Dining

From a chef’s savory, culinary beginnings to a hugely successful, “sweets” streak along with a return to savory cuisine, Salon by Sucre’s virtuoso Chef Tariq Hanna displays his brilliance and resourcefulness at every turn.

Born in Nigeria and educated in England, Hariq came to the U.S. to pursue studies on track for an architectural career. However, fate had other plans. Instead, Hariq found himself in culinary school. For the next 20 years he enjoyed a thriving career in the culinary arts in Detroit before moving to New Orleans.

Broussard's, one of the French Quarter's premiere French and Creole restaurants, is nearing its first centennial anniversary. With the establishment's spectacular physical renovation in 2013, Broussard's continues to offer decadent dining in sophisticated settings amid an alluring ambiance.

In command of the kitchen, Executive Chef Neal Swidler creates memorable culinary experiences for guests with the freshest, finest ingredients available and the knowledge and background acquired over a 20-year career at the executive level in some of the most acclaimed kitchens in the area.

Corey Jacobs was born to cook! It may have taken the New Orleans native awhile to fully understand the power of his kitchen-calling, but once he knew, he went with it!

Now the executive chef at Desire Oyster Bar in the Royal Sonesta New Orleans, Jacobs initially got into the restaurant biz because he needed extra money for the upcoming birth of his first child. He took a second job at night as a dishwasher in a restaurant and was fascinated by the goings-on around him.

New Orleans has been named one of the best bar cities in the U.S., and why not?! Just in the past few months (October 2, 2014) the Washington Post's cocktail columnist, M. Carrie Allan, described New Orleans as "one of the finest cities in America to drink in."

In addition to the city's "top dining destination" declaration by numerous internationally circulated publications, the Big Easy is on the radar of country-hopping travel writers who are always looking for the best experiences to share with readers.

Chef Nathan "Nick" Gile is likely the only chef in New Orleans to begin his culinary career in Portland, Maine, and at age 14. So on two counts this guy knew very early what he was put on this earth to do.