New Orleans Magazine December 2022

Editor’s Note

It’s our favorite time of year at New Orleans Magazine, when we highlight some of our favorite restaurants, great dishes, menus and dining memories of the year. This year’s task was to limit our selections to the top 25 things to try right now, a nearly impossible task. The options are almost endless, of course, […]

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25 Must-Try Dishes in New Orleans

1000 Figs Falafel Platter Available for both lunch and dinner, the falafel platter at 1000 Figs features falafel, hummus, kale and cabbage salad, tahini, zhoug, toum and fresh bread. “We can’t believe we’ve been serving falafel for eight years on Ponce de Leon,” said Theresa Galli, owner of 1000 Figs. “Absolutely everything on the falafel […]

Julie LaCour

The holidays are a time for lots of sparkle, magical moments and community celebration. Not many places celebrate the holidays quite like New Orleans City Park and its annual “Celebration in the Oaks,” a New Orleans favorite for decades. Each year, generations come together and make touring the ornate light displays part of family and […]

History

Christmas 2004

From the beginning we knew that Christmas dinner 2004 was going to be more sentimental than joyous. For the last several years Mom had insisted on preparing a dinner in memory of Dad for whom Christmas was his favorite time of the year. To him, who was raised during the Depression, Christmas was not […]

Cocktails

Naughty and Nice

There’s many ways to mark the start of the holiday season, but for some New Orleanians, it begins when Cochon Butcher puts its eggnog on sale. General manager Zack Shelton recounts how they began offering it during COVID to much acclaim, and it is now one of their most popular to-go offerings. Each 50-gallon batch […]

1922

As seen in this photograph by the renowned New Orleans photographer Arthur P. Bedou, Sisters of the Holy Family gather in a classroom for the religious order’s annual portrait. At one time, the streets, buses, streetcars and parochial schools of New Orleans were aflutter with various orders of nuns, but the Sisters of the Holy […]

Holiday Feast

The Fest of the Seven Fishes, part of the Italian American holiday celebration, is typically consumed on Christmas Eve, which is a vigil or fasting day. The abundance of seafood in the meal reflects the observance from meat until the feast of Christmas Day itself. Eating seven courses of delicious seafood seems not much of […]

Good Neighbors

You got to be careful what your kids read these days. You also got to be careful what your mother-in-law reads. Awhile back, me and Ms. Larda went to a coffee shop. They got one of them take-one-leave-one bookshelves there, and while I am waiting for the coffee, she slips a Danielle Steele paperback out […]

Deck the Halls

The logging town of Helen in the north Georgia mountains saw its industry die after World War II and folks began moving away. A few enterprising businessmen came up with an idea to entice visitors traveling the highways to and from Florida to pause and enjoy their town. They turned their ordinary-looking village into an […]

Urban Oasis

Ole’ Orleans Wines, a minority- and woman-owned business, opened a new tasting room last month that spans more than 5,000 square feet. Ole’ Orleans produces handcrafted wines in the city’s only full-production winery. Try the 2019 Do You Love Me? Pinot Grigio, the Parishes Sauvignon Blanc or the Gumbeaux Merlot (among others). Wine-tasting tours—and monthly […]

Morgus and Toulouse

Hi Julia, I should have thought of this before Halloween. Well better late than never. Could you run a photo of Sid Noel NOT as Morgus the Magnificent but what he really looked like as himself, not Morgus. Secondly, could you give us the names and some information on the actors who played Chopsley and voiced […]

Good Cheer

Once Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday) wraps up and the last turkey sandwich and bowl of gumbo and slice of pie are all eaten, I’m forced to confront the fact that, ready or not, Christmas is here yet again. Except as a very young child, Christmas has never been a particularly joyous time of year for […]

Handcrafted Tidings

Mimi Holaday’s whimsical handcrafted hats are each made to order, keeping the interest and soul of the client in mind. Personalized to the finest detail, these tailored beauties will delight even the most discerning fashionista on your list. Available by custom order through Halo Mimi, halomimi.com. For your festival loving friends (or anyone who appreciates […]

Holiday Happenings

Palm & Pine is offering a number of new guest experiences for the holidays. First up, the restaurant is offering a three-course lunch extravaganza on Dec. 16 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.. Enjoy a prix-fixe lunch along with holiday cocktails from Kimberly Patton-Bragg. Palm & Pine also is hosting its third annual Tamale Fest Dec. 21-23 […]

Balancing Act

The more than 14 million workers in the restaurant industry – 10 percent of the American workforce – are the most at risk for illicit drug and substance use disorders and the third most at risk for heavy alcohol use, muscled out of that top spot by mining and construction respectively. These numbers, from the […]

News + Notes

Caroling in Jackson Square One of the city’s most magical, free holiday events returns with carolers gathering in Jackson Square at 7 p.m., Sun., Dec. 18. PatioPlanters.net “Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet” The classic Christmas ballet featuring the Sugar Plum Fairy returns to the Saenger on December 27. SaengerNOLA.com Bill Burr On December 15, comedian Bill […]

Caroline Robert

For many people, guests are part of the holiday season. Whether they are staying for a single night, known these days as a “dine and sleep”, or an extended visit, making your guests feel welcome and comfortable is key to being a good host or hostess. For ideas that will make the most of […]