Due for a part two . . . Century-old Bayou St. John market and butcher shop Terranova has reopened as Dué Market, a bodega-like neighborhood shop selling Italian deli sandwiches, coffee, gelato and specialty, imported grocery items. The Esplanade Avenue shop was opened recently by nearby residents Cecile and Barre Tanguis, serving tasty, Italian-style lunch options from chopped and caprese salad to mini mortadella and Stracciatella “paninetto” served on Dong Phuong brioche. Full-sized sandwiches are also available from a classic Hero with an array of Italian cured meats and cheeses to spicy tuna on Spanish “pan de cristal” bread. The gelato and sorbetto is supplied by Gelato Go and fresh pastries and cookies are supplied by Bittersweet Confections. Dué Market (pronounced DOO-EH), is Italian for two, marking a second chapter of the beloved neighborhood business.
3306 Esplanade Ave., duemarket.com
That’s so fire! … Catty corner from Westbank, Middle-Eastern staple Crescent Market lies Charcoal & Flame, a brand new eatery sporting charcoal-grilled halal meat (conveniently from Crescent Market) cooked to order, from lamb and filet to chicken and kofta (ground beef) served in pita-wrapped sandwiches or huge platters loaded with rice (or crispy fries), hummus, and fresh chopped tomato and onion salad. Charcoal & Flame is a concept entirely new to Louisiana so go on and get some while the getting is good! Open daily from noon to midnight.
500 Lapalco Blvd., Gretna, @charcoal_.flames
Keep your cool … We’re not talking about the beloved duck lady, we’re talking about Ruthie’s Frozen Custard, an ice cream shop that recently opened just off Freret Street. Local owner Adam Gerber decided to pursue a dream, hanging up his music production hat for the cool, creamy pursuit of frozen custard. Named for Gerber’s grandmother and great aunt, Ruthie’s keeps it simple with only four main flavors; vanilla, chocolate and the flavor of the day, but a huge list mix-ins, toppings and sauces allow complete personalization for the custard of your dreams. From cheesecake chunks and shortbread cookies to banana syrup, lemon curd and pie crust ripple, the sky is the limit. Ruthie’s also offers their own combos on “spinners” (aka blizzards), sundaes, milkshakes and banana splits. (Vegan options available)
2506 Jena St., ruthiesfrozencustard.com
Breaktime . . . Recently opened by Chef Haley Vaughan and her business partner Sage Ellis, Respite is the latest addition to the Bayou Road food scene. Located on Bell Street, right next to Leo’s bread, the casual late afternoon and late night eatery features a wine, cocktails, an oyster bar, and dishes like steak tartare, summer panzanella and eggplant Milanese, or dishes ideally served with a side of Leo’s bread and butter. The seasonal dishes are always changing and always sustainably sourced, a no brainer for these young veterans of the restaurant industry.
2438 Bell St., Ste. B, respiteneworleans.com
Food of the gods . . . Named after an Italian island in the Gulf of Naples, Procida Restaurant is a new Marigny neighborhood restaurant launched by Chef Valeriano ‘Vale’ Chiella. Hailing from Southern Italy, Chiella moved to New Orleans in 2014 and has been working in local restaurants ever since. Chiella has worked in BRG restaurants across the city, from a line cook at Shaya to executive chef at Domenica, and last year launched his own pop-up Fico Cucina at Peychaud’s Bar. At last he’s got his very own digs on the corner of Burgundy and Touro serving Italian-inspired, handmade pasta dishes from spaghetti with lemon and parmesan and lobster tagliatale to grilled whole branzino, pistachio and herb-crusted porkchops, and eggplant caponata. Chef Vale has been making magic wherever he goes and Procida Restaurant is the perfect opportunity to show off his creative, culinary prowess.
2000 Burgundy St., @procidarestaurant
The sweet stuff . . . Founders Omar Falaneh, Yahya Ghouleh, and Barra Abousalem launched the first Eiffel Waffles in the summer of 2021 in Downers Grove, Illinois. Since then, the Palestinian-owned dessert shop has grown by leaps and bounds with franchise locations all over the Chicago metro area. Recently, their expansion has gone beyond Illinois’ borders into Indiana, Michigan, Texas and most recently, Louisiana. Now open in Metairie near the corner of David Drive and Veterans Memorial Boulevard, Eiffel Waffles features ice cream-filled bubble waffles with an assortment of flavors, inspired shakes, smoothies, specialty coffee drinks and more.
7304 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, eiffelwaffle.com
Leaving it all up to you … One of our country’s most beloved Japanese chefs Yoshi Okai has brought his omakase to New Orleans with the launch of Kira Omakase – a 12 seat counter located inside Kira, the relatively new Japanese-inspired Mediterranean restaurant in the Warehouse District. Born in Kyoto, Chef Yoshi trained in acclaimed kitchens to quickly become a household name known for advancing Japanese food in America, namely at Otoko in Austin, TX. Yoshi is a Food & Wine Best New Chef, blending his Japanese heritage with his signature punk rock flair for an energetic, dynamic omakase experience. This 20-course experience is underscored by Yoshi’s decades of sushi innovation, mastery of technique, and tight-knit relationships with the best fisheries and purveyors from around the world.
301 Tchoupitoulas St., kiranola.com
Ooh la la … A new Black, woman-owned restaurant with a French/Creole inspired menu called Kandy’s recently opened under the radar on Rampart Street. Imagined by classically-trained chef Kandice Nicole, the eponymous-named restaurant housed in the space formerly occupied by Blue Plate Sandwich Co. has upped its swank level exponentially. Enjoy a lunch of crab cakes or a Prime Rib sandwich with au jus or head in for dinner to feast on a Double Wagyu Cheeseburger, herb-marinated lamb chops or garlic-crusted drum with a side of sweet glazed carrots.
514 S. Rampart St., kandysnola.com
*Article originally published in the October 2026 issue of Where Y’at Magazine
