BY ANNETTE SISCO | STAFF WRITER Greetings, New Orleans food fans! This week, we look at eight New Orleans restaurants to try in December. We single out a few more places that are perfect for your informal holiday-season get-togethers. There's a new restaurant from "Dook" Chase IV coming to downtown New Orleans, and there's a cool new spot for Mexican cuisine. Plus, we have recipes for gingerbread and cafe brulot (on video!). Let's dig in... 1. Eight for December. We're yearning to connect and get back out there after a long and difficult stretch. Restaurants want us back! We picked Palm & Pine, 14 Parishes and half a dozen other spots to try this month. Check them out here. 2. Holiday best, none of the stress. Casual, even spontaneous get-togethers can be gratifying additions to your calendar and good ways to connect. Ian McNulty rounds up places to visit for food (and drink) across a few broad categories, from taverns to takeout. 3. Wait! There's more. Edgar "Dook" Chase IV, part of the Dooky Chase’s Restaurant family, is working with Tulane University to open a new restaurant on Gravier Street. We pay a visit to Lengua Madre in the Lower Garden District, and Reveillon dinners are back. And here's our guide to local taprooms and beer gardens. 4. Fired up? Get into cookie mode for the holidays with our essential gingerbread recipe. Feeling adventurous? How about a classic flaming dessert, cafe brulot, as served by Galatoire's! Here's a video and step-by-step instructions for this boozy, spicy treat. 5. The cheer is here! Holiday outings are even better when the ambiance is merry and bright. A member of our Where NOLA Eats Facebook community is looking for the places with the best holiday decorations. What are the spots you love this time of year? Chime in here. That's it for the food newsletter, but in New Orleans the food news never stops. For more, visit us at NOLA.com. Thanks for reading, and have a great weekend! --AS P.S. Want to support our award-winning journalism? Check out this great deal. Just $1 a month for four months — for local journalism that matters! Subscribe here today. | 