| BY BOB WARREN | Staff writer |
MURDER MAP: Violent crime has surged in 2022, and in New Orleans there have already been 140 homicides this year. We've built a new database to show where the killings have taken place and how the numbers compare to recent years. Seeking patience: Mayor LaToya Cantrell asked city residents to remain patient as hundreds of millions of dollars in street and water projects goes on around them, often at a frustratingly slow pace. The city has struggled to keep pace with the federally-funded Hurricane Katrina repair work and the mayor said this morning the city would ask for more time to spend the money. Tough times for restaurants: First, there was the pandemic and its masking and social distancing mandates. Now, there are supply chain disruptions, a critical shortage of workers and pent-up consumer demand. "What’s a restaurateur to do?", dining writer Ian McNulty asks. Empty Cups: And speaking of supply chain disruptions, add Pimm’s to the list. Without that English liqueur, heat-weary folk are facing a crucial shortage of Pimm’s Cups, one of the few salves to help us cope with living on the surface of the sun for half the year. It’s enough to send us to the fainting couch. For even more food and drink coverage, please sign up for our Where NOLA Eats newsletter. Lofty status: St. Stephen, the Catholic church whose iconic steeple has towered over Uptown for more than a century, recently joined a small and prestigious club. Marie Fazio has the all the details. Honoring legends: Speaking of lofty status, a crowd gathered to mark the new historic marker outside Dooky Chase’s on Orleans Avenue. The marker explains the famous restaurant’s role in the civil rights movement in New Orleans and the South. Our Sophia Germer produced this terrific photo gallery from the occasion. Hope you enjoyed today’s Lunch Line. Thanks for reading. BW | 