Despite the continuing hot temps, fall is coming. More good news, there is a spate of openings this month, including a handful of chef-driven eateries that bring the very best of New Orleans hospitality to the plate. 

Chef John Besh stays out of the spotlight for newest opening 

Delacroix, the newest establishment from BRG Hospitality, officially opened on September 22 at Spanish Plaza, between the Four Seasons Hotel and Audubon Aquarium. Chef Wiley Lewis, whose Louisiana roots extend from North Louisiana to the southern bayous, presides over a menu of local seafood served in a rustic, fish camp setting. His menu includes smoked duck gumbo, duck poppers, cavatelli with wild boar sausage, and seafood-stuffed pistolettes.  

Chef John Besh, founder of the Besh Restaurant Group, now known as BRG Hospitality, remains involved in the company’s operations and attended a recent friends and family event at the restaurant. It’s been eight years since 25 employees alleged a culture of rampant sexual harassment at his restaurants. BRG’s communications manager told Eater that Besh’s role at Delacroix is “the same as his ongoing role at the other BRG Restaurants. He will work primarily with the back-of-house culinary staff, mentoring and training BRG’s many chefs.” 

Nanami Sushi Diner & Ongiri brings Japanese tradition to Magazine Street

Chef Yuwa Tomihira has spent the last decade training as a sushi chef, with an emphasis on honoring Japanese tradition. With the help of his wife, Amy, and his father, Allan Ng, he opened Nanami Sushi Diner & Ongiri on September 2 at 2901 Magazine Street. Locally, he worked first at Origami, and then apprenticed under sushi master Seiji Nakano at Shogun. He also worked for chef Takeshi Osaki at Osaki in Vail, Colorado. Most of Tomihira’s fish is flown in weekly from Japan. Ng, working with a team of Japanese cooks, handles the cooked side of the menu. Open for lunch Tuesday through Sunday (yes, there are bento boxes) and dinner Tuesday through Saturday, Nanami offers an omakase option as well as à la carte. BYO for now, no corkage fee. 

Mangia at Padrona in the St. Roch Market

When Thai-born chef Orawin Yimchalam was working on a cruise ship in the Mediterranean, her favorite ports were in Italy. Yimchalam, the chef behind the creative Thaihey Nola in the French Quarter and Thai Food by Chef Orawin in the St. Roch Market, is now flexing her Italian culinary muscles at Padrona, her second space in the popular food hall. She’s cooking the likes of eggplant Parmesean, chicken Alfredo, and risotto Milanese. The restaurant’s name means “lady boss” in Italian. 

Kajunlicious Food Therapy is back

After a two-month hiatus, Kajunlicious Food Therapy reopened Labor Day weekend at its new, larger location at 4706 Paris Avenue in Gentilly. The plan is to offer take-out only until next month, when the restaurant will be open for sit-down dinner service. The family-owned restaurant gained immense popularity after a TikTok review by food influencer Keith Lee went viral in 2023. All the favorites are back, including seafood gumbo surprise with turkey necks and gizzards, sweet and spicy wings, and cheesy potatoes.

Get Your Mom & Dim Sum has a brick-and-mortar location

Andrew Lu, the talented chef behind the ongoing Get Your Mom & Dim Sum pop-up at bars like Pal’s and in residence at the Holy Ground in Mid City, has a new permanent home. Or really two new homes. His menu of hand-made dumplings, noodle dishes, and Chinese specialties like orange chicken is now available both downstairs and upstairs at 3629 Prytania Street.  Downstairs is the new home for the beloved original Milan Lounge, upstairs it’s the Library, a chill space for cocktails complete with a pool table and ping pong on the balcony. More good news, all dumplings, including specialties like dan dan dumplings filled with spicy Sichuan pork and black pepper beef dumplings over mashed potatoes, are half price during happy hour from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. 

The 337 by chef Tiger

Elevated home-style Cajun and Creole cuisine is what’s for dinner at the 337 from chef William “Tiger” Leon at 2633 St. Claude Avenue. This is a third career for Leon, who grew up in St. Martin, the South Louisiana parish with the tagline, “Where Cajun Began.” After working as a detective in law enforcement and regional supermarket management, Leon moved to New Orleans and pursued his passion, earning a culinary degree at NOCHI. He spent the past few years popping up at places like the Friendly Bar and Big Daddy’s. Leon serves the likes of sauce piquant, smothered chicken, and housemade boudin eggrolls for dinner Thursday through Monday.  

Three more openings

Bamboo House is now serving dim sum and Chinese specialties, including congee, noodle soups, and Beijing duck in the former Royal China space at 600 Veterans Boulevard in Metairie. Zea Rotisserie & Bar is relocating the restaurant from its former Clearview City Center mall location to a spot adjacent to Veterans Boulevard, with an opening date projected for February 2026. The newly opened spaceship-themed Space 5 Korean BBQ, Sushi & Hotpot in Harvey on the West Bank offers diners all-you-can-eat for two of the three food groups in the restaurant’s name for $34 — all three, pay $39. It’s fun to cook the barbecue at the table, but just remember there is a two-hour time limit for the feasting.