A Culinary Revival in New Orleans
Something is happening in New Orleans’s culinary evolution. Something big. Bigger than even before the hurricane.
Katrina flood waters destroyed much of the culinary pedigree in New Orleans for several years. In the past year though, the oldies have been returning: Gautreau’s, Camellia Grill, Emeril’s Delmonico, Willie Mae’s Scotch House, Eleven 79, and several others. Not only has there been a historic resurgence of New Orleans dining, a new scene is emerging defined by the openings of dessert boutiques like Sucré on Magazine Street, three new Brazilian restaurants, a Colombian bistro and Tapas bar, and John Besh’s city wide expansion.
I hadn’t visited the city since the hurricane. I kept being told to stay away and for some reason I listened. Then I kept seeing airline tickets popping up for ridiculously cheap prices, as well as cheap car rentals, and four star hotels going for half price. I gave in.