The french word reveillon means awakening. A reveillon dinner was a meal served after Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. A feast to awaken your senses and spirit for the joy of Christmas! The tradition can be traced back to the 1800's with the meal being celebrated with only family members to break a day long fast. Imagine oyster gumbo, turtle soup, egg dishes, bread pudding and yes, drinkable spirits, all prepared before hand. There are many restaurants starting their own reveillon dinners with a prix fixe menu for holiday celebrations. This is a great way to sample a local feast and have yourself an "awakening" New Orleans style!
Another tradition in the South of France, this is my favorite, is "thirteen desserts". Small but satisfying, for the mind, body and spirit! The sideboard or small buffet is decorated with thirteen desserts, being the number at the last supper-Christ and the twelve apostles. The holy trinity is represented by three candle sticks. Arranged beautifully on the sideboard are figs, almonds, dried grapes, plums, pecans, pears,almond paste pastry, soft and hard candies, tea cakes, blood oranges, dates, and melon. You must take a sample of each for luck in the new year. This meal is eaten before going to Midnight Mass with family and friends. Whatever your traditions are, there is always room for more, you can start something new from a city rich in traditions and always filled with cheer! Be awakened!!
"Custom reconciles us to everything," Edmund Burke...Irish statesman & author (1729-1797)
"I came here because the city has a tradition and is a very respected food city." Emeril Lagasse
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