King Brasserie & Bar at Kimpton Hotel Fontenot is offering a Tour d’Azur seasonal menu, a three-course tasting menu inspired by the French Basque region, this September. Dishes include gazpacho with Louisiana blue crab, gold tomato, cucumber and jalapeño; seared scallops with chorizo and potato croquettes, and grilled corn velouté; and Basque cheesecake with stone fruit compote, pistachios and honey. King Brasserie also offers daily brunch, including a special “Queen’s Brunch” on Saturdays and Sundays with a unique beverage menu inspired by female distillers and wine makers. 521 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-324-3000, kingbrasserieandbar.com
Brunch Bites
Osteria Lupo has launched weekend brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Northern Italian dishes include the Lupo frittata with Pesto Trapanese, pea tendrils and provolone piccante; Eggs in Purgatory with arrabbiata, grilled focaccia and ricotta salad; Pane Perduto with rose water berries and lemon curd; and the Lupo breakfast sandwich (Italian sausage, fontina and an egg on brioche). Boozy brunch drinks include the Hieronymus (pear, hibiscus, lavender and prosecco); La Mola (Cimarron Blanco tequila, Aperol, citrus and bitters) and an espresso martini (espresso, Borghetti and Meletti amaro). 4609 Magazine St., 504-273-1268, osterialupo.com
Venezuelan Cuisine
On the heels of his first Venezuelan restaurant, Como Arepas, Chef Julio Machado, formerly of Zocalo, Tacos del Cartel and Mucho Más, has opened his second Venezuelan venture, Origen Bistro in the Bywater. For brunch, try a combo of small plates, like the empanadas, tequeños, tostones or cachapas (Venezuelan corn pancakes). Brunch casseroles, such as shredded chicken or fried pork, also are on offer. Meanwhile, the all-day menu features ceviches, cheese fondue served with mini cachapas and arepas, and chupe (chicken noodle soup). Or try the carne en vara (skewered meat roasted over an open fire). 3600 St. Claude Ave., 504-381-4245
Po-Boys and More!
Paul Prudhomme’s nephew, Troy Brocato, opened Brocato’s Kitchen on Broad Street, along with Anthony Brocato, and Cherie Benetrix Dillenkoffer of Cherie’s Catering. The menu includes po-boys, specialty sandwiches, fried baskets, salads, gumbo and daily specials reminiscent of a grandmother’s home-cooked meal. Popular dishes include the garlicky roast beef po-boy, the Hot Broad (a smash burger and hot sausage topped with pepper jack cheese, lettuce and spicy mayo), the chicken and sausage gumbo, and the red beans and rice Monday special. The cozy family-style restaurant, which is filled with New Orleans art, has 40 indoor seats for lunch-time crowds. Brocato’s Kitchen also offers catering and food for festivals. 422 S. Broad St., 504-354-9661, brocatoskitchen.com
Dinner Dishes
Alma Cafe, the Honduran restaurant helmed by owner and chef Melissa Araujo (a James Beard Foundation semifinalist for Best Chef South 2024), is launching dinner service this fall. On Fridays through Sept. 13, enjoy exclusive dinner preview showcasing a curated selection of dishes such as aguachile negro (local gulf shrimp and scallops in an aguachile negro), tostada de tuna (yellowfin tuna, avocado purée, caramelized shallots and jalapeño), pork belly with pickled vegetables, duck in salsa verde and barbecue pork ribs with fine herbs. Cocktails also will be available from head bartender Mark Preston, such as the smoke rosemary Negroni sour, the Paloma No. 2 and the Pimm’s Cup. 800 Louisa St., 504-381-5877, eatalmanola.com
City Eats New Orleans
Local food and travel writer Beth D’Addono’s new book, “City Eats New Orleans,” profiles more than 50 chefs and restaurants – along with recipes, and food traditions and trends – in the Big Easy. D’Addono also is hosting conversations at happy hours (with drink specials and light nibbles) with chefs/restaurateurs featured in the book: Sept. 11, The Bower, 5-6 p.m. with chef Marcus Woodham; Oct. 8, Mister Mao, 5-6 p.m. with chef Sophina Uong; Nov. 13, King Brasserie & Bar at Kimpton Hotel Fontenot, 5-6 p.m. with chef Sam Peery; and Dec. 11, Polo Lounge at Windsor Court Hotel, 5-6 p.m. with chef Vlad Cogan. Available at local bookstores and specialty shops.
Saint John Relocates
After closing Saint John Restaurant on Decatur Street in May, executive chef and owner Eric Cook is reopening his haute Creole concept on St. Charles Avenue this fall. Located in the CBD, in the space formerly occupied by Le Chat Noir, Saint John will feature an updated lunch and dinner menu (along with popular dishes from the original location), and an enhanced daily happy hour. Darren Chabert, who has worked alongside Cook for the last two years overseeing culinary operations at Gris-Gris, Gris-Gris to Go Go and Saint John, will take on the role of chef de cuisine. 715 St. Charles Ave., saintjohnnola.com
