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The last year in New Orleans saw no shortage of scorching hot restaurant openings from Shaya to Compere Lapin, and even this winter has ushered in some fine new spots including Cavan and Bayou Wine Garden.
Here now, the most anticipated openings heading your way this spring (and summer).
Josephine Estelle
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Location: Warehouse District
Major Players: Andy Ticer, Michael Hudman
Details: Memphis Beard Award noms Ticer & Hudman are known for marrying the flavors of the South & Italy. At The Ace, they'll run the entire food and beverage program. The restaurant is named after both of the chefs' daughters.
Projected Opening: March 12 14
Image credit: Brasted
Grand Banks Oyster Bar
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Location: Warehouse District
Major Players: Miles & Alex Pincus, Adrien Gallo, Kerry Heffernan
Details: The Ace Hotel further ups its dining game with the addition of an adjacent, still-unnamed all-American raw bar from the masterminds behind New York City's floating oyster bar concept Grand Banks. Eleven Madison Park alum/chef Kerry Heffernan is slated to run the kitchen.
Projected Opening: May
Image credit: Brasted
Catahoula Hotel
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Location: Warehouse District
Major Players: Ley Line Development, Nathan Dalton
Details: Get ready for the city's hottest pisco powerhouse, as former Felipe's barman Nathan Dalton prepares to run the show at this cocktail mecca/coffee bar/Peruvian restaurant (with Carmo's Dana Honn consulting on the menu). A rooftop tiki bar is also planned.
Projected Opening: April
Image credit: Facebook
Central City BBQ
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Location: Central City
Major Players: Rob Bechtold, Aaron Burgau
Details:Former NOLA Smokehouse pitmaster Rob Bechtold and Patois chef Aaron Burgau join forces for this new barbecue epicenter, bringing killer brisket and indoor/outdoor dining to the O.C. Haley area.
Projected Opening: Summer
Image credit: Brasted
The Caribbean Room
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Location: Lower Garden District
Major Players: John Besh, Chris Lusk
Details: With a $10 million dollar revamp of the once illustrious Pontchartrain Hotel, the Besh Group is on board to restore the swanky reputation of the Caribbean Room. R'evolution alum Chris Lusk will head the kitchen for the restaurant, along with a cafe, bar, and rooftop lounge.
Projected Opening: 2016
Image credit: Brasted
District Donuts. Sliders. Brew
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Location: Lakeview
Major Players: Chris Audler, Aaron Vogel
Details: Beloved LGD eatery District will expand to Harrison Avenue with an operation much like the original, slinging gourmet doughnuts, sliders, and an incredible coffee program in a family-friendly spot near the lake and City Park. It's a win win situation.
Projected Opening: Summer
Image credit: Brasted
Chais Delachaise
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Location: Uptown
Major Players: Evan Hayes
Details: St. Charles Avenue wine bar favorite The Delachaise expands with a new cafe on Maple Street in the former Sammich location. Expect bistro fare, a great wine selection, and table service.
Projected Opening: April
Image credit: Facebook
Trinity
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Location: Quarter
Major Players: Hugh Uhalt, Michael Isolani
Details: Developer/Owner Hugh Uhalt will reveal a million dollar makeover inside the former Maximo's space when Trinity debuts. Bouligny Tavern alum Michael Isolani has replaced Scott Maki as the opening chef.
Projected Opening: March
Image credit: Brasted
Turkey & The Wolf
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Location: Lower Garden District
Major Players: Mason Hereford, Lauren Holton
Details: Former Coquette sous Mason Hereford and partner Lauren Holton will open a Southern eatery in the former NOLA Smokehouse location, with a menu that's sandwich-heavy, but not sandwich-exclusive.
Projected Opening: Late May
Image credit: Nora McGunnigle
Part & Parcel
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Location: Warehouse District
Major Players: Phillip Lopez; The Paramount
Details: This modern delicatessen and sandwich shop will feature Root chef Phillip Lopez's insane charcuterie skills in a setting akin to a 'grungier' Dean & Deluca.
Projected Opening: Spring 2016
Image credit: Brasted
Taceaux Loceaux
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Location: LGD
Major Players: Alex & Maribeth del Castillo
Details: The longtime taco truck fave will go brick-and-mortar this year with tacos, wood-fired meats, vegetarian/vegan offerings, and a full bar in a large space just off Tchoup, complete with a Mexican beer garden feel.
Projected Opening: Late April/Early May
Image credit: Facebook
Bar Frances
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Location: Freret
Major Players: Mark Latter; PJ Rosenberg
Details: The build out of this new European style wine bar and eatery from Tujague's Mark Latter and former Martin's/Uncorked wine pro PJ Rosenberg is underway. Expect a killer wine selection, outdoor seating, a lengthy beer menu, craft cocktails, and seasonal small plates from New Haven transplant/chef Brendan Cahill.
Projected Opening: April
Image credit: Brasted
Dunbar's Creole Cuisine
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Location: Gert Town
Major Players: Celestine Dunbar
Details: One of the hottest comebacks of the year, former Freret favorite Dunbar's will bring soul food to a new Gert Town location.
Projected Opening: Spring 2016
Image credit: Brasted
Susan Spicer's Rosedale Restaurant
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Location: Navarre
Major Players: Susan Spicer, Brett Duffee
Details: Bayona chef Brett Duffee will head the kitchen at Susan Spicer's anticipated new neighborhood spot heading to Rosedale Drive, on the edge of Lakeview and Mid City, blocks away from City Park and Delgado.
Projected Opening: Summer/Fall
Image credit: Brasted
Meril
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Location: Warehouse District
Major Players: Emeril Lagasse
Details: Other than the restaurant's name—an ode to his daughter— little has been revealed about Lagasse's fourth Nola-based concept, except plans for a U-shaped bar, a small dining room for 28, a main dining room with 23 tables and, much like Emeril's—a counter facing an open kitchen.
Projected Opening: 2016
Image credit: Brasted
Looking Ahead
These projects are still on tap for 2016: Ted Brennan's Decatur in the Quarter, Lula distillery/eatery in the LGD, NOLA Distilling and F&M's massive indoor/outdoor expansion in the Irish Channel. The Station and a new Ruby Slipper will hit Mid City. Füd Bar heads to Gentilly and Freret gets a new Peruvian spot Cuzco. Seoul Shack moves to St. Claude Ave. Pho Tau Bay and Nick's Original Big Train Bar plan comebacks on Tulane Avenue. Mr. Ed's opens an oyster bar location on St. Charles Avenue this month.
