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 2013 Archive

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

RESTAURANT NEWS

Openings

The Lafayette Hotel, right on the CBD streetcar line on St. Charels Ave., has been the home to many restaurant concepts over the years, and now the hotel is banking on a steakhouse. Situated in the ground level space with oversize windows that once housed Mike's on the Avenue (which closed at the end of 2012) is Desi Vega's Steakhouse. The owner also is a partner in Mr. John's Steak House, farther up St. Charles Ave. The menu is similar to Ruth's Chris Steak House, as are the prices. Lunch Mon.-Fri.; Dinner Tues.-Sat. Desi Vega's Steakhouse, Lafayette Hotel, 628 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70130, 504-523-7600.
 
Donald Link, owner of the popular Warehouse District restaurant Cochon, has unveiled plans to open a new seafood restaurant, Peche Seafood Grill. In partnership with Stephen Stryjewski and Ryan Prewitt, Link hopes to open in the spring, not far from Cochon. The new place, unlike many other local seafood houses, will not offer any fried entrees at all. Fish will be locally caught and grilled over an open wood fire. The trio was inspired by trips to Spain and Uruguay, where wood-fired seafood dishes are traditionally popular. Also included at Peche Seafood Grill will be an oyster bar, and a planned extensive vegetable program. Link describes his intended menu as one that is "primitive with a soulful spirit." The restaurant will be located in a 19th-century building that was once a livery stable, and later a coffee roasting company. Lunch & Dinner, Mon.-Sat. Cochon, 930 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, LA 70130, 504-588-2123.
 
For years, New Orleanians have taken the drive over the Mississippi River bridget to the West Bank of New Orleans to dine at Tan Dinh, a popular Vietnamese restaurant. The trip is about to get a lot shorter for East Bank residents, as Tan Dinh has announced it will open a second location on the popular uptown Maple Street restaruant row. The new place is reportedly to be called Ba Chi Canteen. No details have been released about the menu or an opening date, but it is highly likely diners will find Tan Dinh's well-known mason jars full of fish sauce on every table. Tan Dinh, 1705 Lafayette St., Gretna, LA 70053, 504-361-8008.
 

News Bytes

Emeril Lagasse to Be Honored for Charity Work
If you are looking for New Orleans chef Emeril Lagasse on May 6, you'll have to go all the way to Lincoln Center in NYC. Lagasse will be honored that night by the James Beard Foundation with its Humanitarian of the Year Award. Lagasse, who now owns 13 restaurants in five cities, is known nationwide for his charity work, particularly with children's causes. In the past 11 years, Lagasse's foundation has contributed more than $5 million to programs that work with students and education. Lunch Mon.-Fri., Dinner nightly. Emeril's, 800 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, LA 70130, 504-528-9393.
 
Galatoires The "New" Galatoire's Opens its Doors
After months of anticipation and rumors, the venerable Bourbon Street restaurant Galatoire's finally opened its newly expanded doors during New Orleans' recent Super Bowl, followed by Mardi Gras. Last year, Galatoire's owners acquired the adjacent vacant building, which once housed a popular seafood restaurant that never re-opened after the 2005 hurricanes. The new three-story space includes a new third-story wine room, a second-floor private dining space, and a ground level bar. Still to come is a new restaurant on the ground floor, but so far the company has not released any details about the concept or planned opening date. That space is undergoing renovation and new construction. The owners have publicly promised that nothing they do in the new building will interfere with Galatoire's famed Friday lunch, a weekly ritual that often spills over into the dinner hour for some regulars. Galatoire's, 209 Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70130, 504-525-2021.
 
Martinique Bistro Offers Pop-up on Mondays
The romantic uptown bistro, Martinique Bistro, is now playing host to Cristiano Ristorante, a Houma, LA, restaurant, on Mondays. Cristiano chef Lindsay Mason offers one of Houma's only Northern Italian menus in town, and now Mason is offering some of his most popular dishes at Martinique, including handmade pappardelle with roasted lamb ragú, and a stellar osso bucco. Cristiano Raffignone, who owns both restaurants, may be trying out his Northern Italian dishes on the locals to test the waters. At least that is the buzz around town. Whatever the reason, he is filling the French/Mediterranean dining room and elegant courtyard every Monday night with those seeking Italian flavors. With dishes that include char-grilled oysters with red pepper butter and risotto ai porcini, Cristiano is providing real competition for the plethora of already-established New Orleans Italian restaurants. Reservations are almost a must. Martinique Bistro, 5908 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA 70115, 504-891-8495.
 

Chef Shuffle

Chef Ian Schnoebelen and Maitre D’ Laurie Casebonne, already known in New Orleans as the owners of a quaint, if underrated French Quarter eatery, Iris, have opened a second restaurant, Mariza. Located in the increasingly restaurant-filled Bywater neighborhood, Mariza is an artsy Italian-themed restaurant in the newly renovated Rice Mill lofts complex. Mariza features a raw bar, house-cured meats, house-made pasta dishes and Neapolitan pizzas. With an interior featuring exposed brick walls, dramatic lighting and contemporary art, Mariza is a step up from some of the other neighborhood eateries. And why did the couple decide on the Bywater location, instead of the bustling Quarter? They happen to live just down the block. Dinner Tues.-Sat. Mariza, 2900 Chartres St., New Orleans, LA 70117, 504-598-5700.
 

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 Lafayette location of elevated Cajun restaurant Cochon has closed after two years in business. Donald Link's original Cochon in New Orleans remains open. Cochon, 921 Camellia Blvd., Lafayette, LA 70508, 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.