Food News for September 2016

16:29 August 30, 2016
By: Kim Ranjbar

Food News for September 2016

Cocktail wishes and sandwich dreams The long-awaited Turkey & The Wolf opened early last month, much to the joy of anyone and everyone who’s a fan of chef Mason Hereford, formerly of Coquette. Hereford and his partner, Lauren Holton, have transformed the small space on Jackson Avenue that once housed NOLA Smokehouse into the casual cocktails and sandwich shop of their dreams. The menu is simple—creative sandwiches (not po-boys) lovingly prepared with quality ingredients, Holton’s cocktail concoctions, and desserts made with classic, soft-serve ice cream. 

739 Jackson Ave., (504) 218-7428, turkeyandthewolf.com

Food News for September 2016

Name game It could be speculated that restaurateur Kimble Donington-Smith gets a kick out of creating new signs every year or so, especially on the heels of his most recent change. Donington-Smith’s Uptown restaurant Saveur (formerly Baie Rouge) recently closed, only to reopen about a week later as Tryst. It seems that the chef, Dominique Maquet, has moved on, once again leaving the usual chaos in his wake. Thankfully, sous chef Son Tran has taken over the reins, offering an eclectic menu in a more casual atmosphere. Dishes range from mushroom and onion crepes to pork pot stickers with a Thai chili orange sauce. Let’s see if this name sticks…

4128 Magazine St., (504) 304-3667, facebook.com/TRYSTnola/home

Food News for September 2016

Moving the pen Annual spring barbecue competition Hogs for the Cause is moving from New Orleans City Park to the fields behind the UNO Lakefront Arena. The ninth annual event will be held March 30 to April 1, 2017, at the East Campus grounds on Leon C. Simon Drive. Factors like increased attendance and parking clinched the decision to move, in hopes of making the festival more accessible and convenient for everyone involved. “Our teams do so much to support us, that it is important for us to find a site that can support their growth,” states Becker Hall, director and co-founder of Hogs for the Cause. “The Lakefront location provides a beautiful, grassy spot right next to Lake Pontchartrain, the paved roads make it easier for the teams to bring in their smokers and other equipment for competition, and there is plenty of lighted secure parking for our patrons.” Die-hard ‘cue fans will likely see no problem with the change in location … just lead us to the trough!

hogsforthecause.org 

Food News for September 2016

New blood holding court The Grill Room at the Windsor Court recently announced the appointment of a new chef de cuisine Gabriel Charpentier. Charpentier comes to The Grill Room with over 20 years of experience from kitchens like Jill’s Restaurant & Bistro in Colorado and Chambers Kitchen in Minnesota. “In addition to his accomplished culinary background, Charpentier brings the passion, creativity and expertise to which our guests are accustomed,” said Windsor Court Director of Food and Beverage Joey Worley. It will be interesting to see Charpentier’s influence on the restaurant’s contemporary American menu at The Grill Room. 

300 Gravier St., (504) 523-6000, windsorcourthotel.com/the-grill-room

Food News for September 2016

Mediterranean madness After the recent influx of Mediterranean food joints like Tal’s Hummus and the Halal Guys, another prospect is popping up at Arrow Cafe on the edge of the French Quarter. Dubbed Le Panier Kitchen, the first installment occurred last month with a distinctly vegetarian menu, featuring dishes like seedless grape salsa, beet tzatziki, raw corn salad and burnt eggplant mash. They also offered a couple of sweet dishes like poached peaches in honey and tahini cookies.  

628 N Rampart St., facebook.com/lepanierkitchen

Food News for September 2016

MagnoliaJacks A longtime rumor has finally come to fruition with the opening of Altamura, a new Italian restaurant inside the antebellum Magnolia Mansion on Prytania Street. Restaurateur Jack Petronella (of ManhattanJack Uptown) has long been pining and planning to open a New York Italian-style trattoria and it has come at last inside a 150+ year-old mansion in the Garden District. Petronella’s business partner, Coleman Jernigan, has been named executive chef and they both have collaborated to offer “old-school” Italian cuisine like veal marsala, osso bucco, steak pizziola, baked macaroni and more. The restaurant and bar occupy the whole first floor of the mansion, and Petronella is continuing to run the upper level as a hotel and event venue.  

2127 Prytania St., facebook.com/Altamuraatmagnoliamansion

Food News for September 2016

Bigger fish to fry ... It’s that time again, time for the Louisiana Seafood Festival, a weekend of fun, frivolity and fish! Well, mostly shellfish, but who’s complaining? From Friday, September 2, to Sunday, September 4, New Orleans City Park will play host to food vendors from all over the city including Acme Oyster House, Blue Crab Restaurant, Dirty Dishes from St. Roch Market, Galatoire’s, Dat Dog, Jaques-Imo’s and more! The festival will also showcase plenty of live local music from artists like the Hot 8 Brass Band, Bonerama, Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes, Flow Tribe and Darcy Malone & the Tangle.

louisianaseafoodfestival.com 

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