Holiday dining guide 2015

December 2015

WhereYat.com

Holiday Dining Guide

FootballFeast

HolidayChecklist

OysterDressing

THIS BUD’S FOR YOU. WhereYat.com | December 2015 | 3

4 | December 2015 | Where Y'at Magazine

WhereYat.com | December 2015 | 5

Contents Features 8 Feeding a Football Team 38 Becoming a Sommelier 42 NOLA Coffee Shops

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48 No Gym Fee 52 Last Place Again?

Events & Nightlife 32 Music Calendar

December 2015 Vol. 19 No. 5 Publisher/Editor-in-Chief: Josh Danzig Creative Director: Greg Roques Assistant Editor: Kathy Bradshaw Movie Editor: David Vicari Copy Editor: Susan Broadhurst Contributing Writers: Kathy Bradshaw, Beau Ciolino, Cassandra Damascus, Fritz Esker, Emily Hingle, Telle Ink, Phil LaMancusa, Debbie Lindsey, Kim Ranjbar, Chris Romaguera, Greg Roques, Celeste Turner, Kimmie Tubre, David Vicari

36 Lakeside 2 Riverside

Cover Photo by Lee Lopez; featured: Tulane Defensive Tackle Corey Redwine

41 Bar Guide

Director of Sales: Stephen Romero

Dining 10 Holiday Dining Guide 22 Food News 24 Probably Baking 28 $20 and Under 30 Vegan Holiday Feast

Extras 56 Film Reviews 58 Tales from the Quarter

Photographers: Kathy Bradshaw, Scott Chernis, Gus Escanelle, Jason Hall, Steve Hatley, Gary LoVerde, Romney, Greg Roques Interns: Paul Bentley, Katie Burjek, Fernanda Chagas, Kaitlyn Clement, Anna Currey, Ashlee Hill, Lexie Kirkwood, Vantrell Leslie, Asdrubal Quintero Subscribe: Receive 1 year (14 issues) for $30 and get a FREE Where Y’at CD. Subscribe today at WhereYat.com.

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6 | December 2015 | Table of Contents

60 Around the Web 62 Where Ya' Been?

The season is here to enjoy some holiday cheer. Our Holiday Dining Guide shares five unique characteristics about some of the city’s hottest restaurants. Check it out, and go try a new spot today that you’ve never been to before.

Ever wonder what it takes to feed a football team? How about 500 eggs in a single day! Kathy Bradshaw does a great job investigating the eating habits of the Tulane football team and how many calories they ingest daily.

If you want some great recipes for your feast, don’t miss Beau Ciolino’s fantastic features on chocolate cake and my personal favorite, oyster dressing. Need energy to keep you going during shopping season? Coffee is king in New Orleans, and our parade of the city’s best cups will have you craving caffeine!

All of this eating might make you fat, so don’t miss our stories on staying fit. Whether it’s dancing, biking, or outdoor exercising, we’ll make sure that those holiday calories melt away.

Happy holidays to you and yours from Where Y'at!

—Josh Danzig, Publisher

WhereYat.com | December 2015 | 7

Enough to Feed a Football Team

By Kathy Bradshaw

M

ama always told you to finish what’s on your plate before you got any dessert. And to eat your veggies if you wanted to grow up big and strong. Well, if you happened to grow up to be a defensive lineman on a college football team like Tulane’s, you probably really listened to your mama.

The recommended average daily intake for an adult male is approximately 2500 calories. But if that adult male plays college ball, he might be taking in up to 6000 calories a day. While the football player’s diet isn’t all that different from any healthy, well-balanced diet—including plenty of lean protein, whole grains, natural rather than processed sugars and high-fiber, nonprocessed carbs—the quantity consumed is much greater than normal. On any given day, the Tulane football team is likely to wolf down over 500 eggs, 15 to 20 loaves of bread and up to 100 pounds of meat. That’s more eggs than the average person eats in a year! About double the amount, in fact.

It’s also nearly as many eggs as popular brunch restaurant Brennan’s serves in their Eggs Benedict on a slow week.

It takes a lot to fuel that mean, notalways-lean, green-wave machine.

The Tulane football team also devours around 50 pounds of veggies a day, and approximately 200 pieces of fruit. Mama would be so proud.

Defensive end Robert Kennedy admits that he can really pack it away. “I eat a lot,” he says. “I’ve been in [the school cafeteria] seven times today. I’m always in here. People sometimes refer to me as living in here.”

Much like a celebrity with a personal trainer and a private chef, the Tulane football players have many special food

Athletes eat three protein- and fiber-rich meals a day. But these meals often consist of three or four plates of chow in a single sitting. And if they still get the munchies in between meals, there’s no shortage of snacks for the taking. At the Fueling Station in the James W. Wilson Jr. Center on campus, the vitaminwater flows freely and milk comes in six varieties, including white chocolate. There are also bagels and cereal, and a “Make-Your-Own-Smoothie Bar” with nuts, fresh fruits and multiple flavors of Greek yogurt. The football players can mix any of these ingredients in one of the state-of-the-art industrial blenders provided for them.

Players are constantly being reminded of what they should and shouldn’t eat.

Slideshows with nutritional guidelines play in the weight room, flyers with a list of recommended foods are posted in the locker room and coaches and nutrition experts are always on hand for guidance and monitoring. If that’s not enough, the players have to weigh in once a week (twice a day at fall training camp). If any player packs on a few extra pounds at any point, he’s put on an “extra cardio” list until he drops back down to his recommended weight. Though this might seem a bit like “Fat Camp” from an outsider’s perspective, the players don’t seem to mind. A representative of the Tulane Strength and

On any given day, the Tulane football team is likely to wolf down more than 500 eggs. resources at their disposal, along with a team of nutritionists and “strength coaches” to keep them nutritionally in line. For starters, there’s the “Peak Performance Station” at Bruff Dining Commons on the Tulane campus. It’s a little like the health spa of the campus cafeteria, with plenty of nutritional food options to choose from.

Players can load up on hot foods such as steamed veggies and sweet potatoes, hold the butter. There’s even a carving station with some form of protein always available.

Conditioning Department says, “We have found that the players appreciate the information we provide. There are plenty of players who grew up on fried chicken and [fried] fish, who are still learning what healthy alternatives are out there for them to fuel their bodies with.”

When it comes to having a drink, the players need to take one for the team. Or, rather, give up one. Alcohol consumption is strictly frowned upon. Says the department representative, “No drinking is

8 | December 2015 | Enough to Feed a Football Team

recommended for our Division I athletes.

We educate them on the effects of alcohol and how it can inhibit a player’s ability to focus, sleep, work out, practice and play games well. Athletes need to make smart decisions that affect not only their performance, but also the team’s.”

So, since players can’t celebrate a big win with a nice cold beer after the game, they have to find edible forms of selfcongratulation. Defensive end Kennedy says, “My celebration food is Cane’s chicken.

But only after a win. No cole slaw, extra bread, with lemonade.” And according to the nutritional powers that be, that’s just fine. While fried food is not acceptable as a dietary staple, no food is absolutely off limits for the athletes, either. Says the representative, “When it comes to splurging, we educate them to not deprive themselves of their craving, but to satisfy it in small portions on occasion.”

Speaking of cravings, we all have our weird food issues and requirements.

Dressing on the side. Egg whites only.

Half decaf, half regular coffee. No brown M&M’s. Rapper Busta Rhymes has to have a 24-piece bucket of KFC waiting in his dressing room after a performance.

And Justin Bieber requires Swedish Fish backstage. For Eminem, it’s Lunchables.

The Tulane football team is no different.

Says a member of the Strength and Conditioning staff, “I recently found out one of our linemen has to have gummy bears before every home game. He said he’s been doing it for years.” Kennedy confesses to sometimes having uncontrollable cravings for jalapenos or banana peppers. Defensive tackle Corey Redwine adds, “I like the taste of pickles before every game. It calms my stomach.” Apparently, pickles are a fairly common game-day snack. The conditioning staff member explains, “Many of our players eat pickles during competition. Pickles are great during games because their high sodium content will help our players retain water they may otherwise be losing by sweating.” A good ole peanut butter and jelly sandwich is another common pre-game snack. Eat and run.

Overall, Tulane wants to teach their athletes the importance of healthy food choices, good eating habits and nourishing food as fuel for the body. The meat and potatoes of their nutritional philosophy is that so much of an athlete’s strength, endurance and performance ability comes from what they feed themselves. After all, you are what you eat.

Just like Mama used to say.

Photo by Lee Lopez

pouring inspiration cooking creativity

Happy Holidays

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139 Chartres Open 11:00am Daily WhereYat.com | December 2015 | 9

Holiday Dining Guide CBD/Warehouse Barcadia 601 Tchoupitoulas St. 335-1740 barcadianeworleans.com 1. There are so many 1980s arcade games here: Mortal Kombat, Mario Bros. and more!

2. Don’t miss life-sized jenga, skee-ball, air hockey and plenty of other activities.

3. Kids are allowed before 8 pm, but only adults afterwards.

4. Their 44 craft beers on tap cover most of your beer cravings.

5. Barcadia’s Sloppy’d Frites are the quintessential bar dish: pork, cheese, bacon!

Carmo 527 Julia St. 875-4132 | cafecarmo.com 1. Carmo’s cuisine takes inspiration from around the world—the Caribbean, West Africa, South and Central America and more.

2. A great spot for everyone, but particularly for vegans.

3. Carmo is the only restaurant in Louisiana to be certified by Seafood Watch.

4. Carmo serves interesting juices such as cacau juice, from the cocoa fruit.

5. Make sure you try their drink menu, which features exotic fruit juices.

Compère Lapin 533 Tchoupitoulas St. 599-2119 | comperelapin.com 1. Chef Nina Compton was the “Fan Favorite” on Top Chef New Orleans.

2. The name comes from a St. Lucian folk legend and means “brother rabbit.”

3. Italian, French and Caribbean cuisine influence the delicious menu.

4. It was named one of the best new restaurants in the world by Huffington Post.

5. Their brunch features a boozy Bananas Foster Milkshake!

Crazy Lobster Bar and Grill 500 Port of New Orleans Pl. #83 569-3380 thecrazylobster.com 1. This seafood haven is located right on the banks of the Mississippi.

2. Make sure to try their signature drinks, like Voodoo Juice.

3. They’ve got all the NOLA favorites—from po-boys to jambalaya.

4. Feeling ambitious? Try the seafood tower or the seafood bucket loaded with fresh catch!

5. Crazy Lobster has great live music to enjoy while dining.

Gordon Biersch 200 Poydras St. 522-2739 | gordonbiersch.com 1. Their garlic fries are made with garlic-infused olive oil and pressed garlic.

2. You can watch the beer being brewed right from the comfort of their bar.

3. They feature several types of traditional German beer, including Hefeweizen and Märzen.

4. Voted by Where Y’at readers as “Best Bar Patio” and secondbest place for beer!

5. Walking distance to great locales like Harrah’s and the French Quarter.

Poppy’s Time Out Sports Bar 500 Port of New Orleans Pl. 247-9265 poppystimeoutsportsbar.com 1. Poppy’s is the ultimate spot for watching sports.

2. They have 21 televisions in the bar.

3. Poppy’s serves great game-day foods like Rambo’d Hot Wings and burgers.

4. They also have 20 beers on tap!

5. Located on the Riverwalk, they’re right near the French Quarter action.

Rebellion Bar and Urban Kitchen 748 Camp St. 298-7317 rebellionbarurbankitchen.com 1. Check out their wine dinners with free wine tastings.

2. The menu features amazing Nouveau American cuisine.

10 | December 2015 | Holiday Dining Guide

3. Rebellion features some of the best handcrafted cocktails in town.

4. The Korean Fried Chicken and Waffles are a hit!

5. It features a great location in the middle of the hip Warehouse District.

Red Gravy 125 Camp St. 561-8844 | Redgravycafe.com 1. Red Gravy serves delicious, rustic Italian food, located at the edge of the French Quarter.

2. Their Italian-fused, Americanstyle breakfast is a local favorite: Cannoli Pancakes are a must.

3. Red Gravy was named a top 100 Best Brunch Restaurant in America by OpenTable.

4. The homemade spaghetti sauce and meatballs are also a favorite.

5. Make sure to try their European-style dinner entrées served every Thursday and Friday evenings.

Tchoupitoulas Beer Garden 840 Tchoupitoulas St. tbgnola.com 1. The newly opened Tchoupitoulas Beer Garden is 4400 square feet of Germanstyle beer-garden fun, moved indoors.

2. Beer options (some on tap) range from local craft brews, to domestic favorites, to German beers served in 22-ounce steins.

3. Drinks as well as munchies, such as old-fashioned goulash or a turducken hot dog, are purchased with $4.50 “doubloons,” or tokens.

4. Also known for its menu of shot-and-a-beer combos, otherwise known as "boilermakers."

5. If that’s not enough of a good time already, there are cards, board games, foosball and ping pong to fulfill your fun quota.

Viet Orleans Bistro 300 Baronne St. | 333-6917 1. If you are downtown craving Vietnamese food, this is the place to go.

2. Viet Orleans also has great sushi with super rolls like the Barrone and Streetcar rolls.

3. They serve large portions at reasonable prices.

4. A super spot for a business lunch, their service is quick and

Belle's Diner friendly.

5. The different varieties of pho are all customer favorites. Go there to choose yours.

Warehouse Grille 869 Magazine St. 322-2188 | warehousegrille.com 1. Da’ Duck Sandwich is unique to Warehouse Grille. Shredded duck? Yum! 2. Looking for a boozy breakfast?

Try their chicken and waffles with PBR syrup…

3. Alongside a helping of bottomless mimosas for only $10!

4. Right next to the National WWII Museum. Soak up some history along side their food.

5. Their cozy outdoor patio is filled with banana trees and Connect Four.

Wood Pizza 404 Andrew Higgins Dr. 281-4893 woodpizzaneworleans.com 1. Come to Wood Pizza on Mondays for a Margherita or

Pepperoni Pizza and a beer for just $15!

2. On Saturdays and Sundays, enjoy a $6 mimosa or $7 bloody mary with some pizza— the best hangover cure.

3. Try one of Wood Pizza’s creative concoctions, like a shrimp pizza including red onion, mozzarella, arugula and lemon.

4. Between 12 and 2 am on Thursdays and Fridays, night owls enjoy 25% off specialty pizzas.

5. You can always count on Whiskey Wednesdays, with $4.50 select premium whiskey.

French Quarter Antoine’s Restaurant 713 St. Louis St. 581-4422 | antoines.com 1. Antoine’s has been a finedining fixture in the French Quarter for 175 years.

2. With 14 dining rooms, they have more than enough space

for up to 700 guests.

3. Be sure to head over for their 25-cent cocktails during lunch.

4. Antoine’s is still owned and operated by fifth-generation relatives of the original founder, Antoine Alciatore.

5. For $20.15, their seasonal menu offers a choice of appetizer, entrée and dessert.

Backspace Bar & Kitchen 139 Chartres St. 322-2245 | backspacenola.com 1. Known for its comfort foods for late-night breakfast, lunch or dinner.

2. You will never want another homemade grilled cheese again after eating the Grown Up Grilled Cheese.

3. Backspace features some of the city’s best handcrafted cocktails.

4. An Old English literary vibe adds to the restaurant’s unique experience.

5. Allow your inner child to smile when you order Backspace’s Cookies and Milk.

Belle’s Diner 1122 Decatur St. | 566-6003 bellesdinerneworleans.com 1. Come relive the early 1950s at Belle’s Diner with a jukebox, bomber girls and more.

2. There’s an all-day breakfast

menu (which is basically everyone’s dream)!

3. Belle’s is right next to the Historic French Market, making it a prime French Quarter spot.

4. Another 1950s draw? The multicolored Elvis statue in front of the restaurant.

5. They serve all types of New Orleans cuisine, including a brunch fave: pain perdu.

and Bombay Club offers it every night.

4. Chef Nathan Richard studied charcuterie under the supervision of some of the best butchers in France and Italy.

5. Bombay Club features excellent service.

Bennachin 1212 Royal St. | 522-1230 bennachinrestaurant.com 1. The namesake dish is an entrée, similar to jambalaya but spicier.

2. Bennachin features great lunch entrees starting at just $9.95.

3. Vegetarians have plenty of options here, including the egusi.

4. Jama Jama is their most renowned dish, especially at Jazz Fest.

5. Alcohol isn’t served, but you’re welcome to bring your own.

Café Amelie 912 Royal St. 412-8965 | cafeamelie.com 1. This is the place to enjoy a romantic meal in the enchanting outdoor courtyard.

2. Café Amelie is named after Amelie Miltonberger, the mother of the first American Princess of Monoco.

3. Café Amelie offers a great wedding venue for 100-150 guests.

4. Café Amelie uses local ingredients whenever possible!

5. Café Amelie has been voted “Best Brunch” by the readers of Where Y’at!

Bombay Club 830 Conti St. | 577-2237 bombayclubneworleans.com 1. Bombay Club offers a Cajun twist on traditional British menu items.

2. The bar is known for the best and largest selection of martinis in New Orleans.

3. There’s nothing like live music,

Café Maspero 601 Decatur St. 523-6250 | cafemaspero.com 1. Maspero has been a French Quarter staple for over 40 years now.

2. The Muffuletta and Roast Beef Sandwich are huge draws.

3. Their French Onion Soup ranks with the city’s best...perfect on

Jimmy J's

a cold day.

4. The building has been standing since 1788.

5. Anyone looking for some great drinks should check out the $3 daiquiris.

EAT 900 Dumaine St. 522-7222 | eatnola.com 1. Using local and seasonal seafood whenever possible is a priority at EAT. 2. You can find all of your Creole, Cajun and New Orleans favorites here.

3. Feel the NOLA love from the paintings by local artists that hang on the walls.

4. Check out their weekend brunch featuring fried green tomatoes, grits, biscuits and gravy and more.

5. At EAT, BYOB is not only suggested, it’s encouraged!

Evangeline 329 Decatur St. | 373-4852 evangelineneworleans.com 1. Evangeline is named after Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s 1847 epic poem Evangeline: A Tale of Acadie.

2. Their catfish is a house specialty by itself, in the jambalaya or on a po-boy.

3. The menu is simple in design, with portions that allow multiple sampling opportunities of fresh Louisiana-grown cuisine.

4. Local Gulf shrimp, Louisiana blue crab and Acadian sausage are procured directly from local markets and fishers.

5. You’ll love sipping craft cocktails in their beautiful French Quarter courtyard.

Fiorella’s Café 1136 Decatur St. 553-2155 | fiorellasnola.com 1. Fiorella’s has served their legendary fried chicken since 1939.

2. On Mondays, grab a bowl of red beans and rice for only $4.99.

3. Residents in the French Quarter, CBD and Marigny can get delivery.

4. Have lunch on their front or back patio or even on the balcony.

5. One of best places in the French Quarter to catch a Saints game.

Jimmy J’s Cafe 115 Chartres St. 309-9360 | jimmyscafe.com 1. Self-proclaimed as “N’Awlins’ funkiest lil’ café,” you’ll love the colorful, lively atmosphere.

2. Hungry for an omelet at night? Have no fear, because breakfast is served all day here.

3. Order the delicious bacon bloody mary for the perfect way to start off your day.

4. Need some of their delicious food right now? They deliver!

5. Save room for dessert! The Gooey Butter Cake is a house specialty.

Kingfish 337 Chartres St. | 589-5005 kingfishneworleans.com 1. Executive Chef Nathan Richard brings the best flavors of Louisiana together at this French Quarter hotspot.

2. Kingfish won OpenTable’s Diner’s Choice 2015 award.

3. Go by for lunch and try one of the Governor’s Lunch Plates.

4. Check out Happy Hour between 3:30 and 6:30 pm for half off their beer and wine collection.

5. Their sophisticated cocktail menu includes all of the classics as well as more exotic options like the Blueberry Hill.

Monty’s on the Square 801 Decatur St. | 525-4478 1. Located on the corner of historic Jackson Square.

2. It features a beautiful, panoramic view of Decatur and St. Ann. 3. You can grab one of New Orleans’ iconic, muffulettas here.

4. Its menu is packed with NOLA classics, including po-boys.

5. Refresh your day with their Effen Amazing Cucumber Mint Cocktail.

New Orleans’ Creole Cookery 508 Toulouse St. | 524-9632 neworleanscreolecookery.com 1. The Cookery was launched by the famous Tusa restaurant family.

2. The traditional Creole menu includes shrimp creole and gumbo three different ways.

3. Visitors have claimed to see the ghost resident Mary throughout the premises.

4. The Cookery is known for their hurricane cocktails, varying in potency from Category One to

WhereYat.com | December 2015 | 11

Kyoto Category Five.

5. A French Quarter gem, there’s a cozy patio to enjoy live music and good Creole cuisine.

Orleans Grapevine 720 Orleans St.| 523-1930 orleansgrapevine.com 1. It’s housed in a building that was built in 1809.

2. If you catch Bacon Happy Hour, you’ll get drinks and a round of bacon!

3. Sample three wines with their amazing wine flights.

4. Orleans Grapevine’s courtyard makes for the perfect date spot.

5. It has a great location right behind the historic St. Louis Cathedral.

RF’s Martini Bar & Restaurant 301 Dauphine St. 586-0972 | rfsnola.com 1. The bar is named after Richard Fiske, a quintessential New Orleans restaurateur who passed away in 2013.

2. There’s live music seven nights a week, and there’s never a cover.

3. The bar is known for their giant selection of martinis.

4. The space is decorated in a plush British theme with overstuffed leather chairs, rich wood and fine portraits.

5. Zagat’s called RF's "a civilized class act in the heart of the French Quarter."

Royal House Oyster Bar 441 Royal St. | 528-2601 royalhouserestaurant.com

12 | December 2015 | Holiday Dining Guide

1. Royal House prides itself on offering only the freshest oyster options.

2. Try two New Orleans culinary staples in one with an order of their delicious oyster beignets.

3. Their stunning building in the French Quarter was originally home to the famous Tortorici family.

4. Chef Steve Young delights in bringing his own southern roots to the menu.

5. Open on weekends at 9 am, so stop by and try their fantastic omelets or Eggs Benedict.

The Jimani 141 Chartres St. 524-0493 | thejimani.com 1. The majority of menu items are under $10.

2. The Jimani’s Hangova Burger will be sure to get your mind off that irritating headache.

3. Choose from one of the many Chicagostyle hot dogs that the restaurant offers.

4. Share some of Jimmy Jay’s Big Ass Nachos with a group of friends over drinks.

5. Have you ever had their Breakfast Po-boy? Two fried eggs, two hot sausage patties, bacon and cheese.

Vacherie 827 Toulouse St. | 207-4532 vacherierestaurant.com 1. Vacherie features an upscale atmosphere at a casual price.

2. You can find all of your New Orleans breakfast favorites, like fried green tomatoes, here.

3. Inspired by Vacherie, Louisiana, you get a little slice of Louisiana history when you come here.

4. Make sure you come between 3 and 7 pm every day for a special bar menu.

5. With great daily specials, you’re always in for a sweet or savory surprise at Vacherie.

Jefferson/Elmwood Kyoto II 5608 Citrus Blvd. | 818-0228 1. Check the Specials board for Kyoto II’s daily fish fresh from the boat.

2. Their “No Name Roll” is big enough to share with a friend.

3. A great place to go after shopping in the Elmwood Shopping Center.

4. Get familiar with Japanese beer and sake from their extensive menu.

5. Their lunch special features a variety of meals for under $10.

Rivershack Tavern 3449 River Rd. | 834-4938 therivershacktavern.com 1. Rivershack Tavern is known as the city’s most unusual bar and home of the tacky ashtray.

2. Bring in an ashtray and trade it for a drink of your choice!

3. They’ve got tons of great Cajun pub grub, including a po-boy stuffed with fries, roast beef, cheese, onions, mushrooms and jalapenos.

4. The funky roadhouse by the levee always has live music.

5. Be sure to have a cold brew from their sizable beer selection.

Lakeview Lakeview Burgers & Seafood 872 Harrison Ave. | 289-1032 1. Their Cheese Fry Burger means you can have the best of both worlds.

2. Owned by Chef Joe Faroldi, whose culinary history lies in the French Quarter.

3. Right next to the popular Lakeview bar Parlay’s.

4. The outside tables are dogfriendly, so owners shouldn’t hesitate to bring them.

5. Late hours make it the perfect restaurant to visit after barhopping.

Marigny/Bywater Bamboula’s 514 Frenchmen St. | 944-8461 clubbamboulas.com 1. Be daring with your taste buds and try the Peanut Butter Bacon Burger.

2. Enjoy your food while listening to live music.

3. Customers have coined this place the “real New Orleans.”

4. Add fried oysters to your salad.

5. After you’re done consuming the delicious food and drinks, enjoy Frenchmen Street.

Buffa’s Bar and Restaurant 1001 Esplanade Ave. 949-0038 | buffasbar.com 1. The back room of the restaurant offers a pleasant Sunday brunch.

2. The $8 Boudin Balls are a customer favorite.

3. All-night eating and drinking is welcomed! The bar and kitchen are open 24/7.

4. The Buffa’s Backroom features live music.

5. Visit buffasbar.com to watch the live webcam of the Backroom.

Langlois 1710 Pauger St. 934-1010 | langloisnola.com 1. Langlois offers one-of-akind dining experiences for adventurous eaters and curious culinarians.

2. Their menu changes monthly and explores all influences of Creole and Cajun cooking.

3. Every week, their crew of chefs conducts interactive dining demonstrations.

4. Their spin on supper clubs delivers fun New Orleans dining at its finest!

5. It’s rumored that the ghost of Anthony Ferrara still makes an occasional stir here.

Mimi’s in the Marigny 2601 Royal St. 872-9868 | mimismarigny.com 1. Mimi’s is a dark dive bar with super late-night cocktails and tapas.

2. They serve food until 4 am.

3. Up for an adventure? Order the chef’s special, called Trust Me. 4. Mimi’s serves both hot and cold tapas for under $15.

5. They have a killer wine selection.

Metairie Andy’s Bistro 3322 N Turnbull Dr. 455-7363 | andybistro.com 1. A perfect place for an afterwork drink at their Specialty Craft Cocktail Bar. 2. Truly a hidden gem and local favorite in the heart of Metairie.

3. Top off your perfectly cooked steak with their amazing Bananas Foster Cheesecake.

4. 4.5 out of 5 stars on Yelp…34 people can’t be wrong!

5. You will leave happy after you eat the wood fired oysters and flatbreads.

Short Stop Poboys 119 Transcontinental Dr. 885-4572 shortstoppoboysno.com 1. With an extensive menu of different types of po-boys at reasonable prices, you are sure to find something you absolutely love here!

2. Try one of their eclectic side dishes, like stuffed crab, with your po-boy.

3. Try a classic, the roast beef po-boy, prepared in Short

WhereYat.com | December 2015 | 13

Stop’s own rich gravy.

4. Short Stop is famous not only for po-boys, but also for amazing gumbo.

5. Order online and pick up your sandwich at the drive-thru window; no fuss!

Spudly’s Super Spuds 2609 Harvard Ave. 455-3250 | spudlys.com 1. Serving complete meals in baked potatoes since 1980!

2. But, there are other options like soups, salads, burgers and more.

3. It’s tucked away nicely in nearby Metairie.

4. The Super Duper is the local favorite.

5. Get a full pizza packed right into a baked potato!

Mid-City Biscuits & Buns on Banks 4337 Banks St. | 273-4600 biscuitsandbunsonbanks.com 1. Their Blueberry-Brie Waffle has been featured as Louisiana’s most delicious waffle.

2. Go for the spectacular Chicken and Waffles, a Southern classic, for a real treat.

3. This place has the comfortable vibe of your best friend’s house.

4. If their name didn’t already make it clear, you’ll find some unbelievable biscuits here!

5. They offer unique specials each day, meaning you can try something new daily.

Crescent City Steaks 1001 N Broad St. | 821-3271 crescentcitysteaks.com 1. Founded in 1934 by John Vojkovich, Crescent City Steaks has been around for over 80 years.

2. Crescent City Steaks serves you only the best USDA Prime Beef.

3. This is where the signature New Orleans style of serving steaks sizzling in butter originated.

4. They believe that “the best meal you can have is only as good as the people you share it with,” and will treat you like family.

5. Come to Crescent City Steaks whenever you want to experience authentic New Orleans food and culture.

Five Happiness 3605 S Carrollton Ave. 482-3935 | fivehappiness.com 1. Five Happiness’s “The Imperial

Room” is great for a private party.

2. Consistently voted “Best Chinese” by Where Y’at readers.

3. House specials give you a new taste of Asian cuisine at an affordable price.

4. Delivers to Uptown and MidCity.

5. Hot and spicy dishes can be modified to your taste.

Mandina’s Restaurant 3800 Canal St. | 482-9179 mandinasrestaurant.com 1. Mandina’s was opened in 1932

by Italian immigrant Sebastian Mandina.

2. Their Mid-City location evolved from a grocery store to a pool hall that sold po-boys.

3. Bruccilone, along with many other dishes, has remained on the menu for over 75 years.

4. With two locations, in Mid-City and Mandeville, you’re never too far from Mandina’s.

5. Their menu features delicious home-style cooking, including Italian-Creole specialities.

Mid City Yacht Club 440 S St. Patrick St. | 483-2517 midcityyachtclub.com 1. The Crawfish Nachos. Enough said.

2. A great place to watch the game with friends and family; a local favorite.

3. Lunch is served daily except on Mondays.

4. Daily drink specials include $2 domestics from 11 am to 5 pm.

5. There’s free food during all LSU, New Orleans Saints and Ohio State University games!

Shamrock Bar and Grill 4133 S Carrollton Ave. 301-0938 | shamrockparty.com 1. Shamrock is the biggest neighborhood bar in the city at 16,000 square feet.

2. It’s an emporium of fun that includes pool tables, bowling lanes, skee-ball and more.

3. Play a round of beer pong while munching on some good old-fashioned bar food.

4. With lots of party options, it’s free to reserve space inside the bar for any event.

5. Shamrock also has live music and a dance floor to get your groove on!

Venezia Restaurant 134 N Carrollton Ave. 488-7991

14 | December 2015 | Holiday Dining Guide

Venezianeworleans.net 1. Located in Mid-City, this restaurant has been serving delicious Italian food since 1957.

2. If you’re in the mood for just a quick bite, you can’t go wrong with their classic and locally praised pizzas.

3. The casual and cozy atmosphere is accompanied by great service.

4. While mostly known for their pizza, don’t hesitate to try one of their exceptional pasta dishes.

5. Venezia has displayed expertise at cooking veal; order it if you’re hungry.

Wit’s Inn 141 N Carrollton Ave. 486-1600 | witsinn.com 1. Wit’s Inn is a friendly neighborhood bar in Mid-City.

2. The kitchen serves gourmet pizzas till 2 am.

3. Watch your favorite sports on one of their 15 giant flat-screen TVs. 4. Be sure to stop by on a Thursday for their $5 pizzas!

5. Wit’s Inn is just a few steps from the Canal St. streetcar.

Multiple Locations Another Broken Egg Cafe 301-2771 anotherbrokenegg.com 1. Love eggs? Who doesn’t?

Try one of their eight EggStraordinary Omelettes.

2. Their menu is full of unique culinary creations. Try the Cinnamon Roll French Toast!

3. They offer a “Healthy Side” menu of low-calorie, nutritious options.

4. There’s nothing wrong with a boozy brunch, so go for a delicious peach mimosa.

5. The huge menu ensures that there’s something everyone will love!

Copeland’s of New Orleans copelandsofneworleans.com 1. Don’t miss their signature brunch menu on Sundays from 10 am to 3 pm.

2. All of Copeland’s offerings are made from scratch on-site.

3. Copeland’s features great catering and will deliver to your event.

4. Certain locations feature private dining areas for banquets and parties.

Copeland's of New Orleans 5. Copeland’s fan favorite artichoke and spinach dip is a perfect appetizer!

Daisy Dukes 522-2233 daisydukesrestaurant.com 1. Three words: 24. Hour.

Delivery. (In the French Quarter and CBD.) 2. Three more words: 24.

Hour. Breakfast. (For those hangovers.)

3. Breakfast can also come with endless bloody marys for $8.

4. And when they’re in season: endless crawfish for $20 and up.

5. Foursquare voted it one of the best all-you-can-eat places in NOLA. Dat Dog 899-6883 | datdognola.com 1. Catch the Arts Market on Fridays and Saturdays at the

Magazine location.

2. Hot dog critics can substitute out franks for chicken, burgers or veggies.

3. Dat Biere, crafted by Bayou Teche, is available only at Dat Dog. 4. There are so many varieties of meat, including crawfish, alligator and turducken.

5. You can end a night of barhopping on Frenchmen Street with a nice Dat Dog. Maple Street Patisserie 304-1526 maplestreetpatisserie.com 1. Maple Street Patisserie brings you back to a time when baking was considered an art form.

2. Their Magazine Street location has some of the city’s best deli sandwiches.

3. Chef Ziggy is incredibly friendly and generous with free

Po’boys

Da Menu

Papa’s 8oz Steak Po’boy.......9.75 Steak, Grilled Onions, Tomatoes, Special Sauce Sausage Po’boy.....................6.75 Smoked Sausage Link or Hot Sausage Patti Breakfast Po’boy...................7.50 Fried Eggs, Hot Sausage Pattis, Bacon, Cheese Jimbo’s Combo Po’boy............8.50 Roast Beef, Ham, Swiss Cheese, Dressed, Special Sauce

Hours: 11:30am - 8:00am WE DELIVER: 504.524.0493 •

THEJIMANI.COM

Home of the Mysterious Mixer

• BUZZTIME Trivia

• The French Quarter’s Strongest Jelleaux Shots

•

•

Great Food

•

All UFC Fights

All DirecTV sports packages

Burgers

8 oz served on Bun, French Bread or Texas Toast Burger...................................6.75 Cheese Burger.......................7.50 Nacho Burger........................8.75 Nacho Cheese, Jalepenos, Tomatoes, Crumbled Tortillas, side of sour cream Peanut Butter Bacon Burger....8.00 Reese’s Peanut Butter, Bacon, Pepper Jack

Roast Beef Po’boy....................7.50 Hot or Cold

Teriyaki Burger.....................7.50 Teriyaki Glaze, Grilled Pineapple Slice, Cheese

Meatball Po’boy........................7.50 Marinara, Parmesean, Provolone Cheese

Chicago Style Dogs

French Fry Po’boy....................6.00 Served on French with Brown Gravy & Special Sauce

Dogs......................................3.50

Spicy Crab Po’boy....................9.75 Crab Stuffed Jalapenos, Diced Onions, Tomatoes, Special Sauce

Schwegmann’s Dog..............4.50 Chili, Cheese, Chopped Onion, Mustard on French Bread

Chili or Cheese Dog.............4.00

Pizza

10”........................................6.75 16”......................................12.75 Sausage, Pepperoni, Ham, Bacon, Tomatoes, Onions, Pepperoncini, Black Olives, Green Olives, Mushrooms, Jalapenos, Bell Peppers, Pineapple & Extra Cheese

Salad Small House.......3.00 Large House......4.75 Add Chicken.....4.00 Add Tuna.....6.00 Add Steak.....6.00

Service Industry (All Day Happy Hour)

Wines....................................3.00 Well.......................................2.75 Domestic Beer.......................2.25 Jagermeister..........................3.00 Goldschlager.........................3.00 Rumple Minze......................3.00

141 Chartres on the Corner of Iberville

WhereYat.com | December 2015 | 15

samples.

4. Decadent pastries are not all they offer. Try their delicious breakfast and lunch menus.

5. For your next birthday, try one of their custom-made cakes.

Mr. Ed’s Oyster Bar 833-6310 1. This recent addition to the French Quarter opened in August 2014.

2. Owner Ed McIntyre is known for his famous home cooking that will have you coming back for more.

3. The menu features seafood, chicken, po-boys and gumbo.

4. This favorite spot boasts attractive ambiance and indoor or outdoor seating options.

5. Don’t miss the main attraction—a stand-up oyster bar!

Mona’s Cafe 861-8175 Monascafeanddeli.com 1. Serves reasonably priced and well-portioned Middle Eastern dishes.

2. Mona’s Cafe has a location in just about every corner of New Orleans, so an appetite

for Mediterranean food can be easily satisfied in any part of the city.

3. The South Carrollton location offers an outdoor Hookah patio, which is praised for the diverse amount of flavors.

4. Mona’s Cafe is BYOB, so make sure to bring your preferred beverage.

5. Try their fair-priced Beef or Chicken Shawarma; the locals love them both.

Morning Call 300-1157 morningcallcoffeestand.com 1. They’ve been serving excellent coffee and beignets to New Orleanians since 1870.

2. They are open 24 hours a day!

3. Morning Call in City Park also serves Cajun favorites like jambalaya and gumbo.

4. The perfect spot to hit after a visit to NOMA, a round of mini-golf at City Putt or your bike ride.

5. Located in the old Casino Building, Morning Call in City Park has an unbeatable, authentic atmosphere.

16 | December 2015 | Holiday Dining Guide

Willie Mae’s Scotch House 822-9503 1. The Scotch House is the winner of the James Beard Foundation Award.

2. There are now two locations!

One in Uptown and the original in Tremé.

3. The fried chicken is incomparable and has President Obama’s approval!

4. It has been featured on NPR, the Travel Channel and Food Network.

5. The fried chicken recipe is a secret, though Coca-Cola is said to be involved.

Uptown

New Orleans East

AJ&J Asian Bistro 2240 Magazine St. 609-2282 | ajjasianbistro.com 1. The go-to dish for this restaurant is the sushi rolls.

AJ&J makes over 40 rolls!

2. For people watching what they eat, a diet menu that’s low in calories is offered.

3. Try the good-looking “Sexiest Man” roll.

4. AJ&J is located on Magazine Street just off Jackson Avenue.

5. Don’t feel like dining in? AJ&J offers online orders for take out.

Ma Momma’s House 5741 Crowder Blvd. | 244-0021 mamommashouse.com 1. Their “secret weapon” cornbread will keep you coming back.

2. The cornbread is shaped and served like a miniature waffle!

3. Boasts that they have “the best fried chicken to the bone!”

4. They serve breakfast…anytime!

5. They live up to their name. It feels like you’re eating at your momma’s house, not at a restaurant.

Bruno’s Tavern 7538 Maple St. 861-7615 | brunostavern.com 1. Choosing from all of their great French fry offerings will be your hardest decision here.

2. Try the restaurant’s signature Flaming Bruno Burger for a real treat.

3. Satisfy your Southern taste buds with the fried mac and cheese appetizer.

4. Wine and Cheese Fries are a combination recommended by

the restaurant.

5. Bruno’s is a great spot to watch the big game and stays open late on weekends.

Café Reconcile 1631 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd.

568-1157 | cafereconcile.org 1. This restaurant mentors at-risk young adults by providing workforce development and training.

2. The non-profit restaurant serves soul-filled dishes at affordable prices.

3. Their website encourages users to give the gift of donations during the holiday season.

4. RSVP for their “Men’s Lunch” on December 13 for a great day of shopping and football.

5. Since 2000, their program has helped over 1,500 young people.

Cheesecake Bistro by Copeland’s 2001 St. Charles Ave. 593-9955 copelandscheesecakebistro.com 1. New menu items include Lump Crabmeat with Zucchini Basil Pasta.

2. Check out the spacious banquet room for your next

WhereYat.com | December 2015 | 17

private party.

3. Happy Hour runs Monday to Friday from 4 to 7 pm and daily from 9 pm to close.

4. The Sunday Jazz Brunch Buffet is a winner with friends and family.

5. For a sweet treat, try the new Yogurt Parfait Martini…yes!

Dolce Vita Pizzeria 1205 St. Charles Ave. 324-7674 | dvpizzeria.com 1. Dolce Vita believes in the art of pizza, in the spirit of wood-fired oven pizzerias in Italy.

2. Their one-of-a-kind Neapolitan Brick Oven was shipped directly from Italy.

3. Pizzas here are made with only the freshest and highestquality ingredients.

4. The Kids Menu makes this the perfect place to visit with the whole family.

5. In addition to delicious pizza, paninis and pastas, Dolce Vita has a full bar with over 25 different beers.

Kyoto 4920 Prytania St. 891-3644 | kyotonola.com 1. Customers’ favorite dish is the

Poke Salad.

2. For lunch, grab their amazing Teriyaki Chicken with rice…AND a Cali Roll for only $10.95.

3. All dinner items are served with soup, salad and rice.

4. Kyoto offers unique rolls such as the Funky Margarita Roll and Hot Box Roll.

5. Introduce your taste buds to BBQ Squid.

La Thai 4938 Prytania St. | 899-8886 lathaiuptown.com 1. La Thai was voted “Best Thai Restaurant” by Where Y’at readers.

2. Their menu features Oshner Health System–approved items.

3. The cashew chicken will leave you smiling all the way home.

4. Try their stuffed chicken wings.

5. Ahi tuna fan? Order the tuna entrée and request the “3 Sauces.”

Lebanon’s Cafe 1500 S Carrollton Ave. 862-6200 Lebanonscafé.com 1. Located in the heart of Uptown, Lebanon’s is a must for those

18 | December 2015 | Holiday Dining Guide

who crave Middle Eastern food.

2. Lebanon’s Cafe offers fantastic outdoor dining when the weather is nice.

3. Their kabob dishes are phenomenal.

4. Make sure to try their sandwiches, which are reasonably priced and satisfying.

5. This restaurant is BYOB, so bring your favorite libation with you.

Miyako 1403 St. Charles Ave. 410-9997 japanesebistro.com 1. Has a separate Sushi Menu and Teppanyaki Menu.

2. Want to go to a restaurant that emphasizes entertainment? Try the Hibachi!

3. Hibachi lunch specials are served with clear soup, Miyako salad and vegetables.

4. Try their signature dessert, the Miyako Split.

5. Any of the specialty meals will provide you with enough food to feed your entire family.

Ted's Frostop

Modern FrenchCreole with a Twist

WhereYat.com | December 2015 | 19

Origami 5130 Freret St. 899-6532 | sushinola.com 1. Bring a group and share the Sashimi Platter.

2. Indulge in the signature ByeBye Katrina Roll.

3. Origami has a great location uptown, walking distance from Tulane and Loyola.

4. The Poke Salad with the spicy dressing is a customer favorite.

5. Origami features some of the most knowledgeable sushi chefs in town.

Pascal’s Manale 1838 Napoleon Ave. | 895-4877 Pascalsmanale.com 1. Pascal’s Manale has been serving their Creole-Italian fusion for over 100 years.

2. Don’t miss the stand-up oyster bar to get you started before your meal.

3. Make sure to try their famous mouth-watering BBQ Shrimp.

4. Enjoy a nice bottle of red or white from their vast wine menu with your meal.

5. Pascal’s Manale gives you a $20 Gift Certificate for every $100 in Gift Certificates you buy!

Poseidon 2100 St. Charles Ave. 509-6675 1. This Cajun seafood and sushi restaurant is located right on the St. Charles streetcar line.

2. Don’t miss their amazing chargrilled oysters.

3. Poseidon’s classy bar overlooking St. Charles Avenue features great Happy Hour specials.

4. Their karaoke rooms make it a fun place to relax after dinner with friends.

5. Poseidon is great for a latenight bite, as they stay open until 2 am on weekends.

Pyramids Cafe 3149 Calhoun St. 861-9602 neworleanspyramidscafe.com 1. Pyramids Cafe serves flavorful Middle Eastern food within walking distance of Tulane University.

2. Their friendly and attentive staff will provide a pleasurable experience.

3. Pyramids Cafe is a super spot for vegetarians and meateaters alike.

4. Not in the mood to dine out?

They offer delivery service to

Uptown.

5. Make sure to try their highly recommended Fried Kibby Plate.

Seed 1330 Prytania St. 302-2599 | seedyourhealth.com 1. Seed features a completely vegan and gluten-free menu.

2. Try their vegan twists on po-boys, gumbo, beignets and more.

3. Seed also builds its cuisine using local, garden-fresh ingredients.

4. Anyone looking for restaurants to fulfill their raw diet needs to look no further.

5. Try a raw twist on a carrot cupcake topped off with cashew cream frosting.

Ted’s Frostop 3100 Calhoun St. 861-3615 | tedsfrostop.com 1. All. You. Can. Eat. Pancakes.

Every day for only $4.95.

2. The house-made root beer and root beer float are NOLA icons.

3. The restaurant appeared on the Travel Channel’s Burger Land.

4. Ted’s was first established on Claiborne Avenue in the 1950s.

5. Their historic mug became a symbol for post-Katrina recovery.

The Columns Hotel 3811 St. Charles Ave. 899-9308 | thecolumns.com 1. Enjoy the view of St. Charles Avenue while eating on the Columns Hotel’s elegant porch.

2. Feeling fancy? Order the Cheese and Fruit Plate with a glass of wine.

3. Their Crab Stuffed Shrimp and Spicy Shrimp and Grits are must-tries.

4. The restaurant’s modest menu makes it easy to decide what you want to eat.

5. Nothing sounds better than eating here on a nice Sunday afternoon while listening to a live jazz band.

Tracey’s Irish Bar and Restaurant 2604 Magazine St. 897-5413 | traceysnola.com 1. Tracey’s is an old Irish bar that’s been around since 1949.

2. It’s home to the best roast beef po-boy on earth!

3. Tracey’s was the first to have color TVs in the neighborhood.

20 | December 2015 | Holiday Dining Guide

Café 615: Home of Da Wabbit 4. Today they have 20 flat-screens to watch sports.

5. Tracey’s is located on the famed Magazine Street in the Garden District.

Violet Charlie’s Restaurant 6129 E St. Bernard Hwy. 682-9057 charliesrestaurantla.com 1. Their gumbo won the People’s Choice award at United Way’s “Got Gumbo?” Cook-off.

2. Their menu has a Cajun twist, including Creole oyster dressing and a deep-fried Cajun turkey.

3. Charlie’s has extended business hours, open from 6 am to 9 pm.

4. Located just 15 minutes from the French Quarter, Charlie’s is a great spot for locals or tourists.

5. The menu at Charlie’s features over 300 items, including amazing seafood dishes.

Westbank Café 615, Home of Da Wabbit 615 Kepler St. 365-1225 dawabbit.net 1. This West Bank favorite is located right off Kepler Street, near the levee bike path.

2. Be sure to try the hamburger steak, served without a bun and smothered with onions and mushrooms.

3. The appetizers, including the battered eggplant sticks, are also delicious.

4. Their lunch specials offer great homemade classics like red beans and rice.

5. If you’re planning a party, they offer catering in addition to their dine-in and takeout options.

Gattuso’s 435 Huey P Long Ave. 368-1114 gattusos.net 1. Happy Hour includes half-price

appetizers and great drink specials.

2. Try their amazing sandwiches: choose from Sloppy Beef Roast, Seafood Muffuletta and more.

3. The extensive menu makes it hard to choose just one thing!

4. A customer favorite on a cold day is the corn and crab bisque.

5. The Eggplant Stix with a side of Grandma’s Red Gravy is a top appetizer.

Sun Ray Grill 2600 Belle Chasse Hwy 391-0053 sunraygrill.com 1. Chef Tom Hinyup makes sure to use local catches in their dishes.

2. From the Ribs Siam to the Ipanema Salad, the menu is quite eclectic.

3. The added breakfast menu features some Latin twists.

4. Check out the tequila-infused margaritas!

5. On Wednesday nights, wine bottles are 20% off.

SZECHUAN MANDARIN _________________________ C H E F ’ S S P E C I A L T I E S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ S I Z Z L I N G J U M B O S H R I M P C R I S P Y G I N G E R S H R I M P F I S H F I L E T W I T H C H E F ’ S S P E C I A L S A U C E S T U F F E D C H I N E S E E G G P L A N T C H I C K E N A L M O N D C R U S T W I T H L E M O N S A U C E S A L T A N D P E P P E R C A L A M A R I

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O u r G i f t C a r d s A r e T h e P e r f e c t G i f t !

W E D E L I V E R

3605 SOUTH CARROLTON AVE Mon. - Thurs. 11am - 10pm Fri. & Sat 11am - 11pm Sun 11am - 10pm Reservations / Take-Out (504)482 - 3935 WWW.FIVEHAPPINESS.COM

WhereYat.com | December 2015 | 21

Dat Dog

F

Food News

rom sammiches to sports …

Chef Michael Brewer, owner of the recently shuttered The Sammich in the Riverbend, has taken over the kitchen at Manning’s, which is owned and operated

by Harrah’s. Located on Fulton Street, Manning’s Eat-Drink-Cheer is a sportsinspired bar and restaurant named for Archie Manning with many beers on tap, tons of big-screen TVs and an ever-changing menu. This position shouldn’t be too much of a stretch for Brewer, who has been specializing in elevated bar food since popping up inside Chickie Wah Wah. Here’s hoping that he’ll have the fried lobster “sammich” on Manning’s new-and-improved menu. 504.593.8118 ~ 519 Fulton St. ~ www.caesars.com/harrahs-new-orleans/ restaurants/mannings-eat-drink-cheer Bring on the bourbon … The longawaited Kenton’s recently opened on Magazine Street. Located in the building that once housed Rare Cuts, this whiskeyfocused eatery features American cuisine and over 150 different types of whiskey, especially bourbons distilled in the good ole USA. Owned by Sean Josephs, Mani Dawes and chef Kyle Knall, Kenton’s cuisine (and whiskey) is reflective of the fare offered in their New York restaurant dubbed Maysville. Kenton’s menu features dishes like Crab Toast with ginger aioli, Hay Roasted Oysters with brown butter and pickled shallots, and Smoked & Grilled Butcher’s Steak with smoked oyster sauce.

504.891.1177 ~ 5757 Magazine Street Keep them doggies rollin' … In an effort to constantly expand their wiener

22 | December 2015 | Food News

By Kim Ranjbar

empire, Dat Dog has launched their own food truck, affectionately dubbed the Datmobile. All of the popular hot dog chain’s best-selling menu items are available on the truck, including the new Dat Burger with seasoned ground beef in place of a frank, topped with pickles, onions, tomatoes, cheese, ketchup and mustard. www.datdognola.com Arrivederci! … The Sicilian-inspired restaurant Cibugnù on St. Charles Avenue recently shuttered its doors. Though it would seem that being located between Herbsaint and Marcello’s would create its own issues, the owners describe their decision to redefine their restaurant into a private events venue on Cibugnù’s website.

709 Events, as the space is now named, has been open for bookings since late October.

504.558.8990 ~ 709 St. Charles Ave. ~ www. cibugnu.com It's a no-dough … Proofed, the pink and purple donut shop on Tchoupitoulas Street, has closed its doors. The shop began as a franchise of the popular Mid-City Blue Dot Donuts run by retired New Orleans police officers, and then morphed into a kolache and donut shop serving both sweet and savory options to the Uptown neighborhood. Unfortunately, their donutmaker was stabbed a few months ago, which could be the cause of the closure.

On a mysterious note, Proofed’s Facebook page was updated with a post on November 6 saying, “We will be open.” Error or hint?

We’re all hoping for the latter. 504.941.7675 ~ 5236 Tchoupitoulas Street ~ www. proofeddonuts.com

Where there's smoke, there's ice … The anxiously awaited Black Label Ice House recently opened on the corner of Dryades and Seventh in Central City. Located in a building that once housed Pop’s House of Blues, Black Label Ice House is essentially a neighborhood bar offering beer and Texas-style barbecue. The menu is sexy yet simple, with sandwiches like the Cowboy from Hell featuring smoked brisket, Vidalia onion and Black Label Barrel Sauce on Bunny Texas toast, or (my favorite) Crack Poppers, which are like jalapeno poppers but with smoked and candied bacon-laced cream cheese. Be forewarned, the Black Label Ice House has bar-like hours, open weekdays from 4 pm to 2 am and on weekends from 11 am to 2 am. 504.875.2876 ~ 3000 Dryades St. ~ www.blacklabelbbq.com

Black Label Ice House

We've got a truck full … There's another new food truck rolling around the Crescent City and it’s all about wings. Taylor Made Wings on the Geaux is cruising around town, offering hungry New Orleanians a menu of smoked or fried wings tossed in an array of unique sauces with French fries on the side. Try smoked wings with sweet whiskey Hawaiian sauce or garlic parmesan, or try them all when you hire Taylor Made Wings to cater your next tailgate party. Follow Taylor Made Wings @wings_taylor on Twitter.

A token for your hops? ... Beer is the big news in New Orleans these days, and yet another spot to guzzle some brews recently opened next to Emeril’s flagship restaurant.

Dubbed the Tchoupitoulas Beer Garden, this bar and restaurant touts itself as “the New Orleans version of an Oktoberfest-style beer garden where authentic street food, the best beer, and great times are shared at communal picnic tables in our open indoor space.” The eatery offers eight beers on tap, boilermakers and bourbons, plus a menu

featuring dishes like Braised Pork Belly and Venezuelan Strasse Wurst with cabbage slaw and crispy potatoes. The biggest surprise at the Tchoupitoulas Beer Garden is that you have to buy tokens, dubbed “TBG Doubloons,” each a $4.50 value, which you then use to buy food or drinks. I wonder if they have an exchange rate for Mardi Gras beads?

840 Tchoupitoulas Street ~ www.tbgnola.com Most important meal of the day … In the mood

for breakfast? A new breakfast and lunch spot, Bayou Breakfast, opened recently in the old De Blanc Pharmacy building on Esplanade in Mid-City. Located next to the Half Shell (another recent newcomer to the area), Bayou Breakfast offers dishes like Fried Cinnamon Rolls, Fried Frog Legs in lemon pepper, Crab Benedict and Chicken & Waffles. Bayou Breakfast is open every day from 7 am to 3 pm. 504.252.9129 ~ 3111 Grand Route St. John ~ www. bayoubreakfast.com

WhereYat.com | December 2015 | 23

Probably Baking T

Oyster & Andouille Sausage Cornbread Dressing

By Beau Ciolino

wo of my favorite holiday dishes growing up were oyster stuffing and cornbread dressing. So, why not combine the two? I’ve added some andouille sausage here, because we all know pork makes everything better, and it also adds a nice chewiness and pop of smokey flavor. This dish is the perfect way to switch up an old classic, so feel free to get creative with it by throwing in some of your favorite seasonings, such as cayenne, sage, or Tony Chachere’s.

Serves 12 - 15 • 10 oz andouille sausage, chopped • 2 pints fresh-shucked oyster • 1 cup oyster juice (known as oyster liquor), reserved from the pints • 6 cups crumbled cornbread • 4 cups finely chopped French bread • 1 medium yellow onion • 2 jalapenos • 1 cup chopped celery • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 stick unsalted butter + extra for greasing the dish • 3 eggs, beaten • ½ cup parsley, chopped + extra for garnish • 1 ½ quarts chicken broth • Salt and pepper to taste 1.

24 | December 2015 | Probably Baking

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a large

2.

3.

4.

5.

casserole dish with butter.

In a large pot over medium-high heat, melt the stick of butter and add the onion, celery, jalapeno, garlic, and andouille sausage. Sauté for about ten minutes, until the sausage is slightly browned and the onions are soft and translucent.

In a large bowl, combine the cornbread, French bread, parsley, sautéed vegetables and sausage, chicken broth, oyster juice, eggs, oysters, salt, and pepper.

Pour into the prepared dish and bake in the oven for 45 minutes to one hour, until set in the center. To create a crispy top, turn the broiler on high for the last five minutes.

Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. Top with extra parsley for garnish.

WhereYat.com | December 2015 | 25

Probably Baking Pomegranate Chocolate Skillet Cake

I

By Beau Ciolino

've spent the last half an hour trying to find a way to describe this cake without saying "moist" over and over again. moist.moist.moist.moist.moist...

People are pretty weird about the word "moist," but what other way are you supposed to say that something is wet but not in a bad way?

Now that we're all a bit uncomfortable, let's talk about this cake and its other non-moist adjectives. It's also rich, decadent, slightly tart, and creamy. The pomegranate kind of works the same way raspberries do when mixed with chocolate, giving it a hint of acidity and adding a little pop of freshness. The whole thing takes maybe an hour between start and swallow, so it'll be a pretty badass accessory for your next dinner party or Netflix n' chill night.

It's also time to start packing on the winter weight as fast as possible, so I'm recommending you serve this little number with lots and lots of vanilla ice cream.

• • • • • • • • • • •

26 | December 2015 | Probably Baking

1 cup all-purpose flour 2 cup sugar, divided into two equal parts of 1 cup each ½ cup high-quality cocoa (I used Divine brand, from Whole Foods) 1 t baking powder ½ tsp salt 1 ½ cup + 2 c pomegranate juice 1 stick unsalted butter, softened 2 eggs 1 tbsp vanilla 10 oz dark chocolate chips or chunks Pomegranate arils for garnish

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and grease a 10" or 12" cast-iron skillet with coconut oil or butter.

Whisk together the flour, cocoa, salt, and baking powder. Set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and 1 cup of sugar until fluffy, about two minutes.

Add the eggs and vanilla and beat to combine. Mix in ½ cups of pomegranate juice.

While mixing on low speed, slowly add the flour mixture ½ cup at a time until it is all fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spoon or spatula as necessary.

Fold in the chocolate chips or chunks and pour the batter into the prepared skillet.

Bake for 30 - 35 minutes until a fork

comes out of the center without any crumbs.

8. While the cake is baking, bring the remaining 2 cups of pomegranate juice to a boil and whisk in the remaining 1 cup of sugar. Reduce heat to low and simmer until reduced to a syrup.

9. Once the cake has been removed from the oven, use a wooden spoon to poke beaucoup holes in the top. Slowly pour the pomegranate syrup evenly across the surface of the cake and let it all soak in.

10. Top with fresh pomegranate arils and vanilla ice cream. Serve warm or store covered in the fridge for up to three days.

Check out great holiday recipes by Beau all month long at WhereYat.com.

WhereYat.com | December 2015 | 27

20 and Under

$

W

Winter Padding

By Kim Ranjbar

hile snow isn't something we normally expect in New Orleans, it can still get a bit chilly down here in the Deep South during wintertime. Anyone who’s shivered through several layers of clothing while reaching out numb hands for cold plastic beads during the Krewe du Vieux parade can certainly empathize. The natural response to lower temperatures across the animal kingdom is to fatten up. Why should we be any different?

Bao & Noodle's Tea-Smoked Duck Breast

28 | December 2015 | $20 and Under

In preparation for the biting days ahead, why not give in to your animal instincts and pack on a few pounds in preparation?

Don’t panic: it’s likely you’ll shed those extra pounds tromping around the city next spring during festival season.

Other than craving the obvious steaming hot soups and stews, the onset of winter tends to ignite the inner carnivore in all of us. After all, what could be more satisfying than a large, juicy piece of meat with lots of starchy sides to make one feel content in the face of wind-chill?

Climb into a booth at Brown Butter Southern Kitchen & Bar in Mid-City and you’re bound to discover a whole

Brown Butter's Short Ribs

PRESENT CHEF JOHN D. MEISLER / SERRALLES USA

Cafe Degas' Hangar Steak and Fries menu of comfort foods perfect for a blustery day. You could lean toward their Toasted Pimento Cheese sandwich, an open-faced Hot Brown or even a Paneed Pork Chop with bean ragout, but may I suggest a sinful signature dish? You won’t regret your choice for a solitary moment when you dig into the decadently fatty Vinegar Braised Beef Short Ribs with a seductively sweet glaze served over a hefty helping of creamy stone-ground grits.

This dish will not only melt in your mouth, but it’ll stick to your ribs—and priced at only $16.50, your wallet will retain its padding as well.

For something on the bloodier side, something that just screams indulgence and satiety, cruise down Esplanade and stop for a wine-laden lunch at Café Degas. Before you ask, the answer is yes … you most definitely should huddle in the outdoor dining room under the warmth of strategically placed space heaters and enjoy a French-style “déjeuner” with rich red wine and l’onglet de boeuf, or as it’s more commonly referred to, hangar steak.

Many other restaurants in New Orleans serve this particular dish, but Café Degas excels with perfectly seared, juicy slices of beef resting in a shallot and garlic bordelaise and topped with a giant pile of thin, crispy pomme frites (a.k.a. French fries).

Although beef is the typical choice we turn to when seeking a fortifying cut of meat, certain fowl are equal to the task, especially the blissfully fatty and rich flesh of duck.

Resting on the border between the Marigny and Bywater is Bao & Noodle, one of the few authentic Chinese eateries in the city. While absolutely nothing is wrong with stuffing yourself silly on plate after plate of their Fried Steamed Pork Bao (you could inhale eight for $20), it would be wrong if your lips never hit one of the most incredible items on their menu: the Tea-Smoked Duck Breast. Both sweet and savory, this incredible dish is tender, juicy and fatty in a most heavenly way. Plus, it’ll set you back only about $16.

Finally, there’s nothing quite like a huge hunk of well-seasoned pork to fatten you up for the winter. Cruise over to the Broadmoor neighborhood for a taste of bliss at El Pavo Real. While their empanadas are glorious Mexican meat pies and the mole is a must, you can gleefully overindulge in a plate of carnitas. Instead of breaking up the braised pork shoulder in typical carnitas style (carnitas means “little meats”), El Pavo Real serves theirs as one large steak atop a pile of red rice and pinto beans.

If this particular dish doesn’t add a few pounds, it will definitely keep you full for an entire day.

El Pavo Real's Carnitas

DON Q CREOLE CHRISTMAS COOKING WITH DON Q PUERTO RICAN RUMS

There’s no Christmas quite like a Creole Christmas! So get ready to deck the halls with rum, spice and everything nice as Executive Chef John D. Meisler shares his classic New Orleans-style Creole cooking secrets with you.

Join us for some down-home cooking, high spirits and fine cocktails featuring Don Q rum, Death’s Door Gin, Barrow’s Intense Ginger Liqueur and Kringle Cream Liqueur.

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WhereYat.com | December 2015 | 29

Vegan Holiday Feast

By Emily Hingle

H

oliday celebrations are meal-centric; the slowly cooked meats served on these sacred days are looked forward to for the entire year. The days leading up to our respective religious and secular holidays are carefully planned to allow ample time for the perfect cooking, basting and seasoning schedule to roll out without flaws. However, while many look forward to the perfect meaty meal, those who don’t partake in flesh feel a little left out. For the vegans and vegetarians in our families, here are eight holiday dinner hacks to make you happy and the other guests jealous.

1. Turkey – If you’re not a meat-eater during this meat-heavy holiday, you’re going to have to substitute an entree. Try grilling or sautéing a large portobello mushroom in some olive oil and seasonings for that big meaty taste. I would splash some white wine over it while cooking and serve it with a healthy dose of vegetarian mushroom gravy for extra succulence. You can also purchase Tofurkey if you enjoy soy-based meats and want to have a closer substitute.

4.5/5 stars on

Sit down to a fabulous dinner featuring selections from our wood-fired oven, prime steaks, veal, gulf seafood and much more.

3322 N. Turnbull at Veterans | 455.7363 www.AndyBistro.com Mon-Sat: Restaurant & Bar @ 5pm Lunch Fridays @ 11 am 30 | December 2015 | Vegan Holiday Feast

2. Ham – Another meat readily found around the holiday table is ham, which you can also find in a veggie meat variety. If you’re looking for a more gourmet substitute, bring back that mushroom cap and glaze it with a mixture of olive oil, herbs, brown sugar and a few drops of liquid smoke to mimic the sweet flavor of traditional ham before cooking.

3. Mashed Potatoes – This dish is hotly debated; some prefer their mash to be thick and chunky, so you can recognize it started as potatoes. Others prefer their mash cooked so fine that it has a light, whipped texture that nearly dissolves when the gravy is poured overtop. However you prefer them, you can indulge to your heart’s content if you trade the milk and butter for vegetable oils and dairy substitutes.

You can also take the potatoes out of the mashed potatoes and use boiled cauliflower mashed with Greek yogurt for a sour kick.

4. Gravy – You can have the fanciest gravy in the room if you want to. Try out some Thyme Cabernet Gravy made with half an onion, three cloves of garlic, 2 cups of veggie broth, brown rice flour, thyme, nutritional yeast and ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon of Cabernet wine. You can drench all of your

veggie and vegan holiday favorites in this.

Sharing it with carnivores is optional.

5. Stuffing – Down here, oyster stuffing is truly the king, which is just fine for pescetarians. Vegetarians and vegans will have to opt out of the seafood flavoring and stick with a traditional, yet non-meat and non-dairy, stuffing. Instead of egg in your stuffing, use ¼ cup applesauce per egg. For a thick texture, use lentils. Be sure to load it with finely chopped veggies like onion and celery for a savory flavor. And season with your favorite fall herbs like sage and rosemary.

6. Yams (Sweet Potatoes) – Whatever you prefer to call them, yams are a staple item, yet are quite versatile in how they are used in dishes. My family favorite is quartered, smothered in butter, nutmeg and cinnamon and baked with a layer of marshmallows. If you like them this way too, but don’t want that dairy, simply use the applesauce again, canola oil, Greek yogurt or even avocado.

7. Green Bean Casserole – Luckily, you don’t have to change this recipe too much.

Just replace the butter with olive oil, add some fresh mushrooms, use vegetable broth and add almond or soy milk for the creaminess. Make sure that your favorite brand of fried onions is free from animal products and you’re ready to bake.

8. Pumpkin Pie – This pie is non-dairy and no-bake! Use 2 cups pitted dates, 2 cups raw nuts, and ¼ cup oats for the crust. Then use your favorite vegan pumpkin pie filling (canned or freshly made), and refrigerate until chilled.

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.

WhereYat.com | December 2015 | 31

MusicCalendar

Selected Listings @ WhereYat.com Palm Court Jazz Café- Lucien Barbarin and James Singleton Preservation Hall- Southern Syncopaters feat. Steve Pistorius Rock’N’Bowl- Bucktown All-Stars Snug Harbor-Dr.Lonnie Smith and Donald Harrison Trio Spotted Cat- New Orleans Cotton Mouth Trio Three Muses: Matt Johnson Tropical Isle Bourbon- Way too Early, Jay B. Elston Band, Debi and the Deacons feat. Maggie Havens Tropical Isle Original - Down River, the Hangovers, Late As Usual

MacMiller Stoner rap comes to the Crescent City with Mac Miller’s GO:OD AM tour. The titular album was one of the year’s best, featuring appearances by Little Dragon, Flying Lotus, Miguel and more. Saturday, November 28. Joy Theater, 1200 Canal Street. $32.50. thejoytheater.com Tuesday, November 24 Bamboula’s – Shine, Vivaz, Dana and the Boneshakers Bombay Club- Matt Lemmler Check Point Charlie- Jamie Lynn Vessels, Kenny Claiborne Chickie Wah Wah- Albanie Falletta, Jon Cleary Civic Center- Shakey Graves, Wild Child Columns Hotel- John Rankin and Spencer Bohren Crazy Lobster- AC and The Heat, Treme Brass Band Dragons Den- Jazz Jam, Upstairs- Vice is right Funky Pirate- Blues Master feat. Big Al Hi-Ho Lounge- Da Truth Brass Band Howlin Wolf- Comedy Beast Kerry Irish Pub - Jason Bishop Little Tropical Isle- Mark Pentone Maison - Swinging Gypsies, Gregory Agid Maple Leaf- Rebirth Brass Band Preservation Hall - Preservation Hall Stars feat. Shannon Powell Saenger Theatre - Joe Bonamassa Snug Harbor - Stanton Moore Trio Southport Hall- Doyle Spotted Cat- Andy J. Forest, Meschiya Lake and The Little Big Horns Tropical Isle Bourbon- Jay B. Elston Band, Jezebels Chill’n Tropical Isle Original- the Hangovers, Jay B. Elston Band Wednesday, November 25 Bamboula’s – Giselle Anguizola, Swing Dance Lessons, Alabama Slim, Mem Shannon Band Bombay Club - Kris Tokarski Buffa’s Lounge- Open Mic Night with Nattie Sanchez Chickie Wah Wah- John Rankin, Meschiya Lake and Tom McDermott CrazyLobster- Walter “Wolfman” Washington and the Roadmasters Dragons Den- Reggae Night Funky Pirate- Blues Master feat. Big Al Hi-Ho Lounge - We Love Vinyl House Of Blues- Parkway Drive, Miss May I, Thy Art Is Murder Kermit's Mother In Law Lounge- Spodie and the Big Shots Kerry Irish Pub - Tim Robertson Little Tropical Isle- Jay B. Elston, Reed Lightfoot Maison- Ashley Blume, Jazz Vipers, Willfunk Maple Leaf- call club Morning Call- Valerie Sassyfras One Eyed Jacks- Givers Doe Paoro Preservation Hall- Preservaton Hall All Stars feat. Mark Braud Rock’N’Bowl- Groovy Snug Harbor- Uptown Jazz Orchestra Spotted Cat- Chris Christy, ShotGUN Jazz Band Three Muses - Leslie Martin, Sarah McCoy Tropical Isle Bayou Club- Brandon Moreau and Cajungrass

32 | December 2015 | Music Calendar

Tropical Isle Original- Debi and the Deacons, Late As Usual Thursday, November 26 Bamboula’s – Messy Cookers Jazz, NOLA Swinging Gypsies Bombay Club- Kris Tokarski with Rex Gregory Buffa’s Lounge - Tom McDermott and Guest Chickie Wah Wah- Mike Doussan Trio, Ed Voelker Circle Bar- Rik Slave’s Country Persuasion Crazy Lobster - the Spanish Plaza 3 Davenport Lounge(Ritz Carlton)- Jeremy Davenport Dragons Den- The III Vibe with DJ Matt Scott Funky Pirate- Marc Stone Duo, Blues Master feat. Big Al Hi-Ho Lounge - Cirque D’Liscious Burlesque Howlin Wolf(the Den)- Comedy Gumbeaux Kerry Irish Pub- Thanksgiving Le Bon Temp Roule - Soul Rebels Little Tropical Isle- Allen Hebert, Mike Berger Maple Leaf- the Trio feat. Johnny Vidacovich and guest Old Point Bar - Amanda Walker Preservation Hall- Preservation Hall All Stars feat Lucien Barbain Rock’N’Bowl-Geno Delafose Spotted Cat - Shotgun Jazz Band, Jumbo Shrimp Tropical Isle Bourbon - Miss Maggie Trion, Debi and the Deacons Tropical Isle Original- The Hangover, Late as Usual Friday, November 27 Aloft Hotel- Andrew Duhon Bamboula’s – Chance Bushmen, Rhythm Stoppers, Swamp Donkey’s, John Lisi Band Bombay Club - Banu Gibson Buffas Lounge- Chip Wilson, the Right Reverend Soul Revue Circle Bar-James Hall Crazy Lobster- Ken Swartz and the Palace of Sin Davenport Lounge (Ritz Carlton)- Jeremy Davenport Dragons Den- Isla Nola, Studio 504, UpstairsFour Points Sheraton French Quarter - the DeSantis Duo Funky Pirate- Marc Stone Duo, Blues Master feat. Big Al Gattuso’s- Breland Brothers Hi-Ho Lounge- Spakerbox, Slangston Hughes, Cole Williams Kermit’s Mother in Law Lounge- Guitar Slim Jr. Kerry Irish Pub- Mark Appleford Le Bon Temps Roule- Tom Worrell Little Tropical Isle - Reed Lightfoot, Mike Berger Maison- Messy Cookers, Shotgun Jass Band, the Business Maple Leaf- New Orleans Suspects Morning Call- Valerie Sassyfras New Orleans Museum of Art- New Orleans Moonshiners Old Point Bar- Rick Trolsen, Los Po-boy-citos

Saturday, November 28 Bamboulas- Mem Shannon, Johnny Mastro and Mbs Blue Nile - Washboard Chaz Blue Trio, Soul Rebels Bombay Club- Leroy Jones Quartet Buffas Lounge- Jeremy Joyce and the Risky Business Jazz Krewe Chickie Wah Wah- Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentleman Cirlcle Bar- Jeff Pagano Crazy Lobster - the River Gang, the Neon Shadows Creole Cookery- Mark Weliky Trio, John Boutte, King James Davenport Lounge- Jereme Davenport Dos Jefes - Sunpie and the Louisiana Sunspots Dragons Den- Kompression, Upstairs- Talk Nerdy To me Funky Pirate- Marc Stone Duo, Mark and the Pentones, Blues Masters feat. Big Al and the Heavy Weights Hi-Ho Lounge- the Rip Off Show, Hustle feat. DJ Soul Sisters House Of Blues(Big Mama’s Lounge)- Big Al and the Heavyweights Joy Theater - Mac Miller Tory Lanez, Michael Christmas, Njomza Kermit’s Mother In Law Lounge- Neisha Ruffins Kerry Irish Pub- Paul Ferguson Little Tropical Isle- Jay B Elston, Reed Lightfoot Maison- Chance Bushman and the Ibervillianaiers Maple Leaf- New Orleans Suspects Morning Call City Park - Billy D. Chapman Old Point Bar- Jamie Lunn Vessels Palm Court Jazz Café - Brian O’Connell and Jamie Wright Preservation Hall - Joint Chiefs of Jazz feat. Frank Oxley, Preservations Hall All-Stars feat. Mark Braud Rock’n’Bowl- Tab Benoit, Eric Lindell and Edward David Anderson Shamrock- Sofa Kings Snug Harbor- Dr.Lonnie Smith and Donald HarrisonTrio Spotted Cat - Jazz Band Ballers, Panorama Jazz Band, Dominick Grillo and the Frenchman St. All-Stars Three Muses - Debbie Davis, Shotgun Jazz Band Time Out - Andre Bohren Tropical Isle Bourbon- Way Too Early, Debi and the Deacons Tropical Isle Original- Down River, the Hangovers, Late As Usual Sunday, November 29 Bamboula’s – NOLA Ragweeds, Carl LeBlanc Jazz Buffa’s Lounge- Some Like HOT!, Jazz Youth Showcase Chickie Wah Wah- Jimbo Mathus Trio Circle Bar - Micah McKee and Ltittle Maker, Blind Texas Marlin Crazy Lobster- Palmetto Bug Stompers, Keng CD release Dragons Den- Church Funky Pirate - the Pentones Hi-Ho Lounge- NOLA Comedy Hour House Of Blues - Tunder from Downunder Howlin’ Wolf (the Den)- Cha Wa, Hot 8 Brass Band Kermit's Mother In Law Lounge- Kermit Ruffins & the BBQ Swingers

Kerry Irish Pub- Chip Wilson Maison- Nyce, Dinosaurchestra, Brad Walker, Higher Heights Maple Leaf- Russell Batiste and Walter “Wolfman” Washington Morning Call City Park- Billy D. Chapman Old Point Bar- Amanda Walker, Romy Kaye Palm Court Jazz Café - Lucien Barbarinand Kerry Lewis Preservation Hall- Preservation Hall All-Stars feat. Wendell Brunious Snug Harbor - Mazz Swift and Tom McDermott Spotted Cat - Sweet Deluxe,Kristina Morales and Bayou Shufflers Three Muses- Raphael et Pascale Tipitinas- Sunday Youth Music Workshop Tropical Isle Bourbon - Rhythm and Rain, Debi and the Deacons Tropical Isle Original- the Hangovers, Late as Usual Monday, November 30 Bacchanal- Ralphaels Bas, Helen Gillet Bamboula’s – Mark Rubin and Chip Wilson, Ben Fox Jazz Bombay Club- Josh Paxton Buffa’s Lounge- Arsene DeLay, Antoine Diel Chickie Wah Wah- Trent Pruitt, Alexis and the Samurai Dragons Den (Upstairs)- Instant Opus Improvised Series Funkie Pirate- Mark and the Pentones Hi-Ho Lounge - Bluegrass Pickin’ Partyn, Yes Ma’am Little Tropical Isle- Frank Fairbanks, Reed Lightfoot Maison- Chicken and Waffles, Aurora Nealand and the Royal Roses Maple Leaf- George Porter Jr. Trio Morning Call - Valerie Sassyfras Preservation Hall- Preservation Hall Jazz Masters feat. Leroy Jones Snug Harbor - Charmaine Neville Band Spotted Cat - Royal Street Winding Boys Three Muses - Bart Ramsey, Joe Cabral Tropical Isle Bourban- Rhythm and Rain, Way too Early Tropical Isle Original - Graham Robertson, Whiskey Bar Tuesday, December 1 Bamboula’s – The Tradsters, Vivaz, Dana & The Boneshakers Blue Moon Saloon - Angelle Aces, Ragin’ Two-Steppers & more Bombay Club- Matt Lemmler Checkpoint Charlie- Jamie Lynn Vessels, Psychic Soul Connection Columns Hotel- John Rankin Dos Jefes – Burke Ingraffa Ellis Marsalis Center for Music - Michael Torregano Fair Grinds Coffeehouse - Exit Glaciers Funky Pirate – The Blues Masters with Patrick Williams Kerry Irish Pub- Jason Bishop Little Tropical Isle – Mark Barrett, Ben Joseph Mag's 940 - All-Star Covered Dish Country Jamboree!

The Maison – New Orleans Swinging Gypsies, Gregory Acid Quartet Maple Leaf – Rebirth Brass Band RF’s- Lucas Davenport Siberia – Tasche De La Roche, Sabine McCalla & Salvatore Geloso Special Venue - The Harbinger Project Tipitina's - Nigel Hall Tropical Isle Bayou Club – Cajungrass Duo, Cajun Drifters Tropical Isle Bourbon – JB Elston and Wayne, Tropic Gumbo Tropical Isle Original – The Hangovers, JB Elston Band Wednesday, December 2 Bamboula’s – Giselle Anguizola, Swing Dance Lessons, Messy Cookers Jazz, Mem Shannon Blues Band Bombay Club- Kris Tokarski Buffa’s – World’s Most Open Mic Night w/ Nattie Sanchez Casa Borrega - Aaron Lopez Barrantes Checkpoint Charlie- T Bone Stone & The Happy Monsters Columns Hotel- Andy Rogers Dos Jefes – Leah Rucker Funky Pirate – The Blues Masters with Patrick Williams

Baroness Baroness is on their first headlining tour, so here’s your chance to check out this great metal band! Purple, their forthcoming album, drops on December 18, so they’ll surely be performing some new tracks. Wednesday, December 9. Gasa Gasa, 4920 Freret St. $17. gasagasa.com

Maple Leaf – Boukou Groove CD Release Party Mid-City Lanes Rock ‘n’ Bowl- Karma One Eyed Jacks - Hamp Fest featuring Katie Red + Micah McKee Public Belt Hilton Riverside- Jeff Pounds, Erin Demastes RF’s- Meghan Stewart Band Tropical Isle Bayou Club – Louisiana Inferno, T’Canailli Tropical Isle Bourbon – Way too Early, Debi & the Deacons Tropical Isle Original – The Hangovers, Late as Usual Twist of Lime - No More Beyond Ugly Dog Saloon & BBQ - Darcy Malone & the Tangle Vaso - Ed Wills & Blues 4 Sale, All 4 One Brass Band Windsor Court Hotel - Robin Barnes

Travi$Scott After dropping his debut record, Travi$ Scott is taking his rodeo on the road.

Trap-heavy beats and constant ad-libbing separate him from the pack. Monday, December 14. House of Blues, 225 Decatur St. $35. houseofblues.com

Saturday, December 5 Bamboula’s – Emily Estrella Jazz, Smoky Greenwell Blues Bacchanal Fine Wine - The Tangiers Combo Bombay Club- Linnzi Zaorski Buffa’s – Sneaky Pete and Fens, The Asylum Chorus, Michael Liuzza Casa Borrega - Javier Gutierrez & VIVAZ! Checkpoint Charlie- Kenny Claiborne, Kaboom Circle Bar - Denton Hatcher Columns Hotel- Andrew Hall d.b.a. - Cedric Burnside Project + Papa Mali

Dos Jefes – Mitch Woods & Club 88 French Market - The Swing Setters Funky Pirate – The Blues Masters with Big Al Carson Kerry Irish Pub – Speed the Mule, Beatles tribute w/ Roux the Day! Little Tropical Isle – JB Elston, Ben Joseph Maple Leaf – Naughty Professor + Sexual Thunder!

Mid-City Lanes Rock ‘n’ Bowl- Contraflow One Eyed Jacks - Maggie Koerner PubliQ House - The Wooden Wings, Cardinal Sons, Hello Nomad RF’s- Lucas Davenport, Erica Falls Shamrock- Barhoppers Tropical Isle Bayou Club – Louisiana Inferno, T’Canaille Tropical Isle Bourbon – Way too Early, Debi & the Deacons Tropical Isle Original – The Hangovers, Late as Usual Twist of Lime - Big Pig + Gristnam & More Vaso - New Creations Brass Band, Ed Wills & Blues 4 Sale Windsor Court Hotel - Robin Barnes

Bamboula’s – Ed Wills Blues 4 Sale Bombay Club- Tom Hook Buffa’s – Jazz Brunch with Some Like it Hot Checkpoint Charlie- Open Mic feat. Jim Smith Columns Hotel- Chip Wilson Dos Jefes – Peter Nu Funky Pirate – Mark & the Pentones, Willie Lockett Howlin' Wolf - Cha Wa's Sunday Night Second Line, Hot 8 Brass Band Kerry Irish Pub – Patrick Cooper Little Tropical Isle – Mark Barrett, Ben Joseph Maple Leaf – Walter “Wolfman” Washington & Russel Batiste Ralph’s On the Park- Tom Worrell RF’s- Tony Seville Siberia – D.R. I. Tropical Isle Bayou Club – Cajungrass, Louisiana Inferno Tropical Isle Bourbon – Rhythm & Rain, Debi & the Deacons Tropical Isle Original – The Hangovers, Late as Usual

Sunday, December 6 AllWays Lounge- DinosAurchestra Atchafalaya- Maggie Belle Band Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits - The Tangiers Combo Backroom at Buffa's - Ashley Blume Jazztet

Monday, December 7 Bombay Club- Josh Paxton Bamboula’s - Blue Monday Jam with Special Guest Erik Guess Buffa’s – Arsene DeLay, Antione Diel Columns Hotel- David Doucet

Howlin' Wolf - Cas Haley + Collin Houser Kerry Irish Pub- Chip Wilson Little Tropical Isle – Mark Barrett, JB Elston The Maison – The New Orleans Jazz Vipers Maple Leaf – Khris Royal & Friends Mid-City Lanes Rock ‘n’ Bowl- The BoogieMen The Old Arabi Bar- Sam Prince Ralph’s On the Park- Jeff Pounds RF’s- Tony Seville Tropical Isle Bayou Club – La Maniere des Cadiens, Cajungrass Tropical Isle Bourbon – Way to Early, Debi & the Deacons Tropical Isle Original – Debi & the Deacons, Late as Usual Vaso - Angelica Matthews Band, JuJu Child Blues Band Thursday, December 3 Aloft Hotel- Alexis and the Samurai Bamboulas – Royal Street Windin Boys Bellocq- Eleanor Tallie Bombay Club- Kris Tokarski Duo and Tim Laughlin Buffa’s – Tom McDermott and Aurora Nealand Café Negril- Soul Project Checkpoint Charlie- Garett Thornton, Black Laurel Circle Bar - Guts Club with Ex Specter Columns Hotel- Marc Stone Dos Jefes – The Todd Duke Trio Funky Pirate – The Blues Masters with Big Al Carson Gasa Gasa – Shaun Martin (Snarky Puppy) with Noah Young Quartet Henry Turner Jr.'s Listening Room- Henry Turner Jr. Kerry Irish Pub - Claire Cannon and Kenna Mae Little Tropical Isle – Allen Hebert, Casey Saba The Maison – Jon Roniger, Sweet Substitute Jazz Band Maple Leaf- The Trio feat. Johnny Vidacovich, George Porter Jr. Mid-City Lanes Rock ‘n’ Bowl- Wayne Singleton & Same Ol 2 Step Ogden Museum of Southern Art- Roman Street Old Point Bar- Paul Molinario Project Public Belt Hilton Riverside- Charlie Miller, Joe Krown Ralph’s On the Park- Erin Demastes RF’s- James Martin Band Siberia – Nik Turner’s Hawkwind, Hedersleben & TBA Tropical Isle Bayou Club – Cajun Drifters, Louisiana Inferno Tropical Isle Bourbon – Miss Maggie Trio, Debi & the Deacons Tropical Isle Original – The Hangovers, Late as Usual Vaso- Bobby Love & Friends Vaughan's Lounge - Corey Henry's Treme Funktet Friday, December 4 Aloft Hotel- Chad Carson Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits - The Tangiers Combo Bamboula’s – Rhythm Stompers, Swamp Donkeys, John Lisi Band Bombay Club- Kitt Lough Buffa’s – Lucas Davenport, Dr. Sick, Salt Wives Carousel Lounge - Robin Barnes Carrollton Station- Daria & The Hipdrops Casa Borrega - Salsa Night featuring Papo's Afro Cuban Trio Checkpoint Charlie- Stingray, Willie Lockett & the Blues Krewe Circle Bar - Rik Slave's Country Persuasion Columns Hotel- Ted Long d.b.a. - Chubby Carrier Dew Drop Social & Benevolent Society Hall - The Write Brothers Dos Jefes – The Panorama Jazz Band Funky Pirate – Mark & the Pentones, Big Al Carson House of Blues – Copeland with Eisley and We Are the City Kerry Irish Pub – Mark Appleford, Hurricane Refugees Le Bon Temps Roulé- Dave Reis Little Tropical Isle – Reed Lightfoot, Ben Joseph The Maison – Shotgun Jazz Band

WhereYat.com | December 2015 | 33

Brunch & Live Music Every Saturday & Sunday from 11am - 3pm

Blue Monday Jam Featuring the BEST blues in the city!

Taco Tequila Tuesdays Pint Night Thursdays

LIVE MUSIC EVERY NIGHT

he t e Se p @m u e linoulas.co l l fu amb b

club

Frenchman Theater & Balconies available for rent!

www.bamboulasnola.com www.facebook.com/bamboulas 514 Frenchmen St. • 504-944-8461 34 | December 2015 | Music Calendar

Zebra Hard rock favorite Zebra are playing at the Civic! Inducted into both the Long Island and Louisiana Music Halls of Fame, they’ve been a local favorite for decades. Friday, December 18. Civic Theatre, 510 O’Keefe Ave. $35 and up. civicnola.com.

Dos Jefes – John Fohl Funky Pirate – Gary Brown Kerry Irish Pub – Kim Carson Little Tropical Isle – Reed Lightfoot, Lyne Drury The Maison – Chicken & Waffles, Aurora Nealand & the Royal Roses Maple Leaf- George Porter Jr. Trio Preservation Hall - Leroy Jones RF’s- Monty Banks Tropical Isle Bayou Club – Cajungrass Duo, Cajun Drifters Tropical Isle Bourbon – Rhythm & Rain, Way too Early Tropical Isle Original – Graham Robertson, Whiskey Bar Tuesday, December 8 Bombay Club- Matt Lemmler Bamboula’s – Dana and the Boneshakers Carrollton Station- One Love Brass Band Checkpoint Charlie- Jamie Lynn Vessels, Carolyn Broussard Columns Hotel- John Rankin Dos Jefes – Tom Hook & Wendell Brunious Funky Pirate – The Blues Masters with Patrick Williams Kerry Irish Pub – Jason Bishop Little Tropical Isle – Mark Barrett, Ben Joseph Mag's 940 - All-Star Covered Dish Country Jamboree!

The Maison – New Orleans Swinging Gypsies, Gregory Agid Quartet The Maple Leaf – Rebirth Brass Band The Old Arabi Bar- Deltaphonic Ralph’s On the Park- Tom Worrell The Republic – Obie Trice RF’s- Lucas Davenport Special Venue - The Harbinger Project Tropical Isle Bayou Club – Cajungrass Duo, Cajun Drifters Tropical Isle Bourbon – JB Elston and Wayne, Tropic Gumbo Tropical Isle Original – The Hangovers, JB Elston Band Wednesday, December 9 Bombay Club- Kris Tokarski Bamboula’s – Mem Shannon Blues Band Buffa’s – World’s Most Open Mic Night w/ Nattie Sanchez Casa Borrega – Aaron Lopez Barrantes Checkpoint Charlie- T Bone Stone & the Happy Monsters Columns Hotel- Andy Rogers Dos Jefes – Meghan Stewart & Too Darn Hot Funky Pirate – The Blues Masters with Patrick Williams Gasa Gasa – Baroness and Earthling Kerry Irish Pub – Patrick Cooper Little Tropical Isle – Mark Barrett, JB Elston The Maison – The New Orleans Jazz Vipers Maple Leaf – Rebirth Brass Band Mid-City Lanes Rock ‘n’ Bowl- Rocky’s Hot Fox Trot Christmas Show Ralph’s On the Park- Jeff Pounds RF’s- Tony Seville Tropical Isle Bayou Club – La Maniere des Cadiens, Cajungrass Tropical Isle Bourbon – Way to Early, Debi & the Deacons Tropical Isle Original – Debi & the Deacons, Late as Usual Thursday, Deecmber 10 Aloft Hotel- Renshaw Davies Bamboula’s – NOLA Swinging Gypsies Bombay Club- Kris Tokarski Duo and Duke Heitger Buffa’s – Tom McDermott and Aurora Nealand Café Negril- Soul Project Checkpoint Charlie- Jay Dufour, Mike Darby & the House of Cards Columns Hotel- Naydja Cojoe Dos Jefes – The George French Band Funky Pirate – Marc Stone Duo, The Blues Masters Gasa Gasa – Seratones and Alexis and the Samurai

Henry Turner Jr.'s Listening Room - Henry Turner Jr. Kerry Irish Pub – Van Hudson Le Bon Temps Roulé - The Soul Rebels Little Tropical Isle – Allen Hebert, Casey Saba The Maison – Jon Roniger Maple Leaf- The Trio feat. Johnny Vidacovich, George Porter Jr. Marigny Opera House- New Resonance Chamber Orchestra Mid-City Lanes Rock ‘n’ Bowl- Horace Trahan Ogden Museum of Southern Art- Hot Club of New Orleans One Eyed Jacks - The Black Dahlia Murder + Goatwhore Palm Court Jazz Café - Crescent City Joymakers Public Belt Hilton Riverside- Charlie Miller, Joe Krown Ralph’s On the Park- Erin Demastes RF’s- James Martin Band Smoothie King Center – Trans-Siberian Orchestra Tropical Isle Bayou Club – Cajun Drifters, Louisiana Inferno Tropical Isle Bourbon – Miss Maggie Trio, Debi & the Deacons Tropical Isle Original – The Hangovers, Late as Usual Vaso- Bobby Love & Friends Vaughan's Lounge -Corey Henry's Tremé Funktet Friday, December 11 Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits - The Tangiers Combo Bamboula’s – Johnny Mastro Band Bombay Club- Russell Welch Buffa’s – Davis Rogan, Lynn Drury, Cole and Keef Carousel Lounge - Robin Barnes Checkpoint Charlie- Phil the Tremolo King, Hubcap Kings, Circle Bar - Mike Doussan Dos Jefes – The Rick Trolsen Quartet Funky Pirate – Mark & the Pentones, Big Al Carson Hi Ho Lounge- Valerie Sassyfras Kerry irish Pub – Mark Appleford, Foot and Friends Le Bon Temps Roulé- Steve DeTroy Little Tropical Isle – Reed Lightfoot, Ben Joseph The Maison – Shotgun Jazz Band Maple Leaf - Bonerama Marigny Opera House- New Resonance Chamber Orchestra Mid-City Lanes Rock ‘n’ Bowl- Amanda Shaw & the Cute Guys Old U.S. Mint - Acte II: Ashley Watkins and Olanna Goudeau One Eyed Jacks – EYEHATEGOD Public Belt Hilton Riverside- Jeff Pounds, Erin Demastes RF’s- Lynn Drury, Iris P and the Greats Saenger- Marine Corp Band New Orleans Siberia – THE ANGRY SAMOANS, The Swingin’ Dicks, Die Rötzz & TBA Tropical Isle Bayou Club – Louisiana Inferno, T’Canailli Tropical Isle Bourbon – Way too Early, Debi & the Deacons Tropical Isle Original – The Hangovers, Late as Usual Ugly Dog Saloon & BBQ - Ruby & the Rogues Vaso- Bobby Love & Friends Windsor Court Hotel - Robin Barnes Saturday, December 12 Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirit - The Tangiers Combo Bamboula’s – Caesar Brothers Bombay Club- Los Tres Amigos Buffa’s - Mattanja Joy Bradley, Alexandra Scott and her Magical Band, Sam Cammarata Casa Borrega - Blake Amos and Friends Checkpoint Charlie- East & Stone, Kenny Triche, Isla Nola Circle Bar - Deaf & Poor Columns Hotel- Andrew Hall d.b.a. - Little Freddie King Dos Jefes – Sunpie & The LA Sunspots Funky Pirate – Mark & the Pentones, Big Al Carson Gasa Gasa – Colin Lake and John Shirley

Gatusso's- Benny Grunch and the Bunch Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse - Leroy Jones Quintet Jazz & Heritage Center- Christian Scott and aTunde Adjuah Kerry Irish Pub – Mark Parson, Lynn Drury LA46 - Helen Gillet Le Bon Temps Roulé- Gravy Flavored Kisses Little Tropical Isle – JB Elston, Ben Joseph The Maison – Chance Bushman & The Ibervillianaires Maple Leaf – Russell Batiste’s Birthday Bash Marigny Opera House- New Resonance Chamber Orchestra Mid-City Lanes Rock ‘n’ Bowl- The Iguanas One Eyed Jacks – NOLAW RF’s- Lucas Davenport, Erica Falls Shamrock- Clustafunk Tipitina's - Pokey Lafarge + The Deslondes Tropical Isle Bayou Club – La Maniere des Cadiens Tropical Isle Bourbon – Way too Early, Debi & the Deacons Tropical Isle Original – The Hangovers, Late as Usual Twist of Lime - System Red + Moonshine XXX Massacre Windsor Court Hotel - Robin Barnes

Thursday, December 17 Bombay Club- Kris Tokarski Duo and James Evans Bamboula’s – NOLA Swinging Gypsies Buffa’s – Alexandra Scott and Josh Paxton, Tom McDermott Café Negril- Soul Project Checkpoint Charlie- Yamomenem, Psychic Soul Connection The Civic Theatre - A John Waters Christmas Columns Hotel- Marc Stone Dos Jefes – The Loren Pickford Quartet Funky Pirate – Marc Stone Duo, Big Al Carson Kerry Irish Pub – Paintbox w/ Dave James & Tim Robertson Le Bon Temps Roulé - The Soul Rebels Little Tropical Isle – Allen Hebert, Casey Saba The Maison – Jon Roniger Ralph’s On the Park- Erin Demastes RF’s- James Martin Band Tropical Isle Bayou Club – Cajun Drifters, Louisiana Inferno Tropical Isle Bourbon – Miss Maggie Trio, Debi & the Deacons Tropical Isle Original – The Hangovers, Late as Usual Vaso- Bobby Love & Friends Vaughan’s Lounge- The Heart Attacks

Buffa’s – Asrene DeLay, Antoine Diel Checkpoint Charlie- Mike True Columns Hotel- David Doucet Funky Pirate – Gary Brown Gasa Gasa – Chicken & Waffles House of Blues – Travi$ Scott Kerry Irish Pub – Mark Parsons Little Tropical Isle – Reed Lightfoot, Lynn Drury The Maison – Chicken & Waffles, Aurora Nealand Preservation Hall - Leroy Jones RF’s- Monty Banks Tropical Isle Bayou Club – Cajungrass Duo, Cajun Drifters Tropical Isle Bourbon – Rhythm & Rain, Way too Early Tropical Isle Original – Graham Robertson, Whiskey Bar

Sunday, December 13 AllWays Lounge- Hot Toddy & the Fully Dressed PoBoys Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirit - The Tangiers Combo Bamboula’s – Ed Wills Blues 4 Sale Bombay Club- Tom Hook Buffa’s – Jazz Brunch with Some Like it Hot, Panorama Jazz Band Family Concerts, Dana Kurtz Checkpoint Charlie- Open Mic feat. Jim Smith Columns Hotel- Chip Wilson Dos Jefes – Andrew Duhon Funky Pirate – Mark & the Pentones, Willie Lockett Gasa Gasa – Guy Blakeslee (The Entrance Band) Howlin' Wolf - Cha Wa's Sunday Night Second Line, Hot 8 Brass Band Kerry Irish Pub – Chip Wilson Little Tropical Isle – Mark Barrett, Ben Joseph Maple Leaf – Joe Krown Trio featuring Walter “Wolfman” Washington Marigny Opera House- New Resonance Chamber Orchestra Ralph’s On the Park- Tom Worrell RF’s- Tony Seville Siberia – SAVIOURS Titpitina’s – Scott Weiland & The Wildabouts Tropical Isle Bayou Club – Cajungrass, Louisiana Inferno Tropical Isle Bourbon – BC & Comp, Debi & the Deacons Tropical Isle Original – The Hangovers, Late as Usual Monday, December 14 Bombay Club- Josh Paxton

E S T.

Tuesday, December 15 Bamboula’s – Dana & the Boneshakers Bombay Club- Matt Lemmler Checkpoint Charlie- Jamie Lynn Vessels, Somerton Suitcase Columns Hotel- John Rankin Dos Jefes – Tom Hook & Wendell Brunious Funky Pirate – The Blues Masters with Patrick Williams Kerry Irish Pub – Jason Bishop Little Tropical Isle – Mark Barrett, Ben Joseph Ralph’s On the Park- Tom Worrell RF’s- Lucas Davenport Siberia – Season of Suffering, Demonic Destruction & DJ Penetrol Special Venue - The Harbinger Project Tropical Isle Bayou Club – Cajungrass Duo, Cajun Drifters Tropical Isle Bourbon – JB Elston and Wayne, Tropic Gumbo Tropical Isle Original – The Hangovers, JB Elston Band Wednesday, December 16 Bombay Club- Kris Tokarski Bamboula’s – Mem Shannon Blues Band Buffa’s – World’s Most Open Mic Night w/ Nattie Sanchez Casa Borrega – Aaron Lopez Barrantes Checkpoint Charlie- T Bone Stone & the Happy Monsters Columns Hotel- Andy Rogers Funky Pirate – The Blues Masters with Patrick Williams Kerry Irish Pub – Tim Robertson Little Tropical Isle – Mark Barrett, JB Elston The Maison – The New Orleans Jazz Vipers Marigny Opera House - Rex Gregory, Robin RF’s- Tony Seville Tropical Isle Bayou Club – La Maniere des Cadiens, Cajungrass Tropical Isle Bourbon – Way to Early, Debi & the Deacons Tropical Isle Original – Debi & the Deacons, Late as Usual

AndersOsbourne

Anders Osborne has earned a name for himself among New Orleans’ best musicians for his soulful voice and expert guitar skills.

Don’t miss his annual Holiday Spectacular at Tipitina’s. Friday, December 18. Tipitina's, 501 Napoleon Ave. $30 and up. Tipitinas.com. Photo

by Jayne Tansey-Patron.

Friday, December 18 Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits - The Tangiers Combo Bamboula’s – John Lisi Band Bombay Club- Tim Laughlin Trio Buffa’s – Jon Roninger, Sherman Bernard and the Ole Man River Band, Keith Burnstein’s Birthday Bash Carousel Lounge - Robin Barnes Carrollton Station- Close Enough Casa Borrega - Salsa Night featuring Papo's Afro Cuban Trio Checkpoint Charlie- One Tail Three, The Budz The Civic- Zebra Columns Hotel- Ted Long d.b.a. - Luke Winslow King Dew Drop Social & Benevolent Society Hall - Linnzi Zaorski Dos Jefes – The Eric Traub Trio Funky Pirate – Mark & the Pentones, The Blues Masters Kerry Irish Pub – Patrick Cooper, Papa Chop Le Bon Temps Roulé- Tom Worrell Little Tropical Isle – Reed Lightfoot, Ben Joseph The Maison – Shotgun Jazz Band Maple Leaf – Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes RF’s- Lynn Drury, Hyperphlly Tipitina's - The 4th Annual Anders Osborne Holiday Spectacular Tropical Isle Bayou Club – Louisiana Inferno, T’Canailli Tropical Isle Bourbon – Way too Early, JB Elston Band, Debi & the Deacons

1939

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Lakeside2Riverside U p c o m i n g F e s t i va ls & E v e n t s

Holidays

CANAL STREET LIGHTING CEREMONY TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24 | 5:00 - 7:00 P.M. astor crowne plaza | 739 canal street, st. charles ballroom kids who bring an unwrapped toy can join santa and decorate holiday cookies

HOLIDAY MOVIES ON THE MISSISSIPPI FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4 | 6:30 P.M. | POLAR EXPRESS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11 | 6:30 P.M. | HOME ALONE FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18 | 6:30 P.M. | ELF

the outlet collection at riverwalk – spanish plaza

KREWE OF JINGLE PARADE SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5 | 1:00 P.M. visit www.DowntownNOLA.com/Holidays for parade route.

REINDEER RUN & ROMP SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 REGISTRATION 8:00 A.M. | RACE START 9:00 A.M. begins & ends at the outlet collection at riverwalk – spanish plaza

for more information: www.DowntownNOLA.com/Holidays

Follow us!

TWITTER @DDDNewOrleans FACEBOOK.com/DowntownNOLA INSTAGRAM.com/DDDNewOrleans #HOLIDAYSDOWNTOWN

36 | December 2015 | Lakeside 2 Riverside

Celebration in the Oaks November 27, 2015–January 3, 2016 Fridays and Saturdays | 6–11 pm; Sundays–Thursdays | 6–10 pm City Park neworleanscitypark.com/celebrationin-the-oaks The beauty of City Park will be covered with holiday lights for viewers to gaze at in delight and amusement. Celebration in the Oaks has coined itself “The Most Spectacular Holiday Lights Festival in the Country” and proves it to be so with over 100,000 visitors coming to see the decor.

The celebration hosts a Preview Party, Jingle Bells and Beer, a Family Party and tours of the park. Buy tickets in advance on City Park’s website so you will not have to wait in line.

Christmas New Orleans Style December 1–31 https://holiday.neworleansonline.com/ events Have a very Creole Christmas in the city of New Orleans. New Orleans offers a variety of holiday activities for friends and families to enjoy that take place from uptown to downtown. There will be a total of 60 events, and 22 of them are free. Festivities range from bonfires and caroling to Christmas Eve on the Steamboat Natchez. To see all the New Orleans Christmas activities, visit their website above.

Beau Rivage Resort & Casino’s Holiday Events and Entertainment December 1 - January 1 875 Beach Blvd. Biloxi, Miss.

888-567-6667 www.beaurivage.com Beau Rivage is bringing the holidays to the Mississippi River with live shows, beautiful decorations and holiday food. The festivities kickoff with the showing of Santa and Friends on Ice presented by the Beau Rivage Theatre. The show runs from December 1-27 and tickets are available on beaurivage. com. From December 13-17 and 20-24 enjoy food with Mr. Claus at Pictures with Santa in The Buffet. A complimentary photo with Santa is included with Buffet purchase.

New Year’s will also be celebrated at Beau Rivage including a performance by the Molly Ringwalds, dinner and a champagne toast at midnight.

2nd Annual Latkes with a Twist December 3 | 8:00 pm Bellocq, 936 St. Charles Ave. jcrs.org Held by the Jewish Children’s Regional

Krewe of Jingle ~ Dec. 5 Service, the second annual fundraising event is sure to help you kick off a very happy Hanukkah. A $25 donation gets you into renowned cocktail destination Bellocq and includes live music with Eleanor Tallie, drink specials, and a complimentary latke bar by Chef Dan Esses of Three Muses, as well as a subscription to the PJ Library.

Krewe of Jingle Parade December 5 | 1 pm Canal Street http://downtownnola.com/holidays Get into the holiday spirit early in December by attending the Krewe of Jingle Parade. Get in the holiday spirit as an array of authenitc floats, stilt walkers, marching bands, and a cast of Christmas characters delight audiences with their winter ode to Mardi Gras. The krewe will roll down Canal St. and feature Christmas characters and prizes for the audience to enjoy.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra December 10 | 7:30 pm Smoothie King Center smoothiekingcenter.com/events/ detail/trans-siberian-orchestra The Trans-Siberian Orchestra is making a stop in New Orleans during their 60-city Christmas tour. The orchestra is performing “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve.” The show will please the crowd with theatrics and songs like “Christmas Eve Sarajevo 12/24,” “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Good King Joy,” “Christmas Canon,” “Music Box Blues,” “Promises to Keep” and “This Christmas Day.” Tickets start at $32.

Fifth Annual Running of Santas December 12 | 11 am–midnight Begins at the Rusty Nail and ends at Generations Hall in the CBD

runningofthesantas.com/new-orleans/ The running Santas this year will sprint from Rusty Nail to Generations Hall and enjoy activities when the run is completed. Post-run events include live entertainment by Category 6 and Flowtribe, a Cutest Santa Contest and drink specials from surrounding bars. General admission is $15.

Merry Men’s Event December 13 | 10 am–4 pm Café Reconcile, 1631 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. cafereconcile.org Come support Café Reconcile’s mission with their Merry Men’s Event. Enjoy brunch, “manly” cocktails and Saints

football. Also look forward to shopping, a silent auction and raffle for a Sugar Bowl game package! For tickets to the perfect pre-holiday event, visit cafereconcile.org or call 934-1633.

Spirits Bulldog Gin Best Bartender Competition December 14 | 8-10 pm Rampart Room (above Walk-On's) WhereYat.com/Best-Bartender-Of-New-Orleans The 48 contestants in the Bulldog London Dry Gin Best Bartender contest will be narrowed down to the top three finalists this December. After the the votes are counted, there will be a finals party on December 14th located at 1009 Poydras Street in the Rampart Room directly above Walk-Ons Bistreaux and Bar. The voting ends December 5th, so make sure to support your favorite bartender and get your vote in before then!

Sports and Fitness

Trans-Siberian Orchestra's Christmas Tour ~ Dec. 10

Bayou Classic November 28 | 4 pm Mercedes-Benz Superdome mybayouclassic.com/bayou-classic-events Take a break from eating and attend the 42nd Annual Bayou Classic for Thanksgiving. This family-friendly event pregames all day for the Grambling State University v. Southern University football game. It features a Thanksgiving parade, College and Career Fair, Battle of the Bands and Greek Show, Fan Fest and the big game, then ends with a Gospel Brunch.

Running of the Santas ~ Dec. 12 Dashing through the Dome Presented by R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl December 18 | 6:30 pm Mercedes-Benz Superdome dashingthoughthedome.eventbrite.com R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl hosts the 2nd Annual Dashing Through the Dome. The two-mile race runs participants into the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, up and around the Dome’s Ground, Plaza and Terrace Levels, then down the ramps, finishing on the field. Participants will also be able to attend a free post-race performance.

3 3 1 D e c a t u r 5 2 7 - 5 9 5 4 B e s t G u i n n e s s I n N e w O r l e a n s L i v e M u s i c N i g h t l y N O C O V E R w w w . k e r r y i r i s h p u b . c o m Every Tuesday in December – Honky Tonk Tuesday w/ Jason Bishop 8:30 pm!!

Fri. 11/27 Sat. 11/29 Sun. 11/30 Wed. 12/02 Thurs. 12/03 Fri. 12/04 Sat. 12/05 Sun. 12/06 Mon. 12/07 Wed. 12/09 Thurs. 12/10 Fri. 12/11 Sat. 12/12 Sun. 12/13 Mon. 12/14 Wed. 12/16 Thurs. 12/17 Fri. 12/18 Sat. 12/19 Sun. 12/20 Mon. 12/21 Thurs. 12/31 Fri. 01/01 Sat. 01/02

Mark Appleford 4 pm Paul Ferguson 4 pm Chip Wilson 8 pm Chip Wilson 8:30 pm Claire Cannon & Kenna Mae 9:00 pm Mark Appleford 5 pm Hurricane Refugees 9 pm Speed The Mule 5 pm Beatles Tribute w/ Roux The Day! 9 pm Patrick Cooper 8 pm Kim Carson 8:30 pm Patrick Cooper 8:30 pm Van Hudson 8:30 pm Mark Appleford 5 pm Foot & Friends 9 pm Mark Parsons 5 pm Lynn Drury 9:00 pm Chip Wilson 8 pm Mark Parsons 8 pm Tim Robertson 8:30 pm Paintbox w/Dave James & Tim Robertson 9:00 pm Patrick Cooper 5 pm Papa Chop 9 pm Paul Ferguson 5 pm The One Tailed Three 9 pm Irish Session 5 pm Patrick Cooper 8 pm Claire Cannon & Kenna Mae 8:00 pm Happy New Year!

The One Tailed Three 4:30 pm Mark Hessler & Friends 9:00 pm Patrick Cooper 5 pm Hurricane Refugees 9 pm Roux The Day! 9 pm

WhereYat.com | December 2015 | 37

A Black Fly in My Chardonnay My Experience Becoming a Sommelier

I

By Kathy Bradshaw

recently passed the Introductory Course Sommelier Exam, which was a pretty exciting feat, and one which I was shocked to have accomplished. The test and the two-day wine class leading up to it were grueling, intense and slightly painful—somewhere between the SAT, the bar exam and a bikini wax. For instance, there are over 3500 different species of grapes, accounting for 1100 different flavors. France has more than 300 grape-growing regions, and there are over 10,000 wineries in the U.S. alone.

So while we certainly weren’t expected to know everything about wine, we couldn’t be sure if the sommelier’s exam would ask us to recall the primary grapes of Piedmont, Italy, or the main wine produced in Hungary.

So we pretty much had to know everything about wine—and that is one heck of a task.

Studying wine is overwhelming. There is an excessive amount of information, a ton of fancy terms, many unusual abbreviations and multiple foreign languages (with hard-to-decipher names and locations such as Crozes-Hermitage and Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita).

And there are so many laws. Like when champagne can be called champagne, and grape politics, wine hierarchy and vineyard bureaucracy. They taught us how to taste wine, how to serve wine and what you are supposed to drink it with—like Gewürztraminer with crawfish, or sherry with sardines (Moscato and Cheetos, anyone?).

Ever since I began studying to become a sommelier, I’ve had to shift my way of thinking about wine. I have learned to think outside the box. And yes, I do mean outside the Franzia cardboard-variety, White Zinfandel box with the handy-dandy spill-proof pour spout.

I now know that Super Tuscans are wines from Central Italy, and not Italian superheroes. I have learned that sediment in wine is NOT caused by the backwash from your half-chewed foie gras, nor a kamikaze fruit fly that flew headfirst into your glass.

It’s a black fly in your Chardonnay. And isn’t it ironic…don’t you think?

What I find ironic is the fact that being a sommelier is supposed to make me a bit of a wine snob. Except that I’m really not. Not in the least, in fact.

I don’t think I’ve ever spent more than about $16 on a bottle of wine, and that was

for a bottle of Asti Spumante. I’m more of a White Zinfandel kind of girl. I’m not even above drinking Boone’s Farm, especially if it’s the Blue Hawaiian variety (I’ll drink just about anything if it’s blue). I am certainly happy to have a nice glass of vino in a fancy wine bar every so often, but I’m just as content to guzzle a cup in the type of joint whose wine selection consists of “white, red or pink.” And where the “pink” might very well result from mixing the other two together.

My favorite after-work beverage is a split of dive-bar sparkling, in a pint glass over ice, spiked with grape liqueur and Apple Pucker. I won’t touch red wine (except when being forced to do so in preparation for the sommelier exam). And if a wine tastes too dry to me (as most of them do), I’ve been known to dump a packet of Splenda in it on more than one occasion. Even when out in a fancy restaurant.

Despite all that, I’ve now been trained to talk about appellations and vintages.

About malolactic fermentation, carbonic maceration and minerality.

To prepare for the exam, we had to taste a lot of wine. And smell wine. Look at wine.

Eat, sleep and breathe wine. For months. It was a very complicated process.

We did tastings. Blind tastings. That means we had to figure out what the wine was, based simply on how it looked, smelled and finally tasted. A total guessing game. We needed to distinguish between “Old World” and “New World” and know how old the wine was, where specifically it was produced and from what varietal.

It was a fun little drinking game of “Name that Grape.”

To begin with, we had to look at the wine—very closely—first describing its color (Garnet? Ruby? Straw?). Then, we discussed how bright and shiny it was—with words such as “star bright” and “day bright” that seemed more applicable

38 | December 2015 | A Black Fly in My Chardonnay

to Christmas trees, constellations and Madonna songs than to wine.

Next, we had to decide whether the wine was “hazy” or “cloudy.” (Isn’t that exactly the same thing?) We talked about things like color loss, because apparently just like photos and cheap sweaters, wine fades with age. And finally, swirling the wine around and watching how it ran down the sides of the glass, we were required to come to earth-shattering conclusions about it based on merely how quickly the

wine-speak. Did the wine smell youthful?

Or vinous? (That means old.) Did we smell potpourri? Baking spice? Culinary herbs? It was never enough to say the wine smelled fruity, if it did; you had to tell them which fruit, specifically. (Stone fruit? Tree fruit?

Berries? Tropical fruit?) And then you had to go beyond that and talk about what “condition” the fruit was in. (Ripe fruit?

Dried fruit? Cooked fruit? Jammy?) In the world of wine, the descriptions can get ultra-specific. As in, “I smell culinary herbs,

Americans drink about 893 million gallons of wine a year. tiny droplets trickled. This part included a description of the tears (not the ones I was choking back at this point) and the legs. I always found it interesting that wine had legs. Run, little wine, run. Run free. And bring me with you.

The next part of the tasting process is the smell test. The nose of the wine. We had to stick our own schnozes as far into the wine glasses as we could get them, and then talk about what we smelled. In proper

purchased from an outdoor farmers market on a Wednesday in the south of France, and dried in the afternoon sun in a hilltop garden, near a river, in a bamboo basket that was handmade in Indonesia.”

Finally, it was time to actually taste the wine. This is an exact science. They tell you precisely how to do it: take a sip, gargle, swish, expectorate. (Not spit, mind you. Spitting is not nearly sophisticated enough.) Have you ever heard a wine snob

WhereYat.com | December 2015 | 39

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I have learned to think outside the box. And yes, I do mean outside the Franzia, cardboard-variety. taste wine? They suck it through their teeth and gurgle it around in their mouths, before they gracefully expel it into a cup or other vessel dedicated to the collection of wine swill.

The accompanying noise is a cross between a small kid blowing bubbles in chocolate milk through a straw and an old man gargling Listerine.

Then we were supposed to describe what we tasted. “Hmmm. Why, I’m getting mild earthiness on the palate. Hints of grass.… No, forest floor. Floral in the back. With silky tannins and ‘medium plus’ complexity. It tastes like a fine blend of limestone, jalapeño and compost. With a short finish and low acidity. It must be a 2007 Pinot Noir from Burgundy.

Clearly a Meursault, to be specific.”

Wine descriptors run the gamut of food-related (but what is that doing in my wine?) as well as the just plain inedible. Everything from bacon fat, mushrooms and bread dough to tobacco, leather and wet soil. My wine tastes like dirt.

Or, sometimes the wine masters would go one further and ask us if we could taste manure in the wine. Otherwise referred to as “barnyard.” Meaning that the wine might, quite literally, taste like shit. And of course, we mustn’t forget that Sauvignon Blanc is classically well known for having the distinct flavor of cat pee. It was funny to me that if the wine tasted like nail polish, or cork, that was considered bad. It’s known as a wine fault. But small doses of animal poo flavor (or the litterbox) is apparently just peachy.

Wine fault? If someone wants to drink stuff that is meant to taste like crap, whose fault is it, really? (I have a friend who always says her wine tastes like desperation and despair.)

Wine is important. There’s a lot to be said about it, and for it. Nearly 28 billion liters of wine are produced worldwide annually. Americans drink about 893 million gallons of the grape intoxicant a year. But then again, we mustn’t take it too seriously either. It’s still just spoiled grape juice, after all. Wine is a four-letter word—like so many other four-letter words that came to mind throughout the duration of the sommelier exam.

When it was all over, after I’d received my certificate and coveted sommelier pin, I went out to the hole-in-the-wall bar around the corner and celebrated with a glass of Chardonnay. With a whole bunch of Midori melon liqueur poured into it. The color was definitely green. Green like an unmown golf course on the 5th tee in March. I got strong melon aroma on the nose. And on the palate? It tasted like the hangover I was going to have the next day.

And I was just fine with that.

BarGuide Backspace Bar & Kitchen 139 Chartres St. 322-2281

This literary-themed restaurant has unique cocktails and late-night comfort food. Where else can you get milk and cookies for dessert?

Bamboula's 514 Frenchmen St. 944-8461

This print shop-turned-bar is one of Frenchmen’s best venue. Features two stages for bands and three bars for endless entertainment.

Barcadia 601 Tchoupitoulas St. 335-1740

Go back to basics with games, award-winning burgers and everything your heart could desire.

Happy hour from 4 - 7!

Bar Tonique 820 N. Rampart St. 324-6045

Known for its eclectic beer and wine selection, this neighborhood bar is the perfect spot for cocktail hipsters.

Bruno's Tavern 7538 Maple St. 861-7615

A favorite for Uptowners, this is place to be for an LSU or Saints game. Come in on Thursdays nights for $3 imports!

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

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

Cosimo's 1201 Burgundy St. 522-9715

A homey neighborhood hangout off the French Quarter's beaten path serving up a signature twist on the Bloody Mary—the Bloody Ugly.

Coyote Ugly 225 N. Peters St. 561-0003

Their Daily Drink Specials from 9 pm to close will remind you why this is the most famous bar on the planet.

Evangeline 329 Decatur St. 373-4852

A full menu of local food and microbrews makes this the perfect place for people looking for some homegrown fare.

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.

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

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

Kajun's Pub 2256 St. Claude Ave. 947-3735

Karaoke and Saints games are highlights at this 24hour bar. Jello shots are free every time the Saints score a touchdown!

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.

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.

Mid-City Yacht Club 440 S St. Patrick St. 483-2517

Repeatedly ranked as Mid-City’s best bar, their fantastic beer selection starts at $2 and the food is out of this world.

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

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

Pat O’Briens 718 St. Peter St. 525-4823

Visit the birthplace of New Orleans’ most famous drink, the Hurricane. A local favorite since 1933, this historic pub is renowned for its piano bar.

Rick’s Cabaret 315 Bourbon St. 524-4222

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

The epitome of New Orleans’ nightlife.

Rivershack Tavern 3449 River Rd. 834-4938

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

Shamrock Bar & Grille 4133 S. Carrollton Ave. 307-4350

Schedule your next party here or watch some crazy wrestling matches. Between live music and pool tables, there’s plenty to do.

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Tchoupitoulas Beer Garden Live out your Oktoberfest dreams here with a stein of beer. The cuisine only serves to make for a more 5535 Magazine St. authentic experience.

899-3744 Tracey’s 2604 Magazine St. 897-5413

The original Irish Channel bar, get beers and food in a low-key setting. Happy Hour on weekdays from 4 to 7!

Tropical Isle Original 721 Bourbon St. 529-4109

Home of the Hand Grenade, this bar rocks a weekday Happy Hour from 11 am to 7 pm. Come to this or any of their 5 locations for great live music.

Warehouse Grille 869 Magazine St. 322-2188

A perfect centerpiece for the Warehouse District’s funky atmosphere. With over 40 beers on tap, there’s something for everyone here!

315 BOUROBN ST Bar Guide | December 2015 | 41

N

In New Orleans, Coffee is King

By Kimmie Tubre | Photos by Kaitlyn Clement

ew Orleans’ caffeinated history dates back about 200 years. During the 19th century, free slaves in New Orleans began opening small coffee stands and shops in and near the French Market. It has been said that the idea of the “morning coffee break” stems from the traditional morning cup of coffee and socializing that was done in the French Quarter.

New Orleans remains one of the biggest coffee ports in the United States; approximately 30 percent of today’s coffee enters the country through our city. As such, our city offers a plethora of independently owned coffee shops where locals can indulge.

Mocha au Lait $295

>> Hi Volt has kicked the coffee game up a couple of notches, serving everything from cold pressed to pour-over, Oji drip, Japanese iced and fantastic espresso creations. 1829 Sophie Wright Pl. • HiVoltCoffee.com

Undead Sweet Potato Head Latté $4 45

Shockproof Coffee $375

^^ Bean Gallery is a Mid-City favorite. Conveniently located on Carrollton near Orleans, The Bean Gallery isn’t know for fancy schmancy gourmet drinks. This place is a local favorite because of its delicious coffee, consistent charm and local atmosphere. 637 N. Carrollton Ave. • thebeangallery.net

Shakerato $300

>> French Truck Coffee is a one-of-a-kind micro-roaster with on-the-spot roasted coffee swag. Now with its own retail location, French Truck Coffee knows that their clients love the finest of coffees and they aim to please. @FrenchTruck • frenchtruckcoffee.com << Z’otz Cafe serves only the finest coffee and espresso in the Riverbend. Popular for its Godiva Mocha Coffee drink, Z’otz has a spectacular selection matched by its quirky, new-wave vibe. 8210 Oak St. • zotzcafe.com

^^ Sacred Grinds specializes in Zombie Coffee. With scenic cemetery views and Zombie hand chairs, Sacred Grinds has a menu that includes everything from latte to spookier coffee blends. But don’t worry, they also serve coffee to humans. 5055 Canal St. • sacredgrinds.com

42 | December 2015 | In New Orleans, Coffee is King

Bad Wolf $375

^^

Large Cafe au Lait $480

Mojo Coffee House knows that when it comes to Mojo, “It’s all about the coffee.” Locally roasted and locally owned, the baristas at Mojo take their coffee seriously. They serve up beautifully decorated and tasty coffee treats at two locations located on Magazine and Freret Streets. Multiple Locations • mojocoffeeroasters.com

Main Squeeze $450

^^ Morning Call is as well known for their beignets as they are their delicious coffee. In operation since 1870, Morning Call was originally located in the French Market. After relocating in the 1970s, Morning Call spent decades in Metairie before opening a second-scenic location in New Orleans’ City Park. Multiple Locations • morningcallcoffeestand.com

Cafe Horchata $425

Pumpkin Spice Latte $500

<< PJ’s Coffee started as a small shop in the Carrollton area. Since the late 1970s, PJ’s has expanded, with locations from Atlanta to California.

Known for seasonal blends such as their annual Wedding Cake and Windsor Court blends, it is a favorite among locals. Multiple Locations • pjscoffee.com

Medium House Chai Latte $350

^^ Village Coffee is more than just a fantastic java joint, serving a variety of everything from breakfast to sandwiches. Located at the edge of Freret near the university area, Village Coffee keeps a full house of patrons satisfied. 5335 Freret St. • villagecoffeenola.com

^^ Fair Grinds Coffee House caters to the neighborhood community by serving only the best fair trade coffee, tea and cafe cuisine. Working directly with community organizers in Central and South America, Fair Grinds aims to offer some of the city’s best Latin coffee blends. 3313 Ponce de Leon St. • fairgrinds.com

WhereYat.com | December 2015 | 43

Bookoo Rueda

Group brings '50s Cuban Dancing to NOLA

B

By Christopher Louis Romaguera

ookoo Rueda is a dance group hoping to build a community of dancers in New Orleans who can dance Casino and, in particular, Rueda de Casino.

The group is manned by two New Orleanians, Chaille Mount and Kevin Braxton.

Classes have been taking place on Wednesdays from 7:15 to 8:45 pm at the Ashé Cultural Arts Center (1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd.) and on Sundays from 7:30 to 9 pm at the First Presbyterian Church of New Orleans (5401 S Claiborne Ave.).

What is Casino and Rueda de Casino?

Casino is a dance that became popular in Cuba in the 1950s and ’60s. The name Casino comes from casino deportivos, which are the famous dance halls where Casino was most commonly danced in Cuba. Casino is not based on any move or particular technique to differentiate itself. It allows people to improvise and use their knowledge of other dance moves to incorporate them as it fits with the music. When dancing Casino, you can see bits of Rumba, Cha-Cha, Danzon, Salsa, etc.

Casino can be danced soltero (solo), pajeras (with partners), as well as in larger groups. Rueda de Casino is another style of this dance, which is what Bookoo Rueda wants to teach. In Rueda de Casino, pairs of partners make a circle (a circular version of a Salsa square) to be danced in. One person, “un

44 | December 2015 | Bookoo Rueda

cantante” (the caller), calls out dance moves. Many dance moves have accompanying hand signals as well, which helps when Casino is being danced in a particularly loud venue.

Many of Rueda de Casino’s moves have participants change dance partners throughout the song. The differing degrees and interpretations of moves, along with the interplay that everyone in the Rueda can have with everyone else, create a spectacle that is great to see from the outside and partake in on the inside.

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WhereYat.com | December 2015 | 45

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46 | December 2015 | Bookoo Rueda

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Cuba and New Orleans Bookoo Rueda is hoping to bring this beautiful style of dance to New Orleans. Cuba and New Orleans have a very rich and old history. While it is easy (and common) to point out the similarities in cuisine and music, currently New Orleans has fewer Cuban dance troupes and references in popular culture. Chaille says that when talking to her mother about dancing Casino, her mom mentioned how it made sense, since her family used to hang out with a bunch of Cubans in New Orleans before the embargo.

Casino was the first style of dance that Kevin learned. Chaille said that she started dancing Casino while living in Seattle. She was shocked that there wasn’t a Casino community in New Orleans when she returned.

Chaille told me, “The connection between Cuba and here...there’s so much culturally and music-wise that’s similar.” She tells a story of a Cuban instructor who clapped out the Cuban clave in a second line, and a woman turned around and told him, “If you’re going to do it, do it right.” She then went on to clap the New Orleans clave. The passion for music in both of these cultures is so great, and their rhythms are so close to each other, we are sister communities listening to the same song, but hearing a different beat.

Bookoo Rueda Bookoo Rueda strives to build a community of dancers that can partake in the various moves and styles of Casino in and around New Orleans. Chaille jokes that she and Kevin started the group because they were “tired of dancing with each other.” The idea is to build a community that can dance and play, and have a good time, with each other. As Chaille told me, “Rueda de Casino lends itself to that [building a community]. I see different personality traits attracted to Salsa; for a lot of people, Salsa is more about performance, style and showing off. In Rueda de Casino, there’s still styling, but it’s playful, more of a game.”

Bookoo Rueda is creating an online database with dance moves as well as teaching moves in classes. The idea is to eventually create New Orleans–centric dance moves as well, named after and incorporating different gestures relevant to the city. Kevin says he hopes to “build a community by throwing a bunch of parties. Lots of energy, a lot of people having fun, and build it from there…I like to give away a lot of stuff; that’s why I don’t mind teaching the classes for free. I do a lot of stuff for free to entice people to come.”

Rueda de Casino seems like it was meant for New Orleans in so many ways. It’s flexible enough to be a work of art, seductive, and loose in ways that provide an infinite number of possibilities for what can happen on the dance floor. In anachronistic cities such as New Orleans and Havana, these features are extremely prevalent, and a part of the character of both great cities.

Bookoo Rueda hopes that the dance can take hold here. Kevin told me, “I don’t see how Rueda de Casino won’t fit in New Orleans. There’s a bunch of stuff there—there’s tango, there’s swing, there’s actually square dancing. Rueda has its place here.”

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WhereYat.com | December 2015 | 47

No Gym Fee Outdoor Complexes Offer Free Fitness Options

By Celeste Turner

W

hile 10 years have passed since Hurricane Katrina, FitLot, a local non-profit organization, has been working to help strengthen and equip New Orleans communities with free outdoor fitness parks. Beginning with the Flagship Park located at the Sojourner Truth Neighborhood Center on the Lafitte Greenway, FitLot is committed to transforming empty lots into free recreational parks within walking distance of most neighborhoods.

“We have been planning to build a bikeable network of outdoor fitness parks throughout New Orleans, connecting neighborhoods from the lake to the river,” said Adam Mejerson, founder of FitLot. “I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what to do with the vacant lots and blighted houses in the city after Hurricane Katrina.

And fitness parks seemed like a great way to repurpose those vacant lots.”

Mejerson, who came to New Orleans in January 2006, spent four months gutting houses as a disaster relief volunteer in St. Bernard Parish. With the support of his father, he established FitLot in 2013 in an effort to revitalize the city’s communities, increase public awareness of health and improve the value of real estate in New Orleans.

“We would like to make a health model for New Orleans and make these parks as accessible to people as possible before expanding to other cities throughout the country,” said Mejerson. However, he explains that a construction date is contingent on funding and, presently, FitLot has raised only enough money for the cost of the equipment at FitLot’s Flagship Park.

“Now we need to find a matching sponsor or donor to fund build-out,” he said.

Recognized as one of the initial contributing sponsors, Whole Foods, with its store on Broad Street and the ReFresh Project, will be

“We have been planning to build a bikeable network of outdoor fitness parks.” — Adam Mejerson, Founder of FitLot 48 | December 2015 | No Gym Fee

only a three-minute walk down the Greenway from FitLot’s Flagship Park.

“We were happy to partner with FitLot early on and look forward to developing that relationship,” said Kristina Bradford, Louisiana Community and Media Relations Coordinator for Whole Foods. “Giving back to the communities in which we work and live is one of our core values. FitLot will offer many opportunities for the neighborhoods, especially for seniors.”

In his vision for FitLot, Mejerson also plans to involve the neighborhood community to help build and landscape the park. This “community build day” will allow local volunteers to develop a sense of ownership of their neighborhood park.

“We ask the community to help organize a community build day where we build and landscape the park together in one morning,” said Mejerson. “Then we staff the park with a free neighborhood coach to teach people how to use the park once it is built.”

Since April 2015, Coach Milton Brown, a 30-year-old local EMT and firefighter, has been working with FitLot as a Neighborhood Coach, teaching free exercise sessions for youth and adults. “I help individuals push through their threshold and reach their goals,” said Brown, who has been instructing fitness classes every Tuesday and Thursday evening at the hydraulic fitness area located in City Park's Festival Grounds. These classes have been suspended in preparation for the construction of the customized Fitlot Park along the Lafitte Greenway. “I show them how to use the different pieces of recreational equipment while motivating them to exercise.” His classes are composed of various groups ranging in age from 13 to 55 years old.

“A lot of kids come out and are interested in improving their health,” said Brown. “They are very receptive. And I make sure the exercises are modified for the older adults. Even though the adults complain, after a few weeks go by, they get over the soreness from the workouts. And then the older adults don’t want to miss a group exercise session.”

Excitement in the Lafitte Greenway neighborhood grows as FitLot fundraising campaigns strive to finalize the building plans for Flagship Park. Supporters can make a donation to FitLot’s crowdfunding campaign and join this public health movement.

With these groundbreaking developments in the revitalization of New Orleans, FitLot has established free outdoor fitness parks as a long-term project. With nearly 80% of all structures in Orleans Parish destroyed due to extensive flooding, now is the time for neighborhood communities to reap the benefits of FitLot fitness parks and focus on public health.

As Coach Brown often tells his students during his exercise classes, “Shoot as high as you can and believe in yourself. I promise, you will reap the rewards of good health.”

WhereYat.com | December 2015 | 49

Sharing the Road Biking Safe in the Big Easy

H

By Cassandra Damascus

ow to treat bicyclists is a common question that those in motor vehicles have when driving in New Orleans. Our city ranks eighth in the nation for bicycle commuting, according to bikelaw. com. With the large amount of bicycle commuters have come many accidents and deaths, however.

There were 318 reported bicycle accidents in 2014. Although those in motor vehicles are often to blame, with nearly 40 percent of the accidents caused by those in parked cars opening a door on a cyclist, there are faults on both sides of the fence.

The repercussions if a motor vehicle driver injures or kills a cyclist are weak.

For example, when Atlanta firefighter Sgt. Frank Guinn was killed last year while visiting New Orleans, he was hit by a driver with a suspended license. What was the jail time for that driver? Fourteen months for killing a dedicated member of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department, who was also the father of three young triplet daughters.

With lack of accountability comes lack of respect for cyclists.

Bad News Bike Club is the group that has been placing “ghost bikes” around the city in memoriam (and to raise awareness) of a cyclist who died at that location. “Why is it that as soon as someone gets on a bike, they’re not human [to motor vehicle drivers] anymore?” prods JP Pool, a member of Bad News Bike Club. It’s a legitimate question.

There is animosity between cyclists and

50 | December 2015 | Sharing the Road

drivers, and with the recent attention paid to cyclist accidents and deaths, the tension is tightening. Motor vehicle drivers are not only to blame, however. How many times have you seen a cyclist fly through a stop sign, or even proceed through a red light at an intersection? I see this daily. To prevent accidents, both sides have to be aware of and abide by the law. When cyclists disregard traffic laws, they cause motor vehicle drivers to disregard cyclists and no longer see them as equals on the road.

Tips for Bicycle and Motor Vehicle Safety 1. Always ride in the direction of traffic.

2. Stop at stop signs and obey all traffic signals.

3. Be aware of vehicular blind spots.

4. Use bike lanes when it is safe to do so.

5. Always wear a helmet.

6. Have lights on your bike when riding at night.

7. Cyclists need to use hand signals when making a turn.

8. Drivers of motor vehicles need to treat cyclists as equals.

9. Drivers of motor vehicles need to check

their rear-view and side mirrors before opening a door on their car.

10. Drivers of motor vehicles need to check their rear-view and side mirrors before dodging the turning vehicle or pothole in front of them.

In 2014, it was reported that 3.6 percent of Orleans Parish residents commute via bicycle. Cyclists often have a negative reputation. Not all bicyclists are homeless, bums, or addicts. Most cyclists are people just like you who are commuting to work or school. JP Pool (quoted above) could be bicycling to the Veterans Affairs Hospital, since he is a war veteran; Atlanta firefighter Sgt. Frank Guinn was simply training for an Ironman competition.

With an increasing number of cyclists in New Orleans comes a rise in bicycle theft. NOPD can get involved if your bicycle is registered. Then they would be able to track it down, similar to how they would handle a stolen car. But most people do not register their bikes, and need to use other resources beyond the NOPD. Publicizing your stolen bike is the most effective way to increase the chance of it being found, especially if you connect with local groups like Bike Easy and Stolen Bikes NOLA. These are civicminded social groups that take action for the sake of bike and cyclist safety and theft. Stolen Bikes NOLA is a group made up of vigilante-type, bicycle bounty hunters of sorts.

Using their Facebook group as a platform, cyclists can post a picture of their stolen bike along with information about the theft location and time. Then the members of the group keep their eyes peeled for the bike, while communicating with each other about where the “hot biketheft spots” are currently located.

Tips to Protect Your Bike 1. Take a picture upon receipt of your bike. Just as you would hand over a picture of a missing person, you can show a picture of your bicycle. That way, people helping you search for your stolen bicycle can clearly see the make and model and, more importantly, any distinguishing marks.

2. Register your bike with the NOPD so they can help track down your bicycle. Bicycle thieves can see jail time based on the value of the bicycle they stole.

3. Use a U-lock. Even better, use two.

4. Be smart about where you lock up your bike. If you lock it to a street sign or pole, there is a chance that the bicycle can be removed if the thief is persistent and gets creative.

5. If your bicycle is stolen, report it immediately. Also, search for your bike on Craigslist and at bike shops.

Motor vehicle drivers need to be aware of bicycle laws.

Bad News Bike Club supports bicycle awareness, and not just by placing “ghost bikes” around the city. They also support the distribution of bicycle law awareness pamphlets at places like the DMV, where drivers can be educated as to how to properly treat cyclists. As well, cyclists can learn their rights, and the fact that they need to follow all traffic laws. It seems as if cyclists have a lot going against them. However, bicycle-friendly streets and trails are highlighted in the WhereYat.com article "Where Ya' Ridin'," which first appeared in the October 2015 issue. And thanks to bicycle advocates and supporters, it was recently announced that Napoleon Avenue will have bike lanes added, with a wide neutral ground. It is encouraging to see a step in the right direction, and hopefully more bicyclefriendly streets will be created.

Ghost Bikes

WhereYat.com | December 2015 | 51

Last Place Again?

4 Things That Can Make or Break This Season

T

By Christopher Louis Romaguera

he New Orleans Pelicans have had a nightmare start to the season.

At the time of this writing, they are 1-11, and have gone from dark horse NBA Finals contender to being tied in the standings with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Pelicans’ injuries have surely contributed, with Tyreke Evans, Norris Cole, and Quincy Pondexter having not played a single minute of the season so far, Omer Asik playing in only four games, Jrue Holiday missing three games and being on a minutes restriction, and now Anthony Davis missing two games.

The adjustment period with new Head Coach Alvin Gentry has only been made more difficult with many of these injuries having stemmed from training camp.

What should we expect for the rest of the season, and will it get better?

1. Pace and Space The New Orleans Pelicans, along with everyone else who watches basketball, were thinking of one thing with the hire of Alvin Gentry: pace. Gentry’s last head coaching job was with the Phoenix Suns, replacing Mike D’Antoni. Gentry took the Suns to the Western Conference finals, slowing the pace a little bit, jokingly saying that they were going from “Seven seconds or less to 12 seconds or fewer.” Since that coaching stint, Gentry has been the lead assistant coach for the two number-one ranked offenses in the league, the Los Angeles Clippers in 2013–14 and the Golden State Warriors in 2014–15 (with a title coming in the latter season).

With Gentry’s sets come a pace and tempo the Pelicans have talked about achieving for years. But Monty Williams was never able to achieve a faster pace (the Pelicans played at the 27th fastest pace in the league last year). This is where Gentry is expected to excel, and it will be new territory for many of the players. As Anthony Davis said during media day, “Every basketball player says they want to run, so we’ll actually see if guys will want to run now.” Gentry thinks that playing at a faster

52 | December 2015 | Last Place Again?

pace is a mentality. Forward Luke Babbitt echoed this sentiment when he stated that Coach Gentry often says, “Don’t think. Just go make or miss.” Babbitt said that the team’s tendency to slow it down is “kind of a habit, a bad habit that we’ve developed, just to kind of not get out and run as much.”

In-Season Analysis: Between the “slowdown” habit, and the Pelicans missing their top three point guards on some nights, the adjustment period has been tough. The Pelicans are currently playing at the 7th fastest pace in the league, but are missing the cohesion needed to execute it well.

This will get better as players become more familiar (and get healthier.).

2. Defense Despite Monty Williams’ reputation as a defensive coach, and having both Omer Asik and Anthony Davis to anchor the defense, the Pelicans finished 22nd in defensive rating last season. Hiring defensive specialist Darren Erman (or “defensive coordinator,” according to Gentry) may be the second biggest off-season move for the Pelicans.

Gentry has said, “I think Coach Erman’s made that perfectly clear—we’re going

WhereYat.com | December 2015 | 53

to simplify everything that you do defensively…You’ll know exactly where you should be in the rotations in the rebounding positions.” The simplification of the defense was stressed by all players on media day. The team won’t have to go through all of the difficult rotations that often left them out of position in the last couple of years.

In-Season Analysis: Once again, injuries have delayed the progress here. The Pelicans are actually ranked dead last in John Hollinger’s Defensive Efficiency. Playing the Golden State Warriors twice obviously hasn’t helped. Asik and Davis have barely shared the floor together either.

Pondexter and Cole are both plus defenders on the perimeter who are still sidelined.

3. Anthony Davis Anthony Davis has made huge ascensions in each of his seasons, with his Player Efficiency Rating jumping from 21.7 to 26.5 to an otherworldly 30.8 last season. Davis has gone from potential to superstar quickly, and it’s hard to put a ceiling on what he might accomplish this season (much less in his career).

Coach Gentry got the job because he showed GM Dell Demps and the rest of the organization how underutilized their superstar was. Gentry likes to point to Channing Frye when explaining how he can help a player extend his range, and with assistant coach Phil Weber (who worked with Chris Bosh in Miami) on the staff it is very possible that Davis can go through that kind of ascension. Erman has been working with Davis on defensive fundamentals, such as staying on his feet on pump fakes and closing out on shooters; it’s very possible that Davis will circle the Defensive Player of the Year Award this year.

If Davis can facilitate like he did toward the end of last season, running the offense and setting up the rest of the

54 | December 2015 | Last Place Again?

team, while also anchoring the defense with new emphasis provided by Erman, he may become the best player on the court on both sides of the floor. And if that is the case, this team’s ceiling will be hard to define as well.

In-Season Analysis: Davis’ early numbers are promising (24 points per game, 9 rebounds per game, 2.6 blocks per game). But he hasn’t looked as dominant at times this year. 71.5% of Davis’ made field goals were assisted last year. Going from Evans and Cole running the offense to (on some nights) Ish Smith and Toney Douglas has clearly had an effect on Davis (as has the pressure of being the sole creator on the court at times. .

4. Beyond the Arc The New Orleans Pelicans shot the fourth best percentage from beyond the arc last year. But they also were 23rd in

attempted shots from that range. In the fast-paced offense that Gentry wants to install, floor spacing and the threat of 3-point shooting has to be greater. Power forward Ryan Anderson is hoping to have a better season this year, now being more than a year removed from his injury. He came to training camp 20 pounds lighter and should be able to make more plays this season, getting back to the level the Pelicans have come to expect from him. Quincy Pondexter was a great boost to the team when he came to New Orleans, with his 3-point percentage jumping over 40%. While it may be hard for him to replicate that this year, he still should provide ample floor spacing and defense when he returns. From Anthony Davis to Dante Cunningham, many players have been charged with extending their range as comfortably as they can, and it will be interesting to see how the team adapts.

In-Season Analysis: The Pelicans are shooting 36.1% from beyond the arc after nine games (good for 10th in the league). While that is a good number, the team has at times struggled to put units out on the floor that can both defend and space the floor. Getting Evans back will help (he creates better looks from beyond the arc for players’ like Gordon) as well as Pondexter.

The Pelicans made their biggest changes on the bench this year. But those changes, which will come with changes in system, philosophy, and rotation, can help propel the team forward. No matter what happens, the Pelicans have Davis to buttress any growing pains, but the plan is to have a team that is ready not only to compete through April, but also to play smart and well enough to compete through May, and eventually June. Davis has the team chanting “June” in huddles, and the organization has made the moves at the top to try to make that a possibility. It will be a fun ride.

Photos courtesy of Layne Murdoch/NBA Photos.

WhereYat.com | December 2015 | 55

FilmReviews

Catch Where Y'at Movie Editor David Vicari and critic Fritz Esker's “Dueling Critics” blog at WhereYat.com.

The Night Before By David Vicari The Night Before is a subversion of the typical Christmas movie wherein characters journey to find the true meaning of the holiday. This raunchy and gross-out movie manages to do that in the end, but along the way it is irreverent and laugh-out-loud funny.

Three lifelong best friends – Ethan ( Joseph Gordon-Levitt), Isaac (Seth Rogen) and Chris (New Orleans' own Anthony Mackie) – traditionally have celebrated Christmas together and every year they search for a fabled and secret Nutcracker party. This year, however, is their last one together because Isaac is married and about to become a father, and Chris is becoming a popular professional football player. The commitment-shy Ethan fears he may be alone for every Christmas from now on, but he stumbled onto three tickets for the Nutcracker party. It ends up being one wild night for the three of them.

The Night Before amusingly references past Christmas movies such as Home Alone, The Grinch and even Die Hard. Some of the funniest bits are what Isaac sees in his drug-fueled haze. Game supporting players include Michael Shannon as drug dealer Mr. Green, and Ilana Glazer as a wily super Grinch.

What makes The Night Before work is that it is never mean-spirited. Actually, it's kind of sweet in between the blasphemy and drug-induced hallucinations.

56 | December 2015 | Film Reviews

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2 By David Vicari The forth and final Hunger Games movie unfortunately fizzles instead of going out with a bang. Mockingjay – Part 2 (This third chapter in Suzanne Collins' book trilogy was split into two movies) finds former contestant of a televised blood sport, Katniss Everdeen ( Jennifer Lawrence), leading a resistance against the Capital and its ruler, President Snow (Donald Sutherland), who keeps the people repressed. Katniss' beau, Peeta ( Josh Hutcherson), has been rescued from the Capital but he has been tortured and brainwashed. More than anything, Katniss wants to kill Snow.

After a sluggish start with rebel briefing after rebel briefing on how they will invade the Capital, there is a protracted mission to get there, with booby traps and mutants along the way. Some of the action is exciting, but then some of it feels like filler for this 137-minute feature.

Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, as game creator Plutarch Heavensbee, tragically died during a hiatus in the filming of Mockingjay and the loss really shows in the finished film.

He is hardly in it, and the scenes that he is in, he generally stands around, has a line or two, then gives a look of approval.

I give the movie points for a finale that is thoughtful and complex and not just kill-thebad-guy simple, but it just fades away instead of ending on a powerful note. Chalk this up as a disappointing wrap-up to a fairly good series.

Shot in Louisiana The Big Short/Daddy's Home

December sees two Louisiana-shot movies being released in theaters. First up is The Big Short, a dramatic thriller based on New Orleans native Michael Lewis’s best-selling exposé of high finance and the credit and housing bubble collapse of the mid-2000s. A group of Wall Street outsiders predict the collapse and plan to profit from it. The movie stars Brad Pitt (who also produced), Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling, Marisa Tomei and Steve Carell. It’s directed

by Adam McKay, who is known primarily for comedies like Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby and The Other Guys. The Big Short is scheduled to open in limited

The Big Short

By David Vicari

Daddy's Home release on December 11, then wide on December 23.

Speaking of Adam McKay, he is one of the producers of the comedy Daddy's Home, in which Will Ferrell stars as an uptight executive who competes for the respect of his stepchildren when their blue-collar biker father (Mark Wahlberg) shows up. You may remember that, early in the year, local news stations covered a scene for Daddy’s Home being shot during the intermission at a Pelicans game wherein Ferrell’s character accidentally hits a cheerleader in the face with a basketball. Daddy’s Home opens on Christmas Day.

Local Filmmakers Receive Inaugural “Create Louisiana” Filmmakers Grant

By Frtiz Esker

At the New Orleans Film Festival’s closing night screening of Brooklyn at the Prytania Theatre, the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, Deep South Studios and the New Orleans Film Society awarded the first Create Louisiana Filmmakers Grant to director Nailah Jefferson and producer Jon Wood for their short film project, Plaquemines.

The $50,000 grant will help the filmmakers complete their short film in the next 12 months. Jefferson and Wood will receive mentorship and professional services throughout that period. Their movie tells the story of a depressed town and an estranged father and son. The finished project will screen at the 2016 New

Orleans Film Festival.

A total of 37 filmmaking teams applied for the inaugural 2015 grant. Five finalists were selected, and they pitched their projects to a panel of industry professionals during the 2015 New Orleans Film Festival. Applicants were required to have lived in Louisiana for at least 12 months prior to the grant deadline.

“It’s essential to the New Orleans Film Society’s mission that we support filmmaking talent indigenous to Louisiana,” said New Orleans Film Society Executive Director Jolene Pinder. “We are proud to provide the 2016 New Orleans Film Festival as a platform for Nailah Jefferson to showcase her work.”

E n j o y O u r B e a u t i f u l C o u r t y a r d F o r A B r e a k F r o m t h e C r o w d s Q u a r t e r ’ s F i n e s t S e l e c t i o n o f L o c a l C r a f t D r a u g h t B e e r & W o n d e r f u l L o u i s i a n a C u i s i n e !

WhereYat.com | December 2015 | 57

TalesFromTheQuarter

By Debbie Lindsay

Another Christmas

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hristmas at our house is pretty much a piece of cake—rum soaked, that is. Simple, easy and stress-free (the cake is store-bought). This holiday meal’s no big deal; that’s what Thanksgiving is for.

Boyfriend loves both of these holidays; to him, one is for cooking and one for chilling.

We are still delighting in leftovers from our November feast, and by mid-December the frozen Tupperwares will just about be emptied. And the portions we forgot to freeze are now science projects—nothing that a glass of wine, a Hazmat suit, a sturdy trash bag and lots of quality time with Dawn detergent can’t remedy.

So, allowing Christmas to be a holiday for our kitchen as well as for us, our main course will be a one-pot or one-pan affair: gumbo or pizza. For some, like our friend Judy, tradition means going out for Chinese. Pleasure and simplicity can hold their own against big Martha Stewart–style extravaganzas. Of course, those big productions are great—in moderation (like once in a blue moon). Some of us just don’t have the greenbacks or time to finance and orchestrate elaborate holiday decorations, meals and gift-giving. But with a flair for tacky, a live-in chef (Boyfriend) armed with his Winn-Dixie card and personal shoppers (ourselves at Goodwill), we do manage to put the bling into Christmas.

We may not really highlight the Sweet Baby Jesus’ Big Day angle of this respectable, praise-givin’ day, but we do absorb more than the give ’n’ get commercial blasphemy that often overtakes this holiday. So, with due respect, we will leave the religious folks to take special care of JC’s birthday and we’ll take care of the more mundane tasks of stringing gaudy lights and sending out Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and Santa cards to friends and loved ones. And never forget the time-honored tradition of watching classic Christmas movie reruns.

It’s a Wonderful Life was my closest thing to a spiritual epiphany. While the book and film rendition of To Kill A Mockingbird worked to calibrate my ethical barometer, Jimmy Stewart’s journey through what might have been had he never been was (and still is) my lesson in exponentialism—the simple fact that good acts can snowball with life-changing results. We know, and even resign ourselves to, how one stupid, selfish or sinister deed can gather steam, allowing negative to beget more negative. Well, the

58 | December 2015 | Tales from the Quarter

same goes for good, and this film watched year after year reminds me that maybe, just maybe, on occasion I might produce and project something worthwhile (even when done unwittingly). So, as many go to church on Christmas to reaffirm something positive, I watch a klutzy guy fumble about with a scrappy angel named Clarence. My warm-and-fuzzy moment in Technicolor.

Okay, spiritual feel-good stuff aside, let’s talk about Santa and his giant goodie bag that this season brings to mind. I might not gift wrap stuff from Walmart, and Boyfriend had damn well better not buy me some piece of bling from Kay Jewelers, but we do love to exchange presents.

We wrap up stuff from around the house in newspaper and ribbons, and even go crazy and purchase goodies at Goodwill or Walgreens. One can never have too many Saints T-shirts or too much dental floss. We might as well buy used jerseys, ’cause that expensive brand-new NFL one will be obsolete the moment you become connected to, bond with and (admit it) come to care about the player you are representing. At least dental floss won’t break your heart (or go out of fashion).

When justifying credit card debt over this holiday season, most folks will say, “Oh, but it’s for the children.” Sure, your kids will not jump for joy over a gift of dental floss, but you do them no benefit by turning Christmas into a gluttony of made-in-China gadgets and toys. I realize it’s too late to change the notion of buying gifts, but rein it in. You can stimulate the economy, put a smile on a kid’s face, wow someone with your secret Santa gift at the office and even woo your lover—and you needn’t go to a loan shark to do it.

So, this Christmas, consider introducing you and yours to some homemade gifts,

I realize it’s too late to change the notion of buying gifts, but rein it in—you needn’t go to a loan shark to do it. regift something, overtip everyone, bake some cookies (or fry up a batch of something) for a neighbor, christen a newcomer to our city with a bottle of Crystal Hot Sauce, volunteer at an animal shelter or babysit for a tired mom. For those who can and may spend more freely, do it local, small and non-corporate. And if you need that one special day of the year all to yourself for a little quality time, then pass a good time or do a good deed in the weeks leading up to the big day and even pay it forward into the new year.

Po-BoyViews By Phil LaMancusa

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Happy Holiday Or Mirror Mirror

heesh! Can you believe that it was the end of September when we started seeing the first Thanksgiving and Christmas displays erupting in stores like so many garish pustules, nudging aside the Halloween and Back to School detritus? I mean, it was still almost 90 degrees and sunny and they were decorating with autumn leaves and Santa hats. Do I really live here?

This time of year has been commercialized out the wazoo— the expense, the pressure, the shipping and shopping, the sidestepping and slam-dancing through commercial venues, not to mention the social obligations that you’re guilt-tripped into fulfilling or finding a plausible excuse not to. You’ll not get a full night’s sleep or a day’s rest from now until the thirty-second of May. ’Tis the season to be stretched on the emotional rack to the limits of your patience, finances, endurance and ability to meet expectations.

That being said, you don’t have time to be pessimistic, especially around the holidays! I’m not gonna let you; this season will come and go, with you or without you, and, unfortunately, there will be no do-overs. Take a deep breath. You may as well make the best of it, suck it up and get in the spirit!

It’s the season to reconnect with family, friends, running mates and bartenders. This here time of year is what’s considered “the social season.” Years and years ago, when

dinosaurs ruled the French Quarter and Creole planters ruled the economy—you know, when stuff was simpler—we didn’t work all the friggin’ time. We took time off to act like true New Orleanians, placing more emphasis on enjoying the time that we have before we shuffle off this mortal coil, and less on acting like hard-working barbarian Americans. And so, in the spirit of channeling your inner Creole nature, I give you now your perfect holiday season senario: Of course, your employment circumstances allow you to take time off to enjoy this holiday—before, during and after— for what good is having a Thanksgiving feast if you’re not around for the traditional leftovers, including the ubiquitous turkey gumbo. Transportation will be a breeze; I say this because it would be silly to put the burden of entertaining on yourself, so planes, trains and skates will all be on time and in line.

You and your loved ones will be met by Uncle Billy in his cool 1960s station wagon and whisked to Grandma’s house, where you’ll see smoke coming from the chimney and a bit of frost on the ground; she’ll greet you at the door, wiping her hands on her apron and brushing a tear from her eye. She’ll remark on how big everyone has grown.

Inside the house, the smells of hot chocolate and freshly baked cookies will permeate the air. It’ll all be warm and cozy and you’ll settle in; your rooms will be ready and the feast not long in coming…perhaps you’d like a glass of port?

Aunts, uncles and cousins will arrive with covered dishes and make themselves at home (in the kitchen). The bird is stuffed and cousin Dave will make a run for ice and the cranberry sauce that’s traditionally forgotten until this point.

Dave will come back smelling of cigarette smoke and whiskey (of course). Aunt Rose will have brought her holiday Ambrosia and sister Clair will have brought the fixings for eggnog and her four kids, who will be put to work setting the tables.

The dog will be sniffing around the kitchen door and the cat will still be in hiding. Soft holiday music will be playing from the corner and everyone misses Grandpa, who used to play the piano for company; he knew all the songs.

You’ll herd your gang upstairs to freshen up and the towels will be fluffy and the bathtub pipes will groan with the hot water that comes frothing out…etc., etc., etc.

Or not. Face it, there’s a lot out there that really sucks about our world and it can make you grim. Disasters of natural and human-made causes. Every broken commandment and law can weigh on your heart and happiness. You can see danger in every doorway, hear defamation in every conversation and see misfortune in everyone’s circumstances.

So, your holiday spirit might flag and conditions may not be idyllic; it can’t always be “over the river and through the woods” for you. But, you know, if you allow your mind to shift into that holiday spirit, that walk to Canseco’s for the forgotten can of Ocean Spray, a sneaked smoke and a quick drink at Café Degas can transform every day into a holiday. Trust me. Your neighbors become your family, Liuzza’s by the Track and Pal’s become your second homes, doing laundry at Washateria becomes a social occasion and you stop to pet and learn the names of the canines and felines on your street.

In other words, sure, it’s the holidays and everything might not be Donna Reed and Jimmy Stewart…unless you allow your world to be full of all that is positive and festive. If you listen to your elders, and you surely should, you ought to choose to listen to those who have a good outlook on life. They’re the ones who will point out how special it is to be alive, how you can find beauty in all things and how the holiday season stretches from equinox to equinox, solstice to solstice and all points in between.

Here are your words of wisdom: “Today is a holiday; have second helpings and eat more cranberry sauce.”

Santa Meets Sousa Holiday Concert

Presented by Marine Corps Band New Orleans

Friday, December 11th 7:00PM Saenger Theatre Sponsored by and Marine Forces Reserve

Free to the public. Donations of new, unwrapped toys appreciated.

For more information, visit marforres.marines.mil/band or saengernola.com or on facebook at facebook.com/MCBNOLA or facebook.com/saengernola.

Po-Boy Views | December 2015 | 59

YaGram

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

NewsAroundTheWeb

Updated Daily at WhereYat.com

HouseofWax @QtrMileAtATime

@ck_la

@NicoleIvy12

@rocknrollindustriesmag

@RunNOTC

@SmellCircus

@tboyd

@Nacheaux305

TweetBites

@dogslobber

This January, the Musée Conti in the French Quarter is scheduled to close its doors. The unorthodox museum, which has been telling the story of New Orleans through wax sculptures for 51 years, is going to become condominiums. Go catch a final glimpse before it's too late.

OfTigersandButterflies Louisiana State University takes yet another striking position.

The University lands an impressive #2 spot on Dropbox’s “University Insights” list of Social Butterflies. Dropbox distinguishes social butterflies by typical work patterns, noticing that on weekend evenings a host of the university's users sign off.

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

@ilikelivemusic: That one time a year you look at your Twitter bc #voodoofest is canceled and you want to get artists to play small club shows instead.

Several Bourbon Street clubs received an unwelcome trick this past Halloween.The state's "Operation Trick or Treat" investigation issued alcohol and tobacco suspensions to nine clubs on or just off Bourbon Street for illegal activities ranging from narcotics sales to prostitution. The sting will extend through the holidays.

@snakeandjakes: Drunk Nola twitter is old school partying without social media or sleeping. #whodat @bergerhere: The brotherhood and loyalty demonstrated at #GleasonGras is extraordinary and inspiring. It is awesome. Bravo @sfujita55 - you are a man. @DIAM89: #fbf to the beautiful New Orleans If you have the chance to go, then GO! @marinasqu: I came, I saw, I beigneted. #cafedumonde #NOLA #BeastMode @tech_icu: Bro: "my blood is probably flammable" #BourbonSt #NOLA #Hurricanes

60 | December 2015 | Around the Web

AbbyWambachSignsOff

Abby Wambach, six-time winner of U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year and double Olympic gold medalist, will be retiring at the end of 2015, according to USAToday.com. She will be ending her career in New Orleans, with the final game of the World Cup Victory Tour this December.

WDSU HOLIDAY AD.pdf 1 11/17/2015 4:19:49 PM

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ZOO YEAR’S EVE at Audubon Zoo

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Kids & Family New Orleans & Super Stars December 31st 10:30am - 1:00pm

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Spend your holidays at e Columns! anksgiving Brunch, Reveillon, & a rocking New Years Eve! Call now to ask about availability of reservations.

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Sunday Brunch: 11a.m.-3p.m., Bistro: everyday till 10p.m.

Nightly musical entertainment.

Voted “Best Happy Hour” by Where Y’at readers.

WhereYat.com | December 2015 | 61

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Where Ya' Been?

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Poppy Tooker, Lauren Busch Singer, and Kelly Troia celebrated the pop-up dinner for Trinity Restaurant.

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Bevelo Gas & Electric Lights hosted the "Lights of the Crescent City" party.

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Emeril Lagasse and wife Alden Lovelace put on a super Boudin, Bourbon, & Beer for the Emeril Lagasse Foundation.

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Suzy McDonald and Fred Pratt enjoyed the Wine Dinner from C. Donatiello Winery at Emeril’s Delmonico.

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62 | December 2015 | Where Ya' Been

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Where Y’at's Tellie Ink and Anna Mixon looked the part at the AC Hotel’s Grand Opening.

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Steven Forester and Cari Roy enjoyed the New Orleans Fashion Awards Gala.

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Staff stirred up the deliciousness during Bourbon, Boudin, & Beer.

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Kelli Forster and former Saint Deuce McCalister enjoy the New Orleans Fashion Awards Gala.

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The Grand Opening of the AC Hotel featured 80’s neon fashion from KRELwear.

10. Ashley and Stacey enjoyed great cocktails at the AC Hotel’s Grand Opening.