EP250 - Dining with Ian McNaulty
Summary
Host Mark Bologna celebrates episode 250 with food writer Ian McNulty, who discusses New Orleans’ evolving culinary landscape. They explore how Hurricane Katrina spurred diversity, highlighting modern icons like Emeralds and St. Clair alongside traditional staples. The conversation covers the rise of outdoor dining, the impact of infrastructure issues on restaurants, and why summer offers unique dining opportunities in the city.
Topics discussed
Intro, Episode 250, and Sponsor: Two Chicks Walking Tours
Guest Ian's return and the impact of Hurricane Katrina
Evolution of New Orleans food culture post-Katrina
Changes in food media and journalism in NOLA
The depth of NOLA's food scene and tourism impact
The reality of eating for a living and revisiting classics
Emeralds: EJ Lagasse's Michelin-starred reinvention
Diverse subcultures: Vietnamese and Latin influences
Social media's role in discovering hidden gems
St. Clair: Melissa Galsky's West Bank restaurant
Outdoor dining trends and summer atmosphere
Restaurant closures due to construction and costs
Why summer is a great time to visit NOLA
Current excitement: Dolphy's and Ferrette Street
The variety of dining on Ferrette Street
Ian's 5-meal itinerary for visitors
Outro and closing remarks
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