Hail to the King Cakes
Twelfth Night is on Jan. 6, so bring on the onslaught of office king cake, home king cake, party king cake, Mardi Gras route king cake and any other place to eat it that we can dream up until Mardi Gras Day. A highlight of the season for many includes grabbing one of Maggie Scales’ infamous “The Elvis” cakes at La Boulangerie. The confection has peanut butter, banana and bacon, as well as marshmallows, and purple, green and gold sprinkles — thankyouverymuch. Or perhaps you’d fancy a French galette des rois with its buttery layers of puff pastry and elegant almond cream from La Boulangerie, one of the Gracious Bakery locations, Croissant D’Or Patisserie in the French Quarter or Celtica French Bakery in Lakeview? If you need a reminder, save yourself some running around at King Cake Hub, located in the Zony Mash Beer Project at 1464 S Broad St. The hub opens on Epiphany (and not a moment sooner) and stocks cakes from your favorite local restaurants and bakeries all in one spot. Last year’s bakery partners included Gambino’s, Hi-Do, NOCCA and Brennan’s. Be sure to check kingcakehub.com for the 2025 partners, unless you are feeling adventuresome.
Mambo Italiano
Look for a new offering in January from Reno de Ranieri and Brian Burns, the team behind the Uptown eateries Costera and Osteria Lupo. Dubbed Brutto Americano, a cheeky riff on the term “ugly American,” the concept is located at The Hyatt’s Barnett Hotel property (formerly the Ace Hotel) in the Central Business District and will take over the space formerly occupied by Josephine Estelle. The venture is a partnership with the Domain Companies, a real estate investment and development firm. According to a company spokesperson, the Brutto Americano menu will feature classic Italian dishes and new creations with a focus on “local flavors with respect for traditional techniques.” Brutto Americano, 600 Carondelet St.
A Jolt of Fresh Energy
Devotees of HiVOLT in the Lower Garden District rejoiced when in 2023, the neighborhood specialty coffee shop with sometimes unpredictable hours (no shade intended, self-care is not selfish) rolled out its extended 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. fixed daily schedule, plus a new alcohol and THC beverage menu. Another menu revamp is in the works for 2025, but this time the focus is on the food. Don’t worry, the refresh will include a selection of gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options the popular spot has always kept in its repertoire. HiVOLT, 1829 Sophie Wright Place, hivoltcoffeepickup.com
Drinks Before Dinner
Just when the dust finally settled for the well-heeled and loyal patrons of Uptown’s decades-old, hidden fine-dining grand dame Gautreau’s — who were faced with acclimating to new ownership and a new chef in 2023 — plans were announced for a new lounge. Avegno is slated to open next door to Gautreau’s early this year in a renovated space that used to be home to an exotic pet store. The bar will feature wine, cocktails and a dedicated menu from the Gautreau’s kitchen. Avegno, 1724 Soniat St.
Food History
On Jan. 9, have your dinner with a hearty and heartfelt history lesson during the National WWII Museum’s dinner with a curator: “Recipes as a Legacy: Cookbooks Created during the Holocaust.” Historian Jennifer Putnam, PhD, will share the legacy of Jewish women who used recipes during the Holocaust to survive and stay linked to their community against all odds. Buy tickets on the museum’s website for the event, which runs from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at BB’s Stage Door Canteen. The National WWII Museum, 945 Magazine St., nationalww2museum.org.
