Dining

Chef's Profile: Steven Young, Royal House

February 03, 2016

Chef Steven Young is a natural-born chef. A native of New Orleans’ West Bank of the Mississippi River, he grew up in a family of 9 children.

“My mother and grandmother were excellent cooks,” he said. “I was about 7 when I began hanging out in the kitchen watching and sampling, with all those wonderful aromas of gumbo, red beans, soul food and other local traditional New Orleans cooking,” Young recalled.

Seasonal Holiday Dining

by Brenda Maitland

November 02, 2015

It’s been said – in multiple settings by many a New Orleanian -- that south Louisiana has four seasons: crayfish, shrimp, crabs and oysters. Or, another take on the seasonal changes, the four seasons can be described as Ponchatoula strawberries, Creole Tomatoes, Ruston peaches and Oak Grove sweet potatoes, or substitute watermelon, oranges, sugar cane, rice or a myriad of other bounteous ingredients from the state’s farms, fields and water bodies.

Chef's Spotlight - Executive Chef Paul Miller, K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen

by Brenda Maitland

November 02, 2015

The sudden loss of world -renowned chef, author and entrepreneur, Paul Prudhomme, in October was a devastating blow to his family, the state of Louisiana, the culinary community and to the millions of people who knew and loved him. Yet, there’s still two Chef Pauls in K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen -- Executive Chef Paul Miller and the spirited presence of his mentor, kitchen collaborator and close friend.

As head chef for K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen, the celebrated restaurant Prudhomme and his late wife, K, founded in 1979, Miller keeps the establishment cookin’ in more ways than one.

Tribute to an Icon - Chef Paul Prudhomme

by Donna Horowitz

November 02, 2015

Photo by Michael Palumbo

Louisiana’s unofficial, yet much heralded epicurean ambassador who rocked the culinary world, Chef Paul Prudhomme, passed away just weeks ago.

From his humble beginnings, the 13th child of sharecropper parents in rural Opelousas, Louisiana, Prudhomme rose to the top of his game in the gastronomic sphere leaving an indelible legacy for would-be chefs, restaurateurs and food lovers everywhere.

Chef Profile: Tariq Hanna, Salon by Sucre

by Brenda Maitland

August 04, 2015

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.

Fresh, French Quarter Dining!

by Brenda Maitland

August 04, 2015

Every old place is new again!

The French Quarter, made up of aged historic buildings displaying the Old World architecture from different cultures, often morph into new dining, entertainment and other venues. The exterior and even interior may be familiar, but the attraction is something new. Following are four new restaurants in historic places, each presenting new adventures in dining.

Time Out for Brunch!

by Brenda Maitland

May 04, 2015

Dining out in New Orleans is always a treat for locals and visitors alike. A late breakfast or hearty brunch is a popular way to get the day started, whether followed by work, meetings, shopping, mild exercise or whatever. Or a long brunch, accompanied by cocktails, is also in the cards for enjoying a special event, such as "Sunday," meeting new friends, or just being in New Orleans.

If brunch is on your schedule, or even if it's not, here are some very fine places among our favorite French Quarter eateries to find a welcome repast.

Chef Spotlight: Neal Swidler

by Brenda Maitland

May 04, 2015

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.

Chef Spotlight: Executive Chef Corey Jacobs

by Brenda Maitland

February 05, 2015

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.

Casual Dining, at Its Best!

by Brenda Maitland

February 05, 2015

In a city where revelers engage in non-stop partying and celebrations, where one event seems to just roll event into another, guests and locals alike need to be prepared for the onslaught of wall-to-wall activities with the French Quarter acting as party-central.

After all, who wants to miss a parade, an incredible club performance, Happy Hour at a favorite watering hole, the pop-up band on the next street corner that sounds sooo good, and so many more spontaneous attractions!

Lodgings... with Libations

by Brenda Maitland

October 27, 2014

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.