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News for Restaurants in New Orleans
May 2012 Archive

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RESTAURANT NEWS

Openings

Bywater residents were sad to see Bywater Barbeque close its door permanently this spring, but the good news is the building is about to get a new life. The owners of a small French Quarter coffeeshop will open PRIME, a casual pub by day and a white tablecloth steak and seafood house by night. The building, badly in need of repair and remodeling, will be overhauled by the duo, with special attention paid to the lovely outdoor courtyard. No word yet on menu specifics or a target opening date. Meanwhile, the same team has plans to take over the old Donna's Bar & Grill building at 806 N. Rampart St. to open Comforts, serving comfort food like fried chicken and stews for dinner only. Prime, 3116 Dauphine St., New Orleans, LA 70119, no phone available.
 
Satsuma Cafe has become a Bywater mainstay, but growing pains are evident. First, the owners have officially discontinued dinner service, citing inadequate kitchen facilities and lack of space. But even with that sad news for Bywater residents, Uptowners are rejoicing at the revelation that Satsuma will open a second location Uptown. The new location will be at 7901 Maple St., in an area teeming with restaurant and bar activity. Once the home of Vera Cruz, a longtime popular Mexican restaurant, the building is on a high-profile corner frequented by nearby college students and local residents. The new outpost will open serving breakfast and lunch only, with tentative plans to add dinner service in the future. With a much larger space, the owners plan to offer a similar menu, which will include the popular juice menu and the signature BLT on sourdough with goat cheese and avocado. Look for a late summer opening. Breakfast & Lunch daily. Satsuma Cafe, 3218 Dauphine St., New Orleans, LA 70117, 504-304-5962.
 

News Bytes

Commander's Palace and Reginelli's Pizza Join Forces
Two of the most unlikely local restaurant companies have joined forces. Commander's Palace is partnering with Reginelli's Pizzeria chain. Ti Martin, co-owner of Commander's Palace, revealed that she and her family have long admired Reginnelli's business model, and now wants to work with them to expand the pizza chain. Reportedly, Commander's will help Reginelli's grow beyond its current collection of nine local restaurants, as well as tweek the menu and even the wine list. Commander's Palace, 1403 Washington Ave., New Orleans, LA 70130, 504-899-8221.
 

Chef Shuffle

Chef Chris DeBarr is leaving Green Goddess to open a restaurant called Serendipity in the American Can Company building. Green Goddess, 307 Exchange Pl., New Orleans, LA 70130, 504-301-3347.
 
Isaac Toups became well-known to a many New Orleanians when he helmed the kitchen at the now-shuttered downtown Restaurant Cuvee. Since then he has wanted to open his own place, and along with his wife Amanda Toups, he has now debuted Toups Meatery. A casual spot not far from City Park, Toups Meatery features small and large plates of house-made meats and other butcher shop specialties. Toups' goal was to design a restaurant in which diners would share plates around the table. A native Louisiana Cajun, Toups features such traditional items as artichokes stuffed with cornbread crawfish dressing, braised spareribs with root vegetables, full meatery boards, double-cut pork chops and even lamb necks. Since opening, the place has seen steady traffic, largely because Toups offers dishes not found anywhere else. Tempura Brussel sprouts, anyone? How about boudin and cracklin's? Toups' creations are innovative, and the atmosphere is comfortably casual. Toups Meatery, 845 N. Carrolton Ave., New Orleans, LA 70119, 504-252-4999.
 

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 Alpine, located just off Jackson Square, has shuttered. The Alpine, 620 Chartres St., New Orleans, LA 70116, 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

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