Brenda Maitland

Chef’s Profile: Nathan Richard

November 13, 2016

Tasting and tippling at Kingfish Kitchen and Cocktails has become part of the French Quarter’s most enticing experiences. The establishment’s thematic decor and memorabilia featuring the “Kingfish,” Huey P. Long, Louisiana’s early 20th century populist governor and U.S. Senator, just adds to the ambiance.

But the real treat at Kingfish is on the plate and in the glass. A marvelous bar program with excellent wines, craft cocktails, and outstanding beers answers customers’ thirst requirements as well as their food pairing needs. Cracklins with beer? Heck, yeah!

Curtain Calls!

by Brenda Maitland

October 31, 2016

It’s Holiday Season in the Big Easy and that can only mean: 1.) the decorative lighting and seasonal spirits will be brighter, 2.) the holiday music and local traditional jazz will eventually blend into the Carnival craziness, 3.) residents and visitors alike may have some difficulty deciding on activities among the myriad of choices during this unique cavalcade of events.

Holiday Dining, New Orleans Style

by Brenda Maitland

October 31, 2016

Just about every city in America observes the holiday season with celebrations and activities, some with parades, festivals, group caroling, exterior home decorations, faith-based gatherings and other events… all in the holiday spirit.

In New Orleans, these same traditions are practiced; however, just about every holiday event is eventually focused on fine food and wine or other libations.

A Spirited Season

by Brenda Maitland

October 31, 2016

It’s Holidaze in New Orleans!

From now until the end of February, New Orleanians and visitors alike will be besieged by Thanksgiving turkeys, Christmas gift shopping accompanied by seemingly unending loud speaker blasts of Christmas novelty tunes - think “The Chipmunk Song” and “All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth” - along with Christmas carols, gift shopping, rushing, horrific traffic stalls, New Year’s fireworks, football, Bowl games, Carnival and the Mardi Gras madness, etc…

Top Tix!

by Brenda Maitland

August 01, 2016

New Orleans’ multi-faceted culture is celebrated and world-renowned, yet the city’s live stage arts and other festivities certainly merit more recognition as well.

Besides festivals and spur-of-the-moment street parades and other celebrations – likely to pop-up right before your eyes – the city’s theatre and live performance community is vibrant and very much a part of everything New Orleans.

For example, there’s the long-standing tradition of strolling the Arts District in your best dress-whites the first Saturday in August on White Linen Night.

Food News is Good News!

by Brenda Maitland

August 01, 2016

New and revitalized restaurants are part of the expectations and fun in New Orleans dining. It seems like different places are opening all the time and others are closing for renovation or refurbishing. That’s a good thing, since New Orleanians have always been tagged as people who “live to eat.”

In fact, many significant personal and business agreements have been forged while dining out. A little wine can help as well!

Chef’s Profile: Chef Nicholas Scalco, Irene’s Cuisine

by Brenda Maitland

August 01, 2016

Upon appearance, Nicholas Scalco may appear more like a top-notch athlete than an acclaimed chef, but then, both profiles are correct.

An experienced, well-trained, across-the-globe Ironman triathlon participant, Scalco is also the chef de cuisine at Irene’s Cuisine, the beloved restaurant founded by his mother, Chef-Owner Irene DePietro, nearly 25 years ago.

Hippest Happy Hours

by Brenda Maitland

August 01, 2016

Some U.S. cities would just love to be referred to as “hip.” So, what is “hip?” with characterizations like off-beat, unconventional, retro, and even trendy… New Orleans has apparently always had that descriptive terminology applied to it, so visitors and residents here are used to the expression. When one thinks of “hip,” the reference could apply to just about anything sensory: music, art, fashion, décor, bars, eateries, people, neighborhoods and experiences.

So Many Entertaining Evenings!

by Brenda Maitland

May 10, 2016

Get out those fashionable white linens, espadrilles, sandals and seersucker suits, and other stylish, summer-ish threads as New Orleans’ semi-tropical climate is upon us. As we spring into summer, New Orleans’ year ‘round seasonal festivals and cultural events are soaring.

Now is a particularly excellent time for festivals, outdoor extravaganzas devoted to all matters New Orleans - music, culture, cuisine and celebration.

Dining al Fresco!

by Brenda Maitland

May 10, 2016

Since we spend so much effort, time and money into putting a roof over our head, it’s pretty amazing how much we humans enjoy being outside, especially dining, with only the stars between us and infinity!

Who does not love the openness, the fresh air, the smells of the night, the soft wind, and the subdued lighting usually coming from candles slightly flickering. These are the moments of which lifetime memories are made.

Savor the Cocktails… Revel in the Music

by Brenda Maitland

May 10, 2016

One of the real joys of spending time in the French Quarter is transitioning from having a good day -- and most days here are very good -- into the anticipation and then the realization of a very good evening in one of the world’s most desired destinations.

At some point, maybe during the course of the unfolding day, taking a break could be just the ticket.