Latest Issue: March 2026 – Spring Restaurant Guide

DONG PHUONG AN AMERICAN CLASSIC

SpringRESTAURANT GUIDE

Gálvez and Louisiana in the American Revolution

IT’S RUDE TO STARE.

Bon appétit. Enjoy this Spring Restaurant Guide, which profiles some of the hottest restaurants in town. Find a new spot to visit for great Lenten seafood.

Dong Phuong founder Huong Tran left Vietnam almost 50 years ago. Since 1982, her James Beard-recognized bakery has been a local institution known for its bread, baked goods, and pastries. Andrew Marin interviews this community icon about their famous king cakes and more.

Other tasty features include a profile on local church fish fries, best boozy birthday brunches, the truth about Irish coffee, and complete St. Patrick’s Day, St. Joseph’s Day, and Super Sunday parade maps.

A heartfelt thank you to our outgoing Creative Director Robert Witkowski for his outstanding work with Where Y’at Robert led us out of the dark days of the pandemic with his creativity and enthusiasm. We wish him the best in his future endeavors.

—Josh Danzig, Publisher

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief: Josh Danzig

Creative Director: Robert Witkowski

Executive Editor: Burke Bischoff

Assistant Editor: Donald Rickert

Movie Editors: David Vicari, Fritz Esker

Contributing Writers: Jeff Boudreaux, Shane Finkelstein, Rebecca Fox, Emily Hingle, Phil LaMancusa, Debbie Lindsey, Andrew Marin, Tim McNally, Julie Mitchell, Michelle Nicholson, Kim Ranjbar, Celeste Turner

Cover: Dong Phuong owner Huong Tran, photographed by Romney Caruso

Director of Sales: Jim Sylve

Photographers and Designers: Burke Bischoff, Gustavo Escanelle, Emily Hingle, Daelyn House, Ameer Joseph, Kim Ranjbar, Robert Witkowski

Interns: Melody Daniels, Davis Hopper, Robert "Drew" Hudson, Cassidy Meehan, Alya Satchu, Sydni Sanders, Aaliya Weheliye

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and Unlikely

The Amazing History and Unlikely

of Dong Phuong Bakery

Sitting down with Huong Tran, the matriarch and cofounder of Dong Phuong Bakery, at a picnic table in the bakery’s break room to hear the bakery’s history firsthand is a food writer’s dream.

Her daughter Linh Tran Garza, who manages the books, was there to translate some of the longer memories and more unique Vietnamese phrases.

Mrs. Tran and her husband De Tran founded the bakery as we know it in 1982. Like many Asian American businesses, Dong Phuong is the direct product of immigration and adaptability.

Mrs. Tran grew up in Soc Trang, six hours south of Saigon. “We had a family bakery in Vietnam. It was crazy busy—a lot of work. I grew up in that environment. Seeing my parents run it, I did not want to [do it]. I studied hard in school, and I wanted to work somewhere I could wear nice dresses, like a bank. I did learn, by watching, by doing, and, outside of study time, I liked to help. But running my own bakery was never the plan.”

My Hiep Thanh, the family bakery in Vietnam, is featured in the mural painted on Dong Phuong’s roadsidefacing wall. It was at her parents’ bakery that Mrs. Huong would begin a relationship with her future husband. She recalled warmly how Mr. De loved coffee, so he would buy it at the coffeeshop of her family’s bakery and sit in there.

Mr. and Mrs. Tran left Vietnam in 1978 and, along with their young children, were refugees in Malaysia. A family friend sponsored them to come to New Orleans in 1980. Dong Phuong and its name already existed as a Vietnamese family restaurant. The family moved to Baton Rouge, and the Trans purchased it from them. The Dong Phuong complex originally housed separate Vietnamese businesses including a grocery, a tailor, and a jeweler.

realized her husband’s brioche dough was similar enough, albeit a little denser. She adapted it by making it a laminated dough with added butter to lighten and moisten it. “King cakes are round, and I couldn’t find a graceful way to make it round. I found a way to shape and bend it. I also sew, so I made slits on the side to help it curve. This is the shape, and it’s gonna stay that way.” She also added, “You adjust. You adapt. Things happen. War happens. Hurricanes happen. My husband came up with the brioche dough that was the base for the king cakes. He wasn’t a baker originally. He was an avid reader, and his plan, like my bank dream, was to be an engineer.”

Dong Phuong’s king cakes weren’t developed to make a “Vietnamese-style” or award-winning cake. They were driven by need. “This was after Katrina. We had a lot of customers asking for king cake. [There were] new immigrants asking for king cake because their kid got

Mrs. Tran was already baking “little things like hopia” in her home kitchen and selling them to local grocery stores. From her home kitchen, the baking moved to a small space in the restaurant kitchen. When it was evident the bakery needed its own space, the Trans sold the restaurant to a family member and moved the bakery into a former laundromat next door. As the business grew, the bakery expanded into more and more of the building.

the baby at school and needed to bring one in. That was the motivation, to give our community options.”

A quote associated with Dong Phuong and attributed to Mrs. Tran is, “Everything that’s savory has to have a pinch of sweet, and everything that’s sweet has to have a pinch of savory.” Mrs. Tran humbly admitted the quote is actually from her grandmother, a philosophy she inherited and follows. In 2018, Dong Phuong won a James Beard America’s Classics Award, bestowed upon “local restaurants that have timeless appeal.” Mrs. Tran said the moment was shocking. “They called to tell us. They emailed first, and we thought it was spam.” Once the shock wore off, Mrs. Tran remembers being excited and proud. Her husband and business partner, De Tran, had passed away in 2004, a year before Hurricane Katrina.

Today, Dong Phuong provides breads, pastries, and baked goods to hundreds of New Orleans groceries and restaurants besides the goods they sell out of their own storefront in New Orleans East. Many of the recipes, particularly traditional pastries, are the same as those early days.

Mrs. Tran remembered how she’d use the postal service to mail family back in Vietnam for help with specific recipes. “It would take months. One month for a letter to get there, another for the response to get back.”

We can’t talk about Dong Phuong without talking about their famous king cakes. Mrs. Tran liked king cakes even before she started making them. A diabetic, she’d ask stores not to put as much sugar in them. Eventually, she

“My husband took a lot of pride in running an honest business—no cheating or lying to customers. It’s important we do it right. One year, the price of vanilla extract was very high, like $500 a gallon. We’ve never used artificial vanilla. He still bought the real stuff. I still adhere to that mentality. We’re not going to skimp. As he’d say, ‘Even if we can, doesn’t mean that we should.’ We live in our community. We’re not an affluent community—lots of immigrants. Yes, we could charge a lot more, but we shouldn’t. That’s not what we want. We want to serve our community. We’re not going to take advantage of any situations or raise prices astronomically. The only reason we ever raise prices is so we can pay our staff more.”

When asked about any plans for the bakery in the future should she retire, Mrs. Tran and Garza laughed off the question, shrugging and joking that she’ll simply live forever. “Nothing in our history has been planned, so we’re just going along with it.”

CBD/WAREHOUSE

Anita’s Grill serves a classic Southern menu that’s been unchanged for over a hundred years since it was originally Jerry’s in 1922. Enjoy their breakfast with the pork & eggs and buttery pancakes or stop by for lunch and order one of their po-boys. Reopened in July of 2025, this local’s favorite is a go-to for their iconic and beloved menu. 833 Howard Ave., (504) 354-8979, anitasgrillnola.com

Delacroix is an elevated ode to the historic fishing community of the same name outside of New Orleans. Visit Delacroix and try their Cajun pistolettes or Momma’s drum almandine. These can be paired with cocktails such as the Offshore Revival or the Swamp Thing. Located on the riverfront, this restaurant’s river-blue interior is reminiscent of its bayou roots. 1 Poydras St. Spc. 1005, (504) 655-9002, delacroixrestaurant.com

ARABI

Kitchen Table Café is a neighborhood diner offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This humble spot is dedicated to its use of locally-sourced ingredients and has gained a reputation for its amazing quality, often cited by locals as the best breakfast in Arabi. They host live music regularly, and it is a great place to gather with friends and family. 7005 St. Claude Ave., (504) 301-2285, facebook.com/kitchentablearabi

Briquette is known for their classic and elevated seafood menu. Try their Louisiana redfish on the half shell, the shrimp pasta briquette, or their oysters Bienville en casserole. Check their extensive wine list for the perfect pairing to your meal. Briquette’s open kitchen features an 18-foot display of whole fish, speaking to their promise of fresh, well-prepared seafood. 701 S. Peters St., (504) 547-6330, briquette-nola.com

2026

Spring New Orleans Restaurant Guide

Galliano offers twists on traditional Cajun cuisine. Helmed by Chef Ricky Cheramie and Manny Pineda, the restaurant’s delicious dishes and cocktails offer a contemporary take on Louisiana bayou flavors. Alligator Creole, fried green tomatoes, and more tasty appetizers are available, while the blackened Gulf fish and Wagyu cheese poboy burger are satisfying entrées. Save up for a guava cheesecake. 200 Julia St., (504) 2185753, gallianorestaurant.com

Desi Vega’s Steakhouse is a lively steakhouse in the CBD. Start your night off with one of their delectable appetizers such as the sizzling crab cake or the steak bruschetta. Try out their locally inspired cocktails or elevate your night with a wine from their premium selection. They’re great for a date night or an easy but classy happy hour. 628 St. Charles Ave., (504) 523-7600, desivegasteaks.com

Legacy Kitchen’s Tacklebox is a polished yet casual seafood restaurant and oyster bar in downtown New Orleans. Alongside their oyster selection, Tacklebox offers a beignet-centered daily brunch and the CBD lunch, a quick and easy Creole-style selection for those on their lunch breaks. Head over for dinner and be sure to order their perfectly grilled Gulf fish. 817 Common St., (504) 827-1651, legacykitchen.com

Legacy Kitchen’s Craft Tavern offers a casual but stylish dining experience. Its industrial, tavern-like dining room showcases a contemporary edge to its building in the Warehouse District. It’s ideal for easygoing brunches and lowkey dinners. The menu offers familiar classics with a Southern touch including a Bananas Foster waffle, handhelds such as sandwiches and po-boys, and seafood plates. 700 Tchoupitoulas St. #3612, (504) 613-2350, legacykitchen.com

Luke brings an animated and comfortdriven brasserie experience to the heart of New Orleans. Their menu features their iconic raw oyster bar and rich Creole dishes. Don’t miss out on their iconic dishes such as their burger and the hot buttered crawfish bread. Dedicated to using locally-sourced ingredients, Luke is a great place for a unique taste of New Orleans. 333 St. Charles Ave., 504 378-2840, lukeneworleans.com

Mother’s Restaurant is one of New Orleans’ most long-standing and beloved eateries in the heart of downtown. The menu is packed with classic all-day breakfast items including Mae’s omelet, Mother’s famous buttermilk biscuits, and more. Traditional Louisiana fixings such as po-boys, red beans & rice, and jambalaya are also available and draw in people from all over the country. 401 Poydras St., (504) 523-9656, mothersrestaurant.net

Lyons Corner, located in the Hotel Theo New Orleans, offers morning coffee, evening cocktails, and delicious plates. Their dining room is outfitted in an urban-chic design, and their menu reflects creative and contemporary twists by offering timeless American cuisine and Creole fashionings with thoughtful craftsmanship. Try the maple glazed pork belly or the flounder Pontchartrain. 537 Gravier St., (504) 576-9721, lyonscornernola.com

Willa Jean offers a menu that celebrates its Southern roots with an elevated and creative touch. The restaurant offers a variety of mouth-watering dishes for breakfast, brunch, and lunch such as the fried chicken & Tabasco honey biscuit or the pimento grilled cheese. Check out their pastry counter for freshly baked goods, and be sure to order a cornbread snack. 611 O’Keefe Ave., (504) 509-7334, willajean.com

Restaurant Rebirth sets itself apart by being the Warehouse District’s only spot for farm-to-table CajunCreole cuisine. The kitchen is run by South Louisiana native Chef Ricky Cheramie, who is also in Restaurant Rebirth’s sister restaurant Galliano. Blackened scallops, chicken and mirliton Rochambeau, and double-cut Cheshire pork chop are available. The restaurant also offers steak such as filet mignon and boneless ribeye. 857 Fulton St., (504) 522-6863, restaurantrebirth.com

Willie Mae’s NOLA is a family-owned restaurant that is a true New Orleans staple. Founded in 1957, the business is the proud owner of both a James Beard award and the title of “America’s Best Fried Chicken.”The restaurant’s popularity only continues to grow as they serve hungry customers fantastic fried chicken, fried seafood platters, Louisiana desserts, and more. 898 Baronne St., (504) 354-8194, williemaesnola.com

FRENCH QUARTER

Café Amelie is a French Quarter gem known for its lush courtyard and delicious food. Try their Cajun poutine and Gulf shrimp & grits for brunch, as well as the Italian sausage linguine or braised short rib for dinner. Café Amelie is a great place to slow down and enjoy the French Quarter in true New Orleans fashion. 900 Royal St., (504) 412-8065, cafeamelie.com

Crescent City Brewhouse is a microbrewery and restaurant in the French Quarter that is also Louisiana’s oldest brewpub. The restaurant features local fare, such as oysters, boudin, and étouffée, all set in their bistro-style bar and dining room. Visit the dark stained wood bar or observe their gleaming copper brew tanks, a testament to the brewpub’s authenticity and longevity. 527 Decatur St., (504) 522-0571, crescentcitybrewhouse.com

Desire Oyster Bar is known for its authentic Louisiana cuisine. Situated at the corner of Bourbon and Bienville in the Royal Sonesta Hotel, Desire welcomes patrons in with its elegant, ornate dining room, which is chock full of New Orleans charm. Explore their robust oyster bar or venture into Southern delights including fried alligator or red beans & rice. 300 Bourbon St., (504) 553-2281, sonesta.com

New Orleans Creole Cookery offers quality Creole and seafood dishes in the French Quarter. Complemented by its mix of white table cloth and courtyard ambiances, the eatery’s menu offers high-quality local favorites including redfish almondine, boiled seafood, and jambalaya. New Orleans Creole Cookery offers happy hour during week days with special pricing for raw and chargrilled oysters. 510 Toulouse St., (504) 524-9632, neworleanscreolecookery.com

New Orleans Vampire Café combines polished cuisine with spooky legends. Their menu offers highlights such as steak tartar, filet mignon, and blood orange crème brûlée Visit their gothic and intimate space and pair your meal with their vampiric cocktail list or order one of their iconic blood bags of booze by blood type. They even have vampire bat chocolate bites. 801 Royal St., (504) 5810801, nolavampirecafe.com

The Rib Room, located inside the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel, recently went through an extensive remodel that amplifies its upscale setting. It fosters an Old World aesthetic featuring massive windows overlooking the French Quarter. It’s known for its slowroasted prime rib and traditional New Orleans cuisine. Patrons can enjoy a jazz brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, bolstering its classy atmosphere. 621 St. Louis St., (504) 5297045, ribroomneworleans.com

Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar and Bistro is a contemporary American restaurant with Southern influences. Their menu offers fine fare while promoting a relaxed atmosphere for those looking to escape the buzz of the French Quarter. Try their scallops over pecan rice and follow that up with the roasted duck breast served with a blackberry brandy reduction. 720 Orleans Ave., (504) 523-1930, orleansgrapevine.com

GARDEN DISTRICT

Please U Restaurant is a time-tested, Louisianastyle diner. It opened its doors in 1947 and has continued its legacy, cementing it as a true New Orleans classic. This booth and counter spot serves all day breakfast and an extensive list of po-boys and plates. Locals and visitors can visit Please U right off the St. Charles streetcar route. 1751 St. Charles Ave., (504) 525-9131, pleaseunola.com

Vampire Apothecary is a casual dining restaurant with a vampiric twist. Their menu features unique plates and a wide variety of desserts and themed cocktails. They even offer tarot cards and tea leaf readings. Alongside its array of vampiric cocktails and to-die-for dishes, the Vampire Apothecary has special made teas that are artfully tinned and sold in their shop. 725 St. Peter St., (504) 7668179, vampireapothecary.com

Parasol’s is a beloved dive bar in the Irish Channel known for its good eats and friendly service. This community hub’s kitchen offers easy to love comfort foods such as onion rings and crawfish bites, as well as a tasty list of po-boys including their roast beef. Stop by on St. Paddy’s Day during their iconic block party. 2533 Constance St., (504) 354-9079, facebook.com/ParasolsNOLA

GENTILLY

Thai’d Up, voted the best local Thai restaurant by Where Y’at’s readers in 2025, continues to impress. Start the meal with their coconut shrimp and sweet chili sauce, and follow up with their irreplicable stir-fry cashew. Whether dining in or taking out, Thai’d Up is dedicated to providing the same fresh and flavorful experience to every patron who visits them. 1839 Gentilly Blvd., (504) 644-5790, thaidup.co

The Channel is a bar and restaurant perfect for gathering with friends after exploring the Garden District or for simply stopping by to watch a game. Their menu is made up of hearty bar-friendly delights including The Channel cheese fries or the debris fry po-boy. The Channel hosts events and is perfect for birthdays, baby showers, or work parties. 2604 Magazine St., (504) 381-4680, thechannelneworleans.com

LAKEVIEW

JB’s Fuel Dock is a dockside pizzeria right near Lake Pontchartrain. The open kitchen and bar allows for a welcoming experience with friends and families while offering bar side, dining room, and dockside service. Choose a glass of wine or a signature cocktail to enjoy with their delicious pizza while taking in one of New Orleans’ most lofty views. 128 S. Roadway St., (504) 510-2260, jbsfueldock.com

JEFFERSON

Rivershack Tavern serves a fresh, ingredient driven, comfort style menu with a smalltown flare. Located on historic River Road, Rivershack Tavern is dressed in eclectic memorabilia, most notably their tacky ashtrays and famous bar legs. Visit them during special live music performances for their selection of local drafts, and try their garbage fries or their roast beef po-boy. 3449 River Rd., (504) 834-4938, rivershacktavern.com

Lakeview Harbor is a lively restaurant and bar situated just off of Lake Pontchartrain. It is locally favored as a casual dine-in spot with a sports friendly bar. They offer a variety of delicious salads, po-boys, and burgers. Try their pork belly burnt ends smothered in a root beer glaze, as well as one of their popular burgers. 8550 Pontchartrain Blvd., (504) 486-4887, lakeviewharbor.us

The Blue Crab Restaurant & Bar, right by Lakeshore Park, serves fresh seafood with a view. This rustic lakeside spot is designed like the raised houses from the bayou, and its menu brings all the flavors of the Gulf to New Orleans. Enjoy oysters on the half-shell, seafood gumbo, or whole stuffed flounder and catch the sun set over the lake. 7900 Lakeshore Dr., (504) 284-2898, thebluecrabnola.com

Sala NOLA is a modern American restaurant right on Lake Marina Drive. Visit Sala for breakfast or brunch and choose from a selection of hearty Benedicts and omelets. For dinner, they serve small plates and New Orleans’ delicacies such as Gulf fish amandine. Sala NOLA has a curated menu of craft cocktails, and they offer bottomless mimosas for weekend brunch. 124 Lake Marina Dr., (504) 513-2670, salanola.com

Chef Ron’s Gumbo Stop is an award-winning Cajun comfort restaurant. They offer a variety of gumbos including the Mumbo Gumbo, which is a filé gumbo with chicken, shrimp, crab, crawfish, okra, and tomato. They also serve platters and po-boys, and Chef Ron only sources fresh, local ingredients for his restaurant. The specials are seasonal, but the gumbo is available year-round. 2309 N. Causeway Blvd., (504) 835-2022, gumbostop.com

METAIRIE

Bon Temps Boulet’s Seafood is a seasonally operated seafood restaurant that offers award winning crawfish. This crawfish season, stop by the family friendly spot and order the “blue daddy” platter, which is a mix of crawfish and blue crab served with shrimp, corn, and potatoes. Non-seafood dishes include their mouthwatering brisket sandwich, debris fries, and boudin balls. 4701 Airline Dr., (504) 885-5003, bontempsboulets.com

Moe’s Original BBQ brings award-winning Alabama-style barbecue to Metairie. They have been mentioned in several top 10 lists for BBQ because of their tender and flavorful menu. Moe’s is dedicated to freshness, so they prepare everything daily. This means they may sell out, so be sure to stop by early for their pulled pork or smoked wings with cornbread. 1101 N. Causeway Blvd., (504) 407-3533, moesoriginalbbq.com

Spudly’s Super Spuds is a baked potato restaurant that has been serving Metairie since 1980. This family-friendly restaurant offers a “meal in a baked potato” with menu options such as the Super Duper, a baked potato medley loaded with crabmeat, shrimp, and crawfish that are topped with cheeses and seasonings. They also offer burgers, sandwiches, and amazing appetizers. 2609 Harvard Ave., (504) 455-3250, spudlys.com

Short Stop Poboys is a popular counterservice po-boy spot. They offer over 30 varieties of po-boys and all of them are absolutely amazing. Their po-boy sizes span from six inches to 14 inches, so order yours as a small, regular, or king. They also serve gumbo, tasty potato salad, and more. Beat the lunch line, and bring the whole family. 119 Transcontinental Dr., (504) 885-4572, shortstoppoboysno.com

The Galley Seafood is a casual, neighborhood-style restaurant with a large, seafood focused menu. Try their boiled shrimp and crawfish, slurp down fresh oysters, or get one of their house specials. This restaurant is family-friendly and even offers children’s seafood baskets. Their famous softshell crab po-boy comes highly recommended, so bring the family and enjoy one of their draft beers. 2535 Metairie Rd., (504) 832-0955

Swamp Room Bar & Grill is a bar and kitchen that serves a large, comfort-driven menu. The space has bar and booth seating, as well as billiard tables. Outfitted in neon green lights, the Swamp Room is a lively place to gather, eat, and enjoy. Stop by and be sure to try their mouthwatering 10 oz. “Swamp” burger. 5400 Veterans Memorial Blvd, (504) 888-5242, theswamproom.com

Vacca Steakhouse is a modern, upscale restaurant that blends classic steakhouse plates with elevated seafood options. Their atmosphere is chic and intimate, and the restaurant is highly praised as a great date night or anniversary spot. Featured steaks include center cut filet and cowboy ribeye, and the restaurant also has a happy hour from Monday to Friday. 3524 Severn Ave., (504) 318-3808, vaccasteakhouse.com

Mandina’s Restaurant is a casual eatery blending NOLA comfort and Italian flair. Family-owned since 1932, Mandina’s has become an icon in home-style cooking. Try their crab fingers with white wine sauce, or taste their legendary turtle soup. They are known for their large portion sizes, so make sure to come hungry, and keep an eye out for their delicious specials. 3800 Canal St., (504) 482-9179, mandinasrestaurant.com

MID-CITY

Crescent City Steaks is an old-school steakhouse and a true New Orleans institution. Opening their doors in 1934, Crescent City Steaks is the oldest steakhouse in Louisiana and remains unwavering in their quality. Gather in their dining room, or tuck away in the curtained booths, and enjoy their acclaimed cuts that are cooked by sizzling them in butter. 1001 N. Broad St, (504) 821-3271, crescentcitysteaks.com

Mona’s Café is a beloved Mediterranean restaurant and market in Mid-City. The restaurant is famous for their gyros, chicken shawarma, and lula kebabs and is known for its portion sizes. Mona’s market is the perfect place to buy imported ingredients, olives, and fresh-baked pita. The restaurant recently underwent major renovations but maintains its welcoming, neighborhood feel. 3901 Banks St., (504) 482-7743, facebook.com/ monasnola

Mikimoto Restaurant serves Japanese cuisine with a Louisiana touch. They offer sushi with local flare with rolls such as the Who Dat Popper, the NOLA, and the Po-Boy. This can’t miss menu is a staple of sushi in Uptown. Dine-in for a casual but intimate experience, featuring a traditional sushi bar, or order takeout from their drivethrough window. 3301 S. Carrollton Ave., (504) 488-1881, mikimotosushi.com

Neauxstalgia Bar & Grille serves up delicious New Orleans comfort food. The restaurant, founded by Jo’Ron Ray and with Chef Julius Mosely manning the kitchen, provides a wide selection of tasty bites. Their menu contains familiar NOLA favorites such as a shrimp po-boy, blackened catfish, and fried chicken. Neauxstalgia also hosts Taco Tuesdays with affordable tacos, margaritas, and mojitos. 320 S. Broad St., (504) 766-5224, neauxstalgia.com

Neyow’s Creole Café is an authentic Creole eatery in Mid-City. The restaurant is owned by Tanya Dubuclet, who based the menu on genuine family recipes. Its atmosphere reflects its family origins. It is lively yet cozy, just like the food. Their menu includes red beans & rice, filé gumbo, mouth-watering Southern fried chicken, and celebrated chargrilled oysters. 3332 Bienville St., (504) 827-5474, neyows.com

Neyow’s XL, located next door to Neyow’s Café, is an upscale take on the original concept. This restaurant utilizes black table cloth and dark leather seating to compliment the luxurious menu, which features a premium selection of steaks and seafood. They also serve brunch, which offers bottomless mimosas; the steak, eggs, and potatoes dish; and the Banana Foster French toast. 3336 Bienville St., (504) 503-1081, xl.neyows.com

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS

Bearcat Café is a full-service breakfast and lunch eatery located in Uptown and in the CBD. The restaurant specializes in high-quality, fresh dishes that are hearty and vegan friendly. Their menu is split into two sections: Good Cat, which features lighter, nutrition-forward meals including tofu scramble, and Bad Cat, which offers heartier comfort foods such as shrimp and grits. Multiple Locations, bearcatcafe.com

Parkway Bakery and Tavern is an iconic po-boy spot, serving Mid-City residents since 1911. The restaurant has a historic and lively neighborhood feel with largely outdoor seating. Try their famous roast beef with gravy poor boy or get the James Brown, a slow-cooked roast beef with fried shrimp. This Bayou St. John neighborhood spot is a must-visit. 538 Hagan Ave., (504) 4823047, parkwaypoorboys.com

Daisy Dukes Restaurant is a renowned Southern breakfast chain with six locations in New Orleans. They are famous for their all-day breakfasts featuring favorites such as the alligator omelet, chicken & waffles, and their award-winning Bloody Mary, which can be bought by the bottle. They also offer a selection of Louisiana classics such as gumbo, jambalaya, and crawfish étouffée. Multiple Locations, daisydukesrestaurant.com

Drago’s Seafood Restaurant, an iconic seafood establishment sweeping across Louisiana and Mississippi, began in Metairie in the late ‘60s; however, it was in 1993 when Tommy Cvitanovich created the prototypical charbroiled oyster over Drago’s grill. To this day, patrons will find Drago’s upkeeps the same classic seafood house stylings and quality that sky-rocketed them to fame decades ago. Multiple Locations, dragosrestaurant.com

Deanie’s Seafood Restaurant is a classic New Orleans hub for boiled seafood. They are famous for their “Bucktown-style” seasoned boiled seafood. In fact, Deanie’s boils became so beloved, it now hosts two locations in the Greater New Orleans area. They also offer an array of stews; their famous platters; and raw, charbroiled, and barbeque oysters. Multiple Locations, deanies.com

Felix’s Restaurant and Oyster Bar, founded in the French Quarter in 1940, is legendary. It’s known for its fresh raw and charbroiled oysters, lively atmosphere, and its authentic Cajun-Creole seafood dishes. Famously, patrons can see the oysters shucked right at the bar. It has expanded to the Lakefront, where patrons have a notable view of Lake Pontchartrain. Multiple Locations, felixs.com

Empanola is a South American empanada establishment with a Louisiana flare. The restaurants are owned by Jimena Urrutia and her husband Marcelo Garcia, whose passion in the kitchen and love for New Orleans resulted in their beloved empanadas. They offer a variety of flavors such as gumbo, crawfish étouffée, chorizo Mexicana, and Asian dumpling, to name a few. Multiple Locations, empanolaempanadas.com

Jamaican Jerk House is a casual and authentic Jamaican restaurant in New Orleans and Metairie. Their menu highlights bold and aromatic flavors in dishes including their tender oxtails, curry shrimp and chicken, and, of course, jerk chicken. Committed to authenticity, they use traditional recipes and fresh ingredients to bring true Caribbean cuisine to the Greater New Orleans area. Multiple Locations, jamaicanjerkhouse.com

Pizza Domenica is a wood-fired, Neapolitanstyle pizzeria bringing Italian flavors to life. A spin-off of the upscale restaurant Domenica, the atmosphere there is casual and lively. It offers perfectly tossed gourmet pizzas in a custom oven shipped in from Italy. Compliment your pie with one of their refreshing cocktails and finish the night with one of their tasty desserts. Multiple Locations, pizzadomenica.com

Venezia is a home-style Italian restaurant

Loretta’s Authentic Pralines is a thriving sweets shop with authentic New Orleans flavors and traditional recipes. This local confectionery spot was founded in the ‘80s by the late Loretta S. Harrison, building on generations of family recipes. Loretta’s pralines, as well as their famous crabmeat beignets, rose in popularity when they became a vendor at Jazz Fest. Multiple Locations, lorettaspralines.com

UPTOWN

Lebanon’s Café is a Middle Eastern restaurant packed with aromatic and hearty dishes. For over 22 years, the café has dedicated itself to treating food lovers with a welcoming and friendly atmosphere. Creativity drives the menu with dishes such as the fried cauliflower and pomegranate hummus, their baba ganoush, and deliciously fresh za’atar bread. 1500 S. Carrollton Ave., (504) 862-6200, lebanonscafe.com

that has been serving locals since 1957. Across both locations in New Orleans and Gretna, the atmosphere is laid-back table dining fit for their generous portions. Their dishes include their incredible eggplant Vatican, their hearty lasagna, and the house special pizzas. Venezia brings Italian comfort to both sides of the Mississippi River. Multiple Locations, venezianeworleans.com

Shaya is an award-winning, modern Levantine restaurant dedicated to great food and outstanding hospitality. They offer warm and fresh wood-fired pita bread, hearty platters, and a spread of vegetable-forward dishes. Be sure to try their unforgettable fried chicken hummus. Whatever you order, be sure to pair it with one of their creative cocktails, and enjoy their modern, friendly neighborhood ambiance. 4213 Magazine St., (504) 891-4213, shayarestaurant.com

The Vintage is a unique spot that brings an almost Parisian atmosphere to the heart of New Orleans. The atmosphere is modern and chic with lovely sidewalk seating. They offer beignets ranging from traditional stylings to gravy smothered. Satiate your sweet tooth and order one of their coffee cocktails, or go savory with their delicious small bites. 3121 Magazine St., (504) 6081008, thevintagenola.com

U Pizza is a casual family pizzeria in the Lower Garden District. Located just off the St. Charles streetcar line, it is an easy access to commuting locals and those exploring the city for the first time. They offer gourmet pizza with local fare such as the streetcar pizza and the Garden District. They also offer vegan options. 1513 St. Charles Ave., (504) 381-4232, upizzanola.com

Mosca’s Restaurant is a family-style, comfort driven Italian staple that’s been serving the city of Westwego for nearly a century. Their garlic stained, wood-paneled interior tells us that some things haven’t changed, such as their menu of Creole-Italian family recipes. They are known for their oysters Mosca, chicken a la grande, spaghetti bordelaise, and old-school atmosphere. 4137 US-90, Westwego, (504) 436-8950, moscasrestaurant.com

WESTBANK

Legacy Kitchen’s Steak + Chop combines steakhouse delicacies, lunch delights, and seafood mainstays in Gretna. They prepare an array of shareables, small plates, and premium cut steaks; a curated list of sandwiches for lunch; and offer weekday specials that are sure to satiate. Stop by for happy hour and try some select menu highlights and $2 off specialty cocktails. 91 Westbank Expy., Gretna, (504) 608-6082, legacykitchen.com

Family-Run Restaurants That Keep Tradition Alive Generations at the Stove

In New Orleans, restaurants are rarely just places to eat. They are meeting points, memory keepers, and inherited spaces where families return again and again.

Some dining rooms outlast trends, storms, and shifting tastes because they are anchored not only by recipes, but by people—the families who run kitchens and dining rooms for generations and the families who fill the tables in return.

These six family-owned and operated restaurants all tell that story, in different neighborhoods and styles, but all with the same commitment to continuity in their New Orleans communities for over 85 years.

ANTOINE’S RESTAURANT

// MICHELLE NICHOLSON

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Marseilles, began serving refined French-Creole cooking just off St. Louis Street. More than 180 years later, the restaurant employs its sixth generation and is led by fifth-generation descendant Rick Blount. Antoine’s helped define New Orleans cuisine by applying French culinary techniques to South Louisiana’s abundance of seafood, shaping dishes that became part of the city’s culinary vocabulary.

Its most famous creation, oysters Rockefeller, debuted there in 1899 and remains one of the most iconic oyster dishes in the world. Other signatures include pompano en papillote, eggs sardou, and café brûlot. Today, Antoine’s continues to serve these classics to longtime locals and milestone-marking visitors alike, adapting thoughtfully with contemporary options for those with dietary restrictions while preserving its foundations.

MANDINA’S RESTAURANT

Mandina’s began in 1898 when Sicilian immigrant Sebastian Mandina opened a grocery on Canal Street serving Mid-City’s Italian community. In 1932, his sons converted the family business into a restaurant, beginning what is now a fourthgeneration institution.

Mandina’s remains a neighborhood anchor, filled with families drawn by consistency and familiarity. Regulars return for crab fingers in wine sauce, fried seafood platters, and turtle soup, but its Sicilian-Creole identity shows most clearly in their daily specials: red beans & rice paired with Italian sausage, daube served over spaghetti, bruccialone with shell macaroni, and Creole eggplant—loaded with shrimp, crabmeat, and ham.

ARNAUD’S RESTAURANT

Arnaud’s has stood as one of New Orleans’ standard-setting Creole dining rooms since 1918 when French wine salesman Arnaud Cazenave opened its doors on Bienville Street. The restaurant is now operated by fourth generation descendants, the Casbarian family, whose parents assumed stewardship and restored the historic property in the late 1970s.

Arnaud’s helped shape several dishes that have become local staples. Shrimp Arnaud—an early version of shrimp remoulade—was created there. Oysters Bienville, baked with shrimp, mushrooms,

and cream, emerged as another house signature in the 1950s. With 14 dining rooms and nightly jazz at the Richelieu Bar, Arnaud’s continues to anchor celebrations rooted in classic Creole hospitality.

DOMILISE’S PO-BOY & BAR

Domilise’s also began in 1918 when Peter and Sophie Domilise opened a neighborhood bar on Annunciation Street. Soon after, Sophie began cooking plate lunches for dockworkers and longshoremen. During the 1929 streetcar strike, the po-boy sandwich made its historical entrance, feeding “poor boys,” and Domilise’s carried forward a working-class spirit by extending credit to riverfront laborers until payday.

After World War II, the business passed to their son Sam and his wife Dorothy “Miss Dot” Domilise. Today, Domilise’s remains family-owned and operated by Ken Domilise, third generation, and his wife, along with their fourth generation members and with members of the fifth generation already involved. The menu stays focused on traditional poboys, but regulars know to ask for the surf-and-turf, famously ordered by Anthony Bourdain, stacked with fried shrimp, Swiss cheese, and roast beef with gravy.

CASAMENTO’S RESTAURANT

Casamento’s opened in 1919 when Joe Casamento, an immigrant from the Italian island of Ustica, established a small oyster bar at the corner of Magazine Street and Napoleon Avenue. More than a century later, the restaurant remains family-run, operated by Casamento’s grandson C.J. Gerdes and his wife Linda, with the next generation also working in the business.

Oysters have always defined the menu. The signature oyster loaf—cornmeal-fried oysters stacked between thick slices of pan bread—remains its most recognizable dish. Notably, all their fried seafood is gluten-free. Seafood gumbo, oyster stew, and spaghetti and meatballs round out the offerings. Still cash-only and open on limited days, Casamento’s continues to draw regulars who return for the same food and rhythms year after year.

DOOKY CHASE’S RESTAURANT

Dooky Chase’s officially opened in 1941, growing out of a sandwich shop and bar founded two years earlier by Emily and Edgar “Dooky” Chase Sr. in Tremé. From its earliest days, the restaurant served as a gathering space for music, labor organizing, and civil rights dialogue in New Orleans’ Black community. Its culinary identity took full shape after Edgar “Dooky” Chase Jr. married Leah Lange Chase in 1946. Leah transformed the space into a sit-down restaurant centered on refined Creole cooking and African American art.

Today, Dooky Chase’s remains familyowned and operated by the fourth generation of the Chase family. Lunch is served Tuesday through Friday, offering classics such as shrimp Clemenceau and

fried chicken with red beans & rice. Dinner is served on Friday and Saturday evenings. One of the restaurant’s most important rituals, gumbo z’herbes—built from nine greens—is served only once a year on Maundy Thursday.

HOW TRADITION ENDURES

Taken together, these restaurants form a living timeline of New Orleans itself. They are run by families who have stayed, adapted, and passed knowledge forward, and they serve families who return across generations—locals and visitors alike—to mark moments large and small. In a city shaped by change, these dining rooms offer continuity without stagnation and tradition without nostalgia. At their tables, renewal happens quietly, one meal at a time.

T H E T I M E S R E T U R N .

Rise of the New Orleans Fish Fry Something

// CELESTE TURNER

From the fryer to fellowship, fish fries have evolved into one of the city’s most spirited Lenten traditions.

As Mardi Gras comes to a close and the procession of police on horseback clear Bourbon Street, New Orleanians young and old are reminded that the following day begins the season of Lent. Catholics throughout the Deep South observe the tradition of avoiding meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays in Lent.

In early Christianity, meat was costly and associated with indulgence, so avoiding it became a meaningful act of penance. By the 2nd and 3rd centuries, writers recorded that Christians were already fasting and abstaining from meat in preparation for Easter. As of the 4th century, the Church began shaping these customs into a 40-day Lenten fast.

“During the Lenten season, Catholics are asked to practice prayer, fasting, and almsgiving,” said Sarah McDonald, director of communications for the Archdiocese of New Orleans. “They are also asked to abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday and all the Fridays of Lent. In observing this practice, particularly in South Louisiana where fish of all kinds are plentiful, fried fish became a staple meal among people of all income levels.”

In southern Louisiana, communal fish-frying gatherings emerged during the early to mid-19th century and remained largely unchanged for nearly a century. Originally, the term “fish fry” referred simply to social gatherings centered around fried fish, not specifically to

Lent or Catholic abstinence practices; however, the concept of the modern-day fish fry appeared in later years.

The Clarion Herald archives reveal that churchorganized fish fry fundraisers date to the 1950s, illustrated by a 1963 Catholic Northwest Progress ad for the sixth annual St. Margaret Parish “Fish ’n’ Chips” dinner sponsored by the Holy Name Society. Tickets then cost $1.25 for adults and 75 cents for children.

Today, fish fries are widespread in Catholic parishes across the city, which are offered as sit-down cafeteria meals or convenient drive-thru service takeout. Donaldson explained that although the parish fish fries may have changed over the years, “the focus is the same—building community and abstaining from eating meat while benefitting a charitable cause.” She noted that while the Knights of Columbus or the parish Men’s Club usually lead the effort, many groups across the archdiocese help make the fish fries successful.

Knights of Columbus District Deputy of District No. 10 Mike Centola is one key figure who oversees the four KC councils that sponsor fish fries for St. Francis Xavier, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Christopher, and the Ludvicum at St. Louis, King of France. He also actively helps with the Friday night fish fry at St. Andrew the Apostle in Algiers. “The majority of Lenten fish fries are done by the Knights of Columbus and the dads’ clubs at the council homes and school cafeterias,” Centola said.

He credits an uptick in fish fry sales to the incredibly tasty seafood and variety of menu options. “This is a phenomenal value for the quality of food, ranging anywhere from $10 to $17 for a full meal,” Centola said. “Every year, the menu is a little different to draw people in and make it affordable. But, the key is to put out a good product.”

Generally, the menu features fried fish or fried shrimp, or both, served with corn or green beans, French fries, and a roll. “Some councils add specials like shrimp fettucini, shrimp Creole, or a soft shell crab plate, but everybody serves gumbo,” said Centola, who estimates over 75 parishes in southern Louisiana host a fish fry. He indicated

Fishy

that one council may sell anywhere between 300-500 meals per night depending upon the number of people in the parish. “If they have a drive-thru, they may sell more,” he emphasized. “People can just drive through and pick up their meals.”

At St. Benilde Church in Metairie, Matt Zeringue, president of the Men’s Club, primarily offers the dine-in option for their fish fry event in Lent. “The sit-down fish fry seems to be going away,” Zeringue said. “Our parish enjoys coming together and sitting down in observance of Lent.”

For nearly 40 years, Zeringue said, Men’s Club members have cooked and served a variety of seafood to the parish community. Their menu has always provided fried fish and shrimp, but in recent years, they have added Thai shrimp tacos, seafood gumbo, and even grilled redfish with cream sauce when available. “We sell over 200 plates per night,” he stated. “Our members all get involved because it is a fundraiser for the parish.”

Additionally, some parishes sell their Lenten plates exclusively for curbside pickup. At St. Joan of Arc in LaPlace, the Knights of Columbus Council No. 5935 serves hot, drive-thru dinners featuring fresh Des Allemands catfish, Gulf shrimp, or a combo plate with sides for $14 to $15, along with cold shrimp pasta, $5 cheese sticks, and $8 seafood kickers. “This is a quick meal to get and go,” Deputy Grand Knight Jared Cazenave said. “We do not push anyone away if they would like to come in the hall to eat, but this makes it easier for families with their busy schedules to get together on Friday nights and participate in the Lenten tradition.”

Nevertheless, Lent marks a shift from celebration to contemplation in Greater New Orleans area communities. Fish fries provide a time for faith, food, and fellowship, bringing people of many backgrounds together. “This is a tradition that people cherish. There are very dedicated volunteers that make these happen year after year and hold on to specific parish-based recipes,” McDonald said. “We’ve seen our Protestant brothers and sisters adopt this custom in New Orleans, as well as some local restaurants.”

WIENER DOG RACES

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28

POST TIME: 12:45PM

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SATURDAY, MARCH 14

POST TIME: 3PM

Live music, beer garden and more!

LOUISIANA DERBY DAY

SATURDAY, MARCH 21

POST TIME: 12PM

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Meat of the Matter

Why to Buy Local Meat & Seafood

// EMILY HINGLE

It was common less than 100 years ago for citizens to take to the lakes and bayous to catch their dinner on a daily basis or to get locally-sourced meats at the butcher shop and it went on your “tab.”

Some entrepreneurs are determined to bring locally-sourced meats and seafood to the forefront, the ramifications of which go far beyond freshness. Buying local meat instead of products shipped from factory farms or other countries is better for the community and its economy, as well as your health, the animals’ welfare, and the health of our environment.

Porgy’s Seafood Market & Restaurant has a mission to revive the tradition of New Orleanians purchasing locally-caught seafood brought in daily straight from the water. “The more people we’re able to reach, the more we’re able to help our fishers. As a business person, it sounds selfish, but as a humanitarian, the more we can move, the more we can help our fishers’ livelihood. We’re building a community center for Gulf seafood within these walls for as many people as we can reach,” Co-Owner Caitlyn Carney said.

The cold case often holds humongous shrimp, whole fish, fish fillets, and beautiful oysters. Porgy’s Seafood Market, unlike most seafood purveyors, also deals in unintentionally-caught fish called bycatch. Purchasing bycatch from their network of fishermen allows for more profit and less waste while also introducing new items to consumers. Carney explained, “Everything is brought in as a whole fish directly off of the boat. We break it down, which preserves the freshness. The different things we’ve been able to do with barracuda has shocked our fisherman’s mind because he was never able to push it. There’s a lot of folks that don’t cook fish at home. They only experience fish in restaurants.”

Though New Orleans is well known for seafood dishes, the art of cooking fresh seafood at home has waned in recent years. Business partner Camille Staubb is a chef by trade, and she uses her expertise to educate customers about their options and open up their minds to meals they can make at home. She said, “We do a lot of demystifying for people. One of the questions I ask when people aren’t sure what they want is, ‘What’s your equipment at home? How do you see yourself cooking this tonight? Is it quick and easy, or do you want to take your time with it?’ That question usually leads to paring down some choices. And educating them on flavor profiles. It’s a conversation.”

Laughing Buddha Nursery in Metairie has been supplying localfood seekers with meat, dairy, and more from a network of Louisiana farmers and ranchers since 2002. Owners Kate and Grant Estrade eventually became farmers and currently operate Local Cooling Farm on 60 acres south of Bogalusa. Herds of cattle, goats, hogs, and chickens graze in rotation around what was supposed to be a housing development after Hurricane Katrina. Kate illustrated the biodiversity that has sprung up since having animals on the land, “It was probably a pine forest a long time ago, and then it was row cropped before Katrina. Because of that, the soil was so stripped. Parts of it were rock hard. People don’t realize that you can grow grass for cattle to eat and sustain all these birds and pollinators and amphibians. We had a wildlife guy come out here, and he was like, ‘I’m hearing more quail than I heard in my quail research days.’”

“Grant and I read books that made us horrified by conventional meat,” Kate explained about the extreme use of hormones and antibiotics on factory farm animals. “It can be very easy to feel like everything is killing me, nihilistic, and overwhelmed. We wanted a clean protein source. We were actually vegetarians at the time, temporarily. Learning about conventional farming practices and the cruelty for the sake of profit and production—it’s mind blowing. That’s the cost of cheap meat.”

Kate walks among the animals, petting them and snapping photos with them for social media. She constantly deals with criticism, even from meat eaters, for caring about animals that will eventually be slaughtered. Kate understands the disconnect consumers have from their food since the rise of supermarket culture. She said, “I try not to anthropomorphize animals and put human qualities on them. As smart as the pigs are, they’re not up at night contemplating their mortality. Vegans get very hung up on it. [It] doesn’t matter how good their life is or how long it is, you’re killing them on purpose; therefore, that is wrong. But we all die. Meat farmers get accused of having this hierarchy of which animals matter and which don’t. I can argue that. I’m the one seeing the quail, rabbits, amphibians, and pollinators, and everything that lives on our farm are just as important. No one is mourning the decapitated rabbits that are killed for tofu production.”

Laughing Buddha Nursery has seen growth in customers at the Metairie store, the pick-up hubs, and home delivery service who want locally-sourced products for animal welfare reasons and for nutrient reasons. Kate and Grant are hopeful that more people will take up the ancient art of farming animals and growing produce and that consumers will understand why buying local meats and seafood is the ethical choice. She concluded, “It’s perfectly fine for me to feel sad when we process and still be proud that we’re able to provide healthy protein to our community. It’s very grounding to connect yourself to what it actually takes to be a part of the circle of life.”

LIVE MUSIC CALENDAR

MUSIC CALENDAR

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21

30/90 - Upstairs Mother Ruckus

Bacchanal Wine Cristen Spencer, Miles Berry

Blue Nile Afrobeat NOLA, The Next Level Band

Chickie Wah Wah Jon Cleary

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat

Father David O’Conner Family Life Center Robery Grayson Singers

Favela Chic DJ Armands

Le Bon Temps Lee Alan

Maple Leaf Bar Lord Boudin

Milton H. Latter Memorial Library LPO Republic NOLA Hoang

SPORTS DRINK Sklar Brothers

Saturn Bar Bon Bon Vivant

Snug Harbor Grayson Brockamp’s Wildlife Trio, Mahmoud Chouki

Sweet Lorraine’s Jazz Club Shemekia Copeland

The Eliza Jane Hotel Ronald Jones

Three Maries Jazz Club Potholes Brass Band

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22

21st Amendment Bon Bon Vivant

BJ’s Lounge James McClaskey

Balcony Music Club Abe Thompson, Young Fellas Brass Band

Bacchanal Wine Byron Asher, Lex Warshawsky, Noah

Young Blue Nile The Rozes, Street Legends Brass Band Carousel Bar The Iguanas Civic Theatre Osees

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat

Gasa Gasa Short Term 2!

Mahogany Jazz Hall Smoking Time Jazz Club

Potions Lounge Sazerac Jazz Band

Rosy’s Jazz Hall Soulful Sounds

Snug Harbor Herlin Riley, Steve DeTroy

SPORTS DRINK The Sklar Brothers

Spotted Cat Treme Brass Band

Studio Saint Philip Cosmic String Duo

Sweet Lorraine’s Shemekia Copeland

The Howlin Wolf Hot 8 Brass Band

The Jazz Playhouse Amanda Shaw

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23

30/90 - Upstairs Margie Perez

Bacchanal Wine Byron Asher

Cafe Negril Lit Band

Carrollton Station Meryl Zimmerman

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat

Dos Jefes John Fohl

Maple Leaf Bar George Porter Jr.

New Orleans Jazz Museum Bon Bon Vivant

No Dice Matte Blvck, So Much Blood

Snug Harbor Charmaine Neville Band

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24

Bayou Bar Double Bird

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat

Ellis Marsalis Center for Music Paul Longstreth

Gasa Gasa Last Dinosaurs

House of Blues Michael Shannon, Jason Narducy

Joy Theater Aimee Mann

Mahogany Jazz Hall Joe Lastie

No Dice Prison Affair

Snug Harbor Shea Pierre

Spotted Cat Chris Christy Band, Smoking Time Jazz Club

The Howlin Wolf Comedy Beast

The Rabbit Hole Rebirth

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25

Bacchanal Wine Jesse Morrow

Bayou Bar Firm Roots

Blue Nile Kota Dosa

Cafe Nola Neicy B

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat

Preservation Hall Branden Lewis

Snug Harbor Roger Lewis

Spotted Cat Chris Christy Band, Shotgun Jazz Band

The Broadside Creo Groove

Tropical Isle Bourbon Dave Ferrato

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26

BJ’s Lounge Silver Dollars

Bacchanal Wine Raphael Bas

Blue Nile Irvin Mayfield, DJ T-Roy

Banks St Bar Shidded, Bad Idols

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat

Da Jump Off Lounge Sporty’s Brass Band

Dos Jefes John Fohl

Mayfield’s 208 Bourbon Kermit Ruffins, Irvin Mayfield

Okay Bar Django Jazz, Bayou Manouche

Downing Rivershack Tavern Crossroads

Spotted Cat Paradise Jazz Band

SATURDAY, MARCH 7

ARORA Drinkurwater

Polo Club David Boeddinghaus

TUESDAY, MARCH 3

Apple Barrel Jackson’s Flying Circus

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat

Irene’s Monty Banks

Mahogany Jazz Hall Leroy Jones, Paul Longstreth

Mayfield’s 208 Bourbon Irvine Mayfield, Cyril Neville

Polo Club John Royen

Spotted Cat Chris Christy Band, Smoking Time Jazz Club

Stained Glass Wine House Open Mic

The Rabbit Hole Rebirth

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat

House of Blues Descendents, Sleeping Souls

Le Bon Temps Soul Rebels

Marigny Opera House Jenna McSwain

New Orleans Jazz & Blues Market Ana Popovic

Ogden Museum Bogue Chitto

Orpheum Theater The Enigma Variations

Snug Harbor Karen Shiraishi Quintet

Spotted Cat Chris Christy Band

The Jazz Playhouse Brass-AHolics

Three Maries Jazz Club Kyle Sharamitaro

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27

30/90 - Upstairs Mother Ruckus

ARORA NOLA Chef Boyarbeatz

Bacchanal Wine David Sigler,

Willie Green

Blue Nile The Caesar Brothers, Kermit Ruffins

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat

Favela Chic DJ ARMANDS

Generations Hall Kream

Le Bon Temps Smoker’s World

Mid-City Lanes Rock n Bowl

Paperchase

New Marigny Theatre LABCO

New Orleans Jazz & Blues

Market Ruthie Foster

New Orleans Jazz National

Historical Park Johnette Downing

Blue Nile Afrobeat NOLA

Buffa’s Haunted Like Human

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat

Favela Chic DJ ARMANDS

French Market District Blue Eyes

Gasa Gasa Author, Punisher

Le Bon Temps Caleb Tokarska

Loyola University Aubrey Logan

Maple Leaf Gary Clark Jr.

New Orleans Jazz & Blues Market Jazzmeia Horn

Rivershack Tavern

Cafe Degas Gizinti Trio

Cafe Negril The Silver Lining Serenaders

Cafe Nola NEICY B

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat

Fillmore New Orleans Monaleo

French Market District Jade Santrell

Irene’s Monty Banks

Jazz Playhouse Big Sam

Descendents at House of Blues

Snug Harbor Jason Marsalis, Christien Bold

Spotted Cat Paradise Jazz Band

The Broadside Dean Zucchero

The Eliza Jane Hotel Ronald Jones

Tipitina’s Eddie 9V

Three Maries Jazz Club All For One Brass Band, Or Shovaly

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28

Bacchanal Wine Boma Bango, Miles Berry

Blue Nile Afrobeat NOLA, The Next Level Band

Cafe Negril Funky Heights

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat

Culture Park Nola Secret Sesh

Favela Chic DJ Armands

House of Blues Justin Bieber Night

Maison Bourbon Danny Rubio

May Baily’s Place The Triad

New Orleans Jazz & Blues Market Ruthie Foster

Snug Harbor Kelly Love Jones, Kyle Roussel

The Eliza Jane Hotel Ronald Jones

The Jazz & Heritage Center Stephanie Jordan

The Rabbit Hole Blunts & Blondes

Three Maries Jazz Club Colleen Orender

SUNDAY, MARCH 1

Bacchanal Wine Noah Young, Tangiers Combo

Bratz Y’all John Fohl, Dean Zucchero

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat

Gasa Gasa Daisychain, Bullshit Machine

House of Blues Congress the Band

New Marigny Theater André Bohren

Spotted Cat Treme Brass Band

Studio Saint Philip Louis Michot

The Broadside T. MARIE, BAYOU JUJU

The Howlin Wolf Hot 8 Brass Band

Tipitina’s Bruce Daigrepont

MONDAY, MARCH 2

AllWays Lounge Betsy Propane, The Accessories

Marigny Brasserie Legacy Jazz Band

Mayfield’s 208 Bourbon Irvine Mayfield, Cyril Neville

Picnic Provisions and Whiskey Hypno Nun

Polo Club David Boeddinghaus

Spotted Cat Chris Christy Band, Shotgun Jazz Band

St. Louis Cathedral Echoes of Innovation

The Davenport Lounge Jeremy Davenport

Tipitina’s Big Something

Tropical Isle Bourbon Dave Ferrato

THURSDAY, MARCH 5

Balcony Music Club Happy Hour Mishi, The Budz

Blue Nile Irvin Mayfield

Chickie Wah Wah Andrew Duhon

Irene’s Monty Banks

Jazz Playhouse Brass-A-Holics

Le Bon Temps Soul Rebels

Maple Leaf Booker and Beyond, Kyle Cripps

Polo Club John Royen

Poor Boys Gumbolaya

Seithers Seafood The Desert Nudes

Spotted Cat Chris Christy Band

The Davenport Lounge Jeremy Davenport

The Howlin Wolf KMAX

Tigermen Den Helen Gillet

Vaughan’s Lounge Corey Henry

FRIDAY, MARCH 6

Bacchanal Wine David Sigler, Willie Green

Cafe Istanbul Mary Griffin

Chickie Wah Wah Mama Digdown

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat

Deutsches Haus Ladies Choir, Men’s Choir

Favela Chic DJ ARMANDS

Gasa Gasa The Wellermen

Le Bon Temps Tri-Fi

Maple Leaf Gary Clark Jr.

Marigny Opera House Mazaj Trio

Mid-City Lanes Rock n Bowl Peyton Falgoust

New Orleans Jazz & Blues Market Matt Schofield

New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park Johnette

Experience rarely seen works by Broadway icon Bob Fosse, performed exclusively by Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, alongside powerful works by Matthew Rushing of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Spain’s Nacho Duato, and Baryshnikov protégé Aszure Barton.

Spotted

MUSIC CALENDARLIVEMUSIC CALENDAR

Civic Theatre Brian Culbertson

Copeland Tower Joan Rivers

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat Favela Chic DJ ARMANDS

Festival Hall Danny O’Flarety

French Market District Blue Eyes

House of Blues Joyce Manor, Militarie Gun

Le Bon Temps Captain Buckles

Long Beach Town Green Almost Skynard, Ghost of Gamblers

Rivershack Tavern Pickin’ Box

SUNDAY, MARCH 15

Bacchanal Wine Noah Young, Tangiers Combo

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat

Festival Hall DAnny O’Flarety

Fillmore YFN Lucci

French Market District Blue Eyes

Gasa Gasa Al Olender

House of Blues Khamari

Old Arabi Lighthouse Records Kevin the Persian

Siberia Chris Cohen, Avery Island BCE

Spotted Cat Treme Brass Band

The Howlin Wolf Hot 8 Brass Band

MONDAY, MARCH 16

AllWays Lounge Smoke Show Cabaret

Bacchanal

Spotted Cat Paradise Jazz Band

Studio Saint Philip Sonic Chambers Quartet Tipitina’s Heated Rivalry

SATURDAY, MARCH 14

Arora Ivy Lab

Stained Glass Wine House Open Mic Night

The Rabbit Hole Rebirth

Tipitina’s Wednesday

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18

Broadside Dem Roots

Cafe Degas Gizinti Trio

Cafe Nola NEICY B

Le

Seithers Seafood The Desert Nudes

Spotted Cat Chris Christy Band The Davenport Lounge Jeremy Davenport

Vaughan’s Lounge Corey Henry & The Treme Funktet

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat

Da Jump Off Lounge Sporty’s Brass Band

Dos Jefes John Fohl

French Market District Byron Bickham

Mayfield’s 208 Bourbon Kermit Ruffins, Irvin Mayfield

Polo Club David Boeddinghaus

Siberia Rambler Kane, Robert Lester Folsom

TUESDAY, MARCH 17

Apple Barrel Jackson’s Flying Circus

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat

Ellis Marsalis Center for Music Professor Tim Piano

Series, Lilli Lewis

House of Blues Brian Sella, Emperor X

Irene’s Monty Banks

Mayfield’s 208 Bourbon Kermit Ruffins, Irvin Mayfield

Polo Club John Royen

Spotted Cat Chris Christy, Smoking Time Jazz Club

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat

French Market District Jade Santrell

Gasa Gasa Tobacco Road, Felix

Rabito

Irene’s Monty Banks

Jazz Playhouse Big

Sam

Longue Vue

House Nat & Kat

Cajun String Band

Marigny

Brasserie

Legacy Jazz Band

Peter and Paul Sariyah

Idan, Monica

Rose Kelly

Spotted Cat

Chris Christy, Shotgun Jazz Band

The Davenport

Lounge Jeremy Davenport

Tipitina’s Cyril Neville, Uptown All-Stars

Tropical Isle Dave Ferrato

THURSDAY, MARCH 19

100 Men Hall Dem Roots Music

Blue Nile Irvin Mayfield

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat

Hard Rock Cafe Rockin’ 1000 Jam

Irene’s Monty Banks

Jazz Playhouse Brass-A-Holics

Gary Clark Jr. at Maple Leaf Bar

Hear a fusion of blues, rock, and soul with a performance by Gary Clark Jr. With multiple Grammy Awards under his belt, Clark’s exceptional, Southernborn talent will surely wow the crowd.

March 6 & 7, 9 p.m., $47, mapleleafbar.com

FRIDAY, MARCH 20

Bacchanal Wine David Sigler, Willie Green

Chickie Wah Wah Paul McDonald, The Mourning Doves

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat Deutsches Haus Ladies Choir, Men’s Choir

Favela Chic DJ ARMANDS

Le Bon Temps Shawan Rice

Mid-City Lanes Rock n Bowl Nashville South

New Orleans Jazz & Blues Market Walter Trout

Orleans Jazz National Historical Park Johnette

Republic Electric Feels

Rivershack Tavern Rhino Electric

Spotted Cat Paradise Jazz Band

The Crypt KillBylly

SATURDAY, MARCH 21

Chickie Wah Wah Dylan LeBlanc

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat Favela Chic DJ ARMANDS

Fillmore Lil Poppa

French Market District Blue Eyes

Gasa Gasa Delilah Bon

Le Bon Temps Reverend Rob B. Mortimer

Rivershack Tavern Bad Sandy’s

The Howlin Wolf Half Dollar Rodeo Tipitina’s RAKIM

SUNDAY, MARCH 22

Bacchanal Wine Noah Young, Tangiers Combo

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat

Dickie Brennan’s Tableau New Orleans Spice Jazz French Market District Blue Eyes, Kermit’s Treme Mother-In-Law Lounge Kermit Ruffins New Orleans Jazz Museum LMEA

No Dice The Placeholders, Code Black

Okay Bar Irish Folk Jam

Polo Club David Boeddinghaus

Saenger Theatre Robert Plant

Smoothie King Center MANÁ

Spotted Cat Treme Brass Band

The Broadside Youth Band Showcase The Howlin Wolf Hot 8 Brass Band

MONDAY, MARCH 23

AllWays Lounge Smoke Show Cabaret

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat

Da Jump Off Lounge Sporty’s Brass Band

Dos Jefes John Fohl

Old Ursuline Convent Museum Opera Festival

Polo Club David Boeddinghaus

Spotted Cat Chris Christy Band, Smoking Time Jazz Club

Stained Glass Wine House Open Mic

The Rabbit Hole Rebirth

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25

Cafe Nola NEICY B

Chickie Wah Wah Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Butch Hancock

Civic Theatre Golda Schultz, Jonathan Ware

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat

French Market District Jade Santrell

Spotted Cat Chris Christy Band, Shotgun Jazz Band

Tropical Isle Dave Ferrato

THURSDAY, MARCH 26

Blue Nile Irvin Mayfield

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat

Gasa Gasa Ben Kweller

French Market District Byron Bickham

Mayfield’s 208 Bourbon Kermit Ruffins, Irvin Mayfield Polo Club John Royen

TUESDAY, MARCH 24

Apple Barrel Jackson’s Flying Circus

Irene’s Monty Banks

Mayfield’s 208 Bourbon Kermit Ruffins, Irvin Mayfield No Dice Winyah

Fredrick J. Sigur Civic Center Cyprus Pop, NOLA Rouge

New Orleans Jazz & Blues Market Matt Schofield

Le Bon Temps Tiago Guy

Smoothie King Center The Lumineers

Spotted Cat Chris Christy Band

Tipitina’s The Wood Brothers

FRIDAY, MARCH 27

AllWays Lounge Ryan Batiste

Bacchanal Wine David Sigler, Willie Green

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat

Fredrick J. Sigur Civic Center Petty Betty

Gasa Gasa Bab L’ Bluz, Gitkin

Le Bon Temps Dirty Work

Rivershack Tavern Upperline Duo

Spotted Cat Paradise Jazz Band

SATURDAY, MARCH 28

ARORA NOLA Vincent Antone

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans Streetbeat

Fredrick J. Sigur Civic Center Rock Band NOLA,

Category 6

French Market District Blue Eyes

House of Blues Kiss the Goat

Mid-City Lanes Rock n Bowl Few Blue

Rivershack Tavern Yesterday

Smoothie King Center Journey

The Howlin Wolf Oscillation Communications, Glassy Eye

SUNDAY, MARCH 29

Bacchanal Wine Noah Young, Tangiers Combo

Crescent City Brewhouse

New Orleans Streetbeat

Fredrick J. Sigur Civic Center

Bad Habit NOLA, Swampland

Revival

French Market District Blue

Eyes

Gasa Gasa Die Spitz

Joy Theater Watchhouse

No Dice Redd Kross

Republic NOLA Peaches

Spotted Cat Treme Brass Band

The Howlin Wolf Hot 8 Brass Band

Tipitina’s Obituary

MONDAY, MARCH 30

Crescent City Brewhouse

New Orleans Streetbeat

Da Jump Off Lounge Sporty’s Brass Band

Dos Jefes John Fohl

French Market District Byron Bickham

Mayfield’s 208 Bourbon

Kermit Ruffins, Irvin Mayfield

Polo Club David Boeddinghaus

TUESDAY, MARCH 31

Crescent City Brewhouse

New Orleans Streetbeat

Gasa Gasa The Wedding Present

New Orleans Jazz Museum

JAS Street Horn Group

Saenger Theatre Santana

Spotted Cat Chris Christy Band, Smoking Time Jazz Club

The Howlin Wolf

NateWantsToBattle, Cam

Steady

The Rabbit Hole Rebirth

LAKESIDE2RIVERSIDE

Monster Jam

February 28 | monsterjam. com Monster Jam will return to New Orleans with its motorsports event at the Caesars Superdome. It features 12,000 pound monster trucks taking part in high-octane racing and freestyle stunts. Attendees can also enjoy pre-show events such as the Pit Party to meet drivers and get within close range of the trucks before the show. Featured trucks include Grave Digger, El Toro Loco, and Megalodon. The show will officially begin at 7 p.m., with the pit party taking place at 2:30 p.m. This high-energy event combines technical skill with visual spectacle and familyoriented entertainment.

25th Annual Festa Italiana

March 6-8 | kenneritalianfest.com

Kenner’s Festa Italiana is an annual festival of Italian heritage and will take place from March 6 to March 8 in Kenner’s Rivertown district. The festival celebrates the traditions and contributions of Italian families in the region by combining together local culture, food, and music. Attendees will enjoy classic Italian food, live entertainment, and art vendors, making it a family-oriented event. The area it takes place in has been historically connected to Italians who were successful farmers and workers in other professions. The festival is dedicated to paying tribute to the accomplishments of these individuals.

Gálvez and Louisiana in the American Revolution

| louisianastatemuseum.org

Gálvez and Louisiana in the American Revolution exhibition will be opening at the Cabildo Museum in Jackson Square on March 8 as a part of Louisiana’s America 250 commemoration. The exhibition will highlight Spanish Governor Bernado de Gálvez, in addition to groups such as Acadian exiles, Indigenous leaders, free Black militiamen, and Canary Island settlers and their role in fighting for American independence and the revolutionary cause. Through artifacts, immersive media, and storytelling, the exhibit offers a perspective on how Louisiana shaped American independence and its role during the Revolution. The exhibit will be on view until May 15, 2027.

NOBA’s Hubbard Street Dance Chicago

March 21 | nobadance.com/performances/hubbard-street-dance-chicago

The Hubbard Street Dance Chicago event, presented by the New Orleans Ballet Association, will perform at the Mahalia Jackson Theater on March 21 at 7:30 p.m. The event will bring contemporary, bold choreography to a New Orleans audience. The night will include the choreographed performance of Sweet Gwen Suit and

Percussion IV by Bob Frosse, in partnership with the Verdon Frosse Legacy. In addition to this, there will be pieces by acclaimed choreographers Matthew Rushing and Aszure Barton. The performance will offer an emotional and innovative experience that blends creative choreography with world-class dancers.

MARCH 27-29, 2026 MARCH 27-29, 2026

The South’s Largest Home & Garden Show is joining forces with The Boat Show!

Explore the latest in home design, outdoor living, and marine innovations — all under one roof at the Caesars Superdome.

Meet experts, discover new trends, and get inspired to turn your dream projects into reality.

2026 ST. PATRICK’S DAY & ST. JOSEPH’S DAY EVENTS

GRETNA ITALIAN-IRISH PARADE

Starts: Franklin & Burmaster Streets, Gretna Sunday, March 8, 12 p.m.

FINN MCCOOL’S ST. PATRICK’S DAY BLOCK PARTY 3701

IRISH CHANNEL ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE

Starts: Magazine & Felicity Streets, New Orleans | Saturday, March 14, 1 p.m

ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE ON METAIRIE ROAD

STARTS: 41st Street & Severn Avenue, Metairie Sunday, March 15, 12 p.m.

QUARTERFRENCH

IRISH CHANNEL ST. PATRICK’S DAY CLUB BLOCK PARTY Annunciation Playground, New Orleans

PARASOL’S & THE CHANNEL’S ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION

2533 Constance & 2604 Magazine Streets, New Orleans Tuesday, March 17, 12 p.m.

PAT O’BRIEN’S ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION

718 St. Peter St., New Orleans Tuesday, March 17, 1 p.m

DOWNTOWN IRISH CLUB ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE

STARTS: Marigny Brasserie, New Orleans Tuesday, March 17, 6:30 p.m.

LOUISIANA IRISH-ITALIAN PARADE

STARTS: Veterans & Houma Boulevards, Metairie Sunday, March 22, 12 p.m.

ITALIAN-AMERICAN

ST. JOSEPH’S DAY PARADE

STARTS: Convention Center Boulevard, New Orleans Saturday, March 28, 6 p.m.

ST. BERNARD IRISH ITALIAN ISLEÑOS PARADE

Starts: W. Judge Perez Drive, Chalmette Saturday, April 11, 12 p.m.

Parade schedules and routes are subject to change. Check WhereYat.com for updates.

INDIAN CHA WA SUPER SUNDAY

STARTS: Orleans Avenue & Moss Street, New Orleans Sunday, March 15, 12 p.m.

MARDI GRAS INDIANS PARADE STARTS: A.L. Davis Park, New Orleans Sunday, March 15, 12 p.m.

TAMBOURINE AND FAN SUPER SUNDAY PARADE

STARTS: Bayou St. John at Orleans Avenue, New Orleans Sunday, March 15, 12 p.m.

WESTBANK SUPER SUNDAY

STARTS: 1200 L.B. Landry Ave., Algiers Sunday, March 15, 12 p.m.

Mystery S lved��

The Complete Truth About Irish Coffee

While "It was a dark and stormy night" are the hackneyed words opening Edward Bulwer-Lytton’s 1830 novel Paul Clifford—a phrase later popularized by Snoopy in Peanuts—it was, however, just such a night in 1942 when an airliner bound for New York took off from Foynes Airbase, the airfield that served the aviation needs of Limerick, Ireland.

The pilot determined that the terrible weather conditions, cold and very rainy, were not conducive to head westward over the North Atlantic and turned back to the airfield, safely bringing the aircraft back to earth.

Just adjacent to the airbase was a small eatery that served light fare and heavy drinks. The proprietor, Chef Joe Sheridan, realized that the plane’s passengers were cold, wet, and, with the cancellation of all flights until the morning, not in for a comfortable evening in the terminal. Sheridan concocted a hot beverage meant to bring some soothing warmth to the disappointed passengers. Taking a staple of a proven method to warm a body when it has been exposed to extremely cold weather conditions, a really hot coffee, he added a local product known as Irish whiskey, along with some cool whipped cream and a good insertion of brown sugar, and put the blend into a warmed mug. Like so many other cocktails, opposite ingredients worked together and Irish coffee was born.

Irish coffee may have remained a strictly local Irish specialty drink were it not for a staff writer for the San Francisco Chronicle named Stanton Delaplane. Delaplane was traveling around Ireland to discover and report on the many reasons for his readers to visit the Emerald Isle, a challenging assignment given the fact that the Troubles between the Irish and the English were still inflamed. There was gunfire and physical attacks from one group against the other.

Delaplane stopped in Limerick on his research trip and found a cocktail he did not know he was looking for. He rightly concluded that Irish coffee would be a perfect beverage for his hometown, which experienced a pretty cold climate year-round. Mark Twain noted that the coldest winter he ever experienced was a summer in San Francisco. On his return home, Delaplane introduced Irish Coffee to his favorite coffee house, the Buena Vista.

The Buena Vista is on the north side of the city, very near the chilly waters of San Francisco Bay and close to Fisherman’s Wharf. The destination diner is one block from the northern turnaround for the Hyde Street cable car. The marriage of the Buena Vista and Irish Coffee was made with the correct understanding of a need in search of a solution. Today, visitors and natives alike who are in San Francisco continue to make the pilgrimage to the Buena Vista to taste the real deal and, in the process, knock back the San Francisco chill.

New Orleans is never completely left off this story. How could it be, especially when cocktails are involved? First of all, New Orleans is one of the largest, if

not the largest, coffee importing ports in the world by tonnage. We are also home to both the largest coffee silo and coffee roasting plant on the planet.

The silo is located at the Port of New Orleans, and the roasting facility is located on Chef Menteur in Gentilly. Both, under the Folger’s moniker, were sold several years ago, as was the brand, to the J.M. Smucker Company. Yes, those wonderful folks who have brought fruit jelly to your table for all of your life, since 2008, now bring you coffee, as well.

We all know coffee does not grow well in the United States. The raw product, a small hard, green-colored bean, has to be imported from South American countries and countries with similar climates. Brazil is a key coffee-growing country, as are Peru, Honduras, Colombia, several African nations, and Vietnam. New Orleans is one of the closest U.S. water ports t o South American countries, so our port was a logical and efficient destination.

Since coffee beans have to be roasted to bring out their aromas and flavors, a roasting facility here was also logical. Yet again, New Orleans’ location worked in favor of commerce and assisted the fulfillment of American demands for a beverage our country seems to love very much.

IRISH COFFEE (FROZEN)

As served by Erin Rose

However, it is usually New Orleans’ creativity that adds a certain panache to the equation. Despite the fact that we possess a semi-tropical climate, New Orleans took a beverage developed for its warmth and froze it.

The Frozen Irish Coffee became a walking-around, go-cup sensation—an answer to a situation that does not exist for the original product but for which the New Orleans climate, top-end heat and humidity, is certainly present. Noted French Quarter saloon impresario Jim Monaghan wanted to create a statement cocktail based on Irish whiskey—enter the Frozen Irish Coffee.

Appropriately enough, Erin Rose, an Irish-themed bar that’s also a Monaghan outpost, on Conti Street, just off Bourbon Street, in the Upper Quarter, is generally credited with the extended success of this magical, truly-cold potion.

Not surprisingly, a Frozen Irish Coffee in the middle of August is just about the most perfect cool-down cocktail you can enjoy. Surprisingly, the Frozen Irish Coffee also seems like the ideal cocktail for wet and cold January. Don’t miss the opportunity to be completely correct with the original or the further developed Frozen Irish Coffee around St. Patrick’s Day in mid-March.

It’s the devotion and the “mix-anything-mix-everything, give it a try” attitude that New Orleans consumers bring to adult beverages that keep the creative wheels spinning, as well as the consumers, encouraged by some world-class talent behind the bar, who continue to keep the mature industry alive and vibrant.

INGREDIENTS

8 ounces (1 cup) cold, strong, black coffee

2 cups (1 pint) vanilla ice cream

3 ounces Irish whiskey or more as desired

Coffee grounds for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Pour cold black coffee into ice cube trays and freeze until solid, about two hours.

2. Add coffee ice cubes, ice cream, and whiskey to a blender and purée until smooth and creamy. Divide between two highball glasses, garnish with coffee grounds, and serve with straws.

Bottoms

Up

That might sound like a lot of “B’s,” but alliteration is our friend here—or rather bud. A boozy, bottomless, birthday brunch has it all: delicious favorite foods, alcohol that keeps on coming, as well as a celebration of life, and sometimes with added entertainment and photo opportunities to “boot.”

How do you choose? After asking friends, Yelp, social media, and some local restaurateurs for their favorite bottomless brunches, here’s what we came up with. We were specifically looking for places that either had interesting food options that were more suited for brunch than a lunch or dinner meal, drinks that might not be just mimosas—for variety—as well as locations that had extra bang for their buck with either entertainment or photo opportunities. Bonus points are always provided for locations that offer accommodations for our gluten free friends. There’s nothing wrong with the standard bottomless mimosa brunch—there were just too many to feature all of them, which is a great problem to have.

Lost Coyote Restaurant is a Tremé beauty that opened in 2025 and features a menu that’s a hybrid of New Orleans classics with influences from all over the world, synonymous with our melting pot of people. Try the shakshuka or the Moroccan braised duck that’s soaked in Moroccan spices for hours and then fried in Cajun spices. The burlesque brunch (more “B” words) comes with bottomless mimosas that are $20 with purchase of entrée. There is also a small cover fee to get in the venue but that allows you to use the pool and other amenities—they have a piano, as well—and the venue provides ways for you to get cash to tip the entertainers. Make sure to feed and photograph their goat, Rosita, who lives in the ample parking lot. Lost Coyote is located at 1614 Esplanade Ave.

The Big Easy’s Best Boozy Bottomless Birthday Brunches

and Up… and Up… and Up…

//

REBECCA FOX

New Orleans is arguably the best city in the world for festivals and largescale events, and we’re pretty well established for having an amazing bar scene, but what do you do when you want a more sophisticated birthday celebration with your closest friends?

ANSWER: You plan a boozy bottomless birthday brunch.

Shop, Dine, Relax

HKG Duty Free Store

Near Gate A1

Luxury Brands

Shop an assortment of luxury fragrances and skin care products in the airport at duty-free prices. Everyone can shop at HKG Duty Free located in Concourse A.

MAC, Jo Malone & Tom Ford

Free-Standing Store

Near Gate B3

Makeup & Perfume

This store features innovative merchandising, expert beauty advisors,and outstanding services, delivering the premium customer experience for which these elite brands are known and respected for.

Travel @ Ease

Near Gate B2

Travel Essencials

Travel @ Ease offers the necessities travelers need in one convenient retail experience. You'll enjoy seamless convenience, automated easy pay-systems, and a more than satisfactory experience with Travel @ Ease.

The Club MSY

Outside Concourse A

Lounge

A sanctuary past security control, guests will fly fully restored from the stresses of traveling to the airport after a visit to this lounge. Guests can unwind and relax taking advantage of light refreshments, drinks, newspapers, and Wi-Fi. Walk-ins welcome.

RESTAURANTS

Cure

Near Gate C6

Bar

Cure, by Neal Bodenhe imer and Kirk Estinopal is a 2018 James Beard Award Winner for Outstanding Cocktail Program, is a sophisticated New Orleans cocktail bar rooted in providing guests an experience that is both healthful and enjoyable.

Emeril’s Table

Near Gate B10

Creole Fusion

Emeril’s Table is where to go to dine in style at MSY with mouthwatering appetizers, satisfying main plates, and an extensive wine list.

Leah’s K i tc h e n

Outside Concourse C

Creole

With the help of grandson Edgar, Leah’s Kitchen pays homage to the late “Queen of Creole Cuisine”, Leah Chase. Passengers can enjoy Southern staples like fried chicken,gumbo, red beans and rice, and barbecue shrimp.

Mondo

Outside Concourse B

World

Mondo, created by James Beard Award Winner Chef Susan Spicer, gives travelers an exclusive and authentic NOLA experience with worldly flavors that speak to the city’s renowned culinary culture.

At Kingfish Kitchen and Cocktails, you can choose between a regular, blood orange, cranberry, or passionfruit mimosa for $20 with the purchase of an entrée or a bottomless Bloody Mary for the same price. The best part? If you can’t decide, you can pay $22 and sip them all. This menu features all the staples, with creative twists: blue crab omelet, cochon de lait po-boy, crabcake Benedict, crème brûlée French toast, steak & eggs, and avocado toast. There’s even catfish and grits, as well as jambalaya risotto and eggs. Kingfish is located at 337 Chartres in the French Quarter.

At a recent bottomless brunch visit at Broussard’s Restaurant & Courtyard, our table enjoyed the option to choose between a mimosa or a delicious bottomless rosé, which is $22 with purchase of an entrée. The food was incredible, as one might expect. The favorites were the Southern fried chicken & waffles, the short rib & eggs, and the pork belly Benedict. The jazz brunch is Friday through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and features a jazz band wandering table to table, taking requests from delighted diners. Broussard’s is located at 819 Conti in the French Quarter.

JusTini’s has brunch available on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For $25 with the purchase of an entrée, you can choose between a regular bottomless mimosa, sparkling lemondrop, or sangria. This is a smaller venue in a more relaxed setting, but the vibes are great, and multiple customers rave about the playlist. JusTini’s is located at 3162 Dauphine in the Bywater.

Lula Restaurant & Distillery offers brunch from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and starts even earlier on Saints game days, which has a bottomless vodka bar featuring their vodka and a variety of fresh-squeezed juices and mixers for $20. The usual food favorites apply: there’s an omelet, chicken & biscuits, French toast, steak & eggs, avocado toast, and a pork osso buco. Lula is located at 1532 St. Charles Ave.

Flamingo A Go Go is a great place to grab some great photo ops, and they have a variety of different continuous alcohol options, depending on the day. The bottomless brunch there is available seven days a week with bottomless mimosas, but there’s also bottomless margaritas on Monday for $19 with the purchase of an entrée and a bottomless frosé on Friday for $19 with the purchase of an entrée if you’re looking to mix it up, literally. Flamingo A Go Go is located at 869 Magazine in the Warehouse District.

These spots are just the tip of the iceberg—we are far from the bottom of the barrel—so you can always explore the city’s other options. Antoine’s, Boulevard American Bistro, Rex House, Curio Bistro, Couvant, Café Maspero, Toups Meatery, Katie’s, Neyow's XL, Rib Room, Sala Nola, Sofia, and Vampire Cafe all have bottomless brunches, as well. Most of these feature mimosas for between $16 to $28 with purchase of an entrée. Copper Vine is also gorgeous and has one from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., excluding game days because of their proximity to the Dome and Smoothie King Center. There are some other amazing brunches, as well, but they weren’t bottomless, even though they may have had more interesting carafe options. So the next time you have a birthday, gather your best buddies, and bop on over to one of these beautifully brilliant, boozy brunch spots.

Plaquemines Parish

Spring 2026 in Plaquemines Parish LOUISIANA’S DELTA COUNTRY

Spring comes alive in PLAQUEMINES PARISH, where festival season meets world-class fishing and unforgettable coastal experiences. From rich cultural traditions to premier fishing tournaments, there’s something happening all season long in Louisiana’s Delta Country.

Spring 2026 Event Highlights

Croatian Festival • March 27–28 • Croatian House • 220 Croatian Way • Belle Chasse

Plaquemines Parish Seafood Festival • April 24–26 • 225 F. Edward Hebert Blvd • Belle Chasse

Louisiana Gulf Coast Billfish Classic • April 28 - May 2 • Cypress Cove Marina • Venice

The Cajun Canyons Billfish Classic • May 26–31 • Cypress Cove Marina • Venice

Come see why PLAQUEMINES PARISH is Louisiana’s best-kept secret for FISHING, ADVENTURE, AND RELAXATION!

Plan your trip at:

Breakfast? Go for the Coffee, Stay for the

Breakfast Food From Local Coffee Chains

// SHANE FINKELSTEIN

Does coffee count as fast food? Well they’re fast and they serve food, but most wouldn’t consider Starbucks fast food, even if they do have 40,000 locations across the world.

We’re straying from our “Fast Food Fight” to bring you some “Coffee Wars.” However, this war isn’t about coffee. Rather, it’s about the breakfast food served at some of our local mini-chain coffee shops. They all have great coffee, but do any of them have meals worth checking out? Find out which local coffee shops have the best food around.

Congregation Coffee: The first place visited for this article was the new Congregation Coffee location at the former CC’s on the corner of Magazine and Jefferson. The house-made lavender syrup served in their coffee is thoroughly impressive, and the breakfast burrito is pretty darn tasty, too. They come with your choice of chorizo or vegetarian green chili and are stuffed with potatoes, eggs, beans, and cheese with a side of hot sauce. You can get it there or at their flagship location in Algiers Point.

French Truck: That little yellow vintage Citroën truck has greatly expanded since its arrival in 2012, now with 12 locations around the city. Their popular location on the Greenway is particularly nice for a quick coffee. The breakfast menu consists of four toasts and three sandwiches/wraps and plenty of good options to choose from. Their avocado toast on focaccia bread with a light smear of avocado topped with microgreens, pickled onions, and a heavy dose of lime was a little small but priced fairly at $7.95 and definitely worth going back for.

Hey! Café: Visit Hey! Café’s location on St. Louis Street on the Greenway, and you can watch them roasting their beans on site. There, you can purchase a bag of beans, a cappuccino, a pastry from the pastry case, or a Flour Moon bagel if their wait is too long, or it’s on a Wednesday when they’re closed. Or, if you’re in Flour Moon, you can get one of their delicious sandwiches or tartines with a coffee from their next-door neighbor. The rest of the menu at Hey! Café is limited, so the relatively new S. Derbigny Street location was scooped out, where they serve breakfast from local restaurants including tacos from Wakin’ Bakin’, arepas from Waksa NOLA, bagels from Humble Bagel, and fresh baked biscuits made in house. The arepa, which comes with a spread of beans and a little side of roasted tomato sauce, is good, but the sauce needs a little more kick to make it great.

meat was way too bland. If there were onions and peppers on it, they weren’t noticed. The pricing at $6.95 was pretty reasonable, but the classic breakfast on the special’s board, which included two eggs, bacon, grits, and toast, was too expensive at $12.95. Plus, the grits were undercooked. Overall, a less than inspiring meal.

French Press: This local chain has five locations in Metairie, Kenner, and Chalmette with more extensive food options than most of the others on this list. The Airline Highway location never seems to have any guests inside, more so relying on a steady flow of cars at the drivethru. While they have many lunch options, only a few items are on the breakfast menu. The Western omelet sandwich, which comes with eggs, cheddar cheese, sausage, and roasted red peppers, was actually quite enjoyable, mostly for the excellent toasted whole wheat bread. The roasted red peppers, eggs, and gooey cheese complimented the bread nicely. A housemade salsa instead of Pace picante sauce on the side would have been more preferred, but, overall, this sandwich is worth getting again.

Congregation Coffee

Puccino’s: Once you get past the Italian decorations, Puccino’s has a pretty extensive list of breakfast options, ranging from omeletes to wraps to eight different biscuit options. The portion size of the Philly biscuit, filled with peppers, onions, mild cheddar cheese, and Philly beef steak, was nice. The biscuit was soft and buttery, but the

Coffee Science: Their original location on Broad Street is quite popular, but did you know that they also have a full-service location at the cute little Greek deli, Smoke and Honey, near the corner of Bienville and Norman C. Francis Parkway? The original location is where you can get a nice selection of pastries made in house or opt for a small menu of breakfast sandwiches. The burrito, which comes with eggs, potatoes, and cheese, and a side of hot sauce that tastes like Crystal, tasted freshly made, but it was a little bland without the sauce. Adding bacon would have made it better, or maybe the owners can add beans or salsa to the burrito for a better flavor profile.

The Verdict: Some coffee chains don’t even try to do breakfast. Some on this list seem to do it as more of an afterthought rather than to impress, but the search for a breakfast worth a visit on its own provided just one option—French Truck’s delicious, little avocado toast. The best of the rest was the burrito at Congregation Coffee and the sandwich at French Press.

February 5–December 4, 2026

The Moss Mystique: Southern Women and Newcomb Pottery is co-organized by Telfair Museums and the Newcomb Art Museum of Tulane University and curated by Dr. Elyse D. Gerstenecker.

Rotisserie meats, octopus salad, grilled sardines, Croatian beers, desserts & more!

Rotisserie meats, octopus salad, grilled sardines, Croatian beers, desserts & more!

Charbroiled Oysters

Charbroiled Oysters

Live Croatian music & dancing

Live Croatian music & dancing

FREE admission and activities for kids.

FREE admission and activities for kids.

March 27 - 6PM-9PM th

March 27 - 6PM-9PM th

Seafood Night - Free admission

Seafood Night - Free admission

March 28 - 11AM-9PM th

March 28 - 11AM-9PM th

$5 Admission

$5 Admission

220 Croatian Way

Belle Chasse, LA

220 Croatian Way Belle Chasse, LA

Croatian American Society Croatian American Society casnola@gmail.com casnola@gmail.com

Party

FOOD NEWS

year on Freret Street only count as half a location?) in Mandeville recently, launching inside the space formerly known as Chopped, a Cuban market and eatery on LA-22. Northshore residents can now feast on Bub’s signature menu items such as the peanut bubber, rodeo adobo, and the royale with cheese. Don’t sleep on those crispy, hot fries and be sure to feed your four-footed companions one of their puppy patties topped with a crunchy milk bone. 3847 LA-22, Mandeville, (985) 231-7037, bubsnola.com

Jazz on Bourbon . . . Grammy Award-winner Irvin Mayfield and restaurateur Danny Conwill have launched Mayfield’s 208 Bourbon St., a new music venue above Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar

on Bourbon. The space, an extension of Felix’s, hosts musicians such as Kermit Ruffins, Cyril Neville, Gerald French, and the Trumpet Mafia performing for music-lovers of all ages while they enjoy a musician-curated feast. Foodstuffs will include Ruffins’ own recipe for red beans & rice, plus other “chef-driven dishes inspired by the artists themselves” such as Mayfield’s preferred version of gumbo ya-ya and Glenn David Andrews’ favorite 208 Bourbon St., @mayfields208

Makin’ groceries . . . Zahran Bazzar, who developed Big Easy Fresh Markets, has hopped back in the cart with plans for the century-old French Quarter market Matassa’s. According to NOLA.com, Bazzar has purchased the historic business, and the entire building in which it’s housed, with intentions of continuing the tradition but also expanding the market’s offerings. Since Louis Matassa—grandson of the corner grocery store’s founder—sold the building in 2017, the market has remained open but is hanging in limbo. It’ll be interesting to see Bazzar’s plans come to fruition.

1001 Dauphine St., (504) 412-8700, facebook. com/matassasmarket504

Twice as nice . . . CBD mezcal bar and restaurant Espíritu recently launched their second location in Mid-City. Taking over the S. Cortez Street building—a spot that started life as the first Ruby Slipper—Espíritu part deux retains a lot of the decor left behind from the building’s most recent occupant Rosella. Diners can enjoy the tin-tiled, wrap-around bar and coral-painted walls while feasting on Mexican cuisine created by the same Chef Oscar Gonzales, who helms the kitchen on Capdeville Street downtown. Ceviches, tacos, and tortas (Mexican-style sandwiches) available on Espíritu’s CBD menu are also available in Mid-City with the addition of fajitas and enchiladas, and, of course, the incredible mezcal selection curated by co-owner Haley Saucier.

139 S. Cortez St., espiritunola.com

Snackin’ poolside . . . Opened late last year, Sunnies is a funky little shack giving big pool vibes. This bar, restaurant, and cool pool concept is a collaboration from NOLA Capital Partners’ Barret Cooper and Geoff Lewis, as well as developer Zach Kupperman. Clad in bright, bold colors and “retro-chic” attire, Sunnies is more than a 35-foot pool behind a two-story arts and crafts house on Freret Street. It’s a restaurant with ahi crudo, lobster and shrimp rolls, everything bagel-crusted salmon from Chef Mike Oozoonian, and “holy water,” which is French herbal liqueurs and sparkling wine. In less than a month, you’ll be wanting to kick it out by the pool again, and Sunnies is the new “it” place to be. 4917 Freret St., (504) 345-2855, sunniesnola.com

retro pizza and pasta joint fetishized into being by co-founder Nick Hufft of Hufft Marchand Hospitality, the group behind Junior’s on Harrison and Curbside Burgers in Baton Rouge. Super Witch Ice Cream owner Briggs Barrios, who’s been slinging Philadelphia-style pints from a pick-up counter in Harahan since 2023, has jumped into the super date-night mix with a soft serve outpost next to Il Supremo. Pizza and ice cream, anyone? 619 Pink St., @superwitchsoftserve, @ilsupremopizza

Sweet paradise . . . A Texas-based Yemeni coffee house chain has made its way to the Westbank with the opening of Port Coffee Co. Recently launched on Manhattan Boulevard in the Fountain Park Center, this chic, uber-modern Middle-Eastern-style café offers spiced lattes, fruity “refreshers,” and enough gorgeous cakes and pastries to shake a stick at. Think of a heady afternoon spent sipping creamy Biscoff lattes and sharing a plate of matcha cruffins, a slice of chocolate hazelnut cake, or munching your own “finger” of walnut baklava 1901 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey, (504) 264-7752, @portcoffeeco.nola

Mixin’ it up . . . In a confluence of international cuisines and styles, Mediterranean restaurant Kira opened on Tchoupitoulas Street. The space, which formerly housed Mister Oso and Barcadia before that, has been completely transformed into a luxe, uber-modern lounge with dramatic lighting and decor. Magicked into being by Billy Blatty and Chef Consultant Josh Adamo, Kira’s menu is a wild mix of Mediterranean cuisine and a high-end steakhouse with dishes all dabbling in Japanese flavors and presentations. Start with a tuna tartare in a matcha salsa served with sushi rice, followed by a tomahawk steak with harissa and a side of ube with miso butter.

601 Tchoupitoulas St., (504) 335-1740, kiranola.com

As long as there’s cake . . . A new café opened up on Chartres Street, less than two blocks from Jackson Square. Dubbed Antoinette’s, the atmosphere is like descending into a fantastic jewel box with hot pink ladyfinger chairs and marble-topped brass tables. The café serves an array of specialty coffee drinks, teas, and lots of sweet dainties, from handcrafted bon-bons to a hazelnut chocolate dome cake, to nibble while the rebellion rages outside.

834 Chartres St., (504) 532-1999, antoinettesnola. com

40 NIGHTS 40 DAYS&

Things You Should Give Up for Lent— That Have Nothing to Do With Weight Loss

// JULIE MITCHELL

Are all your birthday wishes, New Year’s Resolutions, and/or 80% of passing thoughts all about weight loss? Congratulations, you’ve let the worst people from 2003 win.

What does it feel like letting your self-image be shaped by Howard Stern, possibly a literal demon? Losing weight makes someone else money and you smaller. As Thich Nhat Hanh said, “If you do not accept your mind and body, you cannot be at home with yourself.”

Like white men at Red Dress Run, Lent is a time of introspection and it’s right after Mardi Gras. If you want to give up drinking and that feels meaningful, you have our full support. But what if you gave up the concept of doubt? Or lying? Or exclamation points in emails?

Lent is 40 days of whatever you want it to be. Josh Hartnett taught us that. Sure it started with Jesus in the desert resisting temptation, but are you going to the desert? Do you think there’s a guy in the clouds who impregnated a virgin with a baby and then let that kid be nailed to wood? That feels like something The Fast and the Furious movies would have come up with eventually. Obviously, God doesn't care about your weight, so why do you? Of all the things in the world that matter, that’s what God’s concerned with? He thinks you’d be a better person if you weighed less? He sounds like Howard Stern, tbh.

This year for Lent, we’re doing things (record scratch) a little bit differently.

LYING

It’s hard but really good. As someone who lies a lot (calm down), a lot of the lies slipping out are about making someone else feel better. But when we don’t allow others to manage their own emotions, we’re not treating them as equals.

Worrying what people will think of you if you’re yourself is bad. They might not like you, but then they’re probably someone you shouldn’t hold in high esteem or be that close to. If you find yourself self-editing all the time within personal relationships, be it romantic, friendships, or family, maybe that’s something that would be meaningful to explore for 40 days.

ASSUMING PEOPLE DON’T LIKE YOU

They didn’t even say anything yet. Getting dressed and assuming people will think something looks stupid, assuming people you meet have a low opinion of you when they haven’t done or said anything indicating that, always interpreting vagueness negatively.

When you enter every interaction carrying such bad faith, you’re underestimating the amount of power you have and also how beautiful the world can be. Have you seen that one palm tree at N. Claiborne and Poydras? Of the three ways any situation can go—positive, negative, neutral—two-thirds of those are fine, so to assume bad all the time is unhelpful and illogical. What could change in 40 days if you assumed people liked you?

BOOKS BY MEN

Editor’s

Note: A Lenten observation that the Bible is also a book by men you could closer evaluate.

How many of the last books you read were by men? Unless you’re super intentional, it’s easy to have your art be dominated by men because, well, you can figure it out. Seeking out the thoughts of women is not only beneficial and morally correct, it’s fun. Women are weird and talented.

Some suggestions if you’re looking: Out There by Kate Folk, The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris, Bad Company: Private Equity and the Death of the American Dream by Megan Greenwell, Make Me Famous by Maud Ventura, Honey by Isabel Banta, The Ear, The Eye, and The Arm by Nancy Farmer, I’m Laughing Because I’m Crying by Youngmi Mayer, Yolk by Mary H.K. Choi, Luster by Raven The Sound of Gravel by Ruth Wariner, Little Monsters by Adrienne Brodeur, Down the Drain by Julia Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi, Fat Girls Hiking: An Inclusive Guide to Getting Outdoors at Any Size by Summer Michaud-Skog, Acts of Service by Lillian Fishman, Best Woman by Rose Dommu, and Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh—actually, anything by Ottessa Moshfegh. Good luck.

Also, why don’t you buy local while you’re at it? Blue Cypress on Oak Street will order anything for pick up if they don’t already have it, and they probably do.

ANY BAD OPINIONS ABOUT

ANIMALS

“Alligators are bad.”“Dogs are dumb.”“Cats are stand-offish.”“Snakes are gross.” You sound ignorant. Every animal is cool, and you want to know why? Because they’re alive—same as you. They have adapted to survive, same as you. You think you always had nipples? Grow up. Having bad opinions about animals is letting everyone know you aren’t awed by the miracles of the universe, which is embarrassing. You don’t like spiders? Guess what? They don’t care. They’re too busy making silk inside themselves and then weaving it into intricate patterns to get food for their family. They range from harmless to so poisonous one bite can paralyze a grown man.

For any animal you think you don’t like, why don’t you try to learn as much as you can about it this Lent? Snakes smell with their tongues. Cockroaches can live weeks without their heads. If Joe Rogan could do that, you’d fall over yourself. Cockroaches deserve your respect. There’s alligators in the canals. That’s so cool—but be careful.

INSTAGRAM

It’s hurting you.

Roux

New Orleans Dining in the Dailies

Two of the things we absolutely love about New Orleans are our wonderful restaurants and the many movies that were filmed here.

While we may not get as many productions beating the city’s door down as we once enjoyed, we can always look back delightfully upon the films that have graced our collective doorstep.

While this list won’t be exhaustive, it contains some important, memorable, and nostalgic uses of the dining establishments we love to support. So sit back, order some delectable take-out from one of these amazing culinary institutions, and enjoy learning a little about their history and the special movies that were filmed at those places.

ANTOINE’S

Besides alphabetically kicking off the list, it’s quite fitting that this world-famous restaurant begins this discussion as no fewer than three films have taken part in this historic establishment’s lore. It began in 1840, just one block from the building it has continuously occupied since 1868. Kings, presidents, and motion picture royalty have all dined there, and you can see their famous faces in the décor of the main dining room. Everyone knows about oysters Rockefeller, created in 1889 by Chef Jules Alciatore, son of the restaurant’s founder. While the recipe has often been imitated, this is the place to experience this delicacy as it was meant to be. And to think those abundant mollusks from the Gulf that we obsess over would not have even been considered had there not been a shortage of escargots.

As for the films that wanted to shine in one of the world’s most storied restaurants, director Oliver Stone was ahead of the pack in 1991 when he scripted a scene for JFK inside its hallowed walls with star Kevin Costner and legendary funnyman John Candy, just two offerings of the amazing cast of this film. For those who are unaware of this epic production: The three-plus hours of this political thriller was based on fact and focused on our city’s legendary district attorney Jim Garrison and his attempt to expose a widespread conspiracy involving the assassination of our 35th president.

Next came The Pelican Brief (1993), the first of two John Grisham adaptations to film inside Antoine’s. The plot concerns a law student (played by Julia Roberts) and a journalist (Denzel Washington) who join forces to uncover a dastardly plot that ended the lives of two Supreme Court justices. Roberts and Sam Shepard filmed a critical scene inside the fabled restaurant, which was the turning point of the film.

The very next year brought another Grisham story to the big screen, as well as a return to New Orleans, with The Client. Here, we are introduced to a snooping boy (Brad Renfro) who learns the details of yet another “political murder.” Susan Sarandon plays attorney Reggie Love, who becomes a protector, friend, and confidante for the child who now has an X on his back. Co-starring Tommy Lee Jones, the restaurant scene involves deranged mob hitman Barry “the Blade” Muldano (Anthony LaPaglia) trying to appease his bewildered boss. One thing is for certain, the delicious table fare at Antoine’s had to make that difficult conversation a whole lot easier.

Film

// JEFF BOUDREAUX

CAFÉ DU MONDE

This legendary coffee stand began in 1862 in the French Market, where they perfected the dynamite combination of café au lait and beignets. Here is another establishment where a who’s who of celebrities and dignitaries have visited. Just admit that we are the luckiest people on Earth to enjoy access to this landmark for an unbelievable 364 days a year. It has been a favorite spot for filmmakers for 70 years, with New Orleans Uncensored (1955) being the first to take advantage of its Old World charm. A recent memorable scene takes place in Now You See Me (2013) with the character introduction of Woody Harrelson’s master illusionist/con artist Merritt McKinney.

THE CAMELLIA GRILL

Since 1946, this Uptown diner has delighted residents and visitors with its amazing food. A very early scene of 2004’s A Love Song for Bobby Long was filmed inside the iconic dining room with stars John Travolta and Gabriel Macht. You may also remember Camellia entering the news in the last couple of years when their beloved house cat Queenie was stolen. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, do yourself a favor and see why it’s such a big deal.

TED’S FROSTOP DINER

You know this once-abundant chain by its 14-foot root beer sign, which just as iconically made a statement when it was turned upside down by the battering of Hurricane Katrina. Operating at 3100 Calhoun St. since 1955, you haven’t lived until you’ve enjoyed a Lot-O-Burger, fries, and a root beer for a classic NOLA lunch.

It made its mark in an international film Sergio Sollima’s Violent City (1970), starring

legendary tough guys Charles Bronson and Telly Savalas. The scene inside Frostop with conversing mobsters is no match for what’s going on outside the window, which is the iconic mug sign rotating in all its pre-disaster glory. Of course, this iconic establishment became part of the plot in Hit Man (2023), where Glen Powell’s title character, the bad-ass UNO Professor Gary Johnson, liaisons with a sexy, maybe-murderess (Adria Arjona). Everybody loves them some Frostop, even if it ends up blowing away your alibi.

SPECIAL MENTION: Runaway Jury (2003)

This last selection is a little different as John Grisham makes his third appearance on this list, and three iconic New Orleans restaurants were used in this particular film.

First off, there’s the scene where activist juror Nicholas Easter (John Cusack) finagles a lunch for the entire jury where the judge is dining, inside Café Pontalba. Creole eats and seafood dishes abound at 546 St. Peter St. See for yourself right there on the screen.

A little later in the film, ruthless jury consultant Rankin Fitch (Gene Hackman) meets his briber, Marlee (Rachel Weisz), at the Palace Café, a member of the famous Brennan’s family of restaurants that, sadly, “ain’t dere no more” at 645 Canal St. as of last summer due to a disputed lease. However, the owners hope to reopen it one day and so do we all.

Last but certainly not least, Nicholas, Marlee, and Rankin meet each other for the final time (post-verdict) at the Napoleon House, the 200-year-old landmark restaurant at 500 Chartres St. If you think about it, this film, at the very least, should have won a special award from the Louisiana Restaurant Association for being quite the advertisement.

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Wuthering Heights Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die

This 2026 version of Emily Brontë’s 1847 novel is freely adapted by writer and director Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman and Saltburn). It’s fine if a filmmaker wants to intentionally subvert a classic property instead of doing a straight and faithful retelling, but the changes to this version of Wuthering Heights just don’t work. Despite an excellent production design and fine performances, it ends up being a dour affair.

It’s 18th century England, and Mr. Earnshaw (Martin Clunes) has returned home to Wuthering Heights, a windswept estate on the Yorkshire Moors, with a ragamuffin child in tow. Earnshaw’s young daughter, Catherine, is quickly taken with the orphan boy and names him Heathcliff after her dead brother. Speaking of her brother, the character of Catherine’s cruel brother Hindley is not in this version, so it is her father who is the abusive alcoholic who gives servant boy Heathcliff a hard time.

Elordi, respectively) grow very fond of each other. Because the estate is in disrepair, Catherine decides to marry wealthy new neighbor Edgar Linton (Shazad Latif). A heartbroken Heathcliff runs away but returns several years later well groomed, rich, and out for revenge.

The film crashes and burns when Heathcliff and Catherine both transform into despicable villains. Also, in this telling, Edgar’s sister Isabella (Alison Oliver) is totally into Heathcliff’s evil plan to marry her purely out of revenge against Catherine. We are treated to a scene where Heathcliff has Isabella chained up and barking like a dog. Yes, that happens. As for Catherine and Heathcliff having a sexual affair, it just takes away the tension and longing in their relationship.

Modern songs by Charli XCX that accompany music video style scenes are jarring and unintentionally funny. These scenes come off like a parody of art house filmmaking.

DAs the years pass, Catherine and Heathcliff (played as adults by Margot Robbie and Jacob

The first half of the movie isn’t bad at all, chalking up the changes to the filmmaker having fun with the source material, but then the dreadful second half feels like full on contempt. —David Vicari

irector Gore Verbinski had a solid amount of critical and/or commercial successes from the end of the ‘90s through the early 2010s (the original Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy, The Ring, Rango). The quality of his films can be hit or miss, but he had a refreshing willingness to often move between genres. Mousehunt and Rango are children’s movies, The Ring is horror, The Weather Man is a thoughtful character study, and the Pirates movies and The Lone Ranger are blockbuster extravaganzas. He now returns from a decade’s long absence with the sci-fi/comedy/ action hybrid Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die The movie opens with a man from the future (Sam Rockwell) appearing to patrons in a modern Los Angeles diner and telling them that a certain combination of them will be the right combination to help him prevent AI from taking over the world. The people he ends up choosing include a teacher couple on the rocks (Zasie Beetz and Michael Pena), an angry young woman who plays princesses at birthday parties (Haley Lu

Richardson), a grieving mother (Juno Temple), and a few others. It soon becomes clear that the group will face many lifethreatening obstacles. The film’s structure is almost like a flashback version of Weapons, where viewers see how individual group members got to this point in the film. There are also elements of The Terminator, Edge of Tomorrow, The Matrix, Miracle Mile, and Ghostbusters evident in the story. Despite all those influences, it still feels different. It doesn’t feel like assembly-line “content.”

It’s a thick stew, but there is an undeniable energy and eccentricity to the film that is appealing. Some may find it too much, and it would not be surprising to see it have a lot of love-it-or-hate-it reactions. Even if it fails at the box office, it’s odd and distinctive enough to attract a cult following. Rockwell is an asset. There may not be any other modern actor who can do “likable but also at least a little crazy” as well as he can.

Like a lot of Verbinski’s films, Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die is a little shaggy with its runtime at almost 135 minutes, but it’s an entertaining, original film that deserves a look in theaters. —Fritz Esker

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Magic Begins on the First Page

There is a superpower available to everyone. It does not require wearing a magical cape, maybe a pair of reading glasses for some. There are many portals one can enter to tap into this superpower: a library, a bookstore, and even a friend’s bookshelf.

Reading is the superpower, and books, newspapers, or any format that is composed of the written word contains the magic, the elixir, that feeds this power. This is a power that is also a blessing and a gift. Upon learning to read, a person can soar throughout the world of literature, poetry, history, politics, and humor. Never underestimate the strength of humor to inform and influence.

“The

was hers

Empathy is a superpower of its own. To be able to put yourself in and walk about in another’s shoes, so to speak, allows a person to not only understand someone’s plight but to hopefully try and help them. Empathy and knowledge both can be found within a book. Being able to grasp the reasons and or facts behind a person’s point of view may not make their ideology correct or good but now you can perhaps understand why they feel a certain way and approach their opinions with diplomacy.

Okay, you can easily see where I’m going with this. There’s some serious s**t going on right now, and it’s being carried out by some, let’s say, “seriously flawed” folks. Perhaps if they had read more and relied less on Fox News. Just sayin’. However, we can benefit from empathy, be more informed, listen more, preach less, share ideas rather than arguments, and try to agree to disagree. This can be difficult, even painful, so keep breath mints handy for throwing up in your mouth.

Vicariously experiencing someone’s differences from yours can be enlightening. Those differences might be age, sexuality, nationality, religion/faith, or trauma experienced as in living in a war zone or natural disaster. Reading has opened my mind to the possibilities of redemption. One of my favorite authors, Alice Hoffman, allows her characters to often find redemption and growth as they endure situations or lifestyles that were destructive. I look at someone now that I might have dismissed before as “a hopeless mess” and imagine their future life perhaps taking a different path. Books are not the only magic that opens our eyes: a movie, a play, and a song can also influence and motivate. The arts are vital to our growth and pleasure.

New Orleans is home for the many muses that encourage and inspire writers, artists, and musicians. I’m proud to say that our town has more independent book stores than most U.S. cities per capita, as well as the second highest number of literary landmarks, with New York City being number one.

Also, New Orleans still has a daily newspaper. Yep, a real paper and morning deliveries. Before the sun rises, I can hear the thud of the neatly wrapped Times-Picayune hit my front porch. Sure, you can get your news on your cell phone, but try slinging that device out of a moving car and landing it between the birdfeeder and the door. New Orleans may be more widely known as a party town but make no mistake about our ability to celebrate with books. In March, there are three literary festivals. The New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University is from March 12 to 15. This one is big and admission is free—yes, free. In addition, make a point to attend the Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival from March 25 to 29. This one is highly attended by muses and other spirits of literary inspiration. But wait, there’s more. The Saints & Sinners Literary Festival from March 27 to 29 celebrates and highlights LGBTQ+ literary talents with workshops, panels, discussions, and, of course, a drag brunch hosted by the divine Poppy Tooker.

Year round, you can find events, venues, and places that bestow the superpowers of reading. Book signings feature the “magicians” that weave words and dialogue, allowing an opportunity for them to shine, and this also gives you a fabulous soirée to show support for the magic within a book’s covers. Also, never overlook our New Orleans Public Library. When folks move here, my advice is to register to vote, tune in to WWOZ Radio, and immediately get your very own library card—a passport to knowledge and magic. With a book, you are never alone.

Having co-owned a bookstore, for cookbooks, with Husband for 20 years, my pre-existing love of bookstores deepened and my loyalty to supporting independent bookshops became fierce. After we closed our business, I thought my days working among books was over. Certainly, books were still in my life, but to walk into a bookstore as a customer was like a retired musician taking their seat in the audience. Then, one day, I threw my hat in the ring. I wanted to work with books, and David and Gretchen welcomed me onboard.

Frenchmen Art & Books (aka FAB) is where I can return to assisting folks in finding their superpower. I clock-in and spend hours surrounded by books, art, and customers who appreciate this world of magic. I know if I live a thousand years, I will never be able to read all the books I want, yet, vicariously, I get to enjoy so many more now through the folks that select a book. Please come visit FAB (frenchmanartandbooks.com) and all bookstores, and give a book a forever home. I never met a bookshop I didn’t like. Go get your superpower on.

PO-BOY VIEWS

Dixie Chicken or Tennessee Lamb

I“was always, eh, kinda want to, like, consider myself kind of a pioneer of the palette—a restaurateur if you will. I’ve wined, dined, sipped, and supped in some of the most demonstrably beamer epitomable bistros.” Tom Waits, “Eggs And Sausage (Intro)”

I’ve opened/owned two restaurants in New Orleans, and I’ve been in the restaurant business a long time. I have one word for anyone that has taken a shine to opening a palace of gustatory delights, “Don’t.”

My excursions in the Big Easy restaurant scene taught me how “not easy” it is to make a living in the biz. Some people can. Most people cannot. It’s work, luck, money, work, chutzpah, business acumen, and more work. The aim is the same: give you food and take your money. Having you hand over your hard earned dough willingly and continually is what makes a place a success.

Not to brag, but my forays in the world of restaurant eating is a sauce of another color. I’ve had what’s considered the best croissant in the world with a cup of hot chocolate, thick as tar sludge, in a little pastry shop in Paris with my 19-year-old daughter, who claimed that she had not had all the croissants in the world so she couldn’t agree with that assessment.

I had the most delicious combination of a cheeseburger with a bowl of chili seated at a counter of a small joint in St. Louis, MO. You know, where they give you those little packets of saltine crackers that you crush up for your chili topping. It’s the kind of chili that is the perfect balance of tomatoes, onions, vinegar, and chili powder. Yum.

The soba soup at Mifune in San Francisco’s Japantown is not to be missed. It’s a broth redolent with dashi and noodles cooked to perfection. You eat with chopsticks, slurping loudly with noodles and broth streaming from your mouth as you suck in as much as you can. The booths are a tight fit, and you have to pass other sushi spots to go there on purpose.

Speaking of sushi, I was part of a foursome in the early ‘90s at Nobu Matsuhisa’s first restaurant in Beverly Hills where the person that brought me there told the master to send out whatever he wanted to and not to stop until we told him to. Three hours later, the bill came to $1,500 and not a penny was wasted. I still remember the beautiful quivering sea scallop in its own shell with a fragile broth covered with a sheet of edible gold and topped with caviar.

I’ve never had a better slice of pizza than the one(s) I had walking to the beach in Far Rockaway, Queens, from a guy who sold out of an open front

window that he made right in front of everybody who passed. You had two choices: one with pepperoni or one without. You would be served (upon payment) a slice, fresh from the oven, on a piece of waxed paper that you would then fold in half and try to get to your mouth before the tip drooped onto your tee shirt.

In Ensenada, Mexico, at a stand in a line of stands that sold the same thing—fish tacos. I was served, by a “woman most gypsy-like,” the perfect fresh dorado taco that was so good that I spent the afternoon drinking Pacifico beer and eating one after another until I thought that I could duplicate them. No, I never could.

When the Dungeness crabs run up, or down, the coast of California and you sit at a deuce and order them with garlic bread and cheap red wine and get butter all down your chin, wrists, forearms, shirtfront? Erotic.

My first Cobb salad at the Ivy in Santa Monica, CA, blew my mind to find that array of wonderful tastes laid before me like a gustatory harem.

Lemme tell you: I’ve had menudo on Christmas Eve in Puerto Vallarta; eggplant at Daino in San Piero Patti, Sicily; barbecue at the Rendezvous in Memphis, TN; lobster ceviche and pollo al carbon in the Yucatan; beans, tomatoes, and eggs for breakfast in London; and bratwurst and pomme frites in Hamburg, Germany; œufs à la neige in Angers, France; and much more.

Now let’s talk about New Orleans. I’ve had red beans & rice at Buster Holmes for less than a dollar. I’ve eaten yaka-mein at a dozen different places. I’ve spent a week’s wages at a fancy restaurant and can’t remember what I ate, and I’ve had the boiled turkey necks and pig’s feet at John & Mary’s that I still dream about. I’ve tried every vegan eatery in the city, and I’ve leaned against my car in a Dollar General lot and consumed a can of Vienna sausages.

I’ll eat anywhere that Susan Spicer is involved with. I had Christmas dinner at the Golden Wall Chinese take-out. I’ve had phở at Eat Well and bánh mì at Dong Phuong. I love the ribeye (Pittsburg style) at Crescent City and the gumbo at Dooky Chase’s. I’ve had 10 cent oysters at some hole in the wall saloon, sipped $500 champagne at Muriel’s, loved the hot dog and soft drink with free refills at Costco, and visited Betsy’s for brekkie. The food line at Ideal Market? Salivatious. I’m still eating tres leches wherever I find it. The borek at Fatma’s Cozy Corner is a must. I’ve stood in line for free lunch with homeless people. I tried to pay, but they wouldn’t accept. Ian McNulty’s recommendation for fried chicken at a gas station turned out to be gospel, as is the shrimp poboy at the Orange House. Oh! yeah, this is the Where Y’at Spring Restaurant Guide Issue.

Spring Gardening at the Library

Easy To Grow Veggies

With Pelican Gardens

Which vegetables are easy to grow in your garden? Learn about growing vegetables in our climate and take home some seeds and starters to plant.

Saturday, March 21, 1pm–2pm

Alvar Library 913 Alvar St.

Macrame Plant Hangers

Learn to create a macrame hanger for a potted plant.

Monday, March 23, 5pm–6:30pm

Hubbell Library 725 Pelican Ave.