To die for . . . Owner Phi Vu, a local actor best known for his work in Happy Death Day, launched his Korean fried chicken pop-up in late November 2023. Now he’s launched OPPA Korean Fried Chicken inside the tiny shop on Severn Avenue, formerly Wishingtown Bakery and longtime home to Morning Call. Along with several kinds of Korean fried chicken wings, from spicy to honey lemon pepper, OPPA offers meaty bulgogi fries, tteokkochi (aka deep fried, skewered rice cake with gochujang sauce), and fruit-loaded hwachae.
3327 Severn Ave., Metairie, @oppa_kfc
A pilgrimage to the bend … Not long after opening a shop in Chalmette earlier in 2024, national franchise Tsaocaa Tea now has a second Louisiana location in the Riverbend. Located in the former Supercuts on S. Carrollton Avenue, the new tea shop, originally founded by Eddie Zheng, has over 50 locations across the country proffering what he and his co-founders considered affordable tea made with all natural ingredients. Along with milk teas and bubble tea, Tsaocaa serves bubble waffle desserts and Korean fried chicken. Is it a life altering experience? You’ll have to hop on the St. Charles streetcar and find out.
(504) 345-2883 714 S Carrollton Ave., tsaocaaneworleans.com
Everything old is new again . . . Locals collectively heaved a sad sigh when 70-year-old Bon Ton Cafe closed during the pandemic, but the historic location is back with new owners and a new name. Chophouse founder Jerry Greenbaum launched Bon Ton Prime Rib late last year and though the space is still hauntingly familiar, the menu is (obviously) focused on steak. The menu still features some Creole classics like crabmeat au gratin and etouffee, but is it like it used to be? You be the judge.
(504) 386-4610, 401 Magazine St., btprimerib.com
Two is better than one . . . James Beard-award semifinalist Melissa Arujo has launched a second Alma, this time in Mid-City. Arujo launched her flagship restaurant in Bywater in what some considered a “cursed” location amidst the pandemic shutdowns, but her good vibes and great food prevailed. The new Mid-City location has taken over what was formerly Mr. Ed’s Seafood on the corner of N. Carrollton Avenue and Bienville Street, with a familiar menu featuring some of the chef’s greatest hits, from a Honduran breakfast of baleada sencilla to locally-inspired moros y cristianos with Louisiana red beans. Alma “part deux” also features an oyster bar, tortillera and Alma’s signature coffees.
301 N. Carrollton Ave., eatalmanola.com
They’re back! . . . Chic Warehouse District Mexican joint Tacos del Cartel has reopened in Metairie after extensive renovations to their original location (launched in 2020) on David Drive. “This reopening represents a fusion of tradition and innovation,” says Danny Cruz, Co-Founder of Veho Hospitality Group. “Chef Atzin’s creativity and passion for Mexican cuisine are at the core of our mission to elevate the dining experience in Metairie and beyond.” Tacos del Cartel’s chef and co-founder Atzin Santos is now also Executive Director of Veho Hospitality Group, overseeing a “dynamic portfolio of innovative restaurant concepts,” including the flagship’s expansion into South Florida and a forthcoming venture in New Orleans.
(504)-381-5063, 2901 David Dr., tacosdelcartel.com
Ain’t nothing ugly about it . . . Reno de Ranieri and Brian Burns, the team behind Costera and Osteria Lupo, have launched a new restaurant in partnership with The Domain Companies inside the recently rebranded Barnett Hotel. The new Italian eatery Brutto Americano isn’t a giant leap from the Decco-designed space’s previous incarnation Josephine Estelle, serving “elegant and approachable Italian cuisine,” but there’s nothing wrong with keeping the good eats coming.
(504) 900-1180, 600 Carondelet St., @brutto_americano
Sad to see you go . . .
New restaurants open while others close, the wheel keeps turning and life just keeps chugging along. Doesn’t mean we have to like it! Mae’s Bakeshop has closed, the bakery which only launched on Baronne Street only a year ago. Owner and chef Jeremy Fogg, former pastry chef at Emeril’s, began the concept inside his home kitchen during the pandemic shutdowns. In an Instagram post before Thanksgiving this year, Fogg said “The most rewarding part of this experience has been seeing the joy my little bakery has brought to so many people.“ Joy in the form of his exquisitely delicious Monkey Bread king cake, Grandma’s Sour Cream Pound Cake and chocolate chip cookies will not easily be forgotten.
Longtime vegan and vegetarian-forward restaurant Carmo closed after nearly 15 years in business on Julia Street. Though chefs Dana Honn and Christina do Carmo are pulling up stakes in the Warehouse District, they are continuing to prepare fresh fast food at EatWell Kitchen on Causeway in Metairie, offering catering services, launching a new restaurant, Nikkei: A Creole Izakaya to be announced soon, and have already opened an events/pop-up and catering business, Tempero’s Market Kitchen.
*Article originally published in the February 2025 issue of Where Y’at Magazine
