As is the tradition at Eater, our closeout of the year is a survey of friends, industry types, and bloggers. We've already covered the 2015 restaurant standbys, newcomers and more. Now it's time for headline predictions.
Q: What are you headline predictions for 2016?
Kenton's pastry chef Caroline Schiff will rock 2016. [Photo: Brasted]
Rene Louapre, cofounder of Hogs For The Cause
My friend Lloyds thinks this is the year we will land a man on the moon, but I cant wait for Top Chef: First Losers.
Lorin Gaudin, Nola Food Goddess, food editor of Where
1. New Orleans hottest restaurants redefine "local" with Chef-Owners from everywhere but here.
2. It's all about Pastry Chef Caroline Schiff (Kenton's)... seriously, have you had her rosemary butter-brushed, perfectly textured challah rolls? Run, don't walk. This is bread worth the suffering for, says someone with Celiac (Me).
Kim Ranjbar, writer, Suck The Heads
"New Persian restaurant opens in the Riverbend!" A girl can dream!
Scott Gold, author of The Shameless Carnivore, writer/contributor for Thrillist, NolaVie, and Louisiana Eats!
Alon Shaya will achieve peace in the Middle East by uniting the entire region with his hummus and pita. Korean will be the new Vietnamese. Someone will open a broth booth/truck. People will begin to fully accept the St. Roch Market. Cavan will open to great success. Scott Gold will eat his weight in boiled crawfish.
B.E. Mintz, founder and editor of Nola Defender and Faux Real Fest
More expansion of NOLA restaurants and brands on a regional and national level. A fresh crop of fine dining chefs opening their own casual dining eateries. And, a bit more fodder for the "Shutter report."
The upcoming Ace Hotel [Photo: Brasted]
Josh Brasted, photographer
I expect the South Market District to be become the next dining hub and expect praise for Ticer and Hudman's restaurant project in the Ace Hotel.
Nora McGunnigle, beer writer and contributor for Eater NOLA and Gambit
Food Emporium on Freret Street (a la S. Roch or Roux Carre) Emeril's Restaurant Group collaborates with local Louisiana brewery on culinary line of beers.
Gwendolyn Knapp, editor, Eater NOLA
Mario Batali brings Eataly to New Orleans. Besh opens a Persian restaurant in the Riverbend or a food emporium on Freret. Father John Misty and silent partner Aziz Ansari bring the I Love You Honeybear Broth Counter to the back of a nail salon in the Seventh Ward, also doubling as a honeycomb-focused dessert pop-up in the evening. T-Fitz gets trapped in the new Dave & Buster's arcade after closing-time and discovers the magic of friendship when a discarded chicken tender comes to life at the stroke of 2 a.m.