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While fall in New Orleans has ushered in numerous anticipated restaurants— including major expansions from chefs Ray Gruezke, Isaac Toups, Emeril Lagasse and Susan Spicer with about thirty new spots opening since late September—December 2016 seems destined to keep pace, as does the winter season in general.
Over the next few months, New Orleanians will see big debuts from well-known names, including new eateries from chefs Phillip Lopez, Michael Gulotta, Rob Bechtold and Aaron Burgau. There are major new food hall plans for downtown and a NY-based empire will head to Freret.
Winter restaurants represent a little bit of everything: Barbecue, roof top boozing, baked goods, upscale and casual Southeast Asian eats, and both traditional and modern bistro dining. There are neighborhood gems and lots to look forward to all over town, so sit back relax, and start planning your 2017 feasting schedule right now.
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The Station
4400 Bienville St., Mid City
Baker/Angelo Brocato's alum Megan Walker and husband Jonathan Walker bring a baking facility and coffee shop to Mid City with plans for bike-friendly access, outdoor seating, house baked breads and pastry and coffee roasted on site as well.
Projected Opening: December 2016
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Marjie’s Grill
320 Broad St., Greater Mid City
Chefs and Herbsaint alums Marcus Jacobs and Caitlin Carney have been testing a menu of Southeast Asian-inspired roadside barbecue via a pop-up called Sparklehorse, and will go brick and mortar with this Broad street eatery, featuring items cooked on a Santa-Maria style grill outside, along with patio dining.
Projected Opening: December 2016
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Halal Guys
5001 Freret St., Uptown
Freret Street will continue to grow in 2017 with the addition of a new location of NY-based street meat empire Halal Guys— which already landed in the CBD in 2016—with falafel platter, gyros and fries aimed at the college and Uptown work crowd.
Projected Opening: Early 2017
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Lula
1532 St. Charles Ave., Lower Garden District
Jess Bourgeois and Bear Caffery have been planning this LGD attraction— part restaurant/part microdistillery— for the past two years. Expect a Louisiana-inspired "country" menu of gamey meats and various gluten-free spirits made with local sugarcane (rum, vodka, and gin) in a 10,000-square-foot venue with patio seating, a huge bar, and a glass wall overlooking the distilling area.
Projected Opening: Early 2017
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Central City BBQ
1201 S. Rampart St, Central City
Big name New Orleans chefs Rob Bechtold (former NOLA Smokehouse pitmaster) and Aaron Burgau (of Patois) join forces for this new barbecue epicenter, bringing killer brisket and indoor/outdoor dining to Central City.
Projected Opening: December 2016
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Maypop
611 O’Keefe Ave., Warehouse District
Chef Michael Gulotta and the MoPho team bring refined Southeast Asian eats with a Louisiana twist to the booming Paramount building in the South Market District. This spot will be a bit more upscale than MoPho with lots of tasting menu-style dishes including handmade noodles, fermented wonders and more.
Projected Opening: Mid-December 2016
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Pythian Market
234 Loyola Avenue, CBD
Part of a mixed-use redevelopment, the market will feature 19 vendors including new digs for grilled cheese food truck Frencheeze and its new venture Squeezed juice bar.
Projected Opening: 2017
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Petit Lion & Monkey Board at The Troubadour
1111 Gravier St., CBD
The Troubadour, a new boutique hotel is going for full entertainment mecca downtown with big local names. Chef Phillip Lopez (of the Root empire) will run ground floor bistro Petit Lion and rooftop bar Monkey Board, which will serve food truck-inspired eats, including personal birthday cakes and communal drinks from 12 Mile Limit’s T. Cole Newton. Also expect 360 degree views of New Orleans and live music.
Projected Opening: December 2016
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Aux 3 Garcons
1200 Poydras St., CBD
Hyatt Regency chef Eric Dadimot brings the flavors of his native Provence a new 185-seat bistro that will also have patio dining facing Loyola Ave. The Hyatt’s bakery Pain Frais (which Dadimot started) will supply the bread, and the menu will change seasonally, with chilled poached lobster, frog legs, pot au feu and duck cassoulet in the works, alongside meats cooked on the in-house rotisserie.
Projected Opening: Early 2017
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Effervescence
1036 N. Rampart
This champagne bar from Crystal Coco Hinds, the sister of Nola Brewing founder Kirk Coco, will have a variety of sparkling wines with flights available, Nola brews and Miller High Life (ie. champagne of beers) and a Perlage System for quality keeping. The bar will have a U-shaped bar and a back patio area.
Projected Opening: Early 2017
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Parleaux Beer Lab
4224 Royal Street, Bywater
Married co-founders Eric and Leah Jensen bring this Bywater brewery and potential family-friendly neighborhood spot, using their ten-barrel brewhouse and imagination to create innovative beer. The beer garden's 17 fruit trees will also provide inspiration as well as a relaxing space to enjoy beer with friends and family.
Projected Opening: Early 2017
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Bywater Bakery
3624 Dauphine, Bywater
This new cafe with counter service from former Rouses bakery director Chaya Conrad will feature sandwiches on house baked bread, salads, ‘breakfast go-cups,’ Coast Roast coffee, and baked goods including baklava croissants, ooey gooey bars, cakes and pies. The spot will open in December, and celebrate a grand opening on January 6.
Projected Opening: December 2016
More 2017 Openings
The French Quarter is still anticipating Ted Brennan’s Decatur.
The Bywater should finally see some action from Creole Cuisine Restaurant Concepts in the former Maurepas Foods space.
St. Claude Avenue is expected to see full-time openings from Koreole and Seoul Shack.
The New Orleans Lakefront will get Billy Wright's Olde New Orleans Boil House & Coffee House.
CBD/Warehouse District ushers in naan and cocktial spot Picayune Social House, Juice NOLA expansion The Daily Beet, upscale-casual concept Legacy Kitchen’s Oyster & Tap House, and Creole Cuisine’s revamp of Warehouse Grille over the next few months.
The LGD will see the addition of long-awaited Taceaux Loceaux brick and mortar.
Mid City will get a new wood-fired pizzeria from the 1000 Figs team (on Banks) in late 2017, a Sweg’s Kitchen in early 2017, and a new Ruby Slipper location.
More anticipated breweries and distilleries will open around town, including Brieux Carre in the Marigny.