Before we get too deep into 2026, I wanted to share some details about a few choice food extravaganzas I enjoyed last year. Overall, last year was one hell of a shit show, from the terrorist attack on Bourbon Street to the re-election of democracy’s most orange of enemies — need I go on?
In spite of soaring food prices, or perhaps because of them, experiencing an excellent meal at a local restaurant has become that much more important, something worth savoring long after it’s over. Without further ado . . .
The Chloe
John and I were all too happy around this time last year when the folks at LeBlanc + Smith invited us to dinner (on them) at The Chloe, a gorgeous mansion-turned boutique hotel on St. Charles Avenue. Although I did share photos of our feast on my socials, I regret not going all out to blog about our experience … probably as much as you should regret missing out on the cream cheese and Pickapeppa sauce served with fried saltines. Everything was fantastic from the Crab Ravigote Salad with tangy apples and crisp radish to the Mushroom Risotto with earthy maitake mushrooms, buttery cashews and crispy fried garlic … and let us not forget the Mathilda-like slab of chocolate cake. The menu has changed since our memorable visit, but I’m 99.8% positive the potato crusted oysters and grilled pork chop with buttery chow chow currently available are equally fantastic.
Porgy’s Seafood Market
Considering I adore absolutely anything from the culinary creatives behind Marjie’s Grill and Seafood Sally’s, it took me an awfully long time to get my butt into a bench at Porgy’s. Thankfully, my good friend Adrien was in town offering the ideal luncheon excuse. We both love dining around town and neither of us had yet ventured to the Mid-City restaurant/market launched in late 2023 by a team of local restaurant veterans, including Dana Honn and Caitlin Carney. Adrien and I shared an adorable fish-shaped plate of “Sicilian Sashimi” — a trio of raw tuna, curated by the catch of the day, dressed with olive oil, lemon, capers and red onions, and for my entree I gobbled what had to have been one of the finest blackened catfish po-boys I’d ever set my lips upon. Naturally, we topped off lunch with coffee and pastries at Angelo Brocato just a few doors down. Do you blame us?
MoPho Mid-City
Restaurants come and go every year, but I have to say I was pretty crushed when two of my favorites launched by Chef Michael Gulotta called it quits. Though I wasn’t able to make it out to Maypop before it shuttered, I did land a farewell lunch with friends at MoPho Mid-City. We stuffed ourselves silly with braised tofu bao, spicy green beans in a sriracha sauce and (my favorite) kimchi fried rice with slow-smoked brisket topped with an over-easy egg. While we can still enjoy a truncated version of MoPho at the MSY Airport, I will forever miss the Mid-City location that remained in business for a little over a decade.
Lunch Sandwich Shop
Baker Lisa Greenleaf and her son Chef Jack are whipping up some of the most unforgettable sandwiches and slinging them out of a tiny shop on the corner of Broadway & Zimple streets. They started vending at the St. Roch Market and made the brilliant move to a space near the universities, though I’d rather their shop was closer to my house. On my first visit, John scored “The Roma” with prosciutto, fresh mozzarella and roasted red peppers, but I couldn’t resist “The Positano.” Not only is it named after a stunning, sea-side Italian town, it’s made with pistachio mortadella — which is my all time favorite deli meat — creamy fresh burrata, pistachio cream and a sweet fig spread. All of the sandwiches are served on house made schiacciata bread, focaccia’s thinner, crispier cousin.
Kim’s Vietnamese & Chinese Kitchen
While I have disparaged food options on the Westbank in the past, as more places open up and I venture further out, I am discovering more reasons for everyone to “cross the damn bridge,” one of which is Kim’s Vietnamese & Chinese Kitchen in Harvey. Formerly operating out of the Westside Lanes Bowling Alley, Kim’s recently reopened late last summer in their old space on the Westbank Expressway. The dining room kind of looks like a Bingo hall with a mish-mash of school cafeteria/office breakroom furniture, but don’t let that fool you! The food is freaking incredible and cooked to order, dishes like their crispy bánh xèo – a type of omelet filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts and served with house made fish sauce; mango salad made with boiled shrimp, and julienned green mangos, carrot, cucumber; and Cá Kho Tộ, an incredibly moreish caramelized Louisiana catfish cooked in a clay pot.
Mahony’s Po-Boys
There’s always some hesitancy when new owners take over a beloved eatery, but in the case of Mahony’s Po-Boys, I just wasn’t worried. In October 2024, LeBlanc + Smith took over and I had no concerns about their ability to maintain quality, consistency and a concerted effort to keep some of Mahony’s classics like the signature pot roast beef po-boy or the coronary-clogging “Peacemaker” with fried shrimp, oysters, bacon and cheddar cheese. But Chef Josh Williams exceeded my expectations after the first bite of the crispy fried Zapp’s-crusted catfish po-boy slathered in a tangy, herbal dill-tarragon tartar sauce. Maybe I need to start putting tartar sauce on all of my fried catfish po-boys? Is that sacrilege? Do I care?
Acamaya
Since I recently blathered about how much I love this place, I’ll keep it short — Chochoyotes.
Saint Claire
Aside from old-school restaurants like Mosca’s in Westwego or The Red Maple in Gretna, there wasn’t any fine dining options on the Westbank, hence my disparagement. Keep in mind, I am in not saying the dining scene is better across the river solely due to the lack of fine dining restaurants, but it is a factor. Instead of turning even more Westbankers against me, I will say that Saint Claire is (hopefully) a sign of better things to come on this side of the Mississippi.
Restaurateur and contractor Cassi Dymond partnered with Chef Melissa M. Martin of Uptown’s Mosquito Supper Club to launch Saint Claire in June of last year. Part of a complex in Algiers that served as an internment camp during WWII, Saint Claire is akin to dining at your grandma’s house — you know, the reserved, immaculate one who has her knick-knacks just so and ensures surfaces are gleefully dust free. Tables are surrounded by quaint settees and cushioned, dining room chairs, and there’s no rush, no fuss, just homey surroundings and incredible food. Whether it was because I was spending quality time with an old friend or because we were able to linger over brunch for nearly four hours without being harangued or rushed out the door — sampling everything from buttermilk biscuits with blueberry jam to a fresh and flavorful smoked tuna Salade Niçoise — I loved every minute of it. They recently began offering full-fledged picnics (blanket and all) on their oak-shaded grounds, and I’ll be sure to book one when the weather warms a bit.
Patula
I’m not sure what I expected when I visited Patula. An overpriced side piece to luxury eyewear shop Krewe? Perhaps tiny, tapas-style bites with expensive wine? Hoo-boy was I wrong. From the first to last, every dish was plentiful, featured quality ingredients, and enticing flavors all at prices far too reasonable especially considering its a restaurant located in a lush French Quarter courtyard. Chef Rob Tabone and k(K)rewe are collectively kicking ass as people (including my publisher) cannot get enough — an enormous Caesar salad heavy with white Spanish anchovies, Shiitake mushroom toast with Piave Vecchio, poached LA shrimp in a peanut chili crunch with satsuma and watermelon radish, or Parisian ham sandwich with celery root remoulade served on house made focaccia. Go there, enjoy the Quarter and tell me what you think. I really want to know!
Dr. Jones
Honestly, folks in the Metry burbs don’t appreciate a good thing when they’ve got it. I’m well on my way to pissing off yet another neighborhood, but seriously y’all, every time I visit Dr. Jones (located at 1325 Vets near Martin’s Wine Cellar) half of the few tables in the joint are empty! I’m baffled! From the juiciest, crispiest chicken a la plancha with sweet guindilla chile green sauce and their I-can’t-eat-just-three camembert-laden tapioca croquettes, Dr. Jones should have lines out the door. Just go already!
