A pastry by any other name . . . Gracious, the beloved New Orleans bakery launched in Gert Town by Megan and Jay Forman over a decade ago, is now under new ownership. Callais Capital Management, a Louisiana-based, venture capital investments firm, has purchased the bakery with promises to keep the croissants rolling. “We’ve been loyal customers of Gracious for years, and we know how much Gracious means to the community,” said Hal Callais, Managing Partner of Callais Capital Management. “Our goal is simple: keep everything people love about Gracious exactly as it is and enhance wherever we can.” Loyal fans will surely let them know if anything slips. The first test of the bakery’s new management will tell all when the 2026 king cake season kicks off on January 6th.
graciousbakery.com
Awe, shucks! . . . Lorenzo Marrero, Péche Seafood Grill‘s oyster shucker and said “cornerstone” of the restaurant’s raw bar has been named a 2025 Hospitality Hero in Food & Wine Magazine’s restaurant issue. In its inaugural year, the awards recognize those who embody the very concept of hospitality, going above and beyond to satisfy offering guests a uniquely fabulous and educational experience.
With over 20 years in the business, Marrero’s skill, expertise and personality have made him an invaluable part of what diners love about Péche. “Lorenzo has made a career out of shucking oysters,” said Nicole Cabrera Mills, Chef de Cuisine at Péche. “People come to our oyster bar to hang with Zo. He delivers great service by talking about the different types of oysters and how they taste while shucking 300-plus a day.” Congratulations Lorenzo! Your accolades are well-deserved.
800 Magazine St., (504) 522-1744, pecherestaurant.com
More pastry, please! . . . Originally opened in 1982 by treasured French pastry chef Maurice Delechelle, Croissant D’Or Patisserie has long been a French Quarter standby. Now after over 40 years, the bakery and cafe has expanded with a second location on Chartres Street. Owners Hoa and Thu Nguyen are continuing the “old world” bakery tradition started by Delechelle, with house made pastries, cakes and cookies; savory quiche, full breakfasts, salads and sandwiches.
317 Chartres St., (504) 524-4663, croissantdorpatisserie.com
Back to school . . . The Lafitte Greenway’s answer to breakfast (and lunch) Flour Moon Bagels is bringing their boiled bready brilliance Uptown. In a sure move to make college students giddy, the bagelry will now have a mobile outpost at Tulane University, a food truck that can park on campus or be hired for events all over town. Owners Breanne Kostyk and her husband Jeff Hinson have the truck manned and ready to sling their signature breakfast bagel with egg, American and Muenster cheeses, and chili crisp mayo; and build-your-own, kettle-boiled bagels to students and faculty in need of a great meal on the run.
flourmoonbagels.com
Still makin’ groceries . . . Local grocer Langenstein’s, which was launched by Michael Langenstein and his sons George and Richard over a century ago, has sold its Uptown location to Robért Fresh Market, another local grocery that’s been around since 1994. The Uptown Arabella Street location, not far from Audubon Park, has been an essential market for the surrounding community since the mid 1950s, and though many seem sad about the change in hands, others rejoice in the fact that there will still be a convenient grocery store just around the block.
1330 Arabella St., langensteins.com, robertfreshmarket.com
Pelea de tacos! . . . The founder of Tacos Del Cartel, Danny Cruz of Veho Hospitality Group, has turned up the heat on Poydras Street with the opening of Taquerias Carnalito. The new, casual taco joint opened up in the old Reginelli’s Pizza spot right next to Johnny Sanchez. The menu offers “traditional” Mexican fare from trompos-style tacos (meat cooked on a vertical spit, kind of like gyro) with flavors such as al Pastor or marinated pork, skirt steak and sirloin; “Regular” carne asads, pollo asado and nopales tacos; and “gringas,” kind of like a quesadilla. Carnalito also offers chips and queso, frozen margaritas, soft serve ice cream and cinnamony churros. May the best taco win!
930 Poydras St., Ste 100, taqueriascarnalito.com
Ehi! . . . Thaihey’s culinary genius Chef Orawin Yimchalam has just launched Padrona, a new traditional Italian food stall at St. Roch Market. The girl boss recently launched Thaifood, yet another stall at the Bywater food hall and it’s amazing she even has time to breathe. While cooking at a five-star hotel in Bangkok, Yimchalam learned from Italian chefs and was smitten, so much so it’s what she loves to cook at home. Her latest food stall Padrona is offering dishes like Shrimp Pomodoro with fresh tomatoes, garlic, olive oil and basil, Fettuccine Alfredo, and a fried Eggplant Parmigiano blossom.
2381 St. Claude Ave., @padronanola
Powder me up . . . The 8th annual Beignet Fest has built a stellar lineup for this year’s event. On Saturday, November 15 there will be 40 different types of beignets offered from vendors like Diva Dawg, Jessie’s HuckABucks, Loretta’s Authentic Pralines, Mima’s Cuisine, Ruby Slipper, Southern’s, The Vintage and more. Get stuffed at New Orleans City Park while enjoying music from local performers such as Marc Broussard and the Rebirth Brass Band.
beignetfest.com
Sushi in the suburbs . . . Kenji Omakase, the popular, refined Japanese restaurant at the International House Hotel, is opening another location in Old Metairie dubbed Kenji Kazoku (a.k.a. Kenji family). The partnership between Matthew Nguyen and former football player Malachi Dupre has obviously taken off, and now the freshest selection of fish coming all the way from Japan will be available for all those suburban foodies in Metry.
2929 Metairie Rd., @kenjikazoku
A rose by any other name . . . Chef Bansi Lal launched Mantra Indian Cuisine in the old City Diner space in Metairie in the midst of a pandemic, yet residents across the GNO still flocked for a taste. His reputation preceded him as the man-behind-the-magic at a Hammond gas station restaurant called Punjabi Dhaba. For reasons unknown (though there are some unsavory rumors circulating on Reddit) Bansi and his staff were evicted and are now looking to reopen in Mandeville. Meanwhile, the building’s owner has planted another chef at the Metairie location and re-launched the restaurant as Mantra Original Indian Cuisine. For Chef Bansi loyalists, keep an eye on the old Desi Vega’s Steakhouse in Mandeville for the original Mantra Indian Cuisine to reopen.
3116 S. I-10 Service Rd., Metairie, (504)354-8349, mantraoriginalindiancuisine.com
*Article originally published in the December 2025 issue of Where Y’at Magazine
