Top Restaurants of Early 2015; Remembering Dick Brennan Sr.

NOLA— Coquette, La Petite Grocery, Cane & Table and more cocktail hubs are featuring in this LA Time's listicle of  7 classic New Orleans cocktails and where to drink them. [LATimes]

NOLA— This week listicle pro Scott Gold names the top 13 restaurants of 2015 (so far), including Brown Butter, Paladar 511, Saveur and more. [Thrillist]

UPTOWN— Avo, the upcoming Sicilian meets Southern restaurant from former Gautreau's sous Nick Lama, is shaping up to open in the former Martinique Bistro space this spring with promises of Burrata and grilled peaches, short rib lasagna and more drool-inducing dishes to come. [Gambit]

NOLA— ""One of the things that Dick really taught me was about the five letters called 'taste.' He was absolutely adamant about taste in the kitchen. Everyday, over and over, he would say, 'Did you taste the soup? Did you taste the sauce?'"— Emeril Lagasse, who along with Ti Martin and Brett Anderson, remember the impact recently-departed Dick Brennan Sr. had on New Orleans culinary world this week. [NOLA.com]

NOLA— Mario Batali calls Domilise's fried shrimp po' boy the 'definitive' po boy this week. [Gambit via Reuters]

LOUISIANA— Hardee's is offering free burgers for a year to one lucky person who votes/comments on their sandwich brackets on the Hardee's Lousiana Facebook page. The winner will be selected at random. [Eaterwire]