The Little Jewel of New Orleans

Having spent a fair bit of time in the South, I’ve acquired a deep love for authentic Southern food -- the thought of po’boys, muffulettas, fried catfish, blackened chicken, okra, and homemade sausage (be it Andouille or Boudin) is enough to make my mouth water! In my Los Angeles-based experience, no one executes these Southern specialties better than Chef Marcus Christiana-Beniger at The Little Jewel of New Orleans, which seemingly transports the regional cuisine of the Big Easy to Downtown LA’s Chinatown. Christiana-Beniger and his wife, Eunah Kang, infuse Louisianan tradition into their delicatessen, and the delicately fried oysters, the bread trucked in from Leidenheimer Baking Co. (from New Orleans, of course!), and the pleasantly constant stream of local music make their New Orleanian tribute apparent in every savory bite. The deli’s grocery wares are just as equally a love song to the South, selling staples like grits, hot sauce, and Moon Pies (as well as more unusual and exciting items like pickled pork hocks and moonshine syrup!), that root this Southern transplant as a charming go-to local market for aficionados of  Southern cuisine.

Dress: Betsey Johnson (old)
Necklace: Debstar Designs Bow and Coffin Necklace
Lips: Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick in American Doll
Brows: Anastasia Beverly Hills DIPBROW® Pomade in Soft Brown
Glasses: Bonlook Keiko frames in Tessa Tort

Crescent City Fried Oyster Po’Boy (Dressed).

Muffuletta - New Orleans Sicilian sandwich consisting of Genoa Salami, Soppressata, Hot Capicola, and Mortadella meats, Provolone and Mozzarella cheeses, and House-Made Olive Salad on a sesame seeded Leidenheimer loaf.

Ending with a good old, classic Moon Pie.