Friends of Eater Name The Biggest Dining Surprises of 2016

As per tradition, Eater Nola has asked a group of journalists, bloggers and friends of the site to weigh in on the year in food. Here now, the biggest dining surprises of 2016.

Q. What was the biggest dining surprise of 2016?

Kim Ranjbar, writer, Suck The Heads: One meal that really surprised me, pleased me, was the Persian lunch I had at Flaming Torch. It was so incredible to taste the flavors of home at a New Orleans restaurant and I hope they continue to serve Persian cuisine on a regular basis. I will most definitely be back for more!

B.E. Mintz, editor, Neat Pour (launching Winter 2016): The continued staffing shortage in the hospitality industry. It’s an open secret that a city so renowned for their restaurants is facing a dire struggle to fill positions in both the front and back of house.

Rene Louapre, cofounder, Hogs For The Cause: I thought the New Orleans food scene was leaps and bounds better in 2012 than it had ever been. But 2016 was lights out with new, inventive, and needed openings. We should have presidential elections more often.

Nora McGunnigle, contributor, Eater Nola: The dessert menu at Vessel— so surprising but comforting with sophisticated flavor combinations you can wrap yourself in.

Josh Brasted, photographer, Eater Nola: Carnegie Deli closing in New York.

Gwendolyn Knapp, editor, Eater Nola: Caribbean Room’s Lil Wayne painting.