Bucktown’s Smoke House Grill Closes Suddenly After Less Than a Year in Business

THE SHUTTER — Bucktown’s Smokehouse Grill closed its doors after less than a year in business. The restaurant gave no advance notice or reasons for the closure. [GAMBIT]

EATERWIRE — The Drew Rodrigue Foundation’s Bugs and Brew, benefitting Eater 2017 Chef of the Year Carl Schaubhut, is on May 19 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Fulton Street. Attendees dine on crawfish, listen to Honey Island Swamp Band and more, and drink beer to help Schaubhut continue to battle cancer.

EATER IDK — This rare bottle of Old Rip Van Winkle 25 Year Old, raffled off by team Swineaux during this year’s Hogs for the Cause, brought in a sweet $37,500. The winner, who only bought one raffle ticket, also got two nights at the Windsor Court and airfare to New Orleans to pick up the bottle. [NOLA.COM]

AWARDS SEASON — The Daily Meal thinks New Orleans food trucks Rollin’ Fatties and La Cocinita are two of the best food trucks in all of America. [DAILY MEAL]

APPS — Peter Mayer marketing agency launched a free sno-ball finder app. It’s even equipped to search by flavor. “New Orleans Snoball Finder” is free on iOS here and on Android here. [press release]

INTERVIEWS — Helen Freund checks in with bartender Nick Detrich of Manolito (the French Quarter bar he just opened with Chris Hannah), who tells her the art behind the Cuban style of bartending, including how to make frozen drinks that aren’t “too frozen.” [GAMBIT]

THE SHUTTER — Emeril’s Florida restaurant Orlando is closing. [ORLANDO WEEKLY]

EATER IDK — Matt Haines takes a bottomless stomach to the home of the New Orleans Baby Cakes for a nine-course meal built around the snack stands and the innings. [ADVOCATE]

NEWS — New Orleans service industry workers are pushing for a free health clinic. [CITY BUSINESS]

RICH PEOPLE THINGS — The Houston Rockets owner, Tilman Fertitta, just bought the Drew Brees-backed Waitr app for a cool $308 million in cash and stock. Fertitta also owns Landry’s Restaurants, Inc. [4WWL]

UPDATE (05.17.2018; 6:29 P.M.): This story incorrectly said that Ian McNulty ate a nine-course snack stand meal over nine innings at the home of the New Orleans Baby Cakes. In fact, Matt Haines performed that incredible feat.

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