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After closing a few months for a multi-million dollar renovation, Dickie Brennan's French Quarter eatery Palace Cafe is now open with an upgraded state of the art kitchen downstairs and, more importantly in terms of Cocktail Week, a swanky new rum bar with an attached small plates and charcuterie kitchen on the second floor.
Barry Himel [Photo: Brasted]
Beverage director Barry Himel has stocked the bar with over 125 rums, 40 tequilas (as well as other spirits), and a selection of craft beer and wines on tap. The restaurant has also brought on some new staff to man the bar's three-wells and expanded lounge area (banquettes are still on the way, with full seating expected by end of October).
The new small plates menu features fried oyster sliders, shrimp toast, crabmeat ravigote crostini, lots of house cured charcuterie and more. The debut cocktail menu features classics—from Planters Punch to a French 75—mocktails, and debut signature drinks including a barrel-aged negroni, a beer cocktail, and the following must-order libations.
The bar is now open daily from 11:30 a.m. -until (no reservations necessary), and they're rocking a killer happy hour every Mon-Fri from 4 to 6 p.m. with half off beer & wines on tap and small plates.
Also, one more fact about this renovation: The restaurant was able to keep almost the entire staff (well over 100+ employees) on board during the renovation process, which is pretty remarkable indeed.