Briquette Swings Open in the CBD

Prytania Street has a new sushi restaurant, one that may fill the void of Kyoto’s closing earlier this year due to the passing of owner Sara Malony. Kanetha Chau, a past apprentice of Malony, has returned to the area with Kohai, an Osaka restaurant, according to Todd Price.

Chau returns from the Northshore, where she’s opened Osaka restaurants in Slidell and Covington, and plans to honor her former mentor by including Kyoto’s signature Sara roll on Kohai’s menu. At this point, Kohai is BYOB with no corkage fee.

Briquette is one of two Warehouse District restaurants helmed by chef Robert Vasquez, who will also be relocating his Mandeville restaurant Opal Basil to the space next door on S. Peters St. Ian McNulty reports that Briquette, open for dinner daily, has an “upscale contemporary” seafood-focused menu with influences from Spanish, Latin, and Southwestern cuisine. The kitchen is completely open to dining room viewing behind glass, to better acquaint the guest with the process.

Opal Basil, set to open this week, but not confirmed, will be more casual with breakfast and lunch service during the day, with a wine bar/tapas menu at night.

Kohai: 4821 Prytania St., 504-372-4125. Hours of operation: Sun-Thurs, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri-Sat, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Briquette: 701 S. Peters St., 504-302-7496. Hours of operation: Sun-Thurs, 5-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat, 5-11 p.m.