A Chronicler of New Orleans Life and Style Shares His Favorite Places to Eat
Photo by Gus Bennett Jr.
One thing that came roaring back after Hurricane Katrina was the New Orleans food scene. Today, it’s as varied and vibrant as ever, with old timers reclaiming their heritage and young chefs putting unique twists on the city’s classic cuisine.
On one side, you’ve got such examples as the beautifully renovated and iconic Brennan’s, helmed by Chef Slade Rushing and run by a branch of the family that originally opened the French Quarter restaurant, and Linda Green, known as the Ya-Ka-Mein Lady, who serves the humble bowl of noodles, broth, and beef out of a truck at local events. Then there’s Chef Donald Link’s growing empire, with his take on Cajun food at Cochon, Pêche, and Herbsaint, and the team behind Killer Poboys, who are taking New Orleans’ signature sandwich and updating it for modern taste buds. And, of course, there’s Emeril Lagasse, who for many represents New Orleans. His signature restaurant in the Warehouse District is celebrating its 25th year.
Photo: Courtesy of Peche
We were curious where the locals eat, so we asked L. Kasimu Harris, the writer and photographer whose solo show, “The 10-Year Journey: Reflections of Family, Identity and New Orleans,” is currently on display at the George & Leah McKenna Museum in the city through Oct. 10. For him, the food scene isn’t simply something to celebrate and enjoy. Because of what New Orleans means to him and his interest in all things culinary, it’s something more emotional: “a barometer of progress or regression,” as he wrote in an essay for Yahoo Food. “In this city, we need the neighborhood joints and the white tablecloth establishments; we need barrooms and churches; we need true neighborhood schools with veteran educators, just as we need fresh faces and ideas. All of those things have a direct impact on the food and are paramount,” he noted.
PHOTOS: A Taste of New Orelans
If a trip to New Orleans is on your bucket list, make sure to hit these 14 places and tell them L. Kasimu sent you.
L. KASIMU HARRIS’S LIST:
Katie’s Restaurant & Bar, a Mid-City eatery that does a lot of things well. I usually get a seafood platter with a soft shell crab and split it with my girlfriend and three-year-old son.
Pelican Bay is a neighborhood sports bar with good food and drinks. My favorite there is the fried catfish with mac and cheese.
Coco Hut is a quaint Caribbean eatery that always has fresh items on the menu. The jerk chicken is a go-to, as are any of their daily fish specials.
Cane & Table is a tiki bar with food that transports me to a relaxing place. I have a hard time not getting the Tanglewood Farms half chicken with vindaloo sauce.
Photo: Courtesy of Cane and Table
Vincent’s Italian Cuisine I love because of the uptown atmosphere, the service, and the food. My favorite dish here is the mirliton with seafood stuffing topped with a Parmesan cheese and a lemon cream sauce. And I love the blackened redfish covered with lump crabmeat and cream sauce.
MORE: Coming to Terms with the Ever-Evolving Flavor of New Orleans
The Company Burger. Before the storm, I primarily got hamburgers from three different places. Post Katrina, The Company Burger. The place remains my favorite. Lately, I’ve been on a lamb burger kick. Theirs has feta, basil mayonnaise, red onions, and a chili-mint glaze.
Photo: Instagram/CompanyBurger
Neyow’s Café is known for creole staples and my go-to there are the char grilled oysters.
Wherever James Cullen cooks, I eat. He’s the executive chef at Press Street Station. I’m hoping to see his cast iron fried chicken on the menu soon.
Dreamy Weenies. It seems like I eat here before or after I accomplish something big. Their food is kosher and really good.
Banana Blossom Thai Café. I stumbled on this place and I keep going back. I love the yellow coconut curry with steamed egg noodles, picked mustard, red onions, fried garlic, and cilantro and topped with crunchy noodles.
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