<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">One of the best ideas I’ve had over the years was coming up with a interesting and authentic way to highlight people who I admire and respect for their purpose, talent, and their dedication to the city we call home.</p>
<p>Nestled smack dab in the middle of Magazine Street, the recently opened La Riviere Confiserie (sweet shop), is a modern day oasis for sweets tooths from around the city. </p>
<p style="margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px">Macaroni, tossed in seven cheese sauce, bacon, panko crusted fried chicken, jalapeños, and topped with shaved parmesan couldn't be any more alluring of a description.</p><p>Chef David Gotter, recently re-opened in his previous Gott Gourmet spot, <a target="_blank" href="http://ggsneworleans.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">GG's Dine-O-Rama</a> to much deserved fanfare. GG's, which is a shortened version of Gott Gourmet, prides themselves on offering “refined comfort food”. Furthermore, as stated on their website "A neighborhood dining spot for food lovers who can expect fine dining detail and standards in even the most casual of dishes."</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.capdeville.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Capdeville</a> has always been one of my favorite haunts to catch a Saints game downtown, grab a drink after a meeting in the CBD or just to pre-game it before a show. Until recently, my experience with the Mayor’s food had been limited to a post Mumford & Sons burger and a few lunches here and there. This perturbed me for sure.</p>
<p>I'm still trying to figure out why donuts are not an official food group. Seriously, they are a universal food in which I cannot get enough of. Since their opening a little over a month ago, <a href="http://www.donutsandsliders.com/">District Donuts/Sliders/Brew</a> have been infiltrating the hearts and stomachs of anyone coming anywhere near Magazine and Jackson avenue in the Lower Garden District.</p>
<p>In just a few years and several locations later, <a target="_blank" href="http://datdognola.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dat Dog</a> has cemented their spot in Nola foodie lore. With the grand opening of their latest location on Magazine Street happening next week, Dat Dog looks to expand on its already massive following.</p>
<p>In one of the most idiotic retail moves in history, Starbucks pulled out of Lakeside Shopping Center and left their spot vacant until <a target="_blank" href="http://www.shopsucre.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sucre</a> took over. It seems that smarter + cooler heads prevailed and the space has been transformed into a Mr. Magorium style coffee and sweet delights emporium.</p>
<p style="margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px">Very much the Katz of New Orleans, Stein's shines neighborhood deli with a glimmer of intrigue. Walking through the sticker laden doors, regulars and newcomers line up along the straight and narrow countertop, rocking back and forth in front of the deli cases under the sweet spell of indecision. Trying to decide what sandwich you are going to have is not the only test. Among the local standards, Stein's offers a myriad of beers, sodas, teas, ginger ales, and one squeeze!</p>
<p>I appreciate the fact that Nola is all about tradition. I embrace it to it's core, but when searching for that modern and oh so special gift or paper good where traditional just won't do, Box Paper Scissor has entered the fold.</p>