New Orleans' Most Anticipated Fall Openings 2013

This summer in New Orleans' restaurant-land actually turned out to be surprisingly busy, with McClure's, Noodle & Pie, Cane & Table, and a slew of other hotties opening and actually drawing BIG crowds, which is practically unheard of in the most stifling of months. Over the summer, we've seen the revival of the Lakefront near West End, a slew of new school pho and bao joints, and plenty of pie peoples entering the fray.

But now it's time to look ahead to the remaining months of 2013, which promise to be just as exciting. Here now, is Eater's guide to New Orleans Most Anticipated Fall Openings.

Uptown: Ivy
Address:5015 Magazine St.
Major Players: Patrick Singley, Rebecca Singley, Sue Zemanick
The Situation: The Gautreau's team, including chef and Master cheftestapants Sue Zemanick and owners Patrick and Rebecca Singley, will open this small plates restaurant/cocktail lounge in the former ivy-covered Vizard's space. Zemanick's menu for Ivy will offer "fun food for people to enjoy." IVY will be open a little later at night than Gautreau's.
Projected Opening: September
[Photo: MeetUp]

Lower Garden District: Square Root
Address: 1800 Magazine Street
Major Players: Philip Lopez
The Situation: A tasting-menu-only restaurant courtesy of cutting edge chef Phillip Lopez. Yes, the man behind Root, aka one of the most ambitious restaurants in the city, will yet again rock the New Orleans fine dining landscape with his new plan: serving ten or fifteen course tasting menus to small groups of guests. Lopez has even stated, "I want to give Michelin guide a reason to come to New Orleans and rate us."
Projected Opening: Possibly October, more likely late 2013
[Photo: Root NOLA]

French Quarter: Broussard's
Address: 819 Conti
Major Players: Zeid Ammari, chef Guy Reinbold
The Situation: Creole Cuisine Restaurant Concepts purchased the iconic Broussard's earlier in 2013, and after taking a bit of the summer off to complete a $1 million renovation, Zeid Ammari and team will reopen the doors with a revamped French Creole menu from new chef Guy Reinbold, a large, swanky Empire Bar manned by legendary Paul Gustings, plus $40k in courtyard landscaping, a refurbished interior and all the luster of a newly polished historical gem.
Projected Opening: October
[Photo: Broussard's/Facebook]

St. Claude/Marigny: Unnamed restaurant from Borracho chef
Address: 2260 St. Claude
Major Players: Chris Smedley
The Situation: Former Rambla chef Chris Smedley has garnered plenty of praise since opening his sausage/bar foods pop up Borracho inside Kajun's Pub this year, and now he's packing up and opening a permanent Modern Southern restaurant with table service and a full bar, right next door. Expect local flavors in a small plates format. Smedley tells Eater it's going to be a 'gradual transformation,' but a lovely one, with beauteous reclaimed Cypress tables already on the way. This very well could mark the beginning of a St. Claude dining boom.
Projected Opening: unknown
[Photo: Google Maps]

Central City: Purloo
Address: 1504 OCH
Major Players: Ryan Hughes
The Situation: Chef Ryan Hughes has been gaining a huge following with his pop-up Purloo, which reckons with the regional Southern culinary paradigm, and now he's on the move to Central City. While the SoFab digs likely won't be ready until the New Year, Hughes has already nabbed another temporary spot beginning September 6 at the New Orleans Culinary Experience on Carondelet (also in Central City) until the big move.
Projected Opening: Late 2013, Possibly early 2014
[Photo: Purloo/Facebook]

Mid City: Trèo
Address: 3835 Tulane Avenue
Major Players: Pauline and Stephen Patterson
The Situation: The duo behind Bank Street's football hub Finn McCool's, Pauline and Stephen Patterson, aim to be a part of another Mid City renaissance happening along the Tulane Avenue corridor with their new upscale cocktail and small plates destination, Trèo, which will feature an art gallery on the second floor. There are also plans for cooking, brewing, and mixology classes.
Projected Opening: Late September

CBD: G&O Food Company
Address: 935 Gravier St.
Major Players: Britten Knickerbocker, David Hughes
The Situation: Compared to the former inhabitants of this CBD space? Jason Doyle's Press It Bistro? G&O Food Company will seem like an office lunch dreamland. Two Pelican Club alum, Britten Knickerbocker and David Hughes, will offer grab and go breakfast, lunch fare, a deli case with bulk salad available for purchase by-weight, and a full bar with craft cocktails and happy hour specials. Plus, a coffee program from French Truck.
Projected Opening: September
[Photo: G&O Food Co./Facebook]

New Orleans: Michael Gulotta project
Address: unknown
Major Players: Michael Gulotta, Jeff Gulotta
The Situation: The Besh Group recently announced the departure of esteemed August chef Michael Gulotta, as he and brother Jeff open a new restaurant. Little is known about the project, including the location, concept, or name. But John Besh is all over Gulotta's Instagrammed construction porn, claiming "I'll be the first customer," which indicates that we all should be lining up at the door behind him.
Projected Opening: unknown
[Photo: Michael Gulotta/Instagram]

Still on the radar: The upcoming 'Tastee on steroids' joint District Donuts. Sliders. Brew will likely open on Magazine in the LGD in 2013. Only time will tell what Ralph Brennan plans to do with the former Brennan's space. A phone call to the Marigny 511 building reveals that Palador 511, the upcoming restaurant from some of San Fran's Pizzetta 211 team, is still in planning stages, as in they still have to go before City Council, which probably means a 2014 opening at the earliest. Chef Dan Esses tell Eater that The Muse, Three Muse's Freret expansion is also still in the planning stage. Also potential gamechangers for their respective neighborhoods in 2014: Brack May's Porkpie Provisions, the Besh Group's Pizza Domenica expansion, and Patrick Singley and partner's revamp of the former Marti's/Peristyle space.

· All Coming Attractions [-ENOLA-]