Saffron Is a Semifinalist for Best New Restaurant in the 2018 James Beard Awards

AWARDS WIRE — NOLA restaurants have not been ignored by the James Beard Foundation — several spots around town (and plenty of the city’s favorite names) can be seen on the list of semifinalists for the organization’s culinary awards. Standouts include Saffron, nominated for Best New Restaurant, JoAnn Clevenger of Upperline nominated for Outstanding Restaurateur, and Cure being recognized for Outstanding Bar Program. See the full list at the Times-Picayune. [NOLA.COM]

EXCLUSIVE MEALS — Bon Appétit sits down to a legendary family meal — the staff-only pre-service meal — at Commander’s Palace. The day that the glossy visited, staff was gorging on barbecue chicken, saffron dirty rice, snapper-and-avocado ceviche and lamb-and-plantain casserole. [BA]

GUIDES — For when you don’t necessarily need your seafood to have prix fixe tasting-menu vibes, here are 12 NOLA spots for a casual fishy bite. [NOLA CITY BUSINESS]

EVENTWIRE — Every Friday during Lent (except Good Friday) there is gumbo to be had at St. James Episcopal Church in Baton Rouge. This is the 67th(!) year of said lunches, served by volunteers and including chicken-and-sausage or shrimp gumbo plus salad, bread, dessert and a drink. Proceeds from the lunches — which are also available for drive-through pick-up — support the church’s outreach projects. [THE ADVOCATE]

LENTEN GUIDE — Ready to take your fish fry from out of the restaurant and into your house? Remember, the best fried catfish only needs five (yes, five!) ingredients. [NOLA.COM]

HANGOVER HELPER — A hot, salty, carb-loaded dish is just the thing for recovering after a night of hard partying. Ian McNulty takes a deep dive into the world of ya-ka-mein, chatting with one of NOLA’s favorite local purveyors, Linda Green AKA Ms. Linda the Ya-Ka-Mein Lady. [THE ADVOCATE]

FOR CREDIT — When restaurants opt out of accepting cash as payment, who suffers? Plenty of folks, argues Eater National. [E]