[Courtesy of Easy Virtue]

New Orleans' Best New Restaurants March 2024 | Top Food News in NOLA

07:00 March 05, 2024
By: Kim Ranjbar

Top Restaurants in New Orleans: March


Por fin … The anxiously-awaited brick and mortar version of restaurateur and chef Michael Gulotta's Italian pop-up TANA from long, long a-Tréo opened mid-December 2023 in a newly-built, 5000 square-foot mostro on Metairie Road. The "upscale Italian" restaurant is serving dishes inspired by Gulotta's grandmother Gaetana including her roast chicken, as well as a fried egg plant with pork gravy. Other dishes from Gulotta's own culinary genius make for a drool-stained page such as the savory zeppole with caviar and lardo butter, osso bucco arancini with saffron rice and whipped fonduta, or—heaven help us—the pasta con vongole Nola, a.k.a. spaghetti with clams Gulotta-fied, using hot sausage, saffron tomatoes, and house made—in front of God and everyone—squid ink trenette, which is a flat linguine-type noodle. One could go on, but suffice it to say, it's open, so make a dinner reservation any day but Tuesday. 2919 Metairie Rd., (504) 533-8262, tanaitalian.com


Make it make sense … A Philadelphia-born sandwich franchise dubbed PrimoHoagies opened up several months ago on Oak Street, home of the annual Oak Street Po-Boy Festival. The space, which once housed a tabletop gaming cafe, is now spinning out hoagies including Philly cheesesteaks, corned beef "Schwartzies," and other Italian deli-like fare. That's not saying you can't have a hoagie shop on Oak Street; it's just odd that there aren't any po-boy shops on Oak Street. Oh well. Geaux hoagies! 8228 Oak St., (504) 315-1335, primohoagies.com


[Courtesy of Easy Virtue]

Let's do dinner instead … The Mid-City spot on the corner of S. Cortez has been bringing the brunch vibes since Ruby Slipper originally opened there in 2008, but now the time has come for something different. Hollywood South alumnus Alixandra Petrovich and Paul McCaige are now the new owners of Rosella, a low-key, casual dinner spot with a "traditional American comfort" menu created by Chef Richard Hoerner, formerly of Blue Giant Chinese. Grab a smattering of small plates such as boudin balls, corn dogs, potato croquettes, and fried shrimp remoulade to go with cocktails, mocktails, or "approachable" wines. They also offer St. James Cheese-curated boards for snacking and larger plates like a pork chop with mashed sweet potato if you're feeling ultra-peckish. Oh, and bring the kiddos for chicken "nugs" and fries or a "kidcuterie" plate. 139 S. Cortez St., (504) 766-6642, rosellamidcity.com


Ferry-bound for seconds … Jamaican food restaurant 14 Parishes recently opened its second location across the river in Algiers Point. This is a spot which seems to have made its rounds across the city from Clio Street in Central City, at Downtown's Pythian Market, and all the way up to the Carrollton neighborhood to Oak Street, where they've remained since 2016. Now Chef Charles Blake and his wife have brought their award-winning jerk chicken across the Mighty Mississippi to Patterson Road, and the people in the Point are already singing their praises. In addition to that fire jerk chicken and fried jerk wings, 14 Parishes also offers curry dishes, sliders, and savory sides from callaloo and festival bread to cornbread and cabbage. 801 Patterson Rd., 14parishes.com


Breaded cats … Hopefully the trend of putting a slice of bread on your cat's face has at last fallen out of favor, but, in other cat news, the popular breakfast and lunch spot Bearcat Cafe has launched Bearcat Bread, a bakery concept headed by the restaurant's own pastry chef Catalina Colby-Pariseau and coffee roaster Micael Matthews of Alinea. The new bakery, dubbed Bearcat Baked, opened at the tail-end of 2023 on Julia Street in the Central Business District and New Orleanians have responded with alacrity, buying their fill of sourdough, ciabatta, roasted tomato and garlic focaccia, and buttermilk honey loaves. The new bakery features both sweet and savory pastries, from cinnamon rolls and bear claws to muffaletta-filled croissants and mushroom danishes with goat cheese. 726 Julia St., (504) 513-4994, bearcatbaked.com

[Courtesy of Easy Virtue]

Do we make you hungry, baby? … The New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District hotel on Convention Center Boulevard recently opened Easy Virtue, a brunch-based, but everything goes, kind of place. The new restaurant, formerly home to Wolfe's in the Warehouse, features a menu created by veteran Marriott chef Chad Roldan. The menu is filled with dishes like the Pig Pop Tart filled with cochon de lait and apples, sweet heat fried chicken sandwich with fried jalapeños on buttery brioche, and (of course) fun brunchy cocktails such as their "Cereal Milk Punch, Y'all" with bourbon and selected cereal milk of the day. 878 Fulton St., easyvirtue.com


Top New Restaurants in New Orleans: February


Hot off the press! … Before she graduated from the Nunez Community College culinary program, Chalmatian-born Aritza Garcia jumped right in and opened a Cuban food stall at St. Roch Market called Aritza Kitchen. She's brought her skills as her family's cook to the Marigny food hall, regaling all of us with signature Cuban cuisine from an El Cubanito sandwich with pork, ham, Swiss, pickles, and mustard to empanadas, yucca with chicharrón, and tres leches cake. 2381 St. Claude Ave., @aritzaskitchen, strochmarket.com


Gambling on the classics … Celebrity chef and restaurateur Emeril Lagasse recently opened his very first French restaurant. Emeril's Brasserie opened inside New Orleans' Harrah's (soon-to-be Caesar's) Casino downtown, a change of pace for both the chef and the casino. The brasserie's kitchen is led by Chef Eric Ivy, and though the property will still be under construction through 2024, the high-end restaurant is open for dinner, with plans in the works to include breakfast and lunch. The menu features a mix of French dishes and (of course) a few New Orleans favorites such as Gulf oyster artichoke soup, sweet onion tart with lardons (aka bacon) and crème fraîche, pan-fried Trout Meuniere, and roasted ratatouille. 228 Poydras St., caesars.com/harrahs-new-orleans/restaurants/emerils-brasserie


Pump up the BAM! … Speaking of Emeril, the celebrity chef's eponymous charitable organization recently granted nearly $200,000 spread out among four local programs that support the Foundation's vision. "We support programs that provide mentorship to the most vulnerable youth in our communities. We help them to achieve life skills necessary to gain and sustain employment," said Emeril Lagasse. "Teaching through food is at the core of what we do." Based on their shared mission to support youth through "culinary, nutrition, and arts education," the Emeril Lagasse Foundation awarded grants to the Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation ProStart (LRAEF), New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (NOCHI), Reconcile New Orleans (RNO), and Youth Empowerment Project (YEP). Also, the Aarón Sánchez Impact Fund (ASIF), a program of the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, will enable four Latino youth to receive culinary education in New Orleans through the Aarón Sánchez Scholarship. The students will gain hands-on industry experience, as the program works to diversify future kitchen leadership. emeril.org


Down on da bayou … The Broad Street end of Bayou Road has been growing lately and it just got a little bigger with the recent opening of Nonno's Cajun Cuisine & Pastries. Formerly located in the Marigny, the eatery made the move to the bayou when the owners saw the opportunity to have a larger space. Nonno's offers lots of local comfort foods such as Southern shrimp and grits with eggs and toast, breakfast burritos, po-boys, and Rockafella oysters with cheese, crabmeat, shrimp, and crawfish tails—just to name a few. 2517 Bayou Rd., nonnoscajuncuisineandpastries.com


So pretty! … What is a "loungerie," you ask? Find out for yourself at Jolie, a cocktail lounge/restaurant that recently opened up in the Warehouse District. Located in the space that briefly held the World of Beer back in 2019, the new concept is an upscale cocktail lounge that's trying not to take itself too seriously with a large array of cocktails, plus a menu of shared small plates for those who might be feeling peckish. Visitors can expect dishes such as shrimp beignets, tempura-fried frog legs, and tuna crudo, but the mixed drinks are really where it's at. 324 Julia St., jolie-nola.com


Who? … Porgy, that's who. Porgy's Seafood Market, part restaurant, part seafood market, opened recently in the space that formerly housed Bevi Seafood on N. Carrollton Avenue. The new market is a partnership between Christina and Dana Honn (the chefs who operate Carmo and Café Cour) and Caitlin Carney and her husband Chef Marcus Jacobs (Seafood Sally's and the recently shuttered Marjie's Grill). Like many New Orleans chefs and restaurateurs, the partners see a major disconnect between the massive seafood bounty in the Gulf and what is actually offered in local restaurants and retail markets. Along with gumbo, po-boys, and other seafood favorites, Porgy's has established connections with local fisheries to offer more goodies from the Gulf than ever before. 236 N. Carrollton Ave., porgysseafood.com


Top New Restaurants in New Orleans: January

MISA's Burrata [Photo by Kim Ranjbar]

Ch-ch-changes … Uptown Mediterranean restaurant MISA is shaking things up a bit. Owner and chef Tal Sharon has tapped Chef Frank Azulay, a French-born chef who made his mark in Tel Aviv. Azulay has added some of his own dishes to MISA's menu such as avocado bruschetta with peppery arugula and chimichurri, baked potato tortilla with green onions and truffle aioli, creamy burrata with fresh basil and tomatoes, and a hot apple spring roll with vanilla ice cream and strawberry and raspberry coulis. MISA has also converted their outdoor dining area to an indoor dining area—as all New Orleanians know, temperature control is a good thing. 4734 Magazine St., (504) 510-2791, misanola.com

Coffee first … The Algiers Point neighborhood has emitted a resounding "hurrah" at the resurrection of their beloved coffee shop—Congregation. After over eight years in business, the popular corner coffee stop closed its doors in May of 2023. Denizens of the Point despaired until late October when Patrick Brennan of the Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group purchased the shop (and its roastery on Tchoupitoulas Street) and reopened a brand new Congregation. Though the formerly "shabby chic" cafe now sports a shiny new paint job and delicious pastries from the Ralph Brennan Bakery, Congregation's singular coffees are just as good as they've always been. 240 Pelican Ave., congregationcoffee.com

A great place to park The Audubon Clubhouse, a gorgeous, Acadian-style breakfast/lunch spot and event space in Audubon Park, was recently taken over by the Dickie Brennan Restaurant Group and has been made into a fully-fledged restaurant. Chef Copeland Crews (formerly of Saba) is heading the kitchen and putting out nostalgic dishes which include an 1898 club sandwich and Cobb salad. Is there anything better than enjoying lunch—and soon dinner—on a deep, wrap-around porch surrounded by live oaks? Possibly, but we can't think of anything at the moment. 6975 Magazine St., (504) 558-1200, audubonclubhouse.com

Craftin' hops … The long-awaited Ecology Beer Creative & Taproom has opened. The brand new building is located on Baronne Street, just a few blocks from Central City BBQ. Taking the place of the poorly-timed All Relation brewery that opened in late 2019 and abruptly closed after the pandemic shutdowns. Ecology is co-owned by brewer Matt Horney and is offering 12 brews on tap with plans in the works to run a canning line to further distribute his craft brews to the masses. 1401 Baronne St., ecologybeer.com

R'enovating a R'evolution … Chef John Folse's signature French Quarter, fine-dining destination has reopened after a multi-million dollar renovation. Originally a partnership between Folse and famed Chicago chef Rick Tramonto, the two have parted ways and Folse has taken this opportunity to make R'evolution his own, taking the focus of the restaurant back to what he's known for—Louisiana cuisine. Dishes include Death by Gumbo with roasted quail and Gulf oysters, Crawfish Montegut with fried crawfish tails and smoked tomato remoulade, blue crab beignets, short rib boudin, rabbit rillettes, and BBQ Gulf shrimp and blue corn grits. Restaurant R'evolution is open for dinner every day but Wednesday. 777 Bienville St., (504) 553-2277, revolutionnola.com

Laissez les bon sake? … Chefs Rodney Bonsack and Sean McGuire have joined forces to open Bon Sake Sushi & Bar, a "modern sushi restaurant with a Southern influence" in Downtown Covington. Located on N. Columbia Street, just around the corner from Aki Japanese, this hot new sushi spot emphasizes soy-paper-wrapped rolls, cocktails, and a new spot to watch the game. 528 N. Columbia St., Covington, (985) 400-5021, bonsakesushi.com

Around the Bend … Chef Blake Cressey, born and raised in New Orleans, has recently launched her first brick and mortar, eponymously named Blake's Place. Cressey, who started selling hot plates from her home nearly a decade ago, has renovated and re-decorated the former home of Mexican restaurant La Mansion on Dublin Street, upping the atmosphere tenfold. Blake's Place is serving mostly Creole-Italian cuisine and comfort food from BBQ shrimp and smoked wings to chicken marsala and linguine Alfredo. Blake's Place is open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday. 724 Dublin St., (504) 354-1352, blakesplacenola.com

Bigger is better The Mardi Gras School of Cooking, a premier culinary destination in the historic French Quarter, has expanded its premises to include a newly-developed cooking facility. Offering hands-on cooking classes, private events, and catering, the school is known for its authentic local cuisine and skilled instructors. "Our students learn about the history and culture of New Orleans cuisine, and they leave with a newfound appreciation for our city's unique food culture. We believe the Mardi Gras School of Cooking is helping to make New Orleans an even more desirable destination for tourists all over the world," said Teresa Vernon, owner of the Mardi Gras School of Cooking. 519 Wilkinson St., Ste. 101, (504) 344-3977, themardigrasschoolofcooking.com

Geaux Team … Native New Orleanians Chef Matthew Nguyen and former LSU football star Malachi Dupre have joined forces to present Kenji Omakase, a Japanese-inspired pop-up inside the International House Hotel. The omakase tasting courses focus mainly on fish sourced from Japan's internationally recognized Toyosu Market—among the finer cuts being madai, shima-aji, kanpachi, kurodai, and oysters from Kumamoto Bay. Nguyen will introduce dishes reflecting his heritage and featuring local produce, such as lemongrass miso soup and bo la lot, beef wrapped in a betel leaf and grilled on a Japanese binchotan grill. Coming in either early winter or spring, Kenji will also offer rare sakes and cocktails crafted to complement the food, all curated by Abigail Gullo, acclaimed mixologist and creative director at loa. 221 Camp St., @kenjiomakase


December


Crossings ... Tex-Mex restaurant Las Cruces has opened its brand-new doors right behind the on-ramp from Airline Drive to Causeway in Metairie. Brought to you by the same folks behind Crescent City BBQ, the family-friendly spot hired local chef Chris Lusk to create a menu featuring dishes such as creamy queso with roasted hatch chiles, smoked pork soft tacos, tortilla soup, and jumbo, flour tortilla-wrapped burritos. Take the kiddos and have a Texas-style night out, either in their large dining room or outside on the patio. Either way, don't leave without a slice of their tres leches bread pudding for a Tex-Mex dessert NOLA-style. 2935 Airline Dr., Metairie, lascrucestexmex.com


Good luckTaj McMinn, a veteran cook in kitchens near and far, recently launched Red Panda NOLA, a Chinese/Japanese/Korean-inspired pop-up happening mostly at Mid-City cocktail dive Twelve Mile Limit. Embracing the general concept to "have fun and try things," McMinn's dishes include soft-boiled eggs marinated in gochujang, red curry, and mirin; Thai-glazed crispy wings; spicy, Sichuan dan dan noodles; and cucumbers goma ae (a.k.a. sauce of roasted sesame seeds, soy sauce, sugar, sake, and mirin). @red.panda.nola


For those about to brunch ... Because if it's not in my backyard, it's not close enough—locally born brunch bonanza Ruby Slipper recently opened its 23rd location (though only its second in Metairie) on Veterans Boulevard near the Clearview City Center. The ribbon-cutting ceremony included check presentations to local organizations Second Harvest Food Bank and the Roots of Music. "One thing we love even more than 'that brunch life' is lifting up our community through food and culture," Ruby Slipper CEO Elizabeth McGee said. A restaurant that lets the good times roll everyday with all-day "boozy brunches," it serves award-winning Bloody Marys with white chocolate bread pudding pancakes and fried chicken sandwiches tossed in Mike's Hot Honey Glaze. 4236 Veterans Blvd., Metairie, rubybrunch.com


Drowning in a bigger cup ... Warehouse District dessert/cocktail bar Drip Affogato has at last outgrown their tiny digs on Carondelet and have moved downtown to a much larger space on Camp Street, right next to Peter Mayer. It's a great little place to get all of your vices in at once, because what's better than coffee, ice cream, and cocktails? At the moment, we can't think of anything. 336 Camp St., @dripaffogatobar


Fete Au Fete, Chicken plate [Courtesy Fete Au Fete]

There's always a party ... Industry veteran and Baton Rouge-native Micah Martello has branched out of his longtime Louisiana Cajun food truck Fete au Fete StrEATery to open a fried chicken stall inside St. Roch Market. Dubbed Fried & True, the new addition to the new food hall (now owned by local Coast Roast coffee man Kevin Pedeaux) offers two- and three-piece boneless fried chicken combos with sides such as cold fried chicken salad (double your chicken), cathead biscuits, and maque choux street corn. You can also get a Belgian-style waffle with two pieces of chicken, honey butter, and bourbon-cane syrup, whether it's breakfast time or not. 2831 St. Claude Ave., strochmarket.com, @feteaufete

Chef Alex Harrell [Courtesy Alex Harrell]

How does your garden grow? ... Beloved local chef Alex Harrell (Angeline, Sylvain, Elysian Bar) was recently tapped to head the kitchen at the Gloriette, a French-inspired garden restaurant in Covington. The Southern Hotel launched the new restaurant back in spring of 2022, renewing the space which formerly housed Oxlot 9. Dishes of note include a ratatouille tartinette with goat cheese, toasted jambon-beurre (baguette with ham and brie), moules frites, and blue crab tagliatelle. Congratulations, chef. 428 E. Boston St., Covington, thegloriette.com


November


How sweet it is Magical macaron-maker, ice cream creator, and "croffle" wonder Sweet Handkraft is back in business right off Severn Avenue, only a few blocks from where they began. When the tiny sweet shop closed last year, some worried they might not return, but they're back and their new digs are bigger and better than ever. Owners Loc Nguyen and Thuy Le are excited about the new space which includes a full kitchen, enabling the addition of savory dishes such as Korean corn dogs and egg drop sandwiches. 3262 Severn Ave., Metairie, (504) 952-1213, facebook.com/sweethandkraft


'Burbin' it … Speaking of major moves, Tan Dinh's sister restaurant Ba Chi Canteen left its Riverbend location on Maple Street where it lived for over a decade to move out to the burbs of Metairie. Now dubbed Ba Chi Kitchen & Bar, the popular Vietnamese restaurant is in fancy new digs (formerly the Korea House) on 18th Street right next to Drago's in Fat City. Owners Quinn and Phat Vu have expanded their beloved menu of vermicelli bowls, pho, banh mi, and one of the best egg roll games in town to include cocktails, Viet-Cajun style boiled Louisiana seafood, and more. 3547 18th St., Metairie, (504) 581-8490, @bachi_kitchenandbar


Kicked up a notch … After several months of extensive renovations, celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse's flagship, eponymous restaurant on Tchoupitoulas has reopened its doors. Helmed by Chef E.J. Lagasse, Emeril's 19-year-old son, the new menu is "built on a refined and elegant approach to Louisiana cooking, rooted in Chef Emeril's signature bold flavors." The new and improved restaurant features a smaller number of tables allowing the team to better provide a memorable evening for each guest, and there are two tasting menus—the "classics" menu with Emeril's signature dishes "re-imagined" by Chef E.J., and the "seasonal" menu, which draws inspiration from local farmers, fishermen, and purveyors that "tells a story through food and nature." The new Emeril's also offers the Wine Bar at Emeril's, where guests have access to their well-curated wine cellar to drink fine wines and enjoy live music and local art in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. 800 Tchoupitoulas St., (504) 528-9393, emerilsrestaurant.com

Emeril & his son E.J. [courtesy of Emeril's]


Pizza is the Point … Pizza master Adrian Chelette, who formerly co-owned Ancora and ran Margot's kitchen, has landed in Algiers Point. Nighthawk Napoletana has taken over the space formerly occupied by Tavolino on Delaronde Street. Chelette is in cahoots with the folks who own Barracuda Taco Stand, and is busting out gorgeous, blistery-crusted pies from their brand new, Marra Forni, brick pizza oven. The pizza menu is simple as they're just starting out, but the people of the Point can't seem to get enough. 141 Delaronde St.,
@nighthawknapoletana


Crossing the lake ... Decadent dessert shop Sucré is once again in the (pale) pink. They've just added a third location in Covington. The new Northshore spot, on Lake Drive just off Highway 190, is as sweet and elegant as their other locations (Uptown on Magazine Street and on Royal Street in the French Quarter), with a sweetly-sleek design and offering all of the macarons, gelato, and other assorted confections to keep the denizens of Covington fat and happy for the foreseeable future. 206 Lake Dr., Covington, shopsucre.com


Bar to birria … Denver-based, Michelin-recognized taco joint Mister Oso opened a new location right here in New Orleans. Launched in the space that formerly housed Barcadia, Mister Oso features Ceviches, their own smoked meats in an array of tempting tacos and sides of confit potatoes with chile crunch and crema, and coconut rice with pickled Fresno peppers. 601 Tchoupitoulas St., (504) 335-1740, misterosonola.com


A sweet little shuffle … Emeril's former pastry chef Jeremy Fogg has gone from popping up at farmers markets to launching his very own brick and mortar, dotingly dubbed Mae's Bakeshop. Named in honor of the ladies in his life, Fogg's new bakery takes over the space formerly occupied by Beth Binudo's Sweets in the Milan neighborhood, just across the way from a few other "Baronne Corridor" newbies—Zee's Pizzeria and Lucy Boone Ice Cream. Along with Southern-style goodies including buttery biscuits, warm, sticky cinnamon rolls, and cakes a-plenty, Fogg also has sweet breakfast and lunch items to boot. 3917 Baronne St., maesbakeshopnola.com


Steak your claim … There's a gold rush happening at the "new age" steakhouse GAIA on St. Charles Avenue. The luxury restaurant recently opened up in the old Melting Pot location, offering 24-karat gold-dusted steaks and a whole lot more. Along with "authentic" Japanese Wagyu, tomahawks, and racks of lamb, GAIA offers entertainment, from showy serving methods to live music. 1820 St. Charles Ave., (337) 443-7967, gaiasteakhouse.com


Halloween

A few pearls of sugar . . . In a fit of nostalgia for their hometown, French immersion-elementary school teacher Gerard Coulon (a.k.a. Mr. G) and his wife Céline began making Liège waffles, a family recipe, as gifts for neighbors, co-workers and friends. Now everybody wants them. Armed with a real Belgian waffle maker, his mom's recipe (with a few tweaks), and a bin of pearl sugar shipped from the motherland, Mr. G is open for orders at La Wafe (@lawafe504) baking every Saturday out of their home in Gentilly.

facebook.com/NolaWaffle

La Wafe_Belgian waffle_ [@lawafe504]

lowercase please . . . Chef Farrell Harrison, who's worked in local kitchens such as Josephine Estelle and Caribbean Room, has joined forces with hospitality veteran Brian Weisnicht to present plates restaurant & bar. The new lowercase concept launched recently in the Cotton Mill, a commercial space on the apartment building's south corner that previously held Hawaiian Don's and, even further back, the Warehouse District location of Sun Ray Grill. Emphasizing ingredients both local and sustainable, the menu is all over the map with everything from Spanish patatas bravas—crispy fingerling potatoes in a piquillo pepper sauce to scallop "maque choux" and saffron pork ragu atop orecchiette.

1051 Annunciation St., (504) 582-9020, platesnola.com

plates restaurant and bar [Randy Schmid]


Raise your glass . . . The Lower Garden District just keeps getting hotter and it has nothing to do with the more recent signs of global warming. New Jersey-born chef Michael Dilonno opened Beggars Banquet mid-July on Prytania Street. It's a moody bar and restaurant with espresso martinis, ceviche parfait, and gnocchi with mushrooms in a truffle cream sauce. Beggars Banquet also offers brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, and menu highlights include a sliced steak sandwich with herb-truffle aioli on brioche and grilled banana bread with maple bacon butter.

1330 Prytania St., (504) 766-6711, beggarsbanquetneworleans.com

Peachy Toast from Beggars Banquet [@beggarsbanquetnola]


Abuzz in the burbs . . . The local restaurant scene is also jumpin' on Metairie Road, what with Chef Michael Gulotta's Italian spot Tana and Las Cruces Tex Mex opening, the mid-summer launch of Garrison Kitchen & Cocktails has fallen slightly under the radar, and that's too bad. Aside from the cool (cooler now it's fall) gazebo tables with individual heating/cooling and sound systems, owner Steven Stewart, founder of Garrison Builders, has tapped Chef John Sinclair to head the kitchen. The menu includes a dizzying array of "American" plates including shrimp toast, pork cutlet sandwich, beef kebabs and chargrilled Gulf oysters. Don't leave without trying some of Pastry Chef Jillian Duran's incredible desserts.

2928 Metairie Rd., (504) 224-9330, garrisonkitchen.com

Chicken Cutlet Sandwich and Caesar Salad from Garrison Kitchen & Cocktails [John Sinclair]


Cooked to order . . . Washington D.C.-area restaurant, Medium Rare, has begun its nationwide expansion with the opening of its first out-of-area restaurant in New Orleans, specifically, on Magazine Street. Situated right across the street from Whole Foods in the corner-store building which formerly housed Juan's Flying Burrito, Medium Rare offers a Parisian-like prix fixe menu featuring steak frites, an "award-winning" sirloin steak Coulotte, hand-cut fries, artisan bread, and a mixed green salad for a little under $30. Finish with a slice of key lime pie or six layer carrot cake.

5538 Magazine St., (504) 354-2588, mediumrarerestaurant.com

Medium Rare [Robert Witkowski]

Munching on memories . . . Luzianne Cafe, an extension of Reily Foods Co., opened a spot created from local grocery store staples this past June. Featuring a family of brands including Swans Down Flour, Blue Plate Mayonnaise, and, of course, Luzianne coffee and tea, the Girod Street restaurant offers breakfast and lunch menus featuring a morning joy biscuit sandwich (made from Swans Down, of course) with eggs, bacon or sausage, American cheese, and hot sauce, a triple stack of pancakes, and a fried chicken sandwich with Blue Plate buttermilk dressing. It's New Orleans nostalgia on a plate (and in your cup) offered Wednesday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Warehouse District.

481 Girod St., (504) 265-1972, luziannecafe.com

Eggs Benedict from Luzianne Cafe [@luziannecafe]


Do it with zest . . . The Zesty Creole is a new spot that opened up on Canal Street a few months ago. Located a couple doors down from IHOP, this new restaurant launched by Liz Farrington features a menu of casual Creole fare for breakfast and dinner. Enjoy classic New Orleans foodstuffs with everything from shrimp and grits and catfish po-boys to fried oyster platters and jambalaya. Just don't leave without trying the bananas Foster cheesecake.

827 Canal St., (504) 766-6368, zestycreole.com

Shrimp Creole from The Zesty Creole [@zestycreol]


Fingers or a fist . . . Fives is a brand new raw oyster bar, located on Jackson Square in the French Quarter, featuring local, and not-so-local mollusks hailing from places such as Grand Isle, New Brunswick, Baja California, and British Columbia. The understated but overtly-shmancy spot also features high-end caviar plates served with cornmeal blinis and crème fraiche, plus a menu created by Executive Chef Paul Terrebonne. Dishes offered include a royal red shrimp cocktail, roasted bone marrow, beef tartare with duck egg, and pecan butter and marinated crab claws.

529 St. Ann St., (504) 399-6954, fives.bar


Nooshe jân . . . With the dissolution of Persian food pop-ups such as Persian Lime and Sabzi, New Orleans desperately needed another source for Persian cuisine, and the answer is here. Baba Joon (@babajoonnola) offered its first menu midsummer at Bywater Brew Pub. Melbourne-native Michael Rowshan was born to an Iranian father and Russian/Ukrainian mother. Though Rowshan's father never taught him Farsi, he did teach him to cook—sharing recipes passed down from his mother and grandmother. In honor of his father, Rowshan named his pop-up Baba Joon, meaning "father dear," and is offering a changing menu with dishes such as kashk bademjan, a whey and eggplant dip; ghormeh sabzi, a lamb and herb stew served with saffron rice; and kuku kadoo, a summer squash frittata with a garlicky cucumber yogurt.

instagram.com/babajoonnola




September/October 2023

A chicken chorus line? . . . It seems the fried chicken sandwich isn't losing its pizzazz anytime soon, especially with the recent launch of Showbird. This latest and greatest by Chef Jose Sanchez (yes, the guy who created Johnny Sanchez right next door) opened its doors in the Poydras Street building lovingly referred to as the "Death Star" a few months ago. With no fuss, the menu at Showbird is straightforward and to the point with a small array of sandwiches for breakfast and lunch, featuring items like the Banty Rooster—fried chicken (spicy or mild) with bacon jam and birdy sauce on a buttery biscuit—or the eponymous fried chicken sandwich with mayo, slaw, and pickles on a brioche bun. We'd pair a chicken 'wich with a sausage and cheese grit bowl or the Bird Dog, a quarter pound sausage link dipped in pancake batter, fried and served with maple syrup, but you do you.

930 Poydras St., (504) 766-0568, @showbirdnola

Showbird sandwich (crista marieani)

A little bird told me . . . Psst! There's a new wine bar in Algiers Point. Opened in late April, The Little House is a pleasant little outdoor spot on Bouny Street with lots of wine, cocktails, small plates and cheese boards. Already a popular spot for families in the Point, it's like hanging out in your neighbor's backyard. Well, a neighbor with good eats and a decent selection of wines. Happy hour tends to linger with $5 glasses and eats include snackin' olives, pickled shrimp with heirloom tomatoes, and smoked catfish dip with saltine crackers.

640 Bouny Street, (504) 302-1926, @thelittlehousenola

The Little House [Instagram @thelittlehousenola]

What's in a sub? . . . All we know are po-boys and muffulettas, right? Well, not anymore. Tara Francolini launched her brick and mortar (previously a pop-up) Francolini's Italian Deli on Tchoupitoulas Street. Opened in the middle of a New Orleans' summer, sandwich lovers from all over town are lined up down the street to get a little taste of New Jersey in the Deep South. Francolini's tagline is "not everything from Jersey sucks," and when you get a bite of one of her subs, we think you'll agree. Just try the Elmer Fudd with prosciutto cotto, fontina, and marinated artichokes or the Underdog featuring thinly sliced mortadella, sharp provolone and Italian salsa verde. All sandwiches are served on seven inch sub rolls baked by Ayu Bakehouse, but we encourage you to go the extra mile and pay $2 more for their house made foccaccia.

3987 Tchoupitoulas Street, francolinis.com, @francolinisnola

Francolini's Italian Deli [Instagram @francolinisnola]

Hoppy harmonies . . . Not long after the beloved burger spot Cowbell closed, we've been watching the end-of-Oak-Street building slowly making changes and now, a new brew pub has opened in its place. Competing with Oak St. Brewery only a few blocks away, Calliope Beer Works has a couple of their own brews on tap, fantastic murals and artwork by Nicole Modica Todaro (@nicolemodicatodaro), and a small menu with munchables such as shrimp lettuce boats with avocado, pimento dip, and portabella cheesesteak.

8801 Oak St., (504) 510-2982, calliopebeerworks.com

Calliope Beer Works [Richard Szydlo]

Ignore the ampersand . . . A seafood restaurant dubbed Pigeon & Whale opened on the food-laden Freret corridor a few months ago. The spot was opened by local restaurateur John Michael Rowland and his business partner, pastry chef, and wife, Winnie Rubin. Pigeon & Whale's menu created by Chef Jeremy Latimer (also from Station 6 out in Bucktown), features a raw oyster bar with local, and not so local mollusks, grilled octopus, $32 lobster rolls, and swordfish schnitzel. 4525 Freret St., pigeonandwhalenola.com

Pigeon & Whale [Winnie Rubin]

Feed me Indian food! . . . Sarthak Samantray and Aman Kota have taken Lufu NOLA from pop-up, to a vendor slot at the Pythian Market, to their own brick and mortar in the CBD on St. Charles Avenue. Lufu NOLA's tag is "Let us feed U," and feed us they do with incredible Indian-inspired cuisine from a fried shrimp "naanwich" and Makhana chaat with puffed lotus seeds to ragda patties or fried potato cakes with white peas. Once we thought there wasn't enough Indian cuisine in New Orleans and now, well, we just can't get enough.

301 St. Charles Ave., (504) 354-1104, lufunola.com

LUFU [Katherine Kimball]

Tuk in! … A brand new Thai spot opened in early July in Metairie. Owners Terry Cuskelly and Jar Williamson launched Tuk Tuk Thai Street Food on Veterans Memorial Boulevard in the space that formerly housed the Store, and are serving dishes including golden shrimp toast with plum sauce, chicken satay skewers, and classics such as tom yum and pad Thai with heat levels dialed to your preference.

901 Veterans Memorial Blvd., (504) 766- 8512, nolatuktukthai.com

Tuk Thai Street Food [Tik Thai]







Top New Restaurants in New Orleans Summer

Blooming crepe myrtles. Sweet, cold snoballs. There's so much to love about summer in New Orleans. From the Aquarium and Insectarium re-opening to the countless live music events, the Big Easy is ready to make this summer a season of excitement and fun.

Ready to make some memories? Enjoy the summer sun and round out your day with a delicious meal or a refreshing drink at a new dining spot. Here's the fresh, new restaurants in New Orleans serving the best foods in June.


Dough Nguyener's Vietnamese Bakery & Cafe

433 Lafayette St.

(504) 581-8255

doughnguyenersbakery.com

Dough Nguyener's Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/doughnguyeners/]

Getting a rise out of Gretna . . . Seasoned restaurateur Betty Archote (nee Nguyen), purveyor of Huey P.'s Pizzeria and Thanh Thanh, has just launched her latest creation Dough Nguyener's Vietnamese Bakery & Cafe. The shiny new bakery is located on the corner of Lafayette and 5th, serving specialty coffee drinks, baked goods, and a large menu with both breakfast and lunch offerings.

Items to watch out for include pandan cold foam cafe sua da, sinfully sweet glazed donuts, Louisiana Gulf shrimp toast with crab meat, mushrooms and cheese on a baguette, and the Nguyener! Nguyener! Chicken Dinner—a whole fried chicken with Szechuan noodles, kimchi, baked mac 'n' cheese, coleslaw, and a baguette for $40. An entree could probably feed four.

Nina's Creole Cottage

228 Poydras St.

https://www.caesars.com/harrahs-new-orleans/restaurants/food-hall/ninas-creole-cottage

Nina's Creole Cottage [https://www.caesars.com/harrahs-new-orleans/restaurants/food-hall/ninas-creole-cottage]

A safe bet . . . Two-time, James Beard Award-winning chef Nina Compton has tossed the dice and launched Nina's Creole Cottage, her first venture into a quick-service café, located inside the newly renovated Harrah's Casino on Poydras Street. Nina's new spot shares space inside the casino along with two other well-knowns, Bobby Flay and Buddy Valastro, in a sort-of celebrity chef food court. The odds are you will hit the jackpot with a chicken and plantain waffle with spiced hot honey and sweet potato waffle fries, or her Caribbean chopped salad and a "Nina" Colada.

Lucy Boone

3918 Baronne St.

(504) 766-0571

lucybooneicecream.com

Lucy Boone Ice Cream [https://lucybooneicecream.com/]

(Ice) cream from the rooftops . . . Local Instagram-launched, ice cream sensation Lucy Boone has at long last opened its first digs right next to the ever-popular (and also recently opened) Zee's Pizzeria on Baronne St. Owner/operator Abby Boone and her husband Aaron Schnell named the business after their daughter Lucy, and what kid wouldn't want a bunch of hand-crafted ice cream at their fingertips? Though their flavors will (and have) changed seasonally, lovers of their scoops will be pleased to enjoy their most popular flavors such as malted marshmallow, Northshore honey, and chocolate pretzel toffee—right after a huge slice, of course.

King Brasserie

521 Tchoupitoulas St.

(504) 324-3000

kingbrasserieandbar.com

King Kimpton Hotel Fontenot [Kimpton Hotel Fontenot / Steve Legato]

Reigning in the CBD . . . King Brasserie, a brand new French brasserie, just opened inside the Kimpton Hotel Fontenot. With a menu rooted in the French Riviera (and offshoots in New Orleans), the upscale-casual restaurant is now serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.

"After spending many months developing menus and dishes that emphasize the freshness and flavor of Louisiana seafood and feature unique interpretations of some of my favorite French classics, we can't wait to start serving. I'm so proud of what the team has been able to build here," says Kimpton Hotel Fontenot Executive Chef Samuel Peery. Expect French classics including croque monsieur and steak tartare along with crawfish beignets and Ponchatoula strawberry mousse cake.

Mucho Mas

8201 Oak St.

(504) 324-1616

muchomasnola.com

Muchomasnola Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/Muchomasnola/]

¡Olé! . . . Julio Machado, a trained chef who sharpened his chops in the kitchens of Brasa Churrasqueria, Zocalo and his co-owned Tacos del Cartel, has at last opened his long-awaited restaurant on Oak Street. Mucho Mas has been taking shape in the former D.T.B. building for over a year and opened its doors in late January. Diners can enjoy margaritas, palomas, and sangria, along with everything from chilaquiles and empanadas to BBQ birria tacos and Mexico City ramen.

Osteria Lupo

4609 Magazine St.

(504) 273-1268

osterialupo.com

Osteria Lupo [Osteria Lupo / Sarah Peters]

From Spain to Italy . . . Chef Brian Burns and Reno De Ranieri, the minds and palates behind the popular tapas-inspired restaurant Costera, have made magic once again with their latest restaurant Osteria Lupo. Featuring Northern Italian cuisine (a rarity in Southern Italian-heavy New Orleans), this Magazine Street eatery offers dishes such as black truffle arancini, carbonara, vodka rigatoni and lasagna bolognese. There's also wood-fired pizza and protein-centered entrees like grilled lamb and seared yellowfin tuna. Even though the osteria is located in a restaurant-saturated area, the food—hip, retro branding—and clean, casual environment are bound to once again be a winning combination.

Nostalgia NOLA

125 Camp St.

nostalgianola.com

Tabitha Turner/Unsplash

Retro Joe . . . If you take your coffee with a heavy dollop of 80s music and arcade games, Nostalgia NOLA is the shop you've been looking for. Located on Camp Street, this retro cafe serves specialty coffee drinks brewed from Bean Fruit Coffee, a roasting company just over yonder in Flowood, Mississippi. So go get your Pac Man on and enjoy a house-made cupcake with a hot cuppa joe.

Jay's Place

538 Hagan Ave.

parkwaypoorboys.com

Parkway Bakery and Tavern [https://parkwaypoorboys.com/]

A Sazerac, dressed? . . . Parkway Bakery announced the opening of their very own speakeasy in mid-May. Announced on Instagram, the Bayou St. John po-boy spot now offers Jay's Place "where locals can get away from the hustle and bustle, and where folks from out of town can enjoy the ultimate Parkway VIP treatment." The new watering hole, named after Parkway's owner/operator Jay Nix, features a shining, dark wood bar, classic New Orleans cocktails and lots of local nostalgia decorating the walls.

Chapter IV

1301 Gravier St.

(504) 766-7851

chapterivnola.com

Alexandra Tran/Unsplash

The next chapter . . . Chef Dook Chase, 4th generation of the epicurean family behind Dooky Chase Restaurant, has launched Chapter IV. Located in Tulane University's downtown residential development Thirteen15, the new restaurant and bar serves breakfast, brunch and lunch dishes, "a modern take" on the recipes passed down from the chef's grandmother, the late (undeniably great) Chef Leah Chase. Diners can enjoy items such as fried, farm-raised catfish and andouille maque choux grits, grilled redfish with crab fried rice, fried chicken sandwiches, and Creole cream cheesecake.

Top Food News in New Orleans

From cocktails to ice cream, baked goods to coffee, these new restaurants showcase the best of New Orleans cuisine. Still hungry? Check out New Orleans' best Black-owned restaurants, or satisfy your sweet tooth with some unique New Orleans treats.


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