About four years ago, an inventive renovation combined a cluster of warehouses on Magazine Street into a fascinating hotel named after an equally fascinating woman, Eliza Jane. Inside this unique space, the developers (a.k.a. HRI Properties) also launched Couvant, a casual French brasserie with Mississippi-born chef Brad McDonald at the helm. The food was fantastic by the way. Shortly after they opened, John and I lunched on a salad with shaved foie gras, giant boiled shrimp with fingerling potatoes, and pistachio crème brulée with buttery madeleine still warm from the oven. In March 2020, Couvant was unfortunately another victim of the pandemic and was forced to shutter.
The Eliza Jane is pleased to announce Couvant is getting its glow back! On Thursday, March 17th, almost two years to the day since its closure, the CBD brasserie will be throwing open its doors once again, this time with New Orleans-native Ryan Pearson leading the kitchen. After spending several years in Paris kitchens, and more recently as the sous chef of Daniel, a Michelin-starred restaurant in New York City, Chef Pearson has returned to flaunt his culinary skills at Couvant.
Offering a menu of “elevated French cuisine infused with Southern soul,” Pearson’s highlights include a marinated baby beet salad starring Ponchatoula strawberries with a Creole cream cheese mousse; brioche-crusted veal served with crushed potatoes and king trumpet mushrooms; and a flamboyant “Cote de Beuf” for two with dry-aged ribeye, bone marrow-crusted potato gratin and a black garlic bordelaise. Desserts (my favorite part!) include a duck egg crème brulée with duck fat-roasted stone fruit and candied pecans (who’s swooning?), delicate profiteroles with matcha-white chocolate ice cream, and a spicy, Mexican hot chocolate pot de crème with house made marshmallows.
Couvant’s seating has also increased dramatically with sidewalk tables on Magazine Street, expanded courtyard dining, and additional indoor seating in the former restaurant reception area.
Both Couvant and the Eliza Jane have boasted picturesque, or should I say “gram-worthy,” spaces thanks to incredible work by New York City design firm Stonehill Taylor. To guild the lily, Couvant will also feature a rotating gallery showcasing work by local artists, kicking things off with art from Margaux Hymel, Steve Mercer, Zach Burbach and Lost Dog (Nathan Sitz). And here’s something to make you smile (it made me smile!), all of the art will be for sale and . . . here’s the kicker . . . 100% of the proceeds will go directly into the artists’ pockets. C’est tres bon!
Couvant at The Eliza Jane Hotel
315 Magazine St.
(504) 342-2316
@couvant_nola
Re-opening Thursday, March 17th 2022
