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Nola Booze Empire Cure Co. Opens Dad-Inspired Neighborhood Eatery Next Week

Cafe Henri opens in the Bywater on Tuesday, May 31

Neal Bodenheimer, Kirk Estopinal and Nick Detrich inside Cafe Henri.
Neal Bodenheimer, Kirk Estopinal and Nick Detrich inside Cafe Henri.
Brasted

Beard-award finalists and New Orleans cocktail mavens Cure Co. are going casual with their newest venture Cafe Henri, opening in the Bywater on Tuesday, May 31, in the former Booty's space.

Owners Neal Bodenheimer, Kirk Estopinal, and Nick Detrich are shying away from their high-concept craft cocktail bars Cure, Cane & Table and Bellocq with this family-friendly neighborhood eatery inspired by their dads. Cafe Henri (named for Bodenheimer's father) is meant to be a place where everyone feels welcome.

"It's what you want in your neighborhood on a Tuesday night when you don't want to cook," Estopinal tells Eater. "A place you can go, eat, and it won't break your bank. And you don't have to get dressed up to go."

"It's come-as-you-are," Bodenheimer agrees. "It's supposed to be a little nostalgic. It's not a period piece of the 70s or 80s or something, but it's influenced by that."

The cafe will open with dinner service next week. Chef Jason Klutts' menu features dishes in the $6 to $20 dollar range, including Steak Frites, a burger, pastas, soup of the day and more family-friendly fare.

The cocktail menu will consist of well-known drinks (no originals here) including rum and cokes, martinis, Manhattans, Tom Collins, Moscow Mule and the like.  There will also be a frozen Negroni, and a handful of bottled and canned beer including some local options. Some of the opening bartenders will be coming over from Cure.

The cafe will offer Counter Culture coffee drinks (including a frozen coffee) and may add a breakfast/brunch service down the line.  Lunch and happy hour will begin the week of June 5, after dinner service gets rolling for a week.

Opens Tuesday, May 31, for dinner only. After June 5, Cafe Henri opens daily 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Cafe Henri

800 Louisa St, New Orleans, LA 70117

Cafe Henri

800 Louisa St, New Orleans, LA 70117, USA