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New Orleans' worst blighted properties, according to the city

Plaza Tower, Lindy Boggs and Canal Street Hotel topped the list.

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Where to eat for Hanukkah in New Orleans

Holidays

Your guide to Christmas and holiday events in New Orleans

We go big with special meals, picture-perfect hotel lobbies, giant menorahs and bonfires.

10+ New Orleans Christmas parades and light shows

Celebration in the Oaks, a boat parade, creepy Krampus  and more.

Try this gumbo at Barrow's in downtown New Orleans

It's perfectly flavored with just a bit of heat.

Food and Drink

It may have taken <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Barrow&#x27;s Catfish" data-vars-click-url="https://barrowscatfish.com/" data-vars-content-id="cb98a0cd-56d2-4176-8e9b-3be8f92910cd" data-vars-headline="Try this gumbo at Barrow&#x27;s in downtown New Orleans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://barrowscatfish.com/" target="_blank">Barrow&#x27;s Catfish</a> 15 years to return after Hurricane Katrina, but since then, the family-owned establishment has expanded a bit, including with its new Poydras Street location downtown. <ul><li>And that&#x27;s where my gumbo quest took me most recently.</li></ul>

A cup of gumbo sits on a dark stone countertop on top of a rectangle plate. The plate also has two bread rounds.

Why New Orleans celebrates Christmas with réveillon dinners

These days, you can find réveillon dinners as prix fixe menus at restaurants across the city.

New Orleans rarely needs an extra reason to dine out, but during the holidays, réveillon dinners offer a particularly festive excuse.Why it matters: Réveillon is an annual reminder of the city&#x27;s Creole French history, with all the added revelry of the holidays.

A plate of slow roasted duck sits on a white plate on a white tablecloth. Dining utensils sit to the left, and an orange-colored cocktail sits to the right.

Must-try dessert in New Orleans: Station 6's doberge cake

Some regulars sit at the bar and have it as their meal.

Station 6 is known for fresh <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="seafood" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/food-and-drink" data-vars-content-id="95428b62-3e94-4b54-842e-5f981ae876ba" data-vars-headline="Must-try dessert in New Orleans: Station 6&#x27;s doberge cake" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/food-and-drink" target="_self">seafood</a> in Metairie&#x27;s Bucktown neighborhood, but it was dessert that knocked my socks off at this lakefront restaurant.What I ordered: Chocolate peanut butter doberge cake ($12) with ganache and fresh whip cream.

Photo shows a tall piece of chocolate peanut butter doberge cake on a plate

Hanukkah <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="begins at sundown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/13/hanukkah-holiday-when-meaning-jewish-calendar" data-vars-content-id="507b15d1-6fcb-4675-9b08-892d9ddd79b3" data-vars-headline="Where to eat for Hanukkah in New Orleans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/13/hanukkah-holiday-when-meaning-jewish-calendar" target="_self">begins at sundown</a> Dec. 7, and with it comes a slew of opportunities to support local restaurants.Here are a few that stand out to us:🕎 Chef Alon Shaya brings back the L&#x27;Chaim Lounge at Saba, turning the restaurant&#x27;s usual lounge space into a more festive version of itself. Plus, expect specials like a latke board and themed cocktails.

Animated illustration of a dreidel spinning and moving across the screen.

Melba's makes a great New Orleans gumbo

It's pleasantly spicy and thick with chicken and sausage.

Show me a better one-stop-shop in New Orleans. Spoiler: You can&#x27;t. <ul><li>At Melba&#x27;s on Elysian Fields, you can get poboys, play some video poker, do your laundry and score a free daiquiri when you buy a book. And of course, there&#x27;s gumbo, too.</li></ul>

Herbsaint makes a great New Orleans gumbo

The basket of bread that arrives alongside your meal is a welcome addition, too.

Donald Link&#x27;s Herbsaint is a CBD standard, catering to power-lunchers and tourists alike with its consistently great French- and southern-influenced menu. <ul><li>On that menu? Gumbo, of course.</li></ul>

A white bowl is filled with a gumbo, with rice and green onions. The bowl sits on a charger with a doily, and a piece of bread is visible in the background.

Remembering Al Copeland on the 40th anniversary of Copeland's

The flamboyant New Orleans businessman also founded Popeyes.

Al Copeland opened the first Copeland&#x27;s of New Orleans restaurant 40 years ago this week.<ul><li>It was at 1001 South Clearview Parkway in Elmwood and is still open.</li></ul>Fast forward: The chain now has 10 locations in three states.

Photo shows Al Copeland in front of the Copeland's sign

Todd Graves of Raising Cane's is a bourbon and fried shrimp guy

Graves started Raising Cane's 27 years ago with a location near LSU.

Todd Graves is known for founding Raising Cane&#x27;s, but the entrepreneur is making inroads with the Hollywood crowd.Driving the news: His show, &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Secret Sauce with Todd Graves" data-vars-click-url="https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/operations/todd-graves-rides-chicken-finger-fame-hollywood#:~:text=Now%20using%20the%20title%20of,&#x27;t%20Graves&#x27;%20first%20series." data-vars-content-id="e33d9bcc-64f6-4dd5-bf2e-92fe9eb63ee0" data-vars-headline="Todd Graves of Raising Cane&#x27;s is a bourbon and fried shrimp guy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/operations/todd-graves-rides-chicken-finger-fame-hollywood#:~:text=Now%20using%20the%20title%20of,&#x27;t%20Graves&#x27;%20first%20series." target="_blank">Secret Sauce with Todd Graves</a>,&quot; premiered on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="A&amp;E" data-vars-click-url="https://www.aetv.com/shows/secret-sauce-with-todd-graves/season-1" data-vars-content-id="e33d9bcc-64f6-4dd5-bf2e-92fe9eb63ee0" data-vars-headline="Todd Graves of Raising Cane&#x27;s is a bourbon and fried shrimp guy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.aetv.com/shows/secret-sauce-with-todd-graves/season-1" target="_blank">A&amp;E</a> in the spring, and his friendship with musician Post Malone led to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="custom-cup collab" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2023/06/23/raising-canes-post-malone-cups" data-vars-content-id="e33d9bcc-64f6-4dd5-bf2e-92fe9eb63ee0" data-vars-headline="Todd Graves of Raising Cane&#x27;s is a bourbon and fried shrimp guy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2023/06/23/raising-canes-post-malone-cups" target="_self">custom-cup collab</a>.

New Orleans restaurants still struggle after "slowest" summer in 20 years

An anticipated fall rebound hasn't happened.

After an especially <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tough summer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/09/07/new-orleans-restaurant-closures-2023" data-vars-content-id="7107975f-3cfc-41fb-8a0d-8b4c2af20c51" data-vars-headline="New Orleans restaurants still struggle after &quot;slowest&quot; summer in 20 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/09/07/new-orleans-restaurant-closures-2023" target="_self">tough summer</a> for New Orleans&#x27; restaurants, the fall hasn&#x27;t offered the rebound many hoped for, which makes even more closures likely.Driving the news: Marjie&#x27;s Grill is among the latest to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announce it would close" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CzbX0veL5PE/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="7107975f-3cfc-41fb-8a0d-8b4c2af20c51" data-vars-headline="New Orleans restaurants still struggle after &quot;slowest&quot; summer in 20 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CzbX0veL5PE/?hl=en" target="_blank">announce it would close</a> at the end of the year after October receipts came in 30% below October 2022, owner Caitlin Carney tells Axios New Orleans.

A view of Rabbit's Foot, a corner store bodega. The building is surrounded with glass windows and a couple patrons sit in chairs out front.

Must-try restaurant in New Orleans metro: Almasgoof in Metairie

The restaurant is serving up delicious Iraqi and Middle Eastern food in a strip mall in Metairie.

<figure><img alt="Image shows a hand dipping bread in hummus" height="450" id="f60dac63-d9f9-484b-918d-6f1da913e760" src="https://images.axios.com/iykc6v6hUvEAP3glukWhCk7jmtI=/2023/11/14/1699992612223.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Almasgoof bakes bread multiple times a day. Try dipping it in hummus and babaganoush. Image: Carlie Kollath Wells/Axios</figcaption></figure>Almasgoof is serving up delicious Iraqi and Middle Eastern <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="food" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/food-and-drink" data-vars-content-id="0ed4181f-db18-4698-a81e-ce12e6c69543" data-vars-headline="Must-try restaurant in New Orleans metro: Almasgoof in Metairie" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/food-and-drink" target="_self">food</a> in a strip mall in Metairie.What&#x27;s happening: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="restaurant" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/AlmasgoofRestaurant/" data-vars-content-id="0ed4181f-db18-4698-a81e-ce12e6c69543" data-vars-headline="Must-try restaurant in New Orleans metro: Almasgoof in Metairie" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/AlmasgoofRestaurant/" target="_blank">restaurant</a> gets its name from the style of cooking fish in a metal basket next to an open fire, owner Mahmoud Alhattab tells Axios.

George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress

The House is slated to vote to expel Santos on Friday.

Politics & Policy

Ahead of a vote that could make him the first House lawmaker to be expelled in more than 20 years, Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/george-santos-expulsion-vote-republicans-majority" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/george-santos-expulsion-vote-republicans-majority" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) is introducing an expulsion resolution on Thursday targeting a House lawmaker from his own state. Why it matters: Santos — who faces an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="uphill battle in a vote" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/republicans-george-santos-resign-expulsion" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/republicans-george-santos-resign-expulsion" target="_self">uphill battle in a vote</a> to remove him from office following a scathing House Ethics report — is seeking an expulsion vote on Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jamaal Bowman" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/22/house-ethics-jamaal-bowman-fire-alarm" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/22/house-ethics-jamaal-bowman-fire-alarm" target="_self">Jamaal Bowman</a> (D-N.Y.), who pulled a fire alarm in one of the House office buildings.

George Santos expulsion spurs rare bipartisanship among House lawmakers

Rep. Robert Garcia encouraged fellow Democrats to support Republicans' expulsion measure.

House Democrats and Republicans finally have something they agree on: booting Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/30/george-santos-jamaal-bowman-expulsion-resolution" data-vars-content-id="4eec0a24-5338-46c4-8b6e-5526cda73c0f" data-vars-headline="George Santos expulsion spurs rare bipartisanship among House lawmakers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/30/george-santos-jamaal-bowman-expulsion-resolution" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) from Congress.Driving the news: In an email sent to Democratic congressional offices on Thursday, Rep. Robert Garcia&#x27;s (D-Calif.) office advocated for Republicans&#x27; resolution to expel the embattled Long Islander.

GOP speculation mounts that McCarthy will exit Congress early

Multiple GOP lawmakers expect former House Speaker <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kevin McCarthy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/12/mccarthy-gop-elections-2024" data-vars-content-id="dbdacc28-b2ed-40c2-a4cb-3bf4792a4d9b" data-vars-headline="GOP speculation mounts that McCarthy will exit Congress early" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/12/mccarthy-gop-elections-2024" target="_self">Kevin McCarthy</a> (R-Calif.) to step down from his seat before the end of the year, Axios has learned.Why it matters: The potential exit of McCarthy — who privately told donors he is looking to &quot;get the hell out,&quot; according to a source familiar with the conversation — could leave the House GOP with an even narrower majority.

Trump unleashes grievances, warnings in wild 24 hours on Truth Social

Trump warned that his indictments have opened up a "very big and dangerous Pandora's Box."

Former President Trump has spent the last 24 hours on Truth Social unleashing a torrent of grievances, vengeful promises and links to online conspiracy theories about his political rivals.Why it matters: Trump&#x27;s online rhetoric has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="frequently dipped into violent extremism" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/04/trumps-words-turn-violent-pressure-builds" data-vars-content-id="4ce9173c-4439-425e-8986-ec54c92037e6" data-vars-headline="Trump unleashes grievances, warnings in wild 24 hours on Truth Social" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/04/trumps-words-turn-violent-pressure-builds" target="_self">frequently dipped into violent extremism</a> since he left office, escalating as his legal troubles have mounted. Public fatigue and the pro-Trump echo chamber created by Truth Social have at times softened the shock value of the GOP front-runner&#x27;s daily musings.

Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote

Santos is the first Republican to be expelled from the House.

The House on Friday voted to expel Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/19/george-santos-republican-congress-biography" data-vars-content-id="235bb126-9767-4b36-a5c3-4560ae03474e" data-vars-headline="Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/19/george-santos-republican-congress-biography" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) over his many fabrications on the 2022 campaign trail and his two federal indictments.Why it matters: The vote makes Santos just the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sixth lawmaker" data-vars-click-url="https://history.house.gov/Institution/Discipline/Expulsion-Censure-Reprimand/" data-vars-content-id="235bb126-9767-4b36-a5c3-4560ae03474e" data-vars-headline="Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://history.house.gov/Institution/Discipline/Expulsion-Censure-Reprimand/" target="_blank">sixth lawmaker</a> – and first Republican – to be expelled from the House in U.S. history.

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