Ste. Marie, a partnership between Leon and Pierre Touzet of Patois and Robert LeBlanc of LRG, recently named Chris Foster executive chef. Foster was formerly the sous chef at Bobby Flay’s Bar Americain in New York City.  Foster should fit right in at the sleek, modern space Ste. Marie occupies in the ground floor of the high-rise condominium building at 930 Poydras. He should also be familiar with the restaurant’s approach to updated bistro fare, as Bar Americain’s menu is fairly similar. I’ll be interested to see if Foster brings any of Flay’s Southwestern flavors to Ste. Marie. If you would like more information, or want to make a reservation, call Ste. Marie at 304-6988. 

Chef Anthony Spizale has been the executive chef at the Rib Room in the Omni Royal Orleans hotel since 2000. I always thought it was an odd place for a chef of Spizale’s creativity, given the restaurant’s focus on roasted meats and Creole standards. I received more than one email recently when chef Spizale left the Rib Room, and I’m glad to be able to report that he has been hired to run the kitchen at The Upperline, JoAnn Clevenger’s art-filled restaurant at 1413 Upperline St. I’m looking forward to Spizale’s versions of the restaurant’s classic dishes, but I’m also optimistic that he’ll bring a fresh approach to the venerable Uptown restaurant. Call 891-9822 for more information.

Wednesdays in April, local restaurants will be participating in a benefit for Sendai, Japan. From the press release I received recently:

"New Orleans restaurants and the American Red Cross have come together for Sushi for Sendai, an initiative to help raise funds to support survivors of the quake and tsunami disaster in Japan. Spearheaded by local graphic designer David A. Glaser with support by interactive marketing firm FSC Interactive, area restaurants are offering New Orleans residents and visitors the opportunity to give back. Every Wednesday during the month of April, local restaurants will donate a portion of their profits from that day to the Sushi for Sendai effort. All money raised will go directly to the American Red Cross’s tsunami and earthquake relief efforts in Japan."
   
Restaurants participating include Sun Ray Grill, Daiwa Sushi Bar, Kyoto, Rock N Sake and both locations of Wasabi. Even non-sushi establishments like Eiffel Society are getting into the mix. Check the Facebook page linked above for more details and updates.

So there you have it, kids. As always, if you have any questions or comments, leave them below or send me an email.