Jazz Fest Fave ‘Fireman Mike’ Shifts His Restaurant Plans

SWITCHEROOS — Jazz Fest favorite “Fireman Mike” Gowland has changed the plans for his forthcoming Lakeview restaurant, Fireman Mike’s Café & Sweet Shop.

Instead of the old Pizza NOLA space, he’ll open nearby in the former home of Chap’s Chicken at 203 W. Harrison Avenue. Also, the menu has shifted from pizza and family-style platters to burgers, po-boys, “lavishly dressed fries,” rolled ice cream, and dairy-free and sugar-free soft serve ice cream. It’ll open in May or June. [ADVOCATE]

AWARDS SEASON — Turkey and the Wolf has had a hell of a year after winning numerous awards, including the honor — Food and Wine’s Best New Restaurant. Here’s how the year went that changed everything, according to an interview with Todd Price. [NOLA.COM]

NEW AND NOTEWORTHY — GQ chief food critic and New Orleans resident Brett Martin arrived home from eating across the U.S. to find a number of noteworthy eateries that had popped up in his absence, namely Bywater American Bistro, Manolito, Morrow’s, Rosalita’s, and Gabrielle. [GQ]

EATER IDK — The Roosevelt hotel chef made a very convincing Popeyes wedding cake (Note: not a bachelor cake). [WGNO]

OPENING ALERT — Homegrown Pizza opened in Gentilly on April 27 with pizzas made from John Gendusa’s bakery pizza dough and whole milk mozzarella. [NOLA.COM]

THE CHAINS — Texas chain restaurant Saltgrass Steak House is speedily throwing up new locations in the NOLA area, with plans for a Covington location between Cracker Barrel and the new Mercedes-Benz dealership. It’s the second location planned for the Northshore. Last June, Saltgrass opened in Metairie. [CITY BUSINESS]

EVENTWIRE — Toups South announced its Counter Club dinners for the month. [GAMBIT]

CRAWFISH WIRE — Boiled crawfish is running $3.35 a pound this week. Boil it yourself for $1.91 a pound. [WGNO]

EVENTWIRE — Crawfish and Roses returns to Covington on May 5 for its fourth year. Held at the Abita Brewery, the annual crawfish cook-off and music festival raises funds for kids with special needs. The boil winner automatically qualifies for the “World Seafood Championship.” 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets here.

Meanwhile, Catahoula Hotel’s rooftop bar is getting a little make-over, carving out an identity as an agave bar called Tahona, with mezcal, tequila, and rarer Mexican spirits like bacanora and sotol. Rooftop relaunch May 5.

At 11 a.m. on May 12, Brennan’s courtyard turtles will ride in “the slowest second line on Earth.” Following the parade, Simone Rathle will sign A Topsy Turvy History of New Orleans & Ten Tiny Turtles (available for purchase at Brennan’s) in the courtyard next to the turtles’ home. Details here.

UPDATES — Miel Brewery’s equipment has arrived and the team is expecting to open in June. [UPTOWN MESSENGER]

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• All Eaterwire Coverage [ENOLA]
• All Eventwire Coverage [ENOLA]