Everything's coming up roses … Famous local chef Susan Spicer has added a third restaurant to her repertoire, dubbed Rosedale, now open in what used to be the 3rd district police station. Only a few blocks from City Park, this casual spot with an outdoor patio touts an interpretation on Louisiana home cooking with a menu created by Spicer, the owner, and her chef, Brett Duffee. Enjoy dishes like Duck & Andouille Gumbo, Paneed Pork Chops, 5th Avenue Beef Brisket with a broccoli-cheddar gratin, Cochon de Lait Poboy with fried pickles and hot mustard, and Pineapple Mango Upside Down Cake. Rosedale is open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
801 Rosedale Dr., (504) 309-9595, rosedalerestaurant.com
Just can't get enough … Ray Gruezke, owner and chef of Rue 127, has launched Frey Smoked Meat Co. in the Mid-City Market. The restaurant's focus is on Gruezke's award-winning barbecue, offering the usual suspects like slow-smoked brisket, pulled pork, ribs and chicken, plus interesting starters including a brisket chili, “Bucket o' Biscuits” served with honey or jalapeno butter, pork belly poppers and smoked deviled eggs. Frey also features two kinds of burgers, fatties and flatties, referring to the type of patty being thick or thin, and crazy-cool shakes with names like “Cookie Monster” and “Saturday Morning Cartoons.” Check out Frey Smoked Meat Co. daily for lunch and dinner.
4141 Bienville St., (504) 488-RIBS, freysmokedmeat.com
And love will steer the stars! … Flour Power confectionary owners Ronda and Doyle Deforest recently opened Café Aquarius in Chalmette. Located in the building that housed their Flour Power café before Katrina, the new restaurant features a menu of both lusciously light and deliciously decadent items like the “Flour Power” salad (or wrap) with grilled chicken, mixed greens, strawberries and goat cheese or a “Croque St. Bernard” with roast beef debris, smoked Gouda and bechamel. Café Aquarius is open Tuesday through Sunday.
2101 Paris Rd., Chalmette, (504) 510-3080, facebook.com/Cafe-Aquarius
Two toasted … “Bakester” Cara Benson, owner of Uptown eateries Tartine and Toast, has just opened another Toast location near the Fair Grounds. The second spot offers many of the same items diners know and love from the Laurel Street location, with the addition of waffles—like a BLT with roasted tomato, thick-cut bacon and sunny-side-up eggs, Fried Chicken & Waffles with cayenne butter and maple syrup, and even a simply sweet option with Mima's Blueberry Sauce and fresh whipped cream. There's also a brisket burger with fries, and plans are in the works to offer beer, wine and classic breakfast cocktails. Toast by the Fair Grounds is open daily.
1845 Gentilly Blvd., (504)351-3664, toastneworleans.com
Centrally Jamaican … According to Nola.com, brothers Conroy and Charles Blake recently opened 14 Parishes, a Caribbean/Jamaican restaurant in Central City. Just a short trot down the block from Mais Arepas, this new eatery offers dishes like the “Stamp-and-Go” with green plantains and pineapple sauce, Spanish Town soup with chicken, pumpkin and sweet potato, the Hanover, or stewed oxtail, jerked chicken and shrimp plates, and completely vegan dishes like Rasta Pasta with penne, carrots, bell peppers, cauliflower and broccoli in a coconut sauce. 14 Parishes is open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner.
1638 Clio St., (504) 814-1490, 14parishes.com
Going small-time … Chaya Conrad, formerly the bakery director for Rouses Markets, is scaling back to follow her dreams in her own Bywater Bakery slated to open this month, just in time for king cake season. Although the shop wasn't open yet, Conrad was already selling pies for Thanksgiving last month—mouth-watering varieties like a Brown Butter Rosemary Apple, Butternut Pecan Praline and an Italian Cream. When the shop opens, we can look forward to sandwiches on her own freshly-baked bread, soups, salads served in mason jars, breakfast “go-cups” with grits, eggs and boudin hash, and plenty of other baked beauties like muffins, scones, croissants, sticky buns, cookies, cakes and more creative pies.
3624 Dauphine St., (504) 336-3336, bywaterbakery.com
Santa loves seafood … Now in its fourth year, Deanie's Seafood Restaurant offers its well-attended Holiday Kids Sing-Along & Dance Party with Vince Vance at their French Quarter location. Diners can enjoy breakfast and photos with Santa, caroling and entertainment by Vince Vance & The Valianettes, face painting, arts & crafts, a Candy Land Station, and more! Four shows are being offered this month from 9-11:30 a.m. on December 10 and 11 as well as December 17 and 18. Tickets are available online or by calling Deanie's Holiday Hotline at 504-515-1635. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Angels' Place of New Orleans, a local nonprofit dedicated to families with children diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses.
841 Iberville St., (504) 581-1316, deanies.com
