New Orleans Alumnae Chapter
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
WELCOME TO THE CRESCENT CITY
We have published a list of recommended restaurants that we think Sorors should visit during their stay in New Orleans. We hope that you have a safe and enjoyable stay. Bon Appétit!
Loretta's Authentic Pralines has been in business for over 35 years. Loretta was the first African American woman to successfully own and operate her own praline company in New Orleans. Today, Loretta’s Authentic Pralines is a thriving business with two locations. For Loretta, success continues with the recent opening of another business venture HE-brews Coffeehouse in the Fabourg Marigny.
CupCake Fairies we put a little bit of Magic in every cupcake. Whimsical Confections can be designed with chocolate, buttercream, fondant, or gum paste to match themed parties, special events, baby showers, or weddings. Cupcake Fairies has added new products to it's amazing line. Now you are able to be whimsical everyday with these unique items. Delivered fresh to your door, our cupcakes offer you a unique way to celebrate and share. We deliver magic to offices, homes, special event locations, birthday parties, or anywhere you want cupcakes.Please enjoy the magic of the fairies!!!!!! It only takes one pie shot to hit the spot. We are adding new flavors; currently we offer peach, lemon, and strawberry. They are great-the taste of grandma’s pies in a mini size.These are our magnificent mini pies.
You'll Love Dooky Chase's Fried Seafood Platter! Opened since 1941 in the heart of Treme at 2301 Orleans Avenue, Dooky Chase remains the meeting place for music and entertainment, civil rights and culture in New Orleans. Known as the "Queen of Creole Cuisine," Leah Chase has fed Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, Quincy Jones, Jesse Jackson, Duke Ellington, Thurgood Marshall, James Baldwin, Ernest Gaines, Hank Aaron, Ray Charles, and countless others as Executive Chef of Dooky Chase's Restaurant - one of the best-known and most culturally significant restaurants in New Orleans. Leah Chase has more recently served as the inspiration for Princess Tiana in Disney's Princess and the Frog. Dooky and Chef Leah Chase are also a patron of black art and their collection - displayed on the walls of the restaurant - is considered one of New Orleans' best collection of African American art.
The Munch Factory, 1901 Sophie Wright Place, is owned by Chef Jordan Ruiz who studied at The Culinary Institute of America in New York and his wife, Alexis who runs the front-of-the-house of the Contempo Creole Cuisine restaurant. The Munch Factory takes pride in their freshly made creations. Every sauce and dish -- such as the Blackened Redfish with Crabmeat and Fines Herb Chicken -- are made to order. Familiar comfort food gets refined culinary tweaks and a strong dose of Creole flavor. The Munch Factory offers full catering services and accepts reservations for groups. "The fines herb chicken is another house favorite, with two sauteed chicken leg quarters doused in thick, herbal cream sauce that resembles a down-home beurre blanc. Ribs are fork tender and slathered in tangy, burgundy barbecue sauce with satisfying garlicky flavor." - Sarah Baird, food critic
Don't leave New Orleans without a visit to Willie Mae's Scotch House, 2401 Saint Ann Street. Willie Mae's Scotch House was established in 1957 as a bar in New Orleans' Historic Treme neighborhood. After a year, the bar was moved to it's current location, which consisted of a bar, a barbershop and beauty salon in the front. In the early 1970's, the beauty salon closed, which brought on the demand for a restaurant from Willie Mae's bar customers. The aromas of Mississippi and Louisiana cuisine emanating from the kitchen filled the air and brought on constant demand for delicious food. Their demand was met and the rest is history.
In 2005, Ms. Willie Mae Seaton was honored with the prestigious James Beard Award for "America's Classic Restaurant for the Southern Region." Willie Mae's would also receive features by the Food Network, which bestowed the honor of 'America's Best Fried Chicken'. Today, Kerry Seaton Stewart, Ms. Willie Mae's great-granddaughter uses her family's recipe for fried chicken at Willie Mae's Scotch House.
Cafe' Dauphine, 5229 Dauphine Street in the Lowe 9th Ward has something for everyone, but our favorite is the Creole Pepper Shrimp; Jumbo head-on shrimp sautéed in a unique blend of seasoning, with a variety of sweet and spicy peppers and butter sauce or their signature dish, the Deep Fried Stuffed Bell Pepper. The menu features Southern cuisine while the atmosphere vibes a casual chic ambiance. "The gumbo has a thin, dark, uniquely restorative roux that comes directly from the black Creole gumbo tradition," writes food critic Ian McNulty.
"This is Creole soul distilled to its sweetest essence" says food critic Lisa LeBlanc-Berry about The Praline Connection, 542 Frenchmen Street. A "down-home" Cajun-creole style soul food restaurant with affordable prices, our favorite dish is the Jambalaya and Collard Greens with a side of Candied Yams. For those with an extra sweet tooth, try their Praline Candy which is handmade daily in the old fashioned, spoon dripped method.
"This friendly, lively restaurant is the hottest spot for cooking in the Southern-Creole mode"
- Travel and Leisure Magazine, May 1991
While renowned for its Creole file' gumbo with ham, chicken, crab and house-made sausage; Lil' Dizzy's Cafe's Trout Baquet is a New Orleans Jazz Fest favorite and the perfect main course to compliment your starter. However don't forget to save a little room for the best tasting Bread Pudding ever introduced to your pallet. At Lil' Dizzy's, producing great fried chicken is a matter of historical pride. Owner Wayne Baquet learned the restaurant trade from his father Eddie, namesake of the legendary 7th Ward restaurant Eddie's, who got into the business in the 1940s working at Paul Gross Chicken Coop with his aunt, Ada Baquet Gross.
Located at 1500 Esplanade Avenue in the 7th Ward, Lil'l Dizzy's Cafe' is a pleasant walk from the edge of the French Quarter for the best "Authentic Creole Soul Food."
Featuring soul-filled local dishes, Café Reconcile is a destination lunch spot for a wide cross-section of New Orleanians as well as visitors from all across the country. Focusing on the kind of "soul food" for which New Orleans is known, the restaurant has earned high praise from local and national critics. Reconcile New Orleans transforms the lives of young adults (ages 16-24) and the community through the ministry of reconciliation.
We do this by encouraging personal growth, providing workforce development and training, promoting entrepreneurship, working with businesses, nonprofits and people of faith to support this transformation, and building strong communities through community economic development.
Ma Momma's House of Cornbread, Chicken & Waffles is known as the place where you can enjoy the quintessential food experience that exemplifies New Orleans Creole Cuisine, replicating the same taste and atmosphere found in a traditional, soulful New Orleans Momma's kitchen. Everyone loves their "Secret Weapon"... their very special cornbread recipe that simply dazzles our customers with its flavor and freshness. Ma Momma's House of Cornbread, Chicken and Waffles also boast the "BEST FRIED CHICKEN TO THE BONE!" Ma Momma's House is the place to be in New Orleans for down home flavor and Southern cuisine!
Located in the French Market and run by a local family, J's Seafood Dock has all the charm of New Orleans and family. Winner of the French Market Creole Tomato Festival's 'Best of the Fest' Most Creative Dish: Crawfish beignet with roasted corn & Creole Tomato Sauce, J's Seafood Dock is also known for their Fresh shucked oysters grilled over an open flame with Parmesan Cheese, Creole Seasoning and Garlic Butter Sauce. They serve fresh and prepared seafood, including oysters, shrimp, crab, and crawfish that can be shipped worldwide upon request.
J's Seafood Dock at The French Market
If you're shopping, sightseeing or just passing through the French Quarter and want to refuel with a healthy nosh, Meals From The Heart is your Café. Located at the Historic French Market, Meals From The Heart Café offers full flavored cuisine. We provide a healthier take-out food option for all consumers including those who suffer from heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity and celiac. "In a town where fried, too much salt, and plenty butter is the norm this place is an an oasis for people who practice vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, and raw diets." ---Emily Bryant
Germain's Kitchen @ Prime Example Jazz Club is one of New Orleans' best kept secret. A diverse menu which includes Yakamein, Crab Cakes, Catfish, Spring Rolls, Gumbo, and Fried Wings; all with the best Jazz that New Orleans has to offer. Chef Gaines attended culinary school at Delgado Community College in New Orleans. Upon graduating, Germaine's culinary adventure took her to Pat O'Brien's and several other eateries in the French Quarter, to the Hilton Hotel in San Antonio, Texas.
Ms. Gaines puts all of her energy into producing the very best "creole" food that New Orleans has to offer. She is a member of the American Culinary Institute; she also caters for entertainers, and cooks for benefits during her off time from Germaine's Kitchen and the Prime Example Jazz club. This is the place where Real Crescent City musicians are heard live throughout the week. The Prime Example Jazz Club is by far the premiere place to relax and listen to smooth, live authentic New Orleans music.
One of New Orleans' newest and hottest eatery is Morrow's; offering Classic New Orleans Cooking and Korean dishes. A must have is the Cajun Crawfish Pasta, Louisiana Crawfish, & rotini pasta tossed in a Cajun sauce topped with fried Louisiana Catfish or the Chefs' favorite, the Bibim Bop (Rice Bowl), an array of blanched vegetables & marinated beef served in a rice bowl topped with a fried egg and a sweet & spicy sauce. the Korean influenced dishes serves homage to Chong's Korean heritage. Sunday Brunch Menu highlight includes the Cajun Catfish Benedict; Louisiana Catfish fried to perfection, served over toasted French Bread, topped with a poached egg with a drizzle of hollandaise sauce. Also, don't forget Lenora's Hawaiian Bread Pudding which is served daily, or her famed bananas Foster French toast Owned by event-promoter Larry Morrow's (All Bets On Me: The Risks and Rewards Of Becoming an Entrepreneur)and his mother, Chef Lenora Chong (formerly of Lenora's Grill in Pontchartrain Park); Morrow's is fast becoming the place to be seen for both local and national entertainers and sport figures.
With Happy Hour from 4-7 PM offering $5 Cocktail, the long contemporary bar in the center of the restaurant serves as added incentive for diners to hang around a little longer.
Victory Bar & Restaurant; Nestled in the heart of Downtown New Orleans lies the city's most eclectic and unique place for pleasant conversation, an array of delectable morsels and an impeccably prepared cocktail. The spirit of Victory is in its team's pledge to preserve the elegance of a past era when cocktails were fashioned with pride and artistry. Compliment your drink with a serving of Korean BBQ Lettuce Wraps Marinated Pork & Beef, Coconut Rice, Scallon Salad on Iceberg Lettuce or the Crabmeat Au Gratin Dip.
Jerk chicken or pork, curried chicken, oxtail, beef patties, plaintains & other hearty Jamaican eats are offered at Boswell's Jamaican Grill; a no-frills eatery near the hospital district. Our favorite is the Fish Escabeche served with coconut rice and peas. It is delicious authentic Jamaican food and an atmosphere to match that offers a weekday lunch buffet at a modest price. Located at 3521 Tulane Avenue, it is a short five minute cab ride from Downtown New Orleans.
16. Neyow's Creole Cafe is an informal establishment supplying Creole & other Southern-inspired dishes. The menu includes fried seafood dishes, Creole favorites and po-boys. Char-grilled oysters are topped with butter and cheese sauce. The seafood platter includes fried shrimp, oysters, fish, a stuffed crab and two sides. "The red beans or white beans come with enough fried chicken or pork chops "on the side" to constitute a two-course dinner. " - Ian McNulty
The Half Shell Oyster Bar & Grill; Mid-City's newest oyster bar on Esplanade Avenue in the Faubourg St. John neighborhood. Their specialty and focus is on oyster dishes. They provide a full oyster bar menu for lunch and dinner. The Half Shell also offer lunch dishes such as roast beef poboys, burgers, and shrimp, as well as dinner items including lobster tails, steak, chicken and vegetarian options. Open during the weekdays from 7am - 9pm and the weekends from 7am - 3pm. Stop by for a great Seafood and traditional new Orleans style cuisine.
Dunbar's Creole Cuisine, a pre-Katrina NoLa mainstay in the neighborhood of Freret, Dunbar's has found a new home after being closed for more that a decade. However, this Gert Town iteration maintains its original charm with its down-home Creole cooking (think po'boys, fried seafood platters, BBQ ribs, pork chops, fried chicken and the like) and familiar, relaxed vibe.
Opening in 1986 with Ms. Dunbar preparing food from her home and serving it to her restaurant customers. Since then Dunbar's has created a foundation for great food in the city of New Orleans. Known for its delicious fried chicken, red beans, and famous gumbo from a family recipe passed down by her mother at the young age of six. Dunbar's is a historical cuisine monument to New Orleans.
In April of 2007 Baru Bistro & Tapas opened in the heart of the Garden District of New Orleans introducing a taste of the Caribbean on the merchant street Magazine. With the desire to interpret the traditional cuisine of the caribbean coast of Colombia and South America through fresh and local ingredients, Baru opened its doors as a tapas restaurant. Tapas are a tradition originating from Spain in which small portions are served on small plates, ideal for those who enjoy variety in their dining experience. Baru won "Best Latin Restaurant" in the Gambit magazine's "Best of New Orleans" awards, and we are proud to say we have won that title every year since! "Best New Restaurant" in 2008 in Where Ya't magazine and was theTimes Picayune top 100 restaurants.
Chef Nina Compton
23. On May 7, 2018 Chef Nina Compton of Compère Lapin restaurant made history by becoming the first Black women to be designated as the best chef in the South at the 2018 James Beard Awards. The James Beard Foundation awards are considered the Oscars of the culinary world. Only five black chefs have ever been a Best Chef finalist.
Inspiration for the menu comes from the traditional Caribbean folktales featuring a mischievous rabbit named Compère Lapin that Chef Nina Compton read during her childhood in St. Lucia. Drawing on the story's themes of exploration and play, she mixes the indigenous ingredients and rich culinary heritage of New Orleans with those of her Caribbean roots. Tapping into her classical French culinary training and deep experience with Italian cuisine, the result is a playful menu that takes food you know, and makes it food you love.
She was also a contestant on Bravo's "Top Chef: New Orleans." Compère Lapin is a sophisticated eatery serving New Orleans accented flavors in the Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery located on 535 Tchoupitoulas Street in the city's Warehouse District. Special menu items includes Eggplant Ravioli, Curried Goat, or Black Drum complemented with choices such as Plantain or Sweet Potato Gnocchi.
Sassafras Restaurant continues to rise above the tide with an appealing recipe
for success---great food, excellent customer service and fantastic atmosphere. Over 10 years ago, they began a tradition of serving authentic New Orleans flavor at a reasonable price in an upscale setting. From their creole favorites, (Seafood Stuffed Peppers, File Gumbo, Catfish Orleans, Chicken Bernard, and Smothered Okra with Shrimp), to their flavorful takes on seafood (fried and grilled), Pastas, SIgnature Salads, Juicy Steaks and Decadent Desserts, Sassafras offers something for everyone. And certainly, enjoy dessert---their own mouthwatering Bread Pudding with Praline Sauce---- is the ultimate decadent delight!