Eleven rubies … Popular local chain Ruby Slipper Café just opened its first location in Jefferson Parish, on Metairie Road. The brunch spot is located in the building that formerly housed Café B, the casual Brennan's restaurant that closed at the end of last year. This will be the 11th Ruby Slipper Café opened on the Gulf Coast, with six in New Orleans and the rest in Baton Rouge, Alabama, and Florida. All of your favorite menu items are available at the new Metairie Road location, including the Eggs Cochon Benedict with apple-braised pork debris, Bananas Foster Pain Perdu, and their Morning Margarita.
2700 Metairie Rd., (504) 525-9355, therubyslippercafe.net
Making a comeback … After closing for renovation and a revamp, The Franklin has reopened with a new look, a new menu, and a new chef. When the Marigny gastropub closed last summer, fans were anxious for its reboot, and the restaurant has delivered by tapping Dane Harris as executive chef. “Our hope is that this new era of The Franklin provides the neighborhood with a more approachable spot where everyone feels welcome to come grab dinner or have a drink at the bar,” says Managing Partner Ken Jackson. “We’re proud of the menu Chef Dane has created and are excited to invite everyone back into the space.” The new menu features dishes like Beef Tartare with pho garnishes and smoked egg yolk; Duck Liver Mousse with mostarda, pickles, and sourdough; Crispy Whole Fish with citrus salsa verde; and the signature Franklin Burger with farmhouse cheddar, roasted tomatoes, and aioli. The Franklin is open Monday through Saturday for dinner.
2600 Dauphine St., (504) 267-0640, thefranklinnola.com
When the levee bakes … Levee Baking Co., a bakery installation that's been popping up inside a house on Dryades that also hosts the Mosquito Supper Club, recently announced the lease of its own digs on its Facebook page. Owner/baker Christina Balzebre is transforming the space that briefly housed Cloud 9 Bistro just off Magazine Street. Lauded for her naturally leavened breads and handmade pastries that previously could only be acquired at local farmers markets, Balzebre has us all excited for a brick-and-mortar location to scarf her goodies on the daily.
Back in the saddle again … Dominique Macquet has returned to New Orleans once again, and once again, he's the executive chef of a French restaurant on Magazine Street, this one owned by local physician John Engle. This iteration, dubbed Bordeaux, touts “contemporary French Creole” cuisine and is located in an old single-shotgun house that has been renovated to include covered outdoor seating. The menu features dishes like sautéed sweetbreads, French-style pheasant with gnocchi and squash, and flash-seared bluefin tuna with pappardelle and caramelized cauliflower. Bordeaux is open Tuesday through Saturday for dinner and also offers a Saturday and Sunday brunch.
4734 Magazine St., (504) 273-5747, bordeauxnola.com
A historic café … Café Cour, a new restaurant by the owners of Carmo, has opened inside the Historic New Orleans Collection's new $38 million exhibition space on Royal Street in the French Quarter. Owners Dana Honn and his wife Christina opened Carmo, featuring global tropical and vegetarian dishes, almost nine years ago, with great success. Café Cour offers coffee and pastries along with dishes like a Haitian red bean soup and a Sicilian version of the muffuletta with tuna and anchovies.
520 Royal St., (504) 450-4620, cafecournola.com
With no ado … Ever since O'Henry's Food & Spirits closed almost three years ago, the building on South Carrollton Avenue has been occupied by several different aspiring restaurants, none of which has stuck. Enter the latest: the Streetcar Bistro, an opening brought to my attention by Food Goddess Lorin Gaudin. According to the restaurant's Facebook page, Streetcar Bistro is open daily and offers dishes like crab cakes with remoulade, boudin balls, fried pickles, gumbo, chicken Parmesan sandwiches, burgers, and plates like chicken and waffles and shrimp étouffée. Perhaps this one's a keeper? Only time will tell …
632 S. Carrollton Ave., (504) 766-4441, facebook.com/Streetcarbistro
Who's a fat boy? … Because everyone needs a 30-inch pizza, Fat Boys Pizza opened on Metairie Road, right across from Texas chain Shipley Do-Nuts. According to NOLA.com, owner Gabe Corchiani and his wife Karen opened the new pizzeria after being inspired by the ginormous pies they discovered at the Pizza Bar in Miami, Florida. Along with huge pizzas (also available by the slice), Fat Boy also offers dishes like baked meatballs with marinara and mozzarella, a jumbo pretzel, mozzarella sticks, and hoagies. The family-friendly restaurant also features 10 TVs as well as outdoor dining. Fat Boy's Pizza is open every day but Monday.
2565 Metairie Rd., (504) 345-2182, fatboyspizzanola.com
So long, farewell … After five years of business in Lakeview, the fine-dining restaurant Cava has closed its doors. According to NOLA.com, owner Danny Millan said it was just “time to move on.” Millan is currently working on opening a family-friendly sports restaurant called Azul on W. Harrison Avenue, and apparently, a family in Lakeview bought Cava and plans to open a more casual joint in the space.
