Changing of the guard . . . Ross Dover, Houma native and graduate of the John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State, has been named the new executive chef of Restaurant August. Dover is taking over later this summer when Todd Pulsinelli, the current head chef, leaves to create his own digs—dubbed Warbucks—on Magazine Street.
301 Tchoupitoulas St., (504) 299-9777, restaurantaugust.com
Where's the beef? . . . Taking over the building that previously housed Lakeview Harbor, hamburger restaurant Three B's by the Bennet family (Blake, Brandon, and their father, Kevin) recently opened its doors. A tad more upscale than your average burger joint, the Three B's menu features items ranging from a charcuterie and cheese board to a “South” burger with chicory coffee and bacon onion jam. Equally unusual, Three B's also features a hefty wine list, including wines on tap, and a good selection of local brews. Three B's is open daily.
911 Harrison Ave., (504) 249-8025, threebs.com
Abierto! . . . According to NOLA.com, husband and wife team Hugo and Addie Vasquez are launching Catalino's, a Guatemalan restaurant on Maple Street. Located in the building that formerly held Babylon Cafe and the short-lived Hummus & More, this new neighborhood cafe is slated to open on the first of this month, so keep an eye out. A sneak peek at the menu promises dishes like Elote Loco, made with boiled corn, mayo, and cotija; Jocon, which is lightly fried chicken legs and potatoes; and Arroz en Leche, a rice pudding with cinnamon and vanilla. Catalino's is open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner.
7724 Maple St., (504) 518-6735, facebook.com/CatalinosLLC
Better than before . . . El Fogon, a traditional Mexican restaurant featuring a wood-fired grill (a fogon), has taken over the former Taco Tico spot on Veterans Boulevard. Owner/operator Edwin Martinez is offering folks in Metairie authentic Mexican flavors with so much more than tacos: shrimp soup with zucchini and carrots, four different types of chile rellenos (from poblanos stuffed with al pastor to chicken with Oaxaca cheese), ceviche, flautas burritos, tortas, and more.
4726 Veterans Blvd., Metairie, (504) 265-8793, elfogontacosandgrill.com
More Mexican food! . . . Zócalo, a new Mexican restaurant, recently opened in Old Metairie in the spot long occupied by Vega Tapas Cafe. Chef and restaurateur Edgar Caro, the man behind Baru and Brasa, features a menu of Mexican-influenced dishes like Tuna Tostada with raw yellowfin and chipotle tartar, Al Pastor tacos with charred pineapple salsa, and grilled Nopal cactus and artichoke hearts with agave vinaigrette. Zócalo is open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday.
2051 Metairie Rd., (504) 252-9327, zocalonola.com
Yes ma'am! . . . Opened in the newly renovated B on Canal hotel, Madam's Modern Kitchen + Bar tips its proverbial cap to the Storyville days of New Orleans with decadent décor reminiscent of a high-end bordello and a shamelessly hedonistic menu to match. Sip exquisitely crafted cocktails and enjoy dishes like wild mushroom ravioli with truffle butter fondue, seared Gulf tuna with crispy rice and sweet soy, raw Gulf or Atlantic oysters, and Icebox Pie for dessert.
1300 Canal St., (504) 226-2993, madamsmodernkitchen.com
Bigger is better . . . Popular po-boy spot Mahony's recently opened a second location in the French Quarter with a lot more space and a larger menu. Located on Iberville Street, this larger rendition of the house-turned-restaurant on Magazine Street features an oyster bar and dishes you'd never see at the Uptown location. Besides the usual favorites, you can have a Shrimp Remi salad with remoulade and candied lemon vinaigrette, pimento “caprese” with fried green tomato, shrimp and grits with praline bacon, Redfish Almondine with “crawfish'd potatoes,” and a Bread Pudding Ice Cream Po-Boy with Creole Creamy bananas foster ice cream. Mahony's new French Quarter location is open daily for lunch and dinner.
901 Iberville St., (504)717-2422, mahonyspoboys.com
How sweet it is . . . New Orleans native Mignon Francois recently opened a second Cupcake Collection sweet shop on Magazine Street, the first being in Nashville, Tennessee. The bakery features “homemade” cupcakes that can be picked up at the shop, delivered to your door, or shipped to someone special. Flavors change with the seasons (or the baker’s whim), but you can find favorites like Wedding Cake, Banana Nut, Blackout, Buttermint, Cafe au Lait, S'mores, Coconut Crème, and more. The Cupcake Collection is open Sunday through Friday.
2917 Magazine St., Ste. 102, (504) 383-9322, thecupcakecollection.com
Makin' groceries . . . Mother and son team Kelly and Nick Guerra recently reopened the former Algiers Point Grocery. Dubbed Faubourg Fresh Market, the specialty grocery store focuses on fresh produce and other products sourced from local vendors. Discover sausage, beef, and pork from Inglewood Farm in Alexandria, poultry from Greener Pastures in Singer, products from Jambalaya Girl, and Harold's Honey from Long Beach, Mississippi. There are also chef-created, take-home lunches and dinners like smoked salmon wraps, BBQ pork ribs, and smoked BBQ chicken.
541 Bermuda St., (504) 494-1715, facebook.com/faubourgfreshmarket
So sad to see you go . . .
Though the restaurant and hospitality industry in New Orleans is booming, there are only so many spots we can handle and eventually something's got to give. There were several closings over the past month, most markedly the end of Kim Son, the 30-year-old Vietnamese restaurant in Gretna. According to The Advocate, there were several reasons for the longtime eatery's closure, including an expired lease, an ailing chef, and an owner seeking retirement. We'll miss you!
Melt, a grilled-cheese sandwich shop that opened only two years ago, shuttered in late June. It was the second restaurant of its kind to open in the neighborhood, as it was located just around the corner from The Big Cheezy's original location on Broad Street. We bid you a fond farewell.
Finally, and most recently, Coulis closed on July 15. The Prytania Street restaurant was a beloved breakfast spot, opened by the talented chef James Leeming and his wife Heather. After James died, Heather kept on keeping on, and the neighborhood joint stayed open for seven more years. With business slowing down and the doldrums of summer setting in, Heather knew it was time to say goodbye.
We wish you all success in your future endeavors.
