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Upcycling
Glass Half Full founder Franziska Trautmann leads satirical Krewe du Vieux parade
By Sarah Ravits
THE RAUNCHY, SATIRICAL KREWE DU VIEUX parade will roll through the French Quarter and Marigny Saturday, Jan. 31, at 6:30 p.m., with the theme “Save The Wet Glands.”
It’s a reminder of the fragility of Louisiana’s environment, albeit with a characteristically lewd twist.
Conservation and environmental issues are increasingly front and center for New Orleanians. But, says krewe Captain Yvonne Garrett, “we can all laugh and recognize that we have some power, and part of our responsibility is to speak truth to power.”
The overall theme is also a nod to 2026 monarch Franziska Trautmann, who co-founded the glass recycling organization Glass Half Full.
Trautmann at 28 years old is among the krewe’s youngest royals in its history. She will be joined by her consort, partner and Glass Half Full co-founder Max Steitz.
Trautmann was an obvious choice for the krewe, Garrett says, as she represents a new generation of leaders who are inspiring change — and having fun while doing so.
“Fran embodies ‘truth to power’ and the ‘let’s get it done’ spirit that Krewe du Vieux loves so much,” Garrett says. Each subkrewe of the famously provocative parade has been working for months on their DIY floats, some sticking with the theme and others finding their own targets and inspirations. Many of the floats are pulled by mules, and each krewe is paired with a brass band in the parade lineup.
Spectators can expect to see a display of witty political humor, sharp social commentary and, of course, dick and weed jokes.
As usual, some of the marching groups are taking the opportunity to blast elected officials who are ignoring — or even worsening — existing environmental problems and other issues. It’s no surprise that Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry is again a prime target.
The Krewe of Spank’s float represents “Disappearing Landry,” a reimagining of New Orleans as a beachside destination under the climate change denying governor.
Similarly, the Krewe of Space Age Love’s float explores the theme “Indecent Erosion.”
ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
Neko Case
In the years since her acclaimed 2018 studio album “Hell-On,” Neko Case has spent a lot of time focusing on her work with the New Pornographers and last year released a memoir. Last year, she also released her latest studio album, “Neon Gray Midnight Green.” Her passionate singing stands out over the lush and full sounds of a chamber orchestra on songs ranging from alt-country to indie rock sounds. Des Demonas opens for her at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, at House of Blues. Tickets $57 via ticketmaster.com.
The Mystic Krewe of Spermes, meanwhile, is taking a unique approach to recycling, with “Spermes Loves Sloppy Seconds.”
A member of the group told Gambit she would be dressing in a costume inspired by Oscar the Grouch, except that a “cum dumpster” will replace the Muppet’s more traditional garbage can. But not every marching group in the parade is focusing on environmental issues. No contemporary political topic is ever really off-limits for the krewe, and there was a lot to draw from over the past year.
“There’s definitely more political flavor this year because there’s a lot of material,” Garrett says.
The subkrewe Drips & Discharges’ theme shifts away from local and regional issues and instead focuses on the distasteful antics of the ruling class in Washington, D.C.
With “White Haus Balls Room: No One is Cumming,” the krewe makes a mockery of President Donald Trump’s demolition of the East Wing and his subsequent, ongoing construction of an ostentatious ballroom frequented by billionaire donors.
The float depicts a massive, swinging gilded chandelier made out of fake gold testicles. Krewe members will be handing out throws — hand-decorated walnuts — meant to resemble shriveled male genitalia.
“It’s a spectacle,” Garrett says.
The “Balls Room” according to the Krewe’s annual newspaper, Le Monde de Merde, is “a space so gaudy it could previously only have existed in (South
Carolina Sen.) Lindsey Graham’s wet dreams.”
Krewe du Vieux would also be remiss if it did not have floats dunking on ICE, the Supreme Court and other political topics and key figures. And while GOP officials and policies are obvious targets this year, Garrett says anyone can be fodder for the krewe’s biting satire.
“We have a variety of issues we tackle. It’s never just one thing,” Garrett says. “We don’t take sides — we’ll skewer anybody.”
The parade, she hopes, is ultimately a cathartic experience.
“It’s the energy and the respite people need,” Garrett says. “It gives them a chance to laugh at how completely ridiculous this timeline we’re living through is.”
The parade route starts in the Marigny and follows Royal Street into the heart of the French Quarter before doubling back on Burgundy Street and ending on the Frenchmen Street strip. For a map and more parade previews, see page 53.
Following the parade, the krewe hosts an after-party in a tented lot at 2135 Decatur St., with doors opening at 8 p.m. Tickets are available to the public, and performers include Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes, Kitten N’ Lou, The Rumble, Quintron and DJ G. An after-after party at nearby Maison kicks off at midnight, with Space Bidet, a supergroup featuring members of the Iceman Special, Hollyrock and The Quickening.
For more information, visit kreweduvieux.org.
Instigation Festival
The Instigation Festival marks its 10th year bridging the performance communities of Chicago and New Orleans and integrating jazz, contemporary movement and visual arts. This year longtime member and cornetist Ben LaMar Gay is being honored as the artist-in-residence, and the Instigation Orchestra will perform his new composition “Little by Little, One by One After Another” on Thursday, Jan. 29. There are also sets with different lineups Monday, Jan. 26, through Wednesday, Jan. 28. Musicians include event founder Steve Marquette, Byron Asher, Helen Gillet, Steve Lands, Dan Oestreicher, Anton Hatwich, JayVe Montgomery, Aurora Nealand, Rob Cambre and more. Dance artists include Marie Casimir, Kai Knight, Nikki Noland and J’aime Griffith. Music events are at The Broadside. Tickets $15 in advance, and $20 at the door. Festival passes are $50. Visit instigationfestival.com for details.
Hannah Jones
Comedian Hannah Jones grew up in a conservative religious family in Denver, and she’s been processing it on stage and delving into the subjects of sex and dating ever since. She’s appeared on Netflix is a Joke. She performs at 7 and 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan.
PROVIDED PHOTO
Krewe of K.A.O.S. gets ready to roll in the satirical Krewe du Vieux parade in 2024.
PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER / THE TIMES- PICAYUNE
OPENING GAMBIT
NEW ORLEANS NEWS + VIEWS
The King Cake Baby mascot sees you when you’re sleeping. He knows when you’re awake.
THUMBS UP/ THUMBS DOWN
The Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities has named its 2026 Bright Lights Awards recipients, including Don Marshall, the retired executive director of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, and photographer and Loyola University New Orleans professor Kevin Rabalais. Marshall will be given the Lifetime Contributions to the Humanities award, and Rabalais has been named Documentary Photographer of the Year. The 2026 Humanist of the Year is musician and BeauSoleil founder Michael Doucet.
Sam Madi moving ahead with massive rent hikes for former Habitat for Humanity tenants
THE NUMBER OF GOVERNORS IN LOUISIANA HISTORY WHO HAVE BEEN OFFICIALLY UNINVITED TO GREENLAND’S ANNUAL DOGSLEDDING RACE.
Gov. Jeff Landry — a special envoy to the island nation that President Trump is considering seizing by force — was previously invited by a private tourism group to a March dogsledding race. But as tensions escalate between the U.S., Greenland and its European allies, the Clownfish was asked to stay away.
The Joan Mitchell Foundation, which supports American artists through grants and residencies and operates a center in New Orleans, recently named 31 visual artists to its 2026 artists-in-residence program, including 17 based in New Orleans. Selected artists will participate in 6- or 14-week residencies during the year at the Joan Mitchell Center on Bayou Road. Local artists include Big Chief ZeeBo, Big Queen Kelly, Rachel Gorman and Shana M. griffin.
The Louisiana Republican Party recently voted to endorse the Trump administration’s draconian immigration crackdown — which has forced some immigrant-owned businesses to close temporarily, kept kids home from school, prompted church leaders to cancel services and harassed innocent people. But for the Republican State Central Committee, apparently this is “vital work,” the Louisiana Illuminator reported. C’EST WHAT ?
THE NEW LANDLORD OF EIGHT APARTMENTS IN MUSICIANS’ VILLAGE will not be holding off on rent increases for a year, according to a City of New Orleans housing official.
At a community meeting Dec. 18, Executive Director of Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO) Marjorianna Willman said that landlord Sam Madi of Stable Housing LLC told her “he would make sure that the rents are stabilized at the current rate.”
“[He said] he would hold them to that rate for at least a year until there was some way of coming to resolution,” she said. “I don’t have it in writing ... but I am repeating what I heard, and I’m repeating on record.”
But since then, “Mr. Madi stated that I must have misunderstood,” Willman told Gambit in an email on Jan. 20.
That leaves renters, including several elderly culture bearers, in a crunch. New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity built the units, as well as the privately owned homes that make up most of Musicians’ Village, after Hurricane Katrina and the federal levees failures to address the dire need for housing.
For nearly two decades, Habitat didn’t raise the rents on tenants, meaning some were paying between $300-$400 a month.
Trying to get out of the rental game, Habitat on Sept. 23 sold the eight units in Musicians’ Village and 44 other units, to private company Stable Housing LLC for $1.7 million. Madi sent letters out to Musicians’ Village renters in December, informing them their rent would triple to around $1,100-$1,200, with phased increases starting Jan. 1 and taking full effect in March.
Willman said HANO is trying to raise money to cover the rent hikes for residents for a year. She said she reached out to Madi Jan. 20 to figure out exactly how much it would take to do so.
In the meantime, Lolet Boutte, one of the renters and a member of the noted Boutte family, said she is looking for a new place to live and packing her belongings. Boutte said she is meeting with HANO representatives on Jan. 23.
— Kaylee Poche
Is there a more embarrassing Louisiana politician than Jef Landry to send to Greenland?
32.6%
Musicians’ Village rentals
PHOTO BY JONAH MEADOWS / THE TIMES- PICAYUNE
@GambitBlake | askblake@gambitweekly.com
Hey Blake, This time of year, we love hearing those four notes on the trumpet that kick off the “Second Line” song. Only recently did I see it identified as “Joe Avery’s Piece.” Who was he and what’s the connection?
Dear reader,
JOE “KID” AVERY SR. WAS A JAZZ TROMBONE PLAYER AND BANDLEADER born in Waggaman in 1892. According to Gene Tomko’s “Encyclopedia of Louisiana Musicians,” Avery performed with the Tulane Orchestra near the turn of the 20th century. He later toured with Evan Thomas’ Black Eagles and led his own band in the 1930s and 1940s. He also performed with the Young Tuxedo Brass Band and Eureka Brass Band. In their 1967 book “New Orleans Jazz: A Family Album,” historians and musicians Al Rose and Edmond “Doc” Souchon contend that in creating the song we now know as the “Second Line,” “Joe Avery’s Piece” or “Joe Avery’s Blues,” Avery borrowed from “the ancient riff melody that early blues musicians called ‘Holler Blues,’ ” including a call and response rhythm. By the 1940s,
the song was being referred to by Avery’s name. He died in 1956.
In 1964, Bill Sinigal (also sometimes spelled Sinegal) and the Skyliners arranged and recorded a version of the song called “Second Line Part 1.” Music greats James Rivers and Milton Batiste performed alongside Sinigal on the record.
Noting its popularity, in 1974, record producer Senator Jones paid Sinigal $65 for the rights to the song. He re-recorded it with a group called Stop Inc. This cover version was included on the 1977 compilation album “Mardi Gras in New Orleans” and is still commonly heard at Carnival time.
IN THIS SPACE FROM NOW UNTIL FAT TUESDAY, WE’LL LOOK AT SOME OF THE NAMES AND VOICES behind some iconic New Orleans Carnival songs. There are few people higher on that list than Professor Longhair, whose distinctive sound, voice (and whistle) are heard on “Go to the Mardi Gras” and “Big Chief.”
Born Henry Roeland Byrd in Bogalusa in 1918, his early musical career saw him on the drums and guitar before settling on piano. A club owner gave “Fess” his stage name in the 1940s because of his long hair and his piano skills, with “professor” often used as a term of respect for piano players. In 1950, Longhair scored his first hit with a tune called “Bald Head.”
“Go to the Mardi Gras” is the iconic Carnival song that he wrote and recorded at least six versions of before releasing the 1959 version best known today. The following year, he recorded “Big Chief,” which was written by Earl King and is also a Carnival classic.
Despite the now iconic status of those two songs, Longhair’s music career faltered until he was rediscovered by a new generation of fans in the 1970s. In 1977, Tipitina’s opened, taking its name from the title of his quirky 1953 song. Longhair performed at the music club regularly up until his death in 1980. His unique AfroCaribbean piano style has influenced generations of performers. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.
The house at 1738-40 Terpsichore St., where Longhair lived from 1979 until his death, was recently restored. In addition to serving as a home for his daughter Patricia, it features a mini-museum honoring the New Orleans music icon. In 2023, the stretch of Terpischore Street where it is located was renamed Professor Longhair Lane.
BLAKE VIEW
The Eureka Brass Band, pictured here in 1965
PHOTO BY ERBY AUCOIN / THE TIMES- PICAYUNE ARCHIVE
Winter
Dining Issue D Dining Issue
BY ANDREA BLUMENSTEIN, JAKE CLAPP, BETH D’ADDONO, JENNIFER ODELL, LIAM PIERCE AND MADDIE SPINNER
NEW ORLEANIANS DON’T REALLY NEED AN EXCUSE to indulge, but if we were looking for one, there may not be a better reason than Carnival. The season is all about extravagance, celebrations and feasting, whether that’s with hearty pre-parade meals or a hefty slice of king cake for breakfast.
It’s also a great reason to seek out a new restaurant, finally check a spot off your list or revisit a former favorite. And don’t worry about overdoing it by ordering that cup of gumbo and the souffle potatoes to start, and the dessert to cap things off — you’ll turn a new leaf on Ash Wednesday.
Gambit’s Winter Dining Issue includes more than 200 restaurants in New Orleans, Jefferson and St. Bernard parishes and the Northshore, from local institutions to innovative new spots. There are restaurants of all varieties, but in this edition, readers will find a highlight on Asian restaurants, including those serving Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai, Korean and Indian dishes. The Lunar New Year also happens to fall on Feb. 17, and there will be Tet celebrations Feb. 20-22 at the Mary Queen of Vietnam Church.
And writer Beth D’Addono spoke with a number of local chefs about cooking with seasonal fruit. Find her story on page 13.
Listings on the following pages are organized alphabetically and include information about the menu, hours of operation and service options, like delivery and outdoor seating options. Enjoy! And remember to tip generously.
A spread of dishes at Tuk Tuk Thai
Coldcomfort
LOCAL CHEFS HIGHLIGHT WINTER FRUIT
BY BETH D’ADDONO
EATING FRUIT OUT OF SEASON
ISN’T IDEAL. Just ask anyone who’s bitten into a lackluster peach or a mealy apple.
Produce has been available yearround since around the 1940s, when the onset of refrigerated transportation and longer-term storage enabled producers to ship fruit thousands of miles in the dead of winter. But just because you can get a nectarine in January doesn’t mean you should.
The good news is that in Louisiana, even in winter, many fruits are perfect for consumption now. And fresh, local and seasonal fruit at the peak of its ripeness just tastes better.
Here, plenty of citrus hits its peak in January and February. From blood oranges and kumquats to grapefruit and tangerines, the bounty is profound. There also are persimmons, pears and late season pomegranates, and flavor abounds.
Below are some of the dishes highlighting winter fruit at local restaurants.
Chefs are tuned into what’s best. Just ask chef Serigne Mbaye, founder of Dakar Nola, the Uptown restaurant which earned the James Beard Award for Best Restaurant in 2024 and a Michelin recommendation in 2025. His mixed green salad with winter fruit and grilled chicken is a bowl of umami, starting with the bright, juicy citrus from navel orange supremes.
“The oranges lift the dish and contrast with the subtle vegetal crunch of winter melon,” Mbaye says.
He introduces the tang of pickled radish as a counterpart to the sweetness of the fruit and the slightly bitter backbone of mizuna, radicchio and frisée. Add in the savory char of the chicken, and this is a dish of layered beauty — juicy, crispy, crunchy and tender.
Chef Marcus Woodham spotlights Louisiana citrus in a range of dishes at The Bower in the Lower Garden District. One standout is the salad served on the side of his savory Creole cream cheesecake baked into a Parmesan basil crust.
“Depending on what’s available, we pair grapefruit, satsumas, sweet navels and blood oranges with arugula to cut the richness of the dish,” Woodham says.
At The Kingsway, the contemporary pan-Asian restaurant from chef Ashwin Vilkhu, sumo citrus is one of the chef’s favorites. He uses it to make a sweet and tart gel that offsets the porky richness of Chinese spareribs.
“It’s a dish we’ve added for winter,” says Vilkhu, whose family also has Saffron, the Indian restaurant across the street.
He loves sumo citrus for its deep sweetness, low acidity and aromatic oils — perfect for both sweet and savory applications.
“Its naturally balanced flavor allows it to cut richness without sharpness, bringing brightness and lift while remaining rounded and gentle on the palate,” Vilkhu says.
Quince is in play at Charmant, the new restaurant chef Chris Borges opened in Mid-City with his wife, sommelier Bonnie Borges. The ugly duckling of the pome fruit family, which includes apples and pears, a ripe quince delivers a flavor that’s both tropical and floral.
“I use quince to make a syrup that goes on our warm chevre appetizer with winter fruits for the brunch menu,” Chris Borges says. “It complements the rosemary oil as well as the fruit and provides a sweet-tart counterpoint to the warm cheese.”
Meanwhile, apples are on chef Rebecca Wilcomb’s mind at Evviva, the spirited Italian restaurant where she works closely with chef Marcus Jacobs. Wilcomb has been making an apple mostarda to serve with cheese, pork and duck dishes.
“We also make applesauce for latkes and pork dishes,” she says.
Chef Cara Benson owns both Tartine in Uptown and Hen House, the gluten-free bakery in Gretna. When in season, Tartine does a savory burrata salad with pears. The mix of arugula, pears and prosciutto is topped with a knob of creamy burrata and spiced pecans and dressed with French vinaigrette.
Pears also shine at Nolita Bakery on chef-owner Martha Gilreath’s winter upside-down cake. Instead of the usual pineapple, she uses poached pears spiced with black cardamom and nutmeg, aromatic spices that infuse the cake with warm goodness.
Chef Fariz Choumali is the executive chef at both Shaya and Tavi in Covington.
At Tavi, he channels his heritage in a dish of confit duck leg and freekeh, a roasted green wheat prized in Lebanese cuisine for its smoky, nutty character. He uses dates and dried fruits to add sweetness.
“Winter in Lebanon is a season of gathering, when families come together around the table to share dishes that are warm, nourishing, and deeply rooted in tradition,” Choumali says. “Lebanese winter cooking relies on slow methods, layered spices and time-honored techniques passed down through generations.”
He seasons the duck with notes of cinnamon, allspice and coriander, flavors that infuse the meat as it slowly cooks. Medjool dates and dried apricots add a natural sweetness to the dish, with a scattering of toasted pine nuts for crunch.“That’s a classic Levantine touch,” says the chef.
At Rosedale, chef Susan Spicer and her team are cuckoo for kumquats. These little darlings are completely edible, packing an assertive tartness with a backbeat of sweet notes. Spicer likes to add another dimension by pickling them, adding them to a platter of creamy chicken liver pate.
“They’re super bright, sweet and sour, with an intensely citrus taste,” Spicer says. “They help cut the richness of the pate.”
Plates in the Warehouse District is the showcase for chef Farrell Harrison’s love of winter fruits. He uses what’s in season in an agrodolce that he serves with his baked Cana de Cabra Spanish goat cheese dishes. The fruit changes depending on what seasonal fruit he gets in any given week, but he has used persimmons, pears and apples, with winter strawberries soon to be added into the rotation.
At another of Harrison’s restaurants, Le Moyne Bistro, chef Christian Hurst uses a petite dice of local apples in a Waldorf Salad made with endive, walnuts and sultanas.
Louisiana has two seasons for strawberries, notes Boucherie chef-owner Nathanial Zimet: summer and winter. He prefers winter strawberries and uses them in a warm salad that accompanies smoked scallops and a Basque-style cheesecake.
Atchafalaya chef Chris Lynch also loves winter strawberries, sourced from Johndales Farm in Ponchatoula. They show up as the seasonal fruit in the kale and panko-crusted goat cheese salad that is on both the restaurant’s brunch and dinner menus. Tossed with sultanas and red onions, the salad is dressed in a sweet and savory pepper jelly vinaigrette.
Chefs Rebecca Wilcomb (right) and Marcus Jacobs at Evviva in Marigny
PHOTO BY CHRIS GRANGER / THE TIMES- PICAYUNE
Chef Serigne Mbaye uses seasonal citrus in dishes at Dakar Nola.
PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER / THE TIMES- PICAYUNE
Dollar signs indicate the average price of a dinner entree
Abita Brew Pub
72011 Holly St., Abita Springs, (985) 892-5837; abitabrewpub.com
The Abita Springs restaurant puts a creative spin on Louisiana dishes, often by including craft beer flavors, like the Andygator cake, which includes crab and crawfish and is topped with remoulade made with Turbodog dark brown ale. Chicken Abitafeller is grilled chicken glazed with shrimp herb cream sauce and served with fried shrimp on a bed of creamed spinach. No reservations. Delivery and outdoor seating available. Lunch Tue.-Sun., dinner Tue.-Sat. $$
Sisters Ana and Lydia Castro’s restaurant serves a menu influenced by both Mexico City and New Orleans, and it recently earned a Bib Gourmand spot in the Michelin Guide. A recent menu included octopus served with morita chili, anchovy, sunchoke escabeche and tortillas. Reservations accepted. Dinner Thu.-Mon. $$$
Acme serves classic Creole dishes, gumbo, po-boys and, of course, oysters. Chargrilled oysters are prepared with herb butter sauce and topped with a blend of cheeses. There are fried oyster, shrimp, fish, soft-shell crab and crab cake platter options served with fries and a choice of coleslaw, hush puppies or potato salad. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. $$
Addis NOLA
2514 Bayou Road, (504) 218-5321; addisnola.com
The family-owned, Michelin Guide-recommended restaurant has a menu of traditional Ethiopian dishes, including vegan options, that you can order in combo platters. The Ethio jollof comes with your choice of chicken, fish or shrimp and is served with berbere, red onion, tomato and jasmine rice. Reservations accepted. Delivery and outdoor seating available. Dinner Wed.Mon., brunch Sat.-Sun. $$
Aguasanta
8312 Oak St., (504) 381-5625; aguasantanola.com
The upscale Mexican restaurant in the Riverbend serves plates full of bright colors and global influences. The birria-style lamb shank comes with black bean puree and is topped with pickled onions, cilantro and pickled radish. Reservations accepted. Dinner Mon.-Sat. $$$
Angelo Brocato
214 N. Carrollton Ave., (504) 486-1465; angelobrocatoicecream.com
The Mid-City institution serves house-made gelato, along with cannoli, tiramisu and various pastries. Gelato flavors rotate, but some staples include fiore di latte, tiramisu, Sicilian pistachio nut, St. Joseph chocolate almond and vanilla stracciatella. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun. $
The menu of contemporary Creole and Southern dishes includes roast duck served with raspberry reduction, sweet potato au gratin, pecans, spinach and bacon. Escargot on the appetizer menu is served with mushroom and moutarde beurre blanc. Reservations recommended. Dinner daily. $$$
Antoine’s Restaurant
713 St. Louis St., (504) 581-4422; antoines.com
Antoine’s specializes in French-Creole dishes and offers two-course lunch specials and weekend jazz brunch. Chicken Rochambeau is herb-roasted chicken breast with shaved smoked ham and pineapple confit, served with Rochambeau and bearnaise sauces. Reservations recommended. Lunch Mon. and Thu.-Fri., dinner daily, brunch Sat.Sun. $$$
Chef Baruch Rabasa and his partner Melissa Stewart opened this cafe in September, serving house-roasted coffee and a Norwegian-inspired breakfast and lunch menu. Slices of dark pumpernickel, Danish rye and momor bread are topped with ingredients like beet tartare, pickled herring and softboiled quail egg. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily. $
The casual breakfast and lunch spot serves egg dishes, salads, sandwiches and pastries along with coffee and fresh juices. The San Giovanni sandwich is smoked turkey ham served on artisan bread with beet dip, arugula and egg. The dish comes with grilled halloumi and hash browns. No reservations.
Chef Sudharshan Kasarapu serves a variety of South Indian dishes, including curries, meat biryanis and vegetarian options made with chickpeas and lentils. The vindaloo chicken or lamb is in a spicy, tangy curry made with vinegar and a blend of spices. Reservations accepted. Delivery available. S. Claiborne Avenue: lunch and dinner daily; Magazine Street: lunch Tue.-Sun, dinner daily. $$
The Michelin-recommended restaurant serves modern takes on Creole cuisine and Cajun-inspired dishes, often with live music during brunch. The chili-rubbed red wattle pork chop comes with pozole broth, hominy, bacon-braised greens, radish, pickled red onion, jalapeno, salsa verde, pepitas and cotija cheese. Reservations recommended. Outdoor seating available. Brunch and dinner Thu.-Mon. $$$
The Vietnamese noodle house is known for its Asian po-boys and bacos, its take on Vietnamese-style soft shell tacos with plenty of veggie options. The ramen curry tofu is made with vegetable broth, bok choy, corn, bean sprouts, boiled egg and onions. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. $$
Ba Mien Restaurant
13235 Chef Menteur Highway, Suite C, (504) 255-0500; bamien.com
The New Orleans East restaurant serves dishes from across Vietnam. Nem nuong khanh hoa is a dish of grilled pork paste served with lettuce, green banana, mango, mint, cucumber, pickled carrot and rice paper. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch Tue.-Sun. $$
Bamboo Cafe
1530 Lapalco Blvd., Suite 15, Harvey, (504) 325-5986; facebook.com/ bamboocafeharvey
The West Bank cafe serves a concise Vietnamese food menu along with smoothies, bubble teas and coffee. There’s banh mi, pho and noodle dishes, and bun bo hue, a
Catfish kabiraji at Plume Algiers
PHOTO BY CHRIS GRANGER / THE TIMES- PICAYUNE
Winter Dining Issue
spicy beef and pork vermicelli soup. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily. $
Jimmy Cho’s restaurant serves both contemporary and traditional Thai dishes, and there are some low-carb options. The two-hour braised lamb Chiang Mai egg noodle dish includes yellow curry, pickled mustard, green onion, crispy shallots and cilantro. Reservations accepted for large parties except Friday and Saturday nights. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner Tue.Sat. $$
Banh Mi Boys combines Vietnamese and local influences for creative banh mi sandwiches. There also are spring rolls, salads and fried chicken wings. Their chicken katsu banh mi is made with panko fried chicken, tonkatsu sauce, kewpie mayo and furikake seasoning. No reservations. Delivery and outdoor seating available. Metairie: lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat.; New Orleans: lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun. $
Barcar
601 Metairie Road, (504) 264-7783; barcarbar.com
This Old Metairie restaurant has a rooftop bar, a selection of sandwiches, a burger, shareable plates and pasta dishes. The spicy tuna crispy rice comes with yuzu vinaigrette, cilantro and sesame crunch. Barcar is 18 and over after 3 p.m. No reservations. Lunch and Dinner Wed.-Mon. $$
Baroness on Baronne
339 Baronne St., (504) 522-8664; baronessnola.com
The menu at this craft cocktail lounge includes shareable plates, pizza, flatbreads, wraps and a burger. The Creole pizza uses hand-tossed dough and is topped with shrimp, mozzarella, basil and shrimp Creole sauce. Reservations accepted. Outdoor seating available. Dinner Wed.-Sun., late night Fri.-Sat. $$
Bayona
430 Dauphine St., (504) 525-4455; bayona.com
Chef Susan Spicer’s fine-dining restaurant uses local ingredients in a changing menu of seasonal fare. A recent menu included braised rabbit served with tomatoes, leeks, Castelvetrano olives, capers and Parmigiano polenta. Reservations recommended. Outdoor seating available. Lunch Mon., Thu.-Sat., dinner Mon.-Sat. $$$
Bearcat has a breakfast and lunch menu split between “good cat” dishes that are vegan and vegetarian and “bad cat” dishes with meat and seafood. Their Couyon Daddy is a biscuit with a fried chicken thigh topped with Creole crab dip, a sunny side up egg and hot sauce. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch Tue.-Sun. $$
Bears Poboys at Gennaro’s 3206 Metairie Road, (504) 833-9226; bearspoboys.com
Bear’s serves comforting Louisiana staples like po-boys and boudin balls, plus fried appetizers, salads and burgers. The NOLA
The muffuletta at Cochon Butcher PHOTO BY IAN MCNULTY / THE TIMES- PICAYUNE
burger includes a 10-ounce patty topped with roast beef debris and Swiss cheese and dressed with mayo, lettuce, tomato and pickles. No reservations. Delivery available. Lunch daily, dinner Mon.-Sat. $$
The family-run bistro from former “Chopped” contestant Michael Dilonno serves modern and classic American fare. The duck leg confit comes with butternut squash, onion, bacon, pecans, brown sugar and hot honey. Reservations accepted. Dinner Wed.-Sun., brunch Sat.-Sun. $$$
Bisutoro
1581 Magazine St.; Instagram: @bisutoroonmagazine
The Lower Garden District sushi bistro has a unique menu with rare fish from around the globe. Past menus included spicy scallop with house mayo and cucumbers and a specialty roll made with salmon, red crab, tempura, green onion, satsuma and ponzu. Reservations recommended. Lunch Fri., dinner Wed.-Sun. $$
The Lakefront restaurant has a menu of fried, boiled and grilled seafood platters, po-boys, raw and char-grilled oysters and more. Blue Crab’s wedge salad includes two scoops of blue cheese ice cream and candied bacon on an iceberg wedge with balsamic reduction and tomatoes. There are fried shrimp, oyster, catfish and stuffed crab platter options, which come with fries, jalapeno hush puppies and French bread. No reservations. Outdoor seating available. Lunch and dinner Tue.- Sun. $$
Blue Oak BBQ
900 N. Carrollton Ave., (504) 822-2583; blueoakbbq.com
The Mid-City barbecue restaurant serves a variety of smoked meats and poultry, including St. Louis-style ribs, brisket, pulled pork and smoked turkey. The Pit Viper sandwich is jerk pulled pork, ginger sesame coleslaw and sliced jalapenos on a sesame bun. No reservations. Delivery and outdoor seating available. Lunch and dinner daily. $$
Boil & Barrel
900 Harrison Ave., (504) 332-2645; boilandbarrel.com
The new, family-friendly restaurant in Lakeview highlights boiled seafood and bourbon on its menu. There also are some vegan options. The B&B Fruit De Mer is spaghetti topped with shrimp, mussels and crawfish tails in a San Marzano tomato sauce with fresh herbs. Reservations accepted. Outdoor seating available. Lunch Fri.-Sun., dinner Tue.-Sun. $$
The seafood restaurant is open January through June for crawfish season and serves boiled shrimp, crawfish and Dungeness crab by the pound or cluster. There also are non-seafood items as well, including Truffalo Wild Wings, which are black truffle smoked barbecue wings. No reservations. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner Wed.-Sun. $$
Bourbon House
144 Bourbon St., (504) 522-0111; bourbonhouse.com
The menu focuses on Gulf seafood offerings such as crab claw bordelaise, fried seafood platters and po-boys. Alligator sausage and crawfish tails are served with house-made rigatoni in bourbon Creole cream sauce and topped with Parmesan. There’s also an oyster bar serving raw or char-broiled oysters. Reservations accepted. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. $$$
The menu at Brutto Americano focuses on coastal Italian fare. The seared scallops are served with asparagus, fennel and Parmesan broth. A family-style, four-course tasting menu also is available. Reservations accepted. Breakfast and lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner daily, brunch Sat.-Sun. $$$
These casual smashburger joints now have a grab-and-go location Uptown and a new spot on the Northshore. The Peanut Bubber is two beef patties, American cheese, bacon and creamy peanut butter on a toasted brioche bun. No reservations. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner Tue.Sun. $$
Budsi’s Authentic Thai
1760 N. Rampart St., (504) 381-4636; budsisthai.com
The menu by chef Budsaba “Budsi” Mason has classic Thai recipes and specialties from the Isan region at this Marigny restaurant. Waterfall pork is a popular dish with sliced grilled pork, roasted and crushed rice, red onions, cilantro, scallions, mint and lime juice. No reservations. Outdoor seating available. Lunch and dinner Tue.Sun. $$
Burger Nerds slings smashburgers and sides like loaded fries and Brussels sprouts topped with okonomi sauce, Kewpie mayo, crispy shallots and furikake. The classic
burger can be ordered with one or two patties topped with grilled onions, lettuce, tomato, pickles, house Nerd sauce and American cheese. No reservations. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner daily. $$
The menu features traditional Thai cooking, including noodles and curries along with a selection of street-food style dishes. Fried catfish is served in a creamy red curry with bamboo shoots, peppercorn and Thai basil. Reservations accepted for large parties. Lunch and dinner daily. $$
Cafe Malou
5433 Laurel St., (504) 227-3110; cafemalou.com
The new, cozy breakfast cafe serves baked eggs, salads, sandwiches and sides. The Cajun Country Classic comes with two baked eggs, andouille, thick-cut bacon, toast and cheddar grits. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily. $$
The folks behind Dahla recently opened this new Thai restaurant in Mid-City. The menu includes Thai standards as well as some regional specialties. Beef short ribs are served in panang curry with red peppers, Brussels sprouts and jasmine rice. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner Wed.-Mon. $$$
Chais Delachaise
7708 Maple St., (504) 510-4509; chaisdelachaise.com
The Uptown wine bistro serves a globally influenced menu with shareable plates,
like char-grilled octopus with pickled pineapple and cilantro vinaigrette. The pasta alla Norcina includes housemade tagliatelle in truffle cream sauce with pork, house-cured pancetta, mushrooms and kale. Reservations accepted. Outdoor seating available. Dinner Wed.Sun. $$$
Chef Ron’s Gumbo Stop
2309 N. Causeway Blvd., Metairie, (504) 835-2022; gumbostop.com
Chef Ron Iafrate cooks several gumbo options as well as seafood specials, salads and New Orleans staples. The Mumbo Gumbo is a file gumbo with chicken, shrimp, crabmeat, crawfish, sausage, okra and tomatoes. Outdoor seating available. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sat. $$
Chi Chi’s Chicken and Beer
4714 Freret St., (504) 381-4953; eatchichis.com
The Korean fried chicken joint serves a menu of wings and fried chicken sandwiches. They also have onigirazu, a type of sushi sandwich with options like spicy tuna and cucumber or salmon and jalapeno. No reservations. Delivery available. Lunch Fri.-Sun., dinner Tue.-Sat. $
This Alabama-born chain serves up a variety of house-made chicken salads. The Cranberry Kelli includes all white meat shredded chicken, sweetened cranberries and slivered almonds. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. $$
Cajun gumbo and a special of Japanese-inspired shima aji crudo share the table at Herbsaint.
This casual restaurant serves Chinese-American dishes and has a tiki-like atmosphere and the cocktails to match. The Kung Bo shrimp dish is shrimp sauteed with mushrooms, water chestnuts, cashews, scallions, baby corn and mixed vegetables and served in spicy garlic sauce. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. $$
China Orchid
704 S. Carrollton Ave., (504) 865-1428; chinaorchidbistrola.com
The menu of Chinese dishes includes barbecue ribs, moo shu pork and sweet and sour chicken, and there also is a selection of Thai curry dishes. House specialties include the Sizzling Wo Ba, a mix of shrimp, pork, beef and chicken, sauteed with vegetables on a hot plate and served with steamed rice. No reservations. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner daily. $$
The Uptown institution is known for its timeless charm and regularly changing Creole menu. It recently earned recognition from the Michelin Guide. Recent menus included smoked duck with dirty rice, fettuccine with shrimp, and sauteed veal with crabmeat, asparagus and bearnaise sauce. Reservations recommended. Lunch Thu.-Fri., dinner Tue.-Sat. $$$
The Mid-City restaurant offers seasonal boiled seafood by the pound with add-ons including sausage, mushrooms, corn, potatoes and garlic. The menu also has pasta
dishes, fried seafood platters, po-boys, sandwiches and salads. The Messy Clesi is crawfish dirty rice topped with crawfish etouffee. No reservations. Outdoor seating available. Lunch and dinner Thu.-Tue. $$
Cochon’s sister restaurant is all about house-made meat sandwiches, charcuterie and small plates. Cochon and Cochon Butcher were both recognized in the Michelin Guide. The Cajun pork dog sandwich is topped with black-eyed pea chili, sauerkraut and mustard on a pretzel bun. No reservations. Delivery and outdoor seating available. Lunch and dinner daily. $
Cochon King
5321 Franklin Ave., (504) 571-5038; cochonking.com
The counter-service barbecue restaurant has brisket, ribs, sausage, pulled pork, chicken and turkey breast served on sandwiches and as platters with sides. The Texas Two Step sandwich includes brisket and jalapeno cheddar sausage topped with onions, pickles and house barbecue sauce on a brioche bun. Cochon King also runs a food truck. No reservations. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner Wed.-Sun. $$
This Lower Garden District spot serves Korean barbecue, bulgogi platters, katsu and specialties like spicy braised oxtail. Bibimbap is a rice bowl topped with vegetables, a fried egg and choice of marinated ground beef, chicken or tofu. No reservations. Delivery available. Lunch Thu.-Mon., dinner Wed.-Mon. $$
Shrimp bun, a vermicelli rice noodle salad, is a flavorful option from Ba Mien.
Caribbean influences run deep on chef Nina Compton’s seasonally changing menu at this Michelin recommended restaurant. Curried goat is served with sweet potato gnocchi and cashews, while the fried chicken comes with jerk honey butter, coconut grits and peanuts. Reservations recommended. Dinner daily, brunch Sun. $$$
Copper Vine
1001 Poydras St., (504) 208-9535; coppervine.com
The wine bar and restaurant has a varied menu of modern American and Creole dishes. The bourbon-glazed pork chop comes with goat cheese grits, collard greens, grilled grapes and whole grain mustard seeds. Reservations accepted. Courtyard and balcony seating available. Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner daily, brunch Sat.-Sun. $$$
The Bywater restaurant, bar and pool offers a menu of contemporary Creole and Southern dishes. The shrimp linguine puttanesca is made with Louisiana white shrimp, red sauce, tomatoes, olives and caper berries. The small plates menu includes blue crabmeat and sofrito mascarpone-filled beignets served with saffron aioli. Reservations accepted. Outdoor seating available. Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner daily, brunch Sat.-Sun. $$
Court of Two Sisters 613 Royal St., (504) 522-7261; courtoftwosisters.com
This French Quarter restaurant serves Creole and Cajun cuisine and is known for
its jazz brunch. The grilled filet mignon is served with potato mash, pepper jack creamed spinach and bearnaise sauce with an optional topping of jumbo lump crabmeat. Reservations accepted. Courtyard seating available. Brunch and dinner daily. $$$
The restaurant serves classic New Orleans dishes, including po-boys and oysters on the half shell, as well as a variety of mimosas and bloody marys. On the breakfast menu, grits and grillades is a dish of roast beef debris sauteed with peppers, onions and garlic in a creamy brown gravy and served over Gouda cheese grits. No reservations. Delivery available. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. $$
Curio Bistro
301 Royal St., (504) 717-4198; curionola.com
The menu features American cuisine with a Creole twist. Crawfish cavatappi is corkscrew-shaped hollow pasta and Louisiana crawfish tossed in Creole cream sauce and topped with Parmesan cheese. Reservations accepted. Delivery and balcony seating available. Breakfast, brunch and dinner daily. $$$
Dahla
611 O’Keefe Ave., Unit 10, (504) 7666620; Instagram: @dahlarestaurant
The Thai menu includes curries, stir-fries and noodle dishes. Spicy drunken noodles come with a choice of protein, such as tofu, shrimp or chicken, served with rice noodles, Thai basil, egg, carrots, onions, and green and red peppers. Reservations recommended for large parties. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. $$
Pepperoni curl into ‘cups’ to top a takeout pizza from Il Supremo in Old Metairie.
PHOTO BY IAN MCNULTY / THE TIMES- PICAYUNE
GREATTASTE FROM SIDEWALK TO NEU TRAL GROUND
Winter Dining Issue
Dakar NOLA
3814 Magazine St., (504) 493-9396; dakarnola.com
Chef Serigne Mbaye uses locally sourced seafood and produce for a seven-course, seasonal tasting menu inspired by New Orleans and Dakar, Senegal. The restaurant won a James Beard Award in 2024 and is a Michelin Guide recommendation. A recent menu included yassa jën, steamed drum fish over sweet potato puree with fennel yassa, a twist on the traditional Senegalese onion-lemon marinade, and jollof rice. There also are wine and non-alcoholic drink pairing options. Reservations required. Dinner Tue.-Sat. $$$
Delachaise Wine Bar
3442 St. Charles Ave., (504) 895-0858; thedelachaise.com
The Uptown bistro and wine bar serves a regularly changing, refined food menu. Steak bruschetta is crostini topped with grilled and marinated New York strip with Peruvian garlic aji sauce and shaved Manchego. No reservations. Outdoor seating available. Lunch Fri.-Sun., dinner and late-night daily. $$
A team with fine-dining roots elevate burgers using locally baked buns and housemade sauces. The Classic burger includes an 8-ounce USDA Prime beef patty topped with lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickle, and American cheese and served with hand-cut fries. Reservations accepted. Delivery and outdoor seating available. Lakeview: lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun.; Harahan: lunch and dinner daily. $$
Desi Vega’s Steakhouse
628 St. Charles Ave., (504) 523-7600; desivegasteaks.com
Chef Muggsy Beals serves USDA Prime beef cuts aged for tenderness and seared in a Montague broiler. Steak options include filet mignon, New York strip, rib-eye and porterhouses for two. There also is a selection of local seafood, including charbroiled oysters. Reservations accepted. Lunch Mon.-Fri, dinner Tue.-Sat. $$$
Di Vang
2139 Stumpf Blvd., Gretna, (504) 564-5066
The West Bank karaoke bar has a small but authentic Vietnamese menu, including the spicy beef noodle dish bun bo Hue. Canh ga chien nuoc mam are chicken wings sauteed in fish sauce. Reservations accepted for large parties. Dinner and late-night Wed.-Mon. $$
Soup-filled pork dumplings, xiao long bao, are a specialty at this Chinese restaurant in the French Quarter. Both locations offer a variety of dumplings, soups and entrees, and the Conti Street spot has hot pot and dry pot options. Walnut shrimp is fried and tossed in a sweet lemon-mayonnaise sauce and topped with glazed walnuts. Reservations accepted. Delivery available. Conti Street: lunch and dinner Tue. Sun.; Decatur Street: lunch and dinner daily. $$
The French Quarter restaurant’s signature appetizer is seared crab cakes with Louisiana jumbo lump crabmeat, white
WI NE OF THE WEEK
ravigote and roasted corn puree. Steak choices include a petite or large filet, a 16-ounce prime rib-eye and the prime strip. The shareable beef Wellington dish is a Louisiana Coastal Plains tenderloin wrapped in mushroom duxelles, Creole mustard and house tasso and baked in a butter pastry. Reservations recommended. Dinner daily. $$$
Domenica
The Roosevelt Hotel, 123 Baronne St., (504) 336-654; domenicarestaurant.com
The menu hits a spot where rustic Italian meets the South, with salumi, pizzas and pasta dishes. Hand-rolled cavatelli is prepared with a wild mushroom and slow-cooked rabbit sauce and topped with Parmesan cheese. The affettati misti is the Chef’s selection of house-cured salumi and imported cheeses with seasonal accompaniments and torta fritta bread. Reservations recommended. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner daily. $$$
The New Orleans institution with counter-service po-boys is a Bib Gourmand pick by the Michelin Guide. Po-boys come in both small and large sizes with options ranging from hot smoked sausage to shrimp or roast beef and Swiss. A popular choice, available in large size only, is the half and half seafood with fried shrimp and fried oysters. No reservations. Lunch Mon.-Sat., early dinner Thu.-Sat. $
Dong Phuong
14207 Chef Menteur Highway, (504) 254-1568; dpbakeshop.com
Along with its well-known king cakes, the New Orleans East restaurant and bakery serves an assortment of Vietnamese
Brav iu m Chardonnay
Brilliantyellow-gold color, with honey, pear,apple, pineapple, clove,and whitefloweraromas. The wine opens brightlywith lushlytextured fruit that transitions from citrus to apple, and peach fruit. Invigorating acidity carries the fruit,vanilla, and saline notesonthe finish of this deliciousChardonnay.
BY
Chicken curry puffs from Thai D-Jing PHOTO BY IAN MCNULTY / THE TIMES- PICAYUNE
Winter Dining Issue 2026
classics, including pho and banh mi. The bakery also has pate chaud, a savory meat pie, crawfish pie and baked bao. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch Wed.-Mon. $
is a tureen of chili-infused chicken broth with chicken meat, carrot, potato, chayote and green beans and is served with fresh tortillas, cilantro, onion, jalapeno and lime. There also are vegan options. No reservations. Outdoor seating available. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sat., brunch Sun. $$
Elizabeth Street Cafe
Hotel Saint Vincent, 1507 Magazine St., (504) 350-2435; elizabethstreetcafe.com
The Chase family’s Treme restaurant is a Creole dining landmark and was recently recognized by the Michelin Guide. Three pieces of Creole-seasoned, Southern fried chicken come with a choice of side, such as stewed okra, mustard greens, baked macaroni or jambalaya. Reservations recommended. Lunch Tue.-Fri., dinner Fri.-Sat. $$$
The French Quarter spot has a menu full of club sandwiches, including a buildyour-own option, as well as bar snacks like carne asada fries and nachos topped with ground beef, cheese, pickles, grilled onions and sweet chili mayo. The breakfast club sandwich is made with eggs, bacon, a hash brown patty, cheese and mayo. Lunch, dinner and late-night Tue.-Sun. $$
The counter inside the store at Canal and S. Broad streets serves no-frills, traditional Vietnamese dishes, including pho, banh mi and rice and vermicelli dishes. There also are Phorittos and breakfast sandwiches. The grilled pork banh mi can be upgraded with pate and avocado. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and early dinner Mon.Sat. $
El Pavo Real
4401 S. Broad Ave., (504) 266-2022; elpavorealnola.com
The Mexican menu has a selection of enchiladas, tacos and more. Caldo de pollo
The French-Vietnamese cafe and bakery offers banh mi, pho and more. Ginger chili oil dumplings are prepared with pork and shrimp and served with water chestnuts and herbs. The Cajun fried oyster banh mi comes with black lime mayonnaise, jalapeno, carrot, daikon and shredded lettuce with fish caramel on a house-baked baguette. No reservations. Delivery and outdoor seating available. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. $
The Bywater spot, known for its praline bacon and bloody marys, recently added happy hour and dinner service. Redneck Eggs are poached eggs served over fried green tomatoes with hollandaise. The dinner menu includes gumbo, burgers and po-boys along with entree platters like grilled tuna steak with shiitake relish and choice of two sides. Reservations accepted for parties of 10 or more. Outdoor seating available. Breakfast and lunch daily, dinner Thu.-Sat. $$
The Indian restaurant in Lakeview offers an array of small and large plates. Butter chicken features bite-sized pieces of chicken marinated in yogurt and simmered in a rich tomato sauce with cashews and butter. Reservations accepted. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner Wed.-Mon. $$
A venison poboy with celery root slaw is one of the creations from Killer Poboys.
Emeril Lagasse’s flagship restaurant recently earned two Michelin stars for its contemporary Louisiana cuisine served in regularly changing tasting menus. A recent menu included oyster stew with Herbsaint cream, foie gras and hon-shimeji mushroom. The connected wine bar has a menu of raw, cold and hot dishes, like steak and sweetbread fried rice, barbecue shrimp and oysters. Reservations recommended. Dinner Tue.-Sat. $$$
Empanola
630 St. Ann St., (504) 766-1236; 3109 Magazine St., (504) 582-9378; 7321 Freret St., (504) 249-5977; empanolaempanadas.com
These casual spots serve empanadas with a variety of fillings. The gumbo empanada contains roasted chicken, andouille sausage, onions and peppers. There also is flan, coffee and teas and sweeter empanadas, like one filled with apples, pecans, brown sugar, cinnamon and spices. No reservations. Delivery and outdoor seating available. Lunch and dinner daily. $
Fausto’s
530 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 833-7121; faustosbistro.com
This Metairie institution serves classic Italian dishes made from old Sicilian family recipes. Manicotti are pasta tubes stuffed with seasoned ricotta cheese and baked with mozzarella and marinara sauce. Reservations recommended. Outdoor seating available. Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner Mon.-Sat. $$$
Felipe’s
301 N. Peters St., (504) 267-4406; 411-1 N. Carrollton Ave., (504) 408-2626; 2004 Metairie Road, Metairie, (504) 676-5574; 6215 S. Miro St. (504) 309-2776; felipestaqueria.com
Diners can custom order burritos, bowls, tacos and more at these fast casual Mexican restaurants. Nachos Classico are tortilla chips with melted Monterey jack cheese, grilled chicken, refried pinto beans, pico de gallo, corn, crema, salsa verde and guacamole. No reservations. Delivery and outdoor seating available. Lunch and dinner daily. $$
Five Happiness
3605 S. Carrollton Ave., (504) 482-3935; fivehappinessnola.com
Chinese staples like moo-shu, fried rice and chow mein are just a sampling of Five Happiness’ extensive menu. The Po-Po platter is a hot appetizer tray with egg rolls, barbecue ribs, crab rangoon, shrimp toast and beef teriyaki. A house specialty is sauteed shrimp topped with honey roasted pecans and sesame seeds. Reservations accepted. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner daily. $$
GAIA Seafood & Steakhouse
1820 St. Charles Ave., Suite 120, (337) 443-7967; gaiasteakhouse.com
Steaks are grilled over charcoal embers and finished in a wood-fired oven. The menu has a variety of premium beef cuts, including filet mignon, New York strip and rib-eye. Lamb chops are rosemary-seared and served with mint chimichurri. The menu also has sliders, chicken, seafood and salads. Reservations recommended. Delivery available. Dinner Wed.-Mon. $$$
Galatoire’s
209 Bourbon St., (504) 525-2021; galatoires.com
The century-old, Michelin-recommended fine-dining restaurant serves French-Creole dishes including crab maison with jumbo lump crabmeat, green onions, capers and Creole mustard aioli. It can be ordered with shrimp remoulade as the Galatoire Goute. Daily fish offerings come sauteed, broiled, fried, or poached and can be topped with classics like meunière amandine or lemon capper beurre blanc. Reservations required. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun. $$$
Gangnam Korean BBQ
3012 N. Arnoult Road, Suite A, Metairie, (504) 309-7007; gangnamkoreanbbqla.com
Gangnam serves all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue where diners grill the meat at the table. Options include chicken, pork and beef. Beef items include Gangnam marinated steak and marinated beef bulgogi. There also is seafood and a selection of side dishes and appetizers to share. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner Thu.-Tue. $$
The Old Metairie farm-to-table spot has patio seating and yard games. Wednesdays are burger nights and the BBQ bacon burger is wood-fire-grilled and topped with barbecue sauce, bacon and fried onions on a house-made sesame seed potato bun and served with fries. Braised short ribs are served over whipped potatoes with roasted mushrooms and tomatoes and a black vinegar demi-glace. Reservations accepted. Lunch Wed.-Fri., dinner Wed.-Sun and brunch Sat.-Sun. $$$
The kitchen combines local ingredients and culinary finesse. Pan-roasted chicken is served with shiitakes, haricots verts, mashed potatoes and natural jus. Persimmon Baked Alaska is a gingerbread cake with lemon meringue and an orange ginger gelée. Reservations recommended. Dinner Tue.-Sat. $$$
Chef Andrew Lu serves Southern-influenced, Chinese-American dishes inside the Holy Ground. There also are occasional pop-ups at local breweries. Menu highlights include black pepper beef dumplings, spicy dan dan dumplings and crab rangoons and more. No reservations. Delivery available. Dinner daily, late-night Fri.-Sat. $
Godfather’s Pizza
2321 W. Esplanade Ave., Suite J, Kenner, (504) 470-2195; godfathers.com
This pizza chain’s Kenner outpost offers build-your-own pies with a range of crusts, toppings and unusual sauce options like remoulade, garlic parm and taco. Specialty pies include a Creole chicken and shrimp pizza with bacon, red pepper pesto, hot seasoning and two kinds of cheese. No reservations. Delivery available. Lunch and early dinner daily. $$
Good Catch Thai Urban Bistro
828 Gravier St. (504) 581-2205; goodcatchnola.com
Chef Aom Srisuk serves a seafood-focused Thai menu at her CBD restaurant. Named after Srisuk’s hometown, the Ayutthaya Boat noodle soup features rice noodles, sliced beef loin, tendon, meatballs and
bean sprouts. The spicy salmon tsuke comes with marinated salmon, chili sauce, mint, dill and fried shallots. Reservations accepted. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner daily. $$$
Gus’ World Famous Fried Chicken
308 S. Diamond St., (504) 252-4870; 3940 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 287-4660; gusfriedchicken.com
The Tennessee-based restaurant’s spicy, hand-battered fried chicken has won honors at the National Fried Chicken Festival in New Orleans. White or dark meat cuts come with sides like baked beans, coleslaw or collard greens. Starters include fried green tomatoes, corn nuggets and pickles. No reservations. Delivery and outdoor seating available. Lunch and dinner daily. $$
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ
400 Lafayette St., Suite 101, (504) 507-8800; gyu-kaku.com
The extensive menu centers around yakiniju-style barbecue with options ranging from skirt steak and beef belly to pork, shrimp and chicken served with rice or noodles. There also are Japanese snacks, like takoyaki. The beef sukiyaki fried rice bowl comes with egg, mushrooms, onions, red peppers and sesame seeds. Reservations accepted. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner daily. $$
Fish in a Boat has whole fried snapper wrapped around chunks of fried fish at Sun Chong.
PHOTO BY CHRIS GRANGER / THE TIMES- PICAYUNE
Winter Dining Issue 2026
of pork, pork belly and duck fill a table at Hong
Hangout Ramen
Hong Kong Kitchen
1340 S. Carrollton Ave., (504) 571-5024; 2560 Williams Blvd., Kenner, (504) 4702650; hangoutramenla.com
The casual Asian fusion restaurant serves sushi, hibachi and ramen dishes, including the ichimi ramen with pork belly, shrimp, vegetables, egg, fish cake and noodles in creamy garlic pork broth. The Burning Man sushi roll features spicy tuna and asparagus inside, topped with pepper tuna, avocado, ponzu, eel and hot sauce. No reservations. Delivery available. Carrollton: lunch Sun.Fri., dinner daily; Kenner: lunch and dinner daily. $$
Headquarters by Nice Guys NOLA
1820 Dickory Ave., Harahan, (504) 729-6968
This budget-friendly spot serves Hunan, Sichuan and Cantonese dishes with beef, shrimp, and chicken options, fried rice, lo mein, egg drop soup and more. No reservations. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun. $
the Roberta, which comes with sausage, jalapeno, hot honey and whipped ricotta. The canestri pasta dish includes spicy sausage, fontina, kale, white wine sauce and Parmesan. Il Supremo also serves slices. No reservations. Dinner Wed.-Sun. $$
Jack Rose
Pontchartrain Hotel, 2031 St. Charles Ave., (504) 608-7112; jackroserestaurant.com
445 S. Rampart St., (504) 217-6851; headquartersnola.com
The hotel’s brightly decorated, upscale restaurant takes menu cues from New Orleans’ French, Spanish and Italian cultural heritage. Banana leaf-wrapped speckled trout is served with crab boil butter, red potatoes and corn. Reservations recommended. Dinner Wed.-Sat., brunch Sat.-Sun. $$$
The restaurant and event space serves Cajun-inspired dishes, burgers, sandwiches and elevated bar food alongside an extensive cocktail menu. Red beans and rice comes with a choice of blackened chicken, Patton’s hot sausage or fried catfish. Benedict options on the brunch menu include oxtail, crabcake and shrimp. Reservations accepted. Delivery available. Lunch Mon.Fri, dinner daily, brunch Sat.-Sun. $$$
Herbsaint
701 St. Charles Ave., (504) 524-4114; herbsaint.com
Chef Donald Link’s flagship restaurant has earned its chefs two James Beard awards and recently landed on Michelin’s list of recommended New Orleans restaurants. House-made spaghetti is served with guanciale and egg. The Muscovy duck leg confit comes with dirty rice and citrus gastrique. Reservations recommended. Outdoor seating available. Lunch Mon.-Fri, dinner Mon.-Sat. $$$
This neighborhood eatery focuses on Cantonese-style cuisine. Lunch specials include Mongolian beef and General Tso’s chicken, and both come with pork fried or steamed rice. The Chef’s Special menu includes family-sized servings of ginger and scallion crab, salt and pepper shrimp, squid, frog legs or fish and more. No reservations. Delivery available. Breakfast and lunch Tue.-Sun. $$
The restaurant at the French Quarter music venues serves a menu of Louisiana and Southern dishes. Cajun chicken pasta comes with blackened chicken, pepper, tomato and onion in Cajun cream sauce. The barbecue bacon smashburger is a double patty on brioche with Memphis barbecue sauce and cheese. Reservations accepted. Delivery and outdoor seating available. Dinner Thu.-Sun. $$$
II Supremo
619 Pink St., Suite B, Metairie; ilsupremopizza.com
The self-described “neighborhood pizza and red sauce joint” offers specialty pies like the burrata-filled tomato pie and
Jamaican Jerk House
4017 St. Claude Ave., (504) 441-8905; 4445 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 266-0613; jamaicanjerkhouse.com
Kingston, Jamaica-born chef Richard Rose and his partner Jackie Diaz helm these Caribbean restaurants, which serve an array of jerked meats and seafood, spicy oxtail dishes, pastas and more. Most main dishes come with rice and peas along with side options like jerked corn, plantains, callaloo or steamed cabbage. No reservations. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun. $$
Jazmine Cafe
614 S. Carrollton Ave., (504) 866-9301; jazminecafe.com
The cozy Vietnamese restaurant in the Riverbend serves pho, vermicelli dishes, rice paper and fried spring rolls, stuffed rice crepes, banh mi and poke bowls. The tangy tamarind shrimp soup comes with shrimp, pineapple,
Fried rice, salt-and-pepper green beans, wonton soup and a trio
Minh.
PHOTO BY IAN MCNULTY / THE TIMES- PICAYUNE
to, onions, cilantro and bean sprouts. Reservations accepted. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun. $$
Joe’s Cafe
Areawide; joesknowsfood.com
Joe’s specializes in donuts and diner-style comfort food with a New Orleans stamp, with dishes ranging from red beans and rice and pot roast to apple fritters and buttermilk drops. The pork chop breakfast comes with two eggs, grits or hash browns and bread. No reservations. Delivery available. All locations: breakfast, lunch and dinner daily; Gretna: late-night daily; Lapalco Blvd.: late-night Wed.-Sun.; Westwego: late-night Wed.-Sat. $$
The New Orleans taqueria has served burritos, tacos, quesadillas, salads and more for more than 25 years. The Veggie Punk burrito comes with pinto beans and rice, pickled jalapenos, cheddar-jack, lettuce and salsa la fonda on a grilled tortilla. No reservations. Delivery and outdoor seating available. Lunch and dinner daily. $$
Junior’s on Harrison
789 Harrison Ave., Suite B, (504) 7666902; juniorsonharrison.com
The family-friendly Lakeview restaurant has a diverse menu of sandwiches, salads, pastas and grilled seafood. The gnocchi Sardi Bolognese comes with veal, Parmesan and herbed ricotta. Reservations
accepted. Delivery and outdoor seating available. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat., brunch Sun. $$
With dishes named after 9th Ward streets, JusTini’s serves a menu complementing owner Jessica Robinson’s cocktail program. The winter salad roster includes greens topped with blackened shrimp, blackened salmon or steak, pomegranate, walnuts and cheese. Reservations accepted. Delivery and courtyard seating available. Lunch Tue.-Fri., dinner Tue.-Sat., late-night Fri.-Sat., brunch Sat.-Sun. $$
This Mid-City neighborhood spot offers Creole dishes, seafood, po-boys, burgers, pizza pasta and more. Slow-cooked baby back ribs come in a blackberry and jalapeno-infused barbecue sauce with sides like fries, onion rings and mashed potatoes. Reservations accepted for parties of seven or more. Delivery and outdoor seating available. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat., brunch Sun. $$$
Michelin recently gave a shout out to Killer PoBoys’ creative spins on the New Orleans sandwich. The Thai BBQ Tofu po-boy includes tofu marinated in Thai barbecue sauce, lemon grass and Thai chili mirliton slaw, spiced peanuts and coconut. No
Winter Dining Issue 2026
reservations. Delivery available. Dauphine Street: lunch and dinner Wed.-Mon.; Erin Rose: lunch and dinner Wed.-Mon., late night Fri.-Sat. $$
Kim Anh’s Noodle House
6624 Jefferson Highway, Harahan, (504) 739-9995; kimanhsnoodlehouse.com
The family-owned Vietnamese spot prides itself on its flavorful pho broth used in a wide range of noodle soups. Pho options include oxtail, shrimp, tofu, chicken, brisket and more. There also are vermicelli bowls, rice dishes, Chinese dishes and specialties like marinated quail and goat curry soup. No reservations. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Fri. $$
Kim Son Express
City Market, 1101 Elysian Fields Ave., (504) 354-8690; kimsonexpress.citymarketnolaonline.com
Located inside the food hall at Elysian Fields and St. Claude avenues, Kim Son offers Vietnamese staples like pho, vermicelli bowls, rice dishes, banh mi and spring rolls as well as Chinese options like fried rice, wok stir-fries, lo men and more. No reservations. Cash is not accepted. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner daily. $$
King Brasserie & Bar
Kimpton Hotel Fontenot, 521 Tchoupitoulas St., (504) 324-3073; kingbrasserieandbar.com
The restaurant has a menu inspired by coastal Louisiana, the French Riviera and the Amalfi Coast, with Gulf seafood and traditional brasserie dishes like steak frites. Bouillabaisse comes with scallops, shrimp, blue crab and Gulf fish in fennel and saffron broth. Reservations accepted. Breakfast and dinner daily. $$$
The restaurant from chef Ashwin Vilkhu is one of Michelin Guide’s recommended New Orleans restaurants and serves a pan-Asian prix fixe menu. A recent menu included tamarind pork belly with purple daikon, Fresno chilis and apple, and duck confit with sour cherry, kabocha and makrut lime. Reservations recommended. Dinner Tue.-Sat. $$$
La Macarena Pupuseria & Latin Cafe
8120 Hampson St., (504) 862-5252; pupusasnola.com
The family-run restaurant serves pupusas and Salvadoran dishes, including vegan options, and it sources spices, horchata and more from El Salvador, where the proprietor’s mother, Isabela, was born. Isabela’s Mayan chicken comes with potatoes, carrots and string beans in a Mayan sauce, plus yellow rice, refried black beans and salad. No reservations. Delivery available. Breakfast, lunch and dinner Wed.-Mon. $$
La Petite Grocery 4238 Magazine St., (504) 891-3377; lapetitegrocery.com
James Beard Award-winning chef Justin Devillier serves French-Louisiana cuisine at this Michelin-recommended restaurant in Uptown, where blue crab beignets with malt vinegar aioli are a long-running favorite. Paneed rabbit comes with spaetzle, wilted greens, turnip puree and sauce grenobloise. Reservations recommended. Outdoor seating available. Lunch Tue.Sat., dinner daily, brunch Sun. $$$
La Tia Taqueria & Cantina
4517 W. Esplanade Ave., Metairie, (504) 354-8570; latiacantina.com
Tacos and regional Mexican dishes are served at this restaurant along with cocktails and margaritas. Taco filling options range from traditional al pastor to cauliflower tempura. The smoked and grilled redfish Zarandeado comes with adobo sauce, panfried mashed potatoes and spring greens. Reservations accepted. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner daily. $$$
The long-running chain serves Gulf Coast seafood, steaks, salads and appetizers. The signature fish Pontchartrain is broiled tilapia with lump crabmeat and mushrooms in a white wine cream sauce, served with rice pilaf and vegetables. Reservations accepted. Delivery and outdoor seating available. Lunch and dinner daily. $$$
The modern bistro serves classic French dishes using locally sourced ingredients in items such as blue crab au gratin and Gulf shrimp bisque. Carbonnade a la Flamand is a Chimay-braised beef stew with pearl onions and baby carrots. Reservations accepted. Dinner Tue.-Sat. $$$
The Vietnamese cafe has banh mi, pho, bao buns, vermicelli bowls, rice dishes and more. Grilled lemon grass pork is served over vermicelli with lettuce, cucumber, bean sprouts, crushed peanuts and nuoc mam. No reservations. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner Wed.-Mon. $$
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West Bank at Steak and Chop or seafood at Tacklebox in the CBD. At Craft Tavern, the shrimp Breaux Bridge is penne pasta in spicy cream sauce topped with Louisiana shrimp. Reservations accepted. Delivery available at Craft Tavern and Tacklebox. New Orleans: breakfast, lunch and dinner daily; Gretna: lunch and dinner daily. $$
The Lower Garden District restaurant serves Vietnamese staples including pho, vermicelli bowls and boba tea. The lemon grass tofu banh mi comes with butter, pate, sliced cucumber, pickled carrot and cilantro, Sriracha and jalapenos. No reservations. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. $$
The restaurant formerly known as Mama Thai serves dishes such as pad thai and green curry. One of the signature dishes is crispy, cubed duck confit tossed in a sweet and savory sauce with shrimp, mushrooms and scallions and served with jasmine rice. No reservations. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sat. $$
Little Chinatown
3800 Williams Blvd., Kenner, (504) 305-0580; littlechinatown.net
The restaurant offers a range of traditional Cantonese items, including noodles, soups, congee and clay pot dishes. Congee, a savory, porridge-like rice dish, can be ordered with pork, duck and preserved egg or with seafood options. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. $$
The Baquet family’s restaurant is known for Creole favorites such as gumbo, hot sausage po-boys, fried seafood platters and more. Daily specials include Thursday’s smothered okra with rice and fried chicken. No reservations. Outdoor seating available. Lunch Mon.-Sat. $$
The small Algiers Point restaurant and bar has a big yard, wines, beers, cocktails and a menu of snacks and dips, charcuterie boards, sandwiches and desserts. The caprese salad includes burrata, basil, heirloom tomatoes and balsamic reduction. No reservations. Outdoor seating available. Dinner Tue.-Sat. $$
LUFU Nola
301 St. Charles Ave., (504) 354-1104; 1117 Decatur St., (504) 354-1214; lufunola.com
The original CBD restaurant recently was
Winter Dining Issue 2026
named a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand pick. Its menu of Indian dishes combines classics such as chicken biryani, tandoori-cooked Gulf shrimp over salad and chicken tikka masala, as well as creative items. Manso Kosha is a spicy Bengali curry with slow-cooked goat and caramelized onions. Reservations accepted. St. Charles Avenue: lunch and dinner Thu.-Tue.; Decatur Street: lunch Thu.-Sun., dinner Thu.-Tue. $$$
Owner-chef Hao Gong serves a contemporary menu of sushi and Chinese dishes, and there’s a raw bar with items like salmon with sesame-crusted banana and sweet and spicy sauce. Hamachi kama is yellowtail collar double fried and served with cilantro and garlic soy sauce. Reservations accepted. Dinner Tue.-Sat. $$$
Lyon’s Corner
Hotel Theo, 537 Gravier St., (504) 576-9721; lyonscornernola.com
The hotel restaurant in the CBD has a Southern-style menu with breakfast dishes, sandwiches, entrees and baked goods. Breakfast jambalaya is made with shrimp, andouille, chicken, scallion and baked eggs. On the lunch and dinner menu, panko-crusted chicken breast is pan-fried and served with arugula, Parmesan and
ommended. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner daily, brunch Sat.-Sun. $$$
Messina’s Runway Cafe
New Orleans Lakefront Airport, 6001 Stars and Stripes Blvd., (504) 241-5300; messinasrunwaycafe.com
Messina’s serves a menu of Creole dishes, lunch specials and more inside the Lakefront Airport’s terminal building. The Jimmy Wedell pasta, named for the 1930s pilot, includes shrimp, crabmeat and crawfish over angel hair pasta with basil cream sauce. Reservations recommended for large parties. Breakfast and lunch Tue.Fri., brunch Sat.-Sun. $$$
Mikimoto
3301 S. Carrollton Ave., (504) 488-1881; mikimotosushi.com
The Japanese restaurant has a wide-ranging menu of sushi rolls, ramen, tempura and teriyaki dishes. The Crescent City roll is made with snow crab, spicy crawfish and tempura batter rolled with rice in seaweed and topped with avocado, onion and shrimp. Reservations accepted. Delivery available. Lunch daily, dinner Sun.-Fri. $$
Chef Luot Nguyen serves Vietnamese favorites at the casual Magazine Street restaurant. The grilled shrimp rice plate includes jasmine rice, dipping sauce, a fried egg and salad. No reservations. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sat. $$
Mantra
3116 S. I-10 Service Road East, Metairie, (504) 766-8004; mantracuisine.net
Chef Bonsai “Neeta” Lal draws on influences from his home region of Jammu and Kashmir, India. There is a variety of vegetarian dishes, like malai kofta, which is grated vegetables fried and served with onion and tomato gravy. Meat dishes include the house special rogan josh, which is marinated lamb cooked with herbs and spices. Reservations accepted. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun. $
Meril
424 Girod St., (504) 526-3745; bemeril.com
This restaurant from Emeril Lagasse serves a contemporary American menu with international influences. Grilled salmon is served with spinach, hazelnut gremolata and watercress sauce. Reservations rec-
Ming’s has a menu of Hong Kong-style dishes and American Chinese favorites. House specialty XO beef is wok-seared beef tossed with XO sauce and seasonal vegetables. No reservations. Lunch Wed.Fri., dinner Tue.-Sat. $$
Mint Modern Vietnamese
5100 Freret St., (504) 218-5534
The Uptown bistro offers a menu of traditional and contemporary Vietnamese dishes. Specialties include fried chicken and pandan waffles and a kimchi burger with sweet potato fries. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun. $$
The Uptown spot serves dim sum, noodles and some Cantonese dishes. The dim sum menu has shrimp snow leaf pea dumplings and shrimp-stuffed fried eggplant. Crispy duck wraps come with cilantro, scallions, hoisin sauce and Chinese pancakes. Reservations accepted for large parties. Lunch and dinner Wed.-Mon. $$
William Greenwell’s “tropical roadhouse” serves dishes with influences from Mexico and the Caribbean to India and Japan. It recently landed on the Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand list. The changing menu includes dishes like hanger steak served with coconut creamed potato, birria sauce, guajillo and cilantro. Reservations accept-
Ice cream, foie gras and gingersnap crumbles combine for a creative dessert at Saint-Germain.
2809 St. Claude Ave., (504) 459-2161; Instagram: @moi.nola
This recently opened restaurant offers a menu of Vietnamese favorites such as banh mi and vermicelli bowls. The menu includes fried tofu stuffed with pork and braised in tomato sauce, and there is a crab and tomato noodle soup packed with crab and pork meatballs and tofu. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Thu.-Tue. $$
The Michelin-recommended breakfast joint from Turkey and the Wolf’s Mason Hereford has a menu of creative and contemporary twists on American breakfast classics. The grand slam McMuffin comes stacked with a sage pork patty, hash browns, grilled onions, American cheese and ketchup atop an English muffin. No reservations. Outdoor seating available. Breakfast and lunch Wed.-Mon. $$
Morrow Steak
1003 Julia St., (504) 354-9805; morrowsteak.com
Along with filet mignon, rib-eye, wagyu New York strip and more steak options, Larry Morrow’s steakhouse serves seafood, sushi rolls and more. Marinated, domestic double-cut lamb chops are served with house-made steak sauce. On the appetizer menu, seared A5 wagyu tacos are topped with kimchi slaw, crispy wontons and spicy aioli. Reservations accepted. Dinner daily, brunch Sun. $$$
Along with an all-day breakfast menu, Mother’s serves Creole dishes, po-boys and seafood platters. The combination platter comes with shrimp or crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, red beans and rice, potato salad and choice of side, such as french fries or Jake’s green beans and tomatoes. No reservations. Delivery available. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. $$
This CBD restaurant has a menu of traditional Indian dishes with some modern touches. Navratan korma is a cashew and coconut curry with vegetables and cottage cheese. Reservations accepted. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner Thu.-Tue. $$
The menu of Japanese dishes includes sushi, handrolls, onigiri, bento boxes and more. A Firefly roll has spicy tuna and avocado, and is topped with tuna, micro cilantro, ponzu, yuzu pepper sauce and sesame oil. Full omakase dinners feature many courses, including sushi, other dishes and dessert. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun. $$$
Napoleon House is known for its Pimm’s Cup cocktail and has a menu of Creole staples such as seafood gumbo, red beans and rice, chicken and sausage jambalaya, po-boys and more. The alligator sausage
Crabmeat beignets at La Petite Grocery
PHOTO BY IAN MCNULTY / THE TIMES- PICAYUNE
Winter Dining Issue 2026
po-boy comes dressed with lettuce, tomato, mayo, Tabasco pepper jelly and Creole mustard. No reservations. Limited courtyard seating available. Lunch and dinner daily. $$
New Orleans Hamburger and Seafood
Areawide; nohsc.com
The local chain serves New Orleans classics, burgers, po-boys, seafood platters and Southern comfort food. The crabmeat and eggplant stack comes with crawfish mushroom cream sauce and fried green tomatoes. No reservations. Delivery available. Hours vary by location. $$
Neyow’s
3332 Bienville St., (504) 827-5474; neyows.com
The Creole restaurant serves classics like gumbo, po-boys, barbecue shrimp and fried oysters. Jazzy Wings can come plain or battered, tossed in either honey mustard, barbecue sauce or ranch dressing. Neyow’s XL Steakhouse, next door, serves steaks, pasta and seafood dishes. No reservations. Delivery and outdoor seating available. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat., brunch and early dinner Sun. $$
Nice Guys offers a menu of innovative twists on New Orleans cuisine, with seafood dishes, wings, tacos, sandwiches, fries and more. The char-grilled Ohh Lala Oysters are topped with shrimp, crawfish, crab and lobster cream. Reservations accepted. Delivery and outdoor seating available. Lunch Tue.-Thu., dinner Mon.Sat., brunch Fri.-Mon. $$
Nikkei Izakaya
Broadside, 600 N. Broad St., (504) 224-5657; nikkeiizakaya.com
The Japanese-style tavern at The Broadside serves Nikkei cuisine, a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian culinary traditions. Nikkei Broil is a choice of oysters, shrimp or mushrooms char-broiled with tamari, ginger, herb butter and aji, topped with Havarti cheese and served with bread. No reservations. Outdoor seating available. Dinner daily. $$
The extensive menu has traditional and modern Vietnamese and Chinese dishes. The sizzling seafood entree includes shrimp, scallops, crabmeat, squid and vegetables served on a sizzling plate with steamed rice. No reservations. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner Thu.-Tue. $$
This Indian restaurant offers a variety of traditional dishes, including samosas, tandoori chicken and vegetarian options. Goa-style shrimp curry is cooked in coconut and vegetable sauce. Reservations accepted. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun. $
Nola Desi Kitchen
3814 Williams Blvd., Suite 4, Kenner, (504) 305-6555; noladesikitchen.com
The menu of Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi dishes includes biryani, curries and kebab rolls. Papri chat is spicy garbanzo beans topped with sweet yogurt, onions, tomatoes, tamarind chutney, seasonings
The tandoori mixed grill at Mantra Indian Cuisine in Metairie has chicken two ways, lamb and fish.
PHOTO BY IAN MCNULTY / THE TIMES- PICAYUNE
Winter Dining Issue 2026
and fried chips. The dessert menu includes gulab jamun, which are sweet fried dumplings in sugary syrup topped with crushed pistachios. No reservations. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner Thu.-Mon. $$
NOLAKorea
3120 Cleary Ave., Suite A, Metairie, (504) 702-8811
The Korean menu has noodle dishes, rice plates, soups and more. Tteokbokki are spicy stir-fried rice cakes with sausage, fish cakes and vegetables. Bibimbap is a rice bowl featuring beef, spinach, carrot, cucumber, mushroom, and other vegetables, topped with a fried egg and chili sauce. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sat. $$
The Vietnamese restaurant has pho, banh mi and bun vermicelli bowls and also serves “bacos,” or bao tacos. Bun bo Hue is a spicy soup served with brisket, Vietnamese ham, tendon and thick rice noodles. No reservations. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner daily. $
Origen Bistro
3600 St. Claude Ave., (504) 381-4245; Instagram: @origenbistronola
Chef Julio Machado serves Venezuelan cuisine at this Bywater bistro. The Revive the Soul ceviche includes apple vinegar-marinated red snapper, tomato sauce, aji peppers, cayenne pepper, onions and cilantro. There’s also a daily brunch menu with arepas, empanadas and breakfast casseroles. Reservations accepted. Outdoor seating available. Lunch, dinner and brunch daily. $$
The Original Slap Burger
Marie’s Bar & Kitchen, 2483 Burgundy St., Suite 1, (504) 251-4124; originalslapburger.com
The kitchen at Marie’s in the Marigny slings smashburgers with single or double patties, grilled cheese sandwiches, chicken tenders and other bar snacks. The large Mack is their spin on the Big Mac, with quarter-pound beef patties, house-made Mack sauce, lettuce, pickles, American cheese and onions on toasted brioche bun.
No reservations. Lunch Fri.-Sun., dinner daily, late-night Fri.-Sat. $$
The restaurant and wine bar has shareable plates like cheese boards and baked brie served with pecans, honey and bread. New Zealand lamb chops come with mashed potatoes, vegetables and red pepper coulis. Reservations accepted for large parties. Outdoor seating available. Dinner Thu.-Sun. $$
The Old Metairie lounge specializes in burgers and sandwiches and has weekly specials. Its version of the muffuletta, dubbed the Oscalotta, comes with ham, Genoa salami, mortadella, mozzarella and olive salad. No reservations. Lunch Tue.Sun., dinner daily, late-night Tue.-Sat. $$
The restaurant along Bayou Bonfouca serves a contemporary Creole menu. The 7-ounce center-cut beef filet is served with Lyonnaise potatoes, steamed asparagus and herb butter. There also are raw and char-grilled oysters as well as baked oysters Rockefeller and Bienville. Reservations recommended. Dinner Thu.-Sun., brunch Fri.-Sun. $$$
The Northshore bistro serves an upscale menu of pastas and Italian dishes with some New Orleans influences. Veal Parmesan comes with spicy arrabbiata sauce, bucatini, basil, mozzarella and Parmesan. The crab arancini, a special, comes with bread and butter pickles, mustard seed and paprika aioli. Reservations recommended. Lunch Thu.-Fri., dinner Mon.-Sat. $$$
Parish Grill
4650 W. Esplanade Ave., Metairie, (504) 345-2878; parishgrill.com
The menu has burgers, sandwiches, pizza, salads and plate specials. The Swamp Sandwich features alligator sausage, Patton’s hot sausage, caramelized onions, pickled peppers and jalapeno ranch dressing. No reservations. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat., brunch Sat. $$
A Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand pick, Parkway serves traditional po-boys filled with fried shrimp, oysters, roast beef and vegetarian options. The James Brown po-
boy includes slow-cooked barbecue beef, Louisiana fried shrimp, melted pepper jack cheese and hot sauce mayo. No reservations. Outdoor seating available. Lunch Wed.-Sun. $$
Patois
6078 Laurel St., (504) 895-9441; patoisnola.com
The neighborhood restaurant received a Michelin recommendation for its menu of locally sourced French and New American dishes. The five-spice duck confit leg is served with cabbage and turnip slaw, peach nuoc cham, herbs, crispy peanuts and ginger. Reservations recommended. Outdoor seating available. Dinner Wed.Sun, brunch Sun. $$$
Paulie’s
8201 Oak St., (504) 412-8326; pauliesneworleans.com
The Uptown sandwich shop specializes in classic Italian dishes and deli-style sandwiches. Signature sandwiches include the Great Bambino, which has Boar’s Head corned beef, pastrami top round, cabbage, melted imported Swiss cheese and Russian dressing on toasted marble swirl rye bread. No reservations. Delivery available. Lunch daily, dinner Thu.-Sat. $
The Michelin-recommended restaurant serves contemporary seafood dishes inspired by South American, Spanish and Gulf Coast culinary techniques and flavors. Small plates include steak tartare with oyster aioli and fried oysters with pickled corn and kimchi. Grilled tuna is served with okra and blistered tomatoes. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner daily. $$$
Pho Bang
Areawide; phobangnola.com
These family-run restaurants serve Vietnamese favorites, including
and rice dishes. Bun
Dan dan noodles with red curry at the Elizabeth Street Cafe
PHOTO BY IAN MCNULTY / THE TIMES- PICAYUNE
Crown Wall Hook
vermicelli bowl served with char-grilled pork, lettuce, cucumber, pickled carrots and daikon, peanuts and fried onions. No reservations. Delivery available. Hours vary by location. $$
Pho House
135 N. Carrollton Ave., (504) 309-7283; phohousela.com
Formerly Doson Noodle House, the eatery serves pho and other Vietnamese staples. Goi cuon are spring rolls made with rice paper stuffed with shrimp, avocado, cucumbers, basil and vermicelli and are served with peanut sauce. Pho can be topped with brisket, rare flank steak, chicken, shrimp or tofu and vegetables in beef broth and garnished with fresh herbs, scallions and onions. No reservations. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner Mon.Sat. $$
The Vietnamese spot serves rice dishes, vermicelli bowls and a number of pho options with beef broth. Pho dac biet is pho filled with rare steak, brisket, fatty brisket, beef flank, tendon and tripe. The soup is topped with white onions, scallions and cilantro and served with bean sprouts, basil, lime and jalapenos on the side. No reservations. Delivery available. Breakfast and lunch Thu.-Tue., dinner Thu.-Sat., Mon-Tue. $$
The family at Pho Tau Bay has been operating Vietnamese restaurants in New Orleans for more than 40 years. The menu features an expansive list of traditional Vietnamese soups, rice dishes and more. Com bo xao hanh is a rice platter with marinated and sauteed beef and yellow onions. It is served with house-made honey mustard sauce. No reservations. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Fri. $$
Pho Tran
2005 Magazine St., (504) 522-3399
The casual restaurant in the Lower Garden District offers traditional Vietnamese dishes such as pho, banh mi and spring rolls. The menu of vermicelli dishes includes grilled pork, stir-fried beef, fried tofu and lemon grass curry chicken options. No reservations. Outdoor seating available. Lunch daily, dinner Thu.-Tue. $$
Chef Zuhair Azaar’s recently opened restaurant serves Mediterranean and Lebanese favorites. Beef kabab plates are served with yellow rice, hummus, salad, pita bread and seasoned onions. The Adana wrap includes spicy minced lamb,
onions, tomatoes and red cabbage. No reservations. Delivery and outdoor seating available. Lunch and delivery daily. $$
Pizza Bella
8115 Oak St., (504) 322-4040; pizzabellanola.com
The pizzeria has a menu of specialty Neapolitan-style pies, pasta dishes, calzones, cocktails and more. The Garden pizza is made with pesto sauce, mozzarella, red onions, roasted garlic, tomatoes, banana peppers and parsley. No reservations. Delivery available. Lunch, dinner and latenight daily. $$
The seasonal menu of shareable dishes is inspired by the various cultures that built New Orleans. A recent menu included roasted Gulf oysters served with Viet-Cajun butter and lemon breadcrumbs. Seared tuna is served with black-eyed peas, tomato, sugarcane vinaigrette and serrano ham. Reservations accepted. Outdoor seating available. Lunch Fri., dinner daily, brunch Sat.-Sun. $$$
Plume Algiers
1113 Teche St., (504) 381-4893; plumealgiers.com
The casual Algiers cafe serves a menu of regional Indian dishes. Rista is Kashmiri lamb meatballs served in a saffron gravy. There also is chicken Cafreal, which includes grilled chicken legs, cilantro and mint marinade, poppy seed and lime. Reservations accepted. Delivery and outdoor seating available. Lunch Fri.-Sat., dinner Tue.-Sat. $$
Pomelo
4113 Magazine St., (504) 442-9570; pomelonola.com
Chef Aom Srisuk serves Thai dishes based on family recipes at her Uptown restaurant. Khao soi is a mild curry soup with egg noodles, pickled greens, red onion, chili oil and chicken or shrimp. Reservations accepted. Delivery and outdoor seating available. Lunch and dinner daily. $$$
The French Quarter bar and grill is known for its thick burgers topped with cheese or mushrooms. There also are steaks, including filet mignon, New York strip and rib-eye, baked potatoes and salads. No reservations. Outdoor seating available. Lunch and dinner Wed.-Mon., late-night Thu.-Sat. $$
Pulcinella!
1300 St. Bernard Ave., (504) 221-1560; Instagram: @mypulcinella
Chef Matty Hayes serves a home-style Italian menu at this 7th Ward restaurant, and on the second floor, The Original Nite
Winter Dining Issue 2026
A sweet kolache with peaches, turmeric and labneh at Molly’s
Cap hosts burlesque and drag shows. A recent menu included radiatore served with roasted pumpkin, sage, toasted pecan pepita crunch and warm stracciatella. Reservations accepted. Delivery available. Dinner Mon.-Sat., brunch Sat. $$$
Punjabi Dhaba
2305 W. Esplanade Ave., Kenner, (504) 441-2323; punjabidhabadesi.com
Punjabi Dhaba serves a menu of modern and traditional northern Indian cuisine. There also is a lunchtime buffet. Baigan bharta is roasted eggplant cooked with tomatoes, onions and spices. Reservations accepted. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner daily. $$
Ralph’s on the Park
900 City Park Ave., (504) 488-1000; ralphsonthepark.com
Chef Christopher Vazquez serves a menu of elevated, globally influenced Creole dishes at Ralph Brennan’s restaurant across from City Park. The Vietnamese-style redfish on the half-shell is served with bok choy, wild mushrooms, ginger, cilantro and satsuma ponzu. Reservations accepted. Lunch Wed.-Fri., dinner daily, brunch Sat.-Sun. $$$
The Michelin recommended restaurant in the CBD uses Louisiana ingredients for an upscale, contemporary Creole menu. Dryaged duck breast is served with chanterelle mushrooms, blackberries and heirloom
grits. There also is a seven-course tasting menu. Reservations accepted. Lunch Fri., dinner daily. $$$
Rib Room
Omni Royal Orleans, 621 St. Louis St., (504) 529-7045; ribroomneworleans.com
The French Quarter restaurant serves dryaged prime rib, steaks and some seafood and poultry dishes. The half-pound wagyu cheeseburger includes aged cheddar cheese, house-made pickles and sauce on a brioche bun and comes with fries. The Rib Room will be closed for renovations through Feb. 8. Reservations accepted. Breakfast and lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner daily, brunch Sat.-Sun. $$$
Rivershack Tavern
714 First St., Gretna, (504) 325-5530; rivershackgretna.com; 3449 River Road, Jefferson, (504) 834-4938; rivershacktavern.com
The roadhouse-style joints have burgers, po-boys, steaks, pork chops, seafood dishes and more. The Shank You burger is a half-pound beef patty topped with a Patton’s hot sausage patty, dressed with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and onions, and comes with fries. No reservations. Outdoor seating available. Gretna: lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun.; Jefferson: lunch and dinner daily. $$
The menu at Rizzuto’s CBD steakhouse has a range of Black Angus steak cuts as well
Rise & Shine.
PHOTO BY IAN MCNULTY / THE TIMES- PICAYUNE
RD AY 10 - 5
the Greenway in Mid City •3530 Toulouse St 504-488-1946 • Bayoubicycles.com
Winter Dining Issue
as pasta dishes and seafood. Steak options include rib-eye, New York strip, center cut filet, spinalis, Delmonico and a 55-ounce Tomahawk cuts. Side options include baked sweet potato with Calabrian chili honey butter, Brussels sprouts served in Steen’s surgarcane vinaigrette, and grilled broccolini with lemon and chili vinaigrette. Reservations accepted. Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner daily. $$$
Rizzuto’s Ristorante & Chop House
6262 Fleur De Lis Drive, (504) 300-1804; rizzutosristorante.com
The menu of elevated Italian dishes includes house-made pastas, seafood, wood-fired pizzas and classic Italian desserts. Clams are served over linguine with white wine, garlic and olive oil. Reservations accepted. Lunch Tue.-Fri., dinner Tue.-Sun. $$$
The menu offers Vietnamese classics including banh mi, spring rolls, dumplings, rice dishes, pho, bubble tea and more. Vermicelli noodles with lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, cabbage and cilantro can be topped with grilled chicken, pork, beef, tofu, shrimp or an egg roll. The combo option comes with chicken, pork and shrimp. No reservations. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner served Mon.Sat. $$
Royal Thai Bistreaux
No reservations. Lunch and dinner Mon.Sat. $$
Rumba
5257 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 224-4504; tasterumba.com
The beachy restaurant has a bar focused on rum and tequila and a menu of seafood dishes, burgers, tacos, salads and more. Gulf Tides bucatini is Louisiana crawfish, lump crabmeat and bell peppers tossed in Creole rum reduction and topped with crispy garlic, panko and lemon. Reservations accepted. Delivery and outdoor seating available. Lunch and dinner daily, brunch Sun. $$
Chef Alon Shaya’s menu at Saba draws from his Israeli background as well as influences from across the Middle East, North Africa and Europe. It’s a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand pick. Grilled salmon is served with tzatziki, confit tomatoes, dill and pink peppercorn. There are also hummus dishes with toppings like blue crab, Brussels sprouts and spicy lamb ragu. Reservations accepted. Outdoor seating available. Lunch Wed.-Fri., dinner daily, brunch Sat.-Sun. $$$
The menu has familiar Thai noodle, rice and sauteed dishes and curries as well as several original items. Pad thai with soft-shell crab is made with rice noodles sauteed with shrimp, green onions and egg in sweet and sour tamarind sauce and served with sprouts and crushed peanuts.
The Vilkhu family’s upscale Indian restaurant recently landed on the Michelin Guide’s recommended list. Pork vindaloo is made with pork shoulder, vinegar and chiles and served with basmati rice. Reservations accepted. Dinner Tue.-Sat. $$$
Saint-Germain
3054 St. Claude Ave., (504) 218-8729; saintgermainnola.com
The small Bywater restaurant recently
Dong Phuong serves a variety of banh mi.
PHOTO BY IAN MCNULTY / THE TIMES- PICAYUNE
Winter Dining Issue 2026
earned a Michelin star for its contemporary menu. The 10-course, prix fixe tasting menu frequently changes, and sample items include Kaluga caviar with potato, beef tartare and lobster with vin jaune and milk bread. Reservations required. Dinner Thu.-Mon. $$$
Sala Nola
124 Lake Marina Ave., (504) 513-2670; salanola.com
The menu at this lakefront restaurant and cocktail bar includes Creole-Italian and seafood dishes, salads and shareable plates like herb truffle fries, sweet chili fried calamari and bacon Brussels sprouts in a red pepper and citrus cream sauce. The grilled shrimp spinach salad includes bacon, candied pecans, dried cranberries, red onion, blue cheese and raspberry vinaigrette. Reservations accepted. Outdoor seating available. Breakfast Thu.-Fri., dinner Tue.-Sun., brunch Sat.-Sun. $$$
The chic lounge connected to the Maison Metier hotel serves French-influenced dishes, cocktails, natural wines and beer. Gulf oysters can be ordered with cocktail sauce, horseradish and black pepper mignonette, and there is a fried oyster dish with sauce gribiche and crispy spinach chips. Reservations recommended. Dinner and late-night daily. $$$
Santa Fe serves a menu of Spanish, Mexican and Southwestern dishes, including tacos and tamales, and seafood, poultry and beef entrees. The Santa Fe combo platter includes a chicken enchilada, beef relleno, chicken or pork tamale, poblano sauce and cheese. Reservations accepted.
Outdoor seating available. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun., brunch Sun. $$
Seawitch Restaurant & Oyster Bar
1628 St. Charles Ave., (504) 264-7600; seawitch-nola.com
The Lower Garden District restaurant has oysters, cocktails and a menu of elevated seafood dishes as well as steak and veal. Pan-fried trout is topped with sherry cream sauce, lump crab and artichokes and comes with Lyonnaise potatoes. Reservations accepted. Outdoor seating available. Lunch and dinner daily. $$$
Secret Thai
9212 W. Judge Perez Drive, Suite C, Chalmette, (504) 345-2487; secretthaichalmette.com
This Chalmette spot serves Thai dishes and other Asian items such as shumai dumplings. The spicy eggplant basil is made with a choice of chicken, pork, beef, shrimp or tofu sauteed with eggplant, carrots, onions, bell pepper and basil and is served with rice. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sat. $$
Shogun
2325 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 833-7477; shogunjapanese18.com
One of the area’s oldest Japanese restaurants has a hefty menu of sushi, hibachi, teishoku dinners and more. The yakitori dinner includes three chicken teriyaki skewers, three beef teriyaki skewers and two rice patties. No reservations. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun. $$
The menu at this Mid-City restaurant combines Greek and Jewish influences. There is a day menu with breakfast and lunch items, like The Lambeaux, which is slowbraised leg of lamb, whipped feta and tzatziki, stewed onions and garlic, red onions and cucumber on Gendusa French bread. On the dinner menu, whole Mediterranean branzino is stuffed with ouzo-sauteed leeks, dill and lemon. Online reservations recommended for dinner. Delivery and outdoor seating available. Breakfast and lunch daily, dinner Wed.-Sat. $$
Social serves a modern Peruvian menu, and the restaurant recently opened a location on Magazine Street. Arroz con mariscos is Peruvian paella-style rice with shrimp, calamari, octopus, Parmesan cheese and green beans. There also are wontacos, or wonton tacos, filled with fish tartare, salsa acevichada, togarashi, nori and quinoa furikake. Reservations accepted. Outdoor seating available. Lunch and dinner daily. $$$
Space 5
1723 Manhattan Blvd., Suite C, Harvey, (504) 354-8654; Instagram: @space5harvey
The space-themed restaurant serves Korean barbecue, hot pot and sushi. Diners can choose beef, pork, chicken and seafood to grill at their table or simmer in broth with vegetables and noodles. On the sushi menu, the fried Marrero roll includes
A lentil and potato pierogi dish at Zasu PHOTO BY CHRIS GRANGER / THE TIMES- PICAYUNE
shrimp tempura, snow crab, crawfish, cream cheese, jalapeno, eel sauce and spicy mayo. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. $$$
The Mid-City coffee shop has a display case full of house-made pastries, quiche, breakfast kolaches and other baked goods, and there are some creative sandwiches in the afternoon. During Carnival, The Station also sells king cakes as well as individual king cake bites, which are filled with rotating sweet and savory flavors. Recently they served a banana cream king cake bite topped with caramel drizzle and sprinkles. No reservations. Outdoor seating available. Breakfast and lunch daily. $
Sukeban
8126 Oak St., (504) 345-2367; barsukeban.com
The Japanese-style tavern serves sashimi, handrolls, caviar and cocktails, beer and wine. The handroll menu includes blue crab with katsuo furikake and tenkasu, and the shiitake mushroom handroll comes with shiso and avocado. Reservations recommended. Dinner Tue.-Sat. $$$
The Thai restaurant has an extensive menu of traditional and modern dishes. The royal duck curry is sliced duck breast in red curry with pineapple, cherry tomatoes, grapes, bitter pea eggplant and lychee. Reservations accepted. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun. $$
Sun Chong
240 Decatur St., (504) 355-0022; sunchongnola.com
Named for owner Larry Morrow’s grandmother, the restaurant serves a menu of Korean and Creole dishes. Seafood ramen pasta is stir-fried ramen noodles in spicy Korean sauce topped with shrimp, mussels and vegetables. Reservations accepted. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner daily, late-night Fri.-Sat. $$
The Harvey restaurant serves Vietnamese dishes as well as boiled seafood options that can be ordered mild, medium or spicy. Bun thap cam is a combination vermicelli plate with an egg roll and grilled pork and shrimp. No reservations. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner Wed.-Mon. $$
This long-standing Old Metairie Indian restaurant serves classic dishes and South
Indian specialties. The chili paneer features house-made cheese and bell peppers simmered in a sweet, spicy and tangy sauce. Reservations accepted. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner Wed.-Mon. $$
The Gretna spot serves Vietnamese staples such as pho, rice dishes, vermicelli dishes and more. Char-broiled pork is served with steamed jasmine rice, cucumber, pickled carrots, daikan and tomatoes. No reservations. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sat. $$
This restaurant offers a range of Thai dishes, like pad see ew, massaman curry and larb kai salad. Spicy basil fried rice comes with egg, carrot, onions, tomatoes, bell pepper and Thai hot pepper. No reservations. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner Wed.-Mon. $
Tavi
330 N. New Hampshire St., Covington, (985) 200-2045; tavirestaurant.com
Chef Fariz Choumali uses local ingredients for his menu of modern Levantine dishes. The crispy half chicken is served with aromatic rice, lemon chicken jus, pistachios and pecans. Louisiana shrimp dumplings come with smoked harissa and chive yogurt. Reservations accepted. Delivery and outdoor seating available. Lunch and dinner daily. $$
Tchefuncte’s Restaurant
407 St. Tammany St., Madisonville, (985) 323-4800; tchefunctes.com
Sitting along the Tchefuncte River, the fine-dining restaurant has a menu of French, Italian and Louisiana-influenced fare. Blackened American red snapper is served with asparagus, pecan beurre blanc and fried tortellini. Reservations recommended. Outdoor seating available. Lunch Fri., dinner Wed.-Sun., brunch Sun. $$$
Thai D-Jing
93 5th St., Gretna, (504) 766-0681; thaidjing.com
Chef Suda Oun-in and Jeerasak Boonlert serve traditional and original Thai dishes in this pink cottage on the West Bank. Spicy drunken noodles are made with ramen noodles, Thai chilis, garlic, bell peppers, basil and minced beef. Reservations accepted. Delivery and outdoor seating available. Lunch Tue.-Sun., dinner Tue.Sat. $$
Thai Mint
1438 S. Carrollton Ave., (504) 862-9001; thaimintnola.godaddysites.com
The casual spot has a menu of classic Thai dishes including curries, stir-fried noodles
Winter Dining Issue 2026
and soups. The Thai garlic includes a choice of chicken, pork, beef, shrimp or tofu sauteed with bell pepper, broccoli, mushroom and onion in garlic and black pepper sauce. It is served with jasmine rice. No reservations. Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner Mon.-Sat. $$
Thai Nola
5931 Bullard Ave., Suite 7, (504) 300-7884; thainolarestaurant.com
Husband and wife Gerald and Benji Butler serve traditional Thai dishes and some Creole favorites in New Orleans East. Catfish pad ga pow is fried catfish and basil stir-fried with carrots, green beans and bell peppers and served over rice with a Thaistyle fried egg. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sat. $$
Thai Zaap
131 W. Robert E. Lee Blvd., (504) 396-2941; 6601 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 454-8752; thaizaapcafe.net
Thai Zaap serves familiar Thai dishes along with some signature items. Calamari, mussels, scallops and shrimp are sauteed with spicy chili paste, onions, bell peppers, carrots and baby corn. No reservations. Delivery available. New Orleans: lunch and dinner daily, late-night Thu.-Mon.; Metairie: lunch and dinner daily. $$
Thai’d Up
1839 Gentilly Blvd., (504) 644-5790; thaidup.co
The menu of Thai street food includes favorites like curries and noodle dishes with some modern touches. Pad woon san is glass noodles stir-fried with egg, onions, cabbage, broccoli, carrot and choice of tofu, vegetables, chicken, beef, shrimp or seafood. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Thu.-Mon. $$
Thaihey
308 Decatur St., (504) 354-8646; thaiheynola.com
Chef Orawin Yimchalam Greene takes a modern approach to traditional and creative Thai dishes. Khao soi chicken is deep-fried chicken in yellow curry soup with fried egg noodles, pickled radish, red onion and cilantro. Reservations accepted. Delivery and outdoor seating available. Lunch and dinner daily. $$$
Theo’s Pizza
Areawide; theospizza.com
The local pizza franchise has a selection of appetizers, sandwiches and signature and customizable pies. The Eccentric is a pizza topped with olive oil, chicken, minced garlic, spinach, jalapenos, yellow squash, spicy tomatoes, Anaheim peppers, feta, pepper jack and mozzarella. No reservations. Delivery and outdoor seating available. Lunch and dinner daily. $$
Chef E.J. Lagasse of Emeril’s restaurant pours an oyster soup.
PHOTO BY CHRIS GRANGER / THE TIMES- PICAYUNE
Winter Dining Issue 2026
Tito’s Ceviche & Pisco
1433 St. Charles Ave., (504) 354-1342; titoscevichepisco.com
Tito’s serves an array of Peruvian dishes, including several ceviche options. Pulpo a la parilla is grilled octopus with aji panca, aioli potatoes, chimichurri and salsa criolla. Reservations accepted. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner daily, brunch Sat.-Sun. $$$
These breakfast and lunch spots have savory and sweet crepes, omelets, waffles and more, with some variations depending on location. Thick slices of toast can be ordered with prosciutto, honey and herbed ricotta, with cream cheese, capers, cured salmon and scrambled eggs, or with avocado and a sunny-side-up egg. There also are aebleskivers, a Danish puffed pancake with powdered sugar and sauce. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily. $$
Trey Yuen
600 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, (985) 626-4476; treyyuen.com
The long-running Northshore restaurant serves a range of Chinese dishes and some specialties highlighting local seafood, like alligator with mushrooms and crawfish in spicy lobster sauce. Tong Cho crawfish is made with crawfish tails dusted with flour and fried and topped with a sweet-soy-ginger reduction. Reservations accepted. Lunch Tue.-Fri., dinner Tue.-Sun. $$
TukTuk Thai
901 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 100, Metairie, (504) 766-8512; nolatuktukthai.com
Sisters Jar Williamson and Terry Cuskelly serve a menu of Thai street food and original specialties. Khua kling pork is minced pork cooked with spicy and herbal chili paste with jalapeno, bell peppers and kaffir lime leaves and served with rice, vegetables and a medium-boiled egg. No reservations. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. $$
Turkey and the Wolf
739 Jackson Ave., (504) 218-7428; turkeyandthewolf.com
The inventive counter-service sandwich joint is now a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand recommendation. The collard green melt is filled with slow-cooked collards, Swiss cheese, pickled cherry pepper dressing and coleslaw between toasted rye bread. No reservations. Delivery and outdoor seating available. Lunch Wed.Mon. $$
The restaurant serves an extensive menu of traditional Indian dishes and some Southeast Asian items. Hariyali chicken is boneless chicken marinated with basil, cilantro and mint and cooked in a tandoor clay oven. No reservations. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner Thu.-Tue. $$
Viet Orleans Bistro
300 Baronne St., (504) 333-6917
The restaurant in the CBD focuses on Vietnamese dishes and also has sushi. The pho
OPEN DA ILY
brunch
DAILY: 7:00AM -2:00PM bar menu
DAILY: 2:00PM-5:00PM dinner
DAILY: 5:00PM -10:00PM
RESERVATIONS:
Roti at Banana Blossom Thai Cafe in Gretna
PHOTO BY CHRIS GRANGER / THE TIMES- PICAYUNE
WED-FRI:11AM- 10PM HappyHourAll NightThurs
|LUNCH 11AM -3PM
Winter Dining Issue 2026
menu includes options with rare eye round steak, brisket, beef meatballs, seafood, tofu and chicken, and soups are served with basil, bean sprouts, cilantro, lime and jalapenos. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. $$
The Vintage 3121 Magazine St., (504) 324-7144; thevintagenola.com
The Garden District cafe serves beignets, sandwiches, flatbreads and charcuterie as well as coffee, wine and cocktails. The Vintage flatbread is topped with marinara, pepperoni, sliced Roma tomatoes, mozzarella and basil. No reservations. Outdoor seating available. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. $$
The Seaton family’s celebrated fried chicken restaurant recently earned a nod from the Michelin Guide. Along with fried chicken served with cornbread and a choice of side, like butter beans or Creole potato salad, the menu includes a chicken sandwich, fried shrimp and catfish platters, wings and gumbo with andouille, shrimp, chicken and blue crab. Reservations accepted. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner Wed.-Mon., brunch Sat.-Sun. $$
The Japanese restaurant serves rice bowls, noodle dishes, sashimi, handrolls and sandos. There’s also a 12-course seasonal tasting menu. The gyu beef entre e is served with egg, sauteed vegetables, cabbage, seeds and teriyaki sauce. Reservations accepted. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sat. $$
The menu of dim sum and Chinese favorites includes Hong Kong-style wonton soup, salt and pepper fried squid, shrimp shumai and more. The Four Season includes chicken, beef, pork, shrimp and vegetables in brown sauce with steamed white rice. No reservations. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner Fri.-Wed. $$
Zasu
127 N. Carrollton Ave., (504) 267-3233; zasunola.com
Chef Sue Zemanick’s contemporary restaurant in Mid-City was recently awarded a Michelin star. Lentil and potato pierogies are served with mustard greens, tomato chutney and cilantro yogurt. The glazed pork belly, a first-course dish, comes with apple, celery root, Hook’s blue cheese dressing and hot sauce butter. Reservations recommended. Dinner Mon.Sat. $$$
The family-run bakery and restaurant has Asian-style desserts, dim sum, classic Chinese dishes and hot pot. Scallop pocket dumplings are filled with mashed shrimp, imitation crabmeat, ginger and seasonings and topped with scallop and dried bonito shavings. Desserts include Japanese cheesecake, green tea mille crepes and taro Chantilly cake. Reservations accepted at the Uptown location. Delivery and outdoor seating available. Lunch and dinner daily. $$
The French Quarter spot takes a contemporary approach to both Thai and Chinese dishes. Shrimp tom yum soup is a Thai hot and sour soup made with shrimp, lime, lemon grass, kaffir lime leaves, cilantro, mushrooms and tomatoes. Reservations accepted. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner Thu.-Tue. $$
Fried tofu skin gets a dunk in bubbling hot broth for a hot pot dish, a specialty at Dian Xin 2 in the French Quarter.
PHOTO BY IAN MCNULTY / THE TIMES- PICAYUNE
Winter 2026 EAT LIST
PIZZA HOT STUFF PIZZA
Our signature sauce, pepperoni, beef, italian sausage, jalapeño peppers, onions and mozzarella cheese
PARKWAY BAKERY & TAVERN DEEP FRIED CREOLE BBQ SHRIMP POORBOY
Parkway’s signature fried Louisiana shrimp poorboy covered with a creole butter sauce
Chef’s Brian Landry’s take on Fried Chicken Parmesan starts with bone-in chicken, brined and marinated in garlic and hot sauce, then fried to perfect golden brown. It is served atop a pool of red gravy rich with tomatoes, herbs, and a touch of spice, and topped with a cloud of Parmesan.
JACKROSERESTAURANT.COM
MAGAZINE PIZZA VEGAN LOVER PIZZA
Vegan cheese, zucchini, yellow squash, black olives, mushroom, onion, organic spinach, green pepper, roasted red pepper, artichoke, roasted garlic, marinara sauce
MAGAZINEPIZZANOLA.COM
Today’s neighborhood steakhouse in Gretna capturing polished casual sandwiches, crisps salads and comfort food entrees with a variety of prime steaks and chops cooked to perfection. High emphasis on wine and cocktail service. The Westbank is the best bank, correct?
MIKIMOTO JAPANESE RESTAURANT WHO DAT POPPER
Deep fried stufed jalapeños with snow crab, spicy salmon and cream cheese
ORLEANS GRAPEVINE HERB SCENTED RACK OF LAMB
Served with trufed mashed potatoes, baby vegetables and brandy peppercorn demi-glaze
THE VINTAGE KING CAKE BEIGNET
Get the most out of your carnival season with our King Cake Beignet, a fufy, pillowy beignet infused with classic king cake favor. Topped with sweet icing and festive purple, green, and gold sprinkles!
LEGACY KITCHEN CRAFT TAVERN CRAWFISH ÉTOUFFÉE
Celebrate crawfsh season and warm up this winter with our rich and soul-warming Crawfsh Étoufée
ANGELO BROCATO KING CAKE GELATO
Cinnamon gelato with King Cake pieces and Mardi Gras sprinkles
Silky smoked rainbow trout served over lentils with mushroom-shallot conserva for an earthy, balanced, and satisfying dish
YINZER’S AMAZING CHEESESTEAKS CHEESEBURGER CHEESESTEAK with mushrooms, sauteed onions, sliced pickles, double white American cheese, yellow mustard, and mayo, on an Amoroso roll
MOTHER’S RESTAURANT SEAFOOD PLATTER
Includes catfsh, shrimp, and oysters along with Louisiana Crawfsh Étoufée and the award-winning Jerry’s Creole Jambalaya. Plus, you can choose any two side dishes. Seafood can be grilled.
PAULIE’S ITALIAN DELI THE ITALIAN STALLION
Layers of pepperoni, Genoa salami, sweet capocollo & prosciutto with provolone + mozzarella, topped with arugula, sun-dried tomatoes & balsamic glaze on that perfect Italian braid
PAULIESNEWORLEANS.COM
LEGACY KITCHEN’S TACKLEBOX CHARBROILED OYSTERS
Craft cocktails & mouthwatering southern dishes served up daily at the TackleBox. Brunch served daily until 2 p.m. Happy Hour daily3-6 p.m. Try a customer favorite: Charbroiled Oysters made with garlic parmesan herb butter.
LEGACYKITCHEN.COM
BUDSI’S AUTHENTIC THAI
BUDSI’S GREEN CURRY
Fried soft shell crab takes a house favorite to another level. Hot, savory, and spicy, this iconic Thai curry is the epitome of winter comfort food. BUDSISTHAI.COM
ADDIS NOLA WHOLE GULF RED SNAPPER
Fresh from the Gulf, the whole red snapper is crisped until perfectly golden and seasoned with warm Ethiopian spices that enhance its natural sweetness. Finished with lemon, served with fragrant Jasmine rice and a bold house sauce.
ADDISNOLA.COM
ANNUNCIATION RESTAURANT HOUSEMADE CHEESECAKE
Dressed for Carnival season with orange liqueur drizzle and cinnamon sugar cookie
KATIE’S RESTAURANT REMMY STACK
Fried green tomatoes, grilled shrimp & remoulade KATIESINMIDCITY.COM
THEO’S PIZZA THE MEATHEAD
Tomato sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, sausage, bacon, italian sausage, canadian bacon, and hamburger
ANNUNCIATIONRESTAURANT.COM
THEOSPIZZA.COM
EMPANOLA GUAVA CREAM CHEESE KING CAKE
Empanola Guava cream cheese King Cake is a must try this season! Soft brioche dough, succulent and favorful with tropical latin favors from the Guava fruit. Delicious!
EMPANOLAEMPANADAS.COM
Chifon Cake, White Chocolate Foie Candy Coating, Green Strawberry and Ginger Pate Du Fruite, Pistachio Butter, Torchon of Hudson Valley Foie Gras AVEGNO FRENCH DIP AU JUS
Juicy roast beef on toasted bread, perfect for dipping in favorful au jus, served with chips BOIL & BARREL GULF FISH Fresh local fsh seared a la plancha served with a daily vegetable preparation and Chimichurri sauce DICKIE BRENNAN & CO. MONKEY BREAD KING CAKE A Carnival showstopper available at all Dickie Brennan & Co. fne dining restaurants. Crafted with buttery brioche from Bellegarde Bakery, this pull-apart delight is layered with cinnamon sugar, salted caramel, and cream cheese mousse—fnished with just the right touch of Mardi Gras magic. FRENCHQUARTER-DINING.COM
Scallop, shrimp, Blue crab, Gulf fsh, fennel, safron broth
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
28, at Sports Drink. Tickets $29.69 via sportsdrink.org.
Rockin’1000
Rockin’1000 is a musical event featuring a thousand musicians playing popular songs, from classic rock to hits by Nirvana and the Foo Fighters. The project originated in 2015 when a huge gathering of musicians performed in Cesena, Italy, as an appeal to get the Foo Fighters to perform there. Since then, the concept of bringing together 1,000 musicians for a concert has been replicated across Europe and elsewhere. Founder Fabio Zaffagnini now brings the event to the Caesars Superdome for the first U.S. iteration. The band of a thousand includes musicians from 25 countries, and the evening features Dumpstaphunk, Rebirth Brass Band, The Rumble, Roots of Music and more. Harry Connick Jr. serves as guest artistic director. Doors open at 7 p.m., Cowboy Mouth plays at 8:30 p.m. and the performance is at 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31. Find tickets via ticketmaster.com.
Reverend Horton Heat
James Heath and his Reverend Horton Heat band are the godfathers of psychobilly, though for their most recent album, “The Roots of the Rev. — Volume 1,” the covered songs by their favorites, from Eddie Cochran to Elvis, Carl Perkins, Willie Nelson and Gene Vincent. At 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, at Tipitina’s. Tickets $15.93 via tipitinas.com.
Jay Jurden
Comedian Jay Jurden was born in Jackson, Mississippi, and he jokes about growing up in the South. He released is comedy special debut, “Jay Jurden Y’all” in 2020. He also was a writer for “The Problem with John Stewart” and has been published in McSweeney’s and the New Yorker. He’s in New Orleans for shows at Sports Drink at 7 and 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, and Saturday, Jan. 31. Tickets $29 via sportsdrink.org.
Kevin Sullivan
Boston native Kevin Sullivan moved to Los Angeles for his comedy career and is a regular performer at the Comedy Store, Hollywood Improv and Laugh Factory. He also co-hosts the Two Broke Gays podcast. Astrology is a frequent subject on clips on his social media, and he’s currently on his Aquarian Contrarian tour. At 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, at The Howlin’ Wolf. Tickets $25 via laughlife.standup.tix.
Mardi Gras Sneaker Ball
The New Orleans Recreation Development Commission throws its annual Mardi Gras Sneaker Ball, a Carnival celebration for people with disabilities, at 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Joe W. Brown Gymnasium. The party will be hosted by Casme and is free to attend with registration. Formal attire is optional. For more information, call (504) 658-2011, email dbjohnson@nola.gov or go to facebook.com/nordcommission.
Allay Earhart
New Orleans rapper Allay Earhart has been pushing himself to new heights the last couple of years. In 2025, he released the EP “It’s Always Sunny in New Orleans” and the deeply personal full-length “2005,” which reflects on Hurricane Katrina — which hit New Orleans on his 9th birthday — and growing up in a forever changed city. Earhart also hosted an album release show and birthday celebration at The Fillmore’s BG’s Lounge. Now, he’s aiming to sell out a headlining show backed by a live band at Gasa Gasa on Saturday, Jan. 31. Music starts at 9 p.m., and tickets are $24.96 via gasagasanola.com.
Lesseps Street Block Party
The annual block party, which is dedicated to the late Michael Aaron and Billy Ding, kicks off at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, and runs between Vaughan’s and BJ’s in the Bywater. There will be performances by Quintron & Miss Pussycat, Los Guiros, Lulu & The Broadsides, Happy Talk Band, Malevitus and Smokehouse Brown & The Mishaps, and Egg Yolk Jubilee will lead the “world’s shortest second line” between the bars. Find info on Instagram: @bjslounge.
‘Origins of New Orleans Black Carnival Society’
A new exhibition at The Presbytere looks at the history of the Original Illinois Club, founded in 1895, and its associated Young Men Illinois Club, which began in 1926. During the height of segregation, the clubs carved out spaces for Black New Orleanians to host debutante balls during Carnival season, throwing extravagant events in union halls and gymnasiums to crown Mardi Gras royalty. “Origins of New Orleans Black Carnival Society: The Story of the Illinois Clubs” opens with a free reception at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, and runs until March 2027. Find more information at louisianastatemuseum.org.
To learn more about adding your event to the music calendar, please email listingsedit@gambitweekly.com
MONDAY 26
30/90 — Margie Perez, 6 pm; Piano Man G, 9 pm
ALLWAYS LOUNGE — Betsy Propane & The Accessories, 7 pm
BACCHANAL Byron Asher, 6 pm
BAMBOULA’S — New Orleans Rug Cutters, 12 pm
BJ’S LOUNGE — Red Beans & Blues with Dayna Kurtz & Friends, 9 pm
BROADSIDE Instigation Fest (Night 1), 8 pm
BUFFA’S David Doucet, 7 pm
CAFÉ NEGRIL —Lit Band, 7:30 pm
CAPULET — T Marie & Bayou Juju, 6 pm
CARROLLTON STATION — Biscuits n’ Jam: With Meryl Zimmerman & Friends, 10 pm
COLUMNS HOTEL — Stanton Moore Trio, 6:30 pm
DBA — Secret Six Jazz Band, 6 pm; Corey Henry & The Treme Funktet, 10 pm
BLUE NILE The Rozes, 7:30 pm; Street Legends Brass Band, 9:30 pm
BROADSIDE 5th Annual Doc Lovett
Memorial Birthday Bash ft. Jamie Lynn Vessels, Three Quix Mafa & More!, 2 pm
CAFÉ ISTANBUL Versipel New Music: Whispers and Shouts, 7:30 pm
CHICKIE WAH WAH Silverada, Rob Melancon with Rob Melancon, 8 pm
DBA — The Jump Hounds, 9:30 pm
GASA GASA Noa & The Handgrenades + Across Phoenix + Just Kidding, 9 pm
MAPLE LEAF BAR — Higher Ground, 8 pm
NO DICE JAINUS + Ruche + Angie Marais + Kaye the Beast, 8 pm
OLD ARABI LIGHTHOUSE RECORDS AND BOOKS — Frenchie Moe Acoustic Blues Trio, 3 pm; Open Mic Night with Host Shawn Bourg, 6 pm
SATURN BAR Lotta Grafti + KreweDebauchery, 10 pm
ST. ROCH TAVERN — Valerie Sassyfras Tit Rex Ball, 2:30 pm
SCAN FOR THE COMPLETE GAMBIT CALENDAR
MUSIC
Sharing secrets
by Jake Clapp
FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS, New Orleans rappers
504icygrl and PoppyH have organized dozens of editions of Nola Secret Sesh. Each event, many of them themed, includes DJs, performances and vendors for parties centered around an appreciation for cannabis.
Over time, though, the seshes have morphed into a community, say 504icygrl and PoppyH, who host events through their brand Krewe Da Label. A love for smoke might have brought people together, but Nola Secret Sesh also is about art, creativity, local culture and music.
“The music at the sesh sets the whole vibe, and it lets people know what type of community we invite. I think our playlists and the music we use on our posts and ads, it’s obvious this is a connected community, an inclusive community,” 504icygrl says. “Don’t come up in here with racist stuff, with anti-weed stuff. The music shows what the sesh is.”
504icygrl and PoppyH have set out to capture that vibe on their new collaborative project “Nola Secret Sesh: The Album.” Co-executive produced with DJ and producer Raj Smoove and rapper-producer Kr3wcial, the album features a number of New Orleans artists, including Denisia, Shaogrove Coal, Ryan “Shaggadelic” Batiste, ET Deaux, Rapbaum and Million$. There also is a closing track by Downtown Lesli Brown, and comedian Jo Jackson dips into bounce on an interlude that raises the late-night curtain on the album’s second half.
Almost all of the album’s 20-plus contributors have performed at a Nola Secret Sesh, like frequent DJ Lil Miah and host Jo Jackson, or are regular attendees.
“It is literally by the sesh,” PoppyH says. “Raj has helped us produce the sesh. He does sound for us and DJs most of the time. The people who produced the beats … We wanted to pick from people who are part of the sesh.”
Like with the events, cannabis is central to the album. There’s praise for it in all its forms — joints, vapes, edibles, THC pills — and often, marijuana is personified into Mary, a beautiful friend ready to help in stressful times.
Some tracks, like the bassy “Sesh Baddies” with 504icygrl, Kr3wcial and Dai Burger and PoppyH’s swaggering
“Tamagotchi,” boast about having top-shelf weed. Others, like the stringfilled “Roll Some More” with Jaelox and Good News Bae, paint scenes of stoned late nights.
Community also plays a big role on the album. Mac Infinity and Shaggadelic take an optimistic view of life on the song “Perfect,” and TreySavSit and KurrenzyShay find joy among other people on the smooth, Rapbaumproduced “Enjoy.”
“We wanted to set the vibe of this is what the session is about, all of these different feelings,” PoppyH says.
504icygrl and PoppyH started Nola Secret Sesh in 2019 while the two New Orleans natives were living on the West Coast. They attended cannabis-focused events in Los Angeles and wanted to put on their own version in their hometown.
The two moved back to New Orleans a couple years ago and both work with Raj Smoove’s artist management group Gentilly Agency.
Over the years, they’ve hosted pool parties, comedy shows, movie nights, a crawfish boiling competition, a sesh with the Reggae Fest and themed nights for Halloween, Mardi Gras and the holidays. There are usually food and drink vendors, DJs and rappers performing and people selling cannabis-related items. Krewe also has launched its own brand of rolling papers, Zuchii.
“Making this project was also kind of like documenting the history that the sesh has made,” 504icygrl says. “I just want that slice of history in stone, and I feel like that’s what this album did.”
Find the album and more about Nola Secret Sesh on Instagram: @nolasecretsesh.
The group behind Nola Secret Sesh have released a new album.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY KREWE
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MARDI GRAS PARADES
Boheme
7 P.M. FRIDAY, JAN. 30
MARIGNY, FRENCH QUARTER
Krewe Boheme is an umbrella krewe full of artists and Bohemian spirits, and it again honors a musician as the Supreme Green Fairy. Cellist Helen Gillet has previously performed while riding in the parade. This year, she’ll ride the green absinthe bottle throne. She’s also curated a playlist for the procession. It’s lodged on bandcamp.com, and during the parade, krewe members will pass out stickers and flyers with a QR code link to the music.
The theme for the parade is Midnight in the Garden of Absinthe. The procession includes more than 30 krewes, many marching with bands or DJs. Among the groups are The Merry Antoinettes, Krewe of Dystopian Paradise, Krewe of Full Bush, Neon Cowboys, L Train Brass Band, Krewe de Lune and the StarStepping Cosmonaughties, Krewe da Bhan Gras, Chaissez Ladies, Re-Cyclists, PhantAsia and more. The surreal group Interrobang will have another series of contraptions. The Krewe of King James: Super Bad Sex Machine Strollers hold down the final spot. There also will be members of the Original Wild Tchoupitoulas and the Mahogany Blue Baby Dolls. New to the parade are Krewe of Britney, Krewe de Velorevolte and Kreweleidoscope.
The parade is again starting at Mandeville and Decatur streets and will wind its way through the Marigny and French Quarter to its ball site.
The Absinthe Ball is at the Fillmore. There’s music by Rory Danger and the Danger Dangers and DJ Glittercock, as well as a performance by LadyBEAST. Doors open at 9 p.m. Tickets are $48.25 via thefillmorenola.com. For more information, visit kreweboheme.com.
Krewe du Vieux
6:30 P.M. SATURDAY, JAN. 31
MARIGNY, FRENCH QUARTER
For preview, see page 5.
Little Rascals
NOON SUNDAY, FEB. 1
METAIRIE
The youth of the Krewe of Little Rascals kick-off parades on Veterans Memorial Boulevard in Metairie. This year’s procession carries more than 200 riders on more than 10 floats. There also are bands and dance groups.
The krewe was founded in 1983 by Jack G. Spittler Sr. to give kids a chance to ride in a parade. Members range in age from young children to late teens.
Members will throw beads, doubloons, cups and more. Visit thekreweoflittlerascals.org for more information.
Krewe Boheme is inspired by the Green Fairy, or absinthe.
PHOTO BY BRETT DUKE / THE TIMES - PICAYUNE
A young rider in the Krewe of Little Rascals hands a throw to a spectator.
PHOTO BY JOHN MCCUSKER / THE TIMES - PICAYUNE
Nefertiti
1 P.M. SUNDAY, FEB. 1
NEW ORLEANS EAST
It is a long way from the Nile delta, but the Krewe of Nefertiti is embarking on its own mystical waters with the parade theme Bayou Nefertiti. Floats will depict swamps and bayous as well as mythological figures like the Sirens.
The krewe’s inspiration is the ancient Egyptian queen, whose beauty was associated with power and grace. The all-women krewe honors LaShonda Tenner as its queen this year.
The procession includes 14 floats and 250 riders as well as marching bands and dance groups on a route in New Orleans East. Special throws include decorative jewelry. Visit kreweofnefertiti.org for information.
’tit Rex
4:30 P.M. SUNDAY, FEB. 1 MARIGNY
New Orleans’ only microkrewe, ’tit Rex, has decided it’s just the right size: “Fun Size.”
That’s the theme for its 2026 parade through Marigny, with 38 artists pulling shoebox-sized, handmade floats.
The krewe is full of artists, and individuals or a few artists collaborate on each float. They typically dress in black formal wear and blue sashes for the parade. Many also make tiny throws, such as beaded bracelets, walnuts painted like Zulu coconuts or cocktail umbrella parasols.
The procession lines up on St. Roch Avenue and then winds its way around Marigny, making a stop on Franklin Avenue and finishing on Marigny Street near the AllWays Lounge & Cabaret, where the krewe holds its Mardi Gras ball. The parade lineup includes five bands: Panorama Brass Band, Egg Yolk Jubilee, Knockaz Brass Band, Where Y’at Brass Band and Bra’s Band. At the end of the parade, there are two miniature horses and a miniature donkey.
Many spectators bring their own miniature observers, such as Barbie dolls and other toy figures in viewing stands. Visit titrexparade.com for information.
The NOLA Lolas dance in the Krewe of Nefertiti parade.
Ryan Rouhana NMLS#1624024 Mortgage Loan Specialist OnPath Credit Union
PREMIER CROSSWORD PUZZLE
FLIGHT CREW
By Frank A. Longo
85 Colorful eye ring
First skateboarder to land a documented “900” spin
The Beatles’ album producer
Kabuki sash
Sun.-Tue. link
Sooner than, to bards
Many Apple devices run it
Star of the “Alien” films
Org. against trafficking
1998 Masters champ
“The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter” co-star Locke
Seek divine help from
Tall and thin
“The lady -- protest ...”
Nelly Furtado hit that it would be apt for 10 people in this puzzle to sing?
Frightful giant
City in Utah
Sofia Coppola, to Nicolas Cage
“Dedicated to the -- Love”
S-shaped molding
On -- with (similar to)
“Smile!,” to a picture
Loser to Dwight in
and ‘56
Pop singer Bareilles
Photo -- (PR moments)
Deep, as a voice
Make -- out of (refute)
33 Certain debate side
Ad --
Greets loudly
Recipe qtys. 37 “Conversely,” in texts 38 Entertainers Caron and Uggams 42 Part of mph
Stuff in bales
Aussie leaper, briefly
“How cute!”
Drumbeat sound
Girl in “Our Gang”
Actor Ryan
“I Love Lucy” actress Vivian
50 This, in Baja 53 Opposite of 7-Down 56 “Inside Politics” airer
57 Verify again
58 Zig and --
59 “Gemini Man” director Lee
61 Auntie, to Mom
62 Put a border around
63 Given as nourishment
64 Cicero’s language
65 Egg-making organ
66 Rule, informally
67 German coin
68 Toon Flanders
69 Intense anger
70 Roster
74 Lose-lose, as a situation
75 Certain debate side
76 Body part that might have a ring
77 Monk’s title
78 Suffix with cash
79 Informing
80 Ad biz award
81 Brinker of children’s lit
83 Quebec’s peninsula
84 Infamous traitor Arnold
87 60 minutes
88 Ball dress
89 “Goodness gracious!”
90 Make a gaffe
92 “Goodness gracious!”
95 Goes it alone
96 Photo, e.g.
97 Funk or punk
98 Of a certain durable wood
99 “90210” actor Rob 100 Knight’s suit
Bang for one’s buck
Coach Parseghian
Forbidden
Bic products 107 Maple or fir 108 Dog on the comics page
Gold, in Baja 113 “This -- test” 114 First-aid --
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