[All photos Courtney Bell]

"King" Grand Opening is Off the Record

18:00 June 02, 2023
By: Robert Witkowski
The new street-level restaurant in the Kimpton Hotel Fontenot is fit for a King—with a grand opening soiree Thursday June 1 to prove it.

King Brasserie & Bar joins the Peacock Room as an upscale but relaxed gathering spot in the hotel at Tcoupitoulas and Poydras. King's bar is literally top shelf, lined with a row of crowns. The dining room's clean but swanky build out and a brand new state-of-the-art kitchen is designed to create fine French food with enough royal references to make trivia buffs salivate more than the cuisine. This eatery will delight many tastes.

Passed bites from Chef

Beyond the fine fare and festive atmosphere, the grand opening included an outdoor rooftop concert by Tank and the Bangas in an intimate setting with room to dance. Robin Barnes opened the concert and both performers brought their soulful voices and passionate vocals as a sweet and savory dessert to the restaurant rollout—metaphorically topped off with a soulful extended version of "Cafe Du Monde" by Tank and the Bangas. Coffee & beignets anyone?
Along with the crowns, unidentified photos and sillouetes line the walls, each as a tantalizing clue as to why they deserve to be king. Elvis and LeBron James may make sense, but others are nostalgic references overshadowed by many modern pop culture icons. Stephen King may be recognizable, but will Billie Jean King be recognized? And if you're not up current events, the freshly crowned King of England may elude those still referring to him as Prince Charles. No worries, the bartenders are the keepers of the clues.

King's Executive Chef Samuel Peery brings a well-hones expertise to lead the kitchen into it's innovative French Riviera menu. Formerly at Revolution in the French Quarter, Peery's recent immersion into the Southern Riviera for innovative dishes such as crawfish beignets.

King sets high expectations promising "exceptional ingredients and the artful preparations that have made the European Riviera justifiably famous. We just add a little bit of Louisiana flavor - which is exactly what they're missing, if we may be so bold…" And Chef Peery's opening night treats seem well on the way to delivering on that promise.

Guests were ushered up the grand staircase and many were surprised to find the open rooftop with two popular Jazz Fest performers up close and personal as part of the hotel's "Off the Record" summer concert series. With sunset spotlights enhancing the glow, It was a night to remember, and to return to.
It's good to be [at] the King.
Robin Barnes opens for tank and the Bangas at the Off the Record rooftop concert at the King Restaurant's opening party at Kimpton Hotel Fontenot [Courtney Bell]
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