New Orleans Most Anticipated New Restaurants, Fall 2015

While the first half of 2015 culminated in the debut of a dozen scorching hot new restaurants—from Compere Lapin to Primitivo—it's now time to turn our attention to what lies ahead: the most anticipated opening this fall. From an oyster and bourbon-centric fine dining hotspot to expansions galore, the second half of 2015 is shaping up quite nicely. Here now, are the restaurant openings everyone will be talking about.

*All Photos Brasted unless otherwise noted.

UPTOWN

Kenton's

Location: Magazine and Nashville

Key Players: Sean Josephs, Mani Dawes, chef Kyle Knall

Projected Opening: October

Oysters, bourbon, and breakfast/lunch/dinner service are what's in store at this new 89-seat restaurant from the team behind NYC's Maysville and Char No. 4, including chef/Alabama native Kyle Knall. Also a Gramercy Tavern alum, Knall will rely on a wood fire grill and smoker to create American dishes that compliment the bar's incredible lineup of American whiskey.

• All Kenton's Coverage [ENOLA]

Black Label Ice House

Location: 3000 Dryades

Chef: Damian Brugger

Projected Opening: Early September

Pitmaster and native Texan Damian Brugger brings ribs, brisket, sausage, burgers, wings, a solid lineup of Louisiana craft brews and domestics, and live music Uptown inside the former Pop's House of Blues.

• All Black Label Icehouse Coverage [ENOLA]

Bar Frances

Location: 4525 Freret

Key Players: Mark Latter, P.J. Rosenberg

Projected Opening: Spring 2016

This upscale wine bar and tapas restaurant from Tujague's owner Mark Latter and partner/wine whiz P.J. Rosenberg doesn't have a chef attached yet, but plans call for an 1850-square-foot space with a covered patio, plus craft cocktails, a rotating beer list, crudo, salads, and more.

• All Bar Frances Coverage [ENOLA]

WESTBANK

LA 23 Barbecue Expansion

Location: 9661 LA 23 (Belle Chasse Highway)

Key Players: Bobby Monsted III, Aaron Gefland

Projected Opening: December 2015

This beloved Belle Chasse barbecue shack gets a brick-and-mortar upgrade modeled after a central Texas trading post, complete with a front porch, garage doors, seating for up to 70 people, and a menu that specializes in brisket, pulled pork, smoked chicken and more. [Photo: Facebook]

WAREHOUSE DISTRICT

Tchoupitoulas Beer Garden

Location: 840 Tchoupitoulas St.

Key Players: Joseph Logreco

Projected Opening: Early September

The former Bouche space gets a switcheroo with this upcoming 4400-square-foot Oktoberfest-themed beer garden (also from former Bouche owner Joseph Logreco) including a "pair of beer bars, a kitchen serving bratwurst, pretzels and other traditional German street food and seating at a collection of narrow picnic according to Ian McNulty, along with games including ping pong and foosball.

• All Tchoupitoulas Beer Garden Coverage [ENOLA]

St. James Cheese Co.

Location: 636 Tchoupitoulas St.

Key Players: Richard and Danielle Sutton

Projected Opening: October

Hot on the heels of their French Market collab Continental Provisions, NOLA cheese nobility Richard and Danielle Sutton have begun construction on their St. James Cheese Co. expansion in the Warehouse District.  Expect a barrage of CBD office folk hoarding the counter at lunchtime, and the same great sandwiches, salads, and specials as you'll find at the Uptown location.

• All St. James Cheese Co. Coverage [ENOLA]

MID CITY

Melt

Location: 2549 Banks Street

Key Players: Miles Tully, Casey Biehl

Projected Opening: Late Fall 2015

This fast casual restaurant with counter service, a menu of specialty grilled cheese sandwiches and a bar will open this fall in the heart of Mid City from a duo affiliated with Warehouse District fave Barcadia. Expect the place to have a revamped industrial feel.

• All Melt Coverage [ENOLA]

Bayou Wine Garden

Location: 315 N. Rendon

Key Players: owners Fiona Delargy, Dean DiSalvo, David Demarest, owner/chef Virginia Demarest

Projected Opening: November

The masterminds behind beer and debris fry favorite Bayou Beer Garden will up the wine bar and charcuterie game in Mid City with this new upscale spot that's currently under some serious construction. The kitchen's emphasis will be on quality house-cured meats—from porchetta to bresaola—and gourmet sandwiches to pair with the extensive wine list, including 16 wines on tap. A covered deck and courtyard in the fashion of the Vieux Carre's finest will make this one of fall's hottest outdoor dining debuts as well.

• All Bayou Wine Garden Coverage [ENOLA]

Bevi Seafood Co.

Location: 236 N. Carrollton, (former KJeans/Cajun Brother's Seafood)

Chef: Justin LeBlanc

Projected Opening: Late September/early October

Boil master/chef Justin Leblanc will expand his popular Bevi empire with this second location at Bienville and Carrollton, featuring an expanded menu, raw bar, indoor/outdoor seating and potentially booze.

Also Tracking: Urban South Brewery

METAIRIE

Boulevard American Bistro

Location: 4241 Vets Blvd.

Key Players: Zeid Ammari & Creole Cuisine Restaurant Concepts, Robert Hardie, Todd Trosclair

Projected Opening: Late October/early November

The restaurateurs behind Kingfish and Broussard's plan to transform the former Houston's space in Metairie into a very, well, similar concept. The GM has actually moved over from Houston's, and the group sounds intent on resurrecting the same vibe and food. Sources tell Eater the restaurant will be called Boulevard American Bistro.    [Photo: Facebook]

• All Creole Cuisine Restaurant Concepts Coverage [ENOLA]

South Market District

The Company Burger (CoBu2)

Location: 611 O'Keefe Ave

Key Players: Adam Biderman

Projected Opening: Late September/early October

New Orleans burger king Adam Biderman and team bring The Company Burger to The Paramount in the CBD this fall. The highly-anticipated tailgate and takeout mecca will feature a fifteen-seat bar, 24 beers on tap, outdoor seating and even yard games.

• All Company Burger Coverage [ENOLA]

Also Tracking in South Market District: Magasin Kitchen

French Quarter

El Libre

Location: 508 Dumaine

Key Players: Konrad Kantor, Bazil Zerinsky, Blake Lindberg

Projected Opening: early September

This Quarter cafe from some of the biggest names in New Orleans bartending brings a small menu of Cuban cuisine, coffee, and will be BYOB upon opening, focusing on well-crafted daiquiris. The trio plan to expand with over 20 quality rums. Owner Konrad Kantor tells Eater the cafe is waiting on final inspections, and should be opening very soon.

• All El Libre Coverage [ENOLA]

Central City

Roux Carre

Location: 2000 O.C. Haley

Key Players: Good Work Network

Projected Opening: October

Splendid Pig, Miss Linda, Estralita Soniat, Johnny's Jamaican Grill and more vendors will join this upcoming food port on the bustling OCH this spring, including Adolfo Garcia alum and papusa-mastermind Mirian Rodriguez.

• All Roux Carre Coverage [ENOLA]

Also Tracking in Central City: Jack & Jake's

Looking Ahead

These projects are still on tap for the next year: Lula distillery and restaurant in the LGD, NOLA Distilling in the Irish Channel, the Ace Hotel in the Warehouse District (pictured), Cavan & Co. (formerly known as Manor on Magazine) in Uptown, El Pavo Real in Uptown.