Has the New Orleans restaurant industry fully recovered? There was a nice profile in the New York Times that examined the current state of the dining scene in the Crescent City. It sagely points out that a significant turning point has transpired: for the first time since Hurrican Katrina ocurred in 2005, the New Orleans Times-Picayune has given a formal restaurant review to Mr B’s Bistro.

The Times article also describes the central role that food played in the hurricane recovery effort, most notable how some chefs rode into town in pickup trucks filled with red beans and rice. The local restaurant industry is clearly on the rise since there are are 105 more restaurants than before the storm. However, owners are facing problems in finding qualified workers to staff their new eateries due to the city’s diminished population.

We at 86 Recipes applaud the rebuilding efforts of the restaurants in New Orleans and encourage all readers to pay them a visit.

We are looking forward to tonight’s NBA playoffs as the defending champs, San Antonio Spurs visit the Bayou and take on the upstart New Orleans Hornets in an enticing sudden-death Game 7. This is a classic matchup of Old vs. New as the veteran squad of Tim Duncan & Co. bring their 4 championship rings to Chris Paul and his team of young gunners…should be must-see TV. Inspired by this game, we at 86 Recipes take a look at both of these fantastic food towns. The Alamo City may boast some of the best Tex-Mex in world, but it also offers some delicous options in Barbeque and Soul Food. However, Tex-Mex is still the king, and, when you visit the Riverwalk, you definitely should sample some queso flameado, carne asada, chili relleno, menudo, enchiladas, and chalupas. Now, we all know that the Crescent City is the epicenter of creole standards such as gumbo, jambalaya, shrimp remoulade, beignets and the ever-so-tasty mufuletta. However, you can also find some other interesting offferenings in the Big Easy (yeah, we are going all out with city nicknames)…so, when you are exploring the French Quarter and its surroundings, try some Italian, Asian or Latin American. Do you have an opinion in the the San Antonio vs. New Orleans food debate? By the way, we are pulling for the Hornets tonight just because the Spurs need to share the wealth.

Lorin Gaudin, Editor of 86 Recipes New Orleans, visited Jazz Fest last week and gave a culinary review. Her favorites dishes included a Shrimp Macque Choux, as well as Dark chocolate covered strawberries. Sounds delicious!