As is the tradition at Eater, our closeout of the year is a survey of friends, industry types, bloggers, and readers. We're kicking things off this morning by talking about the city's best new restaurants. Readers, please add your thoughts to the comments. Company Burger, a stand by for burger fans [Photo: Nikki Mayeux]
Q. What Were Your Top Restaurant Standbys of 2012?
Alexander Hancock, associate editor, Eater NY: The Company Burger, where I could've eaten every single day. I now live in New York and I challenge this city to show me a better burger. Hasn't happened yet and I doubt it will. I also had a ton of meals and/or drinks in both Maurepas Foods and Sylvain. And, of course, my neighborhood po' boy shop: Parkway. Oh and how could I forget Blue Dot? I miss that place so hard.
Justin Trosclair, cheesemonger, blogger: Maurepas Foods. I don't go to a lot of places again and again, but when I want to take somebody out that's definitely where I go.
Anne Berry, freelancer, food writer for Where Y'at: Domenica is one of my favorites and the first place I'll take guests, often straight from the airport.I'm a fan of MiLa's healthy chic, and where I take anyone who's gluten-free (they can order straight from the menu). Their soups and desserts are divine.Maya's cuisine is lush and fresh, and it's where I get my plantain fix.High Hat Café for its thick corn tamales, gorgeous fruit pies, and a clever cocktail program, plus a bar that feels like home.
Rene Louapre IV, Blackened Out: Company Burger, Butcher, La Petite Grocery, Domenica, MiLa. Spent most of dining out time in 2012 bouncing around to all those classics for Is It Worth It. So when I had a meal unaccounted for I went back to well-treaded familiars. Of course, the guy who runs Company Burger drove me away over the summer when he started putting tomatoes on his burgers. But now those fruits are gone and I can safely return.
Wayne Curtis, author of And a Bottle of Rum, Slow Cocktails dispatcher: Dat Dog for dependable tube o'meat -- enough variety to keep it interesting, without being too precious about it. Lost Love Lounge for afternoon pho and beer. Three Muses for taking out-of-town guests for music, then ambushing them with food. Looking forward to making Killer Poboys a 2013 standby.
Kit Wohl, writer, photographer, designer: Arnaud's, Mr. John's, Cochon's Butcher, Herbsaint.
Gwendolyn Knapp, editor, Eater NOLA: Sentiments Wine and Cheese Dive is my favorite standby for weekends. Juan's and Crescent Pie and Sausage are my take out spots... Bart Bell has been doing all sorts of incredible pot pies lately. Domenica, Ancora, Gracious Bakery, Rue 127, Superfood Bar, The Joint, Maurepas Foods... I believe lipo is in my future.