Former Cafe Livre et le Marche chef-owner Farid Zadi still won’t tell Grub Street exactly which existing restaurant he’s updating the menus for, but he does spill some juicy details about the new Southern and Creole fare he will bring to the 200-seat space in Downtown in about three weeks. Zadi tells us a partner is bringing him in as the chef here, while Zadi’s wife, Susan Park, will oversee operations and also serve as the joint’s pastry chef, with her husband joking that she will be “responsible for all things porky.” The chef also says the unnamed restaurant has patio space and was also just approved for additional sidewalk seating. Zadi adds that the menus he’s currently working on will feature a chef’s menu focused on French New Orleans Creole cooking, with old school recipes “updated with sides and garnishes made with farmers market produce and lighter sauces.”
To this end, you can expect shrimp prepared in just about every manner possible, as well as oysters, catfish, and crawfish. In addition, guests can look forward to a buffet of Southern comfort, opening to accommodate the sudden crowds that arrive for live music in the evenings and over weekend brunch. The buffet will feature fried chicken, greens, grits, biscuits, and more, while the bar program will also be updated to serve craft cocktails inspired by the South and New Orleans. We’re still guessing the place in question has to be Nolas: A Taste of New Orleans, which indeed, seats 200 and features live music and a Cajun theme. Of course, you’ll know as soon as we do.
