Latest news with #AtlasObscura
Eater
6 days ago
- Business
- Eater
The Saddest Restaurant Closing in New Orleans, July 2025
is an award-winning food and travel writer living in New Orleans. Her work has appeared in Atlas Obscura, The Local Palate, and the Los Angeles Times. It's summer, which always brings a slew of restaurant closings in New Orleans. This past month, some heavy hitters and much-loved staples have shuttered. Restaurants include a Canal Street staple, an omakase spot, and a Freret Street pizzeria. Palace Cafe abruptly closes after 34 years Canal Street without Palace Cafe is hard to imagine. The flagship restaurant for the Dickie Brennan & Co. restaurant group has anchored the edge of the French Quarter at 605 Canal Street since 1991. When it opened, the restaurant creatively reimagined the historic Werlein's music store, creating three floors of a classic brasserie where organs, pianos, and sheet music formerly reigned. The menu was creative too, a modern, more casual reimagining of the Creole standards served at Brennan family restaurants for generations. There was also sidewalk seating, a novelty on the mile-long avenue. But the Palace Cafe served its last piece of crabmeat cheesecake on July 7. A legal dispute around the original terms of the building's sale is at the heart of the sudden closure, according to the company statement. Dickie Brennan informed the restaurant staff of the news on the day of the closure. Company spokesperson Lindsay Ross confirmed that about half of the restaurant's 60-person staff were offered positions at other restaurants in the group, which include Pascal's Manale, Dickie Brennan Steakhouse, and Audubon Clubhouse. Others are being offered severance. 'We were optimistic that we were going to buy the building based on a 35-year lease,' said Ross. 'Having to go to court took longer than expected. And the terms of the lease going forward are close to five times the current amount. We operate on a thin margin as it is. And summer is always challenging.' The owners gave notice that the rent would go from around $8,000 to $45,000 a month. That, combined with a $4 million dispute in the asking price and Brennan's offer, shuttered the restaurant, at least for now. 'The Palace Cafe is a beloved establishment,' said Ross. 'We are open to moving it somewhere else if the location is right.' For now, locals can get their fix of signature dishes like that famous savory cheesecake and white chocolate bread pudding at the company's Commissary or online at Goldbelly. 'Although we are saddened to so suddenly have to close the doors, we are optimistic about a next chapter for Palace Café on Canal Street, or elsewhere in our city. Don't count us out yet,' Brennan said in a statement. Yo Nashi is closing on July 19 after five years Yo Nashi, the omakase heralded for its 10-course menus, will close its CBD restaurant on July 19. Owner Kyle Payer announced the closure on Instagram, thanking supporters and inviting regulars in for one last time before closing the door. His immediate plan is to spend more time with his family. The restaurant opened in 2020, following a pandemic-related delay, with chef Mackenzie 'Mack' Broquet, formerly of Commander's Palace, showcasing a menu that highlights Gulf Coast ingredients. Broquet is now the executive chef at Little Bird in downtown Fairhope, Alabama. Ancora exiting Freret Street Freret Street wasn't always a dining destination. Early adopters like Ancora proprietor Bryn Thompson made it so, opening his pizzeria in 2011 and serving Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizza and house-made salumi. His restaurant set the stage for a flurry of openings. Resistant to changing his model, Ancora is closing after service on July 31. The restaurant always catered to a dine-in crowd, resisting the onset of delivery apps, which come with high fees. Thompson, citing how 'difficult this year has been on the city's dining industry,' said he doesn't want to 'cave in to Uber Eats … cater to a different demographic. We are deciding to move on.' Rosella closes after almost two years Taking a break from the unpredictable world of filmmaking, partners Alix Petrovich and Paul McCaige opened the charming Mid City neighborhood restaurant Rosella in November 2023. Despite its good vibes and lovely shaded patio, the owners announced that the restaurant's last day of service would be July 27. The eclectic restaurant, filled with plants and funky art, was known for its affordable wine program and fun menu, which includes charcuterie and snacks like plump corndogs and croquettes oozing with house-made pimento cheese. Petrovich's mother, Romney Richard, and her husband, Charley Richard, who took over operations from the original partners, announced the closing. Eater New Orleans All your essential food and restaurant intel delivered to you Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Daily Record
10-06-2025
- Daily Record
BBC travel expert Simon Reeve says this is the best city in the world blending history and culture
BBC travel presenter Simon Reeve has explored more than 130 countries during his career, and now he has named his favourite city in the world. BBC explorer Simon Reeve has named a city straddling the East and West as his favourite destination worldwide. He expressed his profound connection to a place where, he feels, history and culture can be felt in the air. Having travelled to more than 130 countries, Simon recently wrapped up his latest journey, 'Scandinavia with Simon Reeve' – a breathtaking three-part series for the BBC, reports the Mirror. Now, he has revealed his most cherished city. His selection is based on a sprawling metropolis that bridges the European and Asian continents and is home to what he describes as "one of the most stunning buildings on the planet". Speaking to The Express, he said: "In terms of a city, I think Istanbul is not just spectacular, but you can't go there and not smell the history and the culture there. You know, I love how it's clearly divided. You've got your old bit. You've got your modern bit. You've got your Eastern area, as well - the other side of the Bosphorus, Asia, basically. It is the point where, for a thousand years and more, the East and the West have met." He also shared his "favourite little quirky thing" about the city, which is Hagia Sophia – the ancient basilica turned mosque that stands as a testament to history at 1,600 years old. Simon elaborated on how this emblematic monument continues to captivate visitors as a magnificent structure that remains an active site of worship. He shared: "I'll tell you my favourite little quirky thing actually, in many a way; there's a building in Istanbul called Hagia Sophia, which was a church, then a mosque, is now sort of a museum, just open as an attraction." Simon went on to say: "But it's an incredible building - one of the most stunning buildings on the planet, and up at the top, inside on the upper balcony, there's a bit of graffiti carved into the balcony." He was referring to ancient Viking runes inscribed into the Hagia Sophia during its tenure as a church. The National Museum of Denmark has identified the Viking visitors as Halvdan and Are. According to Atlas Obscura, the inscription likely reads "Halfdan carved these runes" or "Halfdan was here", a detail that Simon found particularly captivating, dubbing it his "favourite little bit". For the presenter, uncovering the story of the rune-carving Vikings was a "chill down the spine moment", underscoring that people have been explorers since the dawn of humanity. He noted that throughout history, humans have always felt compelled to leave their mark and connect with these "incredible sights". He concluded: "It's just a reminder that our ancestors travelled, and they were quite similar to us, actually. They probably wanted a beer, a selfie, and to leave a little bit of a mark behind." All three episodes of Scandinavia with Simon Reeve are available for streaming on BBC iPlayer NOW.
Indianapolis Star
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indianapolis Star
Is the haunted doll Annabelle to blame for a plantation fire? The internet says yes
Is a demonic doll touring the U.S. to blame for the mishaps in Louisiana? That's what the internet is saying, which has led to a ghost tour company receiving multiple death threats. Ghost City Tours hosted and sold tickets to the public to see Annabelle, the haunted Raggedy Ann doll that inspired the movie "Annabelle," which is a part of the "Conjuring" universe. "It was nice to have our own weird event," said Tim Nealon, the founder, president and former CEO of Ghost City Tours. However, despite the success of the sold-out event, the internet began to blame the escape of 10 inmates from a New Orleans jail and a fire that destroyed the Nottoway Plantation on Annabelle's visit. Ghost City Tours teamed up with "Annabelle's Caretakers," an extension of the now-closed Warren Occult Museum, while they were touring the U.S. with the allegedly haunted doll. The doll was originally on display at the Warrens' Occult Museum, which permanently closed to the public in 2019 after Lorraine Warren, one of the original owners, died, according to Atlas Obscura. Annabelle's tour stopped in several states and cities, including the Ghost City Tours office in New Orleans from May 13 to May 14, where fans of the paranormal were able to visit Annabelle and learn more about her origin story. The event sold out immediately. "It was literally sold out within seconds," said Nealon. "I mean, I felt like it was some big-name concert." While some people took to social media to joke about the coincidence of Annabelle's visit, others didn't think it was a joke at all. "I did not think people were taking it seriously, (because) I kept seeing jokes about it on Instagram and TikTok," said Nealon. "But, I didn't realize people were out here like, actually thinking that this was legit." Some people online are "absolutely convinced that Ghost City Tour is responsible" for the plantation fire and the inmates' escape, according to Nealon. People are even sending them death threats. "I could never imagine sending anybody a death threat at all, let alone over a (expletive) haunted doll," said Nelon. Annabelle visited San Antonio, Texas, where the doll was displayed at the annual San Antonio Psychic & Spirit Fest from May 17-18. In 1970, a mom gave her daughter, Donna, a 28-year-old nursing student, the now-infamous doll, according to the New England Society for Psychic Research, NESPR. She'd purchased Annabelle from a hobby store. Donna and her roommate, Angie, noticed weird paranormal activity happening around the apartment, which began to escalate. Legend has it that the paranormal activity only became worse. The doll was thought to be inhabited by the spirit of a young girl, but Donna soon believed it was actually possessed by something "demonic and inhuman." The doll was later handed over to Ed and Lorraine Warren, a couple famous for collecting paranormal objects and artifacts.
Indianapolis Star
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Indianapolis Star
'That ain't no haint': 'Sinners' movie references evil spirit. But what is it exactly?
Turns out "Sinners" is more than just about vampires. Viewers have some thoughts about Ryan Coogler's subtle reference to another supernatural entity in the film, released April 18. While a select few might have had an inkling about what Annie (Wunmi Mosaku), a Hoodoo practitioner and herbalist, meant by "haint," others were completely in the dark. One viewer even thought Annie uttered the word "Hank" as she tried to determine the cause of Stack's (Michael B. Jordan) and Mary's (Hailee Steinfeld) death-defying transformation. Annie determines, through context clues, that her friends have turned into vampires, not haints like she previously hypothesized. Though haints are not the focus of "Sinners," the spectral beings are deeply rooted in Southern folklore, not unlike the film, set in Mississippi in the 1930s. Here's what to know about haints, including a compilation of viewers' genuine reactions to Coogler's subtle reference. What is a haint? A haint, for those unfamiliar with African spiritual traditions, refers to "evil spirits who escaped their human forms at night to paralyze, injure, ride (the way a person might ride a horse), or even kill innocent victims," Atlas Obscura reported in January 2020. Though haints are only mentioned by name once in "Sinners," some viewers noticed the way Coogler wove in the use of "haint blue" a shade of blue used by enslaved Africans and later by the Gullah Geechee to combat haints and "boo hags," in Annie's home and wardrobe throughout the film. "She's hoodoo, she's voodoo. She's of African diasporic tradition,' Ruth E. Cater, the film's costume designer, told lifestyle publication 21Ninety. 'She's every part of where our origin story led us in terms of our religious practices.' Haint blue was believed to trick haints into believing they had stumbled into water, which they were unable to cross or the sky, which led them farther away from their victims, according to Atlas Obscura. The color was first derived from the dye produced on indigo plantations across the South Carolina coast, Atlas Obscura reported. Some painted their homes in haint blue, while others hung blue glass bottles in trees to trap the evil spirit or spirits lurking in the shadows, according to Atlas Obscura. Not all Gullah Geechee, however, identify with the color's use. While the practice of using haint blue to ward off evil spirits might not be as common, the color has bled into the mainstream, with major paint companies like Sherwin-Williams and PPG Industries, Inc selling paint inspired by the shade. Viewers go on 'deep dive' after haint reference in 'Sinners' While some viewers knew what a haint was before they saw the film, others were intrigued enough by the reference that they proceeded to do some research on the evil spirt and for some, its connection to vampires. Those who were able to make sense of the reference in the moment remembered when they first heard about haints from relatives and the significance of "haint blue" in the film. Either way, those who heard the subtle reference were impressed by Coogler's attention to detail. Below you will find a compilation of posts that encapsulates the conversation surrounding haints in "Sinners."
USA Today
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
'That ain't no haint': 'Sinners' movie references evil spirit. But what is it exactly?
'That ain't no haint': 'Sinners' movie references evil spirit. But what is it exactly? Show Caption Hide Caption 'Sinners': A vampire wants to crash Michael B. Jordan's party Cornbread (Omar Miller) isn't acting like his old self when trying to re-enter the party in Ryan Coogler's period horror movie "Sinners." Turns out "Sinners" is more than just about vampires. Viewers have some thoughts about Ryan Coogler's subtle reference to another supernatural entity in the film, released April 18. While a select few might have had an inkling about what Annie (Wunmi Mosaku), a Hoodoo practitioner and herbalist, meant by "haint," others were completely in the dark. One viewer even thought Annie uttered the word "Hank" as she tried to determine the cause of Stack's (Michael B. Jordan) and Mary's (Hailee Steinfeld) death-defying transformation. Annie determines, through context clues, that her friends have turned into vampires, not haints like she previously hypothesized. Though haints are not the focus of "Sinners," the spectral beings are deeply rooted in Southern folklore, not unlike the film, set in Mississippi in the 1930s. Here's what to know about haints, including a compilation of viewers' genuine reactions to Coogler's subtle reference. 'Sinners' movie: Don't let them in! What to know about the vampire invitation featured in 'Sinners' What is a haint? A haint, for those unfamiliar with African spiritual traditions, refers to "evil spirits who escaped their human forms at night to paralyze, injure, ride (the way a person might ride a horse), or even kill innocent victims," Atlas Obscura reported in January 2020. Though haints are only mentioned by name once in "Sinners," some viewers noticed the way Coogler wove in the use of "haint blue" a shade of blue used by enslaved Africans and later by the Gullah Geechee to combat haints and "boo hags," in Annie's home and wardrobe throughout the film. "She's hoodoo, she's voodoo. She's of African diasporic tradition,' Ruth E. Cater, the film's costume designer, told lifestyle publication 21Ninety. 'She's every part of where our origin story led us in terms of our religious practices.' Haint blue was believed to trick haints into believing they had stumbled into water, which they were unable to cross or the sky, which led them farther away from their victims, according to Atlas Obscura. The color was first derived from the dye produced on indigo plantations across the South Carolina coast, Atlas Obscura reported. Some painted their homes in haint blue, while others hung blue glass bottles in trees to trap the evil spirit or spirits lurking in the shadows, according to Atlas Obscura. Not all Gullah Geechee, however, identify with the color's use. While the practice of using haint blue to ward off evil spirits might not be as common, the color has bled into the mainstream, with major paint companies like Sherwin-Williams and PPG Industries, Inc selling paint inspired by the shade. Viewers go on 'deep dive' after haint reference in 'Sinners' While some viewers knew what a haint was before they saw the film, others were intrigued enough by the reference that they proceeded to do some research on the evil spirt and for some, its connection to vampires. Those who were able to make sense of the reference in the moment remembered when they first heard about haints from relatives and the significance of "haint blue" in the film. Either way, those who heard the subtle reference were impressed by Coogler's attention to detail. Below you will find a compilation of posts that encapsulates the conversation surrounding haints in "Sinners."
