N'awlins Jazz Café Opens in Former C'est La Vie Space

N'awlin's Jazz Café, a new restaurant that isn't intended to be touristy, like, at all, is now open in the former C'est La Vie bistro space Uptown. Among a surge of newer restaurants up and down Magazine, Times-Pic wonder woman Susan Langenhennig reports that the new cafe has been open for about two weeks and serves? you guessed it? traditional Creole cooking. This is the second cafe for owners Arthur and Shawnette Humphrey, who already run a café/spice shop in the French Market. Arthur Humphrey's family has a long history in the French Quarter, as his grandfather started a produce stand there in the 1920s.

"We serve a lot tourists in the French Market, and we wanted to reach more locals," Shawnette Humphrey tells Langenhenning. Apparently this idea didn't translate to the café's name, which sounds like a place tooter girls are paid to waterboard frat boys with purple drank. Why, with the N'awlins? Why? Humphrey goes on to say, "We knew we wanted to be on Magazine Street; there's just so much going on."

Indeed there is. This very stretch of 'Middle Magazine' (4200 block) is also home to Magasin, Theo's, Mona's, La Petite Grocery, Superfoods Bar, and the upcoming mega-restaurant Dominique's on Magazine. The only thing missing is a hobbit. Langenhennig reports that ten years ago, there were about 25 restaurants along Magazine Street, and today there are about three times that number, which certainly reflects the monstrous growth-rate of restaurant after Katrina.

At any rate, 2013 also looks to be another big year of openings. Know of any upcoming restaurnats that we haven't covered yet? Hit us up on the tip line or leave a comment. And make sure to check out our guide to the Anticipated Openings of 2013 next week.

· Surge of New Restaurants Expand Dining Options on Magazine [NOLA.com]
· All Opening Reports [-ENOLA-]