Best of The Big Easy 2017 (July 2017)

July 2017

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CITY PARK

HALLOWEEN WEEKEND

NEW ORLEANS

OCT 27-29

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

WhereYat.com | July 2017 | 5

Features 8 12 26 28 32 36 66 68 70

Best of the Big Easy Writers' Picks Best of the Big Easy Readers' Picks

Rainy Day Activities Summer Adventures in NOLA Tales of the Cocktail Preview Perfect Summer Cocktails Feral Cats & The LASPCA Big Easy Rollergirls Virtual Reality Technology

Events & Nightlife 38 40 46 48 72

Essence Fest Preview Music Calendar Incubus Lakeside 2 Riverside Bar Guide

Dining 50 52 54 56 60 62

$20 and Under Food News Probably This... Recipe Restaurant Guide Vegetarian/Vegan Po-Boys NOLA Hamburgers

Extras 74 76 78 80 82

Film Reviews Columns Around the Web Where Ya' Been?

Where Y'at Chat

July 2017 Vol. 20 No. 12 Publisher/Editor-in-Chief: Josh Danzig Creative Director: Michael Fulkerson Assistant Editor: Kathy Bradshaw Movie Editors: David Vicari & Fritz Esker Copy Editor: Burke Bischoff Contributing Writers: Beau Ciolino, Emily Hingle, Kathy Bradshaw, Phil LaMancusa, Debbie Lindsey, Kim Ranjbar, Landon Murray, Krystral Christen, Leigh Wright, Emil Flemmon, Greg Roques, Asdrubal Quintero, Burke Bischoff, Steven Melendez, Anthony O'Donnell, Andrew Alexander, Johnny Adler Director of Sales: Stephen Romero Cover Photo by James Macaluso Photographers & Designers: Gus Escanelle, Jason Hall, Steve Hatley, Romney Caruso, Jorge Menes, Kathy Bradshaw, Greg Roques, Finn Turnbull, James Macaluso Interns: Lauren Reeks, Camille Barnett, Tamiera Nash, James McClendon, Jordan Salesnick, Alisa Lindsey, Matthew Spriggs, Blairre Perriatt, Marrisa Williams Subscribe: Receive 1 year (14 issues) for $30 and get a FREE Where Y’at CD. Subscribe today at WhereYat.com.

Logo © 2017 All rights reserved Bruce Betzer, Legal Counsel: (504) 304-9952 Where Y’at Magazine 5500 Prytania St., #133 New Orleans, LA 70115 (504) 891-0144 info@whereyat.com | WhereYat.com

You, the readers of Where Y'at Magazine, have spoken! We received a record-number of votes at WhereYat.com, and here are the results. Also, don’t miss the famous “Writers’ Picks” that include such categories as “Best Place to be Stood Up!” With Tropical Storm Cindy a distant memory and the next one just around the corner, don’t miss Krystral Cooper Christen’s entertaining “Rainy Day Guide to New Orleans.” Greg Roques’s “Summer Adventures” is another great read with some ideas for summer fun.

Fourth of July weekend brings fireworks, BBQ, and Essence Fest. Emil Flemmon does a spectacular job previewing the best music at Essence in the genre that you are looking for.

July also means Tales of the Cocktail, and Andrew Marin’s preview of this 15th Anniversary convention is a must-read for attendees. Cocktail enthusiasts will also want to check out Leigh Wright’s “Bring on the Heat!” for recipes for refreshing summer cocktails.

Enjoy this great issue and stay cool and dry! -Josh Danzig, Publisher

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

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WhereYat.com | July 2017 | 7

BEST OF THE BIG EASY

WRITERS' PICKS

2017

Best of the Big Easy Winners Writers' Picks

Best Place to Shop for Unconditional Love: No Fleas Market 4228 Magazine St. la-spca.org/nofleas You just love those shoes you saw in that pricey boutique, and you just love that purse.

But unfortunately, they’ll simply never love you back. Well, now you can shop for all the clothes and accessories you want and pick up something that will reciprocate your affections, all in the very same store. No Fleas Market is a resale shop run by the Louisiana SPCA that helps support animals and provide veterinary care by donating part of their profits to local animal shelters and rescue organizations. And they even have kittens up for adoption onsite in their shop. So, you can bring home something cute and cuddly to snuggle that’s more than just another fluffy sweater. But a word of warning: though those sexy jeans you covet don’t eat much, your new kitten surely will. -Kathy Bradshaw Best Place to Get Your Wheels Turning: Rouler 601 Baronne St., Suite C1 rouler.cc New Orleans has a pension for successfully blending things that you wouldn’t normally think to combine: like alcohol and athletic events (or alcohol and everything), and bars with laundromats. Rouler is the latest to mix two unusual elements into one fun combo with its bike shop and café. The place offers pick-me-ups for you as well as your twowheeled friends, so you can have a cup of coffee or a beer and a snack while getting your bike seat adjusted or chain oiled. Grab

Best Place for Bubbles: Effervescence 1036 N. Rampart St. nolabubbles.com

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veryone needs a little sparkle in their lives, and some of us like it in our wine. Effervescence is a new champagne bar on N. Rampart Street that offers a great selection of champagnes and sparkling wines by both the glass and the bottle.

They have champagne flights (with three flutes-full), bubbly cocktails, and tapasstyle dishes enough to satisfy all your champagne wishes and small plate dreams.

Try the Prosecco and a Popsicle, which is a glass of bubbles with a homemade frozen treat floating within. And if you have champagne taste on a beer budget, don’t worry. Effervescence has many very affordable options. You can do a half flight of champagne or half a glass of sparkling wine for, appropriately, half the price. And the unlimited fresh popcorn is free! -Kathy Bradshaw

a sandwich or a new bike helmet; check your email or your tire pressure. With caffeine, booze, and bike repairs and supplies, you’ll find whatever you need here to get both your bike and yourself ready to roll. -Kathy Bradshaw Best Place to Be Stood Up: Barcadia 601 Tchoupitoulas St.

barcadianeworleans.com It’s time to face the truth, he (or she) isn’t going to show up for your date. It’s at least 35 minutes since your scheduled meeting time, and still no sign of Mr. Bumble or Ms. Tinder. But that’s okay, you’ve been having so much fun that you hardly even noticed. At Barcadia, there’s plenty to do while you wait, even if you’re waiting all night. You can drink

Best Way To Eat At A Police Station Without Getting Arrested: Rosedale Restaurant 801 Rosedale Dr. rosedalerestaurant.com

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uilt inside a former 3rd District police station, Rosedale offers far superior cuisine than what's on the menu at OPP. Owned by famous local chef Susan Spicer and helmed by chef Brett Duffee, this small, casual joint offers shaded outdoor dining, bathrooms instead of cells, and dishes like Shrimp Puppies or Panéed Pork Chops instead of wannabe bologna on no-name bread. -Kim Ranjbar

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

to forget, get something to eat (their fried PB&J sandwich is great comfort food when you’re feeling like a rejected loser), watch the game on TV, or entertain yourself with pinball machines or giant, life-sized Connect Four and Jenga games. The place is busy enough that no one can even tell you’re there alone, and you might meet someone else who is a much better match than the one who just

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If your company finds itself subject to continuous litigation, various collection issues, reorganizations, evictions, or any other corporate issue, Evans could be an invaluable help to your company. He also represents individuals and understands that sometimes going to trial is not in the clients’ best interest. He can assist you both in and out of the court, and will always make every effort to reach a fair settlement quickly.

Mr. Evans is a fellow of the Institute of Politics, AV-rated by judges and peers, and has been selected as Top Attorney in Louisiana by Martindale-Hubbell and New Orleans Magazine. He is among the 1% of attorneys recognized by the National Institute of Trial Advocacy as a Designated Trial Advocate and has been admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court.

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WhereYat.com | July 2017 | 9

BEST OF THE BIG EASY

WRITERS' PICKS We bemoan how many family-owned and -run eateries and businesses have left us, but now we have the pleasure of supporting what is sure to become a New Orleans tradition. -Debbie Lindsey

Best Perfect Date: City Park 1 Palm Dr. neworleanscitypark.com

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ake off your Capezios and put on your walking shoes; park your ride at the gate and promenade the big lake; take your honey for a walk-about through the Sculpture Garden and then over to Morning Call for café au lait and beignets. Feed the ducks (beware of the geese), chill out, and enjoy each other’s company in the fifth largest public park in the country. Don’t you think that you’re both overdue for a dose of amnesia? C’mon. It’s a real civilization out there, and sometimes you just need to “stroll around the grounds until you feel at home,” Mrs. Robinson. Back in the day, we would even strip down and sit and splash in a fountain. Find your inner cool. -Phil LaMancusa

Best Spot for Thick, Hand-Cut French Fries: Fat Boy Pantry 1302 Magazine St. instagram.com/fatboypantry Though extremely common, French fries tend to be an afterthought at many restaurants. But not at Fat Boy Pantry! If you're a fan of steak fries, these beauties will knock your socks off. Sure, they have homemade ice cream, coffee from Chicagobased roaster Dark Matter, fried lobster poboys with drawn butter, and fresh-squeezed juices, too … but those French fries! -Kim Ranjbar

Best Church: Immaculate Conception 130 Baronne St. jesuitchurch.net St. Louis Cathedral is wonderful and it rightfully garners a lot of attention for its beauty. But a long walk away on Baronne Street (just off Canal) is Immaculate Conception, a.k.a. “Jesuit Church.” It may not look like much on the outside, but once you enter, the towering nave, the exquisite stained-glass windows, and the 24-karat gold-plated altar take your breath away.

While the church is often open to visitors and you may encounter a few souls inside during the day, it is often blessedly quiet (no pun intended). Even if you’re not religious, it’s a wonderful place to sit, think, and escape from the chaos of the CBD. -Fritz Esker

Best Costumer: Jenny Campbell, NOLA Costumes instagram.com/nolacostumes Have you ever actually stood back and thought about the time and effort it takes to create some of the dazzling costumes you see during Mardi Gras, let alone the person behind the spectacular ensembles?

Jenny Campbell moved to New Orleans after catching the costuming bug in Baltimore, Maryland, and has since been working with burlesque dancers, Mardi Gras float riders, ball kings and queens, and more, around the Crescent City. Campbell is available for all types of costume creations—from working snow globe headpieces to a six-foot-wide octopus—and you can see some of her work on her Instagram page. -Michael Fulkerson

Best Spot on Tulane Avenue for Food, Family, and Friendliness: Avery’s On Tulane 2510 Tulane Ave. averysontulane.com Five years ago, Christy and Justin Pitard opened their own restaurant, which took some kind of courage, not to mention talent and vision. Tulane Avenue is slowly recovering from years of the doldrums, thanks to energetic and creative entrepreneurs like the Pitards. Avery’s On Tulane (named after their daughter) has made the commitment to bring excellent New Orleans food to their dining tables (and to-go boxes). They are keeping it real, grounded, and local, with inspired twists (even a vegan red bean burger that rocks).

stood you up. But if your date ever does show up, try playing a little Skeeball to break the ice. -Kathy Bradshaw

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

The Best Vet Practice in Town: DeSoto Park Veterinarian Clinic 2569 DeSoto St. desotoparkvet.com DeSoto Park Vet is more than an excellent clinic for the health, care, and repair of pets—it also dispenses a wealth of compassion and knowledge. It feels like an old-fashioned country doctor’s practice, yet with precise, spot-on, encyclopedic knowledge. Doctors Andrea and Nicole Larroque, plus every member of the staff, are caring, warm, and relentlessly professional.

This family practice treats you like family.

Pets are remembered by name, quirks, and needs, without even a reference to their files.

They put the welfare of animals ahead of profits—never taking on more clients than those to whom they can give 100% of themselves. When your dog rushes ahead of you to enter this clinic, you know there is love there … and some treats!

-Debbie Lindsey Best Woman-Owned Bike Shop and Repair: Dashing Bicycles 1234 N. Broad St. dashingnola.com Dashing Bicycles is open every day for bike sales, rentals, and repairs. This woman-owned bike shop is old school in today’s world of toss-n-replace.

Here, bikes are diagnosed for free and repairs and adjustments are offered at good, old-fashioned, sensible prices. But if you prefer new and shiny, she also sells state-of-the-art bikes. The attitude of this shop and its employees is open, inviting, and full of fun twists. Dashing is community-involved and always hosting fun events and pop-ups. Visit them on Facebook to see what’s happening. -Debbie Lindsey Best Place to Art-Flix and Chill: Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center 1618 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. zeitgeistnola.com Many movie theaters around town these days are hip to the latest indie flicks. However, only Zeitgeist has the truly unknown art house, documentary, and foreign flicks you won’t find out

about on IMDB’s homepage or even your most obscure Netflix recommendations. Had I not discovered this hidden gem, I would have missed the excellent documentaries Saving Banksy (2014) and The Witness (2015) this past year. Complementary to its lineup, the “theater” has a total DIY vibe: It’s housed in a large, open room full of assorted couches (I wouldn’t be surprised if they were donated or collected off the side of the road), and the films are shown on a projector that looks like it was borrowed from a local university. Some may find this cheap, but I find it charming—the environment makes it easier to mingle with like-minded moviegoers, and the couches are perfect for cuddling when you’re making it a date night.

-Greg Roques Best Way to Go Off-Road: Q50 Trail Races Q50races.com Q50 Races take the typical road race and turn it on its head in more ways than one. First and foremost, all of their runs are organized on nature trails. Q50 wants to bring urban runners together who have a

Best Taste of the Caribbean: Latitude 29 321 N. Peters St. latitude29nola.com

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ew Orleans’s summers have tropical heat, and if you are looking for a beach to cool down, the Mississippi River just isn’t a substitute. Latitude 29 in the French Quarter may be the next best thing. Delightfully decorated with bamboo and assorted island accouterments, this tiny island getaway immediately whisks you back in time with its fun retro-surf-rock soundtrack thumping as you walk in the door.

Chill out with one of their many World War II-era inspired tiki drinks: The Zombie and the Suffering Bastard are two personal favorites, if not for the names alone. Hungry? The Banh Mi Sandwich and Tahitian Steak Frites are delicious and well worth the trip. If you’re loving the vibe and plan on staying a while with your friends, try one of their communal drinks— the Plantocracy Punch comes with a baller price tag ($180), but may very well be the only drink you need (or can handle) for the day. -Greg Roques

BEST OF THE BIG EASY

WRITERS' PICKS

shared love for nature by introducing them to a wide range of parks and public wildlife preserves all throughout the state. Runs accommodate athletes of all levels … and I mean ALL levels. Races range from 5k’s to two-day ultra-marathons. Q50’s other unique features include after-dark races and a canine run, where runners compete alongside their best four-legged friends.

And 2017 will see the debut of Q50’s most ambitious race yet. On October 7, Q50 is partnering with The National World War II Museum to host a 30+ mile race in Normandy, France, that retraces the path the U.S. troops followed during WWII after landing at Omaha Beach. Plans are to make this an annual event, with each race adding to the subsequent year’s path. -Greg Roques My Food Go-To-Me Guy: Ian McNulty @IanMcNultyNOLA I love Judy Walker; I follow Ann Maloney.

But when I get a Facebook message from Ian, it’s like a telephone call that I’m surely going to pick up. Ever since the time he hipped me to what I found is the very best fried chicken in the city, I am his food biatch. He swings high, he swings low, and his contradiction of what, at the time, I believed was the quintessential boiled-in-oil avian made me a believer. More than just a staff writer, he’s an inside/outside food 411 (and no, I’m not telling you where to get that chicken). -Phil LaMancusa

Best Gay Bar for Locals: Good Friends Bar & Queens Head Pub 740 Dauphine St. goodfriendsbar.com

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hile most LGBT tourists flock to the flashy sensations of Oz and its nightclub vibes, there is another gay bar right around the corner that caters to local clientele like no one else. Good Friends Bar has been a "Fruit Loop" staple for years for its casual, friendly atmosphere and strong drinks—like the "Separator," a frozen chocolate concoction sure to hit the spot no matter what season it is.

The bar also calls its upstairs section "Queens Head Pub," which has a balcony with some of the best views in the Quarter. Whether you're looking for a casual night on the town or a quiet evening with a group of friends, Good Friends Bar is the absolute perfect pick! Be sure to visit Jeremy upstairs and tell him Michael sent you. -Michael Fulkerson Best Food Tour for Ya Mama and Dem: Destination Kitchen 7211 Regent St., 2nd Floor destination-kitchen.com Starting Destination Kitchen tours eight years ago, tri-lingual local chef, instructor, and spice maven Julie Barreda has enlisted a staff of culinary wizards to give in-the-know locals and visitors three hours of real New Orleans food, facts, and fun. The walking jaunt covers food history, architecture, and tastings, with a little inside information and gossip thrown in for good measure. No

one gets off the tour hungry, for sure, and the company has steadily been racking up accolades in tour circles. Forget ghosts, vampires, and cemeteries; don’t you want Aunt and Uncle from out-of-town to sip and sup the real deal? Visit their website because the food tour is only a portion of what’s offered. -Phil LaMancusa Best Place for a Sundowner: Moss Street It’s been a long day. Rather than going up to the rooftop at Whole Foods (a kickass sunset viewing spot), take a trip to the

pedestrian bridge or a piece of adjacent lawns on the bayou; bring a lawn chair, a snack, and something to drink; and see the sun complete its act for the day. I’m a fan of a tall cool one while watching the decoloration of the sky when the celestial curtain is coming down for the day. If you squint your eyes, you can picture Helios piloting his chariot, waving as he tows old Sol to bed. Think lovely thoughts and believe that Neverland is real and Peter is coming back for you. -Phil LaMancusa

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BEST OF THE BIG EASY

READERS' PICKS

2017

Best of the Big Easy Winners Readers' Picks 3. Ohm Lounge: 601 Tchoupitoulas St., ohm-lounge.com

Best Place to Get a Bloody Mary: 1. Daisy Dukes: Multiple locations, daisydukesrestaurant.com Tried, tested, and perfected over the course of two years, the outstanding Bloody Mary at Daisy Duke’s promptly became their most requested cocktail at every single one of their locations.

2. The Ruby Slipper Cafe: Multiple locations, therubyslippercafe.net

Best Dance Club: 1. Metro: 310 Andrew Higgins Dr., themetronola.com 2. Republic NOLA: 828 S. Peters St., republicnola.com 3. Ohm Lounge: 601 Tchoupitoulas St., ohm-lounge.com Best Happy Hour: 1. The Rusty Nail: 1100 Constance St., rustynailnola.com 2. Barcadia New Orleans: 601 Tchoupitoulas St., barcadianeworleans.com 3. The Columns Hotel: 3811 St. Charles Ave., thecolumns.com Best Bar for Handcrafted Cocktails: 1. Bar Tonique: 820 N. Rampart St., bartonique.com

3. Atchafalaya: 901 Louisiana Ave., atchafalayarestaurant.com

Enjoy the cozy decor as you sip on one of Bar Tonique’s many homemade craft cocktails and daily specials.

2. Cure: 4905 Freret St., curenola.com 3. Beachbum Berry’s Latitude 29: 321 N. Peters St., latitude29nola.com Best Late-Night Bar: 1. Club Bourbon Heat: 711 Bourbon St., 711bourbonheat.com 2. F&M Patio Bar: 4841 Tchoupitoulas

St., fandmpatiobar.com 3. Metro: 310 Andrew Higgins Dr., themetronola.com Best Place to See and Be Seen: 1. Ace Hotel: 600 Carondelet St., acehotel.com/NewOrleans Check out Ace Hotel and up your social ante with live music, highend dining, and rooftop cocktails.

2. Masquerade Nightclub: 8 Canal St., masquerade-nightclub.com

Best Brewery: 1. NOLA Brewing Company: 3001 Tchoupitoulas St., nolabrewing.com If you’re looking for handmade craft beers, then look no further than the NOLA Brewing Company, which has plenty of flavors on tap.

2. Port Orleans Brewing Co.: 4124 Tchoupitoulas St., portorleansbrewingco. com 3. Abita Brewing Company: 21084 LA-36, Covington, LA, abita.com

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

Best Sports Bar: 1. Cooter Brown’s Tavern: 509 S. Carrollton Ave., cooterbrowns.com With 17 televisions, 400+ beers, and raw oysters, Cooter Brown’s is known as a great spot to watch the big game.

2. Walk On’s Bistreaux & Bar: 1009 Poydras St., walk-ons.com/locations/ new-orleans 3. Gordon Biersch: 200 Poydras St., gordonbiersch.com/locations/neworleans Best Upscale Bar: 1. Arnaud’s French 75 Bar: 813 Bienville St., arnaudsrestaurant.com/bars/ french-75 The historic French 75 Bar, with its vintage interior décor, offers the best upscale premium spirits and classic cocktails.

2. Cure: 4905 Freret St., curenola.com 3. The Sazerac Bar: 130 Roosevelt Way, facebook.com/bar.sazerac Best Hotel Bar: 1. Columns Hotel: 3811 St. Charles Ave., thecolumns.com 2. Hotel Monteleone: 214 Royal St., New Orleans, hotelmonteleone.com 3. Ace Hotel: 600 Carondelet St., acehotel.com/NewOrleans

Bartender’s Name:

THANK YOU READERS FOR VOTING CAFFE! CAFFE! AS BEST CAFÉ!

Place of Work: Phone #: Email: Recipe:

Ask Your Southern Glazer’s Rep for more info.

4301 Clearview Parkway Metairie, LA 70006 504-885-4845

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CaffeCaffe.com WhereYat.com | July 2017 | 13

BEST OF THE BIG EASY

READERS' PICKS

Best Bar (Mid-City): 1. Pal’s Lounge: 949 N. Rendon St., facebook.com/PalsLounge Pal’s Lounge is the perfect Mid-City neighborhood bar to grab a drink with friends, listen to the jukebox, and enjoy a classic game of air hockey.

2. Finn McCool’s Irish Pub: 3701 Banks St., finnmccools.com 3. Mid City Yacht Club: 440 S. St. Patrick St., midcityyachtclub.com

Best New Bar/Club: 1. Hot Tin: 2031 St. Charles Ave., hottinbar.com Hot Tin is an intimate rooftop bar that serves champagne and bright cocktails to complement its bird’s-eye view of downtown New Orleans.

2. Monkey Board: 1111 Gravier St., monkeyboardnola.com 3. Tchoup Yard: 405 Third St., tchoupyard.com Best LGBT Bar: 1. Oz: 800 Bourbon St., ozneworleans. com 2. Golden Lantern: 1239 Royal St., facebook.com/GoldenLanternBar 3. Good Friends: 740 Dauphine St., goodfriendsbar.com Best College Bar: 1. The Boot Bar & Grill: 1039 Broadway

St., thebootnola.com Students looking for a quick and easy study break head to The Boot, a bar known for its proximity to Tulane and Loyola Universities.

2. F&M Patio Bar: 4841 Tchoupitoulas St., fandmpatiobar.com 3. Cooter Brown’s Tavern: 509 S. Carrollton Ave., cooterbrowns.com Best Bar Patio: 1. Gordon Biersch: 200 Poydras St., gordonbiersch.com/locations/neworleans This bar with its visible brewing facility is a favorite, offering patio seating in the heart of Fulton Street.

2. Bacchanal Wine: 600 Poland Ave., bacchanalwine.com 3. Bayou Beer Garden: 326 N. Jefferson Davis Pkwy., bayoubeergarden.com

Best Gentlemen’s Club: 1. Rick’s Cabaret: 315 Bourbon St., rickscabaretnola.com 2. The Penthouse: 727 Iberville St., penthouseclubneworleans.com 3. Visions Men’s Club: 4000 Downman Rd., visionsmensclub.com Best Irish Pub: 1. Finn McCool’s Irish Pub: 3701 Banks St., finnmccools.com Finn McCool’s is known for its love of European football mixed with an Irish flavor and subtle charm.

2. Kerry Irish Pub: 331 Decatur St., facebook.com/Kerry-Irish-Pub 3. Erin Rose: 811 Conti St., erinrosebar. com Best Place to Get a Margarita: 1. El Paso: Multiple locations, elpasomex.com

Best Dive Bar: 1. Snake & Jake’s Christmas Club Lounge: 7612 Oak St., snakeandjakes.com This darkened dive bar is a late-night gem for those looking to unwind after the city goes to sleep.

2. Ms. Mae’s The Club: 4336 Magazine St., facebook.com/ msmaesNOLA 3. Golden Lantern: 1239 Royal St., facebook.com/GoldenLanternBar

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

2. Superior Grill: 3636 St. Charles Ave., neworleans.superiorgrill.com 3. El Gato Negro: Multiple locations, elgatonegronola.com Best Place to Get a Mojito: 1. St. Joe’s Bar: 5535 Magazine St., stjoesbar.com Enjoy the signature blueberry mojitos at St. Joe’s Bar—an intimate Uptown bar with religious décor, paper lanterns, and a patio.

2. The Rum House: 3128 Magazine St., therumhouse.com 3. Mizado Latin Kitchen: 5080 Pontchartrain Blvd., mizadolatinkitchen.com Best Place to Drink Wine: 1. Bacchanal Wine: 600 Poland Ave., bacchanalwine.com Bacchanal is a charming Bywater wine-and-cheese store featuring accented small plates and live music with a lush back patio.

2. Oak: 8118 Oak St., oaknola.com 3. Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar & Bistro: 720 Orleans St., orleansgrapevine.com Best Place to Drink Beer: 1. Crescent City Brewhouse: 527 Decatur St., crescentcitybrewhouse. com 2. Gordon Biersch: 200 Poydras St., gordonbiersch.com/locations/neworleans 3. NOLA Brewing Company: 3001 Tchoupitoulas St., nolabrewing.com Best Beer Selection: 1. Ole Saint: 132 Royal St., olesaint.com Folks love the variety available at Deuce McAllister’s Ole Saint with its 50+ draught offerings, full bar, and extensive wine list.

2. Cooter Brown’s Tavern: 509 S. Carrollton Ave., cooterbrowns.com 3. World of Beers: 300 Julia St., worldofbeer.com/Locations/ WarehouseDistrict

BEST OF THE BIG EASY

READERS' PICKS

Best Jazz Club: 1. Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro: 626 Frenchmen St., snugjazz.com Enjoy the sights, sounds, and tastes of one of the country’s premier jazz clubs, which has been a favorite for over 30 years.

2. Spotted Cat Music Club: 623 Frenchmen St., spottedcatmusicclub. com 3. Maison: 508 Frenchmen St., maisonfrenchmen.com

Best Place to Buy Wine/Liquor: 1. Martin’s Wine Cellar: Multiple locations, martinwinecellar.com To stock up for that next party, visit Martin’s Wine Cellar with 2,500 bottles to choose from.

2. Pearl: 3700 Orleans Ave. #1c, pearlwineco.com

Best Music Club: 1. House of Blues: 225 Decatur St., houseofblues.com/neworleans 2. Tipitina’s: 501 Napoleon Ave., tipitinas.com 3. Gasa Gasa: 4920 Freret St., gasagasa. com Best Place to Play Bar Games: 1. Shamrock: 4133 S. Carrollton Ave., shamrockparty.com From Ping-Pong to foosball, there is plenty of fun to be had at the Shamrock. Bring your friends, and let the games begin.

2. Barcadia New Orleans: 601 Tchoupitoulas St., barcadianeworleans.com 3. Dave & Buster’s: 1200 Poydras St., daveandbusters.com/new-orleans

3. Dorignac’s Food Center: 710 Veterans Memorial Blvd., dorignacs.com Best Bar (Bywater/Marigny): 1. Kajun’s Pub: 2256 St. Claude Ave., kajunpub.com 2. Mimi’s in the Marigny: 2601 Royal St., mimismarigny.com 3. J&J’s Sports Lounge: 800 France St., jjssportslounge.com Best Bar (Uptown): 1. Le Bon Temps Roule: 4801 Magazine St., facebook.com/le.b.roule 2. Monkey Hill Bar: 6100 Magazine St.,

FRESH INGREDIENTS

monkeyhillbar.com 3. St. Joe’s Bar: 5535 Magazine St., stjoesbar.com Best Bar (French Quarter): 1. Tropical Isle: Multiple locations, tropicalisle.com Known for making the most powerful drink in New Orleans, the home of the original Hand Grenade shows no signs of stopping.

2. Pat O’ Brien’s: 718 St. Peter St., patobriens.com

3. Arnaud’s French 75 Bar: 813 Bienville St., arnaudsrestaurant.com/bars/ french-75 Best Bar (CBD/Warehouse District): 1. Barcadia New Orleans: 601 Tchoupitoulas St., barcadianeworleans.com Get away from the hustle of the CBD, and enjoy the burgers, craft beer, and arcade games at Barcadia.

2. The Rusty Nail: 1100 Constance St.,

AUTHENTIC RECIPES

MUCHAS GRACIAS!

THANK YOU READERS FOR VOTING US BEST TACO & BEST BURRITO!

FELIPE’S MEXICAN TAQUERIA | www.felipestaqueria.com | FOLLOW US @FELIPESNOLA

WhereYat.com | July 2017 | 15

BEST OF THE BIG EASY

2401 St. Ann St. (504) 822-9503 WillieMaesNola.com Mon. - Sat.

10 am - 5 pm

Open Sundays for Private Parties Only

Now Accepting Credit Cards

Come See Us During Essence Fest!

rustynailnola.com 3. Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant: 701 Tchoupitoulas St., lucysretiredsurfers.com Best Bar (Metairie): 1. Perry’s Sports Bar & Grill: 5252 Veterans Memorial Blvd., facebook. com/perryssportsbarandgrill 2. Swamp Room: 5216 Veterans Memorial Blvd., swamproombarandgrill.com 3. Oscar’s: 2027 Metairie Rd., oscarsoldmetairie.com Best Bar (Westbank): 1. Gattuso’s Neighborhood Restaurant: 435 Huey P. Long Ave., gattusos.net 2. Old Point: 545 Patterson Rd., oldpointbarnola.com 3. Crown & Anchor English Pub: 200 Pelican Ave., crownandanchor.pub

READERS' PICKS Best Men’s Clothing: 1. Rubensteins: 102 St. Charles Ave., rubensteinsneworleans.com For those gentlemen looking to keep that debonair persona, Rubensteins features upscale custom-made menswear and alterations.

2. Jeff’s Haberdashery: Multiple locations, jeffshaberdashery.com 3. Iron Horse Clothier: 523 Metairie Rd., ironhorsenola.com Best Women’s Clothing: 1. Hemline: Multiple locations, shophemline.com See the latest fashion trends with a Brazilian twist at Hemline, and find that Saturday night outfit that’s sure to turn heads.

2. Fleurty Girl: Multiple locations, fleurtygirl.net 3. Trashy Diva: Multiple locations, trashydiva.com Best Smoke Shop: 1. Ra Shop: Multiple locations, rashop. us 2. The Herb Import Company: Multiple locations, herbimport.com 3. Mushroom New Orleans: 1037 Broadway St., mushroomneworleans. com

Follow Us For Specials & Updates!

Best Lunch on a Budget!

Best Bike Shop: 1. GNO Cyclery: 1426 S. Carrollton Ave., gnocyclery.com 2. Bayou Bicycles: 3530 Toulouse St., bayou-bicycles.shoplightspeed.com 3. Bicycle Michael’s: 622 Frenchmen St., bicyclemichaels.com

Best Adult Novelty Store: 1. Mr. Binky’s Boutique: 107 Chartres St., mrbinkyssuperstore.com 2. Hustler Hollywood: 111 Bourbon St., hustlerhollywoodstores.com/hustlerhollywood-new-orleans 3. Paradise Adult Video & Book: 5608 Heebe St. Best Vintage Clothing: 1. Goodwill: Multiple locations, goodwillno.org Find your vintage “blast from the

Best Record Shop: 1. Mushroom New Orleans: 1037 Broadway St., mushroomneworleans.com Hunt for some vinyl at the Mushroom, where you can flip through a selection that’s sure to fill the void in every music lover’s collection.

2. LA Music Factory: 421 Frenchmen St., louisianamusicfactory.com 3. Peaches Records: 4318 Magazine St., peachesrecordsandtapes.com

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

BEST OF THE BIG EASY

READERS' PICKS

Best Tattoo/Piercing Parlor: 1. Aart Accent Tattoos & Piercings: 1041 N. Rampart St., tattoo.com/aartaccent-tattooing-jacci Thinking about getting that tattoo you’ve always wanted? Then visit Louisiana’s oldest continuously running tattoo business.

2. Electric Ladyland Tattoo: 610 Frenchmen St., electricladylandtattoo. com 3. Eye Candy Tattoos: 1578 Magazine St., eyecandytattoo.com

past” look at Goodwill, and make yourself look like a million bucks while only spending five.

2. Funky Monkey: 3127 Magazine St., funkymonkeynola.com 3. Buffalo Exchange: 4119 Magazine St., buffaloexchange.com/locations/neworleans/new-orleans

Best Costume Shop: 1. Uptown Costume & Dancewear: 4326 Magazine St. facebook.com/ uptowncostumeanddancewear Visit this store—filled with costumes, dancewear, accessories, and more—and be the talk of the next costume party.

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

3. N.O. Party & Costume: 705 Camp St., partyandcostume.com Best Supermarket: 1. Rouse’s: Multiple locations, shop. rouses.com 2. Whole Foods: Multiple locations, wholefoodsmarket.com 3. Breaux Mart: Multiple locations, breauxmart.com

Best Local Product Found in a Grocery Store: 1. Tabasco: tabasco.com 2. Abita: abita.com 3. Zatarain’s: mccormick.com/zatarains Best Athletic Club: 1. New Orleans JCC: Multiple locations, nojcc.org Get fit this summer at the JCC Fitness Center, where they are committed to helping you achieve that positive lifestyle change.

2. Ochsner Fitness Center: 1200 S. Clearview Pkwy., ochsnerfitness.com 3. New Orleans Athletic Club: 222 N. Rampart St., neworleansathleticclub. com Best Bank: 1. First American Bank & Trust: Multiple locations, fabt.com 2. Whitney Bank: Multiple locations, hancockwhitney.com 3. Capital One Bank: Multiple locations, captialone.com Best Bridal Shop: 1. Pearl’s Place: 3114 Severn Ave., pearlsplace.com Pearl’s Place is a family-run bridal shop with an extensive selection of gowns for both brides and bridesmaids that will no doubt

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READERS' PICKS

make that special day spectacular.

2. Town & Country: 1514 St. Charles Ave., townandcountrybridal.com 3. Wedding Belles: 3632 Magazine St., weddingbellesnola.com

Best Pet Store:

Best Car Dealership: 1. Lamarque Ford: 3101 Williams Blvd., lamarque. com 2. Veteran’s Ford: 3724 Veterans Memorial Blvd., veteransfordmetairie.com 3. Premier Nissan: 6636 Veterans Memorial Blvd., premiernissan.net

1. Jefferson Feed: Multiple locations, jeffersonfeed.com If you’re looking to make that kitten purr, then Jefferson Feed is your source, offering prime pet food and supplies.

Best Vape Shop: 1. Ra Shop: Multiple locations, rashop.us 2. Calhoun Vapor: 3137 Calhoun St., calhounvapor. com 3. Crescent City Vape: Multiple locations, crescentcityvape. com

3. Petco: Multiple locations, petco. com

2. Petsmart: Multiple locations, petsmart.com

2. Meril: 424 Girod St., emerilsrestaurants.com/meril 3. Poke Loa: 3341 Magazine St., eatpokeloa.com

Best Wedding Venue: 1. Royal Palm: 1901 Manhattan Blvd. royalpalmfpc.com 2. City Park: 1 Palm Dr., neworleanscitypark.com 3. English Turn Golf & Country Club: One Clubhouse Dr., englishturngolf. com Best Kids’ Spot: 1. Audubon Zoo: 6500 Magazine St., audubonnatureinstitute.org/zoo Take the kids out for some unforgettable family fun when you head down to the Audubon Zoo, where they all ask for you!

2. Adventure Quest Laser Tag: 1200 S. Clearview Pkwy. #1106, lasertagnola. com 3. LA Children’s Museum: 420 Julia St., lcm.org

Best New Restaurant: 1. Caribbean Room: 2031 St. Charles Ave., thecaribbeanroom.com John Besh and Chris Lusk have teamed up to reopen this nostalgic gem for the modern foodie, with a fresh new twist on the old menu.

Best Daily Specials: 1. Joey K’s Restaurant & Bar: 3001 Magazine St., joeyksrestaurant.com Enjoy the daily specials at Joey K’s; check out their website for a list that will make your mouth water by just reading it.

2. Mandina’s Restaurant: 3800 Canal St., mandinasrestaurant.com 3. Katie’s Restaurant: 3701 Iberville St., katiesinmidcity.com Best Restaurant (French Quarter): 1. Antoine’s: 713 St. Louis St., antoines. com With its 176-year legacy intact, Antoine’s is known for worldrenowned Creole cuisine,

Best Bead Store: 1. Plush Appeal LLC: 2811 Toulouse St., mardigrasspot.com With the best prices and selection of throws and beads in the city, Plush Appeal keeps you ready for Mardi Gras partying and beyond!

2. Beads by the Dozen: 333 Edwards Ave., beadsbythedozen.com 3. Mardi Gras Zone: 2706 Royal St., mardigraszone.com

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

impeccable service, and a unique atmosphere.

2. Galatoire’s: 209 Bourbon St., galatoires.com 3. Kingfish: 337 Chartres St., kingfishneworleans.com Best Restaurant (Marigny/Bywater): 1. Mimi’s in the Marigny: 2601 Royal St., mimismarigny.com 2. Country Club: 634 Louisa St., thecountryclubneworleans.com 3. Pizza Delicious: 617 Piety St., pizzadelicious.com Best Restaurant (Uptown): 1. Pascal’s Manale: 1838 Napoleon Ave., pascalsmanale.com 2. La Petite Grocery: 4238 Magazine St., lapetitegrocery.com 3. Shaya: 4213 Magazine St., shayarestaurant.com

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BEST OF THE BIG EASY

READERS' PICKS

Best Brunch Spot: 1. Ruby Slipper: Multiple locations, therubyslippercafe.net Ruby Slipper has several locations throughout New Orleans and is a brunch spot with an impressive menu and fun atmosphere.

2. Court of Two Sisters: 613 Royal St., courtoftwosisters.com 3. Surrey’s: Multiple locations, surreysnola.com

Best Restaurant (CBD/Warehouse District): 1. Compere Lapin: 535 Tchoupitoulas St., comperelapin.com If you’re looking to eat in the CBD, check out Compere Lapin with its menu full of Caribbean takes on New Orleans flavors.

2. Peche Seafood Grill: 800 Magazine St., pecherestaurant.com 3. Cochon Butcher: 930 Tchoupitoulas St. B, cochonrestaurant.com Best Restaurant (Mid-City): 1. Mandina’s Restaurant: 3800 Canal St., mandinasrestaurant.com 2. Venezia: 134 N. Carrollton Ave., venezianeworleans.net 3. Mopho: 514 City Park Ave., mophonola. com Best Restaurant (Lakeview): 1. Velvet Cactus: 6300 Argonne Blvd., thevelvetcactus.com 2. Blue Crab: 7900 Lakeshore Dr., thebluecrabnola.com 3. Brisbi’s Lakefront Restaurant and Bar: 7400 Lakeshore Dr., brisbisrestaurant.com

Best Restaurant (Metairie): 1. Drago’s: 3232 N. Arnoult Rd., dragosrestaurant.com 2. Acme Oyster House: 3000 Veterans Memorial Blvd., acmeoyster.com/ metairie 3. Don’s Seafood: 4801 Veterans Memorial Blvd., donsseafoodonline. com Best Upscale Restaurant: 1. Restaurant R’evolution: 777 Bienville St., revolutionnola.com 2. Commander’s Palace: 1403 Washington Ave., commanderspalace. com 3. Antoine’s: 713 St. Louis St., antoines. com Best Fast Casual Restaurant: 1. Halal Guys: Multiple locations, thehalalguys.com From New York beginnings, Halal Guys has become the premier place to go for good quality Middle Eastern/Mediterranean food with speedy service.

Best Restaurant (Westbank): 1. Café 615 Home of Da Wabbit: 615 Kepler St., dawabbit.net Café 615 has been one of the best dining operations on the Westbank for more than half a century with its larger-thanlife portions.

2. Nine Roses Restaurant: 1100 Stephens St., ninerosesrestaurant. com 3. Gattuso’s Neighborhood Restaurant: 435 Huey P. Long Ave., gattusos. net

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

2. Dat Dog: Multiple locations, datdog. com 3. Company Burger: 4600 Freret St., thecompanyburger.com Best Deli: 1. Stein’s Market and Deli: 2207 Magazine St., steinsdeli.net 2. Martin Wine Cellar: Multiple locations., martinwinecellar.com 3. Cochon Butcher: 930 Tchoupitoulas St. B, cochonrestaurant.com Best Budget Eats: 1. Dat Dog: Multiple locations, datdog. com When it comes to getting more bang for your buck, Dat Dog is the place to be with their overwhelmingly delicious multitude of budget-friendly choices.

2. Felipe’s: Multiple locations, felipestaqueria.com 3. Liberty Cheesesteaks: 5031 Freret St., libertycheesesteaks.com

Best Bakery: 1. Maple St. Patisserie: Multiple locations, cargocollective.com/ maplestreetpatisserie Specializing in rustic European breads, cakes, and other baked goods, Maple St. Patisserie makes it easy to see, smell, and taste happiness.

2. Boulangerie New Orleans: 4600 Magazine St., laboulangerienola.com 3. Haydel’s Bakery: 4037 Jefferson Hwy., haydelbakery.com

Best Place to Get a Salad: 1. City Greens: Multiple locations, eatcitygreens.com 2. Caffe! Caffe!: Multiple locations, caffecaffe.com 3. Green to Go: 400 Poydras St. #130, greentogonola.com Best Restaurant for Dessert: 1. Copeland’s Cheesecake Bistro: 2001 St. Charles Ave., copelandscheesecakebistro.com Treat yourself to some of the best desserts at Copeland’s Cheesecake Bistro. Enjoy the evening as your troubles melt away with every mouthwatering bite.

2. Commander’s Palace: 1403 Washington Ave., commanderspalace. com 3. Sucré: Multiple locations, shopsucre. com Best Outdoor Dining: 1. Café Amelie: 912 Royal St., cafeamelie. com 2. Court of Two Sisters: 613 Royal St., courtoftwosisters.com 3. Velvet Cactus: 6300 Argonne Blvd., thevelvetcactus.com Best Romantic Date Spot: 1. Bombay Club: 830 Conti St., bombayclubneworleans.com Grab a booth for two and close the curtain for an intimate romantic evening that should always begin with one of Bombay Club’s signature martinis.

2. Foundation Room: 225 Decatur St., houseofblues.com/neworleans/fr 3. Court of Two Sisters: 613 Royal St., courtoftwosisters.com Best Diner: 1. City Diner: 3116 S. Interstate 10 Service Rd. E., citydiner.biz 2. Dot’s Diner: Multiple locations, dotsdiner.com 3. Slim Goodies Diner: 3322 Magazine St., slimgoodiesdiner.com

BEST OF THE BIG EASY Best Café: 1. Caffe! Caffe!: Multiple locations, caffecaffe.com 2. High Hat: 4500 Freret St., highhatcafe. com 3. Satsuma Café: 3218 Dauphine St., satsumacafe.com Best Chinese Restaurant: 1. Five Happiness: 3605 S. Carrollton Ave., fivehappiness.com Dine in or order delivery from the establishment that has provided delicious Chinese cuisine to New Orleans for over 30 years.

2. Red’s Chinese: 3048 St. Claude Ave., redschinese.com 3. August Moon: 301 Tchoupitoulas St., restaurantaugust.com Best Japanese Restaurant: 1. Miyako Hibachi & Sushi Bar: 1403 St. Charles Ave., japanesebistro.com Enjoy an interactive and fun dining experience as your hibachi meal is prepared right in front of you.

2. Mikimoto Japanese Restaurant: 3301 S. Carrollton Ave., mikimotosushi.com 3. Shogun: 2325 Veterans Memorial Blvd., shogunneworleans.com Best Thai Restaurant: 1. La Thai Uptown: 4938 Prytania St., lathaiuptown.com Located in the heart of Uptown, La Thai offers New Orleans-accented Thai cuisine in a modern, trendy atmosphere.

2. Suhko Thai: Multiple locations, sukhothai-nola.com 3. Banana Blossom Thai Cafe: 2112 Belle Chasse Hwy. #10, bananablossomthaicuisine.com Best Vietnamese Restaurant: 1. Namese: 4077 Tulane Ave., namese. net

READERS' PICKS 2. Magasin Cafe: 4201 Magazine St., magasincafe.com 3. Jazmine Café: 614 S. Carrollton Ave., jazminecafe.com Best Italian Restaurant: 1. Vincent’s: Multiple locations, vincentsitaliancuisine.com 2. Venezia: 134 N. Carrollton Ave., venezianeworleans.net 3. Italian Barrel: 430 Barracks St., italianbarrel.com Best Cajun Restaurant: 1. Mulate’s: 201 Julia St., mulates.com 2. Bobby Hebert’s Cajun Cannon: 4101 Veterans Blvd., bobbyheberts.com 3. Jacques-Imo’s: 8324 Oak St., jacquesimos.com

THANK YOU to Where Y'at Readers for voting Rusty Nail BEST BE HAPPY HOUR!

Best African Restaurant: 1. Bennachin Restaurant: 1212 Royal St., facebook.com/Bennachin-Restaurant BYOB to this cozy, vegetarianfriendly spot to get a taste of some traditional West African cuisine.

2. Café Abyssinia: 3511 Magazine St., cafeabyssinianola.com 3. Jamila’s: 7808 Maple St., jamilascafe. com Best Indian Restaurant: 1. Nirvana: 4308 Magazine St., insidenirvana.com 2. Taj Mahal: 923 Metairie Rd., tajnola. com 3. Saffron nola: 505 Gretna Blvd. #5, saffronnola.com Best Middle Eastern Restaurant: 1. Lebanon’s: 1500 S. Carrollton Ave., lebanonscafe.com Enjoy a taste of the Middle East at this popular casual dining spot.

Come hungry and feel free to BYOB.

Best Breakfast Spot: 1. Another Broken Egg: Multiple locations, anotherbrokenegg.com Featuring chef-inspired breakfast fare including fresh Louisiana seafood and signature morning cocktails, Another Broken Egg is always a must for breakfast connoisseurs.

2. Ruby Slipper: Multiple locations, therubyslippercafe.net 3. Surrey’s: Multiple locations, surreysnola.com

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READERS' PICKS

2. Mona’s: Multiple locations, monascafeanddeli.com 3. Pyramids: 3149 Calhoun St., pyramidscafeneworleans.com Best Mexican Restaurant: 1. Carretta’s: Multiple locations, carretasgrillrestaurant.com Fajitas and chimichangas and enchiladas, oh my! Carretta’s should be one of your top picks for Mexican cuisine in New Orleans.

2. El Gato Negro: Multiple locations, elgatonegronola.com 3. El Paso: 3010 Holiday Dr., elpasomex. com

Best BBQ Restaurant: 1. Blue Oak: 900 N. Carrollton Ave., blueoakbbq.com When in Mid-City, try Blue Oak, where their sides are just as mouthwatering as their meats and sandwiches.

2. The Joint: 701 Mazant St., alwayssmokin.com

Best Latin: 1. Baru Bistro and Tapas: 3700 Magazine St., barutapas.com 2. Mizado Latin Kitchen: 5080 Pontchartrain Blvd., mizadolatinkitchen.com 3. The Rum House: 3128 Magazine St., therumhouse.com Best Seafood Restaurant: 1. Acme Oyster House: Multiple locations, acmeoyster.com Are you an oyster lover? Acme is widely recognized for its po-boys and fresh, hand-shucked oysters.

2. Deanie’s Seafood: Multiple locations, deanies.com 3. Drago’s Seafood Restaurant: Multiple locations, dragosrestaurant.com Best Restaurant for Boiled Seafood: 1. Deanie’s Seafood Restaurant: Multiple locations, deanies.com 2. Don’s Seafood: 4801 Veterans Memorial Blvd., donsseafoodonline. com 3. Frankie & Johnny’s Restaurant: 321 Arabella St., frankieandjohnnys.net Best Steakhouse: 1. Desi Vega’s Steakhouse: 628 St.,

3. Central City BBQ: 1201 S. Rampart St., centralcitybbq.com

Charles Ave., desivegasteak.com Desi Vega’s serves prime steaks in a classy atmosphere featuring crisp white walls and high ceilings. Enjoy an elegant dining experience.

2. John’s Steakhouse: 2111 St. Charles Ave., mrjohnssteakhouse.com 3. Chophouse New Orleans: 322 Magazine St., chophousenola.com Best Creole Restaurant: 1. Cornet: 700 Bourbon St., cornetnola. com 2. Neyow’s Creole Café: 3332 Bienville St., neyows.com 3. Dooky Chase’s Restaurant: 2301 Orleans Ave., dookychaserestaurant. com

Best Bar Food: 1. Buffa’s: 1001 Esplanade Ave., buffaslounge.com Head down to Buffa’s for their famous Reuben, strong drinks, and live entertainment. Open 24/7, they’ve been loyally serving NOLA patrons on the edge of the Quarter since 1939.

2. Finn McCool’s: 3701 Banks St., finnmccools.com 3. Backspace Bar & Kitchen: 139 Chartres St., backspacenola.com Best Coffee Shop: 1. PJ’s Coffee: Multiple locations, pjscoffee.com 2. Community Coffee (CC’s): Multiple

Best Festival Food: 1. Crawfish Monica ®: Kajun Kettle Foods, 1524 Edwards Ave. #1, kajunkettle.com If you ask almost anyone their first food booth stop at Jazz Fest, they’ll likely say that they beeline to this creamy-based crawfish pasta!

2. Cochon de Lait: Love at First Bite, 7680 Wave Dr., cochondelaitpoboys. com 3. Crawfish Bread: Panaroma Foods, 815 Tunica Dr. W., Marksville, LA, panoramafoods.com

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

locations, communitycoffee.com 3. Starbucks: Multiple locations, starbucks.com Best Vegetarian Menu: 1. Carmo Café: 527 Julia St., cafecarmo. com In the city that loves its food and often its meat and seafood, not all places are so good to vegetarians.

But vegetarians can find a haven in Carmo Café!

2. Seed: 1330 Prytania St., seedyourhealth.com 3. Satsuma Café: 3218 Dauphine St., satsumacafe.com Best Vegan Menu: 1. Seed: 1330 Prytania St., seedyourhealth.com 2. Green Goddess: 307 Exchange Pl., greengoddessrestaurant.com 3. Sneaky Pickle: 4017 St. Claude Ave., yousneakypickle.com Best Roast Beef Po-Boy: 1. Parasol’s: 2533 Constance St., facebook.com/ParasolsNOLA Serving NOLA since 1952, Parasol's offers a moutherwatering roast beef po-boy and other great Cajun cuisine.

2. Tracey’s Original Irish Channel Bar: 2604 Magazine St., traceysnola.com 3. R&O Restaurant and Catering: 216 Metairie-Hammond Hwy., r-opizza.com Best Shrimp Po-Boy: 1. Short Stop Po Boys: 119 Transcontinental Dr., shortstoppoboysno.com 2. Parkway Bakery & Tavern: 538 Hagan

gordonbiersch.com WhereYat.com | July 2017 | 23

BEST OF THE BIG EASY

READERS' PICKS

Best Ice Cream/ Gelato: 1. Angelo Brocato’s: 214 N. Carrollton Ave., angelobrocatoicecream.com I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream (especially in this New Orleans heat)! Angelo Brocato’s has got you covered with cool treats.

2. The Creole Creamery: Multiple locations, creolecreamery.com 3. Sucré: Multiple locations, shopsucre.com Ave., parkwaypoorboys.com 3. Guy’s Po-Boys: 5259 Magazine St., facebook.com/guyspoboysnola Best Oyster Po-Boy: 1. Parkway Bakery & Tavern: 538 Hagan Ave., parkwaypoorboys.com Check out this longstanding establishment that has been serving delicious po-boys since 1911. They’ve only gotten better over time!

2. Domilise’s: 5240 Annunciation St., domilisespoboys.com 3. Acme Oyster House: Multiple locations, acmeoyster.com Best Wings: 1. WOW Café: Multiple locations, wowcafe.com A great spot for a group of friends or family, WOW Café will WOW you with their finger-lickin’ good wings and great selection of sauces.

2. Bayou Hot Wings: 6221 S. Claiborne Ave. #104, bayouhotwings.com 3. Mopho: 514 City Park Ave., mophonola. com Best Fried Chicken: 1. Willie Mae’s Scotch House: 2401 St. Ann St., williemaesnola.com When The Food Network declares that you serve “America’s Best Fried Chicken,” you know that you’re doing something right!

2. The Original Fiorella’s Café: 5325 Franklin Ave., originalfiorellas.com 3. Ma Momma’s House of Cornbread, Chicken and Waffles: 5741 Crowder Blvd., mamommashouse.com Best Hamburger: 1. Company Burger: Multiple locations, thecompanyburger.com 2. Port of Call: 838 Esplanade Ave., portofcallnola.com

3. New Orleans Hamburger & Seafood Co.: Multiple locations, nohsc.com Best Hot Dog: 1. Dat Dog: Multiple locations, datdog. com 2. Ted’s Frostop: 3100 Calhoun St., tedsfrostop.com 3. Dreamy Weenies: 740 N. Rampart St., dreamyweenies.com Best Pasta: 1. Venezia: 134 N. Carrollton Ave., venezianeworleans.net 2. Vincent’s: Multiple locations, vincentsitaliancuisine.com 3. Amici: 3218 Magazine St., amicinola. com Best Sushi: 1. Mikimoto Japanese Restaurant: 3301 S. Carrollton Ave., mikimotosushi.com Dine in or come by Mikimoto’s drive-thru to enjoy some delicious, sushi rolls with a Louisiana twist.

2. Origami Sushi: 5130 Freret St., sushinola.com 3. Tsunami: 601 Poydras St. Suite B, servingsushi.com/ neworleans Best Taco/Burrito: 1. Felipe’s Mexican Taqueria: Multiple locations, felipestaqueria. com Head down to Felipe’s to dress your burrito or taco to your liking as you select from ingredients right in front of you.

2. Izzo’s Illegal Burrito: Multiple locations, izzos. com

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

3. Juan’s Flying Burrito: Multiple locations, juansflyingburrito.com

3. Manny Randazzo King Cakes: Multiple locations, randazzokingcake.com

Best Pizza: 1. Reginelli’s Pizzeria: Multiple locations, reginellis. com 2. Pizza Delicious: 617 Piety St., pizzadelicious.com 3. Mid City Pizza: Multiple locations, midcitypizza.com Best Sno-Ball: 1. Plum Street Snoballs: 1300 Burdette St., eteamz. com/plumstreetsnoball 2. Hansen’s Sno-Bliz: 4801 Tchoupitoulas St., snobliz. com 3. Costanza’s Snowballs and Soft Serve: 5411 W. Napoleon Ave., facebook. com/Costanzassnowballs

Best Donut: 1. District: Donuts. Sliders. Brew: Multiple locations, districtdonuts.com Their uniquely crafted, internationally inspired donuts are sometimes too aesthetically pleasing to eat.

2. Freret Street Po-Boy and Donut Shop: 4701 Freret St., facebook.com/ freretstpoboydonutshop 3. Proofed Donuts & Kolaches: 5236 Tchoupitoulas St., proofeddonuts.com Best King Cake: 1. Haydel’s Bakery: 4037 Jefferson Hwy., haydelbakery.com Who said king cake is just for Mardi Gras season? Haydel’s says it’s a year-round treat. Head down any season to scoop one up.

2. Gambino’s Bakery: Multiple locations, gambinos.com

Best Theater Venue: 1. Saenger Theatre: 1111 Canal St., saenger.theaterneworleans.com 2. The Orpheum Theater: 129 Roosevelt Way, orpheumnola.com 3. The Joy Theater: 1200 Canal St., thejoytheater.com Best Art Gallery: 1. George Rodrigue Studios: 730 Royal St., georgerodrigue.com George Rodrigue is known for his famous Blue Dog paintings. Make sure you check out the many pieces in his studio on Royal Street.

2. LeMieux Galleries: 332 Julia St., lemieuxgalleries.com 3. Frenchy Gallery: 8314 Oak St., frenchylive.com Best Local Artist: 1. Terrance Osborne: 3029 Magazine St., terranceosborne.com 2. Frenchy: 8314 Oak St., frenchylive.com 3. Michalopoulos: 617 Bienville St., michalopoulos.com

Best Museum: 1. The National WWII Museum: 945 Magazine St., nationalww2museum.org Dive into history at the National WWII Museum, which features an interactive submarine, military planes, a 4D theater, and so much more.

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

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WhereYat.com | July 2017 | 25

The Rainy Day Guide to New Orleans

B

eing located on the Gulf Coast, New Orleans sees its share of rainy days.

With an average annual rainfall of 64 inches, we are considered one of the wettest locations in the United States. There are many things to do in our city that never sleeps, and here are a few great ways to keep your adventure going even in tropical storm conditions.

By Krystral Cooper Christen

Get Caffeinated and Hydrated If hanging out with a great book or catching up with friends in a laidback atmosphere is your way to stay dry, then grab your favorite literature or your bestie and head to your local coffeeshop for stimulation for both the body and mind.

There is no shortage of coffeehouses in our great city; there's practically one on every corner. PJ’s, Mojo Coffee House, and Rue De La Course are just a few to make those rainy days more bearable.

Jazz Brunch Every rainy day should start with jazz brunch to lift your spirits. If the meal doesn’t add sunshine to Shopping on your day, the music will.

Magazine There is obviously no lack Nothing beats rainy day of excellent brunch spots in blues like retail therapy.

Fleurty Girl New Orleans, but a rainy day calls Magazine Street offers a for something special. The Court of shopping experience like no Two Sisters and Commander’s Palace are other. The six-mile long street is lined with great places for top-notch brunch food and unique shops like Fleurty Girl and Bywater mimosas that don’t quit. Both offer authentic Clothing, both offering uniquely New Orleans New Orleans cuisine to tantalize your pallet. apparel and locally made merchandise. If For those who like to keep their brunches vintage clothing and accessories are your style, traditional, there are plenty of familiar brunch check out Funky Monkey for a huge selection items on offer there as well. of new and used vintage clothing. Magpie Vintage and Estate Jewelry offers jewelry

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

dating all the way back to the Victorian area.

For the lovers of the exotic, Aux Belle Choses offers an array of items imported from France and England. If you are looking to feel luxurious, stop by and indulge. For all the funlovers out there, Pop City and Funrockin’ are your spots. These novelty stores are sure to keep you busy browsing for hours.

with the men and women who experienced this monumental event firsthand.

See one-of-a-kind memorabilia from one of the most pivotal times in our country’s history.

Get in Touch with Your Spiritual Side New Orleans offers many interesting cultures and religions. Take a tour of the beautiful Discover the City St. Louis Cathedral, Get in touch with the often depicted as a history of the city on an symbol of the city. The Wo Adventures in New Orleans cathedral holds the title m rld W u city tour. There is no better way as the oldest cathedral ar II Muse to spend a few hours on a rainy day in the United States, which than in a nice dry bus with a tour guide who not only makes it a historical landmark, is experienced in everything NOLA. Check out it makes it a treasure. Voodoo is also front the world-renowned French Quarter. Take a and center in this very eccentric city. Visit break at City Park (among the largest parks Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo for healing in the United States), and grab a beignet potions, Voodoo dolls, and assorted other from Morning Call while you’re there. Tour potions and propaganda. Since the rain is the location of one of the infamous levee not letting up, stay a while and get a spiritual breaches during Hurricane Katrina and see the reading—you never know what the cards rebuilding efforts that have taken place in the might hold. years since the devastation. Finish your tour by taking a guided tour through a “city of the Get Sexy dead”—a New Orleans cemetery.

Not all things done when it’s raining have to be low-key. If you are feeling a bit frisky Get Educated and want to experience sheer sexiness, A great way to take refuge from the rain is drop by a burlesque show. In New Orleans, to get lost in the world-renowned World War there is no lack of lovely ladies. Some of the II Museum. Take a journey to the front lines sexiest shows include The House of Blues’

Bustout Burlesque or Fleur De Tease at One Eyed Jack’s. A little burlesque brings back the intrigue of New Orleans’s nightlife from decades ago.

you choose, you are sure to have a great conversation-starter.

For the Kids For the young or the young at heart, the Sip and Show following locations offer fun for all. The Nothing goes better together than the Audubon Institute’s Aquarium of the latest blockbuster and absolute comfort.

Americas has a breathtaking view of aquatic The Theatres at Canal Place are in a league life. The Louisiana’s Children Museum is a of their own. With just a push of a button, great way for children to learn about various anything from popcorn and a soda to wine things such as simple machines and safety and flatbread can be served to you, all while in a fully interactive surrounding. It takes you enjoy your movie in the comfort of a the statement “making learning fun” to an large reclining seat. It is as if you brought the entirely different level. Mardi Gras World is coziness of home to the movies! an adventure like no other. Both children and adults will marvel at the spectacle that brings Drinking on Bourbon Mardi Gras to the streets. You can see how No rainy day would be complete floats are built, try on costumes, without Bourbon Street. Drink make masks, and enjoy king your blues away at Tropical cake. No matter which of Isle or Pat O’Brien’s. Both these places you decide offer signature drinks to visit, your family will that will knock you off have a fun-filled day. your feet. Tropical While we may be Isle’s Hand Grenade labeled as one of and Pat O’s Hurricane the wettest places in are drinks found the country, we are in history books. If not going to let that dancing and music rain on our parade. are more your style, There are many things try Cat’s Meow for to do no matter what awesome karaoke and your age, so throw on a Famous Door for live raincoat and some rain Mo local music. If drinking in the boots, and head out to jo Cof House explore oldest consistently-running bar in the city, rain or shine. f ee America thrills you, stop by Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop. No matter which location

WhereYat.com | July 2017 | 27

Skydive Nawlins

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By Greg Roques

hese days, it is no surprise to see cult films be rebooted. What is less common is for a remake—which is most often a shallow shadow of the original—to achieve this timeless status. One movie that has ascended this summit is—shockingly—(Point Break 2015), and its followers are truly nothing short of a cult.

The list below is set in and around New For those unfamiliar with the original (1990), Orleans and is loosely based on the Ozaki 8— it revolves around an undercover FBI agent think of it as Ozaki light for New Orleanians, (Keanu Reeves) infiltrating a gang of surfers who occasionally like to drink while staying who perform heists to fund their extreme active. This challenge is not meant to be lifestyle. The film is mostly carved in the pop“extreme” or to fuel an inward journey of selfculture consciousness for its iconic bank discovery like those in the film. Rather, the robbers, who all wear masks of presidents to goal is to inspire readers to stay active, enjoy evade identification. (I‘m sure when the series the outdoors, and try something new and is rebooted yet again the villains will all wear exciting this summer without having to travel Trump masks.) far.

The remake's fan base is a bit more niche and certainly not comprised of your typical Ordeal 1 – Emerging Force cinephiles (warning: it sucks). Rather, it has While in the Deep South you won’t obsessed action sports enthusiasts ride any grand rapids like those across the globe with conquering on screen, Blue Bayou the Ozaki 8, a fictional series Water Park in Baton of athletic ordeals that its Rouge offers plenty plot revolves around. of opportunities to Since the film's release go with or against less than two years the flow. From the ago, dozens of Hurricane Bay wave websites have sprung pool to a variety of up detailing efforts to high-rise water slides, attempt these trials, the long-standing each of which pits amusement park participants against offers a day’s full of varying environmental fun at a reasonable challenges. price less than an Being an adventure hour drive from the sports enthusiast, I can Lo s e Crescent City. Looking uis relate—I, too, fantasized iana tur for something a little less n about what it would be like to e River Adv man-made? Louisiana River attempt these feats, albeit to a far Adventures on the Northshore offers less CGI’ed extent—while laboring through two- and four-hour tubing trips down the this cinematic misfire.

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Bogue Chitto River for those longing for a natural getaway.

Sure, it won’t up your extreme-sports street cred, but then again, you probably can’t drink beer all day while plunging down a waterfall, either. BlueBayou.com, LouisianaRiverAdventures.com Ordeal 2 – Birth of Sky This ordeal was met in the movie by base-jumping from the side of a cliff. While a Google search will disclose several unofficial basejumping opportunities in New Orleans, these are all not only illegal but likely fatal if executed incorrectly. Instead, why not reach for the sky at Skydive Nawlins? Located in Slidell, you can complete a tandem jump with a seasoned instructor and Nov ember experience freefall at over 125 miles per hour. If you’re looking for something a bit less edgy, perhaps visit Sector 6 Extreme Airsports in Harahan. The state’s largest trampoline park has more than 12,000 square feet of connected trampolines—in addition to slacklines, trapezes, and an American Ninja-style obstacle course—letting you catch all the air you’ll ever need.

SkydiveNawlins.com, Sector6.us, CCC10k.com

Ordeal 4 – Life of Water Surfing may not be an option in New Orleans, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of chances to hop on a board. NOLA Paddleboards offers a variety of stand-up paddleboarding activities on Bayou St. John all throughout the summer months. Looking to beat the heat by staying indoors? Try one of the many surf-inspired group fitness classes at City Surf Fitness New Orleans on Magazine Street. And if you are up for a day trip, Cajun X Cables in Lafayette is Louisiana’s first and only full-sized cable wakeboarding park. NOLAPaddleboards.com, CitySurfFitness.com/New-Orleans, CanjunXCables.com Ordeal 5 – Life of Wind As with skydiving into a cave in the ground, I’m going to go out on a limb t and guess that many readers aren’t Projec yet ready for wingsuit flying, Point Break’s answer to Ordeal 5. Instead, why not harness some air on an alligator swamp tour through Lafitte with Airboat Adventures, just 30 minutes from the French Quarter?

And for those seeking a bit more adrenaline, why not try a kiteboarding lesson?

Gulfport Boardsports in Biloxi has all your equipment needs covered, and their website offers instructor recommendations for those looking to take an introductory class. Category 5 Kiteboarding’s website and Facebook page also connect enthusiasts throughout New Orleans (mostly meeting along Lake Pontchartrain) and the Mississippi Gulf Coast who are looking to meet up on weekends.

Airboatadventures. com, Klossas.org, Gulfportboardsports.com, Cat5Kiteboarding.com

athletic but still extreme? Head on over to Creole Creamery on Prytania for their Tchoupitoulas Challenge: eight servings of ice cream covered in eight toppings. Complete it in less than one hour and your name will be immortalized on their walls.

Sk8leos.com, CreoleCreamery.com/tchoupitoulas Ordeal 7 – Master of Six Lives Point Break 2.0 reached its climax with a bouldering ascent up a Venezuelan mountain. For those unfamiliar with bouldering, it is a form of rock climbing performed without the use of a harness or ropes, greatly adding to its challenge and danger. New Orleans Boulder Lounge on Tchoupitoulas is far less picturesque (and far less dangerous) but may one day prepare you for the real thing by simulating this climbing style indoors. If you’re looking for a little friendly competition to motivate your fitness, join their bouldering team. Climbnobl. com

Ordeal 8 – Act of Ultimate Trust The picture’s penultimate act (the film revisits Life of Water for its closing scene) involves the hero and villain jumping from the summit of Ordeal 7’s mountain into a raging river below, entrusting Mother Nature to deliver them to safety. It is at this time that I would like to advise you on behalf Ordeal 3 – Awakening Earth of Where Y’at and all Okay, I’m taking some additional liberties with this one. magazines everywhere to In the film, the protagonists free-fall out of an airplane into never try this. This is not a hole in the ground before deploying their parachutes “fake news” or “alternative inside of the cave. Since this would constitute a successful facts,” I am dead serious suicide attempt for 99.99 percent of the population, (pun intended)—you will die! this article is translating “awakening” to represent Instead, why not rest soundly the transition from night to day. This doesn’t in nature’s caring arms during a C ajun X Cables mean we’re going easy on you, though. To scenic camping trip? Less than two fulfill this ordeal, we’re throwing the Hotter hours from New Orleans in Pond, than Hell, Dusk to Dawn Ultra-Marathon Mississippi, is the Clark Creek Natural Area, an expansive at you. Taking place from 8 p.m. on July hiking park that is home to roughly 50 waterfalls ranging in 16 to 6 a.m. on July 17 in Mandeville, height from 10 to 30 feet. While camping is not allowed in the runners must complete a minimum 32 preserve, the nearby Tunica Hills Campground offers BBQ miles to receive a commemorative mug. pits, picnic tables, and showers. Those looking for an added If you don’t feel you’re quite ready for physical challenge on the water may wish to visit Black Creek this yet, you can start training for next Canoe Rental in Brooklyn, Mississippi, just an hour and a year’s race with New Orleans’s free-fitness Ordeal 6 – Life of Ice half outside New Orleans. Visitors can sign up for one of six movement November Project. Held twice Sorry, but New Orleans’s single- to multi-day-length trips, traveling downriver through on Wednesday mornings at 5 a.m. and 6 July weather (not to mention Desoto National Park and camping along its banks at night. a.m. in Champions Square, its boot campflat geography) won’t allow you Tunicahillscampground.com, blackcreekcanoe.com style workouts geared towards runners are to snowboard like our cinematic the perfect way to get in shape and pay a visit to counterparts. However, if you’re Plan on trying any of these adventures this summer? Tag us in Airb s the Superdome before football season. November up for a weekend trip to our your pictures @WhereYatNOLA or #WhereYatNOLA and let us e r o at Adventu Project also offers 6 a.m. Friday morning classes on the capital, Leo’s Iceland and Hockey know what you think.

Lakefront. Both groups can be found on Facebook.

Complex in Baton Rouge offers an Olympic-sized ice skating rink including skating lessons and adult and youth hockey leagues. Looking for something less

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Tales of the Cocktail Celebrates 15 Sprited Years

By Andrew Marin

T

ales of the Cocktail celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, and the international cocktail festival devoted to spirits, education, and networking is only a few weeks away. The target audience is bartenders, distillers, and industry professionals, but cocktail enthusiasts are welcome as well.

Tales calls New Orleans home, and although its convergence at the Hotel Monteleone won't change, the spread of the festival and the attendee count seems ever-expanding. Tales goes "On Tour" for mini-festivals at a different international location each year, and each July here draws people from all over the world.

Tales selects an official cocktail for every iteration of the festival and has brought out a big one this time.

Festival participants are asked to honor the drink that is both Prohibition's and James Bond’s favorite: the martini.

Given its connotations of class, icy temperature, and a glassware shape every bartender has an opinion on, the selection will surely lead to lively discussion.

Ann Tuennerman, founder of Tales of the Cocktail, will lead her annual Toast to Tales at 2 p.m. on the front steps of the Monteleone. The toast usually includes announcements and a surprise or two. One

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

announcement will be Tales 2017's “Official Martini.”

Bartenders from around the world were invited to submit original recipes, and attendees at the Toast will receive a free glass of the winning drink. Edoardo Branca will also be attending to celebrate Fernet Branca's 171st year.

Fittingly, the Italian count will also give away 171 shots of his family's famous digestif.

As far as education goes, Tales has academic events and seminars on many topics. A summit on sustainability, as it applies to bartending and fresh ingredients, will be held. Seminars this year include subject matter like why Scotch distillers are forgoing age numbers in their bottle labeling, what people have drunk at sea over the past four centuries, and the growing use of umami as a flavor in drinks.

For anyone interested in a good meal with worthy drink pairings, the Spirited Dinners are a great introduction to Tales. Restaurants team up with liquor brands on Thursday, July 20, and compose a special, one-time menu together. But make your reservations now—these sell out quickly. Participating restaurants this year include the likes of Restaurant August (with Courvoisier), Doris Metropolitan (with Jim Beam), and La Petite Grocery (with Lucid Absinthe Supérieure, Clear Creek Distillery, and Big Gin).

WhereYat.com | July 2017 | 33

If you're looking to sip cocktails with less food and less time commitment, definitely attend a Dynamic Duo. This means a visiting bartender and a local one team up (with a liquor sponsor also) to mix talent and ingredients.

The famous Tasting Rooms hosted by liquor brands will also be open all week.

Qualifying ticketholders can meet brand ambassadors and distillers, a firsthand way to familiarize themselves with liquors and the people who make them.

And of course, if you can score an invitation to any of the late-night afterparties hosted by liquor industry corporations like Bacardi or Absolut, definitely go. No expense is spared at these events, and you'd be amazed at the kind of drinks and spectacles served up to impress guests.

Speaking of guests, Tales is a great opportunity to network with liquor experts.

You'll find some of the industry's most respected and influential among attendees.

(In years past, I met and drank with titans like Jimmy Russell, who's worked on Wild Turkey for over 50 years, and François Thibault, who literally wrote the recipe for Grey Goose.) You may even spot some non-industry celebrities in attendance, whose names I won't mention to protect their privacy.

On Saturday the 22nd, the festival closes with the Spirited Awards—which recognize leaders in the industry—including honors for different kinds of cocktail bars and, of course, Bartender of the Year. The American and International categories are mirror

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

images, splitting the difference between domestic honorees and ones from other countries. The Writing category is for cocktail writers. (Wink, wink.) Finally, the Global category includes awards reserved for "World's Best," regardless of country of origin.

Speaking on his nomination for Best American Brand Ambassador, Reyka Vodka's Trevor Schneider called it "a privilege and a pleasure to work among the most talented individuals in the industry," and "an honor to be recognized alongside my peers."

Representing New Orleans this year are nominees Cane & Table (Best American Restaurant Bar), Compere Lapin (Best American Hotel Bar), and Wayne Curtis (Best Cocktail and Spirits Writer).

"We are beyond thrilled and honored,” said Neal Bodenheimer, one of the owners of Cane & Table (C&T and Cure, a bar owned by the same partnership, have both been nominated before). He also expressed excitement for Compere Lapin’s nomination, hopeful that this year, a New Orleans bar will take home a trophy. “Win, lose, or draw, we’re always proud to represent our city in the national conversation about best bars."

Guests to the Spirited Awards are encouraged to attend in futuristic attire in a nod to the festival's overall 2017 theme: Craft Your Future.

For more information about Tales of the Cocktail, visit talesofthecocktail.com.

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Gingaroo

Bring On the Heat!

Top Cocktails To Keep Cool In the Summertime Warmth

By Leigh Wright

S

ome hate it, some love it, others merely tolerate the lazy heat waves that bounce off every object from April to October. But there is no better time for New Orleanians to sip savory cocktails and relish in the heat.

Personally, I love the heat, but it can slow you down. My adventures naturally steer towards water environments where a quick cooling swim is only a few feet away. Camping can get tricky with the obscene number of rude mosquitos, so traveling to other destinations may be on the agenda. If that’s not in the budget (as summer tends to be a high-travel season), then relaxing “stay-cations” happen more frequently than not. A little hotel pool action followed by a night in a cold movie theater? Yes, yes please.

So, summertime provides a multitude of adventures. Whether outside or in, a cocktail can make the most unbearable dog days a bit more manageable. With all the choices, what should you drink?

A few key notes to consider. Even more so than any other season, summertime is tricky when it comes to drinking. Here is what to watch out for: 1. Too much sugar: It attracts every insect known to man and will leave the worst of headaches.

2.

3.

Not hydrating enough: Yes, this is something you should always be mindful of. But especially when the weather is oppressive and you’re still knocking back ice cold ones to stay cool, consider how your body will feel like beef jerky in eight hours. Drink water, too!

Three ingredients max: For your many adventures, make sure your drink is

Dark & Stormy

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

portable. Recipes with four pieces of fruit, a liquor, a vermouth, and ice are all fun to make for your backyard extravaganza, but they are completely impractical and stressful if you are on the go.

So, with that being said, here are my top cocktails for summertime adventures:

Gingeroo Old New Orleans Rum let me test-drive the newest batch of Gingeroo and the special 200-milliter bottles. Although heavier than a more practical container for hiking, this is perfect for floating down rivers, car camping, tailgating, or brunches. Gingeroo is also my go-to hangover cure. The ginger extract pops right out of the bottles and kick-starts your metabolism again. It’s made with ONOR’s crystal rum and has an ABV of 10 percent. It’s so easy to stockpile multiple bottles of this and have a refreshing cocktail with zero effort. It’s basically everything I’m about.

Recipe for Extra Dark and Stormy: • 1 ¼ ounces dark rum • 4 ounces Gingeroo • ½ ounce lime juice • Crushed ice Combine all ingredients into a cup of your choice and enjoy.

OR, put Gingeroo directly on ice. Seriously, it’s that delicious.

Gin and Tonic Although we now rarely worry about malaria (thank you, Zika and dengue fever), the de facto medicinal distribution methods from the likes of Burmese Days hold a commemorative place in the summer cocktail list.

This is a classic for all the right reasons.

Light enough to sip casually while perspiring long after the sun has set, but sturdy enough to get the job done. True tonic has more sugar than I sometimes need in the heat, so I can substitute for soda water or diet tonic.

It’s not the same, however. So, belly up to the seasoned drinker side of the bar and order your first with true tonic and lime.

Recipe for The Perfect Gin and Tonic: • 1 ¼ ounces Beefeater Gin • Tonic water • Lemon and lime wedge • Cubed ice and Collins glass Pour gin into glass and top with tonic. Enjoy!

“So, summertime provides a multitude of adventures.

Whether outside or in, a cocktail can make the most unbearable dog days a bit more manageable.”

Tequila My dear sweet friend, tequila: silver, gold, anejo, reposado, even mezcal (tequila’s close cousin). The options are limitless. It’s a more discernable base than most people are used to, but honestly, you can mix this just about any way you want it. When it gets a little cooler, I make a tequila Manhattan with anejo. While camping or hiking, I bring a flask of mezcal straight up because it needs no other flavors.

Tequila is a perfect vessel for my third rule: when in doubt, add lime, a sugar base, and sip contently.

Recipe for a Paloma: • 2 ounces Tres Agaves silver tequila • ½ ounce grapefruit juice • Slice of lime Combine all ingredients into a highball and enjoy.

Low-proof cocktails Because no one needs to be asleep all afternoon. Try as I might to seem capable of consuming any liquor, a quote from my aunt is always present, “It’s cool to drink. It’s not cool to get drunk.” Right or wrong, I love her sentiments. Drinking high-proof cocktails while battling heat and fatigue is a surefire way of losing your cool or debilitating your body for a couple of days. Stick with a few of these, and you can keep up with the best of us at all-day cookouts and still get up in the morning. My favorites are the Americano: Campari, sweet vermouth, soda water; “mimosa” (you know why I’m putting it in quotes, you bottomless brunch-lovers); and a Rosé Spritzer (now commandeered by the Frosé, but that has too much sugar for me to drink all day).

You may not be out exploring the side trails of national parks (or maybe you are!), but remember to keep summertime cocktails easy enough to take with you anywhere. It’s summertime, so keep it simple.

Recipe for an Americano, of course!: • 1 ¼ ounces Campari • 4 ounces sweet vermouth • Club soda • Grapefruit peel Combine Campari and sweet vermouth into a Collins glass, garnish with the grapefruit peel, and enjoy.

Paloma

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Previewing Essence Fest 2017

By Emil Flemmon

P

broken heart, Sullivan no doubt is one to go see this erhaps the saying gets old, but the Essence Festival year. Her debut album Fearless garnered her five Grammy is BACK! Okay, just for a moment, let’s act as if we nominations, although she was snubbed, depending on don’t know that it’s an annual event. who you ask, not to win. However, beyond her formula The Essence Festival has been a starfor a raspy voice and “this man broke my heart” motto, studded event since 1994, and was her vocals alone will send you to church and make dubbed “the party with a purpose” you want a drink simultaneously. in New Orleans. It is still Jhene Aiko (Superlounge): While not known considered to be the largest for being a vocalist, Aiko has a soft style and African American-themed lyrical dominance that make her a standout. musical concert in the United Songs like “Spotless Mind” illustrate her States. The only time New consistency in every record she makes Orleans didn’t play host to it within her range. She always gives off an was in 2006 due to Hurricane ethereal vibe through her music while Katrina, when our next-door remaining modern enough to be played on neighbor, Houston, Texas, hip hop stations across the nation. took the lead for concertgoers.

R&B/Soul: Without further ado, let’s Jill Scott (Mainstage): Scott is a get into the acts. This year, we three-time Grammy Award-winning Jaz decided to organize our list of singer whose voice does just what m in e S ulli van must-see acts by categorizing them she’s recommended for—soul. With into contemporary R&B, soul, rap, and oldalbums like The Light in the Sun and school artists who have a good old throwback feel that WOMAN, Scott has proven that she can never dies. Keep in mind that the majority of this year’s hold her own both on stage and on the acts encompass female empowerment, with just enough big screen. She speaks to your soul just as men to aid in a casual distraction here and there. much as a poet speaks to your conscience.

BJ The Chicago Kid (Superlounge): “She Contemporary R&B: say she wanna drink, do drugs, and have Teyana Taylor (Superlounge): The “Google Me” singer sex tonight, but I got church in the morning” made a splash on the scene with her MTV special My comes straight from BJ’s hit “Church.” With a Super Sweet 16. Years later and a song drop here and raw voice over trap-sounding R&B beats, BJ is there, it was her love triangle with Washington Wizards definitely one to check out. Church will still be player Brandon Jennings and The Game actress Tae accessible the following Sunday if you indeed listen to Heckard that kept her in the spotlight. Taylor expressed BJ while drinking whiskey. God forgives, right? on The Breakfast Club radio show that she believed that Solange (Mainstage): Carving one heck of a name for her ex, Jennings, and her friend—at the time—Heckard, herself outside of her famous sister who were having an affair that resulted in a child. Not to shall remain nameless, Solange has be deterred, Taylor’s reemerging talent took center shown that she can create soul stage for 2014’s VII—her homage to rapper Lil’ music, fashion statements, Kim during the VH1 Hip Hop Honors. And who and a vocal ambiance that could forget having the body that everyone may need candles and wants theirs to be like, as seen in Kanye West’s wine to make hearing her “Faded” video? Her “Google Me” browser complete. To date, A Seat hits became major in less than 24 hours, at the Table has been her which reminded the world just why Taylor is highest-charting album talented as a singer and rapper. She’s got a on Billboard, landing the great voice that’s sultry and worthy of being number one spot with on the roster. strong lyrics that force you Jazmine Sullivan (Mainstage): Honestly, to think. there’s not a whole lot to say about the woman whose vocal gifts send chills up the spines of Hip Hop/Rap: many. With a voice reminiscent of a gospel singer Sir the Baptist J ill S co t t over R&B-produced melodies and catering to the (Superlounge): With the recent

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

release of his EP SaintSinner, Sir is acclimating well to the climate of rappers crossing over with mild singing; nothing new in the game. Check out “Deliver Me,” featuring his rumored bae, Brandy. Sir can definitely create a record that appeals to your thoughts.

Chance the Rapper (Mainstage): The Grammy Awardwinning and “Same Drugs” rapper garnered huge success all without the assistance of a major label. While he won’t be the only rapper to grace the fest, he can definitely keep up with today’s heavy hitters.

Remy Ma (Superlounge): The two-time Grammynominated raptress is known for her association with Fat Joe, her marriage to rapper Papoose, and the angry lines she spat on this year’s hit, “Ether.” Let’s just say, to some, she sent rapper Nicki Minaj’s lyrical abilities to an early grave. If you favor East Coast rappers, Remy Ma is one to aim for.

Old School: Master P, Slikk the Shocker, Mia X, and Mystikal (Mainstage): If you were born in the 80s and grew up on 90s and early 2000s music, seeing the “Make ‘Em Say Ugh” family is a MUST. The Louisiana natives who helped pioneer the New Orleans hip hop scene into mainstream America have a whole list of hits for nostalgia.

Xscape (Superlounge): Now, you knew it was coming! Ladies, get ready to “kick off your shoes and X s c ap e relax your feet, and party on down to the…” Hopefully you know the rest. Kandi, Tiny, and sisters LaTocha and Tamika are reuniting for the first time in years, and WE are here for it!

Top headliners like Diana Ross, John Legend, and Mary J. Blige don’t really need a mention because people are going to gravitate to them anyway on the Mainstage.

Ross and legend Chaka Kahn will no doubt bring down the house with classic cuts from the peak of their era.

Elle Varner’s “Refill” and quirky persona should no doubt hold a bevy of females during her Superlounge stage performances. Leela James, Kelly Price, Doug E. Fresh, and Lala Hathway will also help round out the roster of talent.

Overall, the great thing is that we get to choose whomever we want to see, as we always will. There’s a quote that says, “Good music is good music no matter what kind it is.” With a celebratory fest such as Essence Fest, there’s simply no shortage of great music from artists who love what they do.

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SPOON WhereYat.com | July 2017 | 39

MUSICCALENDAR Hi Ho Lounge - Henry & The Invisibles + Noisewater Hotel Monteleone (Carousel Lounge) - Antoine Diel Quartet House of Blues Restaurant - Jake Landry Jazz Playhouse - Ashlin Parker Trio, James Rivers Movement Kerry Irish Pub - Chip Wilson Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop - Lucky Lee Le Bon Temps Roule - The Soul Rebels Mahogany Jazz Hall - Samantha Pearl, Tony Seville & the Cadillacs Maison - The Good For Nothin’ Band, Dysfunktional Bone Maple Leaf - Johnny Vidacovich, June Yamagishi and guest Marigny Brasserie - Jamey St. Pierre & Dave Freeson New Orleans Social House - Larry Sieberth Duo Ogden Museum of Southern Art - Andrew Duhon Old Point Bar - Gregg & James Martinez Palace Cafe Black Duck Bar - The Rum Runners Pour House Saloon - Open Jam w/ Dave Rock N’ Bowl - Geno Delafose Snug Harbor - Brent Rose Sextet Spotted Cat - Up Up We Go, Sarah McCoy and the Oopsie Daisies, Miss Sophie Lee, Jumbo Shrimp Three Keys - Stitches.Patterns.Statements. (in the black): A Pop-Up, PJ Morton & Friends

RickRoss William Leonard Roberts II, also known as rapper/entreprenuer Rick Ross, takes the stage at the Saenger Theatre on July 3 performing such hits as "Purple Lamborghini" and "Hustlin'." Mon., July 3. $55.00+ Adv, 8:00 p.m., Saenger Theatre, saengernola.com Tuesday, June 27 Apple Barrel - Josh Benitez Band Bamboula’s - Bryce Eastwood Trio, Joe Goldberg Jazz Trio, Dana & the Boneshakers, Johnny J & the Hitmen BB King’s Blues Club - Justin Donovan, Steve Mignano, Benny Turner & Real Blues Bombay Club - Matt Lemmler Bourbon Orleans The Bourbon O Bar - Gentilly Stompers Buffa’s - Vanessa Carr Cafe Negril - The Four Sidemen of the Apocalypse, John Lisi & Delta Funk Celebration Hall - The TBC Brass Band Checkpoint Charlie - Jamie Lynn Vessels Chickie Wah Wah - Chip Wilson Columns Hotel - John Rankin Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat d.b.a - Dinosaurchestra, Treme Brass Band Dos Jefes - Tom Hook & Wendell Brunious Fritzel’s Jazz Pub - Tom Fischer & Richard Scott Hi Ho Lounge - High Profile Drag House of Blues - Morbid Angel + Suffocation + Revocation + Withered House of Blues Restaurant - Michael Liuzza Jazz Playhouse - Shannon Powell Kerry Irish Pub - Jason Bishop Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop - Lucky Lee Little Gem Saloon - Charlie Miller Mahogany Jazz Hall - Samantha Pearl, Kim Turk Maison - Quicksand, Gregory Agid Quartet Maple Leaf - Rebirth Brass Band Preservation Hall - Preservation All-Stars, Preservation All-Stars featuring Charlie Gabriel Palace Cafe Black Duck Bar - The Rum Runners Ray’s On the Ave - Bobby Love & Friends Saenger Theatre - Boston Snug Harbor - Phil Degruy Spotted Cat - Andy J. Forest, the Little Big Horns, Noggin Trinity Episcopal Church - Organ & Labyrinth featuring Albinas Prizgintas Wednesday, June 28 Apple Barrel - Andre Lovett, Jobo Duo Autocrat Social & Pleasure Club - TBC Brass Band Bamboula’s - Eight Dice Cloth, Bamboula’s Hot Jazz Trio & Giselle Anguizola, Gentilly Stompers BB King’s Blues Club - Sean Riley, Sierra Leone, The BB King’s Blues Club All-Star Band Bombay Club - Josh Paxton Bourbon Orleans The Bourbon O Bar - Jazz Band Ballers Buffa’s - World’s Most Open Mic Night w/ Nattie Cafe Negril - Maid of Orleans, Another Day in Paradise

Carver Theater - David L. Harris Quartet Celebration Hall - The TBC Brass Band Checkpoint Charlie - T Bone Stone & The Happy Monsters, Jones Chickie Wah Wah - Lilli Lewis, Meschiya Lake and Tom McDermott, Mike Doussan Band Columns Hotel - Andy Rogers Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat d.b.a - Tin Men, Walter “Wolfman” Washington and the Roadmasters Dos Jefes - The George French Trio Dragon’s Den - Groove Therapy, Reggae Night Fritzel’s Jazz Pub - Chuck Brackman & Barry Foulon Hi Ho Lounge - Tangerine Dreams House of Blues Restaurant - Cary Hudson Jazz Playhouse - Brass-A-Holics Kerry Irish Pub - Paintbox w/ Dave James & Tim Robertson Mahogany Jazz Hall - Samantha Pearl, Meryl Zimmerman, Kim Turk Maison - Luneta Jazz Band New Orleans Social House - Joe Ashlar Palace Cafe Black Duck Bar - The Rum Runners Pour House Saloon - Oscar & the Blue's Cat Jam Night Rock N’ Bowl - Jerry Embree Snug Harbor - Uptown Jazz Orchestra Terrance Taplin Spotted Cat - Antoine Diel & the Misfit Power Thursday, June 29 Apple Barrel - Slick Serenaders, Big Al & The Heavyweights Bamboula’s - Reid Poole Trio, Kala Bazaar Swing Society, Jenavieve Cook & The Royal Street Windin’ Boys, City of Trees Brass Band Bar Mon Cher - Bats in the Belfry weekly Goth Night w/ DJ Mange & guests Bayou Bar at the Pontchartrain - Phil Melancon BB King’s Blues Club - Willie Lockett, Dana Abbott, The BB King’s Blues Club All-Star Band Bombay Club - Kris Tokarski w/ Matt Johnson Bourbon Orleans The Bourbon O Bar - The Luneta Jazz Band Buffa’s - Gumbo Cabaret, Tom McDermott & Friends Cafe Negril - Revival, Soul Project Casa Borrega - Descarga Latina featuring Fredy Omar Checkpoint Charlie - The King Snakes, Soul Spider Chickie Wah Wah - Phil DeGruy, John “Papa” Gros Band Circle Bar - Neat + Killer Dale + Rad Wagon + Feudal Blue Columns Hotel - Marc Stone Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat d.b.a. - Little Freddie King Dos Jefes - The Jenna McSwain Trio Fritzle’s Jazz Pub - Tom Fischer & Richard Scott Henry Jr.’s Listening Room - Henry Turner Jr. & The Flavor

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

Friday, June 30 Apple Barrel - Samantha Pearl, Dan Beaudoin, Johnny Mastro & Mama’s Boys Bamboula’s - Smoky Greenwell, Caesar Brothers Bar Mon Cher - Samantha Pearl Bayou Bar at the Pontchartrain - Phil Melancon BB King’s Blues Club - John Lisi, Kenny Brown, The BB King’s Blues All-Star Band BMC - MainLine Bombay Club - Scott Myers Buffa’s - Jerry Jumonville, Sherman Bernard & the Old Man River Band Bullet’s Sports Bar - The Pinettes Brass Band Cafe Negril - Carolyn Broussard, Dana Abbott Band, Higher Heights Casa Borrega - Javier Gutierrez & Josh Reppel Checkpoint Charlie - Domenic, Captain Buckles, Sweet Familiar Columns Hotel - Andrew Hall Creole Gardens Hotel - DJ Black Queen Anne Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat d.b.a - Walter “Wolfman” Washington and the Roadmasters Dos Jefes - Tom Fitzpatrick & Turning Point Dragon’s Den - Loose Marbles, the Tipping Point with DJ RQ Away Fritzel’s Jazz Pub - Tom Fischer & Kevin Clark Hi Ho Lounge - DJ Matt Scott House of Blues Restaurant - Ron Hotstream, Marcos & Crescent Citizen, Lefty Keith & The True Blues Jazz Playhouse - Joe Krown, The Nayo Jones Experience Kerry Irish Pub - Jason Bishop, Hurricane Refugees Le Bon Temps Roule - Joe Krown, Them Old Ghosts Mahogany Jazz Hall - Spider Murphy, Crescent City Blue Blowers, The Key Sound Maison - The New Orleans Swinging Gypsies, Shotgun Jazz Band, Ashton Hines & The Big Easy Brawlers, Lil Glenn & Backatown Maple Leaf - Tab Benoit presents the Fuzz: A Tribute to the Police New Orleans Social House - Tom Hook & Wendell Brunious Oak Wine Bar - Jon Roniger Old Point Bar - Rick Trolsen, Truman Holland & the Back Porch Review Palace Cafe Black Duck Bar - The Rum Runners Rock N’ Bowl - Deacon John Roosevelt Hotel (Foundation Lounge) - Antoine Diel Trio Snug Harbor - Ellis Marsalis Quintet Spotted Cat - Andy J. Forest, Washboard Chaz Blues Trio, New Orleans Cottonmouth Kings Tipitina’s - Maggie Koerner & Travers Geoffray + Cha Wa Three Keys - Not-For-Sale with DJ Kidd Saturday, July 1 21st Amendment - Big Joe Kennedy Bamboula’s - Kala Bazaar Swing Society, G & Her Swinging 3 Jazz, Johnny Mastro Blues, City of Trees Brass Band Bar Mon Cher - Barbarella Blue Bayou Bar at the Pontchartrain - Phil Melancon Bombay Club - Kris Tokarski Trio Buffa’s - Brunch w/ Gentilly Stompers Jazz Band, Rebecca Zoe Leigh, Gentilly Stompers Cafe Negril - Joy Clark, Jamey St. Pierre & The Honeycreepers, Vegas Cola Casa Borrega - Papo Guevara Y Son Mandao Chickie Wah Wah - Alejandro Escovedo Band Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat Dos Jefes - Tom Fitzpatrick & Turning Point Dragon’s Den - Kaya Nicole Band, Sexy Back with DJ Dizzi + Que + Deniro Ferrar Howlin’ Wolf “The Den” - Granny’s 7th Boy Le Bon Temps Roule - Joe Gelini Organ Trio

Maison - Chance Bushman & The Ibervillianaires, Leah Rucker, Gregory Agid Quartet, The Essentials + Raw Deal Mahogany Jazz Hall - Tony Seville & the Cadillacs, Carl LeBlanc Marigny Brasserie - The Key Sound Marigny Opera House - Ice Cream Theater New Orleans Social House - Joe Ashlar Trio Pour House Saloon - Milwaukee Paul Trio Ralph’s On The Park - Will Dickerson, Justin Donovan, Steve Mignano Rock N’ Bowl - Karma + Donovan Keith and the Funky Feat Shamrock - Burgers 'N Fries Snug Harbor - Donald Harrison Qunitet Spotted Cat - Antoine Diel & The New Orleans Misfit Power, Ecirb Muller's Twisted Dixie, The Davis Rogan Band Tipitina’s - Big Freesia + Tank & the Bangas and Cool Nasty Three Keys - The Groove: Nola Edition v1 Twist of Lime - Flesh Parade Sunday, July 2 Bamboula’s - Damn Gina Trio, Catie Rogers Jazz Trio, Messy Cookers Jazz, Ed Wills Blues 4 Sale Bar Mon Cher - Live Music Bayou Bar at the Pontchartrain - Phil Melancon Bombay Club - Kris Tokarksi w/ Tom Fischer Bourbon Orleans The Bourbon O Bar - The Swinging Three Bullet’s Sports Bar - Big Frank & Little Frank Buffa’s - Some Like It Hot, Jasmine Bariste, Steve Pistorius, Orange Kellin, James Evans and Benny Amon Cafe Negril - Ecrib Muller’s Twisted Dixie, John Lisi & Delta Funk Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat Dragon’s Den - Open Jazz Jam w/ Anuraag Pendyal, Church Howlin’ Wolf “The Den” - Hot 8 Brass Band, Grace Askew Jazz Playhouse - Dwight Finch Le Bon Temps Roule - Crazy Whiskey Mahogany Jazz Hall - Spider Murphy, Gary Brown Maison - Swingin’ Jazz Brunch with Chance Bushman & The NOLA Jitterbugs, Tasche and the Psychadelic Roses, Higher Heights Maple Leaf - Joe Krown Trio featuring Walter "Wolfman" Washington & Russell Batiste One Eyed Jacks - Silencio Brings the Soundtracks of David Lynch to New Orleans with special guest Bionica Ralph’s On The Park - Heather Holloway and the Heebie Jeebies, St Roch Syncopators Rock N’ Bowl - Fais Do Do with Bruce Daigrepont Spotted Cat - John Lisi & Delta Funk, Kristina Morales & The Bayou Shufflers, Pat Casey & The New Sound Three Keys - Nola Nobles’ Dandy Affair, Soul in the Horn w/ Elle Varner Trinity Episcopal Church - Patriotic Music Fest featuring The Marine Corps Concert Band, Ellis and Delfeayo Marsalis’ Uptown Jazz Orchestra, Albinas Prizgintas Monday, July 3 Bamboula’s - Co & Co Travelin Show, Dinosaurchestra Jazz, Swinging Gypsies Jazz, Sunshine Brass Band Buffa’s - Arsene DeLay, Variety, Antoine Diel, Cafe Negril - John Lisi & Delta Funk, Vegas Cola, Jamie Lynn Vessels Band Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat Dos Jefes - Matt Lemmler Jazz Playhouse - Gerald French & The Original Tuxedo Band Quartet Mahogany Jazz Hall - Stuart McNair, Gary Brown Maison - Chicken & Waffles, Aurora Nealand & the Royal Roses, Vegas Cola Maple Leaf - The Porter Trio featuring George Porter Jr, Michael Lemmler, Terrence Houston One Eyed Jacks - Blind Texas Marlin Ralph’s On The Park - Nervous Duane Saenger Theatre - Rick Ross Spotted Cat - Royal Street Winding Boys, Sarah McCoy's Oopsie Daisies, Dominick Grillo & The Frenchmen St. All Stars, Jazz Vipers Tuesday, July 4 AllWays Lounge - "Show off!" Allways Open Mic Night Bamboula’s - Bryce Eastwood Trio, Joe Goldberg Trio, Dana & the Boneshakers, Marigny Street Brass Band Buffa’s - Tacos, Tequila and Tiaras w/ Vanessa Carr Cafe Negril - The Four Sidemen of the Apocalypse, John Lisi & Delta Funk Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat Dos Jefes - Tom Hook and Wendell Brunious Dragon’s Den - Not My 4th featuring DJ Chinua Jazz Playhouse - The Nayo Jones Experience Mahogany Jazz Hall - Meryl Zimmerman, Tony Seville & the Cadillacs Maison - Slick Skillet Serenaders, Gregory Agid Quartet Maple Leaf - Rebirth Brass Band Ray’s On the Ave - Bobby Love & Friends Rusty Nail - Where Y'acht, Tony Skratchere, Satchfield Music Spotted Cat - Andy Forest, Meschiya Lake & The Little Big Horns, Ecirb Muller's Twisted Dixie

Wednesday, July 5 21st Amendment - Royal Street Winding Boys AllWays Lounge - The Lemons, BLK, Shane Clay Autocrat Social & Pleasure Club - TBC Brass Band Bamboula’s - Eight Dice Cloth Jazz, Bamboulas Hot Trio featuring: Giselle Anguizola, Swing Dance Lessons, Gentilly Stompers, Ed Wills Blues 4 Sale Bombay Club - Josh Paxton Bourbon Orleans The Bourbon O Bar - Shynola Jazz Band Buffa’s - World's Most Open Mic Night w/ Nattie Cafe Negril - Maid of Orleans, Another Day in Paradise Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat Dos Jefes - The George French Trio Dragon’s Den - Groove Therapy, Dancehall Classics with DJ T-Roy’s Bayou International Sound System House of Blues - Michael Liuzza Jazz Playhouse - Glen David Andrews Little Gem Saloon - Marc Stone Mahogany Jazz Hall - Meryl Zimmerman, Tony Seville & the Cadillacs Maison - Dominic Minix Quartet, The New Orleans Jazz Vipers, RnR Music Group Maple Leaf - Organized Crime New Orleans Social House - Tom Hook Old U.S. Mint - Arrowhead Jazz Band Pour House Saloon - Oscar & the Blue's Cat Jam Night Ralph’s On The Park - Nervous Duane, Champion Swag Rock N’ Bowl - The Yat Pack Spotted Cat - Chris Christy's Band, Ben Polcer's Band, Antoine Diel & The New Orleans Misfit Power Three Keys - Helen Gillet + 1 Carlos Grasso Thursday, July 6 Bamboula’s - Kala Bazaar Swing Society, Gentilly Stompers Jazz, Marc Joseph's Mojo Brass Bayou Bar at the Pontchartrain - Phil Melancon Bullet’s Sports Bar - Kermit Ruffins Bombay Club - Kris Tokarski w/ Rex Gregory Bourbon Orleans The Bourbon O Bar - The Luneta Jazz Band Buffa’s - Tom Saunders and the HOTCATS, Jazz, Doyle Cooper Trio, Jazz Cafe Negril - Revival, Soul Project Casa Borrega - Descarga Latina (Latin Jam) Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat Dos Jefes - The George French Trio Dragon’s Den - Adam Shrubbe, Baby Boy Bartels + Kuwaisiana + Blue Velvet, Particle Devotion House of Blues - DJ Raj Smoove Jazz Playhouse - Ashlin Parker Trio, The James River

Movement Le Bon Temps Roule - Brassaholics Little Gem Saloon - Reid Poole Duo Mahogany Jazz Hall - Stuart McNair, Tony Seville & the Cadillacs Maison - The Good For Nothin’ Band, Sweet Substitue Jazz Band, Dysfunktional Bone Maple Leaf - The Trio featuring Johnny Vidacovich & friends New Orleans Social House - Larry Sieberth & Ed Wise Ogden Museum of Southern Art - Seva Venet Old U.S. Mint - Bruce Raeburn & Barry Martyn Pour House Saloon - Open Jam w/ Dave Rock N’ Bowl - Curly Taylor and Zydeco Trouble Spotted Cat - Up Up We Go!, Jayna Morgan Band, Jumbo Shrimp Friday, July 7 AllWays Lounge - Anna Pardenik Bamboula’s - Co & Co Travelin Show, Chance Bushman's, Rhythm Stompers Smoky Greenwell Blues, Caesar Brothers Bar Mon Cher - Barbarella Blue Bayou Bar at the Pontchartrain - Phil Melancon Bombay Club - Linnzi Zaorski Bourbon Orleans The Bourbon O Bar - The Doyle Cooper Band Bullet’s Sports Bar - The Pinettes Brass Band Buffa’s - Cole Williams, Variety, Marc Stone, Jazz Cafe Negril - Carolyn Broussard, Dana Abbott Band, Higher Heights Casa Borrega - Leonardo Hernandez Trio Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat Dragon’s Den - Loose Marbles, House of Blues - Right Lane Bandits, Freedom: Live Tribute to George Michael & Wham!, Summer League Le Bon Temps Roule - Joe Krown, Jason Neville Band & The Brass Addition Little Gem Saloon - Detroit Brooks and D’Natural Effect Jazz Playhouse - Joe Krown, Luther Kent, Trixie Minx`s Burlesque Ballroom featuring Romy Kaye Mahogany Jazz Hall - Spider Murphy, Carl LeBlanc Maison - New Orleans Swinging Gypsies, Eight Dice Cloth, Groove Faction + Ashton Hines & The Big Easy Brawlers Maple Leaf - Erica Falls New Orleans Social House - Tom Hook Wendell Brunious One Eyed Jacks - DJ Soul Sister Ralph’s On The Park - Nervous Duane, Justin Donovan Rock N’ Bowl - 90 Degrees West Spotted Cat - Arsene DeLay, Washboard Chaz Blues Trio, Cottonmouth Kings Tipitina’s - New Orleans Suspects + John Mooney Twist of Lime - Ayo

Rooney Five-piece American rock band from Los Angeles, Rooney, takes the stage in the Crescent City with special guest Run River North for the Ultrasonic Summer Tour 2017. Sat., July 15. $18.00 Adv, 9:00 p.m., Gasa Gasa, gasagasa.com Saturday, July 8 21st Amendment - Big Joe Kennedy Bamboula’s - Kala Bazaar Swing Society, G & Her Swinging 3 Jazz, Johnny Mastro Blues, Marigny Street Brass Band Bar Mon Cher - Barbarella Blue Bayou Bar at the Pontchartrain - Phil Melancon Bombay Club - Mark Braud Buffa’s - Saturday Jazz Brunch w/ Red Hot Jazz Band, Dave Ferrato, Freddie Blue and The Friendship Circle Cafe Negril - Joy Clark, Jamey St. Pierre & The Honeycreepers, In Business Casa Borrega - Jonathan Freilich & Friends Circle Bar - Roselt Bone + Guts Club, Justin Bobby is BobbyRock + Gushers +Enoch Ramone

Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat Dos Jefes - Hot Club of New Orleans Dragon’s Den - Eight Dice Cloth House of Blues - Bad Girls of Burlesque Jazz Playhouse - Tom Hook, Shannon Powell Little Gem Saloon - Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers Mahogany Jazz Hall - Carl LeBlanc, Tony Seville & the Cadillacs Maison - Chance Bushman & The Ibervillianaires, Luneta Jazz Band, G and the Swinging 3, Brass-A-Holics + Soul Company Maple Leaf - Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & the Golden Eagles New Orleans Social House - Joe Krown Trio

16,000 sq. ft. of Fun & Games 23 Pool Tables, 5 Pong Tables, Darts, Beer Pong, Air Hockey, & More!

Sat. July 8 | 6:30 pm ColdShot Performs Afterwards!

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WhereYat.com | July 2017 | 43

One Eyed Jacks - Roselit Bone with Esqueleto Ralph’s On The Park - Will Dickerson, Justin Donovan, Steve Mignano Rock N’ Bowl - Jeff McCarty Record Release featuring guitarist Josh Garrett, Bassist Corey Duplechin and Tab Benoit drums Shamrock - Shamarr Allen's Birthday Bash-Bands TBA Spotted Cat - Jazz Band Ballers, Ecirb Muller's Twisted Dixie, Jazz Vipers Sunday, July 9 Bamboula’s - Damn Gina Trio, American Sprite Jazz, Carl LeBlanc Jazz, Ed Wills Blues 4 Sale Bar Mon Cher - Live Music Bombay Club - Tim Laughlin w/ David Boeddinghaus Bourbon Orleans The Bourbon O Bar - The Swinging Three Bullet’s Sports Bar - Teresa B Buffa’s - Some Like It Hot, Spike Perkins, Gerald French Trio featuring George French Cafe Negril - Ecrib Muller’s Twisted Dixie Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat Dragon’s Den - Open Jazz Jam w/ Anuraag Pendyal, Church Howlin’ Wolf - Hot 8 Brass Band Maison - Swingin’ Jazz Brunch with Chance Bushman & The NOLA Jitterbugs, Heather Halloway & The Heebie Geebies, Meghan Stewart, Higher Heights Jazz Playhouse - Germaine Bazzle Le Bon Temps Roule - Crazy Whiskey Little Gem Saloon - Glen David Andrew’s Gospel Brunch Mahogany Jazz Hall - Spider Murphy, Gary Brown Maple Leaf - Joe Krown Trio featuring Walter "Wolfman" Washington & Russell Batiste Ralph’s On The Park - Heather Holloway and the Heebie Jeebies, St Roch Syncopators Spotted Cat - G & The Swinging Three, Kristina Morales & The Bayou Shufflers, Pat Casey & The New Sound Monday, July 10 Bamboula’s - Co & Co Travelin Show, Swinging Gypsies Jazz, Sunshine Brass Band Buffa’s - Arsene DeLay, Antoine Diel Cafe Negril - Noggin, In Business Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat Jazz Playhouse - Gerald French & The Original Tuxedo Jazz Band Quartet Maison - Chicken & Waffles, Aurora Nealand & the Royal Roses, The Sierra Leone Experience Mahogany Jazz Hall - Gary Brown Maple Leaf - The Porter Trio featuring George Porter Jr, Michael Lemmler, Terrence Houston One Eyed Jacks - Blind Texas Marlin Ralph’s On The Park - Nervous Duane Spotted Cat - Royal Street Winding Boys, Sarah McCoy's Oopsie Daisies, Dominick Grillo & The Frenchmen St. All Stars, Jazz Vipers Three Keys - Too Trill Trivia with Eric & Terri Tuesday, July 11 AllWays Lounge - "Show off!" Allways Open Mic Night Bamboula’s - Bryce Eastwood Trio, Joe Goldberg Jazz Trio, Dana & the Boneshakers, Chance Bushmen & the Rhythm Stompers Buffa’s - Tacos, Tequila and Tiaras w/ Vanessa Carr Cafe Negril - The Four Sidemen of the Apocalypse, John Lisi & Delta Funk Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat Dos Jefes - Tom Hook and Wendell Brunious Hi Ho Lounge - Alex D’Onofrio presents New Orleans Guitar Night featuring Dave Easly, Justin Donovan, & Peter Roze Jazz Playhouse - Gerald French & George French Trio Little Gem Saloon - Zakk Garner Duo Mahogany Jazz Hall - Meryl Zimmerman, Tony Seville & the Cadillacs Maison - Kala Baazar Swing Society, Gregory Agid Quartet, Midnight Love Band Maple Leaf - Rebirth Brass Band Old U.S. Mint - Richard “Piano” Scott, Down on Their Luck Orchestra Ray’s On The Ave- Bobby Love & Friends Spotted Cat - Sal Geloso, Meschiya Lake & The Little Big Horns, Aurora Nealand & The Royal Roses Wednesday, July 12 21st Amendment - Royal Street Winding Boys Autocrat Social & Pleasure Club - TBC Brass Band Bamboula’s - Eight Dice Cloth Jazz, Bamboulas Hot Trio featuring: Giselle Anguizola, Swing Dance Lessons, Messy Cookers Jazz, Mem Shannon Blues Band Bombay Club - Matt Lemmler Bourbon Orleans The Bourbon O Bar - Shynola Jazz Band Buffa’s - World's Most Open Mic Night w/ Nattie Cafe Negril - Maid of Orleans, Another Day in Paradise Civic Theatre - Welcome to Night Vale w/ Jason Webley Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat Dos Jefes - The George French Trio Little Gem Saloon - Marc Stone Mahogany Jazz Hall - Meryl Zimmerman, Tony Seville & the Cadillacs Maison - The New Orleans Jazz Vipers, The Resident Aliens Maple Leaf - Organized Crime New Orleans Social House - Tom Hook Old U.S. Mint - Arrowhead Jazz Band Pour House Saloon - Oscar & the Blue's Cat Jam Night Ralph’s On The Park - Nervous Duane, Champion Swag

Rock N’ Bowl - The Boogie Men Spotted Cat - Chris Christy's Band, Ben Polcer's Band, Antoine Diel & The New Orleans Misfit Power Three Keys - Kettle Black Thursday, July 13 Bamboula’s - Kala Bazaar Swing Society, Gentilly Stompers Jazz, John Lisi NOLA Blues Bayou Bar at the Pontchartrain - Phil Melancon Bombay Club - Joe Ashlar Duo Bourbon Orleans The Bourbon O Bar - The Luneta Jazz Band Bullet’s Sports Bar - Kermit Ruffins Cafe Negril - Revival, Soul Project Casa Borrega - Descarga Latina (Latin Jam) Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat Dragon’s Den - Erika Flowers, Austin Rapbaum, Hipstoric Summer Tour House of Blues - DJ Raj Smoove’s Le Bon Temps Roule - Manline Brass Band Little Gem Saloon - Reid Poole Duo Mahogany Jazz Hall - Stuart McNair, Tony Seville & the Cadillacs Maison - The Good For Nothin’ Band, Dysfunktional Bone Maple Leaf - The Trio featuring Johnny Vidacovich & friends New Orleans Social House - Larry Sieberth & Ed Wise Old U.S. Mint - Arrowhead Jazz Band featuring Mollie Ducoste & Gloria Parker Pour House Saloon - Open Jam w/ Dave Rock N’ Bowl - L’il Nathan & the Big Tymers Spotted Cat - Up Up We Go!, Sarah McCoy's Oopsie Daisies, Jayna Morgan Band, Russell Welch's Band Three Keys - Little Cosmicana with Greazy Alice and South Jones Friday, July 14 AllWays Lounge - Anna Pardenik Bamboula’s - Co & Co Travelin Show, Chance Bushman's Rhythm Stompers, Smoky, Greenwell Blues, Caesar Brothers Bar Mon Cher - Barbarella Blue Bayou Bar at the Pontchartrain - Phil Melancon Bombay Club - Wayne Maureau's Brazilian Jazz Project Bourbon Orleans The Bourbon O Bar - The Doyle Cooper Jazz Band Bullet’s Sports Bar - The Pinettes Brass Band Cafe Negril - Carolyn Broussard, Dana Abbott Band, Higher Heights Casa Borrega - Leonardo Hernandez Trio Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat d.b.a - MainLine Dragon’s Den - Loose Marbles House of Blues - Summer League Howlin’ Wolf - New Creations Brass Band Jazz Playhouse - Joe Krown, Quiana Lynell, Trixie Minx`s Burlesque Ballroom featuring Romy Kaye & The Mercy Buckets Le Bon Temps Roule - Joe Krown, Johnny No Little Gem Saloon - Zakk Garner Quartet Mahogany Jazz Hall - Spider Murphy, The Key Sound Maison - New Orleans Swinging Gypsies, The Nightowls + Brasszilla New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park - Arrowhead Jazz Band New Orleans Social House - Anais St. John One Eyed Jacks - Caddywhompus with AF the Naysayer plus Sharks’ Teeth Ralph’s On The Park - Nervous Duane, Justin Donovan Republic New Orleans - Snails Rock N’ Bowl - The Topcats Spotted Cat - Arsene DeLay, Washboard Chaz Blues Trio, Cottonmouth Kings Tipitina’s - Brass-a-Holics + Motel Radio Saturday, July 15 21st Amendment - Big Joe Kennedy Bamboula’s - Kala Bazaar Swing Society, G & Her Swinging 3, Johnny Mastro Blues, Marc Joseph's Mojo Brass Bar Mon Cher - Barbarella Blue Bayou Bar at the Pontchartrain - Phil Melancon Bombay Club - Banu Gibson Cafe Negril - Joe Pollock, Jamey St. Pierre & The Honeycreepers, Dana Abbott Band Casa Borrega - Jonathan Freilich & Friends Checkpoint Charlie - The Pallbearers + Vomit Spots + Midnite Prowler & more Circle Bar - Richard Bates Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat d.b.a. - Little Freddie King Dos Jeffes - The Betty Shirley Band Dragon’s Den - St. Roch Syncopators, Midnight Love Band Gasa Gasa - Rooney w/ Run River North House of Blues - Bustout Burlesque, ALT 92.3’s Breaking Ground Le Bon Temps Roule - Gypsy Elise and the Royal Blues Howlin’ Wolf “The Den” - Madisons + Mr. Universe Jazz Playhouse - The Nayo Jones Experience Little Gem Saloon - Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers Mahogany Jazz Hall - Carl LeBlanc, Tony Seville & the Cadillacs Maison - Chance Bushman & The Ibervillianaires, Dinosaurchestra, New Orleans Swinging Gypsies, Ashton Hines & The Big Easy Brawlers + Higher Heights Maple Leaf - Funk Monkey New Orleans Social House -David Torkanowsky Trio One Eyed Jacks - Andrew Duhon with McGregor plus

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

MeekMill&YoGotti Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill joins Yo Gotti for the joint Against All Odds Tour, making a stop in the New Orleans area on July 27 at the UNO Lakefront Arena. Thurs., July 27. 28.00-$169.00$ Adv, 8:00 p.m., UNO Lakefront Arena, arena.uno.edu Fishplate Ralph’s On The Park - Will Dickerson, Justin Donovan, Steve Mignano Republic New Orleans - Borgeous Rock N’ Bowl - Ryan Foret & Foret Tradition Shamrock - Refugeze Spotted Cat - Russell Welch's Mississippi Gipsy, Ecirb Muller's Twisted Dixie, Dominick Grillo & The Frenchmen Street All-Stars Three Keys - Calvin Johnson & Chapter: SOUL Sunday, July 16 Bamboula’s - Damn Gina Trio, Catie Rogers Jazz Trio, Carl LeBlanc Jazz, Ed Wills Blues 4 Sale Bar Mon Cher - Live Music Bombay Club - Tim Laughlin w/ David Boeddinghaus Bourbon Orleans The Bourbon O Bar - The Swinging Three Bullet’s Sports Bar - VL & Just Right Band Cafe Negril - Ecrib Muller’s Twisted Dixie, John Lisi & Delta Funk Circle Bar - Micah McKee & Friends + Blind Texas Marlin, DJ Pasta Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat Dragon’s Den - Open Jazz Jam w/ Anuraag Pendyal, Church House of Blues - LouMuzik Howlin’ Wolf - Hot 8 Brass Band Jazz Playhouse - Germaine Bazzle Little Gem Saloon - Mo Better Brunch with the Diaz Trio Mahogany Jazz Hall - Gary Brown Maison - Swingin’ Jazz Brunch with Chance Bushman & The NOLA Jitterbugs, Eight Dice Cloth, The Russel Welch Quartet, Leah Rucker, Higher Heights Maple Leaf - Joe Krown Trio featuring Walter "Wolfman" Washington & Russell Batiste Ralph’s On The Park - Heather Holloway and the Heebie Jeebies, St Roch Syncopators Spotted Cat - Aurora Nealand & The Royal Roses, Kristina Morales & The Bayou Shufflers, Pat Casey & The New Sound Monday, July 17 Bamboula’s - Co & Co travelin Show, Dinosaurchestra Jazz, Swinging Gypsies, Sunshine Brass Band Cafe Negril - John Lisi & Delta Funk, Noggin, In Business Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat House of Blues - Delta Rae plus Liz Longley Jazz Playhouse - Gerald French & The Original Tuxedo Band Quartet Mahogany Jazz Hall - Carl LeBlanc, Gary Brown Maison - Chicken & Waffles, Aurora Nealand & the Royal Roses, RnR Music Group Maple Leaf - The Porter Trio featuring George Porter Jr, Michael Lemmler, Terrence Houston One Eyed Jacks - Blind Texas Marlin Ralph’s On The Park - Nervous Duane Spotted Cat - Royal Street Winding Boys, Sarah McCoy's Oopsie Daisies, Dominick Grillo & The Frenchmen St. All Stars, Jazz Vipers Tuesday, July 18 Ace Hotel - (Three Keys) - Selectors at Ace AllWays Lounge - "Show off!" Allways Open Mic Night Bamboula’s - Bryce Eastwood Trio, Joe Goldberg Jazz Trio, Dana & the Boneshakers, Ed Wills Blues 4 Sale Cafe Negril - The Four Sidemen of the Apocalypse, John Lisi & Delta Funk Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat Little Gem Saloon - Zakk Garner Duo

Mahogany Jazz Hall - Meryl Zimmerman, Tony Seville & the Cadillacs Maison - Quicksand, Gregory Agid Quartet, New Legaxy Maple Leaf - Rebirth Brass Band New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park - Ricard “Piano” Scott, Down on Their Luck Orchestra Ray’s On The Ave- Bobby Love & Friends Spotted Cat - Sal Geloso, Meschiya Lake & The Little Big Horns, Smokin' Time Jazz Club Wednesday, July 19 21st Amendment - Royal Street Winding Boys Bamboula’s - Eight Dice Cloth Jazz, Bamboulas Hot Trio featuring: Giselle Anguizola, Swing Dance Lessons, Gentilly Stompers Jazz, Mem Shannon Blues Band Bombay Club - Josh Paxton Bourbon Orleans The Bourbon O Bar - Shynola Jazz Band Cafe Negril - Maid of Orleans, Another Day in Paradise Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat Circle Bar - The Iguanas, Gazm Dos Jefes - The George French Trio Dragon’s Den - Groove Therapy Jazz Playhouse - Glen David Andrews Little Gem Saloon - Chip Wilson Solo Mahogany Jazz Hall - Meryl Zimmerman, Tony Seville & the Cadillacs Maison - Ashton Hines Quartet, The New Orleans Jazz Vipers, Brasszilla Maple Leaf - Organized Crime Old U.S. Mint - Arrowhead Jazz Band One Eyed Jacks - Moshe Kasher & Natasha Leggero: The Endless Honeymoon Tour Pour House Saloon - Oscar & the Blue's Cat Jam Night Ralph’s On The Park - Nervous Duane, Champion Swag Republic New Orleans - Lil Uzi Vert Rock N’ Bowl - Joe Krown Spotted Cat - Chris Christy's Band, Shotgun Jazz Band, Antoine Diel & The New Orleans Misfit Power Three Keys - The Shape of Jazz to Come Thursday, July 20 Bamboula’s - Kala Bazaar Swing Society, Gentilly Stompers Jazz, Chance Bushmen's Rhythm Stompers Bayou Bar at the Pontchartrain - Phil Melancon Bombay Club - Kris Tokarski w/ Duke Heitger Bourbon Orleans The Bourbon O Bar - The Luneta Jazz Band Bullet’s Sports Bar - Kermit Ruffins Cafe Negril - Revival, Soul Project Casa Borrega - Descarga Latina (Latin Jam) Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat Dragon’s Den - SoundClash, Tiffany Baira + Derelyn Marie plus 40 Mid DJ House of Blues - DJ Raj Smoove’s Jazz Playhouse - Ashlin Parker Trio, The James River Movement Le Bon Temps Roule - Mainline Brass Band Little Gem Saloon - Reid Poole Duo Mahogany Jazz Hall -Stuart McNair, Tony Seville & the Cadillacs Maison - Roamin’ Jasmine, The New Orleans Swinging Gypsies, Dysfunktional Bone Maple Leaf - The Trio featuring Johnny Vidacovich & friends New Orleans Social House - Matt Lemmler One Eyed Jacks - Where Y’acht Pour House Saloon - Open Jam w/ Dave

Rock N’ Bowl - Horace Trahan Spotted Cat - Up Up We Go!, Sarah McCoy's Oopsie Daisies, Ben Polcer Band, Jumbo Shrimp Friday, July 21 AllWays Lounge - Anna Pardenik Bamboula’s - Co & Co Travelin Show, Chance Bushman's Rhythm Stompers, Smoky Greenwell Blues Bar Mon Cher - Barbarella Blue Bayou Bar at the Pontchartrain - Phil Melancon Bombay Club - Larry Scala Trio Bourbon Orleans The Bourbon O Bar - The Doyle Cooper Jazz Band Bullet’s Sports Bar - The Pinettes Brass Band Cafe Negril - Carolyn Broussard, Dana Abbott Band, Higher Heights Casa Borrega - Leonardo Hernandez Trio Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat Dragon’s Den - Loose Marbles Gasa Gasa - Palm w/ Palberta, Buncho House of Blues - NOLA Rocks featuring New Rebel Family, Akadia, The Other LA, Summer League Jazz Playhouse - Joe Krown, Luther Kent, Trixie Minx`s Burlesque Ballroom featuring Romy Kaye & The Mercy Buckets Le Bon Temps Roule - Joe Krown Little Gem Saloon - The Diaz Trio Mahogany Jazz Hall - Spider Murphy, The Key Sound Maison - New Orleans Swinging Gypsies, Slick Skillet Serenaders, Soul Project + Ashton Hines and the Big Easy Brawlers New Orleans Social House - Larry Sieberth & Ed Wise Ralph’s On The Park - Nervous Duane, Justin Donovan Rock N’ Bowl - Groovy 7 Spotted Cat - Sal Geloso, Washboard Chaz Blues Trio, Cottonmouth Kings Tipitina’s - Walter “Wolfman” Washington + The Fortifiers Twist of Lime - AMBASSADOR Saturday, July 22 21st Amendment - Big Joe Kennedy Bamboula’s - Kala Bazaar Swing Society, G & Her Swinging 3 Jazz, Johnny Mastro Blues, Marc Joseph's Mojo Bras Bar Mon Cher - Barbarella Blue Bayou Bar at the Pontchartrain - Phil Melancon Bombay Club - Matt Lemmler Trio Cafe Negril - Joy Clark, Jamey St. Pierre & The Honeycreepers, Another Day in Paradise Casa Borrega - Papo Guevara Y Son Mandao Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat Dragon’s Den - Eight Dice Cloth, Loose Willis Gasa Gasa - The Kickback + Skelatin

Jazz Playhouse - The Glen David Andrews Band Le Bon Temps Roule - Pontchartrain Wrecks Little Gem Saloon - The Diaz Trio Mahogany Jazz Hall - Tony Seville & the Cadillacs, Carl LeBlanc Maison - Chance Bushman & The Ibervillianaires, Luneta Jazz Band, Smoking Time Jazz Club, TBA + Gene’s Music Machine New Orleans Social House - Don Vappie Old U.S. Mint - Mollie Ducosate + Arrowhead Jazz Band Ralph’s On The Park - Will Dickerson, Justin Donovan, Steve Mignano Rock N’ Bowl - Louisiana Spice Shamrock - Burnhouse Spotted Cat - Jazz Band Ballers, Panorama Jazz Band, Meschiya Lake & The Little Big Horns Three Keys - HOUxNOLA with CoolNasty featuring Jack Freeman & Friends Sunday, July 23 Bamboula’s - Damn Gina Trio, American Sprite Jazz, Messy Cookers Jazz, Ed Wills Blues 4 Sale Bar Mon Cher - Live Music Bombay Club - Tim Laughlin w/ David Boeddinghaus Bourbon Orleans The Bourbon O Bar - The Swinging Three Bullet’s Sports Bar - John Pierre Cafe Negril - Ecrib Muller’s Twisted Dixie Crescent City Bar - New Orleans Streetbeat Dragon’s Den - Open Jazz Jam w/ Anuraag Pendyal, Church Howlin’ Wolf - Hot 8 Brass Band Jazz Playhouse - Germaine Bazzle Little Gem Saloon - Glen David Andrew’s Gospel Brunch Mahogany Jazz Hall - Brian Wingard, Gary Brown Maison - Swingin’ Jazz Brunch with Chance Bushman & The NOLA Jitterbugs, The Russel Welch Quartet, Kala Baazar Swing Society, G and the Swinging 3, Higher Heights Maple Leaf - Joe Krown Trio featuring Walter "Wolfman" Washington & Russell Batiste Ralph’s On The Park - Heather Holloway and the Heebie Jeebies, St Roch Syncopators Spotted Cat - Jamey St. Pierre & The Honeycreepers, Kristina Morales & The Bayou Shufflers, Pat Casey & The New Sound Three Keys - Moonshine Taste with Nicole Lynn Foxx & The Moonshine Players Monday, July 24 Bamboula’s - Co & Co Travelin Show, Loss Marbles Jazz, Swinging Gypsies, Sunshine Brass Band Cafe Negril - Noggin, In Business Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat Jazz Playhouse - Gerald French & The Original Tuxedo Jazz Quartet

Mahogany Jazz Hall - Stuart McNair, Gary Brown Maison - Chicken & Waffles, Aurora Nealand & the Royal Roses, The Resident Aliens Maple Leaf - The Porter Trio featuring George Porter Jr, Michael Lemmler, Terrence Houston One Eyed Jacks - Blind Texas Marlin Ralph’s On The Park - Nervous Duane Spotted Cat - Royal Street Winding Boys, Sarah McCoy's Oopsie Daisies, Dominick Grillo & The Frenchmen St. All Stars, Jazz Vipers

The Steve Lands Kota Band Maple Leaf - Organized Crime New Orleans Social House - Matt Lemmler Pour House Saloon - Oscar & the Blue's Cat Jam Night Ralph’s On The Park - Nervous Duane, Champion Swag Rock N’ Bowl - Gal Holiday & the Honky Tonk Revue Spotted Cat - Chris Christy's Band, Shotgun Jazz Band, Antoine Diel & The New Orleans Misfit Power Three Keys - The Healing Room with Michaela Harrison & Friends

Tuesday, July 25 Ace Hotel - (Three Keys) - Selectors at Ace AllWays Lounge - "Show off!" Allways Open Mic Night Bamboula’s - Bryce Eastwood Trio, Joe Goldberg Jazz Trio, Dana & the Boneshakers, Chance Bushmen's Rhythm Stompers Cafe Negril - The Four Sidemen of the Apocaplypse Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat House of Blues - Spose: The Good Luck With Your Life Tour + Shane Reis + God. Damn, Chan Jazz Playhouse - K.C. & The Irresistibles Little Gem Saloon - Zakk Garner Duo Mahogany Jazz Hall - Meryl Zimmerman, Tony Seville & the Cadillacs Maison - Jason Danti, Gregory Agid Quartet Maple Leaf - Rebirth Brass Band New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park - Richard “Piano” Scott Old U.S. Mint - Down on Their Luck Orchestra Ray’s On The Ave- Bobby Love & Friends Saenger Theatre - Idina Menzel Spotted Cat - Sal Geloso, Meschiya Lake & The Little Big Horns, Smokin' Time Jazz Club

Thursday, July 27 Bamboula’s - Kala Bazaar Swing Society, Gentilly Stompers Jazz, Chance Bushmen's Rhythm Stompers Bayou Bar at the Pontchartrain - Phil Melancon Bombay Club - Kris Tokarski w/ Larry Scala Bourbon Orleans The Bourbon O Bar - The Luneta Jazz Band Bullet’s Sports Bar - Kermit Ruffins Cafe Negril - Revival, Soul Project Casa Borrega - Descarga Latina (Latin Jam) Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat d.b.a - Little Freddie King Dragon’s Den - Jason Danti, 13 Dreams + Nondi + DJ Heel Turn Le Bon Temps Roule - The Soul Rebels Jazz Playhouse - Ashlin Parker Trio, The James River Movement Little Gem Saloon - Cecile Savage Mahogany Jazz Hall - Stuart McNair, Tony Seville & the Cadillacs Maison - Dinosaurchestra, Kristina Morales & The Bayou Shufflers, Dysfunktional Bone Maple Leaf - The Trio featuring Johnny Vidacovich & friends New Orleans Social House - Larry Sieberth & Ed Wise Pour House Saloon - Open Jam w/ Dave Rock N’ Bowl - Geno Delafose Spotted Cat - Up Up We Go!, Sarah McCoy's Oopsie Daisies, Miss Sophie Lee,Jumbo Shrimp Three Keys - Soundbytes with PJ Morton & Friends

Wednesday, July 26 21st Amendment - Royal Street Winding Boys Bamboula’s - Eight Dice Cloth Jazz, Bamboulas Hot Trio featuring:Giselle Anguizola, Swing Dance Lessons, Gentilly Stompers Jazz, Mem Shannon Blues Band Bombay Club - Josh Paxton Bourbon Orleans The Bourbon O Bar - Shynole Jazz Band Cafe Negril - Jamie Lynn Vessels, Another Day in Paradise Circle Bar - Rik Slave’s Country Persuasion, Don Babylon + The Noise Complaints Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat Dos Jefes - The George French Trio Dragon’s Den - Groove Therapy Jazz Playhouse - Glen David Andrews Little Gem Saloon - Marc Stone Mahogany Jazz Hall - Meryl Zimmerman, Tony Seville & the Cadillacs Maison - Kaya Nicole Band, The New Orleans Jazz Vipers,

Friday, July 28 AllWays Lounge - Anna Pardenik Bamboula’s - Co & Co Travelin Show, Chance Bushman's Rhythm Stompers, Smoky Greenwell Blues, Caesar Brothers Bar Mon Cher - Barbarella Blue Bayou Bar at the Pontchartrain - Phil Melancon Bombay Club - Riverside Jazz Collective Bourbon Orleans The Bourbon O Bar - The Doyle Cooper Jazz Band

ON SALE NOW GET TIX AT BOWERYSOUTH.COM

WEDNESDAY, JULY 12 AT CIVIC THEATRE WELCOME TO NIGHT VALE W/ JASON WEBLEY SATURDAY, JULY 15 AT GASA GASA W/ RUN RIVER NORTH

ROONEY

FRIDAY, JULY 21 AT GASA GASA PALM W/ PALBERTA, BUNCHO

TUESDAY, AUGUST 1 AT GASA GASA TUESD NITE JEWEL W/ GENEVA JACUZZI, HARRIET BROWN SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 AT CIVIC THEATRE

CHRIS ROBINSON BROTHERHOOD SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 AT GASA GASA FRANKIE ROSE W/ SPLASHH

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7 AT GASA GASA W/ NNAMDI OGBONNAYA, SOFTIE

VAGABON

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10 AT GASA GASA

NICK HAKIM

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12 AT CIVIC THEATRE

GRIZZLY BEAR

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14 AT CIVIC THEATRE

THE SHINS

WhereYat.com | July 2017 | 45

Incubus Is Back

By Emily Hingle

B

race yourself for some history! In ancient Mesopotamia, we saw the first mention of a creature akin to an incubus. This creature is a demon who has a penchant for selecting and seducing women, which sometimes would result in a child (succubi were female demons who seduced men).

This long-running California rock band may have taken their now-famous name from this spooky demon, but they’re not that frightening. In fact, they’re one of the most successful bands of all time. You could say, however, that they have seduced both women and men for over two decades with their ever-changing yet unique tunes.

Perhaps the most surprising aspect about the all-American alt-rock band Incubus is their tenacity. Since 1991, Brandon Boyd has

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

been belting on the mic, Mike Einziger has been raging on the guitar, and Jose Pasillas has been keeping time on the drums.

They’ve added to their lineup over the years to fill out their sound, but these three original founding members have stuck it out for 26 incredible years.

It all began when they were attending Calabasas High School. While they were still in their teens, they were able to book gigs at the famed clubs along the Sunset Strip just as the big-haired, garishly-dressed bands of the 1980s were fading from popularity and a weird new sound called grunge was taking over. Their shows went so well that the young trio decided to put some of their tunes onto tape at a little studio in Santa Monica after school hours.

In 1995, they decided to become a quartet and added DJ Lyfe to their roster. That was

the year that the band released their first album, Fungus Amongus, and they decided that the only way to have complete creative control over the album was to put it on their own label entitled Stopuglynailfungus Music (that’s not a typo).

Their big break came about in 1996, when Sony decided to pick them up for a staggering seven-record deal. Sony placed the band on their Epic Records sub-label, and in 1997, the famous EP Enjoy Incubus was released, just before Incubus was asked to tour with Korn across Europe.

Then Incubus released S.C.I.E.N.C.E., and everything changed. They were clearly influenced by funk bands in their early years, and with this 1997 album, they turned a corner. They started getting darker and heavier, exploring the realm of nu metal.

More drastic changes were ahead for them as DJ Lyfe was replaced by DJ Kilmore, who has been with the band ever since.

Just before the beginning of the new millennium, everyone was looking for a new sound. Incubus’s third album, Make Yourself, released in late 1999, saw them take on a less extreme, more alternative sound akin to their tour-mates Primus. The next few years included chart-topping hits like “Pardon Me,” “Wish You Were Here,” and “Nice to Know You,” as well as steady touring across the world as headliners or as the opening act for other incredible bands like The Roots and Outkast.

As the band members matured and had families, they decided together that they would take a break from the music world for just a while. Brandon and Mike went back to college and Jose went home to care for his new baby in 2008. Brandon said, “I’m of the mind to say it wouldn’t be a bad thing to disappear for a year or two years. A lot of people would say culture moves too fast and you need to remind people, but I would argue there’s not any rush.”

They announced their return to the radio waves with the release of their 2009 album Monuments and Melodies, which opened at

number five on the prestigious Billboard 200 chart. Brandon said of their plans about touring, “We can never force anything. I definitely have the suspicion that we’re going to get on the road together this summer.

We’re just going to start playing and stuff is going to start brewing, and we’re going to light that fire again.” But it wasn’t until mid2011 that the band really started touring again with the release of If Not Now, When? because they were still busy with their reallife commitments and side projects.

Part of the reason that the band decided to take a breather was because their former member, DJ Lyfe, was causing them some trouble. In 2009, DJ Lyfe threatened DJ Kilmore, his replacement, when they ran into each other at a store. DJ Kilmore stated that Lyfe, “asked me to fight him right there and raised his fists to me.” Lyfe had a restraining order slapped on him for the incident, and it was then revealed that he had had one years before for spitting on Kilmore.

The band has enjoyed steady touring over the last few years, especially on the festival circuit. But they only released new tunes with their eighth studio album, aptly titled 8, on April 21, 2017, and this isn’t the only stuff you’re going to hear from them this year. They’ve got so many collaborations in the works with artists like Skrillex. After all of these years, I think that they are re-inventing themselves yet again and have found that fire they were looking for.

Incubus has survived a changing music business, evolving musical tastes, and even a few haters who just wanted to see them fail, and still remains an arena-packing, hysteriainducing band that will go down in the history books. There truly is no end in sight for them. Do yourself and that little alt-rockloving teenager inside of you a favor and check out Incubus at Champions Square on August 2. It’s a school night, but I’m sure that it will be worth the drowsiness the next day.

Incubus performs at Champions Square on Wednesday, August 2, at 7 p.m. For tickets, go to livenation.com

Join Touro’s Family Birthing Center for a FREE Open House Brunch

Sip& See Enjoy brunch, sip mimosas (or mocktails), mingle with our women’s health providers, and tour our birthing center!

Saturday, July 22 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Touro Infirmary Family Birthing Center Mingle with OB/GYNs, midwives, doulas, and lactation consultants.

Tour our birthing center, learn more about preconception health, and enter to win exciting raffle prizes including a spa gift card, barre classes and more!

Registration is required.

Please RSVP online at www.touro.com/events or by calling (504) 897-8500.

WhereYat.com | July 2017 | 47

New Orleans Beatles Fest House of Blues: 225 Decatur St. Saturday & Sunday, July 22 & 23; 8 p.m. houseofblues.com/neworleans Enjoy an evening of nostalgia at the 15th annual New Orleans Beatles Fest. Chuck Credo IV, The Topcats, and friends will perform the entire 1967 album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, along with other Beatles classics.

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

FOOD & DRINK The Honoring of Antoine's Longest-Tenured Waiter Antoine's: 713 St. Louis St. Sunday, July 9; 4:30 p.m. antoines.com

CONCERTS

Sterling Constant will be honored for his 50 years of service at the city’s highly acclaimed and longest-standing restaurant. At the age of 16, Constant originally joined Antoine’s restaurant staff as a prep cook, a title he held for five years (1972-1977). He then went on to become an apprentice and has been a vital asset to their wait staff ever since, collecting a plethora of loyal customers. He will be celebrated with a party for family, friends, and patrons.

The Honoring of Antoine's Longest-Tenured Waiter July 9

David Blaine July 16 David Blaine Live The Saenger Theatre: 1111 Canal St. Sunday, July 16; 8 p.m. saengernola.com Be wowed by magician David Blaine in a performance you’ll never forget! He has been referred to as one of the greatest magicians who ever lived. Some of his astonishing acts include being buried alive in New York City for a week, being encased inside a six-ton block of ice for three days, and surviving standing atop a 100-foot pillar for 36 hours without a safety net. Tickets for the show can be purchased online.

Bastille Day Friday & Saturday, July 14 & 15 Various Locations in New Orleans bastilledaynola.com How fitting to celebrate the French national holiday in a city with so much French influence! Bastille Day in NOLA is a city-wide celebration, and events include the Bastille Day Celebration at Faubourg St. John (the original neighborhood of the French Creole aristocracy), which is an evening of live music, food, and fun. NOMA will also host a Bastille Day Fête with film screenings, music, and children’s activities.

FESTIVALS

ENTERTAINMENT

Rusty Nail Fourth of July Party Rusty Nail: 1100 Constance St. Tuesday, July 4; 2 p.m. rustynailnola.com Celebrate the Fourth of July over at the Rusty Nail as they host “America: The Party 8 ‘Yachty By Nature.’” This is the eighth year they are hosting their Fourth of July party. This year, live music will be provided by Where Y’acht, Tony Skratchere, and Satchfield Music, and eats will be provided by Dat Dog.

I San Fermin in Nueva Orleans: The Running of the Bulls Downtown New Orleans Area Friday - Sunday, July 7-9 nolabulls.com

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

West Bank Beer Fest NOLA Motorsports Park: 11075 Nicolle Blvd., Avondale, LA Saturday, July 22; 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. facebook.com/WestBankBeerFest Cool off at the West Bank Beer Fest. Instead of just enjoying a cold one, enjoy an unlimited amount of craft beer samples!

The festival will take place inside of NOLA Motorsports Park’s air-conditioned event center. Shuttles will also run to and from Mandeville, Elmwood, and Downtown.

t’s that time of the year again! Head out into the streets of NOLA in your white and red for New Orleans’s 11th annual Running of the Bulls. The event pays tribute to the original event in Pamplona, Spain. One difference: no actual bulls, just the Big Easy Rollergirls and participants from other roller derby leagues dressed as bulls, chasing you around with plastic bats. It starts as early as 7:15 a.m., so if you want to take part in the craziness, get there early. After the shenanigans are complete, it turns into a bit of a bar crawl down in the French Quarter, so many people show up after the main festivities just to join in on the aftermath. Tickets range from $22 – $80 and it’s well worth it. It includes food and alcohol and much of the proceeds go to various charities in New Orleans.

Rick Ross Live The Saenger Theatre: 1111 Canal St. Monday, July 3; 8 p.m. saengernola.com Join rapper and founder of record label Maybach Music Group, Rick Ross, as he performs at the Saenger Theatre on July 3. Ross was named the hottest MC in the game by MTV in 2012. Tickets can be purchased online.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS Sip & See: Open House Brunch Touro Family Birthing Center: 1401 Foucher St. Saturday, July 22; 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. touro.com Are you expecting? Join the staff at Touro for a “Sip and See”! It is an opportunity to enjoy brunch with mimosas (or mocktails) while meeting and mingling with the OB/GYN staff, nurses, and physicians. Participants will have the opportunity to tour the birthing center and to win prizes in a raffle at the event.

West Bank Beer Fest July 22

WhereYat.com | July 2017 | 49

Pêche Seafood Grill's Blackberry Layer Cake

20 and Under

$

Sweet As Can Bee!

R

ich and golden, often herbal, sometimes fruity and always sweet, honey is probably the single most fabulous food humans eat. Why so fabulous? Well, for starters, the earliest depiction of honey harvesting is an 8000-year-old cave painting in Spain showing “hunters” gathering honey from wild bee colonies, but this sweet aficionado is willing to bet that we've been devouring that sticky-sweet stuff for as long as honey bees and humans have coexisted on this earth. Known as “the nectar of the gods,” honey is drizzled throughout our history, found in numerous holy texts from ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics to the New Testament and Quran. Honey is also the only substance created by insects that humans eat, and boy do we eat it! Americans alone consume approximately 1.3 pounds of honey per person annually, totaling almost 450 million pounds.

One could write reams of information about honey and its significance in human culture and evolution; from extolling honey's medicinal benefits to the more recent anthropological theories citing honey as a critical, energy-rich food that helped hominid brains to expand. But when it comes right down to it, honey is, simply

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

By Kim Ranjbar

put, delicious. It sweetens our lives, warms the soul, and tickles our collective nostalgic funny bone.

When thinking back to our childhood, many may remember the bear-shaped squeeze bottle that came out during Sunday breakfasts or when mom was brewing tea to soothe a sore throat. But we've become more conscientious in the past decade or so, rediscovering the incredible flavors and benefits of raw, local honey. Our own local apiaries include Louisiana Gold in Denham Springs, Bee-Goods in Ida, Carmichael's in Youngsville, and Ponchatoula's Best, not to mention several smaller operations amidst the urban neighborhoods of New Orleans, like Jordan Shay's backyard apiary located Uptown, Burg's Bees in Algiers, and Jay Martin's on Short Street in the Riverbend.

Naturally, our local chefs are taking full advantage of the “bee-utiful” bounty to choose from. For example, Maggie Scales, the executive pastry chef for the Link Restaurant Group, has recently been sourcing Atchafalaya Honey from bayou beekeeper Avery Allen in Plaquemines Parish. Try her Blackberry Layer Cake at Pêche Seafood Grill with tangy lime cream cheese and fruity, blackberry jam, all topped with a

Piccola Gelateria's Caramel Honey Gelato generous hunk of honeycomb that sets your taste buds spinning. She also offers a Honey Walnut Pie made with the same heady honey and topped with blueberry ice cream.

Uptown, the “coastal American restaurant” Cavan features all kinds of sweet and savory treats, but one of the most popular seems to be their delectable corn fritters. Offered as a side (for only seven bucks!), diners are treated to a small cast-iron pan overflowing with large jalapeno fritters drizzled liberally with whipped lardo and honey from Armand Marlbrough, yet another independent, “urban” beekeeper plying the sweet stuff in New Orleans.

Over on Freret Street, Chef Ross Turnbull at Piccola Gelateria goes a bit farther out for his honey fix. Using Nature Nate's Raw & Unfiltered Honey from Texas (it's a Gulf state, so it's all good!), he whips up a dreamy Caramel Honey gelato that, while not always on the menu, is well-worth waiting for. You can also find Turnbull's honey gelato at James Beard Award-winning Chef Alon Shaya's eponymous restaurant on Magazine Street. Dubbed “Milk & Honey,” the dessert features creamy cheesecake and mixed-nut granola topped with “burnt” honey gelato. If that doesn't draw the gods from the heavens above, what will?

Cavan's Corn Fritters

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WhereYat.com | July 2017 | 51

You can never have enough … Local small-batch coffee roaster French Truck Coffee recently opened a café in the French Quarter. Owner Geoffrey Meeker has grown his humble company from micro-roasting at home to opening a total of four locations (three in New Orleans and one in Memphis) and has plans for more. Located on Chartres Street in a recently renovated building, the French Quarter café offers all their specialty coffee drinks plus delectable pastries from Gracious Bakery.

217 Chartres St., (504) 298-1115, frenchtruckcoffee.com Power of the people … When Mizado Latin Kitchen announced last month that it was closing and being replaced by another Zea's, an overwhelming response from local patrons managed to turn the tide. Taste Buds Management, the restaurant group that owns the popular restaurant, recently released an announcement to keep Mizado open “indefinitely,” but with modified hours of operation.

5080 Pontchartrain Blvd., (504) 8855555, mizadolatinkitchen.com

Mizado Latin Kitchen

Port Orleans Brewing Co.

Food News

By Kim Ranjbar

Land ho! … Port Orleans Brewing Co., one of the most recent openings in a long line of new New Orleans breweries, has also launched its restaurant Stokehold in the same building on Tchoupitoulas Street. The eclectic menu was imagined by chefs Tim Bordes, Phillip Mariano, and Jeremy Wolgamott, who created dishes to pair with the brewery's debut beers.

Stokehold offers dishes like fish and chips, a Wagyu beef patty melt with raclette cheese, halloumi, and wood-grilled tuna. The restaurant is open Wednesday through Monday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

4124 Tchoupitoulas St., (504) 266-2332, facebook.com/Stokehold

Read all about it! … Housed in an area of the Central Business District once known as Newspaper Row, the Picayune Social House opened under the radar on Camp Street. Billed as a gastropub, the new restaurant offers a full bar with unique cocktails like the “Stoned Lemon” with lemonade, toasted rosemary syrup, and vodka, and plenty of Happy Hour specials from 3 to 7 p.m. Equipped with a tandoor oven, the Picayune Social House features an eclectic range of dishes from hummus and naan to a burger on brioche and a side of truffle mac 'n' cheese.

326 Camp St., (504) 308-3583, picayunesocialhouse.com Changing of the guard ... Freret Street's newly opened bistro, Bar Frances, has tapped Mimi Assad as their executive chef. Graduate of the Culinary Institute

Thanks New Orleans Thank you for voting us

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of America, Assad has honed her skills in restaurants all over New Orleans, from working under acclaimed chef Sue Zemanick at Gautreau's to making pies to die for at the recently shuttered Noodle & Pie. Though the menu at Bar Frances is still heavily influenced

by French cuisine, Assad has created a few dishes that reflect her Middle Eastern roots like squash blossoms stuffed with tofu, roasted eggplant, and tahini.

4525 Freret St., (504) 371-5043, barfrances.com Saying farewell … Whether the sudden rash of restaurant closings is due to a saturated market, staggering rents, lack of a skilled employee base, or a combination of all three, the city is still saddened by our gastronomic losses: Longtime riverbend restaurant Matt & Naddie's shuttered recently. Owner and chef Steve Schwartz intends to keep the space as a private event venue and will continue to cater.

Primitivo, a Central City gem created by local restaurateur Adolpho Garcia and Chef Nick Martin, closed its doors. With a menu inspired by dishes from hearth and home, Primitivo was incredibly popular, but increased competition and city street improvement proved too large of obstacles for the restaurant to continue. It will be greatly missed (especially by yours truly).

Bywater gastropub Oxalis also closed its doors in the terrible month of May. Opened in 2013, Oxalis was a whiskey-focused spot that most recently sported a menu with dishes like dim sum scallops, sweetbread agnolotti, and braised lamb belly with sugarsumac roasted pears and apples.

Yet another surprise came with the closure of Chef Matt Murphy's restaurant The Irish House. Open since 2011, the restaurant announced their closing on Facebook, stating, “It has been our pleasure to serve

Cheers to you, Where Y’at readers!

Thank you for selecting the Caribbean Room and Hot Tin to this year’s Best of the Big Easy.

Bar Frances you and to be a part of your lives and of the New Orleans community,” adding that the entire building and business are up for sale.

Finally, the last spot in our list of recent closures is Three Muses Maple, the Uptown expansion of the ever-popular Three Muses on Frenchmen Street in the Marigny.

Chef and partner Daniel Esses saw that the business just wasn't what it was at the original location, despite the same delicious food and stellar live entertainment. It seems that some venues just don't translate well from one neighborhood to another. Oh well, at least we still have Frenchmen Street!

Best New Restaurant Best of the Big Easy 2017 Where Y’at Magazine

Best New Bar or Club Best of the Big Easy 2017 Where Y’at Magazine

French Truck Coffee

WhereYat.com | July 2017 | 53

Probably This...

Watermelon & Burrata Caprese Salad

By Matt Armato

H

eavy foods and New Orleans summers have always been sworn enemies, at least in my mind. That said, this recipe calls for basically one large ball of creamy cheese, so it may not sound like the leanest at first glance, but once you’re finished making it, you’re sure to enjoy a super light, fresh “salad.”

It’s essentially a variation on a caprese salad, just subbing burrata for the mozzarella, mint for basil, and (curve ball) watermelon for tomato. If you’re not familiar with burrata, just think of it as mozzarella’s more delicate, more impressionable younger sibling. It’s got a super soft interior that strongly underlines almost any flavor you add to it, making it perfect for lots of different flavor creations, but especially this one right here. Enjoy as an afternoon snack or even as breakfast! For more recipes, visit probablythis.com.

Watermelon + Burrata Caprese Salad (Prep time: 10 min./Serves 2-4 as a snack)

What: • • • •

8 ounces burrata 1 cup cubed watermelon 8 - 10 mint leaves 2 teaspoons to 1 tablespoon balsamic reduction* • Olive oil • Sea salt

How:

1. Place the burrata in the center of a serving dish. Top with the cubed watermelon and mint leaves. Drizzle with the balsamic reduction, followed by the olive oil.

Sprinkle on the sea salt. Serve with a serving spoon.

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

Balsamic Reduction What:

• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar • 1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar • 1 tablespoon white sugar

How:

1. In a skillet or saucepan over medium heat, whisk together all ingredients until they begin to bubble. Stir constantly to avoid burning, and allow to cook and reduce for about three to five minutes until as thick as maple syrup. Remove from heat and allow to cool and thicken before using.

This recipe makes more than you need for the caprese salad, but can be refrigerated in an airtight container for later uses, up to one week.

WhereYat.com | July 2017 | 55

favorites like the gigantic burger on brioche or boudin balls. 326 Camp St., 308-3583, picayunesocialhouse.com

RestaurantGuide

Sala is the newest member of the Riccobono’s family of restaurants. So needless to say, this place is absolutely fabulous. 124 Lake Marina Ave., 513-2670, salanola.com

African

Spudly’s Super Spuds is the baked potato capital of the South. You can stick with the basics or try one of their signature spuds. 2609 Harvard Ave., Metairie, 455-3250, spudlys.com

Bennachin brings the West African flavors of Gambia and Cameroon to New Orleans, adding Cajun flavors to traditional African dishes. 1212 Royal St., 522-1230, bennachinrestaurant.com

Ted’s Frostop offers shakes, po-boys, and burgers in a 50s-style diner atmosphere, along with all-you-can eat pancakes for only $6. 3100 Calhoun St., 861-3615, tedsfrostop.com

American Apolline offers gourmet takes on Southern soul food classics, and among locals, they’re famous for their bottomless brunch. 4729 Magazine St., 894-8881, apollinerestaurant.com

Willie Mae’s Scotch House draws huge crowds of seeking out their spicy, flavorful fried chicken, that has won countless awards. Multiple locations, williemaesnola.com

Bayou Hot Wings is a destination for wing enthusiasts in Uptown with sauces ranging from pleasantly sweet to mouth-scorching. 6221 S. Claiborne Ave., 864-9464, bayouhotwings.com Bobby Hebert’s Cajun Cannon Restaurant & Bar serves unapologetically spicy food, and the restaurant aims to check off every box on the Cajun food checklist. 4101 Veteran’s Memorial Blvd., 324-6841, bobbyheberts.com Charlie’s Restaurant & Catering has perhaps the most extensive menu in New Orleans with 45 varieties of po-boy and nine different overstuffed potatoes. 6129 E. Saint Bernard Hwy., 682-9057, charliesrestaurantla. com City Diner is perfect for night owls and thrifty folks alike with a menu of classic comfort foods that are shockingly cheap. 3116 S. I-10 Service Rd. E, 831-1030, citydiner.biz Daisy Dukes has classic diner options and great prices, and some locations are open 24/7. Try their famous Bloody Mary, which you can get bottomless for just eight bucks!. French Quarter, CBD, Metairie, daisydukesrestaurant.com Gattuso’s Neighborhood Restaurant runs the gamut from healthy menu items (like the ultra-fresh avocado appetizers) to decadent, massive fried seafood platters. 435 Huey P Long Ave., Gretna, 368-1114, gattusos.net

WillieMae'sScotchHouse Gordon Biersch may be a brewery, but they don’t skimp on their food options. Their ¾ lb. burgers are formidable and flavorful. 200 Poydras St., 522-2739, gordonbiersch.com Josephine Estelle (in Ace Hotel) is a luxurious osteria that combines the flavors of traditional Italian cuisine with the soul food of the South. 600 Carondelet St., 930-3070, josephineestelle.com Ma Momma’s House of Cornbread, Chicken and Waffles is exactly what it sounds like: big portions of classic Southern soul food in a no-frills, welcoming space. 5741 Crowder Blvd., 244-0021, mamommashouse.com Orleans Grapevine offers delicious food and hundreds of wines to accompany it in a cozy French Quarter space with an exquisite courtyard. 720 Orleans Ave., 523-1930, orleansgrapevine.com Petit Lion is a chic eatery located inside The Troubadour Hotel serving food from early morning to late at night. 1111 Gravier St., 518-5500, petitlionnola.com Picayune Social House is a classic eatery grilling up old

Wow Café American Grill & Wingery has some of the city’s best wings with a number of sauce options, as well as wraps, salads, and sandwiches. Multiple locations, wowcafe.com

La Thai's menu is split between Louisiana/Thai fusion and more authentic Thai items, but both are delicious and consistent. 4938 Prytania St., 899-8886, lathaiuptown. com Mikimoto draws in foodies with great lunch specials and excellent Japanese cuisine, and they deliver. Their miso soup is a classic. 3301 S. Carrollton Ave., 488-1881, mikimotosushi.com Miyako is the go-to spot for hibachi. The restaurant also offers nightly drink specials and great sushi. 1403 St. Charles Ave., 410-9997, japanesebistro.com Origami has the traditional rolls you love plus more.

They have some of the best Japanese appetizers like soft-shell crab tempura. 5130 Freret St., 899-6532, sushinola.com Tsunami is a new sushi restaurant catering to the CBD. They feature fresh sashimi and creative rolls like the Black & Gold. 601 Poydras St., 608-3474, servingsushi.com Viet Orleans Bistro is a fantastic option for hungry CBD foodies, with vermicelli, sushi, and pho, all served in an unassuming space. 300 Baronne St., 333-6917

Asian

Bars With Great Food

Bao & Noodle focuses on Northern and authentic Chinese staples like spicy mapo tofu and hand-pulled noodles with spiced lamb. 2700 Chartres St., 272-0004, baoandnoodle.com

Backspace Bar & Kitchen is a trendy drinking-meetsliterary spot for day-drinking as well as late-night cocktails located in the French Quarter. 139 Chartres St., 322-2245, backspacenola.com

Five Happiness is a great place for Chinese food in NOLA. Their menu includes seafood, beef, and New Orleans specialties like sauteed crawfish. 3605 S. Carrollton Ave., 482-3935, fivehappiness.com

Bombay Club is an intimate bar boasting the largest martini menu in NOLA. Enjoy the nightly live music for the perfect romantic setting. 830 Conti St., 577-2237, bombayclubneworleans.com

Green Tea has returned with a wide range of favorites like eggrolls, Mongolian beef, and wonton dumpling soup. 3001 Napoleon Ave., 899-8005, greenteanola. com

Buffa’s Bar and Restaurant is a 24/7 jazz club and favorite brunch spot on the edge of the Quarter with great sandwiches. 1001 Esplanade Ave., 949-0038, buffasbar.com

Ikura is New Olreans's newest sushi and hibachi restaurant. Try their ramen bowls, which include different iterations of the classic tonkotsu-style broth.

310 N Carrollton Ave., 485-4658, ikuranola.com

Compère Lapin is often touted as the most unique, fun, and delicious restaurant in the Warehouse District.

535 Tchoupitoulas St., 599-2119, comperelapin.com

Kyoto II is a great sushi spot in a convenient location near the Elmwood Palace Theatres with fresh fish and hot sake. 5608 Citrus Blvd., Harahan, 818-0228

Effervescence is quickly becoming one of the hottest restaurants in town where caviar and other delicacies accompany some of the world’s best champagnes. 1036 N. Rampart St., 509-7644, nolabubbles.com

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S G N I W BE S7 TStraight Years!

SALADS • WRAPS • BURGERS & MORE!

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CHALMETTE

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The Jimani has multiple TVs ready for any sports game or trivia night. They have pizza, po-boys, seafood, and more. 141 Chartres St., 524-0493, thejimani.com Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant is consistently packed and offers tons of fresh seafood and other tropical flavors, like Jerked Chicken. Check out their balcony. 701 Tchoupitoulas St., 523-8995, nola. lucysretiredsurfers.com Mimi’s in the Marigny is a locals’ bar with classy yet affordable dishes and a self-proclaimed “house party vibe,” with excellent tapas. 2601 Royal St., 872-9868, mimismarigny.com Poppy’s Time Out Sports Bar has dozens of beers on draft. It is the ultimate place for watching sports with 21 televisions. 500 Port of New Orleans Pl., 247-9265, poppystimeoutsportsbar.com Rick’s Sporting Saloon is an adult sports bar on Bourbon Street with an amazingly welcoming and warm atmosphere. 522 Bourbon St., 552-2510, ricks-saloon. com Rivershack Tavern is known as New Orleans’s most unique bar with fun stools, live music, and fantastic po-boys, steaks, and salads. 3449 River Rd., 834-4938, therivershacktavern.com Shamrock Bar and Grill features the best bar games with tilted air hockey, beer pong, and pool, accompanied by live music on Saturday nights. 4133 S. Carrollton Ave., 301-0938, shamrockparty.com The Tahyo Tavern is a dog-loving tavern serving all of your favorite bar food classics like juicy burgers and sloppy joes. 1140 Decatur St., 301-1991, thetahyotavern.com Tracey’s Irish Bar & Restaurant is in the heart of the Irish Channel. It has great roast beef po-boys, raw oysters, and other tasty items. 2604 Magazine St., 897-5413, traceysnola.com Wit’s Inn is a Mid-City bar serving great food and specialty drinks with 15 flat screen TVs, making it an ideal game-day destination. 141 N. Carrollton Ave., 486-1600, witsinn.com

Café Another Broken Egg Café offers a huge menu with all the breakfast and brunch food you could want like fluffy omelettes and sweets. Uptown, Lakeview, 301-2771, anotherbrokenegg.com Bagels and Bytes brings the Big Apple to the Big Easy. Their bagel and lox is the best version in New Orleans. 1001 Metairie Rd., 831-7968, facebook.com/ bagelsandbytes

café serving fresh breakfast and lunch in the heart of Uptown just blocks from Tulane University. 7801 Panola St., 314-1810, panolastreetcafe.com The Ruby Slipper’s tasty and creative breakfast fare has earned it a popular reputation. Try their Bananas Foster Pain Perdu or any of their other favorites on the menu. Multiple locations, 525-9355, therubyslippercafe.com

Italian

Biscuits & Buns on Banks has been featured in USA Today’s list for best biscuits and on Thrillist for best New Orleans breakfasts. 4337 Banks St., 273-4600, biscuitsandbunsonbanks.com

Louisiana Pizza Kitchen comes in hot with their wood — fired pizzas, as well as serving dishes like mouthwatering pasta and pita sandwiches. 615 S. Carrollton Ave., 866-5900, louisianapizzakitchenuptown.com

Café Amelie is a rare gem of superb Louisiana fare, nestled in the historic 150-year-old Princess of Monaco Courtyard and Carriage House. 912 Royal St., 412-8965, cafeamelie.com

Mardi Gras Zone looks like a corner store from the outside, but it houses an enormous selection of ethnic groceries and brick-oven pizza. 2706 Royal St., 947-8787

Café Degas is the oldest Gallic restaurant in town, with authentic French cuisine that’s perfect for impressing that special someone. 3127 Esplanade Ave., 945-5635, cafedegas.com

Mellow Mushroom bakes some of the best pizza in the South with a funky fun vibe and trivia night for fact-seeking enthusiasts. Multiple locations, 345-8229, mellowmushroom.com/store/oak-street-nola

Mid-City Pizza has creative pies and appetizers available for delivery. Their new Uptown location near Tulane University is now open. 4400 Banks St., 4838609, midcitypizza.com Pascal’s Manale has been an Uptown institution for over a century and should be visited by all. Get their world-famous BBQ shrimp. 1838 Napoleon Ave., 8954877, pascalsmanale.com Red Gravy serves unique and delicious Italian fare and is known as one of the top brunch spots in the city.

Camp St., 561-8844, redgravycafe.com Venezia is a NOLA staple for amazing Italian food. This neighborhood favorite offers expertly cooked pastas, seafood, and heavily praised classic pizzas. 134 N. Carrollton Ave., 488-7991, venezianeworleans.com Vincent's Italian Cuisine cooks up some of New Orleans's best Italian food with two locations.

Check out their six-course Italian tasting menu for a deliciously good time! Multiple locations, 8669313, vincentsitaliancuisine.com

Cafe Navarre serves fresh food for every meal from the expert chefs behind Riccobono’s Peppermill and Panola Street Cafe. 800 Navarre Ave., 483-8828, cafenavarre.com Caffe! Caffe! is one of the best cafés in Metairie and boasts a menu featuring items like salads, soups, sandwiches, and wraps. Two Metairie locations, caffecaffe.com Jimmy J’s Café is a funky breakfast and lunch spot with a colorful, lively atmosphere serving items like Blueberry Brandy French Toast. 115 Chartres St., 309-9360, jimmyjscafe.com Morning Call Coffee Stand is a coffee and beignetslinging institution that has been around for almost 150 years with delicious Creole classics. City Park and Metairie locations, morningcallcoffeestand.com Petite Amelie is a more casual extension of the lovely Café Amelie with fresh salads, juices, coffee, light breakfasts, and sandwiches. 900 Royal St., 412-8065, cafeamelie.com/petite-amelie Riccobono’s Panola Street Cafe is a quaint daytime

CrazyLobsterBarandGrill

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BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT!

METAIRIE

COVINGTON

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SLIDELL

2320 Veterans Blvd.

70380 HWY. 21

1821 Hickory ave.

137 Taos st.

carretasgrill.com WhereYat.com | July 2017 | 57

destinations in the city. BYOB! 1500 S. Carrollton Ave., 862-6200, lebanonscafe.com

catfish for only $13.95. 3001 Magazine St., 891-0997, joeyksrestaurant.com

Mona’s Café serves Lebanese specialties with multiple locations around town, so you don’t have to go far for Mona’s Combination Kebab. Multiple locations, monascafeanddeli.com

Kingfish offers contemporary Louisiana specialties in the French Quarter and has an elegant atmosphere and an impressive cocktail list. 337 Chartres St., 598-5005, kingfishneworleans.com

Pyramids Café is great for those on a budget who are craving healthy, authentic, fresh Mediterranean cuisine like falafel and hummus. 3149 Calhoun St., 861-9602, pyramidscafeneworleans.com

Mandina’s doesn’t skimp on portions, nor do they skimp on flavor. Their garlic crab claws will have you licking the plate. 3800 Canal St., 482-9179, mandinasrestaurant.com

The Halal Guys is an internationally famous NYC transplant that has been selling chicken, gyros, and other halal-style food for 25 years. Multiple Locations, thehalalguys.com

Melba’s is an outstanding 24-hour breakfast and soul food restaurant only five minutes from the French Quarter. 1525 Elysian Fields, 267-7765, eatatmelbas.com

New Orleans Cuisine Antoine’s Restaurant has been in New Orleans for over 175 years and is still operated by the family that originally founded it. 713 St. Louis St., 581-4422, antoines.com

Caretta'sGrill

Mexican Caretta’s Grill serves up Tex-Mex in locations all over town, complemented by great service, wonderful margaritas, and catchy live music. Multiple locations, carrettasgrillrestaurant.com Felipe’s Mexican Taqueria offers authentic Tex-Mex, featuring the fattest burritos in town. Be sure to top off your taco salad with their homemade salsa verde.

Multiple locations, felipestaqueria.com Izzo’s Illegal Burrito makes authentic Mexican burritos that are so good, it might be criminal! Their Magazine Street location features delivery as well.

Multiple locations, izzos.com

Café 615 Home of Da Wabbit is a Westbank favorite that will remind you of home-cooked comfort food.

Get their juicy, thinly sliced roast beef. 615 Kepler St., 365-1225, dawabbit.net/dine-in.html

New Orleans Creole Cookery has a variety of traditional Louisiana dishes including Shrimp Creole and Gumbo Three Different Ways. 508 Toulouse St., 524-9632, neworleanscreolecookery.com Ole Saint Grill keeps their cuisine close to home with authentic New Orleans classics. Chow down on oysters, shrimp and grits, or their zesty gumbo. 132 Royal St., 309-4797, olesaint.com The Original Fiorella’s Cafe offers both delicious Southern favorites and Italian classics. Stop in and enjoy their tasty fried chicken or their veal parmesan. 5325 Franklin Ave., 309-0352, originalfiorellas.com

The Blue Crab has parking for both boats and cars, for those ready to enjoy some of the freshest seafood around. 7900 Lakeshore Dr., 284-2898, thebluecrabnola.com The Caribbean Room is located in the Pontchartrain Hotel and is known for serving up a delicious medley of seafood and Caribbean classics. 2031 St. Charles Ave., 323-1500, thecaribbeanroom.com Crazy Lobster Bar and Grill offers fresh seafood and great views on the banks of the Mississippi with an array of Creole and Cajun classics. 500 Port of New Orleans Pl., 569-3380, thecrazylobster.com Don's Seafood is a family-friendly sit-down spot for great fried and boiled seafood, steaks, and Cajun fare in a low-key, casual setting. 4801 Veterans Memorial Blvd., 889-1550, donsseafoodonline.com Jack Dempsey’s Restaurant has been serving some of the finest seafood and steaks for years, with recipes passed down for generations. 738 Poland Ave., 9439914, Jackdempseys.net Lafitte’s Landing Seafood House is a new Westbank favorite hailing from veteran restaurateurs AJ and Anna Tusa, who own the Creole Cookery among others. 1700 Lapalco Blvd., Harvey, 252-9613, lafitteslandingseafoodhouse.com

Poppa’s Poor Boys offers delicious po-boys with generous portions and modest prices. Enjoy the boiled crawfish and shrimp. 720 Claiborne Dr., 832-8114

Nola Boils Café does on- and off-site seafood boils and fresh po-boys. Their mobile boil truck offers the perfect party experience. 601 Metairie Rd., 782-6070, nolaboils.com

Crescent City Brewhouse is the French Quarter’s only microbrewery, but they don’t stop at beer. They also have a large and excellent menu. 527 Decatur St., 522-0571, crescentcitybrewhouse.com

The Praline Connection is a Frenchmen Street favorite. Food comes with a NOLA accent as they serve authentic local cuisine at affordable prices. 542 Frenchmen St., 943-3934, pralineconnection.com

Oceana Grill is a Conti Street seafood classic with some of the most tender crab cakes the Crescent City has to offer. 739 Conti St., 525-6002, oceanagrill.com

Crossroads at House of Blues is a bright rock-and blues-themed national chain that offers delicious food in the heart of your favorite music venue. 225 Decatur St., 310-4999, houseofblues.com/neworleans/ crossroads

Short Stop Poboys boasts some of the best po-boys, even in a city full of them. Don’t miss their soft shell crab po-boy. 119 Transcontinental Dr., Metairie, 885-4572, shortstoppoboysno.com

Columns Hotel is a Victorian mansion built in 1883.

Enjoy a cocktail or meal overlooking historic St. Charles Avenue. 3811 St. Charles Ave., 899-9308, thecolumns. com/dining

Middle Eastern

Gumbo Shop is a world-famous restaurant serving, you guessed it, amazing gumbo! Savory additions like andouille and blue crab are a must. 630 St. Peter St., 525-1486, gumboshop.com

Lebanon’s Café has earned a reputation in New Orleans as one of the best Middle Eastern dining

Joey K’s is a classic, casual Uptown joint with generous seafood platters and Southern favorites. Daily unlimited

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

Seafood Acme Oyster House has been the premier New Orleans raw and charbroiled oyster house since it opened its doors in 1910. Multiple locations, acmeoyster.com

Royal House Oyster Bar has spacious and open decor with fun on the half-shell. You’re guaranteed to have a great time. 441 Royal St., 528-2601, royalhouserestaurant.com

Vegetarian Seed takes a vegetarian and vegan spin on panSouthern classics. Try their outstanding gumbo with spicy seitan or delve into the eggplant po-boy. 1330 Prytania St., 302-2599, seedyourhealth.com

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& Where to Find Them in the Crescent City

By Steven Melendez

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hink of a traditional New Orleans poboy and you probably think of a French bread sandwich overstuffed with meat or seafood: roast beef and gravy or pork boudin, fried catfish or even grilled shrimp.

But at a number of New Orleans restaurants, vegetarians looking to try the city’s signature sandwiches don’t have to feel left out. Here’s a list of some of the veggie po-boys around New Orleans.

Brunch.Lunch.Dinner mon-fri 11a-10p weekends 10a-10p 1330 Prytania St. | 504.302.2599 | seedyourhealth.com 60 | Best of the Big Easy | Where Y'at Magazine

Siberia, 2227 St. Claude Ave., siberianola. com It’s rare to find good food in a music venue.

And it’s probably even rarer to find one that serves asparagus, let alone puts it on a sandwich. But Kukhnya, the “Slavic soul food” kitchen in the back of Siberia, offers an asparagus “polboy” that also includes spicy cabbage, tomatoes, pickles, and provolone, optionally dressed with spicy mustard and Russian dressing. The grilled asparagus is also available as a standalone finger food, and the restaurant offers other non-carnivorous options, including veggie burgers, pierogis, and a variety of salads.

Killer PoBoys, 219 Dauphine St., killerpoboys.com This French Quarter sandwich shop’s standalone location and its kitchen in the back of the Erin Rose bar (811 Conti St.) both offer a po-boy stuffed S ib e r ia with soft, roasted sweet potato.

The sandwich is dressed with braised G’s Pizza, 4840 Bienville St., greens and a savory black-eyed pea and pecan gspizzas.com spread.

Tucked away near City Park and Delgado

Community College, this neighborhood pizza shop offers a po-boy stuffed with cheese and tasty vegetables that wouldn’t feel out of place at a café in California. The Hippie includes red pepper, tomato, spinach, avocado, and fresh mozzarella, all served on white or wheat French bread and dressed with a pesto sauce.

Green Goddess, 307 Exchange Pl., greengoddessrestaurant. com Despite the name, not everything on the menu at this French Quarter restaurant is vegetarian. But among the items that are, in fact, meat-free is the grilled local lemongrass tofu po-boy made with pickled sesame carrot, napa slaw, fresh greens, and mirliton squash. The sandwich, which is only available at lunchtime, is Pa dressed with a sweet soy rk w sauce. a

carrots, pickles, red onions, fresh jalapenos, cucumbers, and cilantro, all topped with soy sauce and a spicy sriracha mayo.

Mahony’s Po-Boys, 3454 Magazine St., mahonyspoboys.com This Uptown sandwich shop offers an eggplant parmesan po-boy featuring the vegetable fried in seasoned Leidenheimer bread crumbs, topped with marinara sauce and provolone.

Standard “dressing” options like mayo, pickles, tomatoes, and lettuce are available.

Leidenheimer, the century-old French bread baker, also makes the bread for the sandwich n which is available er initself, v a small or a large. a T

Full Vegan, Vegetarian & Gluten-free menus!

Traditionally-eclectic dishes from South America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia & beyond Local farm-fresh produce, certified sustainable seafood and humanely-raised meats

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Parkway Bakery & Tavern, 538 Hagan Ave., parkwaypoorboys.com This Mid-City institution, steps from Bayou St. John, offers a handful of vegetarian options in addition to its signature meat-stuffed sandwiches. An Italian caprese po-boy is made with fresh sliced tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, topped with extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Fried potato or sweet potato po-boys are also available, with optional roast beef gravy for those who don’t mind eating meat. And for anyone who wants just the basics, the restaurant also offers a simple lettuce and tomato po-boy, available with or without pickles and mayonnaise.

Daisy Dukes, Multiple locations, daisydukesrestaurant. com This 24-hour French Quarter diner and its satellite locations offer a po-boy heaped with generous portions of fried green tomatoes, the classic Southern comfort food. Like all the restaurant’s po-boys, it’s served dressed with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and onions, with mayonnaise and mustard available on the side.

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13 Monaghan, 517 Frenchmen St., 13monaghan.com This Frenchmen Street late-night spot, from the team behind Molly’s in the Market, offers a variety of vegetarian options steps from the area’s famed music venues. Among these is a classic caprese po-boy with mozzarella, tomato, basil, and pesto; and a barbecue tofu po-boy topped with tomatoes, pickles, romaine lettuce, and barbecue sauce. A Vietnamesestyle tofu banh mi is another option that we think certainly qualifies as a po-boy, with

Acme Oyster House, Multiple locations, acmeoyster.com This local chain of seafood restaurants, including its flagship French Quarter location, isn’t all oysters and fried shrimp. Acme offers a veggie burger, featuring a half-pound patty made from brown rice, oats, mushrooms, onions, mozzarella, and cheddar, served either on a po-boy roll or a classic hamburger bun. It comes with fries.

Surrey’s Cafe and Juice Bar, 1418 Magazine St. and 4807 Magazine St., surreysnola.com This pair of breakfast and lunch spots offers a roasted veggie po-boy including zucchini, squash, tomatoes, mushrooms, and onions topped with pesto and melted goat cheese, all served on Leidenheimer bread. An eggplant flatbread sandwich and a classic grilled cheese are also options, though they’re not served on that poboy loaf. fe

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Wit’s Inn, 141 N. Carrollton Ave., witsinn.com Okay, it’s technically not a po-boy, but we’re willing to give an honorable mention to the veggie muffaletta at this Mid-City neighborhood haunt and sports bar/ restaurant. The unique take on the classic New Orleans sandwich replaces its many meats with artichokes, mushrooms, roasted red peppers, full cloves of garlic, spinach, and feta cheese, dressed with a pesto mayo and served on classic muffaletta bread.

WhereYat.com | July 2017 | 61

The Layered History of the Humble Hamburger & Where to Find It

By Johnny Adler

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

T

New Haven, Connecticut, with selling the he hamburger. A sandwich that is, first hamburger in 1895, so let’s just go with for better or worse, ubiquitous in that. The hamburger bun, as we know it, was the American diet. The hamburger comes not invented until 1916 by a fry cook named in many forms. In Connecticut, you can get Walter Anderson, who co-founded White a steamed burger with steamed cheese Castle in 1921. As the working and middle en route to visit the (often disputed) classes rapidly grew, mass production of birthplace of the hamburger, Louis’ Lunch. these sandwiches became vital to the out-ofIn Minnesota, the hamburger is famously house American diet. adapted with the cheese stuffed inside the The German farmers, whom many credit burger, known as a Juicy Lucy. Toppings with the early survival of New Orleans, vary from Southwestern green chili, to settled the area at the beginning of the bacon, eggs, and simple ketchup and 18th century. It should come as mustard. The amount of fat in no surprise, therefore, that a burger changes the flavor New Orleans’s burger profile, as do the different scene is one of the best cuts of beef you use. Some in the country. I’m going places use chuck while to guide you through others may use brisket. the Crescent City’s top There really is no burger joints and what to creative ceiling for the order at each one. hamburger.

The humble sandwich Ted’s Frostop, 3100 traces its etymology back Calhoun St., tedsfrostop. to Hamburg, Germany. com However, precursors to the Four years ago, I went Ted's sandwich date back as far as into this 50s-style diner for Frostop the fourth century, when Romans a couple reasons: it was close would bake a meat patty mixed with kernels to Tulane’s campus; my roommate’s family and spices. The word sandwich was not friends own the place; and if I hadn’t gotten used until the mid-18th century, named something in my stomach right away, the after the English aristocrat John Montagu, collective hangover from the weekend might 4th Earl of Sandwich. Later, it gets a little actually have killed me. Today, I go to Ted’s foggy as to who is credited with creating for the quality of ALL their food, the great the first modern hamburger sandwich. value, and the ability to walk in and smell The Library of Congress credits Danish the meat on the grill and know what time immigrant Louis Lassen of Louis' Lunch in it is: burger time. Order the classic Lot-O

Burger for a divine and juicy taste of one of New Orleans’s best burgers. It can come dressed with mayo, mustard, onion, lettuce, tomato, pickle, or you can add toppings such as a fried egg, grilled onions, cheese, and more. Since I detest mayonnaise, I go with no mayo, light mustard, add cheddar and grilled onions. Any way you do it, it’s a win-win.

the bar is plentiful.

Camellia Grill, 626 S. Carrollton Ave., facebook.com/pages/CamelliaGrill I promise I’m not always in need of postnight-out sustenance, but that is also how I was introduced to the Camellia Grill’s burger four years ago. I had been to the Uptown favorite several times Bayou Burger & for their massive Sports Company, breakfast omelets 503 Bourbon St. & and delicious desserts.

3226 Magazine St., This day was different. bayouburger.com Or was it night? Well, When you have the Lundi Gras was turning Bayo r word “burger” in your name, into Mardi Gras fast, and I e g u r Bu you better live up to the hype. needed something to support Bayou Burger does exactly that and then me through Zulu. Alas, I sat down at some. With their new location Uptown on Camellia Grill and had my eyes locked on Magazine Street, you can enjoy their menu one thing: the burger. Let me just say that wherever you are. Taste creative burgers like the combination I created was certainly the Thai Breaker: a homemade Gulf shrimp inspired by a particular state of mind, but patty with Thai spices, shredded cabbage, I have had it since and it’s still delicious. I sliced green tomatoes, srirachi mayo, ordered the burger with onions, lettuce, and fried wonton strips, alongside pankotomato, and pickles. Here’s where it gets a breaded alligator and cochon nachos. My little more interesting. I also ordered the absolute favorite has got to be The Ultimate fried mac-n-cheese triangles and used them Cure: two burger patties hugging a grilled as the cheese on the burger. For a fullcheese and bacon sandwich, lettuce, tomato, fledged gut-busting experience, add their pickles, red onions, and Tabasco mayo on a house-made chili to it, and you’ll be full for brioche bun. The atmosphere is lively and like a week. Or in my case, like two hours.

Mellow Mushroom, 8227 Oak St., mellowmushroom.com I know what you’re thinking. Why would I go to a hippy pizza place for a nice juicy burger? Well, for one reason, they have the best veggie burger in town made from quinoa, kale, brown rice, and roasted mushrooms. It is seasoned with roasted garlic and shallots and topped with fresh avocado, cheddar cheese, garlic aioli, romaine lettuce, sliced tomato, and onion.

But if it is beef patties you seek, look no further. The ‘Shroom has a massive half-pound, USDA-choice, black-Angus beef patty made with beef from Harris Ranch. The burger is finished with Swiss cheese, caramelized onions, garlic aioli, romaine lettuce, sliced tomato, and pickle chips all on a grilled brioche bun. It doesn’t hurt that the Mellow Mushroom has killer pizza, bottomless drink deals on Sundays Me and Mondays, and some of llow the most fun trivia around!

like wings and nachos, they also have a more refined side of the menu including wild caught salmon, beer-infused mussels, and lobster mac-n-cheese. I come here for one thing (well, other than the dozens of beers): the burger. They have so many variations including the Kobe-style Wagyu beef burger and the Double Bacon Double Cheeseburger. My favorite, however, is the Gastro Pub Burger. The humungous ¾-pound burger includes house-made bacon jam and bleu cheese sauce, mixed greens, tomato, Gorgonzola cheese, and caramelized onions. It’s the perfect place to grab lunch or a bite and drink after work.

Port of Call, 838 Esplanade Ave., portofcallnola. com This French Quarter favorite is credited with creating the first “New Orleans-style” burger. The cheese is shredded onto m the burger instead of Mushroo melted. It is served with a Gordon Biersch, 200 Poydras St., baked potato and not fries. Both of these gordonbiersch.com differences were not necessarily on purpose.

Head down to the CBD to have a fulfilling The owner explained that the fryer broke lunch at this brewery-restaurant chain. so they started doing baked potatoes and While they have all the classic pub food people loved it! As for the shredded cheese,

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the owner said, "If we had a place to melt it, we might melt it." I guess it’s not the worst problem in the world. Also, be a pro and get it with the sautéed mushrooms, you’ll thank me because it is truly sensational.

only question I had was whether I should get a single or a double. The move here is to get the single with grilled red onions and just-made bread-and-butter pickles.

But the real key here is the fried egg. I tend to avoid adding the bacon as well, The Company Burger, because c’mon, that’s 4600 Freret St. & so 2009. When you bite 611 O’Keefe Ave., into the perfectly cooked thecompanyburger.com burger, you are sent into On top of local and the stratosphere of tasty, national best-of lists sits The meaty goodness as the yolk Company Burger. They never pops and creates an even G or cease to amaze me. Every time more delicious flavor profile. don B ie r s ch I walked into the restaurant, which, YES! ironically, used to be next to a gym, the

High Hat Café, 4500 Freret St., even convert a mayo-hater such as myself. highhatcafe.com Another Freret Street favorite Mint Modern Vietnamese comes from the Southern Bistro & Bar, 5100 Freret kitchen of the High Hat St., mintmodernbistro.

Café. While you can find com favorites like gumbo, It’s not every day chicken and waffles, that Vietnamese food and a killer drink menu, is synonymous with the mouthwatering scrumptious burgers, burger topped with but that’s exactly what pimento cheese is not happens at yet another to be missed. The classic Freret Street restaurant.

Southern recipe made Mint’s distinctive take on from (duh) pimentos, the burger derives from its Tou various cheeses, spices, and use of kimchi in lieu of the p's Meater y (don’t make me say it) mayonnaise vinegar-soaked pickles. The creates a uniquely savory dish that can fermented and seasoned cabbage pairs beautifully with the juicy burger and melty cheese. Plus, it comes with sweet potato fries with the added option of a fried egg.

Toup’s Meatery, 845 N. Carrollton Ave., toupsmeatery.com Honestly, the first time I had this burger, I think I just blacked out, I was enjoying it so much. The pork-and-beef-blended patty allows for distinguished texture and flavor, differentiating itself from the typical 80/20 beef patty. If you close your eyes and envision succulence, this is it. The pickled squash is the perfect topping alongside an herbaceous aioli and perfectly crisp bacon.

Plus, Isaac Toups is the nicest guy in the world, and his new restaurant, Toup’s South, is out of this world.

La Petite Grocery, 4238 Magazine St., lapetitegrocery.com One of the most beloved Southern kitchens whips up one of the most decadent and downright tasty burgers imaginable. The thick patty has Gruyere mixed into the meat, and it is topped with whole grain mustard, arugula, house-made pickles, and an aioli and onion marmalade served with hand-cut fries. It is utterly delicious.

The moral of the story is: let your arteries clog every once in a while; just, for the love of God, please don’t go to a McD’s or Wendy’s. Thank you.

Thanks for the love!

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WhereYat.com | July 2017 | 65

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A Feline Conundrum Fixed

By Debbie Lindsey

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

ne year ago, a family of cats were given a reprieve from overbreeding, the health risks that come with every pregnancy, and the very real threat of euthanasia. Even if they had avoided birthing complications or being hauled away by animal control (and the resulting death, as ferals rarely are adopted), their colony/clowder/family would have grown in number to an unmanageable level in a short period of time.

These poor cats have to deal with fighting, aggressive behavior due to females constantly in heat (think of a hormonally challenged barroom full of testosteronecharged males vying for a little action—talk about a cat fight). And then there’s the threat of their population growing, not only due to the in-breeding of this family, but also the other intact, virile cats within a miles’s radius looking for a good time (yes a female in heat can attract suitors from as much as a mile away). Various studies and data bases seem to agree that this family of nine ferals (five females and three males) outside our shop would have grown, in just one year, to a possible 120 cats all with breeding potential.

Exponentially, this becomes a nightmare.

New Orleans, with its near-tropical climate, is ideal for overbreeding, since cats tend to breed year round. Our city is estimated

to have the largest population of feral cats in the United States (nearly 350,000). The most humane and economical solution is the Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program. I personally can attest to the amazing benefits of TNR and sing the praises of our SPCA’s Feral Cat Program. But it took one little soul to really drive the point home for my partner and me. Her name is Frankie.

Not every little girl kitten has the fight in ‘em to waddle (she was just weeks old) their way from a feral family that, without some intervention, would repeat the cycle of litter after litter of kittens with the promise of short life spans, poor health, hunger, and the constant advances of ne’er-do-wells wanting a good time but with no commitment to the welfare of the kits. But all is not fun and games for those rover toms either. They, too, tire of life on the streets with its constant turf wars, stray dogs with issues of their own and ready to prove something, and cars—oh, those cars, with no regard to a cat’s right-ofway.

We will never know exactly why Frankie was hell-bent on being heard, why she wanted, needed, out. Did her mother reject her (it happens) or was she merely gone too long searching for food? Perhaps she was in the process of relocating the litter and left Frankie just long enough for her to become frightened? And where were the supposed

litter mates? We observed Mama Cat, Baby Daddy, and several adolescents, all obviously related—but no kittens. Did a raccoon, dog, or the heavy rain storm that week get to them? Life on the streets is far from glamorous for animals. And perhaps this is why Boyfriend’s theory makes sense: it must have been Frankie’s instinct for survival that made her leave them, and … she was damn well gonna turn ‘em all in. Okay, a kitten the size of a flea was too young to have an agenda, but that’s what happened.

We made the call for Frankie.

Our SPCA has an ambitious and amazing program set up for the catch-and-release of feral cats. Using humane traps in overpopulated feral feline communities, cats are captured, taken in for spay/neutering, post-surgery monitoring, antibiotics, and rabies shots. Then they are brought back to the neighborhoods and lives they’re accustomed to, while returning the favor by culling the abundant herd of rodents we have here. Feral cats far outnumber the domestic homes available and often are just too wild to become pets, so these cats with their newly tipped ears (this minor clipping identifies them so they are basically left in peace and avoid harassment from the authorities and neighbors) are able to live in their familiar surroundings with their own colony. This is what happened for Frankie’s family—along with her siblings who popped out from under the house next door a few weeks later. Frankie was domesticated easily due to being raised by us, and she has become a part of our family.

Her (former) feral family enjoys one

leisurely meal a day outside our shop provided by us, and culls the rodent and insect population with their hunting, for other meal times. They also hold down their turf so other feral cats, raccoons, and possums tend to shy away. In situations like the one outside our shop, neighbors might be inclined to complain. But what they often do not know is that even if the feral colony could be removed, more would come to fill the vacuum. And these newcomers most likely would not be spayed, neutered, or vaccinated, and before long, the replacement clowder of cats would begin to multiply and whatever nuisances the “fixed” ones caused would mushroom.

Trap-Neuter-Return has proven to be the most humane answer to the difficult and costly problem of the inevitable overbreeding of feral cats. TNR is not only the compassionate thing to do, it is less costly than euthanasia. Another plus for the “fixed” feline is that he or she will not suffer from mammary tumors or testicular cancers.

And, as already stated, these wild cats simmer down and are just not as inclined to fight and howl. Face it, the whole mating/ dating game can get pretty damn messy and a testy tom cat ain’t no fun to be around.

Please visit la-spca.org and spay.mart. org for so much information about this very important issue. You will be impressed with a variety of wonderful programs not only for our feral community, but for the adoption of shelter cats and dogs and the very affordable veterinarian services offered.

Educating ourselves is the first step towards a more humane world.

WhereYat.com | July 2017 | 67

Strong Like Bull The Big Easy Rollergirls Ready Their Horns

By Greg Roques Photos by Jason Hall

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he skyline is a beautiful blood orange as dusk begins to set over a nondescript neighborhood, tucked away in New Orleans East, on a cloudless Thursday evening. What would otherwise pass for a serene suburbia out here belies a weathered ruggedness. Several structures are boarded up, still bearing the decadesold scars of Hurricane Katrina while proudly displaying the still-drying tags of clandestine graffiti artists.

It’s fitting that this is home to the undisclosed training facility of the Big Easy Rollergirls (BERG), New Orleans’s all-female, flat track roller derby league. As skaters begin to roll in after work for the evening’s practice, several still bear the bruises from the previous weekend’s bout at the New Orleans arena. Others shed their 9-to-5 attire, showcasing derby-themed tattoos, as they strap on their protective gear.

For most readers, the team needs no introduction. Since hosting their first competition just over a decade ago, BERG has become a staple of Crescent City culture. In recent years, the Rollergirls have appeared at countless charitable and community events, from Mardi Gras parades to Comic-Con. But make no mistake, the Rollergirls are athletes first and foremost.

“A guy came up to me not too long ago when I had my jersey on and asked, ‘Aren’t you those girls who wear those short shorts?’” says Tangles, going by her derby name. “I think a lot of people still think back to when roller derby first started, when theatrics were perhaps more front and center. I just smiled and told him I prefer to wear clothes that are a bit more functional.”

If there ever was a time when derby was more about dramatics, it’s certainly not evident, especially as its members flirt with the pendulum of balance as they race around a concrete track. In fact, the only remnants from that time may be their ironic pseudonyms that everyone insisted they go by.

“If it weren’t for Facebook, I might not know some girls’ names,” says Rest N Peaces, a captain on BERG’s AllStars team, which competes nationally in the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) league. “People take their names very seriously.”

Sitting on the sidelines today, Rest N Peaces is proof of the ferocity of her sport.

Recovering from a nasty spill earlier in the week, the bruise she incurred is a swollen mosaic of blacks and blues rippling out from the center like a bullet wound. As she anxiously discusses how excited she is to get back on the track next practice, you can’t help but admire the fearlessness of everyone out there. Most people make efforts to avoid contact sports when they enter adulthood: baseball becomes softball, football becomes two-hand touch, skateboarding gives way to bicycling … and many let their athletic experience simply devolve into watching their former passion on ESPN while downing a cold one.

The ladies this evening range in age from early 20s to late 40s (the minimum age to compete is 18), wearing less padding than a football player and getting slammed down into a cement floor—a far cry from AstroTurf.

“Really, you don’t think about it,” says Tangles. “Sure, you may have trouble moving the day after a match, but while you

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

are out there, your adrenaline is going so strong that you hit the ground and just get back up without thinking about it.”

Everyone agrees that roller derby has gotten much more aggressive in recent years. However, BERG’s members attribute this to a growing field of competition rather than an overall evolution in the sport. Since the formation of WFTDA, the international governing body of women’s flat track roller derby, in 2004 (for which BERG is a founding member), the sport’s popularity has flourished.

In fact, it is thanks to many recent popculture pop-ups that some of BERG’s members first discovered the sport. Rest N Peaces recalls working at a movie theater in Chalmette when the 2009 derby-themed indie Whip It premiered.

“That was it,” says Rest N Peaces. “I showed up to a Big Easy Rollergirls practice shortly thereafter and have been dedicated ever since.”

However, in New Orleans, most locals’ first outside encounter with BERG is through the annual San Fermin in Nueva Orleans (or The Running of the Bulls, as most monolingual locals refer to it).

Since, for better or worse, unleashing crazed cattle into a sea of pedestrians is likely discouraged by law and the office of tourism, the roller girls, with horns glued to their helmets and armed with plastic bats, serve up a less lethal substitute. In many ways, the growth of BERG and The Running of the Bulls have gone hand-in-hand. What was once a half-day distraction with a few hundred runners and barely two-dozen BERG members is now a three-day festival attracting thousands of runners and recruiting hundreds of derby skaters from around the globe.

“It is my favorite non-competition event by far,” says Cat-O-Lust, named for her love for cats (she has a tattoo of a cat skating on her calf) and dark makeup. “Not only do you get to meet skaters from all over the country, but you get to party with everyone after.”

Perhaps even more notable, BERG recently made their debut in the crown jewel of Crescent City culture—Mardi Gras.

This past year, members rolled in both

Muses—an all-female krewe—and the Krewe of Pontchartrain. For Muses, BERG created their own custom throw, decorating skate wheels with lights and handing them out along the route.

“It was an amazing experience,” recalls Cat-O-Lust. “It certainly wasn’t easy, though.

New Orleans’s streets are not easy to skate on.”

Whether it’s training, competing, or representing their team in the community, BERG’s members are all completely committed to the sport and to each other.

In addition to training a minimum of three times each week on top of work, school, kids, and everything else, members pitch in their talents to help with advertising, outreach, and any other need in support of the team. Besides being captain, Rest N Peaces actively takes ownership of marketing BERG, while Cat-O-Lust helps coach new members, commonly referred to as “fresh meat.”

“My body is not going to be able to take this forever, but I can’t imagine ever not being involved in roller derby,” says Rest N Peaces. “I’ve made so many great friendships, and I love seeing new members succeed and get excited about the sport.

Even if I can’t compete, I can still contribute in some way.”

While several members question just how long their bodies will be able to take a beating, others say age is just a number.

“I’m in my 40s, have three kids, and am in the best shape of my life,” says Tangles.

Taking up derby as a means of getting back in shape after having children, Tangles now devotes her life to skating—so much so that she now runs her own skate shop, Bruised Boutique, at 4241 Veterans Memorial Blvd.

“I don’t see myself stopping anytime soon.

I’m going to keep going till my wheels fall off.”

Those interested in joining the Big Easy Rollergirls or trying a beginner lesson can register to do so at BigEasyRollerGirls.com/ Skate-With-Us. You can also come out and support BERG during the annual, two-day, multi-state SweatFest tournament at the UNO Lakefront Arena on July 22 and 23; tickets are available on their website.

WhereYat.com | July 2017 | 69

Another Dimension of Entertainment VR Arcade NOLA

By Mike Perry

Photos by BobbieJPhotos

I

t’s not uncommon to find a cake at a birthday party or special event, but how often are guests treated to an underwater experience interacting with marine wildlife, a trip back in time to a famous place, or an ultra-realistic 3D shootout with zombies? A local company is offering just that.

VR Arcade NOLA co-founders Devin Regan and David Denny, friends since high school, made their way from Maryland to New Orleans seven years ago to assist with efforts relating to the BP oil spill cleanup.

They became intoxicated with the city’s unique charm and decided to stay, working in a variety of areas until they founded their most recent venture, an event entertainment company focused on showcasing the upand-coming world of immersive, full-motion virtual reality (VR).

“I tried virtual reality for the first time at the end of 2016 and fell in love with it. I knew we had to find a way to make that happen here in New Orleans,” said Devin. David added, “What excited us is that while VR can definitely be used for cool games, it also has the potential to shape lots of different industries. I think that is one of the most exciting aspects.”

Last week, they set up their systems at the National WWII Museum. One of their

features was a “Remembering Pearl Harbor” virtual reality experience, where visitors could virtually visit Pearl Harbor as it was the day of the attack, while hearing the radio transmissions from the time. The attention to detail is impressive. You can see a magazine on the table from that date and examine it. “That’s beyond gaming. That’s kind of immersing yourself in a different world,” exclaimed David.

Devin pointed out that each event is different. “We curate games and experiences for our clients. They hire us to provide virtual reality games and experiences, so we have a mobile virtual reality booth that we set up,” she explained. Depending upon the size of the group, they set up more or less booths. Not only does each person get to immerse themselves in the technology, but monitors are set up to allow bystanders to also view what they are seeing. Part of the fun seems to be vicariously watching friends and associates experience these scenarios

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

for the first time.

With thousands of software titles compatible with the HTC Vive, their VR system of choice, they can craft an experience for any occasion, from children’s parties using Minecraft and Fruit Ninja, to corporate events with branded content and virtual tours.

It seems obvious that someone should offer this service in the city, but as far as they know, they’re the only ones currently doing it. Prices for custom events are around $600 and up for a few hours with attendants and the systems, scalable from small birthday parties to large corporate events. They’ve chosen the Vive over the more well-known Occulus Rift due to the Vive's innovative new features. It has the ability to better map player/controller movement in 3D space and also allows people not only to view things in virtual space, but to be able to actually physically move around in that space as well. The Vive has the ability to sense where you are in an actual room and give you warnings when you may be moving too much in the real space via grid walls in the virtual world you should not move past. It’s a very interesting setup, and it seems that every few months there are more and more software systems coming out that continue to redefine the excitement and realism people experience.

While virtual reality simulations have been around for decades, with their clunky headgear and pixelated graphics, historically, they’ve been troublesome.

However, technology has continued to evolve, and modern VR systems are far superior to their predecessors. Nowadays, games and simulations boast photorealistic views, but that has not been the biggest issue to overcome. The main problem has been something called “latency,” or the

delay between physical movement of the person and the updating of the visuals they see. Our brains are used to instantaneous correlation, so when we move our heads in a VR setup, and there’s a slight lag with what we see in the headset, it tends to make people feel nauseated and uncomfortable.

Newer systems have almost no noticeable latency, which makes using the technology easier without the unpleasant side effects.

Unfortunately, the higher performance requires more significant computing resources, with particularly expensive graphics cards and high-end PCs, making the technology impractical for most people to own just yet. But this is where local companies like VR Arcade NOLA come in.

They can allow people to experience this new technology without investing in a ton of gear.

As VR continues to be welcomed by the mainstream, each month brings more and more interesting simulations. Recently, a few new titles have surfaced offering totally immersive space flight adventure and combat. There are also ultra-realistic racing simulations where you can experience a completely immersive feeling of racing some of the world’s greatest supercars.

Many simulations use real-world props that you manipulate to make things seem even more real. There’s a deceptively straightforward simulation called “Ritchie’s Plank Experience” that simulates crossing a beam at the top of a skyscraper. With the addition of a few wooden planks beneath your feet, the experience becomes even scarier as your real feet can feel the virtual beam atop a tall building. Heart monitor and blood pressure medication not included!

For more information about VR Arcade NOLA, visit their website at vrarcadenola. com.

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WhereYat.com | July 2017 | 71

BarGuide Featuring a great bistro menu.

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Visit our Bistro & Lounge - Serving Food until 10 p.m. & weekday cocktails till 11pm, weekend cocktails till midnight.

Wonderfully shared plates of exciting new bistro bites to compliment cocktails.

�an�s to everyone for the support as both the “Best Hotel Bar” and “One of the Best Happy Hours” with Where Y’at Magazine readers.

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

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

Bar Mon Cher 817 St. Louis St. 644-4278

A historic French Quarter home converted into a casually elegant jazz bar, Bar Mon Cher offers delicious cocktails in a comfy living room setting.

Bar Tonique 820 N. Rampart St. 324-6045

Known for its delicious craft cocktails and daily drink specials, this neighborhood bar is the perfect spot for cocktail hipsters.

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

Highlighted in Esquire as one of the “Best Bars in America,” Buffa's comfort food and signature drinks will keep you coming back.

Cosimo's 1201 Burgundy St. 522-9715

Cosimo's is a great place to kill time in the Quarter with darts, pool, outdoor cafe tables, and usually a dog or two.

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans’s only French Quarter microbrewery, Crescent City Brewhouse features great live jazz 527 Decatur St. nightly to go along with fantastic food and cold beer.

522-3901 Effervescence 1036 N. Rampart St. 509-7644

A brand new champagne bar specializing in various sparkling wines and champagnes, as well as a full bar and small-plate dining.

Finn McCool's 3701 Banks St. 486-9080

This Irish pub is a local hotspot for sports. Grab a pint and get glued to the screen during your favorite game.

Gattuso’s 435 Huey P. Long Ave. 368-1114

Head to the Best Bank, the Westbank, for live music, casual lunches, and delicious dinner and Happy Hour specials.

Golden Lantern 1239 Royal St. 529-2860

Grab a tasty Bloody Mary at this fabulous 24-hour neighborhood spot, the home setting for the Southern Decadence festival.

Hermes Bar at Antoine's 725 St. Louis St. 581-4422

Experience that New Orleans flair alongside some delicious eats and classic cocktails at one of the city’s best restaurants.

Hot Tin 2031 St. Charles Ave. 323-1500

Choice cocktails, bar snacks, and a breathtaking 270-degree view of the city come together at a chic rooftop bar atop the Pontchartrain Hotel.

House of Blues 225 Decatur St. 310-4999

Come visit this lively restaurant and bar for Happy Hour, lunch and dinner, and live music. With their bold and classic menu, you will always leave satisfied!

Jimani 141 Chartres St. 524-0493

This unpretentious bar has 10 TVs, late-night pub grub, and 100 beers. Pace yourself—Jimani doesn’t empty out til 8 a.m.

Kerry Irish Pub 331 Decatur St. 527-5954

Get all your live Irish music needs covered here.

Enjoy an Irish coffee alongside their folk, jazz, or blues acts.

Martine's Lounge 2347 Metairie Rd. 831-8637

A great local bar in Old Metairie where everybody knows your name, this is one of the best craft cocktail spots in the city.

The Metropolitan 310 Andrew Higgins Dr. 568-1702

A warehouse-turned-nightclub that has the best DJs around. Features all types of music from house to hip hop to rock.

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

This hidden gem in Mid-City is filled with great drinks and lively locals. Come for Sunday Funday or try the Bacon Bloody Mary.

Port Orleans Brewing Co. 4124 Tchoupitoulas St. 266-2332

The homemade food is made to pair with the beers at this casual taproom and adjoining brewery, which are both kid- and dog-friendly.

Rick’s Cabaret 315 Bourbon St. 524-4222

Enjoy a cocktail on the Bourbon Street balcony, or enjoy the sights indoors on one of their three floors.

The epitome of New Orleans nightlife.

Rick's Sporting Saloon 522 Bourbon St. 552-2510

The Sporting Saloon is a hybrid of a sports bar and gentleman’s club. They have a bevy of bar food and beers.

Rivershack Tavern 3449 River Rd. 834-4938

Come on by to one of the city’s quirkiest bars for some great live music and tasty eats. Bring in a tacky ashtray for a free drink!

Tahyo Tavern 1224 Decatur St. 218-8337

Dog lovers will feel right at home in this French Quarter tavern that features a full menu and bar to go along with dog-themed décor.

Wit's Inn 141 N. Carrollton Ave. 486-1600

Wit’s Inn has a sprawling selection of top-shelf liquors and creative cocktails to mix them in, plus themed specials almost nightly.

World of Beer 300 Julia St. 299-3599

A local hangout featuring 500+ global beers, lots of craft beer drafts, tavern food in pub digs, and plenty of TVs for the big game.

Celebrate the everyday!

Thanks For Your Support!

1036 North Rampart Street @effervescencenola nolabubbles.com

WhereYat.com | July 2017 | 73

FilmReviews

Catch all of Where Y'at's film reviews

by Movie Editor David Vicari and Critic Fritz Esker at WhereYat.com.

Baby Driver

By David Vicari This car chase/heist thriller/romance is a far cry from writer/director Edgar Wright's offbeat comedies such as Shaun of the Dead (2004) and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010). Baby Driver is his most serious film to date, but it does have a wry sense of humor.

It is very much inspired by Walter Hill's 1978 neo-noir cult classic The Driver about a getaway driver with his own set of ethics. The quirk here is that the driver, named Baby (Ansel Elgort), has a hum in his ears from a childhood car accident, so he puts in ear buds and listens to music as he evades the cops at high speed.

Because of a debt, Baby is forced to be the getaway driver at bank heists engineered by gangster Doc (Kevin Spacey). Jon Hamm, Eiza González, and Jamie Foxx play the dangerous lowlifes whom Doc recruits as the stickup men. Baby has a love interest in the form of Debora (Lily James), a waitress at a roadside diner. Of course, it's no surprise that she is put in peril later in the movie.

Baby Driver is enjoyable, but it's never the exhilarating action ride one hopes it would be. The car chases, with the expected frenzied editing, are exciting but typical.

Wright does have some fun by teasing us as to who the true villain of the piece is, but once that character steps up, it takes forever for him to meet his demise. He keeps showing up again and again, protracting the movie's running time to about a half-hour longer than it needed to be.

Then there are the wall-to-wall songs—artists include The Damned, Dave Brubeck, Queen, Sam & Dave,and T. Rex, to name a few—which mostly work throughout the film. But once the action amps up, the music sounds garbled against the sounds of blasting guns, screeching tires and shattering glass.

The performances, especially Elgort, James, and Spacey, give Baby Driver its charm, and that is what fuels this ride to its finish.

Rough Night

By Fritz Esker Unfunny, contrived comedies with boorish, cartoonish characters have been a Hollywood staple for decades.

Rough Night continues that tradition, but with a woman director (Lucia Aniello) and a mostly female cast.

Scarlett Johansson plays a young woman running for office and about to get married. Her party animal best friend from college (Jillian Bell) has organized a bachelorette party in Miami for her. Joining in are two other college friends (Ilana Glazer and Zoe Kravitz), as well as Johansson’s Australian friend (Kate McKinnon).

Things go wrong almost immediately when a coked-up Bell accidentally kills a male stripper. They then panic and make a series of incredibly nonsensical decisions in what plays like a cross between Very Bad Things and Weekend at Bernie’s (a terrible movie and an okay movie).

The problem is that most comedy, even farce, needs to be grounded in something resembling reality. Comedy comes from people making at least somewhat sensible decisions only to see them backfire in unexpected ways. Comedy comes from characters who seem like real people placed in difficult situations. But Rough Night hinges on ludicrous decisions and an endless series of predictable, uninspired gross-out gags. Of the characters, only Kravitz and Glazer (as former girlfriends) have anything that even sort of seems like an actual relationship.

McKinnon’s character is nothing more than a collection of quirks, and Bell’s character exists only to be obnoxious and provocative. Johansson is left to be the bland straight woman.

Increased representation for woman directors and women in comedy is a great thing, but adding to Hollywood’s neverending pile of crass, unfunny comedies is not.

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

It Comes At Night

Wonder Woman

By David Vicari

By David Vicari

It Comes at Night is being touted as a horror movie, but it's actually a somber drama. While 1983's Testament, about the effects of a nuclear attack on a suburban family, is horrifying, it's not a horror movie, and neither is this.

Something like a plague or massive chemical attack has happened in the world. The movie never explains it, but that doesn't matter. All we really need to know is that the Earth's population has diminished and survivors keep to themselves and always have gas masks handy. Paul (Joel Edgerton), his wife Sarah (Carmen Ejogo), and their teenage son Travis (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) live in their heavily secured house out in the forest. Their lives are altered when a young family arrives seeking refuge. The movie focuses on teenage Travis as he has bad dreams about death, disease, and his recently deceased grandfather. He also has sexual desires for the young wife (Riley Keough) who is now part of the household.

Trey Edward Shults, who helmed the exceptional 2015 drama Krisha, is writer and director of It Comes at Night, and while this meditation on the fear of death is well-made, it is relentlessly depressing. A movie like, say, A Midnight Clear (1992), which concerns a group of WWII soldiers in an isolated cabin with a handful of Germans outside, has moments of joy and humor before it turns to sheer tragedy. That humor infused the story with humanity, making you care for the characters. It Comes at Night feels too clinical and also a bit hollow at its core.

The DC Comics heroine Wonder Woman is the latest comic book-based movie to hit theater screens, and the film works because of the very likable performance by Gal Gadot in the lead. Physically, I do think she is a wee bit skinny for the character, but Gadot makes the role her own, and she has an easy chemistry with her male co-star, Chris Pine.

Gadot plays Diana, a warrior princess of the Amazons. When World War I pilot Steve Trevor (Pine) crashes into her dimension, Diana decides to trek into the outer world to help fight and end the war. She eventually finds her true self on this journey.

Wonder Woman is directed by Patty Jenkins, who directed Charlize Theron to a Best Actress Oscar for 2003's harrowing true story drama, Monster. Because she does drama well, Jenkins was a good choice for Wonder Woman. A movie like this needs good dramatic footing, otherwise it will all come off as plain silliness. Jenkins keeps the core drama alive, and Gadot gives it heart.

In fact, what doesn't work here is the climactic action scene. It's the same old digital property damage we see in just about every comic book movie these days. Complete with an ear-cleansing music score, the action at the end is loud, numbing, and ineffectual. However, there are action sequences early on that are fun and exciting, even though the digital work looks cartoon-y.

The best scenes here are actually the quiet ones, like when Steve shows Diana how to dance. It's a sweet scene. And those in charge of the DC movies are realizing that humor helps immeasurably. The montage of Diana trying on dresses is amusing, and there are other funny moments here and there.

Wonder Woman is an inspiring character for girls of all ages, so I am glad it's out there and that it's as good as it is.

WhereYat.com | July 2017 | 75

TalesFromTheQuarter

By Debbie Lindsay

Love Laments

O

nce in a blue moon—like when I buy a lottery ticket that I just know is gonna be a winner—I think of moving away, perhaps to Costa Rica, Paris, or Greece. Sometimes I dream of moving, say, when the Formosan termites have ascended to our attic, having eaten sizable chucks of our house along the way; then anywhere without bugs appeals to me—what about Montana? Regardless of what dream or nightmare has me contemplating a new zip code, I quickly return to, “How could I live anywhere else?”

Perhaps my Mobile roots created my need to be different from the mainstream, to imagine myself somehow intrinsically unique, if only by belonging to a city and citizenry that’s weirder than dirt. My hometown may be someone else’s cup of tea, but I prefer something stiffer; I need a city spiked with a bit more tang, more complexity.

New Orleans is ripe with flavors that often border on the edge of tainted. We take braggin’ rights over our excesses, while at the same time, these extremes bloat our sensibilities. Our world-famous cuisine delights and devours. As we rack up James Beard awards, we rank consistently at the top tier for diabetes. Our streets are host to “uniquely New Orleans” second lines, music, parades, and processions—and also world-class craters that could take out an army tank. The city is filled with some of the friendliest people you could ever meet, yet our crime rate rivals most any American city.

In 2015, Cheryl Gerber gave us a brilliant photo essay book, Life and Death in the Big Easy. She captures the essence of this dichotomy, this diaspora of reason. Where my words ramble, her photographs state—with clarity—our yin and yang. This town is loving and lascivious, filled with the gifted and the grifters, old school charm and gentrifying newness. So many talents have written, painted, sculpted, and sung of the world of New Orleans that defies logic or comprehension. David Simon’s Treme (HBO’s televised series) showed every wart, every dark side, of this city, without ever betraying his obvious infatuation with her. She’s a love that might require a vaccine to mitigate the dangers.

Recently, I met a woman who, in preparing her husband for their move here, told him that New Orleans will love you and hurt you and that nothing will be easy, and if he was good with that, then

fine; otherwise, he should not live here. In telling me this, it was obvious that she felt this city right down to her bones; she was unabashedly proud, but with a jaundiced eye keenly focused on our realities here. She apparently had stressed the enchantment of New Orleans because they are both here now!

Our new New Orleanians will sink or swim depending upon how they come to terms with their new home. And first, and most importantly, they need to “own it” from the get-go. When asked if you are local, do not hem and haw—if you live, work (or school), vote, and/or have a library card here, then you are local, and don’t let anyone say ya gotta be born here to claim it as home.

It doesn’t matter if you have only been here a month, you are now a New Orleanian—so own it and be one! Also, I beseech those in the process of moving here not to roll over and accept that ridiculous rent quote—tell that prospective landlord that 2,000 bucks is a bit high for a onebedroom and that all the granite-topped counters in the world do not justify this highway robbery for rent. This used to be an affordable place to live.

One thing that truly separates our people here is our talkative nature. A neighbor of mine from Boston was about to move away and return there for grad school, and she lamented how much she would miss the way even strangers here take the moment to say hello and engage in conversation. I suggested that she “pay it forward” and carry that trait of our town back to Boston.

She looked skeptical. Bostonians, she explained, just didn’t greet on the street like that. Give it a try, I urged, for it is certain that our visitors—regardless of where they hail from—love our hospitality and our chatter.

Every morning as I walk to work, I pass extremes: old ladies walking their dogs, well-heeled suits with briefcases in hand, laborers, joggers, neighbors cradling grocery bags from Whole Foods, tough-looking men working the corners selling their illicit wares, and all greet me with pleasantries.

Civility is democratic here. New Orleanians just can’t stay silent when greeted with, “Good Morning.”

Would there be less thugs and bugs elsewhere? Possibly; yet a whole lot less folks to hug as well.

But, to be fair, is it all neighborly love here? The warmth of most can be taken out with one visit to the check-out line at Winn-Dixie or just about any fast food joint. The sullen, no-eye-contact silence that slaps you as you place and pay for a bagged burger is chilling. And still, you kinda understand that working for below the poverty level drains a person of cheer.

There are monumental problems in this city that the mayor has yet to address or remove.

Growing up in the conservative South, I find it refreshing to now have a mayor and city council that are socially progressive … but every day, I smell pork roasting as construction projects are awarded and with little in return for the community. Example: nearly a year spent refurbishing a NORDC (City Recreation) park and playground, and now that it is open, the outdoor pool has no funding to operate for more than two months. It will sit drained and empty during our hottest months.

This place ain’t for the faint of heart, and yet it can only be loved by those full of heart. Lord, give me the strength to never leave her.

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

Po-BoyViews

By Phil LaMancusa

Billy's Blues OR Lonely at the Top

I

t sucks being a giraffe. It’s got to be the worst job on the planet, worse than a donut fry cook, scrap metal junk collector, or a manic mechanic on cars.

I know it is, because I spent a few early morning REMs being a giraffe, and I can tell you that I didn’t like it from the beginning until the time that I woke up: First of all, giraffes give birth standing up, so a newborn calf is literally dropped from a height onto the ground where they’re pushed to a standing position and told to get the hell moving before they become some lion’s hors d’oeuvre; father is called a bull (which he likes fine), while mother is called a “cow” (fighting words where I come from). The whole gang of ‘em is called a “tower,” as in: “Hey Clem, there goes a tower of gy-raffes; must be six or eleben of ‘em!” I’m telling you, it ain’t easy.

Next, it’s almost impossible to have a dialogue with more than one giraffe at a time. All that head-turning hurts your neck, and brother, there’s a lot of neck to hurt.

Also, it’s hard to get a decent drink from the water hole without all the other animals making fun of you; you have to eat what’s at the top of the trees and be satisfied with it, and monkeys think that your appearance is hysterical and throw things at you.

Conversely, giraffes are very good at one-on-one, giraffe-to-giraffe conversation, and this sometimes leads to romance and another calf being dropped from a high place to continue the cycle of life, to which I say: thanks … for nothing.

So, there you are, or more precisely, I am (giraffe-ly speaking), one day, minding your/ my own business, goofing with the chimps, and Uncle Ralph says, “Okay, let’s mosey on.” Actually, he doesn’t say anything, because giraffes don’t talk (imagine having vocal cords that long?). Uncle Ralph, who’s the “lead” bull, just gets a bug up his butt and starts ambling, and—what do we know—we can’t see what’s going on, so we follow him. Off goes the “tower”—all six or 11 of us.

BAM! There goes a noise, and what do you think it is? It’s some pale, hairless biped who has just shot me with a needle, and down I go, unconscious, to be ripped from my family and friends, shipped off to a zoo where there’s not enough room to scratch my assets, and put into an “enclosure” with others of my kind and expected to eat dry grass and iceberg lettuce, drink from a water fountain that’s 12 feet in the air, and make nicey nice for the gawking, dressedup humans who look, to us, more ridiculous than an orangutan’s backside. I have nothing in common with any of this.

Sure, there’s a cute little giraffe heifer from Uganda, or some place, and she’s giving me the eye, and I’ll tell you, when a female giraffe starts batting those eyelashes … boy, howdy! But hey, you’re wandering around on packed dirt all day and then enclosed in a dark barn all night (albeit with high ceilings), and face it, how are you going to pitch some woo with a bunch of longneck geeks snoring and snuffling (giraffes snore loud enough to rattle window panes), and wanting to get up into your grill because you accidentally stepped on their hoof or passed gas?

Okay, so the sweetie sweetie preliminaries between Mary Lou (the heifer) and I are completed in the dark of night, and next day, she starts nuzzling up to me—in the “enclosure,” on the packed dirt—water fountain 12 feet in the air and you/I drop all of your/my reserves and composure and go for it. Suddenly, you hear: “Hey Clem, come quick, them gyraffes is f*kkin’!” Talk about a bliss buster, total deflation, and you know that your performance will be dudsville, and you’ll be the laughing stock of the stockade and have to live the rest of your days with the shame. And the keepers wonder why you look depressed. Depressed? You don’t know the half of it; don’t get me started on the artificial insemination process.

I start to black out, my head is spinning, there is a rushing sound in my ears and a banging, banging, and that’s when I wake up; it takes me a minute to get my bearings.

I’m in a strange bed, it’s Tuesday, and the garbage men are on the street with their usual hullabaloo and cacophonic city wakeup call.

Back to my life and reality: drillers are drilling, billers are billing, killers are killing, and the swills are out in force, swilling; if it was a thrill, it would be thrilling … but it’s not. I need to get up, shower, shave, and get to work on time. I need to find water, a clean shirt, and my razor has become dull overnight. I have bed head, bags under my eyes, and I realize I just screwed up a (giraffe’s) wet dream; I am such a loser, but … I smell coffee.

And I wake up again, this time for real.

The dog’s licking my face, the mug of coffee is within my reach, and her voice is saying, “Good morning, how’d you sleep?”

For a minute, I’m not sure whether I’m a giraffe having a dream that I’m a human or if I really did have a dream about being a giraffe, but I reach up and touch her cheek and decide that I’ll be satisfied with what I’m seeing, what I’m feeling. I stretch and say, “Fine, Honey, but you know what? It would really suck to be a giraffe.”

WhereYat.com | July 2017 | 77

YaGram

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

NewsAroundTheWeb

Updated Daily at WhereYat.com

UberMatchesLyftWithTippingFeature

@eatingnola

@adrianramos70

@lady_delaney

In order to match their ride-sharing competitor Lyft, Uber will now let you tip your driver via a new feature on their app. On June 20, citizens in Seattle, Minneapolis, and Houston were the first to try out the new tipping feature recently unveiled by Uber. New Orleans residents should expect to be able to tip their Uber drivers by the end of July.

DanielDay-LewisAnnouncesRetirement @messerphoto

@raceandreligious

@cailaquinn

@josephbarker

@placebo52

@sheabalina

TweetBites

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

Multi-award-winning actor Daniel Day-Lewis announced that he is retiring from acting in a statement to the press. Day-Lewis is a beloved actor and has earned many awards and nominations, including an unprecedented three Academy Awards, for his roles in films like In the Name of the Father, Gangs of New York, Lincoln, My Left Foot, and of course, There Will Be Blood.

SliceOnMagazineTurningIntoJuan's The owners of Slice Pizzeria have confirmed that their location at 5538 Magazine Street next to Whole Foods Market is closing for good.

The location will eventually be converted into a Juan’s Flying Burrito.

As of now, the other Slice Pizzeria location at 1513 St. Charles Ave. will remain open for business.

@cross_mhcross4: Nola is extra. Saw a guy panhandling while sitting on his motorcycle. #nola #lol #what #haha @luren333: I have a guys name in my phone as Blake Sharkdick #nola @MonaS62: There’s nothing like a rainy afternoon, coffee and #beignets to fill the psyche…#nolalife @SheWasBlonde: The French messed up in a lot of ways, but architecture is not one of them. #thefrenchquarter #nola @tadeonia: Whoever thought it would be a #goodidea to have #twelve glasses of #bourbon on #bourbonstreet… @casachri: Drunk playing in the rain on Bourbon Street!! #nola #bigeasy #bourbonstreet @SheraPhillips: About to have my first experience street performing! #frenchquarter

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

NewOrleansNamed#5CityForMillennials Young go-getters seeking affordability, opportunity, and lots of fun seem to be finding it right here in New Orleans. NOLA has had an 8.5 percent increase in millennials, and it's easy to see why: it's a party town with awesome food, music, and culture, that's steadily becoming more progressive.

Audubon Zoo just got cooler!.

A lazy river - the newest addition to park Cool Zoo, a wild and wet splash park!

FOLLOW US ON:

Visit AudubonNatureInstitute.org Separate admission fee required.

WhereYat.com | July 2017 | 79

Where Ya' Been?

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

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Kathy Bradshaw, Andrea Blumenstein, and Sarah Ravits enjoy the Parisian Café by Fernet-Branca at NOWFE's Royal Street Stroll.

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Fans celebrate the memory of Prince at DJ Soul Sister’s party at One Eyed Jacks.

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Compere Lapin’s Nina Compton celebrates the restaurant's second anniversary.

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Hot Tin’s Brian Chambliss celebrates winning the Hornitos Margarita Mix Off with finalist Kenya Thompson from Antoine’s.

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Hornitos’s Robert Landry (center) celebrates the Hornitos Margarita Mix Off Finals with the finalists.

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The Big Gateaux Show was a highlight of the New Orleans Food & Wine Experience.

4.

Two members of The Krewe of Cork enjoyed a moment during NOWFE’s Royal Street Stroll.

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WGNO’s Kenny Lopez celebrates Compere Lapin’s second anniversary with Lauren Busch Singer.

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WDSU’s Travers Mackel enjoys NOWFE’s Grand Tasting with Fox 8’s Meg Gatto.

10. The Hornitos Girls enjoyed the Hornitos Margarita Mix Off Finals.

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11. NOWFE’s Grand Tasting featured over 1000 wines.

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12. RNDC’s Fred Holley enjoys the Royal Street Stroll with Deutsch Family’s Karen Stone.

13. The women of Pure Leaf Tea offered a hydrating alternative at Mardi Gras World during the NOWFE Grand Tasting.

14. Fat Tire’s Tour de Fat at The Joy Theater featured circus clowns, music, and Fat Tire Beer.

15. Riders bared all for the annual Naked Bike Ride in the Bywater, Marigny, and French Quarter.

WhereYat.com | July 2017 | 81

Capdeville is a restaurant and bar built on excellent hospitality. Whether in their gourmet interpretations of classic comfort foods or their modern variations of traditional cocktails, their team is always encouraged to create a feeling of excitement while remaining approachable and comfortable.

Capdeville is a restaurant that feels like a neighborhood pub.

Chat NIKKI REYES with

<< Norman Robinson Multi-Award-Winning Radio/TV Broadcaster

<< Matt Alleman Owner, Capdeville 1.

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This morning from my daughter, Marley.

Nikki, I never am!

Family first, business second ... then everything else.

I was 28, managed Club 360, and lived in Lakeview.

My huge, big head!

<< Chris Dunn Chef, Capdeville 1.

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This morning! Both received and gave.

At home—I have to be.

Honestly? My TRUE passion for food!

When I am busy.

My eyes.

3.

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1. It's Where Y'at’s “Best of The Big Easy” issue! When was the last, BEST kiss you received?

2. When or where are you on your BEST behavior?

3. It's Essence Fest! What is the TRUE "essence" of the life you lead?

4. Happy Independence Day, America! When do you feel most free and independent?

5. July is "Nude Recreation Month”! What body part of yours gets most complimented?

Today! With my fiancé, Eric.

With my family. They're outtatowners, so I put on a good show.

I love to write! I am a writer.

Getting away, to the hills, to the beach ... just away!

My tats and smile.

<< Greg DiLeo Trial Attorney 1.

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Last week with my sister Veronica’s baby, Daniel.

With my grandchildren—dog too—telling me of their journeys in our cave.

My spirit and demeanor.

When I play the horn. It's moving and freeing!

My lips.

Where Y’at Chat Questions:

<< Maria Carlos Bar Manager, Capdeville 1.

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Three weeks ago. My wife picked me up at an airport.

In front of a camera.

NOT being defined by any one thing I do!

Singing a song with my guitar in front of an audience.

You'll never know, Nikki!

<< Johnny Sansone Multi-Award-Winning Blues Artist 1.

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Right now!

Sleeping...

Tradition.

On the stage!

Heart.

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This afternoon.

At work.

Love.

Blaring the radio with the windows down!

My elbows, Nikki. Look!

Seven months ago.

Never! I'm not boring.

Inspiring my daughters.

In my airplane ... weeeee!

My smile.

<< Roy Suthard Retail Management

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Yesterday with the love of my life—my daughter, Jaclyn.

When I'm serving veterans.

I am a mother and Native American.

When I am serving veterans! It's familial to me.

My eyes.

^^ Mavis Larrimer Essential Respiratory Therapist

<< Roy Carubba Owner, Carubba Engineering & Author

<< Sheryl Wager Licensed Master Social Worker, V.A. Homeless Program

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

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MIKE THEIS!

Two months ago on my living room floor.

At church!

ALL that is good!

Being human in New Orleans.

My eyes.