It’s August, which always brings a slew of restaurant closings in New Orleans. This past month, some heavy hitters and much-loved staples have shuttered. Restaurants include a longstanding Italian spot, a Filipino absinthe bar, and a French Quarter wine stop.
Rising rent causes Tatlo to close after less than a year
After less than a year of bewitching French Quarter diners, chef Cristina Quackenbush closed her restaurant Tatlo Divine Cuisine & Absinthe House on July 27. Citing a disconnect with the landlord along with no interest in having her rent raised to $18,000 a month, Quackenbush opted to close. But in her typical positive way, she has no regrets. “We’ll land somewhere where the rent is reasonable and I can make money. We’ll be back. I’m so proud of what we did here.”
Regulars save Italian mainstay Mona Lisa
On August 1, the owners of Mona Lisa announced that they were informed (by text) to vacate the restaurant in 60 days. After that, restaurant regulars got busy. Fans of the Italian comfort cafe organized the Night of 1000 Mona Lisas for August 16, with attendees dressing like the Van Gogh masterpiece for a protest block party.
On August 11, that dress-up party turned into a celebration. The owner changed his mind, allowing the restaurant owners to keep their Italian cafe on Royal Street open.
Farrow Stephenson and Tom Moore have owned this beacon of queer community for 20 years. While they imagined it was possible to lose the space with a new owner coming in, they never thought the break-up would be by text. The owner and his realtor clearly underestimated the power of the New Orleans community that has supported the funky Italian eatery since 1987.
Regulars love Mona Lisa for so many reasons. Where else can you see so many quirky versions of the Van Gogh masterpiece? The menu of Italian American favorites includes a cheesy lasagna, a Mediterranean salad with homemade feta vinaigrette, calzones stuffed with cheese, and the pizza, always loaded with savory bits atop a thick-ish crust with just the right chew. Mardi Gras pasta, made with shrimp and andouille sausage, is a house special. Prices are affordable, service is warm, and all pronouns are welcome.
No word on what this all means for Bennachin, the African restaurant that dates to 1992. It is next door to Mona Lisa, with shared restrooms, all in the same building that was sold to the New York investor.
Poke-Chan switches up its cuisine
Poke-Chan, known for serving bowls of veggies and marinated raw fish, closed at 2809 St. Claude Avenue last month. The restaurant is staying in the family, though. Opened eight years ago, Susan Nguyen is the only original owner staying on in the business, which will become a Vietnamese restaurant she’ll run with her mother in the coming months.
A French Quarter wine bar retires
Effervescence, a swanky wine bar and restaurant on the edge of the French Quarter since 2017, will close August 24. Owner and New Orleans native Chrystal Hinds announced that she will be retiring for a second time. She left a career in nursing to open her dream restaurant. “I have been fortunate to spend eight and a half years pursuing my dream,” she said in the announcement. After thanking her chefs, Brenna Sanders and Evan Ingram, she added, “After a well-deserved holiday, I will be ready to support whatever their next endeavor will entail.” Sounds like that retirement may be short-lived.
Horn’s closes due to “brutal” summer
Owner Kappa Horn closed her breakfast/lunch spot Horn’s in the Marigny July 20. She urged followers to “please go out and support a local restaurant. This summer has been brutal.” When it opened in 2014, Horn’s was originally located at 1940 Dauphine Street. When that building sold, Horn’s was relocated to 2440 Chartres Street, formerly home to Steve and Becky Himmelfarb’s beloved Cake Café. Horn still owns the Uptown diner Slim Goodies.
A sudden closure in the Marigny
The Indian fusion restaurant Silk Road closed without notice or explanation earlier this month. Signs in the window say “G’s Kitchen, Coming Soon.” The restaurant was formerly known as Schiro’s Bar and Café.
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