Latest Writing

What's Cooking

All posts
An Original
Dining Diary

An Original

In its original setting.

March 18, 2026

Tom's Recommendations

Featured Restaurants

All restaurants
American

CBD

What would be your first thought a restaurant in a big hotel, connected with a seafood house in Destin called Stinky's Fish Camp? That was my reaction, too. Another: a scan of the menu revealed prices higher than I expected to find. Finally, the place seemed to be pushing the Cajun-Creole thing a little too hard. (That name is an obscure reference to life in the marshlands.) With all that mental baggage, I tried the place a few months ago. The evening was astonishing, getting off to a great start with some dozen different ways of serving oysters. I was also incredulous about the presence of four or finfish species. The few missteps involved the service, and they weren't bad enough to put a sour taste in my mouth. I was looking forward to the next time before I called for the check.

Food Almanac

45 Years of Culinary History

Daily entries covering the food history of New Orleans — exclusively for Five Star members.

Explore the Almanac
New Orleans food neon sign

On the Air

The Food Show

Join Tom Fitzmorris weekdays from 2–4 PM on 990 AM WGSO — 32 years of recipes, restaurant news, and New Orleans food culture.

Learn More

Follow Along

@nomenu

Photos, restaurant visits, market finds, and the food life of New Orleans — on Instagram.

Follow on Instagram
Commander's Palace Restaurant

Membership

45 Years of New Orleans Food Authority

Become a Five Star member and unlock the full Food Almanac, vintage print magazines (1977–1995), premium articles, and your exclusive Ciao Number.

Become a Member