Food News - February 23, 2014

00:00 February 23, 2014
By: Kim Ranjbar
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[Where Y'At Staff/Provided Photo]
Ye Olde Bakery

Pho real? Recently, New Orleans has seen a literal explosion of Vietnamese restaurants on the East Bank, what with Magasin, Ba Chi Canteen, Pho Bistreaux, Lilly's Cafe, Namese and even MoPho all opening over the past year, you'd think that people would be throwing up their hands and shouting "No mo' pho!" But, it seems, not enough because the latest addition, Mint, Modern Vietnamese Bistro, just opened up on Freret Street a couple of doors down from Origami. First-time restauranteur and native New Orleanian Jimmy Tran offers a sleek and, as promised, modern dining experience with traditional Vietnamese dishes including pho, vermicelli bowls and banh mi.

Bake 'n' bowl... The folks who own Ye Olde College Inn and Rock 'n' Bowl have added another weapon to their arsenal of awesome, Ye Olde Bake Shoppe. Headed up by pastry chef Alex Heath, the new bakery on South Carrollton Avenue offers lunch items like soups, salads and sandwiches, plus an entire array of fresh baked goods ranging from donuts, cookies and cupcakes to croissants, eclairs and macaroons...oh...and king cake, of course! Ye Olde Bake Shoppe is everyday except Sunday until 5 pm.
yeoldebakeshoppe.com

A what kebab? A Turkish "doner" kebab (or what Greeks refer to as "gyro") sandwich shop is slated to open sometime this month on St. Claude, just a hop and a skip across Elysian Fields from the popular Marigny bar Siberia. According to the website, Kebab is a restaurant inspired by the street food of Rotterdam and Berlin serving "split-style doner kebab sandwiches on fresh baked Turkish bread" with house-made sauces, Belgian or beet fries and fresh juices. Although the main attractions are all about seasoned and shredded rotisserie chicken and pork, Kebab will also appeal to vegans with fresh falafel, hummus and vegan sauces.
kebabnola.com

It's getting better all the time.
Along with Pizzicare and other establishments doing their best to renew the downtrodden Tulane corridor, gastro pub Treo threw down the gauntlet when it recently opened in the barren stretch of run down motels and abandoned lots. Chef James Cullen from St. Lawrence is in the kitchen offering small plates like curried cauliflower and potato leek soup, blue cheese-stuffed dates wrapped in Serrano ham, "New Orleans" clam chowder and Irish stew with horseradish crème fraiche. Treo also offers creative cocktails, craft beers and wine.

Who dat?
Deuce McAllister's Ole Saint Kitchen & Tap opened on Royal Street inside the Wyndham Hotel. Jared Tees joins the Ole Miss/Saints running back as executive chef and managing partner, creating a menu that reflects his work experiences over the past two decades in some of the finest restaurants in New Orleans. Dishes offered at the Ole Saint include Pecan Wood Smoked Kansas City Ribs, Louisiana Oyster Stew, Mississippi Rabbit Pot Pie and Trout Amandine, all of which can be washed down with one (or three) beers picked from a rather large and varied selection.
olesaint.com

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