Presentation is key . . . Veho Hospitality, the folks who gave us the endlessly-entertaining Tacos Del Cartel (Shots, shots, shots, shots, shots!), recently opened a whole new restaurant concept dubbed Sushi by Us. Located on O’Keefe Avenue inside The Beacon at South Market, the new restaurant took over what was formerly the high end women’s clothing store Lukka Boutique. Sushi by Us is a self-proclaimed “Mexakase” – combining Mexico and the Japanese word for a chef’s tasting menu, “omakase.” Guests are served an 8-10 dish tasting menu of small sushi dishes infused with elevated Mexican flavors.
711 O’Keefe Ave., sushibyus.com
A munch on the move. . . The delicious magic of the Munch Factory has moved from the Joseph M. Bartholomew Municipal Golf Course in Gentilly, and is now located in Mid-City, taking over the space on N. Carrollton Avenue that formerly housed Frey Smoked Meats. Owners Alexis and Jordan Ruiz are excited to have their modern Creole restaurant in a space that garners a lot more action. At the new location, Chef Jordan has resumed dinner service and has expanded the menu to include more entrees, but Munch Factory die-hards will likely be lining up for old favorites, from crispy fried Buffalo oysters to blackened fish over fried grit cakes and his incredible seafood and hot sausage gumbo. Don’t forget those killer LGD fries!
4141 Bienville St., themunchfactory.net
Bookish brunch . . . Mani Dawes and Sean Josephs, the husband and wife team behind the now defunct but no less spectacular Uptown restaurant Kenton’s (Saba took over the space in 2018), have launched a Cafe Malou. Although technically in the space that once housed Toast and more recently Scrambled, the building has undergone a major renovation and the space has expanded to seat 32 people … inside no less! If that doesn’t beat all, the new cafe and Octavia Books are now connected, and customers can walk through the swiveling stacks right into the restaurant. Cafe Malou offers both breakfast and lunch options that somehow seem suited to the well-read palate. Dishes from Chef Matt Greco include everything from a chopped Italian deli salad with mortadella and provolone, to open-faced crab sandwiches, baked grits “a la Carbonara,” and ricotta and clementine toast.
5433 Laurel St., cafemalou.com
From pho to bistro . . . Local couple Bonnie and Chris Borges have opened Charmant, a new European-style bistro and wine bar in the space known for years as MoPho on City Park Avenue. Charmant features refined yet approachable cuisine, an extensive wine program, and a service style that flows from daytime brunch and lunch to an evening wine bar with small plates. Executive Chef Chris Borges offers an enchanting menu with dishes like a Fried Brussels Sprout Salad with Lima beans, golden raisins, and cardamom yogurt, as well as a Croque Madame layered with truffle salami, and celeriac rémoulade. Evening small plates include Scallop Crudo with apples, cucumbers, dill, and crème fraîche; Vermont Goat Crottin with duck confit, and an array of artisanal cheeses and charcuterie. Sommelier Bonnie Borges has curated a robust wine list for Charmant. She believes “wine is about discovery and connection,” and wants “to introduce our guests to exciting new varietals, but always in a way that feels approachable.”
514 City Park Ave., charmantnola.com
Bring on the boudin! … Cajun food restaurant Frissons has opened on St. Claude Avenue in the space that formerly housed Rosalita’s Tacos. Beaux Church, known for managing Clover Grill and organizing the New Orleans Pride Parade in 2021, wanted to open an affordable restaurant serving Acadian favorites like boudin, fried pork skins (aka crackling), and even a few vegan offerings such as garlic green beans and smothered cabbage. Dillian Theriot, Church’s boyfriend, introduced Cajun food to the industry vet and many of Theriot family recipes are making an appearance at Frissons, whose tagline is “if you ain’t sweatin’, you ain’t eatin’ right!”
3304 Saint Claude Ave., frissonsnola.com
Get smashed! . . . Halal joint Smash House Burgers & Shakes recently opened in the French Quarter, located inside a space that over the years has worn many faces, mostly touristy-type shops selling tchotchkes and souvenirs. Smash House serves mainly smash-style burgers (obviously) made from meats that are both kosher-friendly and halal, but the menu also includes a fried chicken sandwich, Smash patty melt, and loaded fries. The new burger spot also sports a bunch of creamy shakes with cereal-based flavors like Fruity and Coco Pebbles, Fruit Loops and Cinnamon Toast Crunch, but also classics like vanilla, chocolate and strawberry.
106 Royal St., smashhousenola.com
When cats fly! . . . The Omni Royal Orleans recently announced the opening of Fifi Parée, a darling new coffee shop in the hotel’s lobby. The cafe is named after the first cat to fly across the English Channel in 1910 with her person, aviator John Moissant. Oddly enough, Moissant later died in an air crash in Harahan, Louisiana. Bizarre connection aside, the chic cafe occupies a striking little space featuring hand-painted murals of native flora. Open daily, the cafe serves Congregation Coffee drinks and Ayu Bakehouse pastries alongside grab-and-go dishes such as a Bananas Foster Parfait, goat cheese & tomato baguettes, tuna niçoise and gluten-free char siu pork belly banh mi wraps.
621 St. Louis St., omnihotels.com/hotels/new-orleans-royal-orleans/dining/fifi-paree
*Article originally published in the January 2026 issue of Where Y’at Magazine
