Royal Brewery Is Now Up and Running

NEW ORLEANS EAST — Royal Brewery became the 33rd licensed brewery in Louisiana last week. Culicidae Ale, an American pale ale fermented with British ale yeast will roll out first. The brewery says the beer is light to medium in body with a dry finish.

NEW ORLEANS — Station 6 chef Allison Vega-Knoll has taken over Louisiana Caviar Co., (Cajun Caviar is its trademark product) with friends Alden Lagasse and Amy Hollister Wilson. Louisiana Caviar Co. was founded in 1986 by John Burke, who sold the business to the three women last fall, reports Ian McNulty. [ADVOCATE]

MANDEVILLE — El Paso Mexican Grill will take over the space that housed the recently shuttered Romano’s Macaroni Grill in Mandeville. The chain already operates 16 restaurants in Louisiana, including locations in Algiers, Slidell, and Metairie. [NOLA.COM]

Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS — The ban on blue crab commercial fishers ended March 21, which means diners may start to see more crabs on New Orleans restaurant menus. [NOLA.COM]

NEW ORLEANS — Senegalese caterer, restaurateur, and award-winning cookbook author Pierre Thiam comes to New Orleans this week to cook and lecture. The visit, sponsored by Dillard University’s Ray Charles Program, takes place on Friday, Saturday, and Monday at the Community Book Center on Bayou Road, Southern Food and Beverage Museum, and Dillard University. Thiam has been featured on Anthony Bourdain's "Parts Unknown" and Food Network's "Iron Chef.” [NOLA.COM]

NEW ORLEANS — The Louisiana SPCA’s Brunch Fest has been postponed due to the possibility of bad weather this weekend. The event, which was planned to take place on March 25 at Crescent Park, has been moved to April 22. National Puppy Day will continue as planned. Flood your news feeds accordingly with cute puppy pictures. [NOLA.COM]