Highly-Anticipated Aperitif Bar From Parisian Restaurant Group Opens Next Month

Last year’s announcement that the upcoming CBD hotel Maison de la Luz would feature an aperitif bar from a Parisian restaurant group, the group’s first project outside of France, was met with eager anticipation. And now local aperitif connoisseurs can look forward to a projected May 10 opening.

Hotel developer Atelier Ace is behind the new “guest house” Maison de la Luz, as Ace calls it, and confirmed to Eater the bar’s projected opening date and name, Bar Marilou. Marilou is a shortened, nickname version of the name Marie-Louise, and is meant to evoke “70’s French salon and bar culture.”

The Paris-based Quixotic Projects partnered with Ace on the bar, and has created a menu with influences from the French West Indies, Paris, and New Orleans, with low-proof drinks, large-format libations for sharing, natural wines, and craft beer.

Cocktails include the “Jardin de Meme” with green Chartreuse and absinthe in starring roles and the “Melocy d’Ete,” with pastis, passion fruit shrub, grapefruit, and mint. For food, look forward to snacks, charcuterie and small plates, including fried potatoes topped with creme fraiche and caviar and Caribbean salt cod fritters. Look out for a daily happy hour with aperitif and food specials, as well.

The bar will have a separate address and entrance from the Maison de la Luz hotel, which is at 546 Carondelet St., and opens later this month.

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• Parisian Restaurant Group Will Import an Aperitif Bar to New Orleans [ENOLA]