News for Restaurants in New Orleans December 2011 Archive
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Openings
In its first incarnation in New Orleans' Pelham Hotel, Huey's 24/7 Diner failed to distinguish itself and ultimately closed. Now the concept is reborn in the tourist-heavy Jax Brewery. Always open, Huey's aspires to be comfort food central with big juicy burgers, chili, pastas, étouffées and all the local favorites such as red beans and rice and barbecued shrimp. Like any good diner, this one plays up its blue plates specials with pork chops, pot pies, meatloaf and the like. Breakfast is served 24 hours. Best of all, you can order and pay online before you go. Insider's tip: The boudin-stuffed chicken may put this place on the map. Open 24 hours. Huey's 24/7 Diner, 623 Decatur St., New Orleans, LA 70130, 504-267-0244.
Ever since 2005's Hurricane Katrina, a long stretch of Tulane Ave., between downtown and mid-city, has been struggling to re-emerge. UR Way Yogurt & Coffee Bar, a new coffee, pastry, dessert and yogurt shop is leading the way. Conceived and opened by Cleveland Spears, a neighborhood revitalization pioneer in this area, the shop is located in a high- profile space not far from the New Orleans court building. Best of all? There are 40 toppings to choose from for the yogurt. Look for an emphasis on espresso and cappuccino, free Wi-Fi and a contemporary, open space. UR Way Yogurt & Coffee Bar, 3001 Tulane Ave., New Orleans, LA 70119, 504-304-8198.
Slowly but surely, Freret Street in the heart of Uptown New Orleans is becoming a lively restaurant row. The Company Burger is exclusively devoted to hamburgers and fries; its signature burger is made of two patties of freshly ground Harris Ranch beef, paper thin red onions and melted American cheese coating the extra-juicy patties, all bookended by extra-soft. Other items on the menu include a smoked beef hot dog, turkey burger and a lamb burger. The Company Burger, 4600 Freret St., New Orleans, LA 70115, 504-267-0320.
Tamarind by Dominique has opened inside The Hotel Modern, formerly Hotel Le Cirque. Chef Dominique Macquet and chef de cuisine Quan Tran serve French/Vietnamese cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients. Tamarind, The Hotel Modern, 936 St. Charles, New Orleans, LA 70130, 504-962-0908.
News
Bytes
John Besh Releases New Cookbook Chef John Besh (Restaurant August, Luke, The Besh Steak House at Harrah's, etc.) has released a new cookbook: My Family Table: A Passionate Plea for Home Cooking. It includes more than 100 recipes, including dishes such as "Risotto of Almost Anything" and brown butter & vanilla waffles. Restaurant August, 301 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, LA 70130, 504-299-9777.
Chef Shuffle
Chef Chris Lusk has left downtown's Cafe Adelaide to helm the kitchen at R'evolution, the soon-to-open Royal Sonesta Hotel restaurant from Louisiana chef John Folse and Chicago chef Rick Tramonto. Lusk has been a fixture at Adelaide, and much like him, the new chef came up through the ranks at the Commander's Palace organization (which includes Cafe Adelaide). Chef Chris Barbato has been at Commander's Palace since 2004 and now takes over for Lusk at Adelaide. The menu and the rest of the culinary staff will remain as is. R'evolution, 777 Bienville St., New Orleans, LA 70130, no phone available.
After the locally beloved Bistro at Maison De Ville closed last year in the French Quarter, many diners wondered what happened to chef Greg Picolo. Now Picolo has landed in the kitchen of Redemption, the latest incarnation of an elegant old church building that has been home to three restaurants. Picolo is known for his innovative touch with local cuisine. So far he has made few changes to Redemption's menu, taking things slowly and carefully. Picolo wisely hired Obie Chisholm, formerly his sous chef at the Bistro. Together they turned out some big flavors from the tiniest kitchen in town, so now that they have more elbow room, it should be exciting to see what they come up with at Redemption. In another smart move, Picolo reportedly plans to bring back some of Christians' signature dishes, and to incorporate some of his Bistro menu favorites into the menu. Lunch Tues.-Fri., Dinner Tues.-Sat., Brunch Sun. Redemption, 3835 Iberville St., New Orleans, LA 70119, 504-309-3570.
For the past seven years, chef Chuck Subra has helmed the kitchen at the Renaissance Arts Hotel in the Warehouse District. Now, Subra has taken over as executive chef at JW Marriott Hotel. The hotel, home to the Shula's Steak House chain restaurant and Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Club, does not have a signature local restaurant. Subra's move to JW Marriott has sparked rumors that the hotel may be planning to add another much-needed fine dining spot on Canal St., the city's main downtown boulevard. Subra made a name for himself at the Renaissance Arts as a bold chef with innovative takes on traditional Creole dishes. He moved to his new employer just before Christmas. JW Marriott Hotel, 614 Canal St., New Orleans, LA 70130, 504-525-6500.
Michael Stoltzfus, chef-owner of Coquette, is opening a restaurant called Sweet Olive at The Saint hotel. Coquette, 2800 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA 70115, 504-265-0421.
Closings
Bistro at Maison de Ville in the French Quarter has closed. Bistro at Maison de Ville, Hotel Maison de Ville & Audubon Cottages, 733 Toulouse St., New Orleans, LA 70130, no phone.
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