Chef Sue Zemanick is Opening Her First Restaurant on New Year’s Eve

Zasu, the highly-anticipated restaurant from James Beard Award-winning chef Sue Zemanick, will open to the public on New Year’s Eve.

Zemanick announced the opening via Zasu’s Facebook page on Thursday, where she has also been documenting the renovation of the space formerly occupied by Rue 127 bistro, which closed this past spring. Zemanick’s chef de cuisine is Jeff McLennan, who previously worked as the sous chef at Link restaurant group standout Herbsaint.

Zemanick came to New Orleans in 2002 after she graduated from culinary school to work at Commander’s Palace. She was appointed executive chef of Gautreau’s a month before Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in the summer of 2005, and stayed in the role for 11 years. In 2014, she won the James Beard Best Chef: South award, and is also known for her appearances on Top Chef and Top Chef Masters.

Zasu is the first restaurant to be owned and operated by Zemanick, and has been much-awaited since she took a hiatus from cooking professionally in 2016. While the menu for the Mid City “upscale neighborhood” spot has not been released, it’s safe to expect an emphasis on seafood and local produce. Eater has reached out to Zemanick for more details.

Diners can call or email for New Year’s Eve reservations via the details on Facebook.

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• Mid City Gem Rue 127 Is Closing Tomorrow [ENOLA]
• James Beard Award-Winning Chef Sue Zemanick Is Back in the Kitchen With a Restaurant All Her Own [ENOLA]
• Chef Sue Zemanick Is Tearing Up the Old Rue 127 Space