6 September 2023
Pizza from Margot’s, whose opening chef is opening his own Neapolitan pizza house. | Randy Schmidt/Eater NOLA
Diners can look forward to a unique seafood market model, expertly-crafted Neapolitan pizza, and Sicilian small plates
This summer was an unusually busy one for New Orleans restaurant openings — hotspots like LUFU NOLA, Francolini’s, and Pigeon and Whale, to name a few, all opened in recent months. As we look towards fall, a more traditionally busy season for local restaurant debuts, the additions promise to be just as exciting. In the next few months, New Orleans diners can expect a distinctive Gulf seafood market and restaurant hybrid from a powerhouse team, an upscale Sicilian restaurant from a highly acclaimed chef, and a Neapolitan pizza house on the West Bank, among others. Here’s to cooler weather, fall festivals, and brand-new food options.
Opening dates are always a moving target — now more than ever, and in New Orleans more than anywhere. Did we miss one? Let us know.
Porgy’s
Where: 236 N. Carrollton Avenue
When: Fall 2023
A new seafood market and restaurant from the owners of Carmo and Marjie’s Grill promises to bring a one-of-a-kind establishment to Mid-City. The partners, Caitlin Carney and Marcus Jacobs (Seafood Sally’s, Marjie’s Grill) and Christina and Dana Honn (Carmo), aim to expand residents’ access to Gulf seafood from the typical selection of shellfish to include a greater variety of fin fish like amberjack, mackerel, blue runner, and porgy. If all goes accordingly, it will provide an outlet for fishers that may have just five to 10 of a certain type of fish, for example. Taking over for beloved boiled seafood destination Bevi Seafood Co., Porgy’s will continue to offer familiar boiled seafood seasonally, and also serve gumbo, po’ boys, local oysters, daiquiris, and cocktails.
Tana
Where: 2929 Metairie Road
When: Fall 2023
Tana is the forthcoming restaurant from the MoPho and Maypop team (owned by Michael Gulotta and Jeffrey Bybee) — a group that once also ran a pop-up by the same name. That pop-up, an Italian kitchen inside the now-closed Mid City bar Trèo, served Sicilian-style plates like garlic spaghetti with clams and sausage and grilled snapper with harissa-roasted cauliflower, becoming a favorite. The reincarnation of Tana will be a sprawling 5,000 square foot, upscale Italian restaurant with a bar and lounge area in Old Metairie serving Sicilian dishes influenced by Gulotta’s great-grandmother, Gaetana (nicknamed Tana). A sneak peek is being held at Maypop from September 11 through 24, previewing menu items like barbecue lobster, four cheese ravioli, and veal chop parmesan.
Nighthawk Napoletana
Where: 141 Delaronde Street
When: Fall 2023
Adrian Chelette, a former chef at standout pizza place Margot’s, is branching out on his own for Nighthawk Napoletana. Working alongside the owners of popular taco hut Barracuda, he’s taking over the space formerly home to Algiers Point pizzeria Tavolino for Nighthawk, which will serve a succinct menu of eight Neapolitan-style pizzas, small plates like meatballs, bruschetta and arancini, salads, and classic Italian cocktails. In addition to running the kitchen at Margot’s since its April 2022 opening, Chelette was previously a co-owner at Ancora, and ran a pizza pop-up called Nighthawk.
Étoile
Where: 3607 Magazine Street
When: Fall 2023
Chef Chris Dupont defined Birmingham, Alabama’s farm-to-table dining scene for nearly 30 years. Now, he’s working on opening his “last” restaurant, Étoile, in his hometown of New Orleans. It’s taking shape in the picturesque Magazine Street mansion formerly home to Cavan, currently undergoing renovations. While menu details are scarce, Dupont’s distinctive cuisine at Cafe Dupont in Birmingham was known for utilizing French techniques and regional, seasonal products from the American South. Étoile is expected to employ a similar combination for an upscale restaurant with a menu of modern Southern cuisine.