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Your Alternative Newsletter!
News, Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Saturday, June 21, 2025
For Immediate Release
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Food Watch
Curated by
Taylor Arnell Sylvain
(Arnell America)
| | 5 Black-Owned Restaurants to Try During Your Essence Festival Visit | | |
Hey y’all,
With Essence Festival bringing the soul of the culture back to New Orleans, it’s only right that we uplift the flavors that make the city feel like home. Whether you’re flying in for the weekend or you’ve been repping NOLA your whole life, these Black-owned restaurants are serving up more than just food; they’re serving legacy, love, and real New Orleans flavor.
Here are 5 Black-owned spots you need to hit between panels, parties, and concerts:
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Morrow's
2438 St. Claude Avenue
It’s not Essence without Morrow’s. Stylish but soulful, this spot is known for its gumbo, chargrilled oysters, and crowd of beautiful people. Come for the food, stay for the energy.
| | A real hidden gem – Chef Jeff does not miss. The Superdome plate is stacked with seafood, mac & cheese, and flavor that’ll have you thinking about it long after your flight home. | | Sun Chong in the French Quarter offers a thoughtful blend of Korean and New Orleans cuisine that speaks to anyone with a curious palate. Start with the gumbo dumplings—pillowy bites filled with crawfish and shrimp in a savory broth—and follow them with the crawfish fried rice, where every grain is infused with genuine Louisiana spice. | | Caribbean soul meets NOLA spice. Lisa’s jerk wings, roti, and curry chicken are packed with heat and heart. Bonus: it’s woman-owned and full of island love. | | This is where the grown folks go. The “Bow Wow” cocktail alone is worth the trip, but their buttery pasta, fried crab claws, and energy will keep you coming back. | | |
New Orleans is the main character this Essence weekend — and these restaurants are part of the reason why. Show up hungry, tip well, and support these Black-owned businesses while you’re here soaking up all this Black joy.
Love & Light,
Taylor Arnell Sylvain
Fashion Designer • Cultural Curator • Gentilly Native
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Established in 2020 by Taylor Arnell Sylvain, Arnell America reflects fashion-forward and light-hearted Fashion enthusiasts. The language of Arnell America experiments with contemporary femininity, merging rebelliousness with minimalism, evoking a sense of freedom within luxury fashion divas.
| | Sexy . Luxurious . Urban | | |
Sizes: Comes in Small, Medium, or Large. Fits True to Size. Please refer to our size chart for the best fit. Do not size up or down.
Dry Clean to Preserve Quality.
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$50
Available In Neon Blue, Yellow, Green And Pink.
Cutout Mini Dress
One Shoulder
Multi-Strap
Bodycon Stretch
85% Nylon 15% Spandex
Imported
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WHERE TO WEAR:
Garden parties, champagne afternoon teas, alfresco dining, cocktails with the girls, rooftop bars, vacays.
One sleeve single-shoulder stretch dress in yellow.
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Sizes: Comes in Small, Medium, or Large. Fits True to Size. Please refer to our size chart for the best fit. Do not size up or down.
Dry Clean to Preserve Quality.
| | |
$50
Available In Neon Blue, Yellow, Green And Pink.
Cutout Mini Dress
One Shoulder
Multi-Strap
Bodycon Stretch
85% Nylon 15% Spandex
Imported
| | |
WHERE TO WEAR:
Garden parties, champagne afternoon teas, alfresco dining, cocktails with the girls, rooftop bars, vacays.
One sleeve single-shoulder stretch dress in yellow.
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Arnell America woman’s virtual clothing store is known for vibrant and dynamic pieces; swimwear, resort-style clothing, and bodycon dresses for all occasions; including work, leisure, and dining. Taylor Arnell Sylvain, Founder, and CEO is growing Arnell America into a global brand that is fast becoming recognized all over the world, presenting clothing that is unique, and fashion-forward luxury, combined with a touch of effortless femininity.
Arnell America is about creating a movement where we can not only contribute to the fashion industry but can also create inspiration, support, motivation, and charity for America. That is, “The American Dream”! Arnell America textures are rendered in high gloss and look ready for paparazzi photos while skipping the line at a downtown club. Feisty yet refined, Arnell America translates an aughties edge into eye-popping garments that are decidedly of the present.
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Look Who’s Wearing Arnell America!
| | Miss Universe Nigeria - Hannah Iribhogbe | "Thank you @arnellamerica for sending me this super cute and comfortable dress while I was in New Orleans... I'm obsessed with the way this color blends with my complexion." | | |
Meet Hannah
Hannah Iribhogbe is passionate about charity, community service, youth involvement, and women’s empowerment. She’s currently studying business management at North Lake College Dallas, Texas. She’s very passionate about children, specifically young girls, which she shows through her charity advocacy and community service.
She visits orphanage homes all over Nigeria, and herself is responsible for two girls. She is the founder of The Montana Initiative, an organization that works to feed 10 million children all over Africa. She is popularly known by the name Montana Felix, as she prefers to use her father’s last name. “Montana” became a stage name for Hannah when she discovered her many talents in high school, which is the name she also bestowed upon her organization.
Photography: @praise_that_photographer
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