Eater New Orleans’s Biggest Food and Restaurant Stories of 2022

New Orleans restaurants continue to respond to the pandemic, labor shortages, rising food costs and, perhaps most credibly, weather phenomena. While 2022 kicked off with another indoor mask mandate, the return of the first official carnival parade since 2020 has given New Orleans’ bars and restaurants a much-needed boost. Customer support for local restaurant workers has never been higher, and when a devastating hurricane hit neighboring Arabi, restaurants in the area banded together to help their neighbors and each other. region.

Eater New Orleans’ most read articles of 2022 reflect a year of change and a sense that for better or worse, some things will never be what they were before the pandemic. It also reflects our genuine enjoyment of simple, delicious food and our appreciation for the people and efforts that make New Orleans such a special dining city. Here are the 10 Most Read Eaters of 2022 His New Orleans His Stories, and 5 of His Stories You May Have Missed.

Do you have any story ideas you think Eater New Orleans should feature in 2023? let me know.

10. Maître Duscher Ushers in a New Era of Fine Dining Hospitality at Commander’s Palace

New Orleans native Jaslyn Armstrong helms one of the city’s most iconic dining rooms at the Commander’s Palace, and has taken on the role of fine dining manager in a city whose once-important role has recently lost its influence. breathed new life into the role of Year.

Dakar Nora

9. New Orleans’ Most Exciting Tasting Menu Arrives In Its Forever Home

For two years, Serigne Mbaye’s Senegalese tasting menu dinners have been held to great acclaim around the city, but this fall, Dakar NOLA at 3814 Magazine Street opens its doors to their forever home. We have landed.

William A. Morgan/Shutterstock

8. Starbucks claims to close Canal Street for worker safety remain questionable (yet)

News of coffee conglomerate Starbucks closing its downtown New Orleans store quickly became a media litmus test. As the Daily Mail rang out to fuel global fear, local media focused on the company’s crime coverage. It turns out the reasons aren’t so simple (and they mostly come down to the company’s bottom line).

Skip Bollen/Getty Images

7. NOLA bars and restaurants require proof of vaccination for entry to Mardi Gras

As readers start the year eagerly anticipating 2022 Mardi Gras, the administration of New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell will require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test for indoor entry to bars and restaurants. It was great news to confirm that the city’s policy will continue to be implemented. At least next year he’s until Mardi Gras 2022 on March 1, 2022.

Randy Schmidt/Eater Nora

6. New Orleans 2022 James Beard Awards semi-finalists here

The semi-finalists for the 2022 James Beard Awards were dropped in June, and New Orleans posted a strong first result. His seven New Orleans chefs were on the long list, with Fritai, Lengua Madre, Brennan’s and Avenue Pub all semi-finalists. When the finalists were announced a month later, the shortlist of New Orleans nominees included Celine Mbaye, Isaac Toopes, and Melissa Martin, with Brennan also going ahead. No New Orleans chef or restaurant won a James Beard Award.

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5. ‘Come on ‘Round, Honey Dumpling’: New Orleans-Area Popeyes Drive-Thru

A delightful interaction between customers and employees at a Popeyes drive-thru in Kenner, Louisiana, went viral in March. It’s easy to see why. He felt like one of those “only in New Orleans” moments, courtesy of the Popeyes cashier. For her 30 years, Cynthia Carter has been singing along with her customers to brighten their days.

Cheyenne Nichols/official

4. Banks Street Bar employees hijacked the bar’s Instagram, saying they were all fired

When the 60-year-old Mid-City dive bar hired new managers in August, one of their first tasks was to lay off their entire staff. But first the bar’s social chaos online (and cheers for employees) ensued after he forgot to change his media password.

Kevin Mazur of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame/Getty Images

3. Taylor Swift chose this New Orleans bakery to make her birthday cake

Taylor Swift visited New Orleans for her birthday, saw a show at a famous jazz hall, and went to the beloved Upper Ninth Ward bakery for a NOLA-made cake for her. rice field. special day.

Erica Goldring/Getty Images

2. Big Freedia to open high-energy hotels, nightclubs and restaurants in New Orleans

New Orleans (and beyond) love Big Freedia. Local hero and internationally renowned Queen of Bounce has sent readers into a frenzy with plans to open a boutique hotel, nightclub, music venue and restaurant on the edge of the French Quarter near Frenchmen Street.

1. Emeril Lagasse closes second New Orleans restaurant

Decades after the name Emeril Lagasse has become synonymous with New Orleans dining, it still attracts the attention of New Orleans foodies. Earlier this year, news broke that one of Lagasse’s longest-running restaurants, NOLA in French Her Quarter, would not reopen after being closed throughout the pandemic. It was his second long-running spot in New Orleans, after Emeril’s his Delmonico in February, that the celebrity chef’s restaurant group has closed permanently in his 2022.

5 stories you may have missed

December 1, 2022

New Orleans’ 2022 Eater Award winners are:

Crescent City Cafe

September 22, 2022

Crescent City Cafe offers hot breakfast and full-service dining to New Orleans in need

sober barbabe

July 22, 2022

Black Entrepreneur Leads New Orleans Non-Alcoholic Bar Movement

Claire Laurel/Eater Nora

March 25, 2022

Whiskey Bayou hosts New Orleans food truck, restaurant serving Arabi neighbors

Erica Goldring/Getty Images

February 14, 2022

As Massive Parade Returns to New Orleans, Bars and Restaurants Get a Coveted Route Boost