New Orleans is one of my favorite cities in the US. I have been there dozens of times on vacation, and I have also had the opportunity to work there on projects, spending weeks at a time in the heart of the Big Easy. And one of the great things about the city is its unique culinary traditions and heritage. In “City Eats: New Orleans, 50 Recipes from the Best of Crescent City”, Beth D’Addono introduces us to some classics, but also expands the palette of what’s been happening in the restaurant industry since COVID forced it to adapt.

Sure, Ms. D’Addono covers some of the classics, including some of my favorites like Herbsaint, Commander’s Palace, and Antoine’s. But the focus here seems to be on little known restaurants, new restaurants that have recently opened their doors, restaurants started by women and people of color. For each restaurant, Ms. D’Addono talks to the owners/chefs about what led them to open the restaurant, what they are trying to accomplish, what makes their places unique. And we also get a recipe from most of these, a house specialty to give us a flavor at home until we can visit them in person.

So we get to move beyond the traditional cajun/creole cuisines and try something new, something that adds some new flvors to the New Orleans melting pot. Ms. D’Addono also moves beyond the touristy neighborhoods and gives us a glimpse at how the rest of the city lives away from the brash nightlife of the French Quarter. Some of the more interesting finds (to me) that I cannot wait to try are Banh Mi Boys, Turkey and the Wolf, and Union Ramen.

Enjoy the brief tour, enjoy the recipes, but this should make you want to get on a plane or hop in the car and get yourself down to the real deal. Enjoy!

I requested and received a free advanced electronic copy from Cider Mill Press via NetGalley. Thank you!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this arc. An interesting culinary journey through New Orleans, I especially enjoyed reading the different chef’s recommendations and recipes.

This is part of a great series of ebook/city guidebooks called City Eats. They’re cool in the way that they highlight eateries, chefs, and the city as well as recipes. You get a tour, a biography, and a cookbook in one. Cool concept and very well executed in New Orleans. The incredibly rich food history of the city makes it a perfect subject of such in-depth exploration, and this book is perfect for anyone who is interested in the history of food and the city that is integral to the growth of the dining scene.

This is a must read before visiting the city of New Orleans! It showcases all of the best places to eat for all different cuisines and occasions!

Mouthwatering recipes from one of the most fascinating city in the world. A mix of cuisine, recipes easy to follow and fascinating.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Anyone who love Cajun food (and who doesn’t?) will want to pick up the latest excellent cookbook feature not only recipes, but information on the iconic places to eat, City Eats: New Orleans: 50 Recipes from the Best of Crescent City, by Beth D’Addono. The cookbook is divided by regions of the city, and emphasizes the signature dish of each restaurant listed. It also includes some of the recipes that are served in them. The vignettes regarding the places to visit are well-written and interesting. Those who have spent time in the city will be able to relate, and want to go back to see new places, and of course, eat more signature dishes from the restaurants.

The professional, colorful photographs are stunning, and will definitely inspire every cook to make dish after dish. Anyone familiar with the restaurants in the city will find something in this cookbook to prepare every day for weeks. Some of my favorite dishes are Cajun Garlic Butter Shrimp Banh Mi, Bayou Crab Cakes with Citrus Aioli, New Orleans Style Red Bean Cassoulet, and Seafood Gumbo. Most of the dishes have French or Cajun roots, but there are others, such as Baleadas that have a Latin feel. The recipes are written in the traditional manner with the ingredients listed first, followed by step-by-step instructions. They are easy to follow. Most of the ingredients are found in every grocery store, but the specialty items are easily obtained on internet sites.

All told, this is an excellent cookbook for everyone who wants to capture the electricity and feel of the city of New Orleans. Every time readers pick it up, they’ll find a new dish to add to their “must make today” queue.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

City Eats:New Orleans - 50 Recipes From the Best of The Big Easy
by: Beth D'Addono
2024
Cider Mills Press, Nashville, TN
5.0

Amazing collection, the photography enhances the book, this is so well done. The compilation of restaurants that serve dishes popular in their home country is so diverse and inclusive. With color pictures, a history of the chef and restaurant and a recipe from each one.....this has it all and I loved it.

I recently vacationed in New Orleans and I wish I had read this before going. If your planning a trip there, this is a must read before going......so many wonderful chef with such heart and visin and talent.......

Many restaurants were forced to close due to Katrina, and then the pandemic. Some survived and managed to thrive. Beth D'Addono, a restaurant reviewer for 'Gambit', also was affected-with no resturants open, there were none to review. With the pandemic at its height, D'Addono and one of her editors, Will Coviello, noticed new restaurants opening. She's written about one a week since then.

Centered on BIPOC chefs, in a profession largely dominated by white-owned businesses, this is a refreshing and extensive look at culture, food and the love of eating. The hope is to help cultivate a new ideal of equality, diversity and leadership in the restaurant business.

Recommended....for the recipes and the history of a very special and unique place.....New Orleans.
Thanks to Net Galley for sending this ARC for review.
#NetGalley #CityPages

This book will give you a tour of the local restaurants around New Orleans and offers a favorite dish from each of their chef.
It feels like you can travel there and eat there from the comfort of your very far away home.
This was a fun read, especially because I've always wanted to go to New Orleans but never had the opportunity. Now I can add a few restaurants to the bucket list.
There is a large mix of cuisines from around the world within those pages, not just typical Louisiana and Cajun style dishes which makes it extra exotic.
I would recommend to people interested in traveling and probably more people who want to go to New Orleans than just people who like the food there as, like I said, there is lots of foods from elsewhere in those pages.

I liked this book a lot. I enjoyed the beginning introduction to New Orleans cuisine, and found it very interesting. I think the restaurant guide is one of the best features of this book. I especially like that it is organized by region. The recipes featured in this book are great. It was fascinating to have information about a restaurant and then get a recipe from that same restaurant. There was a ton of information in this book. The photos were great and helped showcase both the restaurants and the featured food. I would definitely recommend this book.

Some good recipes and a look in to some of NOLA’s neighborhoods. Biggest drawback is that some ingredients are regionally specific.

Book Review: City Eats: New Orleans by Beth D’Addono

Rating: 4 Stars

As someone who has always dreamed of visiting New Orleans, diving into "City Eats: New Orleans" was like taking a culinary journey through the vibrant streets of the Crescent City. This cookbook not only captures the essence of New Orleans' food scene but also serves as a delightful guidebook for both locals and tourists alike.

Beth D’Addono beautifully showcases the multicultural influences and traditions that have shaped New Orleans cuisine, making it a location like no other. With 50 mouthwatering recipes and insightful restaurant profiles, readers can explore the diverse flavors of the city without leaving their kitchen.

One aspect that I particularly enjoyed about this book is how it seamlessly transitions between being a guidebook and a cookbook. The detailed descriptions of each restaurant, along with their signature dishes, provide a glimpse into the culinary hotspots that define New Orleans. Whether you're craving pho from the West Bank or classic Creole dishes from the French Quarter, this book has you covered.

The layout of the book, organized by neighborhoods, makes it incredibly convenient for planning culinary adventures in the city. The inclusion of photos showcasing the dining spaces and talented chefs adds a personal touch to the experience, bringing the spirit of New Orleans into your home.

Moreover, the recipes featured in the book are approachable and well-presented. Each recipe is accompanied by a brief introduction, a list of accessible ingredients, and clear instructions that make it easy for home cooks to recreate the flavors of New Orleans wherever they are.

In conclusion, "City Eats: New Orleans" is a must-have for anyone who appreciates good food and wants to explore the culinary wonders of the Crescent City. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a food enthusiast, this book will inspire you to savor the rich and diverse flavors that make New Orleans a food lover's paradise.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

Part Travel Book, Part Cookbook, and part History Book!


I was very happy to see this little gem. I am from Bay St. Louis, and New Orleans is our happy place.
Over my lifetime I have eaten at quite a few of these beautiful restaurants.
This was a walk down memory lane for my taste buds and my heart.


We will be there this Fall as well and this was the perfect guide to delicious food and great stories.


Well Done!


NetGalley/ Cider Mill Press July 02, 2024

I want to start out by saying that cooking is not something I love, but eating is.

I LOVE Cajun food, so when I saw this, I wanted to check it out and see if *maybe* I could try to cook some of the delicious food from New Orleans. After reading through this beautiful book, I can tell you, with 100% certainty, I will never attempt even one of these recipes.

Like I said, this cook book is gorgeous, the pictures of the food look as great as I can only imagine they taste. The recipes are very in depth, giving stories from the chefs around NOLA. If you are a seasoned (no pun intended) cook, this cookbook might be for you. As for me, I’m leaving these recipes to the masters. I look forward to visiting one day and trying out the flavors then.

Part travel book. Part cookbook. All love letter to this dynamic city! I’ve never had a book like this before and I enjoyed it way more than I expected. I do wish there were more pictures because the ones included are great.

This book works in dual-purpose, as a guidebook to the restaurants of New Orleans for those visiting or living there and as a cookbook for those that don't find themselves able to get to the restaurants but want a taste of the menus. The restaurants are nicely presented with a brief description, identifying signature dishes and highlighting the newer arrivals along with the old guard. There is also a listing of the restaurants by neighborhood which can be very convenient for tourists organizing sights and visits. Photos of some of the picturesque dining spaces along with some of the chefs bringing their flavor to the Crescent City decorate the pages along with photos of the dishes that accompany the recipes. The recipes spread throughout the book and spanning different courses and food-styles all come with a brief introduction, a clear list of ingredients that seem accessible even if you aren't located in New Orleans, and straightforward list of instructions. This is a fun book for those who are planning a visit, nostalgic of trips past, or just craving the flavors of a notorious food city. I'm hoping this is part of a series because I would really appreciate a similar book for several food-forward cities.
I received advanced access to this book thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Cider Mill Press) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

This recipe book wouldn't really be my cup of tea, I wasn't a huge fan of the layout but there is a good selection of recipes and they seem easy to follow