Beignet Fest returns to New Orleans City Park on Nov. 7 with $15 early-bird tickets, live music, creative beignet dishes and a mission supporting local autism programs.

McClain’s Pizzeria is back in Mandeville after a nine-month recovery from an electrical fire, with a new location, expanded seating and family recipes that survived the blaze.

COOLinary is back in New Orleans with prix-fixe meals, cocktail deals and more than 100 participating restaurants through August 31.

St. Elmo’s is coming to Magazine Street with handmade pasta, an open kitchen, and a lavish new interior.

A new New Orleans East lounge will honor Jacoby Jones and target sports fans. Its opening date and full concept are still under wraps.

Em J’s Cafe is bringing all-day breakfast, Cajun comfort food and family-run hospitality to Lake Charles in early August.

Que Rico! Cuban Café is closing its Slidell dining room after years of drawing diners from both sides of Lake Pontchartrain. Takeout and catering will continue for a few weeks.

A boutique micro‑bakery called Dolce Amore has opened at 206 Lake Drive in Covington, serving dot cakes, gelato, macarons and savory bakes.

Hubig's banana hand pie returns after 14 years with a Tipitina's release party Saturday and stores stocking the flavor starting Monday.

Chef Haley Vaughan and partner Sage Ellis opened Respite on Bayou Road, a compact Esplanade Ridge cafe serving seasonal comfort plates and a concise wine program.

Dat Dog has closed its original Freret Street location for a $508,000 renovation that preserves the site’s historic gas‑station canopy and aims to reopen by end of summer.

Uni Sushi & Hibachi will take a 3,700-sq-ft ground-floor corner at Roosevelt & Common, bringing hibachi tables, a sushi bar and late-night hours to downtown.

A new deli opened next to Terranova on Esplanade, serving pressed Italian sandwiches, Miami gelato and classic New Orleans sno-balls.