When Mimi’s in the Marigny closed its Royal Street doors in 2020, fans mourned the loss of a neighborhood institution (which later announced a planned relocation to 2600 Chartres Street).
The space wouldn’t stay dark for long. In June 2021, the iconic corner spot was reborn as Anna’s, the first Marigny venture for LeBlanc + Smith, the hospitality powerhouse behind Barrel Proof, Sylvain, The Chloe and newly opened The Will & the Way (formerly Longway Tavern).
“We wanted a place that would mean to the Marigny what Barrel Proof means to the [Lower Garden District],” said Robért LeBlanc, LeBlanc + Smith’s founder and creative director.
Partner Anna Giordano serves as namesake and leader of the new endeavor, bringing experience honed as bar director of Longway Tavern and tenures at Meauxbar and Bar Tonique, among other spots. At Anna’s, Giordano aims to balance the laid-back ambience that longtime Mimi’s patrons expect with her team’s collective vision.
“We are trying to cultivate our identity and be welcoming in that same way, but we are a different crew of people, and these are different times,” Giordano said.
Across its two floors, Anna’s blends the mellow welcome of a neighborhood dive bar and the sexiness of a cocktail bar. Visitors seeking a more casual experience can find it downstairs, where a pony and shot of whiskey carry a single-digit price tag. Upstairs, the vibe is intimate, infused with flavors of Spain. Chef Chris “Hammy” Hamm, a veteran of the kitchens at Cavan, Sylvain and Coquette, serves creative tapas-style dishes. Highlights include papas bravas with a Nashville hot twist, accented with coarse mustard seeds and a slice of Bunny bread, and crispy octopus with squid ink black rice. A selection of Spanish vermouth, sherries and cocktails complement the cuisine.
While the team acknowledges the challenges of opening during a year of uncertainty, they credit adversity for giving their work greater purpose and meaning. Giordano also just wants to offer some normalcy to people walking through the door: “As a community, we are all dealing with this together. There is solidarity in that.”
