| BY ANNETTE SISCO | Staff writer |
Hello again, New Orleans food lovers! This week, we talk to Scott and Jane Wolfe about their plans to add a second location of the 24-hour down-home favorite, Melba's — with a couple important differences. No fewer than 80 restaurants around town will offer set-price Coolinary menus this year: Here are five ways to dig in. On the North Shore, Tammany Taste of Summer joins the fun, and in the French Quarter, a bar and a bartender are honored by Tales of the Cocktail. A couple of familiar names will take over the Lakeview home of the closed Elle-J's. Did you ever wonder about those prices for toppings at Bud's Broiler? Finally, enjoy an easy summer meal of fast-cooked seafood and slow-cooked mashed potatoes. 1. Mid-City Melba's? For the past decade, Melba’s has held down the busy corner of Elysian Fields and North Claiborne avenues with 24-hour po-boys, hot plates and daiquiris. Now work is underway to open a second Melba’s on Tulane Avenue in Mid-City. But what's missing? Ian McNulty has the story. 2. Be Coolinary. The summer restaurant happening called Coolinary offers set-price, multicourse menus at different restaurants around town, at a time of year when tourism and conventions typically dip low. With 80 restaurants taking part, diners need a strategy. Start here. 3. Wait! There's more. Not to be outdone, Tammany Taste of Summer has its own plan to spotlight the North Shore dining scene. A French Quarter bar and bartender are singled out for honors during the spirits convention Tales of the Cocktail. Lakeview's Elle-J's has closed, but the space won't be empty for long. And have you ever wondered about the way those toppings are priced at Bud's Broiler? Here's an explainer. 4. Fast company. The less sweating over a hot stove we do this time of year, the better. That's why Teresa B. Day has these recipes for baked fish, plus mashed potatoes from the slow cooker — ready when you are. 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! -A.S. P.S. If you aren't already subscribing to this free weekly newsletter, click here to subscribe. Want to support our award-winning journalism? Check out this great deal, just $1 for six months - for local journalism that matters! Subscribe here today. How does the New Orleans business climate impact your favorite restaurant? Sign up for NOLA Business Insider to find out: nola.com/biz. | 