Casamento's Curtails Hours; 'Sir White House Chef' Ronnie Seaton Accused of Fraud

NOLA— Ronnie Seaton, the grandson of recently-departed culinary icon Willie Mae Seaton and author of culinary memoir Sir White House Chef has been accused of falsifying his time as a White House chef, serving in the Vietnam War, being a POW and winning a Purple Heart by the New York Post. [NYPost]

NOLA— Dat Dog has a new chef Alex Ventura (a Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse/Palace Cafe alum) who has just added a burger and fried/grilled chicken sandwich to the menu, available at all locations. [Eaterwire]

UPTOWN— Todd Price reports that oyster loaf icon Casamento's will curtail hours while owners C.J. and Linda Gerdes' daughter is recovering from a serious car accident. Hours: Thursday, Friday and Saturday for lunch and dinner. Christmas week (Dec. 21-26) and New Year's week (Dec. 28—Jan. 2), open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for lunch and Saturday for lunch and dinner. [NOLA.com]

MID CITY— Alicia Serrano reports that local non-profit Youth Rebuilding New Orleans has received a thumbs up from the City Planning Commission to bring a coffee shop to a former corner store at 2801 St. Ann Street. [MidCityMessenger]

QUARTER— Festive alert: There is a gingerbread St. Louis Cathedral in the lobby of the Sheraton (500 Canal) made by executive chef Mark Quitney and his pastry team. [Eaterwire]

QUARTER— Festivities-for-kids alert: The Omni Royal  hosts a 'Holiday Spice Kids Cooking Class' ($10/kid) benefiting the Edible Schoolyard on Saturday, December 12 (2 p.m.) & December 19 (3 p.m.). Kids will make cookies and extra lagniappe includes a coloring book, backpack, face painting, live entertainment and more. Reserve a spot at (504) 529-7804. [EaterWire]