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News for Restaurants in New Orleans
July 2011 Archive

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RESTAURANT NEWS

Openings

One of the most highly anticipated New Orleans restaurant openings, Restaurant R'evolution, is almost upon us. This is the joint effort of well-known Louisiana chef John Folse and high-profile Chicago chef Rick Tramonto, who have pooled their talents to create a Cajun/Creole dining experience with what they call "imaginative interpretations of classic cuisine." New Orleanians have been anxiously watching the progress of the buildout inside of the Royal Sonesta Hotel. The wine program promises to be among the most interesting in the city, with Molly Wismeier planning to focus on wines from the seven nations that originally settled Luoisiana, and those that make up the backbone of Creole cuisine. A 10,000-bottle cellar is planned that will surrond the restaurant's private wine room. Cellar tours will be offered. Wismeier is also planning one of the most extensive wines-by-the-glass menus in the city. Restaurant R'evolution, Royal Sonesta Hotel, 777 Bienville St., New Orleans, LA 70116, 504-586-0300.
 
Chef John Besh The World War II museum, although exquisitely contemporary, harkens to a simpler time in both culture and food. Now, chef John Besh, who already offers mid-century fare at his The American Sector in the museum, has opened The Soda Shop, an old-fashioned mid-20th century soda fountain, ice ream shop and a great place to grab a quick bite. In the morning, you can build your own biscuit or enjoy an over-the-top cinnamon roll. All day, enjoy peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cupcakes, malts and milkshakes, candy bars, ice cream and all types of sodas. The Soda Shop, 945 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA 70125, 504-528-1944.
 

News Bytes

Start Dinner at Noon at Le Meritage Restaurant
Chef Michael Farrell of Le Meritage Restaurant offers what many consider one of the best small plates menus in the city. Now Farrell has unveiled his new "Start Dinner at Noon" promotion, offering a special menu from 11:30 a.m.- 6 p.m. on Fridays only. The menu's individual small plate items start at $13, or, two dishes and dessert for $21. Among the offerings are Gulf shrimp tempura, tuna tartare Napoleon, puppy drum sauté, braised beef short ribs, fig and goat cheese pizza. Farrell's food is full-flavored and offers interesting combinations, such as the raspberry soy sauce that complements the shrimp tempura, or the balsamic reduction with the fig-and-goat cheese pizza and arugula. Cocktail specials include 25 cent martinis and $3 Bloody Marys. Le Meritage, 1001 Toulouse St., New Orleans, LA 70116, 504-522-8800.
 
August is "Coolinary New Orleans" Month with Special Restaurant Deals
Once again this year, the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau has announced August to be "Coolinary New Orleans" month. Throughout the month of August, 40 local restaurants will offer two-course lunches for $20 and three-course dinners for $35. This is the seventh year the NOMCVB has organized this special dining month, and participating restaurants cover almost every type of local cuisine. Among the high-profile participants this year are Bayona, Brennan'sMeson 923, Restaurant AugustCommander's PalaceBrigtsen'sCafe Adelaide and many more. Reservations are advised, especially on weekends.
 
Private dining space in the wine cellar of The Rib Room The Rib Room Offers New Prix-fixe Specials
Recently hired chef René Bajeux is making his mark at the venerable Rib Room with new daily prix-fixe lunch and dinner specials. Three-course lunches are priced at $25 and three-course dinners at $35. Offerings change daily, but typical of the chef's selections include Chicken Grandmère, with onions, mushrooms and bacon au jus; organic tomato gazpacho with Gulf shrimp; sautéed black drum with roasted potato and asparagus salad; sautéed redfish with lobster sauce; tuna medallions with pasta and vegetbles. Desserts run the gamut from chocolate bread pudding to cheesecake with caramel sauce to bananas Foster cream pie. If you have not been to the Rib Room for a while, this is one of the best deals the restaurant has offered in a long time. The Rib Room, Omni Royal Orleans Hotel, 621 St. Louis St., New Orleans, LA 70130, 504-529-7045.
 

Chef Shuffle

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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.

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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

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