 | By ANNETTE SISCO | Staff writer |
Greetings, New Orleans food lovers! As the end of the year approaches, Ian McNulty is looking back on a tumultuous 2023, and the restaurants that changed hands. A slew of other places closed. Check out this list of where to dine on Christmas, or just spots to get a festive holiday beverage. Take a first look at TANA in Old Metairie. And finally, get ready for New Year's Day with Judy Walker's recipe for slow-cooker black-eyed peas. 1. Under new management? When a popular restaurant closes in New Orleans, it can be big news. The same goes when we hear that a well-known restaurant will continue, though with new owners. Ian McNulty has the rundown on big changes. 2. Farewell, for now. Restaurants close — it's part of the business life cycle. But 2023 has hit different, with operators citing not simply the financials but cascading issues they find at their door. We look at the casualties of this year's wave of closures. 3. Wait! There's more. Prefer to dine out on Christmas? Here are nearly two dozen choices. How about a few bars that feature festive pop-up holiday drink menus? And the Italian restaurant TANA in Old Metairie is a stunner. 4. Get lucky. We need all the luck we can get for the new year, and that means black-eyed peas. Judy Walker says this recipe for black-eyed peas in the slow-cooker is not just traditional, but the best she's ever had. In New Orleans, the food news never stops. Keep up with all the inside info at Where NOLA Eats. P.S.: Want to support local journalism that matters? Subscribe here. It's our best deal! | 
