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 trusty standby restaurants. Readers, please add your thoughts to the comments. Origami [Photo: Brasted]
Q. What Were Your Top Restaurant Standbys of 2012?
Rene Louapre, Blackened Out blogger, co-founder of Hogs For The Cause: Freret St. PoBoy. Hot sausage and a fried shrimp.
Anne Berry, cocktail writer and Where Yat contributor: The first place we take visitors sometimes straight from the airport - is Domenica; Chef Alon Shaya makes my very favorite risotto. I also love High Hat Cafe's luscious pies and Ryan Iriarte's inventive cocktails; Felipe's for fresh tacos and Nathan Dalton's pisco drinks; Barcelona for Chef Xavier Laurentino's tortilla de patatas, as close to my mother's as I've had.
Poppy Tooker, author, legend, host of Louisiana Eats: OrigamiONLY because it's ONE BLOCK from my home on Jefferson Avenue and I can eat sashimi & drink sake 24/7 if need be!
Kim Ranjbar, writer Suck The Heads and Where Yat: Pho Bistreaux. It's convenient, delicious, comforting and inexpensive.
Gwendolyn Knapp, editor Eater NOLA: Toup's Meatery all the way. If I make it a full week without doing a shot with GM Larry Nguyen and dining at the bar...it's a rarity. My mom, sister and I are all about Pizza Delicious, so we do family nights there. Also, Rivista has the best pancakes ever.
Eater readers, what were your top restaurant standbys this year? Email us down the tip line or leave a comment below.