Hospitality Observers Discuss 2017’s Biggest Dining Surprise

As per tradition, Eater asked a group of restaurant critics, journalists, bloggers, and friends of the site to weigh in on the year in food. Here, they discuss the most stunning developments.

Liz Williams, founder and president, Southern Food and Beverage Museum: “The closure of some excellent places.”

Elizabeth Pearce, cocktail historian, writer, guide, founder of Drink & Learn: “Is it too obvious to say the John Besh debacle?”

Jay Forman, food and dining editor, New Orleans Magazine: “John Besh.”

Nora McGunnigle, freelance writer and founder of NOLAbeerblog.com: “Some of the closures, honestly. It's a crying shame that Noodle & Pie as well as Primitivo closed - I loved those places. Longtime pillars of the food world Freret Street Poboy and Donut Shop and Matt & Naddie's closed. Also Mariza, which was doing well, but the owners decided on another direction in life. The sheer number of closures this year was a shock to the system.”

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All Year in Eater Coverage [ENOLA]