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Galatoire’s New Chef Is Phillip Lopez, a Chef Known For Molecular Gastronomy

The iconic restaurant is more than a century old

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Phillip Lopez, the former executive chef and owner of the now-shuttered, modernist tasting menu restaurant Square Root, just took the executive chef gig at a restaurant with much deeper roots — Galatoire’s. Ian McNulty reports that Phillip Lopez officially takes the reins at the more-than-a century-old restaurant, as well as its more casual spin-off, Galatoire’s 33 Steak, on September 3.

Galatoire’s is a longtime member of the Eater NOLA 38 Essential Restaurants map and is also one of the best classic restaurants in the city.

Though seemingly a surprising partnership for traditional Galatoire’s and molecular gastronomy expert Lopez, the innovative chef and New Orleans native told McNulty that his cooking always begins with respect for New Orleans cuisine — and pushes it forward.

Take, for example, the muffuletta he served at Square Root, which the Wall Street Journal chose as one of the best muffulettas in the Crescent City. His “silver dollar” sized version substituted sesame-seed flavored meringue for the typical sesame-seed topped Italian bread (the name of the sandwich actually comes from the bread, which happens to be as big as a plate).

He recognizes that this new move is a departure from what he’s known for, but he considers it a privilege to be a “steward” of New Orleans cuisine. Plus, he’s adept at classic French technique, according to the report.

Michael Sichel held Galatoire’s executive chef post for seven years before leaving to cook at a hotel with an all-pink “ladies bar” in Charleston. Before that, Brian Landry ran the kitchen, eventually leaving to open Borgne with John Besh.

Lopez’s restaurant group, Rebel Restaurant Group, once had several restaurants under its roof. He sold deli Part and Parcel to longtime employees who now operate it under the name Aglio. Root and Square Root closed permanently on New Year’s Eve. And the conservative hotel bistro Petite Lion closed a month before that.

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Galatoire's

209 Bourbon Street, , LA 70130 (504) 525-2021 Visit Website

Galatoire's 33 Bar & Steak

215 Bourbon Street, , LA 70112 (504) 335-3932 Visit Website

Galatoires

209 Bourbon Street, , LA 70130 (504) 525-2021 Visit Website

Galatoire's 33 Bar and Steak

215 Bourbon Street, New Orleans, LA 70112