October is maybe my favorite month of the year. The leaves are falling. It’s a great time to (hopefully) break out some cozier clothes. Halloween is right around the corner, and all of the best fall food favorites are back in season, from gumbo (in all its incarnations) and the return of the best and briniest oysters to apple cider and pumpkin pie (and yes, all that trick or treat candy.)
In New Orleans, fall also means prime tailgating. Whether it’s for a Friday night lights/high school challenge, Saturday college game day or Saints Sunday afternoons, New Orleanians bring it on when it comes to game day eats and drinks, with ALL of the fixings. From barbecue to wings, fried chicken and fully loaded sandwiches, the feasts are certainly a feat. In this issue, we’ve gathered some of our favorite places to pre-game, pre-order or prepare for the big game. Plus, there’s some lagniappe cookbook and recipe ideas as well.
October also has us looking ahead to those long winter days, the perfect time to plan ahead for your cozy getaways. We have some great destinations both close to home and afar that will appeal to adventurers as well as those that just want to sit by the fire and watch a winter wonderland.
But if you can’t get away, there’s still plenty to do right here at home. Fall festivals celebrate New Orleans food (where else has a festival celebrating the art of fried chicken or the ubiquitous po-boy), music and culture. Get your calendars ready for a full slate of fun all the way through the end of the year, just in time for the holidays and Carnival season.
October truly is a month full of treats, and, hopefully, few tricks. We hope your fall is in full swing, your festival dance card is ready, and your favorite team is on a winning streak.
Ashley McLellan, Editor