| BY ANNETTE SISCO | Staff writer |
Greetings, New Orleans dining fans! This week, we have eight shopping ideas for festive food gifts -- without cooking. Top local restaurant names are in the spotlight as the Louisiana Restaurant Association brings back its awards. We visit Frey Smoked Meat Co. for the burgers, and stay for the shakes. Dakar NOLA has a new space. Avo Taco lures us in with mix-and-match specialties. And the New Orleans Thankgiving table is all about the side dishes: Here are classic recipes for carrot souffle, sweet potato casserole and more. 1. Invited back. Holiday socializing calls for food -- lots of food. Streamline your prep with delicious food and drink gifts rounded up by Ian McNulty, everything from coffee to fine cheeses to pie. 2. And the winner is ... The Louisiana Restaurant Association's Restaurateurs of the Year are in charge of well-known dining spots and bars at the Pontchartrain Hotel. Other local names also turned up among the honorees. 3. Wait! There's more. At Frey Smoked Meat Co., we start with a burger, then are surprised by the shakes. Born as a pop-up, Dakar NOLA prepares to celebrate Senegalese food and culture in a bright new space. And we choose among 20 specialty tacos at Avo Taco. 4. On your side. Turkey may be the main event, but here at NOLA.com we are all about the Thanksgiving side dishes. Check out our recipes for five classic New Orleans side dishes. That's it for this week's food newsletter. But in New Orleans, the food news never stops; for more, visit us at NOLA.com. Thanks for reading! P.S.: Want to support local journalism that matters? Click here to subscribe. It's our best deal! | 