New Orleans Magazine January 2015

JANUARY 2015 / VOLUME 49 / NUMBER 1 Editor-in-Chief Errol Laborde Managing Editor Morgan Packard 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 Bonnie Warren web Editor Kelly Massicot Staff Writer Melanie Warner Spencer INTERN Shelby Simon SALES MANAGER Kate Sanders (504) 830-7216 / Kate@MyNewOrleans.com Senior Account Executive Jonée Daigle Ferrand Account Executives Sarah Daigle, Lauren Lavelle, Lisa Picone Love

Production/web Manager Staci McCarty Production Designers Monique DiPietro, Antoine Passelac, Ali Sullivan traffic manager Erin Duhe Chief Executive Officer Todd Matherne President Alan Campell Executive VICE PRESIDENT Errol Laborde Vice President of Sales Colleen Monaghan DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND EVENTS Cheryl Lemoine Distribution Manager John Holzer Administrative Assistant Denise Dean SUBSCRIPTIONS 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 2015 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 self-addressed 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

68 FEATURES

IN EVERY ISSUE

ON THE COVER

54

Carnival’s Reigning Restaurant

At their 175th anniversary, Antoine’s history is entwined with that of Mardi Gras

By Carolyn Kolb

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60

In the Kingdom of Queens

The Royal Krewe of Yuga and the birth of gay Carnival

By Howard Philips Smith

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Celebrating its 175th anniversary, Antoine’s Restaurant has a long and storied relationship with Carnival. Find out more starting on pg. 54.

66

Fleur De List

Carnival’s top 25 parades (arranged by category)

By Errol Laborde

143 Try This

“It’s a Cinch: Getting fitted for a corset”

68

Tops of the Town

Our readers’ picks in 97 categories

76 the Way to REcovery

Patrick Dobard has one of the state’s most challenging jobs

By Dawn Ruth Wilson

78

New Orleans Magazine’s Guide to Schools

Compiled by Kristi Ferrante

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INSIDE “Carnival’s Finest Moment”

16 speaking out

Editorial, plus a Mike Luckovich cartoon JULIA STREET Questions and answers about our city

144 STREETCAR

“Trivia Night at Deutsches Haus”

Photographed by Marianna Massey

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contents

22

THE BEAT 22

MARQUEE

Entertainment calendar

48

LOCAL COLOR

THE MENU

34

92

table talk

“Cheap Eats: High in taste; easy on the budget”

24

PERSONA

Andrew P. Sanchez Jr.: King Zulu 2015

26

Biz

“Physician Assistants – Help is on the way”

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28

HEALTHBEAT

The latest news in health from New Orleans and beyond

30

CRIME FIGHTING

“‘It’s On Us’: Revisiting the Romallis Stukes case”

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46

IN TUNE “Carnival Time! Catching some music”

music History “Flag Boys of the Nation”

Read & Spin A look at the latest albums and books

CAST OF CHARACTERS

94 restaurant insider

Trenasse, 1000 Figs and Kebab

96

Food

”Super Soups: Preparing for the cold”

“A Krewe of Canines”

98

LAST CALL

MODINE’S NEW ORLEANS

White Port Cobbler by Kirk Estopinal of Bellocq

“Showing Your Wits”

Joie d’Eve

100 DINING GUIDE

“Injury Report: Preparing for Carnival”

CHRONICLES “‘N.O. It Alls’: The quiz show battle”

48

HOME

”Beneath the Cupola: Shelley Pigeon’s and Eddie Boettner’s high rise existence”

DIAL 12 D1 The new year is off to a busy start at WYES. Don’t miss the new documentary The Battle of New Orleans: A Meaningful Victory on Wed., Jan. 7 at 8 p.m. Everyone’s favorite drama returns as “Masterpiece – Downton Abbey,” Season 5 begins on Sun., Jan. 4 at 8 p.m. “Genealogy Roadshow” visits New Orleans when the series begins on Tues., Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. Opportunities abound to have fun and support WYES – don’t miss the Rex den tour on Sat., Jan. 10, 2-4 p.m., or celebrate all things “Downton Abbey” at a special Downton Abbey Tea on Thurs., Jan. 29 at the home of Jennifer and Fred Heebe. For all WYES program and event details, visit wyes.org.

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inside

Carnival’s Finest Moment

M

y high holy moment each Carnival season is around 2 p.m. on the afternoon of Mardi Gras Day. The altar is the promenade between Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral.

By that hour all of the festival’s parades are finished as Rex prepares to change into his ball costume. The weekenders are heading home. The over-imbibers are over and out. The streets of the French Quarter, by Mardi Gras afternoon, are left to the spirits. They appear in all sorts of wardrobes – some with barely any wardrobes at all. Nearby, the sounds of various bands echo off the old buildings. Many of the revelers had started their day early in Marigny and Bywater, then walked along with the costumed confederacy known as the Society of St. Anne. Many are freelance marchers and groups that wander through the streets. At some point everyone passes, and frequently stops to mambo, between God and General Jackson, the latter routinely doffing his hat at the spectacle. Conga drums, seemingly from out of nowhere, give the moment a sensual pulse. Here at this moment, at this site, the spirit of Mardi Gras flourishes before flitting way toward Ash Wednesday.

At the right place and at the right time, New Orleans radiates to an urban experience that’s impossible to imitate anywhere else.

It must have been around 11:30 Mardi Gras morning last year when I made my first of what are usually several stops in front of the cathedral. I knew instantly that that would be my last of the day. Because Mardi Gras was late last year, March 4, there was speculation that the date would be warmer and dryer than usual. The speculation was wrong to the point of being cruel. The weather betrayed the spirit. There have been some Carnival days that have been cold; some that have been wet; seldom have they been both.

There was no music; no dancing. Drenched maskers looked like their costumes had been hosed to their body. Stalwarts in the language of Carnival including Mondo Kayo, the Ducks of Dixieland and Cosmic Debris all retired early, seeking refuge from the day.

Now another season approaches. If there’s any justice in the cosmos, the weather for Mardi Gras day will be beautiful for 100 years in succession. That has to happen. There are too many spirits waiting to soar.

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on the web In Tune Mike Griffith is bringing his popular In Tune column from the pages of NOM to the webpages of MyNewOrleans.com. Tune in every Thursday to find out the latest concerts, newest music and the lowdown on the New Orleans music scene. “Like” all of our social media outlets for free ticket giveaway opportunities from Griffith and local venues from around the city!

Facebook Fanciers We are so excited that our Facebook page is catching on with New Orleanians and people from all over the world!

Check daily for content from our weekly blogs, magazine stories, fun events as well as cocktails and food recipes. Not only are we on Facebook, but follow New Orleans Magazine on Twitter (@ NewOrleansMag) and Instagram (NewOrleansMag)!

Tops of the Town Party

2015

Have a favorite King Cake or hair salon? What about a favorite high school or snowball? We know you did and you told us your answers in our Tops of the Town contest!

To celebrate all of your choices, we’re throwing a Tops of the Town party on Jan. 22, 2015, at The New Orleans Public Belt Railroad. Visit our events page at MyNewOrleans.com to find out more information and how to get your tickets!

facebook.com/NewOrleansMagazine | twitter.com/neworleansmag | pinterest.com/neworleansmag

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SPEAKING OUT

Toward a Greener Carnival

C

arnival is loyal to tradition (which it should be), but it has also been flexible to change when needed (which it must be). We see a major change coming, already in bits and pieces, but overwhelmingly so within a few years. A celebration that disperses “throws” to hundreds of thousands of people must find a way to make its bling greener. We are not talking about beads made out of tofu, but of items that can be recycled, that are biodegradable or that can serve other purposes or that have some lasting values. (A couple of years ago Muses tossed out Band-Aid type medal boxes filled with strips each wrapped in the Muses logo. We still keep a box among the emergency supplies in the desk.)

Despite much competition, beads remain the most popular throw item. From a rider’s perspective they’re easy to throw; for a spectator they’re easy to snatch from the air. There is the thrill of the hunt to catching them especially in competition with other outstretched hand. (We do maintain, however, that no one needs to be wearing more than 50 pairs of beads at one time.) We also find an only-in-New-Orleans charm to the sight of last season’s beads dangling from phone wires and trees as though they grow wild here like kudzu.

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Imagine, though, if those beads were biodegradable, and that one day they could nourish the ground below them while making space above for the next season’s stash of throws.

Some of the smaller krewes and walking groups have already started looking for alternatives. For the bigger groups – such as the superkrewes, which are throwing machines – the challenge, and the expense, at least initially, will probably be greater, but it’s worth the effort.

Mardi Gras is already beloved for the joy it brings to the soul. Imagine if it could do the same for the environment. n

AN ORIGINAL ©MIKE LUCKOVICH CARTOON FOR NEW ORLEANS MAGAZINE

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JULIA STREET /

WITH POYDRAS THE PARROT

TH E PUR S UIT TO AN S W E R E T E RNA L Q U E S TION S

Tulane Stadium

cident, the young re-enactors belonged to the Chalmette National Park Association, a group that dressed in period military attire and traveled throughout the country, firing antique cannons. After that incident, the Saints switched to me normal halftime shows.

Dear Julia and Poydras, As you both are well aware, in the early days of Saints football in old Tulane Stadium there were very elaborate halftime shows. There were ostrich races, people hang gliding on to the playing field and so on.

One very memorable show had a large band playing the “1812 Overture” at one end of the field while cannon were fired from the other end by, I assume, the Washington Artillery. This required repeatedly firing those old muzzle-loaded field pieces at the correct places in the score.

Tragically, as one cannon was being reloaded to be fired again, the gun fired inadvertently as the powder charge was being rammed home. The ramrod flew toward the band, fortunately not hitting anyone. The gunner who had handled the ramrod was carried from the field. I have wondered for years how badly injured that man was and how he is today. I am sure that you can tell me and for that I thank you in advance.

Don Burnham New Orleans

The incident in question happened during the halftime show at the Saints-Rams game held in Tulane Stadium on November 1, 1970. A total of four people, including two re-enactors and two onlookers, were injured when an antique cannon misfired as Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” played. According to The Times-Picayune’s coverage the following day, David Widdicombe and Leslie Germain, both of Memphis, were the most seriously hurt. Widdicombe sustained powder burns and lost his right middle, ring and little fingers as well as a portion of his right hand. The young man’s left ring and little fingers were also broken, and some powder residue got in his eyes. Germain suffered a badly fractured left hand, burns and lacerations. Also injured were onlookers William Bagley and Mrs. Becky High, both of Metairie.

I do not know their current whereabouts.

The Washington Artillery had no connection with the incident. According to United Press International (UPI) wire coverage of the ac-

Dear Julia, When my wife and I were seniors in high school, we often dined at a restaurant named de Latour’s on Robert E. Lee Boulevard. It was located not too far from Mount Carmel Academy. We would have their half-chicken and a salad. My future bride complained that she could not eat the full meal and my response was that it was costing me a lot so she had better learn to be prepared for a big meal when we dated.

I know the restaurant has long since closed, but I wonder if the owners opened any replacement restaurants and where. Can you shed any light or aroma on this question?

John Magnon Fairhope, Alabama

Win a Court of Two Sisters Jazz Brunch

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Here is a chance to eat, drink and listen to music, 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 one of two Jazz Brunch gift certificates for two at The Court of Two Sisters in the Vieux Carré. 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: Don Burnham, New Orleans; and Dr. Marion Winkler, Tupelo, Mississippi.

JANUARY 2015 / myneworleans.com

photo courtesy of the new orleans historic collection

Although more often remembered for his fried chicken, restaurateur Louis de Latour started out selling seafood.

With business partner Charles Schmidt, de Latour ran de Latour Sea Food House, which in the early 1930s was located at 101 Lake Ave. in Bucktown.

By 1935, de Latour’s Chicken Inn was operating at 540 Robert E. Lee Blvd. The business was quite successful and soon remodeled and expanded. Following Louis de Latour’s death in ’49 at the age of 60, his daughter, Shirly de Latour Cheer, managed the Chicken Inn for a few years. By the mid-’50s, de Latour’s Chicken Inn was no more and LaRocca’s Chicken, Steak and Seafood House was operating at the 540 Robert E. Lee Blvd. location.

Dear Julia, I have just perused Fabulous New Orleans by Lyle Saxon and write in response to his Chapter XIX, “The Quadroon Balls.” Yet, let me pause and introduce myself and tell of why I love New Orleans.

I am a retired Pediatrician and, in 1930, the year of Mr. Saxon’s book’s last printing, I was born in this fabulous city at Touro Infirmary.

Growing up during the Great Depression isn’t a memory of mine but, through my family’s stories, I know of its terrible times.

My paternal grandmother, Goldie “Bee” Burgess was a personal friend of Mr. Saxon and of Pops Whitesell (I have several of his photographs, inscribed “To Bee, one of my sweeties,”) and of Flo Fields, Society Editor of The TimesPicayune (later curator of the Apothecary Shop and museum in the French Quarter) and of Mr. Augus Werner, owner of the long-gone drug store at

Royal and Canal streets, and quite active in Louisiana politics in the 1940s and ’50s.

As a child, I often rode the Swan Boat at Audubon Park and marveled at the gigantic Kodiak bear in the zoo there.

We moved away to Tupelo, Mississippi, yet I returned, attending Tulane Medical School and obtaining my M.D. in 1955 – then the greatest day of my life.

Now let me return to my first paragraph. While in the French Quarter, I often toured the grand ballroom of the St. Anne Hotel, where there were a series of magnificent oil portraits – maybe 15 or more – of beautiful Quadroon ladies adorned in lavish gowns and plumed hats. Thus my question: Where are they now and what happened to the St. Anne? My still-vibrant love for old New Orleans and the olden ties makes me muse and ponder their fate.

Bless you (and Poydras) for your columns, for they’re the main reason I subscribe to New Orleans Magazine.

Dr. Marion Winkler Tupelo, Mississippi I have greatly enjoyed reading your recollections, but I’ve been unable to locate a St. Anne Hotel that was open in the 1950s and ’60s, from your medical school years through your early years in practice.

Are you, perhaps, thinking of a hotel which was on or near St. Anne Street?

On the other hand, I do recall Audubon Zoo’s massive Kodiak bear and can give you a little background on him. In June 1938, Louisiana Governor Richard W. Leche accepted from hunting guide Charles Madsen, the gift of a Kodiak bear. The young bear, then weighing only 100 pounds, arrived at Audubon Zoo the following month and was named Richard in honor of Governor Leche. n

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the beat MARQUEE

PERSONA

BIZ

EDUCATION

HEALTH

CRIME FIGHTING

PERSONA pg. 24

One of (my) favorite traditions is “watching the King be saluted on Mardi Gras morning by the Soulful Warriors.

It’s a tradition that a lot of the members don’t get to participate in ... but it’s a tradition that’s very beautiful.”

greg miles PHOTOGRAPH

THE BEAT / MARQUEE

OUR TOP PICKS FOR JANUARY EVENTS

cheryl gerber photo

BY LAUREN LABORDE

Special Guests

Nerdy Winter

Off to the Races

The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra features two special guests this month, one more well-known in the mainstream and one a little more esoteric but nonetheless acclaimed. Certainly you know Randy Newman from his distinct sounds, such as his breakthrough Louisiana 1927 album and the Toy Story movies (as well as the Louisiana-set Princess and the Frog) plus deadpan lyrics like “short people got no reason to live.” The LPO presents “You’ve Got a Friend in Me: An Evening With Randy Newman” on Jan. 17.

Before that, the group hosts a series of concerts with world-famous banjo player Bela Fleck. Carlos Miguel Prieto conducts Fleck in a series of American-themed favorites in “Bela Fleck and New World Symphony” on Jan. 9 and features him in a chamber music performance in “American Strings: Chamber Music” alongside LPO musicians. Information, LPOMusic.com.

New Orleans geeks, collectors and comic book lovers, rejoice: Wizard World Comic Con (Jan. 9-11) is a celebration of fandom in the realm of fantasy, sci-fi, superheroes and more. You can expect meet-andgreets with celebrities like Harry Potter’s Tom Felton (that’s Draco Malfoy, Muggles), cast members from the “Vampire Diaries” and many others. Also coming to town is Marvel Universe Live! (Jan. 15-18) where fans witness a “live action arena experience” featuring more than 25 characters from the Marvel Universe. Information, WizardWorld. com and NewOrleansArena.com.

You might be feeling the bulk of the two-month stretch of marathon eating around this time of the year, so it might be a good idea to train for a different type of marathon. On Jan. 25, just enough time to attempt to get back in shape, is the New Orleans Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon and Half Marathon that takes you all around New Orleans, from Uptown, to the French Quarter, to City Park. Besides a post-race concert, there are bands playing at stops along the route to keep you motivated. Information, RunRockNRoll.com

CALENDAR Information, NOLAProject.com

Jan. 29-Feb. 29. NOLA Project presents Camille, Mid-City Theatre.

Jan. 5, 9, 21, 26 and 30. New Orleans Pelicans Games, Smoothie King Center. Information, nba.com/pelicans

Jan. 17. New Orleans Opera Association’s Opera Ball, New Orleans Lakefront Airport. Information, NewOrleansOpera.org

Information, JoanOfArcParade.com

Jan. 16-30. Jesus Christ Superstar, Le Petit Théâtre. Information, LePetitTheatre.com

Jan. 6. Phunny Phorty Phellows parade, Uptown. Information, PhunnyPhortyPhellows.com

Jan. 16-31. Will Rogers Follies, Rivertown Theaters. Information, RivertownTheatres.com

Information, HouseOfBlues.com

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Jan. 6. Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc Parade, French Quarter.

Jan. 11. Chippendales 2015 Get Lucky Tour, House of Blues.

SPOTLIGHT

with legal action if the tiny krewe did not change their name. Eventually, the shoebox parade compromised by flipping the “e” in their name. This year the parade rolls on Sat., Feb. 7, before another offbeat Carnival happening, the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus, in the Marigny area. We talked to krewe president Caesar Meadows, a cartoonist known for distributing tiny comics in ‘tit Rəx, about the microkrewe.

How did ‘tit R x start? The founders, a group of Mid-City residents, were on a porch talking about the big Carnival superkrewes thinking, “What would be the opposite of Bacchus?” Then they started talking about the shoebox floats they made in school and thought, how funny would it be to take those floats out to the street, have police escorts, bands. It would be the antithesis of a big parade. It was a bit of a lark, but it’s proved to be immensely popular. e

An interview with Ceasar Meadows, president of ‘tit R x E

A

s Mardi Gras superkrewes grow bigger and bigger, a smaller, alternative Carnival scene with walking parades and niche krewes has emerged. ‘tit Rəx (I’ll get to why the “e” is written like that soon) takes scaling down in response to super-sized Carnival literally: this krewe consists of miniature floats, reminiscent of those shoebox float dioramas all New Orleans natives made as school children – except way better. After beginning in 2009 the parade has gained many fans; not among them was the Rex organization, which threatened to proceed

Veronica Russell, a New Orleans costume designer and performer who was very involved in ‘tit R x, passed away this year. Are you planning a tribute for her? There will be a e

The Little Krewe That Could

memorial float. She was a seamstress who made costumes, so the float will include some of her actual materials. She was a beloved member and incredible person. Her death came as such

a shock to the krewe.

What’s this year’s theme? It’s

the French phrase “L’enfant Terrible,” which I think usually refers to a wealthy rock star … it’s sort of open to interpretation. I’m sure there will be a lot of bad puns. One of the great things about the parade is the interpretation of the theme. Because it’s generally one or two people working a float, you get to see all the different visions.

With other krewes it’s not so individualistic. Another unique thing is all the tiny throws. And sometimes spectators will make little parade stands and things … they’re clearly showing their love. Another unique thing is the intimacy of being so close and the slow pace – due to our physical nature, we’re probably the slowest parade. Sometimes things fall apart along the way, but most floats are road-worthy.

We’re so close that the spectators are almost participants.

Are you and Krewe of Rex still at odds? (The conflict) has died

down. The flipping of the “e” in Rex to make a schwa was basically enough for them. We didn’t really want to change our name after parading with it for a few years … but I know some people have a hard time finding the schwa when they write about us. All of the attention felt like a tempest in a teapot. It’s silly that … people would even mistake us for the krewe for Rex. n

Jan. 12. WWE Raw, Smoothie King Center. Information, NewOrleansArena.com

Jan. 28. Dancing With the Stars Live, Saenger Theater. Information SaengerNola.com

Jan. 21. Billy Idol and Broncho in concert, House of Blues.

Information, HouseofBlues.com

Jan. 31. Carnival parades begin

Jan. 21. Arturo Sandoval in concert, Contemporary Arts Center.

Information, cacno.org

Jan. 31. Krewe du Vieux, Marigny. Information, KreweDuVieux.org Feb. 3. Glen Hansard in concert, Civic Theater. Information, CivicNola.com

Jan. 23. Comedian John Mulaney, Civic Theater. Information, CivicNola.com

jeffery johnston PHOTOGRAPH

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THE BEAT / PERSONA

Andrew P. Sanchez Jr. King Zulu 2015

BY LAUREN LABORDE

W

hen I pull up to the pale yellow Zulu Headquarters on Broad Street and before I even exit my car, Andrew P. Sanchez Jr. is holding the door of the club wide open for me, his matching yellow blazer and black-and-yellow striped bowtie gleaming in the sun. It is quickly apparent that the 2015 Zulu King has a gregarious personality and likes to make the people around him feel comfortable.

Sanchez’s father is the late Andrew Pete Sanchez, who served as property management director under former Mayor Moon Landrieu and was one of the first blacks to be appointed to lead a city department. A community center in the Lower 9th Ward was named after him, but it was badly damaged by Hurricane Katrina’s floods. It is scheduled to reopen soon. Sanchez Jr. currently wears many hats; has worked in sales, marketing and consulting in several capacities; and still champions the revitalization of the 9th Ward.

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Like many past Zulu Kings and members, being involved in the organization runs in the family. Sanchez Sr., besides being Zulu’s Big Shot in 1977, served as the club’s Chairman of Carnival Activities, as Sanchez Jr. has for the past 10 years of his 18-year involvement with Zulu. Other family members involved in Zulu includes siblings, cousins, daughters, nieces and uncles. Besides his role of Chairman of Carnival Activities, Sanchez Jr. seems to have served in virtually every other capacity of the organization. Being King seems a natural progression for him.

Q: What are some of the Zulu

traditions you most look forward to?

One of my favorites is watching the King be saluted on Mardi Gras morning by the Soulful Warriors. It’s a tradition that a lot of the members don’t get to participate in because they’re getting ready for the parade that morning, but it’s a tradition that’s very beautiful.

To see the King get ready to get into the limo and come out to the parade on Mardi Gras morning and to see the Soulful Warriors salute the King, I think that’s a big tribute and a quiet highlight in the Mardi Gras season.

Q: And what are your favorite

Carnival traditions in general?

My campaign theme (while running for King) was “saluting all that is Carnival.”

greg miles PHOTOGRAPH

Age: 56 Profession: Project manager and consultant Born/raised/resides: Lower 9th Ward Education: Alfred Lawless High School, John McDonogh 35 High School, Southern University Favorite Band: Earth Wind and Fire Favorite Restaurant: Acme Oyster House in Metairie Food: Seafood Book: Harry Potter series

I chose the theme because there are traditions that take place in Zulu that are very exciting. We begin our Mardi Gras season with a church service, where we come together and have a lot of sincerity about being blessed to go through the Mardi Gras season safely. From there we have the Queen’s arrival, and there’s a tradition when we receive the Queen and officially announce the Queen of that year. And that evening it culminates with the King and Queen party. That’s where we more or less introduce the organization to the King and Queen and to society, because our friends and family are guests at this event. From there we … have different parties and events and the members come out and pay tribute to our characters. When you look back on Ash Wednesday, it seems like a blur.

I think about all the people who have helped make the Zulu organization what it is. … we are right now a revitalized organization.

Since Katrina, our organization average age is anywhere between 35 to maybe 55, whereas before Katrina we were an older club. So when I look at having an election theme saluting all that’s Carnival … I look at how over the years we’ve transformed Mardi Gras into this beauti-

ful time of the year. Normally everyone’s excited about the holidays, but in New Orleans we’re almost happy to get the holiday season over so we can get into Mardi Gras – such as with Zulu.

It’s really been, for me, an exciting time. When you’ve had a chance to work with the organization and all of these guys on the wall [the Zulu club walls feature photos of past Kings] I’ve assisted and prepared them to be King. And now I get a chance to stand with them.

Q: Growing up as a child in

New Orleans, what are your memories of Carnival?

When I reflect back on being a child, my dad, Andrew P. Sanchez Sr., served as Zulu’s Chairman of Carnival Activities. I always looked forward to when my dad went to the ball; I used to always love to see my dad get dressed up in a tuxedo. Then the time came for me to attend the ball.

As a child we always went to the parades; we’d get a chance to see Bacchus, Endymion. As a child your eyes light up and you’re jumping around for all those throws and at the end of the day you think, now what am I gonna do with all this stuff? But it’s the excitement, it’s the fun, it’s the thrill. When I reflect back on all the years I’ve been here in this beautiful city I’m excited, because I’ve enjoyed it ever since being a child. n

True confession I love to swim. I don’t get to swim as much as I’d like to, but the Andrew P. Sanchez Multi-Purpose Center is about to re-open and it will have a pool, and I’ll really get back into swimming. myneworleans.com / JANUARY 2015

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THE BEAT / BIZ

Physician Assistants – Help is On the Way Hybrid medical professionals bring relief to doctors

By Kathy Finn

S

ay a persistent cough has been troubling you for months. Maybe you’ve been shrugging it off as an allergy, but you’ve begun to worry that it may be something more serious. You dial up your primary care physician to get an appointment and find ... you’ll have to wait several months!

While such delays are common these days, particularly in a family practice, some doctors are increasingly offering patients a quick alternative: If you’re willing to see a physician assistant, you might get an appointment tomorrow.

A physician assistant, or PA, is a medical professional who’s certified by a national organization and licensed by the state to practice under the supervision of a physician. PAs can conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, write prescriptions, order tests and much more.

They must renew their certification as medical generalists every 10 years, but many also seek specialized training in a range of different fields, which allows them to practice on medical teams in nearly every specialty. Many PAs work in emergency departments; pediatric, orthopedic and dermatology clinics; and even surgery centers.

John McGinnity, a PA in Detroit and president of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, says that the ability of PAs to move among various specialties has made them invaluable in a health care system that struggles to meet changing needs.

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More people are visiting physicians than ever before, and the Affordable Care Act is giving millions more people access to care, he points out. “As we look at changes in health care, we need all hands on deck to address 32 million more patients coming into the system,” he says.

McGinty says that more than 100,000 PAs currently practice medicine around the country, and training programs graduate about 6,000 PAs each year.

The programs, often run by existing medical institutions or schools, generally are about 29 months in length and encompass two years of didactic instruction followed by clinical rotations, similar to a residency.

To qualify to enter PA training, a candidate must have a bachelor’s of science degree that includes courses in basic sciences, physiology statistics, genetics and other areas, much like a pre-med program.

Because demand for PA training is high and spaces in training programs are limited, McGinty says credentialed PAs tend to be high achievers. “We’re taking the cream of the crop,” he says.

Many of those entering PA training are nurses, paramedics, sports trainers and the like who already have

Professional training LSU Health New Orleans offers training for both physician assistants and nurse practitioners.

For information on the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program, see alliedhealth. lsuhsc.edu or call 5563420 for more details.

The LSU/HSC School of Nursing offers nurse practitioner programs in primary care/public health and neonatal care.

See nursing.lsuhsc.edu or call 568-4197 for further information. a foundation in health care and realize that they could increase their value by taking the next step, McGinty says.

PA training, which began at Duke University in the 1960s, has mostly been concentrated in the largest urban centers, where the patient population is dense. But as demand has risen in the past decade, the programs are spreading at a faster clip.

Three PA training programs now operate in Louisiana, with the oldest one being in Shreveport. The second program started about eight years ago at Our Lady of the Lake College in Baton Rouge. And in 2013, a PA training program launched in New Orleans.

Debra Munsell, who heads the program at LSU’s school of allied health professions in New Orleans, says the program has had no difficulty in finding good candidates. “We had more than 300 applicants for 30 spots,” she says.

Members of the first local class of PAs are slated to graduate in May, and two more classes of 30 each will graduate in 2016 and ’17.

Munsell says doctors and clinics are already clamoring to recruit the graduates. “As soon as we were accredited to start the program, physicians started calling,” she says.

Other medical professionals are rapidly coming to appreciate the flexibility that PAs bring to hospitals and other health care settings. Those who have diverse experience or are trained in multiple specialties can easily be deployed where they are most needed within a hospital at any given time, for instance.

And in outpatient clinics or physician group practices, PAs help relieve the pressure on doctors who get too little time off.

Many of these practices and institutions are employing more and more nurse practitioners as well.

Nurse practitioners, or NPs, are individuals who blend clinical expertise in diagnosing and treating health conditions with an added emphasis on disease prevention and health management, according to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

They must complete a master’s or doctoral degree program and have advanced training beyond the registered nurse preparation. They also must receive national certification and be licensed by the state where they practice.

Like PAs, they bring expertise and skills that can augment and expand care in a system where access to care can be problematic.

By some measures, the U.S. health care system is nearly 60,000 doctors short of the number that will be needed to meet demand in coming years.

Medical schools are not graduating physicians fast enough to keep up with need, and that bodes well for “advanced practice providers” such as PAs and NPs. n

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THE BEAT / HEALTHBEAT

Touro Infirmary was one of New Orleans’ most recent workplaces to qualify as a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace Champion by the Mary Amelia Douglas-Whited Community Women’s Health Center and the Louisiana Breastfeeding Coalition. According to the LBC, to qualify, workplaces must have written policies to support breastfeeding in the workplace and offer: • Reasonable break time for working mothers to pump breast milk each time they need to throughout the day • One or more permanent breastfeeding rooms, or a clean, private and safe space with an outlet, other than a toilet stall, that mothers can use for lactation when needed • A working sink near the breastfeeding location where mothers can clean pumping equipment • Lactation support communicated to all current and future employees.

To learn more about breastfeeding and additional workplace designations, visit LouisianaBreastfeedingCoalition.org.

The majority of people who drink to get drunk may not be alcoholics, according to a report released near the end of 2014 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in the CDC’s Preventing Chronic Disease journal. The report cites that “the prevalence of alcohol dependence was 10.2 percent among excessive drinkers.” Additional findings were that the prevalence of binge drinking – a pattern of behavior classified as men who consume roughly five or more drinks and women who consume four or more within a short period of time (or a typical Tuesday night on Bourbon Street) – was also significantly higher among those with an annual family income of $75,000 or more than among those with lower family incomes, whereas the prevalence of alcohol dependence was significantly higher among those with an annual family income of less than $25,000 than among those in other income groups.

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THE BEAT / crime fighting

“It’s On Us”

Revisiting the Romallis Stukes case

By Allen Johnson Jr.

A

billboard catches a driver’s eye on Interstate 10 during a recent reporting trip to Baton Rouge: “It’s On All of Us to Stop Sexual Assault.” The sign is part of a new rape prevention campaign backed by the Obama White House and 10 colleges and universities in Louisiana (ItsOnUs.org).

It is also the only noteworthy scenery en route to the first state pardon board hearing for a convicted child rapist – a former 13-year veteran of the New Orleans Police Department.

Romallis Stukes, a beefy former NOPD robbery detective, is seeking freedom after serving 27 years of a life sentence. He has been locked up since August 1987 by detectives of the NOPD Child Abuse Section. Following a non-jury trial that year, he was found guilty as charged of one count of aggravated rape of a child under 12. The alleged victim: his own daughter, then age 4.

Stukes’ only hope for an early release from prison is a reduction of his life sentence. His application for clemency must first be vetted by the five-member state pardon board and approved by the Governor.

As a reporter for The Louisiana Weekly, this columnist covered Stukes’ rape trial. I also covered the aftermath of the 1985 incident that resulted in his dismissal from the NOPD. Stukes admitted torturing handcuffed motorist Patrick Ledet, 21, with an electronic “stun gun.”

Today, Stukes continues to deny ever sexually assaulting any of his children.

From a hearing room at state Department of Corrections headquarters at Baton Rouge, Pardon Board member Henry “Tank” Powell grills Stukes via a live teleconference call to the David Wade Correctional Center in Homer, a medium-security state prison in the piney woods of north Louisiana.

“Are you saying you did not commit the crime?” Powell says. “I did not,” Stukes replies.

Pardon Board member Cornel Hubert: “You said what your daughter said was not true.”

“Not true,” Stukes repeats.

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“What about your son?” Hubert says.

At the 1987 trial, Stukes’ 12-year-old son testified that his father attempted to sodomize him years earlier as a younger boy, telling him to keep the sexual assault as “our secret.”

Stukes laughs, dismissively. “I was never hardly home,” Stukes tells the board.

Throughout the hearing, Stukes depicts himself as a hardworking police officer, toiling long hours on off-duty security details to support his family. Stukes blames his ex-wife, her alleged drug habit and her family for turning the children against him, resulting in his criminal conviction and life sentence. “It just goes back to the old adage – ‘no good deed goes unpunished.’”

Board member Powell notes Stukes has taken the prison’s sexual offenders program class.

Stukes doesn’t attempt to explain his enrollment – and the apparent contradiction with his denials of rape. Rather he emphasizes his marketable skill set. “I have some carpenter skills, some electronic skills.” Wade prison Warden Jerry Goodwin addressed the pardon board on Stukes’ behalf.

“I’ve known him since 1988; he’s a model prisoner,” the warden says. “I can’t say anything bad about Romallis Stukes in his time at Wade Correctional Center.”

Stukes is housed in a protective unit of the prison, limiting his access to a variety of programs available to other prisoners.

Goodwin says.

If the board recommended that Governor Bobby Jindal free Stukes, board member Powell asks Stukes: “Where would you live?” “New Orleans,” Stukes replies. ***** On the night of Dec. 17, 1987, Stukes wore a gray suit as then-Criminal District Court Judge Leon Cannizzaro explained his guilty verdict to a hushed courtroom.

The trial judge said he was persuaded by the testimony of the child, who described a sex act with her father using anatomically correct dolls. “For a child that age, the cross-examination was extremely extensive (but) she consistently said she was sexually assaulted,” the judge said.

The judge was also impressed by Stukes’ young son, who testified twice at trial. “I was moved.”

The judge concluded police became Joseph Daniel Fiedler illustration

involved only after two hospital physicians reported the girl’s injuries to NOPD, as required by law. The child’s maternal grandmother brought her to the hospital, after a 16-year-old baby sitter alerted family members to the child’s complaint of an injury resulting from sexual contact, court records show.

The courtroom was closed to the press during the children’s testimony. They were seated in an anteroom of the court as the judge read the verdict to their father. As the judge spoke, I wrote, “The children’s chorus of ‘Silent Night’ was clearly audible.”

Courtroom spectators wept.

Others were visibly shaken.

Judge Cannizzaro told Stukes: “The State has removed all reasonable doubt you are guilty of aggravated rape.”

Stukes was sentence to life without benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence.

A three-judge panel of the state Fourth Circuit Court rejected Stukes’ appeals, including the father’s claims the girl had been coached. The panel found the daughter’s testimony “remarkably direct and consistent.

Her ability to understand the importance of telling the truth was also apparent.”

According a transcript of the girl’s trial testimony, the child was asked what her mother told her to say in court. The girl replied: “She said, ‘Be sure to tell the truth.’” ***** Today, Stukes’ children are adults. The son and daughter he allegedly victimized didn’t attend the hearing; they said they didn’t oppose their father’s bid for freedom, according to statements by Pardon Board Chair Sheryl Ranatza. A second Stukes daughter wept before the board as she begged for his freedom. “My father is innocent! ” This daughter, whose family lives in Texas, says she wants her father to be

free to enjoy his grandchildren.

At 12:15 p.m. the pardon board announces it will briefly leave for “executive session.”

Five minutes later, they return.

“We do have a letter in opposition from the District Attorney in Orleans Parish,” Ranatza says. D.A. Cannizzaro cited Stukes’ “inability to accept culpability.”

The Pardon Board votes to deny Stukes, 4-1, citing “insufficient time” served and “the serious nature of the crime.”

“My vote today would have been to give you a chance,” says Ranatza, the lone dissenter. ***** Experts say sexually abused children often struggle with anger, substance abuse and other symptoms as adults.

In 2006, a judge sentenced Stukes’ son to 10 years in prison following his conviction for shooting two men outside a New Orleans area bar in ’03.

The shooting left one man a quadriplegic. Prior to sentencing, an uncle of the younger Stukes discloses that Romallis Stukes sexually molested his son at age 5. The trial judge says child abuse doesn’t justify the adult son’s “vicious, unprovoked attack” with a gun.

A pre-sentencing report shows the younger Stukes had a history of violent behavior, including five arrests for battery. He once hit his wife with a flashlight and shoved his grandfather to the floor when he tried to intervene. He appealed his sentence as “excessive” and lost.

The boy who once sang “Silent Night” with his little sister, whose testimony of an unspeakable family secret helped to rid New Orleans’ streets of a powerful, sadistic detective, left court as a victim and a convicted violent felon.

The drive back to New Orleans takes longer than usual when you’re looking for a billboard with a message. n

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LOCAL COLOR IN TUNE MUSIC HISTORY READ+SPIN CHARACTERS JOIE D’EVE MODINE GUNCH CHRONICLES HOME

On Jan. 17, English singer Ben Howard will perform at The Civic. Howard is touring on his recent release, I Forget Where We Are, which follows up his outstanding debut, Every Kingdom.

IN TUNE pg. 34

LOCAL COLOR / IN TUNE

Start Your Carnival

The Radiators

If you’re looking for the perfect way to kick off the Mardi Gras season, Quintron and Miss Pussycat are hosting the Twelfth Night Masquerade Ball at the Civic. No doubt this duo has all manner of surprises in store for the evening.

They will be accompanied by local favorites the Morning 40 Federation.

This should be a wild and at times even surreal start to the Carnival season.

Carnival Time!

Catching some music BY mike griffith

J

anuary in New Orleans means several things: The reappearance of King Cakes, the Sugar Bowl game, and most recently, the Radiators’ return to Tipitina’s. For the last couple of years the Rads have taken the opportunity to host three nights of music in midJanuary (this year Jan. 15-17). Like many of the Radiators’ reunion shows, these shows are a homecoming for the fans as well. Since the Rads called it quits in 2011, these few reunion shows have been a family reunion for those of us who regularly attended their all night shows at Tip’s. Expect a fantastic series of shows stretching into the early morning.

There are also three fantastic singer/ songwriter shows scheduled for January as well. On Jan. 17, English singer Ben Howard will perform at The Civic. Howard is touring on his recent release, I Forget Where We Are, which follows up his outstanding debut, Every Kingdom. On Jan. 23, Lincoln Durham will take over the Beatnik with his frenetic performance style. Durham, who hails from

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southwest Texas, has released two excellent records that mix modern rock styles with traditional Texas sounds. Count on seeing an eclectic mix of antique, homemade and heavily modified instruments as the evening progresses. Finally, Gregory Alan Isakov will play One Eyed Jacks on Jan. 28. Isakov’s latest record, The Weatherman, has a beautifully calm, melodic flow. Make sure to arrive early for Leif Vollebekk’s set; the two musicians have a very complementary sound.

On Jan. 17 catch the orchestral rock sounds of Mother Falcon at Gasa Gasa. Mother Falcon is a collective of musicians from Austin who do everything from string-heavy Radiohead covers to original compositions.

If you’re looking for something a bit more progressive on the same night that Durham will hold down the Beatnik, Spazzkid will open for Giraffage at the Hi-Ho Lounge. This is an excellent chance to see two emerging west coast producers in one evening. Spazzkid’s 2013 album, Desire, is especially excellent for its

combination of lyricism with a complexity of found sounds.

This will be a truly excellent night of electronic pop starting with the slow burn of Spazzkid and following with Giraffage’s R&B inspired hip hop sounds.

Finally this month, Johnette Napolitano, the lead singer of the Concrete Blondes, will bring her solo show to the Parish at the House of Blues on Jan. 9. Napolitano’s solo records tend to be a bit grittier and more earnest than her work with the Blondes. n

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

Note: Dates are subject to change Playlist of mentioned bands available at: bit.ly/ InTune1-15.

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LOCAL COLOR / MUSIC history

Cherice Harrison-Nelson holding the Flag Boy Gang Flag Yearbook

Flag Boys of the Nation

Music that ignites dancing

BY JASON BERRY

M

ardi Gras Indians have been igniting dancers in music clubs since the 1970s. The Dixie Cups sing a resonant take on Indian lore, “Iko Iko”: “My Flag Boy and your Flag Boy, sitting by the fire / My Flag Boy told your Flag Boy, ‘I’m going to set your flag on fire.’”

It takes some fire to be a Flag Boy, you can bet your back pay on that.

But what goes into the Flag Boy role for the Big Chief of a given tribe?

That is one question animating the Flag Boy Gang Flag Yearbook, a Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame work edited by Cherice HarrisonNelson, an Indian Queen and a founder of the hall, and Jeffrey David Ehrenreich, a University of New Orleans cultural anthropology professor and writer-photographer chronicling the tradition.

Space prohibits naming all the writers and photographers who contribute profiles. In spite of occasional typos, this 120-page catalogue, published with support of The City of New Orleans, an Edward Wisner Donation Grant, National Performance Network and Basin St. Station, is

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an oral history gem with fine images to boot.

In a profile of Ronnel Butler, the Redhawk Hunters’ Flag Boy, Tulane ethno-musicologist Matt Sakakeeny writes: “It takes a steady hand to be a barber and to be a Flag Boy. Ronnel’s personality is perfectly suited to the position. He is always paying attention and nothing seems to faze him. If the job of the Spy Noy or the Wild Man is to cause commotion, the job of the Flag Boy is to stay clam and alert, to hold tight by the Big Chief and to decide who gets through to him and who does not. He says that, ‘basically, I’m the security guard.’”

For all of the media coverage and pop culture glamour in which the Indians soak, the social dynamics of various gangs vary greatly.

Congo Square author Freddi Williams Evans provides a mini-history of a group that has received little press attention in her profile of Charles Dillon, the Mohawk Hunters’ Flag Boy: “The Mohawk Hunters, founded in 1941 by Frank Casby, is in fact one of the largest tribes in the Mardi Gras Indian community, and it’s the only one on the West Bank. It is so large that several positions are ranked, such as first and second flags. The tribe is still based where it began, in the black community of Old Algiers. The tribe has a reputation of parading through its neighborhoods. The tribe is also known for a high standard of community service.”

Tyrone Casby, today’s Big Chief, is the principal of Orleans Parish Youth Study Center. “The Mohawk Hunters attract men and women from all walks of life,” writes Evans, “including teachers, lawyers, barbers, service workers and coaches.” Flag Boy Charles Dillon, a Southern University graduate, has a landscaping company; he’s a part-time juvenile probation officer and NORD football coach, “an engaged father and a supportive husband.”

On why he brought his sons into the Mohawk Hunters, Dillon is pragmatic: “Because of the culture, family tradition and it teaches them how to be businessmen.”

The impetus to be a Flag Boy varies. Athanase Johnson of Geronimo Hunters “took the name ‘Iron Man’ by showing his toughness after accidentally running into a car headfirst as a young boy,” writes Charles Lockwood.

“Iron Man has over four decades of experiences as a decorator and costume maker.”

Iron Man explains: “It’s very expensive. And in our culture Uptown, if you can’t come right, don’t come at all.

And that’s my motto.”

Victor Harris of Mandingo Warriors has for years been making neo-African masks and costumes that stand apart from the Native American suits that most tribes use as the template for their outfits.

Mandingo Warriors’ Flag Boy Perry Emery is pictured in a stunning black-feathered outfit with beaded mask and breast plate more African than Indian. “You take your duties to your chief, your community, your culture and to yourself,” he says in Ehrenreich’s profile.

We could all heed lessons like that. n greg miles photograph

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LOCAL COLOR / READ+SPIN

FICTION: The debut novel My Sunshine Away by M.O. Walsh, director of the Creative Writing Workshop at the University of New Orleans, is scheduled for release in February. “I grew up in a nice neighborhood in Baton Rouge and have really fond memories of my youth,” Walsh says.

“However, I’ve also always remembered overhearing a story about a girl on our block being raped when we were kids. I was too young at the time to know what that word truly meant, but as I’ve gotten older it always haunted me to think that a place I thought of so idyllically could be a sort of nightmare for someone else.” Suspense and mystery are at the forefront, but Walsh says, “It is really a book about people and their various heartaches and triumphs.” He also says he set out to honor Louisiana. With a wife, two young children and a full time job, Walsh typically writes 4 to 6 a.m., while everyone is sleeping. “It’s just me and the story then,” he says. “It’s quiet in the house, and it’s a strange pleasure.” Catch Walsh at Garden District Book Shop on Feb. 26 at 6 p.m.

ROOTS ROCK: Cowboy Mouth founding member Paul Sanchez is back with his first release since 2011, The World is Round Everything That Ends Begins Again. A blend of the acoustic singer and songwriter fodder for which he’s known, as well as several surprise tracks laced with strings and background vocals, the album is the 12th studio release by Sanchez.

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BY melanie warner spencer Please send submissions for consideration, attention: Melanie Spencer, 110 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 123, Metairie, LA 70005.

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LOCAL COLOR / CAST OF CHARACTERS

A Krewe of Canines Pooches march with a cause BY george gurtner

R

ight alongside midnight parking at Ye Olde College Inn, meetin’ under th’ clock at “Holmses” and a graduation bash at the Bali Hai, another New Orleans tradition has gone to the dogs: Mardi Gras.

It is called ‘PAWDI Gras’ and it has been going on right under our noses for the past 10 years.

The Saturday after Mardi Gras, an outfit called PAWS (Plaquemines Animal Welfare Society) stakes out its territory on the Belle Chasse Highway, and 150 or so animals of every description, along with up to 1,000 homo sapiens, do their after Mardi Gras Mardi Gras, replete with a King and Queen, floats, throws, marchers and all the trimmings.

To get a grip on all this, first you’ve got to understand that PAWS operates out of the other half of the building that houses the Plaquemines Parish Animal Control Building. Which is to say one door will lead you to a parish-run facility geared to keeping strays off the street, with the last resort being euthanization. The other door is a “non-kill” facility as one PAWS board member puts it.

“One building, two different approaches,” says Donna Schexnayder, vice-president of PAWS. “This is the only such setup in the country. Animal Control has a job to do and we understand that. We just like to get to those animals and adopt them out. And believe me, nobody wants us to succeed more than Animal Control. We couldn’t do what we do without them. In fact, they’d like to see our partnership with them as a prototype for the rest of the country. Our hats are off to them!

“It’s amazing how some people treat these poor animals,” she continues. “At PAWS we see dogs that have chemical burns and cigarette burns. We had one dog that somebody tried shooting in

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the mouth. We found that poor little fella in a ditch.

We take them in and we pay for the surgery and other medical needs, and we rehabilitate them and find homes for them.”

Schexnayder says that while Plaquemines Parish contributes about 20 percent of the funding need for PAWS, the rest must be made up through various fund raisers such as the selling of T-shirts and other ways of scraping up the cash “needed to protect and help these poor animals.”

Not the least of these fundraisers is PAWDI Gras.

“There’s a $30 fee to register your dog as a member of a krewe and to be in the parade,” Schexnayder says.

“It’s $35 if you want your dog to be considered for a drawing to be named King and Queen of the Krewe of PAWDI Gras for that year.”

And don’t think for a second that Schexnayder is one to just whip out a checkbook or volunteer time at the PAWS Center.

At any point she has at least seven dogs running around her home on the West Bank. And many of them are “special needs” dogs that fall way down on that adoptable list.

Poncho, one of Schexnayder’s now deceased adopted dogs and a former King of PAWDI Gras, had frequent seizures. Still, Schexnayder found a place in her four-legged brood for him and gentled prepared him for “the rainbow bridge” – an imaginary crossover that people at PAWS often speak of, a bridge where the deceased dog goes in spirit goes to wait for those who care for him or her and to-

PAWS Fact The average cost to care for one cat or dog at PAWS is $558. In 2014, PAWS adopted 490 animals at a cost of $273,420. PAWS’s goal for ’15 is to adopt out 1,000 dogs and cats.

For more information about PAWS, visit PAWS4Life.org gether they walk off into the beyond. “Where there is no pain,” Schexnayder says.

A cool, sunny afternoon at Schexnayer’s West Bank home is one of constant yapping and playful growling with Schexnayder decked out in a “doggie designer” overshirt, yelling at Luca or Logan or Skippy or Sadie.

Over in one corner of the living room, Schexnayder’s husband, Artie, is stretched out in a reclining chair with Bella, a tiny teacup Chihuahua dozing in his lap.

Schexnayder is talking about the Christmas stocking that each dog will have over the fireplace and of the family life insurance policies that make special provisions for the beneficiaries, “seven special dogs.”

“All of these are mine,” Schexnayder says with all of the pride of a mom of brood of Mensa members. “We’ve adopted them. They’re here to stay. Many of the people at PAWS adopt dogs also.

We don’t want see them destroyed. Lord knows they’ve been through enough.”

And who knows? Maybe another New Orleans Mardi Gras tradition – a fourlegged one – is just coming of age. n frank methe photograph

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LOCAL COLOR / MODINE’S NEW ORLEANS

Showing Your Wits A costume of elephant ears

BY MODINE GUNCH

M

y sister-in-law Gloriosa is real popular this time of year. She lives close to the Uptown parade route, so she got what everybody needs.

And I don’t mean long beads.

Other people stock up on beer and bottled water and fried chicken for Mardi Gras. Gloriosa stocks up on toilet paper.

Of course, either her or her husband Proteus has to stay home to open the door for their friends who are hopping from foot to foot and show them to the facilities. So Gloriosa and Proteus have to take turns going to parades.

Proteus’s mother and daddy live next door, and they usually get plenty of company for the same reason. Even more, actually, because their friends are older and have to go to the john more.

But this year, his parents have broke tradition and left on a cruise during the first part of the Carnival season.

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Which makes Gloriosa and Proteus’s place twice as busy.

Naturally, disaster strikes. There are three toilets in the house, and each one stops working, one after the other, like dominos falling. Something is clogging the main line, and getting a plumber right now is next to impossible.

Thank God, Proteus has the key to his parents’ house. So all the potty guests are escorted through the backyard gate that leads next door and inside to their bathroom. That works fine, but his parents get home tomorrow, when Carnival is full swing, and that bathroom line is going to get very long.

Thursday night, Gloriosa takes her kids to the Krewe of Muses parade. She is real excited about seeing Celibacy Academy’s Prancing Penguinettes. She herself is an award-winning former Penguinette – she won Sassiest Strutter at the state dance

group competition, and after three kids she still looks pretty sassy. Anyway, she’s training her little daughter Momus to strut in her footsteps.

When they get home, lo and behold, there’s a plumber that Proteus bribed to drive through the Mardi Gras traffic after hours. He is shaking his head. “It don’t look good,” he says.

Gloriosa puts the kids to bed and decides she will just dash next door and take her shower.

So she grabs a towel and flashlight and leaves Proteus with the plumber.

What she don’t know is that Proteus’ parents got their dates mixed up. Their plane landed a couple hours ago: They came home in a cab, jetlagged, and are sound asleep in their own bed.

Gloriosa is relaxing under the nice, steamy water when her mother-in-law, Ms. Sarcophaga, hears something downstairs. (This is an old house and the bathrooms are in weird places – wherever they could convert a closet and run plumbing. The main bathroom is on the first floor.) She creeps downstairs, sees light under the door, hears water, runs upstairs, sees that, yes, her husband is still in bed and calls the police.

Gloriosa steps out of the shower in time to hear the police swarming in the front door. She assumes it’s burglars. This bathroom has a low window, so she hurls her clothes out and jumps behind them. She can’t find them in the dark, but she landed in a clump of elephant ears, so she grabs a couple as modesty shields and tears across the yard to her own house.

Proteus is sitting alone in the kitchen feeling good. The plumber is gone. Turns out one of their bathroom guests somehow dropped a dozen beads down the john.

But now everything is flushing, even though it cost time-and-a-half plus a hefty tip. He can now drink a beer without worrying about consequences.

Then Gloriosa runs in with elephant ears covering her essentials and things look even better.

“Hello, hello, hello!” he says.

Gloriosa says there’s burglars. Proteus says that’s quite a Mardi Gras costume she got on.

She says call the police. He asks what she got on under that. This goes on for a while, until finally he looks out and sees police cars in front of his parents’ house. “Looks like they got it all taken care of,” he says, and beams at her.

The next day his mother comes over to announce that they’re home a day early. Later, she tells his daddy how glad Proteus was to see her.

“He just couldn’t stop smiling,” she says.

Happy Mardi Gras to you, too. n LORI OSIECKI ILLUSTRATION

LOCAL COLOR / JOIE D’EVE

Injury Report

Preparing for Carnival

BY EVE CRAWFORD PEYTON

E

very so often I have these moments of what can only be described as hubris: Yes, I’ll bake cute gingerbread favors for all the kids in Ruby’s class less than two weeks after giving birth. Yes, I’ll go shopping during the height of Christmas season with an exhausted, cranky baby and Ruby on a sugar-high. And last year: Yes, I’ll go to Muses with Ruby and Georgia by myself.

The next morning, my childless co-workers straggled into the office looking hungover and tired, mumbling about the need for coffee, cheese and Advil. And I, despite having consumed only half a beer the night before (Ruby spilled the other half), can guarantee that I felt worse than all of them. My legs ached. My arms ached. My back ached worst of all. Carnival season is an endurance test for every New Orleanian, but for parents it involves a lot less drinking, dancing and partying, and a lot more lifting, hauling and planning (the amount of puke is about the same in

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both cases, though for different reasons).

Injuries are sustained all around, too. My Carnival bag that I bring to all parades includes Band-Aids, hand sanitizer and an ice pack (bonus: the ice pack keeps the beers and Capri Suns cool). Ruby, just last season alone, was hit in the head with a bunch of heavy beads, cut her finger on the edge of a broken plastic trumpet, got poked in the eye with a spear and skinned her elbow scrabbling for a frisbee (she got it). And I, in addition to the general aches and pains associated with lugging approximately 75 pounds of my offspring around, have been kicked in the head by kids on ladders, hit in the face by beads intended for Ruby on my shoulders and had a candy apple stuck in my hair (see also: Ruby on my shoulders). The youngest member of the family, Georgia, got off injury-free last year, but the oldest member, my father, slipped on a pair of Mardi Gras beads while

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leaving the Banks Street Bar and bashed up his cheek and shoulder.

All of us rallied, though.

Ruby takes it all in stride, as long as she has cool throws to show at the end of it. I am used to the Carnival casualties, having been poked in the eye with a spear a time or two myself as a kid – I think my worst injury was getting smashed in the face by a trombone during Endymion when I was 9. And my dad said his face hurts less than his legs did from “dancing with every pretty girl in the joint” at some French Quarter dive.

We all take it easy in the days after Carnival, soothing ourselves with bad TV; Advil and Tylenol in alternating doses as warranted; strong coffee; hot baths; and, for my dad at least, good brandy.

But a little soreness isn’t going to keep any of us away from St. Charles Avenue for any future parades. We all love Carnival far too much – even if that love hurts. n

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

jane sanders ILLUSTRATION

myneworleans.com / JANUARY 2015

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LOCAL COLOR / Chronicles Harold Toscano, Isis Casanova, Ed Daniels, Terry Meeuwenberg and Tommy Tucker

“N.O. It Alls”

The quiz show battle of New Orleans

BY CAROLYN KOLB

Q

uick: What locally produced New Orleans television quiz show once beat NBC’s popular “Tonight Show” in Friday overnight ratings here in 1995?

“N.O. It Alls!”

This WGNO production was the brainchild of the late legendary television programmer and former NBC network executive Brandon Tartikoff. The game show carved its own quiz niche in the New Orleans viewers’ roster of favorite shows, briefly spread to other markets and then went off the air, lingering on only in happy memories of its cast and onetime contestants.

In 1992, Tartikoff and his family moved to New Orleans because his daughter had been seriously injured in a car accident and was in rehabilitation in Slidell.

While living in Metairie, Tartikoff kept up his interest in television and created “N.O. It Alls” for WGNO-TV. The show featured multiple choice trivia questions on New Orleans topics. Topic titles began with W, G, N or O and sometimes used filmed questioners at locations around town. There was a studio audience, and contestants were encouraged to bring cheering guests.

The top contestant on each show had a chance at a championship round: Answering four questions – each answer starting with a letter W, G, N or O – within a brief time period. Winners could go on to another show. Winners of three shows could compete in a championship show against other three-time winners. There were

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cash prizes, and show winners received a cruise.

Winners were usually native or longtime New Orleanians with a knack for trivia. Grand Champion Terry Meeuwenberg won three programs in 1993 and was one of five contestants to appear in the ’94 “Battle of New Orleans” championship tournament.

When she emerged as winner, Meeuwenberg took home $1,120 in cash, two furniture packages and weekend season tickets to Zephyrs games. Her grand prize was a trip for two to Hawaii. One of her winning answers correctly identified the radio station whose nickname was “The Mighty 690.” “It was a good question for me: WTIX was a rock ‘n’ roll station in my teenaged years,” Meeuwenberg told The Times-Picayune.

“N.O. It Alls” had an announcer, Tommy Tucker (still on air locally on WWL-AM) and host Ed Daniels, who’s still at WGNO-TV. Paula Pendarvis was producer and Isis Casanova, the on-air helpful hostess, “was sort of our Vanna White,” Daniels explains. Daniels notes that then-station general manager Bill Ross was the one who dealt with Tartikoff when the show went into production.

According to Daniels, the show was first produced at the WYES-TV studios, but ultimately it moved to the WGNOTV studios. At both locations there were bleachers for the studio audience.

“One thing I do remember,

we taped like eight episodes a day.” Daniels says. “I’d have to bring eight different outfits.”

“I went to the tapings and I hosted the show,” Daniels says, “and they gave me a little background on everybody. I wasn’t responsible for the questions or the format.” In spite of this, he says, “I learned a lot about the city I didn’t know, and I enjoyed doing the show. It was a lot of fun.”

“N.O. It Alls” first went on the air July 10, 1993. When WGNO began to air a news show on March 18, ’96, “N.O. It Alls” went out of production because its studio location was taken up with the newsroom set.

Brandon Tartikoff, the show’s brainchild, had become entertainment president of NBC at the age of 30. He died in Los Angeles in 1997 at age 48 of Hodgkin’s disease.

Tartikoff’s best New Orleans friend was probably Rick Barton, novelist and longtime faculty member at the University of New Orleans. (They both had the same editor at Random House.) “He was a sociable guy, very low key,” Barton says of Tartikoff. “He always said he was going to learn to play golf and relax, but he didn’t. He and I played a lot of tennis. That was more to his taste. You can get pretty tired after an hour of singles tennis.”

With a love of competition and a mind for innovative television, Brandon Tartikoff gave New Orleans a show to remember. n Photo courtesy Terry Meeuwenberg

myneworleans.com / JANUARY 2015

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LOCAL COLOR / home

Beneath the Cupola

Shelley Pigeon’s and Eddie Boettner’s high rise existence

BY BONNIE WARREN / PHOTOGRAPHED BY CHERYL GERBER

H

igh above and nestled under the iconic Hibernia Bank cupola that has been a lighted landmark in New Orleans since the building was completed in 1921, the penthouse apartment of Shelley Pigeon and Edward “Eddie” Boettner provides one of the best views of the city, including the Superdome, the Mississippi River, the steeples of historic Uptown churches, even the Industrial Canal and St. Bernard Parish beyond. “It’s wonderful to witness the fireworks on New Year’s Eve and the Fourth of July from the balcony,” says Boettner, Chief Administrative Officer and co-chairman of the Board of HRI Properties that did the mixed-use conversion of the historic building. “From this vantage point it looks like shooting stars falling from the sky above the river, and I also enjoy seeing the cruise ships and other ocean going vessels coming and going on the river.”

“I can’t imagine a more interesting setting anywhere in New Orleans,” adds Pigeon, Managing Partner and Creative Director of Signature Events. “At night we have a perfect view of the Superdome that offers an ever-changing palette of colors projected on its gold sheeting.” Then she hastens to add, “And I only have six blocks to walk to

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work.” Ed smiles and adds, “My trip to work is even shorter; it’s just a elevator ride to HRI Properties corporate offices on the second floor of the building.”

Located on Carondelet Street between Gravier and Union streets with entrance to the offices and apartments on Gravier Street, the handsome neoclassic building – the tallest in New Orleans for 43 years after its construction – was purchased

by HRI Properties/Woodward Interests in 2011. “It was converted to mixed use that now includes Capital One Bank on the first floor, HRI Properties and other commercial offices on the second and

third floors, and the Hibernia Tower Apartments on the rest of the floors,” Boettner says.

Paula Davis, co-owner of Delta Flooring, was the interior designer involved with the build out of the 1,550-squarefoot apartment just below the cupola, with Jim Cloutman, of HCI Design, serving as the architect in change of the project. “Jim and Paula did an outstanding job creating a perfect penthouse that takes full advantage of the spectacular views, while keeping the design simple to accommodate our taste,” Pigeon says.

“It is truly a one-of-a-kind place to live.”

Both agree that the open floor plan that incorporates the living and dining room with the kitchen makes the space very livable and feel much larger that it is. “We especially like the fact that we have two large terraces,” Boettner says.

White marble floors throughout the apartment and white marble kitchen countertops give the space an elegant feeling. “We like the stained glass windows in both bedrooms that were done by Paulette Lizano of Lizano Glass Haus.” Pigeon says, while Boettner says

Facing page: The modern kitchen features white marble on the large island and stainless steel appliances. Left: The dining room is furnished with a glass-topped table on a wood base and white leather chairs. Right, top: Completed in 1921 as the headquarters for the Hibernia National Bank, the neoclassic icon was the tallest building in New Orleans for 43 years after its construction, always known for its lighted cupola, today the handsome building, located on Carondelet Street between Gravier and Union streets, is a mixed use building that includes the luxury Hibernia Tower Apartments. Right, bottom: Shelley Pigeon and Edward “Eddie” Boettner myneworleans.com / JANUARY 2015

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Facing page: Top: The pair of stained glass windows in the master bedroom was done by glass artist Paulette Lizano of Lizano Glass Haus, Inc. in Metairie. Bottom, left: The guest bedroom features a platform bed and draperies created by Neil Peyroux of Peyroux Custom Curtains; Paulette Lizano created the stained glass window, one of a pair. Bottom, right: An original blueprint of the building by architects Favrot and Livaudais was digitized and enlarged onto canvas from the original linen architectural drawing. This page: Top, left: The terrace provides a panoramic view of the surrounding area, including the Superdome. Top, right: The 20-by-35-foot swimming pool on the 15th floor of the building features dramatic changing LED lights that can be seen from the terrace at night. Bottom, left: The painted white envelope of the main living space in the open floor plan is further enhanced by the white marble floors; comfortable seating is provided by a large white sectional sofa and a pair of contemporary chairs. A colorful painting by artist Arie Van Selm, a friend of Eddie’s family for over 40 years, adds color to the space. Bottom, right: The guest bathroom features marble floors, a vanity top and tub surround.

he likes the collection of paintings by Arie Van Selm, a longtime family friend, that add color to the space. Neil Peyroux, owner of Peyroux’s Custom Curtains, is responsible for the drapes in both bedrooms and the window treatments in the living room.”

“We like everything about the high in the Hibernia” Boettner says, “It is the best New Orleans has to offer, and while it’s dramatic and beautiful, it’s also cozy and comfortable.” n myneworleans.com / JANUARY 2015

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ADVERTISING SECTION

HOMEOWNERS: Andrew & Sabrina Pilant INTERIOR DESIGNER: Heidi Friedler Interiors

CONTRACTOR: J.W. Drennan KITCHEN DESIGNER: Vincent Guccione

SingerKitchens.com 231 N. Carrollton Ave. 504.486.0067 1818 Manhattan Blvd. 504.297.1644

4704 Veterans Blvd. 504.885.9880 1581 N. Hwy 190 985.893.8979

ADVERTISING SECTION

A MARDI GRAS MAKEOVER In New Orleans, owning a home a block away from the Uptown parade route usually means that when carnival season rolls around, your house becomes the place to be. For Sabrina and Andrew Pilant and their three daughters, hosting friends and family during Mardi Gras has been a tradition since they purchased their 100-year-old house five years ago. So when they decided it was time to renovate their kitchen, optimizing the design for entertaining was a top priority.

Sabrina knew what she wanted: a kitchen that was light, open and airy with plenty of usable space for entertaining as well as family-friendly organized storage. Most of all, she really wanted a dishwasher, that when opened, wouldn’t hit her table like the one in her old kitchen. The Pilants were able to enlarge their space by moving the laundry room upstairs, enclosing the back porch and removing a back wall and rear staircase. This created ample room for a new study nook, a large island, a dry bar, an eat-in banquette and even a mud room.

With the guidance of interior designer Heidi Friedler, the craftsmanship of contractor Jon Drennan, and the expertise of Vincent Guccione at Singer Kitchens, the Pilants were able to transform their home, open up the kitchen and add useful and life-changing space.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JEFFERY JOHNSTON

Choosing Singer’s Decora Rivington cabinetry with Urbane finish and Carrera marble, the Pilants got the neotraditional style kitchen they envisioned. Heidi added splashes of turquoise to give the space a unique personality. A custom slatted wood hood and gray washed floors add texture while the shiny white subway tiles, and nickel hardware add sleekness. The large lighting fixture over the island gives the space added brightness and dimension.

Vincent at Singer Kitchens made sure the dishwasher, placed conveniently in the island, also had a dish drawer with pegboard located across from it. He designed a double stack of drawers with shallow roll out trays to create a baking center. A custom built seating booth and table with built-in drawers was constructed for the eat-in area – a new favorite space of the Pilants’ middle daughter. The new dry bar is perfect for holiday entertaining, and a warming drawer will help keep all of the fried chicken and jambalaya warm during parades.

The Pilants’ new kitchen has everything a large family could dream of: a nice mud room with space for each child to store her bags and shoes; a study nook that makes homework time easier, allowing the kids to do their work but also be close to the dinner action; and an undercounter microwave that’s accessible to even the youngest child, making everyone more independent.

Sabrina says the new kitchen has transformed her daily meal experience. She cooks most every night for her family and not only is the new kitchen easier to use, the added space allows them to eat in the kitchen instead of the dining room for every meal. Her weekly Sunday night extended family dinners have a new ease to them with the kitchen serving as a warm gathering spot.

Sabrina loved working with Vincent and Heidi and said the experience was really very easy. She’s thrilled with her new space, and she knows that this year’s Carnival will be the best yet!

Carnival’s Reigning At their 175th anniversary, Antoine’s history is entwined with that of Mardi Gras

Restaurant

By Carolyn Kolb Photographed by Marianna Massey

A

ntoine’s Restaurant celebrates its 175th anniversary in 2015. Since modern Mardi Gras began with the Mistick Krewe of Comus’ first parade in 1857, that means Antoine’s Restaurant had already been open 17 years when that first daytime Carnival parade rolled. In all those years, Antoine’s has remained an integral part of the city’s Carnival celebration.

In a 100th anniversary booklet published in 1940, note is made of a favorite dish of an 1872 Royal visitor: “The Grand Duke Alexis, brother of the Czar of Russia, regaled himself with Tortue Molle a La Rupinicoscoff, a soft shelled turtle stew prepared from a secret recipe given to Jules Alciatore by a famous Muscovite chef.”

From the beginning, the restaurant and the city’s grand celebration of a pre-Lenten Carnival seemed to suit each other admirably.

Founded by Antoine Alciatore, expanded and improved by his son Jules, and still under the able hand of an Alciatore descendant, Rick Blount, Antoine’s consistently serves up the taste and experience New Orleanians love, in just the sort of nostalgic atmosphere required.

The Antoine’s early connection to Carnival was reinforced when the Rex organization’s Carnival Kings’ Club, made up of for-

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mer monarchs, began meeting there. In April of 1939, the group met in the 1840 Room. In a few years, those meetings would move to The Rex Room.

ROOM ROAMING Antoine’s is located in a cluster of buildings fronting on St. Louis Street. The front entrance opens into the Main Dining Room, which was actually the original restaurant. Inside that room and to the left is the largest dining room, The Annex. A series of small dining rooms are entered from The Annex toward the Bourbon Street side: The Dungeon, The 1840 Room, The Proteus Room and The Escargot Room. Directly behind The Annex and across a hall from The Proteus Room is The Rex Room.

Behind The Rex Room is a small dining room known as The Tabasco Room, named and claimed by the late former Rex, Paul McIlhenny, of the pepper sauce producing family. Blount explained that McIlhenny put up a sign on the room himself, but as a member of Proteus and former Rex, and as one of the 12 members of the gourmet group for whom the Escargot Room serves as headquarters, McIlhenny could certainly feel at home in most of the dining rooms in that section of the restaurant.

According to Rex archivist Dr. Stephen Hales, the Kings’ Club

of ex-Rexes has met annually, but only on one occasion did they meet on Mardi Gras Day: Feb. 13, 1945. “Carnival had been cancelled during the war years, but the past Kings still gathered that year, not to welcome a new King of Carnival into their midst, but rather to honor three who had died that year: Charles H. Hamilton, Leon Irwin Sr. and Dave Hennen Morris.”

In recent years, Rex has claimed the restaurant for the organization’s luncheon on the Wednesday before Mardi Gras. However, that date already had a longstanding tradition as the luncheon for the former Queens of Carnival in The Rex Room. Since the Captain and his Lieutenants had a meeting elsewhere that day, the original organizers invited them by for a toast, another custom that continues.

According to Ashbrook Tullis, a former Queen and current president of the Rex consorts’ group, the organizers, all of whom had reigned, were Dolly Ann Souchon Parker Johnsen, Emmy Lou Dicks Cowand, Henriette Vallon Bland Monrose and Dorothy Clay Vallon. The first luncheon was held in 1952.

Adelaide Wisdom Benjamin, Rex’s Queen in 1953, remembers that her first year as the “baby Queen,” she didn’t have to buy her lunch. The next year, she did: “It was $7, and I had a choice of a filet or pompano.” Then, as now, Antoine’s produced for their dessert baked Alaska emblazoned with a sentiment honoring

the “Queens of Carnival.” The annual event has continued in The Rex Room, with the exception of 2006, when Antoine’s was being renovated after Hurricane Katrina.

As Tullis explains, each year the Past Queens honor the new Queen (“the baby Queen”) and also “the most esteemed Queen” (whose reign was earliest of the group). All those present introduce themselves, say who reigned as Rex their year, and say something about the year of their reign. “Then our historian will tell us something about the 50-year Queen and her year,” Tullis says.

Being Queen is an honor. “It’s a great opportunity,” Tullis says.

“It’s great fun, but it has nothing to do with who you are as an individual or what you do with you life.”

Rex parade artist Henri Schindler designed a scroll for the Queens that’s now hanging in The Rex Room. The Rex organization supplies the decorations and photographs in the room.

Plans are afoot to make adjustments to The Rex Room’s displays during Antoine’s anniversary year. According to a 1950 Antoine’s advertisement, “the walls are lined with cabinets displaying the crowns, scepters and favors of former Carnival rulers.” At one time, a former Rex, Dr. Edmond Souchon, built miniature parade floats that were put on view here.

Souchon had created the tiny Rex floats, complete with tracmyneworleans.com / JANUARY 2015

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tors, for his children when they had measles and couldn’t go out on Carnival Day. His daughter, Dolly Ann Souchon, later reigned as Queen of Carnival in 1950 and was one of the original organizers of the Queens’ luncheon. Her father’s floats were used as decoration on their early luncheon tables. (The Souchon King’s float was even pictured in a Dixie beer ad titled “Old King Cold.”)

Rex also has Antoine’s as the site for the annual dinner honoring donors to the organization’s Pro Bono Publico Foundation,

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a nonprofit group that supports community endeavors focusing on the public schools. According to Hales, the annual dinner is hosted by the two most recent Kings of Carnival and is another happy connection between the krewe and the restaurant.

PROTEUS BY THE NUMBERS While the Rex organization members and families flock to the restaurant on the Wednesday of the week before, the largest

Carnival group at Antoine’s now is the Krewe of Proteus at their Monday before Mardi Gras (Lundi Gras) luncheon.

In the past, the biggest crowd of the year at Antoine’s would be for a banquet of the Mid-Winter Sports Association, the Sugar Bowl presenters. Nowadays, the Proteus numbers are higher, ranging about 1,250 according Blount.

Blount, who assumed leadership in 2005, faced head-on and solved Antoine’s most spectacular Mardi Gras crisis: the Proteus lunch of 2003. On the day before Mardi Gras that year, when the Krewe of Proteus took over the restaurant for their annual lunch, an anonymous complaint about the number of guests brought in the New Orleans Fire Department fire prevention bureau. After an inspection, the luncheon resumed with some guests waiting for a second seating, and with fire department personnel detailed as a fire watch. Afterward, the second floor was ordered closed and restaurant guest numbers were to be limited. Action had to be taken, and, on Blount’s watch, it was.

As Blount says, “We now have all the fire prevention systems the department could ask for. The entire building has a sprinkler system, an alarm system, fire escapes.” And the second floor is now open as well.

The members of the Krewe of Proteus dine in the large Annex room; families and friends are placed elsewhere in the restaurant, and the krewe handles all the location details.

The Krewe of Hermes – whose memorabilia can be found in the Hermes Bar – has a luncheon at Antoine’s on the Friday before Mardi Gras. One of the upstairs dining rooms is named for the Twelfth Night Revelers, a krewe whose ball is held early in the Carnival season. But Antoine’s Carnival involvement doesn’t

stop with these krewes. “We do 20 or 30 events,” Blount says. “I’d have to get out the books to be able to name all of them.”

GATHERING OF THE MISTICK KREWE “Antoine’s is such a piece of New Orleans, it permeates everything,” Blout says. On that memorable occasion in 1950 when the Duke and Duchess of Windsor came to Mardi Gras, they had dinner at Antoine’s before they went to watch the Comus parade.

After that, they most famously attended the ball at which his bow and her curtsey to local royalty were the sensation of the season.

A final sign of Antoine’s involvement in New Orleans Carnival traditions is the late afternoon meal held there each Mardi Gras by members of the Mistick Krewe of Comus. This oldest Mardi Gras organization last had a street parade with floats in 1991.

When the group originally was formed, it took heed of a holiday celebration in Mobile, Alabama. In that tradition, young men took to the streets and raided the stock of a hardware store to add to their merriment. Brandishing rakes and clanging cowbells, they raucously marched along their route, and called themselves the Cowbellion de Rakin Society.

And so, on Mardi Gras night, a group of men will emerge from Antoine’s – some wearing white tie and tails, some sporting papier-mâché heads. They will stuff their pockets with doubloons and cups for the onlookers on their route. They will be carrying cowbells and holding rakes, and, to the sound of a marching jazz band, they’ll carouse and march from St. Louis Street to the Canal Street hotel where the Comus Ball is held.

From the door of Antoine’s to the Meeting of the Courts: it’s a well-traveled Carnival route! n myneworleans.com / JANUARY 2015

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IN THE KINGDOM OF

QUEENS

The Royal Krewe of Yuga and the Birth of Gay Carnival

by Howa rd Ph il ips Smith

Top: Elmo Avet costumed as the Marquis de Vaudreuil, second governor of Louisiana, in front of his Flea Market Antique Store on Royal Street with a band of Carnival celebrants; one can well imagine similar costumes at the first Krewe of Yuga costume balls in the late 1950s. JoJo Landry, another early gay pioneer, lies bedraggled in the gutter. Historic New Orleans Collection, Gift of Mr. Clay Watson.

T

he first known gay Carnival krewe was the Krewe of Yuga, formed in the late 1950s. A mock ball was held in ’58 at the Uptown home of Douglas Jones, located at 1120 S. Carrollton Ave. Over the years, Jones had thrown parties to celebrate Carnival and view the Krewe of Carrollton parade. However, the great leap of faith that occurred at this auspicious moment was a shift from a loose-knit party to a more formalized costumed ball with a Captain, Queen, King, maids and debutantes, mimicking, and at the same time mocking, the traditional old-line krewes and their presentation of royalty. Creating their own krewe in a similar vein allowed this group to codify their grand intentions in response to the great spirit of Carnival unique to New Orleans.

The early part of the decade had seen the birth of a vibrant gay community in the French Quarter. Gay men and their friends gathered at various bars sprinkled throughout the old section of the city to gossip, drink and socialize. An important meeting place was Miss Dixie’s Bar of Music. There, everyone knew each other and recognized kindred spirits with the same sensibilities and cultural references. They enjoyed a protective environment where they could be themselves, and within this rarefied society, gay men especially thrived and were becoming more and more visible. On Mardi Gras Day the laws against costumes and masking were waved, and this served as a call to arms to leave behind all restrictions. The French Quarter came alive with the sound of these celebrations and was further colored by elaborate and surprising costumes.

Jack Robinson, who lived in the French Quarter in the early 1950s and would later go on to become an important fashion photographer in New York City, began to photograph his friends as they celebrated Mardi Gras day in the French Quarter. The future founders of gay Carnival were already something of a legend within this community, and here he captured in exciting detail the relaxed atmosphere on the sidewalks and inside Miss Dixie’s back courtyard. Looking closely, one can recognize Elmo Avet, the last Queen of Yuga, in his mermaid costume with sailor attached. Further on is Clay Shaw, costumed as Socrates with a false beard and toga, chatting with friends in the courtyard. JoJo Landry as Lady Godiva paraded around the streets with an abandon only possible during Carnival, and Douglas Jones, in fashionable Pierrot garb, sipped whiskey from a flask. This was a time when costumes were allowed and the rigid mores of society were loosened somewhat, allowing a larger space for gay expression. These incredibly candid photographs presaged the creative force and drive that would soon come together to form the first gay Carnival krewe in New Orleans.

FINDING A WAY

In the French Quarter, this close-knit society was already frequenting gay clubs along Bourbon Street such as Miss Dixie’s and Bourbon House. These clubs were allowed to exist despite the harsh laws against homosexuality because of payoffs and back-door deals.

Most clubs in the Old Quarter knew the drill and learned to survive and prosper. Tennessee Williams, a frequent visitor to New Orleans, wrote about the gay scene in his recently published Notebooks. He noted his day-to-day friendships, bar hopping and liaisons with a candor that underscored the openness of the period. He mentioned several bars, such as the Starlite Lounge, Mack’s, the Rendezvous and Miss Dixie’s, and how effortlessly he moved within this group of intimate friends. Even John Rechy, in his seminal City of Night, de-

voted a large portion of his narrative to New Orleans’ gay Carnival, mentioning the old Bourbon House and a gay bar nearby with a side courtyard, cloaked under the guise of the Rocking Times bar.

Despite the intolerance of McCarthyism in the 1950s, especially for homosexuals depicted as a threat to national security, gay culture somehow found a way to thrive. Robinson further illustrated this openness with another series of stark photographs depicting gay couples in their apartments and artists in their studios, a strong collection of subtle portraits that revealed a decidedly gay world within the confines of the French Quarter. However, by the end of the 1950s, police harassment and entrapment had become rampant. The mayor and district attorney wanted to clean up the so-called moral corruption for the tourists, and a crackdown ensued. Hundreds of gay men were arrested, and where there had been relative security, a sense of danger reigned. Undercover cops were numerous, and even a simple gesture could result in an arrest.

Bashing became a sport, and after several publicized incidents gay men were more cautious than ever. The news even spread to Los Angeles where ONE Magazine, the first national gay publication, reported the stepped-up harassment under the headline of “New Orleans Witchhunt.”

Robinson’s circle of acquaintances included Douglas Jones, who continued to frequent Dixie’s Bar as a matter of course, along with Elmo Avet, John Dodt, Jim Schexnayder, Jerry Gilley, Tracy Hendrix, Otto Stierle, Carlos Rodriguez, Bill Woolley and JoJo Landry, among others. It was here that friendships developed and grew into the first mention of a gay krewe, possibly in jest. Not wanting to create scenes in the bars or on the streets, private homes had replaced more public places by the time the Mardi Gras parties had grown into elaborate costumed affairs. Jones and Company merely transformed their annual costume party into a Carnival ball. As the Krewe of Carrollton’s “Glittering Festival” floats passed along Carrollton Avenue during the 1958 Carnival season, the Krewe of Yuga and its costumed revelers celebrated the day and as the last strokes of midnight sounded, the new queen stepped forth in her own glittering gown of golden sequins and jewels. “All hail Queen Yuga the First, the fabulous Yuga Regina!”

HINDU HEAVENS

Carnival in New Orleans had never pretended to be anything but excessive and extravagant. Ancient mythologies and strange histories were called upon for inspiration, and the gods of ancient Rome and old Egypt, the decadent tales of William Beckford and Gustave Flaubert and the wonders of the Hindu ages were all transformed by the krewes of Comus, Proteus, Rex and Momus into marvels that walked the streets and rode upon magical floats.

Douglas Jones had grown up in New Orleans and knew Carnival history as well as any nursery rhyme. He anticipated each year with intense excitement, and costuming was a very serious matter. In addition, his family had ties with the Krewe of Proteus that stretched back to the 19th century and the golden age of Carnival. One parade in particular had caught his interest, the amazing “Hindoo Heavens,” presented by King Proteus as the Narayana in 1889. For the first gay krewe, he and his friends chose to name themselves the Krewe of Yuga, after the Kali Yuga of Hindu mythology referenced by the Krewe of Proteus for their eighth presentation. Jokingly they referred to themselves as KY, and thus the gods of Carnival were appeased with a touch of humor and the requisite homage to a beloved pagan past.

MAMA LOU The second Yuga Ball, held in 1959, was another huge success, so much so that over 200 costumed revelers vied for spots on the balcony overlooking Carrollton Avenue and in the cramped parlors within. Otto Stierle, one of the original members of Yuga, noted in his recollections on the beginnings of gay Carnival that “everyone arriving at the house had to be in costume and climb a large staircase in front of the house to reach the second floor entrance, a spectacle for an otherwise quiet neighborhood.” The surrounding neighbors indeed became irate, and by the time of the appearance of the Yuga Regina at midnight, it had become apparent that another location was needed for the next ball.

Mama Lou’s camp out on the Lakefront was a popular jazz club, sitting astride huge wooden beams driven into the lake itself. These were places outside of the city’s reach, moored on the lake like permanent ships. Mama Lou’s camp was a perfect location for the 1960 Yuga ball, complete with cocktails and a young Pete Fountain playing his clarinet in the popular Assunto Brothers band. The long boarded walkway that stretched from the shore to the camp, however, proved an almost insurmountable obstacle for the girls in their high heels. The next day found the camp in a complete state of dishevelment, and Mama Lou wasn’t happy.

RAMBLER ROOM

One of the krewe members worked for a Day Care School in Metairie off Veteran’s Boulevard behind the giant Schwegmann’s grocery.

It had a large dance studio called the Rambler Room, and was chosen as the site for the next Krewe of Yuga ball. At night, the hall was empty and the neighborhood, surrounded by a wooded area towards the lake, was relatively quiet. The 3800 block of Edenborn Avenue seemed a perfect hide-away for another, even more opulent ball. Personalized invitations soon appeared in the mail and the Returning Queen of Yuga and her Court promised an extravaganza never before seen. So successful was the 1961 ball that the Rambler Room once again was to host the ’62 ball. The newly formed Krewe of Petronius, made up of friends and members of the Krewe of Yuga, would also hold their first ball at the same location one week before the Krewe of Yuga’s fifth presentation. The invitation for the ’62 Yuga ball was a masterpiece of draftsmanship by Stewart Gahn Jr., a member of the krewe. Its elaborate drawing depicted a coat of arms and spoke to a type of pseudo-royalty that had been inherited from the old-line krewes, strongly resembling those by the Twelfth Night Revelers. The invitation came from the Yuga Regina herself, requesting the presence of her loyal subjects. However, the police had somehow been alerted to an out-of-control party and came out with the K-9 division and mounted policemen. What ensued became the stuff of legend.

A THOUSAND SPARKLERS

Elmo Avet, well-known antiquarian and aging dowager of the cuff link set, as Miss Dixie fondly called her boys, sat poised to receive his rightful crown as the fifth Yuga Regina. His dark costume as Mary, Queen of Scots, had been reworked and re-sequined until it was to be the eighth wonder of the world. Unfortunately, the

Jefferson Parish Police arrived in full force and began arresting everyone for what would later be called a “lewd stag party.” Hearing the tumult and guessing the worst, Avet fled out the back, as others popped out of windows and fled into the forest. Most were apprehended by mounted policemen, while others were spotted by the K-9 division. A legend persists of the arrest of Carlos Rodriguez, the first Queen of the Krewe of Petronius crowned the week before, whose sequined bathing suit sparkled beyond words when the glaring police lights flashed. “It was like a thousand sparklers had gone off when those flashlights hit those sequins,” says Albert Carey of the Krewe of Armeinius. “Almost 100 were arrested, cuffed, fingerprinted and held for bail. This had been the most glamorous and extravagant Yuga ball the world had ever seen, and its last.”

News spread quickly of the raid, as several escapees reached safety in the French Quarter. Miss Dixie, especially incensed by the news, sent out a clarion call for help. She called her lawyer and grabbed wads of cash from the registers to help out her boys.

Yvonne Frasnacht and her sister, Irma, had become pillars of strength in the gay community, and she boasted that her bar had never been raided or threatened, owing to her political savvy and connections with the police. However, she couldn’t prevent the names of all those arrested from appearing in the newspapers during the weeks that followed. Most lost their jobs.

Bill Woolley and Elmo Avet sat dishing the dirt the next morning as the usual coffee klatch gathered at the Bourbon House Restaurant and Bar across from Miss Dixie’s. Woolley had also escaped the dragnet along with Avet. “He came up to a neighboring house of an elderly half-blind lady and asked to use her phone,” says Carey.

“Still in drag and covered in mud, he explained that his date had gotten fresh. What else could she do under the circumstances but help a gal in need!” Jerry Gilley, who would later become an important captain in the Krewe of Amon-Ra, sat in silence as the story unfolded between gasps and sighs. “I had not attended the ball, my lover fearing that his job would be compromised, but I was very much frightened by all the accounts. Simply terrifying,” says Gilley.

“No one wanted to attend any balls for a long time.” Elmo Avet vowed vengeance while John Dodt nursed his black eye. JoJo Landry and Tracy Hendrix appeared the next day in a state, having suffered the crowded pens adjacent to the Jefferson Parish Police Station, the cells having proved inadequate for all those arrested. “I was in my Mariachi costume with my tasseled hat and tight matador pants.

You couldn’t even go to the restroom,” says Hendrix. But instead of abandoning their dreams for gay Carnival, everyone pulled together and continued the tradition with the Krewe of Petronius. Fortunately, Petronius immediately changed the format of their balls with state charter in hand. Now they were a legitimate Carnival club, and their guests would have to attend in formal wear. Only the members of the krewe would appear in costume on stage with a spectacular tableau to amuse and entertain their friends.

MADAME QUEEN

The most tantalizing of stories that came out during that morning’s many tales concerned a female impersonator named Candy Lee, who had gotten her start at the My-Oh-My club on the Lakefront.

FACING PAGE: Top, left: Clay Shaw and friends on Bourbon Street. Top, right: JoJo Landry as Lady Godiva astride her steed with Clay Shaw looking on.

Middle, left: View from the balcony down into the courtyard of Dixie’s Bar of Music. Middle: right: Prancing down the streets of the Old Quarter. Bottom, left: Mardi Gras Day, ca. 1954, Bourbon Street. Bottom, right: Fantastic headdress. All photographs by Jack Robinson, The Jack Robinson Archive, LLC; RobinsonArchive.com. Special thanks to Sarah Wilkerson Freeman for her important research on the New Orleans period photographs of Robinson.

A part-time bartender at the infamous bar Tony Bacino’s, she lived in a slave quarter on Decatur Street and knew Tennessee Williams from when he returned to his beloved New Orleans in the late 1950s for inspiration. He became caught up in her life story, which some say resulted in his ’58 short play, And Tell Sad Stories of the Death of Queens. This play was unique in that it was unapologetically set in a gay milieu with gay characters. It was never performed during his lifetime but now enjoys a much-deserved rebirth. Set in the French Quarter, the play tells the story of Candy, abandoned by her older lover, at a turning point in her life that was to prove her undoing. The real Candy Lee had also taken on the Fates and faced similar crises. At first one of the tight-knit group of gay men who had begun the first gay krewes, she had somehow fallen from grace and had been banned from all the balls. Never one to admit her shortcomings, she instead sought to betray those whom she felt had betrayed her. Jones himself admitted that he believed the tale, and thus her fate was sealed when she had apparently called the police on the night of the fifth Yuga ball to complain about a disorderly and chaotic party. Thus the legend survives, and the story of the police raid still holds onto its air of mystery and intrigue.

Another interesting connection concerns Clay Shaw, or Madame Queen, as he had affectionately been named. Nothing happened within the French Quarter gay scene that he didn’t know about or had a hand in. He knew everyone and greeted his friends by name at Miss Dixie’s, where everyone congregated on weekends. A fixture in the revitalization of the French Quarter, Shaw was a devout follower of all things Carnival. During his trial for conspiring to assassinate President Kennedy, an attack from his archenemy District Attorney Jim Garrison, several friends testified in a deposition that he had all sorts of lavish and flamboyant costumes hidden away in his apartment closet. It would only seem natural that Shaw was indeed part of these early gay Carnival parties with a costume for every occasion and had a hand in the formation of the first gay Carnival krewe.

And then there’s the legend of the designer gowns from the haute couture section of Gus Mayer. Several regulars at the Bourbon House worked for the Canal Street department store; one was even head window dresser. Jerry Gilley relived that fateful morning after the police raid, “Bill Woolley and fellow window dressers had access to all gowns, jewelry and furs for their windows. They simply borrowed what they needed for the Yuga ball. Although many attendees wore costumes, there was a contingent that wanted to arrive in drop-dead drag, drenched with jewels and sables and high-fashion originals.

It took a long time to pay all that back.” And with that, the Krewe of Yuga, having shown brightly like a flaming North Star, simply faded from the pages of history, and the legacy of the ill-fated krewe had become obscured after its untimely demise in 1962.

THE WILL TO CONTINUE

Although the krewe had managed only five presentations, the last two balls had become more elaborate and definitely should be seen as legitimately crafted spectacles. Invitations were produced and

a royal court presided over the costumed revelers, mixing liberally with their subjects. The creative lightning bolt unleashed by the first gay krewe couldn’t be contained, even in the face of sudden disaster. Already the Krewe of Petronius, made up of some of the members of Yuga, pulled together with determination and artistry to continue this tradition despite the odds. Carlos Rodriguez, the first queen of Petronius, and Otto Stierle, sixth queen of the krewe, both had been arrested yet continued on to triumph in many dazzling spectacles. JoJo Landry, a minor legend herself, made her mark within the resilient Krewe of Petronius. Bill Woolley, who also narrowly escaped capture, went on to great acclaim within Petronius and later founded his own krewe, the fantastic Mystic Krewe of Celestial Knights. Jim Schexnayder, also arrested, regrouped and helped form the third gay Carnival club, the Krewe of Amon-Ra. Tracy Hendrix would help to found the Krewe of Armeinius several years later. “My name was printed in all the newspapers along with the rest. It was a terrifying experience I’ll never forget. It was all over before we had a chance to really get going,” he recalls over 50 years later. Elmo Avet, enigmatic provocateur who had worked with Cedric Gibbons at MGM and one of the original forces behind gay Carnival, looked forward to being crowned Queen Petronius after his triumph in “The Glorification of the American Girl” ball of 1969.

The next year was to be his greatest moment, but fate ruled otherwise. He died only weeks before his coronation, but his contribution remained undeniable and permeated all that came after.

By the mid-1980s there were over a dozen gay krewes dotting the Carnival landscape, mostly holding their balls at the old Saint Bernard Civic Auditorium in Chalmette. Each year these krewes sought to out-perform their sister krewes with even more dazzling and sensational tableaus, costumes, sets, music and special effects. These were the years that audiences remember best, when the krewes were at their finest and never disappointed. Balls were free but tickets were hard to come by, which only made them more glamorous and sought-after. Even Uptown matrons fought among themselves for tickets from their hairdressers.

But the legacy of the first krewe, the fantastic Krewe of Yuga, would not only be the creative excellence seen on stages around town but also in the sheer will to continue in the face of doom, the dreaded years to come when the ranks of the krewes were decimated by AIDS. This steadfast resolve, not to let the great work of gay Carnival fall into the darkness of the past, has continued on until today, where we see the Krewes of Petronius, Amon-Ra, Armeinius and the Lords of Leather still holding balls each year and inspiring members of the new gay krewes, such as Satyricon and Queenateenas. The fantastic and daring Krewe of Yuga rightfully takes its place within the history of Carnival in the great city of New Orleans.

Howard Philips Smith is a writer and photographer living in Los Angeles. He has published numerous articles on the history of gay Carnival and is finishing work on his first novel, The Cult of the Mask, which recreates the Golden Age of gay Carnival in the mid-1980s before the onslaught of the AIDS pandemic. n

FACING PAGE: Top, left: A youthful Clay Shaw before his life was destroyed by his arch nemesis ,D.A. Jim Garrison. University of Tennessee, Special Collections, Holland McCombs Archive Top, right: Dixie’s Bar of Music, 701 Bourbon St., early 1950s. Middle, left: Krewe of Yuga ball invitation, Feb. 24, 1962, design by Stewart Gahn Jr., who was arrested in the police raid. Historic New Orleans Collection, Gift of Mr. Tracy Hendrix Middle, right: Photographer Jack Robinson, ca. 1954. Bottom, left: Douglas Jones on Mardi Gras Day, showcasing some fabulous costumes. Bottom, right: Thomas Lanier Williams, who called himself Tennessee, author of And Tell Sad Stories of the Death of Queens. Photo by Vandamm Studio/© The New York Public Library. Top right, middle right and bottom left photographs by Jack Robinson, The Jack Robinson Archive, LLC; RobinsonArchive.com. Special thanks to Sarah Wilkerson Freeman for her important research on the New Orleans period photographs of Robinson.

Fleur - d e- List Carnival’s Top 25 Parades (arranged by category) Day Parades 1. Rex. This is the classic Mardi Gras parade at its best done by a krewe that does things right.

Rex always uses original design to carry across a usually literary theme. Among its regular “signature floats,” look for the Butterfly King based on a design from Rex’s 1882 parade as well as His Majesty’s Bandwagon, the Boeuf Gras, the Royal Barge and of course, the regal throne float carrying Rex himself. Having first paraded in 1872, the King of Carnival’s annual procession is the longest running parade in Carnival. Rex is about tradition, style and elegance – a classic New Orleans Carnival parade. Mardi Gras, St. Charles Avenue, 10 a.m.

2. Thoth. Now in its 67th year, the krewe has a great Egyptian motif among its first few floats.

It is a big and festive parade. An ambitious Uptown neighborhood route takes it past several care institutions. Approximately 1,200 riders are on board a total of 40 floats ranking it, after Endymion, Carnival’s biggest parade. Sun., Feb. 15, St. Charles Avenue, noon

3. Mid-City. This is a good parade to study float design. Float builder Ricardo Pustanio works hard to give Carnival’s only all-foil floats a unique look. Last year’s theme, “50 Shades of Green,” wasn’t only innovative, but it was also the kind of theme that Mid-City can do best. On a sunny day the floats can be dazzling. Mid-City is Carnival’s fifth oldest continuously parading organization.

Sun., Feb. 15, St. Charles Avenue, 11:45 a.m.

4. Zulu. This is the only organization that selects its monarch by popular election of its membership (see Persona, pg. 24). Now in its second century, Zulu, whose mission was to give local blacks a parade of their own, is big and brassy – and lately more on time. It is one of Carnival’s favorites. Mardi Gras, St. Charles Avenue, 8 a.m.

5. Carrollton. With roots that trace back to 1924, this year will mark the 91st anniversary of the group from which the Krewe of Carrollton evolved 67 years ago. There is nothing flashy here, but the krewe owns its own den and floats and is certainly a staple in the Carnival menu. The first Sunday slot makes this a feel-good parade. For many people, seeing Carrollton, the fourth oldest continuously parading group, is a tradition that begins the Carnival season. Sun., Feb. 8, St. Charles Avenue, noon

6. Pontchartrain. Lately this krewe has had a creative approach to its theme by presenting a word game with each float offering a different puzzle, which is more fun than looking at a force-fed theme. Look for the Super Grouper float. Parading on the first Saturday of the parade season, this krewe kicks off the daytime parades. There is usually a good mix of bands.

Sat., Feb. 7, St. Charles Avenue, 1 p.m.

7. Tucks. While some krewes get their name from mythology, Tucks was named after a bar,

Friar Tucks, where a couple of Loyola University students decided to create their own parade, ostensibly because they couldn’t land positions as flambeaux. Not fancy, a bit naughty, but lots of fun. Sat., Feb. 14, St. Charles Avenue, noon

8. Iris. Parading since 1959, though the group was founded 42 years earlier, this is the oldest and biggest of the all-female parade krewes.

Look for feathery maids costumes. The krewe, named for the Goddess of the Rainbow, claims more than 1,000 active riders. Sat., Feb. 14, St. Charles Avenue, 11 a.m.

9. Okeanos. Named after the Greek God of rivers, Okeanos, the god, would have felt at home in New Orleans along the father of waters.

The krewe first paraded in 1950 to serve the St. Claude area of town but eventually moved to the Uptown route. Its Queen is selected at the coronation ball by lottery. There is nothing flashy, but this is a good, old-fashioned, traditional parade to enliven the Sunday afternoon before Mardi Gras. Sun., Feb. 15, St. Charles Avenue, 11 a.m.

10. King Arthur. Some of this parade resurfaces as the Krewe of Excalibur in Metairie. There are nice floats, especially early in the parade when signature floats carry out the Arthurian motif. Sun., Feb. 8, St. Charles Avenue, follows Carrollton

SUPERKREWES A three-way tie: Endymion is the biggest. Orpheus is the prettiest. Bacchus has the history.

Bacchus. Actor John C. Reilly will serve as Bacchus XLVII, leading a parade with the theme “Children’s Stories That Live Forever.” Bacchus always draws a huge crowd to gaze at it towering floats. Among the signature floats, look for the Bacchawhoppa and the Bacchagator. Sun., Feb. 15, St. Charles Avenue, 5:15 p.m.

Endymion. The only parade to march along Canal Street, the parade’s coming is a weekendlong social event. There is a lot to behold in this, Carnival’s biggest parade. There is no celebrity King (the crown is worn by a member drawn from a lottery), but there are many big names riding as grand marshals or celebrity guests.

Look for the seven-part Pontchartain Beach tandem float that made its debut two year ago.

The parade will have more than 2,700 masked riders. Sat., Feb. 14, Canal Street, 4:15 p.m.

Orpheus. Orpheus has the size of a superkrewe and the design elements of the old-line groups.

It has great walking units, too, and is one of Carnival’s prettiest parades. Lundi Gras, St. Charles Avenue, 6 p.m.

NIGHT PARADES 1. Proteus. Don’t worry about mindless bead catching. Instead, appreciate Proteus for the floats – and the history. Born in the 19th century, Carnival’s only surviving nighttime 19thcentury parade is something to behold for its design and its tradition. (Two years ago it staged a parade worthy of the history books as it saluted krewes from the past, though the march was mercilessly battered by rain.) Proteus is more than a parade; it’s historic preservation.

Lundi Gras, St. Charles Avenue, 5:15 p.m.

2. Le Krewe d’Etat. This is the only krewe in which the throne float is ridden by a dictator rather than a king. The krewe has all original floats and its own house-made flambeaux torches. This is one of Carnival’s most popular krewes, featuring good design, biting satire and great walking groups. Fri., Feb. 13, St. Charles Avenue, 6:30 p.m.

3. Hermes. Hermes will be celebrating its 76th presentation as a parading organization this year. This is the krewe that, in the 1930s, expanded participation in Carnival and would be the first to introduce neon lighting on floats. The parade is always visually exciting; it’s always one of Carnival’s most glamorous.

Fri., Feb. 13, St. Charles Avenue, 6 p.m.

4. Muses. If fan base were the sole measure-

ment this krewe would be number one. Having begun in the year 2000, Muses has had a major impact on Carnival by dramatically expanding female participation. It also increased the quality and quantity of marching groups and is rich with innovations such as its decorated highheeled shoes. Though its floats are a little boxy, this witty all-female krewe is a must-see.

Thurs., Feb. 12, St. Charles Avenue, 6:30 p.m.

5. Chaos. Chaos is a chance to experience what a 19th century satirical parade was like. The design may be antique, but the satire is topical. With deep roots to the old-line krewes Chaos provides satire in the spirit of the former Momus parade. Thurs., Feb. 12, St. Charles Avenue, 6:30 p.m.

6. Babylon. Neither the theme nor the identity of the person playing the role of King Sargon is revealed by this group in the tradition of the old-style Mardi Gras. (Note the proper name is the “Knights” of Babylon, not “Krewe.”) If you’re obsessed with oversized floats this isn’t for you.

If however, you want to see a classic parade, see the Knights. This parade, which has smaller floats beds, like they used to be, and a theme that tells a story, is a Carnival classic. Thurs., Feb. 12, St. Charles Avenue, 5:45 p.m.

7. Sparta. Sparta is one of the few krewes that owns its own flambeau torches. Watching the lighting of them along Napoleon Avenue could be like watching the igniting of the Carnival parade season. This is usually the best of the first weekend’s night parades. There are lots of nice touches, such as the mule-drawn King’s float and the “shadow captain,” a boy dressed like the captain (in Sparta’ case, one of Carnival’s most enthusiastic participants) and riding behind him to represent continuity. Floats are usually nice and visual. Sat., Feb. 7, St. Charles Avenue, 6 p.m.

8. Ancient Druids. Parading on the Wednesday before Mardi Gras, this group, made up of parade bosses from other krewes that want to have fun without the headaches, can be very good. Its leadership certainly knows how to put on a parade in the sprit of the old Carnival krewes, including maintaining the secrecy of its members, monarch and theme. Wed., Feb. 11, St. Charles Avenue, 6:30 p.m.

9. Nyx. This will be the fourth year for this allfemale krewe. Rain played havoc with the first two marches. Last year it got a break.

In Greek mythology, Nyx was the Goddess of the Night. The krewe has added sparkle to the Wednesday night before Mardi Gras by creating a double-header with the Druids parade that precedes it. Nyx is, no doubt, influenced by Muses, one of Carnival’s biggest contemporary success stories. Ridership for this new krewe filled quickly so, like Muses, Nyx is expanding its

niche. Wed., Feb. 11, St. Charles Avenue, 7 p.m.

10. Morpheus. This krewe closes a long parade night on the Friday evening before Mardi Gras.

Its website promotes itself heavily to out of town riders who might be experiencing their first parade. Seasoned leadership could make this and up-and-coming group. Fri., Feb. 13, St. Charles Avenue, 7 p.m.

11. Pygmalion. Following Sparta, the two provide a casual Saturday night double-header without the crush of the following week’s crowds. There are usually a few themed floats and many, many maids floats from which there are usually fewer throws and more waves. Sat., Feb. 7, St. Charles Avenue, 6:45 pm.

BEST SUBURBAN PARADES

Caesar. Though there has been some upheaval to the parade season in Jefferson Parish, this krewe has been a survivor. It is Jefferson’s best parsed. Look for the signature Hydra float (it’s pretty cool) as part of the only krewe named after a Roman Emperor’s 34th procession. Sat., Feb. 7, Veterans Boulevard, 6 p.m.

MOVING ON OVER As of last year, three West Bank krewes have now shifted to the St. Charles Avenue route: Cleopatra (Fri., Feb. 6, 6:30 p.m.), Choctaw (Sat., Feb. 7, following Pontchartrain) and Alla (Sun., Feb. 8, following King Arthur). The move shows the decline of the suburban Mardi Gras and the growth (and perhaps over-growth) of the Uptown route. One good sign is that Jefferson Parish has upped the standards for its parades: Each must have at least 200 riders and 10 floats. So, while the number of parade may be decreasing, the quality could be increasing.

ABOUT THE KREWE OF FRERET Last year we saw the debut of the reconstituted Krewe of Freret. We were glad to see the parade back. Our only complaint is that the parade was used too much as a forum for a candidate for council, even so far as the captain wearing one of the candidate’s T-shirts during a TV interview, and the candidate himself being made King with a sign sporting his name in big letters and looking very much like a political sign. This walked closely, certainly in spirit, to the no commercialism prohibition in Mardi Gras. Other than that, we’re thrilled to see Freret back, congratulate its organizers and hope that one day we can see the parade back on at least a portion of the street after which it is named,

Best date to remember Feb. 9: Mardi Gras, 2016 n

O u r R ea d e rs’ P i c ks i n 97 C at eg o r i es We begin the year by seeing what our readers think about the area’s best. Our October issue included a self-addressed postage-paid mailer with which our readers could make their choices. (They were also able to vote online.) In order to make the list, each entity had to have a significant cluster of votes – enough to indicate broad support. (That is why some categories have more winners than others.) Ballots from blatant organized vote packing were discarded, though we saw little of that this year. Our final product is what we think is an honest summation of our readers’ favorites.

Since you are a reader, too, see if you agree. There are always new discoveries to be made. p h oto g r a p h e d by s a r a ess e x b r a d l e y a n d m a r i a n n a m a ss e y

new orleanian of the year favorite saints player

DREW BREES

Sally-Ann Roberts

Favorite TV News Anchor (TIE)

Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews Favorite Musician Living in the City

Karen Swensen

PEOPLE New Orleanian of the Year 1. Drew Brees 2. Steve Gleason 3. Tom Benson

Favorite Musician Living in the City 1. Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews 2. Kermit Ruffins 3. Irma Thomas

Favorite Local Band 1. Cowboy Mouth 2. Bucktown All-Stars 3. The Yat Pack

Favorite Live Theater Company 1. Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Carré 2. Jefferson Performing Arts Society (tie) 2. The NOLA Project (tie)

Favorite Politician 1. Mitch Landrieu 2. Mary Landrieu (tie) 2. Steve Scalise (tie)

Favorite New Orleans Musician Living Outside the City 1. Harry Connick Jr. 2. Aaron Neville 3. Dr. John

Favorite New Orleans Actor or Actress 1. Becky Allen 2. Ricky Graham

Favorite Saints Player 1. Drew Brees 2. Jimmy Graham

john “spud” mcconnell

Favorite New Orleans Actor or Actress

Favorite Local Radio Personality

Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro becky allen

Favorite Jazz Club

Favorite Pelicans Player 1. Anthony Davis Favorite TV News Anchor 1. Karen Swensen (tie) 1. Sally-Ann Roberts (tie) 2. Eric Paulsen 3. Lee Zurik 4. Randi Rousseau Favorite TV Sports Reporter 1. Fletcher Mackel 2. Jim Henderson

Favorite TV Meterologist 1. Margaret Orr 2. Bob Breck (tie) 2. Carl Arredondo (tie) 3. Laura Buchtel Favorite Local TV Station 1. WWL/Channel 4 2. WDSU/Channel 6 3. FOX 8/WVUE 4. WYES/Channel 12 Favorite Local Radio Personality 1. John “Spud” McConnell 2. Angela Hill

3. Garland Robinette Favorite Local Radio Station 1. WWL/AM870/105.3FM 2. WWOZ/90.7FM 3. WWNO/89.9FM Favorite Carnival Parade 1. Muses 2. Endymion 3. Bacchus 4. Orpheus 5. Zulu 6. Rex

Favorite Local University 1. Tulane University 2. University of New Orleans 3. Loyola University New Orleans Favorite Elementary School 1. Lusher Charter School 2. Trinity Episcopal School Favorite Secondary or High School 1. Lusher Charter School 2. Jesuit High School 3. Academy of the Sacred Heart (tie) 3. Mount Carmel Academy (tie)

PLACES

Favorite Yoga or Pilates Studio

Romney Pilates Center

Favorite Gym 1. Franco’s Athletic Club 2. Elmwood Fitness Center 3. The Wellness Center, East Jefferson General Hospital Favorite Day Spa 1. Belladonna 2. Earthsavers 3. The Ritz-Carlton 4. Woodhouse Day Spa Favorite Women’s Boutique 1. Fleurty Girl Favorite Antiques Store 1. M.S. Rau Antiques Favorite Florist 1. Villere’s Florist 2. Federico’s Family Florist

TULANE UNIVERSITY

Favorite Lawn and Garden Supply 1. Perino’s Garden Center 2. The Home Depot 3. Harold’s Indoor Outdoor Plants

Favorite Place to Place Your Bets 1. New Orleans Fair Grounds 2. Harrah’s New Orleans Hotel and Casino Favorite Hotel 1. The Roosevelt 2. Hotel Monteleone 3. The Ritz-Carlton (tie) 3. Windsor Court Hotel (tie) 4. Loews New Orleans Hotel Favorite Bed & Breakfast 1. Grand Victorian Bed & Breakfast 2. Auld Sweet Olive Bed & Breakfast Favorite Yoga or Pilates Studio 1. Romney Pilates Center 2. Uncle Joe’s Pilates Studio Favorite Art Gallery 1) Lisa Victoria Gallery 2) Arthur Rodger Gallery

Favorite Movie Theater 1. Prytania Theatre 2. The Theatres at Canal Place 3. AMC Elmwood Palace

Favorite Children’s Botique 1) Pippen Lane 2) Banbury Cross

Favorite Place to Hear Live Music 1. Tipitina’s 2. Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro 3. Maple Leaf Bar

Favorite Bookstore 1) Barnes & Nobel 2) Octavia Books 3) Maple Street Book Shop 4) Faulkner House Books

Favorite Jazz Club 1. Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro 2. Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse 3. Palm Court Jazz Café

Favorite Hair Salon 1) Paris Parker Salon & Spa 2) H2O Salon & Spa

Favorite Museum 1. The National World War II Museum 2. New Orleans Museum of Art 3. The Ogden Museum of Southern Art Favorite Golf Course 1. City Park 2. Audubon Park 3. English Turn Golf & Country Club Favorite Place to Buy a Wedding Dress

Favorite Local University

1. Town & Country 2. Yvonne LaFleur

Favorite Local Nonprofit Event 1) French Quarter Festival 2) Whitney Zoo-To-Do for Audubon Nature Institute 3) Hogs for the Cause (tie) 3) Pasta & Puccini for Jefferson Performing Arts Society (tie)

Favorite Wedding Reception Location 1) City Park: Botanical Gardens & Pavilion 2) Audubon Park (tie) 2) The Columns Hotel (tie) 2) New Orleans Museum of Art (tie)

DINING Quick & Easy Favorite King Cake 1. Manny Randazzo King Cakes 2. Nonna Randazzo’s Bakery 3. Haydel’s Bakery 4. Rouses Supermarkets 5. Tastee Restaurant Deli-Donuts / McKenzie’s Bakery 6. Sucré 7. Gambino’s Bakery Favorite Fried Chicken 1. Popeyes 2. Willie Mae’s Scotch House 3. Mr. Ed’s Seafood & Italian 4. Jacques-Imo’s Favorite Poor Boys 1. Parkway Bakery & Tavern 2. Bear’s Poboys at Gennaro’s (tie) 2. Domilise’s Po-Boy & Bar (tie) 3. Mahoney’s Po-Boys

parkway bakery

Favorite poor boy

Favorite House Specialty Drink

Favorite Tacos 1. Taqueria Corona 2. El Gato Negro (tie) 2. The Rum House (tie) 3. Juan’s Flying Burrito 4. The Velvet Cactus Favorite Sushi 1. Sake Café 2. Kyoto Sushi Bar and Japanese (tie) 2. Rock-n-Sake Bar & Sushi (tie) 3. Hana Japanese Restaurant 4. Little Tokyo Restaurant (tie) 4. Shogun Japanese Restaurant (tie) Favorite Wings 1. Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar Favorite Onion Rings 1. Ye Olde College Inn 2. Charlie’s Steak House Favorite Pizza 1. Theo’s Neighborhood Pizza 2. Reginelli’s Pizzeria (tie) 2. Slice Pizzeria (tie) 2. Tower of Pizza (tie) 3. Midway Pizza 4. Louisiana Pizza Kitchen (tie) 4. Mark Twain’s Pizza (tie) 4. Pizza Delicious (tie) 4. Pizza Domenica (tie)

Sazerac at The Roosevelt

Favorite Snowballs 1. Hansen’s Sno-Bliz 2. Plum Street Snoball (tie) 2. Sal’s Sno-Ball Stand (tie)

Favorite Grocery Store or Deli 1. Rouses Supermarkets 2. Dorignac’s Food Center 3. Whole Foods Market 4. Central Grocery and Deli (tie) 4. The Fresh Market (tie) 5. Lakeview Grocery (tie) 5. Langenstein’s (tie) Favorite Buffet 1. Harrah’s New Orleans Hotel and Casino 2. The Court of Two Sisters Favorite Food Truck 1. Taceaux Loceaux 2. La Cocinita

NATIVE CUISINE Favorite Place for Cajun Food 1. Copeland’s of New Orleans 2. K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen 3. Bon Ton Café (tie) 3. Cochon Restaurant (tie) Favorite Place for Creole Food 1. Commander’s Palace 2. Galatoire’s Restaurant

ETHNIC Favorite Middle Eastern Restaurant 1. Mona’s Restaurant 2. Café Byblos 3. Lebanon Café Favorite Italian Restaurant 1. Vincent’s Italian Cuisine 2. Venezia 3. Irene’s Cuisine 4. Tony Angello’s Ristorante Favorite Asian Restaurant 1. Five Happiness Chinese Restaurant Favorite Indian Restaurant 1. Taj Mahal Indian Cuisine 2. Nirvana Indian Cuisine Favorite Mexican or Southwest Restaurant 1. El Gato Negro 2. Casa Garcia 3. Juan’s Flying Burrito 4. Felipe’s Taqueria (tie) 4. Superior Grill (tie) 4. Taqueria Corona (tie)

Favorite Hot Dog

sucré

Favorite Sweet Shop

Dat Dog SEAFOOD Favorite Seafood Restaurant 1. Deanie’s Seafood 2. Drago’s Seafood Restaurant 3. GW Fins 4. Pêche Seafood Grill 5. Blue Crab Restaurant & Oyster Bar 6. Acme Oyster House Favorite Place to Get Raw Oysters 1. Acme Oyster House 2. Drago’s

3. Casamento’s (tie) 3. Deanie’s (tie) 3. Pascal’s Manale (tie) 4. Felix’s Restaurant and Oyster Bar 5. The Galley Seafood Restaurant

MEAT Favorite Restaurant for Steaks 1. Ruth’s Chris Steak House 2. Crescent City Steakhouse (tie) 2. Mr. John’s Steakhouse (tie)

3. Desi Vega’s Steakhouse (tie) 3. Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse (tie) Favorite Burger 1. Port of Call 2. The Company Burger 3. Bud’s Broiler Favorite Hot Dog 1. Dat Dog 2. Lucky Dogs

SOUP Favorite Gumbo 1. Gumbo Shop 2. Mr. B’s Wine & Spirits Favorite Place for Turtle Soup 1. Commander’s Palace 2. Mandina’s Restaurant

Manning’s

Favorite Place for a Salad Favorite Health-Conscious Restaurant Favorite Place for Vegetarian Dishes

Favorite Sports Bar

Fresh Bar

COFFEE & DESSERT Favorite Coffee House 1. PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans 2. Café Du Monde (tie) 2. CC’s Coffee House (tie) 3. Starbucks Favorite Coffee House for Food 1. Caffe! Caffe!

Favorite Dessert Menu 1. Commander’s Palace

2. Angelo Brocato® Original Italian Ice Cream Parlor (tie) 2. Sucré (tie) 3. Nonna Randazzo’s Bakery

Favorite Sweet Shop 1. Sucré 2. Angelo Brocato® Original Italian Ice Cream Parlor

Favorite Bakery 1. Nonna Randazzo’s Bakery 2. Haydel’s Bakery 3. La Boulangerie 4. Gambino’s Bakery 5. Maurice French Pastries

Favorite Ice Cream or Gelato Shop 1. Angelo Brocato® Original Italian Ice Cream Parlor 2. Creole Creamery 3. Sucré

AMBIANCE Favorite Outdoor Dining 1. Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits 2. Café Degas (tie) 2. Martinique Bistro (tie) 3. Café Amelie (tie) 3. Commander’s Palace (tie) 4. The Court of Two Sisters

Acme Oyster House

Favorite Restaurant for Fine Dining 1. Commander’s Palace 2. Galatoire’s Restaurant 3. Restaurant R’evolution

MISC. Favorite French Bread 1. Liedenheimer Baking Company 2. Alois J Binder Bakery

Favorite Casual Restaurant 1. Mandina’s Restaurant

Favorite Place for a Salad 1. Fresh Bar 2. Houston’s

Favorite Restaurant for a Power Lunch 1. Galatoire’s Restaurant 2. Café Adelaide 3. Mr. B’s

Favorite Place to Get Raw Oysters

DRINKS Favorite House Specialty Drink 1. Sazerac at The Roosevelt 2. Hurricane at Pat O’Brien’s (tie) 2. Pimm’s Cup at Napoleon House Bar & Café (tie) Favorite Place for a Margarita 1. Superior Grill 2. El Gato Negro (tie) 2. Juan’s Flying Burrito (tie) 2. Sante Fe Restaurant (tie) Favorite Bloody Mary 1. Commander’s Palace

Commander’s Palace

Favorite Wine List 1. Commander’s Palace Favorite Sports Bar 1. Manning’s Favorite Dive Bar 1. Twelve Mile Limit (tie) 1. 45 Tchoup (tie) Favorite Hotel Bar 1. Carousel Bar at Hotel Monteleone 2. Sazerac at The Roosevelt Favorite Local Beer 1. Abita Amber 2. NOLA Blonde 3. Abita Strawberry

Favorite Place for Creole Food Favorite Place for Turtle Soup Favorite Dessert Menu Favorite Restaurant for Fine Dining Favorite Bloody Mary Favorite Wine List Favorite Restaurant

Favorite Craft Cocktail Bar 1. Cure 2. SoBou 3. Bar Tonique

Favorite Place for Vegetarian Dishes 1. Fresh Bar 2. Satsuma Café 3. Seed Favorite Health-Conscious Restaurant 1. Fresh Bar 2. Satsuma Café Favorite Breakfast or Brunch 1. The Ruby Slipper Café 2. Commander’s Palace 3. Surrey’s Favorite Late-Night Dining 1. The Camellia Grill

PERSONALITIES & PLACES Favorite Chef 1. John Besh 2. Brandon Felder 3. Tory McPhail 4. Frank Brigtsen (tie) 4. John Folse (tie) Favorite Restaurant 1. Commander’s Palace 2. Galatoire’s Restaurant 3. Le Foret 4. Clancy’s Restaurant Favorite Restaurant Opened in 2014 1. MoPho 2. Doris Metropolitan 3. Johnny Sanchez Restaurant Favorite Restaurant Worth the Drive 1. Middendorf’s Seafood Restaurant 2. Mosca’s 3. La Provence Favorite Caterer 1. Pigéon Caterers n

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JANUARY 2015 / myneworleans.com

The Way

P atrick Dobard remembers distinctly the day his career took an unexpected turn. Out of nowhere, Paul Pastorek summoned him to the marbled halls of the Louisiana state capitol. Dobard, then a mid-level bureaucrat at the state Department of Education, had never met Pastorek, yet technically speaking Pastorek’s appointment by former governor Kathleen Blanco to the position of state Superintendent of Education made Pastorek his boss. Not surprisingly, when the messenger said, “Pastorek wants to meet you,” Dobard’s reaction was tinged with unease.

They met in the hallway outside the Senate. The hallways echoed with the usual parade of politically connected people hurrying to committee meetings and floor debates. Pastorek, known for his intimidating, some say brusque style, opened the dialog by saying: “So you are Patrick Dobard.”

Dobard, usually known for affability, met the challenging statement with an equal challenge: “So you are Paul Pastorek.”

That terse exchange in 2007 began a professional relationship that eventually led to Dobard’s ’12 appointment as Recovery School District superintendent.

He now monitors 63 New Orleans charter schools educating 33,000 students from a Poydras Street office decorated with architectural renderings of a dozen new multi-million dollar schools.

As superintendent, Dobard completed the RSD’s goal to turn its takeover schools to charter operators a year earlier than originally intended. By phasing out its last remaining direct-run school in the summer of 2014, the RSD, created to take over academically failing schools, became the only all-chartered school district in the United States.

Dobard didn’t know that would be his future when he met with Pastorek. Unknown to him, Pastorek was conducting an informal interview. After half an hour, he asked Dobard to be his confidential assistant.

One of the issues that Pastorek addressed during that time was the power of local school boards.

His attempt to require school board members to have at least a high school degree met considerable resistance. The defeat of that measure eye opening. “I learned that in order to make real change,” Dobard says, “you have to do a lot of coalition-building.”

“Patrick Dobard is an exceptional leader,” says Jay Altman, CEO of FirstLine Schools, an organization that manages five RSD charter schools in New Orleans.

When the state took over New Orleans’ “failing” schools after Katrina, many community and political leaders opposed the move, believing it an unjustified intrusion into local affairs. Standardized test scores, however, presented a dismal picture of the Orleans Parish School Board’s leadership. Some schools’ student

Patrick Dobard has one of the state’s most challenging jobs

proficiency rates were in the single digits with most others not much higher, a state of affairs that the RSD has mostly corrected in less than a decade. The state Department of Education identified only 5.7 percent “failing” New Orleans schools in 2013.

Dobard is the RSD’s fourth superintendent, and each had differing challenges to face.

The first, Robin Jarvis, faced the overwhelming task of reopening over 100 mostly flooded schools. Then Paul Vallas, tapped by state officials to create stability among chaos, quickly moved to find charter operators to manage the day-to-day school operations for as many as possible. That move angered many community leaders and former teachers who felt local schools were being turned over to mostly white outsiders.

Vallas later turned over an emerging chartered district to John White, who replaced Pastorek as state Superintendent of Education in 2011. White’s short RSD tenure focused on trying to calm local suspicions with meetings and dialog. Dobard has continued that policy by including community input into decisionmaking as often as possible. His own challenge included adhering to a high performing vision by phasing out beloved, but academically failing, high schools.

“Vallas had great vision,” says Rose Drill-Peterson, director of the Eastbank Collaborative of Charter Schools. “But months later you were wondering what happened. I think Patrick Dobard has much more follow through.”

Dobard admits, however, that his administration has had its low moments. One situation he thinks could’ve been handled better was the 2012 management shakeup at Walter S. Cohen Senior High School. His decision to replace the

to Recovery

principal, some teachers and staff prompted student and parent protests. He realized too late, he says, that he should have shared his misgivings about the management with students earlier. Two years later, when he decided to phase out Cohen earlier than planned, he met with seniors to discuss his reasons for moving them for their graduating year, an action that smoothed the way.

As a native of New Orleans, raised by education-minded parents near Claiborne and Esplanade avenues, Dobard has a local perspective on local schools. He enjoys talking about his childhood, one spent with six siblings and parents in a sevenroom shotgun. He played Cool Cans, a game that he says derives from Cricket. He and resourceful friends retrieved lost tennis balls and the wooden stakes supporting political signs after elections to use as equipment. He also played alto sax at the insistence of his mother, whose belief in his abilities provided an early desire for success.

His father, a self-employed electrician and part-time movie projectionist, provided as best he could,. When he lost faith in New Orleans public schools in the 1970s, Dobard says his father moved his children to private Catholic schools. Dobard graduated from St. Augustine High School, where he was a drum major.

Inspired by English and math teachers at St. Aug, he gave up music and received an education degree from Southern University at New Orleans.

He taught for 10 years and obtained a master’s degree in history. Before he landed his first position at the DOE, Dobard says the traumatic murder of his best friend in New Orleans crystalized a resolve to seek “paths that led to life, not death.” n

By Dawn Ruth Wilson Photo by Craig Mulcahy

New Orleans Magazine’s Guide to Schools 120 Area public and private universities, private elementary and secondary schools and public charter schools. compiled by Kristi Ferrante

COLLEGES Loyola University New Orleans Top Executive: Rev. Kevin Wm. Wildes, S.J., Ph.D. Address: 6363 St. Charles Ave. Telephone: 865-2011 Fax: 865-3383 Website: Loyno.edu Total Enrollment: 4,862 % of Students receiving financial aid: 90 Tuition per Semester: $35,504 Year Founded: 1912 Academic Specialties: Business, Criminal Justice, Biology, Music, Music Industry Studies, Liberal Arts, Communications and Public Relations No. of Full Time Faculty: 362

No. of Part Time Faculty: 139 Accredited By: The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Highest Academic Degree: J.D./ MBA, DNP New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Top Executive: Dr. Charles S. “Chuck” Kelley Jr. Address: 3939 Gentilly Blvd.

Telephone: (855) 662-8701 Fax: 816-8324 Website: NOBTS.edu Total Enrollment: 3697 Students receiving financial aid: 925 students Tuition per Semester: $1,800-

$2,700 Year Founded: 1917 Academic Specialties: Biblical Studies and Christian Ministry Training No. of Full Time Faculty: 70 No. of Part Time Faculty: N/A Accredited By: The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and Association of Theological Studies (ATS) Highest Academic Degree: Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.), Doctor of Educational Ministry (D.Ed.Min), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) Our Lady of Holy Cross College Top Executive: Dr. David M. Landry,

President Address: 4123 Woodland Drive Telephone: 398-2109 Fax: N/A Website: OLHCC.edu Total Enrollment: 1,095 Students receiving financial aid: 927 students Tuition per Semester: $5,155 Year Founded: 1916 Academic Specialties: Nursing, Counseling, Education and Business No. of Full Time Faculty: 59 No. of Part Time Faculty: 58 Accredited By: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Highest Academic Degree: Ph.D. in Counseling Education and

Supervision Tulane University Top Executive: Michael A. Fitts Address: 6823 St. Charles Ave. Telephone: 865-5210 Fax: N/A Website: Tulane.edu Total Enrollment: 13,531 % of Students receiving financial aid: 77 of full-time undergraduates Tuition per Semester: $22,212 Year Founded: 1834 Academic Specialties: Architecture, Business, Law, Liberal Arts, Medicine, Public Health and Tropical Medicine, The Sciences and Engineering and Social Work

No. of Full Time Faculty: 1,177 No. of Part Time Faculty: 784 Accredited By: The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Highest Academic Degree: Ph.D. University of New Orleans Top Executive: Peter J. Fos, Ph.D., M.P.H., President Address: 2000 Lakeshore Drive Telephone: 280-6595 Fax: 280-3973 Website: UNO.edu Total Enrollment: 9,234 % of Students receiving financial aid: N/A Tuition per Semester: $2,768.35 Year Founded: 1958 Academic Specialties: Accounting, Film, Hospitality, Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Computer Science, Jazz No. of Full Time Faculty: 289 No. of Part Time Faculty: 123 Accredited By: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and Schools Commission on Colleges Highest Academic Degree: Ph.D. Xavier University of Louisiana Top Executive: Dr. Norman C. Francis, President Address: One Drexel Drive Telephone: 520-7411 Fax: N/A Website: XULA.edu Total Enrollment: 3,178 % of Students receiving financial aid: N/A Tuition per Semester: $9,550; $30,800 Pharmacy Year Founded: 1925 Academic Specialties: Sciences and Pharmacy No. of Full Time Faculty: N/A No. of Part Time Faculty: N/A Accredited By: Commission of Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Highest Academic Degree: Doctorate of Pharmacy SECONDARY SCHOOLS Academy of Our Lady Top Executive: Sister Michelle Geiger, FMA, Principal Grades Served: 8-12 Address: 5501 Westbank Expressway, Marrero Telephone: 341-6217 Fax: 341-6229 Website: TheAcademyOfOurLady.org Total Enrollment: 474 Year Founded: 2007 Avg. Class Size: 18 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Catholic Student Mix: Female Student/Teacher Ratio: 12:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 44 Academy of the Sacred Heart Top Executive: Sr. Melanie A. Guste,

RSCJ, Ph.D. Grades Served: Toddler-12 Address: 4521 St. Charles Ave. Telephone: 269-1213 Fax: 891-9939 Website: AshRosary.org Total Enrollment: 740 Year Founded: 1867 Avg. Class Size: 16 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Catholic Student Mix: Female Student/Teacher Ratio: 16:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 125 Archbishop Hannan High School Top Executive: Fr. Charles Latour, O.P., Principal Grades Served: 8-12 Address: 71324 Highway 1077, Covington Telephone: (985) 249-6363 Fax: (985) 249-6370 Website: HannanHigh.org Total Enrollment: 527 Year Founded: 1987 Avg. Class Size: 22 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Catholic Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 15:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 34 Archbishop Rummel High School Top Executive: Brother Gale Condit, FSC, President; Michael Scalco (1967), Principal CEO Grades Served: 8-12 Address: 1901 Severn Ave., Metairie Telephone: 834-5592 Fax: 832-4016 Website: RummelRaiders.com Total Enrollment: 864 Year Founded: 1962 Avg. Class Size: 24 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Brothers of the Christian Schools Student Mix: Male Student/Teacher Ratio: 13:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 67 Archbishop Shaw High School Top Executive: Rev. Louis Molinelli, SDB, Director/President Grades Served: 8-12 Address: 1000 Barataria Blvd., Marrero Telephone: 340-6727 Fax: 347-9883 Website: ArchbishopShaw.org Total Enrollment: 400 Year Founded: 1962 Avg. Class Size: 22 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Catholic Student Mix: Male Student/Teacher Ratio: 20:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 34 Bishop McManus Academy Top Executive: Keith L. Barnes, Executive Director Grades Served: PreK2-12

Address: 13123 I-10 Service Road Telephone: 246-5121 Fax: 246-5564 Website: BishopMcManus.com Total Enrollment: 145 Year Founded: 1975 Avg. Class Size: 20 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: SACS Accredited, La. Dept. of Education Approved, Association of Christian Schools International Member Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 20:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 15 Brother Martin High School Top Executive: John Devlin, President Grades Served: 8-12 Address: 4401 Elysian Fields Ave. Telephone: 283-1561 Fax: 286-8462 Website: BrotherMartin.com Total Enrollment: 1209 Year Founded: 1869 Avg. Class Size: 24 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Catholic Student Mix: Male Student/Teacher Ratio: 12:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 103 Cabrini High School Top Executive: Ardley Hanemann Jr., President Grades Served: 8-12 Address: 1400 Moss St. Telephone: 482-1193 Fax: 483-8671 Website: CabriniHigh.com Total Enrollment: 540 Year Founded: 1959 Avg. Class Size: 20 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Catholic Student Mix: Female Student/Teacher Ratio: 10:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 47 De La Salle High School Top Executive: Dr. Michael E. Guillot, President Grades Served: 8-12 Address: 5300 St. Charles Ave. Telephone: 895-5717 Fax: 895-1300 Website: DeLaSalleNola.com Total Enrollment: 525 Year Founded: 1949 Avg. Class Size: 22 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Private Catholic School Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 9:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 46 Ecole Classique Top Executive: Sal Federico Grades Served: PreK-12 Address: 5236 Glendale St., Metairie Telephone: 887-3507 Fax: 887-8140

Website: EcoleClassique.com Total Enrollment: 200 Year Founded: 1956 Avg. Class Size: 18 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Non-Denominational Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 15:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 35 Holy Cross School Top Executive: Charles DiGange (1964), Headmaster Grades Served: 8-12 Address: 5500 Paris Ave. Telephone: 942-3100 Fax: N/A Website: HolyCrossTigers.com Total Enrollment: 810 Year Founded: 1849 Avg. Class Size: 25 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Catholic – Sponsored by the Congregration of Holy Cross Student Mix: Male Student/Teacher Ratio: 13:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 62 Holy Rosary High School Top Executive: Sr. Paulette Tiefenbrunn Grades Served: PreK-12 Address: 2437 Jena St. Telephone: 482-7173 Fax: 482-7229 Website: HolyRosaryNola.org Total Enrollment: 163 Year Founded: 2005 Avg. Class Size: 11 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Arch. Of New Orleans Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 7:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 24 Isidore Newman School Top Executive: Dale M. Smith, Head of School Grades Served: PreK-12 Address: 1903 Jefferson Ave. Telephone: 899-5641 Fax: 896-8597 Website: NewmanSchool.org Total Enrollment: 969 Year Founded: 1903 Avg. Class Size: 12 Dress Requirements: Lower: Uniform; Middle & Upper: Dress Code Affiliation: Non-Denominational Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: N/A No. of Full Time Faculty: 118 Jesuit High School of New Orleans Top Executive: Anthony McGinn, S.J. Grades Served: 8-12 Address: 4133 Banks St. Telephone: 486-6631 Fax: 483-3942 Website: JesuitNola.org Total Enrollment: 1,420 Year Founded: 1847 Avg. Class Size: 24

Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Society of Jesus (The Jesuits) Student Mix: Male Student/Teacher Ratio: 12:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 120 John Curtis Christian School Top Executive: J.T. Curtis Jr. Grades Served: 7-12 Address: 10125 Jefferson Highway, River Ridge Telephone: 737-4621 Fax: 739-2341 Website: JohnCurtis.com Total Enrollment: 500 Year Founded: 1962 Avg. Class Size: 22 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Christian Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 16:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 32 Louise S. McGehee School Top Executive: Eileen F. Powers, Headmistress Grades Served: PreK-12 Address: 2343 Prytania St. Telephone: 561-1224 Fax: 525-7910 Website: McGeheeSchool.com Total Enrollment: 130 Year Founded: 1912 Avg. Class Size: 10-12 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Non-Denominational Student Mix: Female Student/Teacher Ratio: 8:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 30 Lutheran High School of Greater New Orleans Top Executive: Carol Christen, Principal Grades Served: 9-12 Address: 3864 17th St., Metairie Telephone: 455-4062 Fax: 455-4453 Website: LutheranHighSchool.net Total Enrollment: 103 Year Founded: 1970 Avg. Class Size: 13 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 13:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 7 Metairie Park Country Day School Top Executive: Carolyn Chandler, Head of School Grades Served: PreK-12 Address: 300 Park Road, Metairie Telephone: 837-5204 Fax: 837-0015 Website: MPCDS.com Total Enrollment: 731 Year Founded: 1929 Avg. Class Size: Depends on Class Dress Requirements: Dress Code 6-12 Affiliation: Non-Denominational

myneworleans.com / JANUARY 2015

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Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: Depends on Class No. of Full Time Faculty: 94

Affiliation: Catholic Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 20:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 104

Mount Carmel Academy Top Executive: Sister Camille Anne Campbell, O.Carm., President/Beth Ann Simno, Principal Grades Served: 8-12 Address: 7027 Milne Blvd.

Telephone: 288-7626 Fax: 288-7629 Website: MCACubs.com Total Enrollment: 1,200 Year Founded: 1896 Avg. Class Size: 16 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Catholic Student Mix: Female Student/Teacher Ratio: 9:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 133

St. Mary’s Dominican High School Top Executive: Cynthia A. Thomas, Ed.D. Grades Served: 8-12 Address: 7701 Walmsley Ave. Telephone: 865-9401 Fax: 866-5958 Website: StMarysDominican.org Total Enrollment: 878 Year Founded: 1860 Avg. Class Size: 23 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Catholic Student Mix: Female Student/Teacher Ratio: 16:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 56

Ridgewood Preparatory School Top Executive: M.J. Montgomery, Jr., Headmaster Grades Served: PreK-12 Address: 201 Pasadena Ave., Metairie Telephone: 835-2545 Fax: 837-1864 Website: RidgewoodPrep.com Total Enrollment: 300 Year Founded: 1949 Avg. Class Size: 15 Dress Requirements: Dress Code: 5-12 Affiliation: AdvancED, LHSAA Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 15:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 30 St. Martin’s Episcopal School Top Executive: Merry Sorrells, Head of School Grades Served: 12 months-12 Address: 225 Green Acres Road, Metairie Telephone: 736-9917 Fax: 736-8802 Website: StMSaints.com Total Enrollment: 535 Year Founded: 1947 Avg. Class Size: 15 Dress Requirements: PreK-5: Uniform; 6-12: Dress Code Affiliation: Independent Episcopal School Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 9:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 72 St. Mary’s Academy Top Executive: Sr. Clare of Assisi Pierre, President Grades Served: PreK3-12 Address: 6905 Chef Menteur Blvd.

Telephone: 245-0200 Fax: 245-0422 Website: SMANewOrleans.com Total Enrollment: 621 Year Founded: 1867 Avg. Class Size: 20 Dress Requirements: Uniform 80

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St. Paul’s School Top Executive: Brother Raymond Bulliard, FSC, President Grades Served: 8-12 Address: 917 S. Jahncke Ave., Covington Telephone: (985) 892-3200 Fax: (985) 892-4048 Website: StPauls.com Total Enrollment: 850 Year Founded: 1911 Avg. Class Size: 24 Dress Requirements: Dress Code Affiliation: Catholic Student Mix: Male Student/Teacher Ratio: 23:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 70 St. Scholastica Academy Top Executive: Mary Kathryn Villere, Principal Grades Served: 8-12 Address: 122 S. Massachusetts St., Covington Telephone: (985) 892-2540 Fax: (985) 893-5256 Website: SSAcad.org Total Enrollment: 606 Year Founded: 1903 Avg. Class Size: 19 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Catholic Student Mix: Female Student/Teacher Ratio: 13:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 43 Ursuline Academy High School Top Executive: Karen Thomas McNay, Academy President Grades Served: 8-12 Address: 2635 State St. Telephone: 861-9150 Fax: N/A Website: UrsulineNewOrleans.org Total Enrollment: 413 Year Founded: 1727 Avg. Class Size: Varies Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Catholic Student Mix: Female Student/Teacher Ratio: 11:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 38

JANUARY 2015 / myneworleans.com

No. of Full Time Faculty: 4 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS Academy of the Sacred Heart Top Executive: Sr. Melanie A. Guste, RSCG, Ph.D. Grades Served: Toddler-12 Address: 4521 St. Charles Ave. Telephone: 269-1213 Fax: 891-9939 Website: AshRosary.org Total Enrollment: 740 Year Founded: 1867 Avg. Class Size: 16 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Catholic Student Mix: Female Student/Teacher Ratio: 16:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 125 Arden Cahill Academy Top Executive: Mary Kevin Cahill, Principal Grades Served: Infant Centre: 6 weeks to 3; PreK3-8 Address: 3101 Wall Blvd., Gretna Telephone: 458-7965 Fax: N/A Website: AdenCahillAcademy.com Total Enrollment: 550 Year Founded: 1968 Avg. Class Size: Varies Dress Requirements: Dress Code Affiliation: N/A Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: Varies by grade level No. of Full Time Faculty: 65 Bishop McManus Academy Top Executive: Keith L. Barnes, Executive Director Grades Served: PreK2-12 Address: 13123 I-10 Service Road Telephone: 246-5121 Fax: 246-5564 Website: BishopMcManus.com Total Enrollment: 145 Year Founded: 1975 Avg. Class Size: 20 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: SACS Accredited, La. Dept. of Education Approved, Association of Christian Schools International member Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 20:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 15 Cathedral Montessori School Top Executive: Jan Weiner, Director Grades Served: 3-6 years Address: 9 Fortress Road Telephone:252-4871 Fax: N/A Website: CathedralMontessori.com Total Enrollment: 55 Year Founded: 2009 Avg. Class Size “multi-age grouping” Dress Requirements: None Affiliation: Nonprofit Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 8:1

Cedarwood School Top Executive: Kathryn S. LeBlanc Grades Served: Preschool2-7 Address: 607 Heavens Drive, Mandeville Telephone: (985) 845-7111 Fax: (985) 845-0669 Website: CedarwoodSchool.com Total Enrollment: 319 Year Founded: 1983 Avg. Class Size: 16 Dress Requirements: Uniform (K-7) Affiliation: Non-Denominational Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 15:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 40 Christ the King Parish School Top Executive: Mike Giambelluca Grades Served: PreK3-8 Address: 2106 Deerfield Road, Terrytown Telephone: 367-3601 Fax: 367-3679 Website: CTKTerrytown.org Total Enrollment: 300 Year Founded: 1963 Avg. Class Size: 18 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Arch. Of N.O. Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 18:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 30 Christian Brothers School Top Executive: Joey M. Scaffidi Grades Served: 5-7 Address: 8 Friedrichs Ave. Telephone: 486-6770 Fax: 486-1053 Website: cbs-no.org Total Enrollment: 350 Year Founded: 1960 Avg. Class Size: 29 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Arch. Of N.O. Student Mix: Male Student/Teacher Ratio: 17:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 21 Concordia Lutheran School Top Executive: Jackie Daniilidis Grades Served: PreK4-8 Address: 6700 Westbank Expressway, Marrero Telephone: 347-4155 Fax: 348-9345 Website: CLSMarrero.com Total Enrollment: 247 Year Founded: 1965 Avg. Class Size: 25 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Lutheran Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 25:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 25 Ecole Bilingue de la Nouvelle-Orleans Top Executive: Pauline Dides Grades Served: 18 months-6 (7th will be added in August)

Address: 821 General Pershing St. Telephone: 896-4500 Fax: 896-9610 Website: EBNola.com Total Enrollment: 236 Year Founded: 1998 Avg. Class Size: 18 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: French accredited Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 7:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 37 Ecole Classique Top Executive: Sal Federico Grades Served: PreK-12 Address: 5236 Glendale St., Metairie Telephone: 887-3507 Fax: 887-8140 Website: EcoleClassique.com Total Enrollment: PreK-6: 220 Year Founded: 1956 Avg. Class Size: 15 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Non-Denominational Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 12:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 35 Faith Lutheran Top Executive: Diane Oestriecher Grades Served: PreK3-8 Address: 300 Colonial Club Drive, Harahan Telephone: 737-9554 Fax: 737-9599 Website: FaithLutheran-school.com Total Enrollment: 72 Year Founded: 1958 Avg. Class Size: 10 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Lutheran Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 20:1 or Less No. of Full Time Faculty: 8 Holy Cross School Top Executive: Charles DiGange (1964) Grades Served: PreK-7 Address: 5500 Paris Ave. Telephone: 942-3100 Fax: N/A Website: HolyCrossTigers.com Total Enrollment: 369 Year Founded: 1849 Avg. Class Size: 24 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Catholic – Sponsored by the Congregration of Holy Cross Student Mix: Male Student/Teacher Ratio: 12:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 35 Holy Name of Jesus Top Executive: Jessica Dwyer, M.Ed. Grades Served: PreK-7 Address: 6325 Cromwell Place Telephone: 861-1466 Fax: 861-1480 Website: HNJSchool.org Total Enrollment: 550 Year Founded: 1891

Avg. Class Size: 22 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Catholic Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: Varies by grade level No. of Full Time Faculty: 46 Holy Rosary Academy Top Executive: Sr. Paulette Tiefenbrunn, S.S.N.D. Grades Served: PreK-12 Address: 2437 Jena St. Telephone: 482-7173 Fax: 482-7229 Website: HolyRosaryNola.org Total Enrollment: 163 Year Founded: 2005 Avg. Class Size: 11 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Arch. Of N.O. Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 7:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 24 Isidore Newman School Top Executive: Dale M. Smith, Head of School Grades Served: PreK-12 Address: 1903 Jefferson Ave. Telephone: 899-5641 Fax: 896-8597 Website: NewmanSchool.org Total Enrollment: 969 Year Founded: 1903 Avg. Class Size: 12 Dress Requirements: Lower: Uniform; Middle & Upper: Dress Code Affiliation: Independent, NonDenominational Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: N/A No. of Full Time Faculty: 118 John Curtis Christian School Top Executive:J.T. Curtis Jr. Grades Served: 2PreK-6 Address: 10931 Jefferson Highway Telephone: 737-0208 Fax: 739-2341 Website: JohnCurtis.com Total Enrollment: 350 Year Founded: 1962 Avg. Class Size: 20 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Christian Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 15:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 25 Jewish Community Day School Top Executive: Sharon Pollin, Head of School Grades Served: PreK-5 Address: 3747 W. Esplanade Ave. North, Metairie Telephone: 887-4091 Fax: 780-5639 Website: JCDSNola.org Total Enrollment: 30 Year Founded: 1996 Avg. Class Size: 8 Dress Requirements: Uniform

Affiliation: Jewish Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 8:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 8 Kehoe-France Top Executive: Kyle France Grades Served: 8 weeks-7 Address: 720 Elise Ave., Metairie Telephone: 733-0472 Fax: 733-0477 Website: Kehoe-France.com Total Enrollment: 510 Year Founded: 1949 Avg. Class Size: 22 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Non-Denominational Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: N/A No. of Full Time Faculty: 65 Lake Castle Slidell Private School Top Executive: Brian Butera Grades Served: PreK-8 Address: 59461 LA Highway 433, Slidell Telephone: (985) 641-3363 Fax: (985) 641-3363 Website: LakeCastleSchool.com Total Enrollment: 505 Year Founded: 1987 Avg. Class Size: 25 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Catholic/Christian Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 20:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 32 Lake Castle Madisonville Private School Top Executive: Barry Butera Grades Served: PreK-8 Address: 235 Highway 21, Madisonville Telephone: (985) 845-3537 Fax: (985) 845-3537 Website: LakeCastle.com Total Enrollment: 732 Year Founded: 1995 Avg. Class Size: 25 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Non-Denominational Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 17:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 43 Lake Castle Private School – New Orleans Top Executive: Jane Butera McGovern, Head of School Grades Served: PreK-8 Address: 8400 Hayne Blvd.

Telephone: 242-6270 Fax: 241-7844 Website: LakeCastleNewOrleans. com Total Enrollment: 543 Year Founded: 1963 Avg. Class Size: 26 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Non-Denominational Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 18:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 27

Louise S. McGehee School Top Executive: Eileen F. Powers Grades Served: PreK-12 Address: 2343 Prytania St. Telephone: 561-1224 Fax: 525-7910 Website: McGeheeSchool.com Total Enrollment: 390 Year Founded: 1912 Avg. Class Size: 10 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Non-Denominational Student Mix: Female Student/Teacher Ratio: 8:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 75 Metairie Park Country Day School Top Executive: Carolyn Chandler Grades Served: PreK-12 Address: 300 Park Road, Metairie Telephone: 837-5204 Fax: N/A Website: MPCDS.com Total Enrollment: 315 Year Founded: 1929 Avg. Class Size: Depends on class size Dress Requirements: None Affiliation: Non-Denominational Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: Depends on Class No. of Full Time Faculty: 94 Milestone Academy Top Executive: N/A Grades Served: K-8 Address: 2012 Jefferson Highway, Jefferson Telephone: 894-0557 Fax: 894-0235 Website: MilestonesAcademy.net Total Enrollment: 418 Year Founded: 2002 Avg. Class Size: “Average” Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: N/A Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 25:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 47 Northlake Christian School Top Executive: Missie Arnold, M.Ed. Grades Served: K-6 Address: 70104 Wolverine Drive, Covington Telephone: (985) 635-0400 Fax: N/A Website: NorthlakeChristian.org Total Enrollment: 281 Year Founded: 1977 Avg. Class Size: 15-20 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Non-Denominational Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 20:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 27 Our Lady of Divine Providence School Top Executive: Elvina DiBartolo Grades Served: Nursery-7 Address: 917 N. Atlanta St.,

Metairie Telephone: 466-0591 Fax: 466-0671 Website: OLDPSchool.org Total Enrollment: 220 Year Founded: 1967 Avg. Class Size: 18 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Catholic Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 9:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 24

Website: RidgewoodPrep.com Total Enrollment: 300 Year Founded: 1949 Avg. Class Size: 18 Dress Requirements: Dress Code Affiliation: AdvancED, LHSAA Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 15:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 28

Our Lady of Lourdes School Top Executive: Robert Kiefer Grades Served: PreK3-7 Address: 345 Westchester Blvd., Slidell Telephone: (985) 643-3230 Fax: (985) 645-0648 Website: OLLOnline.com Total Enrollment: 430 Year Founded: 1929 Avg. Class Size: 22 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Arch. Of N.O. Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 15:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 24 Our Lady of Prompt Succor Top Executive: Sharon Coll Grades Served: PreK3-7 Address: 2305 Fenelon St., Chalmette Telephone: 271-2953 Fax: 271-1490 Website: OLPSSchool.org Total Enrollment: 370 Year Founded: 1954 Avg. Class Size: 22 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Catholic Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 18:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 22 Our Lady of the Lake Roman Catholic School Top Executive: Frank Smith, Principal Grades Served: 2 years-7 Address: 316 Lafitte St., Mandeville Telephone: (985) 626-5678 Fax: (985) 626-4337 Website: OurLadyOfTheLakeSchool. org Total Enrollment: 720 Year Founded: 1890 Avg. Class Size: 23 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Arch. Of N.O. Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 12:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 55 Ridgewood Preparatory School Top Executive: M.J. Montgomery Jr., Headmaster Grades Served: PreK-12 Address: 201 Pasadena Ave., Metairie Telephone: 835-2545 Fax: 837-1864

St. Andrew’s Episcopal School Top Executive: Mason Lecky Grades Served: PreK-8 Address: 8012 Oak St. Telephone: 861-3973 Fax: N/A Website: StAndrewsEpiscopalSchool.org Total Enrollment: 190 Year Founded: 1957 Avg. Class Size: 18 Dress Requirements: Dress Code Affiliation: ISAS, NAIS, NAES, SAES Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 5:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 27 St. Angela Merici Top Executive: Paige Bennett Grades Served: PreK2-7 Address: 835 Melody Drive, Metairie Telephone: 835-8491 Fax: 835-4463 Website: StAngelaSchool.org Total Enrollment: 400 Year Founded: 1967 Avg. Class Size: 22 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Arch. Of N.O. Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 20:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 40 St. Ann School Top Executive: Susan Kropog Grades Served: Tots-7 Address: 4921 Meadowdale St., Metairie Telephone: 455-8383 Fax: 455-9572 Website: StAnnSchool.org Total Enrollment: 868 Year Founded: 1972 Avg. Class Size: 24 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Catholic Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 14:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 60 St. Anthony of Padua Top Executive: Sr. Ruth Angelette, O.P., Principal Grades Served: Preschool2-7 Address: 4600 Canal St. Telephone: 488-4426 Fax: 488-5373 Website: StAnthonyOfPadua.net Total Enrollment: 165 Year Founded: 1915 Avg. Class Size: 15 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Catholic Student Mix: Coed

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Student/Teacher Ratio: 15:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 17 St. Benilde School Top Executive: John “Matt” Downey V, Principal Grades Served: Nursery-7 Address: 1801 Division St., Metairie Telephone: 833-9894 Fax: 834-4380 Website: StBenilde.com Total Enrollment: 289 Year Founded: 1968 Avg. Class Size: 22 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Catholic Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 11:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 16 St. Catherine of Siena Top Executive: Frances Dee Tarantino Grades Served: PreK3-7 Address: 400 Codifer Ave., Metairie Telephone: 831-1166 Fax: 833-8982 Website: SCSGators.org Total Enrollment: 849 Year Founded: 1926 Avg. Class Size: 22-25 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: NCEA, SACS, NMLA, CEF, LMSA, NCTE, IRA, ASCD Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 22:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 52 St. Christopher School Top Executive: Ruth Meche Grades Served: 6 weeks-7 Address: 3900 Derbigny St., Metairie Telephone: 837-6871 Fax: 834-0522 Website: StChristopherSchool.org Total Enrollment: 647 Year Founded: 1949 Avg. Class Size: 20 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Catholic Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 15:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 42 St. Clement of Rome Top Executive: Roselyn K. Tindall Grades Served: PreK3-7 Address: 3978 West Esplanade Ave., Metairie Telephone: 888-0386 Fax: 885-8273 Website: SCRSchool.org Total Enrollment: 479 Year Founded: 1968 Avg. Class Size: 22 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: SACS, CEC, NCEA, LAP/ NAESP Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 18:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 27 St. Cletus School 82

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Top Executive: Jill Grabert, Principal Grades Served: PreK3-7 Address: 3610 Claire Ave., Gretna Telephone: 366-3538 Fax: 366-0011 Website: StCletusColts.com Total Enrollment: 520 Year Founded: 1978 Avg. Class Size: 25 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Catholic Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 18:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 36 St. Dominic School Top Executive: Adrianne M. LeBlanc, Principal Grades Served: PreK4-7 Address: 6326 Memphis St. Telephone: 482-4123 Fax: 486-3870 Website: StDominicNola.org Total Enrollment: 601 Year Founded: 1924 Avg. Class Size: 20 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Catholic Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 14:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 42 St. Edward the Confessor School Top Executive: Thomas Becker, Ph.D. Grades Served: PreK1-7 Address: 4901 West Metairie Ave., Metairie Telephone: 888-6353 Fax: 456-0960 Website: StEddy.org Total Enrollment: 455 Year Founded: 1965 Avg. Class Size: 9 PreK1&2; 4-14, PreK3&4; 25, K-7 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Catholic Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 8:1, PreK1;12:1, PreK2; 14:2, PreK3&4; 25:1, K-8 No. of Full Time Faculty: 31 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Top Executive: Joan Kathmann, Principal Grades Served: PreK2-7 Address: 4119 Saint Elizabeth Drive, Kenner Telephone: 468-3524 Fax: 469-6014 Website: SEASSchool.org Total Enrollment: 450 Year Founded: 1984 Avg. Class Size: N/A Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Catholic Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: N/A No. of Full Time Faculty: N/A St. Francis Xavier Catholic School Top Executive: Barbara M. Martin, Principal

JANUARY 2015 / myneworleans.com

Grades Served: PreK2-7 Address: 215 Betz Place, Metairie Telephone: 833-1471 Fax: 833-1498 Website: StFrancisXavier.com Total Enrollment: 460 Year Founded: 1926 Avg. Class Size: 24 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Arch. Of N.O. Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 12:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 40 St. George’s School Top Executive: Rob Eichberger Grades Served: Preschool-8 Address: 923 Napoleon Ave. Telephone: 891-5509 Fax: 895-1225 Website: StGeorgesEpiscopal.com Total Enrollment: 380 Year Founded: 1969 Avg. Class Size: 10-12 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: ISAS, NAIS Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 5:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 75 St. John Lutheran Top Executive: Bethany Gonski Grades Served: Preschool-7 Address: 3937 Canal St. Telephone: 488-6641 Fax: 482-2101 Website: SLJNO.com Total Enrollment: 134 Year Founded: 1834 Avg. Class Size: 15 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Lutheran Church Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 13:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 10 St. Louis King of France Catholic School Top Executive: Pamela Keenan Schott Grades Served: 6 weeks-7 Address: 1600 Lake Ave., Metairie Telephone: 833-8224 Fax: 838-9938 Website: SLKFSchool.com Total Enrollment: 410 Year Founded: 1953 Avg. Class Size: 15 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Catholic Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 12-15:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 88 St. Margaret Mary Catholic School Top Executive: Bobby Ohler, Principal Grades Served: PreK3-8 Address: 1050-A Robert Road, Slidell Telephone: (985) 643-4612 Fax: (985) 643-4659 Website: SaintMM.org Total Enrollment: 650

Year Founded: 1966 Avg. Class Size: 21 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Catholic Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 21:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 35 St. Martin’s Episcopal School Top Executive: Merry Sorrells, Head of School Grades Served: 12 Months-12 Address: 225 Green Acres Road, Metairie Telephone: 736-9917 Fax: 736-8802 Website: StMSaints.com Total Enrollment: 535 Year Founded: 1947 Avg. Class Size: 15 Dress Requirements: PreK-5: Uniform; 6-12: Dress Code Affiliation: Independent Episcopal School Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 9:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 72 St. Mary Magdalen Catholic School Top Executive: Kimberly Downes Grades Served: PreK-7 Address: 6421 West Metairie Ave., Metairie Telephone: 733-1433 Fax: 736-0727 Website: SMMCougars.org Total Enrollment: 305 Year Founded: 1957 Avg. Class Size: 20 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Arch. Of N.O. Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 20:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 20 St. Mary’s Academy Top Executive: Sr. Clare of Assisi Pierre, President Grades Served: PreK3-12 Address: 6905 Chef Menteur Blvd.

Telephone: 245-0200 Fax: 245-0422 Website: SMANewOrleans.com Total Enrollment: 621 Year Founded: 1867 Avg. Class Size: 20 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Catholic Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 20:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 104 St. Matthew the Apostle School Top Executive: Dennis Panepinto Grades Served: PreK2-7 Address: 10021 Jefferson Highway, River Ridge Telephone: 737-4604 Fax: 738-7985 Website: SMASchool.net Total Enrollment: 437 Year Founded: 1960 Avg. Class Size: 18

Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Catholic Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 11:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 40 St. Paul’s Episcopal School Top Executive: Charleen Schwank, Interim Head of School Grades Served: Infant-8 Address: 6249 Canal Blvd.

Telephone: 488-1319 Fax: 304-8315 Website: StPauls-Lakeview.org Total Enrollment: 288 Year Founded: 1961 Avg. Class Size: 16 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Independent, Episcopal Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 9:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 43 St. Peter Catholic School Top Executive: Michael Kraus, Principal Grades Served: PreK3-7 Address: 130 E. Temperance St., Covington Telephone: (985) 892-1831 Fax: (985) 898-2185 Website: StPeterCov.org Total Enrollment: 798 Year Founded: 1878 Avg. Class Size: 16-29, depending on grade level Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Catholic Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: Depends on grade level No. of Full Time Faculty: 68 St. Philip Neri Catholic School Top Executive: Carol Stack, Ph.D. Grades Served: Nursery-7 Address: 6600 Kawanee Ave., Metairie Telephone: 887-5600 Fax: 456-6857 Website: StPhilipNeri.org Total Enrollment: 700 Year Founded: 1961 Avg. Class Size: 22 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Arch. Of N.O. Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: N/A No. of Full Time Faculty: N/A St. Pius X Catholic School Top Executive: Pamela Fulham, Principal Grades Served: PreK3-7 Address: 6600 Spanish Fort Blvd.

Telephone: 282-2811 Fax: 282-3043 Website: StPiusXNola.org Total Enrollment: 458 Year Founded: 1953 Avg. Class Size: 20 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Catholic Student Mix: Coed

Student/Teacher Ratio: 13:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 35 St. Rita Catholic School Top Executive: Karen Henderson Grades Served: PreK-7 Address: 65 Fountainbleau Drive Telephone: 866-1777 Fax: 861-8512 Website: StRitaNola.org Total Enrollment: 220 Year Founded: 1924 Avg. Class Size: 20-24 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: N/A Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 20:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 15 St. Rita School (Harahan) Top Executive: Fr. John Arnone Grades Served: 2 years-7 Address: 194 Raven Ave., Harahan Telephone: 737-0744 Fax: 738-2184 Website: StRitaHarahan.com Total Enrollment: 386 Year Founded: 1953 Avg. Class Size: 17 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Arch. Of N.O. Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 13:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 30 Stuart Hall School for Boys Top Executive: Kevin Avin, Headmaster Grades Served: PK3-7 Address: 2032 S. Carrollton Ave. Telephone: 861-1954 Fax: 861-5389 Website: StuartHall.org Total Enrollment: 335 Year Founded: 1984 Avg. Class Size: 18 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Catholic Student Mix: Male Student/Teacher Ratio: 7:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 45 The Good Shepherd School Top Executive: Br. Larry Huck, S.J., President/Emily M. Paul, Principal Grades Served: K-6 Address: 353 Baronne St. Telephone: 598-9399 Fax: 598-9346 Website: TheGoodShephardSchool. org Total Enrollment: 96 Year Founded: 2001 Avg. Class Size: 18 Dress Requirements: Dress Code Affiliation: Jesuit Community Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 9:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 19 The Waldorf School of New Orleans Top Executive: Shana Hartmann, Interim Administrator

Grades Served: Nursery-8 Address: 517 Soraparu St., Suite 101 Telephone: 525-2420 Fax: 525-3223 Website: WaldorfNola.org Total Enrollment: 88 Year Founded: 2000 Avg. Class Size: 14 Dress Requirements: No Uniform; Media Free Clothing Affiliation: AWSNA Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 10:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 7 Trinity Episcopal School Top Executive: The Rev. Gary Taylor, Head of School Grades Served: PreK-8 Address: 1315 Jackson Ave. Telephone: 525-8661 Fax: 523-4837 Website: TrinityNola.com Total Enrollment: 384 Year Founded: 1960 Avg. Class Size: 18 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Episcopal Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 6:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 60 Ursuline Academy Elementary School Top Executive: Karen Thomas McNay, Academy President Grades Served: Toddler2-7 Address: 2635 State St. Telephone: 861-9150 Fax: 866-5293 Website: UrsulineNewOrleans.org Total Enrollment: 360 Year Founded: 1727 Avg. Class Size: Varies Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Catholic Student Mix: Female Student/Teacher Ratio: 9:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 38 CHARTER SCHOOLS ARISE Academy Top Executive: Andrew Shahan Grades Served: K-8 Address: 3819 St. Claude Ave. Telephone: 615.6354 Fax: N/A Website: AriseSchools.org Total Enrollment: 430 Year Founded: 2009 Avg. Class Size: 23 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: N/A Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 10:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 43 Audubon Charter School Top Executive: Janice A. Dupuy, Principal/CEO Grades Served: PreK3-3 Address: 6101 Chatham Drive Telephone: 324-7100

Fax: 866-1691 Website: AudubonCharter.com Total Enrollment: 802 Year Founded: 2005 as a Charter School Avg. Class Size: 22 Dress Requirements: N/A Affiliation: American Montessori Society, AEFE, OPSB Type 3 Charter School Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 12:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 67 Benjamin Franklin High School Top Executive: Timothy Rusnak, Principal/CEO Grades Served: 9-12 Address: 2001 Leon C. Simon Drive Telephone: 286-2600 Fax: 286-2642 Website: BFHSLA.org Total Enrollment: 891 Year Founded: 1957 Avg. Class Size: 22 Dress Requirements: Casual, Appropriate Attire Affiliation: Accredited by SACS; Member of Eastbank Collaborative of Charter Schools; Affiliation with NOCCA Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 18:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 49 Edna Karr High School Top Executive: Harold Clay Grades Served: 9-12 Address: 3332 Huntlee Drive Telephone: 302-7135 Fax: 301-2721 Website: EdnaKarr.org Total Enrollment: 1080 Year Founded: 1964 Avg. Class Size: 25 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Orleans Parish School Board/Inspire NOLA Charter Schools Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 17:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 65 E.P. Harney Spirit of Excellence Academy Top Executive: Eileen Williams Grades Served: K-8 Address: 2503 Willow St. Telephone: 373-6230 Fax: 891-6919 Website: SOENola.com Total Enrollment: 385 Year Founded: 2010 Avg. Class Size: 25 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: N/A Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 25:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 30 Esperanza Charter School Top Executive: Nicole Saulny, Head of School Grades Served: K-8 Address: 4407 S. Carrollton Ave.

Telephone: 373-6272 Fax: 488-1813 Website: EsperanzaNO.org Total Enrollment: 455 Year Founded: 2007 Avg. Class Size: 25 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Choice Foundation Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 12:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 43 Fannie C. Williams Charter School Top Executive: Kelly S. Batiste, Principal/CEO; Debra Dean, President B.O.D. for C.L.A.S.S. Grades Served: PreK-8 Address: 11755 Dwyer Road Telephone: 373-6228 Fax: 295-2796 Website: FCWCS.org Total Enrollment: 600 Year Founded: 2007-’08 as Fannie C. Williams Elementary; chartered ’11-’12 as Fannie C. Williams Charter School Avg. Class Size: 24 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: C.L.A.S.S (Community Leaders Advocating School Success) under the auspices of the Recovery School District Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 24:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 40 FirstLine Schools Top Executive: Jay Altman, CEO Grades Served: PreK-8 Address: 300 N. Broad St., Suite 207 Telephone: 267-9038 Fax: N/A Website: FirstLineSchools.org Total Enrollment: 3,000+ over 5 schools Year Founded: 1998 Avg. Class Size: 20-33 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: N/A Student Mix: N/A Student/Teacher Ratio: 20:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 428 International School of Louisiana Top Executive: Melanie Tennyson Grades Served: K-8 Address: 1400 Camp St.; 502 Olivier St.; 8101 Simon St., Metairie Telephone: 654-1088 Fax: N/A Website: isl-edu.org Total Enrollment: 1,322 Year Founded: 2000 Avg. Class Size: 24 Dress Requirements: ISL Uniform Affiliation: N/A Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 12:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: N/A James M. Singleton Charter Top Executive: Gregory Phillips, CEO; Debra J. Williams, Principal

Grades Served: PreK-8 Address: 2220 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd.

Telephone: 568-3466 Fax: 569-3378 Website: DryadesYMCA.com Total Enrollment: 520 Year Founded: 2006 Avg. Class Size: 20 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Dryades YMCA Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 20:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 52 Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy Top Executive: Dr. Patty Glaser Grades Served: PreK-8 Address: 2504 Maine Ave., Metairie Telephone: 233-4720 Fax: N/A Website: DiscoveryHSF.org Total Enrollment: 584 Year Founded: 2013 Avg. Class Size: 25 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Jefferson Parish Public School System Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 16:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 54 KIPP Believe College Prep Top Executive: Luke Naegele Grades Served: 5-8 Address: 1607 S. Carrollton Ave. Telephone: 304-8857 Fax: N/A Website: KippNewOrleans.org Total Enrollment: 400 Year Founded: 2006 Avg. Class Size: 24 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: KIPP New Orleans Schools, Inc. Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 12:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 40 KIPP Believe Primary Top Executive: Sara Beth Greenberg Grades Served: K-4 Address: 421 Burdette St. Telephone: 266-2050 Fax: N/A Website: KippNewOrleans.org Total Enrollment: 500 Year Founded: 2011 Avg. Class Size: 25 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: KIPP New Orleans Schools, Inc. Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 12:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 46 KIPP Central City Academy Top Executive: Alex Jarrell Grades Served: 5-8 Address: 2514 Third St. Telephone: 609-2283 Fax: N/A Website: KippNewOrleans.org

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Total Enrollment: 400 Year Founded: 2007 Avg. Class Size: 24 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: KIPP New Orleans Schools, Inc. Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 12:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 38 KIPP Central City Primary Top Executive: Korbin Johnson Grades Served: K-4 Address: 2625 Thalia St. Telephone: 373-6290 Fax: N/A Website: KippNewOrleans.org Total Enrollment: 500 Year Founded: 2008 Avg. Class Size: 25 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: KIPP New Orleans Schools, Inc. Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 12:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 56 KIPP McDonogh 15 Middle Top Executive: Deanna Reddick & Tony Cognata Grades Served: 5-8 Address: 5500 Piety Drive Telephone: 609-2280 Fax: N/A Website: KippNewOrleans.org Total Enrollment: 400 Year Founded: 2006 Avg. Class Size: 24 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: KIPP New Orleans Schools, Inc. Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 12:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 41 KIPP New Orleans Leadership Primary Top Executive: Colin Smith Grades Served: K-4 Address: 2300 St. Claude Ave. Telephone: 322-3924 Fax: N/A Website: KippNewOrleans.org Total Enrollment: 500 Year Founded: 2011 Avg. Class Size: 25 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: KIPP New Orleans Schools, Inc. Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 12:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 46 KIPP Renaissance High School Top Executive: Joey LaRoche Grades Served: 9-12 Address: 5316 Michoud Blvd., Floor 2 Telephone: 373-6255 Fax: N/A Website: KippNewOrleans.org Total Enrollment: 500 Year Founded: 2010 Avg. Class Size: 24 84

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Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: KIPP New Orleans Schools, Inc. Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 12:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 48 KIPP East Community Primary Top Executive: Jenny Dennis Carey Grades Served: K-1 Address: 4500 Mendez St. Telephone: 373-7171 Fax: N/A Website: KippNewOrleans.org Total Enrollment: 200 Year Founded: 2014 Avg. Class Size: 25 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: KIPP New Orleans Schools, Inc. Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 12:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 20 KIPP McDonogh 15 Primary Top Executive: Mark Burton Grades Served: K-4 Address: 721 St. Philip St. Telephone: 566-1706 Fax: N/A Website: KippNewOrleans.org Total Enrollment: 500 Year Founded: 2006 Avg. Class Size: 25 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: KIPP New Orleans Schools, Inc. Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 12:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 56

No. of Full Time Faculty: 105 Langston Hughes Academy Top Executive: Franchesca Cain, School Director Grades Served: PreK4-8 Address: 3519 Trafalgar St. Telephone: 373-6251 Fax: 267-9760 Website: LangstonHughesAcademy. org Total Enrollment: 847 Year Founded: 2007 Avg. Class Size: 30 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: FirstLine Schools Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 10:1, Lower; 15:1, Middle No. of Full Time Faculty: 112 Lake Forest Elementary School Top Executive: Mardele Simmons Early, Founding CEO Grades Served: PreK Gifted; K-8 Address: 12000 Hayne Blvd.

Telephone: 826-7140 Fax: 248-7020 Website: LakeForestCharter.org Total Enrollment: 546 Year Founded: 2006 Avg. Class Size: 18-20 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Orleans Parish School Board Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 15:1, PreK&K; 20:1, 1-8 No. of Full Time Faculty: 55

KIPP New Orleans Leadership Academy Top Executive: Jonny Bartlett Grades Served: 5-8 Address: 2300 St. Claude Ave. Telephone: 373-6256 Fax: N/A Website: KippNewOrleans.org Total Enrollment: 400 Year Founded: 2010 Avg. Class Size: 24 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: KIPP New Orleans Schools, Inc. Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 12:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 45

Martin Behrman Charter Academy of Creative Arts and Sciences Top Executive: Rene Lewis-Carter, Principal Grades Served: PreK-8 Address: 715 Opelousas St. Telephone: 302-7090 Fax: 309-8042 Website: BehrmanCharter.org Total Enrollment: 729 Year Founded: 1931 Avg. Class Size: 25 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Algiers Charter School Association Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 25:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 65

Lafayette Academy Top Executive: Monica B. Boudouin, Head of School Grades Served: PreK-8 Address: 2727 S. Carrollton Ave. Telephone: 861-8370 Fax: N/A Website: N/A Total Enrollment: 968 Year Founded: N/A Avg. Class Size: 28 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: N/A Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 28:1

McDonogh City Park Academy Top Executive: Christine Mitchell, Principal/CEO Grades Served: PreK-8 Address: 2733 Esplanade Ave. Telephone: 940-1740 Fax: 940-1780 Website: mcpa-no.com Total Enrollment: 470 Year Founded: 2006 Avg. Class Size: 25 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools, School Leadership Center

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Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 25:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 50 Mildred Osborne Charter School Top Executive: Andrew Shahan, CEO/Traci Amanda Washington, Principal Grades Served: K-8 Address: 6701 Curran Blvd.

Telephone: 400-0614 Fax: 708-4556 Website: MildredOsborne.org Total Enrollment: 480 Year Founded: 2013 Avg. Class Size: 27 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: CMO – ARISE Schools Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: N/A No. of Full Time Faculty: 49 New Orleans Military and Maritime Academy Top Executive: Col. William P. Davis USMC (ret), Commandant; Dr. Cecilia Garcia, Principal Grades Served: 9-12 Address: 425 O’Bannon St. Telephone: 227-3810 Fax: 875-4326 Website: NOMMA.net Total Enrollment: 540 Year Founded: 2011 Avg. Class Size: 25 Dress Requirements: Military Uniform/Civilian Uniform Affiliation: N/A Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 12:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 45 Sophie B. Wright Charter High School Top Executive: Sharon Latton Clark, Charter Director Grades Served: 7-12 Address: 1426 Napoleon Ave. Telephone: 304-3916 Fax: N/A Website: SophieBWrightSchool.com Total Enrollment: 500 Year Founded: 1910 Avg. Class Size: 23 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: RSD Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 23:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 65 Success Preparatory Academy Top Executive: Niloy Gangopadhyay, School Director Grades Served: K-8 Address: 2011 Bienville St Telephone: 909-6275 Fax: 571-6317 Website: SuccessPreparatory.org Total Enrollment: 520 Year Founded: 2009 Avg. Class Size: 21 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: N/A Student Mix: Coed

Student/Teacher Ratio: 12:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 76 The NET Charter High School Top Executive: Elizabeth Ostberg, Principal Grades Served: 9-12 Address: 1614 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd.

Telephone: 267-9060 Fax: 267-9059 Website: TheNETNola.org Total Enrollment: 150-170 Year Founded: 2011 Avg. Class Size: 15-17 Dress Requirements: N/A Affiliation: RSD – Educators for Quality Alternatives Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 8:2 No. of Full Time Faculty: 21 Warren Easton Charter High School Top Executive: Alexina Medley, Principal/CEO Grades Served: 9-12 Address: 3019 Canal St. Telephone: 324-7400 Fax: 324-7946 Website: WarrenEastonCharterHigh. org Total Enrollment: 990 Year Founded: 2006 as a Charter School; 1913 as Boys Public School Avg. Class Size: 25 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Board: Warren Easton Senior High School Foundation, Inc.; LEA: OPSB Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 25:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 54 SPECIAL SCHOOL St. Michael Special School Top Executive: Susan Munster M.Ed., Principal Address: 1522 Chippewa St. Telephone: 524-7285 Fax: 524-5883 Website: StMichaelSpecialSchool. com Total Enrollment: 213 Year Founded: 1965 Avg. Class Size: 13 Dress Requirements: Uniform Affiliation: Arch. of New Orleans Student Mix: Coed Student/Teacher Ratio: 13:1 No. of Full Time Faculty: 26 n

ADVERTISING SECTION University of New Orleans

Education Preparing for the Year Ahead

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s we enter the New Year, it’s time to begin thinking about the school year ahead. Whether your child is entering school for the first time or making the a change from a primary school to middle or high school, the options for different types of learning environments abound across Greater New Orleans. From all-boys or all-girls Catholic institutions to co-ed public and charter schools, the variety of schools present options for parents seeking specific approaches to learning. As technology becomes more and more a part of our lives, area schools are increasing student access to the latest tools and devices for learning. For some schools, a focus on sustainability manifests in gardens and environmental opportunities, while at other schools a focus on foreign languages helps create a global community. Consider your options with the following primary schools, K-12 schools, high schools, universities and educational resources.

Early & Primary Schools St. Andrew’s Episcopal School is the oldest Episcopal school in New Orleans with 57 years of experience in educating the mind, body and spirit of young children. St. Andrew’s enrolls boys and girls from Pre-Kindergarten through grade 8, offering 10 years of nurturing yet challenging education that focuses on the Decade of Childhood. St. Andrew’s has three

full divisions: the KinderCottage (PK and K), the Lower School (Grades 1-4) and the Middle School (Grades 5-8).

Under the direction of Mason Lecky, Head of School, St. Andrew’s utilizes small classes to promote a challenging learning environment where students interact with teachers and grow spiritually, socially and intellectually.

A strong academic program, enhanced by state-of-the-art technology, includes Spanish, Chinese, music, chapel, fine arts, athletics and library skills. Student publications, dramatics, interscholastic sports and community service round out St. Andrew’s program.

Come see the new classroom building at St. Andrew’s Open House on January 15 or call for a personal tour. For further information, please visit their website: StAndrewsEpiscopalSchool.org.

St. Angela Merici is a SACS accredited elementary school dedicated to providing excellence in education in a loving, Catholic environment. Conveniently located in Metairie, the school offers Pre-Kindergarten 2-year-old through seventh grade programs. With an enrollment of 400 students, St. Angela Merici provides a strong sense of community. Their Christ-centered environment encourages the spiritual development of students, offers them the opportunity to excel in academics, and fosters the development of character and community service. myneworleans.com / JANUARY 2015

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ADVERTISING SECTION Technology is integrated in both curriculum and teaching methods to meet the needs of a changing world. Apple iPads are used throughout the school to enhance learning, and their new state of the art computer lab is equipped with MacBook laptops.

Clubs and extracurricular activities play an important role in the daily life of the school community. They extend learning beyond the classroom and provide students with opportunities to develop leadership skills.

For additional information or to schedule an appointment to visit, call the school office at 504-835-8491 or visit StAngelaSchool.org.

St. George’s is a private, co-ed, independent school for students from preschool (ages 1-3) through eighth grade and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS) and the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). Established in 1969, St. George’s holds a unique position in the community based on its concept of “individualized education,” which builds upon the distinct talents and learning styles of each individual student. St. George’s has the lowest student-to-teacher ratio (5:1) of any school in the area. Its small size and abundance of enrichment programs enable faculty, students and parents to work together using a proven model of educating each child to his or her fullest potential. Students gain the confidence needed to achieve success in academics, social development and emotional wellbeing.

The historic campus is conveniently located uptown on Napoleon Ave. between Magazine and Camp streets. Open house will be held on Jan. 15 and 29 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and private tours can be arranged by calling 891-5509. For more information, visit StGeorgesEpiscopal.com or call 504-891-5509.

Holy Name of Jesus, located in the Uptown area of New Orleans, was established in 1891. It is a Roman Catholic, co-educational school for grades Pre-Kindergarten through grade 7. Serving the Greater New Orleans area, the educational philosophy of Holy Name of Jesus School centers on the belief that faith development is integral to their mission and success. The school has flourished under the guidance of the Sisters of Mercy and the Jesuit Fathers for over 100 years. Holy Name of Jesus is committed to their mission of teaching children confidence, compassion and integrity while achieving academic excellence and maintaining their Catholic faith and traditions.

Private tours are available throughout the year by appointment. For more information, call 861-1466 or visit HNJSchool.org. Experience the difference at Holy Name of Jesus – Faith, Family, Foundation … for more than 100 years.

Ecole Bilingue de la Nouvelle-Orléans, founded in 1998, is Louisiana’s only private French school that’s accredited by the French government and the State of Louisiana. It has been the mission of Ecole Bilingue to provide a strong and distinctive bilingual education for children in New Orleans by combining the best of French and American academics. Ecole Bilingue follows the curriculum of the French Education Nationale, considered to be one of the most rigorous educational systems in the world. The school also offers a rich English Language Arts and American Studies program.

Classes are offered for preschool (2 years old) through grade 6. Class sizes are small, and students are given individualized attention for better learning. Creativity is encouraged in all forms, and classes in the arts, theater and music are a 86

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part of the well-rounded curricula. Applications for the 2014-2015 school year open on January 5, 2015. Ecole Bilingue will be adding a 7th grade with the 2014-’15 school year. For more information on Ecole Bilingue de la Nouvelle-Orléans, please visit EBNola.com. To schedule a tour, call 504-899-9796.

The mission of the Stuart Hall School for Boys is to live the words of Catholic educator, Janet Erskine Stuart, R.S.C.J. – “Education is formation, not just information.” Faculty and staff are dedicated to working with parents to help each child build a foundation for a life centered on a love for learning, a desire to help others, and a commitment to Gospel values.

Now in its 31st year, Stuart Hall School is the only school in the greater New Orleans area to offer a Catholic, independent, all-boy education in a traditional, elementary school configuration (PK3-7th).

Faith, honor, leadership and scholarship are the foundations upon which we build future community leaders who have an unselfish commitment to the service of others. Stuart Hall truly is a school “Where Good Boys Become Great Men.” For more information on Stuart Hall School for Boys or to tour the campus, call 504-861-5384 or visit StuartHall.org.

For a strong primary education combined with the unique qualities of an outdoor country environment, check out Arden Cahill Academy, which is nestled on a 12-acre tract of land along Bayou Fatma in Gretna. Not only does the campus provide state of the art classroom learning facilities, but two vegetable gardens, a horseback riding arena, stables and petting farm help the school provide unique learning experiences outside of the traditional classroom environment.

The school focuses on cultural enrichment as one part of its primary education and tradition of academic excellence. Their 300-seat theater, art studios, music rooms and foreign language programs ensure students’ abilities to excel in the arts, while a football field, competition pool, gymnasium and extra-curricular athletics allow students to excel in physical competition as well. To provide family-friendly support services, Arden Cahill Academy offers before and after school care and a specialized Infant Center which accepts children as young as 6 weeks. Additionally, during summer months, they offer Camp Corral, a 10-week summer camp program with academic enrichment classes.

For more information, including tours and admission policies, call 504-392-0902 or visit ArdenCahillAcademy.com.

Open House is Jan. 27 at 9 a.m.

Continuous Education / K-12 Academy of the Sacred Heart is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for girls, toddler through grade 12. Since 1867, Sacred Heart has remained committed to its mission of faith, intellectual excellence, social awareness, building of community and personal growth. Together with a rigorous academic program, Sacred Heart offers an enhanced co-curricular program with an Arts and Athletics Complex that includes a new gym, fitness center, indoor track, and student rehab room. The Favrot Arts Center has a dance studio, multimedia center, music wing, and art studio.

Sacred Heart is the only area Catholic girls’ school that is a member of Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS), National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), Network of Sacred Heart Schools, and National Coalition of Girls Schools. Tuesday Tours for Toddler through grade 4 will be held Jan. 13, 2015 from 8:30-11 a.m.. For more information

ADVERTISING SECTION or to schedule a private tour for any grade, call 504-2691213 or AshRosary.org.

St. Martin’s Episcopal School is a coeducational, independent school that provides students from 12 months through grade 12 with a superior and challenging college preparatory education focused on the development of the whole person. Students and faculty embrace the school’s motto, “Faith, Scholarship, and Service.”

St. Martin’s innovation and design program is at the forefront of education. The Idea Lab, opened in 2013, was the first of its kind in the region. The design thinking process helps students develop skills and mindsets such as creativity, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking to solve real-world problems.

St. Martin’s is excited to announce that George Cottage, their early childhood program, is growing with the addition of their infant program in August 2015!

St. Martin’s invites you to enjoy a tour of the 18-acre campus. An All School Open House takes place Thurs., Jan. 22 at 9:30 a.m., or call to schedule a private tour. For more information, please call 504-736-9917 or visit St. Martin’s online at STMSaints.com.

Holy Cross School’s mission is to educate the whole man.

Since 1849, they have accomplished this mission through a time-tested mix of a challenging, yet caring, academic regimen, supplemented by an extensive athletic program for both middle and high school students. Answering the call of Father Basile Moreau, founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross, they aim to educate mind and heart, body and soul, with an emphasis on creating a caring and “family” atmosphere.

Holy Cross offers a continually growing “technologyinfused” curriculum. Their state-of-the-art wireless campus is outfitted with two computer labs to complement the one-to-one laptop program in grades 5-12. Teachers are kept on the cutting edge through continual training, from implementing the interactive SMART™ Board into their own lessons to alternative assessments online. Holy Cross offers an impressive array of extracurricular activities, including the only sequential music program for young men in grades 5-12.

Holy Cross will open a primary school in August of 2015 that will include grades Pre-K–4, making it the only New Orleans catholic school for boys grades Pre-K-12.

For more information, visit HolyCrossTigers.com or call 504-942-3100.

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. Ursuline Academy provides a broad, challenging and contemporary curriculum in a nurturing environment from early childhood (Toddler 2) through a college preparatory secondary program (12th grade). Ursuline fosters spiritual formation, academic excellence, and a life-long commitment to Serviam: I will serve.

Elementary School Tours (Toddler-2 through seventh grade) are offered every Wednesday in January at 8:30 a.m.. Please register online at UrsulineNewOrleans.org.

Additionally, girls ages five and under are invited to attend a Play Date on Jan. 10 from 9-10:30 a.m. in the Soeur Teresita Rivet, OSU Early Childhood Learning Center. This fun and free event will feature cooking, art, music, math, science and language arts stations. To sign up, visit UrsulineNeworleans. org. For more information, please contact the Office myneworleans.com / JANUARY 2015

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ADVERTISING SECTION of Admissions at 504-866-5292 or admissions@ ursulineneworleans.org.

The highest performing K-12 public school in the state, Lusher Charter School, a National Blue Ribbon School in partnership with Tulane University, offers a rigorous, interdisciplinary, college-focused curriculum. Lusher students are engaged and challenged through a comprehensive, renowned academic program, which enhances critical, analytical and creative thinking. Serving 1,700 students, Lusher maintains two Uptown campuses, the Lower School on Willow Street and both the Middle and High Schools on Freret Street.

Beginning with arts integration in elementary school, Lusher students often opt to continue their artistic pursuits in a high school Certificate of Artistry program. Students may also choose an area of concentration in Humanities, Communications, Art or Math, Science, Engineering and Technology. Additionally, a Writing Across the Curriculum writing lab, Learning Resource Center and state-of-the art science laboratories support academic excellence. Qualifying juniors and seniors benefit from Lusher’s partnership with Tulane University by earning college credit at Tulane.

Lusher’s numerous extracurricular offerings include 27 sports teams that operate with the strong support of Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who provided funding for our new campus football field, Brees Family Field.

For more information visit LusherSchool.org, call 504-8625110 (Lower School) or 504-304-3961 (Middle/High School).

The belief at FirstLine is that New Orleans can be the first city in America where every child goes to a great school. Their mission is to create and inspire great open enrollment public schools throughout the city. To fulfill that mission, FirstLine provides a caring community where students acquire the academic foundation necessary for success in high school, college, and beyond. They believe in educating the “whole child” and are committed to nurturing their scholars’ intellectual, social and moral growth.

Students of FirstLine live in every part of the city, with free school bus transportation available to all FirstLine schools. Their four K-8 schools and high school serve over 2,500 students. All schools offer innovative programs for students including the nationally acclaimed Edible Schoolyard New Orleans.

Find out more about FirstLine’s approach and various schools at FirstLineSchools.org or by calling 504-267-9038.

Founded in 1929, Metairie Park Country Day School believes that today’s world demands more than a traditional education; it demands the values and practices that have made Country Day unique since its inception. An innovative, hands-on approach teaches Pre-K through grade 12 students how to think creatively and independently as they tackle an expansive, rigorous curriculum. High academic standards and expectations of personal accountability are sustained by a nurturing community, a low student to teacher ratio, robust athletics and outstanding creative arts programs. The Country Day faculty focus on individual achievement through depth of inquiry rather than mere recitation of facts, and ensure that every child’s educational experience is exceptional. The successes of the school’s graduates in college and beyond are testimony to the curiosity, involvement, and creativity engendered by the Country Day philosophy and community.

Visit an Admission Open House or email admissions@ 88

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mpcds.com for a private tour, Monday-Friday. K-5 Open House takes place January 15 at 8:30a.m. Middle & Upper School Open House takes place January 22 at 8:45a.m. Please call or email to RSVP: 504-849-3110 or admissions@mpcds. com. Visit mpcds.com to learn more.

High Schools Brother Martin High School, located at 4401 Elysian Fields Ave., in the Gentilly/Lakefront section of New Orleans, is operated by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart. Educating young men in grades 7 through 12 (school year 2014-’15) and grades 8 through 12 (beginning in 2015-’16). Brother Martin challenges its students to define their lives with Courage and Confidence.

Brother Martin is committed to holistic education with a focus on personal attention, academic excellence, and strong character formation. A District 9-5A school, Brother Martin offers a full range of athletic teams and students can choose from over 80 extracurricular activities.

Permeated with the tradition of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, Brother Martin offers young men the opportunity to make positive contributions to their world. To quote their name sake, Brother Martin Hernandez, S.C., (1904 -’91), “We are not here to teach boys how to make a living, but how to make a life.” For more information, visit BrotherMartin.com.

What is your favorite subject? It’s here at Mount Carmel Academy with electives to enable you to learn more about it. All of your subjects are enhanced and given a global expression as you use your Apple Mac Book Air computer for research, comparing and connecting ideas, and developing concepts. Have you discovered your talent? You can find it through the 62 extracurricular activities, which enable you to develop your skills and talents. Learn to make peoples’ lives better through service, which is a part of all their activities.

Are you looking for a great high school where education can be fun, where technology drives teaching, where you are learning with the greatest teachers who enjoy you, and where you are supported and strengthened by God’s grace as your spirituality deepens? Mount Carmel Academy is the school for you, a four-time designated Top 50 Catholic School of Excellence, and a school nationally recognized for academic excellence!

For information, visit MCACcubs.com, email the Office of Admissions, admissions@mcacubs.org, or call 504-288-7626, extension 229.

Colleges & Universities The University of New Orleans is a premier urban research institution. For more than 50 years, UNO has been one of the city’s foremost public resources, offering a diverse set of world-class, research-based programs, advancing shared knowledge and adding to the city’s industry, culture and economy. Since 1958, the University has graduated more than 80,000 alumni, many of whom continue to live and work in the state.

One of the state’s most diverse higher education institutions, UNO has educated students from all 64 Louisiana parishes, all 50 states and more than 100 countries. Their five colleges and interdisciplinary studies program boast 40 undergraduate and pre-professional programs and more than 30 graduate programs. For four straight years, U.S. News &

ADVERTISING SECTION World Report has ranked UNO among national universities whose students graduate with the least debt.

For more information, visit uno.edu.

Educational Opportunities & Resources Prepping for an exam is as important as its results, which can affect one’s acceptance into college as well as possible scholarships and other financing.

The Princeton Review offers area students a vast array of prep options, ranging from private tutoring and small group instruction to self-guided online courses and the LiveOnline Classroom.

The Princeton Review’s SAT, ACT and PSAT programs provide students with a personal prep experience that fits their unique learning style, schedule and budget. Find the option that works best for your future graduate. Program components vary and include several hours of in-class instruction, practice tests, personalized feedback, interactive multimedia lessons and more.

For more information on prep possibilities, visit PrincetonReview.com or call 800-2Review (800-273-8439). Find out if your student will make the grade with a free practice test at PrincetonReview. com/FreePracticeTest. In addition to prep programs, a complete line of prep books for SAT and ACT are also available at PrincetonReview.com/Bookstore.

Jefferson Performing Arts Society’s Summer Musical Theatre Intensives provide a challenging and high quality musical theatre education to students of the metro New Orleans area. The students who attend these Intensives are challenged and enriched through an encouraging and inviting environment.

Summer Intensive welcomes children grades 3-7 and 8-12 each summer.

Registration begins in March and often fills up very quickly! Individual attention and fun are the goals, so space must be limited. Young performers will have the opportunity to work with professional artistic staff. At JPAS, staff place the child first and give them the opportunity to spread their wings in a creative and remarkable way. In 2015, four shows will be performed by area students across the metro region and will include Peter Pan (Northshore), Beauty and the Beast (Southshore), Wizard of Oz (Southshore), and Hairspray (Southshore).

For more details on this program contact Lynne Bordelon at 504-885-2000, Extension 211. • myneworleans.com / JANUARY 2015

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RESTAURANT INSIDER

FOOD

LAST CALL

DINING LISTINGS

“By the time this issue hits the stands, District Donuts Sliders Brew will likely have opened their hand pie-focused spin-off, District Hand Pie & Coffee Bar on Magazine Street, as well as a food truck to help roll their creative fare to locations all over town. Pretty impressive for an outfit that first opened its doors a little more than a year ago.”

table talk pg. 92

jeffery johnston PHOTOGRAPH

THE MENU / TABLE TALK District Donuts Sliders Brew

Cheap Eats

High in taste; easy on the budget

BY JAY FORMAN

G

ood food doesn’t need to come with a big price tag, and New Orleans has always been a proving ground for cheap eats. Forget soufflé potatoes and trout amandine; sometimes the best meals come in the back of a bar and are served with a view of the local wildlife. Be it a case of the Killer Poboys, an impulse-fueled sugar rush courtesy of The District’s kaleidoscopic donuts or laid-back neighborhood charm a la Horn’s, here’s a look at a few places to dine on a relative dime.

Operating as a quasi-popup in the back of the Erin Rose bar on Conti Street, Killer Poboys seizes the concept of the New Orleans poor boy and makes it its own. Owners Cam Boudreaux and April Bellow rethink what goes between their halves of French bread,

Economic Eateries

Killer Poboys 811 Conti St. KillerPoboys.blogspot.com Lunch and dinner Wednesdays-Mondays

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District Donuts Sliders Brew 2209 Magazine St. 570-6945 DonutsAndSliders.com Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily

sourcing quality ingredients and using an aggressive palate to create new twists on the iconic style of sandwich.

The Dark n’ Stormy, inspired by the drink of the same name, is a case-inpoint: locally sourced Beeler pork belly gets almost caramelized in a gingery rum and cane-sugar glaze, then is dressed up with a lime-spiked slaw that cuts through the fattiness, adding the necessary citrusy brightness. Garlic aioli rounds out the flavor profile, making this one a favorite. Their current menu can be found on their blog (KillerPoboys. blogspot.com), and as a plus they offer vegetarian poor boys, like a recent roasted eggplant version with a pomegranate sweet pepper sauce – not easy fare to find in the thick of the French Quarter, especially in the back of the quintessential dive bar.

By the time this issue hits the stands, District Donuts Sliders Brew will likely have opened their hand pie-focused spin-off, District Hand Pie & Coffee Bar on Magazine Street, as well as a food truck to help roll their creative fare to locations all over town. Pretty impressive for an outfit that first opened its doors just a little more than a year ago.

Credit their success to the business experience that the managing partners Stephen Cali, Chris Audler and Aaron Vogel bring to the table. “Between us we have worked at Houston’s as well as the corporate side of New Orleans Hamburger & Seafood Co. Lots of combined restaurant experience.” And while from an operational side they had a lot experience, there’s nothing corporate about the menu – in fact, it’s anti-corporate – which delights with its casually creative shoot-from-the-hip breeziness backed by quality sourcing.

The default sliders, mini burgers griddled on a flattop, are decidedly retro and feature Creekstone Black Angus Horn’s 1940 Dauphine St. 459-4676 HornsNola.com Breakfast and lunch daily, dinner Thursdays-Mondays

jeffery johnston PHOTOGRAPH

Quick Picks Surrey’s Juice Bar, at their Lower Garden District and Uptown locations, offer high-quality breakfast and lunch meals at excellent prices. You won’t be able to drink there, but you can get a healthy, rehydrating blast from their fresh juice menus. If you want creative fare on a relative budget to accompany your Caipirinhas, check out the Colombian outpost Mais Arepas in Central City. beef and topped with Campari tomatoes. The idea may be old school, but the sourcing is progressive. Chicken is decidedly non-boring here as well, with a fried chicken slider assembled from organic thigh meat, candied jalapeños and crispy chicken skin for flavorfully textured crunch. There are also vegetarian offerings, like one made from lemongrasschili tofu. All buns are made in-house. “Our pork belly slider has been a huge seller,” Vogel says. “And when softshells are in season we like to run a special slider with half a buster crab.” The latter comes garnished with avocado and goat cheese crema, Campari tomato slices and cucumber.

A Bulgogi slider with kimchi slaw is another one that moves when featured.

Yet it’s the sweet side that usually sends Instagram users racing down Magazine Street. Perennial doughnut favorites include Vietnamese Iced Coffee as well as Cookie Dough, but a slew of other candidates rotate though, like Blackberry with Red Wine and Dark Chocolate, Pecan Pie and Horchata. For those unable to decide between savory or sweet, “croquenuts” like the croque monsieur,

a griddled doughnut with Nuseke ham, béchamel and havarti, appease both sides of that particular equation.

Such an enthusiastic display of “doghnuttery” serves as the perfect springboard to their hand pies outpost on Magazine Street in the old Velvet Espresso shop opposite Whole Foods. “We’ll offer savory meat pies, fruit pies and cream pies,” Vogel says. “We’ll also have a ‘coffee cocktail’ bar – no alcohol but unique kinds of coffee drinks we make up that will complement what we serve.” Expect to taste iced coffee on draft, for example, as well as hand pies much like the donuts, including some inspired by our dearly departed Hubig’s.

Horn’s took over the spot formerly occupied by La Peniche and carries on its tradition of being a welcoming neighborhood eatery. That makes sense, as owner Kappa Horn, also the proprietor of Slim Goodies, knows a thing or two about casual feel-good fare. The tone is fairly rustic, with exposed bargeboard walls and a décor theme of retro photos and mounted antlers. By in large, the menu is pretty straightforward, but alongside the expected offerings like the usual pecan waffles and shrimp poor boys you can find more creative items like carrot waffles, which are shaped from shredded carrot with ginger, scallions and eggs with pickled slaw and a sweet soy sauce to finish. A Creole Cuban sandwich gets distinguished with homemade Creole mustard, and the Jewish Coonass – two potato latkes with a pair of eggs, spinach, crawfish etouffee and a biscuit – bring some sass to breakfast.

A full bar is offered as well as desserts, such as spiked milkshakes. Daily plate specials are offered as well, including a Taco Tuesday n

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“Stinky’s” Goes Upscale Trenasse, 1000 Figs and Kebab

BY ROBERT PEYTON

Trenasse The Intercontinental Hotel is one of the best in town, but for too long it hasn’t had a real restaurant. That changed with the opening of Trenasse in late November. It is the second restaurant for chef-owner Jim Richard, who also operates Stinky’s Fish House in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.

Trenasse has an odd vibe, at once countrycasual and upscale. It is the sort of place where you can hear the Grateful Dead on the sound system while eating a blue crab stuffed squash with smoked jalapeño rouille. Speckled trout meuniere shares the menu with “Stinky’s Stew,” which features shrimp, oysters, mussels, fresh fish and crab in a basil-butter broth.

The space is full of interesting artistic touches, from blonde wood paneling in the ceiling to paintings that border on sculpture by Florida artist; the place looks good. There are entrances just off St. Charles Avenue as well as from the hotel lobby, both of which converge on a bar before leading to a long, narrow dining room. As I write a banquet room is in the works, and of course the hotel has ample space for catered events.

Richard is an alumnus of Commander’s Palace, and while Trenasse does have a bit of his casual Florida restaurant on display, the overall impression is one of sophistication. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner daily, and by the time you read this should also offer brunch service. Trenasse is located at 444 St. Charles Ave.; you can call 680-7000 to make reservations.

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1000 Figs

Kebab

1000 Figs started as a food truck called the Fat Falafel. From that relatively humble start owners Theresa Galli and Gavin Cady have expanded dramatically, with a menu that, while still small, offers a lot more than the chickpea and fava bean fritters.

The food has a Mediterranean feel – flatbread, hummus, eggplant, lamb, sesame and yogurt make regular appearances – but my favorite so far is the raw kale salad with grilled squid. The kale is sliced thinly enough that it isn’t difficult to chew, and the tender squid, marked by the grill, is delicious.

The restaurant is located just up a flight of stairs, in the space that formerly housed a branch of Maple Street Books.

It isn’t big, but it’s got an open feel.

Tables made for the place have drawers at each end holding silverware and napkins. There is no liquor license as I write, but that’s easily remedied with a visit to Swirl, and at least at the moment there’s no corkage fee.

1000 Figs is located at 3141 Ponce de Leon St., just off Esplanade Avenue, and you can reach them at 301-0848. It is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Kebab serves a very specific food – sandwiches inspired by a Turkish dish as interpreted by folks in Germany. There are three sandwiches on the standard menu: Doner Kebab, a hugely popular street food in German cities, which tend to have large populations of Turkish immigrants. At Kebab it’s made with chicken thighs roasted on a vertical spit, garnished with pickled cucumbers, cabbage and red onions and dressed with a garlic aioli and mustard in house-made bread that’s similar to, but thicker than, pita. Chappapeela Farms pork is similarly spit-roasted and thinly sliced for the gyro, which comes with the same vegetables, tzatziki and a spicy cilantrobased sauce called skhug. Falafel rounds out the choices, and at Kebab it’s accompanied by hummus and more of the tzatziki sauce, as well as arugula, kale, spinach, red onions, pickled cucumbers and beets.

There is no liquor license, but so far as I know, Kebab is the only restaurant in New Orleans at which you can get coconut water from a whole, young coconut. The kitchen puts out a few specials in addition to the regular menu; Italian sausage and taro soup was available on one visit, along with a homemade lamb pastrami with caraway sauerkraut, beets, horseradish sauce and mustard.

Kebab is located at 2315 St. Claude Ave., and is open Fridays through Mondays from 11 a.m. until midnight. They deliver ($20 minimum) within biking distance. Call 383-4328 to find out more.

SARA ESSEX BRADLEY PHOTOGRAPHs

THE MENU / FOOD

Super Soups

Preparing for the cold

by Dale Curry

EUGENIA UHL PHOTOGRAPH

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I My Vegetable Soup 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil 2 or 3 beef soup bones with marrow 1 pound beef stew meat or round or chuck steak, cut into bite-sized pieces Salt, pepper and Creole seasoning 1 onion, chopped 1 bell pepper, chopped 2 stalks celery, chopped 3 cloves garlic, chopped 1 small can tomato paste 4 cups beef broth 3 cups water 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning 1/2 medium cabbage, shredded 1/2 pounds green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces 2 medium carrots 1 large potato 1 medium turnip 1 cup frozen small lima beans 3 ears corn, cut off the cobs Heat oil in a large, heavy pot.

Sprinkle meat with salt, pepper and Creole seasoning, and brown well on all sides. Remove meat from pot.

Add onions, bell pepper and celery to pot and sauté until wilted. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute more. Add tomato paste and cook for a few minutes, then add broth, water, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper and Creole seasoning to taste. Return meat to pot and simmer until meat is almost tender, about 1 hour.

Add cabbage, green beans, carrots, potato, turnip and lima beans and simmer, covered, for 30 minutes. Then add corn and cook for 10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings.

Serves 8 to 10

recently returned from a river cruise from Bucharest to Budapest. You would have thought I was going to the North Pole, having read about possible freezing temperatures and unpredictable weather changes. I wore a heavy coat, packed long underwear and prepared for triple-layer outfits topped with wool scarves. I could feel the Danube’s winds chilling my bones as I boarded my flight to Atlanta one sunny November day.

Yes, the weather was truly unpredictable to the point of some days being warm enough for shirt sleeves, sun shining every day and a cabin so toasty, it made you want to curl up with a good book. I never wore the long underwear I ordered from Land’s End, or the warm, fuzzy robe that stuffed my suitcase over the top. However, we had the most wonderful soups served at almost every lunch

and dinner on board the small ship. Hearty was the word for them. The kitchen staff must have heard the same weather forecast I did, because they were ready with meaty stews and soups like Hungarian goulash.

And, they gave out recipes.

I was thrilled to bring home ideas for fighting off our winter, mild though it is, because there’s nothing like soup on a cold day. And we do get a few of those pipebusting days.

First, let me share with you my all-purpose cream vegetable soup that saved my schedule many days when I was working full time and raising children. I call it (Any) Vegetable Cream Soup because you can use almost any vegetable you like. Then I’ll pull out the paprika I brought home and try a hearty soup with an eastern European twist.

Hungarian Goulash 2 pieces thick-sliced bacon, cut into 1/4-inch pieces 1 large onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, crushed 3 teaspoons sweet paprika 1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds 1 to 1 1/2 pounds beef shanks 1 to 1 1/2 pounds beef rump or chuck roast, cut into bite-size pieces 4 cups beef stock 1 small green bell pepper, cut into bite-sized pieces 1 small red bell pepper, cut into bite-sized pieces 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into bite-sized chunks 1 14.5-ounce can tomatoes, chopped, with liquid Salt and pepper to taste 2 cups dried egg noodles 1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped Cook bacon in a large heavy pot until it browns slightly. Add onion and sauté until transparent. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute more. Remove pot from heat and stir in paprika and caraway seeds.

Salt and pepper meat and brown in a separate skillet. Add meat, juices from meat and brown bits in skillet to pot containing paprika. Add broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 1 1/2 hours.

Add potatoes, peppers, tomatoes and seasoning.

Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer over medium heat for about 20 minutes. Stir in noodles and cook until noodles are done, about 10 minutes.

Adjust seasonings and stir in parsley. Serve in bowls with rustic bread.

Serves 6 to 8 *In Hungary, paprika is sautéed in oil in many dishes, unlike the way Americans use it as a garnish for potato salad and deviled eggs. This dish will allow you to experience the spice as it’s used in Hungary, where much of the world’s paprika is produced.

(Any) Vegetable Cream Soup 1-1 1/2 pounds vegetable, such as mushroom, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, potato, etc.

2 1/2 Tablespoons butter 1 onion 4 cups chicken stock Salt, pepper, garlic powder and Creole seasoning to taste* 1/2 cup half and half Prepare vegetable, such as trimming rough ends as necessary. Cut into 1-inch pieces.

Melt butter in saucepan and sauté onion until transparent. Add chicken stock, vegetable of your choice and seasonings. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer until vegetable is fork-tender. Do not overcook.

Move the vegetables to a blender or food processor. Add some of the liquid from the pot to the blender and purée.

Return to pot. Or use a hand blender directly in the pot and puree to desired consistency. Add cream and heat to serve. Do not boil. Adjust seasonings.

Serves 4-6 * In addition to seasonings mentioned, you can add any that go with a particular vegetable, such as Italian seasoning with cauliflower and broccoli, or dill with potatoes. n

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THE MENU / LAST CALL

Another Year Begins How to cobble a cobbler BY tim mcnally

R

emaining optimistic about the future is a delightful and necessary human trait. So let’s look ahead, have a great party to celebrate a New Year’s Eve, which will, no doubt, be better than the last.

To move toward a positive outcome, we need to change a few things. Resolutions are traditionally made on this premise, and we all have intentions of improving ourselves. “Simplifying” is one of those paths now available that hopefully leads to happiness.

Since we have to start somewhere, let’s start with our choice of beverages. Cobblers, one of the oldest styles of adult beverages – dating at least back to the 1830s – mix bitter with sweet, fruit with spirits, and are easy to make, easy to enjoy class of cocktail. The cobbler tradition is locally preserved at Bellocq in the Hotel Modern. The bar is named for the turn-of-the-20th century photographer who chronicled “working girls” in the Storyville District of our town, where jazz, the only true and indigenous American art form, was likely born, playing alongside then legally pleasurable activities between consenting adults.

Bellocq, the drinking establishment, is brought to you by the same talented and visionary team that brought New Orleans Cure and Cane & Table. They have delivered on their promise to keep it fun and keep it simple. n

White Port Cobbler 2 ounces White Port 1/2 ounce lemon juice 1/2 ounce ginger syrup 2 muddled orange eights Shake, then pour into a cobble tin or old fashioned glass, adding an orange piece and lemon peel garnish.

Also garnish with mint, strawberry and a lemon quarter.

As crafted by Kirk Estopinal, proprietor, Bellocq, At the Hotel Modern, Lee Circle

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THE MENU / DINING GUIDE H= New Orleans Magazine award winner / $ = Average entrée price. $ = $5-10 / $$ = $11-15 / $$$ = $16-20 / $$$$ = $21-25 / $$$$$ = $25 and up.

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 MonFri, D Mon-Sat, Br Sat-Sun. This eclectic local restaurant draws rave reviews for its praline bacon and distinctive Southern-inspired brunch specials. $$$

H Maurepas 3200 Burgundy St., 2670072, MaurepasFoods.com. D Thu-Tue, Br Sat-Sun. Pioneering farm-to-table restaurant with an ingredient-driven menu that changes daily. Clever cocktails a plus as well. $$ 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. $

CITY PARK––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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., 522-1992, GrillRoomNewOrleans.com. B, L, D daily, Br Sun. Featuring modern American cuisine with a distinctive 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. $$$ Pete’s Pub Intercontinental Hotel, 444 St. Charles Ave., 585-5401, IcNewOrleans.com/dining/petes_pub. D Mon-Fri. Casual fare and adult beverages are served in this pub on the ground floor. $$ Q&C Hotel/Bar 344 Camp St., (866) 247-7936, QandC.com. B, D daily. 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 200 Julia St., 252-9480, RootNola. com. L Mon-Fri, D daily. Chef Philip Lopez opened Root in November 2011 and has garnered a loyal following for his modernist, eclectic cuisine. Try the country fried chicken wings and the Cohiba-smoked scallops crusted with chorizo. $$$$

H Restaurant August 301 Tchoupitoulas 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. $$$$$ Tivoli & Lee 2 Lee Circle, 962-0909, TivoliAndLee.com. B, L, D daily, Br SatSun. Progressive Southern cuisine is the focus. Rabbit sliders, poke salad and pickled shrimp redefine locally sourced ingredients, and craft cocktail and bourbon menus round out the appeal. Craft cocktail bar Bellocq serves specialty and locally influenced libations. $$$ 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. $$ Warehouse Grille, 869 Magazine St., 322-2188, WarehouseGrille.com. L, D daily, Br Fri-Sun. Creative fare served in

an art-filled environment. Try the duck crêpes or 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.

His Smoked Kobe Short Ribs are a good choice. $$$

Downtown–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Camellia Grill 540 Chartres St., 5221800. B, L, D daily. A venerable diner whose essential character has remained intact and many of the original waiters have returned. This location has a liquor license and credit cards are now accepted. $

Faubourg Marigny–––––––––––––––––– The Marigny Brasserie 640 Frenchmen St., 945-4472, MarignyBrasserie.com. L, D daily. Chic neighborhood bistro with traditional dishes like the Wedge of Lettuce salad and innovative cocktails such as the cucumber Cosmo. $$$ Snug Harbor 626 Frenchman St., 949-0696, SnugJazz.com. D daily. This jazz club serves cocktails and a dining menu loaded with steaks, seafood and meaty burgers served with loaded baked potatoes. $$$$

French Quarter–––––––––––––––––––––– Hard Rock Café 125 Bourbon St., 5295617, HardRock.com. L, D daily. 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. $$$$$ Rib Room Omni Royal Orleans Hotel, 621 St. Louis St., 529-7046, RibRoomNewOrleans.com. L, D daily, Br Sat-Sun. Old World elegance and high ceilings, house classic cocktails and Anthony Spizale’s broad menu of prime rib, stunning seafood and on weekends a champagne brunch. $$$

GARDEN DISTRICT–––––––––––––––––––––––– Cheesecake Bistro by Copeland’s, 2001

St. Charles Ave., 593-9955, CopelandsCheesecakeBistro.com. L, D daily. Shiny, contemporary bistro serves Cajun-fusion fare along with its signature decadent desserts. Good lunch value to boot. $$

Metairie–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– café B, 2700 Metairie Road, 934-4700, cafeB.com. D daily, L Mon-Sat. Br Sun. Ralph Brennan offers New American bistro fare with a Louisiana twist at this family-friendly neighborhood spot. $$$ Heritage Grill, 111 Veterans Memorial Blvd., 934-4900, HeritageGrillMetairie. com. L Mon-Fri. This lunch-only destination caters to the office crowd and offers a freshly squeezed juice menu to go along with its regular menu and express two-course lunch. $$ Martin Wine Cellar 714 Elmer Ave., 8967300, MartinWine.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. 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) 892-3712, 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. D TueSat. Modern Southern cuisine manages

Tiki Bar in the French Quarter offers ‘lost’ cocktails Beachbum Berry’s Latitude 29, 321 N. Peters St., 609-3811, Latitude29Nola.com When you’ve been described as “one of the leading rum experts” by Food & Wine magazine and the “Indiana Jones of Tiki drinks” by The New York Times, you have a lot to live up to when opening your first bar. Jeff “Beachbum” Berry has met those expectations with his recently opened Latitude 29 in the French Quarter offering “Exotic Drinks & Chow.” Berry has published six books on vintage cocktails and has spent two decades researching forgotten exotic drinks. Berry offers many of these on his drinks menu, which also includes more traditional cocktails, highballs and straight pours. Fun Tiki Cuisine, with gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options, is available as an accompaniment. – Mirella Cameran

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cheryl gerber photograph

to be both fun and refined at this tasteful boîte. $$$

Uptown–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Audubon Clubhouse 6500 Magazine St., 212-5282, AudubonInstitute.org. B, L Tue-Sat, Br Sun. A kid-friendly menu with local tweaks and a casually upscale sandwich and salad menu. $$ Camellia Grill 626 S. Carrollton Ave., 3092679. B, L, D daily. A venerable diner whose essential character has remained intact and many of the original waiters have returned. Credit cards are now accepted. $ Cheesecake Bistro by Copeland’s 2001 St. Charles Ave., 593-9955, CopelandsCheesecakeBistro.com. L, D daily, Br Sun. Dessert fans flock to this sweetcentric Copeland establishment which also offers extensive lunch and dinner menus. $$$

H The Company Burger 4600 Freret St., 267-0320, TheCompanyBurger.com. L, D Wed-Mon. 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. $ GG’s Dine-O-Rama 3100 Magazine St., 373-6579, GGsNewOrleans.com. B Sat, L, Tue-Sun, D Tue-Fri, Br Sun. Upscalecasual 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 and snacks to-go. $ 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, D TueSun. 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. Cash only. $$ 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.,

French Quarter–––––––––––––––––––––––

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. $$$$

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. $$$

H Wayfare 4510 Freret St., 309-0069,

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

WayfareNola.com. L, D daily. Creative sandwiches and southern-inspired small plates. $$ Ye Olde College Inn 3000 S. Carrollton Ave., 866-3683, CollegeInn1933.com. D Tue-Sat. Serves up classic fare, albeit with a few upscale dishes peppering the menu. $$$

Garden District–––––––––––––––––––––––

H Tan Dinh 1705 Lafayette St., 361-

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. $$

CBD/Warehouse District––––––––––– Horinoya 920 Poydras St., 561-8914. L, D daily. Excellent Japanese dining. The chutoro is delicious and the selection of authentic Japanese appetizers is the best. $$$ Rock-N-Sake 823 Fulton St., 581-7253, RockNSake.com. L Fri, D Tue-Sun, late night. Fresh sushi and contemporary takes on Japanese favorites in an upbeat, casual setting. $$$

8008. B, L, D daily. Roasted quail and the beef pho rule at this Vietnamese outpost. $$

Lakeview––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Lakeview Pearl 6300 Canal St., 3095711, LakeviewPearl.com. L, D Mon-Sat. A long list of specialty rolls rounds out the offerings of this Asian-Fusion restaurant. $$

Metairie–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Aloha Sushi 619 Pink St., 837-0055, SunRayGrill.com. L Tue-Fri, D, Tue-Sun. Fresh fish and creative rolls, along with gluten-free options such as rolls in bowls, sushi burritos and other lunch friendly Japanese fare featured. $$

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DINING GUIDE 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–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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. $$$

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

big enough for everyone to share. $$

Barbecue

Faubourg St. John–––––––––––––––––––– H Café Degas 3127 Esplanade Ave., 945-

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. $

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. $$

Lower Garden District–––––––––––––

French Quarter–––––––––––––––––––––––

Bywater––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

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 Community Coffee House Multiple locations in New Orleans, Metairie and Northshore, CCsCoffee.com. Coffeehouse specializing in coffee, espresso drinks and pastries. $

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. $

Voodoo BBQ 1501 St. Charles Ave., 5224647, 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 meats and seafood. $$

H Ruby Slipper Café 200 Magazine St.,

Burgers

MoPhoMidCity.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. $$$

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. $$

French Quarter––––––––––––––––––––––– Bayou Burger, 503 Bourbon St., 5294256, SportsBarNewOrleans.com. L, D daily. Sports bar in the thick of Bourbon Street scene distinguishes its fare with choices like Crawfish Beignets and Zydeco Bites. $$

Riverbend–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– H Ba Chi Canteen 7900 Maple St., 373-

CARROLLTON–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Port of Call 838 Esplanade Ave., 5230120, 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. $$

H MoPho 514 City Park Ave., 482-6845,

5628. 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”. $

H Chill Out Café 729 Burdette St., 8729628. 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. $

Uptown–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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., 8967611, MagasinCafe.com. L, D Mon-Sat. Pho, banh mi and vegetarian options are offered at this attractive and budgetfriendly Vietnamese restaurant. Café sua da is available as well. $ Kyoto 4920 Prytania St., 891-3644, KyotoNola.com. L, D Mon-Sat. A neighborhood sushi restaurant where the regulars order off-the-menu rolls. $$

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

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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. $

City Park––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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. $

Faubourg Marigny––––––––––––––––––– H Ruby Slipper Café 2001 Burgundy 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. $$

Mid-City––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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. $

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 grits. $$

Lakeview––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Lakeview Harbor 911 Harrison Ave., 486-4887, NewOrleansBestBurger.com.

L, D daily. Burgers are the name of the game at this restaurant. Daily specials, pizza and steaks are offered as well. $

METAIRIE–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Cheeseburger Eddie’s, 4517 W Esplanade Ave., 455-5511, AustinsNo.com/ Cheeseburger-Eddie-s.html. L, D Mon-Sat. Hickory-grilled burgers are the main draw at this casual spot but tacos, tamales, poor boys and more are also served. $

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. $$

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

H Marti’s 1041 Dumaine St., 522-5478, MartisNola.com. 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. $$$

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., 8996987, 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., 2650421, CoquetteNola.com. L Wed-Sat, D Wed-Mon, Br Sun. The food is French in inspiration and technique, with added imagination from chef Michael and his partner Lillian Hubbard. $$$ Flaming Torch 737 Octavia St., 895-0900, FlamingTorchNola.com. L Mon-Fri, D daily, Br Sat-Sun. French classics including a tasty onion soup and often a sought-after coq-au-vin. $$

H La Crêpe Nanou 1410 Robert St.,

French

899-2670, LaCrepeNanou.com. D daily, Br Sun. Classic French bistro fare, including terrific moules and decadent dessert crêpes, are served nightly at this neighborhood institution. $$$

Chateau du Lac 857 Fulton St., 301-0235, ChateauduLacWarehouse.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. $$$$

La Petite Grocery 4238 Magazine St., 891-3377, LaPetiteGrocery.com. L TueSat, D daily, Br Sun. Elegant dining in a convivial atmosphere. The menu is heavily French-inspired with an emphasis on technique. $$$

Le Foret 129 Camp St., 553-6738, LeForetNewOrleans.com. D Mon-Sat. Sophisticated fine dining melds southern cuisine and classic French with modernist influences in an elegant setting. $$$$

Lilette 3637 Magazine St., 895-1636, LiletteRestaurant.com. L Tue-Sat, D MonSat. Chef John Harris’ innovative menu draws discerning diners to this highly regarded bistro. Desserts are wonderful as well. $$$$$

CBD/Warehouse District–––––––––––

H Martinique Bistro 5908 Magazine St., 891-8495, MartiniqueBistro.com. D TueSun, Br Sat-Sun. French colonial fare served in a lovely covered courtyard, as well as a tempting weekend brunch. $$

Gastropub

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. $$

Abita Springs––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Lower Garden District–––––––––––––

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. $$

The Tasting Room 1926 Magazine St., 581-3880, TTRNewOrleans.com. D WedSun. Flights of wine and sophisticated small plates are the calling cards for this wine bar near Coliseum Square. $$

CBD/Warehouse District––––––––––

Mid-City––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

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. $$

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

Victory 339 Baronne St., 522-8664, VictoryNola.com. D Tue-Sat. Craft cocktails served by owner and acclaimed bartender Daniel Victory, as well as refined small plates and gourmet pizza. $$

Uptown–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

French Quarter––––––––––––––––––––––– H Cane & Table 1113 Decatur St., 5811112, CaneAndTableNola.com. L Sat-Sun, D daily. Open late, this chef-driven 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.

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., 8911810, 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., 895-0858, TheDelaichaise.com. L Sat-

Sun, 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, 4638950, 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.

The menu of thin, lightly topped pizzas, artisanal salumi and cheese, and a carefully chosen selection of antipasti, pasta and entrées, feature locally raised products, some from chef John Besh’s Northshore farm. $$$$ Mother’s 401 Poydras St., 523-9656, MothersRestaurant.net. B, L, D daily. Lo-

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

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

Faubourg Marigny––––––––––––––––––– 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––––––––––––––––––––––– 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. $$$$

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DINING GUIDE 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. $$$

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. $$

Irene’s Cuisine 539 St. Philip St., 529881. 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. $$$$

H R’evolution 777 Bienville St., 553-

H Italian Barrel 430 Barracks St., 569-0198, 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. $$$

H Maximo’s Italian Grill 1117 Decatur St., 586-8883, MaximosGrill.com. D daily.

Italian destination features a sprawling menu including housemade salumi and antipasti as well as old school classics like veal osso bucco. Private dining is offered for special events. $$$ Muriel’s Jackson Square 801 Chartres St., 568-1885, Muriels.com. L, D daily, Br Sun. Enjoy pecan-crusted drum and other local classics while dining in the courtyard bar or any other room in this labyrinthine, rumored-to-be-haunted establishment. $$$$ Napoleon House 500 Chartres St., 524522-4152, NapoleonHouse.com. L Mon-Sat, D Tue-Sat. Originally built in 1797 as a respite for Napoleon, this family-owned European-style café serves local favorites gumbo, jambalaya and muffulettas, and for sipping, a Sazerac or lemony Pimm’s Cup are perfect accompaniments. $$ NOLA 534 St. Louis St., 522-6652, Emerils.com. L Thu-Mon, D daily. Emeril’s more affordable eatery, featuring cedar-plankroasted redfish; private dining. $$$$$ 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.,

2277, RevolutionNola.com. L Wed-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. $$$$$

H Tujague’s 823 Decatur St., 525-8676, TujaguesRestaurant.com. L Sat-Sun, D daily. 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. $$$$$

Lakeview––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– H Tony Angello’s 6262 Fleur de Lis Drive, 488-0888, TonyAngellos.com. D TueSat. Creole-Italian favorite serves up fare.

Ask Tony to “Feed Me” if you want a real multi-course dining experience. $$$$

Metairie–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– H Andrea’s Restaurant 3100 19th St., 834-8583, AndreasRestaurant.com. L Mon-Sat, 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.

Cash only. $$ Ralph’s On The Park 900 City Park Ave., 488-1000, RalphsOnThePark.com. Br Sun, L Tue-Fri, D daily. A modern interior and contemporary Creole dishes such as City Park salad, turtle soup, barbecue Gulf shrimp and good cocktails. $$$$

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. $$ Pascal’s Manale 1838 Napoleon Ave., 895-4877, PascalsManale.com. L MonFri, D Mon-Sat. Vintage neighborhood restaurant since 1913 and the place to go for the creation of barbecued shrimp. Its oyster bar serves icy cold, freshly shucked Louisiana oysters and the Italian specialties and steaks are also solid. $$$$ Vincent’s Italian Cuisine 7839 St. Charles Ave., 866-9313, VicentsItalianCuisine.com. L Tue-Fri, D Tue-Sun. Snug Italian boîte packs them in yet manages to remain intimate at the same time. The cannelloni is a house specialty. $$$

Louisianian Fare

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

D Mon-Sat. Chef Steven Manning brings a refined sensibility to this refined Warehouse District oasis along with his famous fried oysters with melted brie. $$$ Bon Ton Cafe 401 Magazine St., 5243386, TheBonTonCafe.com. L, D Mon-Fri. A local favorite for the old-school business lunch crowd specializing in local seafood and Cajun dishes. $$$$ Café Adelaide Loews New Orleans Hotel, 300 Poydras St., 595-3305, CafeAdelaide. com. B, D daily, L Mon-Fri. This offering

from the Commander’s Palace family of restaurants has become a power-lunch 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. $$ Drago’s Hilton Riverside Hotel, 2 Poydras St., 584-3911, DragosRestaurant. com. L, D daily. This famous seafooder specializes in charbroiled oysters, a dish they invented. Great deals on fresh lobster as well. $$$$ Emeril’s 800 Tchoupitoulas St., 5289393, EmerilsRestaurants.com. L MonFri, D daily. The flagship of superstar chef Emeril Lagasse’s culinary empire, this landmark attracts pilgrims from all over the world. $$$$$

H Herbsaint 701 St. Charles Ave., 5244114, Herbsaint.com. L Mon-Fri, D MonSat. 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. $$$$$ Mulate’s 201 Julia St., 522-1492, Mulates.com. L, D daily. Live music and dancing add to the fun at this worldfamous Cajun destination. $$ Palette 700 Tchoupitoulas St., 613-2350, B, L, D daily. Creole, Cajun and French flavors all come together at this restaurant in the Renaissance Hotel near the Convention Center. $$

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

Andrea’s Restaurant celebrates 30 years with 1985 roll back Andrea’s Northern Italian and Seafood Cuisine, 3100 19th St., Metairie, 834-8583, AndreasRestaurant.com Andrea’s is celebrating 30 years in business this January with a special “roll back” menu. Favorite dishes such as Ossobucco Milanese, Beef Tenderloin and Cheese Ravioli Roberto will be on the menu at 1985 prices. Commenting, chef and Proprietor Andrea Apuzzo said: “I am so grateful to the people of New Orleans for supporting me all these years. It’s been a wonderful experience to serve generations of families over the years from engagement dinners, to weddings, baptisms, first communions and more. I want to thank all my customers and hope to welcome them back soon.” – M.C.

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dishes like rack of lamb and plume de veau. $$$$$

Faubourg Marigny–––––––––––––––––––– Feelings Cafe 2600 Chartres St., 9452222, FeelingsCafe.com. D Wed-Sun, Br Sun. 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. $$$$

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. $$$$$ Antoine’s 713 St. Louis St., 581-4422, Antoines.com. L, D Mon-Sat, Br Sun. This pinnacle of haute cuisine and birthplace of oysters Rockefeller is New Orleans’ oldest restaurant. (Every item is á la carte, with an $11 minimum.) Private dining rooms available. $$$$$

H The Bistreaux New Orleans Maison Dupuy Hotel, 1001 Toulouse St., 5868000, MaisonDupuy.com/dining.html. L, D daily. 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., 586-0972, 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. $ 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. $$$$$ Criollo Hotel Monteleone, 214 Royal St., 681-4444, CriolloNola.com. B, L, D daily. Next to the famous Carousel Bar in the historic Monteleone Hotel, Criollo represents an amalgam of the various cultures reflected in Louisiana cooking and cuisine, often with a slight contemporary twist. $$$

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. $$$$$

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. $$

House of Blues 225 Decatur St., 3104999, HouseOfBlues.com/NewOrleans. L, D daily. Surprisingly good menu complements music in the main room. Worldfamous Gospel Brunch every Sunday.

Patio seating available. $$

H Tableau 616 S. Peter St., 934-3463,

K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen 416 Chartres St., 596-2530, ChefPaul.com/KPaul. L Thu-Sat, 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 MiLa 817 Common St., 412-2580, MiLaNewOrleans.com. L Mon-Fri, D Mon-Sat. Latest offering from husbandand-wife chefs Slade Rushing and Allison Vines-Rushing focuses on the fusion of the cuisines of Miss. and La. $$$$

Bourbon St., 522-0111, BourbonHouse. com. B, L, D daily. Classic Creole dishes such as redfish on the halfshell and baked oysters served. Its extensive bourbon menu will please aficionados. $$$$

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. $$$

Galatoire’s 209 Bourbon St., 525-2021, Galatoires.com. L, D Tue-Sun. Friday

SoBou 310 Chartres St., 552-4095, SoBouNola.com. B, L, D daily. There is

H Dickie Brennan’s Bourbon House 144

TableauFrenchQuarter.com. L, D daily, Br 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. $$$

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 Mon-Sat. 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

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DINING GUIDE 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 MonSat. 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., 569-8997, 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 Redemption 3835 Iberville St., 3093570, Redemption-Nola.com. L Wed-Fri & Sun, D Wed-Sun. Chef-driven “Revival” Creole fare served in an inspiring former church. $$$

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. $$$

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 TueFri, D Sat. Chef Pat Gallagher’s destination restaurant offers al fresco seating

to accompany classically inspired New Orleans fare. Event catering offered. $$$

Riverbend––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– H Boucherie 8115 Jeannette St., 8625514, Boucherie-Nola.com. L, D Tue-Sat. Serving contemporary Southern food with an international angle, chef Nathaniel Zimet offers excellent ingredients presented simply. $$ Brigtsen’s 723 Dante St., 861-7610, Brigtsens.com. D Tue-Sat. Chef Frank Brigtsen’s nationally famous Creole cuisine makes this cozy cottage a true foodie destination. $$$$$

University Area––––––––––––––––––––––– H Dunbar’s 501 Pine St., 861-5451. Beloved budget-friendly Creole institution in an unlikely spot – Loyola University’s Broadway campus – but the excellent jambalaya, fried chicken and red beans and rice haven’t changed. $

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. $$$ Casamento’s 4330 Magazine St., 8959761, CasamentosRestaurant.com. L Tue-Sat, D Thu-Sat. The family-owned restaurant has shucked oysters and fried seafood since 1919; closed during summer and for all major holidays. $$ Clancy’s 6100 Annunciation St., 8951111, ClancysNewOrleans.com. L Thu-Fri, D Mon-Sat. 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. $$$$ Dick and Jenny’s 4501 Tchoupitoulas St., 894-9880, DickAndJennys.com. L Thu-Fri, D Mon-Sat, Br Sun. A funky cottage serving Louisiana comfort food with flashes of innovation. $$$$ Domilise’s 5240 Annunciation St., 899912. L, D Mon-Wed, Fri-Sat. Local institution and rite-of-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. $$$$$ Jacques-Imo’s Cafe 8324 Oak St., 8610886, Jacques-Imos.com. D Mon-Sat. Reinvented New Orleans cuisine served in a party atmosphere. The deep-fried roast beef poor boy is delicious. The lively bar scene offsets the long wait on weekends. $$$$ Joey K’s 3001 Magazine St., 891-0997, JoeyKsRestaurant.com. L, D Mon-Sat. A true neighborhood restaurant with daily lunch plates; red beans and rice are classic. $ Mahony’s 3454 Magazine St., 899-3374, MahonysPoBoys.com. L, D daily. Along with the usual poor boys, this sandwich shop serves up a grilled shrimp and fried green tomato version dressed with remoulade sauce. Sandwich offerings are augmented by a full bar. $ Mat & Naddie’s 937 Leonidas St., 8619600, MatAndNaddies.com. D Mon-Tue, Thu-Sat. Cozy converted house serves up creative and eclectic regionally inspired fare. Shrimp and crawfish croquettes make for a good appetizer and when the weather is right the romantic patio is the place to sit. $$$$

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., 6768282, PizzaDelicious.com. 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 Mon-Sat. Authentic Neapolitan-style pizza fired in an oven imported from Naples. The housemade charcuterie makes it a double-winner. $$ 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) 3866666, 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. $$$ H Rio Mar 800 S. Peters St., 525-3474, RioMarSeafood.com. L Mon-Fri, D Mon-Sat. Seafood-centric destination focuses on Latin American and Spanish cuisines. Try the bacalaitos and the escabeche. The tapas lunch is a great way to try a little of everything. Save room for the tres leches. $$$$

French Quarter––––––––––––––––––––––– Bourbon House 144 Bourbon St., 5220111, BourbonHouse.com. B, L, D daily.

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. $$$ Deanie’s Seafood 841 Iberville St., 5811316, Deanies.com. L, D daily. Louisiana seafood, baked, broiled, boiled and fried is the name of the game. Try the barbecue shrimp or towering seafood platters. $$$

Marti’s, alive and well again in the French Quarter Marti’s, 1041 Dumaine St., 522-5478, MartisNola.com Marti’s, once the haunt of Tennesee Williams and the hub of the French Quarter during the 1970s and ’80s, has reopened under the stewardship of Patrick Singley and his team. Singley, also owner of Gautreau’s and Ivy, has restored both the famous restaurant, situated on the corner of Dumaine and Rampart streets, and its menu. The food is a contemporary, local take on Parisian brasserie food with an emphasis on farm to table cooking. The wine and cocktails are half-off during Happy Hour, 5-7 p.m., and complimentary valet parking is available every night and at lunchtime on Fridays. – M.C.

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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, CocktailBarNewOrleans.com. L, D daily.

Gulf seafood and nouvelle Creole dishes such as smoked rabbit gumbo are the main draws at this establishment helmed by Greg Sonnier, as well as the excellent bar program by mixologist Chris McMillian. $$$ Landry’s Seafood 400 N. Peters St., 5580038, LandrysSeafood.com. Kid-friendly and popular seafood spot serves of heaping platters of fried shrimp, Gulf oysters, catfish and more. $$ Le Bayou, 208 Bourbon St., 525-4755, LeBayouRestaurant.com. L, D Mon-Sat. 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. $$$ Oceana Grill 739 Conti St., 525-6002, OceanaGrill.com. B, L, D daily. Gumbo, poor boys and barbecue shrimp are served at this kid-friendly seafood destination. $$ 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

“Cajun-Boiled” Lobster prepared crawfish-style in spicy crab boil. $$$

Kenner––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Mr. Ed’s Seafood and Italian Restaurant 910 W. Esplanade Ave., Ste. 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–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Austin’s Restaurant, 5101 W. Esplanade Ave., 888-5533, AustinsNo.com. D MonSat. Signature steak, seafood and Italian specialties reign at this dinner-only destination. Catering offered as well. $$$ Deanie’s Seafood 1713 Lake Ave., 8314141, Deanies.com. L, D daily. Louisiana seafood, baked, broiled, boiled and fried, is the name of the game. Try the barbecue shrimp or towering seafood platters. $$$ Mr. Ed’s 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. $$

Uptown––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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. $$

West End––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Landry’s Seafood 8000 Lakeshore Drive, West End, 283-1010, LandrysSeafood.com.

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

French Quarter––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 Charters St., 267-3500, DorisMetropolitan.com. L Sat-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

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DINING GUIDE 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. $$$ Morton’s The Steakhouse The Shops at Canal Place, 365 Canal St., 566-0221, Mortons.com/NewOrleans. D daily. Quintessential Chicago steakhouse serves up top-quality slabs of meat along with jumbo seafood. Clubhouse atmosphere makes this chophouse a favorite of Saints players and business-people alike. $$$$$

Metairie––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Ruth’s Chris Steak House 3633 Veterans Blvd., 888-3600, RuthsChris.com. L Fri, 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. $$$$$

Mid-City––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– H Crescent City Steaks 1001 N. Broad St., 821-3271, CrescentCitySteaks.com. L Tue-Fri & Sun, D daily. One of the classic New Orleans steakhouses. Steaks, sides and drinks are what you get. $$$$

H Milkfish 125 N. Carrollton Ave., 2674199, MilkfishNola.com. L, D Thu-Tue. Filipino cuisine like adobo and lumpia is served, further expanding dining opportunities. $$

Vegan/Vegetarian

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

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

Bywater–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– H Booty’s Street Food 800 Louisa St., 266-2887, BootysNola.com. B, L, D daily.

Street food culled from countries around the globe is the muse of this creative establishment, where papadum from India resides confidently alongside Peruvian ceviche. $$ 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––––––––––– H Lüke 333 St. Charles Ave., 378-2840, LukeNewOrleans.com. B, L, D daily, Br

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

Faubourg Marigny––––––––––––––––––– H Mona’s Café 504 Frenchmen St., 949-4115. 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. $

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

Kenner––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– H Fiesta Latina 1924 Airline Drive, 4682384, 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. 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. $

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. $$

H Irish House 1432 St. Charles Ave., 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. $$

H Ivy 5015 Magazine St., 899-1330. D Mon-Sat. James Beard Award-winning chef Sue Zemanick lets her hair down and her more casual side shine at this ingredient-driven small plates hotspot that, while elegant, is more fun than formal. $$$ Jamila’s Mediterranean Tunisian Cuisine 7808 Maple St., 866-4366. D TueSun. Intimate and exotic bistro serving Mediterranean and Tunisian cuisine. The Grilled Merguez is a Jazz Fest favorite and vegetarian options are offered. $$ 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 Mona’s Café 4126 Magazine St., 8949800; 1120 S. Carrollton Ave., 861-8174.

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. $

2188, 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.

French Quarter––––––––––––––––––––––– Antoine’s Annex 513 Royal St., 525-8045, 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.

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––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– H Blue Dot Donuts 5236 Tchoupitoulas St., 941-7675, 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.

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

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

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, 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. $$$

Specialty Foods

CBD/Warehouse District––––––––––– Calcasieu 930 Tchoupitoulas St., 588-

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

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Martin Wine Cellar, Baronne Street

What’s New ‘Round NOLA: Dining, Shopping, Travel, Home Design, & More

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s a distant memory. With Mardi Gras on the horizon and the holidays newly passed, people welcome the New Year with a plethora of activities, events, and projects. In advance of the Lenten season, people feast with ferocity and enjoy the liveliness of New Orlean’s coldest couple of months. Find out what’s new in the New Year among the following local restaurants, boutiques, entertainers, travel destinations, and home design/service providers, and start your New Year off with a bang!

Food & Drink 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 Tso’s Chicken, Hunan steak, Kung Pao shrimp and more. Open daily until 2 a.m., Hoshun is a favorite late nightspot for locals and visitors alike. Visitors can look forward to the addition of sharable small plates to the menu in the near future.

Whether you’re looking for seafood, steak or vegetarian fare, Hoshun’s extensive menu provides options for everyone. Salt & 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 25-70 people.

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It’s Carnival time! Before or after the parades, stop by any of the Tropical Isles, home of the Hand Grenade®, New Orleans’ Most Powerful Drink® and enjoy the new Hand Grenade® Martini! Also, enjoy a Hand Grenade or Martini at Funky Pirate Blues Club or Bayou Club.

Experience Trop Rock, Cajun/Zydeco & the Blues with Tropical Isle’s nightly entertainment, the best on Bourbon. State-of-the-art sound systems plus great live bands will keep you dancing the night away at Tropical Isle Bourbon, Tropical Isle Original, Little Tropical Isle, Funky Pirate and the Bayou Club. Enjoy big screen TV’s at Funky Pirate, Bayou Club, Tropical Isle Bourbon and Top of the Trop. Tropical Isle® just celebrated its 30th anniversary. Come party with Tropical Isle for the next 30 years! For more on Tropical Isle, visit tropicalisle.com.

For a quiet escape, visit local favorite The Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar & Bistro right off of Bourbon at 720 Orleans Ave., which has more than 200 varieties of wine by the bottle and plenty of wine by the glass.

For sample menus and wine lists, visit OrleansGrapevine.com.

Amazing history, elegant old-world ambiance and delectable Creole cuisine come together at The Court of Two Sisters in the French Quarter.

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Located at 613 Royal Street, this old-line New Orleans restaurant is where locals and visitors from around the world come to enjoy traditional Creole cuisine in the largest courtyard in the French Quarter.

Dinner is a romantic, memorable occasion. New entrees include Fried Louisiana Oysters over sautéed kale with bleu cheese, chopped bacon, and Remoulade, and the Roasted Chappapeela Farms Duck with sweet jalapeno cornbread and sautéed asparagus. Guests are served under flickering gaslights in the courtyard or in one of three elegant dining rooms. During the day, the Jazz Brunch Buffet provides a lavish display of hot and cold dishes served alongside live Dixieland music.

The restaurant is available to host special events in a beautiful setting with freshly prepared food and refreshing drinks all summer long. Open seven days a week, the Jazz Brunch Buffet is served from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., and their romantic Creole Dinners are served nightly from 5:30-10 p.m.

Reservations are recommended. For more information visit CourtOfTwoSisters.com or call 504-522-7261.

Where can you get the latest craze in the City of New Orleans?

FroYo Café and Sweets! They have created the new “King Cake Croissant” ™ mastered by chef Damidot of the Hyatt Regency. Together, they have created the must-have pastry/dessert for the holiday season.

FroYo Café and Sweets is part of the redevelopment of Canal Street and brings a fun, family-oriented destination with 24 yogurt, ice cream, gluten-free, sorbet and gelato options as well as 100+ toppings and 16 real fruit/protein smoothies. They also offer New Orleans Roast coffee, light pastries, and other sweets. FroYo Café and Sweets offers the perfect place for your family, and the perfect product for your Mardi Gras party! FroYo Café’s enthusiastic team will cater to your needs.

Call Katherine at 228-234-4649 to pre-order your King Cake Croissants or to book them for your event. Like their Facebook page and follow along for specials and happenings. The year 2015 looks to be a promising one for FroYo and the City of New Orleans!

The mission of the St. James Cheese Company is to provide guests with a meticulously selected and unexpectedly diverse assortment of perfectly ripe cheeses, charcuterie, and gourmet grocery items. They have built an international network of cheese makers and affineurs who provide them with artisan and farmhouse cheeses not found in other shops. St. James Cheese believes each visit to their shop should be a fun one, so cheesemongers and guests are encouraged to try every cheese, every day, to ensure that each cheese is being offered at its peak.

St. James Cheese Company also operates a café serving some of the

Mardi Gras Cheese Cake at Copeland's

most creative and delicious sandwich and salad creations in the region, as well as a variety of cheese and charcuterie boards. Consistently top ranked by Zagat’s, Trip Advisor and Yelp, St. James Cheese strives for every dish they create to be something worth raving about.

St. James Cheese Company is open daily, Monday-Wednesday from 11 a.m.- 6 p.m., Thursday-Saturday, 11 a.m.–8 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.. For more information, online shopping, and menus, visit StJamesCheese.com.

Martin Wine Cellar on Baronne Street is now open! The new, onestory, 14,000-square-foot store at 3827 Baronne St. is packed with wine, spirits, beer, cheese, gourmet food, and more. The 120+ seat Bistro/Deli offers lunch, dinner, happy hour, Sunday brunch, entrées-to-go and catering for the Uptown area. Two separate parking lots accommodate 60 vehicles. The building was designed by Waggonner & Ball Architects and constructed by F.H. Myers Construction. The project was partially funded by the Louisiana Office of Community Development’s Disaster Recovery Unit with federal Community Development Block Grant funds provided to the state by HUD to recovery from hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Martin Wine Cellar is excited to return to Baronne Street, where they started the company 68 years ago.

For more information, menus, and to shop online, visit MartinWine. com/Baronne.

The contagiously delicious and fresh menu of the The Ruby Slipper Café continues to spread flavor across New Orleans as the popular eatery recently opened its fourth and newest location on historic Canal Street in the former McCrory’s department store building at 1005 Canal St. Already present in Mid-City, Marigny and CBD, The Ruby Slipper is known for adding New Orleans flair to traditional breakfast, brunch and lunch menus. Specialty cocktails such as the Ruby Slipper Mimosa and house-made Bloody Mary are perfect complements to favorites such as the seasonal Ruby’s Crabcake breakfast, and House Specialties Eggs Cochon or the BBQ Shrimp & Grits.

The Ruby Slipper Café is now offering evening catered events to make your next special occasion a success. Please contact events@ therubyslippercafe.net to inquire about availability and details. Visit The Ruby Slipper online at TheRubySlipperCafe.net and find all four locations on Facebook. Dine in Mid-City at 139 S. Cortez St., in CBD at 200 Magazine St., in Marigny at 2001 Burgundy St. and in the French Quarter at 1005 Canal St. Copeland’s of New Orleans combines New Orleans flavor and comfort in a casual dining atmosphere. Known for its from-scratch cuisine, fresh premium ingredients, sauces and seasonings are blended to bring out the robust signature flavors of New Orleans in every dish – seafood, pasta, salads, steaks and more. Enjoy exceptional food and hospitality by stopping one of several locations.

Copeland’s celebrates Mardi Gras in the best way possible, with their Mardi Gras King Cake Cheesecake. Available on King’s Day, Jan. 6, it’s their delicious King Cake topped with a layer of signature cheesecake, cinnamon streusel, covered in purple, green and gold sugar sprinkles with whipped cream. Stop by to enjoy this delicious Carnival dessert, or enjoy any of our signature martinis during Happy Hour, Monday-Friday from 4-7

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p.m. and 9 p.m.-close (in lounge only). For more information on Copeland’s of New Orleans, including menus and locations visit CopelandsOfNewOrleans.com.

Start the New Year off right with the healthiest, long-term weight loss plan available. Well Store, located next to Earthsavers in Metairie, has made losing weight simple and fun. The Well Weight Loss Plan retrains your metabolism with healthy, whole foods and supplements – no gimmicks! You’ll lose fat, not muscle, accelerate your metabolism and feel energized. Women lose up to 2 pounds per week, and men are losing up to 4 pounds a week. Well Weight Loss is customized to meet your personal needs by a licensed dietitian, all without food deprivation – eat more, not less, of the right foods.

First, choose your plan. The three-week plan includes three weekly visits with a dietitian or health expert and one organic smoothie per visit. The 12-week plan includes 12 weekly visits with your dietitian or health expert, 20 percent off all supplements associated with the plan, one smoothie per visit, a free grocery tour, and weekly biomat sessions for meeting goals.

Add in the Well Circle online support group, helpful recipes, tips and ideas, and you’ll experience what it is to live Well. Visit WellCompany. com or call 504-593-6955 to schedule an appointment.

What began as the dream of a 10-year-old Italian girl from northern New Jersey is now one of New Orleans’ most popular destinations for richly flavored, authentic Italian cuisine, be it for dinner, lunch or brunch. Red Gravy, aptly named for its famous house-made tomato sauce, is located in the midst of the CBD at 125 Camp St. Like it says on the menu, “Nuthin’ but tomatoes, basil, garlic and olive oil. Only Roe and Lou make the gravy.”

Owner Roseann Melisi Rostoker is passionate about food, life, love and New Orleans, which is evident in her cuisine. With brunch dishes and lunch sandwiches named for family and friends, Roseann’s creations are as full of character as they are flavor, and you can’t beat Roseann’s 6 ounce handmade meatballs.

Experience brunch or lunch daily (excluding Tuesday) from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Dinner is served Thursday through Sunday from 6-10 p.m.

View the weekday brunch, weekend brunch, dinner, and dolce menus and make your reservations online at RedGravyCafe.com, or call 504-561-8844. “Please come and eat,” says Roseann, “I always make too much.”

Combining exceptional artistry and culinary skill, nationally renowned Executive Chef Tariq Hanna and confectioners at Sucré use seasonal flavors to satisfy the sweet tooth of New Orleans. Award-winning French macaroons, artisan chocolate bars, Big Awesome Cookies, gourmet drinking chocolate, homemade marshmallows, southern candied pecans, gourmet coffee, gelato, and traditional King Cakes are featured at their two current locations and coming soon to their new French Quarter location at 622 Conti St. All of Sucré’s desserts, sweet treats, and holiday collections make perfect gifts for family, friends, coworkers and party hosts, and are available for delivery and curbside pick-up, or ordered online and shipped nationwide. Sucré French Quarter will 112

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also debut their new restaurant and private event venue, Salon, Sucré’s take on afternoon tea and night service, including savory and sweet menus, a sophisticated wine list and cocktails.

Sucré confectioners proudly use Louisiana cane sugar, produce, and dairy in their outstanding, high quality and locally made treats. Celebrate your special day with Sucré’s one-of-a-kind specialty and wedding cakes in a variety of delicious flavors. Visit Sucré at 3025 Magazine St. and at the Lakeside Mall. To place orders online, visit ShopSucre.com.

Both discerning locals and national publications have taken notice of Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse. Chef Du Cuisine Sara Toth treats guests to a grand dining experience, with all the hospitality and cuisine for which New Orleans is noted: USDA Prime Beef served with Creole butter, jumbo shrimp, lump crabmeat and fried P&J Oysters. On the menu, you will find a taste of New Orleans, including Dickie Brennan Sr.’s favorite creole seasoned Prime Strip with garlic roasted Pontabla potatoes, followed by chiffon coconut layer cake.

Accolades include USA Today and Travel + Leisure’s Best Steakhouses in the United States. They have also repeatedly received Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence.

In 2014, Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse celebrated its sixteenth year but, as Dickie Brennan declares, “We’re not here for today; we’re here for 50 years down the road.”

Red Gravy Cacciucco

ADVERTISING SECTION Make reservations online at DickieBrennansSteakhouse.com or by calling 504-522-2467.

Chef Andrea Apuzzo is proud to announce the 30th anniversary of Andrea’s Restaurant on Jan. 20, 2015. As a way of celebrating with restaurant guests, Andrea’s prices will be rolled back to where they were 30 years ago during the anniversary week. Over the last year, diners at Andrea’s have enjoyed the addition of a wood-burning oven and rotisserie. Andrea’s serves Lamb, Beef, Pork, Quail and Duckling on the rotisserie fresh daily. Additionally, he is serving up classic homemade pizzas baked in the custom, gourmet wood-burning oven.

This year, Andrea’s continues to expand the restaurant’s offerings with a newly renovated banquet and private dining room.

As known to many, Andrea has nearly 50 years of culinary experience, having worked all around the world before settling in New Orleans to build his life-long dream. Visit Andrea’s and experience the latest flavors being added to his revered menu. Additionally, chef Andrea supplies his restaurant with a number of wines from his own vineyard in Ana Capri.

For more information and reservations, call 504-834-8583 or visit AndreasRestaurant.com.

The Bombay Club and Martini Bar at the Prince Conti Hotel in the French Quarter has recently reopened after a beautiful renovation. Bartender Blake Kaiser is excited to present his unique and extensive bar offerings, along with a refreshed menu from chef Nathan Richard. Blake is a New Orleans barman always on the search for the perfect cocktail, serving classic libations and more than two dozen signature martinis, such as the popular The Original Dry and The Bombay Club, as well as a full selection of wines. Chef Richard’s passion for the art of charcuterie and Louisiana specialties shows in his Cajun twists to the quasi-British menu.

Expect items such as bangers and grits with black pudding and onion pan gravy, Scotch eggs served with boudin and collard greens and cracklin’ crusted fish and chips. Live music nightly showcases a changing collection of local New Orleans jazz musicians, small ensembles and cabaret performers entertain guests in the lounge area seven nights a week. For more information on the Bombay Club and Martini Bar and its signature drinks or dinner menu, please visit BombayClubNewOrleans.com or call 504-577-2237 to make reservations.

Celebrate the winter and Mardi Gras season within the historical walls of the oldest family-run restaurant in the country, Antoine’s Restaurant. This charming, acclaimed and regal French-Creole restaurant will celebrate 175 years of French Quarter service throughout 2015 with special events and menus.

Numerous events aimed at honoring Antoine’s long history will include galas, block parties and fundraisers for various organizations. Antoine’s 175th birthday party will be a year-long celebramyneworleans.com / JANUARY 2015

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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.

Ring in the New Year with Trashy Diva’s new Irish Polka and Asian-inspired Green Kimono print. Future brides will want to view the Coral Satin and Dragonfly Satin Bridal Collections.

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.

French Quarter Phantoms has been named one of TripAdvisor’s Top 10 Ghost Tours in the World and The Discovery Channel’s “Official Best of Louisiana 2014!”

For skeptics and believers alike, this tour is the perfect way to enjoy an evening in the French Quarter. Join French Quarter Phantoms' Master Story Tellers for a lot of great laughs and some disturbing chills up your spine! True tales of hauntings and horrors, you will be surprised to hear what some “nice” ladies and gentlemen are capable of doing! Family friendly fun for locals and visitors. Tours begin at 6 and 8 p.m. nightly.

Don’t miss their newest tour, Saints and Sinners: A Dirty Little French Quarter History Tour. A lot of fun for adults – no kids on this one please. Join French Quarter Phantoms for the most interesting and unique history tour in New Orleans! Tours begin at 1 p.m. daily.

Online discounts are available at FrenchQuarterPhantoms.com.

A dynamic arts institution nestled among the live oaks of Tulane University, the Newcomb Art Gallery was born out of the rich creative legacy of Newcomb College, internationally renowned for its fine arts program and pottery studio.

The gallery sustains this heritage by presenting diverse shows by historically significant and noted contemporary artists, with a particular focus on women. All gallery exhibitions and programs are offered to the community free of charge.

Through Jan. 25, the Newcomb Art Gallery is taking part in the citywide biennial, Prospect.3, with exhibitions of works by Hew Locke, Monir Farmanfarmaian, Ebony Patterson and Andrea Fraser.

On Feb. 8, the gallery opens “Edgar Degas: The Private Impressionist, Works on Paper by the Artist and His Circle” with drawings, prints and sculpture, along with photographs and correspondence, from a single private collection.

The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Learn more at NewcombArtGallery. tulane.edu or call 504-865-5328.​ “When I drove to work, there were no cars on the street, and I didn’t see a single soul. I didn’t see or hear animals. There were no birds, dogs, or cats in sight,” writes Patrice Joseph, author of Water Line, a new book recounting Joseph’s family’s journey before, during and after Hurricane Katrina. Joseph, an elementary school teacher, was one of the first educators to return to work in New Orleans following the storm, and just as she encountered silent streets, she soon met silent, disengaged students still shaken by Katrina’s impact. In one excerpt of Water Line, Joseph details how she was able to pull a class of fifth graders from silence into

French Quarter Phantoms

tion for the acclaimed New Orleans fine dining institution.

Antoine’s popular three-course lunch menu will continue with the new year, changing as it does by a penny a year. Visit Antoine’s online for the $20.15 Lunch Menu as well as for more info and reservations.

Visit Antoines.com or call 504-581-4422.

Shopping & Entertainment In 2015, Symmetry Jewelers and Designers is celebrating their 40th anniversary, 40 years of creating the finest in original jewelry art for a faithful clientele that continue to patronize the gallery known for returning jewelry to its rightful place among the artforms.

The artisans of Symmetry now find themselves designing and crafting wedding and engagement rings, along with other original work for the grandchildren of Symmetry’s original patrons. Symmetry started in the French Quarter on Chartres Street in 1975, and moved to the Riverbend in 1980.

Long known for representing jewelry designers from around the world, as well as local and national artists, Symmetry is best known for these days for the in-house creations of Tom Mathis. A talented artist from an early age and a recognized master hand engraver for four decades, Mathis has combined these skills with mastery of computeraided design. This has allowed Symmetry to create incredibly precise models using the latest technology and finishing the creations with old world hand craftsmanship.

Start your tradition at SymmetryJewelers.com or by calling 504-8619925 or 800-628-3711.

While Trashy Diva is a distinctly New Orleans clothing company with six locations spread across the city, their vintage-inspired designs are known and coveted worldwide. For more than seventeen years, Trashy 114

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open discussion, creating a caring, respectful classroom community.

“I want this story to be an example for one of my favorite words, ‘endure,’” says Joseph, a New Orleans native. Hurricane Katrina was an experience that put her family’s faith into action. The end result was a family that was still intact, thankful for survival, and with an action plan for building the future.

Visit WaterlineTheBook.com for information or to purchase the book.

Founded in 1984, French Quarter Festival presented by Chevron has grown to become the largest free music festival in the United States and has an economic impact second only to Mardi Gras (French Quarter Festival’s economic impact was over $251 million in 2014). Twenty-one music stages throughout the French Quarter present the best in New Orleans music, representing every genre from traditional and contemporary jazz to R&B and New Orleans funk, brass bands, gospel, classical, cabaret, opera, Zydeco, world music, international and a musical stage for children.

Over 115 food and beverage booths located throughout the French Quarter make up the “World’s Largest Jazz Brunch,” featuring authentic local cuisine from many of New Orleans most famous restaurants, many of whom have been with the festival throughout its entire 32-year history. The festival is kept free and open to the public – a true community event – through the sponsorships, beverage and merchandise sales, and booth fees.

Find out more about this year’s festival, music, and food by visiting FQFI.org. Festival dates for 2015 are April 9-12.

For the Mardi Gras season, Yvonne LaFleur has collected and designed a large assortment of beautiful and many one-of-a-kind gowns.

Also featured are Art Deco-inspired pieces suitable for the Opera Ball. To accompany the gowns, Yvonne LaFleur offers opera length kid gloves, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, hair ornaments, evening bags, and fur wraps. Alterations on purchases are complimentary so that your gowns personally fit you.

The Wedding Gown department offers a stunning collection of exclusive gowns and veils. Looks for brides are offered by appointment only, and alterations are also included.

For casual parties and travel, Yvonne LaFleur stocks a large assortment of essential sportswear pieces, flattering pants, silk blouses and sweaters. Spring suits and dresses are arriving daily. Custom hats can be designed for Mardi Gras events as well as Kentucky Derby.

Yvonne LaFleur is located in the Riverbend area at 8131 Hampson St. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursdays. Take the St. Charles Avenue streetcar to stop 299. Yvonne LaFleur offers 10,000 square feet of feminine myneworleans.com / JANUARY 2015

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The Hotel Modern Mardi Gras viewing stand

fashions sure to meet your needs.

In a town as decadent as New Orleans, everyone is bound to have a friend that’s hard to shop for. What do you get for the man or woman who has everything? And where do you go to treat yourself to a new, fabulous accessory that no one else will have? QUEORK, of course – a fantastic French Quarter boutique that’s the first of its kind not only in New Orleans, but in the United States! As the first non-import based cork company in the US, QUEORK is a local business that specializes in fine cork handbags and accessories.

Cork comes from the cork oak tree native to Portugal, Spain and Morocco and is the only tree in the world that regenerates after its bark is sheared in fabric making. That’s right – it grows back! It has been called a “fairy tale fabric,” for its waterproof, scratchproof, stain resistant, hypoallergenic, antimicrobial and 100 percent vegan qualities.

Cork is utilitarian, while still beautiful and unique. From handbags to wallets, belts and bow ties, there’s something for everyone at QUEORK. You can even get a collar for that special furry friend in your life.

Visit QUEORK at 838 Rue Chartres or shop online at Queork.com.

City Park is as magical and unique as New Orleans. The 1,300-acre outdoor oasis has enchanted New Orleanians since 1854, making it one of the nation’s oldest urban parks. Each year, millions of visitors stroll under the same historic oaks and picturesque moss canopies that served as the backdrop for dances, concerts, and even gentlemanly duels for generations.

The crown jewel of City Park is the world’s largest stand of mature live oaks, which includes a grand oak that dates back nearly 800 years.

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nap than underneath City Park’s famous oaks.

Today’s City Park offers something for everyone. Stop and smell the roses in the Botanical Garden. Stroll through the green space or get active on the Park’s biking, jogging, and walking paths. Practice your serve on one of 26 tennis courts or hit the links on City Park’s new 18-hole golf course. The Park also offers a host of family-friendly activities, including the one-of-a-kind antique wooden carousel in the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park. Families also love the Storyland playground and City Putt mini-golf courses. Visit NewOrleansCityPark.com.

For some of the most iconic and traditional New Orleans designs in art, jewelry, accessories, and gifts, be sure to visit the designers at Fleur d’ Orleans at 3701-A Magazine St. or at their new and delightfully charming French Quarter location at 818 Rue Chartres. Fleur d’ Orleans has designed more than 150 different pieces of sterling silver jewelry, inspired by art and architectural designs found around the city, so you can celebrate and share the design heritage of New Orleans. 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.

Fleur d’ Orleans designs are exclusive to their shops and can’t be found anywhere else. You can also view their exclusive designs online and order with free shipping from their website, FleurDOrleans.com.

For more information and hours, call 504-899-5585 (Magazine) or 504475-5254 (Chartres).

For 100 years, the Sutton name has been synonymous with quality, luxury, and craftsmanship. Upon entering either of their two loca-

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tions, you realize that you have just stepped into an extraordinary world of jewelry where quality stones and handmade mountings reign supreme. Each piece has been expertly designed and carefully crafted for style and comfort with the wearer in mind.

Jack Sutton Fine Jewelry’s expert sales associates are always available to assist in choosing the perfect engagement ring, future family heirloom, or the right diamond for the right occasion. With their extensive network of sources, they are able to obtain stones of any size, shape, quality and price. Since Jack Sutton Fine Jewelry hand crafts the majority of its inventory, the sky is the limit in customization.

As they say, “If you can dream it, we can make it! Stop in today and make us a part of your future!” Jack Sutton Fine Jewelry is located at 365 Canal St., Suite 122, and at 315 Royal St. View their work online at JackSutton.com and JackSuttonRoyal.com.

This winter, Saint Germain has undergone a few changes but is still the same great, fashionforward store clients have come to love. Saint Germain now exclusively stocks footwear and accessories from acclaimed designer Donald J Pliner. His Western boots, as well as ankle and open-toed boots, continue to be big hit this season. Saint Germain newly welcomes several lines of men’s shoes by Donal J Pliner in addition to his collections for women. Pliner will be visiting the store later this year to feature his spring collection. Visit Saint Germain this month see what’s new!

Saint Germain is located within The Shops at Canal Place at 333 Canal St., Suite 208. See the latest arrivals by joining Saint Germain on Facebook. View designs and find additional information by visiting SaintGermainNewOrleans.com or call 504-522-1720.

The Hainkel Home

INTRODUCING NEW PARKSIDE RED UNIT: • Private and Semi- Private Rooms • Skilled Services including Speech, Physical, Occupational Therapy • Licensed Practical and Registered Nurses on duty 24 hours a day.

• Respiratory & IV Therapy & Tracheotomy Care • Adult Day Health Care Services and more!

612 Henry Clay Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70118 Ph: 504.896.5904 Cell: 504.616.3714 Fax: 504.896.5984

Home Design & Real Estate 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 877-4BIGBAY or visit BigBayLake.com.

Louisiana Custom Closets represents the pinmyneworleans.com / JANUARY 2015

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nacle of quality design, materials and service for all of your home and office organizational and storage needs. With solutions for any room of any size in any style, they can create something just for you. Virtually any space can be personalized. Because Louisiana Custom Closets is the actual manufacturer, they can provide endless solutions to your home and office storage needs.

Louisiana Custom Closets is proud to be locally owned and operated since 2003, and they are not a franchise. The professional design staff will be happy to work with you on your dream closet, garage, office, laundry room, hobby room, pantry, utility room or whatever you need to make your spaces as beautiful and manageable as possible.

Choose your style. Choose your finish. Take your storage space from simply neat to simply fabulous. Owner Don Wise can be reached at 985871-0810 or 504-885-3188. Visit LouisianaCustomClosets.com.

Security cameras are an essential tool for crime fighting and a convenient way to view your property when you are not there. Louisiana Alarm Watch, a locally owned company, installs camera systems for homes and businesses throughout Southeast Louisiana. Camera systems sold

by Louisiana Alarm Watch can be viewed from your phone, tablet, or computer whenever you want to see them.

High definition (HD) security cameras are a popular choice because they provide the same resolution as an HD television. The price on HD cameras has dropped in the last year to a point that they are now a very cost effective option. For customers with an existing camera system, Louisiana Alarm Watch can drop the price on HD even further by upgrading the recorder and cameras while using the wiring from your existing system.

For a free consultation on cameras or any other security need, call 504-780-8775 or visit LAAlarmWatch.com.

Laissez le bon temps rouler and let New Orleans take you away. Celebrate Mardi Gras on Saint Charles Avenue and Lee Circle where every magical and colorful parade strolls down the neighborhood. Reach out 118

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for beads and throws from the hotel’s private parade viewing stands including easy access to Bellocq and Tivoli & Lee. Bellocq and Tivoli & Lee will unite forces to offer cocktails and small bites right on Lee Circle with mouthwatering chicken and andouille jambalaya and red beans and rice with grilled pork chops. Grab a classic cocktail or a reinvigorating bloody Mary from the award-winning team at Bellocq. Let them show you the modern side of New Orleans. Call 504-962 0900 or visit TheHotelModern.com/mardi-gras for more information.

Regional Travel It’s nearly Mardi Gras season and St. Landry Parish offers a Cajun Country experience unlike any parade or ball in the Big Easy. Plan your weekend getaway February 13-17 and experience a Courir de Mardi Gras. Riders donned in traditional costumes, masks and hats, also known as capuchons, ride horseback from house to house soliciting “donations” of food items to culminate in a community wide gumbo.

This procession or “run” includes chicken chasing and silliness by revelers all day. The celebration takes place in Eunice, Louisiana with daily live music, art exhibits, street and barn dances, a Sunday youth chicken run and old time boucherie, and a culmination the day before Ash Wednesday with the adult Courir de Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday Run).

For more information about the Courir or other events during Mardi Gras, please visit CajunTravel.com/MardiGras or call 877-948-8004.

Enough beads, doubloons and King Cake? Escape Mardi Gras madness and check into a picturesque resort only two hours away. For 167 years, The Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa has been known as “The Queen of Southern Resorts” and been a favorite for New Orleanians. Whether you are retreating from Carnival or planning a romantic Valentine’s Day, they’ll make your stay grand. Enjoy custom spa treatments before dining on fresh seafood and great steaks. The Grand boasts two Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail courses, a 20,000-square-foot European-style spa, indoor and outdoor feature pools and tennis. Dis-

ADVERTISING SECTION

cover why the Grand Hotel has recently been named a top resort

by CondeNast Traveler, Successful Meetings and ConventionSouth.

To plan a Grand getaway, visit GrandHotelMarriott.com or call 251928-9201. If you experience Mardi Gras withdrawals, they also do have parades and great King Cake.

For over 25 years, Vacation Express, a division of Sunwing Travel Group Inc., has grown to become one of the largest tour operators in the United States. Vacation Express specializes in quality, costeffective, all-inclusive vacation packages to over 35 destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico and Costa Rica. Vacation Express once again will offer exclusive, non-stop flights from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport to Cancun and Riviera Maya while adding new flights to Punta Cana in 2015. These exclusive round-trip, non-stop flights will depart every Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday from May 14 to Aug. 27, 2015, and are operated by Swift Air, LLC and Sunwing Airlines.

When booking with Vacation Express, your all-inclusive vacation package includes exclusive non-stop flight, hotel accommodations, local representative, all meals, all drinks, taxes and more! Whether you want to visit paradise for a three-day weekend or escape reality for a weeklong getaway, Vacation Express is your go-to destination for allinclusive beach vacations. Visit VacationExpress.com.

As part of the revitalization of one of New Orleans’ most famous streets, The Saint Hotel opened in 2012 at 931 Canal Street, just a few blocks from the foot of Bourbon Street and amidst the newly renovated Joy and Saenger Theaters. Before becoming the luxury hotel that it is today, The Saint’s one-of-a-kind building, the former Audubon Building, originally serving as office and retail space. Today, The 171 guest

rooms at this eight-story boutique hotel are equipped with 46-inch flat-screen TVs, luxurious amenities, personal workspace and Wi-Fi. For the business traveler, wedding planner or socialite, The Saint Hotel offers 1,200 square feet of event/meeting space and a professional staff to guide your planning needs. The Saint Hotel’s on-site restaurant, Tempt, features a modern twist on Southern cuisine while the Burgundy Bar presents patrons with a live jazz club rivaling those of the nearby French Quarter.

For reservations and more information, call 504-522-5400 or visit TheSaintHotelNewOrleans.com. The Saint Hotel is part of the Marriott Autograph Collection.

All along Bayou Lafourche Mardi Gras parades are family-oriented and just as fun-filled as in larger Louisiana cities but without the huge crowds. Officially, the Mardi Gras season begins on January 6, Epiphany, and lasts until “Fat Tuesday”, a day of feasting before the observation of the Lenten season. For two weeks prior to Mardi Gras Day, the Cajuns celebrate a wholesome, madcap experience enjoyed by all ages. Parades are held in several communities where groups of families and friends get together to eat, drink and enjoy the parades. Barbeque pits and crawfish boils line the parade routes where visitors are always welcome to join in the fun!

Parades are found in Thibodaux, Chackbay, Gheens, Lockport, Larose Galliano and Golden Meadow. Come out and join the locals in these culture-filled parades and don’t forget to bring a bag and chair, a chair to sit and watch the floats go by, and bag to bring all your beads home with you!

Bayou Lafourche is just a short drive from New Orleans – it’s Real Cajun. Real Close. Plan your trip at VisitLafourche.com. •

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Pediatrics Kids are certainly prone to scrapes and bruises, but when an injury or ailment is more serious, it’s time to bring in the professionals. From pediatric physicians to dentists specializing in children’s dentistry, to other specialists who work with children and adolescents, the metro area is full of healthcare providers who know the unique needs of a child and who can work with parents and families to formulate the treatment right for them. Whether you’re in need of mental or behavioral health, primary care, braces or teeth cleanings, or critical care, you can find a physician who can help. Here are a few resources for parents and families exploring their options.

River Oaks Hospital has provided quality treatment to individuals with mental illness since 1970. Services are available in three levels of care.

When patients do not require medical supervision 24 hours a day, their partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs allow patients to receive the clinical and therapeutic treatment they need while being able to return home each day.

For those needing the highest level of care, they offer inpatient psychiatric treatment for children, adolescents, and adults. They also provide a medical detox on their dual diagnosis unit and treat trauma-based disorders for adults as well as eating disorders for adolescents and adults. A wide variety of private insurances are accepted in addition to Medicare and Tricare.

If you or a loved one are considering treatment, River Oaks provides confidential assessments. To schedule as assessment, call 504734-1740. To learn more about services, trauma-based disorders or eating disorders treatments visit RiverOaksHospital.com.

Children's Hospital is Louisiana's only full-service hospital exclusively for children age birth to 21. A not-for-profit facility, it is governed by an independent board of trustees made up of community volunteers.

Children's Hospital treats patients in more than 40 specialties, including life-threatening illnesses, routine childhood sicknesses and preventive care. Children's Hospital's medical team is trained to care for the unique healthcare needs of children – children needing more time, care and specialized medications and technology than adults.

Critical care is provided in the hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU). The hospital's Jack M. Weiss Emergency Care Center is staffed around the clock by board-certified pediatricians, with the availability of a full range of pediatric specialists.

Outpatient appointments with pediatric specialists are offered on the hospital campus and satellite locations in Metairie, Baton Rouge and Lafayette. For more information, visit CHNola.org.

Dr. Yi Qun Li has over two decades of experience as a pediatrician, ranging from in-hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) work to private practice. Her new clinic, Li Pediatrics is in a brand new building centrally and conveniently located at 318 Harrison Avenue in Lakeview. Dr. Li is excited to be a part of the Lakeview community.

Li Pediatrics' location is especially convenient to parents of students at nearby schools such as St. Dominic, St. Paul's, St. Pius and Hynes.

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Dr. Li provides care for children of all ages, from complimentary prenatal consultations all the way through a young adult’s college years. Dr. Li provides customized care where she spends the time (not just a few minutes) with your family, listening to concerns and discussing the best treatment plan together. This includes flexible immunization schedules. She is very conscientious about not overmedicating or over-treating children.

To remain available to patients, Dr. Li has flexible urgent sick visit appointments every day, including Saturdays. The office accepts all major commercial insurance companies. To schedule an appointment, call Li Pediatrics at 504-667-6993 or use the online form at NOLAPeds.com.

From the sniffles and coughs to immunizations, sports physicals and more, Tulane Family Medicine can meet your family’s pediatric needs. With the addition of three new family medicine physicians, they now have five physicians available to serve the community at two convenient locations in Uptown and Metairie. Tulane’s Family Medicine physicians provide primary care, which along with providing definitive care at the point of first contact also means takes continuing responsibility for providing the patient's future care, something you won’t find at an urgent care clinic.

At Tulane Family Medicine, physicians provide continuing, comprehensive health care for the individual and for the entire family, encompassing all ages, both sexes, every organ system, and every disease. Find a Tulane Family Medicine physician for your family today.

Call 504-988-9000 to schedule an appointment Uptown or call 504988-8050 for their Metairie clinic.

Patients know from the moment they step into Dr. Jason Parker’s office, with its whimsical murals of sea creatures greeting them from the walls, that this isn’t your average visit to the dentist. This isn’t your average dentist either. Winner of the 2008 Louisiana New Dentist Award, Dr. Parker not only provides top quality care to children ages 1 through teens, he also works tirelessly in the New Orleans community to advance children’s and healthcare issues.

For nearly 10 years, Dr. Parker was chairman for National Children’s Dental Health Month for the New Orleans Dental Association (NODA) and is a past recipient of NODA’s Award of Excellence. He was selected for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s Leadership Institute at the prestigious Kellogg School of Management.

For more information, visit DocParker4Kids.com or call 504-831-2120. •

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Home Care Solutions

Aging Parents & Active Seniors There are plenty of ways to age, and there’s no reason you shouldn’t have fun doing it. Despite the health changes that occur with aging, there are plenty of helpful resources available locally to help navigate them. Whether you or a loved one are looking for medical treatment or ways to maintain independence, you don’t have to look far. From health clinics to retirement communities, to in-home help and care, there are numerous services available to help families with aging parents as well as active seniors with specific needs.

A

ccording to Dr. Randall S. Juleff of La Bella Vita Laser and Vein Center, varicose veins are much more than an aesthetics issue – they are signs of venous disease, which can jeopardize one’s health. Venous insufficiency is a chronic and often hereditary condition that affects 80 million Americans. When left untreated, it can cause leg swelling, chronic pain and cramps, restless leg syndrome, varicose veins, and even skin damage.

At La Bella Vita Laser and Vein Center, Dr. Juleff works to resolve venous insufficiency problems with a non-invasive laser therapy called Endovenous Laser Ablation. Performed in a comfortable office setting under oral or IV sedation, the procedure requires no down time and, due to its medical nature, is covered by numerous insurance plans.

Dr. Juleff is triple-board-certified in Phlebology, General Surgery, and Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery with nearly twenty years of experience in venous disorders. For a consultation or more information, call 985-892-2950 or visit LaBellaVitaVein.com.

The Alzheimer's Association is the world’s 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.

While the Alzheimer’s Association is a national organization, they offer help on a local level, too. Community Resource Finder, alz.org/ crf is a place that you can find support groups, programs, events, and community services from at-home care to medical services. There are a variety of resources available to help those living with Alzheimer’s and their loved ones. At ALZ.org, you can also find ways to personally help end the disease by becoming a champion for the cause.

For additional help or guidance, call their 24/7 helpline at 800-272-3900.

Chartered in 1891, the John J. Hainkel, Jr. Home & Rehabilitation Center is a nonprofit home located in Uptown New Orleans that provides healthcare services to local Medicaid, Medicare and Veterans Affairs patients as well as those with private insurance or private pay. The 122

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Hainkel Home promotes quality of life through a unique and caring alternative for the elderly and those who suffer from serious illnesses or disabilities. The Hainkel Home offers rehab-to-home services, respite care, Long Term Care, Skilled Nursing, and an adjunct Adult Day Health Care program. The Hainkel Home proudly received “0” deficiencies for the second in a row in an annual survey conducted by the Department of Health & Hospitals.

Adult Day Health Care is a fully licensed, community-based program that provides direct care up to five days a week, Monday through Friday, with a variety of health, therapeutic, and social services for those who benefit from a supervised day program. The program helps seniors transition from total independence to assisted care, supporting individuals remaining in their own home.

For more information on the Hainkel Home, visit HainkelHome.com or call 504-896-5900.

Anyone looking for compassionate and dignified care for their terminally ill loved ones should take a look at the services offered

by Canon Hospice. The caring team at Canon is dedicated to a hospice ministry that helps patients and families accept terminal illness positively and resourcefully. 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, nurses, social workers, pastoral care, and volunteers. For patients with more intensive symptom management needs, Canon has an Inpatient Hospice Unit. This unit provides 24-hour care in a home-like environment where patients are permitted to receive visits at any hour. For more information, visit CanonHospice.com or call 504-818-2723.

For over 55 years, people have turned to Patio Drugs for help in managing their healthcare needs. Patio Drugs has helped individuals and families understand their medications, both prescription and over-thecounter, since 1958 and provides free prescription delivery throughout East Jefferson.

In addition to being a full-service pharmacy, the oldest indepen-

ADVERTISING SECTION dent pharmacy in Jefferson Parish, Patio Drugs is also a leading provider of home medical equipment. For everything from a Band-Aid to a hospital bed, Patio Drugs is your one-stop source for all home medical equipment needs.

Patio Drugs has over 55 years of experience in specialized compounding services. No two people are the same. Their pharmacists work with physicians to customize medication doses and dosage forms to meet the individual needs of each patient. Some of their compounding services include: Hormone Replacement Therapy, Gluten Free Formulations, Medicated Troches, Sugar Free Preparations, Preservative Free Formulas, Transdermal Gels, and Sterile Injections.

Whether you need prescriptions, medical equipment or specialized compounding services, call Patio Drugs, 5208 Veterans Blvd. in Metairie, 504-889-7070. Patio Drugs, “Large Enough to Serve You, Yet, Small Enough to Know You.” Lambeth House is a full-service retirement community located in the heart of Uptown New Orleans where Broadway Street meets the Mississippi River. Exclusively for residents ages 62+, Lambeth House offers independent living plus a full continuum of care, including Assisted Living, Memory Care and Nursing Care.

Residences are open and spacious, many offering spectacular views. The full array of amenities for active seniors includes a new fitness center with an indoor, salt-water swimming pool, an art studio, meditation room and garden, fine and casual dining options, and engaging activities and social events. In the words of one resident, “There is something to do here all day, every day, if you want to.”

“Today’s new generation of retirees want choices. They want to be active and to age well,” says President/CEO, Scott Crabtree. At Lambeth House, residents do just that.

Memberships to the Fitness Center are now available to residents in the boarder community ages 55 and older. For more information,

please call 504-865-1960.

As our nation’s healthcare system changes, Nurses Registry remains a leader in the home care industry. Nurses Registry was recently recognized by the LA Quality Improvement Organization for their low 30-day re-hospitalization rate, and their patient satisfaction scores are among the best in the state and nation. Their founder, Rose Mary S Breaux, RN, BSN, believed it is an honor and privilege to serve the sick and aging in our community, and to treat the whole patient-Body, Mind and Spirit.

This dynamic organization has implemented a Care Transition program to assist patients moving from hospital to home, managing all aspects of patient health and safety. Health Coaches give special help to those with CHF, COPD, and other at-risk patients. Nurses Registry provides services across the healthcare spectrum including Home Health, Private Duty Nursing, Medical and Non-Medical Aide Services, Home Infusion and many customized services.

Call 504-736-0803 or 866-736-6744 today for a free, personalized in-home assessment or visit their website MyNursesRegistry.com for more info.

No one can impact how you age as much as you can. Of course, your heredity plays a role in your propensity for certain ailments, but your lifestyle choices can play an equal or larger role in your health and quality of life. The Wellness Center at East Jefferson General Hospital has been recognized for its excellence as both a fitness and wellness center and a disease management facility. With specific programs designed for those with cancer, heart disease, Parkinson’s Disease, multiple sclerosis and more, the Wellness Center is a unique resource that can help keep you mobile, active, flexible, strong and well.

For more information on the Wellness Center or all East Jefferson General Hospital offers the community, please visit ejgh.org.

New Orleans residents suffering from pain are invited to find their own pathway to pain relief at Integrated Pain and Neuroscience. Physicians

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ADVERTISING SECTION and advanced practice clinicians led by Dr. Eric I. Royster, founder of Integrated Pain and Neuroscience (IPN), offer a comprehensive treatment experience for patients suffering from chronic pain through a variety of treatments. Common conditions such as spine pain, orthopedic pain, neurologic pain and headaches are successfully treated.

In addition to medical management and neurological services, IPN physicians offer a variety of interventional procedures. Acupuncture, platelet rich plasma (PRP) treatments, psychiatric care, and whole food plant-based nutrition counseling are all available as part of a comprehensive pain management program. In some cases these treatments may be available the same day as the initial consultation appointment.

For more information, visit PainIsAPuzzle.com or call 504-300-9020.

IPN is located Uptown at 2801 Napoleon Ave. Saturday appointments are available.

The frequency of inner ear problems escalates as we age. Not only are there rising rates of hearing loss, but also increasing problems with balance disturbances. The good news is that these are problems that can be significantly improved with treatment. Almost all hearing losses are amenable to treatment be it medically, surgically, or with hearing aids.

The two most common causes of balance problems are also relatively easy to fix. BPPV, loose crystals in the inner ear that cause balance problems, are easily treated with an in-office procedure.

The other cause of imbalance is loss of leg strength, which is easily corrected by a regimen of daily walking. Unfortunately, a combination of BPPV and leg weakness, if left untreated, can spell disaster for the elderly resulting in falls and broken bones, or more insidiously, reduced mobility, and consequently, retracting from full life engagement. If you or someone you know suffers from hearing or balance problems, there are options for treatment.

The Ear and Balance Institute specializes in these and other hearing and balance disorders. Find out more at EarAndBalance.net.

Dr. Kevin Darr of Covington Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute is a board certified and fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon who has earned a reputation for offering innovative surgical and non-surgical treatment options.

“In addition to traditional orthopedic treatments and surgery, I also offer minimally invasive alternatives utilizing state of the art technology and integrative orthobiologic therapies and treatments to qualified patients,” says Dr. Darr. If you are suffering from osteoarthritis, there may be treatment options other than surgery. Dr. Darr and his staff offer patients who qualify the ability to participate in an IRB-approved cellular therapy study aimed at treating chronic inflammation by an innovative approach using the patient’s own cells. Additionally, this study measures the safety and effectiveness of advanced cell therapy in treating soft tissue injuries, such as rotator cuff tears, knee tendon and ligament injuries, and avascular necrosis of the bone. The goal of the study is to augment surgical outcomes or to potentially prevent the need for surgical intervention.

For more information on this study and on Covington Orthopedics’ physicians and services, visit CovingtonOrtho.com or call 985-273-5888.

The opening of Poydras Home’s Oak House Assisted Living addition in 2013 brought the full complement of gracious living options to its residents. Located on three acres in scenic Uptown New Orleans, Poydras Home is a continuing care retirement community that has been serving the needs of New Orleanians since 1817. Poydras Home residents can age in place by partaking in Garden House (independent living), Oak House (assisted living) or the Historic House (nursing care), and PHASE (adult day program). All rooms are private and overlook manicured grounds. Poydras Home’s state of the art memory support areas, Seasons and Hunter House, provide unparalleled services with unique individualized activities and a secured outdoor garden and walking path.

Poydras Home is known nationally for its quality of care and innovative programs that allow residents to enjoy life to the fullest in a beautiful and historic setting. Known for highly individualized care, Poydras 124

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ADVERTISING SECTION Home is the only full continuum of care community with dementia care and an adult day program in the Greater New Orleans Area. For more information, visit PoydrasHome.com or call 504-897-0535.

Home Care Solutions offers highly personalized caregiver services and Geriatric Care Management services to help loved ones in the Greater New Orleans area extend their independence.

Locally owned and operated for over 22 years by licensed social workers, Home Care Solutions has particular expertise in dignified, compassionate Alzheimer’s care.

All home care services begin with a professional assessment visit. A care manager then designs a plan of care specific to the client’s needs while incorporating family input. Carefully selected and trained caregivers provide assistance with activities of daily living and companionship, supported by routine care manager supervisory visits. Many clients need additional Geriatric Care Management services and support beyond home care.

These services provide peace of mind for far-flung families and include exploring the options and costs of elder care services in the area, attending medical appointments with clients and reporting back to family members, coordinating legal and financial referrals and managing crisis situations.

Home Care Solutions is a member of the Home Care Association of America, and the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers. Home Care Solutions is also a licensed Personal Care Attendant Agency. For more information, call 504-828-0900 or visit HomeCareNewOrleans.com.

Touro’s Woldenberg Village is one of the region’s premier retirement and healthcare communities, located just minutes from downtown New Orleans. The community offers quality care and an engaging lifestyle across the full spectrum of senior living, including independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care.

The compassionate and highly trained staff enriches the lives of residents by delivering exceptional senior housing, active adult living and personalized care. Services and amenities include: - 24-hour emergency response system - Group transportation for activities, errands and appointments - Weekly housekeeping and laundry service - Delicious meals served daily in a community dining area - Private dining for small gatherings or family visits - Beauty salon / Barber shop - A peaceful Chapel and religious services on-site - Short-term rehabilitation and in-patient hospice available - Specialized Alzheimer’s and dementia care - Skilled nursing facility provides around-the-clock care To learn more, or to schedule a tour call 504-367-5640. •

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TRY THIS

Dig into a Cajun Mardi Gras in Lafourche (877) 537-8500, DigInLafourche.com Lafourche Parish is offering a taste of a more local, Cajun Mardi Gras. Located approximately an hour away from New Orleans, the area offers visitors a chance to dig into “real Cajun” culture. During Carnival – Jan. 31 to Feb. 17 – there will be nearly 20 parades, including the Krewe of Des Petites Parade. While in the area, home of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center, make time to take a swamp tour, a chartered fishing trip, visit a sugar plantation or listen to some Bayou boogie.

Solar Alternatives provides charging unit for eMotoRacing Solar Alternatives, 437 Philip St., 267-1660, SolAlt.com Solar Alternatives, the leading solar installer for commercial and residential projects in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, has provided eMotoRacing with an innovative mobile charging station. The solar trailer provides fossil fuel-free power on the road; it can power up to two eBike race entrants during the racing season. The station features solar panels and a 3,500 watt inverter to create a truly zero-emission race experience for eMotoRacing contestants. They also offer solar power rentals for events.

– Mirella Cameran

It’s a Cinch

Getting fitted for a corset

By Melanie Warner Spencer

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his year’s Mardi Gras marks the anniversary of my first year as a bonafide citizen of New Orleans and my second Carnival season. Despite living here for a year, my costume closet is woefully under stocked. To remedy this egregious error, I booked an appointment at Trashy Diva with Lindsay Davis for a corset fitting.

The idea is that with a corset, many getups are possible.

Davis, who recently began learning the art of burlesque, told me the corset costumers are comprised mostly of those like me who are fleshing out their costume collection. The retailer also caters to those on the Goth, Rockabilly and burlesque scenes.

After chatting for a few minutes about my needs, wants and concerns, Davis measured my waist. My natural waist is a 31, making me between sizes. Normally, she recommends going down four sizes, but for my “between size” waist, she suggested a 26. With no size 26 in stock, we opted for a 27.

I tried on a custom-fitted, eyelet-front, lace-up back, handmade underbust corset with steel boning in front and back. The underbust style goes between the hips and, as you may have guessed, under the bust. Corsets also come in overbust styles that come down over the stomach area. Each style offers a different look, so try on both before making your decision. At Trashy Diva, they vary from about $195 to $395, depending on the style and fabric (satin, taffeta, brocade and lace are the most popular) and whether or not you go for a custom version. If you want one for this year’s Mardi Gras, order now and be flexible with your fabric choices, in case the corsetier (male) or corsetière (female) doesn’t have the material you picked in stock, as there wouldn’t be time at this point to order it and get it to you.

I was able to breathe fairly normally, as well as sit and stand back up without issue. However, I attribute the not-too-restricted breathing to many years spent playing the trumpet and the sitting and standing ability to the fact that my mother drilled into me from an early age to suck in my tummy and stand up straight. That said, I have an all-new respect for our foremothers. We should all give thanks that we are no longer expected to wear them, but I must say, a four-inch waist reduction, plus perfect posture in the span of a few seconds and the foundation of multiple costumes, is rather amazing. n

jeffery johnston photo

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Trivia Night at Deutsches Haus By errol laborde

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ur problems began with Odie the dog, who was smiling from the big projection screen with his tongue hanging out. He looked familiar, but my personal trivia pursuit just has not included keeping up with fictional hounds, especially one that played second string to a cat in the Garfield comic strip.

It was trivia night at Deutsches Haus, a popular event held on the fourth Friday of each month. The Haus is still in exile in an American Legion hall on Ridgewood Drive in Metairie, waiting for the day when a new home opens along Bayou St. John. It will replace the South Galvez Street building where folks once chicken-danced in the courtyard, but that stood in the way of the new hospital complex.

At its temporary domicile, partisans of the Haus still do German things like celebrating Oktoberfest, watching German movies, drinking German beer and feasting on German food, plus they have events that

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belong to no nationality, but rather to the universe of people enchanted by minutiae. Because it was our first time and we didn’t know better, our team consisted of only two people playing under the name of “The Mid-Cityians.” Other teams, which did know better, consisted of what looked to be eight to 10 people, so there were more minds to search for answers. Nevertheless, we thought, with the right categories we could be competitive, but then Odie showed up. In this the first of five categories there were more dog questions to come; including identifying Eddie, Frasier’s pooch from the TV show of that name, and the hound on the “Simpsons” whose name is actually “Santa’s Little Helper.”

Like a race horse that stumbles at the gate, we were off to a poor start in the first category, gathering only two points out of a possible 10. Then, because it was the season, there were Thanksgiving questions, including the name of the only child born during the Mayflower’s voyage. I cringed when I learned the right answer from among the multiple choices. “No parents should be allowed to call their child “Oceanus,’” I thought. “Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins should have been sent to the pillory.”

Another category had the heading of “Meters,” under which we were asked to match the names to various scientific devices. One of them was

something called an “orchidometer.” (If you embarrass easily skip this next sentence.) An orchidometer, we learned, is an instrument used to measure the volume of testicles.

That question, I thought, hit below the belt.

For the block of questions dealing with Star Wars I was totally useless. I don’t like movies in which the sun never shines, and that’s the case in space flicks. Plus, I hadn’t realized that there had been seven Star Wars films, some of which were considered prequels to the original. Discerning the prequels from the sequels seemed like a task for Mr. Spock, but that was a different ship, a different galaxy, with still no sun.

My one moment of glory came in a category about songs that had the name of a state in them. I am sure I was the first to name the recording in which country crooner George Strait explained why he could never live in a certain state. With pride I answered, “All My Exes Live in Texas.” Take that, Obi-Wan Kenobi!

Despite my championship moment we didn’t do too well, finishing 22nd out of 26 teams, one of which dropped out early.

The winners got free beer, which at a place called Deustches Haus is a worthy prize. “Let them lavish in the suds,” I thought. After all, it’s only a game.

That is what we kept telling ourselves: it was just a game, but if ever we win, no beer – champagne. n ARTHUR NEAD ILLUSTRATION