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News for Restaurants in New Orleans
October 2011 Archive

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RESTAURANT NEWS

Openings

Chef Donald Link, the local king of Cajun cuisine, has opened a second location of his New Orleans restauarant, Cochon, in Lafayette, LA. Link and his partner, chef Stephen Stryjewski, have appointed chef Ryan Prewitt chef de cuisine at the new location. Prewitt, until recently, was the chef at Herbsaint, another of Link's New Orleans restaurants. The new Cochon is situated directly in the middle of Louisiana's Cajun country, and is set to offer much the same authentic Cajun cooking highlighted in the original location. Although the menu is not identical, it is very similar to the one that has garnered praise nationwide and the ongoing attention from regional foodies. The Lafayette location is much larger than the New Orleans restaurant and features an outdoor dining area. Cochon, 930 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, LA 70130, 504-588-2123.
 

News Bytes

New Biography on Ruth of Ruth's Chris Steak House
One of the most successful and fascinating characters in New Orleans restaurant history is Ruth Fertel, who founded Ruth's Chris Steak House. Her son, Randy Fertel has just released his take on her life, The Gorilla Man and the Empress of Steak: A New Orleans Family Memoir, ($28, University of Mississippi Press). The title actually refers to both of the author's parents. Fertel's single mom famously mortgaged her house to open a small restaurant, and ultimately expanded it into an international phenomenon of 82 locations. Fertel died nine years ago at the age of 75. The restaurant chain, no longer based in New Orleans, has two locations in the city. Ruth's Chris Steak House, Harrah's New Orleans, 525 Fulton St., New Orleans, LA 70130, 504-587-7099.
 
Wine Seminar Series at The Grill Room
The Grill Room is offering a series of wine classes, hosted and taught by sommelier Sara Kavanaugh. The classes are held on the first Wednesday of the month, with the next class scheduled for Nov. 2. The November class will feature a blind tasting of six wines. In December the series will feature sparkling wines and champagnes for the holidays. January's class will offer training in wine scents and aromas, featuring red wines only. The cost for each session is $25/person, and those who dine in The Gril Room that same night will receive a free bottle of wine selected by Kavanaugh to complement their meals. Call 523-6000 for reservations. The Grill Room, Windsor Court Hotel, 300 Gravier St., New Orleans, LA 70130, 504-522-1992.
 

Chef Shuffle

Chef Anthony Spizale, who made his culinary mark in New Orleans at the Rib Room, and later moved briefly to Upperline, has resigned in favor of a new venture. Manning's, the new Harrah's Casino restaurant helmed by former Saints quarterback Archie Manning, has hired Spizale as executive chef. This leaves Upperline without an executive chef for the third time this year. Manning's which was announced earlier this year, has not set an opening date and will be located in the Fulton Street corridor directly across the street from Harrah's. It is expected to draw big crowds to its two-story sports-themed space with a large outdoor seating and entertainment area. The menu will draw heavily on regional Louisiana and Mississippi cuisine. Upperline, 1413 Upperline St., New Orleans, LA 70115, 504-891-9822.
 

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 New Orleans Jazz Café has shuttered. New Orleans Jazz CafĂ©, 109 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, NO 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

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VALENTINE'S DAY WINES

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

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CHAMPAGNE COCKTAILS

For a rosé bubbly Valentine's Day celebration.

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

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