Sonnier Gives up on Gabrielle, Heading to Kingfish

After a long and drawn out legal battle with the city and neighbors over zoning and permitting, not to mention that strange NOPD raid, it looks like Greg Sonnier is giving up on opening Gabrielle at The Uptowner. Susan Langenhennig reports that Sonnier now hopes to sell/lease the cursed venue on Henry Clay, which he bought back in 2006, and has just been named Executive Chef at a new restaurant, Kingfish, coming soon to the former Rotolo's space on Chartres and Conti in the Quarter.

Kingfish is owned by the folks who just bought Broussard's, Creole Cuisine Restaurant Concepts. The company already operates Royal House, Le Bayou and Pierre Maspero's, but is aiming for more upscale concepts with Broussard's and Kingfish. Not much detail is known about the restaurant's design yet (a drive-by reveals the windows are all covered), but a large bar will seat 35, and there will be a 110 seat dining room. The decor will be art deco in a Huey Long era sort of way. The menu will be "Louisiana-centric" with a few wild twists, and perhaps a few hints of Gabrielle.

· Greg Sonnier Named Executive Chef at New Kingfish Restaurant [NOLA.com]
· All Greg Sonnier Coverage [-ENOLA-]