Sleek bar and café in the ground floor of museum offers a thoughtful array of snacks, sandwiches and small plates that are sure to enchant, with a kids’ menu to boot. $$

CBD/Warehouse District The Grill Room Windsor Court Hotel, 300 Gravier St., 522-6000, GrillRoomNewOrleans.com. B, L, D daily, Br Sun. Featuring modern American cuisine with a distinctive

St., 299-9777, RestaurantAugust.com. L Fri, D daily. James Beard Award-winning chef John Besh’s menu is based on classical techniques of Louisiana cuisine and produce with a splash of European flavor set in an historic carriage warehouse. $$$$$ Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar 1009 Poydras St., 309-6530, Walk-Ons.com. L, D, daily.

Burger, sandwiches, wraps and more made distinctive with a Louisiana twist are served at this sports bar near the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. $$

$$ = $11-15

$$$ = $16-20

Warehouse Grille, 869 Magazine St., 3222188, WarehouseGrille.com. L, D daily, Br Fri-Sat. Creative fare served in an art-filled environment. Try the lamb spring rolls. $$ Wolfe’s in the Warehouse 859 Convention Center Blvd., 613-2882. B, L, D daily. Chef Tom Wolfe brings his refined cuisine to the booming Fulton Street corridor. $$$

Downtown The Grill 540 Chartres St., 522-1800. B, L, D daily. A diner with local character staffed by local characters. $

Faubourg Marigny Langlois 1710 Pauger St., 934-1010, LangloisNola.com. L Fri-Sat, D Wed-Sun. *Reservations only Supper club and boutique cooking school in the Marigny serves up culturally informed, farm-to-table fare with the added bonus of instruction. Open kitchen and convivial atmosphere add up to a good time. $$$ The Marigny Brasserie 640 Frenchmen St., 945-4472, MarignyBrasserie.com. L, D daily. Chic neighborhood bistro with traditional dishes like the fried green tomatoes and innovative cocktails such as the cucumber Collins. $$$ Snug Harbor 626 Frenchman St., 9490696, SnugJazz.com. D daily. This jazz club serves cocktails and a dining menu loaded with steaks, seafood and meaty burgers served with loaded baked potatoes. $$$$

French Quarter

Angeline 1032 Chartres St., 308-3106, AngelineNola.com. B Mon-Thu, D daily, Br Sat-Sun,. Modern southern with a fine dining focus is the hallmark of this bistro tucked away in a quiet end of the French Quarter. Southern Fried Quail and Duck Confit Ravoli represent the style. $$$ Continental Provisions 110 N Peters St., Stall 23, 407-3437. Open daily. Artisan purveyors including Bellegarde Bakery,

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$$$$ = $21-25

$$$$$ = $25 and up

St. James Cheese Co. and Cleaver & Company team up to reclaim a foothold for quality food in the tourist Ground Zero of the French Market. Sandwiches, breads, cheeses and more. $$ Hard Rock Café 125 Bourbon St., 5295617, HardRock.com. L, D daily, Br Sat-Sun. Local outpost of this global brand serves burgers, café fare and drinks in their rock memorabilia-themed environs. $$ The Pelican Club 312 Exchange Place, 523-1504, PelicanClub.com. D daily. Serves an eclectic mix of hip food, from the seafood “martini” to clay-pot barbecued shrimp and a trio of duck. Three dining rooms available. $$$$$ Rib Room Omni Royal Orleans Hotel, 621 St. Louis St., 529-7046, RibRoomNewOrleans.com. B, D daily, L Mon-Sat, Br Sun. Old World elegance and high ceilings, house classic cocktails and Anthony Spizale’s broad menu of prime rib, stunning seafood and on Sundays a jazz brunch. $$$

GARDEN DISTRICT Cheesecake Bistro by Copeland’s, 2001 St. Charles Ave., 593-9955, CopelandsCheesecakeBistro.com. L Mon-Fri, D daily, Br Sun. Shiny, contemporary bistro serves Cajun-fusion fare along with its signature decadent desserts. Good lunch value to boot. $$ District Donuts Sliders Brew, 2209 Magazine Street, 570-6945, DonutsAndSliders. com. B, L, D daily. Creative sliders (hello, pork belly) and super-creative donuts (think root beer float) are the hallmarks of this next-generation café. $

Metairie Boulevard American Bistro 4241 Veterans Memorial Blvd., 889-2301. L, D daily.

Classic American cuisine including steaks, chops and more is augmented by regional favorites like Boulevard Oysters at this Metairie bistro. $$$

Copeland’s Serves Up Spring

Copeland’s of New Orleans, Multiple locations, CopelandsOfNewOrleans.com Copeland’s of New Orleans is introducing some delicious new dishes for spring. Among the new line-up will be: an Oysters, Bacon and Brie appetizer, a Shrimp and Mirliton Pasta and a Brie, Strawberry and Almond Salad. These dishes join an extensive, made-from-scratch menu that’s served in Copeland’s relaxed dining atmosphere. Fresh, premium ingredients, sauces and seasonings bring out the robust, signature flavors of New Orleans in every dish. – Mirella Cameran 92

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café B 2700 Metairie Road, 934-4700, cafeB.com. D daily, L Mon-Fri. Br Sun. Ralph Brennan offers New American bistro fare with a Louisiana twist at this family-friendly neighborhood spot. $$$ Caffe! Caffe! 3547 N. Hullen St., 267-9190.

B, L Mon-Sat. & 4301 Clearview Parkway, 885-4845. B, L daily; D Mon-Sat. CaffeCaffe. com Healthy, refreshing meal options combine with gourmet coffee and espresso drinks to create a tasteful retreat for Metairie diners at a reasonable price. Try the egg white spinach wrap. $ Heritage Grill 111 Veterans Memorial Blvd., 934-4900, HeritageGrillMetairie.com.

L Mon-Fri. This lunch-only destination caters to the office crowd and offers a freshly squeezed juice menu to go along with its regular menu and express two-course lunch. $$ Martin Wine Cellar 714 Elmeer Ave., 8967300, MartinWineCellar.com. Wine by the glass or bottle to go with daily lunch specials, towering burgers, hearty soups and salads and giant, deli-style sandwiches. $ Vega Tapas Café 2051 Metairie Road, 836-2007, VegaTapasCafe.com. D Mon-Sat, Br Sun. Innovative establishment offers fresh seafood, grilled meats and vegetarian dishes in a chic environment. Daily chef specials showcase unique ingredients and make this place a popular destination for dates as well as groups of friends. $$

Mid-City Parkway Bakery and Tavern 538 Hagan Ave., 482-3047, ParkwayPoorBoys.com. L, D Wed-Mon. Featured on national TV and having served poor boys to presidents, it stakes a claim to some of the best sandwiches in town. Their french fry version with gravy and cheese is a classic at a great price. $

NORTHSHORE Dakota 629 N. Highway 190, (985) 8923712, TheDakotaRestaurant.com. L Tue-Fri, D Mon-Sat. A sophisticated dining experience with generous portions. $$$$$

Riverbend Carrollton Market 8132 Hampson St., 252-9928, CarrolltonMarket.com. L SatSun, D Tue-Sat. Modern Southern cuisine manages to be both fun and refined at this tasteful boîte. $$$

Uptown Audubon Clubhouse 6500 Magazine St., 212-5282, AudubonInstitute.org. B, L TueSat, Br Sun. A kid-friendly menu with local tweaks and a casually upscale sandwich and salad menu. $$ Camellia Grill 626 S. Carrollton Ave., 3092679. B, L, D daily. A venerable diner whose essential character has remained intact and many of the original waiters have returned.

Credit cards are now accepted. $ GG’s Dine-O-Rama 3100 Magazine St., 373-6579, GGsNewOrleans.com. B, L Tue-

Sun. Upscale-casual restaurant serves a variety of specialty sandwiches, salads and wraps, like the Chicago-style hot dog and the St. Paddy’s Day Massacre, chef Gotter’s take on the Rueben. $$ Martin Wine Cellar 3827 Baronne St., 8997411, MartinWine.com. Wine by the glass or bottle with cheeses, salads, sandwiches and snacks. $ Slim Goodies 3322 Magazine St., 891 EGGS (3447), SlimGoodiesDiner.com. B, L daily. This diner offers an exhaustive menu heavily influenced by local cuisine. Try the Creole Slammer, a breakfast platter rounded out by crawfish étouffée. The laid-back vibe is best enjoyed on the patio out back. $ Stein’s Market and Deli 2207 Magazine St., 527-0771, SteinsDeli.net. B, L Tue-Sun. New York City meets New Orleans. The Reuben and Rachel sandwiches are the real deal and the half-sours and pickled tomatoes complete the deli experience. $ Surrey’s Café and Juice Bar 1418 Magazine St., 524-3828; 4807 Magazine St., 895-5757, SurreysCafeAndJuiceBar.com. B, L daily. Laid-back café focuses on breakfast and brunch dishes to accompany freshly squeezed juice offerings. Health-food lovers will like it here, along with fans of favorites such as peanut butter and banana pancakes. $$ Tracey’s Irish Restaurant & Bar 2604

Magazine St., 897-5413, TraceysNola.com.

L, D daily. A neighborhood bar with one of the best messy roast beef poor boys in town. The gumbo, cheeseburger poor boy and other sandwiches are also winners.

Grab a local Abita beer to wash it all down.

Also a great location to watch the game. $

H Upperline 1413 Upperline St., 891-9822, Upperline.com. D Wed-Sun. Consummate hostess JoAnn Clevenger and talented chef Dave Bridges make for a winning combination at this nationally heralded favorite. The oft-copied fried green tomatoes with shrimp remoulade originated here. $$$$

H Wayfare 4510 Freret St., 309-0069, WayfareNola.com. L, D daily, Br Sat-Sun. Creative sandwiches and southern-inspired small plates. $$ Ye Olde College Inn 3000 S. Carrollton Ave., 866-3683, CollegeInn1933.com. D TueSat. Serves up classic fare, albeit with a few upscale dishes peppering the menu. $$$

Asian Fusion/Pan Asian

Little Tokyo Multiple locations, LittleTokyoNola.com. L, D daily. Multiple locations of this popular Japanese sushi and hibachi chain make sure that there’s always a specialty roll within easy reach. $$

Bywater Red’s Chinese 3048 St. Claude Ave., 304-6030, RedsChinese.com. L, D daily.

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Assertive, in-your-face Chinese fare by chef Tobias Womack, an alum of Danny Bowien’s Mission Chinese. The Kung Pao Pastrami and General’s Chicken are good options. $$

their creative sushi rolls are good. Private dining rooms available. $$

CBD/Warehouse District

B, L, D daily. Roasted quail and the beef pho rule at this Vietnamese outpost. $$

Rock-N-Sake 823 Fulton St., 581-7253, RockNSake.com. L Fri, D Tue-Sun, late night Fri-Sat. Fresh sushi and contemporary takes on Japanese favorites in an upbeat, casual setting. $$$

Faubourg Marigny Bao and Noodle 2700 Charters St., 2720004, BaoAndNoodle.com. L, D Tue-Sat. Housemade noodles and a more authentic take on Chinese fare sets this neighborhood startup apart. Try the soup dumplings if available $$

French Quarter V Sushi 821 Iberville St., 609-2291, VSushiMartini.com. D daily, late-night. Creative rolls and a huge list of fusion dishes keep party-lovers going late into the night at this combination sushi and martini bar. $$$

Garden District Hoshun Restaurant 1601 St. Charles Ave., 302-9716, HoshunRestaurant.com. L, D daily. Offers a wide variety of Asian cuisines, primarily dishes culled from China, Japan, Thailand and Malaysia. Five-pepper calamari is a tasty way to begin the meal, and

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Gretna H Tan Dinh 1705 Lafayette St., 361-8008.

Kenner Little Chinatown 3800 Williams Blvd., 305-0580, LittleChinatown.net. L, D daily.

One of the city’s best Chinese restaurants is secreted away on William’s Boulevard in Kenner. Try the roast duck or roast pork, either one is terrific, as well as their short menu of authentic dishes that (for the most part) avoid Americanized Chinese fare. $$

Lakeview Lakeview Pearl 6300 Canal St., 309-5711, LakeviewPearl.com. L, D Mon-Sat. A long list of specialty rolls rounds out the offerings of this Asian-Fusion restaurant. $$

Metairie CoNola Grill & Sushi 619 Pink St., 8370055, CoNolaGrillSushi.com. L, D Tue-Sun. Eclectic cafe with DNA from both Sun Ray Grill and Aloha Sushi Bar puts out southerninspired fare backed by an Americanized sushi menu, a kids menu and more. Along with a Sunday brunch, there’s something for everyone at this independent restaurant. $$$

H Royal China 600 Veterans Blvd., 831-9633. L daily, D Tue-Sun. Popular and family-friendly Chinese restaurant is one of the few places around that serves dim sum. $$

MARRERO

Riverbend H Ba Chi Canteen 7900 Maple St., 3735628. L, D Mon-Sat. The kitchen plays fast and loose with Vietnamese fare at this eclectic outpost on Maple Street. Try the caramelized pork “Baco”. $

Daiwa, 5033 Lapalco Blvd., 875-4203, DaiwaSushi.com. L, D daily. Japanese destination on the Westbank serves an impressive and far-ranging array of creative fusion fare. $$$

H Chill Out Café 729 Burdette St.,

Mid-City H Café Minh 4139 Canal St., 482-6266,

Uptown

CafeMinh.com. L Mon-Fri, D Mon-Sat. Chef Minh Bui and Cynthia Vutran bring a fusion touch to Vietnamese cuisine with French accents and a contemporary flair. $$ Five Happiness 3605 S. Carrollton Ave., 482-3935, FiveHappiness.com. L, D daily.

This longtime Chinese favorite offers up an extensive menu including its beloved mu shu pork and house-baked duck. $$

H MoPho 514 City Park Ave., 482-6845, MoPhoNola.com. L, D Wed-Mon. Vietnamese cuisine meets southern Louisiana in this upscale casual hybrid by chef Michael Gulotta. Mix-and-match pho and an interesting poor boy menu rounds out the appeal. $$$

872-9628. B, L daily, D Mon-Sat. Thai food and breakfast favorites like waffles and pancakes can both be had at this affordable college-friendly hangout. $ Chiba 8312 Oak St., 826-9119, Chiba-Nola. com. L Wed-Sat, D Mon-Sat. Contemporary restaurant features fresh, exotic fish from all over the world and fusion fare to go along with typical Japanese options. Extensive sake list and late night happy hours are a plus. $$$

H Jung’s Golden Dragon 3009 Magazine St., 891-8280, JungsChinese.com. L, D daily.

This Chinese destination is a real find. Along with the usual, you’ll find spicy cold noodle dishes and dumplings. One of the few local Chinese places that breaks the Americanized mold. $

H Magasin 4201 Magazine St., 896-7611, MagasinCafe.com. L, D Mon-Sat. Pho, banh mi and vegetarian options are offered at this attractive and budget-friendly Viet-

namese restaurant. Café sua da is available as well. $

WEST BANK Nine Roses 1100 Stephen St., 366-7665, NineRosesResturant.com. L, D Sun-Tue, Thu-Sat. The extensive Vietnamese menu specializes in hot pots, noodles and dishes big enough for everyone to share. $$

Bakery/Breakfast

Café du Monde Multiple Locations, CafeDuMonde.com. This New Orleans institution has been serving fresh café au lait, rich hot chocolate and positively addictive beignets since 1862 in the French Market 24/7. $ CC’s Coffee House Multiple locations in New Orleans, Metairie and Northshore, CCsCoffee.com. Coffeehouse specializing in coffee, espresso drinks and pastries. $

BROADMOOR Gracious to Go 7220 Earhart Blvd., 3013709, GraciousBakery.com. B Mon-Fri. Quick-service outpost of Gracious Bakery + Café serves artisan pastries, locally roasted coffee and grab-and-go sandwiches to meet the needs of commuters. Onsite parking a plus. $

CBD/Warehouse District H Merchant 800 Common St., 571-9580, MerchantNewOrleans.com. B, L daily. Illy coffee and creative crêpes, sandwiches and more are served at this sleek and contemporary café on the ground floor of the Merchant Building. $

City Park

grits. $$

Morning Call 56 Dreyfous Drive, City Park, 885-4068, NewOrleansCityPark.com/ in-the-park/morning-call. 24 hours a day; cash-only. Chicory coffee and beignets coated with powdered sugar make this the quintessential New Orleans coffee shop. $

Barbecue

Red Gravy 4125 Camp St., 561-8844, RedGravy.com. B, Br, L, Wed-Mon. Farmto-table Italian restaurant offers a creative array of breakfast items such as Cannoli Pancakes and Skillet Cakes, as well as delectable sandwiches and more for lunch.

Homemade pastas and authentic Tuscan specialties round out the menu. $$

Faubourg Marigny H Ruby Slipper Café 2001 Burgundy St.,

H Ruby Slipper Café 200 Magazine

Mid-City

St., 525-9355; 1005 Canal St., 525-9355, TheRubySlipperCafe.net. B, L daily, Br Sun. Homegrown chain specializes in breakfast, lunch and brunch dishes with unique local twists such as bananas Foster French toast and barbecue shrimp and grits. $$

Gracious Bakery + Café 1000 S. Jeff Davis Parkway, Suite 100, 301-3709, GraciousBakery.com. B, L daily. Boutique bakery on the ground floor of the Woodward Building offers small-batch coffee, baked goods, individual desserts and sandwiches on breads made in-house. Catering options available. $

CARROLLTON Breads on Oak, 8640 Oak St., 324-8271, BreadsOnOak.com. B, L Wed-Sun. Artisan bakeshop tucked away near the levee on Oak Street serves breads, sandwiches, gluten-free and vegan-friendly options. $

525-9355, TheRubySlipperCafe.net. B, L daily, Br Sun. Homegrown chain specializes in breakfast, lunch and brunch dishes with unique local twists such as bananas Foster French toast and barbecue shrimp and grits. $$

H Ruby Slipper Café 139 S. Cortez St., 525-9355, TheRubySlipperCafe.net. B, L daily, Br Sun. Homegrown chain specializes in breakfast, lunch and brunch dishes with unique local twists such as bananas Foster French toast and barbecue shrimp and

Bywater

The Joint 701 Mazant St., 949-3232, AlwaysSmokin.com. L, D Mon-Sat. Some of the city’s best barbecue can be had at this locally owned and operated favorite. $

French Quarter BB King’s Blues Club 1104 Decatur St., 934-5464, BBKings.com/new-orleans. L, D daily. New Orleans outpost of music club named for the famed blues musician features a menu loaded with BBQ and southern-inspired specialties. Live music and late hours are a big part of the fun. $$$

Lower Garden District Voodoo BBQ 1501 St. Charles Ave., 522-4647, VoodooBBQAndGrill.com. L, D daily. Diners are never too far from this homegrown barbecue chain that features an array of specialty sauces to accompany its smoked meats and seafood. $$

Metairie Voodoo BBQ 2740 Severn Ave., 353-4227, VoodooBBQAndGrill.com. L, D daily. Diners are never too far from this homegrown barbecue chain that features an array of specialty sauces to accompany its smoked

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H Marti’s 1041 Dumaine St., 522-5478,

Burgers

MartisNola.com. L Fri, D daily. Classic French cuisine, small plates and chilled seafood platters like Grand Plateau Fruits De Mer are the calling cards for this restaurant with an elegant “Old World” feel. $$$

French Quarter Bayou Burger, 503 Bourbon St., 529-4256, SportsBarNewOrleans.com. L, D daily.

Sports bar in the thick of Bourbon Street scene distinguishes its fare with choices like Crawfish Beignets and Gator Bites. $$ Port of Call 838 Esplanade Ave., 523-0120, PortOfCallNola.com. L, D daily. It is all about the big, meaty burgers and giant baked potatoes in this popular bar/restaurant – unless you’re cocktailing only, then it’s all about the Monsoons. $$

Lakeview Lakeview Harbor 911 Harrison Ave., 4864887. L, D daily. Burgers are the name of the game at this restaurant. Daily specials, pizza and steaks are offered as well. $

Riverbend H Cowbell 8801 Oak St., 298-8689, Cowbell-Nola.com. L, D Tue-Sat. Burgers and homemade sauces on potato rolls are the specialty here, along with other favorites like skirt steak. $$

Uptown H The Company Burger 4600 Freret St., 267-0320, TheCompanyBurger.com. L, D daily. Custom-baked butter-brushed buns and fresh-ground beef patties make all the difference at this excellent burger hotspot.

Draft beer and craft cocktails round out the appeal. $

Lacombe H La Provence 25020 Highway 190, (985) 626-7662, LaProvenceRestaurant. com. D Wed-Sun, Br Sun. Chef John Besh upholds time-honored Provençal cuisine and rewards his guests with a true farm-life experience, from house-made preserves, charcuterie, herbs, kitchen gardens and eggs cultivated on the property. $$$$$

Metairie Chateau du Lac 2037 Metairie Road, 8313773, ChateauduLacBistro.com. L Tue-Fri, D Mon-Sat. This casual French bistro, run by chef-owner Jacques Saleun, offers up classic dishes such as escargot, coq au vin and blanquette de veau. $$$$

Uptown Bistro Daisy 5831 Magazine St., 899-6987, BistroDaisy.com. D Tue-Sat. Chef Anton Schulte and his wife Diane’s bistro serves creative and contemporary bistro fare in a romantic setting. The signature Daisy Salad is a favorite. $$$$

H Coquette 2800 Magazine St., 265-0421, CoquetteNola.com. L Fri, D daily, Br Sun. The food is French in inspiration and technique, with added imagination from chef Michael and his partner Lillian Hubbard. $$$

H La Crêpe Nanou 1410 Robert St., 899-

French

Faubourg St. John H Café Degas 3127 Esplanade Ave., 945-5635, CafeDegas.com. L, D Wed-Sat, Br Sun. Salad Niçoise, Hanger steak and frites are served in a lovely enclosed courtyard at this jewel of a French bistro. $$

French Quarter Broussard’s, 819 Conti St., 581-3866, Broussards.com. D daily, Br Sun. CreoleFrench institution also offers beautiful courtyard seating. $$$$

2670, LaCrepeNanou.com. D daily, Br Sun. Classic French bistro fare, including terrific moules and decadent dessert crêpes, are served nightly at this neighborhood institution. $$$ La Petite Grocery 4238 Magazine St., 891-3377, LaPetiteGrocery.com. L Tue-Sat, D daily, Br Sun. Elegant dining in a convivial atmosphere. The menu is heavily French-inspired with an emphasis on technique. $$$ Lilette 3637 Magazine St., 895-1636, LiletteRestaurant.com. L Tue-Sat, D Mon-Sat. Chef John Harris’ innovative menu draws

discerning diners to this highly regarded bistro. Desserts are wonderful as well. $$$$$

Gastropub Abita Springs

Abita Brew Pub 72011 Holly St., (985) 892-5837, AbitaBrewPub.com. L, D TueSun. Better-than-expected pub food in its namesake eatery. “Tasteful” tours available for visitors. $$

CBD/Warehouse District Gordon Biersch 200 Poydras St., 5522739, GordonBiersch.com. L, D daily.

Local outpost of this popular chain serves specialty brews made on-site and crowdpleasing lunch and dinner fare. $$ Victory 339 Baronne St., 522-8664, VictoryNola.com. D daily. Craft cocktails served by owner and acclaimed bartender Daniel Victory, as well as refined small plates and gourmet pizza. $$

French Quarter H Cane & Table 1113 Decatur St., 581-1112, CaneAndTableNola.com. L Fri, D daily, Br Sat-Sun. Open late, this chefdriven rustic colonial cuisine and rum and “proto-Tiki” cocktails make this a fun place to gather. $$ Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar and Bistro 720 Orleans Ave., 523-1930, OrleansGrapevine.com. D daily. Wine is the muse at this beautifully renovated bistro, which offers vino by the flight, glass and bottle.

A classic menu with an emphasis on local cuisine. $$$

H Patrick’s Bar Vin 730 Bienville St., 200-3180, PatricksBarVin.com. D daily. This oasis of a wine bar offers terrific selections by the bottle and glass. Small plates are served as well. $$

Lower Garden District The Tasting Room 1906 Magazine St., 581-3880, TTRNewOrleans.com. D Tue-Sun. Flights of wine and sophisticated small plates are the calling cards for this wine bar near Coliseum Square. $$

t

Mid-City Trèo 3835 Tulane Ave., 304-4878, TreoNola.com. L Fri-Sat, D daily. Craft cocktail bar also serves a short but excellent small plates menu to accompany its artfully composed libations. $$

Uptown The Avenue Pub 1732 St. Charles Ave., 586-9243, TheAvenuePub.com. Kitchen open 24/7. With more than 43 rotating draft beers, this pub also offers food, including a cheese plate from St. James Cheese Co. and the “Pub Burger.” Counter service only. $ Bouligny Tavern 3641 Magazine St., 891-1810, BoulignyTavern.com. D Mon-Sat. Carefully curated small plates, inventive cocktails and select wines are the focus of this stylish offshoot of John Harris’s nationally acclaimed Lilette. $$ The Delachaise 3442 St. Charles Ave., 8950858, TheDelaichaise.com. D daily. Cuisine elevated to the standards of the libations is the draw at this lively wine bar and gastropub. Food is grounded in French bistro fare with eclectic twists. $$

Italian

Avondale H Mosca’s 4137 Highway 90 West, 4368950, MoscasRestaurant.com. D Tue-Sat. Italian institution dishes out massive portions of great food, family-style. Good bets are the shrimp Mosca and chicken à la grande. Cash only. $$$

Bywater H Mariza 2900 Charters St., 598-5700, MarizaNewOrleans.com. D Tue-Sat. An Italian-inspired restaurant by chef Ian Schnoebelen features a terrific raw bar, house-cured charcuterie and an array of refined adult beverages served in the industrial/contemporary setting on the ground floor of the Rice Mills lofts. $$$

CBD/Warehouse District H Domenica The Roosevelt Hotel, 123 Baronne St., 648-6020, DomenicaRestaurant.com. L, D daily. Chef Alon Shaya serves authentic, regional Italian cuisine.

Your Steak Out at Jazz Fest

Crescent City Steaks, 1001 N. Broad St., 821-3271, CrescentCitySteaks.com Crescent City Steaks is one of those neighborhood restaurants that food critics and tourists are desperate to find out about. One of its claims to fame is as the birthplace of the ‘New Orleans Style’ of cooking steaks, which is sizzling in butter. However, all the food served is high quality and classically prepared as it has been for 82 years. Anytime is a good time to go, but its proximity to the Fair Grounds Race Course, where the New Orleans Jazz Fest is located, makes it a perfect spot to have lunch or dinner during a visit to the Fest. – M.C. 96

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cheryl gerber photograph

The menu of thin, lightly topped pizzas, artisanal salumi and cheese, and a carefully chosen selection of antipasti, pasta and entrées features locally raised products, some from chef John Besh’s Northshore farm. $$$$

H Italian Barrel 430 Barracks St., 569-

Tommy’s Cuisine 746 Tchoupitoulas St., 581-1103, TommysNewOrleans.com. D daily. Classic Creole-Italian cuisine is the name of the game at this upscale eatery.

Appetizers include the namesake oysters Tommy, baked in the shell with Romano cheese, pancetta and roasted red pepper. $$$$$

Muriel’s Jackson Square 801 Chartres St., 568-1885, Muriels.com. L, D daily, Br SatSun. Enjoy pecan-crusted drum and other local classics while dining in the courtyard bar or any other room in this labyrinthine, rumored-to-be-haunted establishment. $$$$

French Quarter Café Giovanni 117 Decatur St., 529-2154, CafeGiovanni.com. D daily. Live opera singers three nights a week. A selection of Italian specialties tweaked with a Creole influence and their Belli Baci happy hour adds to the atmosphere. $$$$ Chartres House, 601 Chartres St., 5868383, ChartresHouse.com. L, D daily. This iconic French Quarter bar serves terrific Mint Juleps and Gin Fizzes in its picturesque courtyard and balcony settings. Also famous for its fried green tomatoes and other local favorite dishes. $$$ Irene’s Cuisine 539 St. Philip St., 5298881. D Mon-Sat. Long waits at the lively piano bar are part of the appeal of this Creole-Italian favorite beloved by locals.

Try the oysters Irene and crabmeat gratin appetizers. $$$$

0198, ItalianBarrel.com. L, D daily. Northern Italian dishes like Braciola di Maiale as well as an exhaustive pasta menu tempt here at this local favorite that also offers al fresco seating. $$$

Napoleon House 500 Chartres St., 5249752, NapoleonHouse.com. L Mon-Sat, D Tue-Sat. Originally built in 1797 as a respite for Napoleon, this family-owned Europeanstyle café serves local favorites gumbo, jambalaya and muffulettas, and for sipping, a Sazerac or lemony Pimm’s Cup are perfect accompaniments. $$ Ralph Brennan’s Red Fish Grill 115 Bourbon St., 598-1200, RedFishGrill.com. L, D daily. Chef Austin Kirzner cooks up a broad menu peppered with local favorites such as barbecue oysters, blackened redfish and double-chocolate bread pudding. $$$$$ Arnaud’s Remoulade 309 Bourbon St., 523-0377, Remoulade.com. L, D daily.

Granite-topped tables and an antique mahogany bar are home to the eclectic menu of famous shrimp Arnaud, red beans and rice and poor boys as well as specialty burgers, grilled all-beef hot dogs and thin-

crust pizza. $$

H R’evolution 777 Bienville St., 553-2277, RevolutionNola.com. L Fri, D daily, Br Sun. An opulent place that combines the local flavors of chef John Folse with the more cosmopolitan influence of chef Rick Tramonto. Chef de cuisine Chris Lusk and executive sous chef Erik Veney are in charge of day-to-day operations, which include house-made charcuterie, pastries, pastas and more. $$$$$

harahan Oak Oven 6625 Jefferson Highway, Harahan, 305-4039, OakOvenRestaurant.com. L, D Mon-Sat. Wood-fired pizza and seasonal Italian cuisine with a locavore philosophy brings respite to the burbs. Family friendly with patio seating to boot. $$

Metairie H Andrea’s Restaurant 3100 19th St., 834-8583, AndreasRestaurant.com. L MonSat, D daily, Br Sun. Osso buco and homemade pastas in a setting that’s both elegant and intimate; off-premise catering. $$$ Semolina 4436 Veterans Blvd., Suite 37, 454-7930, Semolina.com. L, D daily. This casual, contemporary pasta restaurant takes a bold approach to cooking Italian food, emphasizing flavors, texture and color. Many of the dishes feature a signature Louisiana twist, such as the muffuletta pasta and pasta jambalaya. $$ Vincent’s Italian Cuisine 4411 Chastant

St., 885-2984, Metairie, VicentsItalianCuisine.com. L Tue-Fri, D Mon-Sat. Snug Italian boîte packs them in, yet manages to remain intimate at the same time. The cannelloni is a house specialty. $$$

Mid-City H Liuzza’s 3636 Bienville St., 482-9120, Liuzzas.com. L, D daily. Classic neighborhood joint serves favorites like the “Frenchuletta,” stuffed artichokes and andouille gumbo. Kid’s menu offered. $$ Ralph’s On The Park 900 City Park Ave., 488-1000, RalphsOnThePark.com. Br Sun, L Tue-Fri, D daily. A modern interior and contemporary Creole dishes such as City Park salad, turtle soup, barbecue Gulf shrimp and good cocktails. $$$$

NORTHSHORE H Del Porto Ristorante 501 E. Boston St., (985) 875-1006, DelPortoRistorante.com. L, D Tue-Sat. One of the Northshore’s premier fine dining destinations serving Italian food that makes use of locally sourced meats and produce. $$$

Uptown Amici 3218 Magazine St., 300-1250, AmiciNola.com. L, D daily. Coal-fired pizza is the calling card for this destination, but the menu offers an impressive list of authentic and Creole Italian specialties as well. $$ Pascal’s Manale 1838 Napoleon Ave., 895-4877, PascalsManale.com. L Mon-Fri, D Mon-Sat. Vintage neighborhood restaurant

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DINING GUIDE since 1913 and the place to go for the creation of barbecued shrimp. Its oyster bar serves icy cold, freshly shucked Louisiana oysters and the Italian specialties and steaks are also solid. $$$$ Vincent’s Italian Cuisine 7839 St. Charles Ave., 866-9313, VicentsItalianCuisine. com. L Tue-Fri, D Tue-Sun. Snug Italian boîte packs them in yet manages to remain intimate at the same time. The cannelloni is a house specialty. $$$

Louisianian Fare

CBD/Warehouse District H Annunciation 1016 Annunciation St., 568-0245, AnnunciationRestaurant.com.

D Mon-Sat, Br Sun. Chef Steven Manning brings a refined sensibility to this refined Warehouse District oasis along with his famous fried oysters with melted brie. $$$ Balise 640 Carondelet St., 459-4449, BaliseNola.com. L Tue-Fri, D daily, Br SatSun. Chef Justin Devillier turns back the clock at this turn-of-the-century inspired bistro in the CBD. Decidedly masculine fare – think beef tartare with horseradish and pumpernickel – is carefully crafted and fits well alongside the excellent cocktail and beer list. $$$ Bon Ton Cafe 401 Magazine St., 524-3386,

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TheBonTonCafe.com. L, D Mon-Fri. A local favorite for the old-school business lunch crowd specializing in local seafood and Cajun dishes. $$$$ Café Adelaide Loews New Orleans Hotel, 300 Poydras St., 595-3305, CafeAdelaide. com. B, L Mon-Fri, D daily, Br Sat-Sun. This offering from the Commander’s Palace family of restaurants has become a powerlunch favorite for business-people and politicos. Also features the Swizzle Stick Bar. $$$$

H Cochon 930 Tchoupitoulas St., 588-2123, CochonRestaurant.com. L, D, Mon-Sat. Chefs Donald Link and Stephen Stryjewski showcase Cajun and Southern cuisine at this hot spot. Boudin and other pork dishes reign supreme here, along with Louisiana seafood and real moonshine from the bar. Reservations strongly recommended. $$ Drago’s Hilton Riverside Hotel, 2 Poydras St., 584-3911, DragosRestaurant.com. L, D daily. This famous seafooder specializes in charbroiled oysters, a dish they invented.

Great deals on fresh lobster as well. $$$$ Emeril’s 800 Tchoupitoulas St., 528-9393, EmerilsRestaurants.com. L Mon-Fri, D daily. The flagship of superstar chef Emeril Lagasse’s culinary empire, this landmark attracts pilgrims from all over the world.

$$$$$

H Herbsaint 701 St. Charles Ave., 5244114, Herbsaint.com. L Mon-Fri, D Mon-Sat. Enjoy a sophisticated cocktail before sampling chef Donald Link’s menu that melds contemporary bistro fare with classic Louisiana cuisine. The banana brown butter tart is a favorite dessert. $$$$$ Mother’s 401 Poydras St., 523-9656, MothersRestaurant.net. B, L, D daily. Locals and tourists alike endure long queues and a confounding ordering system to enjoy iconic dishes such as the Ferdi poor boy and Jerry’s jambalaya. Come for a late lunch to avoid the rush. $$ Mulate’s 201 Julia St., 522-1492, Mulates. com. L, D daily. Live music and dancing add to the fun at this world-famous Cajun destination. $$

Central City Café Reconcile 1631 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 568-1157, CafeReconcile.org. L Mon-Fri. Good food for a great cause, this nonprofit on the burgeoning OCH corridor helps train at-risk youth for careers in the food service industry. $$

Darrow Café Burnside Houmas House Plantation, 40136 Highway 942, (225) 473-9380, HoumasHouse.com. L daily, Br Sun. Historic

plantation’s casual dining option features dishes such as seafood pasta, fried catfish, crawfish and shrimp, gumbo and red beans and rice. $$ Latil’s Landing Houmas House Plantation, 40136 Highway 942, (225) 473-9380, HoumasHouse.com. D Wed-Sun. Nouvelle Louisiane, plantation-style cooking served in an opulent setting features dishes like rack of lamb and plume de veau. $$$$$

Faubourg Marigny Feelings Cafe 2600 Chartres St., 446-0040, FeelingsCafe.com. D Tue-Sat, L Fri. Romantic ambiance and skillfully created dishes, such as veal d’aunoy, make dining here on the patio a memorable experience. A piano bar on Fridays adds to the atmosphere.

Vegan menu offered. $$$$ Horn’s 1940 Dauphine St., Marigny, 4594676, HornsNola.com. B, L daily, D Thu-Sun. This casual, eclectic watering hole offers offbeat twists on classics (the Jewish Coonass features latkes to go with the crawfish etouffée) as well as the usual breakfast and lunch diner fare. $ Praline Connection 542 Frenchmen St., 943-3934, PralineConnection.com. L, D daily. Down-home dishes of smothered pork chops, greens, beans and cornbread are on the menu at this Creole soul restaurant. $$

French Quarter Acme Oyster House 724 Iberville St., 5225973, AcmeOyster.com. L, D daily. Known as one of the best places to eat oysters. $$

H Arnaud’s 813 Bienville St., 523-5433, ArnaudsRestaurant.com. D daily, Br Sun. Waiters in tuxedos prepare Café Brûlot tableside at this storied Creole grande dame; live jazz during Sun. brunch. $$$$$ Antoine’s 713 St. Louis St., 581-4422, Antoines.com. L, D Mon-Sat, Br Sun. This pinnacle of haute cuisine and birthplace of oysters Rockefeller is New Orleans’ oldest restaurant. (Every item is à la carte, with an $11 minimum.) Private dining rooms available. $$$$$

H The Bistreaux New Orleans Maison Dupuy Hotel, 1001 Toulouse St., 586-8000, MaisonDupuy.com/dining.html. B, L, D daily, Br Sat-Sun. Dishes ranging from the casual (truffle mac and cheese) to the upscale (tuna tasting trio) are served in an elegant courtyard. $$ The Bombay Club Prince Conti Hotel, 830 Conti St., 577-2237, TheBombayClub.com.

D daily. Popular martini bar with plush British décor features live music during the week and late dinner and drinks on weekends. Nouveau Creole menu includes items such as Bombay drum. $$$$ Café Maspero 601 Decatur St., 523-6250, CafeMaspero.com. L, D daily. Tourists line up for their generous portions of seafood

and large deli sandwiches. $

available. $$

Court of Two Sisters 613 Royal St., 522-7261, CourtOfTwoSisters.com. Br, D daily. The historic environs make for a memorable outdoor dining experience. The famous daily Jazz Brunch buffet and classic Creole dishes sweeten the deal. $$$$$

Killer Poboys 811 Conti St., 252-6745, KillerPoboys.blogspot.com. L, D Wed-Mon. This quasi-popup operating out of the Erin Rose Bar serves some of the city’s best poor boys, including one featuring glazed pork belly. $

Criollo Hotel Monteleone, 214 Royal St., 681-4444, CriolloNola.com. B, L, D daily.

Next to the famous Carousel Bar in the historic Monteleone Hotel, Criollo represents an amalgam of the various cultures reflected in Louisiana cooking and cuisine, often with a slight contemporary twist. $$$

K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen 416 Chartres St., 596-2530, ChefPaul.com/KPaul. L ThuSat, D Mon-Sat. Paul Prudhomme’s landmark restaurant helped introduce Cajun food to a grateful nation. Lots of seasoning and bountiful offerings, along with reserved seating, make this a destination for locals and tourists alike. $$$$

H Dickie Brennan’s Bourbon House 144 Bourbon St., 522-0111, BourbonHouse. com. B, L, D daily, Br Sun. Classic Creole dishes such as redfish on the halfshell and baked oysters served. Its extensive bourbon menu will please aficionados. $$$$

NOLA 534 St. Louis St., 522-6652, EmerilsRestaurants.com/Nola-Restaurant. L Thu-Mon, D daily. Emeril’s more affordable eatery, featuring cedar-plank-roasted redfish; private dining. $$$$$

Galatoire’s 209 Bourbon St., 525-2021, Galatoires.com. L, D Tue-Sun. Friday lunches are a New Orleans tradition at this world-famous French-Creole grand dame.

Tradition counts for everything here, and the crabmeat Sardou is delicious. Note: Jackets required for dinner and all day Sun. $$$$$

Richard Fiske’s Martini Bar & Restaurant, 301 Dauphine St., 586-0972, RichardFiskes.com. B, Bar Lunch daily. Just a few steps off of Bourbon Street you can find this relaxing bar featuring an innovative menu with dishes like Crawfish, Jalapeno-andBacon Mac and Cheese garnished with fried oysters. Live music a plus. $$$

House of Blues 225 Decatur St., 310-4999, HouseOfBlues.com/NewOrleans. L, D daily.

Surprisingly good menu complements music in the main room. World-famous Gospel Brunch every Sunday. Patio seating

Royal House, 441 Royal St., 528-2601, RoyalHouseRestaurant.com. L, D daily. B Sat and Sun. Poor boys, jambalaya and shrimp Creole are some of the favorites served here. Weekend breakfast and an

oyster bar add to the crowd-pleasing appeal. $$$ SoBou 310 Chartres St., 552-4095, SoBouNola.com. B, L, D daily. There is something for everyone at this “Modern Creole Saloon.” Decidedly unstuffy with an emphasis on craft cocktails and wines by the glass. Everything from $1 pork cracklins to an extravagant foie gras burger on accomplished yet eclectic menus. $$

H Tableau 616 S. Peter St., 934-3463, TableauFrenchQuarter.com. B Mon-Fri, L Mon-Sat, D daily, Br Sat-Sun. Gulf seafood such as trout amandine and classic Creole brunch dishes like eggs Sardou are the highlights of this Dickie Brennan restaurant that shares space with Le Petite Théâtre on the corner of Jackson Square. $$$

H Tujague’s 823 Decatur St., 525-8676, TujaguesRestaurant.com. L, D daily, Br SatSun. For more than 150 years this landmark restaurant has been offering Creole cuisine.

Favorites include a nightly six-course table d’hôté menu featuring a unique beef brisket with Creole sauce. $$$$$

Kenner Copeland’s 1319 W. Esplanade Ave., 6179146, CopelandsofNewOrleans.com. L, D daily, Br Sun. Al Copeland’s namesake chain includes favorites such as Shrimp Ducky.

Popular for lunch. $$

Lakeview H Cava 789 Harrison Ave., 304-9034. D

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daily. Fine dining (and excellent wine list) at this high-end Cajun and Creole restaurant that makes customer service a big part of the experience. $$$

Metairie/Jefferson Acme Oyster House 3000 Veterans Blvd., 309-4056, AcmeOyster.com. L, D daily.

Known as one of the best places to eat oysters. $$ Austin’s 5101 W. Esplanade Ave., 8885533, AustinsNo.com. D Mon-Sat. Mr. Ed’s upscale bistro serves contemporary Creole fare, including seafood and steaks. $$$ Copeland’s 1001 S. Clearview Parkway, 620-7800; 701 Veterans Blvd., 831-3437, CopelandsofNewOrleans.com. L, D daily, Br Sun. Al Copeland’s namesake chain includes favorites such as Shrimp Ducky.

Popular for lunch. $$ Crabby Jack’s 428 Jefferson Highway, 833-2722, CrabbyJacksNola.com. L Mon-Sat. Lunch outpost of Jacques-Imo’s.

Famous for its fried seafood and poor boys including fried green tomatoes and roasted duck. $ Drago’s 3232 N. Arnoult Road, 888-9254, DragosRestaurant.com. L, D Mon-Sat. This famous seafooder specializes in charbroiled oysters, a dish they invented. Great deals on fresh lobster as well. $$$$

Mid-City H Katie’s Restaurant and Bar 3701 Iberville St., 488-6582, KatiesInMidCity.com. L, D Mon-Sat, Br Sun. Creative poor boys, local dishes such as gumbo and Sunday brunch make this a neighborhood favorite. $$ Lil’ Dizzy’s Café 1500 Esplanade Ave., 5698997, LilDizzysCafe.com. B, L daily, Br Sun. Spot local and national politicos dining at this favored Creole soul restaurant known for homey classics like fried chicken and trout Baquet. $

H Mandina’s 3800 Canal St., 482-9179, MandinasRestaurant.com. L, D daily.

Though the ambiance is more upscale, the food and seafood dishes make dining here a New Orleans experience. $$

H Toups’ Meatery 845 N. Carrollton Ave., 252-4999, ToupsMeatery.com. L, D Tue-Sat. Charcuterie, specialty cocktails and an exhaustive list of excellent à la carte sides make this restaurant a carnivore’s delight. $$$

Upper 9th Ward St. Roch Market 2381 St. Claude Ave., 615-6541, StRochMarket.com. B, L, D daily.

Beautiful restoration of historic St. Claude Marketplace with open dining space houses a broad collection of independent eateries including craft cocktails and more. $$

NORTHSHORE Acme Oyster House 1202 N. Highway 190, Covington, (985) 246-6155, AcmeOyster. com. L, D daily. Known as one of the best places to eat oysters. $$ Gallagher’s Grill 509 S. Tyler St., (985) 892-9992, GallaghersGrill.com. L, D TueSat. Chef Pat Gallagher’s destination restaurant offers al fresco seating to accompany classically inspired New Orleans fare. Event catering offered. $$$

Riverbend H Boucherie 1506 S. Carrollton Ave., 862-5514, Boucherie-Nola.com. L Tue-Sat, D Mon-Sat, Br Sun. Serving contemporary Southern food with an international angle, chef Nathaniel Zimet offers excellent ingredients presented simply. $$ Brigtsen’s 723 Dante St., 861-7610, Brigtsens.com. D Tue-Sat. Chef Frank Brigtsen’s nationally famous Creole cuisine makes this cozy cottage a true foodie destination. $$$$$

Uptown H Apolline 4729 Magazine St., 894-8881, ApollineRestaurant.com. D Tue-Sun, Br Sat-Sun. Cozy gem serves a refined menu of French and Creole classics peppered with Southern influences such as buttermilk fried quail with corn waffle. $$$ Casamento’s 4330 Magazine St., 895-9761, CasamentosRestaurant.com. L Thu-Sat, D Thu-Sun. The family-owned restaurant has shucked oysters and fried seafood since

1919; closed during summer and for all major holidays. $$ Clancy’s 6100 Annunciation St., 895-1111, ClancysNewOrleans.com. L Thu-Fri, D MonSat. Their Creole-inspired menu has been a favorite of locals for years. $$$ Commander’s Palace 1403 Washington Ave., 899-8221, CommandersPalace.com.

L Mon-Fri, D daily, Br Sat-Sun. The grande dame is going strong under the auspices of James Beard Award-winner chef Tory McPhail. Jazz Brunch is a great deal. $$$$ Dick and Jenny’s 4501 Tchoupitoulas St., 894-9880, DickAndJennys.com. D Mon-Sat. A funky cottage serving Louisiana comfort food with flashes of innovation. $$$$ Domilise’s 5240 Annunciation St., 899912. L, D Mon-Sat. Local institution and riteof-passage for those wanting an initiation to the real New Orleans. Wonderful poor boys and a unique atmosphere make this a one-of-a-kind place. $

H Gautreau’s 1728 Soniat St., 899-7397, GautreausRestaurant.com. D Mon-Sat. Upscale destination serves refined interpretations of classics along with contemporary creations. $$$$$ Jacques-Imo’s Cafe 8324 Oak St., 8610886, Jacques-Imos.com. D Mon-Sat. Reinvented New Orleans cuisine served in a party atmosphere. The deep-fried roast beef poor boy is delicious. The lively bar scene offsets the long wait on weekends. $$$$ Joey K’s 3001 Magazine St., 891-0997, JoeyKsRestaurant.com. L, D Mon-Sat. A true neighborhood restaurant with daily lunch plates; red beans and rice are classic. $ Mahony’s 3454 Magazine St., 899-3374, MahonysPoBoys.com. L, D daily. Along with the usual poor boys, this sandwich shop serves up a grilled shrimp and fried green tomato version dressed with remoulade sauce. Sandwich offerings are augmented by a full bar. $ Mat & Naddie’s 937 Leonidas St., 861-

t

9600, MatAndNaddies.com. D Mon-Tue, Thu-Sat. Cozy converted house serves up creative and eclectic regionally inspired fare. Shrimp and crawfish croquettes make for a good appetizer and when the weather is right the romantic patio is the place to sit. $$$$

WEST BANK Copeland’s 2333 Manhattan Blvd., 3641575, CopelandsofNewOrleans.com. L, D daily, Br Sun. Al Copeland’s namesake chain includes favorites such as Shrimp Ducky.

Popular for lunch. $$

Pizza

Reginelli’s Pizzeria Multiple Locations, Reginellis.com. L, D daily. Pizzas, pastas, salads, fat calzones and lofty focaccia sandwiches are at locations all over town. $$ Theo’s Pizza Multiple Locations, TheosPizza.com. L, D daily. The crackercrisp crust pizzas are complemented by a broad assortment of toppings with a lot of local ingredients at cheap prices. $$

Bywater H Pizza Delicious 617 Piety St., 676-8482, PizzaDelicious.com. L, D Tue-Sun. Authentic New York-style thin crust pizza is the reason to come to this affordable restaurant that began as a pop-up, but they also offer excellent salads sourced from small farms and homemade pasta dishes as well. Outdoor seating a plus. $

Uptown H Ancora 4508 Freret St., 324-1636, AncoraPizza.com. D daily. Authentic Neapolitan-style pizza fired in an oven imported from Naples. The housemade charcuterie makes it a double-winner. $$ Pizza Domenica 4933 Magazine St., 301-4978, PizzaDomenica.com. L Fri-Sun, D daily. James Beard Award Winning Chef Alon Shaya’s pizza centric spinoff of his popular Restaurant Domenica brings Neapolitan-style pies to Uptown. Excellent salads and charcuterie boards are offered as well. $$

Tsunami Sushi Opens in NOLA

Tsunami Sushi, 608-3474, ServingSushi.com Tsunami Sushi has opened a New Orleans location in the Central Business District. This will be the third location for the modern Japanese restaurant that first opened 17 years ago in Lafayette.

The downtown Tsunami is located on the first floor of the Pan Am building at the intersection of Poydras Street and St. Charles Avenue.

In addition to an extensive sushi menu, Tsunami offers international dishes from its grill. Open Mondays through Saturdays for lunch and dinner, there’s a Happy Hour to enjoy with rolls, beer, wine, cocktails and sake at special prices. Tsunami chefs are also available for sushi pop-up parties in your home or office. – M.C. 100

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cheryl gerber photograph

Slice 1513 St. Charles Ave., 525-PIES (7437); 5538 Magazine St., 897-4800; SlicePizzeria.com. L, D daily. Order up slices or whole pizza pies done in several styles (thin- and thick-crust) as well as pastas, seafood, panini and salads. $

Seafood Akers

Middendorf’s Interstate 55, Exit 15, 30160 Highway 51 South, (985) 386-6666, MiddendorfsRestaurant.com. L, D Wed-Sun. Historic seafood destination along the shores of Lake Maurepas is world-famous for its thin-fried catfish fillets. Open since 1934, it’s more than a restaurant, it’s a Sun. drive tradition. $$

CBD/Warehouse District H Borgne 601 Loyola Ave., 613-3860, BorgneRestaurant.com. L, D daily. Coastal Louisiana seafood with an emphasis on Isleños cuisine (descendants of Canary Islanders who settled in St. Bernard Parish) is the focus of this high-volume destination adjacent to the Superdome. $$$

H Pêche 800 Magazine St., 522-1744, PecheRestaurant.com. L, D Mon-Sat. Award-winning southern-inspired seafood destination by chef Donald Link serves whole roasted Gulf fish from its massive, wood-burning oven. An excellent raw bar is offered as well. $$$

Sac-A-Lait 1051 Annunciation St., 3243658, Sac-A-LaitRestaurant.com. D TueSat, L Fri. Cody and Sam Carroll’s shrine to Gulf Coast and Louisiana culinary heritage melds seafood, game, artisan produce, and craft libations in an ambitious menu that celebrates local and southern cuisine. The striking buildout in the Cotton Mill lofts adds to the appeal. $$$$

shrimp or towering seafood platters. $$$

French Quarter

KingfishNewOrleans.com. L, D daily, Br Sat-Sun. Regionally inspired seafood dishes with carefully sourced ingredients and southern influence is the focus at this chefdriven French Quarter establishment. $$$

Bourbon House 144 Bourbon St., 5220111, BourbonHouse.com. B, L, D daily, Br Sun. Local seafood, featured in both classic and contemporary dishes, is the focus of this New Orleans-centric destination. And yes, bourbon is offered as well. $$$ Crazy Lobster 500 Port of New Orleans Place, Suite 83, 569-3380, TheCrazyLobster.com. L, D daily. Boiled seafood and festive atmosphere come together at this seafood-centric destination overlooking the Mississippi River. Outdoor seating a plus. $$$ Creole Cookery 508 Toulouse St., Suite C110, 524-9632, NewOrleansCreoleCookery.com. L, D daily. Crowd-pleasing destination in the French Quarter offers an expansive menu of Creole favorites and specialty cocktails served with New Orleans flair. $$$ Deanie’s Seafood 841 Iberville St., 5811316, Deanies.com. L, D daily. Louisiana seafood, baked, broiled, boiled and fried is the name of the game. Try the barbecue

H GW Fins 808 Bienville St., 581-FINS (3467), GWFins.com. D daily. Owners Gary Wollerman and twice chef of the year Tenney Flynn provide dishes at their seasonal peak. On a quest for unique variety, menu is printed daily. $$$$$

H Kingfish 337 Charters St., 598-5005,

Le Bayou 208 Bourbon St., 525-4755, LeBayouRestaurant.com. L, D daily. Blackened redfish and Shrimp Ya-Ya are a just a few of the choices at this seafood-centric destination on Bourbon Street. Fried alligator is available for the more daring diner. $$$ Mr. Ed’s Oyster Bar & Fish House 512 Bienville St., 309-4848, MrEdsRestaurants. com/oyster-bar. L, D daily. A seafood lover’s paradise offering an array of favorites like shrimp Creole, crawfish etouffée, blackened redfish and more. An elaborate raw bar featuring gulf oysters both charbroiled and raw is part of the draw. $$$ Oceana Grill 739 Conti St., 525-6002, OceanaGrill.com. B, L, D daily. Gumbo, poor boys and barbecue shrimp are served at this kid-friendly seafood destination. $$ Pier 424, 424 Bourbon St., 309-1574, Pier424SeafoodMarket.com. L, D daily.

Seafood-centric restaurant offers long menu of traditional New Orleans fare augmented by unusual twists like “CajunBoiled” Lobster prepared crawfish-style in spicy crab boil. $$$

Kenner Mr. Ed’s Seafood and Italian Restaurant 910 W. Esplanade Ave., Suite A, 463-3030, AustinsNo.com. L, D Mon-Sat. Neighborhood restaurant specializes in seafood and Italian offerings such as stuffed eggplant and bell pepper. Fried seafood and sandwiches make it a good stop for lunch. $$

Metairie Deanie’s Seafood 1713 Lake Ave., 8314141, Deanies.com. L, D daily. Louisiana seafood, baked, broiled, boiled and fried, is the name of the game. Try the barbecue shrimp or towering seafood platters. $$$ Mr. Ed’s Oyster Bar & Fish House 3117 21st St., 833-6310, MrEdsRestaurants.com/ oyster-bar. L, D Mon-Sat. Seafood-centric eatery specializes in favorites like whole flounder, crabmeat au gratin and more.

An oyster bar offering an array of raw and broiled bivalves adds to the appeal. $$$ Mr. Ed’s Seafood and Italian Restaurant 1001 Live Oak St., 838-0022, AustinsNo. com. L, D Mon-Sat. Neighborhood restaurant specializes in seafood and Italian offerings such as stuffed eggplant and bell pepper. Fried seafood and sandwiches make it a good stop for lunch. $$

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DINING GUIDE Mid-City Mr. Ed’s Oyster Bar & Fish House 301.

N. Carrollton Ave., 872-9975, MrEdsRestaurants.com/oyster-bar. L, D daily. Latest outpost of local seafood chain features char-broiled oysters, seafood poor boys and other favorites such fried chicken and red beans and rice in a casual setting in Mid-City Market. $$

Uptown

Ruth’s Chris Steak House Harrah’s Hotel, 525 Fulton St., 587-7099, RuthsChris. com. D daily, Br Sat-Sun. Filet mignon, creamed spinach and potatoes au gratin are the most popular dishes at this area steak institution, but there are also great seafood choices and top-notch desserts. $$$$$

Garden District H Mr. John’s Steakhouse 2111 St.

Frankie & Johnny’s 321 Arabella St., 243-1234, FrankieAndJohnnys.net. L, D daily. Serves fried and boiled seafood along with poor boys and daily lunch specials. Kid-friendly with a game room to boot. $$

Charles Ave., 679-7697, MrJohnsSteakhouse.com. D Tue-Sat, L Fri-Sat. Wood paneling, white tile and USDA Prime Beef served sizzling in butter are the hallmarks of this classic New Orleans steakhouse. $$$

Mr. Ed’s Oyster Bar & Fish House 1327 St. Charles Ave., 267-0169, MrEdsRestaurants.com/oyster-bar. L, D daily. Outpost of local seafood chain serves Cajun and Creole classics in the Maison St. Charles Hotel. Favorites include Redfish Maison St. Charles, which features blackened redfish topped with crawfish etouffée. $$$

French Quarter

West End Landry’s Seafood 8000 Lakeshore Drive, West End, 283-1010, LandrysSeafood. com. L, D daily. Kid-friendly and popular seafood spot serves of heaping platters of fried shrimp, Gulf oysters, catfish and more. $$

Steakhouse

CBD/Warehouse District H Besh Steak Harrah’s Casino, 8 Canal St., 533-6111, HarrahsNewOrleans. com. D daily. Acclaimed chef John Besh reinterprets the classic steakhouse with his signature contemporary Louisiana flair. $$$$$ Chophouse New Orleans 322 Magazine St., 522-7902, ChophouseNola.com. D daily. In addition to USDA prime grade aged steaks prepared under a broiler that reaches 1,700 degrees, Chophouse offers lobster, redfish and classic steakhouse sides. $$$

H Desi Vega’s Steakhouse 628 St. Charles Ave., 523-7600, DesiVegaSteaks. com. L Mon-Fri, D Tue-Sat. USDA Prime steaks form the base of this Mr. John’s offshoot overlooking Lafayette Square, but Italian specialties and a smattering of locally inspired seafood dishes round out the appeal. $$$

H La Boca 870 Tchoupitoulas St., 5258205, LaBocaSteaks.com. D Mon-Sat. This Argentine steakhouse specializes in cuts of meat along with pastas and wines.

Specials include the provoleta appetizer and the Vacio flank steak. $$$ Morton’s The Steakhouse 365 Canal St., One Canal Place, 566-0221, Mortons. com/NewOrleans. D daily. Private elevator leads to the plush, wood-paneled environs of this local outpost of the famed Chicago steakhouse popular with politicians and celebrities. $$$$ 102

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Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse 716 Iberville St., 522-2467, DickieBrennansSteakhouse.com. L Fri, D daily. Nationally recognized steakhouse serves USDA Prime steaks and local seafood. $$$$$

H Doris Metropolitan 620 Chartres St., 267-3500, DorisMetropolitan.com. L Fri-Sun, D daily. Innovative, genre-busting steakhouse plays with expectations and succeeds with modernist dishes like their Classified Cut and Beetroot Supreme. $$$$ Galatoire’s 33 Bar & Steak 215 Bourbon St., 335-3932, Galatoires33BarAndSteak. com. L Fri, D Sun-Thu. Steakhouse offshoot of the venerable Creole grande dame offers hand-crafted cocktails to accompany classic steakhouse fare as well as inspired dishes like the Gouté 33: horseradish-crusted bone marrow and deviled eggs with crab ravigote and smoked trout. Reservations accepted. $$$

Metairie Ruth’s Chris Steak House 3633 Veterans Blvd., 888-3600, RuthsChris.com. L Fri, D daily. Filet mignon, creamed spinach and potatoes au gratin are the most popular dishes at this area steak institution, but there are also great seafood choices and top-notch desserts. $$$$$

Mid-City H Crescent City Steaks 1001 N. Broad St., 821-3271, CrescentCitySteaks.com.

L Tue-Fri & Sun, D Tue-Sun. One of the classic New Orleans steakhouses. Steaks, sides and drinks are what you get. $$$$

Uptown Charlie’s Steak House 4510 Dryades St., 895-9323, CharliesSteakHouseNola. com. D Tue-Sat. This quintessential New Orleans neighborhood steak house serves up carnivorous delights including its 32-ounce T-Bone in a relaxed and unpretentious atmosphere. An upstairs dining room accommodates larger parties with ease. $$$

Mon-Sat. Fresh juices, smoothies and vegetarian-friendly fare make The Green Fork a favorite for lovers of healthy food.

Catering is offered as well. $$

World

Byblos Multiple Locations, ByblosRestaurants.com. L, D daily. Upscale Middle Eastern cuisine featuring traditional seafood, lamb and vegetarian options. $$

Bywater The Green Goddess 307 Exchange Place, 301-3347, GreenGoddessRestaurant. com. L, D Wed-Sun. One of the most imaginative local restaurants. The menu is constantly changing, and chef Paul Artigues always has ample vegetarian options. Combine all of that with a fantastic selection of drinks, wine and beer, and it’s the total (albeit small) package. $$

CBD/Warehouse District Johnny Sanchez 930 Poydras St., 304-6615, JohnnySanchezRestaurant. com. L, D daily. Contemporary Mexican mecca offering celebrity chef cachet to go along with the locally sourced produce accompanying the Bistec a la Parilla.

Popular happy hour and downtown locale next to South Market District add to the appeal. $$$

H Lüke 333 St. Charles Ave., 378-2840, LukeNewOrleans.com. B, L, D daily, Br Sat-Sun. Chef John Besh and executive chef Matt Regan serve Germanic specialties and French bistro classics, housemade pâtés and abundant plateaux of cold, fresh seafood. $$$ Palace Café 605 Canal St., 523-1661, PalaceCafe.com. B, L, D daily. Dickie Brennan-owned brasserie with Frenchstyle sidewalk seating and house-created specialties of chef Darrin Nesbit. Favorites here include crabmeat cheesecake, turtle soup, the Werlein salad with fried Louisiana oysters and pork “debris” studded Palace potato pie. $$$$$

Faubourg Marigny H Mona’s Café 504 Frenchmen St., 9494115. L, D daily. Middle Eastern specialties such as baba ganuj, tender-tangy beef or chicken shawarma, falafel and gyros, stuffed into pillowy pita bread or on platters. The lentil soup with crunchy pita chips and desserts, such as sticky sweet baklava, round out the menu. $

Faubourg St. John H 1000 Figs 3141 Ponce De Leon St., 301-0848, 1000Figs.com. L, D Tue-Sat. Vegetarian-friendly offshoot of the Fat Falafel Food Truck offers a healthy farm-to-table alternative to cookie-cutter Middle Eastern places. $$

French Quarter

Vegan/Vegetarian

Lower Garden District H The Green Fork 1400 Prytania St., 267-7672, GreenForkNola.com. B, L

Bayona 430 Dauphine St., 525-4455, Bayona.com. L Wed-Sat, D Mon-Sat. Chef Susan Spicer’s nationally acclaimed cuisine is served in this 200-year-old cottage. Ask for a seat on the romantic patio,

weather permitting. $$$$$ El Gato Negro 81 French Market Place, 525-9752, ElGatoNegroNola.com. L, D daily. Central Mexican cuisine along with hand-muddled mojitos and margaritas made with freshly squeezed juice. A weekend breakfast menu is an additional plus. $$

Kenner H Fiesta Latina 1924 Airline Drive, 4695792, FiestaLatinaRestaurant.com. B, L, D daily. A big-screen TV normally shows a soccer match or MTV Latino at this home for authentic Central American food.

Tacos include a charred carne asada. $$

Lakewood H Mizado 5080 Pontchartrain Blvd., 885-5555, MizadoCocina.com. L daily, D Mon-Sat. Sleek restaurant offers modern Mexican cuisine featuring pan-Latin flavors and influences. Small batch tequila and a ceviche bar make it a party. $$

Lakeview H Mondo 900 Harrison Ave., 224-2633, MondoNewOrleans.com. L Mon-Fri, D Mon-Sat, Br Sun. Chef Susan Spicer’s take on world cuisine. Make sure to call ahead because the place has a deserved reputation for good food and good times. $$$

METAIRIE Vega Tapas Café 2051 Metairie Road, 836-2007, VegaTapasCafe.com. D MonSat, Br Sun. Fun, eclectic small plates destination offers creative fare keeps guests coming back with frequent regionally inspired specialty menus served with humor and whimsy. $$

Mid-City Juan’s Flying Burrito 4724 S. Carrollton Ave., 486-9950, JuansFlyingBurrito. com. L, D daily. Hard-core tacos and massive burritos are served in an edgy atmosphere. $ Lola’s 3312 Esplanade Ave., 488-6946, LolasNewOrleans.com. D daily. Garlicky Spanish dishes and great paella make this artsy boîte a hipster destination. $$$

H Mona’s Café 3901 Banks St., 4827743. L, D daily. Middle Eastern specialties such as baba ganuj, tender-tangy beef or chicken shawarma, falafel and gyros, stuffed into pillowy pita bread or on platters. The lentil soup with crunchy pita chips and desserts, such as sticky sweet baklava, round out the menu. $

H Taqueria Guerrero 208 N. Carrollton Ave., 484-6959. B, L, D, Tue-Sat. Friendly staff and authentic Mexican cuisine make this affordable neighborhood restaurant a neighborhood favorite. BYOB $

Upper 9th Ward Kebab , 2315 Saint Claude Ave., 3834328, KebabNola.com. L, D Wed-Mon. The menu is short and tasty at this kebab outpost along the revitalized St. Claude Avenue corridor. $

Uptown H Café Abyssinia 3511 Magazine St., 894-6238. L, D daily. One of a just few authentic Ethiopian restaurants in the city, excellent injera and spicy vegetarian fare make this a local favorite. $$

PatoisNola.com. L Fri, D Wed-Sat, Br Sun. The food is French in technique, with influences from across the Mediterranean as well as the American South, all filtered through the talent of chef Aaron Burgau.

Reservations recommended. $$$

H Irish House 1432 St. Charles Ave.,

H Shaya 4213 Magazine St., 891-4213,

595-6755, TheIrishHouseNewOrleans. com. L Mon-Fri, D daily, Br Sat-Sun. Irish pub dishes such as shepherd’s pie and fish and chips are featured here, as well as creative cocktails like Irish iced coffee.

Check the schedule of events for live music. $$ Jamila’s Mediterranean Tunisian Cuisine 7808 Maple St., 866-4366. D TueSun. Intimate and exotic bistro serving Mediterranean and Tunisian cuisine. The Grilled Merguez is a Jazz Fest favorite and vegetarian options are offered. $$ Juan’s Flying Burrito 2018 Magazine St., 569-0000, JuansFlyingBurrito.com. L, D daily. Hard-core tacos and massive burritos are served in an edgy atmosphere. $

H Panchita’s 1434 S. Carrollton Ave., 281-4127. L, D daily. Authentic, budgetfriendly Mexican restaurant serves tamales, mole and offers free chips and salsa as well as sangria. $

H Patois 6078 Laurel St., 895-9441,

ShayaRestaurant.com. L, D daily. James Beard Award-winning chef Alon Shaya pays homage to his native Israel with this contemporary Israeli hotspot. Cauliflower Hummus and Matzo Ball Soup made with slow-cooked duck are dishes to try. $$$

Warehouse District Lucy’s 710 Tchoupitoulas St., 523-8995, LucysRetiredSurfers.com. L, D daily. The focus is on fun at this island-themed oasis with a menu that cherry-picks tempting dishes from across the globe’s tropical latitudes. Popular for lunch, and the afterwork crowds stay well into the wee hours at this late-night hangout. $

French Quarter Antoine’s Annex 513 Royal St., 5258045, Antoines.com/Antoines-Annex.

Open daily. Serves French pastries, including individual baked Alaskas, ice cream and gelato, as well as panini, salads and coffee. Delivery available.

Metairie Sucré 3301 Veterans Blvd., 834-2277, ShopSucre.com. Desserts daily. Open late weekends. Chocolates, pastry and gelato draw rave reviews at this dessert destination. Beautiful packaging makes this a great place to shop for gifts. Catering available.

CBD/Warehouse District Calcasieu 930 Tchoupitoulas St., 5882188, CalcasieuRooms.com. For gatherings both large and small, the catering menus feature modern Louisiana cooking and the Cajun cuisine for which chef Donald Link is justifiably famous.

Sucré 3025 Magazine St., 520-8311, ShopSucre.com. Desserts daily & nightly.

Open late weekends. Chocolates, pastry and gelato draw rave reviews at this dessert destination. Beautiful packaging makes this a great place to shop for gifts.

Catering available. n

Mid-City H Blue Dot Donuts 4301 Canal St., 2184866, BlueDotDonuts.com. B, L Tue-Sun. The Bacon Maple Long John gets all the press, but returning customers are happy with the classics as well as twists like peanut butter and jelly.

Uptown

Specialty Foods

com. Open daily. Specialty shop offers a selection of fine cheeses, wines, beers and related accouterments. Look for wine and cheese specials every Friday.

Blue Frog Chocolates 5707 Magazine St., 269-5707, BlueFrogChocolates.com.

Open daily, closed Sundays in summer.

French and Belgian chocolate truffles and Italian candy flowers make this a great place for gifts.

St. James Cheese Company 5004 Prytania St., 899-4737, StJamesCheese.

t

contact

If you feel that a restaurant has been misplaced, please email Managing Editor Ashley McLellan at Ashley@ MyNewOrleans.com.

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Neighborhoods

Food, Family & Fun Around New Orleans

N

ew Orleans is full of personality, and its diversity is one of its strongest suits. The fabric of the city is a colorful patchwork of neighborhoods that each showcases its own vibe and eclectic mix of residences and businesses. From family-oriented areas like Lakeview and the Garden District to the food- and entertainmentheavy French Quarter and Marigny, you’ll find excellent establishments both new and old along its famous streets and hidden gems on unexpected corners. Whether you like to explore the city with a map of historic sites or with the help of apps and ratings on OpenTable and Yelp, you can easily find a shop, boutique, restaurant, or rental that meets your own interests and personality. Many neighborhoods are defined and influenced by the residences that line their streets, and you’ll find a variety of resources in real estate, rentals, and services for the home along with highlights of food, shopping, and entertainment all around the town.

Marigny and Bywater

The Marigny and Bywater areas of New Orleans have developed into the hippest parts of the city, featuring art galleries, indie-bars, cafes and boutiques. Locals and tourists alike are flocking to the area for a taste of this eclectic scene.

The all-new Feelings Cafe, Bar & Courtyard Lounge is a not-so-secret, not-so-new destination for those looking to enjoy the one-of-a-kind atmosphere of a gorgeous open air courtyard lounge and bar. This iconic courtyard is beautiful by day and stunning by night. Spend the day or evening enjoying crafted cocktails, specialty appetizers, or a full dinner prepared by award-winning Executive Chef Scott Maki. Feelings also has one of the most sought-after private dining rooms in the area, able to seat up to 30 for any type of event.

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Feelings Cafe is located in the heart of the Faubourg Marigny, just outside of the French Quarter at 535 Franklin Avenue (at the corner of Franklin and Chartres Streets). Visit FeelingsCafeBar.com for more.

Dive into a tasty paradise, tucked away in the heart of the Bywater. With a newly renovated space, The Country Club bar and restaurant offers the perfect setting for enjoying thoughtful, chef-driven cuisine inspired by Italian-French and Creole-Southern heritages. From chateaubriand, handrolled pasta, and braised short ribs, to jumbo sea scallops and Louisiana speckled trout, the new menu by Chef Chris Barbato, formerly of Commander’s Palace, has all the foodies talking.

To complement the refined menu offerings, the interior designers of locally owned Ferrand Design celebrated The Country Club’s unique and lively culture by creating a sophisticated and colorful environment that now boasts hand-painted murals by Cindy Mathis, artwork by Louis St. Lewis, and custom lighting and furnishings. The Club’s lush backyard features an outdoor grill and new al fresco menu for guests to enjoy beside the year-round saltwater pool.

The Club’s hot tub and sauna also enhance the ‘day-cation’ experience.

The Country Club is located at 634 Louisa Street and is open daily from 10:00am-1:00am. For info and updates, visit TheCountryClubNewOrleans.com or follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

French Quarter, CBD, and Riverfront

In 2018, Arnaud’s Restaurant will mark one hundred years of true New Orleans authenticity from its original, historic location in the city’s most prized gem, the French New Orleans Creole Cookery

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Quarter. With its renowned menu of genuine Creole cuisine and its distinct, storied dining room and famous French 75 Bar, Arnaud’s offers an unmatched New Orleans experience that celebrates the city’s culture with every bite and every sip. Arnaud’s Sunday Jazz Brunch adds another layer of New Orleans charm with the sounds of Dixieland accompanying a decadent and leisurely meal with sweet starters such as the Creole Cream Cheese Evangeline and savory entrees like Eggs Fauteaux or Grillades & Grits, a local favorite.

At Arnaud’s, any occasion is cause for a party, and its elegant private dining space is perfect for making memories with friends and loved ones. No celebration is complete without champagne, and the bubbly will flow this spring!

Make Arnaud’s the center of your spring holidays and reserve your table for Easter, Mother’s Day, or wedding, graduation, and festival weekends.

For more information and reservations, visit ArnaudsRestaurant.com or call 504-523-5433.

In February 2015, James Beard Award-winning Chef Justin Devillier and wife Mia Devillier of La Petite Grocery opened their second New Orleans restaurant in a 19th century Creole townhouse located in the Central Business District.

Balise, named after the first French settlement at the mouth of the Mississippi River, evokes the bygone era with a recognizable old-world New Orleans feel. The restaurant and menu pay tribute to New Orleans as a port city and its unique access to a wide variety of ingredients.

Menu favorites include the Grilled Pork Chop with satsuma, blistered shishito peppers, spicy greens and chimichurri as well as the Cornmeal Fried Gulf Fish with grilled cabbage, pickled peppers, and celery root remoulade.

In addition to its exceptional lunch, brunch, and dinner menus, Balise offers a world-class beverage program with a curated wine, beer, and cocktail list.

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Balise has private dining options available for a variety of event needs. For more information, visit BaliseNOLA.com or call 504-459-4449.

The Bombay Club and Martini Bar at the Prince Conti Hotel in the French Quarter is celebrating a year of martinis, with a different martini special featured each week. Bar Manager Blake Kaiser is a craftsman, not just a bartender. He’ll serve you a straight martini if that’s what you desire, but more likely he’ll pour you an expertly crafted cocktail like you’ve never experienced. Come try a new twist on an old favorite or settle into a classic. Either way, you can’t miss at Bombay Club this year.

Grab a bite to eat from Chef Phil Todd’s southern-inspired menu with an homage to the club’s British heritage and enjoy live music nightly in the lounge—classic jazz, modern jazz, New Orleans jazz, or solo piano.

For more information on the Bombay Club and Martini Bar and its signature drinks or dinner menu, please visit www.BombayClubNewOrleans.com or call 504-577-2237 to make reservations.

New Orleans’ food is legendary. When seeking the best variety of Creole dishes in an authentic atmosphere, locals and first-time travelers alike find themselves at The Court of Two Sisters. Located at historic 613 Rue Royale in the French Quarter, the award-winning restaurant stretches

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from Royal Street to Bourbon Street and features a gorgeous open courtyard decorated with lush foliage, gas lamp lighting and a peaceful central fountain.

Brunch isn’t just for Sundays! The Court offers a festive live jazz brunch buffet seven days a week. Indulge in over 60 different items, including specialty omelets, eggs Benedict, turtle soup, grits and grillades, iced boiled shrimp, salads, fruits and a variety of desserts. At night, enjoy an elegant four course Table d’Hote dinner or select from an extensive à la carte menu featuring dishes such as trout Meunière, veal Oscar and shrimp and grits. Call 504-522-7261 or visit CourtofTwoSisters.com for reservations.

Celebrate festival season this spring in the heart of the French Quarter with family and friends at New Orleans Creole Cookery. Stop in and relax from a day at French Quarter or Jazz Fest with authentic Creole fare and the timehonored tastes of classic favorites such as Gumbo, Shrimp Creole, Crawfish Etouffee, and Snapper Pontchartrain.

Looking to cool off? Come in for a cold beverage and fresh oysters at the oyster bar.

New Orleans Creole Cookery is everything you love about New Orleans in a setting to fit every occasion. Enjoy casual fine dining at its very best in your choice of the charming Toulouse Lautrec dining room, romantic courtyard, or lively oyster bar. Each offers a Creole-inspired menu complemented by tempting handcrafted cocktails. Located

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at 510 Toulouse Street in one of New Orleans’ oldest and most storied locations, New Orleans Creole Cookery is just steps from festival excitement.

New Orleans Creole Cookery is open seven days a week from 11:00am until 10:00pm for lunch and dinner, and a jazz brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 9:00am until 2:00pm. Learn more at NewOrleansCreoleCookery.com. Call 504-524-9632 for reservations.

Whether you’re taking a break from dancing at French Quarter Festival or looking for a place to fuel up with drinks and fresh or fried seafood, find your feast this spring along the banks of the mighty Mississippi River at The Crazy Lobster.

Spring is the perfect season for a fresh Steamed Seafood Bucket: a 2-lb. lobster, snow crab, shrimp, crawfish, clams, mussels, corn on the cob, potatoes, and sausage all seasoned to pure perfection. Looking to satisfy a craving for Creole favorites? New Orleans’ favorites like étouffée, jambalaya, gumbo, and red beans, along with the best fried seafood in New Orleans are also highlights of the menu.

Festival season is perfect for Crazy Lobster’s Poppy’s Voodoo Juice, a refreshing tropical cocktail to help you cool off from the sun. Live music keeps the restaurant hopping nightly with a variety of funky musicians straight from Frenchmen Street. The Crazy Lobster is open seven days a week, from 11:00am-10:00pm. For more information and menu, visit TheCrazyLobster.com. Call 504-569-3380 for reservations.

Named #1 Brunch Spot and #2 Best Italian & Casual Dining in New Orleans by New Orleans Magazine, Red Gravy greets its 7th year on Camp Street this spring and is celebrating the season with new specials and the freshest strawberries! Red Gravy owner Roseann Melisi Rostoker spends her days off at the Crescent City Farmers Market, picking up, pickling, and preserving items for the restaurant.

This season look for fresh local strawberries in salads, skillet cakes, and even handcrafted vodka.

Skillet cakes, which are oven-made pancakes, are often stuffed with a variety of ingredients such as chocolate, bacon, peanut butter, coconut, cranberries and more. While the ever-changing menu continues to showcase different foods and eating trends, you can always count on Red Gravy’s signature Italian delicacies, Roseann’s famous meatballs, and handmade pasta.

Red Gravy is also featuring bagels from Brooklyn, NY, for its “Meanwhile, in Brooklyn” special: grilled sesame bagel, smoked salmon, sliced tomatoes, red onions and cream cheese schmear.

View the menu and make reservations online at RedGravyCafe.com, or call 504-561-8844.

Since opening their first restaurant in downtown Lafayette 17 years ago, Tsunami Sushi has set the standard and become a favorite dining destination for Asian-inspired international cuisine. Tsunami is known

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in both the Lafayette and Baton Rouge communities for its diverse menu of fresh, highest-quality seafood dishes, and their newest location brings the same standard to locals and visitors of New Orleans in the Central Business District. Tsunami NOLA is a perfect lunch or dinner spot for downtown hotel guests as well as those who live or work in the CBD, Warehouse District, and surrounding neighborhoods.

Tsunami Sushi is located at the corner of Poydras Street and St. Charles Avenue and is open Monday-Thursday, 11:00am-10:00pm, and Friday-Saturday, 11:00am-11:00pm.

Enjoy happy hour every day from 3:00-6:00pm with cocktail, wine, and beer specials (under $5) and 25% off all rolls $9 and under. Catering is available for meetings, weddings or convention-based events in New Orleans. Tsunami is ready to take your order! Email TsunamiNOLA@gmail.com for information and planning. View their mouth-watering menu at ServingSushi.com.

A. Renée Boutique is a store for women who make their statement through fashion. It features the most unique, sexy, and trendy lines from designers that you won’t find anywhere else in New Orleans. Achieve beauty and cuttingedge style while enjoying the softest, quality fabrics on the market. A. Renée Boutique’s sizing consists mostly of Misses and Women’s sizes from XS to XL. They also carry the lightest shapewear pieces and slips from Commando to smooth out your look.

This season, the boutique will feature the new hot Bohemian look with lines from Brontë, Kerry Cassill, Steele

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and other exciting designers. The look is eclectic and trendy while reasonably priced. “Our sale rack is a steal,” says Owner April Renée.

A. Renée Boutique introduces its couture collaboration with Elisabetta Rogiani, an Italian designer in Los Angeles with 20 years experience designing for celebrities. These unique separates and dresses are designed exclusively for A. Renée Boutique.

Come see what everyone is talking about! A. Renée Boutique is located at 824 Chartres in the French Quarter.

Visit AReneeBoutique.com or call 504-418-1448 for more information.

Uptown and Garden Dist rict

When Kay and Roy Fausset bought Judy at the Rink twenty-two years ago, the shop was located on Magazine Street and had already established a reputation for innovative decorative accessories and one-of-a-kind art objects. After moving to the Rink in 1996, Judy at the Rink has built on that reputation to become the go-to destination for bridal, debutante, and seasonal gifts, as well as for home decorative items such as lamps, paintings, and artisan-crafted glass and ceramics. In addition, the shop has recently diversified its inventory to include fashion purses, scarves, and casual tops while expanding its selection of high-design costume jewelry.

“The covered, secure, and easily accessed parking at the Rink location is appealing to our customers, as are our free

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Pontchartrain Hotel

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gift wrap and free delivery to select areas in New Orleans and Metairie,” says Mrs. Fausset. “Customers also appreciate and support the diverse local artisans and artists that lend a distinctive New Orleans flavor to our Judy merchandise.”

Visit Judy at the Rink at 2727 Prytania St., or call 504-8917018 to hear about what unique items Judy at the Rink has in stock today.

Located Uptown on the corner of Magazine and General Pershing Streets, La Petite Grocery features traditional New Orleans cuisine with the creative spin of Chef Justin Devillier, the James Beard Award winner for Best Chef South in 2016. Here, Devillier delights both regulars and visitors with dishes like Turtle Bolognese and Blue Crab Beignets.

Devillier’s from-scratch approach is evident in every dish, from the Roasted Yellowfin Tuna with fennel, citrus, beets and yogurt, to the famous LPG Cheeseburger with house pickles, onion marmalade, arugula, whole grain mustard, aioli, and gruyere with hand cut fries.

La Petite Grocery’s name pays homage to the storied history of the century-old building that has acted as a coffee and tea depot, grocery store, butcher shop, florist’s studio, and restaurant. After Hurricane Katrina, Devillier helped build the infrastructure and took over ownership of the restaurant in 2010 with his wife, Mia Devillier.

La Petite Grocery has private dining options available for a variety of event needs. For information and reservations, visit LaPetiteGrocery.com or call 504-891-3377.

Five Happiness, New Orleans’s award-winning Chinese restaurant, offers a delicious menu of Sichuan and Hunan specialties in a sleek and elegant dining room.

Enjoy the succulent shrimp with honey-roasted pecans, General’s Chicken or asparagus sautéed with garlic sauce in a comfortable and unique setting distinguished by its authentic Chinese décor of etched glass and Chinese paintings. The dining room, now split into three rooms, provides a more private dining experience for guests.

The well-known and affordable Imperial Room is available at Five Happiness for private parties, receptions or other functions and can hold up to 60 people. Serving options are customized for each party, ranging from sitdown dinners to buffets or cocktails with hors d’oeuvres and prices ranging from $20-$45 per person.

For more information, call 504-482-3935 or visit FiveHappiness.com.

An all-too-common story: you didn’t ever see your grandmother wearing that pendant, or come to think of it, the ring either. But when she passed away, the piece you really loved went to your sister and the pendant and ring went to you. The sapphire in the pendant was lovely, but the style would never see your neck. Maybe someone could wear that gaudy diamond cluster ring, but it wasn’t going to be you.

But you weren’t disappointed or jealous of your sister’s good fortune. You knew about Symmetry. You knew that Tom Mathis and the artists at Symmetry could use the sapphire from the pendant and the diamonds from the ring to create something truly special, a piece that would be worn and enjoyed while honoring the memory of your

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grandmother for years to come.

Let the artisans of Symmetry create an heirloom for you with your unwanted, damaged, or outdated jewelry. Symmetry Jewelers and Designers is located at 8138 Hampson Street in the Riverbend. Visit SymmetryJewelers.com or call 504-861-9925.

Newly re-imagined and ultra classic, the Pontchartrain Hotel offers luxury, convenience, and a hint of old New Orleans nostalgia with a perfect location in the Garden District on beautiful, streetcar-traveled St. Charles Avenue.

This year, Travel + Leisure named the Pontchartrain Hotel to their annual It List of Best New Hotels in the World. Built circa-1927, this recently renovated 14-story architectural gem meets the needs of every New Orleans visitor, from those looking for a transportive vacation, to business travelers and conference goers, wedding guests celebrating family and friends, and even those looking for an extended stay.

Four restaurant and bar options satisfy a variety of tastes—from the vintage-inspired, breathtaking Hot Tin rooftop bar, to the casual, down-home Bayou Bar, the 50s-style Silver Whistle café, or the newly reopened, famous Caribbean Room, now a John Besh restaurant.

The Pontchartrain Hotel has hosted the likes of Frank Sinatra, Jim Morrison, and presidents past. A graceful combination of both history and modernity, the Pontchartrain Hotel offers 106 anything-but-standard, luxurious rooms with the grandeur of a Southern mansion.

Book today at ThePontchartrainHotel.com.

Located in the Lower Garden District and just blocks from Downtown New Orleans, Hoshun Restaurant delivers a flavorful punch of pan-Asian flavors with their own take on traditional dishes from China, Japan, Vietnam and other South-Asian countries.

Popular menu items include pho soup and Vietnamese spring rolls, pad Thai, sushi, General Tsao’s Austin’s Restaurant Chicken, Hunan steak, Kung Pao shrimp, and more. Enjoy family-style dining in an elegant atmosphere while sharing your favorite appetizers, entrees, combination dinners, and sushi specials.

Open daily until 2:00 am, Hoshun is a favorite late-night spot for locals and visitors alike.

Whether you’re looking for seafood, steak, or vegetarian fare, Hoshun’s extensive menu provides options for everyone. Salt

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& Pepper Shrimp and Ahi Tuna Seared are a couple of Hoshun’s seafood specialties, while Butter Pepper Mignon offers a meatier possibility.

For menu and information, visit HoshunRestaurant.com or call 504-302-9716. Located at 1601 St. Charles Ave., Hoshun offers a private party room overlooking the St. Charles Avenue streetcar line fitting between 25-70 people.

New Orleans’ burgeoning Oak Street scene has it all, from its diverse restaurants and quirky shops to live music and authentic New Orleans charm. Located in the Carrollton neighborhood, this historic area has seen a recent resurgence in food, families, and fun. 8616 Oak Condominiums is proud to join the neighborhood as a four-story mixed-use development located on Oak Street between Monroe and Leonidas Streets.

8616 Oak Condominiums features 21 residential units including on-site storage, gated parking, and a commercial gym. Ensuring this new development fits in with its surroundings was important to both the development team and the neighborhood, and the beautiful, wellappointed development is now ready for you to reserve your spot. Each unit features exquisite ammenities to accommodate the modern lifestyle, including French door refrigerators, slide-in gas ranges, and quartz countertops.

8616 Oak Condominiums is located blocks from the St. Charles Avenue streetcar line and is conveniently near Audubon Park, Tulane and Loyola Universities, and Ochsner Hospital. For availability and pricing, visit 8616Oak.com or call Jennifer Fowler at 504-432-7788.

You can find Italian food and pizza in all corners of New Orleans, but when you want something truly authentic, a mediocre national food chain is not the place to go. Respect pizza, pasta, and your palette by visiting Amici Ristorante & Bar. At Amici, Chef Frank Timphony marries the flavors of authentic Sicilian cooking with an unmistakable New Orleans influence.

Located in the Garden District on Magazine Street, Amici Ristorante & Bar was founded by the Rizzuto family in 2013. Their grandmother, Lena, grew up in Caporeale, Sicily, and wanted to recreate the food of the family’s heritage for their amici and neighbors. Lena’s sauces, pastas, parmigiana and cannolis have been recreated and perfected by cousin Chef Frank Timphony and amico Chef Jasper Mirable. The intense heat from Amici’s Sicilian, custom-built, 1100°F coal-fired oven gives Amici’s pizzas their distinct, charred edges, and chewy, pliable crust. The dough fully crisps in under five minutes, while the sauce stays bright and fresh, and cheese gets that perfect pull.

For menus, info, and reservations, visit AmiciNOLA.com.

Hop on the St. Charles Avenue streetcar line and head to Pascal’s Manale Restaurant, New Orleans’ crown jewel of Creole-Italian fusion cuisine. Home of the original New Orleans-style barbecue shrimp, this 104-year-old establishment is today operated by fourth and fifth generations of the original Manale family.

Founded in 1913, Pascal’s Manale serves the classic dishes for which it has been famous for decades. A fusion of authentic Italian and Creole influence, Pascal’s Manale’s menu includes New Orleans and Italian favorites, steaks and seafood dishes. Start your night with raw oysters from the oyster bar and follow with specialty favorites including the combination pan roast, which is oysters, crabmeat and shrimp chopped in a blend of onions, parsley, green onions and bell peppers baked in a casserole with a topping of breadcrumbs and butter.

Monday-Friday, 3:00-6:00pm, enjoy half-priced raw oysters at the oyster bar as well half-priced beer, wine and selected cocktails. Pascal’s Manale is located at 1838 Napoleon Ave. Call 504-895- 4877 for reservations or visit PascalsManale.com.

Metairie and Old Metairie

Metairie Road’s vibrant cluster of locally owned businesses, mix of modest and ritzy residences, and familyfocused amenities merits its inclusion among the iconic streets that are the lifeblood of Greater New Orleans.

Located at 2700 Metairie Road, Ralph Brennan’s café b is a casual eatery offering locally influenced “Elevated Neighborhood” cuisine. Perfect for its discerning and food-focused audience, café b promises a family friendly atmosphere complemented by comfort-driven food, service, and hospitality. From its Shrimp & Tasso Beignets to the Grilled Black Angus Filet Mignon, its menu is straightforward and refined at reasonable prices.

Café b will be offering their popular annual Spring Wine Camp on Mondays in April (April 3, 10, and 17) from 6:307:30pm. Each class includes five tasting pours and three small plates for $40. Wine experts will teach guests about varietals & regions, the fermentation process, how to

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dining room serves an all-day, à la carte menu while the large bar imparts a feeling of your favorite neighborhood bar with an extensive wine list and hand-crafted specialty drinks.

The menu features appetizers such as deviled eggs with sweet pickle relish, wood-fired artichokes, and crispy Gulf oysters. Grilled chicken salad, seared tuna salad, and an American blue wedge salad are joined by burgers, Gulf fish sandwich, prime rib sandwich, and a lobster roll. Entrees range from rotisserie chicken, slow roasted pork chop, and seared sea scallops to prime rib, filet mignon, crab cakes and barbequed ribs.

Boulevard is open seven days a week. For more information, or to view the menu, please visit BoulevardBistro.com or call 504-889-2301 to make reservations.

taste wine, the tongue map, aromas and more! Cafe b will conclude the series with a special Wine Dinner on Monday, April 24. There will be limited seating, so call 504-934-4700 today for reservations.

Boulevard is a classic American Bistro offering simple, well composed dishes for the whole family. The casual but clubby

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With a diverse and whimsical product line, locally based Auraluz offers one-of-a-kind gifts and children’s clothing, including its own Auraluz brand available in sizes Preemie to 6X. Auraluz has been creating its signature hand-embroidered designs for over 48 years with a number of offerings perfect for christenings, first birthdays, weddings, and anniversaries.

Centrally located in Metairie, just one block from Clearview

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and West Esplanade, Auraluz occupies a freestanding building with plenty of parking, which makes it a great spot for stress-free shopping.

Auraluz offers easy online ordering through their website, ShopAuraluz.com, and also offers baby-bridalgift registry. The store features products from dolls, plush, books and toys, to candles, personal care, home, kitchen and locally themed items.

Auraluz is open 10:00am-5:30pm, Monday through Friday, and 10:00am-4:00pm on Saturday. The store is located at 4408 Shores Drive in Metairie. For more information, call 504-888-3313 or visit ShopAuraluz.com.

For over a decade, Austin’s Restaurant has been known as Metairie’s hot spot for steak, seafood, and the CreoleItalian creations of Restauranteur Ed McIntyre and his esteemed culinary staff. Garnering awards and accolades from critics and readers alike, Austin’s was named “Favorite Steak House” by readers of New Orleans Magazine, who also voted founder Ed McIntyre as a “New Orleanian of the Year” in 2010.

Austin’s impressive menu includes signature appetizers, soups, and salads such as the popular Austin’s Louisiana Creole Crab Salad and Oyster Fitzgerald, as well as the finest aged USDA steaks and savory Creole-Italian entrees of seafood, veal, duck, and pork. Austin’s is located at 5101 W. Esplanade in Metairie and is open Monday-Saturday 5:00pm ‘til and is available for private luncheons, corporate events, rehearsal dinners and banquets. Austin’s is now accepting reservations for

Mother’s Day. For more information or to make reservations, call 504888-5533. Visit Austin’s online at AustinsNO.com. McIntyre also oversees Mr. Ed’s Seafood & Italian Restaurant and Mr. Ed’s Oyster Bar & Fish House.

Mid-City and Fairgrounds

Crescent City Steakhouse is proud to have served six generations of New Orleanians over the past 83 years, and the tradition continues. The restaurant serves only the finest aged prime beef cut in-house daily by Chef Bernard. Preserving the old-world New Orleans style, they still prepare all salad dressings, side dishes, hand-cut potatoes, and desserts in-house daily.

Crescent City Steakhouse is a walk back in time while only being a short walk from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. The historic restaurant is located in the Faubourg St. John neighborhood and is just a short cab ride from downtown. Stop in after Jazz Fest for dinner or cocktails before heading to the evening concerts that keep festival-goers dancing all night.

Crescent City Steakhouse is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Banquet and private event space is available as well as on-site parking. Come see where the tourists meet the locals. Reservations are recommended. For reservations and information, call 504-821-3271 or visit CrescentCitySteaks.com.

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The spring brings with it the 100-year anniversary of the life and death of renowned impressionist Edgar Degas. Distinguished by the French Ministry of Culture and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Degas House in New Orleans is the only home or studio of Edgar Degas open to the public in the world. The historic house museum and luxurious inn and courtyard plays host year-round to weddings, receptions, corporate events, overnight guests, and guided tours.

Take a tour, hosted by the great-grand nieces of the artist himself, and discover the story of the French Creoles, including Degas and his maternal family. Tour both Degas houses, where Degas painted 18 paintings and drafted five letters, and view the documentary Degas in New Orleans, a Creole Sojourn.

A separate tour explores the neighborhood included in Degas’ New Orleans letters.

As part of the centennial anniversary, Degas House will host a number of events, including champagne brunches, painting classes, lectures with cocktails, and more. Call 504-8215009 for details and reservations. For tours, overnight stays, and event information, visit DegasHouse.com.

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Culture, history, and natural beauty combine at New Orleans City Park to create an exceptional locale for making memories! City Park is distinguished by its large menu of sports and recreational activities, attractions for children, and its natural beauty. City Park has a special place in the hearts of generations of New Orleanians and is a must-visit destination for visitors to the city. As a popular place to picnic, play sports, wander through gardens or take a boat ride, the Park receives millions of visitors each year. It is located in the heart of the city and is the largest recreation area for the entire metropolitan area.

Attractions include: City Putt, New Orleans Botanical Garden, Storyland fairytale playground, Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, and numerous athletic venues.

The 1,300 acres of parkland provide enjoyment for young children playing on playgrounds, and walkers, joggers, and cyclists wind through the Park’s streets and trails. The Amusement Park is fabulous entertainment for all ages with 17 rides and 2 cafes.

For more information about New Orleans City Park visit NewOrleansCityPark.com.

Westbank

Westbank residents and visitors are praising their latest option for exceptional New Orleans dining with Lafitte’s

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Landing Seafood House, located in Harvey at 1700 Lapalco Boulevard. During Lent, Lafitte’s Landing is the perfect Westbank stop for delicious seafood and creative dishes like Crawfish Nachos or a creamy Crawfish Alfredo.

From oysters and soft-shell crab to specialty dishes like Shrimp Pasta Lafitte and Redfish Pontchartrain, not to mention New Orleans classics like Shrimp & Grits, Jambalaya, Crawfish Etouffee, and Shrimp Creole, the menu is full of local flavor and offers something for everyone.

Stop by the bar at Lafitte’s Landing on your way home from the festivals this season and relax with a menu of handcrafted cocktails and signature drinks, including the refreshing Lafitte’s Landing Punch, the Big Easy, Southern Cooler, Cajun Bloody Mary, and more. Happy hour runs Monday-Friday, 3:00pm-6:00pm.

For menu and information, visit LafittesLandingSeafoodHouse.com, or like them on Facebook for updates and specials.

West End and Lakeview

Sala is a new contemporary seafood restaurant and cocktail bar located at beautiful Lake Pontchartrain in New Orleans’ West End neighborhood. Whether for drinks and small plates with friends after work or a celebratory dinner out on the town, Sala brings delicious food with a diverse menu, superb wines and cocktails, and a chic atmosphere together to provide an

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excellent dinner or weekend brunch experience.

As the newest of the Riccobono family of restaurants, which includes Café Navarre, Riccobono’s Peppermill, and Panola Street Cafe, Sala brings an upscale dining experience to West End and Lakeview at 124 Lake Marina Avenue, directly across from the Marina. Sala offers happy hour weekdays from 4:00 to 7:00 pm, late night hours (until midnight) Thursday through Saturday, and brunch with bottomless mimosas on Saturdays and Sundays. The restaurant is closed on Tuesdays.

For more information, menus, and reservations, visit SalaNola.com or call 504-513-2670.

All Over Town!

French Quarter Phantoms has been named one of TripAdvisor’s Top Ten Ghost Tours in the World and The Discovery Channel’s “Official Best of Louisiana 2015!” In addition to their chilling, fun cemetery and French Quarter ghost tours, the company offers three different tours exploring New Orleans neighborhoods: Tour Treme, Music of New Orleans: Listen & Learn, and the Garden District Tour.

Tour Tremé, winner of National Geographic’s GeoTourism Award, explores the oldest African American neighborhood in the country, a vibrant area steeped in music and culture. From Congo Square to Storyville, its history runs deep.

Music lovers enjoy walking (or dancing!) along with

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the Music of New Orleans Tour, which also runs through Treme. Listen to the sounds of the city’s most talented and storied musicians while learning their inspirations and the hidden meanings in their words.

Like walking through a fairytale, the Garden District & Lafayette Cemetery Tour explores the stunning houses, oaks, and history of one of New Orleans’ most famous and affluent neighborhoods.

Call 504-666-8300 or visit FrenchQuarterPhantoms. com for tour times and tickets.

New Orleanians love brunch, and most locals know that no one does brunch better than the Ruby Slipper Cafe. The Ruby Slipper started in New Orleans’ Mid City neighborhood as a project of love and homecoming after Hurricane Katrina. The restaurant has grown to seven locations in total with five in New Orleans and two on the Gulf Coast.

All of The Ruby Slipper Cafes are unique to their location. In fact, the brand categorizes each restaurant based on their specific neighborhood. In New Orleans there is Mid City, Marigny, Canal, French Quarter, and the newest restaurant located Uptown at 2802 Magazine Street. Each location boasts scrumptious breakfast, brunch, and lunch signature dishes including Eggs Cochon, Bananas Foster Pain Perdu, Gulf Fish St. Peter, and Barbecue Shrimp and Grits. The restaurant also supports other local brands and exclusively uses French Truck Coffee for all coffee beverages.

No matter what neighborhood you are in, The Ruby Slipper Cafe makes it feel like home. Visit the Ruby

Slipper online at TheRubySlipperCafe.net and find each location there and on Facebook.

Shoppers looking for spring style that combines natural beauty with eco-friendliness and superior function will want to visit Queork, located in two of New Orleans most popular neighborhood shopping areas, the French Quarter and Magazine Street. Queork is locally owned and specializes in fine handbags, shoes, and accessories for fashion, home, and office that are made from natural cork fabric, which has the look and feel of a soft leather but has the fabulous qualities of being water, scratch, and stain resistant.

Cork fabric comes from the same raw material as wine corks—the outer bark of the cork oak tree, mainly grown in the Mediterranean. Once the bark is removed, the tree is left to regrow its bark before it is harvested again. This process takes place every 9-12 years, which makes the tree live longer—typically anywhere from 250-300 years. Cork is not only beautiful; it is also one of the most sustainable products in the world.

Visit Queork in the French Quarter and on Magazine Street to learn more. From handbags, wallets, belts, bowties, boots, jewelry, aprons, hats, etc.—there’s something for everyone, at Queork. To shop online visit Queork.com.

A New Orleans native, artist, and designer, Cristy Cali has created a line of jewelry for “the spiritual warrior within.” Specializing in fine jewelry, Cristy’s

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Collection features a variety of jewelry including necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, cufflinks, and more.

Cristy started her business in 2012, initially focusing on the culture and history of New Orleans and featuring designs such as snowballs, the St. Louis Cathedral, and the city’s iconic Water Meter. In response to increasing demand across state lines, Cristy broadened her designs to be more inclusive of other American cities and states. Furthermore, she is dedicated to helping heal the wounds of the world by producing designs that are spiritually meaningful and inspirational.

“Too often,” says Cristy, “people are consumed with their past or their future and forget to make the most of the present moment, and I hope to make a difference one charm at a time.” Cristy’s Collection can be found in stores all over Greater New Orleans. For a list of retailers or to shop online, visit CristyCali.com.

During French Quarter Festival—and festival season in general—take a break from the heat, the rain, or the masses by popping into Fleur d’ Orleans' for

some of the most iconic and traditional New Orleans designs in art, jewelry, accessories, and gifts. Located just around the corner from Jackson Square at 818 Chartres Street, as well as at 3701-A Magazine Street (Uptown), Fleur d’ Orleans has designed more than 150 different pieces of sterling silver jewelry, inspired by art and architectural designs found around the city.

Whether you need handmade sterling silver earrings, brooches or pendants, semi-precious jewels set in sterling, beautiful silk scarves, or handmade paper notecards, you will find a rich array of designer accessories at Fleur d’ Orleans. Their newest line of earrings, inspired by the wrought iron and cast iron of the French Quarter, is available just in time for festival season and priced from $27- $60.

Fleur d’ Orleans designs are exclusive to their shops. You can view their designs online and order with free shipping from FleurDOrleans.com. For more information and hours, call 504-475-5254 (Chartres) or 504-899-5585 (Magazine St.).

Big Bay Lake

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While Trashy Diva is a distinctly New Orleans clothing company with seven locations spread across the South, their vintage-inspired designs are known and coveted worldwide. For more than twenty years, Trashy Diva has provided customers with vintage flair and classic style. Original and vintage-inspired designs in dresses by Candice Gwinn suit a modern sensibility with a focus on creating feminine styles that flatter a variety of body types, from size 0 through 20.

Select styles are also available up to a size 24.

From bustiers to burlesque, Trashy Diva now offers the ultimate party experience for your closest group of girlfriends. Celebrating a bachelorette or birthday party?

Hosting an after-hours event at a Trashy Diva Lingerie Boutique can make for a memorable night of fun and entertainment. Shop online or find more info at TrashyDiva.com or call 504-299-3939.

Real Estate, Rentals and Home Resources

1st Lake apartment communities offer residents the convenience they deserve. Residents can live in the charming neighborhoods they desire while also enjoying a secluded community distinguished by leisurely walking paths and glistening pools. Their Metairie, Kenner, River Ridge, and Elmwood locations boast toprated restaurants, local bakeries, entertainment venues, parks, and more! If you want the ease of convenience with the luxury of must-have amenities like free offstreet parking, granite countertops, access gates, fitness centers, washers/dryers, and flex space, move to a 1st Lake Properties community today!

As the leader in multi-family developments, 1st Lake provides an unrivaled living experience. With just a few clicks, residents can pay rent online, place service requests, and access resident reward discounts from surrounding businesses. For more information on their 70 communities, 9,500 apartments, corporate apartments, and applications, visit 1stlake.com.

Big Bay Lake is a one-of-a-kind planned community on Mississippi’s largest private recreational lake.

Located just outside of Hattiesburg, Big Bay Lake blends seamlessly into its natural surroundings. Homesites are available on the water starting at $100,000. Both the homes and homesites within this community provide unique opportunities to create the perfect home or weekend getaway.

It’s time to relax, unplug, make memories and create new traditions at Big Bay. Whether you are a boating or fishing enthusiast, or just a family who loves to make a big splash, Big Bay Lake is simply about the lure of the water. Come enjoy sun-kissed, fun-filled days at Big Bay Lake, where the little things make life...BIG! Big Bay Lake is only 90 minutes from New Orleans.

Call for a boat tour today at 877-4BIG-BAY or visit BigBayLake.com.

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Exterior Designs, Inc. is a full-service landscaping company offering design, construction, installation, and project management for residential or commercial landscapes.

Voted “Best of Houzz” in 2017, Exterior Designs is known locally for their New Orleans inspired landscapes. Beverly Katz, owner and landscape designer, creates her signature look by blending the timeless Spanish and French influences of the city’s architecture with functional solutions for the modern homeowner.

Old brick and wrought-iron furniture are often balanced with black accents to achieve the charming French Quarter style her clients yearn for. Exterior Designs has become well known for a certain je ne sais quoi that transforms even the largest of landscapes into intimate spaces perfect for entertaining and relaxing.

An interior designer before realizing her talent for landscape architecture, Beverly has a keen eye for detail combined with an affinity for perfection. Because of her background, her creations are an extension of her clients’ homes. When Beverly visits for the initial consultation, she takes note of the client’s design aesthetic, drawing inspiration from the home’s interior.

Visit ExteriorDesignsBev.com for design inspiration or call 504-866-0276 for a consultation.

When people hear the term “energy efficiency,” they often relate it to the financial benefit alone. Investing in an energy efficiency plan does much more than save money; it can maximize your family’s comfort, improve your home’s air quality, and uncover any potential health or safety concerns. The Diversified Energy DE360 Energy Audit analyzes every aspect of your home, including heating/cooling, insulation levels, air infiltration, windows/doors, and passed/forced duct leakage to create a custom comfort plan for your family.

As experts in the Gulf South’s hot, humid climate, Diversified Energy’s BPI-certified professionals are the region’s most qualified home performance auditors and contractors, providing residential energy efficiency testing and home performance contracting and weatherization across Louisiana and the entire Mississippi Gulf Coast.

“Plug into comfort” by contacting Diversified Energy at 504-273-7779 or visit DiversifiedE.com today. •

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Explore & Play

Regional Festivals & Events

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t’s Spring Break—time to let loose and explore the abundance of activities that fill our region in springtime. From food festivals that feature local delicacies to concerts, wine tastings, and even camps for kids, there is a lot to do this month and next around Louisiana, as well as additional opportunities for kicking back along the Mississippi and Florida coasts. Between the vibrant spring and summer scene in New Orleans to the exquisite beaches of Florida and the cultural and casino-focused fun present in Mississippi, spring break can be spent any number of ways in a region where there’s always something for everyone. Take a look at some of the highlights of the season below, and begin planning your weekends either with or away from the kids. Don’t forget your hat and some sunscreen—the forecast shows a 100% chance of fun in the sun.

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Louisiana Explore the world of dinosaurs during SuperSaurus Saturday, April 15, from 11:00am until 3:00pm at the

Louisiana Children’s Museum.

Become a junior paleontologist! Learn about dinosaurs and geology with members of the New Orleans Geological Society (NOGS). Explore the NOGS fossil collection, see life-sized dinosaur skulls, and walk in dinosaur footprints. Shake the Earth and watch the movement on a seismograph. Match predators with prey in geological time, discover how the plant-eating dinosaurs defended themselves from the meat eaters, and more! Complete a dino scavenger hunt and receive a real dinosaur bone fragment to keep!

Supersaurus Saturday is sponsored by New Orleans Geological Society, the Southeastern Geophysical Society, and BP. The Louisiana Children’s Museum is located at 420 Julia Street. Admission is $8.50 for adults and children (12 months+). Louisiana Children’s Museum members are admitted free. For more information, visit LCM.org or call 504-523-1357.

Ursuline Academy, founded in 1727, enjoys the distinction of being both the oldest school for girls and the oldest Catholic school in the United States. From early childhood (Toddler 2) through 12th grade, Ursuline fosters spiritual formation, academic excellence, and a life-long commitment to Serviam: I will serve.

Located in New Orleans, Ursuline Academy presents

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“Camp U: A Camp for Every Girl.” Camp U offers five individual camp styles for girls to mix and match with their interests and schedules!

Camp Invention is the only nationally recognized, non-profit summer enrichment program for kindergarten through 6th grade where girls will be empowered to take on fun challenges that emphasize STEM, creative problem-solving, collaboration, and entrepreneurship through innovation. Camp Create offers a variety of fun classes in art, acting, singing, cooking, decorating, baking, sewing, creative writing, cross stitch, piano, music, ceramics, sports, swimming and more! Camp ROAR is a reading and language arts camp that gives girls opportunities to strengthen their phonics skills, oral reading fluency, reading comprehension skills, and vocabulary development. Camp of Champions athletic camps include volleyball, softball, basketball, running, cheer, tennis, and soccer.

Register now at UANola.org!

Spring is a gorgeous time to visit New Orleans Plantation Country. From the verdant grounds of grand plantation homes to the wildlife-abundant waters of its swamps, awe-inspiring sights and sounds fill this area located just outside of New Orleans along the mighty Mississippi. Boasting ten historic plantations, authentic Cajun and Creole cuisine, exhilarating swamp tours, luxurious accommodations, and year-round festivals and events, New Orleans Plantation Country is an unfor-

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gettable escape into another time. “Explore the Story” this spring and summer by diving into Louisiana’s rich history and culture.

This summer, New Orleans Plantation Country welcomes the return of the Louisiana Catfish Festival, June 23-25. Featuring home-cooked food, live music, and carnival rides, the Louisiana Catfish Festival takes place on the grounds of St. Gertrude the Great Catholic Church in Des Allemands, the Catfish Capital of the Universe. Highlights of the menu include fried catfish platters, catfish boulettes, seafood gumbo, poboys, and more.

Discover New Orleans Plantation Country at ExploretheStory.com, and visit LouisianaCatfishFestival.com for festival details.

The Natchez luxury condos are festival and party central, located conveniently near New Orleans’ spring and summer festivals, Bourbon Street, and the hopping Marigny neighborhood. Why stay in a boring chain hotel room with friends and family scattered across multiple floors when you can stay in the three- and four-bedroom suites of The Natchez.

Enjoy 4.5-star luxury at great prices. Suites have spacious living rooms with open floor plans, full kitchens, spa-like showers, and washer/dryers. Original artwork and local photography bring the authentic feel of the city into every suite. Enjoy the Natchez’s saltwater pool or one of four hot tubs, some private to their suite. Enjoy cabanas with sofas and televisions, or sip a cocktail

on the sundeck overlooking the city skyline. Balcony units are also available overlooking the courtyard and the pool.

The Natchez is playfully sophisticated with carefree luxury. Indulge yourself and your friends and save money, too! The Natchez is located at 530 Natchez Street in the CBD. For info and reservations, call 504-881-1243 or visit TheNatchez.com.

The 12th Annual Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo in New Orleans returns to the beautiful and historic banks of Bayou St. John May 19-21, 2017. With music on four stages, an art market, and diverse food offerings, the Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo is a family-friendly event and local favorite. Music lovers can look forward to the sounds of Cracker, Jon Cleary, Cupid, Marco Benevento, and Tank & the Bangas among dozens of other performers.

The Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo is produced by the local nonprofit MotherShip Foundation, which uses proceeds from the annual festival to support a range of community programs in the arts, culture, and recreation and for its ongoing Restore the Bayou Canopy Campaign.

Sponsors and supporters keep this free community festival vibrant. Those who join the MotherShip Foundation at the $250 level get access to The Canopy Club for all three days of the 2017 Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo. This V.I.P. area offers a tax-deductible way

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to enjoy back-stage access, shade, comfy seating, cooling units, drinks, seafood boils and other special catered food, and stage-level viewing.

Visit MotherShipFoundation.org and TheBayouBoogaloo.com for an updated music schedule and more information.

Locals know there’s no better way to experience the power and history of the mighty Mississippi River than with a cruise aboard the last remaining authentic steamboat on the river. The Steamboat Natchez provides guests with a magnificent, one-of-a-kind view of New Orleans and an unparalleled atmosphere of New Orleans tradition, food, music, and romance.

Step aboard to the calls of the Steam Calliope as you depart from the heart of the French Quarter. Enjoy a sunset on the river during the Dinner Jazz Cruise. Tap your toes to the Grammy-winning Dukes of Dixieland Jazz band as you feast on a delicious buffet, while considering craft beers, a wine list, and dazzling specialty drinks.

Holiday and family events are extremely popular with locals as well as visitors. The new, completely renovated Captain’s Salon is available for events and wedding parties with custom menus by Chef Nesbitt’s culinary crew. Sail away with the Steamboat Natchez!

Find out more and purchase tickets at SteamboatNatchez.com or by calling 504-569-1401.

The French Market District of New Orleans spans from the Shops at the Upper Pontalba to Crescent Park,

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and includes shops on Decatur Street, Dutch Alley, and the open-air farmers and flea markets. The district is open daily and offers an eclectic variety of eateries, local handmade ads and crafts, unique souvenirs, and activities yearround. The French Market is also home to The Crescent City Farmers Market on Wednesdays from 1:00-5:00pm.

Summer is an exciting season at the French Market, which celebrates the start of Creole tomato season with its annual French Market Creole Tomato Festival taking place this year on June 10th and 11th. Festivalgoers will find fresh Creole tomatoes for sale by local growers, live music stages, food booths, cooking demonstrations, free children’s activities, and tomato eating contests!

Visit FrenchMarket.org for more information on the Market and the 31st Annual Creole Tomato Festival.

If you are considering an outdoor event, the Hotel Storyville Garden is a lush oasis nestled into an urban, bustling neighborhood just steps away from the French Quarter. The verdant tropical garden is a highly sought venue accommodating 300+ guests for weddings, receptions, or any gathering no matter how large or small.

The greatest advantage of hosting your event at Hotel Storyville is that its team loves working with guests to customize the perfect event based on your preferences, needs, and budget. The perimeters they follow are yours!

Hotel Storyville’s cozy nine-room hotel is just steps from the garden and is available for buyouts.

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Join Hotel Storyville each month for Latin Night with excellent music by Rumba Buena, Alexey Marti, Javier Gutierrez and many others. Other events at Hotel Storyville include Art markets, fashion shows, concerts, crawfish boils, networking and fundraising opportunities, etc. If you can’t make one of their events, call 504-491-7463 to book your own incredible happening.

Florida It’s Spring Break season, and there’s no better beach escape than Pensacola Beach, Florida, and the properties of Premier Island Management Group. Situated just a few hours outside of New Orleans along the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf Island National Seashore, this collection of vacation rentals includes beach homes, condos and the acclaimed skyhomes of the Portofino Island Resort.

Northwest Florida’s premier beach vacation experience.

Portofino Island offers families the perfect balance of indulgence, natural beauty, and active adventure. Take a kayak or paddleboard adventure and surf the crystal blue waters, or fly under the sun as you parasail your day away.

Be sure to reserve a spa day and get pampered in the comfort of your private suite or poolside. Enjoy a morning or sunset cruise and watch curious dolphins jump out of the water to say hello. Whether you want to enjoy the beach with family, children, spouse or friends, guests of all ages will enjoy the properties of Premier Island.

More than just another Spring Break, this will be the one

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your family remembers for a lifetime. Discover yours at PremierIsland.com or call 866-935-7741.

Explore more than the shore at Art Week South Walton, an initiative of the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County. Join friends, family, and the community for a collaboration of visual, performing, and literary arts events presented in diverse formats and various venues throughout South Walton, located along Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast.

May 13-21, Art Week South Walton includes ArtsQuest—experience the 29th annual fine arts festival in Grand Boulevard’s Town Center— Digital Graffiti—see the beachfront town of Alys Beach turned into a vibrant canvas of light—Seaside Writers Conference—enjoy a full week of workshops, seminars, readings and events in the iconic town of Seaside—and the Northwest Florida Theatre Festival—engage as a performer or participant in the experience and become a part of an innovative gathering of art and artists.

For more information, visit ArtWeekSouthWalton.com.

Uncork some fun in the sun at the 31st Sandestin Wine Festival, April 20-23, at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, the #1 Resort on Florida’s Emerald Coast. Presented by Coastal Living magazine, this hallmark event has affectionately been called the “Kentucky Derby of Wine Festivals” because of its popularity and grandeur. Enjoy this picture-perfect, four-day event, complete with wine dinners, grand wine tastings, delicious food pairings by

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regional celebrity chefs, live music, and a special Sunday Brunch on the Bay. Visit South Walton this April for beautiful weather and an amazing food and wine event all weekend. To thoroughly enjoy the events surrounding the Sandestin Wine Festival, stay steps away at Sandestin and enjoy up to 25% off deluxe accommodations and tickets with code WINE17. Visit Sandestin.com/wine or call 888-801-4388 for details.

Mississippi

Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort is “The New Way!” Bright, friendly spaces and an innovative resort ambiance complemented by southern hospitality makes the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s newest and most exciting resort an immediate favorite and home away from home.

April’s new events truly make Scarlet Pearl “The New Way to be Entertained!” Every Thursday-Sunday, you have a chance to “Escape Al Capone!” You and up to 9 friends are tasked with finding money that has been swindled from Al, and if you can’t do it in an hour, Al’s coming for you! On April 9, you can sip on a Mimosa or Bloody Mary as you paint two wine glasses during “Canvas & Cocktails!” April 21 brings the “Black Truffle Dinner Event.”

Savor multiple decadent courses, all featuring fresh black truffles! An exquisite dining experience. On April 28-29,

Rob Lake performs his mind-blowing illusions, as seen in Vegas, Times Square, and on television!

To book your next getaway and to order tickets for any of these events, visit ScarletPearlCasino.com or call 888-752-9772.

Join friends and family this May 20-21 at the Billy Creel Memorial Gulf Coast Wooden & Classic Boat Show and applaud the historic, antique, classic, and contemporary wooden boats at the largest gathering of watercraft on the beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast at the Schooner Pier Complex, Hwy. 90, Biloxi, MS. In addition to the amazing wooden boats that will grace the waters, exhibitors will display intricate model boats, t-shirts, artwork, pottery, stained glass boat models, crafts, and more. Children will enjoy painting on oyster shells by Shari, model boat building, cast net throwing contests, and other activities. Food booths will be present, and live music on starts at noon both days with Hank Berumen.

Sails aboard the 68’ two-masted Biloxi Schooners, “Glenn L. Swetman” and “Mike Sekul” run on every hour on the hour starting at 11:00am, with a final sail departing at 4:00pm at a special rate of $15.00 per person (free for children under 4). The Billy Creel Memorial Gulf Coast Wooden & Classic Boat Show opens Saturday at 10:00am-6:00pm and Sunday 10:00-5:00pm. Admission is $5.00 adults, $3.00 students (13-18), and free for children under 12. •

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Aging Parents G

etting older is tough, and none of us want to feel like every year passing means another step towards a sedentary life in retirement. Fortunately, retirement and assisted living options available are a lot more lively than you would assume. Retirement communities can be exciting, with facilities offering luxury amenities, hosting social events and keeping residents feeling younger than ever.

Physicians and providers in the Greater New Orleans area are incredible assets to the community. Available for residential living, simple imaging services, day programs and therapy, this section has a variety of options for you or your loved ones. Getting older doesn’t need to be tough. In fact, it can be enjoyable with the right support system. Read on to find out more.

Lambeth House, a full-service retirement center, offers the best of all worlds – independent living for active adults (ages 62+) plus a full continuum of care, including Assisted Living, Nursing Care and Memory Care, in the event that it’s ever needed.

Nestled in the heart of Uptown New Orleans, Lambeth House offers cultural programs committed to enrichment of the mind, body and spirit. With a focus on active aging, Lambeth House offers a full array of amenities including the fitness center with a stunning indoor, salt-water swimming pool, an art studio, meditation room and garden, fine and casual dining options, and engaging activities and social events. Lambeth House is also proud to offer public access (for ages 55+) to its custom designed Fitness Center.

In the words of one resident, “This place is amazing! There’s always something to do!”. Lambeth House’s latest expansion was recognized by the American Institute of Architects with the Merit Award for the Design on Aging Review. For more information, call 504-865-1960.

Celebrating its 200th anniversary this year, Poydras Home is a Life Plan Community offering independent living, assisted living and nursing care within its Uptown New Orleans campus. Poydras Home is known nationally for its

quality of care and innovative programs that allow residents to enjoy life to the fullest. Poydras Home is the only Life Plan community in Greater New Orleans offering secure memory support care areas in both assisted living and nursing care as well as an adult day program.

Last fall, Poydras Home partnered with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra to launch a new music therapy program, designed to benefit people with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Soul Strings For Seniors: Musical Memories, the first program of its kind in our area, debuted to an enthusiastic group of Poydras participants and will continue into the spring, thanks to a generous donation by Whitney Bank.

“Together the musicians and music therapist improve communication, memory, and attention in our residents, impacting wellness as they reach those who can and traditional modes of communication difficult,” says Erin Kolb, Vice President of Resident Affairs.

For more information, visit PoydrasHome.com or call 504897-0535.

Caregivers for Alzheimer’s and dementia face special challenges, and you’re not alone. Whether you need information about early-stage caregiving, middle-stage caregiving or late-stage caregiving, the Alzheimer’s Association is here to help. Day-to-day help can be accessed through education programs located throughout the state, and you can find support through local chapter offices and support groups. Additionally, advice from the caregiver community can be found on the association’s message boards and forums at ALZ.org/crf. Call the New Orleans office today to find out more at 504-613-6505 or visit ALZ.org/Louisiana.

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research.

Their mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all affected and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Their vision is a “world without Alzheimer’s®.” To learn more, visit ALZ.org or myneworleans.com APRIL 2017

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who are concerned about possible early onset of Alzheimer’s Disease. Visit DoctorsImaging.com for more information.

Lambeth House

call 800-272-3900.

Caring for an aging parent can be difficult at times, especially when mobility has been affected by a fall or a broken bone. Physical therapy is extremely beneficial for the elderly, not only for the body but also the mind. At Baudry Therapy Center in Metairie, patients are in a safe, positive environment to strengthen and improve balance, eliminate pain and ultimately return to an active life.

Baudry Therapy Center provides proactive senior healthcare using the body’s own healing mechanisms for a natural return to pain-free living. Their Doctors of Physical Therapy provide patients with direct access to solutions for neck and lower back pain, headaches, sciatica problems, shoulder pain, hip and knee joint pain, osteoarthritis and herniated disc. Baudry Therapy Center’s skilled team supports patients by providing individualized care plans, hands-on treatment, valuable education, a positive environment and proven strategies for healing. Their experts inspire patients to invest in their own health so that they can live a longer, stronger life.

While Baudry Therapy Center works closely with physicians to coordinate and facilitate appropriate and timely care, patients can access care at Baudry without a doctor’s referral.

For more information or scheduling, visit BaudryTherapy. com or call 504-841-0150.

Doctors Imaging is an outpatient radiology facility that has been servicing the greater New Orleans area and the Gulf Coast Region for over 40 years. The diagnostic exams we provide include 3T and Open MRI, CT, PET and Ultrasound Scans, as well as routine digital X-ray. We offer advanced technology and superior service, and we keep our costs lower than the hospitals and other providers in our area. Led by Dr. Edward L. Soll, Doctors Imaging is a radiologist owned and operated medical practice.

Board Certified and Fellowship trained radiologists oversee every exam and have many years of experience with subspecialization in abdominal, chest, musculoskeletal, cancer, prostate, brain and spine imaging. Our latest advancements include Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) for concussion evaluation. We recently introduced NeuroQuant for analysis of the brain, helping answer questions about memory loss and offering peace of mind to patients and their families 136

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Stuck with no insurance because of high premiums? High copays? St. Thomas Community Health Center can help! They offer an affordable sliding scale based on your income, whether you have insurance or not. Their certified application counselors can also help you enroll in an affordable plan.

With a legacy dating back to 1987, St. Thomas Community Health Center has continued its mission of providing comprehensive primary care to the community regardless of ability to pay. As a Federally Qualified Health Center and Patient-Centered Medical Home, their robust teams of dedicated providers work to address individual health needs and ensure delivery of the highest quality of care.

Services at St. Thomas include primary care, pediatrics, OB-GYN, optometry, behavioral health, cardiology, and mammography. They offer same day and next day appointment scheduling, as well as walk-ins to see the next available provider. Office hours are from 7:30 a.m – 5 p.m., Monday-Friday. Call 504-529-5558 to schedule an appointment at any of their six convenient locations. For more information, visit StThomasCHC.org.

The Landing at Behrman Place, managed by Sunshine Retirement Living, is a warm and welcoming community on the scenic West Bank of New Orleans and voted Best Senior Living this year by SeniorAdvisor.com. Just minutes from the French Quarter, it offers shopping, restaurants and healthcare, with an on-site salon, library and wellness center. The Landing offers all-inclusive living with peace of mind, allowing residents the opportunity to age in place. Three chef-prepared meals daily, transportation, housekeeping, home maintenance and 24/7 onsite staff are just a few of the benefits, while happy hours, Grandkids Day, games and daily exercise classes are a small sample of the activities residents enjoy.

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St. Thomas Community Health Center

Choose from three floor plans starting at just $1,595 with the convenience of a month-to-month lease. Additionally, Sunshine Retirement’s unique travel program offers The Landing’s residents the ability to explore the country. Join The Landing for an Easter Brunch Sunday April 16. 11am to 2pm at 3601 Behrman Place in New Orleans. For more info, call 504- 208-2080, or visit TheLandingRet.com and Facebook. com/LandingatBehrmanPlace.

Anyone seeking compassionate and dignified care for their terminally ill loved ones should consider the outstanding services offered by Canon Hospice. Canon Hospice is dedicated to helping patients and families accept terminal illness positively and resourcefully, to preserve dignity and to endure the challenges that accompany this critical time of life.

Their stated goal is to “allow our patients to live each day to the fullest and enjoy their time with family and friends.” With special expertise in pain management and symptom control, Canon Hospice designs individualized plans of care for each patient based on their unique needs. Home Based Services provide doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, pastoral care and volunteers. For patients with more intensive symptom management needs, Canon has an Inpatient Hospice Unit located on the fourth floor of the Ochsner Elmwood Medical Center. This unit provides 24-hour care in a home-like environment where patients are permitted to receive visits at any hour. Canon is excited to now offer private rooms. For more information, visit CanonHospice.com or call 504-818-2723.

Generations of families have turned to Patio Drugs for assistance in managing their healthcare needs. Family owned and operated since 1958, Patio Drugs helps customers understand their medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, and provides free prescription delivery 138

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throughout East Jefferson.

A full-service pharmacy and the oldest independent pharmacy in Jefferson Parish, Patio Drugs is also a leading provider of home medical equipment. For everything from a Band-Aid, to medication, to a hospital bed, Patio Drugs is the one-stop source for your family’s healthcare needs. In addition to providing retail and medical equipment, Patio Drugs can assist with long- term care and infusion needs as well as specialty and compounding services.

Patio Drugs is accredited by The Joint Commission in Home Medical Equipment, Long Term Care and Home Infusion Pharmacy and Consultant Pharmacy Services. Their Compounding Pharmacy is PCAB accredited through ACHC. Patio Drugs is located at 5208 Veterans Blvd. in Metairie. For more information, call 504-889- 7070. Patio Drugs, “Large Enough to Serve You, Yet, Small Enough to Know You.” Schonberg Care is proud to provide seniors in the Greater New Orleans area with every opportunity to live a life worth celebrating at their award-winning assisted living and memory care communities.

At Schonberg communities, you're not just a residentyou're part of our family, and your loved ones are, too.

Schonberg understands the importance of being close to the ones you care about most, which is why they offer several conveniently located communities throughout the Greater New Orleans area, including Vista Shores in New Orleans, Beau Provence in Mandeville, Park Provence in Slidell, and Ashton Manor in Luling.

If you or a loved one are seeking an exciting, engaging, and luxurious assisted living experience coupled with the highest quality of specialized care, Schonberg communities are here to provide a lifestyle custom-made for you. To learn more about living your best life at a Schonberg community near you, visit schonbergcare.com. •

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The most common symptoms of stroke may be sudden and include: • Weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body • Confusion or difficulty speaking or understanding • Problems with vision, such as dimness or loss of vision in one or both eyes • Dizziness or problems with balance or coordination problems with movement or walking • Loss of consciousness or seizure • Severe headaches with no other known cause, especially if sudden onset

STROKE AWARENESS

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anking among the leading causes of death in the United States, strokes are an all-toocommon affliction plaguing adults both young and old. With this heinous statistic, one may be surprised to learn that there are preventative measures available to minimize the likelihood of having a stroke, including leading an active lifestyle, sustaining a healthy diet and avoiding dangerous habits (such as smoking cigarettes). In addition to preventative lifestyle choices, there are immediate emergency treatments available - if you can act fast enough. There are also numerous medical experts equipped with the knowledge to provide treatment, rehabilitation and support. More than seven million Americans have survived a stroke, and that recovery process is often lifelong.

Considering those numbers mentioned above, it’s more than likely that you, or someone you know, has suffered a stroke, or there is someone who you fear may be at risk. In this section, you will find several resources to help find a treatment center, additional support and information about strokes. Whether you are seeking more statistics, you are looking for a primary care physician well-versed in stroke treatment or a surgeon to assist with recovery, read on for more resources in the Greater New Orleans area.

Every year, more than 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke. Stroke kills almost 130,000 people each year - that’s one out of every 20 deaths according to the Centers for Disease Control.

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Stroke is an emergency. If any of these symptoms are present, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Treatment is most effective when started immediately.

Choose Touro’s Emergency Department at the first sign of a stroke. Touro is proud to be a Primary Stroke Center, with advanced certification by The Joint Commission and American Heart Association and American Stroke Association. Learn more at Touro.com/stroke.

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and is a leading cause of serious longterm disability. New advances in medicine can reduce the effects of a stroke if they’re given to the patient as soon as the stroke symptoms occur. Getting to the hospital immediately can greatly improve one’s chances for recovery and decrease the effects of the stroke. Rehabilitation after a stroke is important to help regain lost function and improve independence.

Inpatient rehabilitation programs are typically the first step in the recovery process. The Rehabilitation Center of Thibodaux Regional, located in Thibodaux, has an acute care hospital-based rehabilitation program that provides intensive therapy, such as physical, occupational and speech therapy as well as medical management involving a physician who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation. The Center has Stroke Specialty Accreditation by The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. For more information regarding Inpatient Rehabilitation after a stroke, call the Rehabilitation Center of Thibodaux Regional, (985) 493-4731.

Tulane University School of Medicine’s Center for Clinical Neurosciences is dedicated to providing the highest quality patient-centered care by combining cutting edge technology with personalized attention. The center allows for faster consults between physicians who specialize in different neuroscience disciplines and provides an improved continuity of care for neuro patients.

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The center, in partnership with the world-class physicians at Tulane University School of Medicine’s Center for Neurosciences, offers the expertise and capabilities to effectively diagnose and treat spine, brain and neurological conditions. To continue their tradition of excellence and expertise in providing the best quality care, education and research are integrated through the combined resources of Tulane University Hospital and Clinics and the Tulane School of Medicine.

East Jefferson General Hospital

The Center for Clinical Neurosciences operates an outpatient clinic located on the 5th floor of Tulane Hospital. Call 988-5561 or visit online at TulaneNeurosciences.com.

East Jefferson General Hospital remains at the forefront when it comes to stroke care and prevention.

With countless awards, accolades and top rankings, you can rest assured knowing that you are in the best of hands when you arrive under the care of our EJGH Physicians and nurses.

When you call, our expert EMS team is at your door within minutes, where they can begin life-saving procedures and transport you to the hospital safely. This past year, our median door-to-balloon time was just 63 minutes, exceeding the national average of 90 minutes.

What this means is EJGH can get you on the road to recovery quicker than most other institutions, helping save precious time when every second truly matters.

At East Jefferson General Hospital, we ensure each and every stroke patient is taken care of from initial contact, to treatment, and beyond. Our team remains dedicated to bringing the best stroke care to the region every day! Visit ejgh.org for more information. •

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Say Hay!

Tails of a Northshore horse trail

By Kelly Massicot

Across the pond, a mere drive over the Causeway, sits a charming 75-acre horse farm in Bush, Louisiana. Splendor Farms is a premier Northshore location with options for animal appreciaters of all kinds. Including horses, goats, and even kennels of dachshunds, the nature lover in all of us can find their own playground at Splendor Farms.

Biz New Orleans magazine editor Kim Singletary and I decided to take the drive one morning and experience the Northshore farm and trail ride for ourselves. We thought we’d be the perfect duo for the job, considering Kim is an experienced rider and my expertise ended at a birthday party pony ride. Who could better judge than a novice and an expert?

Our horses were saddled and ready for us to go when we arrived. The staff was exceptional at explaining the different parts of the saddle, what type of riding we were going to experience and, of course, the personalities of our horses. Kim, appropriate to her zodiac sign, was paired with Leo, a gorgeous blonde with Dalmatian-like spots, and I rode with Buddy, a 158

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strong-willed brunette.

The Splendor Farms trail is over 1,000 acres through the woods, creeks and fields of the gorgeous Northshore. We started down a gravel path for us to get used to the ride, and I learned very quickly that Buddy wasn’t going to make this easy. Was he too rough or too fast?

No. Buddy enjoyed stopping and eating the flowers every few feet, which actually enabled me to learn how to make the horse move, steer in the opposite direction and give a nudge to catch up with the group. Once we got in the swing of things, the ride became an amazing roam through tree-lined paths. The day made for a gorgeous ride, as the sun was high and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. It was relaxing and beautiful, like something out of a painting.

Our trail guide was attentive, explained everything we needed to know and made sure our whole ride was as smooth as it could be.

There are a multitude of benefits when it comes to horseback riding. Not only are you strengthening your core and working out key muscles, but the practice is also used therapeu-

tically. Being around animals is believed to raise levels of serotonin, the moodenhancing hormone. Horses have been used in drug and alcohol rehabilitation, autism and mental disorder therapy and for those living with stress, depression or anxiety.

Splendor Farms offers something for everyone. Besides their one- or two-hour trail rides, guests can interact with their dachshunds, spend the night at their bedand-breakfast and even send their children to the weekly summer camp.

They seem to have it all at Splendor Farms. And this city girl can’t wait to gallop on back.

For more Splendor Farm information, and to register for your ride, visit SplendorFarms.com. n theresa cassagne PHOTOGRAPH

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Sacred Heart Summer Camps

Academy of the Sacred Heart School, 4521 St. Charles Ave., 269-1230, AshRosary.org/SummerCamp Academy of the Sacred Heart School in Uptown New Orleans is offering a broad range of camp options for girls and boys ages 1-13. Girls can participate in the Summer Fun Day Camp and boys can sign up for Sports ‘N More Day Camp. Popular sessions include Creative HeARTS, Middle School Creative Choice, Theater Camp (Schoolhouse Rock), Cheer Camp, Sports Clinics and new ACT/SAT/PSAT Preparation courses. Lunch is included in tuition and before and after care is available. Camps run May 30-July 14, 2017 with Early Childhood Camp running until July 21.

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“Escape” Event at Scarlet Pearl Casino

Scarlet Pearl Casino, EscapeCapone.ScarletPearlCasino.com Scarlet Pearl Casino has linked up with Escape This Biloxi to create an exclusive “Escape Capone, Collection Day” event. From now until the end of May, guests can participate in this fun activity themed around the famous Chicago gangster, Al Capone. For 60 minutes, participants, over the age of 12, work in groups of 10 to figure out the mystery. Tickets are $25 online and include a free koozie.

Activities at the Scarlet Pearl Resort include multiple amenities, restaurants and a luxurious pool.

By Mirella Cameran top PHOTOGRAPH by cheryl gerber

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Lessons From a Streetcar

By Errol Laborde

A discovery was imminent. On a rainy, cold night I happened to be standing up front near the driver as the vintage streetcar made its way along St. Charles Avenue toward the business district. The streetcars (not to be confused with the red ones, which are a totally different machine) are known by the manufacturer name of Perley Thomas after the company in Highpoint, North Carolina, where they were assembled in the 1920s.

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operate simply by throttle and brakes.

A man who worked at the Willow Street car barn where the vehicles are maintained once boasted to me about the vehicles’ many benefits: “There are no roaches.” What? “That’s right, no roaches.” From all his years of maintaining the cars from the inside out he noticed that despite the miscellaneous trash left by riders, the vehicles were devoid of bugs. His explanation was that the combination of steel wheels on a steel track created a vibration that drives away critters.

That is one benefit. Another is the vehicles’ amazing temperature regulatory system. There is no central air mechanism; however, opposite from the aisle side on each set of seats there’s an amazing device called a window. If it’s hot inside the passengers can lift the pane. Want a breeze?

Open the windows slightly. On this particular night the outside temperature hovered in the low 30s, yet the combination of strategically closed and slightly opened windows kept the inside cozy. It is amazing what science can achieve.

My new discovery came that evening when I looked at the driver’s rain splattered windshield. I had never thought about it: There is no windshield wiper on a streetcar.

Granted, it helps that the vehicle is on rails so it isn’t going to take a wrong turn; but a driver still needs to see the traffic lights, cars dashing through a crossing or potential riders waiting at stops. When I asked the driver about the difficulty of a rain covered window, he was nonchalant and then gave a reply that I will always remember: “You just have to learn to see between the rain drops.”

Wow! A few weeks later I was at lunch with a group of guys when I happened to tell the streetcar story. They also hadn’t realized about the lack of a windshield wiper. The lunch ended jovially with one person admitting to having picked up a life lesson: “Seeing through the rain drops,” he said.

We can learn from streetcars. And when in doubt, let in some fresh air. n ARTHUR NEAD ILLUSTRATION