If you’re ever at a restaurant with me and you see the words “duck confit” on the menu, you can count on me ordering it.

This year I’ve gotten to try some interesting applications, like the duck confit salad at South of Beale and this slow-roasted duck pot pie from café b in Metairie, LA. (Essentially it’s in New Orleans, if you aren’t familiar.) The butternut squash balanced the richness of the sauce and I loved the flaky crust.

café b is a cute casual bistro concept from Ralph Brennan, who is behind Red Fish Grill, Ralph’s on the Park, and several other NOLA restaurants. We went for my cousin’s bridal luncheon; as one can expect from a Brennan family establishment, it was packed. So I would recommend making a reservation. They are kid-friendly, as there were several families in our section.