BY ANNETTE SISCO | STAFF WRITER Happy Turkey Day, New Orleans food fans! We have a lot to be thankful for in the Crescent City dining world. This week, we take a look at the vibrant restaurant scene along a historic strip Uptown. Longtime restaurateurs in Metairie say goodbye, King Cake Hub has news for its fans, and Popeyes draws crowds in ... London? Plus, we have some great recipes just for you. Let's dig in... 1. New life on Freret Street. Fifteen years ago, the Freret Street commercial corridor was hollowed out and struggling. Now it's a bustling strip of restaurants, bars and retail. What happened? What's next? We got the scoop from business owners. And check out our list of 32 places to eat and drink on Freret Street. 2. Holiday spice, Louisiana style. In most of the country, the flavor of the month is pumpkin spice. Here in Louisiana we have our own bouquet of flavors and colors that make the season special. Ian McNulty rounds them up in this mouth-watering column. 3. Wait! There's more. Royal China in Metairie will change hands after 44 years. King Cake Hub will be back this Carnival, with a new location. Popeyes opens in London, and we look at the way that home cooking defines New Orleans life. 4. Don't call them leftovers! For a lot of us, the best part of Thanksgiving is the day after. Food writer Judy Walker takes us beyond the (always delicious) turkey sandwich to enjoy turkey soup, pumpkin spice muffins and quick turkey hand pies. And don't forget Judy's classic turkey gumbo recipe. 5. Skip the tip? Is it time to reconsider restaurant pay? With some servers making as little as $2.13 an hour plus tips, a slow night can make for lean paychecks. Some members of our Where NOLA Eats Facebook community argue it's time to pay servers a living wage instead of making them rely on tips. What's your take? 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. And have a happy Thanksgiving. We're thankful for you! --AS P.S. Our best Black Friday special is happening now: Only $1/month for 4 months for local journalism that matters. Subscribe here today. |