Auction House Market has two new food vendors, further expanding the options available at the chef-driven food hall. First up, Yvonne Molina has opened La Mezcla Mexicana after experiencing success with her tamale pop-up at a local neighborhood bar. The menu features birria tacos, Mexican street corn, enchiladas, burritos and more. Meanwhile, Em Trai Sandwich Co. is offering a creative spin on Vietnamese classics (with a New Orleans twist) with pho, savory steam bun, vermicelli bowls, banh mi and more. Auction House Market also has a new happy hour that includes a variety of $7 classic cocktails and house wines, beer specials, and vendor food specials every weekday, except for Tuesdays, from 4-7 p.m. 801 Magazine St., 215-5559, 302-7772, auctionhousemarket.com.
Backyard Tacos
The popular taco popup known as Rosalita’s Backyard Tacos has opened a permanent taco stand offering takeout and backyard seating only. The cute courtyard has socially distanced tables, a covered patio, ceiling fans, string lights and heat lamps. Some of the most popular menu items include the al pastor taco, the chorizo taco and the lengua taco. There are also many vegetarian options, including an oversized black bean burrito. 3304 St Claude Ave., 354-2468, rosalitas-nola.com.
Ice Cream Revolution
Nikki Thompson, owner and ice cream maker at Hood Cream, has ditched the dairy in favor of using plant-based milk for her creations. The company started last August when she noticed that there was a lack of Black-owned and dairy-free ice cream on the market (except at local grocers). Although Hood Cream doesn’t have a physical shop yet, Thompson has been appearing at vendor markets throughout the city. A signature menu item is the “Rich Boy” flavor, which is Thompson’s play on cookies and cream, using coconut cream, caramel and coconut flakes. Another popular item is the Champagne-based “French 100.” 435-0328, hoodcreamnola.com.
In-Church Dining
During the pandemic, The Elysian Bar found ways to pivot in order to create safe and elevated dining and cocktail experiences. Once way the restaurant was able to do so was to offer a dining experience like none other: by moving lunch and dinner services to the interior of the Hotel Peter & Paul Church. Dining within the 9,450-square-foot decommissioned red brick Catholic Church, which is typically used by the hotel as an event space, is a unique experience that won’t last forever. In addition to enjoying a menu of seasonal cuisine prepared by chef Jonathan Klaskala, (paired with a completely domestic wine list), the experience includes being surrounded by huge original stained-glass windows and nightly musical performances by some of the city’s best musicians. 2317 Burgundy St., 356-6769, theelysianbar.com.
Galerie de Galatoire
James Beard Award-winning Galatoire’s Restaurant, has announced the opening of Galerie de Galatoire—the largest, non-hotel dining room in the French Quarter. The new 5,500-square-foot space offers Galatoire’s classic fare, plus a fine selection of wines and hand-crafted cocktails. Located on the second floor of the old Hurwitz Mintz Furniture building, across from Hotel Monteleone New Orleans, the space boasts an exquisite European interior with French and Italian references. Eugenie Gibbens and Sweet Dupuy, of Gibbens Dupuy Decoration, collaborated with key New Orleanian master craftsmen to bring the interior design to life. In addition to a main dining room that can be divided into two spaces or used as one large room, it also features a chef’s gallery, a high-walled terrace and two full balconies overlooking Royal Street. 211 Royal St., 525-2021, galatoires.com.
