No Smoking in New Orleans; A John Wayne-Inspired Cookbook

NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans City Council just passed a comprehensive smoking ban that would effectively outlaw smoking in most parts of the city. And now the hard part: ironing out the details. Mayor Mitch Landrieu is navigating several proposed amendments to the ban, which include eliminating the distance smokers must stand from businesses, and classifying certain French Quarter businesses as "cigar bars," thereby exempting them from the ban.

COOKBOOKS — John Wayne, the iconic American actor known for his roles in Stagecoach and The Searchers, is finally getting his own cookbook. The Official John Wayne Way to Grill will feature recipes "delivered in Duke's trademark no-nonsense style." Expect the book to be meat-heavy — burgers, steaks, chicken, hot dogs. It's unclear whether John Wayne authored these recipes or merely inspired them, but the Wayne-inspired book will soon be for sale May 5 for the retail price of $22.99.

LONDON — Pret A Diner, the traveling gourmet pop-up/art show is moving to London for a four-week engagement at The Club at Café Royal. Executive chef Andrew Turner will join chefs Patti Jackson (Delaware and Hudson) and Ryan Tate (Blenheim, Le Restaurant) in creating a four-course dinner to accompany an art exhibition from painters Jake Wood-Evans and Ryan Hewett. Tickets to the dinner are£75 and can be obtained by emailing the hotel.