Cure Co-Founder, Cane & Table Chef Team Up For Freret Street Restaurant

Detailed plans for a former service station at the corner of Freret and Valence Streets from the founders of acclaimed cocktail destination Cure have been announced, and they include bringing on the chef from the French Quarter’s beloved Cane & Table to lead the forthcoming restaurant and bar’s kitchen.

Construction to turn the service station into a restaurant by Cure co-founder Matthew Kohnke first came to light in September, with proposed floor plans showing a 3,000-square-foot indoor area (set in from the street, utilizing the existing structure), and a large outdoor dining space of more than 1,000 square feet, just off the sidewalk on Freret Street.

Now we know it will be called Vals, and will bring in the entire CureCo team, including Neal Bodenheimer, Turk Dietrich, and Cane & Table chef Fredo Nogueira as a new partner in the group. Vals is described in a press release as a casual spot with outdoor patio seating, bar, and “laid-back” indoor dining space. The name “Vals” was found after removing wall panels during construction.

Nogueira will build a menu of Mexican-influenced cuisine including tacos, tostadas, and ceviches, and the bar will be focused on agave spirits. Alex Anderson, who has spent years crafting cocktails at Cure, will manage the spirits program.

Vals is expected to open this spring at 4632 Freret Street.

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• A Cure Co-Founder Is Turning the Former Freret Service Station Into a Restaurant [ENOLA]
• Restaurant with bar, outdoor dining space planned for former Freret Service Center [UPTOWNMESSENGER.COM]