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The Most Anticipated New Orleans Restaurant Openings, Winter 2016

Over a dozen hot new restaurants

Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images

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.

The Station
Brasted

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


Marjie’s Grill
Brasted

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


Upcoming Halal Guys
Nick Solares

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


Brasted

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


Brasted

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


Brasted

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


Brasted

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


Josh Brasted/Eater NOLA

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


Brasted

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.

Coming Attractions

New Mid-City Restaurant and Wine Bar Taps Former Blue Giant Owner for Menu

Coming Attractions

Following Mucho Más Departure, Chef Julio Machado Embarks on Arepas Restaurant

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