winter 2016

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!

Holiday Shopping

by French Quarterly

October 31, 2016

It is no surprise that New Orleans is consistently ranked as one of the “Best Cities for Shopping” and during the holidays it is a real treat to be in the French Quarter where our thriving artists' community creates truly unique gifts. Window-shop and step inside as you stroll along the Vieux Carre’s scenic and historic streets while admiring the festive holiday décor and magnificent 18th century architecture.

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.

Festive Holiday Happenings In and Around the Vieux Carre

by Kim Welsh

October 31, 2016

In New Orleans, holiday traditions are as thick as roux as we roll out the red (and green) carpet for visitors and locals alike. Exquisite sights, wonderful Creole food, long-treasured Creole traditions spiced with 21st-century fun, and jazz concerts abound. When Louis Armstrong put his gravelly vocals to smooth brass on the swinging 1955 recording of "Christmas in New Orleans," his voice was like New Orleans itself... a unique blend of rough edges and refinement. Our well-worn and mightily loved Crescent City is decked out in lights, bows, and sparkle, ready for the season's pageantry.

That Time it Snowed - in New Orleans!

by Robert Ticknor, reference assistant, The Historic New Orleans Collection

October 31, 2016

New Orleans weather has a few predictable patterns. The summers are sizzling, with temperatures soaring above 90 degrees for weeks at a time and often pushing triple digits. At any time of year afternoon thunderstorms can suddenly arise and, after raining just enough to make everything damp and steamy, disappear just as quickly. Then there’s the ever-worrisome hurricane season, which stretches from the start of June through the end of November. One meteorological event most people don’t identify with this city is snowfall.

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…

Browsing Outside the Square

by Thierry Dumont

October 31, 2016

These days, New Orleans is bursting at the seams — just as it was 200 years ago.

Eleven years after the physical devastation and population decline in the aftermath of 2005’s Hurricane Katrina, the city is filled with Millennials, opening new businesses, frequenting hundreds of new cafes and bars, and devouring art in galleries in both the Vieux Carre and surrounding neighborhoods.