Things that aren’t cool: not giving the hand of acknowledgement when someone lets you get in front of them in traffic, this humidity, and people who go out to eat but don’t tip properly. Things that are cool: not being on your phone and actually speaking to other humans at social events, dogs, and restaurants that you normally wouldn’t go to cause they’re a little pricey, but that are running deals throughout the month of August. Cue COOLinary New Orleans! 

Right on schedule for the hottest month of the year is Coolinary New Orleans. From August 1-31 enjoy specialty priced prix-fixe menus from hundreds (and counting) local restaurants. Two-course lunches for $20 and under, and three-course dinners for $39 or less. It’s the perfect time to get out of the house,  give your AC unit a break, and support local restaurants. 

I’d list them all but I know you gotta go from pretending to work to actually working sooner than later so here are some of my top picks in the meantime. 

Lunch Break

Domenica Restaurant: $20

Prosciutto and Melon

Margherita Pizza

 

Byblos: $15

Drunken Halloumi

Tabbouleh

Gyro Platter

 

Josephine Estelle: $20

Farm Green Salad

Italian Sandwich

Cookie to-go

Dinner Time

Atchafalaya: $35

Gulf Shrimp Stuffed Creole Tomato

Homeplace Pastures Pork Tenderloin

Blueberry Cheesecake

(*additional 15th Anniversary Offer: select bottles of wine $20. Sun-Thurs.)

 

Picnic Provisions and Whiskey: depending which route you go, $22-$24

Smoky Cochon de Lait Boudin

Crawfish Boil Hot Chicken Sandwich

Campfire Cookie Dough S’mores 

 

Tujagues: $39

Blueberry and Arugula Salad

Crispy Softshell Crab

Key Lime Pie

 

Bar Frances: $37

Grilled Avocado

Ribeye Au Poivre

Banana and Nutella Crème Brûlée 

 

La Petite Grocery: $39

Baked Rigatoni

Crispy Chicken Confit

Almond Crunch and Blueberry Buttermilk Ice Cream 

 

For details on restaurants and menu items check out https://www.neworleans.com/coolinary/

Bon Appétit!