Since 1969, restaurant, hotel, travel & other witty reviews by a handpicked, worldwide team of discerning professionals—and your views, too.


News for Restaurants in New Orleans
February 2011 Archive

Search / Openings / Closings / Chef Shuffle / News Bytes / Culinary Events / Wine dinners / Sign up for our free, monthly newsletter / News Archive

RESTAURANT NEWS

Openings

Leon and Pierre Touzet (Restaurant Patois) and Lifestyle Revolution Group are opening a new venture in the Central Business District. Ste. Marie will offer classic European cooking from chef Isaac Toups, most recently of Cuvée. Ste. Marie, 930 Poydras St., New Orleans, LA 70113, 504-304-6988.
 
Popular brunch spot The Ruby Slipper Café has opened a second location, this one on Magazine Street downtown. The menu is the same, so expect dishes like Gulf shrimp omelets, breakfast sandwiches with peppery sausage, and plate-size pancakes with fresh fruit. The Ruby Slipper Café, 200 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA 70130, 504-525-9355.
 
News is traveling fast around New Orleans and the Midwest that Louisiana chef John Folse and Chicago chef Rick Tramonto are joining forces to open Restaurant R’evolution in the French Quarter's famed Royal Sonesta Hotel. (Tramonto is known for his culinary expertise as the former chef at Chicago’s fine dining restaurant TRU.) Friends for over a decade, the two chefs deepened their bond in the wake of Hurricane Katrina when Folse asked Tramonto to join his large-scale efforts to feed survivors and rescuers across the region. Now they are set to combine their formidable skills to offer a menu that will include Cajun and Creole favorites, and some highly original creations. How original will they be? Consider quail gumbo served with a whole, semi-boneless quail stuffed with oysters, andouille sausage and rice (aptly named “Death by Gumbo"). In addition to a selection of steaks and chops, R’evolution will offer distinctive dishes such as "A Tale of Three Fishes," which presents diners with a study of three seafood stews from three of the seven nations that settled Louisiana. The restaurant is set to open in late 2011. Restaurant R'evolution, Royal Sonesta Hotel, 777 Bienville St., New Orleans, LA 70116, 504-586-0300.
 

News Bytes

Chef Chuck Subra Jr. is Kicking the Menu Up a Notch at LaCote Brasserie
There is delicious news from LaCote Brasserie, the plush dining room inside the Renaissance Arts Hotel in the Warehouse District. Chef Chuck Subra Jr. is now featuring a soup du jour every day. These include roasted red pepper, winter squash and clams with tomato, plus roasted beef soup. Still on the menu are Subra's duck and andouille gumbo and his Louisiana seafood stew. Also at LaCote Brasserie, the daily three-course lunch special is $17 and includes the house-made pound cake with chocolate sauce. Subra features three selections of house-made ceviche every day at happy hour from 5 p.m.-7 p.m., along with $3 Heiner Brau and Covington Brewhouse (local) bottled beer. Selected wines are offered for $7 by the glass. LaCote Brasserie, 700 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, LA 70130, 504-613-2350.
 
Watch the Mardi Gras Parade from Mike's on the Avenue
Mike’s on the Avenue owners Vicky Bayley and chef Mike Fennelly call it “Dinner and the Greatest Free Show on Earth.” They are talking about your opportunity to spend an evening in the restaurant during Mardi Gras season, where the many evening parades roll right past Mike’s oversize windows. With no need to fight the crowds or the elements, you can enjoy some of Fennelly’s creations, ranging from Korean-style barbecued oyster or redfish pate appetizers, to an assortment of small plates, including the full-flavored marinated sizzling steak with oyster sauce, and some great pork debris sliders. There are, of course, full entrees, including our favorite, the green tea mint rubbed double cut pork chop with baked yams and green beans. Call early for reservations, and visit http://www.nola.com/mardigras/parades/ for a full 2011 Mardi Gras parade schedule. Mike's on the Avenue, Lafayette Hotel, 678 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70130, 504-523-7600.
 
Café Giovanni Spices Things Up with "Ladies Night Out"
Chef Duke LoCicero, owner/chef of Café Giovanni in the French Quarter, just launched a new Ladies Night Out dinner special. The evening begins at Belli Baci, the ornate and stylish lounge adjacent to Café Giovanni, with half-priced designer cocktails. The party continues with a special three-course menu designed by chef Duke (menu includes several options from which to select) from $35 per person. Parties of six ladies or more will get an extra treat of a complimentary bottle of Prosecco, Italian sparkling wine. After dinner, the evening continues in the Belli Baci Lounge with a half-priced nightcap. Ladies Night Out specials are available every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights. As an added bonus on Wednesday and Friday nights, the restaurant features live opera singers (who regularly make a weekend appearance on Saturdays, as well). LoCicero’s menu offerings for the Ladies Night Out dinner includes his locally beloved spicy shrimp and grits appetizer, as well as two of the most popular entrées, the spaghetti a la Bolognese with a traditional Italian meat sauce, and the tournedos of beef with a brandy, green peppercorn and foie gras sauce. There are many other items from which to choose on the appetizer, entrée and dessert menu. If you are a first-timer at the café, be good to yourself and try the white chocolate bread pudding. Café Giovanni, 117 Decatur St., New Orleans, LA 70130, 504-529-2154.
 
The Newest Happy Hour in Town May Also Be the Best Dollar Value
Meson 923, the chic dining spot in the heart of the Warehouse district, just introduced its new happy hour deal: For $9, pick your preference for the best two combinations of three select Spanish- and French-inspired appetizers that pair with a white wine, red wine, beer or specialty cocktail. Take your pick from three choices of two combinations---drink and appetizer---and pay only $9. From mussels and lager to a confit of pork shoulder matched with a select glass of red wine, the dishes change weekly. The bar at Meson 923 is small, but truly inviting. (Tax and gratuity are not included in the price). Meson 923, 923 S. Peters St., New Orleans, LA 70130, 504-523-9200.
 
Cochon Chef Donald Link Debuts "A Taste of Place" Video Series
Donald Link has been called the "Cajunest" chef in New Orleans, and rightfully so. Having grown up in Cajun country, surrounded by outstanding cooks, Link's regional expertise is unmatched. Now he brings some of his knowledge to a new video series, called "A Taste of Place." The series, which can be accessed from the Cochon website (http://www.cochonrestaurant.com), examines the connection between fresh, local ingredients and the people connected to the land and waters that produce them. “Taste of Place” takes viewers on a tour across the country to visit local ranchers and farmers, artisan bread makers, fisherman---people who understand that “place makes the taste.” Episodes vary from a visit to a unique bakery in Fredericksburg to a working cattle farm in Texas. Link interviews colorful characters and shows the locale at its best. The episodes are brief and well produced. Check Link's website weekly for new episodes. Cochon, 930 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, LA 70130, 504-588-2123.
 
Morton's The Steakhouse is the New Power Lunch Center
The elegant Morton’s The Steakhouse is introducing its new Friday “Power Lunch.” Patrons will enjoy selections from the à la carte menu or a pre-set Power Lunch Menu. The power lunch menu at $39/person will offer three courses, including a choice of salads, entrées (with sides) and desserts. The entrées are among some of Morton’s top dishes, including the jumbo lump crab cakes, the filet mignon and broiled salmon. Dessert is a choice of double chocolate mousse or key lime pie. The per person price does not include tax or gratuity. Morton's The Steakhouse, Shops at Canal St., 365 Canal St., New Orleans, LA 70130, 504-566-0221.
 

Chef Shuffle

Check back soon for more news.

Closings

CLOSED FOR GOOD
Take your taste buds on a walk down memory lane! Check out our exclusive closed restaurant database for New Orleans to virtually visit your favorite dining spots from the past. Dominique's, R.I.P.

The elegant Italian restaurant, Bacco, has closed in the French Quarter. Owner Ralph Brennan promises that Bacco will re-open in the near future in another locaion. Meanwhile, Brennan is planning a new family-style restaurant in the Old Metairie section of New Orleans. Bacco, W French Quarter, 310 Chartres St., New Orleans, LA 70130, no phone.
 

CULINARY EVENTS
Want to learn to cook
? Try new dishes? Meet a foodie friend for fun? Check out our compilation of culinary events in your area.


View our calendar of Wine Dinners & Tastings in New Orleans

Current News View archived news: November 2019 | May 2019 | April 2019 | February 2019 | January 2019 | December 2018 | October 2018 | August 2018 | June 2018 | May 2018 | April 2018 | March 2018 | December 2017 | October 2017 | September 2017 | August 2017 | May 2017 | April 2017 | February 2017 | November 2016 | October 2016 | August 2016 | July 2016 | May 2016 | April 2016 | March 2016 | February 2016 | January 2016 | December 2015 | November 2015 | October 2015 | September 2015 | August 2015 | July 2015 | June 2015 | May 2015 | March 2015 | February 2015 | January 2015 | December 2014 | October 2014 | September 2014 | August 2014 | July 2014 | June 2014 | May 2014 | April 2014 | February 2014 | January 2014 | December 2013 | November 2013 | October 2013 | September 2013 | August 2013 | July 2013 | June 2013 | May 2013 | April 2013 | March 2013 | February 2013 | January 2013 | December 2012 | November 2012 | October 2012 | September 2012 | August 2012 | July 2012 | June 2012 | May 2012 | April 2012 | March 2012 | February 2012 | January 2012 | December 2011 | November 2011 | October 2011 | September 2011 | August 2011 | July 2011 | June 2011 | May 2011 | April 2011 | March 2011 | February 2011 | January 2011 | December 2010 | November 2010 | October 2010 | September 2010 | August 2010 | July 2010 | June 2010 | May 2010 | April 2010 | March 2010 | February 2010 | January 2010 | December 2009 | November 2009 | October 2009 | September 2009 | August 2009 | July 2009 | June 2009 | May 2009 | April 2009 | March 2009 | February 2009 | January 2009 | December 2008 | November 2008 | October 2008 | September 2008 | August 2008 | July 2008 | June 2008 | May 2008 | April 2008 | March 2008



VALENTINE'S DAY WINES

Add wine to the celebration of love, curated by GAYOT´s Wine & Spirits Editor.

Check the list.

CHAMPAGNE COCKTAILS

For a rosé bubbly Valentine's Day celebration.

Get the recipes.

GAYOT'S RESTAURANT AWARDSOver the years, we have been electing restaurants to be on GAYOT's Yearly Restaurant Awards.

Check the list.