Molly’s Rise and Shine
Molly’s Rise and Shine is the second restaurant by the folks who opened Turkey and the Wolf in 2016. The focus is on breakfast, which you may have gathered from the name, but it’s breakfast through the lens of fine-dining chefs making imaginative, eclectic fare. There’s a take on the McMuffin, but also a sweet potato burrito, “whirled” green peas on toast and collard greens with grits and poached eggs. Molly’s Rise and Shine, 2368 Magazine St., 302-1896, open 7-3 daily, closed Tuesday, mollysriseandshine.com.
Secret Thai
New Thai restaurants are always of interest to me, and recently a friend tipped me off to Secret Thai, a new place in Chalmette. Chefs Panlada Tan and Chaiyarpar Unkulsopakdee serve a wide range of Thai classics with a few twists here and there, such as fried catfish with a house-made chili paste or Thai-style deep-fried beef or pork jerky that the chefs recommend with the green papaya salad. Secret Thai, 9212 W. Judge Perez Dr. Ste. C, Chalmette, 345-2487, open Tuesday – Saturday 11-9; until 7 on Sunday.
Bonnets NOLA
I’m also happy to see new Caribbean restaurants come to town; particularly when the food is done well. Bonnets NOLA opened recently on Magazine street, and in addition to Island standards like jerked meats and conch fritters, chef Myesha Brown’s menu includes classic soul food and a number of vegetarian and vegan dishes. Bonnets NOLA, 1910 Magazine St., 827-1959, open Monday – Thursday 11 to 11:30; Friday and Saturday until midnight and Sunday until 11, bonnetsnola.com.
