Levee Baking Co.
Levee Baking Co. started as a pop-up before opening on Magazine Street late last month. Baker Christina Balzebre is originally from Miami, and learned her craft working with local operations such as Satsuma Café, the Link Restaurant Group and Willa Jean. Her breads, pastries, cakes and both sweet and savory baked goods employ local products wherever possible and use freshly milled flour from Carolina Ground. Levee Baking Co., 3138 Magazine St., Ste. D; Wednesday – Saturday, 9:00-3:00, Sunday 10:00-3:00; LeveeBakingco.com.
La Mensa
La Mensa, an Italian spot helmed by chef Britten Carboni, has opened in the space occupied for many years by Maximo’s and, more recently, by nouvelle-Creole restaurant Trinity. Chef Carboni’s menu features dishes such as octopus salad with olives, orange, fennel and mint; goat cheese and ricotta-stuffed squash blossoms with romesco sauce and pork shank osso bucco with orange gremolata and house-made spaghetti. La Mensa 1117 Decatur St.; 325-5789; Tuesday – Saturday, 5:30-9:00 (Bar: 4-9), Sunday, 10:30 to 2:30; LaMensaNola.com.Â
The Tiger Bakery
Another bakery that opened recently is The Tiger Bakery, which started service in a somewhat out of the way spot in Broadmoor. It’s a beautiful little spot for coffee, tea, freshly made lemonade and, of course, baked goods both sweet and savory. Look for free-form tarts, cream puffs, flatbreads and pastries stuffed with ham and cheese, sausage or vegetables. The Tiger Bakery, 3030 General Pershing St.; 430-3812; Wednesday – Friday, 7:30-3:00, Saturday 8:30-3:00 and Sunday 8:30-2:00; The-Tiger-Bakery.business.site.
